Your network devices have increased in number & you are looking for the best wireless connectivity.
..but you are confused with so many routers in the market!
Just relax!
Fortunately, working with computers for over 15 years as an Engineer, I know well how to hand-pick the best from the rest.
After thorough research and spending several hours testing WiFi routers manufactured by different brands, I can finally share with you the best wireless routers you can buy straight away in 2023.
Best Wireless Routers 2023
With the start of 2023, the technologists are found all busy reviewing and ranking which router technology has taken the lead this year for its specification, functionality, and cost efficiency.
In my social circle where I get to have a chance to know in-depth the router technologies used in gaming, graphics, core development, and business-oriented markets, it was surely a tough decision to choose the best Routers for 2023 on the basis of their performance and user acceptability.
Without delay, here goes my list of the top 10 best WiFi Routers.
Device | Weight | LAN Ports | Wireless Comm | Price |
---|---|---|---|---|
D-Link DIR 890L Tri-Band (Editor's Choice) | 2.5 pounds | 4 | 802.11ac | Check Price |
Asus RT-AC88U Dual-Band (Editor's Choice) | 2.6 pounds | 8 | 802.11 b/g/n | Check Price |
NETGEAR Nighthawk R7000 Dual-Band | 3.5 pounds | 4 | 802.11ac | Check Price |
Google Wi-Fi | 2.4 pounds | 2 | 802.11 a/b/g/n | Check Price |
ASUS RT-AC3200 Tri-Band | 2.2 pounds | 4 | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | Check Price |
Amped Wireless RTA2600 Athena MU-MIMO | 2.6 pounds | 4 | 802.11ac | Check Price |
Linksys WRT1900ACS DD-WRT Dual-Band | 1.8 pounds | 4 | 802.11ac | Check Price |
TP-Link Archer C7 Dual-Band | 1.9 pounds | 4 | 802.11ac | Check Price |
Apple AirPort Extreme Dual-Band | 2.1 pounds | 3 | 802.11ac | Check Price |
D-Link DIR-880L Dual-Band | 1.4 pounds | 4 | 802.11ac | Check Price |
1. D-Link DIR-890L/R – Best Wi-Fi Router To Buy In 2023
Tech-savvy users who deal with routers often would know all the reasons why I have put D-Link on number one in my list while other friends in social circles are still not sure whether to place it on rank 1 or 2. D-Link is a known company when it comes to providing network products worldwide due to its history in service and products review so far.
D-Link AC3200 Ultra Wi-Fi Router is all popular among users for its ultra-stylish looks which are an appealing feature for gamers and racing car lovers. However, do not need to worry, I haven’t placed it on number one for its look, in fact, there are some features beyond the looks that you need to keep in mind before making your choice of the router.
Luckily I got a chance to test this magnificent piece of technology and found it incredibly fast, easy to use, and gave a high speed along with a decent range. One more great attribute I came across was that it can double up as a NAS by adding an external hard drive which is a cherry on the top as this feature is limited to very few routers when you look for an alternate at the same price and range.
The DIR-890L/R Router with Tri-Band Wi-Fi is like three wireless routers in one! It has a 2.4GHz wireless band with speeds up to 600Mbps and two separate 5GHz wireless bands offering speeds up to 1300Mbps. That means no more lag during gaming or HD media streaming, and Facetime on multiple devices throughout your home.
Let me give you a walk-through of its specs regarding its speed, range, LAN ports, and design.
It has 1GHz Dual Core Processor for the best processing and wired online experience for HD streaming and gaming.
The device comes with six antennas that offer decent range, however, let me clear that these are fixed antennas and cannot be detached.
Gigabit Ethernet Ports – Ensures the best wired online experience by connecting up to 4 wired devices.
There is a debate that it could have been much better and up to 8 ports, but to be honest for a standard to highly regular use, four ports do serve well.
Here are quick Pros and Cons of DIR-890 by D-Link
- Fast
- Easy Setup
- Decent range.
- Stylish Design
- Easy to use
- Slightly Expensive
- Antennas are fixed
2. Asus RT-AC88U – Best AC3100 Dual Band Gigabit Router
The RT-AC88U comes under the type of AC3100 router and has a total of 8 Gigabit LAN ports. All these ports are adept at transporting high-speed internet without introducing any performance issues. Another added feature is that it is a dual-band router that can act as a NAS as well. The router has an easy user interface and is easy to use. Moreover, its Wi-Fi stays faster without any performance decreases, on both 2.4 gigahertz and five gigahertz.
Gaming freaks have always chosen ASUS over any product due to the fact that ASUS company has taken the vision of gaming when it comes to producing any product and Asus RT-AC88U is one of them.
To be precise about its design, there is hardly anything different coming in ASUS RT-AC88U in comparison to the other products coming from the same company. The style is sleek with a complete black construction with red accents. There are antennas attached, and the overall look is best suited for gaming lineups.
Not only the performance, but the router also provides multi-client MU-MIMO data streaming and works fast on bands, mainly 2.4 Gigahertz and also 5 Gigahertz.
Let’s Summarize the Good and the lacking!
- 8 Gigabit LAN ports
- Easily to handle
- Fast speed
- High Wi-Fi performance
- Best web interfaces
- Easy installation and configuration
- Weak support for USB 3.0
- Mediocre performance with an external hard drive while used as a NAS
- Expensive as compared to normal and mediocre routers
Why ASUS RT-AC5300 Is Not On My List?
Before I may go any further on the list, I would like to answer the burning query of the techy fellows here who would be confused to see why ASUS AC5300 is not there on the list.
- Guys, you need to understand that despite its latest technology and features, the AC5300 routers are way too expensive and are more or less similar to the low-cost routers regarding performance.
- Moreover, another dilemma to this is the fact that currently there are no clients that can make use of the high speed of AC5300.
Therefore, I haven’t placed ASUS AC5300 on my list this year; probably you will see it somewhere highly ranked in 2018.
3. NETGEAR Nighthawk R7000 – Best Wireless Router Under $200
I am, myself, a huge fan of NETGEAR when it comes to choosing a networking product as the company has been performing fairly well in terms of its products and services as far as the user reviews are seen. I have deliberately placed it as number three on my list because of its unique features and performance.
NETGEAR Nighthawk R7000 is a dual-band router offered by the great Netgear. Netgear Nighthawk R7000 is, so far, the most powerful router ever introduced by this company and looks more like a stealth fighter jet. The Nighthawk R7000 AC1900 offers a speed of 1,300 Mbps in the 5 gigahertz band and 600 Mbps speed on the 2.4 gigahertz band.
Like R7000, the company has also come up with R8000, but the reason I have not placed R8000 is the fact that offering more or less, the same specs, R8000 is extremely costly and during the testing of both, we found that R7000 has given better results as compared to R8000.
Take a look at Netgear R7000’s Design, Performance, and Features.
The weight is, however, comparatively more than the above two. The design and size, altogether require space to be placed which can be an issue for people who believe in the sleekness of the products.
As far as the ranges are concerned, the router manages that well also and gives you a better performance than any performance given by the usual Ethernet connection.
- The router comes with the support for DD-WRT making it fully capable of running 3rd party firmware based on Linux.
- The router offers unique support for OpenVPN along with a complete parental control package built into the router.
- The router also offers a high Quality of Service which lets you manage the upstream and downstream of your internet connection.
Here are quick Pros and Cons of this router.
- Outstanding performance
- Unparalleled performance on 5 gigahertz band.
- Simple and easy
- Cool Black Design
- Detachable antennas
- Weight can be an issue.
4. Google WiFi System – Best Router For Full Home Coverage
The fourth had to be Google Wi-Fi on this list. If you are still wondering when did Google start its hands on Wi-Fi Routers, you need to know that similar to all its products; Google has excelled pretty well in the world of routers as well. If you are looking to have fast internet all around your house and workplace, Google Wi-Fi is the best choice for sure.
Adding an entirely different design to the variety of routers available in the market, Google has made sure that it comes out to be a unique piece regarding design and the overall browsing experience for the customer. With a white cylindrical body with a decent color scheme and spherical orientations, Google Wi-Fi is the best of its kind currently.
The reason behind highlighting the account thing in bold is the fact that my friends who did the testing of this Wi-Fi, have been stating that, unlike other routers, this router is dependent on having a Google Account. However, while I dug into the Wi-Fi specs, it was interesting to find that Google Wi-Fi is not a web-based interface and controlled through Google Wi-Fi Mobile Applications. As soon as the setup is done, the Wi-Fi will stay connected to Google and will log into the Google account every time you wish to manage it.
This Wi-Fi works differently as it does not collect the user activity nor keeps track of your history and browsing details, in fact, all it takes care of is the hardware, network related information. Therefore, an account is essential to keep a log of activities, which I think, is fair enough.
Installation, Configuration, and Performance
Let’s wrap it up with the final word stating the pros and cons of this router!
- Unique Sleek Design
- No Web-based interface
- Automatic Updates
- Secured from Hacking
- Easy to Use
- Google Synchronized
- Covers a huge Range
- Google Account is required
- Non-customizable network settings
5. Asus RT-AC3200 – Tri-Band Wireless Gigabit Router
By now, there should be one thing very clear to you that not every router is for every one of us, in fact, we need to be very precise when it comes to investing some amount on a router. Keeping in view the needs and the uses, it is then better to match the specifications and then actually make any purchase. While you saw that Google Wi-Fi was good for home-based use with less internet speed, ASUS RT-AC3200 is exceptionally suited for those who are looking for a router to work under high load and high range requirements.
The price of the router can be a bit alarming for you but once you get to know what you are getting at this price; you will surely make your deal without having a second thought about it. AC3200 gives you a good performance and an excess of features that are a must to have for a networking supporter.
For those who don’t know, RT-AC3200 is the latest in a trio of tri-band routers on the market and has been giving tough competition to R7000 from Netgear.
- This router is dedicated to network users who enjoy top-tier hardware.
- ASUS router is fast and really good in WI-FI performance. It offers a decent range and the setup is easy and user friendly.
Here are the Pros and Cons of this Router, Quick LOOK!
- Good Design
- Robust and Easy Web Interface
- Built-in VPN server
- Can connect to Multiple Internet Sources at a time
- Supports Heavy usage at Home and Offices
- Powerful Hardware
- Detachable antennas that are replaceable too
- Cost can be an issue
- Comparatively more in Weight
6. Amped Wireless Athena RTA2600
If you are looking for a cool low price router, here comes Amped which might fill your thirst. This Router comes with sufficient features, enough for both the average consumer and people. This router doesn’t have a lot of complex features available and doesn’t require you to spend much time configuring.
Not only the software, but its hardware is much of a powerful mechanism.
Let us Have a look at the Pros and Cons of this Router.
- Good Design
- Decent Performance
- Easy Setup
- Cost can be an issue
- Lack some features
7. Linksys WRT1900ACS – Best WiFi Router Under $200
The big name in the domain of Routers is Linksys. You guys must have used at least one product of Linksys, and to be honest, the first router I used and found satisfactory was of Linksys, but that’s again an old story.
I have placed Linksys WRT1900 ACS on number seven here. This high-speed router is loved by many networkers with a speed of, to be accurate, the five gigahertz band has an approximate speed of 1,300 megahertz, and the 2.5 gigahertz band has a speed of 600 megahertz.
The setup of the Linksys device is the traditional one, and you will get the old interface clicked in your mind as soon as you put your eyes on the router.
This router comes with four antennas along with firmware that can also be replaced. The router is the fastest with easy-to-set-up features. One interesting thing about this router is that it supports UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) and performs pretty well without any hiccups.
- Powerful hardware
- Fast Wi-Fi performance
- High Range
- Cool Design
- Cost can be an issue
- Not much of a use for MAC users
8. TP-Link Archer C7 – Best Wireless Router For Gaming (Under $100)
TP-Link C7 is surely the best budget router under $100 bucks for gaming and HD streaming.
Being a gamer makes you a different person, especially when it comes to choosing a great device for networking. I have been precisely calibrating this device from the gamers’ point of vision and have found TP-Link Archer C7 entirely satisfactory.
For streaming and Gaming, this router stands out much taller than all the routers I have reviewed so far. The speed of this router is an Ace, and that is surprisingly an amazing speed of 1.75 Gbps.
Talking about its performance and infrastructure, it is a dual-band router with six antennas all of which three are external. The six antennas introduce a good range and speed for huge places.
- Good for streaming and gamers
- Fast Wi-Fi performance
- High Range
- All body in plastic
9. Apple AirPort Extreme Base Station – ME918LL/A
When something is coming from Apple’s shop, the design has to be inspiring enough to win the market with that attribute only. The design is exciting, and the router performs pretty well too. It’s a dual-band router, supporting the latest Wi-Fi standard. This router offers tremendous speed, and while it was testing, it impressed me with its overall speed stability, and range.
I placed Google Wi-Fi much higher here and will be putting Apple AirPort Extreme Number nine on my list. It might be more surprising for many of you, but yes, even Apple is doing pretty well with routers and have survived to impress me in my top 10s.
Let’s have a quick glance at the Pros and Cons of this device.
- Design is impressive
- Apple users would love it<
- Good Speed and Range
- None to be honest
10. D-Link DIR-880L – AC1900 Dual Band Router
Another great product by D-Link which enjoys decent ratings in the manufacture of Routers. D-Link’s latest model DIR 880L is a dual-band router and performs pretty well with advanced features. The design is much similar to earlier designs coming from D-Link.
The antennas are detachable and are powerful enough to offer a significant range. D-link can also be remotely managed through the cloud service of the company.
I have not personally tested this router, but a network lover on our team had his hands on and as per his reviews, the router performed great in almost all tests for the price it comes in. Not only the performance, but the hardware is super-powerful when it comes to its specifications.
- Long range
- Stable Signals
- Fast speed
- Simple interface
- Easy to use
- None worthy to mention
Wireless Router Buyer’s Guide
Never buy a router unless you have understood its technology well.
Imagining your life without a router and a WIFI can be a bit difficult for you these days when every next thing you have in your hands and surroundings, is dependent on a high-speed and high-functioning router. Throughout my professional experience, I met many users who are just familiar with the term Router but hardly know what exactly is a Router and how different is one router from another in terms of the technology used.
Routers cost huge if you are not sure about what things to consider before investing in them. It is essential to understand that all routers have different speeds, and Wi-Fi standards and support multiple frequency bands. Below are a few things you need to keep in your mind before buying a router.
Things to Know about a Wireless Router
Whether it be any router, there are three major components within it, the first being the router itself, the second being a network switch, and the third being a wireless access point.
What is Wireless Comm?
It stands for wireless communication standard. This standard provides the basis for wireless network products using the Wi-Fi brand. These standards are created and maintained by the IEEE LAN/MAN Standards Committee.
When looking for a wireless router, you will have to first check whether it’s “b”, “g” or “ac”. These alphabetic letters refer to the wireless communication standard on which the router technology is based: 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, or 802.11ac. The first generation of wireless routers was “b” followed by “g”, then “n” and now “ac” the newest generation, introduced in Dec 2013.
Wireless Routers Types
To be precise, there are majorly nine types of routers that are available in the market regarding their models and specification. Below shared is a brief description of each type that can explain to you what are they!
Concerning pricing and availability, they are the cheapest and most widely available.
The odd part about them is that they are a bit old in the market, but they know their task. However, if you ask for my personal advice, I will not suggest them for the modern high-speed internet.
It is to be noted that there are no systems available in the market that can utilize this mega speed offered by this router. Therefore, such a tremendous speed is a bit useless as no products are available to use it.
It is clear that buyers these days have a huge variety of routers to choose from in terms of types and specifications that are manufactured to meet their specified needs.
What are the Advantages of Modern WIFI Routers?
I have heard my friends often debating about the functionalities of Modern Routers as they compare one type over the other. After spending seven good years on researching Router technology, I have seen them evolving in the market. There are, no doubt, a hundred benefits that come as a package with the routers, and here are some of the major ones stated for you.
- Easy to Setup: The new routers are easy to set up and understand.
- Internet Safety against Hacking: As most modern wireless routers provide a unique IP address for all the devices you connect, that single IP is not available to the public, Offering you a safeguard against Hacking.
- Fewer Cables: Gone are the days when the Internet was all about Cables, with a good router, you are browsing wirelessly.
- DLNA Support: DLNA allows you to have the right control over how media is handled over the network.
- Easy plug-ins of External Hard Drive: Some of the routers come with built-in support for external hard drives that can be easily plugged into the port that is available on wireless routers. Such routers are highly utilized by people using NAS (Network Attached Storage).
Wireless Routers FAQS
Following are some interesting frequently asked questions on routers.
Concluding Remarks
I tried my best to shortlist only those wireless routers which may qualify well enough for factors such as speed, range, performance, and security. The list above was carefully drafted keeping in mind both budget-oriented consumers as well as people who can pay high for better quality.
Of course, price is not the best factor to judge which router is better, what counts more is putting each of these network devices to test and then shortlisting the best wireless routers in the 2023 list. This is what I did and presented an unbiased review. Let me know if I have missed reviewing any of the best WiFi routers available in the market.
Do share your insights and constructive feedback on any router you are currently using. Would love to hear your side of the story!
Leave a Reply