Best Wireless Routers 2017 – Buyer’s Guide

So, we’ve compared our top choices based on dimension, size, number of antennas, port types, and support channels. Of course, we first chose to look at each unit’s size and dimension. This is because their size and dimension can provide a better idea of how much space it might take up. Then we looked at the number of antennas. This helped to determine the machine’s range. Finally, we compared our choices by channels and port types. This is helped us identify each’s overall performance. Here are the list of the routers that we think are the best for the most common situations.

1. Synology RT1900ac -Best for Small Business

First on our list is the Synology RT1900ac. The Synology RT1900ac works on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks for faster speeds of up to 1900 Mbps. Utilizing Beamforming Technology, this unit can support at least six different items at once. Its fast speeds guarantee a lag-free experience which is important when watching videos or downloading files. It also comes with Intelligent Web Filtering which uses advanced technology to block dangerous websites. Also, it features parental controls to block out thousands of unwanted, dangerous, or simply inappropriate sites. Also, you can use the parental controls to schedule when your children or, even your employees, can access the internet.

The Synology RT1900ac features an Application Layer QoS or Quality of Service. This continuously keeps you aware of how much bandwidth has been consumed by your home network via your smartphones. You can also install the Router’s App onto your Android. By doing this, you can change the item’s settings, install updates, and monitor traffic from anywhere in the world. Its handy Download Station lets you download and search for dozens of files at the same time.

Thankfully, this router features and specs three external antennas for a wider bandwidth and range. And with his Remote Authentication Dial-in User Service, or RADIUS, it protects the wireless network from intruders. Overall, this item is easy-to-use and even easier to set-up.

2. TP-Link AC1900 Wi-Fi Router -Best Router for Streaming Movies and Music

Next up on our list is the TP-Link AC1900 Wifi Router. The TP-Link AC1900 is a dual-band router capable of supporting 2.4GHz and 5 GHz WI-Fi channels. It features three detachable external antennas which provides a wider broadcasting range. Also, this comes with four Gigabit Ethernet ports, as well as, one WAN ports for a direct Ethernet Connection. Overall, it can download up to 1900 Mbps with its dual-band channels. This provides faster and constant downloading speeds for watching videos and movies online, such as Netflix, YouTube, and Hulu.

The TP-Link AC1900 Wi-Fi Router features Beamforming Technology. Beamforming Technology helps your antennas locate and focus on Wi-Fi signals for faster and more direct results. This means that you can download movies and music anywhere in the vicinity of your building. Also, its additional 3.0 USB port and 2.0 USB port lets you share videos, photos, music, and more quickly and effortlessly. This unit also comes with a TP-Link Tether app which can be downloaded on both an Android or iOS. The TP-Link Tether app lets you set the item’s schedule, settings, and guest privileges via your smartphone or tablet.

With its strong Wi-Fi signal, the TP-Link AC1900 is an excellent router that provides amazing results. It’s a good option for apartments. Amazingly, it can easily support multiple household machines, such as computers, tablets, Netflix, and more.

So, if you’re excited to watch Game of Thrones via the HBO app, then you’ll need this to get perfect, lapse-free, episodes. Also, TP-Link’s manufacturer provides 24/7 technical support for convenience.

3. ASUS RT-AC88U - Best All-Around Router for Gaming

The ASUS RT-AC88U Wireless-AC3100 is compatible with both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz channels. Using modern 802.11ac technology, it’s capable of supporting up to 3,167 Mbps. It’s the best router for gaming online. Furthermore, his eight LAN ports provides a stronger Wi-Fi signal while gaming. The router also features a 1.4 GHz processor that’s capable of saving 512 MB worth of memory. Its four external antennas provide a wider range inside and outside your house. Not to mention, it comes with AiRadar Beamforming technology which guarantees stronger, more contestant Wi-Fi connectivity.

The ASUS RT-AC88U Wireless-AC3100 feature Multi-User MIMO Technology. This means that it can easily support and sustain multiple signals. It also comes with AiProtection which provides various levels of protection to prevent and guard against malicious activity. If you live in a gamer-household, then you’re guaranteed to love this router. No matter the number of game consoles in your building, the ASUS RT-AC88U Wireless-AC3100 can provide excellent coverage area for each gamer device.

The ASUS RT-AC88U Wireless-AC3100 provides impressive MIMO capability. It also comes with an ASUS Router App which allows you to change the settings from anywhere in your home.

Overall, this handy item is a great product that provides excellent bandwidth.

4. ASUS RT-ACRH13 - Best Router for Sharing Files, Videos, and Photos

Next on our list is the ASUS RT-ACRH13. The ASUS RT-ACRH13 is a dual-band router that’s capable of supporting up to 1267 Mbps. This is because it can support 5GHz channels with speeds of up to 867 Mbps and 2.4GHz with speeds of up to 400 Mbps. It has four detachable external motors which extend your unit’s range. It features USB 3.0 port which allows you to upload and download files, photos, and videos directly.

The ASUS RT-ACRH13 features the ASUS Router app. Moreover, this app can be downloaded to your smartphone, tablet, and Android. It also provides the ability to control the appliance and change its settings from almost any location. This unit features a 128MB Memory which provides the ability to download simultaneously and stream videos on multiple wired devices. It comes equipped with MU-MIMO Technology which also helps support multi-use connectivity amongst your home network. Overall, the ASUS RT-ACRH13 is a great unit for both occasional and constant usage.

The ASUS RT-ACRH13 is the second cheapest router on our list. It provides consistent coverage in both small and large homes. This unit is easy to set-up and even easier to maintain. It also comes with 4 LAN Gigabit Ethernet Ports along with its USB 3.0 port.

5. ​NETGEAR Orbi AC3000 - Best for a Full Home Coverage

Next, we’ll look at the NETGEAR Orbi AC3000. The NETGEAR Orbi AC3000 comes with two Orbi Wi-Fi Satellites for wider home network coverage. How it works is simple: you place the first and second satellites on opposite sides and levels of your building. The two satellites communicate with each other, sharing data information without losing speed. This way, you’re guaranteed constant Wi-Fi signals with no dead zones anywhere in your house.  

What’s great about this is that, for homeowners, it’s easy to set-up and it doesn’t even require a Wi-Fi account. This means no need for a Wi-Fi name/password to set-up the router.

You can also add other Orbi Satellites to extend the range. By adding one or two satellites, you can cover both the interior and exterior of your entire home. There’s really no limits to the Orbi’s range and bandwidth.

The NETGEAR Orbi AC3000 uses tri-band Wi-Fi technology for managing multiple Wi-Fi connections at once. It features a range of 5,000 square feet, and it can also place Orbi Satellites outdoors. This means that you can stream movies and music besides your pool or on your patio.

It also features advanced MU-MIMO technology for juggling and managing data streams throughout your home. It’s honestly the best option for a big house.

The NETGEAR Orbi AC3000 has the ability to set-up a separate network. Its guest network is accessible by visitors and guests. It also helps to protect whatever sensitive information may be stored on your primary home network. The Orbi satellites feature Voice Controls when paired with Amazon Echo and Alexa. This way you can easily control the satellite from the comfort of your couch or building. It also features a downloadable Orbi app for your smartphone, tablet, and computer. It’s the perfect solution for device-heavy households.

6. TP-Link AC1200 - Best Under $50

The TP-Link AC1200  is a dual-band router which can support both 2.4 GHz channels and 5GHz channels. It’s build with four Ethernet ports for a faster ethernet connection. You easily connect your game item or laptop to the router for high-bandwidth results. Not to mention, his two detachable external antennas provide wider Wi-Fi coverage for your house or apartment. Its QoS provides the ability to control bandwidth and assign it to various household machines connected to your home network. And it can easily be found for less than $50.

The TP-Link AC1200 has a single core processor which can easily support multiple signals attached to your home network. This means that the hectic Wi-Fi traffic that would jam and slow your home network won’t have any effect on this machine. The TP-Link AC1200 is the perfect option for checking your mail, stream your Netflix, sharing videos, files, and photos. Also, it provides an intuitive Mobile Interface which allows you to change the unit’s setting via the TP-LINK Tether app. If you’re looking for a budget router, you can download the TP-LINK Tether app onto any tablet, smartphone, and Android.

Impressively, the TP-Link AC1200 has a lifetime of convenient, 24/7 service with no cost. This includes setup assistance and technical support. Impressively, it’s the cheapest machine on our list, making it the most affordable router of 2017.

7. NETGEAR AC1750 – Best Design

Incredibly, the NETGEAR AC1750 is capable of supporting speeds of up to 1750 Mbps. Also, it’s equipped with three external detachable antennas for a wider network range. It features both USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 ports for directly sharing files. This router is a great unit for any small business or house due to its constant speeds and reliable connectivity. Its ReadyCLOUD USB feature allows you to access personal cloud information via USB storage.

The NETGEAR AC1750 comes with a Separate Network. Any visitor or guest can access its Separate Network to your house or business. It also helps to protect your secure and sensitive information.

Finally, it features Secure WIFI Connections which provide critical levels of wireless security. The NETGEAR AC1750 is one of our best wireless security routers when it comes to protecting and securing sensitive information.

8. TRENDnet AC2600 MU-MIMO – Best for Cramped Apartments

If you live in a small apartment rather than a big house, the TRENDnet AC2600 MU-MIMO is a good choice to consider. Indeed, his four external detachable antennas for a decent broadcast range and high-bandwidth.  So, you don’t need to splurge on a big router that covers a huge amount of space.

Also, it features a 1.4 GHz dual-core processor for faster speeds when listening to music and viewing movies. So, while it’s range is a bit small, it’s still capable of supporting multiple signals at once. This is due to its MU-MIMO Technology which is perfect for any gaming or Netflix household. Its Extreme Wi-Fi provides quad-streaming with high-bandwidth streams. Also, its StreamBoost feature limits and prevents lag, dropped signals, and stutters.

The TRENDnet AC2600’s dual-band quad-stream is capable of supporting up to 1,733 Mbps and 800 Mbps. Its Traffic Shaping technology lets you allocate and assign the amount of bandwidth provided per Wi-Fi appliance. Also, it provides File Sharing Management Controls which help to optimize BitTorrent Sharing. It maximizes the bandwidth and speeds for iTunes Server Streams and Samba (SMB) Servers. The TRENDnet AC2600 features a decent wireless range preferable for a dorm or apartment. It’s a great option for anyone looking for constant, reliable usage without lag or dropped signals. However, anyone with a large home may be a bit disappointed with this router.

Overall, the TRENDnet AC2600 comes with five Ethernet ports and two USB 3.0 ports. Unfortunately, it doesn’t come with any USB 2.0 ports. Its data transfer rates are roughly 2,600 Mbps, and it features a 90-day warranty. Of course, the warranty protects against defects in materials and workmanship. Overall, the TRENDnet AC2600 is a great machine that can handle constant, massive usage times.

9. Linksys AC1900 Dual Band Wireless Router– Best for Large Homes

When you live in a multi-story or large home, in some areas that’s supposed to be covered by Wi-Fi, there are dead zones. The Linksys AC1900 Dual Band Wireless Router  is capable of supporting speeds of up to 1.9 Gbps. Not to mention that the router’s Beamforming technology focuses on signal strength for faster speeds.

It’s the perfect option for a large household with high Wi-Fi traffic. The Linksys AC1900 is also capable of connecting with twelve computers, simultaneously. It also comes with three detachable external antennas for a wider Wi-Fi range. The router also features four Ethernet ports, as well as, USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 ports. These ports provide the ability to quickly transfer files and photos by connecting your laptop directly to the appliance.

The Linksys AC1900 comes with the Linksys Smart Wi-Fi App. You can download the Linksys Smart Wi-Fi App to any Android, tablet, or smartphone. Moreover, this mobile app provides the ability to change the machine’s settings remotely and control your home network.

The Linksys AC1900 Dual Band features a Prioritization feature. This provides the ability to control the amount of bandwidth access for individual appliances. The devices that you feel are more important will be provided with extra speed and bandwidth for perfect service.

10. Linksys EA6350– Best Value

Last on our list is the Linksys EA6350. The Linksys EA6350 comes with four Ethernet and a USB 3.0 port which allows direct file transfers and uploading. Its dual external antennas are detachable and extend your range, as well as, your bandwidth. You can also adjust the antennas for optimal range and streaming. This appliance is a dual-band router that can support both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz channels for faster, quicker streaming speeds.

The Linksys EA6350 features Beamforming Technology which allows the appliance to detect and connect with familiar devices automatically. Of course, this saves time and energy on having to locate the router’s signal and enter it the Wi-Fi name/password. Beamforming Technology also focuses the Wi-Fi signal for faster network speeds and high-bandwidth. This machine features quick and easy, CD-free set-up.

Also, the Linksys EA6350 comes with a super helpful Linksys Smart Wi-Fi App. You can easily download this mobile app to any Android device, as well as, your smartphone, tablet, and computer. Moreover, you can use the app to monitor what websites your family is accessing online.

You can also use the app to change Parental Controls, as well as, to access Guest Networks. The app can also be used to set device prioritization. This guarantees that individual devices get more bandwidth than others, which prevents lag and dropped signals.

Single or Dual-Band? Which One to choose?

Single and dual-band routers differ in three particular ways: price, frequency, and usage. In this next section, we’ll be looking at how single-band and dual-bands vary.

Single-Band 

Firstly, single-band uses 2.4GHz frequencies. They’re typically much cheaper than dual-bands. However, they tend to drop signals or lag. This is because other devices in your building pick-up radio signals can slow the item down. These devices include microwaves, Bluetooth, televisions, and cameras. Furthermore, single-band isn't as common as dual-band.

Dual-Band

So, dual-band picks up on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies. They are more expensive and way more popular than single-band. This is because the dual frequencies help to avoid lag and dropped signals. When the 2.4GHz channel slows down because of other radio devices, the router just switches to the 5GHz channel. This makes it a better choice for gamers, streamers, and, basically, everything.

Tri-Band

The next step from a dual-band is the tri-band. Tri-band use one 2.4GHz channel and two 5GHz channels. They’re less common than both dual and single-bands because most people feel like they’re just over-kill. To be honest, they work just as well as a dual-band.

Conclusion

So, are you feeling ready to pick out the perfect router for your situation? Nevertheless, our top 10 choices of wireless routers can fit almost any environment. Always remember first to consider what you need in an appliance If you need a router for a large home, a gamer, or a small business, then you’ll need a router with a strong signal.

Business routers should come with decent security and the ability to set-up a guest network. If you enjoy playing games or streaming Netflix, you’ll want a router with MU-MIMO Technology.

So, once you decide, take some time to write a review and tell us how it performed. Which wireless device did you choose to purchase? Did it come with Gigabit Ethernet ports? If it did, how did it perform with and without an Ethernet connection? Overall, how did you enjoy our review of the best routers of 2017?