routers for every need and budget

When choosing a Wi-Fi router, it’s not just about «getting internet». It should keep you connected even through three concrete walls, not «choke» while watching a 4K video streaming, and preferably not overheat like a laptop while playing a S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl. We have collected models for you in different categories — from budget to flagship.

Selection criteria

Wi-Fi standards

The most common are Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) and Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax). The new Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) standard theoretically provides speeds of up to 46 Gbps and uses wider channels (320 MHz). It is not yet widely available on the market, but promises significant improvements over previous standards.

Frequency ranges

Most modern routers support two bands: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. The former provides wider coverage, but can «suffer» from interference — particularly from other wireless devices (e.g. microwaves, Bluetooth devices). Tri-band routers add a 6 GHz band, which reduces the load on the main channels and has a stable connection with a large number of connected devices.

Data transfer rate

High bandwidth is critical for tasks such as streaming high-quality video, playing online games, or working with large files. For this purpose, it is important to choose a router that supports data transfer speeds ranging from 1 Gbps (for home use) to 10 Gbps and higher (for the office segment).

Coverage and number of antennas

More antennas and support for technologies such as Beamforming actually provide better signal stability and coverage over a larger area. If you need to cover a large area or multiple floors, look for routers with more antennas or support for AiMesh technology: to create a seamless network from multiple routers of the same brand.

Additional features

Parental control features, VPN support, USB ports for connecting external devices, and other options may be important depending on your needs. For businesses or large households with multiple devices, traffic monitoring tools and security are also important.

Security

Support for modern security protocols such as WPA3 is essential to protect your network from unauthorized access. In addition, some routers support additional features such as firewalls and DDoS protection to further secure your network.

The best budget router — Xiaomi Mi WiFi Router 4A

Xiaomi Mi WiFi Router 4A — a budget dual-band router with an affordable price and basic functionality for users who do not need complex settings and maximum speeds. It operates at 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, providing stable Wi-Fi at standard speeds of up to 1167 Mbps. This router is ideal for small homes.

One of the main advantages is Xiaomi Mi WiFi Router 4Ais easy to set up through the Mi Home app, which allows you to configure the router even without special technical knowledge. Four external antennas help to provide more or less stable coverage within a small room, and support for two bands helps to avoid delays when using the Internet.

However, it may not be the best choice for users with high speed and coverage requirements. The LAN ports operate at a speed of only 100 Mbps, which limits the possibilities for those who plan to connect devices for working with large files or use a wired connection to high-speed Internet. In addition, in large apartments or houses, the signal may be weak due to the limited number of antennas and low power.

Overall, Xiaomi Mi WiFi Router 4A — a good choice for those who want to save money and get a stable connection for standard tasks. It’s not suitable for users who need maximum speeds or versatility, but for basic needs, it looks very favorable. Its price varies from 708 to 1,899 UAH.

The best router for a private home — TP-LINK Archer AX90

TP-LINK Archer AX90 — a powerful tri-band router that supports Wi-Fi 6 and speeds up to 6600 Mbps. It is a great choice for large private homes where it is important to get a stable connection over a large area and with several devices simultaneously. Archer AX90 operates at 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and an additional 5 GHz band, which provides faster speeds and reduces network load.

The main advantage of this model is eight external antennas for stable coverage of large areas, even the most remote rooms of your home. In addition, support for MU-MIMO and Beamforming technologies helps to distribute bandwidth more efficiently and direct the signal to connected devices, which is especially important if you have a large number of gadgets.

The best router for an apartment — Asus RT-AX58U

Asus RT-AX58U — a stylish and powerful dual-band router with Wi-Fi 6 support, which guarantees speeds of up to 3000 Mbps. The model is perfect for medium-sized apartments where Internet speed is important, but there is no need for overly powerful equipment for a large living space.

Asus RT-AX58U with Wi-Fi 6 support allows you to connect more devices without losing speed. With 5 GHz speeds of up to 2402 Mbps, you can easily watch 4K content, play online games, and download large files. And thanks to its small size and modern design, this router will harmoniously fit into any apartment interior.

The user-friendly setup interface and the Asus Router mobile app allow you to easily configure your network, as well as monitor and control it from any device. It does Asus RT-AX58U is a great option for those who don’t want to waste time with complicated settings.

However, for large apartments or houses, the model may not be the best choice, as its coverage will not always be sufficient for a stable signal in distant rooms.

Overall, Asus RT-AX58U — the best choice for medium-sized apartments that require fast and stable Wi-Fi with minimal setup effort. It costs from UAH 3,353 to 5,799.

The fastest router — Asus RT-BE88U

Asus RT-BE88U — a high-speed dual-band router that supports Wi-Fi 7 and is capable of providing speeds up to 7200 Mbps. It is for those who are looking for the fastest possible Internet for a home or office with a large number of devices, where not only speed but also connection stability is important.

Main advantages Asus RT-BE88U It supports Wi-Fi 7, which allows you to maintain high speeds even when connecting dozens of devices simultaneously. The 5 GHz speeds can reach up to 5764 Mbps, which makes it easy to watch 8K content, play online games with minimal lag, and download the next 100+ GB game patch. And on top of that, two 10Gbps ports and three 2.5Gbps ports provide super-fast connectivity for devices that need even more bandwidth.

With a powerful quad-core processor and 2GB of RAM Asus RT-BE88U is able to handle a high load. And although the router is large and may be too noticeable in your interior, its features are worth it.

However, the high price can be a problem for users who are not willing to pay for the most advanced technology. In addition, the lack of support for the 6 GHz band can be a disadvantage for some users.

Overall, Asus RT-BE88U — a good choice for those who want the fastest and most stable Internet for any task, from gaming to streaming 8K video. If the latest technology and speed are important to you, this router won’t let you down. The router costs from 13,354 to 22,150 UAH.

The best router for the price/quality ratio — TP-LINK Archer C80

TP-LINK Archer C80 — a great choice for those looking for a reliable router at a reasonable price without overpaying. This dual-band router supports Wi-Fi 5 and delivers speeds of up to 1900 Mbps, which is more than enough for most everyday tasks.

Main advantages TP-LINK Archer C80 is its ability to combine an affordable price with excellent performance. Thanks to four external antennas and support for 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies, the router is able to provide a stable signal over medium distances, ideal for apartments and small homes. You get good speeds even at more remote locations, and that’s without having to pay too much.

Setting up through the TP-Link Tether — mobile app is so easy that even our grandmothers can handle it without any problems. However, as with other budget models, the TP-LINK Archer C80 has its limitations.

In particular, support for only Wi-Fi 5 and a maximum speed of 1900 Mbps may not be enough for users who actively work with 4K content or online gaming gurus. In addition, in large homes or with a very large number of connected devices, the signal may not be as stable as in more expensive models.

Overall, TP-LINK Archer C80 — for those who want a good router at an affordable price. If you don’t plan to work with ultra-fast Internet or a large number of devices, this router is for you. The price tag is affordable: from 1,510 to 2,699 hryvnias.

The best router for gamers — Asus RT-AX89X

Asus RT-AX89X — a true monster of a router for gamers, combining Wi-Fi 6 support with a host of features designed to maximize gaming and virtual reality (VR) performance. With speeds of up to 10,000 Mbps, this router can handle any load, even if you have dozens of devices connected to your network at the same time. If maximum speed and minimal lag are important to you when playing VR or gaming, the Asus RT-AX89X is the router for you.

Main advantages Asus RT-AX89X is its ultra-fast data transfer: at 5 GHz, the router is capable of reaching speeds of up to 4804 Mbps, and at 2.4 GHz — up to 1148 Mbps. This is enough to ensure a stable connection even during the most intense moments of gaming or VR sessions. Whether you’re actively playing online games, streaming, or using virtual reality, this router will provide you with everything you need to have a seamless, lag-free experience.

MU-MIMO and OFDMA technologies allow you to serve multiple devices simultaneously without sacrificing performance, making it ideal for large multi-player gaming sessions.

However, it is worth noting that Asus RT-AX89X has a rather high cost, which makes it less affordable for users with a limited budget. In addition, its large size and design can be too noticeable for small rooms or interiors where every inch counts.

Overall, Asus RT-AX89X — the choice for gamers who want maximum performance, speed, and stability. The price of the router is from UAH 12,497 to 21,999.

The most compact router — Cudy TR1200

Cudy TR1200 — a small but powerful router that proves that size does not always determine quality. This dual-band device supports Wi-Fi 5 and delivers speeds of up to 1200 Mbps. If you’re looking for a compact router that can fit into even the smallest of spaces, the Cudy TR1200 — is the one for you.

Main advantages Cudy TR1200 is its extremely compact size. You can easily place it even on the smallest shelf or next to your TV without losing signal quality. Considering its size, this router is able to provide quite good coverage for an area of up to 100 m², making it an ideal option for compact apartments.

However, with limited size comes some limitations. For example, the maximum speed of 1200 Mbps may not be enough for users who actively work with large files or stream in high quality. In addition, for larger homes or rooms with many obstacles, the signal may not be stable enough.

Overall, Cudy TR1200 — A great choice for those who need a compact size and enough performance for everyday tasks. If you’re looking for a device for a small space and don’t need extremely high speeds, this router won’t let you down. The model costs from 1,119 to 2,091 UAH.

The most secure router — Netgear Nighthawk AX12

Netgear Nighthawk AX12 — looks like a Dark Knight router at first glance, which means that the security protocols are up to par. But the futuristic design of the — is just the tip of the iceberg. Inside is one of the most powerful home routers with Wi-Fi 6, which delivers a total speed of up to 6 Gbps and confidently copes with a heavy network load.

The model supports 12 data streams (8×8 at 5 GHz and 4×4 at 2.4 GHz), which allows you to maintain connection stability even when you have a small LAN festival at home. MU-MIMO and OFDMA technologies help to distribute traffic between devices, minimizing latency, and the 2.2 GHz quad-core processor handles even the most demanding scenarios without a hitch.

A separate bonus is one multi-gigabit LAN port with speeds up to 5 Gbps and five standard gigabit ports. There’s also USB 3.0, Alexa and Google Assistant voice control, and support for VPN services for added security. We shouldn’t forget to mention the excellent coverage: even in large private homes, this «betting» receives surprisingly stable reception.

Of course, there are also disadvantages Netgear Nighthawk AX12 costs as much as two medium-sized routers, takes up a lot of space, and requires a little time to fine-tune. But if you value speed, stability, and want to set it up once and forget it, it’s almost the perfect option. The price of the router varies from 6,199 to 15,104 hryvnias.

The most powerful router — Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98

Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98 — A true powerhouse of a router, designed for gamers and users who demand the most out of their network. With Wi-Fi 7 support and speeds up to 24,433 Mbps, this router is designed for the most demanding users who want to get the most out of their devices.

The main advantage of the model is its incredible speed and performance. With support for three bands (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz) and Wi-Fi 7 technology, this router is the perfect choice for homes or offices with a large number of users and heavy traffic.

Also Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98 is equipped with features to maximize the gaming experience: low latency thanks to WTFast technology, improved connection stability through Adaptive QoS technology, and support for AiMesh technology for seamless coverage of large areas.

However, there are also some nuances. The most powerful features and speeds require a corresponding budget, and Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98 may be too expensive for users who don’t need ultra-high performance.

Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98 — an extremely powerful router that delivers maximum performance for those who demand the best in every aspect. If you’re ready to invest in the best speed and stability for your devices, this router will be your indispensable companion. Its price ranges from 26,709 to 44,924 UAH.