3 best wireless routers 2021

If you want the fastest wireless router and don't mind the price, I'd recommend NETGEAR Nighthawk X10, because of the powerful processor and Ethernet ports for wired connection.

NETGEAR Nighthawk X10 - The fastest wireless router

Technical parameters

1. Speed: 7200 Mbps
2. Antenna: 4
3. Gigabit Ethernet ports: 6

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Advantages

1. Supports the advanced 802.11ad wireless standard
2. It handles even the busiest of households well thanks to the powerful processor
3. Provides multiple Ethernet ports for wired connection

Defect

1. Less antennas than other top WiFi routers
2. The price is very expensive

NETGEAR's Nighthawk line has a reputation for strong performance, but the X10 has even increased that performance several times over.

Thanks to advanced tri-band 802.11ad WiFi, the X10 handles speeds of up to 7200 Mbps - more than enough for heavy streaming, online gaming, and multiple downloads simultaneously. And if that's not enough, quad-core processors prioritize traffic and handle multiple requests with ease, so your connection never crashes.

If there's one downside to the Nighthawk X10, it's the price. This is one of the more expensive devices. But if you need the absolute fastest wireless speeds and are willing to pay for them, then the X10 is the best WiFi router for you.

NETGEAR Nighthawk X10 is also one of the best long-range routers you can buy. 

ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AC5300 - The fastest router for gaming

Technical parameters

1. Speed: 5334Mbps
2. Antenna: 8
3. Gigabit Ethernet port: 8

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Advantages

1. Lots of player-centric features to maximize performance
2. Powerful quad-core processor that handles requests quickly
3. Multiple Gigabit Ethernet ports for console and PC connectivity

Defect

1. The thorny look is not suitable for everyone
2. Lacks the latest 802.11ad WiFi standard

Gamers looking for a fast gaming router will immediately find what they are looking for in the ASUS GT-AC5300 Rapture. Part of the Republic of Gamers (ROG) series, this router is specially designed to maximize Internet performance for competitive gamers. It has 8 Gigabit Ethernet ports for direct device connection, along with a powerful quad-core processor that prioritizes throughput and handles requests.

This wireless router doesn't have the new 802.11ad standard, but that's not a big deal - only a handful of devices support this standard anyway. It also has a fairly short dynamic range, so it's probably better if gamers use a wired connection. Despite the lack of the latest standards, the ASUS GT-AC5300 Rapture can still handle speeds of up to 5334Mbps, so it's not that slow.

Ultimately, this gaming router is a sensible choice, which means it can be a compelling item even if you're not a gamer. You can even pair it with other ASUS mesh routers for even more coverage in a large home. Overall, there is a lot to like about this device.

TP-Link Archer A7 - Fastest and cheapest router

Technical parameters

1. Speed: 1750Mbps
2. Band: Dual band
3. Ports: 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports per device

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Advantages

1. Prices are very affordable
2. 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports for direct device connection

Defect

1. Lack of speed like the other routers on this list
2. Not all the advanced features of the more expensive options

Not everyone needs the outstanding performance or features that top picks offer. If you just want a high speed router at the right price, the TP-Link Archer A7 is the right choice. This wireless router features dual-band 802.11ac WiFi, delivering speeds of up to 1750Mbps - very fast for most users. It also has 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports to plug your devices directly.

The best thing about this WiFi router is its affordable price, especially compared to today's top pick. You can buy these 6 TP-Link devices for the price equivalent of one Nighthawk X10. There are trade-offs, of course. You won't get the same performance from this WiFi router as with the Nighthawk - the expensive Nighthawk is for a reason. But if budget is a big concern, you won't regret choosing the TP-Link Archer A7.

David Pac

Update 26 February 2021