The best WIFI routers of 2020

In this category, Wi-Fi 4 (802.11) and Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) standard models are compiled. The devices described below support a frequency of 2.4 GHz and any Internet tariffs up to 300 Mbps. In appearance, you can see the possibility of connecting additional antennas to increase the radius of action of the equipment. However, we did not neglect the ease of connection, stability, build quality and number of ports. The list contains models with an optimal ratio of price and quality for ordinary and more demanding customers. Please note that when buying a router for your home, it is worth considering the number of walls and the materials from which they are made.

Our Top-15 Wi-Fi routers are opened by the Chinese model Keenetic Lite KN-1311 with support for 2.4 GHz frequency. The router received receive amplifiers, as well as more advanced switch management. The gadget supports 4 operating modes, including “access point”, “router amplifier”, “Internet center”, “adapter”. Switching modes is carried out on the body, which implies quick and easy setup. In addition, competent protection against cyber threats is implemented, there is a parental control function. A large number of interfaces are available, including 5 x RJ-45 with 100 Mbps (Fast Ethernet) throughput.

Another universal 3G / ADSL / Ethernet router, equipped with a built-in switch, which is great for home and apartment. The device allows you to connect to the World Wide Web using 3G GSM using a USB modem and supports ADSL technology. Benefits include an integrated firewall, as well as advanced security options. This minimizes the actions of hackers and prevents intrusion into a secure network, as well as unwanted sites for users themselves. To manage the settings, an intuitive WEB-interface (English and Russian) is used.

A decent electronic device this year was offered by ZyXel. The WAP3205 v3 model is a good budget router operating in the 2.4 GHz band, which is quite enough for use in the home. The speed reaches the limits of 300 Mbps. At the same time, the device supports an extensive set of standards, including Wi-Fi 802.11b, g and n. For efficient operation, a good set of interfaces of type 10 / 100BASE-TX in the amount of 5 pieces is provided.Additionally, two external antennas are implemented, which can be removed if desired. Another feature is the support of three modes of operation as a client, access point, and also a repeater. This allows you to use the model in solving various problems at home and in the office.

An ex-leader in the segment of inexpensive, but good Wi-Fi routers for domestic use is the Keenetic DSL KN-2010 model, which allows you to work with any Internet tariffs up to 300 Mbps via ADSL, VDSL, and others. There is a USB port for working with 3G / 4G / LTE modems or DECT stations. The advantages include an autonomous torrent client called Transmission, parental control function, good protection against cyber threats, as well as easy configuration and intuitive home network management even for novice users. In addition, many users have already appreciated the stylish design of the device and an extensive set of options for flexible parameter settings. You can control the modes even using the mobile application.

The best Fi-Wi router of 2020 for the home is the premium model Huawei B311-221 with a range of up to 250 meters. Internet access control time is provided, there is parental control. For those who wish, it is possible to establish an LTE connection at a speed of up to 150 Mbps. This gadget supports Wi-Fi 802.11b / g / n standards. The design includes one Ethernet LAN / WLAN port, one connector for connecting an external antenna. There are 3g UMTS. The design weighs about 350 grams with small dimensions. The appearance and build quality are not satisfactory.

In this category, models with a frequency of 5 GHz are collected. Given the network congestion, and the fact that the range does not play a fundamental difference, we do not use 2.4 GHz. Naturally, such routers have a large bandwidth. The case of routers can include up to 5 antennas, and even more. The convenience of working with several clients is due to the presence and quality of proprietary technologies, which are distinguished by their diversity. Therefore, it is necessary to pay due attention to comparing offers from different brands, in particular, those presented in our list of routers.

The model D-Link DSL-G2452GR, which has optimal characteristics and thoughtful design, replenishes the rating of Wi-Fi routers of 2020. The router includes a DSL port, a Gigabit Ethernet WAN, and a 4-port switch. You can simultaneously work with several frequency ranges, including 2.4 and 5 GHz. However, the gadget supports a wide range of standards, including 802.11a, 802.11n, as well as 802.11ac. Wireless speeds can reach 1167 Mbps. Implemented a large set of options for the wireless interface. The Multi-user MIMO function in this case involves the allocation of resources for the most efficient use of speed by several users.

If you are looking for a good dual-band Wi-Fi router for your apartment, you should pay attention to the Totolink A3000RU model, which supports IEEE 802.11 standards of class a / b / g / n / ac. Based on customer comments, this model is simple and flexible parameter settings. Moreover, the data transfer rate reaches 1167 Mbps. The features of the top router include support for Beamforming + technology, as well as MU-MIMO, which helps to achieve a stable connection when working with multiple clients at once. Data transmission is carried out at a speed of up to 300 Mbit / s in the 2.4 GHz band and up to 867 Mbit / s at a frequency of 5 GHz. The design is equipped with five high-gain antennas at once.

For customers planning to purchase a stable and fast router for an apartment, Keenetic offers a high-quality Giga KN-1010 dual-band model. Gigabit Internet center with Wi-Fi support, as you already understood, supports the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands with the support of four amplifiers and 5 dBi antennas. High performance is due to the support of a dual-core chip. You can use tariffs at speeds up to 1 Gbit / second. There is an SFP port that provides network connectivity via fiber optic wire. In addition, the manufacturer took care of the presence of two USB 2.0 and 3.0 connectors, which opens up possibilities for connecting 3G / 4G / LTE / DSL modems. There is a built-in torrent client Transmission and file server, which is typical for all routers of this Chinese brand.

This year's novelty has already managed to find its target audience due to the excellent price ratio and high bandwidth. The MikroTik wAP R ac has a premium design and an extensive range of options. Inside, a 4-core processor with a frequency of 716 MHz is installed, working in tandem with 128 megabytes of RAM. This is enough to work under heavy loads. At the same time, a good Wi-Fi router for the home received two 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz ports at once, which guarantees double coverage at the same time. By default, two antennas for LTE and Wi-Fi are installed in the chassis. At the same time, the housing of the device has excellent weather protection, therefore it can be installed outside the home.

The best Wi-Fi router for an apartment in 2020, according to the editors, is the ASUS RT-AX56U model from the premium segment. Powered by the rapidly gaining popularity of the IEEE 802.11ax standard. In simple terms, this is Wi-Fi 6. Actually, it’s not a secret for a sophisticated user that the company is increasing capacity in the implementation of advanced network devices, and this model is a vivid confirmation of this. Even when using the frequency of 2.4 GHz, speeds of up to 574 Mbit / s are achieved, which is a record indicator against the background of budget analogs. The flagship router received a well-known design and expensive housing details, which indicates the long life of the device.

This category contains flagship routers with support for the high frequency range. The routers described below support connection via a 4th generation mobile modem, i.e. LTE, which connects to the router via a USB cable. At the same time, the models described below are of high build quality, stable operation, even if the network is loaded. At the same time, do not forget that each manufacturer pleases its target audience with its own technologies, on which the final cost of the equipment depends. Pay due attention to comparing models of the same price from different manufacturers.

In the category of budget dual-band 4G Wi-Fi routers, it is difficult to disregard the MikroTik hAP ac lite TC model with support for 3G / 4G modems. In addition, PoE technology is supported. This gadget has a rich set of settings that are characteristic only for devices of this manufacturer. At the same time, the manufacturer positions the device as an inexpensive but stable 4G router, which operates at a frequency of 2.5 and 5 GHz. The device includes two radio modules, as well as three built-in antennas. It operates on the basis of the operating system RouterOS. The total speed is up to 733 Mbps.

Among the good self-sufficient 4G routers this year should include the Keenetic KN-1210 model, which is positioned as an excellent solution for both the apartment and the house.The device is made in a neat white plastic case with two fixed antennas with a gain of 5 dBi. The high level of security is due to the support of standards WPA2-PSK and WEP. The manufacturer’s progressive decisions do not end there. The company took care of the IPv6 connector. The speed can reach 300 Mbps. The design at the same time includes three Lan ports at once. There is another USB 2.0 x1 port.

In terms of price / quality, one of the best is Wi-Fi 802.11ac from Asus RT-AC57U series. This router has 4 external antennas. It includes the parental control function, which is extremely important when broadcasting YouTube and Netflix content at speeds up to 300 Mbps (in the 2.4 GHz band) and 867 Mbps, respectively, at a frequency of 5 GHz. Four wired network interfaces like Gigabit Ethernet are available right away. In addition, there is 1 USB 2.0 connector, which is suitable for connecting network devices. In addition, a user-friendly brand-new user interface called ASUSWRT is implemented. This suggests that even a novice user can cope with the configuration of the router.

At the end of last year, there was “wild demand” for the Huawei 4G Router 3 Pro B535-232 model. To explain the popularity of this Wi-Fi router is extremely simple with high build quality and the speed of 4 LAN ports up to 1 Gb / s. This model supports several standards at once: from Wi-Fi 3 to the 4th generation. There are 2 non-removable antennas, the frequency range of Dual-band. In addition, the device received two SMA connectors, with which you can connect external LTE antennas. The 3GPP communication standard is used. The model is made in a stylish design that goes well with any interior. No flaws were identified.

The best 4G Wi-Fi router of 2020 is the Keenetic Ultra KN-1810. A gigabyte Internet center from a prominent manufacturer supports Wi-Fi AC2600 Wave 2 MU-MIMO and several advanced signal reception amplifiers. Inside there is a 2-core processor that guarantees performance and stable operation under heavy loads. To use the network via fiber optic cable, an SFP port is provided. Mono install 3G / 4G / LTE / DSL via two USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports. Naturally, there is a proprietary file server, support for Time Machine technology, as well as an autonomous torrent client.

We have already dealt with the frequency ranges and communication standards. However, there are still many questions that need to be answered when deciding how to choose a Wi-Fi router for home, apartment or office work:

1. Data input - To connect devices to the Internet today, it is customary to use Ethernet (network cable connection), WAN connection, 4G modem.
2. Ranges of work - of course, dual-band models with support for 2.4 and 5 GHz are the most popular for home. For an apartment, it is often possible to limit itself to a single-band router. As for commercial organizations, it is more rational to focus on three-channel models with 2.4, 5 GHz in two channels.
3. Maximum speed at 2.4 GHz - This range is available with the standards 11b, 802.11g and 802.11n, and provides a maximum speed of 300 Mbps.
4. Maximum speed at 5 GHz - The maximum speed of such models reaches 600 Mbit / s and 6.77 Gbit / s when using the standards 802.11n and 802.11ac, respectively.
5. Maximum speed at 60 GHz - The relative new format provides for work in the 11ad standard at speeds of up to 7 Gb / s.
6. Speed LAN - Many people ignore the bandwidth of the interfaces, which is a pity. Fast Ethernet allows up to 100 Mbit / s, while Gigabit Ethernet allows up to 1000 Mbit / s.
7. USB number - This structural element plays an important role in terms of connecting peripheral devices.For example, if you use a USB flash drive to work in FTP mode, a 3G modem then you will need at least two connectors.

Thus, the choice of such a technique depends on many parameters. Finally, I would like to add that the radius of Wi-Fi in a room is always calculated individually, taking into account the layout and the number of walls through which the signal should pass. This indicator is approximate in 99% of cases, and the actual signal range in this case depends on the material and the thickness of the supporting structures. Therefore, it is not worth saving on the rated power of the transmitter if you buy a device for the home. If you still have not decided which Wi-Fi router to buy, we suggest summing up the results:

• inexpensive home router - ZyXel WAP3205 v3;
• The best router for the home - Huawei B311-221;
• budget model for an apartment - Totolink A3000RU;
• flagship Wi-Fi router for the apartment - Asus RT-AX56U;
• great 4G router - Keenetic Ultra KN-1810.