When wireless routers do their job, you rarely notice them. However, the latest wave of the best routers is seeing exciting gains in speed and new features for home monitoring and other tasks. If it’s been a while since you’ve updated your router, we have some exciting Wi-Fi options for you.
First, let’s talk about what’s making the top wireless routers in 2017 interesting. First, an increasing number are using smart technology to target individual mobile devices, which means a lower chance of running into a dead zone inside your own home. Additionally, more are using app management to give families greater control over who is on the wireless network and what they are browsing. Also, let’s not forget about important new technologies like the MU-MIMO standard, which are making routers far more efficient and dependable by changing the way they communicate.
When looking for a router, pay particular attention to what extra feature it has and if they fit your current needs. You should also note how many bands the router operates on: Both the 2.4GHz and the 5GHz bands are used, although the 5GHz band is typically more short range and used to take some of the load off of a full 2.4GHz band. A web app or other way to manage settings with computers is also a big plus. Let’s take a look at some of the best wireless routers around and what makes them special.
TP-Link Archer C7 AC1750 Wireless AC Gigabit Router
Not only is this computer accessory a great deal at only $93, it’s also fully capable of dealing with the average Wi-Fi needs in a home or apartment. There’s a handy media server wizard for control, and an easy setup that’s pretty much just plug-and-go. No extra fuss with this router!
Netgear Nighthawk X6 AC3200 Tri-Band Wi-Fi Router
It has a cool name, it looks cool…and this wireless router performs surprisingly well, too. Those six antenna are great for long-range WiFi networks, and the router includes the ability to self-designate which devices need the most bandwidths, so no one experiences a slowdown. At $280 it’s much more expensive than you may be used to, but very handy to have around a large home or dorm.
