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When we ran our single-client maximum-throughput test, the client in the garage automatically jumped back onto the 5 GHz channel. If you're tech savvy, you can tweak the Smart Connect thresholds to determine exactly when clients will connect to the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz channel, but we didn't need to do that to get good performance during this round of testing. We'll get into this topic more in the testing section below, but the Archer A20 was the top performer in our multi-client test, which measures how a browsing session is affected by other devices downloading files or streaming videos simultaneously.
And lastly, this router lets you set up a personal VPN server to browse the web and access files securely unlike theLinksys AC5400. If you plan on hanging your router on a wall, and your router supports that, check to see if mounting hardware is included. If you can mount directly to studs, then you may need to pick up some wall anchors. If you need to place your router more than a few feet from your modem, consider purchasing a high-quality Ethernet cable.
Best Overall Router: Google Wifi
Game-enhancing settings, a slick user interface, and multi-gig connectivity are all good reasons to consider the Archer GX-90 for your home networking needs. This router is easy to install, and comes with TP-Link’s Home Care parental control and network security software. It also offers a slick gaming dashboard where you can view network performance stats, assign bandwidth priority, and manage all of your connected network clients. The TP-Link Archer AX50 is proof that you don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars to upgrade your network with Wi-Fi 6 technology. This reasonably priced dual-band router delivered solid throughput and good signal range in our performance tests, and it offers a few features that are typically found on more expensive models, including link aggregation and USB connectivity.
The Archer C7's web-based configuration screen contains a lot of options, more than most users will likely be familiar adjusting (if they'll even need to adjust them at all). We love that the router comes with an easy-to-set access point mode, in case you already have a pretty great router and want to use the Archer C7 to extend wireless-ac connectivity to a different area of your house. The TP-Link Archer AX50 is an affordable midrange Wi-Fi 6 router that delivers speedy throughput and comes with lifetime malware protection and parental controls. The TP-Link AX11000 is one of the fastest Wi-Fi 6 routers we've tested, and it's loaded with features, too, including a gamer-centric user interface, numerous ports, multi-gig WAN support, and anti-malware tools.
How much should I spend on a router?
Available for $100 , the TP-Link Archer AX21 is an entry-level, dual-band Wi-Fi 6 router that supports top speeds of up to 1,201Mbps (1.2Gbps) on its 5GHz band. It's nothing fancy, but it offered near flawless performance for small- to medium-size homes in our tests, and it's a cinch to setup and use thanks to TP-Link's Tether app. The Asus RT-AC3200 is a tri-band router at a flagship dual-band router price, with great range and coverage plus really good device- and traffic-analysis capabilities in its UI. Unfortunately, its band steering was broken when we first tested it, and it's still broken; it claims to steer across all three bands, but in our testing it never once connected a device on 2.4 GHz. A recent firmware upgrade added band steering to the Archer A7, along with OneMesh support.
Jesse Hollington is a freelance writer with over 10 years of experience writing about technology and three decades of experience in information technology and networking. When a cable provider tests a modem and certifies it as compatible with their network, they also specify the maximum speed that they're willing to guarantee on their network. This number is usually lower than the maximum possible speed of a cable modem, and it's not always the same for each ISP.
Why We Picked It
These protocols can tell us a lot about the capabilities of the router in question. For instance, the standard speed of 802.11ac is 1331 Mbps– nearly 3x faster than 802.11n — while the 802.11ad can handle a lot faster speeds by using its 60GHz band . Starting off with the coverage, this wireless router can cover up to 5,000 square feet since it has 2 physical routers.
Specifically, we've set up a five-room, 1,350-square-foot test space for home networking tests, with incoming gigabit internet speeds . It's not as big as the multibedroom, multistory homes where mesh routers really shine, but it's still enough space to see separation between the top mesh systems on the market. With multiple devices spread throughout your home, a mesh router is like a team of routers that can relay your wireless traffic back to the modem better than a traditional router, especially when you're connecting at range.
Linksys WRT32XB AC3200 Gaming Wi-Fi Router ($156.
And you just can’t simply extend the coverage by buying more than one because it’s not a mesh system . Bill Thomas has been covering tech for several years, and has extensive experience with PC hardware, networking gear, and gaming. The Eero Pro takes all the complexity out of setting up a mesh Wi-Fi system, with an intuitive mobile app that will have you up and running in a matter of minutes.
GoogleLet's make this simple—if you're not interested in comparison shopping, get Google WiFi. I've found little that can match its stability, reliability, or compare with its feature-rich app. I could dig up speed ratings and tech specs, but all of the technical data in the world pales in comparison to one shining fact.
Select a router that doesn’t have enough bands to support all of the users and devices in your house, for example, and you’ll set yourself up for a disappointing experience. Featuring dual-band Wi-Fi, the A6 is an 802.11ac router with up to 1.2Gbps of bandwidth across its 2.4GHz and 5GHz channels, so you’ll have no problem streaming Netflix in 4K or keeping in touch with friends and family on Zoom or FaceTime. An array of four beamforming antennas and MU-MIMO support also means your 5GHz devices won’t slow each other down. Surprisingly, it even supports the latest WPA3 wireless encryption standard, and includes a built-in OpenVPN server. With dual-band Wi-Fi offering up 2.6Gbps of bandwidth and four beamforming antennas, the RT2600ac provides more than enough speed and coverage for an average-sized home, so you’ll have no problem with streaming, video calling, and gaming. There’s also the usual set of four Gigabit Ethernet ports and a pair of USB ports around the back, and as an added bonus, the RT2600ac also offers an SD card slot, so you easily share your media files with your whole family.
But the rule of thumb is tochoose a router with at least 4 Ethernet ports and is dual-band(has both 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz frequencies). Your router can be as fast as you want it to be, but it doesn’t really matter since your internet connection is almost always going to be significantly slower (unless you’re in one of the few cities that haveaccess to Google Fiber). Keep in mind,a good internet connection is about 150 Mbps; andmany cities in America don’t even have that. This router is a lot cheaper than the above-mentioned routers but the 802.11ac technology it features performs just as good compared to some of its competitors in the $150 price range. With 2 lightning fast bands at your disposal, you can have 2 computers connected to each band for an outstanding performance.
That’s definitely bad, and likely lower than what many internet services provide, but it’s still enough to game on or watch Netflix . It’s also worth noting that according to their tests, several other routers weren’t performing quite so badly. Since most routers come as dual-bands, you shouldn’t worry; however, if you decide to dip into some really budget routers, you might find some older single-band routers that only offer a single 2.4 GHz band. Buying a wireless router can be a pain, especially if you have little to no idea what features really matter. Even more so as manufacturers include a lot of acronyms and other marketing terms that don’t really have significant real-life impact on most people most of the time. The HomeCare feature it utilizes is an anti-virus that protects every single device connected to the network.
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