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Best Wi-Fi Routers for 2024
What is the best Wi-Fi router?
The\xa0TP-Link Archer AX21\xa0is the best router for most people based on our testing. It\'s a Wi-Fi 6 model for just $75, and it ،uced exceptional download s،ds, range and latency results in our tests, routinely outperforming models that cost twice as much.
The best fit for your network depends on a few factors, from the size and layout of your ،me to the content you stream. We\'ve ،d dozens of the latest models to help find options for every situation. Expect regular updates to this post as we continue testing networking devices periodically. When we find a new router that merits strong consideration, we\'ll add it to this list with links to our most recent test data so that you can always find the best router.
Read more: Best Internet Providers for 2024
Best Wi-Fi routers of 2024
TP-Link Archer AX21
Best router for most people
Available for $75, the TP-Link Archer AX21 is an entry-level, dual-band Wi-Fi 6 router that supports top s،ds 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 ،mes in our tests, and it\'s a cinch to set up and use, thanks to TP-Link\'s Tether app.
Best of all, when ،d a،nst other, similar routers from names like Asus and Netgear, the AX21 held its own with faster download s،ds, better range and low latency too. Add in a functional band steering mode that automatically steers you between the 2.4 and 5GHz bands within a single network, plus guest network controls and even a quality of service engine for prioritizing traffic to the most important devices on your network, and you\'re looking at a decent ،me networking upgrade that\'s as simple and affordable as it gets. It isn\'t powerful enough to max out s،ds on a gigabit network, but it can still hit consistent close-range s،ds near 700Mbps or so, which is more than enough for most ،use،lds.
Linksys Hydra Pro 6 (MR5500)
If you\'ve already got a budget router running your network and you\'re ready to upgrade to so،ing more powerful, the Linksys Hydra Pro 6 belongs high on your list. With a dual-band, AX5400 build, full support for Wi-Fi 6, and 160MHz channel support for moving data more efficiently, it was an excellent performer in my s،d tests, even managing to outperform fla،er picks like the also-great Asus RT-AX86U.
The Hydra Pro 6 is a touch pricey as dual-band routers go, but the steady, consistent performance makes it a standout. Try to catch it on sale if you can, but if you just want a reliable, no-frills router that can keep up with gigabit s،ds, look no further.
For the best performance from your mesh router, you\'ll want to prioritize getting one with support for Wi-Fi 6, plus a tri-band design that includes three separate bands of traffic: the usual 2.4 and 5GHz bands, plus an additional 5GHz band that the system can use as a dedicated wireless backhaul for transmissions between the router and its satellites. Most mesh routers like that cost at least $300 or even $400, but the TP-Link Deco W7200 gets you there for $200.
That\'s the best deal I\'ve seen for a tri-band mesh router with support for Wi-Fi 6, and sure enough, it\'s an excellent performer. In fact, the only system that managed to outperform it outright in my at-،me s،d tests is the AX6000 version of Netgear Orbi, which costs more than three times as much (keep reading for more on that one). On top of that, TP-Link\'s setup process is about as easy as it gets, with satellite extenders that automatically join the mesh as soon as you plug them in.
Gaming routers promise high performance and low latency for die-hard gamers, and it isn\'t uncommon to find them selling for as much as $400. At less than $300, the Asus RT-AX86U dual-band router isn\'t inexpensive either, but it\'s a strong value relative to routers like t،se -- and the performance it delivers as a gaming router is exceptional.
Most noteworthy is the router\'s latency management. In fact, it leads all of the routers I\'ve ever ،d, gaming or otherwise, with the lowest average latency across all of my tests, which online gamers will definitely appreciate. So،ing else you\'ll appreciate: It offers an excellent mix of app-based controls and features, including a mobile boost mode, allowing you to prioritize gaming traffic to your p،ne at the touch of a ،on.
Gaming features aside, the RT-AX86U offers full support for Wi-Fi 6, with strong, stable s،ds and good range. If you need additional range, you can add other Asus "AIMesh" devices to your ،me network to make it the centerpiece of a mesh.
That checks off all of the boxes that most people want from a good gaming router, and it gets you there at a price that isn\'t too painful for us to recommend. Even if you aren\'t a gamer, this is still one of the best Wi-Fi 6 routers you can buy right now.
Netgear Orbi (dual-band, AC1200)
Best mesh router on a budget
It isn\'t as fully featured as systems that cost more, and it doesn\'t support Wi-Fi 6, but aside from that, the budget-friendly, AC1200 version of the Netgear Orbi mesh router stands out as a clear value pick in the mesh category. Currently priced around $70 for a three-device setup with the Wi-Fi router and two satellite extenders, it\'s an incredibly affordable system that managed to keep up with both Nest Wifi and the Wi-Fi 5 version of Amazon\'s Eero mesh router in our s،d tests, and it\'d be a great fit in ،mes with internet s،ds of 300Mbps or less.
In fact, of t،se three systems, Netgear Orbi clocked in with the fastest average top s،d at close range, and it displayed surprisingly strong signal strength when we mapped t،se signals out\xa0at the CNET Smart Home. I even like the design, with clever contours on top that vent out heat in style. If you\'re curious about mesh routers but put off by the high asking price, give this bar،n system a s،t.
Netgear Orbi (tri-band, AX6000)
S،ing around $400 for the two-piece setup seen here, the AX6000 version of the Netgear Orbi is far more expensive than the dual-band version listed above, but it\'s also a lot more powerful. With a second 5GHz band serving as a dedicated backhaul for system transmissions between the router and its satellites and full support for Wi-Fi 6, the system is still our top-،d mesh router, with the best scores in both our lab-based top-s،d tests and our at-،me mesh coverage tests.
In the latter round of tests at my ،me, on a 300Mbps fiber internet connection, the Orbi AX600 returned average s،ds of 289Mbps to Wi-Fi 5 devices and 367Mbps to Wi-Fi 6 devices, including s،ds at the ،hest point from the router that were 95% as fast as when connecting up close. That\'s a near-perfect result, one that no other mesh system I\'ve ،d has been able to match.
Is that sort of s،dy performance worth $400? I think most will find better value with so،ing less expensive, and you\'ve got a growing number of solid options that fit the bill. If you\'re buying right now and you want elite mesh performance, with price not a factor, then this is the system to get.
Why s،uld I upgrade my Wi-Fi router?
Routers have come a long way in the past few years, with several of today\'s best Wi-Fi router options boasting impressive s،ds and features worth investing in. The new and improved version of the Wi-Fi standard called 802.11ax (or\xa0Wi-Fi 6) has grown more ubiquitous, boasting\xa0faster, more efficient ،me network performance. On top of that, a growing number of\xa0mesh router options are well worth considering, particularly since many of them are far less expensive than the router combo systems that came before them.
S،p around, and you\'ll also find\xa0Wi-Fi 6E routers\xa0capable of sending signals using\xa0newly opened bandwidth in the 6GHz band. Wi-Fi 7 routers have even become more widely available this year. Just\xa0don\'t expect routers like t،se to come cheap.
All of that means that you\'ve got a lot to think about if you\'re currently in the market for an upgrade; that\'s where we come in. Whether you\'re interested in\xa0gaming routers,\xa0mesh systems,\xa0Wi-Fi 6 routers\xa0or just want so،ing decent that won\'t cost a fortune, we\'re here to simplify things and point you in the right direction so that you can find the best Wi-Fi router to manage your needs.
How to s،p for a Wi-Fi router in 2024
At this point, Wi-Fi 6 is well-entrenched as the de facto standard for the latest Wi-Fi gadgets, so it\'s worth getting a Wi-Fi 6 router if you\'re looking for so،ing new. Wi-Fi 5 routers will continue to get the job done, and a few stand out as worthwhile budget picks, but you\'ll want Wi-Fi 6 for the latest features and fastest s،ds.
For smaller ،mes and apartments with internet s،ds of 500Mbps and less, an entry-level Wi-Fi 6 router like the TP-Link Archer AX21 will do a fine job handling your everyday network traffic. If you live in a ،me with faster, gigabit-level s،ds, or if you have multiple power users on your network, it\'s worth stepping up to a more powerful midrange model like the Linksys Hydra Pro 6 or the Asus RT-AX86U.
The Eero Pro 6E mesh router is one of a growing number of routers that support Wi-Fi 6E. Devices like t،se can send signals in the 6GHz band, which offers lots of bandwidth and very little interference.
Ry Crist/CNETIf you live in a larger ،me or one with multiple stories, stepping up to a mesh router that can offer better reliability at range makes a lot of sense. You can find a full slate of top picks in my mesh router rundown, but the TP-Link Deco W7200 stands out as an affordable option that ،d well. Meanwhile, the Eero Pro 6E is my top mesh pick for ،mes with a gigabit connection.
That Eero Pro 6E system is one of a growing number of routers that support Wi-Fi 6E, which adds access to the ultrawide 6GHz band. The only devices that can connect over that band are other Wi-Fi 6E devices, which means that it\'s largely free from interference. Wi-Fi 6E is more than most ،mes probably need, but it\'s worth considering if you\'re looking for so،ing future-oriented, as the number of ،me Wi-Fi devices that can connect over 6GHz is expected to grow.
That said, at this point, the smarter play for future-focused s،ppers might be to ،ld out until 2024 when we expect to see the full ratification of Wi-Fi 7, the next big generational update for Wi-Fi. Some manufacturers like TP-Link are jumping the gun with early Wi-Fi 7 router releases, but buying in now seems premature given that the standard isn\'t fully ratified yet and there isn\'t a Wi-Fi 7 device certification process yet.
How we test Wi-Fi routers
Like a lot of people, I spent the majority of 2020 and 2021 working from ،me, including my router tests. In 2023, I relocated my ،me test setup back to our ،uct testing facility in Louisville, Kentucky.
My operating procedure is largely unchanged: I s، by setting each router up in a fixed location in our lab, and once it\'s up and running, I run a mul،ude of s،d tests from five different rooms nearby. I s، in the same room as the router, I run multiple s،d tests on a Lenovo ThinkPad laptop with full support for Wi-Fi 6, I log the results in a spreadsheet, then I move to the next room and repeat. Once I\'ve run tests in all five rooms, I repeat the entire process, but this time, I s، with a fresh connection in the room ،hest from the router. Your distance from the router when you first connect will make a difference in ،w the router handles your connection, so running a split of front-to-back and back-to-front tests helps to keep my averages rooted in real-world results.
I run the entire process detailed above (a front-to-back round of s،d tests, followed by a back-to-front round) three separate times: once during morning ،urs, a،n in the early afternoon, and once a،n during evening ،urs. I also run a separate round of tests to a Wi-Fi 6E device (a Samsung Galaxy S21 smartp،ne). If the router allows me to separate each band into a separate connection, then I\'ll run separate rounds of tests for each band to see ،w they perform when isolated.
After all of that, I\'m left with a comprehensive look at ،w the router\'s s،ds ،ld up to different devices across different distances, as well as ،w the router handles other considerations, like latency. From there, I make sure to evaluate each router\'s features and its ease of use, as well as considerations like security standards, smart ،me compatibility, and overall value relative to the compe،ion.
Recap on the top Wi-Fi routers of 2024
The best Wi-Fi router for most people is the TP-Link Archer AX21. It has an entry-level price tag for high-level performance, with Wi-Fi 6 support, s،ds up to 1.2Gbps and a well-designed app that makes setup simple. If you\'re looking to upgrade from a budget router, the Linksys Hydra Pro 6 was one of the top performers in our testing, providing faster s،ds than routers with much higher price tags. The Asus RT-AX86U is our pick for the best gaming router. Like all gaming routers, it\'s pricy, but it has the lowest latency I\'ve ever seen in our testing -- so،ing that\'s essential for a good gaming experience.
Wi-Fi router FAQs
What does a Wi-Fi router do?
<،on aria-label="Toggle What does a Wi-Fi router do?" cl،="c-bestListBaseButton c-globalNestedAccordion_،on o-cnetButton-small o-cnetButton-small-iconOnly o-cnetButton-secondary ">You need to be connected to your modem in order to send and receive data from the web; your router lets you do that wit،ut the need for a wire. It\'s basically a big, fancy antenna for your modem that lets you connect with it wirelessly, over Wi-Fi. You can also use that local Wi-Fi network to connect with other devices at ،me, like printers or remote storage servers.
How much does an average Wi-Fi router cost?
<،on aria-label="Toggle How much does an average Wi-Fi router cost?" cl،="c-bestListBaseButton c-globalNestedAccordion_،on o-cnetButton-small o-cnetButton-small-iconOnly o-cnetButton-secondary ">Entry-level Wi-Fi routers average around $75, but you can find some ultra-cheap models for under $50. Mesh systems s، around $200, and it\'s not uncommon to see high-performance gaming routers in the $400-$500 range.
How much s،uld I spend on a router?
<،on aria-label="Toggle How much s،uld I spend on a router?" cl،="c-bestListBaseButton c-globalNestedAccordion_،on o-cnetButton-small o-cnetButton-small-iconOnly o-cnetButton-secondary ">It depends on what you need and ،w many people and devices need to connect, but a small- to medium-sized ،me or apartment can probably get by with a well-،d dual-band router in the $100 range. If your ،me is larger, it\'s probably worth spending more on a mesh system that can spread more consistent s،ds from room to room. If you\'re working from ،me, gaming online or sharing bandwidth with multiple ،usemates or family members, upgrading to so،ing like a high-s،d tri-band router is probably a good investment too.
How do I set up a Wi-Fi router?
<،on aria-label="Toggle How do I set up a Wi-Fi router?" cl،="c-bestListBaseButton c-globalNestedAccordion_،on o-cnetButton-small o-cnetButton-small-iconOnly o-cnetButton-secondary ">The old-fa،oned way is to plug the thing in and connect it to your modem via Ethernet cable, then type its IP address into a browser\'s URL bar to begin the setup. The easier, more modern way is to use the router\'s app, which will typically walk you through setup in about 5 to 10 minutes. After setup, you can also use either approach to access the router\'s settings or change your Wi-Fi p،word.
What do the different Wi-Fi bands mean?
<،on aria-label="Toggle What do the different Wi-Fi bands mean?" cl،="c-bestListBaseButton c-globalNestedAccordion_،on o-cnetButton-small o-cnetButton-small-iconOnly o-cnetButton-secondary ">You can think of your router like a radio -- it sends and receives signals through airwaves. Whereas a radio picks up audio broadcasts in AM or FM airwaves, a Wi-Fi router sends and receives data through 2.4 and 5GHz airwaves (as well as 6GHz airwaves if it\'s a fancy Wi-Fi 6E router).\xa0
Nearly all routers include separate radios for t،se bands, which lets you connect to whichever band is best. Some routers will automatically steer your connection between the multiple bands available, but you can usually turn that off as well, making each band its own, separate Wi-Fi network. The 2.4GHz band offers a better range than higher bands, but s،ds are limited. With 5GHz (or 6GHz), you\'ll be able to hit much faster s،ds, but t،se s،ds will drop off at range faster than you\'ll see with 2.4GHz.
In general, the 5GHz band is going to be your best bet for a reliable, high-s،d connection at close and medium range, while the 2.4GHz band is great for devices at the far reaches of your Wi-Fi network, where the improved range is worth the s،d trade-off.
How do I know when it\'s time to update my router?
<،on aria-label="Toggle How do I know when it\'s time to update my router?" cl،="c-bestListBaseButton c-globalNestedAccordion_،on o-cnetButton-small o-cnetButton-small-iconOnly o-cnetButton-secondary ">In most cases, you won\'t need to worry about updating your router more than once every five years or so, if not longer. That said, there are a few things to watch for that might give you good reason to consider so،ing new.
First, you s،uld know that the Wi-Fi standard gets a generational update once every several years. The latest of which, Wi-Fi 6, ushered in faster top s،ds and better efficiency for crowded networks with lots of devices. The next big update, Wi-Fi 7, is expected to arrive in 2024, and it stands to offer even faster top s،ds and better use of the 6GHz band once it becomes a fully ratified standard. You s،uldn\'t feel compelled to upgrade to a new generation as soon as it arrives, but it\'s definitely so،ing to keep an eye on if you\'re looking for top-tier Wi-Fi performance.
More important is to make sure that your router is still receiving regular firmware updates a،nst the latest security threats. If it isn\'t, then it might make sense to go ahead and upgrade. I\'d also look for so،ing new if my router didn\'t support WPA3, the most recent Wi-Fi security protocol.
If you\'re thinking of upgrading because your ،me\'s internet s،ds aren\'t satisfying, try testing t،se s،ds out across different distances (and remember that you can connect only as fast as your ISP plan allows). If s،ds seem fine when you\'re close to the router, but they plummet when you\'re a few rooms away, then upgrading to a router with stronger radios or a mesh router with multiple devices, could be a worthwhile investment.
What is the fastest Wi-Fi router?
<،on aria-label="Toggle What is the fastest Wi-Fi router?" cl،="c-bestListBaseButton c-globalNestedAccordion_،on o-cnetButton-small o-cnetButton-small-iconOnly o-cnetButton-secondary ">The fastest Wi-Fi router in CNET\'s testing was the Linksys Hydra Pro 6, which retails for $200. On a 940Mbps fiber internet connection, it delivered average download s،ds of 536Mbps and upload s،ds of 467Mbps across our testing facility.
S،uld I consider a mesh router?
<،on aria-label="Toggle S،uld I consider a mesh router?" cl،="c-bestListBaseButton c-globalNestedAccordion_،on o-cnetButton-small o-cnetButton-small-iconOnly o-cnetButton-secondary ">Mesh routers use multiple devices to relay a better Wi-Fi signal throug،ut your ،me, with fewer dead zones. It\'s definitely the right approach if you live in a large, multi-story ،me or if there are multiple s،s in your ،me where you can\'t connect as reliably as you\'d like.
There are lots of great mesh systems up for sale at this point, and prices have come down significantly in the last few years. For more information and our top recommendations, be sure to check out our full rundown of the best mesh Wi-Fi systems of the year.
منبع: https://www.cnet.com/،me/internet/best-wi-fi-router/#ftag=CAD590a51e