The Best Wi-Fi Routers for Buffer-free Streaming and Better Gaming

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Having a reliable internet service provider (ISP) is never enough when it comes to creating a wireless network. You need to invest in the best Wi-Fi router for a stronger connection. Moreover, modern Wi-Fi routers have advanced functionalities that can help boost the performance of your network system.

But most importantly, they feature reliable security protocols that can protect your network system and devices against cyber-attacks. Depending on the model that you pick, you can find Wi-Fi routers with great features such as beamforming,multi-user, multiple-input, multiple-output (MU-MIMO), etc.

TL; DR: The #1 Best Wi-Fi Router for Most People 👇

However, choosing a Wi-Fi router is not as easy as it may seem. And since we care about your networking needs, we have compiled a list of the 7 best Wi-Fi routers Australia has to offer. We’ve only gone for routers from reputable brands such as TP-Link,Netgear, WavLink, and ASUS, so you can choose any device that piques your interest.

The Best Wi-Fi Routers to Buy Today in Australia

• Best Overall Wi-Fi Router: NETGEAR Nighthawk WiFi 6 Router (RAX200) | AX11000
• Best for Most People: NETGEAR Nighthawk Pro Gaming 6-Stream WiFi 6 Router
• Best Wi-Fi Router for Gaming: TP-LINK Archer AX11000 Next-Gen WIFI 6 Gigabit Tri-Band Wireless Cable Gaming Router
• Best Wi-Fi Modem Router for Home: Netgear RAX50 Nighthawk AX5400 AX6
• Best Wi-Fi Router for Long Range: TP-Link AX5400 Dual-Band Gigabit Wi-Fi 6 Router
• Best Mid-range: ASUS RT-AX55, AX1800 Dual Band WiFi 6 (802.11ax) Router
• Best Budget Wi-Fi Router: WAVLINK AX1800 Wi-Fi 6 Dual-Band Gigabit Wireless Internet Router

1. Best Overall Wi-Fi Router: NETGEAR Nighthawk WiFi 6 Router (RAX200) | AX11000

Topping our list of best Wi-Fi routers is the NETGEAR Nighthawk WiFi 6 Router (RAX200) | AX11000 due to its advanced features and reliable security system. It utilises Wi-Fi 6 technology and can offer speeds of up to 10.8 Gigabits per second (Gbps).

However, the speed may vary depending on your internet service provider (ISP) and device compatibility. To get the best out of this wireless router, ensure that you use devices that support Wi-Fi 6. The triple core 1.8GHz processor will ensure you enjoy a connection that is both strong and reliable.

Since it has 4 Ethernet ports, you can connect multiple gadgets to the router via LAN cables. Talking of ports, the ‎Netgear RAX200 features two USB ports, meaning it can work as a media server. Simply plug a memory stick into either of the ports for quick and easy access to all files from any device that is linked to your Wi-Fi network.

To make it even better you can view, share, and download the files without using specialised software. With up to twelve Wi-Fi streams, you will enjoy low-latency gaming and can also stream videos from multiple devices in 4K UHD without buffering. And because it has a tri-band system, your devices can choose the most reliable frequency (2.4GHz or 5GHz) for a stable connection.

When it comes to Wi-Fi security, the router supports both WPA2 and WPA3 protocols. For better security, you can make use of Bitdefender security. Nonetheless, you’ll have to subscribe to Netgear Armor to use these services. It not only encrypts your data but also safeguards your network system against phishing, malware, viruses,ransomware, and other forms of online attack.

To add to this, the Bitdefender VPN will keep your online activity private. This wireless router is very easy to set up, thanks to the Nighthawk app. The app will also give you easy access to router functions, so you can quickly configure the Wi-Fi system from your smartphone.

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2. Best for Most People: NETGEAR Nighthawk Pro Gaming 6-Stream WiFi 6 Router

If the Netgear RAX200 did not meet all your networking needs, we hope the NETGEAR Nighthawk Pro Gaming 6-Stream WiFi 6 Router will. This is one of the most advanced Wi-Fi routers that we tested and is a favourite among gamers and content creators.

Like most Wi-Fi routers on our list, it uses Wi-Fi 6 technology and offers amazing features that you will find helpful. For starters, it is powered by the DumaOS 3.0, which the manufacturer claims can lower ping rates by an impressive 93%.

With this feature in place, the router will be in constant communication with the network servers in use, thereby providing you with a lag-free gaming experience. The same applies when streaming online, so you won’t have to worry about your video buffering.

More to this, the router allows you to allocate bandwidth to services and applications, meaning you can configure your network system based on your needs. Also, the router comes with four high-gain antennas for optimum signal transmission.

The XR1000 is a dual-band router, so it can broadcast Wi-Fi signals on 2.4GHz or 5GHz frequencies. Devices that are compatible with both bands can use either, while those that support only one band will automatically connect to the preferred frequency.

In the right environment, this router can offer wireless speeds of up to 5.4Gigabits per second. To get a stable wired connection, you can use any of the four Ethernet ports. Netgear also provides you with reliable security firmware that will keep your Wi-Fi network safe from hackers.

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3. Best Wi-Fi Router for Gaming: TP-LINK Archer AX11000 Next-Gen WIFI 6 Gigabit Tri-Band Wireless Cable Gaming Router

Featuring a powerful quad-core 1.8 GHz CPU and 1Gb worth of RAM space, the TP-LINK Archer AX11000 Next-Gen WIFI 6 Gigabit Tri-Band Wireless Cable Gaming Router is the go-to option for most gamers. There are up to 8 LAN ports on this router that you can use.

As such, you will be able to connect multiple devices to the router without experiencing any problems. But that is not all; this device uses a tri-band frequency system for improved performance. This makes it more convenient than the dual-band models.

With an extra 5GHz band, you can assign one frequency to your gaming system without sacrificing speed. Besides, the Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) function will automatically expand the available Wi-Fi channels for better performance and less interference during gameplay.

This gaming router is of the 802.11ax standard, so you can go for it knowing that it will deliver great results. It will provide you with the best performance when used with Wi-Fi 6 compatible devices. The USB 3.0 port will allow you to share files across your Wi-Fi network, meaning you can access the stored data from any device that is linked to the network.

As if that is not enough, the router is equipped with HomeCare security for antivirus protection. This will enable you to connect to online game servers without worries. Much like the Netgear RAX200, this wireless router supports multi-user, multiple-input, multiple-output (MU-MIMO), allowing it to broadcast Wi-Fi signals concurrently to multiple devices without impacting performance.

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4. Best Wi-Fi Modem Router for Home: Netgear RAX50 Nighthawk AX5400 AX6

Make your home network more efficient with the Netgear RAX50 Nighthawk AX5400 AX6. By using this router, you can stream from multiple devices in 4K without slowing down the Wi-Fi. And the fact that it has parental controls makes it ideal for every household.

To use all the security features, you’ll be required to subscribe to Netgear’s security programme. Once you are subscribed, Netgear will provide the router with the latest security firmware from time to time for enhanced protection against malware, ransomware, and brute force attack.

The smart parental controls will allow you to create profiles for your kids, thus giving you control over the type of content that they watch. But it doesn’t end there, you can pause internet on connected devices, should there be a need to do so.

This device offers six streams that you can use when tackling different networking tasks. As a result, there will no congestion within the Wi-Fi system, so all your devices will deliver peak performance. Aside from streaming, you can use this Wi-Fi router for online gaming, video conferencing, etc.

You will be happy to know that you can conduct speed tests and manage the Wi-Fi system with the Nighthawk app. The app is supported by all major smartphone operating systems, so you won’t have to worry about compatibility.

To top it all up, you can even view the devices that are connected to your network through the app. The other thing that we like about this router is that it can work with earlier generation wireless standards like 802.11ac.

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5. Best Wi-Fi Router for Long Range: TP-Link AX5400 Dual-Band Gigabit Wi-Fi 6 Router

The TP-Link AX5400 Dual-Band Gigabit Wi-Fi 6 Router triumphed over the other routers that we tested when it comes to coverage. It delivered a strong signal to all the rooms, making this one of the most reliable Wi-Fi 6 routers that you can consider buying.

The other thing that we like about this unit is that it supports both OFDMA and MU-MIMO. These modulations allow you to connect multiple devices to your network system without lowering performance. Attached to the router are six high-gain antennas that will ensure the Wi-Fi signal reaches all corners of your house.

Additionally, you can expand the router’s coverage by linking it to a powerline range extender or OneMesh extender. And like most routers with a similar design, the AX5400 has a USB 3.0 port for easy media sharing.

In addition to this, the router is equipped with an advanced Qualcomm CPU that will provide you with reliable performance. Because TP-Link cares about the safety of your network system and devices, it offers advanced online security through the HomeShield software.

The AX5400 can support simultaneous connections when streaming in 8K or 4K on the 5GHz band. On the other hand, the 2.4GHz frequency will offer better coverage in different environments.

Thanks to its simple design, you won’t have a hard time during set-up. Plus, the configuration process is straightforward, so you don’t have to be tech-savvy to get it right. This Wi-Fi router is compatible with a range of internet service providers, including NBN.

If you are looking for a high-quality Wi-Fi router that is reasonably priced, the TP-Link AX5400 may just be the right device for you. It will provide you with faster speeds, thereby improving the overall performance of your devices.

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6. Best Mid-range: ASUS RT-AX55, AX1800 Dual Band WiFi 6 (802.11ax) Router

Next up is the ASUS RT-AX55, AX1800 Dual Band WiFi 6 (802.11ax) Router.It shares several features with the TP-Link AX5400, making it an excellent alternative to the former.

The router has two frequencies and also supports MU-MIMO technology. We did not experience bandwidth congestion even when we connected multiple devices to this router. Similar to most wireless routers on the market, this unit has four ethernet ports that will provide you with reliable wired connections.

It can connect directly to your smart TV, computer, game console, and any other device with a LAN port. The OS on this wireless router can support different Wi-Fi standards, so you can easily link it with your old router for better signal coverage.

Also, it supports orthogonal frequency-division multiple access for increased capacity. This feature allows the router to efficiently allocate packets of data to all devices that are linked to your Wi-Fi network.

Through this, you can greatly reduce latency during gameplay and also prevent buffering when streaming. Best of all, you can set up and manage the Wi-Fi system from your phone. The router app is compatible with both iOS and Android operating systems, thus making it even more convenient.

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7. Best Budget Wi-Fi Router: WAVLINK AX1800 Wi-Fi 6 Dual-Band Gigabit Wireless Internet Router

Like TP-Link, Netgear, and ASUS,WAVLINK is a reliable brand that is known for making high-performance wireless routers. The WAVLINK AX1800 Wi-Fi 6 Dual-Band Gigabit Wireless Internet Router is the cheapest Wi-Fi router that we tested but it has a long list of features and offers excellent coverage.

It not only has a wide area of coverage but is also compatible with mesh network systems and range extenders. The manufacturer has equipped the router with multi-user, multiple-input, multiple-output technology for better bandwidth management.

If you pair this with the OFDMA function, you will have a reliable internet connection regardless of the number of devices that are connected to the network. The upload and download speeds may, however, vary depending on the tasks that you are handling.

This router is similar to the ASUS RT-AX55 in that both utilise TWT (Target Wake Time) technology, which can help reduce power consumption on your devices. It also has a guest mode that can come in handy when you have friends over.

The security firmware will encrypt your data and password, thereby preventing unauthorised access to the Wi-Fi system. This device features a powerful dual-core processor that will provide you with fast speeds when streaming, gaming, video calling, and more.

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How We Researched the Best Wi-Fi Routers

Our team spent hundreds of hours testing the best Wi-Fi routers we could find in the Australia market. We chose seven models from some of the top-rated brands in the industry and tested them for speed, coverage, ease of use, and overall performance.

Additionally, we took into account the security standards of each router. We tested the Wi-Fi routers in a house with six rooms to see how well each test model performs when it comes to signal transmission and coverage.

Our team ran a total of 18 tests on each router and compared the results to identify the most reliable units. We ran the first speed tests and monitored performance in the same room as the router before proceeding to the other rooms.

To ensure that we got accurate results, we disconnected the test device from the router after each test. That way, we were able to start each test on a fresh connection. We then took note of the average signal quality and ranked the routers according to how they performed when we tested the above-mentioned aspects.

Wi-Fi Routers: Buying Guide

Choosing the best Wi-Fi router has to be one of the most challenging tasks. With countless models and brands to choose from, it’s easy to get overwhelmed, confused, and frustrated during the selection process. Plus, you have to factor in the specifications of each device, making the process even more daunting.

Well, this guide can help narrow down your choices. It highlights some of the important things that you need to think about when picking a Wi-Fi router and also explains how these factors can benefit you. Read through to learn more about what makes a good Wi-Fi router.

What to Consider When Buying a Wi-Fi Router

Wi-Fi routers vary in terms of reliability, speed, and overall design. This causes a variation in performance, so you should consider buying a unit that offers all the features that you need while staying within your budget.

Below are some of the crucial factors that you need to take into consideration when shopping for a Wi-Fi router:

Compatibility 

Before spending on a Wi-Fi router, you need to check if the device that you want to buy can support the internet speeds offered by your internet service provider (ISP). The best way to go about this is by consulting your ISP prior to making your order. This will not only help you choose the most reliable router but also saves you the hassle of dealing with purchase returns.

Frequency band

There are three main types of Wi-Fi routers that you can choose from, single-band, dual-band, and tri-band. The names are assigned based on the number of frequency signals that the router in question supports. To elaborate, single-band Wi-Fi routers only broadcast a 2.4GHz signal, while dual-band models support both 5GHz and 2.4GHz frequencies.

Dual-band Wi-Fi routers are better than single-band routers in that they allow you to connect more devices to your Wi-Fi network without severely impacting speed. And since the router uses the two frequencies simultaneously, your devices can connect to the band that they are most compatible with.

Tri-band Wi-Fi routers, on the other hand, utilise both 2.4GHz and 5GHz technology, with an additional 5GHz band. As such, they are better than their dual-band counterparts when it comes to reducing signal interference. However, tri-band routers are very expensive.

Coverage

This refers to how far the Wi-Fi router can broadcast radio signals. The area of coverage may vary depending on the wireless technology in use and the placement of the router. Most 2.4GHz Wi-Fi routers have an approximate coverage of 46 meters when indoors. This may, however, vary when the same router is placed in an open space. To get the best coverage, ensure that there are no obstacles between the connected devices and your router.

Network security

To safeguard your Wi-Fi system and devices against cyber attacks, ensure that you choose a router with additional security features. A good number of routers on the market use WPA2, WEP, or WPA security protocols to encrypt your data. This will prevent third parties from hijacking your traffic. Some models use advanced security firmware that can help you block certain websites from your network.

Quality of Service (QoS)

Wi-Fi routers with this feature allow you to customise the network traffic according to your needs. QoS will enable you to prioritise specific gadgets and applications within your network system, thereby boosting performance. This feature can come in handy when gaming or streaming.

By directing the network traffic to where it is needed the most, the connected devices are less likely to lag, making this an essential feature that gamers should take into account when buying a Wi-Fi router for gaming.

Wi-Fi standards

Wi-Fi standards refer to a set of protocols and services within a Wi-Fi network that define how the system operates in different scenarios. These standards are specified by letters and numbers. The most commonly used Wi-Fi standards are 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) and 802.11n (Wi-Fi 4).

Wi-Fi routers listed under 11n and 11ac wireless-networking standards can broadcast frequencies on both 5GHz and 2.4GHz band systems. The connection speed will vary depending on the frequency that you are using. If you are looking to run bandwidth-intensive services, we recommend that you choose the latest Wi-Fi standard—the 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6).

Range expandability

When choosing a Wi-Fi router, you need to keep in mind there will come a time when you’ll want the Wi-Fi signal to cover a wider area. That said, ensure that you invest in a router that supports mesh Wi-Fi network systems and Wi-Fi range extenders.

Ethernet ports

You also need to check the number of Ethernet ports that your router has. Many Wi-Fi routers have four ports but some models offer more, so you are the one to decide which model to pick.

Ease of set-up

Most Wi-Fi routers feature a plug-and-play design, making them very easy to set up and use. Also, some brands offer straightforward set-up wizards that can help you configure your Wi-Fi system in just a few minutes. To avoid complications during set-up, you need to follow the instructions provided by the router manufacturer and your ISP.

Price

From the factors listed above, it’s clear that not all Wi-Fi routers are equal. This brings about a price difference, so you should make it your goal to pick a reliable router without breaking the bank. The price of a Wi-Fi router can range anywhere between $80 and $1500, but you can always find models that cost more or less

Features to Look for When Buying a Wi-Fi Router

Wireless routers seem to be getting better and better with the advancement in Wi-Fi technology. Plus, manufacturers roll out new features and functionalities year in, year out. Here are some of the additional features that you should look for when selecting a Wi-Fi router:

Multi-user, multiple-input, multiple-output (MU-MIMO)

This feature enables a Wi-Fi router to serve multiple devices without creating congestion. The available bandwidth will be shared among devices regardless of when each gadget was connected to the Wi-Fi network.MU-MIMO is supported in 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) and 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5).

Beamforming

Unlike the MU-MIMO feature that ensures all devices connected to a Wi-Fi system get a share of the bandwidth, the beamforming function allows a router to direct signals to a target device(s).

As a result, the prioritised device will get a stronger signal transmission, providing you with a better connection. This is yet another important feature that gamers can benefit from. It will allow you to configure your router such that it only sends Wi-Fi signals to your gaming system

USB ports

In addition to having multiple ethernet ports, some Wi-Fi routers feature USB ports in which you can plug a memory stick. This way, you can view and download the files on the USB drive from any computer that is connected to your network system.

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Last update on 2024-04-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API