Whether you’re looking to get more performance out of your home network, extend your range or support more devices at the same time, investing in one of the best Wi-Fi routers is going to make your life easier.
To determine which Wi-Fi routers are truly the best, we put them through extensive real-world testing. This included running benchmarks at multiple distances to measure both speed and range. Plus, we evaluate how well each router can move data through walls and ceilings in a real home.
Based on our extensive benchmarking, the best Wi-Fi router overall is the Asus RT-BE96U. This router uses the latest Wi-Fi 7 standard for the best possible speed and lowest latency, and it delivered blazing throughput in our tests with a range of over 100 feet. If you’re on a budget, the TP-Link Archer AX55 is a great value pick, offering strong speeds over Wi-Fi 6 for under $100.
There’s lots of other great Wi-Fi routers we recommend for different use cases based on our reviews, including mesh systems for the ultimate home coverage and gaming routers for the smoothest performance. Here’s the best Wi-Fi routers you can buy right now.
The quick list
Performance: ★★★★★
Range: ★★★★★
Value: ★★★☆☆
This Wi-Fi 7 router has excellent range, built-in security software, all the ports you'll need, and delivered some of the fastest speeds on our tests. However, all this doesn't come cheap.
Performance: ★★★☆☆
Range: ★★★★★
Value: ★★★★★
This Wi-Fi 6 router is an absolute bargain with excellent range, a good selection of ports and it’s quite compact. However, it performed much better close up than it did at a distance.
Performance:★★★★☆
Range: ★★★★☆
Value: ★★☆☆☆
This Wi-Fi 7 mesh router provides excellent speeds, great coverage and was one of the fastest we’ve tested yet. However, it’s quite expensive and only comes with a one-year warranty.
Performance: ★★★☆☆
Range: ★★★★☆
Value: ★★★★★
This Wi-Fi 6 mesh router is very affordable, has excellent range and it and its satellites are small and compact. It only has two ports on the back though.
Performance: ★★★★☆
Range: ★★★★☆
Value: ★★★★☆
This Wi-Fi 7 gaming router sports a futuristic design, comes with loads of ports and even has built-in RGB lighting. It is on the large side though and runs hot even with a fan.
Performance: ★★★★★
Range: ★★★★★
Value: ★★★☆☆
This Wi-Fi 6E router has a unique design, provides excellent speeds and comes with security software built-in. Its speeds were great up close but fell off at longer distances though.
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Performance: ★★★★★
Range: ★★★★★
Value: ★★★★☆
This Wi-Fi 7 router has a customizable big dot display, good range and comes with built-in security software. It is on the large side though and it carries a higher price.
Performance: ★★★★☆
Range: ★★★★★
Value: ★★★☆☆
This Wi-Fi 6 mesh router has great range, great performance and it lets you create a separate smart home network. All of this doesn’t come cheap though and support is limited to 90 days.
Performance: ★★★★☆
Range: ★★★★☆
Value: ★★★☆☆
This Wi-Fi 7 mesh router is simple to set up, offers good performance up close and comes with all the ports you need. Extra security and parental controls require a subscription though.
The best Wi-Fi routers you can buy today
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Best Wi-Fi router overall
✅ You want a futureproof Wi-Fi router: The Asus RT-BE96U comes with Wi-Fi 7 on board so you won’t need to upgrade anytime soon if you get this router.
✅ You don’t want to pay extra for security software: Asus includes its AiProtection security software free of charge which is based on Trend Micro’s antivirus software.
❌You don’t have gigabit internet: A powerful Wi-Fi 7 router just doesn’t make sense if you’re internet speeds are less than a gigabit.
❌ Price is a big concern: At $700 the Asus RT-BE96U is on the expensive side. If you’re on a budget just wait as cheaper Wi-Fi 7 routers are coming.
The Asus RT-BE96U is a blazing fast Wi-Fi 7 router that checks all the boxes, though it is on the expensive side at $699. For the price though, you're getting a tri-band router with built-in security software and excellent range. The Asus RT-BE96U has eight antennas at the top which can be rotated or angled for a better signal. The device itself sports a sleek, all-black design with a subtle "7" on the top to let you know this is a Wi-Fi 7 router after all.
One reason you might consider spending a bit more on the Asus RT-BE96U is for its excellent speeds. During our testing, this router delivered 1.948 Gbps at 15 feet and it was able to hold a connection even when our test laptop was 105 feet away. There are plenty of ports at the back including several multi-gig ones. With the Asus RT-BE96U, you get a 10 Gbps and a gigabit WAN, a 10 Gbps LAN and three gigabit Ethernet ports plus two USB 3.0 ports for moving data across your network from a flash drive or external hard drive. If you have a need for speed and want a reliable router you can use for years to come, the Asus RT-BE96U is currently your best option.
Read our full Asus RT-BE96U review.
Best budget Wi-Fi router
✅ You want an inexpensive Wi-Fi 6 router: With a list price of just over $100 and the fact that’s often on sale, the TP-Link Archer AX55 is a very affordable Wi-Fi 6 router.
✅ You want a small, compact router: At 10.2 x 5.2 x 1.5-inches, the Archer AX55 is quite small for a Wi-Fi 6 router and won’t take up too much space in your home.
❌ You have a larger home or apartment: The Archer AX55 did well at short distances in our speed tests but fell off at mid-distances making it a less than ideal choice for larger spaces.
❌ You want the latest wireless tech: This is a Wi-Fi 6 router and doesn’t come with the faster 6 GHz band available with Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7.
The TP-Link Archer AX55 is a Wi-Fi 6 bargain with a list price of just $130. However, you can often find it on sale for just over $100. For the price, you're getting a small and easy to hide Wi-Fi 6 router with excellent range, lots of setup options and a 2-year warranty. The TP-Link Archer AX55 is a dual-band router with four antennas that can also be repositioned for a better signal.
During our testing, the TP-Link Archer AX55 was able to reach speeds of 823.7 Mbps at a distance of 15 feet and it had an overall range of 110 feet. On the back, you'll find a single gigabit WAN port along with four gigabit LAN ports as well as a USB 3.0 port for moving data across your network. The TP-Link Archer AX55 has an all-black design with some cutouts at the top and soft rubber feet on the bottom. If you're after a quick, easy and inexpensive upgrade for your home network, the TP-Link Archer AX55 will more than do the trick.
Read our full TP-Link Archer AX55 review.
Best Wi-Fi mesh system
✅ You have a multi-gig internet plan: The Orbi RBE973 is a great choice for those with multi-gigabit internet plans as it has two 10 Gbps Ethernet ports.
✅ You have a huge house: Each Orbi RBE973 device has a range of 3,300 feet and a three-pack can cover up to 10,0 square feet.
❌ You're on a budget: The Orbi RBE973 is the most expensive Wi-Fi 7 mesh router released to date.
❌ You want free tech support: Netgear only includes 90 days of free tech support. After that, you'll have to pay
Netgear's Orbi RBE973 is one of the best mesh Wi-Fi systems on the planet — and also one the most expensive. But if you have money to burn, a multi-gig internet plan and an enormous house, this is probably the mesh system for you.
The Orbi RBE973 can cover up to 10,00 square feet with a three-pack but a two-pack can cover 6,600 square feet. At a distance of 15 feet, this Wi-Fi 7 mesh system delivered throughput of more than two gigabits per second and was the fastest router we've tested yet.
Each unit has 12 amplified isotropic antennas and one 10 Gbps and two 2.5 Gbps Ethernet ports. Like the Orbi Wi-Fi 6E it replaces in Netgear's lineup, the RBE973 creates channels on the 2.5, 5 and 6-Ghz bands, plus a fourth 5-Ghz one for backhaul between units. Netgear offers trial subscriptions to its Armor security software, which includes Bitdefender antivirus, and parental controls. You'll also have to pay for tech support after 90 days. However, if you can afford to pay for this mesh system, you won't mind.
Read our full Netgear Orbi RBE973 review.
Best budget mesh system
✅ You want to upgrade to a mesh router on a budget: The Deco X20 is the perfect choice for those that want an affordable mesh router that performs well.
✅ You want something small and easy to hide: At 4.3 x 4.3 x 4.5-inches, the Deco X20 units are smaller than other mesh routers.
❌ You need a lot of ports: Each Deco X20 unit only has two Ethernet ports which means you’ll need a network switch if you have a lot of wired devices.
❌ You want a dedicated back channel for data: Other mesh routers have a dedicated band just for the units to communicate with one another which frees up bandwidth for your devices.
The TP-Link Deco X20 is an inexpensive mesh Wi-Fi system that's relatively small and very easy to set up. In fact, during our testing, we were able to get it up and running in 15 minutes or so using the company's Deco app which also allows you to enable parental controls and comes with built-in security. For just $200, you can cover up to 5,800 square feet with a strong Wi-Fi 6 signal.
Unlike with other mesh routers, all of the Deco X20 units are interchangeable and serve as either a router or a satellite. Each one has two gigabit Ethernet ports at the rear but there aren't any USB ports for sharing data from a flash drive across your network. In our testing, the Deco X20 achieved download speeds of 622 Mbps at 15 feet with a total overall range of 95 feet. If you're looking for a budget mesh Wi-Fi system with units that are easy to tuck away on a bookshelf or place on a countertop, the Deco X20 delivers quite a lot of value for the price.
Read our full TP-Link Deco X20 review.
Best Wi-Fi router for gamers
✅ You need a lot of ports: This gaming router ships with the latest wireless standard and comes equipped with all of the ports you’ll need to take advantage of its faster speeds.
✅ You have multi-gig internet: With two 10 Gbps WAN/LAN ports and a SFP+ port that can be combined with one of them for fiber internet, this router is best paired with a high-speed, multi-gig internet plan to reach its full potential.
❌You’re short on space: At 11.5 x 9.0 x 7.4 inches, this is a larger router and with the wings on either side and RGB lighting, you’re going to want to have it out in the open and not tucked away somewhere.
❌ You want a device that runs cool: In our testing, the underside of this one reached 138.0 degree Fahrenheit while the space between its wings was still hot at 120.1 degrees.
The TP-Link Archer GE800 is a Wi-Fi 7-powered gaming router with low latency, excellent speeds, a dedicated gaming port and a very futuristic design complete with RGB lighting effects. At 11.5 x 9.0 x 7.4 inches, it is on the larger side to accommodate its wings which house its eight antennas.
The Archer GE800 leverages 320 MHz data channels, 4K QAM modulation and other Wi-Fi 7-specific features to deliver both excellent wireless and wired speeds. In our testing, it delivered speeds of up to 1.322 Gbps at a distance of 15 feet and had a total range of 105 feet. This next-gen gaming router is ready for multi-gig internet with four 2.5 Gbps Ethernet ports, two 10 Gbps ones and even an SFP+ optical link for fiber connections. There’s also a USB 3.0 port for moving data across your network.
The Archer GE800’s gaming features are front and center with a dedicated Game Mode button next to a button to control the router’s RGB lighting effects. Through the company’s Tether app or in your browser, you can enable all sorts of dedicated gaming features. From a Game Detector that tests your real-time ping for individual games to game port forwarding, there’s a lot to tweak for the best online gaming experience. The Archer GE800 combines Wi-Fi 7 performance with just about everything a gamer would want from one of the best gaming routers.
Read our full TP-Link Archer GE800 review.
Best Wi-Fi 6e
✅ You want a router that stands out: With its unique fin-shaped design, the Netgear RAXE500 doesn’t look like your typical Wi-Fi router.
✅ You want a customizable router: Netgear makes it very easy to customize this router to your liking using either its app or your browser.
❌ You don’t have multi-gig internet: The 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port at the back of this router is better suited to faster, multi-gig internet plans.
❌ You don’t want to pay for security software: Unlike others, Netgear charges annually for its Armor security software.
The Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 was the first Wi-Fi 6e router to hit the market, and the results are mind-blowing. By adding the new 6-GHz band to the already impressive capabilities of Wi-Fi 6, the Nighthawk RAXE500 delivers category-leading performance — but at $599, it's not cheap.
This tri-band device more than lives up to the hype by delivering 2.39 Gbps at 15 feet during our testing. Add this to the slick design and highly customizable configuration options, and the Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 becomes one of the best wireless routers we've ever reviewed. While it’s best at close quarters and is one of the more expensive routers on this list, the RAXE500 is worth every penny if you have the need for speed.
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Read our full Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 review.
Best Wi-Fi 7
✅ You want a router with a unique design: With its brand new, hourglass design, the Archer BE800 looks unlike any other router we’ve seen before.
✅ You want to have your router out in the open: As the Archer BE800 has a unique dot display that can show the time, weather and more, this is the kind of router you’re going to want to have front and center instead of hiding it on a bookshelf.
❌ You’re short on space: At 11.9 x 10.3 x 3.8-inches, this is a rather large and quite tall router that can be a bit bulkier when compared to traditional router designs.
❌ You’re on a tight budget: The Archer BE800 costs $600 which is more than many are willing to spend on a router.
The TP-Link Archer BE800 is unlike any Wi-Fi router we've seen before thanks to its new V-Fold design language. Unlike other routers you'll want to tuck away, this is one you're going to want to have out in the open, especially as its 2.4-inch, big dot display can show everything from the date and time to the weather and even custom animations.
Besides its looks, the Archer BE800 is relatively affordable for a powerful, Wi-Fi 7 router at $599. However, if that's out of your budget, check out the cheaper Archer BE550 for just $300. There's also the more expensive Archer BE900 with dual displays.
At the back of the Archer BE800, you'll find two 10 gigabit Ethernet ports, four 2.5 gigabit ports and a USB 3.0 port. In our testing, the Archer BE800 was able to reach speeds of 1.8 Gbps at 15 feet with a maximum range of 115 feet. If you're tired of your boring old Wi-Fi router and want to upgrade to the latest wireless standard, then the Archer BE800 just might be for you.
Read our full Archer BE800 review.
Best long-range router
✅ You have a big home: With a range of 105 feet, the Orbi RBK863SB is a great choice for larger homes.
✅ You have a lot of smart home devices: Netgear lets you create a separate network for your smart home devices with this mesh Wi-Fi system.
❌ You’re on a budget: Netgear’s Orbi devices are far from cheap and a two-piece RBK863SB kit come in at $800.
❌ You want something you can set up quickly: This mesh Wi-Fi system took 17 minutes for someone very experienced with networking to set up.
The Netgear Orbi RBK863SB is a tri-band, Wi-Fi 6 mesh router that builds on the company's Orbi RBK852 with improved performance and a brand new, all-black color scheme (it's also available in white) sold exclusively on its site. Also, by using an innovative new antenna design, it has even better mid-range performance with download speeds that are four times faster than its predecessor at 50 feet. Like other Orbi devices though, you're paying a premium but for the price, you get excellent performance and plenty of ports.
With a three-pack, the Orbi RBK863SB can cover up to 8,000 square feet with a strong Wi-Fi signal but there's also a four-pack that covers 10,000 square feet — perfect for very large homes. In our testing, the Orbi RBK863SB delivered speeds of 806 Mbps at 15 feet and each unit had a range of 105 feet.
At the back of the main unit that serves as the router, you'll find a 10 Gigabit Ethernet port along with four gigabit Ethernet ports while the satellites only have these four gigabit Ethernet ports. With your purchase, you also get access to Netgear's built-in Armor security software for free for one year but after that, it costs $100 annually. If you have a large home you need to fill with a strong Wi-Fi signal but don't want to pony up the extra cash for the Wi-Fi 7-equipped Orbi RBE973, the Orbi RBK863SB is a great option and looks stunning in black.
Read our full Netgear Orbi RBK863SB review.
