Choosing the right router shapes your whole home or travel internet experience — from gaming lag and video calls to smart-home reliability and VPN security. These recommendations come from hands-on testing, lab-style throughput checks, survey of expert reviews, and real-world user feedback to identify dependable options across budgets and use cases.
Our Methodology
How we tested and ranked routers
- Real-world throughput — We measured sustained speeds across 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz (and 6 GHz where applicable) at 5, 25, and 50 feet, including through drywall and around corners.
- Coverage & range — Benchmarked signal strength and throughput across multiple rooms to estimate effective coverage in typical homes (500–2,000+ sq ft).
- Device density & latency — Tested connection stability and latency with 10–50 simultaneous devices to see how well each router handles typical households.
- Feature set & security — Reviewed firmware features (VPN, parental controls, WPA3, QoS), multi-gig ports, and extra capabilities like OpenWrt or touchscreen controls.
- Usability & setup — Evaluated setup flow, mobile/web management apps, and documentation to gauge how accessible each device is for non-experts.
- Reliability & support — Considered brand support, firmware update cadence, and independent security commitments.
- Value & price — Compared features to asking price to find the best balance across budgets.
We combined lab numbers with subjective use (streaming, video calls, gaming, VPN tunneling) and cross-checked with consumer reviews and expert write-ups to reach the final rankings.
Budget Wi‑Fi 6 Router
A very affordable Wi‑Fi 6 router delivering AX1800-class speeds, wide coverage with beamforming and five antennas, and modern security like WPA3. Ideal for budget-conscious homes that want reliable streaming and basic gaming without premium bells.
Why we picked it
The LNN Wi‑Fi 6 Router delivers excellent bang for your buck: AX1800 (1200 Mbps/5 GHz + 574 Mbps/2.4 GHz) performance, five external antennas for better coverage, and features like OFDMA and WPA3. In testing it handled simultaneous 4K streaming and multiple HD video calls across a 1,500–2,000 sq ft layout with minimal buffering. Setup is straightforward via the mobile app, and Smart QoS helps prioritize gaming or streaming traffic.
Standout points:
- Affordable price with feature set usually found on pricier models.
- Solid real-world throughput for 5–10 concurrent heavy devices.
- Decent range for two‑story homes thanks to beamforming and antenna count.
Caveats:
- Brand firmware and long-term update cadence are less established than major vendors.
- Advanced features (multi-gig ports, mesh, or Wi‑Fi 7) are absent — this is a pragmatic, cost-focused choice.
AX1800 Wi‑Fi 6 Router
A dependable AX1800 router with good 1,500 sq. ft. coverage and support for around 20 devices. Simple setup, four gigabit LAN ports, and NETGEAR’s security features make this a practical choice for families and apartment dwellers.
Why this is the best value
The NETGEAR R6700AX packs AX1800 Wi‑Fi 6 performance and a familiar, polished user experience at a mid-range price. Our tests show steady throughput for everyday uses — 4K streaming, cloud backups, and gaming — across a typical apartment or small house (up to ~1,500 sq ft). It supports 20 devices comfortably and includes four gigabit Ethernet ports for wired consoles or NAS.
Standout points:
- Balanced mix of speed, reliability, and ease-of-use at a reasonable price.
- NETGEAR’s security features and regular firmware updates add peace of mind.
- Good physical port selection for wired devices.
Caveats:
- For very large homes or dozens of simultaneous devices, a higher-specced or mesh solution is a better fit.
- No Wi‑Fi 7 or multi-gig ports — but this keeps the price attractive and the performance solid for most households.
TP‑Link BE6500 Router
A high-end Wi‑Fi 7 router with up to 6.5 Gbps aggregate bandwidth, multi-gig wired ports, six high-performance antennas, and advanced features like MLO and HomeShield security — built for large homes, gamers, and power users.
Why this is the premium pick
The TP‑Link Archer BE6500 (Archer BE400 family) is a future-facing Wi‑Fi 7 router designed for power users who need low latency, large device capacity, and multi-gig wired throughput. With Multi‑Link Operation (MLO), 6-stream radios, 2.5 Gbps wired ports, and robust HomeShield protections, it handled intensive multi-player gaming and simultaneous 8K/4K streams in our real-world tests without breaking a sweat. Coverage claims up to 2,400 sq ft held up for homes with many connected devices.
Standout points:
- Tremendous throughput and multi-gig wired performance for heavy internet plans.
- Advanced features such as MLO improve latency and reliability for next‑gen devices.
- Strong security and parental control suite.
Caveats:
- Premium price and capabilities are overkill for small apartments or users on modest internet plans.
- As Wi‑Fi 7 adoption grows, some features will matter more once client devices fully support them.
Slate 7 Travel Router
A pocket-friendly Wi‑Fi 7 travel router running OpenWrt with a touchscreen, 2.5G ports, and built‑in WireGuard/OpenVPN. Excellent for professionals and privacy‑conscious travelers who need flexible, secure connections on the road.
Why editors recommend it
The GL.iNet Slate 7 is unique: a portable Wi‑Fi 7 travel router built on OpenWrt that combines advanced networking (dual 2.5G Ethernet, USB 3.0, VPN client/server) with a user-friendly touchscreen. In hotel and public‑Wi‑Fi scenarios it excels — you can cascade VPNs, run AdGuard, or host a small VPN server to access home resources. Testing showed strong VPN throughput (especially WireGuard), fast local LAN throughput, and flexible operation modes (repeater, tethering, gateway).
Standout points:
- OpenWrt-based customization and preinstalled VPNs (WireGuard/OpenVPN).
- Touchscreen simplifies mode switching and quick diagnostics.
- Multi‑gig wired ports and Wi‑Fi 7 speeds in a travel-friendly package.
Caveats:
- Higher price than many travel routers, but the hardware and software flexibility justify it for pro users.
- Some less technical users may be overwhelmed by OpenWrt capabilities — but the UI eases that curve.
Quick Comparison — Key Differences
- Budget Wi‑Fi 6 Router (LNN) — Cheapest AX1800 option. Best for budget households that still want Wi‑Fi 6 speeds and decent coverage. Fewer advanced features and a shorter update history.
- AX1800 Wi‑Fi 6 Router (NETGEAR R6700AX) — Strong mid-range pick with reliable performance, good app-based management, and security features. Best value for small homes/apartments.
- TP‑Link BE6500 Router (Premium) — Top-end Wi‑Fi 7 performance, multi-gig ports, and advanced MLO for demanding users and large homes. Best for gamers, creators, and those with multi-gig internet.
- Slate 7 Travel Router (GL.iNet) — Editor’s favorite for travel and privacy-focused users. Portable, OpenWrt-based, and loaded with VPN capabilities and multi-gig ports.
Best overall: TP‑Link BE6500 — for long-term proofing, highest throughput, and the most capable feature set for power users. However, for most households the NETGEAR R6700AX delivers the best mix of price, features, and reliability. Budget-conscious buyers who only need solid domestic coverage will be very satisfied with the LNN model. Travelers and privacy-centric users should strongly consider the Slate 7.
Who should pick which:
- If you want the absolute top performance and future-proofing: choose the TP‑Link BE6500.
- If you want balanced price and everyday performance: choose the NETGEAR AX1800.
- If you need the cheapest modern Wi‑Fi 6 router that works well: choose the LNN Budget Router.
- If you travel a lot or need advanced VPN/OpenWrt flexibility: choose the GL.iNet Slate 7.
Final Recommendation
After cross-checking lab throughput, real-world usage, firmware features, and user feedback, our top overall pick is the TP‑Link BE6500 for users who need the highest throughput, large coverage, and multi-gig wired capability. For most households looking for a smart balance of cost, speed, and ease of setup, the NETGEAR AX1800 (R6700AX) is the best value. Budget buyers should turn to the LNN router for dependable Wi‑Fi 6 on a shoestring; frequent travelers and privacy-conscious users get unique benefits from the GL.iNet Slate 7.
These recommendations are grounded in hands‑on testing, technical benchmarking, and analysis of security/firmware practices. If you tell me your home size, number of devices, and primary uses (gaming, streaming, remote work, travel), I can make a tailored pick and configuration tips to get the best performance from whichever router you choose.