The Best Smart Wi-Fi Routers 2023

The Best Smart Wi-Fi Routers 2023

Today everything is based on internet speed. So, you have to do everything at the home such as work from home, and learn from home with COVID- 19 situation. We need an excellent Wi-Fi router with the best coverage and performance. If you play an online game, it is important to have the best router for you. You can easily connect your smartphone, laptop, smart TV, and other smart devices with a wireless network. The best routers will not only keep you connected, but also provide some interesting features like app-based settings, built-in security, and easy parental control. Here is what you need to know about the best Smart Wi-Fi Routers.

What are the Best Smart Wi-Fi routers?

You should be using the best Smart Wi-Fi router for uninhibited, high-quality, and secure internet access. These smart routers have unique capabilities. And yeah! You can solve some of the most common connectivity issues now. That is what these Smart Wi-Fi routers are here for.

Best overall Smart Wi-Fi Router

  • TP-Link Wi-Fi 6 AX3000 Smart Wi-Fi Router (Archer AX50)
TP-Link Archer AX50 Wi-Fi 6 Router is the best overall router with an excellent option for users who stream lots of videos or play video games online.
TP-Link Wi-Fi 6 AX3000 Smart Wi-Fi Router (Archer AX50)

TP-Link Archer AX50 Wi-Fi 6 Router is the best overall router with an excellent option for users who stream lots of videos or play video games online. It delivers 2402 and 574 Mbps speeds and has 5 Ethernet jacks for those who favor wired connections. You can share files over your wireless network using a USB port. Also, it works with Alexa voice control.

You can seamlessly communicate more data to your devices using OFDMA technology. So you can connect your all devices than ever before. It minimizes lag for your applications and your all devices in your Smart Home. It is amazing! You can reduce your devices' power consumption using its' wake time technology. TP-Link Tether app facilitates you to set up your router in minutes.

Hurry up! Click here to place your order now.

Pros

Cons

  • Has plenty of customizable settings

  • Lack multi-gig Ethernet port

  • Excellent coverage

  • Middling file-transfer performance

  • Easy to install

  • Don’t support 160HZz channels and WPA3

  • Anti-malware protection

 

  • Link aggregation

 

Best Wi-Fi 6 router

  • Netgear Nighthawk AX8 (RAX80)
Netgear Nighthawk AX8 (RAX80) Wi-Fi 6 streams everything at epic speed
Netgear Nighthawk AX8 (RAX80)

Netgear Nighthawk AX8 (RAX80) Wi-Fi 6 streams everything at epic speed. It streams uninterrupted movies, video calls, download/transfer files, and games at 6Gbps Wi-Fi speed. No need to worry about your internet speed anymore. It works with Wi-Fi 6 devices such as Galaxy S10, Galaxy Note 10, and iPhone 11. It is time to replace your existing Wi-Fi router with this. Also, it is suitable with any internet service provider up to 2Gbps. It includes satellite, cable, DSL, fiber, and more.

When considering its setup process, you can seamlessly set up and manage it. You just want to connect to your existing cable modem, and their Nighthawk app facilitates you to set up. You can easily create personal cloud storage and access it from anywhere using the 2 x 3.0 USB ports, and you can easily share a storage drive with any of your connected devices using USB connections. However, it may be expensive, but it offers better performance. It is most suitable for a medium-sized home.

Click here to place your order now.

Pros

Cons

  • Good configuration option

  • Expensive

  • High performance

  • With distance throughput falls off

  • Has malware apps

 

Best Budget-friendly Routers

  • Linksys EA6350 AC1200+ Dual-Band Smart Wi-Fi Wireless Router
Linksys EA6350 AC1200+ Dual-Band Smart Wi-Fi Wireless Router is a superb choice if you don’t expect an advanced router
Linksys EA6350 AC1200+ Dual-Band Smart Wi-Fi Wireless Router

Linksys EA6350 AC1200+ Dual-Band Smart Wi-Fi Wireless Router is a superb choice if you don’t expect an advanced router. It is the cheapest router with smart features. It delivers fast 5GHz throughput and is ideal for smaller homes. And yes! It is very easy to manage and install using the Linksys Smart Wi-Fi Web console and via its mobile app.

It has a black enclosure and two non-removable antennas. It can reach throughput speeds of up to 300Mbps and supports beamforming. It sends wireless signals directly to each client. Also, the back of the router holds 4 Gigabit LAN ports, a single USB 3.0 port, a WAN port, a Reset button, and a WPS button.

Click here to place your order now.

Pros

Cons

  • Easy to mange

  • Has non-removable antennas

  • Easy to install

  • Middling file-transfer speed

  • Budget friendly

 

  • Blazing five GHz throughput

 

Best Gaming Router

  • TP-Link Archer AX11000 Next-Gen Tri-Band Gaming Router
TP-Link Archer AX11000 Next-Gen Tri-Band Gaming Router is a high-end gaming router with a black textured cabinet and red accented antennas.
TP-Link Archer AX11000 Next-Gen Tri-Band Gaming Router 

TP-Link Archer AX11000 Next-Gen Tri-Band Gaming Router is a high-end gaming router with red accented antennas and a black textured cabinet. It is very fast and loaded with attractive features. It will help you to take online gaming to the next level very easily. It brings 8 gigabit LAN ports, USB C connectivity, link aggregation, and a 2.5 GB WAV port. It also includes a gamer-centric user interface and anti-malware tools.

Moreover, it comes with parental control with content filtering, device prioritization, and a lifetime subscription to TP-Link’s HomeCare service. It lets you monitor system resources and latency with a slick gamer-themed dashboard. Also, it is easy to install via its web interface or using the Tether mobile app.

Click here to place your order now.

Pros

Cons

  • Numerous ports

  • Bulky

  • Lifetime malware protection

  • Expensive

  • Easy to install

 

  • Lots of gamer-friendly settings

 

  • Multi-gig WAN

 

Best Mesh Router

  • Nest Wi-Fi
Nest Wi-Fi router is the best mesh router with a new attractive design
Nest Wi-Fi router

Nest Wi-Fi router is the best mesh router with a new attractive design. It has a fast wireless speed and a simple setup. You can easily control it using the app. Also, it is a flexible and scalable Wi-Fi system.

This Google Nest router plugs into the internet provider’s modem to create a Wi-Fi network. It is fast enough to stream multiple 4K videos and strong enough to handle up to 200 of your connected devices.

However, it doesn’t support Wi-Fi 6 but supports new WPA3 security standards and 4X4 MU-MIMO connections. It means it can provide faster top speeds to your devices using multiple Wi-Fi antennas. Also, it is a well-rounded mesh router on the market.

Pros

Cons

  • App control

  • Doesn’t support Wi-Fi 6

  • Easy to use and manage

  • Only two Ethernet jacks

  • Flexible and fast performance

  • Hard to enable/disable individual devices

  • Simple setup

 

  • Double as Google Assistant Speakers

 

What are the various Wi-Fi protocols and frequencies?

Protocol

Frequency

802.11ac wave2

5GHz

802.11ac wave1

5GHz

802.11n

2.4 or 5GHz

802.11g

2.4GHz

How do routers work?

The Smart Router works by transferring the bulk of data in a specifically defined area via the atmosphere. Usually, the home has a range of internet-connected devices such as smartphones, computers, tablets, smart TV, thermostats, and more.

These smart home devices form a network with your Wi-Fi router. The Wi-Fi router directs incoming and outgoing traffic on your network in the most efficient and fastest way.

How Modem differs from Routers

Modem Vs Router
Modem Vs Router

There are several components on your home network like router and modem. Modem plays an important role. Without the modem, you are unable to access your local network to the internet. It brings your internet service provider into the home. After then connect to your router to deliver the internet connection to your home network.

Most of the internet services divers over the phone line. But modems enabled communication between the analog signal used on telephone lines and the digital devices in your home.

What are the different types of routers?

There are only two types of routers you can see on the market. The first one is a Wireless router. You can connect directly to a modem by a cable with the wireless router. This allows it to communicate and create with the home network using built-in antennas. The second one is a wired router that connects directly to computers via a wired connection. You can see a port. It can connect to a modem to communicate with the internet.

How to choose the right Wi-Fi router for you?

TP-Link Wi-Fi 6 AX3000 Smart Wi-Fi Router (Archer AX50)
TP-Link Wi-Fi 6 AX3000 Smart Wi-Fi Router (Archer AX50)

There are lots of Wi-Fi routers on the market. But you need to know how to choose the best one among them. You can ask two questions. The first one is the speed of the internet connection and the second one is the sort of coverage that need in your home.

  • Speeds and Standards: It is important to think about the internet speed you get from, and what speed is supported by the modem. The Wi-Fi 6 is the latest technology for routers. It is suited to the many smart home devices around your home.
  • Coverage range: One of the other things that you want to be aware of is coverage range. Generally, a basic router offers 50 to 100 feet of range. You can choose a mesh router if you have 3000 square feet or more. It can use different devices to provide signals throughout a larger home.
  • Price range: Often dual-band models sell for less than $100. Some routers range up to $300 that offers faster speed and wide coverage. New routers have Wi-Fi 6 standard so sell for $400 or more.
  • Frequencies: Many of the current routers transmit data over 2 radio frequencies (2.4GHz and 5GHz). There are more expensive routers that support three bands. It means you get an extra 5GHz frequency. If you want to faster and more reliable internet connection you can go with MU-MIMO (Multiple User Multiple Input, Multiple Output).
  • Security features: If you plan to buy something that supports WPA2 (Wi-Fi protected Access Protocol), it ensures your network and devices are secure. There are two other standards (WEP and WPA). These aren’t safe and can be compromised easily.

Reasons to update your Wi-Fi router

You may find better Wi-Fi coverage to your home now hence you feel uncomfortable with the existing slow wi-fi connection. Then, it is time to update your odd Wi-Fi router. If you still have a Wireless-AC or Wireless-N router in your home, you think about getting somewhat smarter. There are more benefits like efficient device management and connected home gadgets will feel more comfortable, snappier, and faster with the compatible standards.

Sometimes, you have been paying a monthly fee for a router from your ISP. The smart router can pay for itself within the year or every month (average costing $10-$15 per month). Also, it offers better features and services, too. It is an important thing to remember that you want to pair it with one of the best cable modems. Then, you can free yourself from the extra costs that come with the broadband package.

Price and feature comparison

 

TP-Link Wi-Fi 6 AX3000 Smart Wi-Fi Router (Archer AX50)

TP-Link Archer AX11000 Next-Gen Tri-Band Gaming Router

Linksys EA6350 AC1200+ Dual-Band Smart Wi-Fi Wireless Router

Netgear Nighthawk AX8 (RAX80)

 

Wireless Specification

802.11ax

802.11ax

802.11ac

802.11ac

AC Speed

AX3000

AX11000

AC1200

AX6000

Number of Wired LAN port

5

8

4

4

Connectivity technology

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi

Ethernet

Wireless, Wired, USB

Number of Bands

Dual-Band

Tri-Band

Dual-Band

Dual-Band

Color

Black

Black and red

Black

Black

Brand

TP-Link

TP-Link

Linksys

NETGEAR

Where to buy

Amazon

Amazon

Amazon

Amazon

Price

$129.99

$299.99

$64.87

$399.99

Out pick

We mentioned above the best Wi-Fi routers with long-range, great performance, and a price you can afford. Buying the best router can even provide better features and save you money than the equipment you might get from other service providers. Also, Smart routers are optimized for homes full of your connected devices, from Smart TVs to Smart Doorbell cameras. You can get a speedier Wi-Fi experience with faster connectivity and better coverage. It is time to go with your New Smart buddy now.

We hope you enjoyed this article. If you're keen to know more about Home Automation, you can reach our Kodmy Smart Home Blog post here.