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Owning a router that can connect to multiple devices is a must, especially if you have a lot of devices in your house. Ensuring the router you buy can handle all these devices simultaneously is essential. Not only will a new router provide faster Wi-Fi connections, but many of the latest routers also include built-in security software and straightforward parental controls.
So if you’re looking for the best routers for multiple devices, we’ve researched and found that NETGEAR Nighthawk X6S Smart Wi-Fi Router is the overall best router for multiple devices. This article will also review other excellent options.
Review of the Best Routers for Multiple Devices
1. Best Overall Router for Multiple Devices – NETGEAR Nighthawk X6S Smart Wi-Fi Router
Key Features:
- 6 antennas.
- Dual-Core 1.8GHz processor.
- 128MB memory & 512MB storage.
- Range of 3,500 square feet.
The Nighthawk X6S router is one of the best options available. The X6S comes with 11 LEDs on the front. Fortunately, a switch allows you to turn off all of the LEDs. Broadcom’s BCM4365E Wi-Fi chip is at the heart of the Nighthawk X6S. It features a 1.8GHz dual-core processor, 512MB of storage, and 128MB of RAM for its settings and firmware.
Moreover, the X6S employs the most recent Mu-Mimo technology to connect with multiple devices simultaneously. Also, this router has a gigabit WAN connection and four LAN ports. Because of the USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports on this router, it can provide internet to most of your devices.
This router can support up to 55 devices, giving them a boost if they’re having trouble connecting to the internet. Furthermore, it has a range of up to 3,500 sq ft, making it an excellent choice regardless of the size of your house.
Pros:
- This router delivers quick performance.
- This device operates on a 6GHz radio band.
- Multi-gig LAN & WAN.
- The device supports 160MHz channel bandwidth.
Cons:
- High price.
- There are limited parental controls.
2. Best Value Router for Multiple Devices – ASUS RT-AX82U Wi-Fi 6 Gaming Router
Key Features:
- Wi-Fi 6 technology.
- Advanced parental control.
- Mobile app support.
- 1.5GHz tri-core processor.
The RT-AX82U offers Wi-Fi 6, impressive performance, and a well-designed build accented by RGB indicators that can easily be controlled. Four vertical antennas on the Asus RT-AX82U and four status LEDs provide quick access to connectivity information such as WAN connection, power, and Wi-Fi frequencies.
The Asus RT-AX86U offers fast speeds, excellent features, and many customization options. Its lifetime protection against malware and intrusions is also an excellent choice for securing your home network, offering long-term protection and a two-year warranty.
This router offers quick and reliable connectivity for your devices. This router also delivers excellent performance and range and a collection of ports and features, making it an excellent option for people with multiple devices.
Pros:
- This router supports Wi-Fi 6 technology.
- This router features programmable LED RGB lighting.
- Excellent throughput and range.
- This router features integrated security.
- Setting up this router is straightforward.
Cons:
- No integrated WTFast
- The RT-AX82U features only four Ethernet ports and one USB port.
3. Best Smart Router for Multiple Devices – TP-Link AC1750 Smart Wi-Fi Router
Key Features:
- 3 external antennas
- 4 Gigabit LAN ports
- TP-Link tether app
- Qualcomm Atheros QCA9563 processor
- 16MB of storage and 128MB of RAM.
The Archer A7 is an excellent router for those looking for a smart router. It is also a dual-band router, transmitting 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz signals simultaneously. It provides 2.4 GHz speeds of up to 450 Mbps and 5 GHz speeds of 1300 Mbps.
Furthermore, five Ethernet ports support Gigabit speed, including one WAN and four LAN ports. A single USB 2.0 port is also available. Again, more expensive routers frequently have USB 3.0 ports, but a USB 2.0 port will suffice for most file transfers.
The hardware specifications are also fairly essential. This router features a Qualcomm Atheros QCA9563 with a 750MHz processor. Also, the storage is limited to 16MB of flash storage and 128MB of RAM.
Pros:
- Affordable price.
- Impressive 5 GHz performance.
Cons:
- Limited Ethernet ports
4. Best Dual-Band Router for Multiple Devices – Linksys WRT3200ACM
Key Features:
- Dual-Band frequency
- WPA2-PSK security protocol
- Smart Wi-Fi app
- Open-source firmware
The Linksys router includes several useful features that make it an excellent option for multiple devices. This router is also designed to be quick and provide consistent performance to all devices. It employs tri stream 160 technology to increase bandwidth from 80MHz to 160MHz, resulting in quicker response times.
This router works well with a wide range of operating systems. The Linksys router is supported by macOS 10. X, Windows 7, 8.1, and 10 versions. It also includes open-source firmware for added customization. This enables users to adjust their settings.
You can use the Ethernet ports for added connectivity. This router also has a USB 2.0 port and a USB 3.0 port. Another great feature is remotely monitoring and controlling your network using the Smart Wi-Fi app. This router includes a number of advanced features at a much lower cost than some expensive models.
Pros:
- This router delivers fast performance and throughput.
- This device features a smart Wi-Fi app.
Cons:
- A bit on the pricy side.
5. Best Gaming Router for Multiple Devices – ASUS ROG Rapture Wi-Fi 6 Gaming Router
Key Features:
- Triple level game acceleration
- ASUS AiMesh Wi-Fi system
- Wi-Fi 6 support
- ASUS AiProtection security
The ASUS ROG router can comfortably handle multiple devices. Also, this router includes Asus AiProtection security to fight against internet threats and safeguard all of your devices. This device contains VPN and a firewall to help protect your data. It is simple to make changes and monitor activity on this router. Moreover, you can adjust the settings to work the way you want.
You can also control this router’s bandwidth utilization and usage prioritization. This is the best router to get if you enjoy online gaming. It has a triple-level game acceleration and a powerful 1.8 GHz quad-core CPU.
Pros:
- Works on a high power 1.8 GHz CPU
- This router comes with VPN and Firewall services for added security.
- Quick performance.
Cons:
- Not budget frendly.
Things To Consider Before Buying a Router for Multiple Devices
Range
When looking for a new router, consider the size of your home. If you live in a smaller home, such as an apartment, you can probably get away with a router with a shorter range. However, in a big house, the range of the router is more important because some areas of the house may not receive a Wi-Fi signal. If you live in a big house, a mesh Wi-Fi solution may be exactly what you need.
Number of Devices
Because all Internet traffic is routed through the router, it should be capable of handling a large number of devices. Furthermore, you should ensure that the router you pick can support the maximum number of devices in your house. It’s also important to consider what each device will be doing when connected when making your decision. For instance, streaming HD videos online will use more router resources than surfing the web.
Security
Without proper security measures, intruders can use your internet connection, access files stored on your devices, monitor your online activity, and infect your network with malware. We recommend ensuring the router you choose supports WPA2.
Furthermore, make sure the devices you intend to connect also support WPA2. Moreover, we don’t advise relying on just WEP security because hackers can easily bypass the security. Some routers will include additional security features like an additional layer of encryption and the ability to monitor and block specific devices.
Wi-Fi Protocol
The Wi-Fi protocol supported by the router is another crucial factor to consider. Wi-Fi 6 routers are becoming more widely available because they are faster and support connecting multiple devices simultaneously. However, devices that support Wi-Fi 5 can still work with Wi-Fi 6 routers, but you won’t enjoy the full benefits of Wi-Fi 6.
You can still buy Wi-Fi 5 routers if you want to save a few bucks, but we recommend purchasing a Wi-Fi 6 router to be on the safe side. This becomes more important if you intend on upgrading to devices that support Wi-Fi 6.
Frequency Bands
Most wireless routers today are dual-band. However, there are other tri-band choices. When shopping for a router, look at the number of frequency bands the router can operate on. Dual-band routers were created due to the 2.4 GHz frequency band being overcrowded; as such, manufacturers decided to include the 5 GHz frequency band for quicker performance.
Also, some routers only allow one frequency band at a time. However, most routers will allow you to use both frequency bands simultaneously. Tri-band routers transmit three distinct wireless signals, giving the impression that they simultaneously host three different wireless networks.
A tri-band router transmits a single 2.4 GHz signal followed by two 5 GHz signals. Tri-band routers operate similarly to dual-band routers in that they broadcast different signals to help decrease network congestion and increase speed shared across all connected devices.
Other Features
Some routers also include a plethora of other useful features such as USB 3.0 ports for connecting an external hard drive, gigabit ports for achieving the best possible performance, and quality of service for prioritizing network traffic to specific devices.
Besides enabling connection to the Internet, most people prefer their routers have some extra features. So, before finally buying the router, thoroughly read the router’s description and list of features to ensure it will fully fit your needs.
Internet Speed
Before you buy a router with rapid speeds of up to 5 Gbps, keep in mind that you will be limited to the Internet package provided by your Internet Service Provider (ISP). For instance, if you are on a 150 Mbps plan, you’ll only be capable of receiving speeds of around 150Mbps regardless of the router you use. So, buying a router solely because it has faster speeds than the competition might be a waste of money if your ISP limits your internet speed.
Conclusion
Finding the right router for connecting multiple devices can be challenging, and there are a lot of factors to consider before spending money on one. This is why we’ve covered five of the best routers for multiple devices to help you make the right choice. We recommend properly assessing the features to ensure you get a router that meets your needs and budget. Here is our final verdict on the best routers for multiple devices:
- Best Overall Router: NETGEAR Nighthawk X6S Smart Wi-Fi Router
- Best Value Router: ASUS RT-AX82U Wi-Fi 6 Gaming Router
- Best Smart Router: TP-Link AC1750 Smart Wi-Fi Router
Frequently Asked Questions
Generally, connecting multiple devices to your router will not cause any issues. However, if all the devices perform intensive tasks like downloading, streaming HD videos, and transferring data simultaneously, you may notice a difference in speed.
You can connect up to 250+ devices, including smartphones, computers, and even home appliances, to your router.
For quicker performance, selecting routers with a 5GHZ frequency will serve you better than one with a 2.4GHz frequency. Furthermore, you’ll get less lag and speedier data transmission.
You can increase the wireless range by using an additional router, also known as a repeater. The role of this device is to repeat signals emitted from your original router.
Routers should be installed in the center of your home for better, quicker, and smoother connections throughout the house. Furthermore, placing a router at a higher position will enhance internet connections.
