Best Routers of 2018
Choosing a wireless router can be overwhelming if you aren’t tech savvy or just aren’t sure what to look for. There are a lot of factors to consider when purchasing one, which includes budget, the type of home or apartment you have and what you primarily use the internet for, like gaming or streaming videos.
Best Router for Large Homes: Asus SC2900
For people living in big houses or who have a lot of internet users all under the same roof, the Asus SC2900 is an excellent option. This router offers Range Boost technology, which maximizes Wi-Fi range and the signal stability. It also has additional security and gaming features if you choose to use them.
Best Router for Small Apartments: Asus RT-ACRH13
Living in a small apartment has its perks, like not having to spend an arm and a leg on a router that covers lots of space. Small apartments don’t need a lot of range and tend to be more affordable. The Asus RT-ACRH13 is a top choice with speeds of up to 1267 Mbps, external 5dBi antennas for solid signal throughout your apartment and USB port.
Best Router for Tech Savvy People: Synology RT2600ac
For those of you who want a router with all of the bells and whistles, this is the router for you. The Synology RT 2600ac is very customizable and offers ad-on features so you can create the best setup for your needs. You can find full spec details here.
Best Router for Speed: DIR 882
Speed is one of the most important factors when choosing a router. The DIR 882 offers the fastest routers with speeds up to 1.7 Gbps. At roughly $150, it is also among the more affordable options and offers a lot of great features, like multiple USB ports, beamforming and MU-MIMO.
Best Router for a Budget: TP-Link AC1200
The TP-Link AC1200 can be found online for less than $50, which makes it suitable for any budget. This router features wireless-AC technology for rapid performance and coverage, data transfer speeds of 1200 Mbps, 2 external antennas, USB port, 4-port Ethernet switch and more. For a strong connection at an affordable price, this router is a great buy.
For more information on a variety of routers you can visit C-Net’s extensive list or check out this comparison chart from PC Mag. Choosing a router is important and will dictate your internet usage experience, so make sure to do the research to choose the best one to suit your needs. If you’re still shopping for a router, but need some quick tips to speed up your Wi-Fi connection in the meantime, check out our previous post on Wifi Map for a few ways to boost your speed!