A space well-connected to the internet is ready to tackle anything. And for a space to be well-connected, without any dead ends or no-network zones, a good Wi-Fi router is absolutely essential.
These days, most apartments are not only turfs to game and relax in, but are also our office spaces and classrooms. Hence, a great Wi-Fi router will ensure that all our appliances, gadgets, and PCs are empowered with a seamless internet experience to play games, work, stream Netflix, or attend lectures.
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When searching for a new router, there are quite a few things to consider. For instance, think about the size of your coverage area, the number of customers you need to handle, as well as the sorts of devices you’ll be connecting. Depending on your needs, you can then opt for budget routers, mesh routers, high-speed routers, among others.
Ahead, we shortlist the best Wi-Fi routers that money can buy for your apartment.
What Are The Advantages Of A Wi-Fi Router For An Apartment?
Well, why should we get a Wi-Fi router for our apartment in the first place? Following are the reasons that must compel you to invest in one. Read on to find out the best benefits of a Wi-Fi router.
a) Multiple Internet Points At Low Cost
This is also called networking. A wireless router links to our PCs, gaming systems, tablets, phones, and other internet-enabled devices without the use of cables.
It also enables us to share a single internet connection with our connected devices. We can just plug in the Wi-Fi router and connect all of our devices in the apartment to the internet, saving both money and time.
b) Easy To Use
We don’t have to manually modify the settings on the latest Wi-Fi routers to change the network. Switching between Wi-Fi channels and security protocols to improve signal strength might be time-consuming.
Some routers now allow you to change the settings at any time and from any location as long as your internet connection is active. The apps do come in handy.
c) Added Security
Most Wi-Fi routers have encryption techniques to secure the data of devices that connect to them. Wi-Fi Protected Access 2, or WPA2, is a network security protocol that is extensively used in wireless routers.
For quite some time now, it has been one of the most secure encryption alternatives on the market. WPA2 scrambles communications entering and exiting the router.
Best Wi-Fi Routers For Your Apartment
Now comes the tricky part. We have to actually choose and buy the best Wi-Fi router for our apartment. But you don’t have to worry much.
We have shortlisted the best routers that money can buy for your humble abode. We have also included high-speed, budget-friendly, and wide-range options. Read on to find out more.
1. Google Wi-Fi System
Google Wi-Fi is a home mesh Wi-Fi system that replaces the typical router to give continuous, dependable Wi-Fi coverage throughout your apartment. To connect to the internet, you’ll still need an Internet Service Provider (ISP) and a modem.
The mesh Wi-Fi technology underpins Google Wi-Fi. When you set up your mesh network, the Google Wi-Fi stations form a high-powered link and collaborate to ensure that your devices remain on the clearest channel with the quickest bandwidth.
As a result, you’ll have speedy Wi-Fi throughout your home, not just near the router. You can even move around the home while on a video call or watch a movie without losing service.
Highlights:
Buy For: Large apartments
Maximum Speed: 1200 Mbps
Wi-Fi Standard: IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
Range: Up to 2200 square feet
Bands: Dual Band (2.4 and 5 GHz)
Ethernet Ports: 2 Gigabit Ethernet ports per Wi-Fi point
Security: WPA2 and WPA3
Pros:
- Provides coverage throughout the home
- Simple to set up and use
- It provides high-speed wireless transmissions
- Additional Wi-Fi points can be added as required
- The network aid technology maintains the signal strength
- Can hardwire a smart device to any of the Wi-Fi sites
- Design is appealing
Cons:
- Having too many smart devices plugged in might confuse the system and cause connections to drop
- Single wired Ethernet port on each point
2. Netgear Nighthawk R8000
Enjoy blazing-fast Wi-Fi speeds of up to 3.2Gbps, a 1GHz dual-core CPU for longer range, and groundbreaking tri-band Wi-Fi technology, all designed to connect with any device in your home.
Additionally, enjoy the NETGEAR ArmorTM that delivers powerful cyber threat protection for your home and connected devices. The router also features Circle Smart Parental Controls for simple content management.
With ultra-fast wireless speeds, greater coverage, and dependable connections, you can improve the performance of your connected devices when streaming, gaming, or video conferencing.
Highlights:
Buy For: Top performance
Maximum Speed: 3200 Mbps
Wi-Fi Standard: IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
Range: Up to 3500 square feet
Bands: Tri-Band
Ethernet Ports: 5-Port Gigabit Ethernet
Security: WPA and WPA2
Pros:
- Wi-Fi combined speed of 3.2Gbps
- Wi-Fi tri-band
- 6 performance antennas
- ReadySHARE Vault is a software that allows you to backup your data automatically
- Beamforming+ for more powerful connections
Cons:
- Might drop in performance over time
- The specs might become obsolete soon
3. Asus Wi-Fi 6 AX3000
For improved efficiency and throughput, use this Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) standard for your apartment. It offers 3000 Mbps Wi-Fi speed, which allows you to easily manage even the busiest network.
The 802.11ax technology offers more efficient, reliable, and quicker transmission even when numerous devices are delivering data simultaneously, thanks to OFDMA and MU-MIMO.
It also has Bluetooth 5.0 for quicker and wider coverage. This means data transfer up to twice as fast and with 4X the range as before. It is also equipped with the most recent WPA3 Wi-Fi security standard, giving your PC an extra layer of protection against external assaults for increased peace of mind.
Highlights:
Buy For: Gaming
Maximum Speed: 3000 Mbps
Wi-Fi Standard: 802.11ax
Range: Up to 3000 square feet
Bands: Dual-Band
Ethernet Ports: 8 Gigabit Ethernet ports
Security: WPA3-Personal
Pros:
- MU-MIMO technology allows you to connect numerous devices at the same time
- Covers even the largest of homes with ease
- Wi-Fi speed of 3000 Mbps
- Its whole installation, setup, and configuration is smooth
- On both bands, the speeds are fantastic
- Its modern gaming design is sleek
- It has mesh system support
Cons:
- There are no specific gaming ports on the router
- Its user interface needs to be more user-friendly
4. TTP-Link Archer A7 AC1750
The Archer A7 is a powerful 802.11ac Wi-Fi router with a longer range for your apartment. It outperforms several routers that cost twice as much. This enhanced Wi-Fi is intended for high-traffic online activities and can assist in running programs at three times the speed of the previous 802.11n standard.
The 2.4GHz band can handle simple operations like email or web surfing, while the 5GHz band can handle bandwidth-intensive applications like online gaming or HD video streaming—all at the same time.
You can sustain outstanding speeds, thanks to three external antennas and the innovative connection technologies. This router is also a versatile gateway, thanks to its USB 2.0 connector. When you’re not at home, share a hard drive full of media over your home network or an FTP server.
Highlights:
Buy For: Budget-friendly router
Maximum Speed: 1300 Mbps
Wi-Fi Standard: 802.11ac
Range: Up to 2500 square feet
Bands: Dual-Band
Ethernet Ports: 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports
Security: WPA and WPA2
Pros:
- 4K video streaming
- Wireless USB connectivity
- Setup is simple
- Up to 2500 square feet
- Encryption using OpenVPN is supported
- Works well with Alexa
Cons:
- Many people often come across login issues
- Not as state-of-the-art as others
5.TP-Link Archer AX50
Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) provides a significant increase in speed and total capacity. So, now is the time to upgrade your router to the most recent version of Wi-Fi!
With a bandwidth of 160 MHz and 1024-QAM, this Wi-Fi router for your apartment offers genuine gigabit rates of up to 3 Gbps. Take advantage of quicker streaming and gaming than ever before. This full-featured Gigabit Wi-Fi 6 router is powered by a fast dual-core CPU and enables many bandwidth-intensive operations to perform seamlessly simultaneously.
In response to the ever-increasing demand for home Wi-Fi, this router future-proofs your home networks by giving four times the capacity to connect more devices.
Highlights:
Best For: Best of all features
Maximum Speed: 3000 Mbps
Wi-Fi Standard: 802.11ax
Range: Up to 2000 square feet
Bands: Dual-Band
Ethernet Ports: 5 Gigabit Ethernet ports
Security: WPA and WPA2
Pros:
- Rapid speeds
- Brimming with features
- Outstanding value for money
- USB 3.0 port with built-in antivirus
- A plethora of useful networking and Wi-Fi options
- Useful features, such as free real-time online protection
Cons:
- HomeCare necessitates the use of a mobile app and a TP login account.
- When hosting a portable disc, the NAS performance is slow.
- It runs warm.
Which Wi-Fi Features Should I Look For?
Not sure what kind of Wi-Fi router features you should be looking at? Don’t worry! We’ll help decode the most desirable features in a router:
● Speed or Network Type
When you look at any router, you will notice that it supports a variety of networks: 802.1b, 802.1g, 802.1n, and 802.11ac are the four most prevalent. These classifications show how quickly the router can transport wireless data.
Now, 802.11ac is the fastest of the four options. Those looking to connect several devices through Wi-Fi or cable may benefit from an 802.11ac router.
● Range
This is especially crucial for Wi-Fi users in the apartment because they will most likely not be seated exactly next to the router. The greater the distance between you and your router, the slower and poorer your connection will be.
But 802.11ac often provides the strongest connections and the widest range. So, look for routers that might offer wider ranges.
● Throughput And Bandwidth
This is the measurement of data rate between network devices within your apartment, also known as your LAN (Local Area Network) connection speed. Routers with higher throughputs will support internet connections with higher speeds.
A network’s bandwidth is defined as its maximum transfer throughput capability. It is a measurement of how much data can be transferred and received simultaneously. Bandwidth is measured in bits per second, megabits per second, or gigabits per second.
● Quality of Service (QoS)
Quality of Service (QoS) is a router and switch function that prioritizes traffic so that the most critical traffic may flow first. As a result, important network traffic now performs better. QoS equipment is helpful with VoIP phones or LANs with high local traffic volumes.
This capability is not available on all routers; however, it is a very useful function for apartments and offices.
● Beamforming
Beamforming offers each device a quicker, stronger Wi-Fi signal with greater range. Rather than just broadcasting in all directions, the router seeks to broadcast wireless data meant for a device in the most efficient manner possible.
This also means that it can aid in the improvement of connection quality with devices hidden behind solid walls or in rooms with a high level of interference.
What Should Be My Budget For A Wi-Fi Router?
Wondering how much to spend on a router? Your budget for the Wi-Fi router should be directly proportional to the size of your apartment. For instance, a small to medium-sized home or apartment may usually get by with a well-tested dual-band router in the $100 range.
But if your house is larger, it’s certainly worth investing more in a mesh system that can distribute more constant speeds from room to room. So, for bigger apartments, mesh Wi-Fi might be a better option.
How To Set Up A Wi-Fi Router In An Apartment?
Method 1:
Plug the device in and connect it to your modem via Ethernet cable, then enter its IP address into the URL bar of a browser to begin the configuration.
Method 2:
This one is more modern. Utilize the router’s app, which will normally lead you through setup in 5-10 minutes. After you’ve completed the setup, you may use either method to access the router’s settings or change your Wi-Fi password.
Final Words
So, the word is out. The TP-Link Archer AX50 might be the best Wi-Fi router if you wish for the best of all worlds. However, boost performance by choosing any other router from our shortlist. We have included all kinds of routers for all budgets.
