May 2023
Routers: MetaRanking
This page highlights the aggregate summary of Router rankings posted by key online experts, as of May 2023.
Summary
Between 2 May 2023 and 2 May 2023, ReviewFinder team examined a total of 84 Router endorsements from 10 reputable publishers.
58 Routers were endorsed in total, only 13 made it into this month's ranking (ReviewFinder requires a minimum of 2 endorsements to be included).
As of 2 May 2023, TP-Link Archer AX50 takes the cake as the most critically-acclaimed router with 5 expert endorsements. It is followed by Asus RT-AX88U and Google Nest WiFi , with 4 and 5 expert endorsements respectively.
Brand breakdown
-
TP-Link:
15 Routers
(#1 is TP-Link Archer C5400X )
-
Netgear:
10 Routers
(#1 is Netgear Nighthawk CAX80 )
-
Asus:
9 Routers
(#1 is Asus ZenWiFi AXE6600 ET8 )
-
Linksys:
4 Routers
(#1 is Linksys EA8300 Max Stream )
-
Google:
2 Routers
(#1 is Google Nest WiFi Pro )
Price breakdown
At a glance - May 2023 Ranking
| Rank | Change | Price | Router |
Lifewire
|
Digital Trends
|
Business Insider
|
Laptop Mag
|
Wirecutter
|
TechRadar
|
T3
|
How To Geek
|
PCMag
|
Tom's Guide
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
|
- | $120 |
TP-Link Archer AX50
The TP-Link Archer AX50 router is a highly recommended Wi-Fi 6 router that offers fast and reliable speeds, supports over 40 connected devices, and has advanced features such as parental controls and antivirus protection.
|
2
|
-
|
2
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
3
|
-
|
|
2
|
- | $300 |
Asus RT-AX88U
The Asus RT-AX88U router is a powerful and reliable dual-band Wi-Fi 6 router with advanced security features, 8 Gigabit LAN ports, and a user-friendly interface, making it an excellent option for households with multiple smart home devices or IoT devices.
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
9
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
|
3
|
- | $60 |
Google Nest WiFi
The Google Nest WiFi router is a reliable and efficient solution for families of four who frequently use multiple devices simultaneously and want fast and reliable internet speeds, with parental controls, QoS capabilities, and easy setup and management using the Google Home app.
|
8
|
-
|
5
|
2
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
|
4
|
- | $298 |
Asus RT-AX86U
The Asus RT-AX86U router is a high-performance router that supports the latest Wi-Fi 6 standard, providing faster, more efficient, and more stable connection speeds than previous Wi-Fi standards, making it an excellent choice for both basic and advanced users.
|
-
|
7
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
|
5
|
- | $315 |
Asus Rapture GT-AX11000
The Asus Rapture GT-AX11000 router is a high-performance router with advanced features for gamers and families, offering fast and stable Wi-Fi connectivity, comprehensive security features, and easy setup and management.
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
4
|
-
|
5
|
|
6
|
- | $350 |
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE300
The Netgear Nighthawk RAXE300 router is a high-speed and powerful device that supports the latest Wi-Fi 6 standard, offers excellent range performance, and advanced security features, making it an ideal choice for households with heavy internet usage and multiple devices.
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
7
|
- | $350 |
Asus ZenWiFi AX XT8
The Asus ZenWiFi AX XT8 router is a high-performance Wi-Fi 6 mesh system with excellent speed and range, advanced features such as parental controls and QoS settings, and easy setup and management through a mobile app.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
|
8
|
+9 | $460 |
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500
The Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 router is a high-performance router that supports the latest Wi-Fi 6 and 6E standards, offering top speeds of up to 11,000 Mbps, and is ideal for users who require high-speed internet for activities such as streaming and gaming.
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
8
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
|
9
|
-1 | $243 |
Netgear Nighthawk AX8
The Netgear Nighthawk AX8 router is a high-performance and secure router with a range of features, making it an excellent choice for users who demand the best throughput and performance in their home high-performance routers.
|
6
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
10
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
|
10
|
-1 | $60 |
TP-Link Archer A8 AC1900
The TP-Link Archer A8 AC1900 router is a reliable and affordable option for those looking for fast Wi-Fi speeds and adequate coverage for small to medium-sized homes.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
|
11
|
-1 | $257 |
TP-Link Archer AX6600 AX90
The TP-Link Archer AX6600 AX90 router is a high-speed, Wi-Fi 6 router with Tri-Band Wi-Fi, Ultra Connectivity, Maximized Coverage, and TP-Link HomeShield security features, making it a reliable and versatile choice for any home or office.
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
12
|
New * | $230 |
Netgear Nighthawk Pro XR1000
The Netgear Nighthawk Pro XR1000 router is a high-performance Wi-Fi 6 router with a maximum speed of 5.4Gbps, suitable for large households or small offices with multiple devices, and comes with Netgear Armor for all-encompassing anti-virus, anti-malware, and data protection.
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
19
|
-1 | $59 |
TP-Link Archer A7
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Sorted by price:
| Position in ranking | Price | Router |
|---|---|---|
| #19 | $59 | TP-Link Archer A7 [buy] [more info] |
| #10 | $59.99 | TP-Link Archer A8 AC1900 [buy] [more info] |
| #3 | $60.49 | Google Nest WiFi [buy] [more info] |
| #1 | $119.95 | TP-Link Archer AX50 [buy] [more info] |
| #12 | $230 | Netgear Nighthawk Pro XR1000 [buy] [more info] |
| #9 | $243.15 | Netgear Nighthawk AX8 [buy] [more info] |
| #11 | $257.50 | TP-Link Archer AX6600 AX90 [buy] [more info] |
| #4 | $297.51 | Asus RT-AX86U [buy] [more info] |
| #2 | $299.99 | Asus RT-AX88U [buy] [more info] |
| #5 | $314.58 | Asus Rapture GT-AX11000 [buy] [more info] |
| #6 | $349.99 | Netgear Nighthawk RAXE300 [buy] [more info] |
| #7 | $349.99 | Asus ZenWiFi AX XT8 [buy] [more info] |
| #8 | $460 | Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 [buy] [more info] |
We ranked TP-Link Archer AX50 #1 in May 2023 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Routers” rankings.
Lifewire
Best Value
|
Pros
Affordable Wi-Fi 6 technology
160MHz-wide channels
Free advanced security and parental controls
|
Cons
Slow NAS performance
|
Business Insider
The best budget router
|
Pros
Good performance at long range
simple setup process
attractive design
compact size
|
Cons
Maximum Wi-Fi speeds could be higher
|
Laptop Mag
Best Wi-Fi 6 router for most people
|
Pros
Affordable for performance
Solid coverage for single unit
Advanced security options
Reduces battery drain on connected devices
|
Cons
Limited USB ports
Max data transfer not as high as some
|
How To Geek
Best Budget Router
|
Pros
Wi-Fi 6 on a budget
Solid and reliable
|
Cons
Only 3000 Mbps speeds
No WPA3 security
Fewer features
|
PCMag
Best Budget Wi-Fi 6 Router / Editors' Choice
|
Pros
Easy to install
Solid throughput and signal strength performance
Strong parental controls
Anti-malware protection
Link aggregation
|
Cons
Doesn't support WPA3 or 160MHz channels
Middling file-transfer performance
|
We ranked Asus RT-AX88U #2 in May 2023 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Routers” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Asus RT-AX88U as #1.
Lifewire
Best Security
|
Pros
Advanced Wi-Fi 6 support
Advanced security features
Eight LAN ports
|
Cons
A bit pricey
|
Laptop Mag
Best future-proof Wi-Fi 6 router
|
Pros
Fantastic Wi-Fi 6 performance
Solid built-in malware protection
Abundant ports
Easily configurable network options
|
Cons
Expensive
Limited Wi-Fi 6 devices still
|
How To Geek
Best Wi-Fi Router
|
Pros
Wi-Fi 6 and future-proof hardware
Packed with features
6000 Mbps speeds
|
Cons
No Tri-Band
Not the fastest Wi-Fi 6 Router
Not the cheapest Wi-Fi 6 router
|
Methodology: combine opinions of key experts
Identify Experts
We identify key publishers and experts that consistently review and recommend Routers.
Capture Rankings
For each publisher we find a currently recommended "top 10" list of Routers, it must be updated in the last 9 months.
Aggregate Rankings
We put all those lists together and aggregate them. The more frequently a product is recommended, the higher it is in our ranking
Experts chosen for May 2023 ranking
Lifewire
Digital Trends
Business Insider
Laptop Mag
Wirecutter
TechRadar
T3
How To Geek
PCMag
Tom's Guide
We ranked Google Nest WiFi #3 in May 2023 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Routers” rankings.
Lifewire
Best for Smart Homes
|
Pros
Attractive and simple design
Integrates with Google Home
Point units double as smart speakers
|
Cons
No Ethernet ports on points
Lacks a dedicated backhaul channel
|
Business Insider
The best budget mesh router
|
Pros
Easy to set up and manage
router
points are small and attractive
access points double as smart speakers
reliable performance at range
attractive pricing
|
Cons
Wi-Fi 6 upgrade is sorely needed
|
Laptop Mag
Best mesh Wi-Fi router system for most people
|
Pros
Excellent, reliable coverage
Easy to set up
Built-in Google Home speaker
Smart home functionality
|
Cons
Limited ports
Lacks advanced configuration options
|
TechRadar
The best mesh router if you want something affordable
|
Pros
Excellent design
Smart speaker(s) included
Even simpler controls
|
Cons
No major performance gains
Not worth replacing existing mesh
|
Tom's Guide
A great mesh router with built-in smart speaker
|
Pros
Good performance
Google Assistant built in
Easy setup
|
Cons
Short range
Minimal configuration options
|
We ranked Asus RT-AX86U #4 in May 2023 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Routers” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Asus RT-AX86U as #1.
Digital Trends
Best router for mobile gaming
|
Pros
Mobile gaming mode
Dedicated gaming port
Wi-Fi 6
Mesh and security software included
|
Cons
Not as useful if there aren't any gamers around
|
Laptop Mag
Best Wi-Fi 6 router for gamers
|
Pros
Blazing fast speeds
Excellent performance at range
Extensive customization and optimization for gamers via software
Extremely low latency
|
Cons
Large footprint
Pricey
|
Tom's Guide
Great for a full house,and for gaming
|
Pros
Excellent throughput and performance
Security software with lifetime updates
Multi-Gig input and port aggregation
|
Cons
Lacks advanced gaming features like geofencing and ping heat map
|
We ranked Asus Rapture GT-AX11000 #5 in May 2023 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Routers” rankings.
Lifewire
Best for Gaming
|
Pros
Advanced Wi-Fi 6 Support
Extremely Fast Performance
Cutting-edge game-centric QoS
|
Cons
Large footprint
Expensive
User interface can be a bit daunting
|
T3
A top wireless router for power users and gamers
|
Pros
Support for Wi-Fi 6
Powerful software control
Eight Wi-Fi antennas
|
Cons
Expensive
Large
|
How To Geek
Best Gaming Router
|
Pros
11000 Mbps speeds
Tri-band Wi-Fi
Packed with cutting-edge features
|
Cons
It's pricey
|
Tom's Guide
The best Wi-Fi 6 gaming router
|
Pros
First Wi-Fi 6 (802.11AX) router
Performance improves with distance
Plenty of customization
Impressive 2.5Gbps wired connector
|
Cons
Very large in size compared to other routers
|
We ranked Netgear Nighthawk RAXE300 #6 in May 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Routers” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Netgear Nighthawk RAXE300 as #1.
Digital Trends
The best wireless router
|
Pros
Wi-Fi 6E support
No unsightly antenna with futuristic design
Can be controlled with an app
|
Cons
Optional services require subscription
Still expensive
|
TechRadar
The premium wireless router of the future
|
Pros
Super-fast Wi-Fi performance
Tri-band support (2.4/5.0/6.0GHz)
Easy to use and set up
|
Cons
Expensive
Parental controls require monthly subscription
|
We ranked Asus ZenWiFi AX XT8 #7 in May 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Routers” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Asus ZenWiFi AX XT8 as #1.
TechRadar
The best wireless router overall
|
Pros
Great Wi-Fi performance
Good security features
|
Cons
Expensive
Limited to two routers
|
How To Geek
Best Mesh Router
|
Pros
Wi-Fi 6
5500 square feet of coverage
QoS for traffic prioritization
|
Cons
More expensive than mesh systems without Wi-Fi 6
Not as simple to configure as Google Nest Wifi
|
We ranked Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 #8 in May 2023 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Routers” rankings.
Business Insider
Best Wi-Fi 6E router
|
Pros
Supports Wi-Fi 6E
excellent Wi-Fi performance
performance holds up at range
as a 2.5 Gigabit LAN port
|
Cons
Large
could use more Gigabit LAN ports for its size
|
T3
The best Wi-Fi router if you have a big budget
|
Pros
Absolutely packed with features
High-end Wi-Fi 6E support
Lots of customisation options
|
Cons
It's going to cost you
|
Tom's Guide
The Wi-Fi 6e speed demon
|
Pros
Top speeds with 6GHz band
Very customizable
Security software built-in
|
Cons
Throughput declines quickly with distance
|
We ranked Netgear Nighthawk AX8 #9 in May 2023 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Routers” rankings.
Lifewire
Best Design
|
Pros
Sleek design
Wi-Fi 6 Support
8K streaming
|
Cons
Expensive
Design can make for awkward placement
|
T3
Wi-Fi 6 support and much more besides
|
Pros
Support for Wi-Fi 6
Stunning design
Excellent traffic management
|
Cons
Very expensive
|
Tom's Guide
A great router overall
|
Pros
Excellent performance
Includes anti-malware apps
Lots of configuration options
|
Cons
Throughput falls off quickly with distance
|
We ranked TP-Link Archer A8 AC1900 #10 in May 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Routers” rankings.
How To Geek
Best Cheap Router Under $100
|
Pros
A solid router at a low price
|
Cons
No Wi-Fi 6
1900 Mbps speeds
|
We ranked TP-Link Archer AX6600 AX90 #11 in May 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Routers” rankings.
Digital Trends
The best high-performance router
|
Pros
Wi-Fi 6 support
Multi-gig Ethernet ports
Solid performance
|
Cons
Relatively expensive
|
T3
A mid-range wireless router with loads of smart features
|
Pros
Improves Wi-Fi speed and capacity
Easy to use and manage through the app
HomeShield is free and protects your devices
|
Cons
The 2.4GHz channel could be faster
You have to create an account
There’s a subscription fee for the advanced security features
|
We ranked Netgear Nighthawk Pro XR1000 #12 in May 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Routers” rankings.
Digital Trends
The best gaming router
|
Pros
Solid Wi-Fi 6 performance
Options catered towards gamers and streamers
Malware protection included
|
Cons
No multi-gig port or port aggregation
Relatively pricey
|
T3
The best premium wireless router
|
Pros
High speed, low ping
Handles congestion well
Automatic optimisation
|
Cons
On the expensive side
|
We ranked TP-Link Archer A7 #13 in May 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Routers” rankings.
Digital Trends
The best budget wireless router
|
Pros
Affordable price
Tether app with useful settings
Alexa
|
Cons
Limited design for coverage
|
Laptop Mag
Best budget Wi-Fi router
|
Pros
Affordable
Solid speeds
Excellent software and warranty
|
Cons
Somewhat limited range
Lacks higher-end features
|