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Wi-Fi routers aren’t the sexiest devices. Most of us even stash them away the place we can’t have to have a look at them too usually. (Don’t do that!) Still, they’re a necessary ingredient for a dependable web connection, which is an integral a part of nearly all the pieces in 2025. The reality is, most individuals do not want probably the most superior routers; they only want their web to work. We spent months testing greater than 30 of the highest wi-fi routers: writing {custom} scripts, measuring throughput, and pushing a laptop computer to 61 areas round CNET’s lab to seek out the very best Wi-Fi routers on the market. Whether you are in search of Wi-Fi 7 help or the very best gaming router, otherwise you need to improve to a mesh system, these are the routers that’ll hold working for years — those you will discover the least.What’s the very best total Wi-Fi router of 2025?This wasn’t a tough selection. The Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX6000 is the very best wi-fi router total. Even although it is a few years outdated, this router nonetheless kicked butt on all of the others. It was the one wi-fi router to obtain a Top 5 rating in our throughput assessments on each 2.4 and 5GHz bands, that means it will ship the quickest doable speeds over Wi-Fi. It does not get you on the ultrawide 6GHz band — for that, you will must improve to a Wi-Fi 6E or 7 router — however for most individuals, that will not matter. Best routers of 2025 Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX6000 Best Wi-Fi router total Pros: -World-class efficiency on each the two.4 and 5GHz bands -Only one router had a decrease jitter rating on the 5GHz band (excellent if you wish to prioritize work or gaming)-Endlessly customizable settings for gaming-Six gigabit Ethernet ports-You can add one other Asus router to create a mesh systemCons:-Designed for avid gamers (and it appears prefer it)-No 6GHz band, so you will not be capable to benefit from Wi-Fi 7-Signal was simply blocked by partitions on the two.4GHz bandWhy I prefer it:This factor simply works. The check outcomes jumped off the display screen: It was the one wi-fi router to attain within the Top 5 on each the two.4 and 5GHz bands in our throughput assessments, which measure how briskly a router can transmit knowledge to a tool wirelessly. The 5GHz band was notably spectacular. We established a baseline of 939 megabits per second via a wired connection on 5GHz; once we moved the GT-AX6000 50 toes away, it barely budged, at 927Mbps. For comparability, the Netgear NightHawk RS700 — a router that prices greater than twice as a lot — acquired solely 80Mbps from that distance. The GT-AX6000 additionally clocked a near-zero 0.03 jitter rating on the 5GHz band. In different phrases, your actions register in your display screen almost instantaneously. That’s the sort of efficiency that is price paying a little bit further for. Who it is for: The GT-AX6000 is clearly marketed towards avid gamers, nevertheless it’s an excellent selection for anybody, no matter gaming habits. It comes with a ton of good bells and whistles for avid gamers — WAN and LAN aggregation, recreation console prioritization, easy port forwarding — however that does not imply it’s a must to use them. This router checked each field. It has the newest WPA3 community safety normal, automated firmware updates and parental controls that allow you to filter web sites and apps on particular units. Who should not purchase it: If you’ve gotten solely a handful of units concurrently linked to the web, you in all probability needn’t plunk down $220 for a high-performing router. I additionally wasn’t loopy about this router’s design. All the crimson lights made me really feel like I used to be mainlining Mountain Dew Code Red. There are some intelligent methods to cover a wi-fi router with out blocking its sign, like stashing it in a crate or wicker basket, however I would not maintain it towards anybody who thought this was an excessive amount of aesthetically. The foremost downside from a technical standpoint is that it does not offer you entry to the ultrawide 6GHz band. For that, you will must shell out for a pricier Wi-Fi 6E or 7 router.
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Pros: -Routinely outperforms routers that price thrice as much-Top 10 throughput scores on each bands-You can management the router with Alexa or Google Assistant devices-Ability so as to add different TP-Link Deco routers to create a mesh systemCons:-Three US departments are at the moment weighing a ban on TP-Link routers resulting from ties to Chinese cyberattacks-Jitter and packet loss scores have been center of the packEditor’s Note: We suppose you ought to be conscious that TP-Link routers are below investigation by the US authorities over safety considerations and may very well be banned within the states this yr, in accordance with a number of information experiences. CNET reported on the potential ban, too, however within the absence of documented proof to help the allegations, we selected to proceed recommending TP-Link as one in every of our greatest router selections. In reality, you possibly can learn extra about why I nonetheless use a TP-Link router right here.Why I prefer it: If you do not need to spend greater than $100, I have never seen any routers that come near the speeds from the Deco X55 Pro. It ranked eighth on the two.4GHz band and an eye-popping second on 5GHz. The solely sooner router on 5GHz was the $480 Eero Max 7. Though the vary on 5GHz was primarily restricted to the room the router was in, that is nonetheless unbelievable efficiency for a $90 router. Who it is for: This router is finest for individuals dwelling in smaller houses or flats who do not want plenty of customizable options. It’s a real “set it and forget it” sort of router. If you are partaking in solely low-bandwidth actions, like streaming TV or searching social media, you in all probability will not have any points in a bigger house, both. Who should not purchase it: People with multistory houses might need some points in rooms removed from the router. Also, on-line avid gamers ought to look elsewhere: The Deco X55 Pro had below-average packet loss scores on each bands, which might lead to some frozen or glitchy screens.
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Asus RT-AX86U Pro Best Wi-Fi router for bigger houses Pros: -Impressive vary for a single router-Excellent throughput efficiency, even at longer distances-Incredibly low jitter scores on each the two.4 and 5GHz bands-You can add one other Asus router to create a mesh system-Four 1Gbps LAN ports with a devoted “gaming port”Cons:-No 6GHz band, so it does not take full benefit of Wi-Fi 7 devices-Packet loss was comparatively excessive, particularly on the 5GHz band Why I prefer it: It all comes all the way down to vary. The signal-strength maps pictured above won’t seem like a lot, however the Asus RT-AX86U Pro outperformed almost each different wi-fi router we examined. Speeds barely dropped off once we moved additional away from the router — 906Mbps on the 5GHz band from 50 toes away, in comparison with a baseline of 939Mbps with a wired connection. It additionally comes with each community safety function we appeared for: WPA3 certification, automated firmware updates and adjustable parental controls.Who it is for: Anyone dwelling in a bigger house with a number of flooring. Short of a full-fledged mesh system that makes use of a number of routers, this machine carried out in addition to any I’ve seen in terms of alerts touring via partitions and throughout huge areas. If your house is greater than 2,500 sq. toes, you would possibly nonetheless want a mesh system or Wi-Fi extender to utterly remove lifeless zones, however the Asus RT-AX86U Pro has such robust throughput efficiency to start with, you won’t even discover the drop-off throughout rooms. Who should not purchase it: Even although it is marketed towards avid gamers, I’d steer them to our picks for finest router total or finest gaming router. That’s as a result of the RT-AX86U Pro had greater packet loss scores than I might’ve appreciated, falling within the backside third of Wi-Fi routers we examined. It was nonetheless within the vary that is thought of acceptable for many customers, however avid gamers would possibly discover a frozen display screen or moments of excessive lag on the 5GHz band.
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Linksys Velop Pro 6E Best Wi-Fi router for gaming Pros: -Lowest all-around jitter and packet loss scores-Access to the ultrawide 6GHz band-Great value for a tri-band router-Minimalist design that blends with surroundings-Solid vary for a single router-Three-year guaranteeCons:-Throughput scores have been mediocre totalWhy I prefer it: It’s nearly unprecedented to see a tri-band router for below $150. You often must pay a premium to get entry to the ultrawide 6GHz band, and although it is not as huge because the 6GHz band on Wi-Fi 7 routers, the Velop Pro 6E nonetheless returned speeds of 628Mbps via it. I additionally cherished how low-profile this router appears. With a clear, all-white design, that is one router I would not be tempted to cover behind the sofa. Who it is for: Gamers, pure and easy. The Velop Pro 6E was completely elite the place it counts for on-line gaming: jitter and packet loss. It had a jitter rating of 0.19ms on the two.4GHz band, 0.02ms on the 5GHz and 0.05ms on 6GHz — all nicely under the 30ms that’s thought of good for on-line gaming. Its packet loss scores have been additionally distinctive, clocking in at 0.06% on 2.4GHz, 3.06% on 5GHz and 0.05% on 6GHz. No matter which band you are gaming on, you will get a seamless expertise. Who should not purchase it: If you will not be doing any gaming, there are higher routers on the market. The Velop Pro 6E was truly pretty pedestrian when it got here to throughput, rating within the backside third of wi-fi routers on all three bands. That’s nonetheless loads of pace for gaming — particularly when you’re comparatively near the router — however there are higher routers out there when you needn’t prioritize ultralow jitter.
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Pros: -Incredibly quick tri-band router-Can be used with different Eero routers to create a mesh network-Inconspicuous design-Ultrawide 320MHz channels help the quickest speeds possible-Supports Alexa, Thread, Matter and Zigbee protocolsCons:-Expensive for a single router-Limited vary on the 5GHz band-Jitter and packet loss scores have been center of the packWhy I prefer it: In one phrase: pace. The Eero Max 7 averaged 1,513Mbps on the 5GHz band — good for first place and greater than 400Mbps forward of the following wi-fi router. On the extra unique 6GHz band, it returned a median throughput rating of 760Mbps, which was third quickest of the tri-band routers we examined. Who it is for: If you simply purchased a brand new cellphone or laptop computer and need to take full benefit of its Wi-Fi 7 speeds, the Eero Max 7 is a splurge decide that ensures you probably the most out of your units. I’d additionally suggest it for individuals paying for a multigig web plan, or anybody utilizing many sensible house units. That mentioned, the Max 7’s vary was pretty common, so you might want so as to add extra Eero routers to create a mesh system in bigger houses. Who should not purchase it: Most individuals needn’t spend $480 on a Wi-Fi router. This is a router for networking diehards who need the very best efficiency from the newest know-how.
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Netgear NightHawk RS100 Best price range Wi-Fi 7 router Pros: -Ranked within the Top 10 in throughput assessments on each the two.4 and 5GHz bands-As low cost because it will get for a Wi-Fi 7 routerCons:-No 6GHz band-Only one 2.5Gbps port-High jitter on the 5GHz bandWhy I prefer it: It could be deceptive to name this a Wi-Fi 7 router. Without entry to the 6GHz band, it is kind of like ordering spaghetti and meatballs and getting a plate of saucy noodles. But on this case, these noodles are actually good. The RS100 was the ninth-fastest router we examined on the two.4GHz band and the fifth quickest on 5GHz. When I requested a Netgear consultant what makes this router Wi-Fi 7 if it is lacking 6GHz, they informed me it helps 4K QAM, which is a key Wi-Fi 7 function that reduces interference and improves throughput. That confirmed up in our outcomes, with the RS100 clearly benefitting from sooner speeds on 2.4 and 5GHz, even whether it is lacking 6GHz. Who it is for: This is an entry-level Wi-Fi 7 router that is superb for somebody who has a brand new cellphone or laptop computer that helps Wi-Fi 7 however who does not essentially need to pony up $500 for a router. Even if it weren’t labeled as Wi-Fi 7, its throughput scores nonetheless stand out for a router at this value. Who should not purchase it: If you are paying for an web plan over 1,000Mbps, it is in all probability price upgrading to a extra superior router. The RS100 has just one 2.5Gbps port, so you possibly can count on real-world Wi-Fi speeds to high out at round 1,250Mbps.
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Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX6000TP-Link Deco X55 ProAsus RT-AX86U ProLinksys Velop Pro 6EEero Max 7Netgear NightHawk RS100 Price $220$90$170$140$480$130Wi-Fi normal 6666E77Frequency bands 2.4, 52.4, 52.4, 52.4, 5, 62.4, 5, 62.4, 5Maximum pace 6,000Mbps3,000Mbps5,700Mbps5,400Mbps9,400Mbps3,600MbpsNumber of Ethernet ports 626245USB connectivity Two ports, helps USB 3.2NoneTwo ports, helps USB 3.2NoneOne port, does not help knowledge switchNoneCoverage space (sq. toes) 5,0002,5005,7003,0002,5002,000Particular options Parental controls, smartphone management, machine prioritizationParental controls, smartphone management, helps Google Home and AlexaParental controls, smartphone management, cell gaming modeParental controls, smartphone management, machine prioritizationSmartcellphone management, helps Alexa and Thread, Matter, ZigbeeSmartcellphone management
Recent updates to our Wi-Fi routers web page
In March 2025, CNET completely overhauled our testing course of for Wi-Fi routers. Where our earlier assessments consisted of 1 individual taking pace assessments from 5 completely different rooms in our lab, we now use custom-made scripts to conduct our testing and knowledge evaluation. Instead of pace assessments, we eliminated the web supplier from the equation and now run knowledge throughput assessments to isolate the router’s efficiency unbiased of fluctuations within the web connection. Additionally, we measure every router’s sign power at 61 marked areas across the lab. You can study extra about how we check routers under. At the identical time that we revamped our testing course of for wi-fi routers, we launched a number of of the newest fashions from the foremost producers and in contrast them alongside tried-and-true routers we would beforehand advisable. That included six Wi-Fi 7 fashions and 11 whole routers that use the newly opened 6GHz band. I hesitated to suggest Wi-Fi 7 routers once they have been first launched, however that is modified previously yr. Prices on these routers have come down significantly, and Wi-Fi 7 units are more and more changing into the usual. If you obtain a brand new iPhone 16 or Microsoft Surface Laptop 7, it has Wi-Fi 7 inbuilt. (You can even search the Wi-Fi Alliance’s database to see which units are licensed Wi-Fi 7.) Even if you haven’t any Wi-Fi 7 units, you might need to pay a little bit further for a router to ensure it is future-proof. We’ve additionally stopped recommending just a few older fashions that’ve been staples on our greatest wi-fi routers listing for some time, together with Wi-Fi 5 routers just like the Netgear Orbi RBK13. Though routers like these should still carry out nicely within the lab, producers will seemingly cease issuing firmware updates sooner slightly than later. If a router could have up-to-date safety just for the following yr or two, we couldn’t suggest it in good religion. Factors to think about when shopping for a Wi-Fi routerThere’s plenty of jargon to decode when looking for a wi-fi router. For most individuals (myself included), the flashy specs do not actually matter. I simply need my web to work easily, on a regular basis. Here are the issues price being attentive to. Wi-Fi requirements definedThese days, you will principally see three Wi-Fi requirements when looking for a Wi-Fi router: Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7. (Some Wi-Fi 5 routers are nonetheless in the marketplace, however you possibly can safely go them by at this level.) These numbers discuss with the technology of requirements; Wi-Fi 7 is the seventh iteration of Wi-Fi requirements. All these requirements have been developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), a worldwide affiliation of technical professionals. When a tool makes use of the newest normal, a company referred to as the Wi-Fi Alliance provides its stamp of approval to units that meet its {qualifications}. Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) Frequency bands 5GHz2.4 and 5GHz2.4, 5 and 6GHz2.4, 5 and 6GHzMaximum bandwidth 80MHz160MHz160MHz320MHzMaximum pace 1.3Gbps9.6Gbps9.6Gbps46Gbps Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be): Uses the two.4, 5 and 6GHz bands and doubles the channel dimension of the 6GHz band from 160 to 320MHz. A typical Wi-Fi 7 laptop computer might attain “potential maximum” speeds of 5.8Gbps — 2.4 instances sooner than the two.4Gbps doable with Wi-Fi 6 and 6E, in accordance with Intel. Multi-Link Operation (MLO) additionally permits Wi-Fi 7 units to concurrently join on two bands, offering improved reliability and ultralow latency.Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax): The first Wi-Fi normal so as to add within the 6GHz band together with 2.4 and 5GHz. Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax): A large improve over Wi-Fi 5, Wi-Fi 6 was the primary normal to permit your router to divide the channel it is utilizing — 2.4 or 5GHz — to ship its alerts via smaller frequency allocations. This allowed for a lot sooner speeds than the earlier technology.Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac): Wi-Fi 5 used the 5GHz band solely. It was the primary Wi-Fi normal to exceed 1Gbps most speeds, however its vary is considerably smaller than Wi-Fi 6. If you suppose that every one sounds complicated, you are not alone. The leap from Wi-Fi 6E to Wi-Fi 7 has been notably technical. Even although each use the newly opened 6GHz band, solely Wi-Fi 7 routers will get the MLO function. “Whenever I spoke with the Wi-Fi Alliance, they always tried to make people forget that Wi-Fi 6E even existed,” mentioned Nicholas De Leon , a reporter overlaying routers for Consumer Reports (no relation to CNET’s Samantha De Leon). “It was kind of a stopgap, Band-Aid solution while on the road to Wi-Fi 7.”As if that wasn’t complicated sufficient, some Wi-Fi 7 routers do not even use the 6GHz band. Our decide for the very best price range Wi-Fi 7 router, the Netgear NightHawk RS100, is one in every of them. It’s one of many rising wave of “dual-band” Wi-Fi 7 routers, which is a little bit of a stretch since they’re lacking crucial a part of the equation. But Wi-Fi 7 is about greater than the 6GHz band, mentioned David Coleman, director of wi-fi networking at Extreme Networks.”Wi-Fi 7 introduces several key upgrades that set it apart from tri-band Wi-Fi 6E routers,” Coleman mentioned in an e-mail. “For example, Wi-Fi 7 supports 320MHz-wide channels — double the size of the widest channels in Wi-Fi 6E — meaning it can deliver much higher data rates. It also brings 4K-QAM modulation, boosting transmission efficiency by up to 20% compared to Wi-Fi 6E.”Keep in thoughts that you’re going to want each a Wi-Fi 7 router and a Wi-Fi 7 machine to benefit from the usual’s enhancements. When Wi-Fi 7 was formally launched, in January 2024, only a few units might truly use it. Today, that listing has expanded tremendously and consists of the newest iPhones, Microsoft Surface laptops and the PS5 Pro. These Wi-Fi requirements are backward appropriate, so a Wi-Fi 7 router will nonetheless work with a tool that has solely Wi-Fi 6. Likewise, you should use a Wi-Fi 6 router to recreation on a PS5 Pro — you simply will not be capable to totally benefit from its improved speeds. Single routers vs. mesh programsMesh routers use a number of units to relay a greater Wi-Fi sign all through your house, with fewer lifeless zones. They’re seemingly the appropriate strategy when you dwell in a big, multistory house or if there are a number of spots the place you possibly can’t join as reliably as you need.There are many nice mesh programs out there at this level, and costs have come down considerably in the previous few years. For extra info and our high suggestions, you should definitely take a look at our full rundown of the very best mesh Wi-Fi programs of the yr.Speed rankings demystifiedWhen looking for Wi-Fi routers, you will usually see designations like “AC1900” or “AC3150.” The thought is to offer you a fast sense of which model of Wi-Fi a given router helps (“AC” for Wi-Fi 5, “AX” for Wi-Fi 6, and so forth) in addition to its speeds. Take that pace quantity with a giant grain of salt. It tells you the sum whole of the utmost theoretical switch charges throughout every of the router’s bands, which is able to nearly all the time be a lot greater than the speeds you get as a person. Take our high total decide, the Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX6000. The “AX6000″ tells you it is a Wi-Fi 6 router that helps speeds of as much as 6,000Mbps. When you add up the 2 bands, you will get to 6,000Mbps, however you will not essentially be capable to get all that pace on one machine. Even that is in all probability a stretch, as these high speeds are measured in optimized lab situations, not real-world environments. The exception to this rule is when you’re utilizing a Wi-Fi 7 router with a Wi-Fi 7 machine. In that case, your router will be capable to use Multi-Link Operation to hook up with completely different bands on the similar time. Coverage issuesWill a single wi-fi router be capable to broadcast a Wi-Fi sign all through your total house? No matter how good the router, you will all the time see a major pace drop-off in rooms distant from the router. Even our decide for the very best Wi-Fi router for bigger houses, the Asus RT-AX86U Pro, skilled some drop-off throughout CNET’s 12,500-square-foot testing facility. Samantha De Leon/CNETMany Wi-Fi routers listing protection areas north of 5,000 sq. toes, however I like to recommend switching to a mesh system if your house is bigger than 2,500 sq. toes. That mentioned, it is a matter of percentages. If you’ve gotten a multigig web plan, you will nonetheless get loads of pace for streaming TV or searching social media in a far nook of a 5,000-square-foot house. But you will in all probability have points when you’re beginning with solely 100Mbps.Additionally, the kind of house you reside in — not simply the dimensions — can have an effect on your Wi-Fi sign.”A lot of it depends upon housing construction,” mentioned De Leon. “I’ve got family down in Puerto Rico and Florida, where a lot of the houses are concrete, and that obviously just destroys Wi-Fi signals.”Frequency bands and channel widthYou can consider your router like a radio — it sends and receives alerts via airwaves. Whereas a radio picks up audio broadcasts in AM or FM airwaves, a Wi-Fi router sends and receives knowledge via 2.4 and 5GHz airwaves (in addition to 6GHz airwaves if it is a fancy Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7 router). Nearly all routers embody separate radios for these bands, which helps you to connect with whichever band is finest. Some routers will routinely steer your connection between the a number of bands out there, however you possibly can often flip that off as nicely, making every band its personal, separate Wi-Fi community. The 2.4GHz band affords a greater vary than greater bands, however speeds are restricted. With 5GHz (or 6GHz), you possibly can hit a lot sooner speeds, however these speeds will drop off sooner than you will see with 2.4GHz as your machine’s distance from the router will increase.In common, the 5GHz band is your finest wager for a dependable, high-speed connection at shut and medium vary, and the two.4GHz band is nice for units on the far reaches of your Wi-Fi community, the place the improved vary is well worth the pace trade-off.Ethernet and USB connectivityTypically, the extra high-end the router, the extra Ethernet ports you will see. These allow you to plug a tool straight into your router. A wired connection is inherently a lot stronger than Wi-Fi; in a single check, a CNET author acquired 395Mbps obtain speeds via Ethernet and 126Mbps via Wi-Fi. If there’s one machine that you just completely need to get the very best connection to, an Ethernet cable is the best way to go. Ports are sometimes marketed as “gigabit Ethernet ports,” which suggests they’re able to delivering gigabit speeds via a wired connection. The extra ports a router has, the extra units you possibly can join this fashion. USB ports on Wi-Fi routers have a number of completely different use instances. You can use them to attach units like printers on to your router, which lets you share them with the remainder of the units on the community. You can even connect an exterior arduous drive to the router to share its contents with different units on the community. Security featuresAny router you have a look at ought to have WPA3 certification at minimal. This is the latest safety protocol issued by the Wi-Fi Alliance, and it ensures that the router follows finest practices that encrypt knowledge and make passwords tougher to crack. “Honestly, as long as it has WPA3, that’s probably the big security thing to look for,” mentioned De Leon.He additionally advisable in search of routers that help automated firmware updates. Not all of the routers CNET recommends routinely replace firmware. One of the producers I spoke with mentioned it is obtained “quite vocal feedback from the community” towards them, as they’ll have an effect on community efficiency. Whether they’re automated or not, the primary factor to know is that the producer repeatedly points updates and that they are straightforward to put in. QoS and site visitors managementMany routers include Quality of Service (QoS) settings that allow you to prioritize particular units on the community. If you needed to ensure your work laptop was in line forward of your child’s Nintendo Switch, as an example, you possibly can modify this within the settings. Our finest total router, the Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX6000, has site visitors administration settings designed particularly for gaming, however you possibly can use them on any machine you need to get the very best connection.Parental controls and household optionsMost routers today include some type of parental controls. These can often be set via the router’s app, they usually allow you to routinely prohibit entry to particular web sites or any grownup content material. You can usually arrange a schedule for when a tool can entry Wi-Fi, and even set every day limits. Smart house integrationSome routers, just like the Eero sequence, work with voice assistants like Alexa to allow you to management the router together with your voice. You can even use Amazon Echo units as mesh nodes and entry factors together with your community. Others, like TP-Link, allow you to management Tapo, Kasa, Philips Hue and Matter sensible house units via the TP-Link Deco app. Mobile apps and managementApp administration is the norm for routers today. All our high picks may be arrange via the smartphone app — most of them require it — and you’ll management your community via the app as nicely. This allows you to see which units are linked to your router, handle your community remotely or arrange parental controls.Processor and RAMThe processor in a Wi-Fi router is like its mind. It determines how nicely the machine can handle your community’s site visitors and carry out a number of duties concurrently. All our high picks use a quad-core processor (when publicly listed), which is the usual in 2025. Not all quad-core processors are created equal, although. The A73 processor utilized by the Eero Max 7, for instance, is taken into account considerably extra superior than the A53 processor used within the Eero Pro 6E. A router’s storage capability can even have an effect on how nicely it performs. This is often damaged up into RAM and flash. RAM, brief for random-access reminiscence, impacts the router’s means to course of knowledge, whereas flash storage usually homes the router’s settings. Mesh expandabilityIf you are undecided whether or not a standalone router or a full-fledged mesh system is true on your house, some routers supply a pleasant center floor, permitting you so as to add extra routers to create a mesh system in a while. You’ll be restricted to purchasing one other router from the identical model (and probably product line), nevertheless it’s a pleasant possibility when you do not need to put money into a mesh router proper off the bat. Budget issuesHow a lot it’s best to spend on a Wi-Fi router is determined by what you want and the way many individuals and units want to attach, however a small- to medium-size house or house can in all probability get by with a well-tested dual-band router within the $130 vary. If your house is bigger, it is in all probability price spending extra on a mesh system that may unfold extra constant speeds from room to room. If you are working from house, gaming on-line or sharing bandwidth with a number of housemates or members of the family, upgrading to one thing like a high-speed tri-band router might be funding too.How we check Wi-Fi routersCNET makes use of custom-made scripts to hold out our testing and knowledge evaluation. We give attention to three foremost measurements when testing routers: pace, reliability and distance. We need to know the way nicely a router will translate the web coming in out of your supplier to a wi-fi connection, and we need to know the way far it will probably do it — even with obstacles like partitions and flooring in the best way. To seize all three of those measurements, we conduct two varieties of assessments: knowledge throughput and sign power. CNET’s testing is exclusive as a result of we completely take away the web supplier from the equation. Even probably the most dependable web connections are pretty erratic: Factors like time of day, community congestion and even the situation of your neighborhood’s broadband infrastructure can all have an effect on your web pace. To make sure that these variables did not skew our evaluation of every router, we arrange a separate server to measure the uncooked throughput of information from the router to a tool, bypassing the necessity for an web connection completely. Learn extra: How We Test Wi-Fi RoutersKnowledge throughput assessments Here I’m operating a throughput check near the router. Adam Breeden/CNETTo see how briskly a router will carry out in real-world situations, we measure its throughput, or the quantity of information the router truly transmits throughout a time frame. All Wi-Fi alerts journey via 2.5GHz and 5GHz radio frequencies — that is why most routers you will see are known as “dual-band.” (Tri-band routers use an additional set of channels within the 6GHz band.) To begin, we conduct a wired measurement on the two.5GHz, 5GHz and, when out there, 6GHz bands to ascertain a baseline. This is as quick as throughput can get for the router over every band, so it is a good level of comparability for our wi-fi assessments. From there, we take 5 completely different wi-fi throughput measurements, 60 seconds every, mimicking a family with 5 units linked to the router with completely different throughput wants. These wi-fi measurements are taken from three completely different distances from the router: 7 toes, 25 toes and 50 toes. As any on-line gamer or distant employee can let you know, pace is not the one consider evaluating routers. Just as vital is jitter, which measures the variations in latency, or the time it takes for knowledge to reach at its vacation spot. When you are in a video assembly and there is a delay in audio or somebody’s video freezes, jitter is the perpetrator. We felt jitter was a greater measure than latency when evaluating a router, as common latency can present up in testing as low, even when an web connection is glitchy. These assessments additionally captured packet loss, which tells us whether or not any knowledge failed to succeed in its vacation spot through the check. You’ll usually see packet loss as a frozen video display screen or a garbled voice throughout a video name. With each packet loss and jitter, a decrease rating is healthier.Signal power CNET Labs technician Samantha De Leon makes her method across the facility’s 61 marked areas to check every router’s sign power. Adam Breeden/CNET Signal-strength assessments are taken at 61 marked areas round CNET’s labs for every router’s 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency bands. Samantha De Leon/CNETThe second step in our testing is to measure every router’s wi-fi sign power and broadcasting functionality. To seize this, we used NetSpot, a wi-fi site-survey and evaluation device. This check additionally reveals how nicely a router handles interference from different objects and networks you’d discover in your house, like TVs or your neighbor’s Wi-Fi. CNET’s labs have many electronics being examined across the facility, and it shares partitions with different companies, so there’s loads of interference for a router to work via. We taped targets in 61 areas round CNET’s 12,500-square-foot testing facility to see how nicely every router transmitted knowledge previous obstacles like partitions and electronics. As anticipated, the two.4GHz band had higher vary than the 5GHz band, which sends a stronger sign at a more in-depth vary. The Asus RT-AX86U Pro, our decide for the very best router for bigger houses, had glorious vary on the two.4GHz band, pictured above. Samantha De Leon/CNETIn the signal-strength maps, the numbers discuss with decibels relative to a milliwatt (dBm), they usually point out how robust the Wi-Fi sign is at a given location. A price like -55 dBm is taken into account robust sufficient and usually correlates with excessive throughput. Here’s find out how to interpret the numbers on signal-strength maps:-15 dBm — Extremely robust (nearly on high of the router)-30 dBm — Excellent signal-45 dBm — Very good signal-60 dBm — Good, helps most tasks-75 dBm — Weak, may even see drops in pace/stabilityIn the instance above, the Asus RT-AX86U Pro by no means dipped under -55dBm — even when it was on the opposite aspect of the 12,500-square-foot lab. That’s unbelievable vary for a standalone Wi-Fi router. Other Wi-Fi routers we examinedIn whole, we examined 31 routers at CNET’s lab on this preliminary spherical, and we’re continuously attempting out new fashions as they change into out there. Here are another strong performers, which barely missed out on being high picks. Netgear Nighthawk RS700S: A detailed second place for the very best Wi-Fi 7 router. It was the quickest router we examined on the 6GHz band, nevertheless it completed close to final place on 5GHz. That won’t be a giant deal if all of your units are Wi-Fi 7 appropriate, however that is not the case for many of us. If you are going to spend $500 on a router, the Eero Max 7 is a extra well-rounded selection. Netgear Nighthawk RS300: There’s a ton of worth right here. A tri-band Wi-Fi 7 router for below $300 is a rarity, and the Nighthawk RS300 delivered on each single band. Ultimately, the Eero Max 7 was barely sooner on every band and had higher all-around jitter and packet loss outcomes, so it earned our high decide for the very best Wi-Fi 7 router. But at half the price, the Nighthawk RS300 is not an enormous step down in efficiency. Synology WRX50: This Wi-Fi router truly scored first place in our 2.4GHz assessments, incomes a throughput rating of 127Mbps. But in every single place else, it lagged behind. It was the 19th quickest router on the 5GHz band, and its packet loss scores have been near the underside. That could be forgivable for a price range router, however at $220, the WRX50 is certainly not that.TP-Link Archer AX21: At $70, this was one of many least expensive Wi-Fi routers we examined, and it usually carried out prefer it. It ranked 20th in throughput on the two.4GHz band and 17th on 5GHz. That sounds fairly mediocre, nevertheless it interprets to 700Mbps on 5GHz — way more horsepower than most houses want — and its sign power was spectacular, too. I nonetheless suppose it is price paying $20 extra for the TP-Link Deco X55 Pro, however when you’re in search of absolutely the least expensive router yow will discover that also works, the AX21 is a worthy possibility. TP-Link Archer AX55: The AX55 ($80) is a well-liked decide on different “best Wi-Fi routers” pages, and I used to be anxious to see the way it landed in our assessments. Ultimately, it landed with a thud. The dual-band Wi-Fi 6 router ranked within the backside third for throughput on each bands, and although its jitter scores have been acceptable, they definitely weren’t a power. About the one factor the AX55 had going for it was respectable sign power. TP-Link’s Archer AX21 ($70) and Deco X55 Pro ($90) each supply significantly better all-around efficiency. TP-Link Archer AXE75: A tri-band Wi-Fi 6E router for $130 sounds a little bit too good to be true. In reality, TP-Link is at the moment being investigated by the US Justice Department for probably promoting items under price (extra on that under). But there isn’t any denying this router’s worth. It carried out nicely on all three bands, and although it is lacking a few of the newer options of Wi-Fi 7, it nonetheless will get you entry to the ultrawide 6GHz band for an unbelievable value.Wi-Fi Router FAQ
When do you have to get a brand new Wi-Fi router?
There are two conditions wherein I’d suggest upgrading your router: when you’re experiencing connectivity points or if the producer stops issuing firmware updates, which often occurs about 5 years after a tool’s launch.You ought to usually improve your router provided that you are having points with it — in case your connection drops out repeatedly, you are getting a spotty sign in some rooms, or a buffering wheel seems each time you attempt to stream one thing. In brief, when you’re noticing your router in any respect, it is in all probability time to improve it. Router know-how strikes quick. A couple of years in the past, Wi-Fi 6 fashions have been the most popular new routers in the marketplace. Fast-forward to 2025, and a few manufacturers have shelved their Wi-Fi 6 routers in favor of sooner Wi-Fi 7 choices. If you have purchased a brand new machine previously yr, just like the iPhone 16 or the PS5 Pro, it in all probability helps the newer Wi-Fi 7 normal. That means if you wish to maximize your cellphone’s speeds, you will want a router that may benefit from it. On high of that, a rising variety of mesh router choices are nicely price contemplating, notably since a lot of them are far cheaper than the router combo programs that got here earlier than them.
What does a Wi-Fi router do?
You must be linked to your modem to ship and obtain knowledge from the online; your router allows you to do this with out the necessity for a wire. It’s successfully a giant, fancy antenna on your modem that allows you to join with it wirelessly, over Wi-Fi. You can even use that native Wi-Fi community to attach with different units at house, like printers or distant storage servers.
Do I would like a mesh Wi-Fi system or is a single router sufficient?
Mesh routers use a number of units to relay a greater Wi-Fi sign all through your house, with fewer lifeless zones. They’re seemingly the appropriate strategy when you dwell in a big, multistory house or if there are a number of spots the place you possibly can’t join as reliably as you need.There are many nice mesh programs out there at this level, and costs have come down considerably in the previous few years. For extra info and our high suggestions, you should definitely take a look at our full rundown of the very best mesh Wi-Fi programs of the yr.
What safety features ought to I search for in a Wi-Fi router?
The two main safety features it’s best to search for in a Wi-Fi router are WPA3 certification and common firmware updates. All the routers we suggest are WPA3 licensed by the Wi-Fi Alliance. Ensuring the producer remains to be issuing firmware updates for the router can be important — and it is even higher in the event that they’re performed routinely. “Additional optional features include parental controls, device and traffic monitoring, and MAC address filtering, which all enable an additional level of control over the users on a network,” mentioned David Coleman, the director of wi-fi networking at Extreme Networks.
How do I optimize router placement for the very best protection?
Place your router in a central location within the house, off the bottom, and away from partitions. “The main factor you have to consider is that Wi-Fi travels very well over open air, and it travels very poorly through hard material,” Julian, a technician with ThoseTechGuys in Renton, Washington, informed me in a earlier interview. “The best place to put a router is centrally located out in the open away from any cabinets, kitchen, plumbing, walls, things like that.”
How do I arrange a Wi-Fi router?
The old style method is to plug the factor in and join it to your modem through Ethernet cable, then kind its IP deal with right into a browser’s URL bar to start the setup. The simpler, extra trendy method is to make use of the router’s app, which is able to usually stroll you thru setup in about 5 to 10 minutes. After setup, you may as well use both strategy to entry the router’s settings or change your Wi-Fi password.
How a lot ought to I spend on a router?
It is determined by what you want and the way many individuals and units want to attach, however a small- to medium-size house or house can in all probability get by with a well-tested dual-band router within the $130 vary. If your house is bigger, it is in all probability price spending extra on a mesh system that may unfold extra constant speeds from room to room. If you are working from house, gaming on-line or sharing bandwidth with a number of housemates or members of the family, upgrading to a high-speed tri-band router might be funding too. CNET’s Gianmarco Chumbe contributed to this text.