Internet access is no longer a luxury, and a large number of providers in each city allows you to choose a service with an optimal price / quality ratio. However, it is often necessary to connect several or even dozens of devices to the global network simultaneously. The difficulty lies in the fact that some support only a wired connection, while others use Wi-Fi.
This is where routers come to the rescue, which combine the possibilities of broadcasting a signal, both by wire and by air. Their functionality and design features are quite diverse. Budget models provide a basic set of settings, while premium models open up unlimited possibilities for the finest control of all parameters to the user.
We've compiled a list of the best Wi-Fi routers based on expert opinions and real customer reviews. Our recommendations will help you make the best choice for your requirements and desires. There are many competitors on the world market for equipment, but we have selected the best manufacturers and recommend paying special attention to them:
- TP-LINK
- ASUS
- ZyXEL
- MikroTik
- Tenda
- Netis
- Huawei
- D-link
1 | TP-LINK TL-WR841N | 1 130 RUB |
2 | MikroTik RB951G-2HnD | 4 630 RUB |
3 | Netis WF2780 | 2 230 p. |
4 | ASUS RT-AC88U | 14 800 RUB |
5 | Tenda ac6 | 1 990 RUB |
6 | Huawei B315S | 5 135 p. |
7 | TP-LINK Archer VR400 | 5,222 p. |
8 | MikroTik hAP AC Lite Tower | 2823 p. |
9 | TP-LINK TL-MR3020 | 1 250 RUB |
10 | TP-LINK Archer A2 | 1 384 p. |
11 | D-link DIR-615 / T4 | 1 100 p. |
12 | D-link DSL-2740U / RA / V2A | 1 160 RUB |
13 | ZYXEL USG60W | 15 807 p. |
14 | ZyXel Keenetic Ultra KN-1810 | 8,298 p. |
15 | ZyXel Keenetic Giga KN-1010 | 8 190 p. |
16 | ASUS DSL-N16 | 2 189 p. |
17 | D-link DIR-825 / RU / R1 | 3 170 RUB |
18 | ASUS 4G-AC53U | 12 970 p. |
For home (apartment)
The main advantages
- The budget router can meet the needs of the average family with wired and wireless devices in their arsenal
- The data transfer rate reaches 300 Mbps, and the optimal coverage area is provided by two antennas
- The WPS function allows you to create an encrypted Wi-Fi connection with a mobile gadget at the push of a button
- The ability to connect digital television and telephony, as well as advanced network configuration using the WDS function
- The presence of "Parental Control" helps to create rules for connected devices in order to control: Internet distribution time, bandwidth by IP addresses, etc.
With sim card
The main advantages
- Compact router with a SIM card slot,which allows you to access 3G / 4G mobile Internet anywhere in the world
- Support for 2.4 and 5 GHz wireless connection allows you to connect to the most common and modern high-speed access points
- WDS technology allows you to synchronize devices with a router by pressing one button without entering passwords and additional configuration
- The built-in web interface allows you to quickly configure the connection parameters of the main and guest networks, restrict access or speed for individual network participants, block certain content or sites
- Large amount of RAM allows you to service a large number of connected devices
4G (3G)
The main advantages
- The main feature is the proprietary RouteOS firmware with access level 4. The user can configure all hardware capabilities, port forwarding, traffic limitation by IP addresses of the local network, packet filtering and traffic monitoring
- PoE power supply technology allows you to place the router remotely from the outlet. Voltage is supplied over twisted pair through a special adapter over long distances
- Supports MIMO technology and dual 360 ° antennas for fast Wi-Fi data transfer
- Possibility of remote control using the Winbox utility after pre-authentication
The main advantages
- Support for new VDSL2 technology allows the device to work not only as a router, but also as a high-speed DSL modem
- Three powerful antennas ensure a stable Wi-Fi signal over a large coverage area
- Supports Beamforming technology to pinpoint the location of connected devices and increase directional data rates
- Using the Tether mobile application, it is convenient to configure and manage the router using smartphones on iOS and Android
- The presence of an EWAN port allows you to organize a backup channel by connecting a cable modem to it, thereby increasing the stability of Internet access
The main advantages
- Creating a Wi-Fi network in two frequency ranges at once allows you to reduce signal interference, increase speed and connect more devices
- Thanks to the possibility of organizing power using both the standard power supply unit and Passive PoE technology, flexibility and ease of connecting the device is achieved
- Thanks to the RouterOS level 4 operating system, the speed, reliability and security of the router and wireless network are increased
- The router can power another device using PoE technology, which is very convenient for creating a small wireless coverage area
- Built-in QoS lets you customize the baud rate for each user or application, allowing more resources to be allocated to more critical tasks
The main advantages
- Thanks to compatibility with 120 models of 3G and 4G modems, the router is easy to configure for users to access the Internet at high speeds up to 300 Mbps
- The miniature size makes the router indispensable for travel for convenient Internet connection of tablets, smartphones and laptops
- The ability of the router to operate in the access point mode allows using a cable WAN connection to quickly organize a wireless network for other devices
- The reliability and continuity of Internet access is ensured by the function of automatic switching between different sources - 3G / 4G and WAN
- Access Control allows you to allow or block access to certain resources for effective parental control
The main advantages
- The device supports full operation with a 4G modem, purchased separately
- Proprietary Content Filtering 2.0 technology and hardware-based Geo IP Block enhances detection of potential threats to network security
- Easy Mode greatly simplifies router configuration for general users
- Zyxel AP Controller technology manages 18 access points through a single interface, which improves network stability in rooms with large areas and many rooms
- A set of proprietary software in the form of an antivirus, firewall and anti-spam system guarantees multilevel security for work computers, laptops and other devices connected to the device
The main advantages
- The router operates simultaneously in the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands, providing a total wireless bandwidth of up to 2533 Mbps
- All modern standards of protection and encryption of data flow and connection are supported, guaranteeing maximum security and confidentiality
- There are four LAN ports (1 Gbps) for creating a wired LAN for an apartment or small office
- A separate guest network is provided with speed adjustment and filtering of connected subscribers, which is especially important when organizing open Wi-Fi access points in cafes, government institutions, public places
- Four antennas with good gain guarantee stable connection and long distance internet access
The main advantages
- Gigabit LAN ports allow for high-speed wired LAN, while the 5GHz and 2.4GHz concurrent wireless transmission standard provides up to 1267Mbps traffic
- The router can work in repeater (repeater) mode, duplicating and amplifying the signal of the main device
- There are USB 2.0 and 3.0 connectors with built-in print server connectivity
- Powerful antennas and support for external 3G and 4G modems allow you to access the Internet in places far from the city (summer cottage, going out into the countryside, in the suburbs)
- There is a hybrid connector for connecting optics (SPF)
The main advantages
- The router can be used as a file server, allowing all users of the local network to access certain documents, movies, music
- The speed of wired ports reaches 1 Gb / s, and wireless ports - 1.1 Gb / s, allowing you to download and transfer large files in a couple of minutes
- The guest network allows you to differentiate access to personal and general information, as well as provide controlled open access to the Internet
- It is possible to configure static and dynamic routing, which allows you to connect the Internet of different providers with a specific connection technology
- Built-in support for 3G / 4G USB modems allows you to access the Internet anywhere in the world without being tied to an apartment and provider
USB device support
The main advantages
- A combined-type router provides connection to a provider via a standard twisted pair cable or by installing a SIM card
- Support for 4G data transmission standard provides speeds up to 150 Mbps
- 802.11n Wi-Fi connection guarantees packet exchange rates of up to 300 Mbps. Handles multi-connections for up to 32 users simultaneously
- Gigabit LAN ports allow you to create a high-speed local area network
- The ability to make calls and send SMS (when working via SIM)
- Connectors for two external antennas extend the signal radius up to 250 meters
- Built-in DHCP server protects from the need to manually configure the network parameters of connected devices, and FireWall blocks malicious sites
Wi-Fi speed: up to 300Mbps
The main advantages
- The device provides comprehensive connection security thanks to work with WEP / WPA / WPA2, WPS / WMM standards and filtering unwanted subscribers by MAC address
- Advanced router functionality includes support for IPv6 networks - the modern version of the Internet protocol
- VPN VPN appliance supports L2TP, IPSec, PPTP and Pass Through technologies
- Large range of the wireless network is provided by the presence of two external standard antennas
- The built-in Yandex.DNS content filtering service regulates the convenient and reliable application of all parental control features
The main advantages
- The device is equipped with a port for connecting an ADSL line, allowing you to connect to providers with an outdated type of traffic distribution (relevant for many objects remote from the city)
- A separate button on the router allows you to turn off Wi-Fi without the need to completely power off the device, which guarantees the operation of devices on the network connected via LAN ports
- The software functionality supports the creation of guest access for users who are not included in the pool of authorized local network subscribers
- Convenient web interface in Russian and the presence of a virtual connection wizard simplifies device configuration by inexperienced users
- Yandex.DNS support improves the efficiency of parental controls and security policies for subscribers without access to administrative rights
The main advantages
- Standard router for home use. The maximum wireless speed is 300Mbps
- There is a firewall with a basic system of protection against network attacks from the outside
- The guest network provides unsecured (open) access to the Internet, which is very often used in cafes, beauty salons, shops with low bandwidth
- Built-in web interface allows you to quickly configure the equipment for any user without skills and special knowledge
- Built-in support for VPN services, allowing you to bypass the blocking of many countries related to the user's location
Wi-Fi Speed: Over 300Mbps
The main advantages
- Despite the budget cost, the router is equipped with two Realtek radio units operating in different frequency ranges. Separate antennas with 5 dBi gain are provided for each
- Possibility of connecting digital IP-television and telephony. Uninterrupted video streaming with QoS technology
- There is a mechanism for controlling the bandwidth Bandwidth Control, which allows you to limit the traffic speed for each individual PC in the local network
- There are several operating modes (router, access point, repeater) and connection methods (DHCP, Static IP, PPPoE, L2TP, PPTP, WISP). Such a universal set allows you to use a router to connect to any provider
The main advantages
- With support for two frequencies (2.4 and 5 GHz) simultaneously, you can easily distribute connected devices, preventing channel congestion
- The ability to connect and configure IPTV via a standard LAN port if the provider has such a service
- Beamforming + technology allows you to identify areas of weak coverage and automatically amplify the signal, which is especially important in a multi-room apartment or office
- Separate smartphone software provides remote control over devices connected to the router
- USB port can be used to create shared network storage or connect printer to local network
The main advantages
- The connection speed reaches 433 Mbps at 5 GHz, which allows you to use IPTV services without delays
- Three external antennas guarantee optimized dedicated network coverage and connection stability
- The device works in the mode of a classic router, access point or wireless signal booster
- The functionality of the router allows, on a hardware-protected level, to organize parallel guest access for subscribers who do not belong to authorized users of the private network
- Proprietary software supports extensive access policy creation and parental controls to limit traffic and content
The main advantages
- The router operates in two independent bands 2.4 and 5 GHz. Each has a separate radio unit, four power amplifiers and two omnidirectional antennas, which guarantees a large coverage area of up to 500 m²
- Enhanced data transfer rates are provided using NitroQAM technology (2167 Mbps for 5 GHz and 1000 Mbps for 2.4 GHz)
- ASUSWRT proprietary firmware allows you to perform comprehensive configuration of network parameters, including guest networks, restrict access for a group or individual devices, block web resources, get any traffic information in the desired form
- The presence of two USB ports allows you to connect an external drive with a network access setting (cloud or FTP), a shared printer or a 3G modem as a backup Internet gateway