The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.
Google/Business Insider
- A great router is essential to ensure that you have speedy Wi-Fi at home.
- The best router you can buy is Google WiFi because it is not only capable of providing a good internet connection in large homes, but it doesn't cost too much, either.
Having a good router at home is becoming increasingly important. It's not just about connecting your phone and your computer to Wi-Fi anymore. Nowadays, you need a good router to maximize your internet speeds and connect all your smart home devices and other connected things. But not all Wi-Fi routers are good. In fact, plenty of them won't give you fast internet or a stable connection.
There are a few things to consider when you're buying a Wi-Fi router. For starters, you'll want to think about the standards that the router is capable of handling. Most new routers use the 802.11ac standard, which is capable of faster wireless speeds than other routers. If your ISP offers speeds of 100Mbps or more, routers with the 802.11am standard will be able to handle it.
Another thing to consider is whether your router is single band or dual band. The two bands are 2.4GHz and 5GHz, and 5GHz connections are typically faster and more reliable. Some routers offer both bands separately or both bands combined. Dual-band routers are also typically better in high-density areas.
You'll also want to think about the range of a router, especially if you live in a larger home. Often, you'll experience dead spots in your home with some routers, but those can be eliminated through the use of a router with a big range, or by using a mesh system, which basically connects multiple routers together to extend the range of Wi-Fi in your house.
Here are the best routers you can buy:
- Best router overall: Google WiFi
- Best router for big homes: Linksys EA7500 router
- Best router for less than $50: TP-Link Archer C50 router
- Best router for gamers: Netgear Nighthawk X4S router
- Best mesh Wi-Fi system: Netgear Orbi router
- Best router and smart home hub: Samsung SmartThings Wifi router
- Best router for extra security: Norton Core router
- Best router for free parental controls: Gryphon Router
Updated on 12/21/2018 by Malarie Gokey: Added the Gryphon Router after testing. Updated prices and formatting.
Read on in the slides below to check out our top picks.
Subscribe to our newsletter.
Find all the best offers at our Coupons page.
Disclosure: This post is brought to you by the Insider Picks team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners. We frequently receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising sales team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at insiderpicks@businessinsider.com.