wireless routers

Speed: 802.11ac 5GHz down: 101.41 Mbps, 2.4GHz down: 47.53 Mbps | Connectivity: 2 x Gigabit Ethernet ports per Wifi point (1 WAN and 1 LAN port each) | Features: AC1200 2 x 2 Wave 2 Wi-Fi, TX beamforming, Bluetooth Smart ready

• Super simple setup
• Great value
• Limited hardware control
• Lower AC rating

Gone is the seemingly distant past where we had to purchase Wi-Fi extenders in addition to our wireless routers for installation throughout the house. Wireless mesh systems are the future, and Google Wifi only reassures us of this. Though it’s not the fastest Wi-Fi mesh system to be had, Google Wifi is one of cheapest and, moreover, the easiest to configure.

It’s as easy to set up as scanning a QR code on the cylindrical unit connected to your modem via Ethernet, and a few seconds after setting the name and password of your network, you can start broadcasting. The performance is equal to or greater than the Netgear Orbi at any given moment, though Google Wifi is more about covering a wider space than exhibiting the fastest speeds.

Google Wifi also comes armed with traffic prioritization functionality, which makes sure more bandwidth is devoted to tasks which demand it, such as 4K video playback or online gaming. Sure, it requires that you buy a trio of units just to use it to its full potential, but the design of the hardware – and even the software – more than outweighs any negatives.

2. Netgear Orbi

wireless routers

Speed: 802.11ac 5GHz down: 90.14 Mbps, 2.4GHz down: 93.69 Mbps | Connectivity: 4 x 10/100/1000Mbps Gigabit Ethernet ports (1 WAN + 3 LAN for Router, 4 LAN for Satellite), 1 x USB 2.0 port | Features: 4GB flash memory, 512MB RAM, AC3000, MU-MIMO ready

• Excellent coverage
• Easy setup
• Mighty pricey
• Finicky Wi-Fi band settings

Like Google Wi-Fi, the Netgear Orbi is a wireless mesh system more than a standard router. As such, it’s intended to give you zippy Wi-Fi coverage throughout the entire house rather than demanding that you buy an extender just to get by. Unlike Google Wi-Fi, it ships with two units rather than three: a router and a satellite, much like a cell phone signal booster.

It’s expensive, but once you get past the upper-echelon price tag, you’ll start to see why the Netgear Orbi costs so much to begin with. The matte plastic hardware units are relatively simple to configure, but not quite as straightforward as the Google Wifi. That matters very little, however, when it’s about the same procedure as just about any router you can find, albeit with one extra step.

Simply plug the router into a spare wall outlet or surge protector as well as into your modem with an Ethernet cable. Likewise, connect the satellite to an outlet and you’re already halfway there. Using the handy Sync button found on each block, naturally the two bricks will start interacting. Then just set your password and SSID in a web browser. It’s that easy.

3. Starry Station

wireless routers

Speed: 802.11ac: 1,300Mbps 802.11n: 450Mbps | Connectivity: 2 x Gigabit LAN port | Features: Dual-band Wi-Fi technology, 3.8-inch LCD touchscreen, embedded speaker/microphone

The Starry Station is not like most routers in its price range. Instead of chasing after the fastest speeds and longest range, it’s all about two things: convenience and aesthetic. The triangular design and curious LCD display make the Starry Station a welcome addition to your home whether it’s sitting atop your desk or on a coffee table in your living room.

Sure, it’s expensive for what it is, considering it offers little performance advantage over your ISP’s stock router, but what the Starry Station lacks it more than makes up for in style and ease-of-use. Just be sure that your source connection isn’t in, say, your closet.

4. Synology RT2600ac

wireless routers

Speed: 802.11ac: 1,733Mbps 802.11n: 800Mbps | Connectivity: 4 x Gigabit WAN, 1 x USB 2.0, 1 x USB 3.0, 1 x SD card reader | Features: 512MB RAM, 1.7GHz dual-core ARM Qualcomm IPQ8065 processor, MU-MIMO, beam-forming, 4GB flash storage

The Synology RT2600ac is exactly what you get when you fuse a traditional wireless router with a network-attached storage device, or NAS. It doesn’t boast the fastest specs or even a conventionally attractive shell, but the Synology RT2600ac packs a ton of features that make it worth your while.

Though it only has 4GB of storage built-in, you can connect a hard drive and configure your own cloud service similar to Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive. You can even download NAS-grade apps like a VPN client and server. Unfortunately, the app selection is sparse as a result of the barren community support.

Though it’s not exactly fool proof in its setup process of the more complex functions it offers, the Synology RT2600ac is much more accessible than most NAS devices. Bear in mind that this is only Synology’s second attempt at devising a router of its owns, so despite its shortcomings, there’s plenty of room to improve.

5. Linksys WRT 3200 ACM

wireless routers

Speed: 802.11ac: 3x 867 Mbps, 802.11n: 600 Mbps | Connectivity: 4x Gigabit Ethernet, 1x USB 3.0, 1 x ESATA/USB 2.0 | Features: Tri-Stream 160, 1.8GHz dual core CPU, 512MB RAM, 256MB flash memory

• Open source firmware support
• Excellent features
• Coverage sometimes spotty
• May look more suitable in an office than a home

Effectively the antithesis to a wireless mesh like Google Wifi or the Netgear Orbi, the Linksys WRT 3200 ACM has an unflattering design that it’s damn proud of. That’s because, unlike systems that are stylish but limited when it comes to personalization, the Linksys WRT 3200 ACM gives you unadulterated control over your wireless network connections.

It may be a little more complicated to set up, but once it is, you’ll be ready to start rolling. Whether you want to toggle on and off guest connections, prioritize media devices, initiate parental controls or access the OpenVPN server, all the functionality you would expect from a router of this price is there. Not only that, but all of this is in place with the option of using whatever firmware you’d like, thanks to its open-source advocacy.

Keep in mind, however, that although the protruding antennas might imply otherwise, the Linksys WRT 3200 ACM may require signal extenders if you’re planning on using it to give a whole house Wi-Fi. Aside from that, this should be the open-source tech geek’s router of choice. The Linksys WRT 3200 favours functionality over style, and it benefits all the same.

6. Zyxel Armor Z2 AC2600

wireless routers

Speed: 802.11ac: 2,167Mbps, 802.11n: 800Mbps | Connectivity: 4 x Gigabit Ethernet, 1 x WAN, 1 x USB 2.0, 1 x USB 3.0 | Features: MU-MIMO support, StreamBoost, dual-core 1.7GHz processor, 512GB RAM, Zyxel One Touch app-based setup

• Good MU-MIMO wireless speeds
• Excellent traffic analysis software
• Few current devices can use quad-stream 802.11ac
• Average USB port speeds

It may appear as though it would abduct a close friend or family member, but we assure you, the Zyxel Armor Z2 AC2600 isn’t as alien in function as it is in looks. Equipped with MU-MIMO support, which improves speeds when multiple devices are connected to the same network, the Armor Z2 AC2600 prides itself on its performance capabilities.

Paired with StreamBoost, otherwise known as Dynamic QoS, Zyxel has devised a router that can not only handle ample traffic, but it can actually prioritize that traffic based on resources required by each device. If you’re watching 4K Netflix and the person in the other room is browsing Facebook, the Armor Z2 AC2600 will allocate more bandwidth to the video streaming service.

There’s also compatibility with the Zyxel One mobile app, which can be used for a simple router setup over the air. This works flawlessly alongside the streamlined and web-based Armor Z2 software, which can be tuned to a more comprehensive interface when switched to “Expert” mode. Whatever the case, you won’t be disappointed.

7. Linksys Velop

wireless routers

Speed: 117.46 Mbps single node, short range; 74 Mbps two nodes, far range | Connectivity: 2 x Gigabit Ethernet per unit (1 WAN and 1 LAN each) | Features: App-based setup; dual-stream (2×2), 802.11ac networking; 716MHz quad-core ARM Cortex A7 processor, beamforming

The Linksys Velop makes a sound argument for a wireless mesh network’s ease of setup. With the aim of replacing both your router and your now-antiquated range extender, the Velop arrives at a time when companies like Google and Netgear are doing the same thing; that is, an arrangement of two or more nodes and a base unit that interact with each other to achieve the best signal possible.

The main way Linksys hopes to differentiate its contender in the wireless mesh networking space is with a user-friendly setup that anyone with a smartphone can understand. With just a visit to the App Store or Google Play marketplace, you’ll have your first node up and running in a matter of minutes. Better yet, adding a second node requires completion of the same process.

Configuring the Linksys Velop only seems to get trickier when lining up units at a distant range and in separate rooms. In our own testing, we experienced a rather significant slowdown with the node positioned around 15 meters from the main unit. Considering its looming price tag, the Linksys Velop is a tad finicky when it comes to the placement of units, but it’s a worthwhile snatch for such a simple setup alone.

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8. Asus RT-AC88U

wireless routers

Speed: 802.11ac: 2167Mbps 802.11n: 1000 Mbps | Connectivity: 9x Gigabit Ethernet, 1x USB 2.0 1x USB 3.0 | Features: 1024-QAM, MU-MIMO, WTFast Gamers Private Network, Asus AiProtection, AsusWRT Software

• Fastest possible wireless speeds
• Comprehensive software interface
• Expensive
• Requires special hardware to use fastest speeds

The Asus RT-AC88U justifies its above-average pricing with unrivalled record-breaking next-generation 802.11ac wireless performance. With four antennas and NitroQAM technology, which pushes speeds further still, this router enables wireless performance that can break the 1GB/sec limit.

There’s a minor catch – you’ll need to invest in a NitroQAM wireless adapter, such as the Asus PCE-AC88, to see those faster speeds. It’s worth it though. Coupled with comprehensive built-in software, a generous array of eight external LAN ports and 100MB/sec performance from its USB 3 port, this router is a champion, and more affordable than the Asus RT-AC5300 Tri-band gigabit router we mention above.

9. Netgear Nighthawk X4S VDSL/ADSL Modem Router D7800

Speed: 802.11ac: 1733Mbps, 802.11n: 800 Mbps | Connectivity: 5x Gigabit Ethernet, 2x USB 3.0, 1x eSATA | Features: VDSL 2 modem

If routers had a fashion contest, Netgear’s D7800 would be among the top contenders. Its solid black finish is complemented by a quartet of antennas. Bolstering speeds faster than a vanilla 802.11ac, this router promises an alluring 1,733Mbps over its 5GHz band and a still-remarkable 800Mbps over a 2.4GHz connection.

The Nighthawk X4S is is bettered by its inclusion of a duo of USB ports paired with an eSATA connector, thereby offering plenty of room for expanded connectivity. The real centerpiece, though, is the VDSL 2 modem built into the Nighthawk X4S D7800, negating the need to buy or lease one separately. The outfitted software isn’t too shoddy either; a simple Dynamic QOS system makes it a breeze to govern a multitude of devices on a single home network.

10. Linksys WRT1900ACS

wireless routers

Speed: 802.11ac: 1300 Mbps, 802.11n: 600 Mbps | Connectivity: 5x Gigabit Ethernet, 1x USB 2.0, 1x USB 3.0, eSATA | Features: OpenWRT compatible, LinkSys Smart Wi-Fi support

• Slick, comprehensive software
• Great range and performance with fast USB shared storage
• Lacks the nifty 4×4 antenna speeds of some routers
• Relatively pricey

With three wireless streams, the Linksys WRT1900ACS is a less expensive proposition than the above quad-stream 802.11ac routers, and while it doesn’t offer the same blistering performance, it still packs performance and great software. Its internals are very powerful.

A dual-core 1.6 GHz processor and 512MB of memory drives a great-looking software interface that makes it a doddle to set up and customise a home network, with a built-in VPN, great wireless range as well as fast external connectivity via USB.

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ASROCK G10 AC2600 GAMING ROUTER

Key Features:

• 4 x Gigabit Ethernet, 2 x USB 3.0
• IR transmitter
• Gaming Boost network traffic management
• H2R travel router and media streamer
• AC2600 WiFi
  

The ASRock G10 is the most feature rich router we’ve ever seen. As well as all the usual trappings of a high-end router you also get an IR transmitter for controlling AV devices from your router, a gaming boost network management feature and a separate travel router. 

Called the H2R, the travel router docks into the main unit but can be pulled out and taken with you on your travels. It will convert a wired network connection into a wireless hotspot, plus it’s also a media streamer. Just plug it into your hotel’s HDMI port and you can play a pretty huge variety of multimedia files.

Joining that little lot you also get AC2600 WiFi (that’s 1733 Mbps at 5 Ghz and 800 Mbps at 2.4 Ghz), four gigabit Ethernet ports and two USB 3.0 ports for sharing files and printers. 

Overall performance is impressive too, with this comfortably beating most AC1900 routers. 

All those extras do make this a pricey option, but if you might find them useful this router delivers where it counts.

Intriguingly, the G10 has been designed to be mountable only in a vertical orientation. While this keeps the unit’s footprint small, it’s quite a tall device (266mm) so you’ll need to keep that in mind if you’re planning to mount it on a shelf. Also note that it isn’t wall-mountable, which further limits where it can be placed.

Only a light is visible on the front of the G10; all the other features can be found along the back. There’s the H2R travel router, which sits in a slot at the top, below which are the IR transmitters, WPS buttons for the 5GHz and 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, four Gigabit LAN Ethernet ports, a Gigabit WAN port (this is a router, not a modem router so a separate modem will be needed), two USB 3.0 ports, the reset button, power button and power input.

Although this approach keeps everything looking tidy from the front, it does mean that it isn’t as convenient to plug in USB sticks for sharing files and it also severely limits the usefulness of the IR transmitter. If the router is mounted on a bookshelf, say, the IR will be completely blocked.

Indeed, overall I’m not taken with the practicality of the G10’s design. The unit tends to topple over, the H2R being in the back makes it difficult to remove and stow away, plus I don’t particularly like the look.

You’ll also note the lack of external aerials, which goes some way to explain the overly tall design. Although this means there’s one less thing to worry about, there’s no option to attach alternative external aerials.

wireless router installations engineers