The Best WiFi Routers of 2024

Your router is responsible for distributing bandwidth to your devices. Think of it like a traffic director choosing which devices and data have access to the internet. There are dozens of routers on the market today fit for different lifestyle needs. Choosing one depends largely on your family’s budget, connected devices, home size, and online activity.

Many internet providers offer equipment rentals for an additional monthly fee, but we recommend purchasing one separately if you have the option. By doing this, you could save more than $200 over the course of a few years and maximize your internet experience.

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Whether you have a standard router, WiFi 6, or a mesh system, you want to make sure your router delivers good coverage, reliable speeds, and self-monitoring features for complete control over your home network.

Here are our editor’s picks for the best routers available in 2022.

Jump Ahead:

• Best Cheap Router
• Best Router for Small Homes
• Best Gaming Router
• Best Long-Range Router
• Best Streaming Router
• Best Router for Multiple Devices
• Best Router for Remote Workers
• Best Router for Mesh WiFi
• Best Premium Router

Best Cheap Router

TP-Link Archer AX21

If you’re on a tight budget but still want to get the best possible deal, look no further than the TP-Link Archer AX21. Priced under $100, this handy router provides a powerful connection that’s fast and consistent, which is one of the best combos you can ask for.

This router won the JD Power Award for customer satisfaction from 2019 – 2020. When you purchase the TP-Link Archer AX21, expect to get whole-home coverage and multiple advanced features like WiFi 6 compatibility and quad-core processing.

Best Router for Small Homes

TP-Link AC1750

Let’s continue on the path of affordability. It’s challenging to get state-of-the-art equipment on a budget, but tools like the TP-Link make things more manageable.

Best for small homes and apartments, the TP-Link AC1750 is the best well-rounded router priced under $60 and offers dual-band technology and high-speed bandwidth support. If you’re concerned about compatibility with internet service providers, you’ll also have an easy time with this purchase. The TP-Link AC1750 is compatible with major providers such as Xfinity, AT&T, Spectrum, and Frontier.

Best Router for Gaming

Asus RT-AX86U – Best Gaming Router

Are you an avid gamer that needs a reliable, fast internet connection? Due to the processing power needed to run a game smoothly, your router must be top-notch.

At $220 on sale, the Asus RT-AX86U is lightning fast, compatible with WiFi 6 devices, and supports speeds of up to 5,700 Mbps. There’s no need to worry about lag or latency, thanks to AiMesh routers. Today, some of the most common frustrations of online gamers are glitching feeds, lost saved data, and poor video quality. You’ll notice a drastic improvement in your experience with this Asus router.

Best Long-Range Router

Asus RT-AX88U

Do you need to maintain a connection over very long distances – say throughout a large home or in your backyard? WiFi is known for being a little unreliable the further away you are from your router, so it’s important to pick the right router for your home size. 

The best long-range router is the Asus RT-AX88U, which can cover a home up to 5,000 square feet and supports speeds up to 6,000 Mbps downstream. It also has 8 GB ports, AiMesh compatibility, and internet security pre-installed. While not cheap by any means, this router is an excellent option for people who have large homes or run multiple devices simultaneously.

Best Router for Streaming

Linksys EA7500

Do you stream videos or live sports often? Perhaps you’re considering Twitch streaming to supplement your income. Whatever reason you have, you’ll want the best streaming router to support your digital needs.

The best streaming router in 2022 is the Linksys EA7500. It provides up to 1,500 square feet of WiFi coverage and can manage 4K HD streaming and gaming. It also comes with multi-user, multiple-input, multiple-output technology (MU-MIMO) to help connect to and support various devices at once.

Best Router for Multiple Devices

Netgear Nighthawk X4S

Do you need to connect several devices at once to the internet? This is a major need for gamers, streamers, and large families alike.

The Netgear Nighthawk X4S Smart WiFi Router lives up to its title as the best router for multiple devices in 2022. It can provide WiFi coverage for up to2,500 square feet and offers dual-band technology. Not only that, it provides WiFi Band-Simultaneous Dual Band that’s able to juggle several frequencies at once and it supports download speeds up to 2,600 Mbps.

Best Router for Remote Workers

ASUS RT-AC1200

Are you a remote worker that relies on a consistent internet connection? You need a router that won’t fail you at the last second before an assignment is due.

According to recent statistics, over four million workers in the United States work remotely at least half the time. This number is expected to grow exponentially as more workers enjoy the perks of a better work-life balance. The ASUS RT-AC1200 provides Dual-band technology and a 1,200 Mbps data transfer rate. It’s also one of the more affordable routers on the market and is easy to set up.

Best Router for Mesh WiFi

Eero Home Mesh WiFi System

While long-range routers are great for large homes, some layouts aren’t conducive to even WiFi coverage. WiFi Mesh systems are a great alternative for users when large furniture, thick walls, and unusual floor plans that impede internet signals from evenly traveling throughout your home.

The Eero Home Mesh WiFi System is buildable, meaning you can have one or multiple Eero devices make up your home system. Typically, it comes with up to three devices you can place throughout your home to help broadcast and strengthen WiFi signals. It’s easy to set up and can be linked to your Amazon Alexa voice devices for quicker management. This mesh system also provides an impressive home coverage of up to 5,000 sq. ft. and uses TrueMesh technology to intelligently route traffic on devices to avoid congestion, buffering, and drop-offs in connection.

Best Premium Router

NETGEAR Nighthawk CAX80 WiFi 6 Modem/Router

If you’re interested in the most powerful router the market has to offer, then the Netgear Nighthawk CAX80 is an excellent option.

This router is one of the most durable and flexible models on the market. It comes with key features such as extensive WiFi coverage and Dual-Band technology. You’ll also get comprehensive virus protection to keep your data as safe as possible, and it’s compatible with all major cable providers including Xfinity, Spectrum, and Cox. Check out additional features you can expect from this powerful device.

How to Test Your WiFi Router

A high-performing router, like the ones we listed, should have reliable speeds across your entire home network. To test your internet speeds, simply run an wifi speed test on your device. All you have to do is press the Go button on the landing page, and you will almost instantly see what your current speed is.

If you’re unsure which internet speed is best for you, we have a quick Speed Quiz you can take to figure it out within minutes.

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Router Round-Up

When you purchase a reliable WiFi router, you set yourself up for early success. Faster internet speeds, reliable cybersecurity measures, and convenient features do wonders for productivity and can enhance your overall home internet experience.

To conclude, here’s a round-up of the best WiFi routers in 2022 worth checking out:

• Best Cheap Router – TP-Link Archer AX21
• Best Router for Small Homes – TP-Link AC1750
• Best Gaming Router – Asus RT-AX86U
• Best Long-Range Router – Asus RT-AX88U
• Best Streaming Router – Linksys EA7500
• Best Router for Multiple Devices – Netgear Nighthawk X4S
• Best Router for Remote Workers – ASUS RT-AC1200
• Best Router for Mesh WiFi – Eero Home Mesh WiFi System
• Best Premium Router – NETGEAR Nighthawk CAX80 WiFi 6 Modem/Router