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RouterMag

Compare routers side by side

Pick 2 to 5 routers or mesh systems and see every spec lined up: Wi-Fi standard, speeds, ports, coverage, mesh and VPN support.

    Pick 2 to 5 routers.

    Compare
    Popular:
    • 168 routers, 13 brands
    • Specs from manufacturer documentation
    • No paid placements

    What RouterMag is for

    Router boxes shout speed classes like BE19000 and hide the specs that decide how your Wi-Fi actually works. RouterMag puts every router, mesh kit and travel router on one spec sheet, so you can line up your shortlist and see the real differences.

    • Compare up to five routers

      Add any two to five routers or mesh systems above and get one table with Wi-Fi standard, bands, ports, coverage, mesh and VPN support lined up row by row.

    • Filter by what your home needs

      The Router Finder narrows every model by type, Wi-Fi standard, wired port speed, coverage and features like WireGuard or wired backhaul.

    • Specs from the makers

      Values come from manufacturer spec sheets and datasheets. When a maker doesn't publish a number, we leave it blank rather than guess.

    • Routers sold in the US

      We track US models, so the spec you read matches the box you can buy.

    Find the right type of router

    All 35 categories
    Mesh Wi-Fi Systems 64 models Wi-Fi 7 Mesh Systems 30 models Wi-Fi 6E Mesh Systems 12 models Wi-Fi 6 Mesh Systems 16 models Mesh Wi-Fi for Thick Walls 52 models Outdoor Mesh Wi-Fi 4 models Best Budget Routers 93 models Best Routers Under $100 44 models Best Routers Under $50 14 models Best Budget Mesh Wi-Fi Systems 26 models Best Budget Wi-Fi 7 Routers 35 models Standalone Wi-Fi Routers 65 models

    Popular models, refreshed as our catalog updates.

    See all

    Popular comparisons

    Spec-by-spec breakdowns of models shoppers weigh against each other.

    All 39 matchups
    eero eero Pro 7 vs eero eero Max 7 Google Google Wifi vs Google Nest Wifi (router + 2 points) eero eero 7 vs eero eero 6 eero eero 7 vs eero eero Pro 6E eero eero Pro 6E vs eero eero Pro 6 TP-Link Deco M5 vs TP-Link Deco XE75

    How to choose a router

    Eight questions to answer before you buy, in the order that matters most.

    1 of 8

    Start with your internet plan

    The router has to pass on the speed you pay for. Check your plan's download speed, then make sure the router's WAN port (the one that connects to the modem or fiber box) is at least that fast.

    Routers for fiber internet
    • Plans up to 1 Gbps work with a standard gigabit WAN port.
    • Plans of 2 Gbps or more need a 2.5 Gbps, 5 Gbps or 10 Gbps WAN port.
    • Some fiber providers need VLAN tagging on the router to connect.

    2 of 8

    Router or mesh?

    One router covers most apartments and single-level homes up to about 2,000 sq ft. Bigger homes, several floors or thick walls are where mesh systems earn their keep.

    Browse mesh Wi-Fi systems
    • Put a single router central, high and in the open.
    • Plan roughly one mesh unit per 1,500 to 2,000 sq ft, plus one per floor.
    • Brick, concrete and stone walls call for wired backhaul or more units.

    3 of 8

    Pick a Wi-Fi standard

    Wi-Fi 6 is plenty for most homes on plans under 1 Gbps. Wi-Fi 6E adds the uncrowded 6 GHz band. Wi-Fi 7 adds Multi-Link Operation and wider channels, which matter most for multi-gig plans, new devices and mesh.

    Compare Wi-Fi 7 routers
    • Your devices only get a standard's full speed if they support it too.
    • A dual-band Wi-Fi 7 router has no 6 GHz band, so no 320 MHz channels.

    4 of 8

    Look past the speed class

    Names like AX3000 or BE9300 add up the maximum speed of every band. No device ever sees that total. Compare the 5 GHz speed, the channel width and the ports instead.

    • 160 MHz channels on 5 GHz roughly double speeds for devices that support them.
    • A huge speed class with gigabit ports still tops out at gigabit wired.

    5 of 8

    Dual-band, tri-band or quad-band

    Extra bands spread busy devices across more airtime and, in mesh kits, can carry the link between units on their own radio.

    Tri-band routers
    • Dual-band suits apartments and smaller homes.
    • Tri-band helps busy homes and mesh kits that link units over Wi-Fi.

    6 of 8

    Count the ports you'll use

    Desktops, consoles, TVs and NAS drives run best on Ethernet. Count the devices you want to wire and check the router has enough LAN ports, at the right speed.

    Multi-gig routers
    • Mesh satellites often have only one or two ports, or none.
    • A USB port adds network storage or phone tethering as backup internet.

    7 of 8

    Check the software and subscriptions

    Security, parental controls and VPN are where routers differ most after hardware. Some brands include everything; others keep filtering and threat protection behind a monthly plan.

    Parental controls with no subscription
    • WireGuard VPN covers every device, including TVs and consoles.
    • Look for automatic firmware updates.

    8 of 8

    Gaming, travel and smart home

    Gamers should look at QoS and dedicated gaming ports, travelers at pocket routers with VPN and USB-C power, and smart home fans at routers with a built-in Thread border router.

    Open the Router Finder

    Shop routers by brand

    All brands
    T TP-Link 61 models A ASUS 38 models N NETGEAR 21 models GI GL.iNet 11 models E eero 9 models C Cudy 8 models L Linksys 7 models T Tenda 4 models

    Latest routers

    Newest releases in our database.

    See newest

    How we compare: specs you can check, not scores you can't

    Sourced field by field

    Every spec comes from the manufacturer's own pages and datasheets, and we record where each value came from.

    Same yardstick for all

    One spec sheet format for every router, so a mesh kit and a gaming router line up row by row.

    Independent

    We earn from Amazon purchases, never from brands. Read the disclosure.

    Frequently asked questions

    How do I compare routers side by side?

    Type a router's name into the search box at the top of this page and add it, then add up to four more. You'll get one table with every spec lined up. You can also tick Compare on any router in the Router Finder.

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

    The modem (or fiber box) connects your home to your provider. The router shares that connection with your devices over Wi-Fi and Ethernet and keeps them behind a firewall. Many providers combine both in one gateway.

    How often should I replace my router?

    Every four to five years, or sooner if it no longer gets security updates, can't keep up with your internet plan, or doesn't support the Wi-Fi standard your new devices use.

    Is a more expensive router always faster?

    No. Past a point you pay for bands, ports and features your home may never use. Match the WAN port to your plan and the coverage to your home, then compare features.

    Where do your specs come from?

    From manufacturer spec pages and datasheets, plus product listings for model details. If a maker doesn't publish a value, we leave it blank.