A fast and reliable wireless network is only possible with the best wireless routers. These days, a network isn’t just besieged with data transfers. Often, it’s also inundated with devices, and lots of them, which isn’t really a surprise. With all the PCs, mobile devices, TVs, gaming consoles, and smart home devices that we rely on these days, even a one-person household can have hefty network demands.
At the same time, there’s really no excuse for a congested network – not with strides we’ve made in wireless network technology in the last few years. We may now have massive network needs, but we also have the technology to meet them. With the right tools, that is.
Your online experience is reliant on the wireless router you have. You want a fast and smooth one, you require a robust network, which in turn requires a top-notch router. Otherwise, you’ll be limited in how many devices you can connect or how strong of a signal you can enjoy. It’s especially crucial if you’re using a desktop PC or laptop and are running tasks that demand a lot of bandwidth.
So, whether you’re bingeing the best Netflix shows, diving into co-op games or online games, or trying to connect your whole family’s devices, consider one of the best wireless routers to take the quality of your internet signal to the next level. Upgrading to a wireless router with solid performance, great features, and excellent coverage is a better, more robust, and future-proofed solution. From fantastic mesh Wi-Fi routers to newer Wi-Fi 6 routers, here are our top picks.
Google kicks things up a notch in its Google Wifi line with its latest installment. Don’t get us wrong; the original Google Wifi is still among the best wireless routers today. However, if you’re all about the smart home life, then you’ll appreciate the pure genius of Google Nest Wifi. The best router 2022 has given us takes the Google Wifi, gives it the capabilities of Google Home and wraps it all up in an even sleeker and more appealing package. It’s a mesh router and a smart speaker in one, all with the simplicity that Google Wifi is known for.
Read our full Google Nest Wifi review
Asus has been rolling out some amazing Wi-Fi 6 routers recently, and it has been releasing them for just about every need and budget. With the Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8), It has also managed to introduce Wi-Fi 6 to that other cutting-edge tech in connectivity; mesh routers. While it is among the more expensive options out there and limits you to two mesh routers, the Asus ZenWifi AX offers blazing fast speeds as well as plenty of flexibility in its setup – such as the option to set up one or two networks using the 2.4 and 5GHz bands. With excellent security features to boot, this is a fantastic choice if you’re looking at mesh routers.
Read our full Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) review
If you need to cover a very large space of up to 9,000 square feet, then you need to peruse in the premium wireless router aisle. There, you’ll find the Netgear Orbi Quad-Band WiFi 6E, whose price may not be for the faint of heart but whose high-end Wi-Fi 6E is just the ticket for covering large spaces with zero interruptions. This mesh Wi-Fi router isn’t just fitted with an incredibly speedy 6.0Hz frequency band, thanks to its Wi-Fi 6E connectivity – that’s “E” stands for extended. It’s also more than capable of handling the most crowded of networks, supporting up to 200 connected devices at a time.
Read our full Netgear Orbi Quad-Band WiFi 6E review
There may be a few things you might not like about the TP-Link Archer GX90. It’s big, it’s bulky, and it’s expensive. However, those are easy to forgive when you realize that you’re getting a big bang for your buck. This is among the best wireless routers out there for gamers, boasting a handful of features for hardcore gaming like a dedicated 5GHz ‘gaming band’ that lets you hog most of your household bandwidth when you need it. Have younger gamers at home? It also provides good parental controls like content filters to block unsuitable material, with pre-set profiles for children of different ages.
Read our full TP-Link Archer GX90 review
Asus has always had an excellent line of gaming-centric devices, and the Asus RT-AX86U continues that tradition. While expensive compared to run-of-the-mill routers, it’s actually a competitively priced Wi-Fi 6 router. And, considering Wi-Fi 6 is the future in connectivity, this router is a win for Asus and an ace for gamers. It also has some great features for gamers such as a 2.5 Gigabit Wan, the ability to assign an ethernet port as a dedicated “gaming” port, and NVIDIA Geforce Now Cloud Gaming Optimization. Finally, it comes with very useful parental controls if you need them.
Read our full Asus RT-AX86U review
Wi-Fi 6 is the new cutting-edge technology in networking. And while it offers faster speeds, better connections and larger area coverage, it comes at a price. With the Asus RT-AX58U, the company has been able to offer that Wi-Fi 6 performance at a much more reasonable price. And while it might not carry some of the extra features or ports that some of the more robust options have, it does offer some important ones such as MU-MIMO and Parental Controls. So if you’re looking for a no-frills way to get speedy internet, the Asus RT-AX58U may be the way to go.
Read our full Asus RT-AX58U review
When the Netgear Orbi hit the streets, it changed the wireless router scene. Then, in 2019, Netgear released the Netgear Orbi AC2200 RBK23, an economical alternative for casual users who don’t have a grand manor to cover. This makes it a worthy contender for the best wireless routers. Sure, it comes with fewer antennae and ethernet ports than its higher end counterpart. However, it does deliver more than enough to provide very solid network coverage. Plus, the small form factor means that it will have no issues blending in – not that you will feel the need to hide it.
Read our full Netgear Orbi AC2200 RBK23 review
The market is now flooded with wireless mesh routers, but it’s hard to complain when the level of coverage these wireless routers brings tops anything we’ve seen before. With devices like the TP-Link Deco M9, we can see how they’re only getting better and better. By incorporating IoT smart home support, alongside industry standard speeds and coverage, the TP-Link Deco M9 is, without question, an excellent choice for a smart home supporter, with built-in antivirus software to boot. Fair warning though, this router is a tad expensive. However, you’re also getting all these features and an outstanding performance in exchange.
Read our full TP-Link Deco M9 review
Ready to jump on the mesh wireless router bandwagon, but without breaking open that piggy bank? You’re in luck with the affordable D-Link Covr C1203. It’s one of the best wireless routers, if you want to upgrade and save at the same time. It offers comparable coverage to that of the Google Wi-Fi while also being affordable, and it also looks futuristic in a great way. It’s somewhat slower than Google’s legendary router, but it will still be fast enough for the typical user. It’s no surprise that the D-Link Covr C1203 gets our vote the best router 2022 if you want a mesh one.
Read our full D-Link Covr-C1203 review
If you’re in the market for a wireless mesh router that gives you a lot of control over your network, then the Eero Home Wi-Fi system might just be the answer. It has a price more premium than that of your standard router, but it also gives users total control over their network while touting a secure connection through AI. Even better, the Eero Home Wi-Fi System comes with subscriptions to 1Password, MalwareBytes and Encrypt.me VPN, which should keep everyone linked to your network safe and secure.
Read our full Eero Home Wi-Fi System review
- We’ve also picked out the best best wifi extenders of 2022