While you may think that the router offered by your internet service provider will do, upgrading to your very own wireless router is a hugely worthwhile enterprise. A good wireless router will change your perspective on the little grey boxes provided by your ISP. They will unlock faster speeds with more stability, and the best wireless routers can also do great things for homes with lots of wireless devices.
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To help you find the best wireless router to invest in, we’ve rounded up the very best. For gamers and streaming fanatics, through to large households with dozens of devices, there’s going to be something for your need. We’ve also included some affordable and budget wireless routers, letting those who don’t want to break the bank still get access to all that an upgraded router can do.
Some will note that our list is made up of Wi-Fi 6 wireless routers, and may be wondering why this is. Here’s our reasoning:
If you’re looking to upgrade your ISP-provided router or an older model purchased yourself, then it makes sense to go for the best technology available. Wi-Fi 6 is the latest generation of Wi-Fi tech and has plenty to offer both casual and dedicated internet consumers.
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Wi-Fi 6 improves on the Wi-Fi 5 technology by upping the maximum throughput of a router. It also introduces features that better manage multiple connected devices. The result is not necessarily faster overall internet speeds - this is down to your ISP and UK internet infrastructure. Rather, you get improved speed across the devices using one router - an essential property in the age of smartphones, tablets and smart home devices.
Wi-Fi 6 is also more secure than previous iterations, and many routers carry impressive signal ranges. Anyone with a large area to cover will also be glad to hear that many Wi-Fi 6 routers can integrate into a mesh network.
Once upon a time, Wi-Fi 6 was a little pricey for average household use. Thankfully, prices have now fallen to a very competitive price point. There are really no reasons for picking anything less! If you’d like to read more on the subject, at the bottom of this page we take a deeper dive into Wi-Fi 6.
Frequently Asked Questions
The best wireless routers:
If you’re looking for versatility and performance, then consider the ASUS RT-AX86U. Though primarily designed as a wireless router for gaming, its powers are far-reaching and valuable to all.
In terms of wireless, the RT-AX86U has plenty to offer, support dozens of devices well and optimising performance accordingly, and the range and signal strength is strong, even from other rooms. Anyone wanting to use mesh Wi-Fi will be able to set one up on the RT-AX86U, too.
The router also excels in LAN ports. It has four LAN ports and a 2.4G Ethernet port. Our favourite port is LAN One, aka the Gaming Port - automatically prioritising the internet speeds and stability of the connected device. While this is great for a consistent online gaming experience, it’s also handy for anyone working from home. Similarly, Adaptive Quality of Service allows you to set task priorities - if you value streaming over web browsing, you can let the RT-AX86U know, and it’ll make sure streaming runs smoothly.
All of this isn’t even to mention the user-friendly app, security and parental control features, and mobile gaming optimisation. It’s a pretty powerful router, that’s for sure.
Pros
- Fast wireless
- Priority LAN connection
- Can be used in mesh Wi-Fi setup
Cons
- Gamer-centric
- OTT for some users
| Wi-Fi: | Wi-Fi 6, Dual-band |
| Antenna: | Three |
| Ports: | WAN x1, 2.5Gbps WAN x1, Gigabit LAN x4, USB 3.0 x2 |
The TP-Link Archer AX600 is a bit of a beast, to say the least, and boasting a squat body and eight antennae, it certainly looks the business. Luckily, its performance matches up to its impressive visage.
The dual-band wireless is excellent: the 5Ghz band hits 4,804Mbps, and the 2.4Ghz hits 1,148Mbps. These speeds are reasonably maintained at a distance, too, thanks to the impressive range. Wired connections are plentiful, with eight 1G LAN ports to service multiple devices with rapid speeds. The WAN connection is also 2.4G.
For those wanting to double-down on high-tech convenience, the AX600 is compatible with Alexa devices. Voice command functions include: switching on the guest network, activating WPS, running a speed test, and setting priority functions (streaming, messaging, gaming). These actions are also able to be controlled through the Tether app.
Pros
- Great wireless
- Abundant LAN ports
- Alexa compatibility
Cons
- Requires some specialist knowledge to maximise potential
| Wi-Fi: | Wi-Fi 6, Dual-band |
| Antenna: | Eight |
| Ports: | 2.5Gbps WAN x1, Gigabit LAN x8, USB 3.0 x1, USB-C x1 |
First thing first - the Nighthawk RAX80 AX11000 looks like an intergalactic drone. This isn’t to everyone’s tastes, and neither is the price tag, but the powers that it carries certainly are.
The AX11000 has fantastic wireless capability, handling up to 10.8Gbps of data via its tri-band frequencies - one 2.4Gz (1.2Gbps) and two 5Ghz (4.8Gbps) channels. The router offers 12 simultaneous streams, and the range advertises 2,500sqft of coverage. In short, the Nighthawk RAX80 AX11000 is incredibly quick for all users.
Those hunting for a wired connection will also be pleased by the four Gigabit LANs and one 2.4GBps Lan port. The WAN connection is also futureproofed for ISP plans of 2Gbps, thanks to some nifty link integration.
There’s a smartphone app for simplified and quick control of router settings, Alexa and Google Assistant can be connected for voice controls. The router also comes with a free trial of the Netgear security package, which is a good platform, but it is a shame you need to subscribe going forward (optional).
Pros
- Exemplary wireless speeds
- Wi-Fi 6 and tri-band
- Good LAN ports
| Wi-Fi: | Wi-Fi 6, Tri-band |
| Antenna: | Internal |
| Ports: | WAN x1, Gigabit LAN x5, USB 3.0 x2 |
The TP-Link Archer range of wireless routers is home to some real winners, with the AX1500 happening to land as the best budget wireless router around. For comfortably under £100, the AX1500 provides the benefits of Wi-Fi 6, great range and capable speeds.
As a dual-band router, the AX1500 has a maximum wireless speed of 1.5Gbps: the 5Ghz band maxes out at 1,201Mbps, the 2.4Ghz band at 300Mbps. Such speed allows wireless devices to achieve speeds comparable to wired LAN connections. Also, thanks to the magic of Wi-Fi 6, the AX1500 can handle many more devices than Wi-Fi 5 routers.
The TP-Link Archer AX1500 can be controlled via the TP-Link Tether App, which allows you to set network settings and parental controls with ease.
Pros
- Affordable Wi-Fi 6
- Handles multiple devices well
- 5Gbps wireless speed
Cons
- Comparatively limited features
| Wi-Fi: | Wi-Fi 6, Dual-band |
| Antenna: | Four |
| Ports: | Gigabit WAN x1, Gigabit LAN x4 |
The Netgear Nighthawk AX1800 is a good choice for anyone wanting to jump onto Wi-Fi 6 and mesh networking in one fell swoop. The total area of coverage is around 2,000sqft - not huge, but certainly helpful for small households. The kit contains two routers - one main router and one satellite extender.
The wireless performance is pleasant and will keep a family up to speed reliably. Its dual-band frequencies will help to deliver 1.8Gbps, and the abilities of Wi-Fi 6 mean that around 20 devices can take advantage of the bandwidth without disadvantaging others.
Unfortunately, each router only has one LAN port, and WAN is limited to 1Gbps. Many users have noted that the performance on the peripherals of the range is notably weaker, those living and working within the confines of the mesh network shouldn’t need to worry. For anyone with experience with mesh networking and wireless routers more generally, the AX1800 might be a tad basic. However, for newcomers who want the benefits of mesh Wi-FI without much hassle, this is an economical purchase.
Pros
- Affordable Wi-Fi 6 mesh network
- Wi-Fi 6
- Good for beginners
Cons
- No built-in parental controls
- No built-in extra security
- Only one LAN port per router
| Wi-Fi: | Wi-Fi 6, Dual-band |
| Antenna: | Internal |
| Ports: | Gigabit WAN x1, Gigabit LAN x1, Gigabit LAN x1 (Satellite) |
The Linksys Velop MX4200 is a simple and capable wireless router for a family home. As a Wi-Fi 6 router, it carries the ability to handle impressive speeds across many connected devices.
As a tri-band router (one 2.4Ghz and two 5Ghz), the MX4200 has a max throughput of 4.2GBps. This provides plenty of scope for home-workers, box-set bingers and online gamers to co-exist peacefully.
The advertised range of the router is 3,000sqft. This will be fine for apartments and smaller family homes, but to maintain a constant performance the MX4200 can be used as part of a mesh Wi-Fi network, a system that’s quick to set up and helps to reduce signal dead zones in and around your home. The MX4200 can be purchase in single, double or triple packs.
Pros
- Easily expanded into a mesh network
- Great for families
- Tri-band
Cons
- Mesh Wi-Fi can be expensive
- Limited LAN ports
| Wi-Fi: | Wi-Fi 6, Tri-band |
| Antenna: | Internal |
| Ports: | Gigabit WAN x1, Gigabit LAN x3, USB 3.0 x1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Wi-Fi 6?
In short: Wi-Fi 6 improves on Wi-Fi 5 technology by upping the maximum Gbps of a router and introduces features that better manage multiple connected devices. The result is not necessarily faster overall internet speed but improved speeds across devices using one router - an essential property in the age of smartphones, tablets and smart home devices.
In detail: Wi-Fi 6 the latest generation of Wi-Fi, also known as 805.11ax. At the base level, it does what it always has - connect you to the internet wirelessly. But the technology in Wi-Fi 6 improves in several areas.
The flashiest fact about Wi-Fi 6 is that it has a maximum speed of 9.6Gbps, a significant jump over the fifth-generation 3.5Gbps.
However, if you’re a normal bod living in the UK, this number doesn’t affect you. While some folks are lucky enough to get nearly 100Mbps, the average internet speed in the UK is only 35Mbps (via Cable).
What that juicy 9.6Gbps does mean for UK internet users is that each device connected to a Wi-Fi 6 router has more speed available to it. This couples with OFDMA and MU-MIMO technology, which allows a router to support more devices, and receive and process a greater amount of requests.
Effectively, the extra Gbps and clever communication technologies in Wi-Fi 6 prevent devices from bottlenecking each other. More devices no longer mean slower speeds.
OFDMA - Orthogonal frequency-division multiple access
MU-MIMO - Multi-user, multiple input, multiple output
What else does Wi-Fi 6 do?
In addition to improved speeds and performance with multiple devices, Wi-Fi 6 has better security, as it requires the use of WPA3 (a security measure that hackers hate), whereas Wi-Fi 5 only supported it as an optional extra.
Wi-Fi 6 also can directly beam a signal to a device for reduced signal loss and interference and carries some handy energy-saving features.
You can read more about Wi-Fi 6 on the official Wi-Fi Alliance website.
Is Wi-Fi 6 better for 4K streaming?
Wi-Fi 6 has improved stability and bandwidth, meaning that the consistent connection required for uninterrupted 4K streaming is attainable. Additionally, because Wi-Fi 6 can handle multiple devices without degrading individual performance, anyone streaming in 4K won’t have such a harsh effect on other users, and visa-versa.
What are the USB ports on routers used for?
Many wireless routers come with one or two USB 3.0 ports. These are used to upgrade router firmware, but there are some more exciting options available. Here are three of the best things to do with the USB ports on your router:
Homemade cloud storage: Connecting an external drive (HDD or SSD) to a router will allow you to set up some Network Attached Storage (NAS). This storage can be accessed by anyone on the network server, thereby creating your very own cloud storage centre. Note that you'll need to implement some security and password protection is a sensible safeguard.
Media server: This is the same as above, but purely for purposes of entertainment. Save photos, movies and music to the NAS and you’ve got yourself a homemade media streaming server.
Network printing: Printers that need a physical USB connection are a hassle in the wireless age. Plugging such a printer into a wireless router transforms it into a wireless printer fit for the modern age.
What is mesh Wi-Fi?
Mesh Wi-Fi is a way of building a home wireless network free from dead spots and weak signals. It works by combining a router with router-like extensions, known as satellites, to create a seamless network that can cover a whole house or building.
The result is similar to those found with the best internet range extenders, though the functionality and attainable speeds and range often outstrip such options. Additionally, users of a mesh Wi-Fi network do not have to change access points or require multiple router sign-ins.
What is link aggregation?
Link aggregation is often referred to when discussing LAN and WAN ports that have a high throughout (2.4Gbps, for example). All this means is that the router is linking up multiple smaller connections to act like one, thereby increasing capacity. Because link aggregation uses multiple links, it’s also very stable - if one line drops its connection this does not destroy the overall connection.
Should I use 2.4GHz or 5GHz?
As CenturyLink explains in its blog, wireless routers transmit the internet to your Wi-Fi-connected devices via radio frequencies. There are two frequency bands uses - 2.4GHz and 5GHz.
2.4GHz is a frequency that has a long-range and is better at traveling through surfaces and obstructions. However, it has a relatively low data rate and therefore offers slower internet speeds. It’s also a popular frequency for a range of household products, including microwaves and other internet devices, making the wavelength pretty congested.
5GHz is a short-range frequency with a high data rate. It’s also less prone to interference as fewer devices currently operate on this frequency.
Devices that are close to the router and require high speeds (gaming, video calls, streaming) should use 5GHz where available. Devices further from the router performing less data-intense tasks (smart home hubs, web-browsing laptops, or smartphone messaging) will be fine on 2.4GHz.
Note that not all devices can work at 5GHz. Check compatibility before any router purchase.
William Lobley is a Senior Content Writer and reviewer for WhatsTheBest, specialising in technology, gaming and outdoors. He also writes for Empire Online.
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