


It offers improved speeds and reliability compared to Wi-Fi 5, especially for households with lots of connected devices. Wi-Fi 6 (sometimes called 802.11ax) is the current standard for Wi-Fi connectivity. Our experts recommended a Wi-Fi router with at least dual-band capabilities. Spreading your devices across multiple bands can lead to better performance, according to Tom Carpenter, the CTO of Certified Wireless Network Professionals, a vendor-neutral wireless certification program Tri-band is newer and adds a third radio band to connect to, either a second 5Ghz band or a new 6Ghz band. “Generally, 2.4Ghz is slower but covers more distance, while 5Ghz is faster but covers shorter distances, kind of like AM/FM radio,” said Nicholas De Leon, a senior technology reporter at Consumer Reports. Dual-band and tri-bandĭual-band and tri-band Wi-Fi routers offer multiple radio band signals for your devices to connect to.ĭual-band offers a 2.4Ghz band and a 5Ghz band.

Below are a few key features to look for in a new Wi-Fi router.

The newest routers have tons of specs and features that help spread that internet connection faster, further and more reliably than ever. SKIP AHEAD Top-rated Wi-Fi routers in 2023 | Frequently asked questions about Wi-Fi routers How to choose the best Wi-Fi routerĪll Wi-Fi routers spread the internet connection you receive from your wired internet modem across the rest of your house for all your devices to use. If you haven’t upgraded your router in a few years, read on for tips and guidance. We put their expertise to work and rounded up top-rated Wi-Fi routers for your home. That’s why we spoke with Wi-Fi and networking experts - to help break down the latest in Wi-Fi tech, internet speed and more. All of these new features can help you get a faster, more stable connection in the right circumstances. If it has been a few years since you’ve looked into Wi-Fi routers, you’ll find plenty of new innovations, like tri-band, Wi-Fi 6E and mesh Wi-Fi networks. Whether you are working from home or streaming the latest dragon-filled fantasy TV, you need a fast, stable Wi-Fi connection.
