Fastest Routers for Gigabit Internet

The best gigabit routers

NETGEAR Nighthawk AX12

TP-Link Archer AX6000

ASUS RT-AC5300

TP-Link Archer AX1500

Dual-band and tri-band technologies

Modern routers broadcast multiple wireless signals simultaneously, allowing older devices to connect and giving your network a greater capacity. Looking at multiple signals can make comparing routers a bit more complicated, so it’s important to understand the difference between these technologies.

Dual-band routers

Dual-band routers basically broadcast two wireless networks at once. One broadcasts on a 2.4 GHz frequency and the other on a 5 GHz frequency band. In older routers, this usually meant having different Wi-Fi standards on each network (801.11b and g operated only at 2.4 GHz, while a and ac used only the 5 GHz band).

A dual-band router will allow all your older devices to connect while providing a less congested frequency band to your newer devices. Both Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6 are able to use both frequencies. Plus, the efficient data encoding in the Wi-Fi 6 standard can even squeeze a bit more speed out of those old 2.4 GHz networks if it has to.

Tri-band routers

Tri-band routers broadcast three signals: one at 2.4 GHz and two at 5 GHz. That means they’re essentially hosting three Wi-Fi networks at the same time. This further reduces congestion, keeping your network from slowing down.

Doing the math on router speed

When you look at the max speed for a router, it typically shows you the total throughput of all its signals. Wi-Fi 6 speeds currently top out at around 6 Gbps, and adding more signals can’t make one device go any faster.

However, if you had two devices trying to use all the bandwidth at once (this doesn’t typically happen, which is why it’s a “theoretical” max speed), they would normally have to split that bandwidth, with each one downloading data at a rate of 3 Mbps. With a second signal, they can each download (theoretically) at the full 6 Mbps, which places your total throughput at 12 Mbps. This is what you get with the NETGEAR Nighthawk AX12.

One thing in particular to watch out for is that not all online sellers get their math right on this. You might see a tri-band router listed as having a max speed of 6 Gbps, or even 18 Gbps. When in doubt, check out the manufacturer’s website to get the most accurate information.

Our verdict

For most people looking for a fast router, our choice is the TP-Link Archer AX6000. It’s neck and neck with the fastest routers out there on the market, but it costs considerably less. It’s not a tri-band router, so it’s possible to bog it down with enough bandwidth-intensive devices running on the same network, but that would be hard to do. It’s fully Wi-Fi 6 compatible, which means that you won’t be missing out on any of the features of future wireless devices.

Of course, If you have a need for speed and money is no object, you can’t go wrong with the NETGEAR Nighthawk AX12. It’s fast. It can carry a hefty load. And, most importantly, it’s ready for your future Wi-Fi 6 devices, which will really take advantage of the speed it offers.

What is gigabit technology?

Gigabit refers to internet speeds of 1,000 Mbps or more. 1,000 megabits makes 1 gigabit, hence the name. To learn more, check out our complete guide to gigabit internet.

What’s the difference between a router and a modem?

A modem is what takes the internet signal from the internet service provider (ISP) and translates it into something the devices in your home can use. In the case of cable internet service, it’s the box that plugs into the coaxial cable jack in your wall (the one with the screws on each end).

A wireless router takes the internet signal from your modem and broadcasts it over the air as radio waves. It’s what powers the Wi-Fi network in your home and allows you to connect your devices. Often, you can find a modem and router combined into a single device, which is sometimes referred to as a wireless gateway.

Should I buy a router or rent one from my ISP?

Most ISPs provide routers or modem-router combos for customers. These are convenient since you can have them set up for you when you get your service installed. They are also guaranteed to work with your internet service.

The downside to using the ISP-provided router is that they tend to be pretty basic. Some users will need more range, power, or features than these routers can provide. The monthly equipment fee may also be more expensive over time than just purchasing an equivalent router. And, of course, you don’t own the equipment. If you move or change providers, you’ll have to get a new router from your next provider that may not meet your needs.

What is a wireless protocol or wireless standard? Which wireless protocol do I need?

The wireless protocol (or wireless standard) is the type of wireless technology used by your router and the devices trying to connect to it. The names of these protocols start with the number “802” and are often advertised on wireless devices, including routers. The protocol used determines several things about a router’s capabilities, but the one relevant to most consumers is maximum speed.

The most current protocol for gigabit speeds is 801.11ax, also known as Wi-Fi 6. It can theoretically reach speeds up to 9.6 Gbps, which is faster than even the current fiber-optic internet connections can get data to your house. The Wi-Fi 6 standard also includes technologies such as MU-MIMO and OFDMA, which doesn’t increase the max speed but prevents your network from slowing down due to traffic.

The previous generation of wireless network, 801.11ac, also reaches gigabit speeds. And although this older standard doesn’t have all the features of Wi-Fi 6, many routers using this protocol can still keep up with some of the newer Wi-Fi 6 models.

How many Ethernet ports do I need?

Four Ethernet ports is a good number to shoot for—not many devices require Ethernet these days, but it’s still useful for things like game consoles or streaming boxes to maximize reliability. Choosing a router with extra Ethernet ports allows you to plug devices in for a wired connection when you need more reliability than Wi-Fi can provide.

Many routers now support port aggregation, which allows you to combine two gigabit Ethernet ports to improve the file transfer speed. If you have a device that supports port aggregation, you can connect it to your router with two gigabit Ethernet cables for double the aggregated speed.

Does the router have enough range for my home?

Most modern routers will have plenty of range for all but the biggest of houses. Depending on where your internet connection enters your home, you might find that there are dead zones where walls or other obstacles create a “shadow” in your wireless network. In that case, you can look into getting special wireless extenders or long-range routers to make sure you have a strong signal everywhere you need it. Check out our guide to the best long-range wireless routers.

Many routers also support the construction of home mesh networks, which means that you can place multiple, identical routers around your house that work together to form one big, interconnected wireless network. Mesh systems have a lot of advantages over extenders. They have specialized software to make your network work more efficiently, giving you better speeds and less congestion. The only downside is that if you’re investing in a top-of-the-line router, investing in three or four of them can be pretty expensive.

Is the price of a gigabit router worth it?

If you’re already paying for gigabit internet, investing in a gigabit router is a necessity. You can’t take advantage of gigabit speeds without both. That also means that if you have a slower connection, having a faster router won’t make much of a difference.

With the arrival of Wi-Fi 6, one of the most important questions is how many devices you’re going to have on your network. If you’re going to be streaming video in different rooms or trying to play online games with multiple people, it might be worth it to invest in a router that can handle that extra capacity smoothly.

Do I need a new router for gigabit internet?

If you recently signed up for a gigabit internet plan, the router you receive from your ISP should be able to handle gigabit speeds. If you’ve been using your own router and switch to a gigabit internet plan, then you’ll need to upgrade to a router that can take advantage of your new speed if you don’t want to be stuck with the basic router from your ISP.

Can you get gigabit internet over Wi-Fi?

In order to get gigabit internet over Wi-Fi, you need a both a gigabit internet connection from your ISP and a wireless router that supports gigabit speeds. Routers with technologies such as MU-MIMO and OFDMA can help you take advantage of your gigabit Wi-Fi network by increasing the number of devices that can be on your home network without slowing it down.

For the best speeds possible, routers with Wi-Fi 6 capability and Wi-Fi 6 enabled devices work together incredibly efficiently so that you get the fastest and most reliable Wi-Fi connections available.