The best Wi-Fi routers of 2023
Connect to the internet without dropouts, slow speeds, or other inconsistencies.
Eero’s Pro 6E is the best Wi-Fi router available in 2023.
If you need to cover a large place with fast Wi-Fi, this is the system for you.
Vilo Mesh Wi-Fi System’s speed and range are impressive for its price.
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If your home’s wireless internet network is flaky, or certain rooms of your home have been dubbed “dead zones,” an underpowered Wi-Fi router is probably to blame. This is especially true if you live with multiple people with an ever-growing list of devices. It’s often no longer sufficient to rely on the router/modem combo provided by your ISP (Internet Service Provider) for good service. Investing in one of the best Wi-Fi routers will guarantee you’ll have a strong, fast, consistent internet connection throughout your entire home.
- Best overall:eero Pro 6E
- Best for gaming:NETGEAR Nighthawk Pro XR1000 Gaming Wi-Fi 6 Router
- Best Wi-Fi 6:eero 6+
- Best mesh:Linksys MX8503 Atlas Wi-Fi 6E Wi-Fi Mesh System
- Best long-range:TP-Link Deco AX3000
- Best portable:NETGEAR Nighthawk M1
- Best budget: Vilo Mesh Wi-Fi System
How we chose the best Wi-Fi routers
A Wi-Fi router is the bedrock of your connected home and arguably the gadget you’ll rely on most throughout the day, so stability is paramount. We’ve done a mix of research and hands-on testing to determine which Wi-Fi routers to select for this guide, factoring in the size of your home, how many devices you have, the main reasons you’ll use the internet, and how much you’d like to spend. The good news is that there’s never been a better time to get a Wi-Fi router. Companies have upped their game substantially, making their networking gear more sophisticated and easier to use.
The best Wi-Fi routers will receive regular updates to continually improve their security and gain new features, but download and install them at a time when you won’t be interrupted. You can set up and manage these routers using apps rather than logging into them using an IP address—we’ve been there, and it’s not fun—which is especially handy for troubleshooting. Even budget-priced entry-level routers have these features, which is a good sign that home networking is being taken seriously. Finding the best Wi-Fi router amidst all this competition can be tough, but that’s why we’re here to help.
The best Wi-Fi routers: Reviews & Recommendations
The sudden rise of remote work and school, combined with everything from security systems to speakers to countertop ovens to toothbrushes becoming internet-connected and “smart,” has put a strain on aging networking gear. Various ISPs (Verizon, Comcast, Spectrum) can offer good modem-router combos, but if you don’t research carefully, you might find that comes at a higher cost with lower capabilities. Our selection of Wi-Fi routers comes from a wide variety of well-known and trusted brands that can relieve bandwidth congestion. Each router has a specific feature that helps it stand out, but all of them clear a set bar of quality. You’re sure to find one that fits your needs and budget.
Best overall: eero Pro 6E
Brandt Ranj / Popular Science
- Ultra-fast speeds
- Supports the latest Wi-Fi version
- Excellent coverage
- Easy to set up and manage
Eero continues to make the best Wi-Fi routers for most people over six years after its hardware debuted and brought mesh Wi-Fi routers into the mainstream.
In our tests, which included uploading and downloading large files while streaming video on a TV and downloading digital games on the Nintendo Switch, we never felt a reduction in performance. Granted, our tests were conducted using a Gigabit fiber optic internet connection, so your results will vary based on your internet package. We were sent a two-pack of Eero Pro 6E routers and mostly stuck to using one, which covered all but the deepest reaches of a three-floor condo.
We only had trouble in one far-off room on a different floor from the router, which necessitated installing the second router. The second router eliminated that one dead zone and improved the consistency of our network overall. If you have thin walls, there’s no reason why one of eero’s routers would be sufficient for your entire space. You always have the option to add additional eero routers to your home network since this is a mesh Wi-Fi system.
Setting up and configuring an Eero remains as straightforward as it ever has. The company’s app is world-class and makes the process seamless. We were guided through all the necessary steps to get up and running: Plugging eero’s router into an outlet, connecting it to our cable modem using an Ethernet cable, and waiting for its LED to flash blue, which let us know it was ready for setup. The only information you’ll need to enter is your desired network name and password. Once the router is configured, it’ll ask whether you want to set up any additional hardware and automatically check for a software update.
In our opinion, this is the way home networking hardware should always work. Eero’s routers do all the heavy lifting, with minimal—if any—maintenance needed to keep your network going. Another positive feature eero has going for it is the overall design of its hardware. These routers have no antennas, nor are they tall, monolith-like beasts that’ll draw unwanted attention from guests. The squat, bulbous Wi-Fi routers can sit on a desk or next to a cable modem without looking out of place.
Security-conscious users will appreciate the Pro 6E’s support of WPA3 and the option to fortify their network further with eero Plus. The paid service costs $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year and includes the ability to block ads, set up content filters, or block apps at the Wi-Fi router level. This means you won’t have to set specific parental controls on children’s devices or worry about them using a potentially malicious app on a smartphone or tablet. Eero Plus also includes subscriptions to 1Password (a password manager), Encrypt.me (a VPN), and Malwarebyte (antivirus software), to further protect internet-connected hardware on your network.
Eero’s Pro 6E routers have a pretty steep price tag—especially if you opt for the three-router package—but this is the type of big up-front, one-time purchase that’s well worth the money. Once these Wi-Fi routers are set up, you won’t have to worry about having a good internet connection again. We’re also encouraged by the fact that Eero supports its hardware for a very long time. Its first-generation routers received software updates and security patches until early this year. Eero also offers a 25% discount on its newer routers when you trade in old ones, which is a more useful (environmentally-friendly) option than throwing them out or keeping them in a drawer.