This page contains the recommended wireless routers for your home with pros and cons of each. The routers have 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: January 1, 2020
Best Wireless Routers for 2020
Best Overall Wireless Router – ASUS RT-AC88U
Pros: Eight LAN ports, MU-MIMO support, WTFast Gamers Private Network, numerous features, user-friendly Web interface, Asus AiProtection, best WiFi performance
Cons: Expensive
Notable ASUS RT-AC88U Specs
Total WiFi Bandwidth
5 GHz @ 2167 Mbps
2.4 GHz @ 1000 Mbps
= (AC3100) 3167 Mbps
Network Standards
802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, IPv4, IPv6
Coverage Area & Antennas
Very Large Household (5000 square feet)
4 Detachable Dual-Band Antennas
Transmit/Receive
MU-MIMO technology
2.4 GHz 4 x 4
5 GHz 4 x 4
Data Rate
802.11a : 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 54 Mbps
802.11b : 1, 2, 5.5, 11 Mbps
802.11g : 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 54 Mbps
802.11n : up to 600 Mbps
802.11ac : up to 1734 Mbps
1024QAM (2.4 GHz) : up to 1000 Mbps
1024QAM (5 GHz) : up to 2167 Mbps
Processor & Memory
1.4 GHz Dual-Core Processor
128 MB Flash
512 MB RAM
Ports
Gigabit LAN Ports: 8
Gigabit WAN Port: 1
USB 2.0 Port: 1
USB 3.0 Port: 1
Security
64-bit WEP, 128-bit WEP, WPA-Enterprise, WPA2-Enterprise, WPA2-PSK, WPA-PSK, WPS support
Buttons
WPS Button, Power Button, Reset Button, LED On/Off Button, Wireless On/Off Button
WiFi Technology
Beamforming: standard-based and universal
1024-QAM high data rate
20/40/80 MHz bandwidth
Physical Dimensions
11.8 inches x 7.4 inches x 2.38 inches (WxDxH without bezel)
33.51 ounces
Best Value Wireless Router – ASUS RT-AC86U
Pros: MU-MIMO support, WTFast Gamers Private Network, numerous features, user-friendly Web interface, Asus AiProtection
Cons: Expensive
Notable ASUS RT-AC86U Specs
Total WiFi Bandwidth
5 GHz @ 2167 Mbps
2.4 GHz @ 750 Mbps
= (AC2900) 2917 Mbps
Network Standards
802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, IPv4, IPv6
Coverage Area & Antennas
Very Large Household
3 Detachable Dual-Band Antennas
1 Internal 3dBi Antenna
Transmit/Receive
MU-MIMO technology
2.4 GHz 3 x 3
5 GHz 4 x 4
Data Rate
802.11a : 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 54 Mbps
802.11b : 1, 2, 5.5, 11 Mbps
802.11g : 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 54 Mbps
802.11n : up to 450 Mbps
802.11ac : up to 1734 Mbps
1024QAM (2.4 GHz) : up to 750 Mbps
1024QAM (5 GHz) : up to 2167 Mbps
Processor & Memory
1.8 GHz Dual-Core Processor
256 MB Flash
512 MB RAM
Ports
Gigabit LAN Ports: 4
Gigabit WAN Port: 1
USB 2.0 Port: 1
USB 3.0 Port: 1
Security
64-bit WEP, 128-bit WEP, WPA-Enterprise, WPA2-Enterprise, WPA2-PSK, WPA-PSK, WPS support
Buttons
WPS Button, Power Button, Reset Button, LED On/Off Button, Wireless On/Off Button
WiFi Technology
Beamforming: standard-based and universal
1024-QAM high data rate
20/40/80 MHz bandwidth
Physical Dimensions
8.7 inches x 6.3 inches x 3.3 inches (WxHxD without bezel)
30.4 ounces
Best Gaming Wireless Router – NETGEAR XR500
Pros: Beamforming+, MU-MIMO support, Quad Stream, On/Off LED light switch, Geo-Filter, Network Monitor, User-friendly web interface
Cons: Expensive
Notable NETGEAR XR500 Specs
Total WiFi Bandwidth
5 GHz @ 1733 Mbps
2.4 GHz @ 800 Mbps
= (AC2600) 2533 Mbps
Network Standards
802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, IPv6 support
Coverage Area & Antennas
Very Large Household
Four Detachable High-Performance External Antennas
Transmit/Receive
MU-MIMO technology
2.4 GHz 4 x 4
5 GHz 4 x 4
Processor & Memory
1.7 GHz Dual-Core Processor
256 MB Flash
512 MB RAM
Ports
Gigabit LAN Ports: 4
Gigabit WAN Port: 1
USB 3.0 Ports: 2
Security
Denial-of-Service (DoS) Attack Prevention, VPN Support (Secure Remote Access), WiFi Protected Access (WPA/WPA2—PSK), Double Firewall Protection (NAT and SPI)
WiFi Technology
Beamforming+
MU-MIMO
Quad Stream
Physical Dimensions
12.7 inches x 9.6 inches x 2.2 inches
28.32 ounces
Best Overall Mesh WiFi Router System – NETGEAR Orbi RBK50
Note: A mesh WiFi system uses multiple satellites for whole home coverage.
Pros: Satellite auto-configures itself to router WiFi settings, MU-MIMO support, speedy Tri-Band, large coverage area
Cons: Bulky satellites, expensive
Notable NETGEAR Orbi RBK50 Specs
Total WiFi Bandwidth
5 GHz @ 1733 Mbps
5 GHz @ 866 Mbps
2.4 GHz @ 400 Mbps
= (AC3000) 2999 Mbps
Network Standards
802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac
Coverage Area & Antennas
Up to 5000 square feet
6 Antennas
Ports
Gigabit LAN Ports: 3 (router)
Gigabit WAN Port: 1 (router)
Gigabit LAN Ports: 4 (per satellite)
USB 2.0 Port: 1
WiFi Technology
Tri-Band
Dedicated Backhaul 4×4 (1.7 Gbps)
Physical Dimensions
6.7 inches x 3.1 inches x 8.89 inches each
31.36 ounces each
Key Features
Guest WiFi Network
MU-MIMO Support
WPA/PSK2 Support
4 GB Flash and 512 MB RAM
Beamforming Technology
Best Value Mesh WiFi Router System – Google WiFi
Note: A mesh WiFi system uses multiple satellites for whole home coverage.
Pros: Inexpensive WiFi system, simple and easy setup, small satellites
Cons: Google account and mobile device required, adding extra satellites adds to the cost, signal loss (the more satellites used, the longer it takes to receive data beyond the first satellite), lack of features and customization, lack of LAN ports, no USB ports
Notable Google WiFi Specs
Total WiFi Bandwidth
5 GHz @ 900 Mbps
2.4 GHz @ 300 Mbps
= (AC1200) 1200 Mbps
Network Standards
802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac
Coverage Area
Up to 1500 square feet (with one satellite – small home)
Up to 4500 square feet (with three satellites – large home)
Processor & Memory
Quad-core ARM CPU, each core up to 710 MHz
4GB eMMC Flash
512 MB RAM
Ports
Gigabit LAN Port: 1
Gigabit WAN Port: 1
WAN and LAN on primary WiFi satellite; both act as LAN ports on additional WiFi satellites
WiFi Technology
Dual-Band
Expandable mesh WiFi
AC1200 2×2 Wave 2 WiFi
Physical Dimensions
Diameter: 4.17 inches
Height: 2.70 inches
Weight: 12 ounces
Key Features
Guest WiFi Network
Bluetooth Smart Ready
WPA2-PSK Support
TX Beamforming Technology