Wireless routers are an increasingly vital piece of hardware in most homes, yet purchasing one can be daunting. With obscure letter codes such as G, N, and AC; technical terms such as single-band, dual-band and tri-band; and numeric ratings like 750, 1900, and 3200, there is a lot of information to process when determining which product is right for you. To aid in this quest, we are going to break down some of the key features of a wireless router, and take a look at ten of the best wireless routers on the market.
WHAT IS A WIRELESS ROUTER?
A router is a device that takes the internet signal coming into your home and shares it between multiple devices. As data comes in, it is inspected and then “routed” to the appropriate device on the network. While a standard router does this through a cable connected to each device, a wireless router converts the data into a radio signal, freeing you up to use your device anywhere you like. The difference between a Wireless Router and a Wireless Repeater, is that a repeater needs a router but a router doesn’t need a repeater. Wireless Repeaters are only relaying the signal from a router but cant act as a router on their own.
There are several things which effect the speed and stability of the data connection between you wireless router and your devices, including the signal power of the wireless router, the number of device in use, the physical structure of your home or office, the distance between your device and the wireless router, interference from other devices, and the speed rating of the radio transmitter inside of each device.
Wireless routers are rated according to a set of standards set in place by the WiFi Alliance. Most routers on the market today are either rated as either N or as the newest standard, AC. Most of the newer devices in your home will be equipped with a WiFi adapter operating on one of these two standards. (Devices are backwards compatible so AC devices can still attach to an N rated router.) Within each standard there is a range of speed at which data can be sent back and forth between your devices. We will be looking at routers in both categories as each can be used as a general purpose router.
1. ASUS RT-N18U 2.4 GHZ 600 MBPS HIGH POWER ROUTER
The Asus RT-N18U operates under the Wireless N Standard. This router uses an energy efficient processor and proprietary TurboQAMTM technology to achieve speeds up to 600 Mbps, which is 33% faster than standard wireless N. The router also features Five Gigabit Ethernet ports for wired device connection as well turbo NAT for faster internet performance.
In addition to the speed and performance features this router offers, it comes with the added bonus AirRadar which increases the range by up to 50%. This is a great feature for those who live in large or multi-story homes.
2. NETGEAR WNR2500-100NAS 450 MBPS DESKTOP WIRELESS ROUTER
The Netgear WNR2500-100NAS is a Wireless N router has been enhanced to deliver fast 450 Mbps speeds without compromising your data. With power boost antennas, this router is also able to achieve excellent coverage in challenging locations. In addition this router includes parental controls which allow you to determine what sites can and cannot be accessed.
Managing the router is easy using Netgear’s proprietary home network management software. Netgear produce some of the best wireless routers on the market, and is a brand you can trust for reliability and quality of build.
3. CISCO-LINKSYS E3000 WIRELESS-N ROUTER
The Cisco-Linksys E3000 packs a large punch into a tiny form factor. With no external antennas, this tiny power house will provide superb coverage without cluttering up your workspace. Yet don’t let the lack of visible antennas deceive you. Inside the case there are 6 internal antennas pushing data throughout your workspace.
One of the greatest benefits of the E3000 is that it feature duel band technology. Sending out signals on both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, this router allows to surf the web and stream video on multiple devices simultaneously at 300 Mbps.
In addition to the wireless capabilities, the E3000 also features ports for 4 additional wired devices.
4. LINKSYS MAX-STREAM AC1900
Featuring the Linksys easy setup software, this dual-band wireless AC router provides the power you need to stream data to multiple devices simultaneously without worrying about fighting over bandwidth. Featuring speeds up to 1900 Mbps, this router can handle full HD and 4K streaming without buffering or pauses.
Three external antennas give this router great coverage, while the 5 Ethernet ports allow you attach wired devices. The router also includes robust parent controls and the ability to generate guest passwords.
5. NETGEAR NIGHTHAWK R7000
Topping our list of Wireless AC routers the Netegear Nighthawk R7000.
This dual band router provides blazing fast throughput in both the 2.4GHz & 5GHz frequencies and features a combined speed of up to 1900Mbps. The router is built with 128 MB flash and 256 MB RAM, making it one of the fastest home routers you can get.
Featuring three antennas, this router provides excellent coverage in even the most challenging of setups, ensuring that your signal remains strong and stable. The are 5 Ethernet ports on the back of the router, allowing connection to all of your wired devices.
Best Wireless Routers 