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Best Wireless Router

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Article Contents
  • Best Wireless Router Overall
  • Best Wireless Router for Range
  • Best Budget Wireless Router
  • Best Gaming Wireless Router
  • Best Mac Wireless Router
spacer If you've gone shopping for a wireless router, you'll undoubtedly have experienced first-hand how confusing this market can be. Rather than choosing the cheapest option on the shelf, it helps to narrow down your picks to the most capable models currently available. After all, this single piece of hardware serves as the center of your network, and will be relied on to provide years of service. To acquaint yourself with the terminology and technology involved, have a look at our wireless router buyer's guide below.

Best Wireless Router Overall:

Picking a wireless router is no simple task. Though it's tempting to go for the latest 'super router', careful consideration must be given to each criteria such as speed, range, user-friendliness, stability, and other useful features. The best wireless routers listed here are all excellent examples, easily meeting or exceeding most users' standards.
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D-Link DIR-655 Xtreme N Gigabit Router

For five years straight, we've named the D-Link DIR-655 the best wireless router. This is no coincidence - even given recent technology advances and price drops, no other router offers this near-perfect blend of performance, reliability, and affordability. Read Full Review

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    Asus RT-N66U Dual Band Wireless-N 900 Extreme Router

    The Asus RT-N66U is one of the best-performing 802.11n routers on the market today. The external antennas provide welcome improvements in range, eliminating dead zones throughout the house. Although it's pricey, this is an investment you won't regret. Read Full Review

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      Cisco Linksys EA4500 N900 Dual Band Wireless Router

      Despite the introduction of the new 802.11ac wireless standard, Cisco's EA4500 still has plenty to offer. This is essentially a renamed E4200v2, paired with Cisco's latest web-based user interface system for more intuitive controls. Read Full Review

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        D-Link DIR-868L AC Wireless Router

        If you're not hoping to get too much functionality out of the "extras", the D-Link DIR-868L is one of the best 802.11ac-enabled routers you can buy. With fast and stable performance as well as ease of use, the DIR-868L stands out as an excellent choice. Read Full Review

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          Apple AirPort Extreme Base Station ME918LL/A

          Apple AirPort Extreme Base Station's latest generation differs from its predecessor in its new design and the addition of 802.11ac support. Because of this, there's no real rush to upgrade if you already have an AirPort Extreme Base Station - unless you want a new 802.11ac router. However, if that extra speed is important to you and you have an 802.11ac-enabled computer, this router is fast, stable, and easy to use. Read Full Review

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            Best Wireless Router for Range:

            Recent advances in broadcasting and receiving technology have made it possible to equip wireless routers with multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) technology, which allows faster throughput speeds and extended range. The processors installed in modern units are becoming increasingly powerful and more efficient, which means higher operating specs are possible. Although range is ultimately limited by the receiving device, interference, and physical obstacles, a router capable of operating at extended ranges is highly desirable when there is a large area to cover.
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            Asus RT-N66U Dual Band Wireless-N 900 Extreme Router

            Considering that the Asus RT-N66U is one of the few high-end wireless routers with external antennas, it should come as no surprise that this model tops the charts in terms of range. The RT-N66U offers up impressive throughput speeds, even in areas that other routers simply can't cover. Read Full Review

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              Asus RT-AC66U 802.11ac Wireless Router

              The Asus RT-AC66U is similar to the excellent RT-N66U, with support for the new 802.11ac standard. Extremely fast, stable, and of course with very long range, this router is a great choice. Read Full Review

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                Linksys EA6500 Dual Band Wireless Router

                The Linksys EA6500 offers much of what makes the EA4500 so good, plus support for the 802.11ac standard. Great range and overall performance make it a no-brainer for this list. Read Full Review

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                  WD My Net AC1300 HD Dual Band Router Wireless AC WiFi Router

                  With range that matches some of the top-performing routers in this class, the Western Digital My Net AC1300 earns its spot on this list. Also offering stable wireless signals and fast speeds, this easy-to-use router is an excellent choice for anyone who wants a good all-round 802.11ac home router. Read Full Review

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                    Netgear R6300 802.11ac Wireless Router

                    Extremely fast speeds as well as stability and range make the Netgear R6300 a great choice for anyone wanting a top-of-the line 802.11ac router. While these newer routers still come with higher price tags, they offer longevity and are worth the price for those who want the latest technology for their home network. Read Full Review

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                      Best Budget Wireless Router:

                      Today's top budget wireless routers are mostly comprised of older models that were once considered top-of-the-line. Our picks below hold the line at $100 or less, and many of them offer extremely high throughput speeds that are beyond well-suited for the average home network.

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                      D-Link DIR-655 Xtreme N Gigabit Router

                      For the money, it's impossible to do better than D-Link's DIR-655. While it doesn't offer dual-band operation, the DIR-655 puts up outstanding throughput numbers in both wired and wireless connections. Read Full Review

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                        Cisco Linksys E1200 Wireless Router

                        The Cisco Linksys E1200 carries on with few changes, save for Cisco's new user interface app. Though the E1200 won't set any speed records, it's extremely reliable and will easily cover moderate wireless networking needs. Read Full Review

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                          Linksys WRT54GL Wireless Router

                          If you can do without wireless-N, the Linksys WRT54GL is one of the best wireless routers for the money. The older technology has allowed the price to drop to a level where this router can now fit anybody's budget, and the amount of on-board RAM and flash memory allows the use of custom firmware such as DD-WRT for extra performance and more customized functionality. Read Full Review

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                            Netgear WNDR3700 RangeMax Dual Band Wireless Router

                            While the Netgear WNDR3700 might push the definition of "budget", its performance and features justify the extra coin. This former flagship router has been superseded by higher-performing models, and has depreciated in price to the point where it can be considered affordable. Read Full Review

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                              Asus Black Diamond RT-N56U Wireless Router

                              The Asus RT-N56U barely slips under our $100 price point, but earns its spot on this list for its top-notch performance that can be had at a very reasonable price. Despite being an older model, this router still has excellent performance that would serve any basic home network needs. Read Full Review

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                                Best Gaming Wireless Router:

                                When it comes to choosing a wireless router for gaming, nothing matters more than throughput for the sole purpose of reducing lag. Lag can single-handedly ruin your game if it happens at an inopportune moment, which is why a good wireless router is necessary. Stability is another issue, as a wireless router that constantly drops connections is of no use in a gaming situation. The ideal gaming router should primarily be capable of fast, reliable throughput, and offer gamer-friendly features.
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                                Asus RT-N66U Dual Band Wireless-N 900 Extreme Router

                                If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Despite the existence of newer technology, the older 802.11n RT-N66U offers noticeably higher (and more reliable) wireless throughput rates than the latest 802.11ac routers. Given its price advantage, this is a no-brainer. Read Full Review

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                                  Asus RT-AC66U 802.11ac Wireless Router

                                  The RT-AC66U benefits from Asus's latest firmware updates, drastically improving stability. The 802.11ac-based wireless throughput is extremely fast, and the variety of customization options allows gamers to set their network up specifically for gaming purposes. Read Full Review

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                                    D-Link DIR-868L AC Wireless Router

                                    The D-Link DIR-868L is one of the top performers of the recent batch of new routers, offering rock solid stability and speed. While its cloud features aren't quite up to par yet, when it comes to performance, this 802.11ac router is the new benchmark. Read Full Review

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