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If you’re not familiar with the advancements routers have made in recent years, you’ll be in for quite the surprise. Today’s best wireless routers work to provide seamless internet connections, cover more area than ever, and a whole lot more. Join us as we uncover the latest developments and what they mean for you.
We reviewed some incredible systems and ranked the best 10 to help you find the right one for your needs. These models provide some of the best speed and reliability around. You’ll soon be able to enjoy movies uninterrupted, play games lag-free, and connect your smart home – all from one convenient unit.
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When choosing the best overall from the bunch, we knew it had to be affordable and reliable. Enter: the Google Wi-Fi System. It’s the perfect solution to your wireless internet needs. This clever unit ensures there are no dead zones throughout your home for complete coverage.
If you’re one of the many who have upgraded to a smart home package, the Google Nest was made with you in mind. This router provides more coverage than ever while giving you a seamless connection throughout your home.
We’ve got 8 more units to show you, each one providing you with excellent service. Whether you’re looking for greater coverage or a better game playing experience, we’ve got a router for you.
If you’re still using an old router that your internet provider gave you, Google’s Wi-Fi System will convince you to switch. Those traditional units don’t cover much area and are prone to interruptions galore.
You can purchase Google Wi-Fi in packs of 1 or 3. Each router covers a total of 1,500 square feet. Doing the math, a 3-pack gives you 4,500 square feet of wireless internet. Simply figure out how much coverage you need throughout your home and buy only what you need.
No longer do you have to rely on hit-or-miss wireless extenders. Google Wi-Fi uses an advanced system that gives you seamless internet without fear of disruptions. Now you can stream movies worry-free. No dip in connection means a more enjoyable internet experience. Can you imagine being able to watch videos without waiting on the dreaded buffering?
Well, now you can. Google Wi-Fi excels at it. This works by scanning and choosing only the fastest bands and clearest channels available. This means better connections for you and your family at all times.
And, getting coverage in every corner of your home has never been easier. By strategically positioning each router, every inch of your home can have fast, solid internet. Managing your Google Wi-Fi has never been easier thanks to Google’s clever app.
Now you can prioritize a device or devices over another, giving you the best connection when you need it most. Do you have children that need to be monitored? No problem there. Google’s app lets you easily pause Wi-Fi on any device, ensuring screen time is limited as you see fit.
The great thing about these handy little routers is that they are small and attractive. Each one is about the size of a couple stacked cans of tuna. They are all-white with an LED strip in the center. Being so small, they are easy to place just about anywhere you like.
If you’re using a smartphone to configure the router(s), you don’t get quite the same flexibility as with a computer. Regardless, Google has made setup a breeze. Simply plug in each device and scan a QR code. It’s quick and painless.
If you’ve upgraded to a smart home, Google’s Nest will connect everything together and make your life much easier. This upgrade of the Google Wi-Fi System tightens things up in a sleeker and smaller package.
Each unit covers more square footage than ever, maxing out at 2,200 per router. With coverage like this, a single router can provide a steady internet connection throughout your entire home. If you have a larger home, simply pick up an extra unit or two.
Google also equips each Nest with a built-in speaker for greater versatility. You get all the same features as the Google Wi-Fi, but now with even better performance. Need to limit screen time to one or all family members? Done. Simply open the provided app and select which devices you want to limit.
Each Nest ensures you’re getting the fastest internet speeds possible. If your home is filled with smart technology, you can bet they’re going to work seamlessly without fail. You need a connection you can rely on. Google Nest gives you that.
The design of the Nest is rounder and smoother than that of the Google Wi-Fi. It’s wrapped in a fabric material for a soft-touch feel. A single LED light tells you when the unit is up and running. The gaudy plastic hunks of yesteryear are now replaced with an attractive design that looks great anywhere you put it.
Google offers the Nest in packs of 1, 2, or 3. You’re guaranteed more coverage than ever before thanks to the cutting-edge technology each unit provides.
Managing your internet connection through Google’s Nest app is a cinch. You can easily add devices, check your connection speeds, share passwords, and more.
The first thing you’ll notice about the ASUS NORDIC is its design. This wild-looking router is perfect for gaming. It provides stellar coverage with breakneck speeds. With the NORDIC, there’s no need to mess with pricey wireless extenders throughout your home.
It gives you incredible long-distance coverage. This ensures your online gaming sessions are played the way they were intended. This bleeds over into streaming movies and everyday web browsing, as well.
It’s equipped with a 1.8GHz dual-core processor to bring you the fastest performance at all times. Until fairly recently, it wasn’t uncommon to struggle through laggy gameplay at every turn. ASUS eliminates this in fine fashion thanks to its top-of-the-line components.
Even better, the NORDIC is optimized with the best security measures. It’s also modified so that your games run better than ever. ASUS even lets you customize and tweak settings so you’re getting just the connection you need.
The only issue we ran into in our tests was when using the NORDIC at close range. Surprisingly, it’s not quite as fast as it is at longer distances. But that’s where it really shines, giving you incredible speeds, all the way at the other end of your house.
You’ll need to have an active internet connection in order to set up the router. Once completed, performance is lightning-fast. Playing at close range can cause some slowdown, but long distances soar.
Are you into gaming? Have you been looking for the perfect wireless router to complement your setup? Well, you can stop holding out, because NETGEAR has exactly what you need.
This monster of a machine is designed to deliver the highest speeds so you can enjoy your games without lag. A big part of making this possible is the Nighthawk’s reduction of high pings. Your latency rates are kept to a minimum, leaving you with more speed than you’ll know what to do with.
If you’re the parent of a gamer and you need to set some limitations, the Nighthawk will help you there, too. Its DumaOS software lets you control parental settings in great detail. From here, you can also manage devices, monitor your network, check vital system information, and much more.
But one of the handiest features for gamers is Geo-Filtering. Accessed through DumaOS, this allows you to set the router to only connect to local players and servers. We found this to be incredibly useful, but it’s not perfect.
When using the Nighthawk with our Xbox One and PS4, we had zero issues with Geo-Filtering. On PC, however, we found that not all games work with this feature.
Aside from that one drawback, we can’t recommend this router enough. It looks cool and will blend right in with any gaming rig; it provides excellent speeds, and its software is intuitive and well-designed.
The incredibly useful DumaOS software delivers one of best management systems for a router we’ve ever seen. It’s majorly beneficial to any serious gamer thanks to its robust features.
This behemoth of a router will cost you a pretty penny, but delivers some truly impressive performance. It’s equipped with no less than 8 antennas for total internet coverage. To say that it’s bulky would be an understatement. But if you can get past the unorthodox design, you’ll find it to be a very user-friendly and capable device.
As one of the top sellers of 2019, the Archer gives you blistering speeds and great versatility. And if you have a smart device that’s equipped with Alexa, the Archer can be used in conjunction with it.
Made for both professionals and beginners alike, the Archer can be used by nearly anyone. It’s jam-packed with advanced features that will make even the most computer-literate person blush. It comes ready with a 1.4GHz dual-core processor. One works for the 2.4GHz band, while the other for its 5GHz channels.
What does this mean for you? Dizzying speeds, that’s what. Even if you’re piping in heavy media and internet usage across your home or office, the Archer works to ensure each gets consistent delivery.
Sure, the design is a little… odd, but looks aren’t everything. It’s what’s inside that matters the most. And inside the Archer router is some truly beautiful hardware at work. You get reliability like few others can provide, potentially delivering a total of 2,167 megabits per second.
TP-Link’s Archer can be as straightforward or complex as you want it. If you have a smart home, you’ll find this to be a worthy companion. It’s a bit ghastly looking, but it gets the job done like few can.
Another pricey offering comes courtesy of NETGEAR’s Orbi Pro. If you’re a business owner looking to expand your office’s wireless coverage, this is definitely one you want to take a look at.
It boasts up to 5,000 square feet of Wi-Fi coverage. If you need even more than that, extra satellites can be equipped for 2,500 additional square feet of coverage. They are a cinch to set up and put into place.
Where the Orbi Pro shines is its continuous speedy delivery. If your office suffers from lagging connections and spotty areas, you’ll be amazed at the difference this little guy can make. The Orbi works to ensure everyone has equal internet speeds, regardless of how much one is using over the other.
It’s distributed evenly across the board, with no dips in performance. It’s the perfect solution to a disgruntled office full of employees. In this day and age, no business can afford to have substandard wireless connectivity.
The devices are small, yet attractive. They look great anywhere, and take up very little real estate. Yes, the price is a bit steep for a router. But for the advantages it brings to the table, the Orbi is worth its weight in gold.
Installation is a breeze and setup is equally easy. For $4.99 a month, you get complete control over the Orbi system. You can check history, pause access, and filter certain websites for free. But you’ll have to pay to create time limits and set access schedules.
Want the broad flexibility and fast performance of the Orbi Pro in your home? NETGEAR has you covered with the home networking version, the AC2200. You’re still going to be paying about the same as what the Orbi Pro costs. But now you can enjoy professional-grade internet access right at home.
And if you have an Alexa-capable device, you can use voice commands with the Orbi for greater flexibility than ever. The home versions don’t cover quite the same amount of area as the Pro. You’re getting a little less than half at 2,000 square feet of wireless internet broadcast throughout your home.
As with the Pro, you can buy additional satellite units to expand your coverage. If you live in a small or medium home, this is the solution for you. You can ensure each room is adequately covered so that no one is left out.
If your abode is extensively equipped with smart home technology, the Orbi home version is the perfect package. Each device receives equally fast connections. There’s no interruptions, giving everyone and everything under your roof what they need for proper streaming, gaming, and more.
The design of the Orbi is compact and attractive. It will look great anywhere in your home thanks to its versatile construction. The devices are pretty straightforward to install and setup, leaving you more time to enjoy their benefits.
Installation and setup is quick and easy. You get free parental control over connected devices and you can set limitations, too.
The big benefit with the Deco M9 is easily their coverage area. One unit alone can cover up to 4,500 square feet. Depending on which package you get, you can cover a total of 6,500 square feet.
If you own a large home, this is the solution for you. Each room of your house will be equally supplied with wireless internet connections. Even better, the Deco M9 comes equipped with some really impressive security features. This ensures your family can use the internet in safety.
Installing and setting up the Deco M9 is very easy and user-friendly. We would have liked it if there was a computer application available for managing your connections. But right now, this can only be done through a mobile app.
If you won’t mind the look of smoke detectors in your home, you won’t mind the Deco M9. They look nearly identical and are a cinch to mount just about anywhere you see fit.
Servicing the units is made easy thanks to a glowing LED light on each one. They change different colors to let you know how the routers are running and if there’s a problem that needs to be addressed.
If the light turns red, you know there’s an issue with the connection. Unfortunately, you may be seeing this color a lot. We had several hiccups during testing. Oftentimes, we had to wait for the connection to level out to where it was acceptable to use.
This is a shame considering the coverage they provide. It doesn’t help that they are pretty expensive units, either. When they are working properly, performance is exceptional. Every device throughout the house can enjoy solid, fast speeds.
But when it starts lagging and having trouble connecting, it’s quite the pain. If TP-Link can remedy this issue in an updated version, it will be a surefire winner. It’s hard to find widespread coverage for large homes that are reliable and steady. Sadly, this remains true, even with the Deco M9.
Setup and installation is a breeze. You’ll sometimes fight with their operation, as their performance isn’t as solid as other models. But for total home coverage, the Deco M9 offers some of the very best.
If you’re on a tight budget but need wireless connectivity in your home, D-Link has your back. As one of the more affordable wireless routers available, this one won’t hurt your wallet like some of the more premium brands.
You certainly don’t want to expect the same level of blazing-fast coverage of those aforementioned routers. But that doesn’t mean D-Link’s offering is useless. These handy little units do indeed offer great coverage throughout your home. In our tests, each room had readily-available Wi-Fi.
It’s the speed that’s a problem. Connecting too many devices caused us some major lagging from time to time. It wasn’t constant, but it was enough to aggravate. If you’re only planning on providing access for one or two devices, you’ll likely be pleased with the performance. Anything beyond and you’re in for a gamble.
The great part about these routers is that they are an affordable option amid the sea of expensive entries. They’re really easy to set up and manage, too. If you’re new to the game and are wanting to try out wireless connectivity, the COVR-C1203 is a good starting point.
The design is pretty decent, too. While they don’t have quite the same level of appeal as a Google Nest, for example, they are tiny and rather cute. They come in a 3-pack, making it easy to disperse them throughout your home wherever you like.
Thanks to easy setup and installation, you’ll be enjoying wireless internet in no time flat. As long as you limit your connected devices, you should have a fine experience. But if you try to do too many, you’ll likely suffer setbacks in performance.
For those who like to have complete control over their internet network, the Eero Pro is the perfect system. You can tweak and customize settings to your heart’s content. There’s a lot of versatility at play here. But all of this comes at a price.
For one, the Eero has a pretty hefty cost to it. You get 3 router hubs that are designed to give you complete coverage throughout your home. The problem is, each one provides little coverage in actuality. They are rated for 5,000 square feet of collective coverage, but we had trouble connecting all of our devices during testing.
When connected, speed is impressive. Streaming movies works flawlessly, and gaming is just as solid. But we found we were limited to setting up where we got the best connection. If you’re looking for true total-home coverage, you may want to look elsewhere.
Again, the main draw here is user control. If that isn’t as important to you as performance, save a few bucks and grab a Google Wi-Fi System. But if you love the technical aspect of these devices, the Eero is right up your alley.
A nice bonus is its Alexa support. If you have an Alexa device, you can sync the two for greater versatility. You’ll be able to use voice commands to control even more.
Aesthetically, they do have an attractive and sleek design. A single LED lets you know the unit is operating normally. While the Eero isn’t anything you haven’t seen already, it will look great in any setting.
Three units come with the package. You get one router and 2 satellites. The size of each makes installation easy, allowing you to covertly place them anywhere in your home. You’ll have to do your setup from the Eero app on your smartphone. But it’s just as easy as any other and will have you up and running in a snap.
Wireless routers are everywhere around you. Take a look at your phone whenever you are in a cafe or shopping. You will see a lot of Wi-Fi routers, some of them connectable, the others not. The point is that nearly every house, cafe, restaurant, mall, and more, have a wireless router.
Wireless routers allow you to easily connect to the Internet from the comfort of your home, without having to deal with ethernet cables.
The problem is, there are way too many wireless routers available on the market. Purchasing a high-quality one feels like an adventure from which you might return with an empty bag.
We have spent countless hours researching wireless routers to bring you our top 10 list, but we didn’t stop there. This short article will teach you what to expect from wireless routers, and how to find the best ones.
Before you can start your search for a wireless router that will suit your needs, you need to know more about their types. Today, there are a couple of different types of wireless routers. We are focusing on the three that are commonly used.
Before you can buy a wireless router that will do everything you want it to, you need to be aware of a couple of features. Never skimp on the following features, and your new wireless router will serve you well.
MU-MIMO(Multiple User Multiple Input, Multiple Output) is a new router technology. It allows the wireless router to connect to, at this moment, up to four devices at the same time.
Routers without the MU-MIMO shuffle data packets quickly between one device at a time. This can make the connection unreliable and slow.
MU-MIMO technology doesn’t shuffle data packets between devices. It focuses on up to four devices and maintains a direct connection to them.
Not a lot of mobile devices can utilize the MU-MIMO technology. So, you should think hard whether you really need it. But, if you want to future-proof your home, then a wireless router with MU-MIMO technology is something you should consider.
If you don’t take the necessary steps to secure your wireless router, you are leaving your Internet connection open to everyone. Anyone with malicious intent can listen in on your online activities or use your Internet. Some attackers will be able to access your files and even infect your devices with viruses.
First of all, secure your devices with antivirus software. Your second step should be securing the router. Secure the wireless router with at least WPA2 encryption. Avoid WEP encryption at all costs. Anyone with the most basic understanding of computers can crack WEP encryption in a matter of minutes.
WPA2 encryption and antivirus protection should be enough to protect you from plenty of attacks. But, as always, be careful online, don’t open files sent by strangers, and avoid shady websites.