Which router to buy in 2019

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Lifehacker has collected both basic solutions and professional devices for gamers.

Now there is no point in buying a router without support for the 802.11ac Wi-Fi standard and the 5 GHz band. Otherwise, the router will not provide the maximum speed and strong signal. Therefore, these models were not included in the selection.

When choosing a router, you should focus on the following parameters:

• The number of antennas and their power … The more antennas, the better the signal and the higher the transmission rate when multiple devices work simultaneously.
• Port capacity … If you have a data plan with speeds up to 100 Mbps, any router will do. If your ISP provides 150 or 300 Mbps, you will need a router with gigabit ports.
• Number of LAN ports … They should be enough to connect a TV, set-top box, game console and other stationary devices.
• Availability and standard of USB ports … You will need it if you are going to connect a printer, LTE modem or external drive to access them over the network. For drives, USB 3.0 is preferable to copy data faster.
• Price … If you are not a gamer or geek, any budget router will work for you. An ordinary user should overpay only for the sake of high stability of work.

The best routers under 3,000 rubles

Budget routers for those who are not chasing bells and whistles, use mainly Wi-Fi and do not need USB ports to connect printers and other external devices. Suitable for residents of small apartments.

A good alternative to the simplest routers offered by default providers.

Tenda ac6

• Wireless Speed: 1,167 Mbps
• LAN Ports: 3.
• Port speed: 100 Mbps.
• USB Ports: None
• Price: 1,790 rubles.

This basic dual-band VPN router with all the features you need is ideal for casual users. Tenda AC6 boasts an interesting design, so it does not have to be hidden in the depths of the mezzanine.

The router offers a simple setup wizard, and due to powerful external antennas, it provides sufficient coverage even for a large apartment and a stable signal in its farthest corners.

One could complain about the lack of a USB port, but considering the price, this language is not easy to speak.

Xiaomi Mi Wi-Fi Router 4

• Wireless Speed: 1,167 Mbps
• LAN ports: 2.
• Port speed: 1000 Mbps.
• USB Ports: None
• Price: 2,990 rubles.

The current model from the line of Xiaomi people's routers, offering a lot of possibilities for a rather modest price. Mi Wi-Fi Router 4 is equipped with 128 MB of memory and a dual-core processor, so it works without a hint of brakes even with a bunch of devices. There are only two LAN ports, but they support the speed of 1 Gbps, but there are no USB ports at all. If this is critical for you, choose the previous model.

The original firmware is in Chinese, but this is solved by automatic translation in the browser or by using a mobile app for customization. Advanced users, if desired, can install an alternative firmware with russification and additional functions.

MikroTik hAP ac2

• Wireless Speed: 1,167 Mbps
• LAN ports: 4.
• Port speed: 1000 Mbps.
• USB ports: 1 USB 2.0.
• Price: 4 397 rubles.

A functional router from MikroTik, which is famous for its advanced network devices with a powerful signal. Thanks to the hAP ac2 stand, it can be installed vertically or horizontally, as well as mounted on the wall. The USB port supports the connection of 3G modems, which will be useful for creating a backup communication channel.

The router runs routerOS and allows deep network configuration, traffic management, firewall and other functions.

For less advanced users, there are quick settings that allow you to configure a connection in a few clicks.

The best routers from 5,000 to 10,000 rubles

More advanced devices for owners of large apartments and sophisticated users who like to delve into the settings. In addition to a strong signal, these routers can offer additional features like built-in storage for movies, photos and backups, as well as USB ports for connecting modems, printers, external drives and other peripherals.

Xiaomi Mi Wi-Fi Router Pro

• Wireless speed: 2,533 Mbps
• LAN Ports: 3.
• Port speed: 1000 Mbps.
• USB ports: 1 USB 3.0.
• Price: 5 830 rubles.

The top router in the Xiaomi lineup, which features an impressive metal body with good heat dissipation and a large coverage radius. The onboard USB 3.0 port allows you to connect external and organize wireless access to files.

With support for 802.11ac Wi-Fi and gigabit LAN ports, even heavy content flows over the network without delay. The firmware is traditionally in Chinese, so the initial configuration must be done either through a browser with a translator, or from a mobile application in English. You can also always install an alternative firmware with the Russian language and advanced functions.

Keenetic Giga

• Wireless speed: 1 267 Mbps
• LAN ports: 4.
• Port speed: 1000 Mbps.
• USB ports: 1 USB 3.0, 1 USB 2.0.
• Price: 8 190 rubles.

A full-fledged Internet center that lives up to its name. Keenetic Giga has everything that even advanced users might need: from gigabit Ethernet ports to USB 3.0 with support for any device, including LTE modems. It is even possible to connect fiber optic directly from the provider.

Four powerful antennas are responsible for reliable network coverage, and high transmission rates are ensured by beamforming to remote devices. The router has a convenient shell in Russian, which makes both basic and advanced network configuration as simple as possible.

Tenda MW3-3

• Wireless Speed: 1,167 Mbps
• LAN ports: 2.
• Port speed: 100 Mbps.
• USB Ports: None
• Price: 7 190 rubles.

An affordable three-device system for deploying a Wi-Fi Mesh network with seamless connection to any of the receivers. Miniature cubes can easily cover any apartment and even large cottages up to 300 square meters, allowing 30 devices to work simultaneously without any wires.

All settings of Tenda MW3-3 are made from the mobile application for iOS or Android. The initial configuration wizard will help you connect the main module and connect it to the satellites, as well as suggest the optimal location for them. If the coverage is not enough, you can buy and add three more of the same modules to the system.

TP-Link Archer C2300

• Wireless Speed: 2225 Mbps
• LAN ports: 4.
• Port speed: 1000 Mbps.
• USB ports: 1 USB 3.0, 1 USB 2.0.
• Price: 8 090 rubles.

Relatively compact and functional router with a powerful dual-core processor and impressive coverage, which is achieved by powerful antennas and beamforming technology. Gigabit Ethernet ports are on board, as well as two USB for connecting external drives and other devices.

The Archer C2300 provides a reliable connection that allows you to play online games and watch videos in 4K resolution without delay. For network management and configuration, there is a convenient mobile application for iOS and Android. In addition, antivirus, parental control and other home network protection features are available.

The best routers from 10,000 rubles and above

Flagship routers with top-of-the-line features. The latter will not be needed by most users and are designed for gamers and technical enthusiasts who need the highest stability of work, as well as the simultaneous connection of a large number of devices at high speeds and the ability to fine-tune the network.

Zyxel Armor Z2

• Wireless speed: 1,733 Mbps
• LAN ports: 4.
• Port speed: 1000 Mbps.
• USB ports: 1 USB 3.0, 1 USB 2.0.
• Price: 13 960 rubles.

An uncompromising router that is positioned as a solution for gamers and watching videos in 4K format. Armor Z2 features a powerful transmitter and antennas capable of beamforming to enhance signal strength.

The router runs a dual-core processor coupled with 512 MB of RAM, and also has a built-in 4 GB drive that is available for recording data and installing applications. The overheating problem is completely solved with the clever design of the ventilation holes and the optimized cooling.

Asus RT-AC86U

• Wireless speed: 2,167 Mbps
• LAN ports: 5.
• Port speed: 1000 Mbps.
• USB ports: 1 USB 3.0, 1 USB 2.0.
• Price: 16 990 rubles.

An advanced router for the most demanding users, ideal for online gaming, ultra-high definition streaming and use as a hub for smart home devices. Four external high-gain antennas provide strong signal to the farthest corners of the home, while eight Gigabit ports allow you to connect NAS, TV and other devices.

RT-AC88U has an improved traffic prioritization function for minimum latency in games. At the same time, the combination of two Internet channels is supported to obtain speeds up to 2 Gbps. By USB, you can connect both external drives and printers, and 3G / 4G modems. And if you have other Asus routers, they can be combined into one Mesh network.

TP-Link Archer C5400X

• Wireless Speed: 5,334 Mbps
• LAN ports: 8.
• Port speed: 1000 Mbps.
• USB ports: 2 USB 3.0.
• Price: 26 990 rubles.

The top router for gamers that stinks with its audacious design, abundance of features and fantastic connection speed. Eight long-range antennas are able to cover with a confident signal not only any apartment, but the entire courtyard of a private house.

This monster is equipped with a quad-core processor with three coprocessors and 1 GB of RAM, which eliminates any possibility of delays during gaming sessions. Eight gigabyte LAN ports are more than enough to connect consoles, PCs, set-top boxes and other network devices. Of course, the Archer C5400X has a built-in VPN, antivirus, cyberattack protection and other useful features.