- How to choose the best Wi-Fi replacement for your Apple AirPort routers The spaceship has returned to its home planet and the crackerbox is empty.
- Apple's routers have been not necessarily the fastest, but they have been best-in-class, and reliable —so if Apple has in fact abandoned its base station efforts, it is the end of an era.
- The TP-Link Archer C9 isn’t just one of the best budget routers you’ll find on this list, it’s one of the best routers we’ve ever testedperiod.
- To find the best wireless routers for most situations and budgets, we looked at reviews at sites such as Small Net Builder, PCMag, CNET, Tom's Guide, TweakTown, Hot Hardware and Wirecutter, as well as others with similarly strong expertise in testing and evaluating routers.
Tips
By Mike Wuerthele
Monday, November 21, 2016, 09:51 am PT (12:51 pm ET)
Monday, November 21, 2016, 09:51 am PT (12:51 pm ET)
Some wireless routers allow you to change the settings via a dedicated app – perfect if you want to be able to control every aspect of your wireless connection. If your router has two external antennae, you'll get the best signal if one is pointed vertically and the other horizontally.
Some fear has erupted at the news that Apple may be shutting down development of its own AirPort wireless routers. However, picking a router isn't as complicated as it used to be, and AppleInsider has some suggestions that work well with other Apple hardware.D-Link Ultra AC5300
For the highest-bandwidth needs allowing for one device to serve data at the best possible speeds, the D-Link Ultra AC5300 has tri-band connectivity, with 1000 megabits per second at 2.4GHz, and two bands of 2167 megabits per second at 5GHz.
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The Ultra AC5300 has 8 detachable antennae, and features the company's 'SmartConnect' band allocation, as well as SmartBeam 'beam-forming' to direct a signal specifically at a device.
Wired network needs are provided by 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports, a WAN port, a USB 3.0 port, and a USB 2.0 port. Configuration is handled by the mydlink SharePort app, allowing for management both inside and outside the local area network.
For the advanced user, the router supports DD-WRT OpenSource firmware, allowing for further customization options not available to the 'regular' user.
The D-Link Ultra AC5300 isn't cheap at $330 for a single device, but you get what you pay for.
Netgear Nighthawk R6700 AC1750
If your Internet modem is in a relatively central location to the house, a single, powerful, router may be sufficient. The Netgear Nighthawk R6700 AC1750 provides up to 1750 megabits per second of wireless bandwidth, and has three antennae to beam-form the 802.11ac signal to users.
Netgear has implemented a quality of service prioritization feature, allowing for administrators of the router to allow clients to minimize gaming lag, or to prevent streaming interruptions.
Connectivity is provided with 4 down-stream Gigabit Ethernet ports, 1 WAN port, 1 USB 3.0 port to attach a hard drive, and one USB 2.0 port for printers or other shared devices. Netgear claims that any connected printer will be made AirPrint compatible.
Setup is performed with the Netgear Genie app for iOS, or through a browser-based interface. While the app is sufficient for basic users to get the networking peripheral up and running, AppleInsider suggests superior browser-based interface for the router for medium- to advanced-networking users.
The Netgear Nighthawk R6700 AC1750 retails for $150.
TP-Link
If you've got relatively modest needs, the TP-Link Archer C7 is a good starting point for 802.11ac. The $85 router offers up to 1750 megabits per second, and has three internal and three external antennas.
Like the more expensive Nighthawk R6700, the router has 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports and 1 WAN port. Connectivity to devices is provided by a pair of USB 2.0 ports, allowing for media sharing with external devices, and printer sharing.
Upgrading to the $125 TP-Link Archer C9 brings beam-forming, and upgrades one of the USB ports to 3.0.
Regardless of model, the TP-Link Tether app allows for network management on iOS or Android. As with the Netgear, we recommend the browser-based setup for advanced users.
Eero
For the most Airport-like experience, Eero has a solution. The company, with the eponymously named Eero router uses a mesh networking model, allowing for the three-pack of Eero routers for $500 to cover most homes.
Eero features ease of setup, as well as the company's TrueMesh technology, that adapts to network conditions, and switches routing methods to prevent interference from other devices, or network congestion.
Like the Airport, Eero allows for a single SSID, and is configurable entirely with an iOS app. Eero recommends one basestation per 1000 square feet of needed coverage.
The recommended configuration for most installations is $499 for three Eero basestations. A $349 Starter system contains two Eero basestations, with a single Eero retailing for $199.
The Eero would be best for users needing an extremely low maintenance configuration —think a family member who seems to always need technical support around the holidays.
For now, the AirPort Extreme
Apple has been in the router business since the last century. The software is mature, and compatibility is guaranteed with Apple products for a while, at least.
Time Machine backups can be made to a AirPort Time Capsule, or to a hard drive connected to the USB port on an AirPort Extreme. Setup of a network is easy with the Airport Configuration app on macOS or iOS.
Got old 802.11n AirPort basestations laying around from before the 2013 shift to 802.11ac? Apple has made it easy to extend a network either with Ethernet or with a wireless handoff.
The AirPort Express can not only extend a network (with 802.11n speeds), but can also turn any speaker set into an AirPlay receiver with the headphone jack.
Apple's Time Capsule retails for $299 for a 2TB model, and $399 for a 3TB configuration. An Airport Extreme without a hard drive sells for $199. The Airport Express retails for $99.
...but don't get the Google OnHub
In 2015, Google promised a great deal with the OnHub router. While the router is extremely easy to set up with the app, there is little outstanding about the router itself.
Additionally, if the router loses its internet connection, it no longer has most all of the features it touts, and most of the router's advanced settings including device information are no longer accessible to the user.
The Google WiFi, unveiled in early October, is not yet shipping and promises a system very similar to the Eero. A three-pack of Google WiFi base stations will retail for $300 but if it has the same limitations as the OnHub is not yet known.
Speaking of you get what you pay for...
Apple's routers have been not necessarily the fastest, but they have been best-in-class, and reliable —so if Apple has in fact abandoned its base station efforts, it is the end of an era. In the last decade, manufacturers all over the globe have gotten onboard with wireless networking, with as-expected varying quality.
There are a large number of sub-$75 802.11ac routers available from vendors, and we have a hard time recommending any of them. While for the most part routers aren't considered a disposable commodity any longer, the cheap routers from no-name manufacturers aren't generally reliable, and may not get any kind of security update for exploits from the seller or builder.
For the latest deals on accessories for your Apple devices, please visit our Accessories Price Guide.
We've spent more than 60 hours testing dozens of routers to help you skip the confusion and find the best Wi-Fi router for your home. Based on our in-depth testing, the TP-Link Archer C2300 is the best Wi-Fi router overall, thanks to its superb performance and extensive feature set.
For a less expensive option, the reasonably priced TP-Link Archer A7 offers solid performance and range without skimping on features such as parental controls. The high-powered TP-Link Archer C5400X is our favorite gaming router thanks to tri-band performance and built-in tools for better gaming performance.
But with so many devices in the home clamoring for wireless bandwidth, you'll want to make sure that your space is well-covered with speedy Wi-Fi. So we also recommend mesh routers for larger homes, and Wi-Fi 6 for future-proof Wi-Fi that will deliver top-notch performance for years to come. For an inexpensive way to boost the coverage from your current router, we also review Wi-Fi extenders.
News & Updates (Updated Aug. 2019)
Netgear plans to introduce a Wi-Fi 6-ready version of its Orbi mesh router next month. The Orbi Wi-Fi 6 Mesh system promises greater capacity and coverage as well the ability to deliver performance for more users connected to your home wireless network at the same time. The new version of the Orbi router features tri-band support with quad stream radios for all three Wi-Fi bands; it also supports MU-MIMO and OFDMA to more efficiently handle multiple users and devices. Expect more details about the Orbi Wi-Fi 6 Mesh system — including its price — when Netgear unveils the mesh router on Sept. 6.
Best router overall
TP-Link Archer C2300
SPECIFICATIONS
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
Reasons to Buy
Inexpensive
Two-year warranty
Reasons to Avoid
The TP-Link Archer C2300 has a deceptively mild-mannered design, but don't be fooled – it's one of the most powerful routers you can buy. It's the reigning performance champ, pumping out nearly a gigabit per second of data in our standard performance tests, and blasting through walls and ceilings with ease. Not only is the Archer C2300 the fastest router we've seen, but it's also small, unobtrusive and full of high-end features.
The Archer C2300 comes with built-in optimization tools, like antivirus, QoS and parental controls that are normally found on more expensive competitors. At $120, it’s less than half of what similarly performing competitors cost, and is backed by a two year warranty. The TP-Link Archer C2300 is simply the best high-performance router you can buy today.
Read our full TP-Link Archer C2300 review.
Best budget router
TP-Link Archer A7
SPECIFICATIONS
Wi-Fi Spec: 802.11ac/Dual-Band | Number of Antennas/Removable: 3/No | Ports: Four 1-Gbps LAN, 1 USB 2.0 | Peak Throughput: 647.4 Mbps | Size: 1.3 x 9.6 x 6.4 inches
Reasons to Buy
Reasonable performance
Reasons to Avoid
Limited range
The TP-Link Archer A7 is our favorite budget-friendly router, delivering very good 802.11ac performance and a surprising number of features for less than $60. The Archer A7 has great performance for the price – pushing through more data than most of the comparably priced routers we've tested – and features four Gigabit LAN ports and a USB 2.0 port for connecting devices.
In addition to solid performance and features, the Archer A7 also has a very easy setup process and useful parental controls, with an app that lets you monitor and control network use from anywhere. It's the best value Wi-Fi router we've tested this year.
Read our full TP-Link Archer A7 review.
The best gaming router
TP-Link Archer C5400X
SPECIFICATIONS
Wi-Fi Spec: 802.11ac/Tri-Band | Number of Antennas/Removable: 8/No | Ports: 1 WAN, 8 1-Gbps LAN, 1 USB 2.0 | Peak Throughput: 859.5 Mbps | Size: 11.2 x 11.2 x 7.6 inches
Reasons to Buy
Tri-band design
Security software
Reasons to Avoid
Can't aim antennas
The TP-Link Archer C5400X is the gaming router to beat, with some of the best performance you'll see in any home networking device. It offers best-in-class tri-band performance with impressive coverage, delivering 1Gbps over its 2.4GHz band and 2.167Gbps over each of its two 5GHz channels.
The 8-antenna design and red-on-black color scheme are sure to turn heads, but the real selling point is the collection of optimization and security features that will satisfy any power user. With bandwidth-allocation controls to let you use the massive throughput as you wish, this router puts incredible performance into the user's hands, for gaming or anything else.
Read our full TP-Link Archer C5400X review.
The best mesh router
Netgear Orbi
SPECIFICATIONS
Wi-Fi Spec: 802.11ac/Tri-Band | Number of Antennas/Removable: 6/No | Ports: Four 1-Gbps LAN, 1 USB 2.0 | Peak Throughput: 552.1 Mbps | Size: 8.9 x 6.7 x 3.1 inches
Reasons to Buy
Dedicated router-to-extension data channel
Choice of app or browser setup
Reasons to Avoid
Expensive
There are plenty of mesh solutions on the market to blanket your home with Wi-Fi, but our hands-down favorite is the Netgear Orbi. A single Orbi unit alone provides some of the best performance we've seen in a router, and with additional satellite units, you can cover a 5,000-square-foot home with seamless connectivity and phenomenal performance.
The speedy Orbi delivers one of the easiest setup processes we've seen, and the combination of smartphone and desktop tools make it easy to manage your network from anywhere, including curfew times and content controls for parents. And newer add-ons let you expand in more ways than one, with weatherproof outdoor satellite units and an Alexa-equipped unit that doubles as a smart speaker. If you've got a big home, the Orbi is the mesh router to beat.
Note that Netgear says it will announce a new version of the Orbi router that supports the new Wi-Fi 6 wireless standard in early September.
Read our full Netgear Orbi review.
Best for power users
Linksys EA8300 Max Stream
SPECIFICATIONS
Wi-Fi Spec: 802.11ac/Tri-Band | Number of Antennas/Removable: 6/No | Ports: 1 WAN, 4 1-Gbps LAN, 1 USB 3.0 | Peak Throughput: 626.5 Mbps | Size: 8.5 x 6.4 x 2.2 inches
Reasons to Buy
Excellent performance
Compact
Reasons to Avoid
For a truly customizable router, we recommend the Linksys EA8300 Max-Stream, which is not only a great tri-band router, it's also loaded with tools to tweak and customize your router for optimal performance. The small black EA8300 Max-Stream can move lots of data, though it will do best in smaller homes. But even with shorter range, it offers impressive performance for a router that sells for less than $200.
Whether you're allocating bandwidth to prioritize gaming or media streaming, or just setting up parental controls, you can automate many features, make manual adjustments on the fly, and monitor it – all from your desktop or smartphone. With so many ways to customize your router’s performance, the Linksys EA8300 Max Stream is an easy pick for the power user.
Read our full Linksys EA8300 Max Stream review.
Our favorite Wi-Fi 6 router
Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX11000
SPECIFICATIONS
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
Reasons to Buy
Performance improves with distance
Impressive 2.5Gbps wired connector
Reasons to Avoid
Big
The first router we've tested that features the new Wi-Fi 6 specification, the Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 is a gamer's delight, with speed that improves over longer range, low latency and all the features that gamers expect. Add it all up and most other gaming routers are now second best.
The GT-AX11000 is large, with a gargantuan base, eight swiveling antennas, and massive 10.8Gbps maximum throughput. This router has connectivity in droves, thanks to its tri-band design and four downstream Gigabit LAN ports, a single 2.5G Base T Ethernet connection, and two USB 3.0 ports. Built in customization and gaming-oriented optimizations provide plenty of control, and you can even pair it with other Asus routers for mesh networking to cover a larger home. At $450, it is expensive, but worth every penny for gamers wanting an edge online.
Read our full Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 review.
How We Test Wi-Fi Routers
We test routers for throughput and range, measuring how much data a router can move, and how well it does at 5, 50, 75 and 150 feet. If you want the best performance in a large, spread-out home, you'll want a router that does well over longer distances. If you're in a smaller apartment, short-range performance will be your priority. Where possible, we also test performance through walls and ceilings, to determine how well a router can provide signal in the WiFi-dampening conditions common to many buildings and homes.
What Is The Best Wifi Extender
For mesh routers, we perform additional testing to determine how well the mesh system does sending a signal through both the main router and through a satellite unit. We also test to see how consistently a pair of mesh units will cover a large area, taking dozens of measurements throughout our lab space and producing detailed heat maps of signal strength and quality.
What Wi-Fi Routers Cost
Best Routers For Gaming 2018
Current 802.11ac routers often sell for less than $100 for basic, dual-band models. More expensive models will offer wide coverage and faster speeds, and range up to $300, while gaming-oriented routers with built-in optimization features will often sell for more. New routers using the Wi-Fi 6 standard (previously known as 802.11ax) sell for $400 or more.
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