The Best Long-Range Routers To Help You Stay Connected
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It’s strange to think that there are those of us who didn’t grow up with WiFi. And now, it’s rarely enough to even just have WiFi. The Internet is still a fairly new thing, and while access to it is more open than ever, it’s still something that most people view as just kind of working. It means that there are a lot of people who might not be looking at what they can do to make WiFi not just work in their homes, but actually work well.
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One of the key things that most standard WiFi routers fail at is range. Finding one of the best long-range routers is tough because it’s something you might not think you actually need. However, if you’re in a home where you know for a fact that the wireless isn’t going to reach one of your rooms, then you should absolutely be looking at getting one of the best long-range routers to stop that problem as soon as possible.
After all, the convenience of being able to use your WiFi isn’t something you should have to forego just because you’ve changed rooms. Thankfully, there are a few really good long-range routers out there to choose from, so whether you’re looking for a budget option, one that specializes in gaming, or just one that can handle all of your devices at once, we’ve got you covered.
What Is a Long-Range Router?
A long-range router is exactly what it sounds like; a router with far more range than usual. To be specific, WiFi networks can only extend their networks over the distance dictated by their antenna. While something like a mesh router, which is a router that comes in multiple parts that you can place around your home, might cover a similar amount of space, a long-range router does that all on its own.
These devices use a mix of more potent antenna arrays and signal amplifiers in order to make sure your entire home will actually be covered in WiFi, which is ideal if you find yourself losing contact with the router in your bedroom, loft or basement.
What Can Interfere With a Long-Range Router?
Of course, even the best long-range router can struggle if there are too many barriers in the way. WiFi signals can be weakened substantially by different building materials like concrete or metal. Depending on where you station your router, and where you’re hoping to get a better signal, walls and metal barriers can prove to be quite disruptive.
If you’ve got other wireless networks on the go in the same area, then the signals can interfere with each other. This is something you’ll likely be able to control, but do be mindful if you’re getting a long-range router that could potentially interfere with someone else’s home.
The other main issue you may find is that some other electronic tech can mess up the signal. While it’s not common, some WiFi devices like phones, satellite dishes, and even alarms can cause hassle. It’s not something that should affect your home, but it can be an issue if there are a lot of people in one small space.
Now that you know a bit more about long-range routers, we’ve gathered up a handful of the best options available for purchase right now.
1. TP-Link AC4000
BEST OVERALL
The TP-Link AC4000 isn’t the priciest or the fanciest router, but it has the best mix of affordability and output to make it our pick for the best long-range router overall. It features a 1.8GHz CPU, five ports, and can deliver over 1,600 Mbps on both of its 5 GHz bands, and 750 Mbps on its 2.4 GHz band. The reason it’s here though, is that it features range boosting technology to allow it to fill your home with all of that good signal. It’s not the best in a single category, but it brings together the best mix for your money, and if that’s what you’re looking for, then this will have you covered.
Buy: TP-Link AC4000 $106.99 (orig. $189.99) 44% OFF
2. ASUS AC3100
BEST RANGE
Thanks to some truly absurd technology, the ASUS AC3100 is capable of covering 5,000 square feet in WiFi coverage. It’s probably more than the vast majority of people are ever going to need indoors, but it means it’s an excellent choice for those with big outdoor spaces they’re trying to take advantage of. It’s also got good speeds too, and while it’s pricey, it feels like it’s a little cheaper than it should be for what you’re getting. So, if you’re looking to cover everyone in your block for some reason, then you could always get this and be safe in the knowledge that you’ve covered nearly half a kilometre in your WiFi signal.
Buy: ASUS AC3100 $209.99 (orig. $219.99) 5% OFF
3. ASUS AX6000
BEST LAN
Are you the kind of person who seems to be doing 1,000 things at once, and all of them seem to require a good internet connection? Well then, you’ll be very happy to know that the ASUS AX6000 was practically made for you. That’s because it’s exceptional at handling multiple connections thanks to four antennas and eight LAN ports that’ll allow you to stay connected in as many ways as you need. It might seem like overkill, but sometimes you’ve got a bunch of consoles or laptops that all need a proper connection.
4. TP-Link AC1900
BEST BUDGET
While it’s undoubtedly nice to have the best devices around, the fact is that sometimes it’s not realistic. If you’re looking for a nice budget option, then you’ll be very happy to know that the TP-Link AC1900 offers dual-band connections up to 19000 Mbps across a decently-sized area, but all for under 100 dollars. It’s an excellent choice for when you just need a little more than a basic router can give you. It’s also got enough oomph to undoubtedly improve your wireless quality of life too, which is always nice.
Buy: TP-Link AC1900 $63.99 (orig. $99.00) 35% OFF
5. ASUS GT-AX11000
GAMERS IDEAL
Gamers, are you sick of your internet not matching up to your needs? Do you want more, but don’t know where to look? Good news then, because your search is over. While the ASUS GT-AX11000 isn’t what we’d call cheap, it definitely is an absolute beast of a router that will boost your gaming to the next level. The router offers up to 11,000 Mbps, and you’re not going to need anything more than that no matter what you’re playing. It’ll easily keep up with whatever game you’re streaming, and it’s amazing to not have to worry about doing too much at once.
6. Linksys E8450
BEST FOR PARENTS
If you’re looking for a boost to your WiFi range because you’ve placed your kids in the rooms furthest away from the router and they simply won’t stop complaining about it, then you’ll be happy to know that we’ve got something for you. The Linksys E8450 can cover up to 2,500 square feet in good WiFi, and can manage up to 25 devices, too. Plus, it features some really great in-built parental controls so that you can keep an eye on what you’re little, or not so little, ones are up to. It’s not something everyone’s going to need, but the fact is that the internet probably needs to be controlled a bit if you’re a parent, so get on this to help yourself out.
Buy: Linksys E8450 $147.97 (orig. $159.99) 8% OFF
7. Netgear Nighthawk RAX120
BEST FOR BIG GROUPS
If you’re in a household with a bunch of students, a big family, or just a group of friends, then you’re probably pushing your poor router to its limits. The good news though, is that you can retire your old router, and also improve the life of everyone in that house thanks to the Netgear Nighthawk RAX120, which puts out WiFi 6 signal up to 6,000 Mbps to up to thirty different devices. It’s ideal for shared homes or just those with a lot of people in them, and will make sure none of you is wanting for WiFi at any point.
Buy: Netgear Nighthawk RAX120 $349.99 (orig. $449.99) 22% OFF
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