I hope you agree with me when I say:
Life is not possible today without a good wireless router. Or so?
Well, there is only ONE problem. Finding a “good” router is not an easy job.
That’s why we have created a list of the best wireless routers of 2019. After researching online and spending hours testing these Wi-Fi routers, I have preselected the top 10 routers you can buy now.
The best wireless routers 2019
Several of these routers are not for everyone because some have a high price.
However, these wireless routers are good enough to be on our list of the 10 best WiFi routers 2019.
Quick summary: Our 5 best options
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Check at Amazon [19659030] Features: Settings: snapshot with a range of 10, 000 square feet
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The TP-Link Talon AD7200 Wi-Fi router has the credential of being the first 802.11ad router on the market. [19659004] However, that is not the only trick up his sleeve. The router includes many cutting-edge features to ensure maximum performance.
Although not economical, this router offers some impressive features for the price! In this review, we will analyze all aspects of this router and find out if it is worth your money.
If you thought the Nighthawk X10 is big, wait until you see this one! The TP-Link Talon AD7200 outshines its competitor with dimensions of 9.0 x 9.0 x 1.7 inches. This gigantic router is one of the largest domestic routers available in the market today.
While its size may be impressive, the design is discreet. The intelligent antenna design allows you to fold the nine antennas to provide a flat top surface. In general, the design philosophy follows the function on the form.
Features Installation Performance
Like its direct competitor, the NETGEAR Nighthawk X10, the Talon AD7200 includes an impressive list of features.
- The Talon AD7200 uses multiband technology to run three different Wi-Fi bands at the same time.
- The router supports a combined Wi-Fi speed of 7.2 Gbps (Band 1: 800 Mbps @ 2.4GHz, Band 2: 1733 Mbps @ 5GHz, Band 3: 4600 Mbps at 60 GHz).
- While a traditional router can only transmit to one device at a time, the multi-user AC and MIMO wireless technologies of the Talon AD7200 facilitate simultaneous transmission.
- The double 1.4 GHz-core processor is powerful enough to support multiple users at once.
- It has eight state-of-the-art external antennas that help maximize reach and performance.
- It has 1 WAN and four Gigabit Ethernet high-speed ports.
- The two super speed USB 3.0 ports allow you to transfer files to an external hard drive or a USB drive directly.
- TP-Link provides an easy-to-use application solution to configure, manage and update your router.
To improve the functionality of the AD7200 Talon, TP-Link says it will update the firmware to allow it to configure all three bands as a single Wi-Fi network. That will be a very useful feature!
The TP-Link Talon AD7200, like most simple routers, is easy to configure. TP-Link provides an illustrated guide to get started. All you need to do is connect your internet line to the router, connect the LAN cable to your PC and log in to the website (www.tplinklogin.net) to begin the installation process.
This router offers another simple solution to the installation process. You can download the TP-Link Tether mobile application and follow the instructions to configure your router.
The TP-Link Talon AD7200 supports your enthusiasm with solid performance across the board. The router obtained about 450 Mbps in the 5 GHz proximity test (same room) and almost 250 Mbps in a 30-foot range.
While those scores may not be as impressive as their main competitor, the NETGEAR Nighthawk X10, not bad. When the price difference is taken into account, the AD7200 Talon shines brighter than its competitor.
In the 2.4 GHz frequency band, the Talon AD7200 manages to beat the Nighthawk X10. The router has speeds of around 100 Mbps in the proximity test and 80 Mbps in a range of 30 feet.
The performance in the 60 GHz AD frequency band is very similar to the Nighthawk X10. In the proximity test, the Talon AD7200 managed to impress us with average scores of 950 Mbps! However, since the 60 GHz frequency cannot penetrate through the walls, do not expect any network coverage beyond the line of sight of your router.
In general, this is a brilliant router that keeps it future-proof while very practical in today’s times. If you are looking for the best Wi-Fi performance and do not want to spend the extra money on a NETGEAR Nighthawk X10, then this is the router for you.
Pros
- The performance across the Wi-Fi bands is impressive.
- Router installation and administration are easy thanks to the TP-Link Tether mobile application.
- The price is reasonable, when compared to the NETGEAR Nighthawk X10.
Cons
- The AD frequency band is currently supported by a handful of devices and the signal cannot penetrate through the walls.
- The router has a huge footprint.
2. Google WiFi: the best range covered by the Wifi system
Google Wifi is unlike any router you have seen before. In fact, it would be a mistake to call it a router.
It is a Wi-Fi system and possibly the best in the market today.
In this comprehensive review, we will cover all the main features of this exclusive Wi-Fi System and provide a deep understanding of how the three Google Wifi units work together to provide superior wireless connectivity.
Design Features Benefits of the Wi-Fi application Installation Performance
While most routers can cause eye discomfort, Google Wifi with its discrete design It is ideal for any environment. The three units of the Google Wifi system are identical to each other. With a diameter of 4.1 inches and a height of 2.7 inches, it is relatively small to that of traditional routers.
The router’s white body is divided by a discreet LED light that gives the design a touch of elegance. Overall, the design deserves high praise and will adapt well to modern houses.
Google’s Wifi system is packed with many unique features. These are some of the main features of this Wi-Fi system.
- The Google Wifi system has simultaneous dual band Wifi (2.4GHz / 5GHz) that supports IEEE 802.11a / b / g / n / ac standards. [19659043] The Google Wifi 3-pack system is perfect for a large house (3000-4500 square feet).
- You can quickly expand the network by buying another Google Wi-Fi unit.
- The 710 MHz quad-core processor, along with 512 MB of RAM, ensures excellent network performance.
- It has an elegant design without antenna.
- It has two high-speed Gigabit Ethernet ports.
- The two ports function as a LAN and WAN port in the primary, while in the secondary units, both ports can provide LAN functionality.
- You can control the system using the voice commands of Alexa and Google Home.
The excellent mobile application of the Google Wifi system improves your experience. The following are some of the features of the Google Wifi application:
- The application provides detailed statistics for each device.
- Program your Google Wifi system to pause the connection automatically.
- Prioritize a device and ensure that it works at the desired bandwidth.
- Control smart lights and even Nest systems using this application.
The configuration procedure is analogous to Google Wifi hardware design. In other words, it is simple and elegant. At first, you must download the free app for iOS or Android and scan the QR code on the unit connected to your modem and power.
Once the scanning process is complete, the application will guide you to configure your network with a name and password. After that, you must match the secondary units and label them in the application as a reference. Voila! Your setup is complete!
Do not underestimate the size; This small device can embarrass many large routers. When it comes to wireless performance, the Google Wifi system can fend off big ones like the Talon AD7200 and Nighthawk X10.
In the 5 GHz frequency band proximity test (same room), the Wi-Fi system scored higher than 450 Mbps. That is really impressive considering the fact that the Talon AD7200, much larger, achieved a similar rating.
It also works very well in the long-range test, with speeds of 200 Mbps. Note that this is a single unit and not the system as a whole. When all units are updated strategically, there will be no range anxieties.
The Google Wifi unit also works respectably in the 2.4 GHz frequency band. The speeds of 100 Mbps for proximity testing and 70 Mbps for long range testing are comparable to high-end routers.
Google’s Wifi system provides an experience, unlike any other router. It is elegant, simplistic and offers a lot of versatility. If you have a large house and want superior connectivity everywhere, the Google Wifi system (package of 3) is the one we recommend.
No router or Wi-Fi system can provide a perfect experience like this. [19659094] Professionals
- The performance in all Wi-Fi bands is impressive.
- The subtle and compact design fits anywhere in your home.
- In addition to managing and configuring the network, the patented application provides ingenious features such as controlling your smart home.
- It is priced much lower than other Wi-Fi systems.
Cons
- You must remain connected to a Google account when using this Wi-Fi system.
Most computer enthusiasts or users know the Asus company because of its front-line gaming laptops. However, Asus is also at the head of the creation of several high-end routers. The device we are talking about is the RT-AC88U. This router costs less than $ 300, and it turns out to be one of the best wireless routers that anyone can buy right now.
The wireless router offers an elegant and elegant appearance. If someone has used an Asus product in the past, this design will be familiar. The router is aesthetically pleasing with its black construction complete with red accents along the antennas; It looks directly from an Asus line of games and could easily complement its other game peripherals .
Be that as it may, most of you are not here because of the look and want to know about performance. So, without wasting any more time, let’s take a look at how the router works.
The RT-AC88U is an AC3100 router that comes with a total of 8 Gigabit LAN ports. However, keep in mind that these ports are capable of offering high-speed Internet without suffering performance problems. Also, don’t forget that it is a dual band router that can also act as a NAS. That said, Asus has paid close attention to detail even when designing the web interface, as it turns out to be very intuitive and easy to use. The router’s WiFi performance in both 2.4 gigahertz and the five gigahertz bands remained faster than ever without any decrease in performance.
Installation, configuration and performance
The installation process of RT-AC88U is a breeze, thanks to the fantastic web interface. When you connect it to the PC and the Internet for the first time, the Asus Web Interface will automatically start and give you two options to configure the router after turning on the PC. You can then continue with the wizard or configure it manually.
The Quick Internet Setup wizard will verify your Internet connection and configure your router as dynamic IP, static IP or PPPoE, depending on the connection type selection. After that, it allows you to set a name for each SSID and then create a network encryption key for each band. With that complete, its configuration.
When it comes to performance, the Asus RT-AC88U provides multi-client MU-MIMO data transmission, it works extremely fast on both bands (2.4 Gigahertz and 5 Gigahertz) plus file read / write and transfers were excellent.
In summary, the router is perfect if you are willing to spend money on it. The phrase, “you get what you pay for,” fits perfectly.
Pros
- The router comes with 8 Gigabit LAN ports that can easily handle the fastest Internet possible
- Wi-Fi performance happens to be one of the best we have used in a long, long time weather.
- Asus has given us one of the best web interfaces we have used on a wireless router. It is simple, easy to use and very intuitive.
Cons
- The USB 3.0 placement is not the best we have seen.
- Once coupled with an external hard drive and used as a NAS, the router manages to offer the only mediocre performance for the price you are paying for it.
4. NETGEAR Nighthawk R7000 – AC1900 Dual Band Router (best economic option)
The following is another dual band router. Although, the offer is nothing less than the famous Netgear. For those who do not know, the company is known for creating a large number of first-line wireless routers that have become increasingly famous over time. Netgear is a company that has been dedicated to providing unparalleled first-line network hardware, including its bright wireless routers.
The product we bring you today is called Netgear Nighthawk R7000. As the name implies, the router looks nothing short of a stealth fighter plane. The Nighthawk R7000 is AC1900, with a speed of 1,300 Mbps in the five gigahertz band and a speed of 600 Mbps in the 2.4 gigahertz band.
I like R7000 more than R8000 because it is affordable and much easier to install.
During our tests, it became clear that the R7000 may be the best Netgear wireless router we have used to date. Curious yet? Let’s find out.
Design Performance Features
Apparently, the router looks amazing. It has a minimalist and stealthy environment. The router has a completely black construction and comes with three detachable antennas. Our only problem at the front of the design was the weight and size of the Nighthawk. In all seriousness, the router is an absolute mammoth and needs some free space to leave it. Not to mention, the aggregate, but this device also comes with it.
However, we find that the problem is subjective since it happens that you only need to make space for the router once and you will not move it. much later.
The Netgear Nighthawk offers stellar performance, and is one of the fastest routers we have used to date. The performance in the five gigahertz and 2.4 gigahertz bands is impeccable. There was no hiccups or delays during the entire test process.
The WiFi router also manages to work well in different ranges. The bands manage to provide you with better performance than the performance provided by your standard Ethernet connection.
Moving on to the features, the Nighthawk AC1900 has a lot. If you are wondering what you will get, you should know that this router comes with support for DD-WRT. For those curious, this means that the router is fully capable of running third-party firmware rd based on Linux.
The router also comes with support for OpenVPN and thanks to OpenDNS; There is a complete parental control package built into the router.
The router even comes with QoS (quality of service) for those who don’t know it. A feature that allows you to manage the up and down flow of your Internet connection. Great, we would say. If you want more, the router can also act as a NAS and a pretty good one.
Overall, the Netgear Nighthawk AC1900 is an impressive router that offers a lot for the price you are paying. Of course, it is bulky and has some performance problems in the 2.4 gigahertz band. But considering the price / performance ratio, the Nighthawk AC1900 may be one of the best routers you can buy in the market right now.
Pros
- The Nighthawk offers incredible and unmatched performance in the five gigahertz band. [19659043] It has a number of features that you generally would not expect from an affordable router.
- The router looks and feels amazing. It also has a great build quality.
Cons
- The incredible build quality has an additional volume cost that might not appeal to everyone.
- Although the performance is good, the 2.4 gigahertz band suffers to deliver as good as the competition.
- Software features are a good addition, although they need a proper finish.
5. D-Link DIR 890L – Top-Range Wireless Router
The next on our list is one of D-Link’s top-level wireless routers. For those who do not know, the company has a long history of providing some of the best network products and the AC3200 Ultra Wi-Fi DIR-890 is not here to tell a different story. It is perhaps one of the most elegant wireless routers we have found. Where the Nighthawk looked like a stealth plane, the DIR-890 looks like it was built by race car enthusiasts. But looks are not everything, right? Let’s see how this router works on important things.
The DIR-890 is a fantastic router in terms of speed and functionality.
Tests revealed that the router is fast, easy to configure and use. It also has a good speed / range when using this device for Wi-Fi. Another great thing about this router is that it comes with the ability to double as a NAS when adding an external hard drive.
Note that the DIR-890 is a three-band router, and if it happens to be a general consumer who only wants a router for regular use, then this will be excessive for you.
Design Range LAN ports
We have already discussed how the design of this router ends by making a statement of our own, and that is quite correct. The router has a general red construction with black accents. The router easily manages to stand out, and if you have a computer that follows the red / black color scheme, this is something you should have. Enough about the look, let’s talk about the things that matter.
If you live in a relatively large place and have many Wi-Fi devices that constantly need an Internet connection, this is a must & # 39; Go for you Although, it comes with six antennas and promises a suitable range as well. If you have problems with the antennas, they cannot be disconnected.
During the tests, the range seemed promising enough.
If you want more LAN ports, the DIR-890 is not something you want. The router only comes with 4 LAN ports compared to some routers that have 8 LAN ports. That said, if you can ignore that limitation, then the DIR-890L is a stellar router.
Whether you like the router’s unique and crisp design or some of the features it comes with; The D-Link DIR-890 is perhaps one of the best routers on the market that prefers the style over the substance, but manages to deliver respectable performance.
Pros
- Incredibly fast and trouble-free Wi-Fi with a decent range
- Stellar build quality and incredible aesthetics.
- The router is easy to configure and use.
Cons
- The antennas cannot be disassembled.
- Price may be a problem for some.
The NETGEAR Nighthawk X10 AD7200 smart Wi-Fi router is for those looking to have the best virtual reality gaming experience and 4K video streaming. However, it is not cheap. This huge router will make your pockets lighter for more than $ 400!
To be fair, this router offers a lot for the price! In addition to supporting three Wi-Fi bands (2.4 GHz, 5.0 GHz and 60 GHz), it has 7 Gigabit Ethernet ports (6 LAN, 1 WAN) along with a 10 Gigabit SPF + LAN port. In addition to that, it has multiple input data transmission, multiple output (MU-MIMO) and 160 MHz Wi-Fi technology that doubles Wi-Fi speeds on mobile devices.
In this comprehensive review, you will explore all these stellar features and discover if the high price of the Nighthawk X10 is justified.
Design Features Installation Performance
With dimensions of 8.81 x 6.61 x 2.91 in, this is not a small router by any means. In fact, it weighs more than a 15-inch MacBook Pro! However, that is not exactly an apple-to-apple comparison. Comparing it with the TP-Link Talon AD7200, we can say that the Nighthawk X10 seems much less impressive in comparison.
With respect to design, the Nighthawk X10 is not about being flashy or direct. The four external antennas have an interesting stitched pattern of blue LEDs along the side. We believe that the interesting factor increases, although its mileage may vary.
If it is an area where this product is not missing, it is the characteristics department. Here is the impressive list of features of the Nighthawk X10.
- It has Wi-Fi 802.11ac Quad-Stream Wave2 with MU-MIMO, which helps deliver high-speed Wi-Fi to multiple devices simultaneously.
- The router supports a combined Wi-Fi speed of 7.2 Gbps (Band 1: 800 Mbps @ 2.4GHz, Band 2: 1733 Mbps @ 5GHz, Band 3: 4600 Mbps @ 60GHz).
- The 1.7 GHz quad-core processor helps gaming and 4K streaming performance.
- It has four dual band antennas with high power amplifiers to maximize range and performance.
- The 10 Gigabit LAN SFP + port allows quick access to network connected storage (NAS).
- Two of the Gigabit Ethernet ports can be combined to provide speeds of up to 2 Gbps.
- The 160 MHz Wi-Fi can deliver up to twice the speed to mobile devices.
- It has two super speed USB 3.0 ports. [19659043] The NETGEAR genie application comes with a large number of functions to manage, control and repair your home network.
- It has Amazon disk backup and is compatible with Amazon Alexa commands.
Despite being state-of-the-art and having a longer feature list than that of most luxury cars, it is surprisingly easy to install. Once you have connected the router to your PC and to the Internet service, you must visit www.routerlogin.net to access the Configuration Assistant that will guide you through the rest of the installation process.
NETGEAR also offers another installation process solution: the NETGEAR Up application. With the help of this mobile application, you can configure, update and configure your router quickly.
Does the Nighthawk X10 deserve its bragging rights? Absolutely! He got an impressive score on all performance tests. The router obtained a score of 550 Mbps north in the 5 GHz proximity test (same room). That is considerably higher than its direct competitor, the TP-Link Talon AD7200.
The Nighthawk X10 obtained almost 400 Mbps in the 5 GHz band when tested at a distance of 30 feet. Its performance in the 2.4 GHz band was excellent. He achieved 100 Mbps scores in the proximity test and experienced a 25% drop at a distance of 30 feet.
The performance in the 60 GHz AD frequency band is what differentiates this device from high-end AC routers. . The Nighthawk X10 went through the proximity test with scores of 950-960 Mbps! However, the long-range test failed miserably since the 60 GHz frequency cannot penetrate through the walls.
Simply put, the Nighthawk X10 is one of the best home routers you can splurge at this time. However, this router has many features that are not yet compatible with the devices. Most devices are not compatible with 160 MHz Wi-Fi, and very few PCs are available with 802.11 AD network cards.
In summary, the Nighthawk X10 is like an electric car. It is the future, but in today’s limited infrastructure, it will not work to its fullest potential.
Pros
- The performance in all Wi-Fi bands is impressive.
- The 10 Gbps SFP + LAN port is fantastic if you use high-end NAS servers.
- The installation and administration of this router is extremely easy due to the proprietary applications provided by NETGEAR.
Cons
- As of now, the AD frequency band is only compatible with a handful of devices and the signal cannot penetrate through the walls.
- It has a slightly higher price.
Next on the list is the Amped Wireless RTA2600 Athena router. Until you confuse it with the Greek goddess Athena, the router will not disappoint you. Although it is not expensive, the router is for network enthusiasts. It may not have the brightness of the other routers we have reviewed, but it comes with many features that should be sufficient for both the average consumer and for people looking to have more.
El enrutador logró obtener un buen precio bueno en casi todas las pruebas que hicimos. Sin embargo, el enrutador no tiene muchas características como algunas de las otras. Sin embargo, los que tiene están correctamente pulidos y no requieren que pase innumerables horas tratando de descubrir qué es qué. El panel de control del enrutador es increíblemente receptivo y muy fácil cuando se trata de configurarlo.
El enrutador también viene con un potente hardware que debería mantenerlo a flote sin problemas de rendimiento. Una cosa que nos encanta de este enrutador es lo bien que todo encaja en un diseño compacto. Sí, a diferencia de otros enrutadores, este no es un gigante absoluto. Dicho esto, el rendimiento en todos los frentes fue lo suficientemente respetable, y no hubo desconexiones durante nuestra ejecución de prueba. Incluso puede conectar múltiples dispositivos a través de Wi-Fi, y el rendimiento seguirá siendo estelar. Tal vez, ese es uno de los principales puntos de venta de la RTA2600 Athena.
Conclusión
El enrutador inalámbrico es fácilmente uno de los mejores que hemos usado y llega a los mejores enrutadores wifi de la lista de 2019. Si bien esta podría no ser la elección número uno para los entusiastas de la red hardcore, es más que suficiente para mantener las cosas en orden sin causar demasiados problemas.
Pros
- El enrutador inalámbrico sorprendentemente ofrece un rendimiento excelente.
- El rendimiento a través de Wi-Fi es aún mejor independientemente de la cantidad de dispositivos conectados a él.
- Configurar el enrutador es muy sencillo y se puede hacer con cualquier persona que tenga un poco de conocimiento sobre las redes.
Contras
- Carece de algunas de las características que están disponibles en los competidores.
- El precio puede no atraer a todos.
El siguiente en nuestra lista es un enrutador inalámbrico de doble banda de Linksys. Este enrutador viene con el soporte para el soporte estándar AC1900. Eso significa que la banda de cinco gigahercios tiene una velocidad de 1.300 megahercios y la banda de 2.5 gigahercios tiene una velocidad de 600 megahercios. ¿Pero es este enrutador capaz de resistir la mayoría de los enrutadores de nivel superior que ya hemos enumerado? Let’s find out.
Tan pronto como fijes tus ojos en este enrutador, recordarás el diseño clásico y la combinación de colores que ha adornado los enrutadores de Linksys durante bastante tiempo. Si está pensando en colocar este enrutador en una mesa de trabajo, es posible que tenga que liberar espacio, ya que este es probablemente uno de los enrutadores más grandes que hemos visto en mucho tiempo.
El enrutador tiene cuatro antenas y el firmware con el que se envía puede ser reemplazado por un firmware completamente personalizado de un usuario. Tan pronto como saque el enrutador de la caja, experimentará que el enrutador es uno de los enrutadores más rápidos disponibles en el mercado. Es fácil de configurar y está cargado de funciones. Linksys también tuvo la amabilidad de agregar una capacidad completa de duplicar este enrutador como NAS. Sin embargo, eso no es lo mejor de este dispositivo. Lo mejor de este enrutador es que el rendimiento del NAS es insuperable en comparación con todos los otros enrutadores inalámbricos que hemos estado probando. Sin mencionar que también es compatible con UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) y DLNA. Por último, el rendimiento en ambas bandas es increíble. Este enrutador funciona sin inconvenientes.
Incluso los expertos están enamorados de este enrutador inalámbrico. Puedes leer el artículo de Samara Lynn en PCMag. It’s rated as excellent and got a 4.5 rating.
Conclusion
So is this router perfect? Apart from some minor subjective flaws like a massive, bulky design, there isn’t much to write bad things about for this product. The router emerged victorious in almost all the testing we have done and managed to perform without crashing on us. The software experience might confuse those who are not experts and at the same time, might be lacking for network enthusiasts. With that said, if you have the money, and you’re looking for a capable router, this one’s your best bet.
Pros
- The router comes with incredibly powerful hardware.
- Wi-Fi range is fantastic and delivers excellent speed.
- The NAS performance is probably the best we have seen.
- The design is retro and will please those who do it for the aesthetics.
Cons
- Price might be a bother for some.
- The default software is confusing for the newcomers, and lacking for the enthusiasts.
9. TP-Link Archer C7 – Best Budget Wireless Router 2019 (Under 100 Bucks)
TP-LINK Archer C7 AC1750 is the best budget wifi router out there (Under $100).
The router is perfect for people who want to enjoy internet gaming and streaming because it has a combined speed of 1.75 Gbps.
The router is stylish and performs incredibly at every task thrown at it. For those who are looking at the perfect price and performance ratio, this router is a fabulous choice.
Considering how it’s an entry level router, the build quality isn’t all that good, and the router seems flimsy. Even though the build quality appears to be average at best, the router has a large footprint. So make sure that where you place the router, it has enough space for itself.
Moving on to the thing that matters, keep in mind that it happens to be a dual-band router. The router has a total of 6 antennas, and 3 of them are external while the remaining ones are internal. The increased number of antennas are perfect for giving you a respectable amount of Wi-Fi range, and the speed happens to be acceptable enough. The router also comes with average NAS capability.
What’s lacking is that despite the price you are going to pay for the router, you won’t be getting an awful lot of features. Then again, TP-Link aimed this router towards the entry level and budget oriented consumers who just want to have a good wireless router that has decent enough performance when it comes to streaming and online gaming with ease.
Pros
- Excellent price to performance ratio
- Respectable performance on both the bands
- Good performance with streaming and online gaming
- NAS capability is a good addition
Cons
- Average build quality (All Plastic)
The last in our list is all the way from Apple.
For those who are wondering if this router made it here by accident, it didn’t. Apple has a wireless router, and it’s decent. The router is unconventionally named AirPort Extreme Base Station. So, how does this router fair against other routers in the list? Well, let’s find out.
Let’s start off by how this router looks. Why? Because this is something coming out of Apple’s very own helm, and you should know that the router looks exactly like something made by Apple. Looks apart, the router is very capable and performs well. Do keep in mind that it’s a dual band router and supports the latest Wi-Fi standards as well. The router performed incredibly fast with all the tests thrown at it. Another great thing about this router is the amount of Wi-Fi stability and speed it provides. To be honest, Apple truly outdid themselves with this router as it has everything in the right spot.
As for the downsides of this router, there are none that will make you reconsider your decision of buying this router. The only complaint we have is that the router could have been a decent upgrade over its predecessors. Although it’s fast and fantastic, the upgrades seem subjective.
Final Verdict
The router is probably one of the best routers from Apple till date. It offers fast and stable performance and doesn’t create any issues.
Pros
- The router is a definitive looker.
- The performance it offers is speedy and impeccable.
- Very easy to set up and even easier to use.
Cons
- All the upgrades over the predecessor happen to be subjective.
Wireless Router Buyer’s Guide
If you keep the before points in mind, you can easily go out to the market and buy a wireless router, right? No!
For those who don’t know, wireless routers come with several things you need to consider before you spend hard earned money. They have different available speeds as well as different WiFi standards and support for multiple bands.
What is the technology behind a wireless Router?
A wireless router is a device that allows you connect to your modem and the gadgets you have at the home, office, or outdoors through wireless connections to the Internet at the same time.
A wireless router serves you more benefits than just connecting your many gadgets to the web all at once. You need up-to-date information about wireless router just before getting one because there are additional features you need to consider.
Below is complete information about the standard features of your wireless router and how they are of advantage to you.
To make things easier for you, below is the list of “Factors” you will encounter in the market along with their brief descriptions.
USB FunctionalityWired PortAntenna typeMIMOIPv6
Some wireless routers do come with USB port(s) to allow direct connection and use of the wireless network through the USB cable. For instance, the NETGEAR Nighthawk R8000 Tri-Band router comes with a USB port to allow connection between the router and your device. This USB functionality permits the sharing of a file using NAS (Network attached storage) between devices through a wireless connection.
In wireless connections to printers, this is used a lot. Of course, you may not need a router with this USB functionality, but it’s always a wise choice to get one.
You may never know when the need will arise.
Most wireless routers come with a wired port that is an addition to the wireless functionality for aiding wired internet connection to a nearby PC. This feature has the extra advantage of no interference as the connection made is through the cable. There is also an advantage of more data transfer speed and reliability. The better advice is to get a router that can connect to a wireless connection and the wired LAN (local area network) port. This way you will have a secure connection even with interference and congestion. Most routers come with about four wired port, but the Asus RT-AC88U Dual-Band has 8 LAN ports
Routers without wired ports are a lot similar to access points. An access point will provide just the wireless connection without actually supplying internet connection itself. Access points connect internet service from a router to any connecting device. An access point is only useful if you already have a router at home or nearby. It will help transmit the signal from the router.
So be watchful when buying a wireless router without a wired point. Make sure you are getting a router, not just an access point.
Just before buying that router, you may want to consider the antenna type. Basically, for a router, there are two types of antennas: internal and external. The internal antenna is encased in the router as the external router sticks out just a bit on the device. Most routers come with the encased internal antenna mainly because it looks modern and stylish. You don’t want a router with a satellite hanging on it.
Generally speaking though, the internal antenna appeals more to the eye. However, recognized is the external antenna being able to deliver more with its wider range of a signal. You will choose between beauty and performance. For me, it’s performance over beauty. If you are also about performance, I suggest you take a look at the NETGEAR Nighthawk R8000 Tri-Band router.
What to do now?
Now you have all the facts. Here is a quick review of what to look out for before getting that router.
- Make sure your router has a comprehensive coverage. A minimum range of 4572cm (150ft) for indoor use is good enough.
- Ensure your router has a dual band (broadband).
- Your router should be able to broadcast 802.11n as well as older versions.
- The router should be WAP2 secure.
- Should have a USB functionality as well as wired port.
- A suitable antenna type is a requirement. Preferably, an external antenna.
- Must support IPv6.
Jay from Tactical Being wrote this buyer’s guide.
If you’re looking for tips, guides, tricks, and reviews all in the name of camping, Tactical Being is the place to be as they offer reviews and recommendations on just about every gear you need when you go hiking or camping.
Final Words – Wrapping it up
Considerably, the market of wireless routers has a lot of saturation, and finding the perfect wireless router is not easy. That’s when lists like these come into play. This top 10 list of routers kept in mind things such as the needs of a customer and how much they are willing to spend on a wireless router.
We hope the list helps you pick the best wireless router according to your budget. Keep in mind, there’s no such thing as a “perfect” component, which is why each router is built for the needs of different consumers. Within the list, there are routers for budget oriented consumers and for networking elites.
In case you think we missed a good router, let us know.
Top Rated WiFi Routers
Last update on 2019-09-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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