What comes next after 802.11ax? That would be 802.11be, known as Wi-Fi 7. Some routers supporting this future standard have been announced, but no client devices support it yet, and the standard itself hasn't yet reached its final version. Finally, there's the 6GHz band, which the FCC made available for Wi-Fi use in 2020. While this new spectrum promises a significant boost to overall wireless network performance, few devices support it yet. Plus, the FCC has yet to approve consumer Wi-Fi routers to operate at full power on the 6GHz band, so take performance claims with a grain of salt. For more on that topic, see our story What Is Wi-Fi 6E? There’s plenty to like about what’s inside that casing, too. The CPU is ‘only’ dual core but it’s a 1.8GHz model; there are four Gigabit lan ports, and two USB; MU-MIMO technology supports theoretical transfer speed of up to 2,900Mbps, and Asus’ 5GHz Quad-Stream system optimizes traffic but the best gaming and streaming performance. It's important to note that routers rarely, if ever, reach these "maximum speeds" in real-world applications, but if you're looking for performance, consider one of the high-speed routers (but be prepared to pay a premium). We thoroughly test all routers that come through PC Labs, so you'll know how much muscle a product has before you buy. That said, at this point, the smarter play for future-focused shoppers might be to hold out until 2024, when we expect to see the full ratification of Wi-Fi 7, the next big generational update for Wi-Fi. Some manufacturers like TP-Link are jumping the gun with Wi-Fi 7 router releases in 2023, but buying in now seems premature given that the standard isn't fully ratified yet and there isn't a Wi-Fi 7 device certification process yet. How we test Wi-Fi routers

When you want to make sure your business data stays safe, consider the Meraki Go Router Firewall Plus. It’s made by Cisco, is simple to set up and run, and provides a ton of features such as Cloud connectivity, VPN, IP filtering, and network analytics. Sure, the ZenWiFi ET8 above is also an option for very large homes, but if you don't need its Wi-Fi 6E or multi-gig LAN capabilties, the X4300 Pro is a better choice for those who live large without spending big. This level of enterprise power normally comes with a degree of complexity, but the TP-Link Archer C5400 v2 does a lot to keep its functions accessible to regular consumers. An app and some very clear setup instructions walk you through the first steps, and TP-Link’s Router Skill even allows you to carry out common tasks via simple Alexa commands. The firmware is a definite plus, crammed with handy performance tweaks and essential settings. They’re well-presented, too, and far easier to access than you’ll see with many more business-oriented routers. There are welcome bonus features, too. Aircove’s groups enable connecting up to five locations simultaneously, for instance, so some devices can use your fastest local server, while your TV connects to your favorite streaming location, and a laptop uses the best server for your work.However, far be it for us to stop you from getting the best of the best if you can afford it. It’s a worthwhile investment for anyone that’s serious about online gaming, offering a top speed of 11Gbps that officially makes it one of the fastest Wi-Fi routers we’ve ever seen. On test, it breezed through the most demanding tasks we threw at it on our broadband service’s maximum speed. It also provides a wide range of additional features designed to enhance gaming performance as well as frills like the obligatory lighting that tells everyone that you’re a serious gamer. Lastly, you'll want to consider the router's design, coverage, and pricing. The best VPN routers: How we test

If you've got a massive home to cover, for example, it's worth looking into a mesh router option like the Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8), if you want Wi-Fi 6 connectivity, or the crowd-favorite, Google Nest Wifi. If there's a massive gamer in the house or there are a ton of devices, you'll want to consider something with MU-MIMO (multi-user, multiple-input, multiple-output) technology as it makes the router more efficient at handling a crowded network. What does a good Wi-Fi router cost?

You’ll need to consider adding Wi-Fi access points if you need to provide wireless access in your office. Also, the USB port is only used for powering a small device and provides no connection support for network-sharing devices like a printer or a shared storage drive. The Synology RT6600ax may look like another bland, boring, identikit router, but beneath that boxy casing is an exceptional product for business, gaming and other demanding users. You may think that getting a high-speed plan at an affordable rate from your internet provider would guarantee you consistent and fast speeds. However, that's just half the battle. To get the most out of your internet connection, you'll need a router that can access the speeds you're paying for. That doesn't mean you need to spend a fortune to buy the best Wi-Fi routers though. What is the best Wi-Fi router? One thing to note though is that its 2.4GHz band was a little slower during our testing, dipping to 90Mbps with Ookla and 11MB/s with Steam. Plus, while the app is easy to use, the router itself doesn’t come with more extensive filters and other controls provided by some of Asus’ more expensive routers. But, when you’re going for a budget option, such concessions are to be expected.

When evaluating the best secure routers, we looked at various features, like their speeds, communication bands, coverage area, companion apps, and router type. With plenty of choice out there, we’ve tested the best VPN routers. As part of our comprehensive review process, we’ve compared design, connectivity, speed, coverage, and extra features like parental controls. We also placed functionality, firmware, and support from VPN providers under the microscope to help you find the right router for your set-up.If you've got a lot of living space, you'll likely need a mesh system with at least three nodes to blanket it with usable Wi-Fi signals. But you also need to spend a lot of money on cleaning, energy, and other basic expenses for all that space, so ideally you'll keep your networking costs to a minimum. The X4300 Pro does just that, offering three nodes with up to 7,000 square feet of coverage for a fraction of the cost of competing mesh systems. Plus, it has speedy performance and is easy to install and manage. Who It's For The Rapture GT-AX11000 Pro is not only one of the fastest Wi-Fi 6 routers we’ve tested, but it is incredibly well appointed. This router is physically huge, but for good reason: It’s equipped with a boatload of connectivity options, including 10Gbps and 2.5Gbps network ports. The router also supports link aggregation, offering the potential for truly massive bandwidth and future-proofing. It also offers a gamer-friendly user interface and lots of settings designed to optimize your gaming experience. Who It’s For If you have a small home or office, a normal router will more than cover you, not to mention cost less. For larger homes and offices though, a mesh router will do a much better job of reaching every nook and cranny with a strong, continuous signal as they provide a much larger area of coverage. They’re also much better at eliminating or minimizing dead or weak spots. The eight antennas support four 1,000Mbps streams on the 2.4Ghz band, for instance, while the two 5Ghz channels also have four streams running up to 2,167Mbps. Although the four gigabit Ethernet ports can’t handle that kind of bandwidth, TP-Link’s support for link aggregation means (if your laptop or NAS supports it) you can use two Ethernet ports as if they were one, doubling throughput: very impressive.

With four 1Gb Ethernet ports for local access and another 1Gb port for Internet connectivity, you have plenty of options to expand your network and keep your devices and data connected safely. A WiFi router works by acting as a vehicle of communication between the device and Internet. It is connected to the modem which then enables it to create a wireless signal for the devices to connect with. WiFi routers offer different connectivity standards, including WiFi 6 and WiFi 6e. Although Aircove excels on the VPN front, there’s plenty to like about it as a router, too. Wi-Fi 6 support gives you potential speeds of up to 1,200Mbps, a 1.2 GHz 64-bit Quad-Core CPU has the power to handle dozens of simultaneous connections, there are four gigabit Ethernet ports for nearby devices, and a decent 1,600 square feet coverage to help you reach everything else. Wireless routers come with a variety of features, and as is the case with just about everything, the more features you get, the more you can expect to pay. Not all routers are built the same, however. Choosing the best Wi-Fi router for you hinges on your specific needs. If you have a bigger area of coverage, you might need one of the best mesh Wi-Fi router. If you need faster speeds and to future-proof your network, investing in the best Wi-Fi 6 router might be best. And, if you're a big gamer, you might find that the best gaming router is better equipped to see you through your online gaming demands.

Asus ZenWiFi AXE6600 ET8 Mesh

distinctive and dull, all at the same time (which although it’s not ideal, is quite an achievement, when you think about it.) But if you value functionality over form, don’t scroll down just yet, because this router has a great deal to offer.