Compare 12 Top Wi-Fi Routers
Other Routers We Have Tested
I have tested many other models and have several more in the queue. These aren’t as great as the picks above, but they are worth considering.
TP-Link Archer BE5000 (BE260) for $130: This dual-band (2.4-GHz and 5-GHz) Wi-Fi 7 router runs close to our top pick on performance and is a solid alternative. This router offers a slight upgrade over the BE230 (BE3600) below with improved 5-GHz performance, an extra antenna, and a coverage boost up to 2,400 square feet. It also sports a 2.5-Gbps WAN, a 2.5-Gbps LAN, three Gigabit LAN, and a USB 3.0 port. Throw in EasyMesh support and a relatively low asking price, and the BE260 is a tempting option. But if you want enhanced security and parental controls, you have to subscribe, which takes the shine off the value.
Devolo 3600 for £400: Pop a SIM in this 5G router and you can wash your home in pretty speedy dual-band Wi-Fi 6. It’s designed for homes that can’t get a cable connection, but you need to place it somewhere that gets a decent mobile network signal. That proved tricky in my thick-walled home, and having to place it in the window at the front meant that it struggled to deliver much speed to the back of the house. It could be a good option for folks stuck without a fiber option but with 5G coverage. Sadly, the Devolo 3600 is only available in the UK and EU right now, and it’s kind of pricey.
Photograph: Simon Hill
Netgear Nighthawk RS300 for $300: This classy, tri-band, Wi-Fi 7 tower router is understated with a fanless design. Setup was a breeze, and the simplified app is designed to be hands-off. This was our middle upgrade pick, but was unseated by TP-Link's Archer BE9700. Speed and stability on the 5-GHz and 6-GHz bands were excellent, though the range on the 6-GHz band is limited. Performance on the 2.4-GHz band was slightly below par, but that will likely only be an issue if you have loads of older devices. The RS300 has one 2.5 Gbps WAN/LAN, two 2.5 Gbps, two Gigabit LAN ports, and one USB 3.0 port. Premium Smart Parental Controls ($8/month or $70/year) and Netgear Armor ($100/year) add tons of features, but they are expensive (you get a 30-day trial of each), and most people don’t need them. The RS300 is one of the best experiences I have had with a Netgear router, with fast speeds on the 5- and 6-GHz bands, lightning-quick file transfer times, and no issues over two weeks of testing. For folks with mostly newish gadgets, internet connections up to 2.5 Gbps, and no desire to tweak network settings, this is a great pick.
Asus RT-BE92U for $250: After a simple setup and a trouble-free week of speedy, stable internet across the 2.4-, 5-, and 6-GHz bands, I can recommend this router. It has Wi-Fi 7 benefits like MLO and 320-MHz channels, support for a guest network, VPN services, free security software, and parental controls. It also boasts a 10-Gbps WAN/LAN, a 2.5-Gbps WAN/LAN, three 2.5-Gbps LANs, and a USB 3.2 port. This tri-band Wi-Fi 7 device came perilously close to claiming the midrange spot above held by the TP-Link Archer BE9700, but was a smidge slower on the 5-GHz and 6-GHz bands and had a considerably shorter range. However, if your home is around 1,500 square feet and you’d rather avoid a subscription, the RT-BE92U is an excellent alternative. Customer reviews suggest some folks have had trouble with this router, but the latest firmware was rock solid for me.
Netgear M3 for £374: I was very impressed by this mobile 5G router. Slip a SIM in there, and it connects to 4G or 5G networks to deliver Wi-Fi to your devices. It’s a dual-band Wi-Fi 6 model that’s speedy on the 5-GHz band. The M3 had no trouble handling multiple connected devices (up to 32) and served a stable internet connection for around 10 hours. You can charge via the USB-C port, and there’s a 2.4-inch LCD color screen for configuration. It’s a solid hot spot for business or personal travel. Sadly, the M3 doesn’t seem to be available in the US, but folks in the UK can save some money and snag this instead of the M6 Pro above.
Photograph: Simon Hill
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