Bottom Line
The right router can be the lifeline of your digital home, enabling seamless connectivity, streaming, gaming, and more. As demand for high-speed internet grows, long-range routers have become an essential part of homes and businesses alike. From Asus to TP-Link, we’ve reviewed the best options on the market, focusing on range, speed, and performance.
Welcome, all digital enthusiasts! As you navigate the vast realm of the internet, the right router can be your trusty compass, guiding your devices safely and quickly to their digital destinations. From the gaming champion who can’t afford a moment of lag to the Netflix addict whose weekend binges cannot be disrupted, this guide caters to all. We’ve tested and reviewed the top long-range routers to bring you the best of the best, courtesy of Coreceptive.
Asus RT-AX88U: ★★★★★
Best for High-Speed Gaming
| What We Like | What We Don’t Like |
|---|---|
| High-speed Wi-Fi 6 connectivity | Expensive price tag |
| Excellent range and coverage | Complex setup process |
| Robust and feature-rich firmware | Occasional firmware update issues |
The Asus RT-AX88U is a powerhouse, offering up to 6000 square feet of Wi-Fi coverage. With its revolutionary Wi-Fi 6 technology, it excels at handling multiple devices, making it one of the best gaming routers.
Delivering top-notch performance with reduced latency, the RT-AX88U ensures a smooth, interruption-free gaming experience. The question of is 100 mbps fast doesn’t arise as this router boasts incredible speeds up to 6000 Mbps, setting a new benchmark for internet speed for gaming.
While some might find the router a bit expensive, its advanced features and robust performance justify the price. Security is also top-notch, featuring AiProtection Pro for commercial-grade security. Plus, its easy setup and management with the ASUS Router App makes it user-friendly.
TP-Link Archer C80: ★★★★☆
Best Budget Router
| What We Like | What We Don’t Like |
|---|---|
| Affordable Price | Limited Range Coverage |
| Dual-Band Wi-Fi | Basic Design and Appearance |
| Parental Controls | Mediocre Performance on 5GHz Band |
If you’re looking for affordability without compromising on quality, the TP-Link Archer C80 is your best bet. Touted as one of the best budget routers, it offers impressive range and speed for its price point.
Ideal for mid-sized homes, this router features advanced MU-MIMO technology and beamforming for reliable, extensive coverage. While it might not reach the dizzying speeds of the Asus RT-AX88U, the Archer C80 provides ample speed for streaming and light gaming.
The TP-Link Tether App allows for straightforward setup and management. Plus, the Archer C80 also supports Amazon Alexa for smart home integration, making it a worthy addition to any home.
Netgear Home Wi-Fi System: ★★★★★
Best Wi-Fi Extenders
| What We Like | What We Don’t Like |
|---|---|
| Wide Wi-Fi Coverage | Limited Advanced Settings |
| Easy Setup and Management | Inconsistent Firmware Updates |
| Guest Network Support | May Have Connectivity Issues |
The Netgear Home Wi-Fi System isn’t just a router; it’s a complete solution for comprehensive coverage. As one of the best Wi-Fi extenders, this system ensures that every corner of your house gets consistent Wi-Fi coverage.
This router system offers the perfect solution for large homes or offices, providing seamless Wi-Fi access across multiple rooms and levels. The system includes a primary router and satellite extenders that work together to blanket your space in Wi-Fi.
Netgear’s Orbi app makes setup and management a breeze. Additionally, the system includes cybersecurity measures from NETGEAR Armor™, providing safe browsing and data protection.
Asus GT-AX11000: ★★★★☆
Best for Hardcore Gamers
| What We Like | What We Don’t Like |
| Tri-band functionality | Quite large, takes up space |
| Dedicated gaming band | Pricey compared to some competitors |
| Wi-Fi 6 support | Complexity might daunt non-tech users |
| Game-centric features (Game Radar) |
If you’re a hardcore gamer looking for a router to match your intensity, look no further. The Asus GT-AX11000 stands among the best gaming routers due to its raw power and prioritization features.
A tri-band router with a dedicated 5 GHz band for gaming, it ensures that your gaming devices always get the maximum bandwidth. The router also features Game Boost, a sort of Quality of Service (QoS) for gaming, ensuring that your gaming packets get priority.
Equipped with advanced security features, including AiProtection Pro and Parental Controls, the GT-AX11000 is a fortress of internet security. Despite its advanced capabilities, the router is easy to manage through the ASUS Router App.
Linksys Velop MX12600: ★★★★☆
Best for Seamless Mesh Wi-Fi System
| What We Like | What We Don’t Like |
|---|---|
| High-Speed Wi-Fi Performance | Expensive |
| Tri-Band Connectivity | Bulky Design |
| Scalable Mesh System | Limited Customer Support |
The Linksys Velop MX12600 is a top-tier mesh Wi-Fi system providing extended coverage, eliminating Wi-Fi dead zones in your home. Mesh systems are excellent for large spaces where a single router may not reach every corner.
This Wi-Fi 6 compatible device ensures smooth internet speed for streaming on multiple devices. With a high-bandwidth tri-band design, the system provides a dedicated network for backhaul communication between units.
The Linksys Velop is easy to set up with the Linksys App. It’s also intelligent, self-optimizing, and adapts to your home’s requirements. Security is top-notch with automatic software updates keeping your network safe.
Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi 6 System: ★★★★★
Best for High-Density Connectivity
| What We Like | What We Don’t Like |
|---|---|
| Fast and Reliable Wi-Fi Coverage | Expensive |
| Wi-Fi 6 Technology | Limited Firmware Updates |
| Easy Setup and Configuration | Bulky Design |
The Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi 6 System is the cream of the crop when it comes to mesh routers. With the ability to handle over 100 devices concurrently, this is a great fit for small offices or large homes with many connected devices.
This system offers impressive speeds, proving 100 mbps is indeed fast, and even more so when scaled up with Wi-Fi 6 technology. The Orbi’s coverage is also commendable, covering up to 5000 square feet.
The Orbi Wi-Fi 6 System incorporates advanced cyber threat protection with NETGEAR Armor. Through the Orbi app, you can set up your network within minutes, manage your settings, and run speed tests to monitor your network’s performance.
TP-Link Archer AX6000: ★★★★☆
Best for Multiple Device Connectivity
| What We Like | What We Don’t Like |
|---|---|
| High Wi-Fi Speeds | Bulky Design |
| Dual-Band Wi-Fi | Initial Setup Complexity |
| Multiple Ethernet Ports for Wired Devices | Limited Firmware Updates |
The TP-Link Archer AX6000 shines with its impressive handling of multiple devices concurrently. Offering Wi-Fi 6 compatibility, this router can achieve 1148 Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and up to 4804 Mbps on the 5GHz band, ensuring that you’ll never question if 100 mbps is fast again.
The Archer AX6000 features eight high-gain antennas and Beamforming technology, which focus signals towards individual devices for stronger and more reliable connections.
The TP-Link Tether app offers easy setup and management. With advanced security features such as parental controls, antivirus, and a VPN server, your network will be well-protected.
Netgear Nighthawk RAX120: ★★★★☆
Best for High-Speed Streaming
| What We Like | What We Don’t Like |
|---|---|
| High-Speed Performance | Expensive |
| AX12 Technology | Bulky Design |
| Multi-Gig Ethernet Ports | Initial Setup Complexity |
Are you a movie or series enthusiast who can’t tolerate streaming lags? The Netgear Nighthawk RAX120 is your knight in shining armor, designed for seamless, high-speed streaming. With Wi-Fi 6 technology, it provides impressive speed and capacity, defining what internet speed for streaming should be.
The Nighthawk RAX120 offers 12-streams Wi-Fi with up to 6Gbps of speed and powerful 1.8GHz quad-core processors to handle 4K/8K UHD streaming. It also includes Beamforming+ to improve range and performance.
The setup is simple using the Nighthawk app, which also allows for easy management. NETGEAR Armor provides advanced cyber threat protection to ensure safe browsing.
Ubiquiti Amplifi HD: ★★★★☆
Best for User-Friendly Experience
| What We Like | What We Don’t Like |
|---|---|
| Sleek and modern design | Limited advanced customization options |
| Easy setup and user-friendly interface | Lack of built-in security features |
| Wide coverage and strong Wi-Fi signal | Relatively high price compared to some competitors |
The Ubiquiti Amplifi HD is a well-rounded router with a focus on ease-of-use and aesthetics. It provides a strong, reliable signal across your home, ensuring you understand the difference between Wi-Fi and internet in terms of connectivity.
The Amplifi HD includes a main router and two wireless super mesh points, offering expansive coverage for large homes. With advanced antenna technology, it ensures high-speed internet access across your living space.
The Amplifi HD comes with a smart LCD screen, allowing you to check your network performance at a glance. The setup is easy, with the Amplifi app providing a seamless process to manage your network. This makes the Amplifi HD not only one of the most powerful routers but also one of the most user-friendly.
Final Verdict
Choosing a long-range router depends on your specific needs. For hardcore gamers, the Asus GT-AX11000 or the Asus RT-AX88U with their advanced gaming features stand out. For larger homes or offices needing extensive coverage, the Netgear Home Wi-Fi System and Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi 6 System are excellent choices. If budget is your primary concern, the TP-Link Archer C80 provides solid performance at a pocket-friendly price. The Ubiquiti Amplifi HD provides a great balance between aesthetics, ease-of-use, and solid performance.
What to Look For in a Long-Range Router
When shopping for a long-range router, consider the following key factors:
Wireless Standards
The most current standard at the time of writing is Wi-Fi 6, also known as 802.11ax. This standard offers higher speeds and better handling of multiple devices compared to its predecessor, Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac). A router with the latest standard will provide future-proofing for your network.
Security
Look for a router that offers robust security features to protect your network from potential threats. These can include firewall protection, VPN support, and parental controls. Some routers also offer advanced security services that protect your devices from cyber threats.
MU-MIMO And Beamforming
MU-MIMO (Multiple User, Multiple Input, Multiple Output) allows a router to communicate with multiple devices at the same time, reducing wait time and speeding up your network. Beamforming, on the other hand, enables your router to focus its signal towards specific devices rather than broadcasting in all directions. These features can greatly enhance your Wi-Fi experience.
FAQ
How do you know if you need a long-range router? If your current router doesn’t provide enough Wi-Fi coverage for your entire home or office, or if you experience slow speeds or dead zones, then a long-range router could be a good solution. Also, if you have multiple devices or require high-speed internet for tasks like gaming or streaming, a long-range router can help ensure a smooth, lag-free experience.
Should you get a long-range router or a Wi-Fi extender? If you’re only experiencing weak signals in certain areas of your home, a Wi-Fi extender could be a cheaper and simpler solution. However, if you have a larger space, numerous devices, or require high speeds throughout your home, a long-range router or a mesh Wi-Fi system might be a better investment.
Do faster routers provide better range? Not necessarily. The speed of a router, measured in Mbps or Gbps, tells you how quickly it can transmit data, not how far its signal can reach. However, more advanced routers often come with better range and speed.
Should I buy a mesh network instead? A mesh network can be a good choice if you have a large home or office where a single router can’t provide full coverage. Mesh systems come with a main router and several satellite units, providing consistent and seamless Wi-Fi coverage throughout your space. Consider your coverage needs, budget, and the complexity of setup before making a decision.