Name: The best Wi-Fi routers of 2020
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The best Wi-Fi routers of 2020

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Esto también se puede leer en español.Don't show this againCNET editors pick the products and services we write about. When you buy through our links, we may get a commission.Your router is the unsung hero holding your smart home together. From gaming to mesh to Wi-Fi 6, here are the best we've tested, for every budget.2019 was a particularly interesting year for wireless networking, and that's thanks to&nbsp; and its promise of . Now, in 2020, the advent of new, &nbsp;options is worth paying attention to as well -- particularly since so many of them are so much less expensive than the systems that came before them. It's good timing, too. With most of us spending more time at home than ever during , a reliable internet connection has never been so critical. That makes it a good time to upgrade to a router you and your family can depend upon.How to speed up your Wi-FiAll of that has given us a long list of new Wi-Fi router models to test out. We're still dutifully working through them (there are a lot), but we've already found plenty of great picks that are easy to recommend. Whether you're interested in&nbsp;,&nbsp;, -- or if you just want something decent that won't break the bank -- we're here to point you in the right direction. Expect regular updates to this post as we continue our tests on multiple devices. When we find a new router that merits strong consideration, we'll add it to this list with links back to our most recent test data.Get smart home reviews and ratings, video reviews, buying guides, prices and comparisons from CNET.Read more: &nbsp;, and we're expecting to see lots of new models that support it in 2020. And, if you want, to get faster, more efficient Wi-Fi performance from connected devices that support the new standard (the &nbsp;and the &nbsp;are two high-profile examples, but ). Wi-Fi 6 is backward compatible, so your older devices will still be able to connect, too -- but your new wireless router won't do anything to speed them up.All of which is to say that it's probably still too early for most of us to get a new Wi-Fi 6 router (and don't forget that&nbsp; in order to notice the difference in the first place).That said, if you're looking to make the upgrade now, or if you need a new wireless router and you want something future-proofed for the next generation of devices, then go for the TP-Link Archer AX6000. It basically , delivering , plus excellent range and low latency.The AX6000 debuted at a price of $350, but we've seen it marked down as low as $270. It definitely isn't cheap even at that price, but if you can catch it on sale, it's a worthy way to upgrade to a robust Wi-Fi 6 network. And if you can, consider waiting a few months, because&nbsp;: the $300 AX90 in April and the gaming-centric GX90, which will cost $330 this summer. If nothing else, that'll probably mean a price cut for the 2019 model..If you need a new wireless router that feels like an upgrade -- but you don't want to spend hundreds on it -- then make sure the D-Link DIR-867 is on your list. It impressed us with steady Wi-Fi speeds and decent features for the price . After that, it held its own when we tested it again in late 2019.In fact, of all the routers we tested, the DIR-867 was the fastest on the 2.4GHz frequency band in both our top-speed tests and our real-world speed tests. This Wi-Fi router also held its own on the 5GHz band, beating out several routers that cost significantly more. It wasn't the best performer at range, so it's probably best suited for small homes and apartments, but you're still getting strong performance for the price at $115 or less.That said, keep in mind that D-Link announced . They include Wi-Fi 6 models starting at $120 which should start to arrive in stores in the coming months -- we'll keep an eye out for those as they arrive and let you know if they're worth the extra cash over the DIR-867.One last point: The DIR-867 is getting more difficult to find as availability on existing stock runs low. We're currently testing out a collection of budget-priced routers, including entry-level Wi-Fi 6 routers like the and the -- once we've found a new top value pick, we'll update this recommendation..With fast wireless speeds, simple setup and helpful, easy-to-use app controls, was our top mesh router pick for the past three years. Its second-gen follow-up, Nest Wifi, is faster, more affordable mesh networking and just as easy to set up and use. Plus, the range-extending Points double as Google Assistant smart speakers now. That, coupled with a new design that comes in multiple colors, is aimed at getting you to keep these things out in the open, where they'll perform better.It &nbsp;(and a Wi-Fi extender to boost the range of your Wi-Fi signal won't have Ethernet ports, which means you can't wire it back to the Wi-Fi router), but Nest Wifi does add in a couple of nice, current-gen upgrades, including support for new WPA3 security standards and also 4X4 MU-MIMO connections, which means that it can provide faster top speeds to devices that use multiple Wi-Fi antennas. At $269 for a two-device setup capable of Wi-Fi coverage up to 3,800 square feet (a claim that checked out in both a small home and the 5,800-square-foot CNET Smart Home), the dual band Nest Wifi is the most well-rounded mesh router on the market right now, and the first one I'd recommend.That said, with -- including a few that support Wi-Fi 6 for less&nbsp;than Nest Wifi costs -- it's shaping up to be a very interesting (and busy) year for the mesh beat. If any of those new systems manage to dethrone Nest in our eyes, we'll be sure to update this space..It isn't as fully featured as systems like Nest Wifi, and the app controls you'll use to set everything up aren't nearly as slick -- but aside from that, the new, budget-friendly Netgear Orbi system stands out as a clear value pick in the mesh category. At just $150 for a two-device setup with the Wi-Fi router and a single range WiFi extender, it's about as inexpensive as a mesh network gets, and it kept up with both Nest and Eero in our speed tests. As of right now, it's on sale for even less -- just $130.In fact, of those three systems, Netgear Orbi clocked in with the fastest average top speed at close range -- and when we put that range to the test , it edged those two Wi-Fi systems out once again. I even like the new design, with clever contours on top that vent out heat in style.Interestingly enough, &nbsp;came out earlier this year. It looks just like this Orbi system, except it's black -- and it supports Wi-Fi 6. That one costs just $230 for a two-piece setup, and is one of the next mesh systems we'll be testing soon. Stay tuned for more info..Starting at $700 for the two-piece setup seen here, the Wi-Fi 6 version of the Netgear Orbi (which I call the&nbsp;Netgear Orbi 6) is far more expensive than the dual-band version listed above, but it's also a lot more powerful. With a second 5GHz band serving as a dedicated backhaul for system transmissions between the router and its satellites -- at full Wi-Fi 6 speeds, mind you -- the system managed to ace our performance tests.To be exact, the system returned average speeds of 289Mbps when I spent a few days testing the speeds and signal strength in various rooms at my home, where I have a fiber internet plan of 300Mbps. That's a near perfect result, and one that no other mesh system I've tested has been able to match.Is that sort of speedy performance worth $700? I think most will find better value with something less expensive -- and you've got a growing number of options to that effect hitting the market this year. Still, if you're buying right now and you just want the best mesh performance money can buy, this is the system to get..It isn't quite&nbsp;as speedy as the Netgear Orbi 6, but the Asus ZenWiFi AX mesh router was close -- and at $450 for a two-pack, the price tag is a lot easier to swallow. For the money, you're getting just about everything you'd get with Netgear, including a multi-gig WAN port and a dedicated backhaul band to keep transmissions between the router and the satellite separate from your network traffic.$450 is still a lot of money, but this easy-to-use Asus router system proved to be highly capable and reliable in our performance tests. That puts it right in the sweet spot for a future-proofed mesh router that feels every bit the part of a high-end upgrade..Gaming routers promise high performance and low latency for die-hard gamers, and it isn't uncommon to find them selling for $200 or even $300. At about $150, the Asus RT-AC86U&nbsp;dual-band router isn't inexpensive either, but it's a strong value relative to routers like those -- and this wireless router offers excellent performance, too.&nbsp;Specifically, the RT-AC86U dual-band router registered the fastest average top speeds on the 5 GHz band of any Wi-Fi 5 router we tested. It was also , with lower average ping across dozens of speed tests than any other router we looked at. That includes fancier gaming routers that cost more and even a couple of Wi-Fi 6 models. Meanwhile, you'll control the wireless router using a terrific, full-featured app that offers lots of advanced network controls, including parental controls for your Wi-Fi network, and options for device prioritization.That checks off all of the boxes that most people want from a good gaming router and a dual-band router, and it gets you there at a price that isn't too painful for us to recommend. You might consider waiting until later this year, , which adds in support for Wi-Fi 6, but we don't know how much that router will cost or when it will hit stores..CloseSign in to commentBe respectful, keep it civil and stay on topic. We delete comments that violate , which we encourage you to read. Discussion threads can be closed at any time at our discretion.

Esto también se puede leer en español.Don't show this againCNET editors pick the products and services we write about. When you buy through our links, we may get a commission.Your router is the unsung hero holding your smart home together. From gaming to mesh to Wi-Fi 6, here are the best we've tested, for every budget.2019 was a particularly interesting year for wireless networking, and that's thanks to&nbsp; and its promise of . Now, in 2020, the advent of new, &nbsp;options is worth paying attention to as well -- particularly since so many of them are so much less expensive than the...

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CNET, formerly Computer Network, is an American media website that publishes reviews, news, articles, blogs, podcasts, and videos on technology and consumer electronics globally. Founded in 1994 by Halsey Minor and Shelby Bonnie, it was the flagship brand of CNET Networks and became a brand of CBS Interactive through CNET Networks' acquisition in 2008.

The best Wi-Fi routers of 2020

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