Boost Your Wi-Fi Speed Without Breaking the Bank
Are you tired of slow web pages, buffering videos, and laggy online games? It’s time to upgrade your network with one of the best Wi-Fi routers.
Many people settle for the Wi-Fi router supplied by their broadband provider, but it’s possible to upgrade to a model that will deliver a signal to more rooms in your home and faster Wi-Fi speeds.
Before we dive into the routers we recommend, there are two key things to know:
- Wi-Fi speed is not the same as internet speed. If your internet connection is slow, making the Wi-Fi in your home faster won’t change that: it will still be slow. Use a speed-testing tool online (such as www.speedtest.com) to see how fast your internet is. Preferably, do this from a laptop connected to your router via a network cable to ensure slow Wi-Fi isn’t a factor in the test.
- Replacing your existing router isn’t the only option. You can now buy a mesh Wi-Fi system. This is essentially a kit of two or three wireless routers which are placed around the home and work together to provide a strong signal even across the largest of areas. Your phone or other mobile device will switch seamlessly between these routers as you move around.
Image: Asus RT-AX55 router
Why Trust Us? At Gadget Guru, we’ve been reviewing consumer products for years. Every single one you see here has been thoroughly tested by experts, used in their own homes as the main network under a typical set of conditions over a significant time period. Results are not based on a quick set of benchmarks taken in a lab or user reviews.
Best Wi-Fi Routers 2024
1. Asus RT-AX55 - Best Overall
Pros: Great price, Good performance Cons: No modem, No USB port
2. Linksys Hydra Pro 6 - Best Performance
Pros: Great performance, Supports mesh Wi-Fi Cons: No modem, Blocky and bulky design
3. TP-Link Archer AX50 - Cheap Wi-Fi 6
Pros: Lots of features, Fast speeds Cons: No modem
4. Honor Router 3 / Huawei AX3 - Best-value Wi-Fi 6
Pros: Amazingly cheap, Not ugly Cons: No modem, No USB port
5. Tenda AC10U - Great-value Wi-Fi 5
Pros: Very affordable, USB port Cons: Not the fastest or best coverage
6. D-Link DIR-X1650
Pros: Inexpensive, Good speeds Cons: Middling range, No modem
7. Synology RT2600ac - Best For Attaching Storage
Pros: Works like a Synology NAS drive Cons: Not Wi-Fi 6
8. Netgear XR500 Nighthawk Pro - Best For Gamers
Pros: Gamer-specific management features Cons: No modem, Not Wi-Fi 6
Image: Linksys Hydra Pro 6
Alternatives to Buying a New Router
As mentioned already, mesh Wi-Fi systems aren’t as expensive as you might think and are very easy to install as they connect to your existing router.
In fact, if your reason for reading this is because you need better Wi-Fi in just one room, you could be better off buying a set of powerline network adapters with built-in Wi-Fi.
However, you might not need to spend any money at all: we’ve written a guide on how to improve Wi-Fi in your home, which includes some great tips on getting better speed and coverage from your existing router. They may work for you, but if you’ve already done everything we suggest, an upgrade is the answer.
Image: Tenda AC10U
