Best Wi-Fi Routers Windows Central 2019

Between PCs, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, streaming devices, and IoT gadgets, home networks have more connected devices than ever before. 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.

Ultimate performance: Linksys EA9500 Max Stream

Staff favorite

The Linksys EA9500, one of the best routers for streaming, hits speeds over 5Gbps with a Tri-band antenna. Eight LAN ports can connect all of your devices.

$300 at Amazon

Best budget router: TP-Link Archer A7

The Archer A7 has a dual-band antenna delivering AC1750 speeds with room for four wired devices and even some USB drives — all with Alexa support built in.

$58 at Amazon

Next-gen Wi-Fi: Netgear Nighthawk AX8

The Nighthawk AX8 brings Wi-Fi 6 speeds at a great value. 4.8Gbps wireless and LAN link aggregation keeps speed higher than needed, even for 4k.

$368 at Amazon

Best for gaming: Linksys WRT32X

The WRT32XB uses software to keep gaming pings low. With support for AC3200 speeds and four LAN ports, it's is a great solution for both games and video.

$133 at Amazon

Best range: Netgear Nighthawk R7000P

The Nighthawk R7000p is router designed for coverage with support for speeds up to AC2300 and four LAN ports. Great software keeps service consistent.

$190 at Amazon

Best features: Synology RT2600AC

The Synology RT2600AC delivers fast AC2600 speeds as well alongside four LAN ports. It packs in a feature set only expected on professional equipment.

$200 at Amazon

Best Mesh: Google Wifi

Google Wi-Fi solves coverage issues with a wireless focused mesh system. A great app, simple setup process, and AC1200 speeds make a great fit for most.

$99 at Amazon

Easiest Mesh: Amplifi Instant

Ubiquiti impresses with the simple and sleek Amplifi Instant mesh router. Easily expand your network with any Amplifi mesh points for speed and simplicity.

$179 at Amazon

Best mesh addon: Linksys MR8300

The Linksys MR8300 offers standard router features with the expandability of mesh. AC2200 speeds and Velop compatibility let you build the perfect network.

$149 at Amazon

Best router with 10 gig: Netgear Nighthawk X10

The Nighthawk X10 is pure fast with 10Gbps LAN and fast AD7200 Wi-Fi. This will be enough to run all of your devices smoothly even if you're a heavy user.

$400 at Amazon

Gaming on a budget: D-Link DIR 879

The D-Link DIR 879 is a great value with QoS software to keep games smooth and AC1900 speeds for streaming. Four LAN ports enable a reliable connection.

$67 at Amazon

Worth the splurge: ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AC5300

The ROG Rapture GT-AC5300 can handle a huge traffic load with ease. AC5300 Wi-Fi speed with powerful hardware and software guarantees a smooth connection.

$320 at Amazon

If we're making some suggestions

There are hundreds of good routers on the market, and 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 Linksys EA9500 Max Stream. It's perfect for networks that get a lot of use because its dual 5GHz radios and eight Gigabit Ethernet ports support plenty of connected devices, while its 5.3 Gbps max speeds ensure uninterrupted 4K streaming and online gaming.

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The TP-Link Archer A7 is a more sensible option for the vast majority of people who don't need a top-shelf router, as it costs hundreds less than the EA9500 Max Stream. If you have a smaller home or don't have a ton of internet-connected devices, it offers solid dual-band performance.

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