Top routers for 2023 offer strong performance and reliable connectivity.
Top routers for 2023 offer strong performance and reliable connectivity.
I realized I’m at that tricky point where both YouTube and Google have a lot of expensive recommendations, and I’m unsure which one to choose. I was considering something mid-range, around 100 to 200 euros, for an apartment about 100 square meters or roughly 1076 square feet—seems a bit cramped, but it’s an apartment so there’s a lot of interference. I thought about going with Wi-Fi 6 because unused bandwidth could be useful if nothing else is active. Also, I wanted to make a reference list for others. P.S. I’m excited when the lab goes live, which would help us get clearer answers. Maybe a video on good current routers would work now that the RF chamber is online. So far, I’ve looked at TP-Link Archer AX55, Asus ROG Rapture GT-AXE11000, Ubiquiti UniFi Dream Machine Special Edition, and Asus RT-AX58U—each has its pros and cons. I’m open to suggestions and even a bit of personal input from someone with pfSense experience.
If you mean 6 Ghz only on WiFi 6e devices, standard WiFi 6 solutions using 2.4 and 5 Ghz still face the same challenges with interference. It doesn’t really matter. Every wireless setup is unique. What you’re wondering about is how manufacturers determine these specifications. They usually test in controlled lab environments, which means the numbers on the product packaging might not reflect real-world performance. Regarding routers, many don’t include built-in WiFi capabilities. The ASUS ROG model includes both 6 Ghz and 5 Ghz, but likely won’t be effective in most areas due to limited range and penetration. It also features a single 2.5Gbps Ethernet port. Other models lack 6 Ghz support entirely. Another factor is your internet speed—faster connections demand better routers. However, manufacturers often don’t provide accurate throughput data for LAN to WAN or WAN to LAN speeds. For instance, my Synology RT2600AC can handle over 800 Mbps, but we only have 400 Mbps available. That puts me comfortably within its limits. It’s worth checking if they test these metrics, since speeds above 1 Gbps are extremely demanding.