This page contains the recommended wireless routers for your home with pros and cons of each. The routers have been split into two groups: normal wireless routers and mesh routers (the use of satellites to extend coverage over the entire home).
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Last Updated: September 25, 2022
Best Wireless Routers for 2022
Best WiFi 6 Wireless Router – Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX11000
Pros: Four LAN ports, MU-MIMO support, WTFast Gamers Private Network, Asus AiProtection Pro, ASUS AiMesh, best WiFi performance
Cons: Expensive
Notable ASUS Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 Specs
Total WiFi Bandwidth
5 GHz @ 4804 Mbps
5 GHz @ 4804 Mbps
2.4 GHz @ 1148 Mbps
= (AX11000) 10,756 Mbps
Network Standards
802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, IPv4, IPv6
Coverage Area & Antennas
Really large homes
8 external antennas
Transmit/Receive
MU-MIMO technology
2.4 GHz 4 x 4
5 GHz-1 4 x 4
5 GHz-2 4 x 4
Processor & Memory
1.8 GHz quad-core processor
256 MB Flash
1 GB RAM
Ports
Gigabit LAN ports: 4
Gigabit WAN port: 1
2.5 Gbps LAN port: 1
USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports: 2
Security
128-bit WEP, 64-bit WEP, WPA2-PSK, WPA-PSK, WPS support, WPA2-Enterprise, WPA-Enterprise
Buttons
WPS button, power button, reset button, boost key, wireless on/off button
WiFi Technology
Beamforming: standard-based and universal
RADIUS Server
1024-QAM high data rate
20/40/80/160 MHz bandwidth
Physical Dimensions
9.5 inches x 9.5 inches x 2.4 inches (WxDxH) without bezel
60.8 ounces
Best Alternative WiFi 6 Wireless Router – ASUS RT-AX86U
Pros: Four LAN ports, WAN/LAN 2.5G/1Gbps port, 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, Asus AiProtection Pro, ASUS AiMesh
Cons: Expensive
Notable ASUS RT-AX86U Specs
Total WiFi Bandwidth
5 GHz @ 4804 Mbps
2.4 GHz @ 861 Mbps
= (AX5700) 5665 Mbps
Network Standards
802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, IPv4, IPv6
Coverage Area & Antennas
Really large homes
Three external antennas
One internal PCB antenna
Transmit/Receive
2.4 GHz 3×3
5 GHz 4×4
Processor & Memory
1.8 GHz quad-core processor
256 MB Flash
1 GB RAM
Ports
Gigabit LAN ports: 4
Gigabit WAN port: 1
2.5G/1Gbps multi-Gig WAN/LAN port: 1
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports: 2
Security
WPA3-Personal, WPA2-Personal, WPA-Personal, WPA2-Enterprise, WPA-Enterprise, WPS
Buttons
Power switch, LED on/off button, reset button, WPS button
WiFi Technology
Universal beamforming
Explicit beamforming
RADIUS Server
Airtime Fairness
Physical Dimensions
9.5 inches x 3.9 inches x 12.8 inches (WxDxH)
28.7 ounces
Best Value WiFi 5 Wireless Router – TP-Link Archer A7
Pros: Inexpensive, four LAN ports, intuitive web interface
Cons: Lacks features of more expensive devices, no USB 3.0 port
Notable TP-Link Archer A7 Specs
Total WiFi Bandwidth
5 GHz @ 1300 Mbps
2.4 GHz @ 450 Mbps
= (AC1750) 1750 Mbps
Network Standards
802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, IPv4, IPv6
Antennas
3 fixed external antennas
Processor & Memory
Single-core processor
128 MB RAM
Ports
Gigabit LAN ports: 4
Gigabit WAN port: 1
USB 2.0 port: 1
Security
64/128-bit WEP, WPA/WPA2, WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK encryption, enable/disable SSID broadcast, QSS, wireless MAC filter
Buttons
WPS/WiFi On/Off button, power On/Off button, reset button
Physical Dimensions
9.6 inches x 6.4 inches x 1.3 inches (WxDxH)
Best Mesh WiFi Router System – Google Nest WiFi
Note: A mesh WiFi system uses multiple satellites for whole home coverage.
Pros: Nest WiFi points act as Google Assistant smart speakers and come in color choices, easy-to-setup, small satellites, compatible with previous generation Google WiFi devices
Cons: Nest WiFi Router only includes one spare Ethernet jack, pricier than the competition for similar devices, Google account required
Notable Google Nest WiFi Specs
Simultaneous dual-band (2.4 GHz/5 GHz) WiFi
Expandable mesh WiFi
Network Standards
802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac
Coverage Area
Up to 2200 square feet per router
Up to 1600 square feet per point
Processor & Memory
Quad-core 64-bit ARM CPU 1.4 GHz
WiFi Router
1 GB RAM
4 GB Flash
WiFi Point
768 MB RAM
512 MB Flash
Ports
Gigabit LAN port: 1
Gigabit WAN port: 1
WiFi Technology
WiFi Router
AC2200 MU-MIMO WiFi
4×4 (5 GHz)
2×2 (2.4 GHz)
WiFi Point
AC1200 MU-MIMO WiFi
2×2 (2.4 GHz/5 GHz)
Physical Dimensions
WiFi Router
Diameter: 4.3 inches
Height: 3.6 inches
Weight: 13.4 ounces
WiFi Point
Diameter: 4.0 inches
Height: 3.4 inches
Weight: 12.3 ounces
Key Features
Proactive band steering
WPA3 encryption
Transmit beamforming
Automatic security updates