Best Wi-Fi Routers Windows Central 2020

Between PCs, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, streaming devices, and IoT gadgets, home networks have more connected devices than ever before. Many of us are asking more of our routers than usual as we try to work from home. Choosing a router that can handle your usage is key to keeping everything connected and running smoothly. No one likes bad Wi-Fi, so here are the best routers available now, from top-of-the-line powerhouses to budget-friendly picks.

Best Mesh: Eero

Promoted Pick

Amazon's Eero mesh Wi-Fi system can be had in single nodes or three-packs, the latter best for large spaces. Setup is a breeze, and you can go with a wired backhaul for maximum performance. 2.4GHz and 5GHz radios work together to offer seamless internet no matter where you go in your house.

Best Wi-Fi 6: TP-Link Archer AX6000

Staff favorite

The TP-Link Archer AX6000 has all the features a serious tech enthusiast needs, including a fast dual-band Wi-Fi 6 connect capable of AX6000 speeds. It also has eight Ethernet ports for wired devices, as well as a fast 2.5Gbps uplink. It also has a USB-C port making it easy to connect a fast external SSD to share files quickly.

$289 at Amazon

Best Value: TP-Link Archer A7

The TP-Link Archer A7 is a reasonably fast Wi-Fi 5 router with four Ethernet ports and even a USB port. The AC1750 speeds break down to 450Mbps at 2.4GHz and 1300Mbps at 5GHz. While the older tech won't support as many devices as a Wi-Fi 6 router, this will be more than enough for most families.

Best budget Wi-Fi 6: TP-Link Archer AX10

The Archer AX10 from TP-Link is the most affordable way to get Wi-Fi 6 connectivity in your home with support for 1201Mbps at 5GHz and 300Mbps at 2.4GHz. Four Ethernet ports make wired connections a breeze, and four antennas offer coverage for a three-bedroom home. For most people, this router has more than enough speed.

Best Wi-Fi 6 mesh: Netgear Nighthawk MK62

The Netgear Nighthawk Mesh WiFi 6 System (MK62) is a compact and capable way to get consistent coverage and AX1800 speeds to your home. Measuring 4.8 inches wide and 2.5 inches tall, these mesh nodes can blend in with just about any room's decor while delivering the speed and coverage improvements that come with Wi-Fi 6.

Best Gaming: TP-Link Archer C5400X

802.11ac Wi-Fi isn't dead yet, and TP-Link proves it with the great gaming value that is the Archer C5400X. It has eight open Ethernet ports with link aggregation as well as a tri-band AC5400 Wi-Fi setup. You also get dual USB ports and powerful gaming optimization software to keep ping times low.

Best Gaming Upgrade: Asus RT-AX86U

The Asus RT-AX86U is a fast dual-band Wi-Fi 6 gaming router with AX5700 speeds and even a 2.5Gbps WAN port. There are also four Ethernet ports for wired devices with a dedicated gaming port to keep ping times low. QoS software keeps your games running smoothly, and AiMesh allows you to cover your whole home with more Asus routers.

Best mesh upgrade: Nest Wifi

Nest Wifi from Google is one of the easiest ways to improve your Wi-Fi coverage thanks to plenty of expansion options with Nest Wifi routers, points, and even older Google Wifi routers working with the mesh. AC2200 speeds from the main router will be more than enough for most home networks with capacity for plenty of connections.

If we're making some suggestions

There are hundreds of good routers on the market, including more mesh options than ever before. While this is not a comprehensive list of every great Wi-Fi router out there, all of these routers are outstanding performers that can serve any home network well. Our pick, based on all-around performance for gaming, streaming, and range is the TP-Link Archer AX6000. It takes advantage of Wi-Fi 6 to deliver up to 6Gbps combined with its dual-band connection. It also has eight Ethernet ports for wired devices, a 2.5Gbps WAN port, and even USB-C.

The TP-Link Archer A7 is a great value with solid AC1750 speeds and four Ethernet ports. With up to 1300Mbps possible at 5GHz, this router should be able to keep up with a small family as long as they don't have too many wireless devices. If you need to get online quickly and easily without a need for advanced settings or mesh capabilities, this is a solid option.

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