April 2024
Routers: MetaRanking
This page highlights the aggregate summary of routers rankings posted by key online experts, as of April 2024.
Summary
On 2 Apr 2024, ReviewFinder team examined a total of 71 router endorsements from 10 reputable publishers.
52 routers were endorsed in total, only 16 made it into this month's ranking. (ReviewFinder requires a minimum of 2 endorsements to be included)
As of 2 Apr 2024, TP-Link Archer AX50 takes the cake as the most critically-acclaimed router with 3 expert endorsements.
Brand breakdown
-
TP-Link: 15 routers
(#1 is TP-Link Archer AX50)
-
Netgear: 10 routers
(#1 is Netgear Nighthawk RAXE300)
-
Asus: 9 routers
(#1 is Asus ZenWiFi AX XT8)
-
Google: 2 routers
(#1 is Google Nest WiFi)
-
Eero: 2 routers
(#1 is Eero Max 7)
Price breakdown
At a glance - April Ranking
Rank | Change | Price | Router |
Digital Trends
|
Tom's Guide
|
Laptop Mag
|
TechRadar
|
Business Insider
|
T3
|
How To Geek
|
Wirecutter
|
Lifewire
|
PCMag
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1
|
- | $95 |
TP-Link Archer AX50
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
2
|
- | $298 |
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE300
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
- | $50 |
Google Nest WiFi
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
4
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
+1 | $259 |
Asus ZenWiFi AX XT8
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
-1 | $299 |
Asus RT-AX86U
|
-
|
1
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
- | $391 |
Asus RT-AX88U
|
-
|
-
|
9
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
- | $493 |
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500
|
-
|
8
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
8
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
8
|
- | $220 |
Synology WRX560
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
2
|
9
|
- | $60 |
TP-Link Archer A8 AC1900
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
10
|
+1 | $200 |
Netgear Nighthawk Pro XR1000
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
11
|
-1 | $315 |
TP-Link Archer AX6600 AX90
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
18
|
- | $406 |
Asus Rapture GT-AX11000
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
19
|
- | $63 |
TP-Link Archer AX10
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
20
|
- | $135 |
TP-Link Deco X20
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
21
|
- | $499 |
Asus ROG Rapture GT-AXE16000
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
22
|
- | $980 |
Eero Max 7
|
-
|
6
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
9
|
We ranked TP-Link Archer AX50 #1 in April 2024 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best routers” rankings.
Laptop Mag
Best Wi-Fi 6 router for most people
Affordable for performance
Solid coverage for single unit
Advanced security options
Reduces battery drain on connected devices
|
Limited USB ports
Max data transfer not as high as some
|
Business Insider
Best budget
Good performance at long range, simple setup process, attractive design, compact size
|
Maximum Wi-Fi speeds could be higher
|
Lifewire
Budget Buy
Affordable Wi-Fi 6 technology
160MHz-wide channels
Free advanced security and parental controls
|
Slow NAS performance
|
We ranked Netgear Nighthawk RAXE300 #2 in April 2024 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 Wi-Fi router
Wi-Fi 6E support
No unsightly antenna with futuristic design
Can be controlled with an app
|
Optional services require subscription
Still expensive
|
TechRadar
The premium wireless router of the future
Super-fast Wi-Fi performance
Tri-band support (2.4/5.0/6.0GHz)
Easy to use and set up
|
Expensive
Parental controls require monthly subscription
|
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 April 2024 ranking
We ranked Google Nest WiFi #3 in April 2024 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best routers” rankings.
Laptop Mag
Best mesh Wi-Fi router system for most people
Excellent, reliable coverage
Easy to set up
Built-in Google Home speaker
Smart home functionality
|
Limited ports
Lacks advanced configuration options
|
TechRadar
The best mesh router if you want something affordable
Excellent design
Smart speaker(s) included
Even simpler controls
|
No major performance gains
Not worth replacing existing mesh
|
Business Insider
Best budget mesh
Easy to set up and manage, router and points are small and attractive, access points double as smart speakers. reliable performance at range, attractive pricing
|
Wi-Fi 6 upgrade is sorely needed
|
We ranked Asus ZenWiFi AX XT8 #4 in April 2024 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 Wi-Fi router overall
Great Wi-Fi performance
Good security features
|
Expensive
Limited to two routers
|
How To Geek
Best Mesh Router
Wi-Fi 6
5500 square feet of coverage
QoS for traffic prioritization
|
More expensive than mesh systems without Wi-Fi 6
Not as simple to configure as Google Nest Wifi
|
We ranked Asus RT-AX86U #5 in April 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best routers” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Asus RT-AX86U as #1.
Tom's Guide
The best Wi-Fi router for most people
Excellent throughput and performance
Security software with lifetime updates
Multi-Gig input and port aggregation
|
Lacks advanced gaming features like geofencing and ping heat map
|
Laptop Mag
Best Wi-Fi 6 router for gamers
Blazing fast speeds
Excellent performance at range
Extensive customization and optimization for gamers via software
Extremely low latency
|
Large footprint
Pricey
|
We ranked Asus RT-AX88U #6 in April 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best routers” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Asus RT-AX88U as #1.
Laptop Mag
Best future-proof Wi-Fi 6 router
Fantastic Wi-Fi 6 performance
Solid built-in malware protection
Abundant ports
Easily configurable network options
|
Expensive
Limited Wi-Fi 6 devices still
|
How To Geek
Best Wi-Fi Router Overall
Impressive performance
Two 2.5G ports
Wi-Fi 6 connectivity
|
Less number of LAN ports than its predecessor
Not wall mount ready
|
We ranked Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 #7 in April 2024 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best routers” rankings.
Tom's Guide
The best Wi-Fi 6E router
Top speeds with 6GHz band
Very customizable
Security software built-in
|
Throughput declines quickly with distance
|
Business Insider
Best Wi-Fi 6E
Supports Wi-Fi 6E, excellent Wi-Fi performance, performance holds up at range, as a 2.5 Gigabit LAN port
|
Large, could use more Gigabit LAN ports for its size
|
T3
The best Wi-Fi router if you have a big budget
Absolutely packed with features
High-end Wi-Fi 6E support
Lots of customisation options
|
It's going to cost you
|
We ranked Synology WRX560 #8 in April 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best routers” rankings.
PCMag
A Solid Alternative to the TP-Link Archer AXE75 / Editors' Choice
Easy installation
Excellent throughput and signal performance
Built-in parental-control and network-security software
Mesh-ready
Multi-gig WAN/LAN
|
Middling file transfer performance
Top heavy design
|
We ranked Netgear Nighthawk Pro XR1000 #10 in April 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best routers” rankings.
Digital Trends
The best gaming router
Solid Wi-Fi 6 performance
Options catered towards gamers and streamers
Malware protection included
Excellent coverage
|
No multi-gig port or port aggregation
Relatively pricey
|
T3
The best premium wireless router
High speed, low ping
Handles congestion well
Automatic optimisation
|
On the expensive side
|
We ranked TP-Link Archer AX6600 AX90 #11 in April 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best routers” rankings.
Digital Trends
The best high-performance router
Wi-Fi 6 support
Multi-gig Ethernet ports
Solid performance
|
Relatively expensive
|
T3
A mid-range wireless router with loads of smart features
Improves Wi-Fi speed and capacity
Easy to use and manage through the app
HomeShield is free and protects your devices
|
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 Asus Rapture GT-AX11000 #12 in April 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best routers” rankings.
Tom's Guide
The best Wi-Fi router for gaming
Performance improves with distance
Plenty of customization options
Impressive 2.5Gbps WAN port
|
Very large in size compared to other routers
|
T3
A top wireless router for power users and gamers
Support for Wi-Fi 6
Powerful software control
Eight Wi-Fi antennas
|
Expensive
Large
|
We ranked TP-Link Archer AX10 #13 in April 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best routers” rankings.
Digital Trends
The best budget wireless router
Affordable price
Four Gigabit LAN ports
Alexa support
Great performance
|
Limited design for coverage
No USB ports
|
PCMag
Best Budget Wi-Fi 6 Router
Affordable
Good 5GHz throughput and signal range in testing
|
Doesn't support 160MHz channel width
No anti-malware tools
Lacks USB and multi-gig LAN ports
So-so 2.4GHz performance in testing
|
We ranked TP-Link Deco X20 #14 in April 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best routers” rankings.
Tom's Guide
The best budget mesh Wi-Fi system
Inexpensive
Excellent range
Extra security
Small router and satellites
|
Lack of customization options
No dedicated backchannel for data
|
How To Geek
Best Budget Mesh Router
Low-budget Mesh networking
Supports Wi-Fi 6 and earlier devices
Easy to set up and configure
Provides good network coverage
|
Lacks a dedicated backhaul channel (for the 2-pack)
Network speed could be better
|
We ranked Asus ROG Rapture GT-AXE16000 #15 in April 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best routers” rankings.
Digital Trends
Bleeding edge network performance for gamers
Four-band system
Mesh ready
Settings for gamers
Built-in network security
Two 10GbE ports
|
Expensive
Large footprint
|
PCMag
Best Wi-Fi 6E Wireless Router
Fast throughput speeds in our tests
Support for Wi-Fi 6E
Three multi-gigabit ports
Comes with network-security and parental-control software
Can be expanded into a mesh system with additional units
Gamer-friendly settings
|
Very expensive
Huge footprint
Middling file transfer and 5GHz signal range performance
|
We ranked Eero Max 7 #16 in April 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best routers” rankings.
Tom's Guide
The best mesh Wi-Fi system for large homes
Simple app
Small AC adapter
Good performance up close
Uses 320MHz ultra-wide data channels
Two 10Gbps and two 2.5Gbps networking ports
|
Performance falls off quickly at distance
Extra security, parental controls and networking stats cost $100 a year
|
PCMag
Best Wi-Fi 7 Mesh System/Editor's Choice
Fast performance
Strong signal coverage
Easy to install and manage
Supports Thread, Matter, and Zigbee protocols
10GbE and 2.5GbE ports
|
Pricey
Lacks USB connectivity
Parental controls and network security software require a paid subscription
|