Rating of the best Wi-Fi routers 2025

The need to choose a good Wi-Fi router can arise for various reasons. Some buyers need to organize wireless Internet for PCs, smartphones, tablets and other devices in their apartment. Others want to connect different appliances like computers, TVs and NAS into their home network so that they can quickly access files on different devices. Others need to provide stable Wi-Fi for employees and visitors in the office. Whatever your goal, a review of the best Wi-Fi routers, selected for signal quality, reliability and cost, will help you decide on the right device for purchase.

Best Wi-Fi router manufacturers

Identifying leaders is always challenging. On the one hand, it is necessary to take into account the characteristics and quality of the routers. On the other hand, the opinions of real buyers. If we talk about the average score of routers, then the top five will look like this:

1. TP-LINK Is a popular Chinese brand that consumers value for its functionality, reliability and reasonable cost.
2. MikroTik - This company is not as well known to the mass buyer as its competitors. But corporate users regularly give preference to routers of this brand for its quality and capabilities.
3. ASUS - the top three is closed by another Chinese manufacturer that does not need an additional introduction. Not only excellent assembly speaks in favor of ASUS, but also a wonderful design.
4. D-Link Is a popular brand renowned for its reliability. The company is criticized only for not the most successful proprietary firmware, which users change to third-party ones.
5. Keenetic - this brand appeared on the domestic market in the spring of 2017 as an independent company. However, it was created by the famous manufacturer ZyXEL, which has been producing excellent networking equipment for 30 years.

Read also:

• The best wi-fi routers with a sim card
• Xiaomi wi-fi routers rating
• Rating of wi-fi routers from TP-LINK
• TOP wi-fi routers from Huawei
• Best wi-fi routers D-Link
• Keenetic wi-fi routers rating

Best low-cost Wi-Fi routers for home

When you just need to distribute the Internet to several devices, there is no point in buying an expensive router. Such a financial investment is unlikely to pay off, because most of the opportunities will simply not be used. It is more expedient to choose a budget router model, the functionality of which is enough for an ordinary user. We have selected 4 of the most attractive Wi-Fi routers with prices up to 14 $ among which you can choose a solution that suits your needs.

1. D-Link DIR-615S

The inexpensive and high-quality D-Link DIR-615S router can be called an ideal budget router. Simple yet attractive design, two antennas, and 4 LAN ports are the bare minimum you can get for 17 $... The device can work only in the 2.4 GHz band, and the maximum wireless connection speed in DIR-615S is 300 Mbps. The web interface of the budget router is made in the style familiar to D-Link devices with a menu on the left side of the page and basic settings in the center. Of the useful options for the D-Link DIR-615S router, you can probably single out only Yandex.DNS support.

Advantages:

• convenience of the web interface;
• high-quality assembly;
• affordable cost;
• stability of work;
• the ability to mount on the wall;
• Yandex.DNS support.

Disadvantages:

• speed is cut over Wi-Fi;
• no support for 802.11ac (5 GHz).

2. MikroTik hAP mini

If you call the hAP mini the simplest Wi-Fi router on the market, then this estimate is unlikely to be exaggerated. The device from the MikroTik brand comes in a simple gray cardboard box, which has only the outline of the router, as well as the name of the manufacturer and model. The bundle, which includes only the Wi-Fi router itself, a power adapter and a tiny manual, looks just as austere. The compact router hAP mini is equipped with only two LANs and a pair of built-in antennas with a gain of 1.5 dBi. The maximum wireless speed in a single 2.4 GHz frequency band for the reviewed model is 300 Mbps.

What we liked:

• small size;
• advantages of RouterOS;
• affordable cost;
• stability of Wi-Fi connection.

What may not suit:

• a little tricky software.

3. TP-LINK TL-WR841N

Another fairly cheap router is offered by the TP-LINK brand. The TL-WR841N model corresponds to a typical budget employee in almost everything: 4 x LAN, 2.4 GHz, 300 Mbps wireless connection, a pair of antennas (5 dBi) and a convenient web interface. All basic functionality is available to TP-LINK router, including IPTV. Also, the router has VPN support. As for the shortcomings, there is only one - in rare cases, TL-WR841N loses connection, so you have to reboot it. Of course, at a price of about 17 $ This nuance is not a serious drawback, but it should be taken into account before buying.

Advantages:

• ease of customization;
• range of Wi-Fi;
• convenience of the web interface;
• reasoned price;
• the presence of a powerful transmitter.

Disadvantages:

• in rare cases, the connection is lost.

4. Keenetic Start (KN-1110)

The last on the list of budget routers is Keenetic Start. The capabilities of the KN-1110 can be called simply excellent, as for a solution within one and a half thousand rubles. This router is equipped with high-precision antennas with a gain of 5 dBi and allows you to control your home network using proprietary mobile software. In addition, the popular router supports SkyDNS, Yandex.DNS, and VPN tunnels. As a result, KN-1110 can be called the best inexpensive Wi-Fi router in the TOP 10.

Pros:

• small dimensions;
• high build quality;
• pleasant appearance;
• antenna power;
• Yandex.DNS and SkyDNS support.

The best Wi-Fi routers price-quality

Given the variety of modern technology and electronics, it can be difficult for users to spend money wisely. In some cases, an expensive device may not be better than a more affordable solution from competitors. In other situations, an at first glance excellent thing is only a few thousand cheaper than a more functional Wi-Fi router from the same brand, but from an updated line. So that you do not have to regret your choice, we bring you three excellent routers with the best value for money.

1. Tenda AC6

The best router in terms of price-quality ratio, according to our editors, is Tenda AC6. Firstly, it is a device with an attractive design, which is not a shame to put in a prominent place in the house. Secondly, the router is equipped with 4 antennas at once with a gain of 5 dBi. Thirdly, the device can work simultaneously in the 2.4 GHz (maximum 300 Mbps) and 5 GHz (up to 867 Mbps) bands. There are also many additional features here that you would not expect to see in a model for 28 $... The most useful ones are repeater mode, guest network and static routing. I would also like to praise Tenda for its user-friendly web interface and a well-thought-out branded application for smartphones.

What to like:

• great price;
• beautiful design;
• wide functionality;
• convenience of the web interface;
• application for phones;
• the presence of 4 antennas;
• excellent range.

What is missing:

• no gigabit ports;
• there is no USB connector.

2. ASUS RT-AC53

Continues the rating of the best Wi-Fi routers on 2025 year excellent model from ASUS. The RT-AC53 performance is just perfect for a device costing within 42 $... The router can simultaneously operate in the 2.4 and 5 GHz frequency bands, providing wireless speeds of 300 and 433 Mbps, respectively. On the back of the router there is a WAN, 2 x LAN, a power connector, a power button, as well as Reset and WPS. In addition to the basic functionality, the device boasts a VPN server and client, QoS / shaping, and the ability to reassign the WPS button to turn on / off Wi-Fi or indicators on the front panel.

Advantages:

• reassignable WPS button;
• build quality and reliability;
• quick turn on;
• signal quality and power;
• ease of customization;
• good functionality.

Disadvantages:

• dampness of branded firmware;
• only 2 LAN ports.

3. D-Link DIR-815 / AC

Another good value for money router according to customer reviews is the DIR-815 / AC router from D-Link. The average price of this model is 35 $, but its capabilities are in line with more expensive competitors. The software part, as noted above, is standard for all D-Link and is quite convenient. The hardware platform also did not disappoint and pleases with stability. The router has 4 antennas and 4 LAN ports with a speed of 100 Mbps. The maximum transmission rate at 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz is standard for its class - 300 and 868 Mbps, respectively. The device has a USB connector, supports URL filtering, Firewall, Yandex.DNS and external modems.

Pros:

• functionality at the level of older models;
• low price considering the possibilities;
• availability of a USB port;
• attractive design;
• signal stability.

The best routers in the top segment

Advanced Wi Fi routers for home are not a solution for everyone. The high price, comparable to good smartphones, does not allow calling these products mass-produced. Most buyers simply won't see the benefit of having many options like an FTP server, USB port, or multi-Gbps high-speed wireless connection. But if you do not need to explain the benefits of having multiple antennas and the ability to connect LTE modems to a router, then this category of devices is exactly what you need.

1. ASUS RT-AC86U

The first place among Wi-Fi routers is taken by an excellent model with a strict design, diluted with small inserts of red plastic, stylized "metal". At the bottom there is a row of indicators that are lit / blinking in neutral white during operation. Some of the lights may turn red if there is any problem. RT-AC86U is a vertical ASUS router. This solution looks unusual and stylish.

The top of the router is reserved for three antennas, and at the bottom of the rear panel there are all interfaces and most of the controls: power and reset buttons, a WAN port, as well as 4 LAN outputs, as well as a port for power and a pair of USB 2.0 and 3.0 standards. There is also a button to turn off the LEDs.

ASUS RT-AC86U hardware platform is represented by a 2-core processor from Broadcom, clocked at 1.8 GHz, as well as 512 MB of RAM and 256 MB of flash memory. The router board contains two blocks for operation in the 2.4 GHz band (maximum speed 750 Mbps) and 5 GHz (up to 2167 Mbps).

The functionality of the router is excellent. There are options such as traffic analysis and control, VPN server, AirProtect the ability to add guest wireless networks, Game Boost and much more. At the same time, the web interface and proprietary program for smartphones also deserve the highest marks.

As a result, ASUS RT-AC86U is not a cheap device, the average price of which is impressive 210 $... However, one can hardly blame the manufacturer for inflating the cost of the router, given its characteristics.

Advantages:

• excellent appearance;
• simultaneous work in two ranges;
• functionality;
• reasoned cost;
• a pair of USB ports;
• the presence of removable antennas;
• availability of network protection;
• the ability to turn off indicators.

Disadvantages:

• there is no wall mounting option;
• high price.

2. TP-LINK Archer C2300

The second place in the ranking of top-end routers went to a more affordable model with a cost of 133 $... The Archer C2300 can also operate in dual bands with maximum wireless data rates of 600 Mbps and 1625 Mbps for 2.4 and 5 GHz, respectively. MU-MIMO technology allows many devices to be connected to the network at the same time. "Filling" TP-LINK Archer C2300 practically repeats the previous model in this category: a 2-core 1.8 GHz processor, 512 MB of RAM, and 128 MB of flash memory. In addition, a good router for the home boasts USB 3.0 and support for proprietary TP-LINK Tether software for configuration.

Advantages:

• speed and stability of wireless networks;
• button to turn off the LEDs;
• attractive design;
• good hardware platform;
• ease of customization through the application.

Disadvantages:

• rare but there are problems with the firmware.

3. Keenetic Giga (KN-1010)

The most reliable router in the rating ends the review - Keenetic Giga. This is one of the older devices in the brand's lineup, significantly differing functionally from more affordable solutions. In particular, it has an SFP port, making the KN-1010 one of the rare universal SOHO models. If we talk about all the features of Keenetic Giga, then we will have to highlight a separate article for this. In particular, it has support for VLANs, external 3G / LTE modems, Yandex.DNS and SkyDNS, TLS encryption, L2TP / IPSec and OpenVPN clients / servers, and much more. By the way, the name Giga for the Wi-Fi router was chosen for a reason, because each of the 4 LAN ports built into the router operates at a speed of 1 Gb / s. As for the speed of the wireless connection, for the 2.4 GHz channel its limit is 400 Mbps, and for 5 GHz it is 867 Mbps.

Pros:

• excellent functionality;
• range of the wireless network;
• speed of LAN and Wi-Fi ports;
• reliability and stability;
• reasoned cost.

Which Wi-Fi router to buy

Our TOP 10 list of the best Wi-Fi router models is aimed at all categories of buyers. Budget solutions are best suited for users with a modest budget and those who need to distribute the Internet for only 2-3 devices. More expensive models are optimal for a large home network. Solutions at the Keenetic Giga level, in turn, are aimed at corporate users working in the office.