How to Choose the Best Router - Top Picks Ranked by WiFi Version

Routers
Author

Product Science AI

Published

April 10, 2024

When buying a router, the most important factor to consider is the wireless standard, also known as the WiFi version (e.g., 802.11ac, Wi-Fi 6). The WiFi version directly impacts your internet speeds, range, and ability to handle multiple devices. Newer WiFi versions like 802.11ac and 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) offer significantly faster speeds and better handling of congestion compared to older standards like 802.11g. However, it’s important to consider other factors as well. For instance, if you have a basic internet plan and don’t have many devices, a slightly older standard like 802.11n might be sufficient and more budget-friendly. Additionally, you’ll want to ensure your devices are compatible with the WiFi version you choose. By prioritizing the WiFi version and considering your specific needs and budget, you can select a router that delivers optimal performance for your home network.

Version Standard Maximum Speed (Mbps) Pros Cons
802.11a 5 GHz 54 Higher frequency reduces congestion (less crowded) Shorter range
802.11b 2.4 GHz 11 Most widely supported Lower speed
802.11g 2.4 GHz 54 Improved speed over 802.11b Still susceptible to interference
802.11n 2.4 GHz & 5 GHz 300 Significant speed improvement Requires compatible devices
802.11ac 5 GHz 1300 Much faster speeds Limited range compared to older versions
802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) 2.4 GHz & 5 GHz Up to 9.6 Gbps Blazing-fast speeds Requires Wi-Fi 6 compatible devices

Additional Notes:

Here’s the wifi version information for the routers all the top routers available in the market today, categorized by their wifi standard:

Wireless Router type: Single-Band

Budget-friendly option, good for basic internet use

  • Pros:

    • Affordable
    • Wider range (better signal reach)
    • Better penetration through walls

  • Cons:

    • Slower speeds (limited to 2.4 GHz band)
    • More prone to congestion from other devices
    • Limited capacity for multiple high-bandwidth devices

  • Ideal for basic web browsing, email, and social media.

  • Consider a dual-band or tri-band router for:

    • Online gaming
    • Video conferencing
    • Streaming high-definition videos on multiple devices
Product Stars User Ratings price mrp discount(%)
TP-link N300 WiFi Wireless Router 4.2 104605 1099 1699 35
Resonate RouterUPS CRU12V2A 4.2 21721 1949 2911 33
CRUST Smart Mini UPS 4.2 898 1709 2199 22
Cuzor 9V UPS 4.4 626 1699 2999 43
TP-Link Uh720 USB 3.0 7-Port Hub 4.5 16739 2499 3599 30
RLSOCO Hard Case 4.6 496 2899 6499 55
ZimaBoard 832 4.4 142 54055 74055 27

Wireless Router type: 802.11ac

Deliver significant speed improvements over previous WiFi versions

  • Pros:
    • Much faster speeds (up to 1300 Mbps theoretically) compared to 802.11n.
    • Improved handling of congestion on the 5 GHz band.
    • Better support for multiple devices due to increased capacity.
  • Cons:
    • Generally more expensive than 802.11n routers.
    • May not offer significant benefits if you don’t have devices that can utilize the higher speeds of 802.11ac.
    • 5 GHz signal range might be shorter compared to 2.4 GHz (used in older standards).
  • Ideal for:
    • Homes with many internet-connected devices.
    • Streaming high-definition videos and online gaming.
    • Taking advantage of faster internet connection speeds offered by your ISP.
Product Stars User Ratings price mrp discount(%)
TP-Link Archer C6 4.4 38946 2499 4999 50
Cuzor 12V Mini ups 4.5 13104 1699 2999 43
Archer C20 4.3 77749 1499 2399 37
D-Link DIR-825 4.3 8391 1999 3500 42
TP-Link Deco E4 4.2 6684 3999 11999 66
TP-Link Archer C24 4.1 1421 1549 2499 38
Tenda AC10 4.1 19180 2409 4500 46
Netgear R6850 4.3 632 4399 9999 56
TP-Link TL-R605 4.4 3322 6999 8999 22
Netgear Whole Home Mesh 4.5 1703 11999 19999 40
Google WiFi System 4.6 10676 29980 69990 57
D-Link DIR-841 4.1 2681 3399 5000 32
Tenda Nova Mesh 4.1 3070 7823 30000 73
Mercusys AC1300 Wireless Dual Band Gigabit Router 4.1 3279 2499 3299 24
Netgear Orbi 4.3 13932 26299 54999 52
Tenda Nova MW5G 4.3 7911 6890 19999 65
Tenda AC6 4.1 16105 2450 4500 45
NETGEAR Nighthawk X10 4.1 15184 12499.5 22499.1 44
MikroTik hEX S 4.6 989 7590 11999 36
Tenda Nova MW6 4.3 3870 11990 40000 70
SONOFF POWR320D Elite 4.4 400 3299 3999 17
Google Wifi 4.5 6442 13000 19990 34
Google Nest WiFi 4.4 495 35000 69990 49
Netgear Orbi 4.2 3018 17899 24999 28
Google Nest WiFi 4.4 5786 25980 30990 16
NETGEAR R6080 4.2 3104 8670 9588.86 9
Tenda MW12 AC2100 4 436 18899 55000 65
Tenda Nova Mesh 4.3 552 5544 25000 77
Tenda Nova MW5G 4.3 774 11389 35000 67
MikroTIK hAP ac³ 4.6 224 19446 42500 54
Linksys WRT1900ACS 4.2 1613 47820 47820 -398
Ubiquiti Networks UniFi Cloud Key Gen2 Plus Router 4.6 2306 33443 39999 16
Linksys Max-Stream AC2200 4.5 3140 25044 25044 -161
Synology RT2600AC 4.4 3386 26512 26512 -176
ASUS Gaming Router 4.4 1889 37999 47500 20
Linksys Velop 4.2 2020 61097 93429 34
Teltonika RUT955 4.1 280 22499 27799 19
Orbi AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi System 4.4 908 34490 129999 73
Netgear Nighthawk 4 744 12999 19999 35
Meshforce Mesh WiFi System M3s Suite 4.1 287 27565 27565 -187
D-Link Smart WiFi Router 4 369 8665 14500 40
Orbi Whole Home Mesh Wi-Fi System 4.3 1153 23999 28699 16
Netgear Orbi 4.1 301 23999 26899 10

Wireless Router type: 802.11g

Successor to the slower 802.11b standard, offering a moderate speed upgrade.

  • Pros:
    • Affordable option compared to newer standards.
    • Backward compatible with 802.11b devices.
    • Decent range due to the use of the 2.4 GHz band.
    • Widely adopted standard, so most devices from the late 2000s and early 2010s should be compatible.
  • Cons:
    • Slower speeds compared to newer standards (maximum theoretical speed of 54 Mbps).
    • Highly susceptible to congestion on the 2.4 GHz band due to widespread use by other devices.
    • Limited capacity for handling multiple high-bandwidth devices simultaneously.
  • Ideal for:
    • Basic internet usage like web browsing and email (if high speeds aren’t a priority).
    • Connecting older devices that don’t support newer WiFi standards.
    • Low-traffic environments where congestion isn’t a major concern.
  • Consider upgrading to a newer standard router (like 802.11n or later) for:
    • Streaming high-definition videos
    • Online gaming
    • Taking advantage of faster internet connection speeds offered by your ISP
    • Supporting a growing number of internet-connected devices in your home
Product Stars User Ratings price mrp discount(%)
D-Link DIR-615 4.1 24778 799 1800 55
Linksys WRT54GL Wi-Fi Wireless-G Broadband Router. 4.2 3834 17938 35876 50

Wireless Router type: 802.11ax

Latest generation of WiFi standard, offering significant improvements over previous versions.

  • Pros:
    • Much faster speeds: Theoretical maximum speeds reaching up to 9.6 Gbps (real-world speeds typically lower).
    • Improved efficiency: Handles multiple devices and data streams more effectively, reducing congestion.
    • Lower latency: Improves responsiveness for real-time applications like online gaming and video conferencing.
    • Better battery life for devices: Optimized features can help conserve battery power in Wi-Fi connected devices.
  • Cons:
    • Generally more expensive than older Wi-Fi routers.
    • Requires compatible devices to fully utilize the benefits of 802.11ax.
    • Newer technology, so adoption might be lower compared to older standards in some cases.
  • Ideal for:
    • Homes with many internet-connected devices, especially smart homes.
    • Users who prioritize speed and responsiveness for online gaming, video conferencing, and high-definition streaming.
    • Future-proofing your network for potential internet speed upgrades from your ISP.
Product Stars User Ratings price mrp discount(%)
Archer AX10 4.4 7641 3599 8999 60
TP-Link Archer AX23 4.5 1460 4299 10999 60
TP-Link Archer AX53 4.3 1864 4999 9999 50
TP-Link Deco X20 4.4 3038 10299 21999 53
ASUS RT-AX53U 4.4 107 6499 9500 31
TP-Link Deco XE75 4.5 907 12999 17999 27
TP-link Deco XE75 Pro 4.5 907 39999 59999 33
ASUS AX3000 4.3 227 13552 20500 33
TP-Link Deco AX3000 4.6 166 23999 39999 40
Mercusys Halo H80X 4.4 3128 12999 21999 40
Mercusys MR80X 4.2 711 4699 5999 21
Netgear Orbi 4.1 2159 20999 49999 58
Netgear Nighthawk AX4 4 1769 11699 24999 53
Netgear Nighthawk Pro Gaming 6-Stream WiFi 6 Router 4.2 4107 25999 69999 62
ExpressVPN Aircove 4.1 706 39998 72400 44
Synology RT6600ax 4.3 263 37933 55000 31
ASUS RT-AX1800S 4.4 1270 17286 22286 22
NETGEAR Nighthawk 4.3 885 116624 153624 24
ASUS ZenWiFi AX6600 4.3 1011 31595 31595 -229
NETGEAR Orbi 4.3 1936 70320 137999 49

Wireless Router type: 802.11n

Significant speed and performance improvement over older 802.11a/g standards.

  • Pros:
    • Faster speeds: Offers theoretical maximum speeds of up to 300-450 Mbps, a significant jump from 802.11g’s 54 Mbps.
    • Improved range: Can maintain good signal strength over a wider area compared to older standards, especially with MIMO technology (multiple antennas).
    • Reduced congestion: Utilizes features to manage multiple devices and data streams more efficiently compared to 802.11g.
    • Backward compatible: Can connect to devices using older WiFi standards (802.11b/g).
  • Cons:
    • More expensive than 802.11g routers at the time of release (prices have come down significantly).
    • May not offer the full speed boost if your internet connection speed itself is limited.
    • Not the latest standard: Newer versions like 802.11ac and 802.11ax offer even faster speeds and improved features.
  • Ideal for:
    • Homes with multiple internet-connected devices streaming videos, browsing the web, or using social media.
    • Users who want a noticeable improvement in internet speed and stability compared to older standards.
    • A good balance between affordability and performance for many users (especially considering price drops over time).
  • Consider upgrading to a newer standard router (like 802.11ac or 802.11ax) for:
    • Taking advantage of very high-speed internet connections offered by some ISPs.
    • Supporting the latest devices that might not be compatible with 802.11n.
    • Demanding applications like online gaming or high-resolution video conferencing where even lower latency is crucial.
Product Stars User Ratings price mrp discount(%)
Tenda N301 4.2 13634 979 1100 11
Tenda F3 4.1 5864 1099 2500 56
TP-Link ER605 4.2 2477 6999 8999 22
Mikrotik Hex Rb750Gr 4.6 1016 5798 10999 47
ASUS RT-N 12+ 4 631 1599 2250 28
Tenda 3G/4G N300 Wi-Fi Router 4.1 3262 3999 10000 60
Mikrotik RB750r2 Router Board 4.3 224 4399 6999 37
Linksys E2500 4 1285 8999 9588.86 6
Linksys E2500 4.1 1202 12163 22999 47