November 2021
Routers: Aggregated Ranking Report
This report contains an aggregate consensus of Router rankings posted by key online experts, as of November 2021.
At a glance - November 2021 Ranking
| Rank | Change | Price | Router |
How To Geek
|
Digital Trends
|
Laptop Mag
|
Wirecutter
|
Business Insider
|
TechRadar
|
PCMag
|
T3
|
Lifewire
|
Tom's Guide
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
|
- | $139 |
Google Nest WiFi
|
5
|
3
|
2
|
-
|
3
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
8
|
3
|
|
2
|
+1 | $115 |
TP-Link Archer AX50
|
2
|
-
|
3
|
1
|
2
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
|
3
|
-1 | $449 |
Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX11000
|
3
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
5
|
4
|
|
4
|
+2 | $268 |
Asus RT-AX88U
|
1
|
-
|
9
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
|
5
|
- | $50 |
TP-Link Archer A7
|
8
|
-
|
5
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
9
|
|
6
|
New * | $265 |
TP-Link Archer AX11000
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
|
7
|
+4 | $380 |
Netgear Nighthawk AX8
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
10
|
6
|
2
|
|
8
|
-1 | $349 |
Asus RT-AX86U
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
|
9
|
+1 | $93 |
TP-Link AC2300
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
|
10
|
-2 | $400 |
Asus ZenWiFi AX XT8
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
11
|
New * | $260 |
TP-Link Archer AX6600 AX90
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
|
12
|
New * | $599 |
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
|
13
|
- | $160 |
Netgear Nighthawk RS400
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
8
|
|
14
|
-5 | $680 |
Netgear Orbi 6 AX6000
|
-
|
6
|
6
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
15
|
-1 | $550 |
Asus ROG Rapture GT-AXE11000
|
10
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
We ranked Google Nest WiFi #1 in November 2021 because:
- 7 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Routers” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Google Nest WiFi as #1.
How To Geek
Best Budget Mesh Router
|
Pros
Mesh Wi-Fi on a budget
Simple configuration
|
Cons
No Wi-Fi 6
|
Digital Trends
The easiest wireless router to use
|
Pros
It creates a powerful mesh network
perfect for larger homes.
|
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
|
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
|
TechRadar
Google Wifi and Home together at long last
|
Pros
Excellent design
Smart speaker(s) included
Even simpler controls
|
Cons
No major performance gains
Not worth replacing existing mesh
|
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
|
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 TP-Link Archer AX50 #2 in November 2021 because:
- 6 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Routers” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked TP-Link Archer AX50 as #1.
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
|
Laptop Mag
Best Wi-Fi 6 router for most people
|
Pros
Affordable for performance
Solid coverage for single unit
Advanced security options
|
Cons
Limited USB ports
Max data transfer not as high as some
|
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
|
PCMag
The Best Affordable Wi-Fi 6 Router / Editor's 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
|
Lifewire
Best Value
|
Pros
Affordable Wi-Fi 6 technology
160MHz-wide channels
Free advanced security and parental controls
|
Cons
Slow NAS performance
|
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 November 2021 ranking
How To Geek
Digital Trends
Laptop Mag
Wirecutter
Business Insider
TechRadar
PCMag
T3
Lifewire
Tom's Guide
We ranked Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 #3 in November 2021 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Routers” rankings.
How To Geek
Best Gaming Router
|
Pros
11000 Mbps speeds
Tri-band Wi-Fi
Packed with cutting-edge features
|
Cons
It's pricey
|
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
|
Cons
Large footprint
Pricey
|
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
|
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
|
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
Big
|
We ranked Asus RT-AX88U #4 in November 2021 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Routers” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Asus RT-AX88U as #1.
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
|
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
|
Lifewire
Best Security
|
Pros
Advanced Wi-Fi 6 support
Advanced security features
Eight LAN ports
|
Cons
A bit pricey
|
We ranked TP-Link Archer A7 #5 in November 2021 because:
- 4 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
1750 Mbps speeds
|
Laptop Mag
Best budget Wi-Fi router
|
Pros
Affordable
Solid speeds
Excellent software and warranty
|
Cons
Somewhat limited range
Lacks higher-end features
|
Tom's Guide
Our favorite low-priced wireless router
|
Pros
Bargain router
Reasonable performance
Two-year warranty
|
Cons
Lacks deep customization options
Limited range
|
We ranked TP-Link Archer AX11000 #6 in November 2021 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Routers” rankings.
- Out of those, 2 experts ranked TP-Link Archer AX11000 as #1.
PCMag
Our Top Pick Overall / Editor's Choice
|
Pros
Easy to install
Lots of gamer-friendly settings
Numerous ports
Multi-gig WAN. Link aggregation
Lifetime malware protection
Solid parental controls
|
Cons
Expensive
Bulky
|
T3
The best wireless router for most people
|
Pros
Latest Wi-Fi 6 speeds
Huge range
Eight wired points
|
Cons
Setup takes a while
Expensive
|
We ranked Netgear Nighthawk AX8 #7 in November 2021 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Routers” rankings.
T3
Wi-Fi 6 support and much more besides
|
Pros
Support for Wi-Fi 6
Stunning design
Excellent traffic management
|
Cons
Very expensive
|
Lifewire
Best Design
|
Pros
Sleek design
Wi-Fi 6 Support
8K streaming
|
Cons
Expensive
Design can make for awkward placement
|
Tom's Guide
A great router overall
|
Pros
High performance
Includes malware apps
Good configuration options.
|
Cons
Expensive
Throughput falls off quickly with distance.
|
We ranked Asus RT-AX86U #8 in November 2021 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Routers” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Asus RT-AX86U as #1.
TechRadar
An impressive all-around upgrade
|
Pros
Fast Wi-Fi 6 performance
Gaming-focused
Security features
|
Cons
Not cheap
|
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 TP-Link AC2300 #9 in November 2021 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Routers” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked TP-Link AC2300 as #1.
Laptop Mag
Best Wi-Fi router for most people
|
Pros
Fantastic performance
Affordable
Built-in Trend Micro antivirus
|
Cons
Bland appearance
Lacks Wi-Fi 6 or mesh support
|
Tom's Guide
The best budget router
|
Pros
Top performer
Inexpensive
Built-in antivirus protection
Two-year warranty
|
Cons
Runs hot
|
We ranked Asus ZenWiFi AX XT8 #10 in November 2021 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Routers” rankings.
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
|
TechRadar
Wi-Fi 6 meets mesh routers
|
Pros
Great Wi-Fi performance
Good security features
|
Cons
Expensive
Limited to two routers
|
We ranked TP-Link Archer AX6600 AX90 #11 in November 2021 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Routers” rankings.
Digital Trends
The best high-performance router
|
Pros
It offers Wi-Fi 6 connectivity without compromising performance.
|
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 RAXE500 #12 in November 2021 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Routers” rankings.
PCMag
Best for Wi-Fi 6E Early Adopters
|
Pros
Speedy throughput and file transfer performance
Utilizes 6GHz radio band
Multi-gig LAN/WAN
Link aggregation
Supports 160MHz channel bandwidth
|
Tom's Guide
The Wi-Fi 6e speed demon
|
Pros
Top speed with 6GHz band
Customizability
Security software
|
Cons
Expensive
Throughput declines quickly with distance
|
We ranked Netgear Nighthawk RS400 #13 in November 2021 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Routers” rankings.
Laptop Mag
Best Wi-Fi router for the security-conscious
|
Pros
Extensive security features
Includes 3-year Bitdefender subscription
Easy setup
|
Cons
Expensive for performance
Limited range
|
Tom's Guide
The best router to secure your whole house
|
Pros
Good performance
Three years of security software
Easy setup
|
Cons
Short range
Not much to configure
|
We ranked Netgear Orbi 6 AX6000 #14 in November 2021 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Routers” rankings.
Digital Trends
The best mesh router
|
Pros
Mesh routers offer expanded coverage and the latest speeds — this is one of the best available
|
Laptop Mag
Best high-end mesh Wi-Fi router
|
Pros
Excellent range and expandable
Easy to set up
Smart speaker integration
|
Cons
Expensive
Overkill for most users
Large footprint
|
We ranked Asus ROG Rapture GT-AXE11000 #15 in November 2021 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Routers” rankings.
How To Geek
Best Wi-Fi 6E Router
|
Pros
Bleeding-edge Wi-Fi 6E
Our top gaming router, upgraded
|
Cons
Few devices have Wi-Fi 6E
It's pricey
|
Business Insider
The best gaming router
|
Pros
Wi-Fi 6E support
excellent maximum performance
plenty of wired connectivity
QoS can reduce lag
|
Cons
Huge
expensive
|