The 10 best wireless routers of 2017

Update: Looking for a router that doubles as an ADSL2+ modem? Now located at number 3 on our list, the Billion BiPac 8900AX-2400 is exactly that.

When our internet is working flawlessly and without physical tethers, the best wireless routers are the ones we don’t have to see or talk about. However, router technology today is accelerating exponentially. 

The days of the top wireless routers being limited to single, 2.4GHz bands are behind us, with dual- and tri-band routers featuring a 5GHz connection or two now on the rise. Plus, mesh routers like Google Wifi have ousted range extenders practically everywhere.

Google leading the charge, competing companies have followed suit with their own hubs. With so many routers – both traditional and trendsetting – to choose from, we’ve gone hands-on with a wide range to find only the 10 best wireless routers below.

• Google Wifi
• Netgear Orbi
• Starry Station
• Synology RT2600ac
• Linksys WRT 3200 ACM
• Zyxel Armor Z2 AC2600
• Linksys Velop
• Asus RT-AC88U
• Netgear Nighthawk X4S VDSL/ADSL Modem Router D7800
• Linksys WRT1900ACS

Gone is the seemingly distant past where we had to purchase Wi-Fi extenders in addition to our wireless routers for installation throughout the house. Wireless mesh systems are the future, and Google Wifi only reassures us of this. It’s as easy to set up as scanning a QR code on the cylindrical unit and subsequently configuring the network name and password. Sure, it requires that you buy a trio of units just to use it to its full potential, but the design of the hardware – and even the software – more than outweighs any negatives.

Read the full review: Google Wifi

• This product is only available in the US and UK as of this writing, but will arrive in Australia on July 20.

Unlike Google Wi-Fi, this wireless mesh system ships with two units rather than three: a router and a satellite, much like a cell phone signal booster. It’s expensive, but once you get past the price, you’ll see why the Netgear Orbi costs so much to begin with. Simply plug the router into a spare outlet as well as into your modem with an Ethernet cable. Next, connect the satellite to an outlet and you’re halfway there. Using the handy Sync button found on each block, the two bricks will start interacting. Then set your password and SSID in a web browser. It’s that easy.

Read full review: Netgear Orbi

Billion is back at it again, this time with the fastest router it’s ever produce. Exhibiting a throughput of 2400Mbps over both a 2.4GHz and 5GHz band, the BiPac 8900AX-2400 isn’t conventionally attractive by society’s standards, but it is immensely capable. What’s more, there’s a wide range of ports which, while they don’t include USB 3.0, add potential for storage expansion down the line. Pair that with the fact that there’s an ADSL2+ modem built-in and the lofty price tag seems justified. 

Read the full review: Billion BiPac 8900AX-2400

• This product is only available in the UK as of this writing. US and AU readers: check out a comparable alternative in the Linksys XAC1900.

Instead of chasing after the fastest speeds and longest range, the Starry Station is all about two things: convenience and aesthetic. The triangular design and curious LCD display make the Starry Station a welcome addition to your home whether it’s sitting atop your desk or on a coffee table in your living room. Sure, it’s expensive considering its performance, but what the Starry Station lacks it more than makes up for in style and ease-of-use. 

Read the full review: Starry Station

• This product is only available in the US as of this writing. UK and Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Linksys Velop.

The lovechild of a traditional wireless router and a network-attached storage device (NAS), the Synology RT2600ac doesn’t boast the fastest specs or even an attractive shell, but it packs a ton of features that make it worth your while. Though it only has 4GB of storage built-in, you can connect a hard drive and configure your own cloud service similar to Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive. You can even download NAS-grade apps like a VPN client and server. Unfortunately, the app selection is sparse as a result of the barren community support.

Read the full review: Synology RT2600ac

Effectively the antithesis to a wireless mesh like Google Wifi or the Netgear Orbi, the Linksys WRT 3200 ACM has an unflattering design that it’s damn proud of. Unlike systems that are stylish but limited when it comes to personalization, the Linksys WRT 3200 ACM gives you unadulterated control over your wireless network connections. Whether you want to toggle on and off guest connections, prioritize media devices, initiate parental controls or access the OpenVPN server, all the functionality you would expect from a router of this price is there.

Read the full review: Linksys WRT 3200 ACM

• This product is only available in the US and UK as of this writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Synology RT2600ac.

It may appear as though it would abduct a close friend or family member, but we assure you, the Zyxel Armor Z2 AC2600 isn’t as alien in function as it is in looks. Equipped with MU-MIMO support, which improves speeds when multiple devices are connected to the same network, the Armor Z2 AC2600 prides itself on its performance capabilities. Paired with StreamBoost, Zyxel has devised a router that can not only handle ample traffic, but it can actually prioritize bandwidth based on the needs of each device connected to it.

Read the full review: Zyxel Armor Z2 AC2600

The Linksys Velop makes a sound argument for a wireless mesh network’s ease of setup. With the aim of replacing both your router and your now-antiquated range extender, the Velop arrives at a time when companies like Google and Netgear are doing the same thing. The main way Linksys hopes to differentiate its contender in the wireless mesh networking space is with a user-friendly setup that anyone with a smartphone can understand. With just a visit to the App Store or Google Play marketplace, you’ll have the Linksys Velop running in a matter of minutes.

Read the full review: Linksys Velop

The Asus RT-AC88U justifies its above-average pricing with unrivalled record-breaking next-generation 802.11ac wireless performance. With four antennas and NitroQAM technology, which pushes speeds further still, this router enables wireless performance that can break the 1GB/sec limit. There's a minor catch - you'll need to invest in a NitroQAM wireless adapter, such as the Asus PCE-AC88, to see those faster speeds. It's worth it, though, because this router is a champion cheaper than its Asus RT-AC5300 Tri-band gigabit rival.

If routers had a fashion contest, Netgear’s D7800 would be among the top contenders. Its solid black finish is complemented by a quartet of antennas. Plus it’s damn fast and bettered by its inclusion of a duo of USB ports paired with an eSATA connector. The real centerpiece, though, is the VDSL 2 modem built into the Nighthawk X4S D7800, negating the need to buy or lease one separately. The outfitted software isn’t too shoddy either; a simple Dynamic QOS system makes it a breeze to govern a multitude of devices on a single home network.

Joe Osborne and Gabe Carey have also contributed to this article

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