10 Best Wi-Fi Routers of 2020

A router (router) is the heart of any home network. While your Internet Service Provider (ISP) determines the speed and bandwidth of the Internet channel, the wrong router can significantly limit them, or even completely deny you access to the World Wide Web.

Having studied the reviews of Russian and foreign users and tests on various resources such as PCMag, Yandex.Market and CNet, we have prepared a guide that will help you choose the best router in 2020.

How to choose a home Wi-Fi router

When choosing a router for your home, you will be faced with many technical characteristics. First of all, pay attention to the following:

Frequency 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz

These are two bands in the radio frequency spectrum that Wi-Fi technology uses to transmit signals. The 5 GHz band is much faster in speed but has difficulty penetrating walls and other obstacles. 2.4 GHz loses less speed as an obstacle appears, but it suffers from a more congested wireless environment.

Many devices, such as baby monitors, also use 2.4 GHz and this can cause interference with the router. So choose a model that has both 2.4GHz and 5GHz. And to check which of these bands works best in your home can only be empirically.

Two ranges or three ranges

Tri-band routers are significantly more expensive than dual-band because they can broadcast three signals at once: two on the 5 GHz band and one on the 2.4 GHz band.

LAN ports

Most modern routers will have "gigabit Ethernet" ports for wired connections. Expensive routers can have up to 8 ports, while inexpensive models usually have 4 ports.

USB ports

One USB port is standard for good home Wi-Fi routers, but some have 2 USB ports. And there are routers that do not have a single such port. Why bother with a USB port? You can use it to connect an external hard drive, 4G modem, or printer to print from any device connected to your home network.

Number of antennas

There are no Wi-Fi routers without antennas, and if you cannot see them, then the antenna is located inside the device. Older models of routers had 1 antenna, which worked for reception and transmission, and their maximum operating speed reached 72 Mbps. Modern models are equipped with 2, 3 or more antennas. The more of them, the higher the speed the router can "develop". In this case, part of the antennas on the "hedgehog router" can serve for more reliable signal reception or be allocated for 3G / 4G.

With the theorycraft finished, let's move on to the top 10 best routers of 2020.

Ranking of the best routers in 2020

10. ASUS GT-AC5300 Rapture

The average price is 26,100 rubles.
Characteristics:

• Wi-Fi standard: 802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ad
• Max. speed: 5334 Mbps
• support for optional 4G modem
• 8xLAN switch
• port speed 1000 Mbps
• print server: USB

One of the fastest tri-band routers on the market is equipped with 8 detachable antennas at once, allows you to connect a 3G modem and an LTE modem, and also has 2 USB 3.0 ports at once. Two of the 8 LAN ports can be linked together for link aggregation, providing 2 Gbps speeds.This pair is automatically given network priority to ensure that your game console gets the lion's share of the bandwidth. Another option that gamers will surely appreciate is the ability to analyze the network and prioritize game traffic for the Sony PlayStation, Nintendo Wii and 3DS, or Microsoft XBox One.

This router also offers built-in support for WTFast Gamers Private Network (GPN). It provides a private and secure connection to game servers and offers low ping and optimized performance for over 1000 compatible games.

This model has its own VPN server and built-in antivirus, and also allows you to monitor the Wi Fi signal from other devices. This allows you to track the interference and congestion of a certain range. However, many users complain that the declared function only works for 2.4GHz.

pros: High bandwidth, 8 LAN ports, stylish futuristic design, many customization options for gamers.

Minuses: expensive, cumbersome, no third-party firmware, very confused interface, which will be difficult to understand at first.

9. NETGEAR R7000

The average price is 16,590 rubles.
Characteristics:

• Wi-Fi standard: 802.11a / b / g / n / ac
• Max. speed: 1900 Mbps
• 4xLAN switch
• port speed 1000 Mbps
• print server: USB

This mid-range router features 3 detachable antennas and offers simultaneous dual-band 2.4 / 5 GHz.

It has 1 USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 each, is easy to configure and, according to the reviews of Russian-speaking users, is stable and long-range, making it suitable for a large home. Even if several devices “attach” to the NETGEAR R7000 via Wi Fi, the transfer speed will remain high.

pros: intuitive interface, not overloaded with unnecessary settings, automatically updates the firmware to the latest version,

Minuses: large size, bright bulbs can interfere in the dark.

8. Linksys EA7500

The average price is 11,366 rubles.
Characteristics:

• Wi-Fi standard: 802.11a / b / g / n / ac
• Max. speed: 1900 Mbps
• 4xLAN switch
• VPN support
• port speed 1000 Mbps
• print server: USB

If you have a lot of people in your home with many different devices that need an internet connection: tablets, game consoles, phones, etc., then the Linksys EA7500 is a great choice.

This router allows you to connect 12 or more devices at the same time. It has one USB 2.0 and one USB 3.0 port, four Gigabit Ethernet ports, and supports speeds up to 1.9 Gb / s. Three antennas and MU-MIMO technology enable this device to handle multi-device streaming and provide reliable wireless connectivity.

From the router's home page (or mobile app), you can set the priority of different devices. You can also prioritize certain apps and games, you just have to add them manually.

pros: external DNS can be registered, large coverage area, simple and intuitive interface.

Minuses: Solid, the design won't make the Linksys EA7500 a beautification of your workspace.

7. D-link DIR-853

The average price is 3 779 rubles.
Characteristics:

• Wi-Fi standard: 802.11a / b / g / n / ac
• Max. speed: 1267 Mbps
• support for optional 4G modem
• 4xLAN switch
• VPN support
• port speed 1000 Mbps
• print server: USB

A reliable and inexpensive Wi-Fi router is a fast dual-band device that uses the built-in Yandex.DNS content filtering service with three security levels and SafeDNS. This allows you to configure protection against fraudulent and virus-infected sites, as well as block adult sites.

Good hardware (dual-core processor and 128 MB of RAM), powerful and stable Wi-Fi signal, as well as a USB 3.0 port make this model the preferred choice for those who need a cheap and cheerful router.

pros: low price, the ability to create a guest network, detailed documentation in Russian.

Minuses: sometimes the web interface freezes, there are spontaneous reboots, very slow torrent client.

6.TP-Link Archer C7 V5

The average price is 5,190 rubles.
Characteristics:

• Wi-Fi standard: 802.11a / b / g / n / ac
• Max. speed: 1750 Mbps
• support for optional 4G modem
• 4xLAN switch
• VPN support
• port speed 1000 Mbps
• print server: USB

One of the fastest home wireless routers in the price segment under 10,000 rubles. It supports two frequency bands (2.4 / 5 GHz), allows you to connect 3G / 4G modems, and "overclocks" up to 1750 Mbps.

Thanks to its range, it is perfect for a large apartment or private house.

All settings can be made in the Russified web interface with detailed tips for each item.

pros: affordable price, very fast bandwidth, easy to install, mobile app available.

Minuses: Soiled glossy surface, no USB 3.0 port, only 1 USB 2.0 port. Many users complain about occasional spontaneous reboots.

5. ASUS RT-AC86U

The average price is 16 270 rubles.
Characteristics:

• Wi-Fi standard: 802.11a / b / g / n / ac
• Max. speed: 2917 Mbps
• support for optional 4G modem
• 4xLAN switch
• VPN support
• port speed 1000 Mbps
• print server: USB

If you do not need all sorts of "gaming chips" like in ASUS GT-AC5300 Rapture, but need a reliable Wi-Fi router with the ability to create a guest network, USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports and high speed, then take a look at the RT-AC86U model.

It is equipped with three detachable antennas, which can be replaced with more powerful ones, if necessary, and has a high-performance "stuffing" that allows you to use the router as a NAS server.

However, most users complain about native firmware, in which it is impossible to do what they want (for example, to install the Entware repository for installing and uninstalling Linux applications in the router console). Therefore, if knowledge allows you, install the firmware from Merlin.

pros: beautiful design, you can turn off the LEDs if their light irritates, the long power cord is about 2 meters.

Minuses: heats up due to passive cooling, not the best choice for a large house, since the signal already disappears through 2 main walls.

4. Netis WF2780

The average price is 2,015 rubles.
Characteristics:

• Wi-Fi standard: 802.11a / b / g / n / ac
• Max. speed: 1167 Mbps
• 4xLAN switch
• VPN support
• port speed 1000 Mbps

The best budget router that's easy to set up in minutes and works great in a two- or three-room apartment with thick walls.

It has gigabit ports and a dual band access point that supports connection speeds up to 300Mbps (for 2.4GHz) and 867Mbps (for 5GHz). There is also a convenient scheduled reboot function. However, the budget still affects, and this model does not have a USB port.

pros: powerful antennas, the firmware has Yandex.DNS functionality, easy setup.

Minuses: case heats up under load, old fashioned design.

3. MikroTik hAP AC Lite Tower

The average price is 2,968 rubles.
Characteristics:

• Wi-Fi standard: 802.11a / b / g / n / ac
• support for optional 4G modem
• 4xLAN switch
• port speed 100 Mbit / s

One of the best inexpensive Wi-Fi routers on the Russian market is the brainchild of MikroTik, which is famous for the excellent quality of its products both inside and out.

The hAP AC Lite Tower is equipped with not only 4 LAN ports, but also one USB 2.0 port and one POE downstream port. It allows you to connect a 3G modem or an LTE modem and supports simultaneous operation in 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi frequencies.

However, this router will require you to have minimal knowledge of configuring network parameters. Its interface cannot be called friendly to beginners, but if everything is set up, the MikroTik hAP AC Lite Tower will work like clockwork for many years.

pros: great quality for a small price, beautiful appearance, a huge number of settings.

Minuses: not very clear interface.

2. Xiaomi Mi Wi-Fi Router Pro

The average price is 4,500 rubles.
Characteristics:

• Wi-Fi standard: 802.11a / b / g / n / ac
• Max. speed: 2533 Mbps
• 3xLAN switch
• port speed 1000 Mbps

You didn't think that the list of the best routers for the home of 2020 can do without Xiaomi products? Here it is, an excellent budget router with a sleek-looking aluminum casing, USB 3.0 port, and easy control via both the web interface and the Mi Wi-Fi mobile app.

The software of this router allows you to configure many parameters, from the guest network and firewall to the FTP server and file server. Users praise Xiaomi Mi Wi-Fi Router Pro for its stable signal and long range.

But it can be difficult to configure the router if Chinese is not your native language and for some reason you do not want to configure the router through a mobile application.

The fact is that, unlike the mobile application (it is in English), the web interface is in Chinese, so get ready to use an online translator and curse the greed of Xiaomi, who spared money for an English translation. However, this is cured by third-party firmware.

pros: powerful, well-assembled, stably working router.

Minuses: The manufacturer spared money not only for the fourth LAN port, but also for translation from Chinese.

1. Keenetic Ultra (KN-1810)

The average price is 8,763 rubles.
Characteristics:

• Wi-Fi standard: 802.11a / b / g / n / ac
• Max. speed: 2533 Mbps
• support for optional 4G modem
• 4xLAN switch
• VPN support
• port speed 1000 Mbps
• print server: USB

The best home Wi-Fi router of 2020 in terms of price / quality has earned a five-star rating on Yandex.Market and numerous accolades on other resources. What is the secret of this model's success?

In a combination of an affordable price, high maximum speed, a user-friendly interface, which can be dealt with not only by a computer guru, but also by an ordinary user.

And also in stable work, which is called "set up and forget" and the ability to distribute the Internet to 10 or more devices without losing the quality of the connection.

Keenetic Ultra (KN-1810) works even in a huge room with several walls, and its latest firmware has a convenient option - the ability to set a rule for each device in the home network, whether it will work via VPN or directly.

pros: Stylish appearance, there is an SFP port, one USB 2.0 and one USB 3.0 each.

Minuses: massive, heated.