INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Have you ever tried to show a friend an awesome video on YouTube, only to have everything stop and have that annoying buffering icon pop up
Well, if this happens to you regularly, it may be time to go out and buy one of the best routers
No one should have to deal with buffering icons.The first thing most people do when they’re faced with internet problems like this,
however, is to just give more cash to their internet service provider to upgrade their internet service
But, you can have the fastest internet in the world, and it won’t make a difference for your wireless woes
Plus, with all the devices that need constant reliable internet connections in 018, the best thing you can do to improve your internet
experience is going out and picking up one of the best routers
Luckily, we’re here to help you do just that.Unfortunately, when you go out looking for the best wireless routers, you may find yourself
confused by the dozens of routers on the market today
Luckily, we here at TechRadar have your back – we’ve created this list of the best routers that we’ve got our hands on over the last
No matter what you need to do on the internet, you can be confident you’ll find the best wireless routers right here on this list.1
Google WifiThe future of wireless networking gets affordableSpeed: 802.11ac 5GHz down: 101.41 Mbps, 2.4GHz down: 47.53 Mbps | Connectivity:
2 x Gigabit Ethernet ports per Wifi point (1 WAN and 1 LAN port each) | Features: AC1200 2 x 2 Wave 2 Wi-Fi, TX beamforming, Bluetooth Smart
readySuper simple setupGreat valueLimited hardware controlLower AC ratingIn a lot of ways, Google Wifi is truly the future of wireless
routers, and with it, you can finally bid farewell to the days when the only way to achieve wireless freedom was a bunch of unattractive
range extenders in all of your power outlets
The premise of Google Wifi is simple – you buy a set of points and place them in key locations around your house
Then you just simply scan a QR code, and you’re done
They’re set up. Read the full review:Google Wifi2
Asus RT-AC86UPerformance as loud as the designSpeed: : 802.11ac 1734 Mbps down | Connectivity: : 5 x Gigabit LAN, 1 x USB 2.0, 1 x USB 3.0 |
Features: : MU-MIMO, Traffic Analyzer, Adaptive QoS WTFast Gamers Private NetworkExtensive firmwareGreat speed and coverageComplex
firmwareDivisive looks Anyone who’s familiar with Asus, and especially its more gamer-centric products knows exactly what they’re
getting themselves into here – especially regarding design
The Asus RT-AC86U looks like the result of a Mountain Dew-fueled deal with the devil, and it will certainly stand out wherever you put it
Underneath that garish design forever, is hardware that, for its price, wholly stands up against its competition
You won’t be paying a premium here for the ‘gaming hardware’ and, if you’re looking for a fast router at a good price, you can’t
really go wrong here.Read the full review: Asus RT-AC86U 3
Netgear OrbiWireless coverage that’s high-end, almost to a faultSpeed: 802.11ac 5GHz down: 90.14 Mbps, 2.4GHz down: 93.69 Mbps |
Connectivity: 4 x 10/100/1000Mbps Gigabit Ethernet ports (1 WAN + 3 LAN for Router, 4 LAN for Satellite), 1 x USB 2.0 port | Features: 4GB
flash memory, 512MB RAM, AC3000, MU-MIMO readyExcellent coverageEasy setupMighty priceyFinicky Wi-Fi band settingsUnlike Google Wi-Fi, the
Netgear Orbi wireless mesh system comes with just two units instead of three: a router and a satellite, much like a cell phone signal
And, it may be expensive, but it's worth it – its simple setup, requiring little more than being plugged into a modem and a wall adapter,
makes the Orbi extremely accessible
Add in its fantastic performance, and it’s easy to see why the Netgear Orbi is one of the best routers you can buy in 2018. Read full
Amplifi HDBringing style to mesh networkingSpeed: 802.11AC 1300mbps | Connectivity: 1 x Gigabit WAN, 4 x Gigabit LAN | Features: Modular
network coverage, modern design, LCD touchscreen Modern aesthetic Easy to set up More expensive than competition While it may be
more expensive than the Google Wifi for similar performance, the Amplifi HD as a clean, modern style that would make Apple jealous
While this may seem like a minor point for some, this aesthetic means that nobody will be ashamed of installing this router in a nice open
space – which will only boost it’s already-great performance
In our testing we didn’t notice a difference in performance, whether right next to the main router, or upstairs next to one of the
This is one of those routers that matches great performance with great looks – as long as you have the cash to support it.Read the full
Linksys WRT32X Gaming RouterA gaming router with the performance to back it upSpeed: : AC3200 | Connectivity: : 1 x Gigabit WAN, 4 x Gigabit
LAN, 1 x USB 3.0, 1 x eSATA/USB 2.0 | Features: : Killer Prioritization Engine, Customized Firmware, 1.8GHZ Dual-Core CPU, MU-MIMOGreat
Wi-Fi speedEasy to use firmwareVery expensiveOn the surface, the Linksys WRT32X might not look that different than Linksys’ heavy-hitter,
And, well, that’s not actually that far off
The WRT32X takes all of the successful components of that highly rated router, and puts them in a gamer-centric router with a custom
firmware that’s extremely easy to navigate and a very subdued and attractive visual design
You will be paying a premium for this repackaging, but if you’re looking for reliable ping performance that online gaming requires, the
Linksys WRT32X takes one of the best routers and tailors it to your needs.Read the full review: Linksys WRT32X Gaming Router 6
Billion BiPac 8900AX-2400A highfalutin router that doubles as a modemSpeed: 802.11ac: 2,400Mbps 802.11n: 2,400Mbps | Connectivity: 1 x DSL
port, 4 x 1000Mbps Gigabit Ethernet ports, 1 x EWAN Ethernet port, 1 x USB 2.0 | Features: Built-in ADSL2+ modem, 1 x 2.4GHz; 1 x 5Ghz
bands, LED status lights, reset button, power buttonGood performanceADSL2+ modem includedClunky interfaceOnly USB 2.0Billion is back at it
again, this time with the fastest router it’s ever produced
Exhibiting a throughput of 2,400Mbps over both a 2.4GHz and 5GHz band, the BiPac 8900AX-2400 isn’t conventionally attractive by
society’s standards, but it is immensely capable
In lieu of a shabby interface, this router dons a wide range of ports for added storage down the line in addition to integrating a state of
the art ADSL2+ modem.Read the full review: Billion BiPac 8900AX-24007
Starry StationWi-Fi made easy (and attractive)Speed: 802.11ac: 1,300Mbps 802.11n: 450Mbps | Connectivity: 2 x Gigabit LAN port | Features:
Dual-band Wi-Fi technology, 3.8-inch LCD touchscreen, embedded speaker/microphoneElegant, simple interfaceTouchscreen offers info and
controlMay need to rewire sourceGets noticeably loudFor those of us still clinging on to those wireless modems rented out by our ISPs, the
Starry Station makes Wi-Fi a breeze without handing over piles of cash every month to a greedy conglomerate
Not only is it fast, boasting download speeds that are usually around the same as a Verizon FiOS stock router, but the Starry Station is
also beautiful – enough so that you won’t feel the need to hide it away in a cabinet, obstructing its signal
Plus, it manages to avoid those pesky numerical gateways that no one wants to memorize. Read the full review:Starry StationThis product is
only available in the US as of this writing
UK and Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Linksys Velop.8
Synology RT2600acNAS or router – why don’t we have bothSpeed: 802.11ac: 1,733Mbps 802.11n: 800Mbps | Connectivity: 4 x Gigabit WAN, 1 x
USB 2.0, 1 x USB 3.0, 1 x SD card reader | Features: 512MB RAM, 1.7GHz dual-core ARM Qualcomm IPQ8065 processor, MU-MIMO, beam-forming, 4GB
flash storageEasy-to-use web interfaceGreat hardware extrasPricier than other AC2600 routersNot the fastest 802.11ac routerIt’s not
everyday you encounter a router that doubles as an NAS, or network-attached storage device – a type of server box that allows you to
store and access files over your local internet connection
The Synology RT2600ac, on the other hand, combines the best of both worlds, going as far as to deliver third-party applications such as VPNs
There’s even Apple Time Machine support for over-the-air Mac backups.Read the full review: Synology RT2600ac9
Linksys WRT 3200 ACMKickin’ it old school (and open-source)Speed: 802.11ac: 3x 867 Mbps, 802.11n: 600 Mbps | Connectivity: 4x Gigabit
Ethernet, 1x USB 3.0, 1 x ESATA/USB 2.0 | Features: Tri-Stream 160, 1.8GHz dual core CPU, 512MB RAM, 256MB flash memoryOpen source firmware
supportExcellent featuresCoverage sometimes spottyMore suitable in an office than a homeWhile it may look like a relic of some bygone age,
the Linksys WRT 3200 ACM is the antithesis of wireless mesh systems
By compromising on looks, Linksys was able to build a versatile wireless router aimed at traditional PC enthusiasts, without compromising on
Giving you limitless control over your wireless network connections, whether you want to toggle on and off guest connections or prioritize
media devices, the WRT 3200 ACM is one of the best wireless routers you can buy today. Read the full review:Linksys WRT 3200 ACMThis
product is only available in the US and UK as of this writing
Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Synology RT2600ac.10
Zyxel Armor Z2 AC2600 An extraterrestrial gaming router that covers all basesSpeed: 802.11ac: 2,167Mbps, 802.11n: 800Mbps | Connectivity: 4
x Gigabit Ethernet, 1 x WAN, 1 x USB 2.0, 1 x USB 3.0 | Features: MU-MIMO support, StreamBoost, dual-core 1.7GHz processor, 512GB RAM, Zyxel
One Touch app-based setupGood MU-MIMO wireless speedsExcellent traffic analysis softwareFew current devices use quad-stream 802.11acAverage
USB port speedsKnown for its NAS devices, extenders and powerline adaptors, it’s a wonder Zyxel would ever come out with a dual-band
Yet, although it’s not nearly as extravagant (or spider-like) in its outward appearances as the Asus RT-5300, the Armor Z2 AC2600 is a
solid gaming router debut from Zyxel
Toting Dynamic QoS, otherwise referred to as StreamBoost, for the prioritization of more demanding connected hardware, a configuration app
called Zyxel One Touch and MU-MIMO support, this router’s lofty price tag is damn near justified.Read the full review: Zyxel Armor Z2
AC2600This product is only available in the US and UK at the time of this writing
Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Linksys WRT32X Joe Osborne and Gabe Carey have also contributed to this
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