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The Archer AX21, like most TP-Link routers, is not complicated to set up, but a few steps in the process could be confusing. Aside from that, it’s standard stuff, including the option to assign a single SSID to both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands and enable automatic firmware updates. It gave the lowest game latency, the fastest file transfer time, the highest average download and upload speed on the wireless benchmark and the best speeds and lowest lag on our Cloudflare internet tests. Ethernet ports offer stable connections and are essential for some smart home setups that require a hub for lights or security cameras. Some network-attached storage for backups or media will plug into your main router via USB.
It can also support large homes with 12 or more smart devices in it, packing plenty of power in a small package. This is very much a bare bones setup, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. Not everyone needs a high-powered router to play games or a mesh network to cover every inch of the house with WiFi. This router does what you need it to without breaking the bank, which can be something to keep in mind with more powerful routers.
Do you lose speed with mesh Wi-Fi?
The Eero Pro takes all the complexity out of setting up a mesh Wi-Fi system, with an intuitive mobile app that will have you up and running in a matter of minutes. This versatile and expandable mesh Wi-Fi system can also grow with you to cover even the largest homes. We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process.
When working together, it produces a speed rating of AC3000 with tri-band networking. So while you might be sacrificing a third unit compared to the other mesh systems, the Orbi works just as well. The Google system offer speeds of AC1200 per unit on a dual-band network setup.
TP-Link Archer AX11000 Next-Gen Tri-Band Gaming Router
In order for MU-MIMO to work, the router and the client devices must contain MU-MIMO Wi-Fi circuitry. Routers that support MU-MIMO are widely available, but the fact that consumers have been slow to understand exactly what the benefits of MU-MIMO are has kept the number of client devices somewhat scarce. The Asus ROG Strix GS-AX5400 is more than just a cool-looking, dual-band router. Designed with gamers in mind, it offers a slick user interface with lots of game-enhancing settings, and it delivers speedy throughput. It doesn’t have any multi-gig Ethernet ports, but it does have a dedicated gaming LAN port that is automatically given bandwidth priority, and it supports link aggregation. Anyone who’s lived off wifi might have already heard of a wireless router.
You can also use it to create a media hub for streaming music, movies or television shows you own. 7.Quality of service.With a wireless connection in the house, there is going to be lots of electronic equipment fighting for their shares of the connection. The Quality of Service controls the amount of bandwidth each equipment will consume. QoS also lets you block or limit various types of traffic according to your preference.
Motorola Q11 Wi-Fi 6 Mesh System
Designed with VR and 4K streaming in mind, the Asus GT-AC5300 is decisively the best gaming router currently available. Asus has been praised for networking excellence by PC Magazine’s readers six years in a row, and just one look at the GT-AC5300 explains why. If you have a large number of media files—videos, music, photos—that you want to make available to any device on your network, or even access across the internet, definitely consider a network attached storage device.
That's not to say that you won't get improved performance or features out of these routers. Some will still provide improved range, connectivity, or security, but these are the most basic in the bunch. That said, knowing how a router assigns and keeps track of IP addresses also helps us understand how it can defend your computer. When you send a query to the internet with a router, the best wireless router for home will only allow traffic that has been requested by the device. As such, if it detects unusual activity that was not asked for, it will automatically block it. And since the router is the access point to the internet, this works for all devices within the network.
We thoroughly test all routers that come through PC Labs, so you'll know how much muscle a product has before you buy. The three-piece Eero 6 Plus is ideal for use in larger homes of up to 4,500 square feet. It uses low-profile nodes that are designed to blend in with any home décor while providing a strong Wi-Fi 6 signal to every corner of your house. In addition to eliminating dead zones, the Eero 6 Plus doubles as a home-automation hub that uses a Zigbee radio to control smart devices such as cameras, locks, lighting, and thermostats.
PCMag is obsessed with culture and tech, offering smart, spirited coverage of the products and innovations that shape our connected lives and the digital trends that keep us talking. Asus ROG Rapture GT-AC5300And as mentioned earlier, Wi-Fi 6E, with support for the 6GHz band, is the latest standard, but 6E routers are just starting to hit the market and we've tested just a handful at this writing. With Black Friday imminent, we're counting on seeing router deals, making this a good time to figure out what you need most.
You can even find modem/router combo units that unite both of these functions into one device. Originally hailing from Troy, Ohio, Ry Crist is a text-based adventure connoisseur, a lover of terrible movies and an enthusiastic yet mediocre cook. A CNET editor since 2013, Ry's beats include smart home tech, lighting, appliances, and home networking. Sign up for Lab Report to get the latest reviews and top product advice delivered right to your inbox. QNAP rated slightly higher than Synology for storing and accessing photos, music and video on the respondent's home network (9.4 for QNAP to Synology's 9.3).
The latter only turns on a simplified version of the former, but we had to turn to Google to figure that out. The RT-AX86U also lacks VLAN support, which lets you keep less-secure IoT devices isolated from the rest of your network, but this feature isn’t common on consumer routers. The Asus RT-AX86U has excellent speed and range, and can handle several people streaming 4K video, playing online games, working from home and taking video calls at the same time. To get there, we set each mesh system up in the same locations within the environment, and then we start running Wi-Fi speed tests across each of the five rooms. That includes tests during morning and evening hours, and tests to a variety of different client devices, including both Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E devices. For half of my tests, I start by connecting in the same room as the router and then work away from it -- for the other half, I start by connecting at the farthest point from the router and then work towards it.
You'll just need a little bit more space to set it up since it measures 14 inches long. Gaming routers can be expensive, so if you're looking to save some money then you may want to turn to TP-Link. The Archer C9, while on the lower end of the tier, is a reliable gaming router in its own right. This entry from TP-Link is best for gamers who are more casual or simply stick to one platform. That said, its more than able to maintain connections needed for consistent gaming or 4K streaming. Whether you're trying to stream a few rounds of Fortnite or raiding in Destiny 2, you'll need a strong, smooth internet connection, otherwise you're going to experience lag, delays, or even drops during intense gaming sessions.
The Archer C9 can be configured using the TP-LINK Tether app for smartphones. The app makes it very easy to create a separate guest network, access parental controls to deploy restricted access for children or staff, take advantage of the performance benefits of IPv6, or change the router’s password. You need an internet service provider providing a consistent, fast broadband connection and a wireless (Wi-Fi) router to reliably share that signal with all your devices. No longer are they used for a quick internet session; they need to run multiple devices and even support intensive productivity as more people work from home.
I wonder if Netgear missed an opportunity by not branding this system as "Orbi Lite." It’s worth checking a prospective router’s coverage and speed, but understand that your mileage may vary. Construction materials in your home, your neighbors’ activity and Wi-Fi networks, your devices, and the position of your router are just a few of the factors that will impact your Wi-Fi performance. This is a company that’s been around for a long time, and is well-known for their network storage appliances. They more recently broke into the wireless router market, where they've applied their expertise in building some universally impressive routers, with specifications, performance, and pricing that meet or beat more established brands. The networking space is extremely crowded with time-tested giants and intriguing newcomers alike.
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