Best Gigabit router in 2023 - our top picks (2024)

Get the best wireless connectivity for your high-speed internet

Last Updated on December 11, 2023

How we picked

For this guide, we have looked at several different routers, compared them, and then selected the ones we thought were the best. The routers have been selected based on specs like speeds, wireless standards, security, and other features. Plus, we are always on the lookout for new products to add to our list, so check back here for more updates.

If you want the best Gigabit router, then you should check out the Netgear Nighthawk RAXE300 router, which we think deserves to be one of the best WiFi 6E routers.

As this is a WiFi 6E router, it has three bands, which, together, give up to 7.8 Gbps speeds. With this speed, you should be able to stream 4K and 8K videos, game online, and do other activities. Plus, this router is compatible with any Internet Service Provider plan up to 1 Gigabit, which includes DSL, fiber, and more.

As far as coverage is concerned, the router promises to cover an area of up to 2,500 sq. ft. Plus, you can keep up to 40 devices connected simultaneously, which means you can keep your smart home devices connected without any issue. And with OFDMA and MU-MIMO, you should be able to get stable internet speeds on several devices.

Coming to wired connectivity is concerned, you get four 1G ports and one 2.5G port, so you can plug in PCs, consoles, and other wired devices.

For security, Netgear offers a 30-day free trial for Netgear Armor and Netgear Smart Parental Controls. If you’d like to continue using these services, you will have to pay for the subscription. In addition to this, the router WPA2/WPA3 wireless security protocols, firewall, VPN, and other features for better security.

If you are on a budget but still want to make the most of your high-speed internet connection, then you should check out the TP-Link (Archer AX21) router. In fact, we think that it deserves to be on the list of the best routers under $100.

The WiFi 6 router has two bands, which combine to give you a speed of 1.8 Gbps. With these speeds, you can game, stream, and do other activities without any issues. Further, the WiFi router is compatible with Xfinity, Cox, Verizon, Spectrum, and other popular ISPs. So all you need is a high-speed plan and a cable modem.

As far as coverage goes, the TP-Link router has four external antennas, which should provide decent coverage. Further, the router has OFDMA, which should let you connect multiple devices. Plus, with beamforming, the router should strengthen the signal based on your location. In case you want to extend coverage, you always make use of mesh compatibility.

If you want a router that comes loaded with useful features and at a reasonable price, then you should check out the Asus RT-AX3000 router.

This is a dual-band WiFi 6 router that can give you a total speed of 3000 Mbps. With this speed, you should be able to game online, stream, and make the most out of your high-speed internet plan.

As far as coverage goes, the router promises to cover up to 3000 sq. ft. area, which should be sufficient for a small to medium-sized house. Plus, much like some of the best routers for multiple devices, this one has MU-MIMO and OFDMA, so you should be able to connect multiple devices simultaneously. And in case you’d want to extend coverage in the future, then this router is AiMesh compatible, so all you need to do is add other AiMesh units.

Coming to security, the Asus router offers subscription-free network security, which is a big plus. You get protection for all your devices as well as parental controls, which should give you more control over your WiFi network. Plus, with the ASUS Router App, you can customize your experience even more.

How to pick the best router for Gigabit internet

In addition to speed, here are a few things to consider –

WiFi standard

Since a new router is an investment, you should look for a router that runs the latest WiFi standard. At the moment, you should look at WiFi 6 and WiFi 6E routers, which are both new wireless standards.

However, note that the WiFi 6 routers are more common, and most devices would be compatible. Meanwhile, WiFi 6E routers can be a bit of future-proofing. If you have new devices, then you might want to take advantage of that third 6GHz band.

Coverage

The goal here is to get a stable WiFi connection throughout your house or office and eliminate dead zones. To do this, you will have to get a router that can reach every corner. Most routers mention the area they cover in square footage, so you get a fair idea.

Additional features

In addition to this, you should look for features like MU-MIMO, OFDMA, and beamforming if you want to connect multiple devices. If you are into gaming, then you might want to go for a router that offers QoS.

Our Verdict