skip to main content

Best Routers and Access Points for Business in 2024

We tested over a dozen routers and access points to see which ones are ideal for your business.

  • Best router overall
    hero shot of Zyxel SCR 50AXE
    Zyxel SCR 50AXE
    • $199.99*
    • Free security suite
    • Third 6 GHz band
    • No multi-gig internet
  • Best budget router
    Reyee RG-E5
    • $109.99*
    • Excellent long range
    • Free cloud management
    • No VPN tools
  • Best firewall router
    Cisco Meraki Go GX50 firewall
    Cisco Meraki Go GX50
    • $333.12*
    • SPI firewall
    • Site-to-site VPN support
    • No Wi-Fi
  • Best access point
    Cisco Meraki Go GR12
    • $168.12*
    • Customer insights
    • Built-in VPN server
    • No channel control
  • Best prosumer access point
    Zyxel NWA90AX Pro
    • $99.99*
    • Power over Ethernet
    • Multi-gig support
    • Clunky interfaces

Our pick: Which router or access point is best for business?

Based on our tests, the Zyxel SCR 50AXE is our current top pick for the best router for business. It’s loaded with features and packs a third band to balance all your client devices better. However, if you’re only looking to expand your current network, the Cisco Meraki Go GR12 access point is ideal for its Power over Ethernet (PoE) support, proximity-based customer insights, and mesh networking.

How we test routers and access points

We vigorously test routers and access points to see how well they stack up against the competition in speed and range. We also evaluate the setup process and dig into the web and mobile apps to see if they’re easy or difficult to use. Check out our methodology section for more information.

The 5 best routers and access points for business

Compare business router speeds and prices

ModelMax throughputTested speed
@ 40 ft.†
Price*Order online
Best router overallZyxel SCR 50AXE5,400Mbps388Mbps$199.99View on Amazon
Best budget routerReyee RG-E53,200Mbps636Mbps$109.99View on Amazon
Best firewall routerCisco Meraki Go GX50N/AN/A$333.12View on Amazon
Best access pointCisco Meraki Go GR121,800Mbps416Mbps$168.12View on Amazon
Best prosumer access pointZyxel NWA90AX Pro3,000Mbps431Mbps$99.99View on Amazon

What should you look for in a router or access point for business?

Security should be your top priority. Every router and access point we’ve tested has some form of business-grade security, whether it’s a full security suite or an unforgiving firewall. But be mindful of your overall cost, as some models require at least one subscription to get the most out of them.

Power over Ethernet (PoE) is another feature you should be mindful of when shopping for a new access point. This feature eliminates the need for a power outlet, but it requires a compatible switch or a power injector adapter.

Do you have a good business plan to go with your router?

If not, enter your zip code below to see what options are available to you.

Best router overall: Zyxel SCR 50AXE

Best router overall

hero shot of Zyxel SCR 50AXE
Kevin Parrish | HighSpeedInternet.com

An affordable tri-band upgrade bottlenecked by Gigabit Ethernet

Score:

3.9

out of 5

The SCR 50AXE has good speeds for the money, even when we test the 6 GHz connection. But its gigabit-locked WAN port keeps this router from reaching its full potential.

 

   Pros    Cons
  • Free security suite
  • Third 6 GHz band
  • No multi-gig internet
  • Subscription-locked features

$199.99*

 

View on Amazon

Read Our Full Review

Expand for product details and ratings

Category Score* Summary
Performance 4 Scores well when we test its 5 GHz and 6 GHz speeds.
Features 4 Packs a ton of security features for free.
Design 4 Includes a third 6 GHz band for better client device balancing.
Setup 4 Provides an easy setup through the Nebula mobile app.
Ease of use 3 Requires a cloud-based web interface with a steep learning curve.

* out of 5 points

 

What we like about it:  The SCR 50AXE router tests with good speeds up close and at long range. It also packs loads of security features, like malware prevention, a built-in ad blocker, and a dark web blocker.

What we wish it did better:  The SCR 50AXE needs a multi-gig WAN port to back the advertised 5,400Mbps bandwidth.

Why do we recommend it?  The third 6 GHz band helps reduce congestion on your local network and provides slightly better speeds than the 5 GHz one. The router has a ton of security features, too, making it a worthwhile investment.

 

Tested speeds at a glance

5 GHz max speed 2 feet 40 feet 120 feet
1,200 834 388 165

* Speeds in megabits per second (Mbps) using a Wi-Fi 6 client and an 80 MHz channel.

 

Wi-Fi specs Wired specs
  • Standard: Wi-Fi 6E
  • Max throughput: 5,400Mbps
  • Antennas: 4
  • Streams: 6
  • Bands: 3
  • Total SSID count: 4
  • WAN ports: 1
  • LAN ports: 4
  • Max internet speed supported: ~940Mbps
  • Power over Ethernet: No

Best for budgets: Reyee RG-E5

Best for budgets

Front angled view of Reyee RG-E5 router
Kevin Parrish | Highspeedinternet.com

A business-class router at a friendly price

Score:

3.8

out of 5

The Reyee RG-E5 is a business-first router with great long-range speeds. It includes free access to a cloud management platform for managing multiple Reyee access points.

 

   Pros    Cons
  • Free cloud management
  • Great long range
  • No multi-gig internet support
  • No built-in VPN tools

$109.99*

 

View on Amazon

Read Our Full Review

Expand for product details and ratings

Category Score* Summary
Performance 4 Has the best long-range speeds for a router under $150.
Features 3 Provides an ARP Guard and free Ruijie Cloud account.
Design 3 Lacks multi-gig internet support and VPN tools.
Setup 4 Has one of the fastest setups we’ve tested to date.
Ease of use 4 Requires the web and mobile app to use fully.

* out of 5 points

 

What we like about it: The RG-E5 has great long-range speeds at this price. Moreover, it has some of the best speed consistencies we’ve seen to date, meaning you don’t see a dramatic speed dropoff as you move away from the router.

Ruijie Cloud is useful, too, if you need to manage multiple Reyee devices installed across the globe.

What we wish it did better: The RG-E5 is the only Wi-Fi 6 router we have in-house that doesn’t support the latest security standard, WPA3, which is more secure than WPA2. Plus, it lacks in many other areas like VPN and wired multi-gig connectivity.

Why do we recommend it? The Reyee RG-E5 is a high-performance router at the $150 price point. It lacks in some areas, sure, but if consistent speed is what you need across a long range, this is the router for your business.

 

Tested speeds at a glance

5 GHz max speed 2 feet 40 feet 120 feet
1,200 843 636 330

* Speeds in megabits per second (Mbps) using a Wi-Fi 6 client and an 80 MHz channel.

 

Wi-Fi specs Wired specs
  • Standard: Wi-Fi 6
  • Max throughput: 3,200Mbps
  • Antennas: 8
  • Streams: 8
  • Bands: 2
  • Total SSID count: 8
  • WAN ports (1Gbps): 1
  • LAN ports (1Gbps): 4
  • Max internet speed supported: ~940Mbps
  • Power over Ethernet: No

Best firewall router: Cisco Meraki Go GX50

Best firewall router

Cisco Meraki Go GX50 firewall
Kevin Parrish | HighSpeedInternet.com

The ideal bouncer for safeguarding your network

Score:

4.1

out of 5

The Meraki Go GX50 is designed to sit at the front of your network and inspect every digital nugget flowing through your wired connections. However, you need additional equipment if you want Wi-Fi.

 

   Pros    Cons
  • Comprehensive traffic analysis
  • Built-in VPN tools
  • No Wi-Fi
  • No Power over Ethernet

$333.12*

 

View on Amazon

Read Our Full Review

Expand for product details and ratings

Category Score* Summary
Performance 4 Provides decent wired speeds.
Features 4 Includes network isolation and built-in VPN tools.
Design 4 Packs a USB port that is only used to charge devices.
Setup 4 Gets your first network up and running quickly.
Ease of use 5 Presents a clean interface on desktop and mobile.

* out of 5 points

 

What we like about it:  This router doesn’t have Wi-Fi, but it definitely has a lot to love. You can create up to four isolated virtual networks and assign each to an Ethernet port. It also supports site-to-site VPN connectivity and includes a built-in VPN server so employees can access the network remotely.

What we wish it did better:  This router doesn’t support wired multi-gig speeds or Power over Ethernet (PoE), so you’ll need a power injector adaptor or a secondary PoE switch to support access points with PoE.

Why do we recommend it?  The Meraki Go GX50 is best if you need extra protection against potential threats. Plus, you can create and control up to four virtual networks, so your guest connections aren’t mingling with your Point of Sale devices.

 

Tested speeds at a glance

5 GHz max speed 2 feet 40 feet 120 feet
1,200 N/A N/A N/A

* Speeds in megabits per second (Mbps) using a Wi-Fi 6 client and an 80 MHz channel.

 

Wi-Fi specs Wired specs
  • Wi-Fi not included
  • WAN ports: 1
  • LAN ports: 4
  • USB 3.2 ports: 1
  • Max internet speed supported: ~940Mbps
  • Power over Ethernet: No

Best access point: Cisco Meraki Go GR12

Best access point

Kevin Parrish | HighSpeedInternet.com

Great for adding Wi-Fi to any wired network

Score:

3.9

out of 5

The Meraki Go GR12 access point is packed with great features, like Power over Ethernet and guest insights. But it’s limited in capacity and Wi-Fi speed.
   Pros    Cons
  • Guest insights
  • Built-in VPN server
  • No channel controls
  • No multi-gig speeds

$168.12*

 

View on Amazon

Read Our Full Review

Expand for product details and ratings

Category Score* Summary
Performance 4 Matches the speeds of similar access points we’ve tested.
Features 4 Includes landing page support and a built-in VPN server.
Design 3 Packs PoE connectivity but lacks multi-gig speeds.
Setup 4 Provides pros with a superfast setup process.
Ease of use 4 Displays the same settings on the web interface and app.

* out of 5 points

 

What we like about it:  The Meraki Go GR12 has decent speeds based on our tests. Plus, it supports Power over Ethernet (PoE) connectivity, so you can mount it virtually anywhere indoors. Other callouts include proximity-based customer insights and a built-in VPN server.

What we wish it did better:  The GR12 needs a multi-gig WAN port to support wired speeds over a gigabit.

Why do we recommend it?  The Meraki Go GR12 easily fits into any business network to expand your Wi-Fi space. It meshes with identical GR12 units to broadcast Wi-Fi around heavy equipment and office corners.

 

Tested speeds at a glance

5 GHz max speed 2 feet 40 feet 120 feet
1,200 825 416 149

* Speeds in megabits per second (Mbps) using a Wi-Fi 6 client and an 80 MHz channel.

 

Wi-Fi specs Wired specs
  • Standard: Wi-Fi 6
  • Max throughput: 1,800Mbps
  • Antennas: 2
  • Streams: 4
  • Bands: 2
  • Total SSID count: 4
  • WAN ports: 1
  • Max internet speed supported: ~940Mbps
  • Power over Ethernet: Yes

Best prosumer access point: Zyxel NWA90AX Pro

Best prosumer access point

Kevin Parrish | HighSpeedInternet.com

A good way to expand your home-based business network

Score:

3.8

out of 5

The NWA90AX Pro is a great access point for adding multi-gig wireless speeds to your home business network. But “pro” home users may find the cloud interface difficult to master initially.

 

   Pros    Cons
  • Multi-gig speeds
  • Power over Ethernet
  • Clunky interfaces
  • Subscription-locked features

$99.99*

 

View on Amazon

Read Our Full Review

Expand for product details and ratings

Category Score* Summary
Performance 4 Matches the tested speeds we get from other access points.
Features 3 Includes landing page support and mesh-based failover.
Design 4 Packs a multi-gig PoE port and 160 MHz channels.
Setup 4 Gets you up and running quickly when using the local interface.
Ease of use 4 Displays two clunky interfaces that can be difficult to use.

* out of 5 points

 

What we like about it:  The NWA90AX Pro supports multi-gig wired and wireless speeds based on our tests. Other callouts include VLAN tagging and support for custom landing pages (via Nebula) and mesh-based failover.

What we wish it did better:  The cloud-based Nebula interface has a steep learning curve that “pro” home users may find intimidating.

Why do we recommend it?  The NWA90AX Pro access point has good speeds for the money. Plus, you can create up to eight Wi-Fi networks with it, which comes in handy for isolating guests from employees, servers, and Point of Sale devices.

 

Tested speeds at a glance

5 GHz max speed 2 feet 40 feet 120 feet
1,200 865 431 156

* Speeds in megabits per second (Mbps) using a Wi-Fi 6 client and an 80 MHz channel.

 

Wi-Fi specs Wired specs
  • Standard: Wi-Fi 6
  • Max throughput: 3,000Mbps
  • Antennas: 5
  • Streams: 4
  • Bands: 2
  • Total SSID count: 8
  • WAN ports (2.5Gbps): 1
  • Max internet speed supported: ~2,370Mbps
  • Power over Ethernet: Yes

Notable specs and features

Nearly every business-oriented router and access point we’ve tested lacks the features we commonly associate with home routers. So, what are the standout features you should consider when purchasing a router or access point for your business? We list a few.

Security

Security should be first on your list. Features like malware prevention, intrusion prevention, and mail fraud prevention are great to have, but they’re best when offered for free with your equipment. Having a thorough firewall is great, too, but be mindful of the potential speed reduction.

Power over Ethernet

Power over Ethernet (PoE) is essential for installing access points in places that generally don’t have electrical outlets, like on ceilings. These devices receive power and data over Ethernet, but they can’t transmit power. To supply power to all your access points, you must use a PoE-compatible switch or several power injector adapters.

VLAN support

You want a router or access point with support for virtual networking. This feature allows you to separate traffic so that customers can’t directly access your Point of Sale devices or internal data servers. VLAN tagging is also helpful in preventing curious employees from virtually snooping around in other departments and accessing sensitive data.

Failover support

Failover is handy when an access point loses its direct connection to the network’s main gateway. When this happens, the access point reroutes data through another access point installed nearby until its connection to the gateway is restored.

Our verdict

The Zyxel SCR 50AXE is the most well-rounded router for business we’ve tested to date. It benchmarks with great speeds on the 5 GHz band and even better on the third 6 GHz band. Plus, it packs a free security suite you just can’t beat, with features like malware, intrusion, and mail fraud prevention you usually pay for on other routers. Its only real drawback is that it doesn’t support multi-gig wired speeds.

If you need an access point instead of a router, the Cisco Meraki Go GR12 is an excellent choice. It also doesn’t support multi-gig wired speeds, but other callouts make it a worthwhile investment, such as mesh-based failover, landing page support, and unique proximity-based customer insights. It works best with other Cisco Meraki Go products.

Methodology

We test router speed by setting up each router in an office and connecting it to a local test server. Then, we transmit test data between our wireless devices and the server, taking numerous measurements to account for fluctuations in Wi-Fi speeds.

The first tests occur close to the router, without obstructions—so the Wi-Fi is as strong and fast as it’s gonna get. We repeat the process straight out at 10, 20, and 30 feet, with only a glass door obstructing our view of the router. The same glass door and an exterior door blocks our path when we test outside at 40 and 50 feet.

We also run tests in a hallway to the left of the TV room and office—where there’s a glass door, three walls, and an air handler unit blocking our view of the router. The dining room, another testing point, sits to the right of the kitchen, TV room, and office—two walls and a glass door block the path in this test.

To test video streaming, we connect a fast storage device to the router and stream a 4K video to six wireless devices simultaneously—two phones, three tablets, and a laptop—connected to the same wireless band.

Client devices used in testing

iPhone 12 Pro MaxGoogle Pixel 3
Wi-Fi specificationWi-Fi 6Wi-Fi 5
Stream configuration2 x 22 x 2
Max 5 GHz speed (AX)1,200Mbps
Max 5 GHz speed (AC)866Mbps866Mbps
Max 2.4 GHz speed (AX)195Mbps
Max 2.4 GHz speed (N)144Mbps144Mbps
Wi-Fi specification
iPhone 12 Pro MaxWi-Fi 6
Google Pixel 3Wi-Fi 5
Stream configuration
iPhone 12 Pro Max2 x 2
Google Pixel 32 x 2
Max 5 GHz speed (AX)
iPhone 12 Pro Max1,200Mbps
Google Pixel 3
Max 5 GHz speed (AC)
iPhone 12 Pro Max866Mbps
Google Pixel 3866Mbps
Max 2.4 GHz speed (AX)
iPhone 12 Pro Max195Mbps
Google Pixel 3
Max 2.4 GHz speed (N)
iPhone 12 Pro Max144Mbps
Google Pixel 3144Mbps

Router benchmarks

Here are the average 5 GHz speeds recorded for each router. Wi-Fi speeds fluctuate significantly, so these numbers reflect at least three tests taken at each 10-foot interval.

Zyxel SCR 50AXE

iPhone 12 Pro MaxGoogle Pixel 3
2 feet834611
10 feet783579
20 feet690534
30 feet598456
40 feet (porch)388210
120 feet (across street)16592
2 feet
iPhone 12 Pro Max834
Google Pixel 3611
10 feet
iPhone 12 Pro Max783
Google Pixel 3579
20 feet
iPhone 12 Pro Max690
Google Pixel 3534
30 feet
iPhone 12 Pro Max598
Google Pixel 3456
40 feet (porch)
iPhone 12 Pro Max388
Google Pixel 3210
120 feet (across street)
iPhone 12 Pro Max165
Google Pixel 392

Reyee RG-E5

iPhone 12 Pro MaxGoogle Pixel 3
2 feet843695
10 feet842692
20 feet789656
30 feet725646
40 feet (porch)636445
120 feet (across street)330143
2 feet
iPhone 12 Pro Max843
Google Pixel 3695
10 feet
iPhone 12 Pro Max842
Google Pixel 3692
20 feet
iPhone 12 Pro Max789
Google Pixel 3656
30 feet
iPhone 12 Pro Max725
Google Pixel 3646
40 feet (porch)
iPhone 12 Pro Max636
Google Pixel 3445
120 feet (across street)
iPhone 12 Pro Max330
Google Pixel 3143

Cisco Meraki Go GR12

iPhone 12 Pro MaxGoogle Pixel 3
2 feet825683
10 feet780637
20 feet697584
30 feet615428
40 feet (porch)416276
120 feet (across street)14987
2 feet
iPhone 12 Pro Max825
Google Pixel 3683
10 feet
iPhone 12 Pro Max780
Google Pixel 3637
20 feet
iPhone 12 Pro Max697
Google Pixel 3584
30 feet
iPhone 12 Pro Max615
Google Pixel 3428
40 feet (porch)
iPhone 12 Pro Max416
Google Pixel 3276
120 feet (across street)
iPhone 12 Pro Max149
Google Pixel 387

Zyxel NWA90AX Pro

iPhone 12 Pro MaxGoogle Pixel 3
2 feet865680
10 feet786641
20 feet690592
30 feet598490
40 feet (porch)431312
120 feet (across street)156138
2 feet
iPhone 12 Pro Max865
Google Pixel 3680
10 feet
iPhone 12 Pro Max786
Google Pixel 3641
20 feet
iPhone 12 Pro Max690
Google Pixel 3592
30 feet
iPhone 12 Pro Max598
Google Pixel 3490
40 feet (porch)
iPhone 12 Pro Max431
Google Pixel 3312
120 feet (across street)
iPhone 12 Pro Max156
Google Pixel 3138

Other routers and access points we tested

We tested over a dozen routers and access points to determine which ones were ideal for your business. Here are the tested models we do and don’t recommend.

Other routers we recommend for business

ModelSummaryPrice*Shop online
Zyxel WAX640S-6ESupports multiple SSIDs, Power over Ethernet, and mesh networking support.$294.63View on Amazon
ExpressVPN AircovePacks a unique built-in VPN client you can use with any VPN service.$189.90View on Amazon

Other routers we don’t recommend for business

ModelSummaryPrice*More details
NETGEAR Nighthawk RAX200Requires several subscriptions to use this router fully.$609.99View on Amazon
Linksys EA8300Uses the Wi-Fi 5 spec, so it doesn’t have the latest security features.$62.50View on Amazon

FAQ about routers and access points for business

Do all business routers and access points have Power over Ethernet?

Based on the models we’ve tested, Power over Ethernet is only offered on access points. For example, the Reyee RG-E5, Zyxel SCR 50AXE, and Cisco Meraki Go GX50 routers do not support Power over Ethernet, so you need a compatible network switch or power injector adapters to support devices with Power over Ethernet connectivity if you use these routers.

Can an access point be used as a router?

Access points generally can’t be used as a standalone router. Instead, they create a bridge between your primary gateway and your wireless client devices in remote areas. Every access point we’ve tested and reviewed has been preconfigured in bridge mode.

However, you can create an SSID and have it operate in NAT mode. This mode creates an isolated Wi-Fi network, so devices connected to that SSID can’t mingle with devices using your other Wi-Fi networks.

What is NAT mode?

Let’s look at how the typical router works to understand NAT mode. A router assigns private addresses to all your wired and wireless devices (via DHCP) and lists them in a table. When your device sends data to the internet, its private address is translated into the router’s public address (via NAT), hiding your device from the internet.

NAT mode on an access point has the same function—it creates an isolated, secondary Wi-Fi network. But unlike the standard router, you can enable NAT mode on any SSID you make to have multiple isolated Wi-Fi networks for Point of Sale devices and guest client devices, for example.

Disclaimer

Amazon.com Prices as of 1/3/24 9:35 MST. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Highspeedinternet.com utilizes paid Amazon links.

CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED ‘AS IS’ AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.

Author -

Kevin Parrish has more than a decade of experience working as a writer, editor, and product tester. He began writing about computer hardware and soon branched out to other devices and services such as networking equipment, phones and tablets, game consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom’s Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authority, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others. At HighSpeedInternet.com, he focuses on network equipment testing and review.

Back to top