Sick of Slow Internet Speeds and Reboots? We Found the 7 Best Wireless Routers

Today's tech — from smartphones and tablets to streaming devices and smartwatches — all require a Wi-Fi connection. That makes the wireless router one of the most important home appliances that no one ever seems to talk about. Routers are pretty much your key to accessing the internet, and if yours frequently requires resetting, it might be time for you to make an upgrade.

It's worth a mention that routers are commonly confused with modems. A modem is a device that connects your home network to the Internet, and a router is a device that creates a private network that lets all your personal devices connect and communicate with one another. So make sure you're buying the right product!

Best Wireless Routers

What to Consider

Wi-Fi 5 Versus Wi-Fi 6

Here are the basics that you should know: When shopping for a router, make sure to at least get an 802.11ac model. This means that it supports some of the newest wireless standards, so you can achieve Gigabit speeds. There’s even a newer standard, Wi-Fi 6, which is sometimes called 802.11ax. If you’re still rocking an older WI-Fi 5 router, now's the time to upgrade! Wi-Fi 6 routers are faster, more reliable, and are futureproof (they'll connect to the latest smartphones, tablets, and laptops), but if you're on a budget, a Wi-Fi 5 router will work just fine for most users.

Have a Large Floor Plan? Get a Mesh Router!

For floor plans over 1,500 square feet, you should consider investing in a mesh router instead. This type of router comes with multiple wireless beacons to expand your overall coverage. We also don’t recommend buying a router/modem combo (neither does CNET) because they’re difficult to fix if something goes awry.

Understand The Different Frequencies

Most modern routers typically transmit data over two radio frequencies: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. The 2.4 GHz band transmits data farther, while the 5 GHz band is less congested and travels a shorter distance. When setting up your router, you’ll typically create two separate networks — one for each frequency. Be sure to change your router's administrator password when you set it up!

A handful of more expensive routers support three bands, meaning you get an additional 5 GHz (or a 6 GHz) frequency. This feature, however, is only necessary for power users. The same goes for MU-MIMO (Multiple User Multiple Input, Multiple Output), which is router technology that makes internet connections faster and more reliable.

Security Features

Lastly, the router you plan to buy should support WPA2 (that's the Wi-Fi Protected Access Protocol). This standard ensures your devices and network are secure. The other two standards (WPA and WEP) aren't as safe and can easily be compromised.

We know that was a lot to take in. But luckily for you, we’ve researched over 50 router models to find the top seven that should work for most home setups. If you’re constantly unplugging and restarting your modem and router in hopes of getting faster internet speeds, this guide can help you find the best wireless router for your needs and budget.