<p class=”body-dropcap”>There are some things you don’t think about replacing until it’s too late. Top of that list? Your Wi-Fi router, probably your modem too. These clunky bastards power your home Wi-Fi network every single day, ensuring all your devices—like a <a href=”https://www.esquire.com/lifestyle/g29490589/best-video-game-consoles/” target=”_blank”>console</a>, <a href=”https://www.esquire.com/lifestyle/tech/a62282511/microsoft-surface-laptop-7-review/” target=”_blank”>laptop</a>, or <a href=”https://www.esquire.com/lifestyle/g61663204/best-camera-phone/” target=”_blank”>smartphone</a>—stay connected, but they go unnoticed until the connection goes out and you have to reset it. If you’ve been having that exact thing happen a lot more lately, it might be time for a new router. It might just be the thing to fix your <a href=”https://www.esquire.com/lifestyle/a28580753/how-to-fix-wifi/” target=”_blank”>shitty Wi-Fi</a>. </p><p>The router buying experience has to be one of the worst in the modern age. The names are the worst, impossible to differentiate from one another. The descriptions are full of terms and numbers like mesh, 6E, VPN, and gigabit. Without doing the research, most of you don’t know whether to buy the router that costs $400 or the one for 90 bucks. Looking at my aging router (thank you, Spectrum), I decided it was time for an upgrade and did the research, and the testing, for you. After playing the field I found these to be the best Wi-Fi routers in 2024. </p>”/>
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Every product was carefully curated by an Esquire editor. We may earn a commission from these links. Here’s how we test products and why you should trust us.
Best Overall Wi-Fi Router
TP-Link Archer AXE75
If you want a router that can truly do everything at a reasonable price, the Archer AXE75 has yet to be beat. Normally retailing for $200, it’s often discounted down below $175. This is a versatile router that we can recommend to gamers, techies, and normies alike.
Here’s what makes it special. This is a tri-band Wi-Fi 6E router. While most routers are dual-band, this extra frequency allows more devices to do more, and do it faster. We try not to bore you with the nitty gritty around here, so let’s just say this. Internet speeds are often determined by your actual Internet Service Provider (ISP). But if you find you have an issue connecting more than a handful of devices to the 5G you were promised, it’s time for a router upgrade.
The Archer AXE75 also comes VPN-enabled, with the ability to be both a VPN Server and VPN Client. If you know what that means, good, you’re probably stoked. If not, seriously don’t worry about it.
| Max Wi-Fi speed | 5400 Mbps |
|---|---|
| LAN ports | 4 |
| Dimensions | 12.91″ x 10.43″ x 4.72″ |
Best Entry-Level Mesh Router
Amazon eero 6+
For my one-bedroom apartment, attaching this little guy to my current router-modem hybrid was all I needed to upgrade my Wi-Fi. The eero 6+ is Amazon’s affordable, and smart, solution to giving gigabit Wi-Fi to the people. But before we get into all that, here’s what you need to know. This is a compact, affordable router that supports internet speeds faster than yours. A worthy investment for that alone.
Now, the bonus is that the eero is a mesh router. These tether to one another, and by placing multiple throughout the house you can boost your signal strength. For Amazon the business model is simple. Make powerful mesh routers with a small range, but give customers the option to buy them in discounted packs of two and three. This is the best way to take advantage of Amazon’s routers. However, for streaming and gaming in my apartment, one of these also does gets the job done.
| Max Wi-Fi speed | 1 gigabit per second |
|---|---|
| LAN ports | 2 |
| Dimensions | 3.94 x 3.82 x 2.6 inches |
Best Wi-Fi Router for Gaming
Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX11000
Pros
- High speed ethernet ports
- Tri-band 6E for Wi-Fi gaming
- Gaming always get network priority
Cons
- Pure wi-fi speeds are down from the TP-Link
If there’s one thing we know about Asus, it’s that they have gamers’ backs. From gaming laptops to the ROG Ally X, the brand knows how to deliver on hardware. The ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 is the gaming router to get if you’re looking for consistent high-performance, from yourself, your teammates, and of course, your Wi-Fi. With a ROG Rapture router, your game always takes priority. Literally.
The truth is, if you’re really dedicated to your craft, you are skipping Wi-Fi altogether and going straight for wired internet. That’s why, in addition to four regular LAN ports, the ROG Rapture has one extra 2.5G port and one other 10G port. If you are wiring in, this router allows you to access gigabit internet speeds that were a daydream a mere decade ago. Welcome to the future, gamers.
| Max Wi-Fi Speed | 11,000 Mbps |
|---|---|
| LAN ports | 6 |
| Dimensions | 13.94″ x 13.94″ x 7.6″ |
Runners Up
TP-Link Archer AX55 ($86 at Amazon): This is the budget version of our number one pick. If you don’t pay for the fastest Wi-Fi your provider offers (and don’t care to), this is the option that won’t break the bank while still providing a noticeable upgrade.
ASUS RT-AX3000 ($122 at Amazon): This is another Asus option and it won’t cost you nearly $400. It’s a great router that gamers will love for its high bandwidth support and fast ethernet speeds.
How We Choose Wi-Fi Routers
When testing and reviewing which routers we recommend to our readers, we look first at the numbers, the speeds, the bands, the bonus AI features. Then we plug in the damn thing and start using it.
We chose Wi-Fi routers that will give you a reliable connection across numerous devices in one household. Whether you are primarily using Wi-Fi to game, stream, or download and upload files, you need a router that enhances your Wi-Fi experience, not one that merely connects to the internet.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Wi-Fi 6E?
Wi-Fi 6E is currently the fastest standard for wireless home internet. Without getting into gigahertz and spectrums, Wi-Fi 6E is faster and wider than Wi-FI 6. This means it allows for more devices to be active on a network—and each of them will experience less buffering when streaming. Each of these routers we picked is 6E enabled.
What is a mesh router and do I need one?
A mesh network is a connected system of multiple devices that speak to one another throughout one home. This provides reliable signal throughout the house, solving the age old problem of Wi-Fi dead zones and letting you put your main router where it fits… not just where it’s most likely to hit all the important rooms.
You need a mesh-enabled router to set up a mesh network of devices. Your mesh network may require two or three mesh routers.
Are tri-band routers better than dual-band routers?
The number of “bands” your router has is equivalent to how many frequencies it operates on. Dual-band routers use one 2.4 GHz and one 5 GHz frequency, while a tri-band router operates with an extra 5 GHz band. That extra frequency allows for faster data transfer rates across more devices.
Generally speaking dual-bands are more affordable than tri-band routers. Neither one is better than the other, it all depends on what you need. For smaller homes and apartments, I recommend a dual-band router. For larger homes, a tri-band or mesh network is going to be your best bet.
Why Trust Esquire?
Here at Esquire, our tried and true testing process is what allows us to recommend the best tech for your hard-earned money. It’s pretty simple, really. We use these products the way they are meant to be used, for an extended period of time. Seeing how they hold up to daily use is the only way to ensure our readers will be getting what they are paying for.
From speakers to smartwatches to any other piece of tech we use on a daily basis, it is our job to never lead you astray. We like to say that we wouldn’t recommend anything we didn’t feel comfortable buying for ourself, our best friend, or a family member. We mean that.
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