Best WIFI Routers Available

Your WIFI router is the core of your internet service quality & WIFI speed. Read on for a helpful guide about the best WIFI routers available in 2021.

Approximately eighty-seven percent of 2019 U.S. households were equipped with internet services. Only seven percent of Americans were still not using the internet at all in April 2021. Your WIFI router is at the heart of your internet service quality and WIFI speed. What are the best-selling WIFI routers today? What are some of the most common features included in a high-quality router?

When purchasing a WIFI router it is important to consider costs/specifications including speed & amount of connectivity ports. It is also important to recognize differences between routers and modems. Advanced mesh WIFI routers are also available, but how do they differ from regular modems? What do you need to know before buying a WIFI router for your home? Read on for a helpful guide about the best WIFI routers available in 2021.

WIFI Routers 101

Most U.S. consumers understand their internet working properly is dependent on its connection to hardware devices. One such device is a WIFI router. A WIFI router is a physical hub or dispatching center through which the internet communicates with various devices in your home. A WIFI router directs traffic (signals) to your laptop, printers, tablets, cell phones and smart technology-based home devices .

Information sent from your router to a device consumes varying percentages of the total bandwidth available for your WIFI signal/strength. Bandwidth is the total maximum amount of data capable of transmission via an internet connection during any random moment regardless of duration. Speed, conversely, refers to how quickly the incoming data is routed to your devices. A WIFI router manages and dispatches data from the internet to your devices with maximum possible efficacy and transmission speeds.

Modem vs. Router – What’s the Difference?

A modem is necessary to connect to the internet. Without a modem the internet signal is incapable of reaching your router. Internet, cable, fiber optics, satellite and DSL modems are available, all of which receive/transmit and convert data for your router to dispatch. A router receives the signal sent by a modem then routes it to your home devices efficiently and as quickly as possible. Modems and routers frequently look similar in design, but a router is likely to have multiple Ethernet ports and external antennas. Modems also operate as independent devices, whereas routers require modems in order to receive internet signal.

Introduction to Mesh WIFI Routers

Common WIFI routers function as individual centralized access points then route data accordingly. Mesh WIFI routers are instead decentralized multiple node access points for internet data. With mesh routers your house is capable of having a main hub in one room and satellite nodes in numerous others. Mesh WIFI routers are excellent for larger homes consisting of 3,000+ square feet. Is your home built with strange angles or several floors having different design shapes? A mesh WIFI router is still basic to install but also functions as essentially three to five individual routers spread throughout your home.

WIFI Routers – What to Know Before Buying

Before purchasing a WIFI router it is important to consider its core specifications and features. A modern WIFI router should have a multi-core processor and a minimum of 128MB of RAM. Make sure you purchase a multi-band router and verify its real-time/real-life speed. Additional things to know & demand before buying a router include:

Ignore meaningless naming conventions (alleged maximum bandwidth listed in a model name)
Smartphone apps should be included
Router should come with USB 3.0 or better port(s)
Advanced QoS (quality of service)
Smart home integration capabilities
Mesh WIFI support
Advanced firewall/antivirus and VPN features

Best Selling WIFI Router Brand Models (including costs, speed, connectivity ports & additional specs)

The best-selling WIFI router brand models offer competitive pricing and the features you need for your home. Specifications also vary per router. The best-selling WIFI routers for 2021 are:

1. TP-Link Archer A7 (AC1750)

The TP-Link Archer A7 WIFI router supports 802.11ac standards, which operate faster than wireless N speeds. Priced at $57.99 this affordable router is simple to set up using the proprietary Tether App and is compatible with QoS, parental control, VPN server and Alexa systems. A guest access network makes this router an excellent choice for homes where children’s friends visit frequently and/or for large dinner occasions with multiple guests. 1.75Gbps of total bandwidth is also available via 2.4GHz 450 Mbps and 5GHz 1300 Mbps connections operating simultaneously.

2. Google Nest WIFI

The Google Nest WIFI router is a mesh router with three separate color options and a host of beneficial features. Whole-home coverage up to 2,200 square feet per router and up to 1,600 square feet per point is a top feature. The Nest utilizes expandable 802.11s mesh Wi-Fi and supports daisy chain and star configurations. It also comes with simultaneous dual-band WIFI, 360 degree sound with 400mm driver for excellent speaker/sound experience and capacitive touch control sensors.

The Google Nest WIFI router is available in several tiers of price points. Purchasing the router only costs $169. The router and one point cost $269 and the router and two points cost $249. It is also possible to purchase an individual Nest WIFI point device for $149.

3. Asus RT-AC66U B1 (AC1750)

The Asus RT-AC66U B1 (AC1750) has an MSRP of $95.45 and is a dual-band 802.11ac standard router. USB3 and USB2-compatible ports are installed as well as AiCloud 2.0 support and AiProtection (powered by Trend Micro). This router allows you to manage and monitor your network connections from any smart technology-equipped device compatible with the user-friendly ASUS Router App. The Asus RT-AC66U supports Mac OS X or higher, Windows 8.1, Windows XP, Windows 7,Windows 8,Windows 10 and Linux.

4. Linksys MR9000 (Mesh Router)

The Linksys MR9000 mesh router is an excellent choice for individuals and families who value entertainment-based internet use. This multi-user, multiple-input/output router utilizes a simultaneous tri-band WIFI mesh system to grow naturally with your home network needs. Priced at $249.999 this mesh router includes Linksys automatic firmware upgrade, 4 high performance antennas for maximum coverage and full customization through the Linksys app. Coverage up to 3,000 square feet and speeds as high as 3 Gbps are two of the Linksys MR9000’s top features.