March 2024
Routers: MetaRanking
This page highlights the aggregate summary of routers rankings posted by key online experts, as of March 2024.
Summary
On 4 Mar 2024, ReviewFinder team examined a total of 75 router endorsements from 10 reputable publishers.
56 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 4 Mar 2024, TP-Link Archer AX50 takes the cake as the most critically-acclaimed router with 3 expert endorsements.
Brand breakdown
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TP-Link: 15 routers
(#1 is TP-Link Archer AX50)
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Asus: 11 routers
(#1 is Asus RT-AX86U)
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Netgear: 10 routers
(#1 is Netgear Nighthawk RAXE300)
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Linksys: 3 routers
(#1 is Linksys MR8300)
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Google: 2 routers
(#1 is Google Nest WiFi)
Price breakdown
At a glance - March Ranking
Rank | Change | Price | Router |
PCMag
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Lifewire
|
Wirecutter
|
How To Geek
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T3
|
Business Insider
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TechRadar
|
Laptop Mag
|
Tom's Guide
|
Digital Trends
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1
|
+7 | $85 |
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.
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-
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2
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-
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-
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-
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2
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-
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3
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-
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-
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2
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- | $319 |
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.
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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3
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-
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-
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1
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3
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-2 | $50 |
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.
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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5
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4
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2
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-
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-
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4
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+6 | $300 |
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.
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-
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-
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-
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-
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4
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1
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-
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5
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-2 | $289 |
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.
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-
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-
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4
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-
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-
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1
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-
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-
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-
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6
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- | $391 |
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.
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-
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-
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1
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-
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-
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-
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9
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-
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-
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7
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-2 | $525 |
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.
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-
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-
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-
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8
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3
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-
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-
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8
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-
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8
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-1 | $220 |
Synology WRX560
The Synology WRX560 router is highly praised for its speed, range, features, security, and ease of use, making it an excellent choice for demanding tasks such as streaming 4K video and online gaming.
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2
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2
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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9
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- | $70 |
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.
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3
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2
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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10
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+2 | $298 |
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.
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5
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-
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2
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11
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- | $180 |
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.
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2
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-
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5
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18
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- | $399 |
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.
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-
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6
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3
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19
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-2 | $63 |
TP-Link Archer AX10
The TP-Link Archer AX10 router is a dual-band AX1500 router that offers good speed and performance for streaming and gaming, with improved wireless connection and increased transfer speeds for reduced lag and latency, making it suitable for large homes or office spaces with many users and devices.
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4
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4
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20
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New * | $130 |
TP-Link Deco X20
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5
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-
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-
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-
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5
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-
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21
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-2 | $500 |
Asus ROG Rapture GT-AXE16000
The Asus ROG Rapture GT-AXE16000 router is highly praised for its exceptional speed, performance, and range, making it ideal for seamless streaming, lag-free gaming, and smooth web browsing experiences.
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5
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-
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7
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22
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New * | $1150 |
Eero Max 7
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9
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-
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6
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We ranked TP-Link Archer AX50 #1 in March 2024 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best routers” rankings.
Lifewire
Budget Buy
Affordable Wi-Fi 6 technology
160MHz-wide channels
Free advanced security and parental controls
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Slow NAS performance
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Business Insider
Best budget
Good performance at long range, simple setup process, attractive design, compact size
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Maximum Wi-Fi speeds could be higher
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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
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Limited USB ports
Max data transfer not as high as some
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We ranked Netgear Nighthawk RAXE300 #2 in March 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best routers” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Netgear Nighthawk RAXE300 as #1.
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
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Expensive
Parental controls require monthly subscription
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Digital Trends
The best Wi-Fi router
Wi-Fi 6E support
No unsightly antenna with futuristic design
Can be controlled with an app
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Optional services require subscription
Still expensive
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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 March 2024 ranking
We ranked Google Nest WiFi #3 in March 2024 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best routers” rankings.
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
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Wi-Fi 6 upgrade is sorely needed
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TechRadar
The best mesh router if you want something affordable
Excellent design
Smart speaker(s) included
Even simpler controls
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No major performance gains
Not worth replacing existing mesh
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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
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Limited ports
Lacks advanced configuration options
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We ranked Asus RT-AX86U #4 in March 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best routers” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Asus RT-AX86U as #1.
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
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Large footprint
Pricey
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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
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Lacks advanced gaming features like geofencing and ping heat map
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We ranked Asus ZenWiFi AX XT8 #5 in March 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best routers” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Asus ZenWiFi AX XT8 as #1.
How To Geek
Best Mesh Router
Wi-Fi 6
5500 square feet of coverage
QoS for traffic prioritization
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More expensive than mesh systems without Wi-Fi 6
Not as simple to configure as Google Nest Wifi
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TechRadar
The best Wi-Fi router overall
Great Wi-Fi performance
Good security features
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Expensive
Limited to two routers
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We ranked Asus RT-AX88U #6 in March 2024 because:
- 2 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 Overall
Impressive performance
Two 2.5G ports
Wi-Fi 6 connectivity
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Less number of LAN ports than its predecessor
Not wall mount ready
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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
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Expensive
Limited Wi-Fi 6 devices still
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We ranked Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 #7 in March 2024 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best routers” rankings.
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
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It's going to cost you
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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
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Large, could use more Gigabit LAN ports for its size
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Tom's Guide
The best Wi-Fi 6E router
Top speeds with 6GHz band
Very customizable
Security software built-in
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Throughput declines quickly with distance
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We ranked Synology WRX560 #8 in March 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
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Middling file transfer performance
Top heavy design
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We ranked TP-Link Archer AX6600 AX90 #10 in March 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best routers” rankings.
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
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The 2.4GHz channel could be faster
You have to create an account
There’s a subscription fee for the advanced security features
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Digital Trends
The best high-performance router
Wi-Fi 6 support
Multi-gig Ethernet ports
Solid performance
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Relatively expensive
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We ranked Netgear Nighthawk Pro XR1000 #11 in March 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best routers” rankings.
T3
The best premium wireless router
High speed, low ping
Handles congestion well
Automatic optimisation
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On the expensive side
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Digital Trends
The best gaming router
Solid Wi-Fi 6 performance
Options catered towards gamers and streamers
Malware protection included
Excellent coverage
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No multi-gig port or port aggregation
Relatively pricey
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We ranked Asus Rapture GT-AX11000 #12 in March 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best routers” rankings.
T3
A top wireless router for power users and gamers
Support for Wi-Fi 6
Powerful software control
Eight Wi-Fi antennas
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Expensive
Large
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Tom's Guide
The best Wi-Fi router for gaming
Performance improves with distance
Plenty of customization options
Impressive 2.5Gbps WAN port
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Very large in size compared to other routers
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We ranked TP-Link Archer AX10 #13 in March 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best routers” rankings.
PCMag
Best Budget Wi-Fi 6 Router
Affordable
Good 5GHz throughput and signal range in testing
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Doesn't support 160MHz channel width
No anti-malware tools
Lacks USB and multi-gig LAN ports
So-so 2.4GHz performance in testing
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Digital Trends
The best budget wireless router
Affordable price
Four Gigabit LAN ports
Alexa support
Great performance
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Limited design for coverage
No USB ports
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We ranked TP-Link Deco X20 #14 in March 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best routers” rankings.
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
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Lacks a dedicated backhaul channel (for the 2-pack)
Network speed could be better
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Tom's Guide
The best budget mesh Wi-Fi system
Inexpensive
Excellent range
Extra security
Small router and satellites
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Lack of customization options
No dedicated backchannel for data
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We ranked Asus ROG Rapture GT-AXE16000 #15 in March 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best routers” rankings.
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
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Very expensive
Huge footprint
Middling file transfer and 5GHz signal range performance
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Digital Trends
Bleeding edge network performance for gamers
Four-band system
Mesh ready
Settings for gamers
Built-in network security
Two 10GbE ports
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Expensive
Large footprint
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We ranked Eero Max 7 #16 in March 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best routers” rankings.
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
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Pricey
Lacks USB connectivity
Parental controls and network security software require a paid subscription
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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
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Performance falls off quickly at distance
Extra security, parental controls and networking stats cost $100 a year
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