To set up a home Wi-Fi network, you need a wireless router. Picking the right router can be a challenge because hundreds of models offer different features.
We work from home, so we've used wireless routers for years and have a lot of experience testing different options. We've developed this buying guide to help you determine which wireless router is best for your budget.
A Wi-Fi router is a computer network device that broadcasts the internet signal from your modem, allowing you to wirelessly connect devices to the internet. Some modems have built-in routers, but you'll need to connect to a router to access the web via Wi-Fi if yours doesn't.
Keep in mind that the performance of your network equipment (i.e., your router and modem) is limited by your internet service provider (ISP). If you have a high-end router, you will only enjoy the full benefits if you have a comparable internet plan.
There are hundreds of router models, but these are the main factors to consider:
At a minimum, ensure the device supports a recent Wi-Fi generation (Wi-Fi 7, or IEEE 802.11be, is the latest) and has a speed rating higher than 25 Mbps. Assess your needs (such as streaming video and online gaming) and each major model's different hardware designs. Consider a long-range router or a Wi-Fi range extender if your router needs to reach multiple stories.
Price comparison shopping for routers requires patience and attention to detail. Router A can cost twice as much as Router B, yet their differences may be critical to some people and immaterial to others.
Price Range | What You Can Expect |
---|---|
$50-$99 | Suitable for video streaming, video chat, and other basic online activities for a single user or a small family living in an apartment or small home. |
$100-$300 | Suitable for larger homes and more intensive online activities like high-speed online gaming and live-streaming. |
$300-$400+ | Ideal for large buildings with a lot of users. High-end models usually come with extra security features. |
The primary factors that determine the selling price of a consumer broadband router are:
Wireless routers advertise their speed in megabits per second (Mbps). The first consumer Wi-Fi models offered 11 Mbps, but those have been long replaced by 802.11n routers that cap out around 600 Mbps, Wi-Fi 6 routers (802.11ax) that offer a theoretical maximum speed of over 9 Gbps (9,000 Mbps), and now Wi-Fi 7 routers that have max speeds of over 45 Gbps (45,000 Mbps).
Look at more than just routers with the highest Mbps rating. The actual performance you'll achieve in practice typically averages lower than the maximum rating shown on the package.
The actual router speed is determined by the number of devices on the network, physical interferences that degrade the wireless signal, the distance between the connected device and the router, and more.
A high-speed router can't speed up a slow ?internet connection. For example, if an ISP provides 125 Mbps service, a router that delivers speeds exceeding 1 Gbps will only work at 125 Mbps.
The router determines the maximum speed of a network and the speed provided by the ISP-whichever is slower. So, if a router delivers ultra-fast speeds and your ISP provides a small amount of bandwidth, that lesser amount will be all the router will provide. The same is true in reverse (that is, a slow router will deliver slow speeds even if you have fast bandwidth).
To maximize the speed of your wireless network, buy a router that delivers speeds at least as fast as what your ISP provides. Run a speed test on your network if you're not sure what you pay for.
Does your router need to reach a few rooms on one floor or throughout a three-story home and a garage? This feature determines the strength of the router you need.
Some standalone routers that come with one unit may or may not be able to deliver Wi-Fi throughout a whole home (depending on how big the house is and how powerful the router is). However, consider a long-range router, a mesh network with several routers bundled into one, or a Wi-Fi repeater/range extender if you have a large area.
Mesh Network vs. Range Extender: Which Is Best?Adding a second home router can also be helpful in large, multi-level homes or if you want to extend Wi-Fi outdoors.
The Best Long-Range Routers of 2024 The Best Mesh Wi-Fi Network Systems of 2024If you're new to setting up a network or unfamiliar with technology, choose a router with an interface optimized for casual home buyers. Here's how to determine what kind of router you need:
Choose the first type of wireless router if you want something cheap because the other kind's convenience usually increases its price. Also, mesh Wi-Fi network systems typically use a mobile app, whereas routers that use the IP address method are often seen only with standalone devices.
Although it's always helpful to get advice from consumer ratings and review scores, take them with a grain of salt. People often complain about a device when it wasn't well-chosen for their circumstances in the first place.
Years ago, it was commonplace to purchase external network adapters with routers. Networking vendors sometimes added proprietary extensions to their products, resulting in slightly higher brand-matched performance. Vendors may also thoroughly test compatibility with their equipment.
Brand-matching your Wi-Fi router might make sense if you own some consumer electronic gear. If not, research the available brands and pick one you trust.?
Top router brands include:
Since routers are a necessary component of any network, anyone who needs Wi-Fi should consider a router:
Once you have your router, it's time to set it up: