The best Wi-Fi routers on the market provide speedy, reliable access to the internet at great range in your house, office or commercial space. While there are many Wi-Fi routers on the market, in this review guide we will focus on the top 3 routers according to industry experts.
Experts from Tom’s, Cnet, PCMag and more have spent dozens of hours testing and rating all the big name routers. Choosing the best Wi-Fi router for you depends on your range of needs which may include coverage, range, speed or reliability.
Picking the best Wi-Fi router for you puts the power back in your hands.
(image credit – netgear.com)
Netgear Nighthawk AX8 (RAX80)
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The best rated Wi-Fi router hands down. The Netgear Nighthawk AX8 is considered to be the performance leader by many reviews including Tom’s & Cnet!
Wi-Fi Spec: Wi-Fi 6/Dual-band | Number of Antennas/Removable: 8/Yes | Ports: 1 WAN/5 LAN gigabit per second, 2 USB 3.0 | Peak Throughput: 1.389 Gbps | Size: 12.0 x 8.0 x 6.3 inches
Netgear Nighthawk AX8 Pros:
- High performance
- Includes malware apps
- Good configuration options
Netgear Nighthawk AX8 Cons:
- Expensive
- Throughput falls off quickly with distance
The Netgear Nighthawk AX8 Wi-Fi 6 router leads all other industry competitors in performance, speed and network security. Along with the router comes some very special features that are not common among the Nighthawk AX8’s competitors.
Some of these features include malware protection, and Disney’s Circle app which allows users to block content for those who plan to manage a family use network. The Nighthawk AX8 also out performs many competitors in coverage through walls and floors.
While the Netgear Nighthawk AX8 is expensive, it performs according to its price and comes with an easy setup that allows for simple configuration out of the box.
TP-Link Archer AX6000
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The best budget Wi-Fi 6 router currently on the market.
(image credit – cnet.com)
Wi-Fi Spec: 802.11ac/Dual-Band | Number of Antennas/Removable: 3/Yes | Ports: Four 1-Gbps LAN, 1 WAN, 1 USB 2.0, 1 USB 3.0 | Peak Throughput: 939.6 Mbps | Size: 8.5 x 7.5 x 1.5 inches
TP-Link Archer AX6000 Pros:
- Top performer
- Inexpensive
- Built-in antivirus protection
- Two-year warranty
TP-Link Archer AX6000 Cons:
- Unit runs hot
Want good performance out of your Wi-Fi 6 router but are on a budget? Look no further then the TP-Link Archer AX6000. Unanimously voted across the internet as the very best budget Wi-Fi 6 router, the AX6000 provides fast, efficient performance that doesn’t break your bank.
One of the key features of the AX6000 is backwards compatibility. Not all Wi-Fi 6 routers will be backwards compatible, meaning older generation phones and computers could have an issue connecting to those devices. The AX6000 comes out of the box ready to connect to older gen iPhones and Samsung Galaxy models.
Cnet put the AX6000 through a range of performance tests which it absolutely aced. The AX6000 delivers reliable speed, performance, and coverage at a reasonable price.
(image credit – hardwarezone.com)
Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX11000
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The best Wi-Fi 6 router specifically designed for gaming.
Wi-Fi Spec: 802.11ac/Tri-Band | Number of Antennas/Removable: 8/Yes | Ports: 1 WAN, 4 1-Gbps LAN, 1 2.5-Gbps LAN, 2 USB 3.0 | Peak Throughput: 731.4 Mbps | Size: 9.4 x 9.4 x 2.8 inches
Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 Pros:
- First Wi-Fi 6 (802.11AX) router
- Performance improves with distance
- Plenty of customization
- Impressive 2.5Gbps wired connector
Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 Cons:
- Large router unit
The Asus ROG Rapture is designed for gamers with unique features that any weekend warrior could appreciate.
The GT-AX11000 is a Wi-Fi 6 router that delivers speed that improves over longer range with low ms latency. If you are looking for a unit to support a smooth, low lag gaming experience, the GT-AX11000 is the Wi-Fi 6 router for you.
The Asus ROG Rapture comes with a large base, 8 swiveling antennas for accuracy and a tremendous 10.8Gbps throughput. Truly the workhorse of gaming routers, the GT-AX11000 has a 2.5G base T Ethernet connection and two USB 3.0 ports.
