Top Features to Look for in Advanced Routers – Upgrade Your Internet Experience
Updated · Jan 03, 2025
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
Advanced Routers: Nowadays, obtaining a high-speed and dependable internet connection is extremely important. As households and organizations become more linked, the requirements for strong networking devices expanded. Of all these pieces of equipment, Advanced routers are central because they link our gadgets to the internet. Basic tasks can be performed with standard routers, but advanced ones are convenient for gamers and businesspeople who seek power.
A Wi-Fi router serves every home, making it an important gadget. In this situation, all electronic devices require internet access, whether in a home setting or remote areas. The best routers ensure reliable maximum output and smooth internet connectivity. The best-advanced routers can also help enhance streaming movies, online gaming, and video calls. A router is a device that directs internet traffic between your local network and the broader internet. However, an advanced router does much more than just manage data flow.
It is equipped with enhanced features that optimize performance, security, and user experience. This write-up delves into advanced routers by analyzing their abilities and advantages and explaining why they’re necessary for current networking settings.
Best Advanced Routers
#1. TP-Link Archer AX55
- The most affordable advanced router provides you with the optimal wi-fi experience.
- It has a nice-looking black box with four antennas to ensure that connectivity exists in all parts of your house.
- Although it doesn’t reach as far as the backyard, the router has exceptional two-storey connectivity within a 1600-square-foot house.
- Over weeks of testing, stability was superb, placing it at the upper mid-range for my speed and range tests.
- Additionally, this router meets all your requirements (MU-MIMO, beamforming, WPA3— we clarify numerous terms in our How to Buy a Router guide).
- The back of this particular model contains four gigabit Ethernet LAN ports, one gigabit WAN port, and a USB 3.0 port, which could essentially suffice for anyone’s needs.
Features
- Up to 2402 Mbps is delivered on a 5 GHz band and up to 574 Mbps on a 2.4 GHz band for smoother streaming and fast downloads.
- OFDMA technology provides a four times higher capacity, which allows many devices to transmit simultaneously.
- Provides responsive gaming and video calls.
- Strong, reliable Wi-Fi is delivered throughout your home by using Beamforming technology and four high-gain external antennas.
- The latest cyber threats are kept at bay by added security features.
- Target Wake Time (TWT) helps devices communicate with less power while also being more effective.
- Advanced Routers can be controlled through Amazon Alexa voice commands, making your home smarter and easier to live in.
- Just plug into any EasyMesh-compatible router and create a Mesh network in seconds.
Specifications
- Type: Wireless Modem
- Speed: 3000 Mbps
- Frequency: 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 0 GHz
- Antenna: External
- Price: $86
- High-Power Front-end Module
#2. Asus RT-AX86U Pro
- Asus advanced routers perform at high speed with their awesome configuration and smooth flow; hence, it’s the most appropriate router for those who stay longer on this device.
- In a captivating combination of red and black color, it has three antennas that can be rotated around their axis.
- This router is one of those that has no weaknesses in covering the complete house.
- It generates consistently fast speeds everywhere it goes while still being stable during four simultaneous streams and games.
- Gamers have some user-friendly customization options as well as optimizations that guarantee lower latency rates.
- It covers everything from comprehensive parental controls to traffic prioritization and network security. It also includes AiProtection Pro, which monitors your network for malicious activity.
- This router supports AiMesh, which means you can add any other AiMesh Asus router to create a mesh network and extend connectivity in your home.
Features
- These devices will keep you wired at the highest speeds possible, 5700 Mbps, with the futuristic WiFi 6 (802.11ax) and the impressive 160MHz channels.
- Either 19 V with a maximum of 2.37 A or 19.5 V with a maximum of 2.31 A or 12 V with a maximum of 3 A, respectively, with 19.5 V having the largest current.
- This way, you can reduce latency for mobile gaming by tapping on the ASUS Advanced Routers.
- We’re talking about the aggregated 2 Gbps WAN connections that come along with the wired 2.5 Gbps and WiFi 6.
- This router also supports AiMesh, so you can connect any other AiMesh Asus router to create a mesh network that will increase your home’s connectivity coverage area.
- Adding any router that supports AiMesh allows for seamless coverage while being loaded with numerous advanced features.
Specifications
- Processor: 2.0GHz quad-core processor
- Memory: 256 MB Flash and 1 GB RAM
- Speed: Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access
- Frequency: 2.4 GHz / 5 GHz
- Price: $199
#3. TP-Link Archer AX21
- The Wavlink A2 offers the performance of a premium router at a lower cost. Like the AX55, it is equipped with four gigabit Ethernet LAN ports and one WAN port, but it only has a USB 2.0 port.
- If you do not play video games online or if your house is small (not more than 1600 square feet) and have many smart home devices (or none), you probably won’t need to spend more than this.
- Tether application is simple and comes with all the necessary functionalities, such as parental control, traffic prioritization, and an option for an additional network used by guests.
- Generally speaking, the majority of people do not require these additional features because this router does not support Security or HomeShield.
Features
- The technology of Wi-Fi version 6 enhances the rate at which data is transmitted, increases the amount of information that can be transmitted at once, and decreases the congestion on a wireless network.
- The speed in the dual bands reaches up to 1201 Mbps in the 5 GHz band, while it is only 574 Mbps in the 2.4 GHz band.
- Multi-user OFDMA: it enables more than one device to use one channel, hence increasing its efficiency.
- Beamforming technology: this involves directing signal strength towards connected devices, hence providing good coverage.
- Four external antennas that enhance Wi-Fi coverage all over the house.
- Alexa enabled: one can thus control their router using voice commands through Amazon Alex.
- TP-Link HomeShield: This software delivers enhanced network security alongside parental supervision.
- Easy Mesh-Compatible: Compatible with Mesh Network System for whole-home Wi-Fi coverage.
- Gigabit Ethernet Ports: This port group contains four Gigabit LAN ports plus one WAN Gigabit port, which are meant for faster-wired connections.
- Target Wake Time (TWT) helps in device communication, optimizing target time to extend battery life.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 10.28 x 5.3 x 1.61 inches
- Weight: 1 pound
- Price: $75
- Speed: 5 GHz / 2.4 GHz
- Processor: Dual-Core
#4. Asus RT-AXE7800
- This tri-band Asus RT-AXE7800 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is an affordable and trustworthy option.
- This hexagonal router contains a 2.5-Gbps WAN/LAN port, another 1-Gbps WAN/LAN port, and three more gigabit LANs with link aggregation support.
- Its close-range performance was impressive on both its 5-GHz and 6-GHz bands, while its middle-range results on the 5-GHz band were decent; however, its long-range performance on the 2.4-GHz band was average.
- The mobile app and browser interface offer various options, including band-splitting, priority settings for different activities, guest network support, and VPN setup.
- Also, parental controls and network security are included free of charge with RT-AXE7800; hence, there will be no extra costs.
- It adequately covered my 1,600-square-foot home, but larger house owners may prefer a mesh system.
- Using AiMesh means that you can combine RT-AXE7800 with other Asu advanced routers to create one system.
Features
- The new 6 GHz band significantly improves network capacity, enabling higher Wi-Fi performance and more consistent connections at speeds of up to 7800 Mbps.
- To secure your kids online, use Asus Safe Browsing to block unwanted content and filter inappropriate search results.
- AiProtection Pro, a free lifetime subscription powered by Trend Micro, would secure your home network from intruders. Asus Instant Guard offers a one-click shareable VPN for secure remote usage.
- AiMesh advanced routers, with their strong emphasis on seamless whole-home Wi-Fi, have made it possible to enhance your kids’ online protection while also easily expanding your household’s wireless system.
Specifications
- Wi-Fi 6E Technology: 6 GHz, 5 GHz, and 2.4 GHz bands.
- Speed: Up to 7800 Mbps.
- Processor: 1.8 GHz quad-core CPU
- Antenna: Four high-gain external antennas for improved coverage.
- Ports: Two 10G Ethernet ports and four Gigabit LAN ports.
- Devices: OFDMA and MU-MIMO
- Compatibility: AiMesh Compatibility
- Security: AiProtection Pro
- Beamforming: Focuses signal strength towards connected devices for better performance.
- VPN Support: Built-in VPN server
#5. Asus RT-BE96U
- Asus RT-BE96U. It is a big three-band router with eight massive antennas, and its configuration is not simple, making it difficult to place except where there is enough space for them. For example, during its testing at my house and
- garden, the RT-BE96U could access every single lounge in perfect stability without any disturbance or lagging issues. The only drawback is that it could have had 2.5 Gbps ports rather than a one-gigabit port, as offered by TP-Link’s BE800.
Features
- If you’re looking for the best WiFi 7 Extendable Advanced Routers, you might consider one that offers 6GHz support, dual 10G ports, a 320MHz bandwidth, and 4096-QAM technology.
- It also includes lifetime internet security, MLO and AiMesh support, and more.
- It has a high-speed internet connection with 2 WAN/LAN ports and top speeds of about 10 Gbps.
- Connects simultaneously to several bands to provide stable internet connections and fast data transfers.
- With commercial-grade AiProtection Pro powered by Trend Micro, plus a one-tap security scan and Safe Browsing.
Specifications
- Wi-Fi Bands: 2.4GHz
- Speed 7
- Wi-Fi Coverage: 5,400 sq ft
- Processor: Quad-Core 2.6GHz
- Memory: 256MB
- Dimensions: 13.8x 13.8 x 8.56 inches
- Weight: 4.12 pounds
- Price: $630
#6. Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX6000
- The Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX6000’s larger, louder design features tier 4 antennas that are highly illuminated in color; hence, it’s a pure gamer router.
- This router provided a real-time internet connection at high speed throughout the whole area of my house, including the garden, without any interruptions, even when playing four online games simultaneously.
- Managing gaming gadgets or actions is easy. There is a mobile Glimpse Mode, basic port forwarding, and a proprietary gaming port.
- Another outstanding quality of its mobile application is that it encompasses all essential features, such as guest network support, band splitting, parental controls, and anti-malware, in one place.
- During the lifetime of this equipment, you do not have to pay for AiProtection Pro or parental control protection services.
- Asus offers a free instant guard along with this router, which ensures security when using public Wi-Fi hotspots.
Features
- Wi-Fi 6 Technology – A dual-band with established bands of 6GHz, 5GHz and 2.4GHz.
- Speed – Wireless connection combining speed of up to 6000 Mbps.
- Processor – High-performance quad-core CPU running at 1.8 GHz.
- Ports – Other than four gigabit LAN ports, there are two 10G ethernet ports.
- Antennas – Extended antennae for high performance.
- OFDMA and MU-MIMO improve performance via multiple devices at the same time.
- Gaming Features – Game acceleration game booster QoS is used to prioritize gaming traffic.
- Security: AiProtection Pro by Trend Micro gives safety for all your network activities.
- AiMesh Support: As Caas Ai Mesh supports it, you can create a mesh network with it.
- Advanced Cooling – Designed to keep the right temperature for best use.
- Customization – RGB lighting effects and adjustable settings for passionate gamers.
Specification
- Antenna: External antenna x 4
- Range: 2.4GHz / 5GHz
- Processor: 2.0 GHz quad-core
- Memory: 256 MB Flash, 1 GB RAM
- Frequency: 2.4G Hz / 5 GHz
Conclusion
In today’s internet-connected world, advanced routers are essential as they improve performance, speed, and security for various purposes. If you are a gamer, a remote worker, or have a family with many devices, then you can enhance your internet experience significantly by upgrading to an advanced router. You can get items like TP-Link Archer AX55 and also Asus RT-AX86U Pro, which deliver high-speed performance and extensive features at different price levels.
If you want the latest technology and better coverage, check out models such as the Asus RT-AXE7800 or Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX6000. Purchasing an advanced router results in a more consistent, effective, and secure network that will benefit both routine online actions and specially assigned tasks.
FAQ.
Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) offers several improvements over Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), including faster speeds, increased capacity, and better performance in crowded environments. Wi-Fi 6 supports higher data rates, reduces latency, and improves efficiency with features like OFDMA and MU-MIMO, which allow multiple devices to connect and communicate simultaneously without congestion.
Advanced routers provide higher speeds, greater range, and improved reliability through technologies like beamforming, which focuses the signal directly at devices, and MU-MIMO, which allows simultaneous data transmission to multiple devices.
Advanced routers can be beneficial even in smaller spaces. They offer improved speed, range, and security compared to standard routers. The enhanced performance can support multiple devices, high-definition streaming, and online gaming, ensuring a smooth and reliable internet experience throughout your home.
Key security features to look for include WPA3 encryption for stronger wireless security, built-in firewalls to block unauthorised access, and advanced threat protection like AiProtection Pro.
Yes, most advanced routers are compatible with existing network setups. You can replace your old router with the new one or set it up alongside your current equipment. Advanced routers often offer various configuration options to work with your current network, including bridge mode or access point mode, and can integrate with mesh systems for expanded coverage.
Barry Elad is a tech enthusiast passionate about exploring various technology topics. He collects key statistics and facts to make tech easier to understand. Barry focuses on software and its benefits for everyday life. In his free time, he enjoys creating healthy recipes, practicing yoga, meditating, and walking in nature with his child. Barry's mission is to simplify complex tech information for everyone.
