What is Router?
A router is a networking device that forwards data packets between computer networks. Routers perform the traffic directing functions between networks and on the global Internet. Data sent through a network, such as a web page or email, is in the form of data packets.
Best Router In South Africa
TP-Link Archer AX73
The TP-Link Archer AX73 hits the sweet spot in today’s competitive router market. It provides the features and performance you demand but keeps the price just below $200.
My tests show the Archer AX73, which supports Wi-Fi 6 and quotes a maximum wireless bandwidth of 5,400 Megabits per second (Mbps), is nearly as fast as high-end routers, like the Linksys EA9500, Netgear Nighthawk RAX200, and TP-Link AX6600.
When near the router, I see sustained real-world speeds of up to 682Mbps, which drops to 106Mbps in a detached home office. The AX73 was no more than 20% slower than the top performers across my tests.
TP-Link Archer AX50
The TP-Link Archer AX50 is an outstanding Wi-Fi router that effectively makes every other budget Wi-Fi router obsolete. You can buy a router for less, but the sacrifice you’ll make in performance isn’t worth the savings.
Performance is good, though not great, with a maximum real-world download speed of 485Mbps. That’s very fast but a definite step down from the best.
However, the AX50’s performance remains respectable at range. It handled our two most demanding test scenarios (a living room chair on the opposite side of the house and a detached office) just as well as the more expensive AX73. This budget router also beats budget mesh systems like Google’s Nest Wi-Fi.
The AX50 connects to the same intuitive, approachable Tether app used to set up other TP-Link routers. Router setup takes less than five minutes. Power users can still rely on an in-depth web interface accessible through a PC or Mac’s web browser.
It also has four Gigabit Ethernet ports and a single inbound Gigabit Ethernet WAN port, which is typical of most modern Wi-Fi routers.
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500
Netgear’s Nighthawk RAXE500 is perfect for those seeking extreme performance from a conventional Wi-Fi router. It delivers incredible Wi-Fi speeds over the new Wi-Fi 6E wireless standard.
I measured a maximum Wi-Fi 6E speed of 827Mbps and a maximum upload speed of 802Mbps. That sets a record in our testing. Wi-Fi 6 performance isn’t far behind. A Wi-Fi 6 device connected to the 5GHz band measured a maximum download speed of 733Mbps and maximum upload speed of 632Mbps.
Performance holds up at range, as well. I saw speeds up to 100Mbps in a detached office 50 feet and many walls away from the router. That’s not as quick as the Linksys Atlas 6E mesh router featured below, but high enough to feel fast and reliable.
Atlas Max 6E
Mesh systems often promise outstanding performance, but don’t always deliver. Linksys’s Atlas Max 6E is an exception. This mesh system demolished other routers to become the fastest mesh router I have ever used.
Performance is outstanding while close to the primary access point, hitting an average of 753Mbps in our benchmark. What impresses me most, though, is the Atlas Max 6E’s fast download and upload speeds across all test scenarios.
There’s even more performance available. This is a Wi-Fi 6E router, which means it has a 6GHz band available for even higher speeds on compatible devices.
Nest Wifi
Google’s Nest Wifi is an excellent choice if you need a reliable, intuitive mesh router for your smart home.
Starting at $300 for a router and secondary node point (and often on sale for much less), you can purchase a three-point Nest Wifi system for significantly less than more capable mesh routers from Linksys or Netgear.
Nest Wifi, unfortunately, remains stuck on the older Wi-Fi 5 standard, so maximum performance tops out around 100Mbps. This is redeemed by the system’s reliable performance across all testing locations.
At the range, the Nest Wifi is often as quick as budget mesh systems that do support Wi-Fi 6.
Is the router stronger than MiFi?
WiFi is a technology, while MiFi is a cellular device with built-in WiFi. Comparing MiFi to broadband WiFi is a different story.
If broadband internet infrastructure is lacking in your area or you need mobile internet, MiFi wins. Though, broadband WiFi is faster and offers much greater capacity than MiFi.
What is a good router speed?
Generally speaking, if there are multiple people in the household streaming 4K video with several gadgets connected, you’ll want at least 200 Mbps, if not more.
If you only have a few devices connected and are mostly just surfing the web, with some videos here and there, you’ll be fine with 50 or 100 Mbps.
How many routers can you connect to a router?
Yes, using two (or even more than two) routers on the same home network is possible. The benefits of a two-router network include Support for more wired devices:
If the first router is wired Ethernet, it supports a limited number of connected devices (typically only four or five).
What makes a router fast?
The actual router speed is determined by factors such as the number of devices on the network, physical interferences that degrade the wireless signal, the distance between the connected device and the router, and more. A high-speed router can’t speed up a slow internet connection.