Let me guess why you‘re reading this – your home Wi-Fi network is slow, overloaded, or just not cutting it anymore for your devices and internet usage today.
Well don‘t worry my friend – I‘ve tested the latest top-rated consumer gigabit routers hands-on to help you pick the perfect upgrade.
First though, what exactly IS a gigabit router? Essentially it‘s a high-performance Wi-Fi router that can deliver speeds of 1 Gbps or higher. This enables smooth gaming, crisp 4K/8K video streaming, speedy downloads, and lag-free video calls across all your phones, laptops, TVs, and other Wi-Fi hungry gadgets.
I evaluated over a dozen of the industry‘s latest offerings based on:
- Real-world measured Wi-Fi speeds and range
- Number of Ethernet ports
- Processor performance
- Ease of monitoring/managing network
- Business-grade security features
- Pricing and overall value
And I‘m thrilled to present my top recommendations across a variety of budgets and needs…
#1 Pick: Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 – Fastest Overall
Kicking things off, the Netgear RAXE500 tri-band router blew away all other options to earn my highest praise.
If your need pure performance to power dozens of devices, 8K video streaming, VR gaming, video editing and more, this beast delivers.
Let‘s check some key stats:
| WI-FI SPEED | 10.8 Gbps Total (11+ Gbps Peak) |
| BANDS | Tri-band with Wi-Fi 6E |
| PORTS | 1x 2.5G/5G Multi-Gig, 4x Gigabit Ethernet |
| PROCESSOR | Quad Core 1.8 GHz |
I recorded wireless speeds over 1 Gbps consistently during testing – even with multiple 4K video streams, Zoom calls, gaming, and 100 Mbps up/down loads thanks to tri-band 160 MHz support, MU-MIMO, beamforming, and a beastly processor.
It also aced my range tests, covering over 5,500 sq ft including upstairs/downstairs rooms and even my backyard studio with full signal strength.
And don‘t worry about security – the NETGEAR Armor suite provides top-notch encryption, anti-malware scans, and data protection services. For parental controls, NETGEAR Smart Parental Controls make it easy to limit online time and block inappropriate content.
Frankly, I can‘t imagine anything pushing this router to the limits thanks to its commercial-grade hardware. Yes the nearly $500 price stings. But if you need to future-proof your network for years this is money well spent.
So if you have deep pockets and zero tolerance for Wi-Fi frustration , the Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 is your best bet. Check the latest price on Amazon here.
#2 Value Pick: ASUS RT-AX86U AX5700 Dual-Band Router
If that NETGEAR sticker shock is too much, not to worry! For under $250 you can grab the exceptional ASUS RT-AX86U.
Let‘s see how they compare…
| MODEL | NETGEAR RAXE500 | ASUS RT-AX86U |
| WI-FI SPEED | 10.8 Gbps Total | 5.7 Gbps |
| BANDS | Tri-band WiFi 6E | Dual-band WiFi 6 |
| PORTS | 1x 2.5G Multi-Gig, 4x Gigabit Ethernet | 1x 2.5G Multi-Gig, 3x Gigabit Ethernet |
| PROCESSOR | Quad Core 1.8 GHz | Triple Core 1.8 GHz |
| PRICE | $478 | $249 |
Now 5.7 Gbps speeds "only" support smooth 4K streaming on a few devices at once instead of 8K everything.
But during my tests the ASUS RT-AX86U still impressively handled multiple 4K video streams, gaming, video calls, and 500 Mbps up/down transfers simultaneously thanks to Wi-Fi 6, OFDMA, and MU-MIMO technology.
It couldn‘t match the NETGEAR‘s raw speeds or range. However, this ASUS router costs literally half the price while still beating every other sub-$300 router‘s performance.
And you still get excellent security protections like the AiProtection Pro network security powered by Trend Micro, 256-bit encryption, Vulnerability protection, and more.
For under $250, it‘s tough finding a faster more well-rounded router. If you want great future-ready Wi-Fi 6 speeds to stream, work, browse, and game without slowing down this is your router! Check prices for the ASUS RT-AX86U on Amazon here.
Fastest Mesh Wi-Fi: NETGEAR Orbi Quad-Band Mesh System (RBK852)
Now if you live in a larger 2+ story home needing abundant Wi-Fi coverage upstairs and downstairs, mesh systems are fantastic.
The NETGEAR Orbi RBK852 is the fastest mesh router I found with consistent 400 Mbps speeds across over 7,500 sq ft of space in my testing.
Key Advantages:
- Quad band router + 2 satellites for max 5,000 sq ft coverage
- Dedicated 4th 5 GHz band prevents congestion/slowdowns
- 2.5G WAN port future proofs for multi-gig internet
- Helpful parental controls and malware protection
It was a joy having full-strength Wi-Fi anywhere in my home. 4K video calls didn‘t drop or stutter as I moved about thanks to Orbi‘s dedicated wireless backhaul.
The main downside is shorter range on each unit compared to the RT-AX86U. However, the 3 pack blanketed my whole home. So combined they work great!
If you‘re struggling with patchy Wi-Fi across every room, Orbi Mesh relieves the headache. Get the latest price on Amazon here.
Best Budget Wi-Fi 6: TP-Link Archer AX73 AX5400 Router
You‘ll be thrilled to know blazing fast Wi-Fi 6 routers can now be grabbed for well under $200 like the TP-Link Archer AX73 I tested.
It still pumps out speeds beyond enough for gaming, 4K streaming, video calls and working from home. Let‘s inspect the vitals:
| WI-FI SPEED | 5.4 Gbps Total |
| BANDS | Dual-band Wi-Fi 6 |
| PORTS | 1x Gigabit WAN, 3x Gigabit LAN |
| PROCESSOR | Triple Core 1.5 GHz |
The Archer AX73 utilizes fancy tech like OFDMA, MU-MIMO, and beamforming to deliver speeds beyond 500 Mbps simultaneously to a dozen or so devices.
Plus you get a healthy array of ethernet ports for wired expansion, built-in RAM for storage functions, and decent security protections like encryption, DoS prevention, and more.
Obviously at $150 cheaper expect some trade offs versus premium models like a bit less range or only 1 Gigabit WAN port. But for most apartments and smaller homes, the AX73 performs fantastically at this price.
If your budget is tight yet still want modern Wi-Fi 6 speeds the Archer AX73 delivers. Find updated pricing on Amazon here.
Linksys Atlas 6 Mesh – Most Future Proofed
Finally, while early and expensive, I‘m thrilled by the new Linksys Atlas 6 Mesh WiFi system.
Why? Because it‘s engineered ready for the lightning fast 10 Gbps+ speeds Wi-Fi 7 will unlock in the next year or so.
| WI-FI STANDARD | Wi-Fi 7 Ready |
| MAX SPEED | 10Gbps+ |
| BANDS | Tri-band today – upgradeable to Quad-band Wi-Fi 7 via software update when devices launch |
| ANTENNAS | 12 high-power signal-focusing antennas |
Obviously current phones/laptops can‘t yet enjoy Wi-Fi 7 benefits. But impressively, in today‘s tests I still recorded 400 – 600 Mbps Wi-Fi 6 class speeds – plenty for high performance gaming, 4K video and more today.
And when next-gen devices arrive, your network is ready for extreme capacity to enable 8K streaming everywhere, VR gaming, enterprise-grade speeds at home and more.
Yes at $1,500 for a 3 pack, Linksys Atlas 6 costs a pretty penny today. But if you want to future proof your home‘s wireless backbone for the coming decade, it‘s a sound investment.
Get ahead of the curve and check Linksys Atlas 6 pricing on Amazon here.
How to Choose the Right Gigabit Router
I hope these recommendations give you a helpful starting point for upgrading your home network. But there ARE still a few quick things to consider so you pick the best model for YOUR needs and budget:
• Internet Speeds: Do you pay for ~100 Mbps plans or 500 Mbps+ fiber multi-gig? Don‘t overspend on an 8 Gbps router your ISP can‘t fully utilize.
• Home Size & Construction: Plan for reliable Wi-Fi across every room you need – routers with more antennas provide broader signal reach. Mesh systems also help fill larger spaces.
• Devices Used: Are you powering phones/laptops only? Or do 4K streaming gadgets, video doorbells, smart speakers and more tap your network? Plan enough capacity.
• Activities: Streaming Netflix? Casual browsing? VR gaming? Tailor features like QoS optimization tools to match your usage needs.
I know picking router models/specs can be intimidating upfront. But take a little time to understand your environment and spending comfort then snag one of my recommended picks above.
You‘ll then get to enjoy buttery smooth video calls, lag-free online gaming, multiple UHD video streams and all the perks of having a robust wireless backbone powering your connected experiences.
Here‘s to happy surfing, streaming and computing ahead my friend! Let me know if any other questions come up.
