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Best Wireless Router Reviews 2018

Having a home wireless router is the best way to access your smartphone or tablet. This magic box allows you to share your Internet connection with a variety of devices around your home. This means you can catch up on your favorite Netflix series in the living room, while your spouse uploads a video to a YouTube channel from the kitchen and your child continues a gaming session upstairs with someone across the globe. Shopping for a wireless router can be overwhelming given the different types, sizes, and specs available. We’ve done the homework and rounded up five of the best wireless routers for both light and hardcore Internet users.
Overview
PROS
CONS
SPECS
Band
Max Speed
USB Ports
Wan Port
LAN Ports
Our Top Choice
NETGEAR AC1900 Dual Band Router
NETGEAR AC1900 Dual Band Router
NETGEAR is one of the most esteemed names in the networking equipment industry today, perhaps because it designs superior products, such as the Nighthawk AC1900 Smart WiFi Router.
Class leading USB network performance. USB port at the front. Blistering performance on the 5GHz band. New and improved features. Designed for gaming, streaming and mobility.
Setup might be complicated. No access to parental control feature via NETGEAR’s web interface.
Dual
1300 MBPS
2 ports
1 port
4 ports
Best Value
Securifi Wi-Fi Router and Wi-Fi Extender
Securifi Wi-Fi Router and Wi-Fi Extender
Securifi is a newcomer to the home networking market. It has garnered over 10,000 positive reviews on Amazon alone after launching its first product, the Almond.
Easy to set up and use. Extends Wi-Fi range by roughly 100 feet. 2.7-inch 320 x 240 touch screen interface. Stylish design. IPv6 ready. 802.11bgn 2.4GHz Wi-Fi.
Limited configuration choices. Software might seem beta at times.
Single
300 Mbps
None
1 port
2 ports
LINKSYS MAX-STREAM Wireless Router
LINKSYS MAX-STREAM Wireless Router
The American company Linksys is one of the market leaders in manufacturing industry-leading networking devices. The Max Stream EA9500 device is a great example.
Enough range for house, mansion or village. Easy setup. Seamless roaming. Tri-Band Wi-Fi technology. Three years warranty and three years of tech support.
Large footprint.
Tri-band
5.3 Gbps
2 ports
1 port
8 ports
Asus RT-AC66U Dual-Band Wireless Router
Asus RT-AC66U Dual-Band Wireless Router
Asus has the skill to make great products, from motherboards to mobile phones and laptops. This includes home routers such as the RT-AC66U Dual-Band Wireless device.
802.11n speed and range. Easy, simple setup and management. Intuitive user interface.
Lacks USB 3.0 ports.
Dual
900 Mbps
2 ports
1 port
2 ports
TP-Link 300Mbps Wireless N Router
TP-Link 300Mbps Wireless N Router
TP-Link is one of the leading global providers of networking devices and accessories today. The TL-WR841N router is just another great addition to its lineup.
Super affordable. Great Wi-Fi performance.
Short range, but it's designed for smaller spaces and modest Wi-Fi needs.
Single
300 Mbps
None
1 Port
4 Ports

(Updated )
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Watch Our Wireless Router Review

How Do I Choose the Best Wireless Router?

Your Wi-Fi router works around the clock and behind the scenes to keep you and your devices connected to the Internet via your smartphone, Apple or Windows desktop, or Android or Apple tablet. But buying the best router can be a tricky affair due to the many options to choose from, each with their own respective features and specs.

The first and most important aspect to consider when shopping for what will be the crux of your home network is the maximum speed of the wireless router. This will determine if it can handle the same speed provided by your ISP (Internet Service Provider). For example, if your ISP promises speeds of up to 500Mbps, look at home routers that can smoothly process that number such as somewhere in the ballpark of 900Mbps. Another important thing to consider when shopping for the best wireless router is the size of the space that needs coverage. Single networking models are ideal for homes of up to 2500 square feet.
Price
The price of a wireless router depends on the features and the level of connectivity it offers. For example, a router with one or more USB ports that allow you to connect devices such as a flash drive will cost more than one without any. Other features that may raise the price include onsite touchscreen and Wi-Fi extenders.

Avoid buying cheap wireless routers. You'll want a wireless router that will last for many years to come, and you'll want it to work with no hiccups throughout its service life. The price you pay for a wireless router will ultimately depend on your needs and budget, but expect to pay anywhere between $20 for a basic router with a short range, to $75+ for one with very fast performance and appealing design.
Features
Even though a wireless router works in the background, you'll want to buy one that matches your specific needs. The more features you opt for, the higher the price tag.

That said, here are a few qualities to consider when shopping for the best wireless router:
  • Single vs. dual band:Some routers offer the 2.4GHz frequency band, while others (dual band) offer both 2.4GHz and the newer 5GHz bands
  • Range:This determines whether the wireless router will be able to offer coverage for the required space
  • USB ports:If you’re going to be plugging a flash drive or hard disk drive into your router, look for a model that has built-in USB ports
  • LAN ports: To plug in devices that need Internet connection, such as computers via Ethernet cable, select a router with integrated LAN ports
  • Router standards:These determine the router’s capabilities. The most common numbers are 802.11g, 802.11n, and 802.11ac
  • Speed:This doesn’t make your connection any faster; for the most part, it replicates the speed of your ISP
  • Ease of installation:Most routers can be set up without any technical assistance, but you may require professional help for complex networking
Construction and Design
When choosing the best wireless router from the many options available, consider the size of your coverage area, and the types and number of devices that will connect to it. Not everyone needs the blistering performance that’s usually seen with the latest and greatest routers, so it isn’t practical to get a model with features you will never use. However, if you have several people in your home using bandwidth for things such as playing games online or streaming videos, a high-end router will help keep the peace.

Single band or 2.4GHz frequency band routers are the least expensive, and are ideal for connecting to social media accounts, light gaming, and Web surfing. But if your networking needs require a more powerful connection, you should really be looking at a dual-band router, one that can connect to both the 2.4GHz band and 5GHz band.
Performance and Ease of Use
Router manufacturers are constantly upgrading their standards (IEEE standards, specifically) as and when it becomes available. Traditional home users will not have the same networking needs as media enthusiasts or heavy gamers, which is why it's crucial to select a router that matches your needs perfectly. The newest routers are powered by the latest standard of 802.11ac, which is able to support up to Gigabit speeds. Wireless routers can be highly insecure if you don’t take the appropriate steps to secure your network. When shopping for the best wireless router, look for models that offer WPA2 protocol at the minimum, but note that every device you add to your home network must also support this protocol for it to work.

If top-notch wireless network security is what you desire, look for wireless routers that are backed by enterprise or advanced security options, such as the ability to monitor devices and add extra encryption. One of the features that sometimes leaves consumers confused is router USB ports. Some can only be used to transfer setup information such as network ID and password for the device to a client via a flash drive. Others can be used to plug in USB hard drives and allow file access to all devices on your home network, or add NAS (network-attached storage) functionality.

What is the Best Wireless Router?

Today, nearly every household has a wireless router, and for good reason. The right wireless router can make a world of difference in how you use your phone, laptop, tablet, and other connected devices. To make the task of buying the right one easier, here are our five top picks in the consumer wireless router department.
Our Top Choice
NETGEAR AC1900 Dual Band Router
The NETGEAR AC1900 Nighthawk is part of the outstanding R7000 series of wireless routers and is truly a device that comes with all the bells and whistles. If you don’t need incredibly fast speeds and still would like to enjoy dual band support and unmatched router security, the NETGEAR N750 wireless router is worth exploring.
NETGEAR Nighthawk AC1900 Dual Band Wi-Fi Gigabit Router with Open Source Support

NETGEAR Wireless Router Nighthawk AC1900


Features
NETGEAR is an American company that has been recognized with several awards, including the Good Design Award from the Chicago Athenaeum in 2004. This and the fact that the long-awaited Nighthawk AC1900 gives its current rivals a run for their money are just some of the reasons it earns the top slot in our wireless router review.

The Nighthawk AC1900 is not an inexpensive router, but its somewhat higher price is clearly justified by the features it brings to the table. It is easy to set up, user-friendly and surprisingly lightweight at just 750 grams. It is also one of the widest home routers we’ve ever come across, to accommodate the number of ports at the rear and classy white activity lights at the front.

The AC1900 Nighthawk is a serious router with a long list of features, and here are a few noteworthy ones:
  • Broadcom BCM4708A chipset means it can boost 802.11n 2.4GHz speeds of 600 Mbps to an astounding 1300 Mbps, making it a great choice for larger spaces
  • 800MHz ARM Cortex A9 dual core processor clocking in at 1GHz, the fastest from NETGEAR and among the fastest in its segment
  • Can be paired with an external storage device for automatic backups
  • Three detachable antennas, housed in a robust plastic chassis, and wall mountable
  • Device can be set up through the intuitive NETGEAR Genie Web interface
  • NETGEAR Genie mobile app available for both Android and iOS devices allows you to customize a limited number of settings, such as configuring the parental control feature
  • Supports all Wi-Fi standards, so you get 1.3Gbps Wi-Fi speed on the 5GHz band and 600Mbps of wireless speed on the 2GHz band, a step up from the 450 Mbps
  • One USB 3.0 port at the front of the device and a USB 2.0 port on the back
  • Supports Time Machine backup (Apple macOS backup software), and comes with ReadyShare Vault backup software for Windows computers
Looking for another router or networking device? Check out the entire NETGEAR home router portfolio on Amazon today.
Best Value
Securifi Wi-Fi Router and Wi-Fi Extender
The Securifi Almond is a great router on its own, but if you’re looking for its newest iteration and one that’s a bit more lightweight at 0.8 lbs, check out the Almond 2015.
Securifi Almond Wi-Fi Router and Extender with 3 Minute Setup and Touchscreen Interface

Securifi Almond Wi-Fi Router


Features
Setting up a wireless router can be a daunting task, especially if you’re not tech-savvy. Securifi aims to change that with its new design philosophy. Its products, including the Almond wireless router and extender, have received rave reviews from leading publications, including the New York Times, and for several good reasons.

Almost all new wireless routers now offer dual band functionality. This is not the case with the Almond. Even though it is a single band router, it is truly a novelty of its own, because you can manage most of its basic settings from its onsite 2.8-inch, 20 x 240 pixel color touchscreen. Although you won’t need to use your computer for any of the setup process, you do have the option to set it up via the traditional web interface (needed for advanced settings).

This new approach to wireless devices comes with a handful of useful features. Here are a few that make it worth a second look:
  • First compact and good-looking wireless router that can be managed entirely via a 2.8-inch touchscreen
  • Onboard WAN port to connect to a modem, and two LAN ports for wired clients
  • LCD screen populated with tiles similar to Windows 8 Metro Interface, allowing you to configure several settings of the router, including Wi-Fi network and upgrading firmware
  • Works only on 2.4GHz band
  • Comes preconfigured with a main Wi-Fi network and guest Wi-Fi network right out of the box
  • Speed is roughly 50 Mbps at about 15 feet
Need a different sort of router? Look at Securifi's other products on Amazon today.
LINKSYS MAX-STREAM Wireless Router
The Linksys AC5400 Tri Band Wireless Router is one of the top consumer routers at the moment. If you’re looking for a home wireless router with a robust 600 Mbps speed streamed from a Dual Core 800Mhz CPU, 1 USB 3.0 port and 1 USB 3.0 port to share, print and store content, the Linksys AC1900 is the younger sibling you should be looking at.
LINKSYS EA9500 MAX-STREAM Wireless Router with 8 external antennas and speeds up to 5.3 Gbps

Linksys Wireless Router SKU EA9500


Features
Linksys is one of the leading names in the home networking department, and it proves this over and over again with stellar products, such as the AC5400 Tri Band Wireless Router.

If you don’t mind shelling out some serious cash for a home network router that delivers high levels of performance and could probably serve your whole neighborhood, the Linksys AC5400 Tri Wireless Router won't disappoint you here. With 3 separate bands, an astounding 3 gigabits of bandwidth and 8 gigabit LAN ports, the AC5400 home wireless router is currently in a league of its own. It's equipped with 8 giant antennas, and tips the scales at just 2.2 lbs.

Here are the remarkable features of the Linksys AC5400 home router:
  • 1 2.4GHz band that renders 1000 Mbps, and 2 5GHz bands delivering a whopping 2,166Mbps each, totaling 5.3Gbps
  • Supports the latest MU-MIMO technology, so bandwidth can be directed towards separate devices instead of splitting it, resulting in improved performance
  • 8 gigabit LAN ports, where 4 is the norm on consumer wireless routers
  • USB 3.0 and 2.0 port let you connect the router seamlessly with a printer or external hard drive and share files via SMB or FTP
  • Onsite antennas are configurable so you can arrange them for a better network connection
  • Linksys Smart Wifi web interface allows you to configure all things you’d want to do quickly, including guest Wi-Fi and parental controls
  • 8 LAN ports allow you to plug more wired devices into your network
Looking for a more compact router with a lower price tag? See the Linksys router range on Amazon today.
Asus RT-AC66U Dual-Band Wireless Router
The Asus RT-AC66U is a great wireless router for day-to-day tasks such as streaming and uploading content. If you have several devices in your home, and indulge in anything 4K, it's best to up the ante to a tri-band router, such as the Asus RT-AC5300 gigabit routing device.

Link shows slightly different product name
RT-AC66U Dual-Band Wireless-AC1750 Gigabit Router with Trend Micro for Optimal Network Security

Asus RT-AC66U Wireless Router


Features
For over 27 years, Asus has been running the show in the electronics department. It's on the list of Asia’s Top 10 IT companies, and became the world’s 4th largest PC vendor in 2015. This speaks volumes about what you can expect when you buy any Asus product, be it optical storage devices, multimedia products or the Asus RT-AC66U wireless router.

The Asus RT-AC66U wireless router has all the features found in higher-priced models, including dual band connectivity. This consumer-oriented 802.11n router is one of the best you can find today without breaking the bank. It's the first 802.11ac Wi-Fi standard router to come out of the Asus hangar.

Apart from making such a fine piece of networking equipment at a rather inexpensive price, Asus didn’t skimp on the feature list. Here are a few that make it worth your while:
  • Eye-catching design with 3 removable and upgradable dipole antennas that can be adjusted for the best wireless performance
  • Can be mounted on the wall, sit semi-vertically on the included stand or simply lie flat
  • 2 USB 2.0 ports to connect an external hard drive or a printer
  • This dual-band masterpiece is the Usain Bolt of the networking arena, sprinting at a whopping 900Mbps on the 5GHz frequency
  • Fitted with 4x Gigabit (10/100/1000) Ethernet ports for LAN access and 1 WAN port
  • When it comes to the interior, the RT-AC66U has traffic prioritization, parental controls, UPnP, IPv6 support, guest access,  QoS and WPS and WPA/WPA2 wireless encryption
  • AiCloud app allows you to remotely access audio and video on the network and even connect with Asus’s WebStorage Dropbox-like service
  • Not encrypted, so you can connect without a password right out of the box and configure your credentials through the web interface
Need other types of network connectivity? Browse the rest of the Asus networking range on Amazon.
TP-Link 300Mbps Wireless N Router
The TL-WR841N wireless router is a great choice for small homes and apartments. If you want to enjoy a bigger Wi-Fi range up to 2500 square feet, the Google OnHub router made by TP-Link is worth exploring.
TP-Link N300 Wireless Wi-Fi Router, Up to 300Mbps Speed for Small Spaces

TP-Link 300Mbps Wireless N Router TL-WR841N


Features
TP-Link has won numerous awards, including the Editors Pick Award in 2016, Recommended Product in 2016 and Tech Annual Awards, Malaysia in 2016. The company sells a wide range of products, from network expansion components and cloud cameras, to SOHO switches and Wi-Fi routers, in more than 120 countries worldwide.

The TL-WR841N TP-Link wireless router is a great fit for small apartments, homes and spaces and for those who have modest Internet needs. Even with its low price tag, and a single band on tap, the TL-WR841N Wi-Fi router does what it’s designed to do: render excellent Wi-Fi stability and data rates.

The TL-WR841N Wi-Fi router offers the following great features:
  • Lightweight at just 8.1 ounces, and compact footprint at 5.1 x 1.3 x 7.6 inches
  • Front appointed with an array of LED lights
  • Rear of device fitted with 2 detachable antennas
  • Can be wall mounted or laid flat
  • 4 LAN ports for wired clients, and 1 WAN port
  • Supports the single band 802.11n Wi-Fi standard
  • Easy to set up right out of the box with preset Wi-Fi network, where the name and password are printed on the underside
  • Intuitive web interface for when you want to change the settings
Need a router that takes it up a few notches? View the rest of the TP-Link device lineup on Amazon today.

Get the Best Wireless Router of 2018!

Our choices for the best routers should help you buy the right one for your needs. Go ahead and pick the one that will suit you best. Rest assured that all our recommended wireless routers are some of the best you can get your hands on today.

Our Top Choice
NETGEAR AC1900 Dual Band Router
NETGEAR AC1900 Dual Band Router
Best Value
Securifi Wi-Fi Router and Wi-Fi Extender
Securifi Wi-Fi Router and Wi-Fi Extender
LINKSYS MAX-STREAM Wireless Router
LINKSYS MAX-STREAM Wireless Router
Asus RT-AC66U Dual-Band Wireless Router
Asus RT-AC66U Dual-Band Wireless Router
TP-Link 300Mbps Wireless N Router
TP-Link 300Mbps Wireless N Router

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