The 10 Best Family Router Of 2024, Tested By Our Experts
The Rundown
1. Best Overall: NETGEAR Nighthawk Smart Wi-Fi Router
With a Nighthawk Smart WiFi Router, you are your own ISP and can control all your connected devices from one place. Create a Wi-Fi network with just the touch of button and enjoy the world's fastest speed for uninterrupted streaming and gaming. Read Review
2. Runner Up: Amazon eero mesh WiFi system, router
Experience the eero system and find a better, faster WiFi experience. The eero mesh WiFi system is an easy-to-set-up router and three smart extenders that are easy to place around your home. Just press the eero button at the base of each extender or use the app to download installation instructions and get started. Read Review
3. Best Control: TP-Link Deco Mesh WiFi System, WiFi Router
TP-Link Deco Mesh WiFi system is a robust and easy to use wireless router that pairs wireless routers with access points to form a powerful mesh network. It offers you the convenience of only having one network name, seamless and stable throughout the day, even with multiple devices. The advanced Deco Mesh Technology ensures your home WiFi security in an efficient manner. Read Review
4. Best Smart: Google Wifi - AC1200, Wifi Router
Google Wifi - AC1200, WiFi Router is designed to make your home WiFi system easy to use and easy on your wallet. This smart mesh Wi-Fi system intelligently works behind the scenes to keep your WiFi fast so you can stream, game, and browse without interruption. Read Review
5. Best Protection: NETGEAR Orbi Tri-band Whole Home Mesh WiFi System
NETGEAR Orbi Tri-band is the first Wi-Fi device designed to work with all other Wi-Fi devices in your home. Maintain speed even as more devices use your WiFi at the same time, thanks to patented tri-band technology, and NETGEAR Armor protects your family's WiFi with an automatic shield of security. Read Review
Your home network is your gateway to everything on your network, from devices like printers and scanners to smart home devices like Philips Hue lights and Google Home. Your router connects all of these devices, so it’s a crucial piece of the puzzle. That’s why it’s important to get the right router for your household.
A good router will help you stream videos, music, and photos wirelessly from all your connected devices with little lag or buffering issues. A bad one won’t help you stream anything, let alone anything wirelessly. So how can you tell if a router is good? Here are some key considerations: Is the wireless coverage strong in my home? Will my existing Internet service work well with this router? Is the price fair? All of these questions should go into play when looking at a new router.
We think the best family router available now is NETGEAR Nighthawk Smart Wi-Fi Router. It has a stylish design that blends in with your home décor, and a powerful array of features that extends wireless coverage and protects your family’s WiFi. If you were wanting another option, you can check the Amazon eero mesh WiFi system, router as an alternative. You may relax knowing that its quality is also good per what we researched.
RELATED: In this article, we've reviewed the best ac1900 wireless router for -the year. These wireless routers provide fast speeds and a range of features that make them the best routers on the market.
Our Top Picks
Wired Ethernet ports: Plug in computers, game consoles, streaming players, and other nearby wired devices with 4 x 1 gigabit Ethernet ports
Maximum Range : 1500 Sq Ft
NETGEAR Armor protects your family's WiFi with an automatic shield of security across all your connected devices with a 30-day free trial
Recommended for up to 25 devices: Reliably stream videos, play games, surf the internet, and connect smart home devices
Safe & secure: Supports WPA2 wireless security protocols. Includes Guest Wi-Fi access, DOS, Firewall, VPN, and more. System requirements: Microsoft Windows 7, 8, 10, Vista, XP, 2000, Mac OS, UNIX, or Linux. Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0, Firefox 2.0, Safari 1.4, or Google Chrome 11.0 browsers or higher
USB connections: Share a storage drive or printer with any connected device or create a personal cloud storage to access from anywhere, using the 1 x 3.0 USB port
NETGEAR Smart Parental Controls promotes healthy Internet habits, fosters responsibility and builds trust with your kids (30-day free trial included)
Safe & secure: Supports WPA2 wireless security protocols. Includes Guest Wi-Fi access, DOS, Firewall, VPN, and more
Loaded with advanced technology: Designed with a 1GHz dual core processor, 3 amplified antennas, Beamforming plus, Dynamic QoS, Smart Connect, and more
DON'T LET WIFI SLOW YOU DOWN- Get the most from your WiFi by streaming, gaming, and working across your home.
EASILY EXPAND YOUR SYSTEM - With cross-compatible hardware, you can add eero products as your needs change.
EXPERIENCE THE EERO TRUEMESH DIFFERENCE - eero’s patented TrueMesh technology intelligently routes traffic to reduce drop-offs and dead spots.
WORKS WITH ALEXA- With eero and an Alexa device (not included), you can easily manage wifi access for network profiles to take focus away from screens and back to what’s important.
WHOLE-HOME COVERAGE - The eero mesh WiFi system brings up to 4,500 sq. ft. of fast, reliable WiFi to your home.
GETS BETTER OVER TIME - Receive automatic updates to help keep your network safe and secure. Online security and additional network management features available via a separate subscription.
SET UP IN MINUTES - The eero app guides you through setup and allows you to manage your network from anywhere.
WORKS WITH YOUR INTERENT SERVICE PROVIDER- eero replaces your wifi router and works with most major internet service providers.
Robust Parental Controls: Limit online time and block inappropriate websites according to unique profiles created for each family member. Easy to keep your children safe while they’re online.
With advanced Deco Mesh Technology, units work together to form a unified network with a single network name. Devices automatically switch between Decos as you move through your home for the fastest possible speeds
Seamless and Stable WiFi Mesh: Rather than wifi range extender that need multiple network names and passwords, Deco S4 allows you to enjoy seamless roaming throughout the house, with a single network name and password.
Bettern Coverage than traditional WiFi routers: Deco S4 three units work seamlessly to create a WiFi mesh network that can cover homes up to 5, 500 square feet. No dead zone anymore.
Incredibly fast AC1200 speeds makes the deco capable of providing connectivity for up to 100 devices.
A New Way to WiFi: Deco Mesh technology gives you a better WiFi experience in all directions with faster WiFi speeds and strong WiFi signal to cover your whole home.
Each Deco S4 has 2 Gigabit Ethernet ports(6 in total for a 3-pack) and supports Wired Ethernet Backhaul for better speeds. Any of them can work as a Wi-Fi Router. Works with all internet service providers, such as AT&T, Verizon, Xfinity, Spectrum, RCN, Cox, CenturyLink, Frontier, etc.( a modem is required for most internet service providers)
Setup is a breeze with the Deco app available on your Android or iOS device. Turn on or off guest WiFi with Alexa voice commands.
Intelligently works behind the scenes to make sure your Wifi remains fast so you can stream with speed[2]
Google Wifi is a scalable flexible mesh Wifi system that blankets your home in reliable coverage and keeps buffering at bay; 1 Google Wifi point replaces your router and additional points expand your network to keep the connection fast in every room[1]
Sustainably designed; 49% of the plastic part weight is made with recycled material (2020 model)
Google Wifi gives you whole home coverage; 1 Pack covers up to 1500 square feet and 3 Pack covers up to 4500 square feet; points work together to create a mesh network for more coverage
Easy to control home Wifi system lets you prioritize devices check your network speeds, set up a guest network, and more
Simple setup in a few steps; use the Google Home app to create your network and get online in minutes[3]
Works with all Google Wifi points and can be added to any existing Nest Wifi system; just add more points if you need more coverage
Please refer to the product description section below for all applicable legal disclaimers denoted by the bracketed numbers in the preceding bullet points (e.g. [1], [2], etc.)
Parental controls let you manage screen time, restrict certain kinds of adult content, and pause Wifi to specific devices on your mesh network whenever you want
Maintains speed even as more devices use your WiFi at the same time, thanks to patented tri-band technology
The most award-winning Mesh WiFi system on the planet: PC Mag, CNET, Wirecutter, Forbes, SmallNetBuilder
NETGEAR Smart Parental Controls promotes healthy Internet habits, fosters responsibility and builds trust with your kids (30-day free trial included)
NETGEAR Armor protects your family's WiFi with an automatic shield of security across all your connected devices with a 30-day free trial
Ultra-performance Mesh WiFi network blankets every inch of your home in super fast and seamless WiFi connectivity - room to room, wall to wall, floor to floor
Eliminates WiFi dead zones and buffering - 5,000 square feet of consistent coverage - with speeds up to 3Gbps
Most connections for any mesh system solution with 4 x lan, 1 x USB 3.1, 1 x USB 2.0 ports giving you connections for your wired devices. OS Support - Windows 10 64-bit, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7, Mac OS X 10.6, Mac OS X 10.7, Mac OS X 10.8, Linux
Ax technology: with ofdma and mu mimo, AiMesh AX6100 Wi-Fi system enables more efficient, stable, and faster transmission even when multiple devices are transmitting data at the same time
Certified for Humans – Smart home made easy for non-experts. Setup with Alexa is simple.
Commercial-grade network security for family – AiProtection Pro protects all the connected devices on your home network and advanced parental controls allow you to manage the family's internet usage.
Connector Type : USB
The most powerful mesh system: AiMesh technology allows you to establish an even stronger Wi-Fi system with 802.11ax technology as wireless backhaul to transmit data between two RT-AX92U, ensuring the most stable Wi-Fi for connected devices
Enjoy 4K HD streaming, gaming and more in high quality without buffering
Tri band technology delivers the fastest combined Wi-Fi speeds to all your devices
Provides up to 1,500 square feet of Wi-Fi coverage for 15plus wireless devices
MU MIMO (Multi User Multiple Input Multiple Output) provides Wi-Fi to multiple devices at once, at the same high speed
Works with existing modem, simple setup through Linksys App
Amazon exclusive extended 18 month warranty
Tri band Wi-Fi speeds up to 2.2 Gbps (5 GHz / 400 Mbps) plus (5 GHz / 867 Mbps) plus (2.4 GHz / 867 Mbps)
The Next Gen WiFi Standard - Future proof your home network with the next-gen WiFi 6 technology, providing up to 2. 7x faster speed than the previous WiFi generation featuring OFDMA and MU-MIMO technology.
Mobile App Support - Control and customize every feature at your fingertips using the ASUS Router App for both iOS and Android devices.
Ultra-Fast Wi-Fi - RT-AX3000 supports 160MHz bandwidth and 1024-QAM, boasting a total network speed of 3000 Mbps - 575Mbps on the 2. 4GHz band, and 2402GHz on the 5GHz band.
Maximum Range : 3000 Sq Ft
The Most Powerful Mesh System — AiMesh technology allows you to establish an even stronger mesh WiFi system with other ASUS AiMesh compatible routers, ensuring stable and seamless whole home coverage.
Commercial-grade network security for family - AiProtection Pro protects all the connected devices on your home network and advanced parental controls allow you to manage the family's internet usage.
Plug in computers, game consoles, streaming players, and more with 4 x 1G Ethernet ports Share a storage drive with any connected device and create a personal cloud storage to access from anywhere using the 1 x 3.0 USB port
Fast AX5400 Gigabit speed with WiFi 6 technology for uninterrupted streaming, HD video gaming, and web conferencing
NETGEAR Armor protects your family's WiFi with an automatic shield of security across all your connected devices with a 30-day free trial
Coverage up to 2,500 sq. ft. for up to 25 devices
NETGEAR Smart Parental Controls promotes healthy Internet habits, fosters responsibility and builds trust with your kids (30-day free trial included)
Connects to your existing cable modem and replaces your WiFi router. Compatible with any internet service provider up to 1Gbps including cable, satellite, fiber, and DSL
Backed by a 1-year limited hardware warranty
Hassle Free Control – 3 steps setup and easy management with ASUS Router App
Banish WiFi Dead Zone—Tri-band mesh WiFi system with unique antenna placement delivers strong WiFi to every corner of your home, providing total wireless speed of 6600Mbps.
AiMesh Supported– Mix and match ZenWiFi with AiMesh-compatible routers to form powerful and flexible whole-home WiFi system
Next-Gen Wi-Fi 6 Technology— With OFDMA and MU-MIMO, ZenWiFi AX enables more efficient, stable, and faster transmission even when multiple devices are transmitting data at the same time.
Always Up-to-date Protection— The lifetime free network security powered by Trend Micro makes sure your privacy on connected devices is protected.
What to Look For in a best family router?
Buyers are frequently hesitant to purchase best family router. Certain factors should be considered while making a significant purchase. Our understanding and expertise with best family router will assist you in making the right decisions.
Please take the following points into consideration before selecting best family router:
Booster Club
LAN Ports
USB Ports
WiFi Standards
Quality Of Service
App-Based Management
Security
RELATED: You need a gigabit router if you want to enjoy the benefits of home automation and video surveillance. We've reseacrch the best gigabit router for home in 2024.
FAQs
Is A Router Possible To Work Without A Modem?
Yes, wireless routers can be used to connect to the internet. However, your router’s capacity will be limited. You would be able to use the router for tasks such as network sharing and using network printers. However, you will not be able to access the internet without also having a modem. This is because some routers come with a built-in modem, but routers usually do not feature a built-in wireless router.
What Is The Difference Between A WiFi Router And A Modem?
A modem's basic task is to convert one network protocol into another. Most modems allow connecting only one device. A WiFi modem allows you to connect multiple devices, but the range is limited. A WiFi Router, on the other hand, is a device that helps connect multiple networks together. It allows you to handle multiple devices at the same time, as well as share your internet connection. A router also boosts the signal coming from your modem and helps spread it to a bigger range, ensuring your entire house gets internet access.
Do Wireless Routers Go Bad?
Yes, wireless routers can go bad. Given that they are plugged in almost all the time, any electric surge can cause the router to heat up or get damaged. However, this also depends on the kind of router that you buy.
Are You Able To Stream Video And Play Games With A Router At 300 Mbps?
Again, the thing you need to focus on is your internet connection. A 300 Mbps internet connection would be very fast for streaming videos and playing games. A good video streaming needs a 5 Mbps connection while a good gaming experience requires about 20-25 Mbps connectivity. However, if you are on a slower internet connection, a 300 Mbps router won’t do anything to boost your internet speed. The key thing you need to consider is the speed that your ISP gives you and not the speed that the router supports.
For Better Connectivity, Where Should I Put My Router?
Most people set up their routers in the corner of a room, but it is best advised to have the router placed centrally so that it covers the entire home. However, it is also advisable to place it in a place where you use the internet the most. Moreover, it is also a good practice to avoid keeping metal objects around your router as metal dissipates electromagnetic signals. Placing your router high up will also be bad for the signal strength.
What Do Wireless Routers Serve?
A wireless router helps connect all the devices in your home to the internet. Most modems can only handle one device at a time, but users with multiple devices generally connect their modem to a router. All your devices then connect with the router and get proper internet access. Furthermore, some ISPs also provide a wireless modem - but the problem is that they have a limited range. Hence, connecting the modem with a router helps ensure that you get internet access all over your home even if you're on the third floor.
Is The Router Affecting Internet Speed?
Yes and No. On one hand, your internet speed is completely reliant on the plan that you have from your Internet provider. However, on the other hand, if you have a faster internet speed – for example, a 2 Gbps connection, but your router supports speeds up to 450 Mbps only, then you would get slower speeds. This is how the router and internet speed are connected. A faster router does not automatically guarantee faster internet speeds but a slow-speed router can slow your internet down.
We constantly update the list of best family router as new data becomes available. For the most up-to-date information, please visit our website regularly.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any queries or concerns with best family router. If you ask, we'll do our hardest to help you in any way we can!
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