The 10 Best Basic Router Of 2024, Researched By Us

Harlan Ellison By, Harlan Ellison
Updated
Best Basic Router
Best Basic Router

The Rundown

1. Best Of The Best: TP-Link AC1750 Smart WiFi Router

This dual-band router upgrades to 1750 Mbps high speed internet, reducing buffering and lag. It comes with 3 external antennas for strong signal strength. This router also has 4 Gigabit LAN ports to quickly access multiple connected wired devices. Read Review

2. Best Bang For The Buck: NETGEAR R6700 - AC1750 Smart Wi-Fi Router

It is recommended for up to 25 devices and features four wired Ethernet ports, advanced technology, and a 1GHz dual core processor, making it the perfect choice for fast and reliable Wi-Fi performance. It is loaded with features like three amplified antennas, and an automatic shield of security across all connected devices. Read Review

3. Best Powerful: TP-Link AX1800 WiFi 6 Router

It features advanced technology to achieve faster speeds, greater capacity and reduced network congestion. The router supports both VPN Server and VPN Client, Dual-Band WiFi 6 technology and OFDMA technology, which communicates more data to more devices simultaneously. Read Review

4. Best Efficient: NETGEAR Smart Wi-Fi Router (R7000-100NAS)

With its fast wifi performance and recommended support for up to 30 devices, this router provides a reliable and secure connection for all of your internet-enabled devices. It also features an automatic shield of security that provides protection for all your connected devices. Read Review

5. Best Performance: ASUS WiFi 6 Router (RT-AX3000)

It comes with next-gen WiFi 6 technology, featuring OFDMA and MU-MIMO technology for ultra-fast Wi-Fi. Additionally, it features AiMesh technology which allows you to establish an even stronger mesh WiFi system. Read Review

If you have a small number of devices that need to connect to your home network, or if you want the most straightforward setup possible with as few components as possible, a basic router may be best for you. A basic router connects one computer or device to another on a Wi-Fi network.

You won’t be streaming video or music from your home network with a basic router, but it will help you connect printers and other devices to your wireless broadband connection so that they can share files and print documents. There are many different types of routers on the market, ranging from simple modem/routers that provide basic internet connectivity at an affordable price to complex WiFi access points that stream HD videos and even offer built-in security cameras and other smart home monitoring features.

We think the best basic router is TP-Link AC1750 Smart WiFi Router, so you will have no difficulty finding anything to meet your needs! It is made of high-quality material for long-lasting use and has the innovative technology to meet all your needs. To help you find the best fit for your needs, We've put up a purchasing guide and shown other great options for you to consider, especially NETGEAR R6700 - AC1750 Smart Wi-Fi Router.

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 TP-Link AC1750 Smart WiFi Router
Our Score:
9.8
TP-Link

Dual band router upgrades to 1750 Mbps high speed internet(450mbps for 2.4GHz, 1300Mbps for 5GHz), reducing buffering and ideal for 4K streaming

Integrated USB port acts as a media Server, easily share your USB drive content

3 external antennas for long range Wi-Fi. System Requirements-Internet Explorer 11, Firefox 12.0, Chrome 20.0, Safari 4.0, or other JavaScript-enabled browser. Cable or DSL Modem (if needed)

Router for wireless internet, works with Alexa, compatible with all Wi-Fi devices, 802.11ac and older

TP-Link tether app easily set up and remotely manage your home network

Works with all internet service providers, such as AT&T, Verizon, Xfinity, Spectrum, RCN, Cox, CenturyLink, Frontier, etc.( a modem is required for most internet service providers)

Gigabit Router with 4 Gigabit LAN ports, fast access to multiple connected wired devices, Ideal as a gaming router

OneMesh Compatible Router- Form a seamless WiFi when work with TP-Link OneMesh WiFi Extenders

TOP Choice #2 NETGEAR R6700 - AC1750 Smart Wi-Fi Router
Our Score:
9.6
NETGEAR

NETGEAR Armor protects your family's WiFi with an automatic shield of security across all your connected devices with a 30-day free trial

NETGEAR Smart Parental Controls promotes healthy Internet habits, fosters responsibility and builds trust with your kids (30-day free trial included)

Recommended for up to 25 devices: Reliably stream videos, play games, surf the internet, and connect smart home devices

Safe & secure: Supports WPA2 wireless security protocols. Includes Guest Wi-Fi access, DOS, Firewall, VPN, and more

Wired Ethernet ports: Plug in computers, game consoles, streaming players, and other nearby wired devices with 4 x 1 gigabit Ethernet ports

Loaded with advanced technology: Designed with a 1GHz dual core processor, 3 amplified antennas, Beamforming plus, Dynamic QoS, Smart Connect, and more

Safe & secure: Supports WPA2 wireless security protocols. Includes Guest Wi-Fi access, DOS, Firewall, VPN, and more. System requirements: Microsoft Windows 7, 8, 10, Vista, XP, 2000, Mac OS, UNIX, or Linux. Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0, Firefox 2.0, Safari 1.4, or Google Chrome 11.0 browsers or higher

Maximum Range : 1500 Sq Ft

USB connections: Share a storage drive or printer with any connected device or create a personal cloud storage to access from anywhere, using the 1 x 3.0 USB port

TOP Choice #3 TP-Link AX1800 WiFi 6 Router
Our Score:
9.5
TP-Link

Dual-Band WiFi 6 Internet Router: Wi-Fi 6(802.11ax) technology achieves faster speeds, greater capacity and reduced network congestion compared to the previous generation

Works with all internet service providers, such as Comcast, Charter, AT&T, Verizon, Xfinity, Spectrum, RCN, Cox, CenturyLink, Frontier, etc.( a modem is required for most internet service providers)

Certified for Humans: Smart home made easy for non-experts. Setup with Alexa is simple

Connect more devices: Wi-Fi 6 technology communicates more data to more devices simultaneously using revolutionary OFDMA technology

Extensive Coverage: Achieve the strong, reliable WiFi coverage with Archer AX1800 as it focuses signal strength to your devices far away using Beamforming technology, 4 high-gain antennas and an advanced front-end module (FEM) chipset

Next-Gen 1.8 Gbps Speeds: Enjoy smoother and more stable streaming, gaming, downloading and more with WiFi speeds up to 1.8 Gbps (1200 Mbps on 5 GHz band and 574 Mbps on 2.4 GHz band)

VPN Server and Client: Archer AX21 Supports both VPN Server and VPN Client (Open/PPTP/L2TP over Ipsec)

Fast wifi performance: Get up to 1800 square feet wireless coverage with AC1900 speed (Dual band up to 600 + 1300 Mbps)

Recommended for up to 30 devices: Reliably stream videos, play games, surf the internet, and connect smart home devices

NETGEAR Armor protects your family's WiFi with an automatic shield of security across all your connected devices with a 30-day free trial

NETGEAR Smart Parental Controls promotes healthy Internet habits, fosters responsibility and builds trust with your kids (30-day free trial included)

Loaded with advanced technology: Designed with a 1GHz dual core processor, 3 amplified antennas, Beamforming+, Dynamic QoS, Smart Connect, Amazon Alexa Voice Controls, and more

4 x 1 gigabit Ethernet ports ; 1 x 3.0 and 1 x 2.0 USB ports

5 ASUS WiFi 6 Router (RT-AX3000)
Our Score:
9.1
ASUS

The Most Powerful Mesh System — AiMesh technology allows you to establish an even stronger mesh WiFi system with other ASUS AiMesh compatible routers, ensuring stable and seamless whole home coverage.

Ultra-Fast Wi-Fi - RT-AX3000 supports 160MHz bandwidth and 1024-QAM, boasting a total network speed of 3000 Mbps - 575Mbps on the 2. 4GHz band, and 2402GHz on the 5GHz band.

Commercial-grade network security for family - AiProtection Pro protects all the connected devices on your home network and advanced parental controls allow you to manage the family's internet usage.

The Next Gen WiFi Standard - Future proof your home network with the next-gen WiFi 6 technology, providing up to 2. 7x faster speed than the previous WiFi generation featuring OFDMA and MU-MIMO technology.

Maximum Range : 3000 Sq Ft

Mobile App Support - Control and customize every feature at your fingertips using the ASUS Router App for both iOS and Android devices.

6 TP-Link ER605 Wired VPN Router
Our Score:
8.9
TP-Link

Abundant Security Features — Advanced firewall policies, DoS defense, IP/MAC/URL filtering, speed test and more security functions protect your network and data.

SDN Compatibility — For SDN usage, make sure your devices/controllers are either equipped with or can be upgraded to SDN version. SDN controllers work only with SDN Gateways, Access Points and Switches. Non-SDN controllers work only with non-SDN APs. For devices that are compatible with SDN firmware, please visit TP-Link website.

Highly Secure VPN — Supports up to 20× LAN-to-LAN IPsec, 16× OpenVPN, 16× L2TP, and 16× PPTP VPN connections.

Limited Lifetime Protection — Backed by our industry-leading limited lifetime protection and free 24/7 technical support, you can work with confidence.

Cloud Access — Remote Cloud access and Omada app brings centralized cloud management of the whole network from different sites—all controlled from a single interface anywhere, anytime.

Five Gigabit Ports — 1 Gigabit WAN Port plus 3 Gigabit WAN/LAN Ports plus 1 Gigabit LAN Port. Up to four WAN ports optimize bandwidth usage through one device.

Integrated into Omada SDN — Omada’s Software Defined Networking (SDN) platform integrates network devices including gateways, access points and switches with multiple control options offered – Omada Hardware controller or Omada Software Controller. Standalone mode also applies.

Ultra Connectivity - 1× 2.5 Gbps WAN/LAN port plus 1× 1 Gbps WAN/LAN port plus 3× Gigabit LAN ports and two USB ports ensure max flexibility and boosted throughput; The 2.5 Gbps WAN or LAN port and 1 Gbps WAN, LAN port cannot be used as the WAN port at the same time

Works with all internet service providers, such as AT&T, Verizon, Xfinity, Spectrum, RCN, Cox, CenturyLink, Frontier, etc.( a modem is required for most internet service providers)

Faster AX6600 Tri-Band Wi-Fi - 4804 Mbps (5 GHz) plus 1201 Mbps (5 GHz) plus 574 Mbps (2.4 GHz)

More Devices with Less Lag - OFDMA and MU-MIMO technology deliver data to multiple devices, simultaneously

Refined Security - WPA3 reinforces Wi-Fi encryption for improved security

Maximized Coverage - Eight high-gain antennas equipped with Beamforming ensure long range coverage Operating Temperature: 0℃-40℃ (32℉ -104℉)

TP-Link OneMesh Supported - Flexibly Create Whole Home WiFi with Archer AX90 by adding a OneMesh supported Range Extender, like RE505X

TP-Link HomeShield – TP-Link's premium security services keep your home network safe with cutting-edge features for network and IoT protection, including free features 1. Network Security Scan 2. Parental Controls: basic features are free 3. QoS 4. Weekly or Monthly Reports 5. IoT Device Identification. Subscribe to HomeShield Pro if needed, dollar 5.99 per Month, 1-Month Free Trial.

8 ASUS AX5700 WiFi 6 Gaming Router
Our Score:
8.7
ASUS

True 2 Gbps wired and wireless speeds - Aggregated 2 Gbps WAN connections and WiFi 6

Connector Type : USB

Mobile Game Mode - Minimize lag and latency for mobile gaming with just a tap on the ASUS Router app

New-generation WiFi 6 - Enjoy ultrafast speeds up to 5700 Mbps with the latest WiFi 6 (802.11ax) and 160MHz channels

ASUS AiMesh support – Create a flexible, seamless whole-home mesh network with AiMesh-compatible routers

Commercial-grade home network security – Lifetime free ASUS AiProtection Pro, powered by Trend Micro, with WPA3 and advanced Parental Controls to protect your home

9 TP-Link ER7206 VPN Router
Our Score:
8.5
TP-Link

【Cloud Access】Remote Cloud access and Omada app brings centralized cloud management of the whole network from different sites—all controlled from a single interface anywhere, anytime.

【Abundant Security Features】Advanced firewall policies, DoS defense, IP/MAC/URL filtering, speed test and more security functions protect your network and data.

【Increased Network Capacity】Maximum number of associated client devices – 150,000. Maximum number of clients – Up to 700.

【Highly Secure VPN】Supports up to 100× LAN-to-LAN IPsec, 50× OpenVPN, 50× L2TP, and 50× PPTP VPN connections.

【SDN Compatibility】For SDN usage, make sure your devices/controllers are either equipped with or can be upgraded to SDN version. SDN controllers work only with SDN Gateways, Access Points & Switches. Non-SDN controllers work only with non-SDN APs. For devices that are compatible with SDN firmware, please visit TP-Link website.

【Flexible Port Configuration】1 Gigabit SFP WAN Port + 1 Gigabit WAN Port + 2 Gigabit WAN/LAN Ports +1 Gigabit LAN Port. Up to four WAN ports optimize bandwidth usage through one device.

【Integrated into Omada SDN】Omada’s Software Defined Networking (SDN) platform integrates network devices including gateways, access points & switches with multiple control options offered – Omada Hardware controller, Omada Software Controller or Omada cloud-based controller*(Contact TP-Link for Cloud-Based Controller Plan Details). Standalone mode also applies.

【Limited Lifetime Warranty】Backed by our industry-leading limited lifetime warranty and free 24/7 technical support, you can work with confidence.

More Vents, Less Heat – Improved vented areas help unleash the full power of the router

Gigabit WiFi for 8K Streaming – Up to 5400 Mbps WiFi for faster browsing, streaming, gaming and downloading, all at the same time

TP-Link HomeShield – TP-Link's premium security services keep your home network safe with cutting-edge network and IoT protection. Free features: 1. Network Security Scan 2. Basic Parental Controls 3. QoS 4. Weekly/Monthly Reports 5. IoT Device Identification, HomeShield Pro paid service ads more robust protections and features for, 5.99/Month, 1-Month Free Trial

USB Sharing – 1× USB 3.0 port enables easy media sharing and private cloud storage

Extensive Coverage - Enjoy stable WiFi connections, even in the kitchen and bedroom. High-Power FEM, 6× Antennas, Beamforming, and 4T4R structures combine to adapt WiFi coverage to perfectly fit your home and concentrate signal strength towards your devices

Connect More Devices – Supports MU-MIMO and OFDMA to reduce congestion and 4X the average throughput

Works with all internet service providers, such as AT&T, Verizon, Xfinity, Spectrum, RCN, Cox, CenturyLink, Frontier, etc.( a modem is required for most internet service providers)

Full Featured WiFi 6 Router– Equipped with 4T4R and HE160 technologies on the 5 GHz band to enable max 4.8 Gbps ultra-fast connections.Power:12 V ⎓ 2.5 A

Product Images, Product Titles, Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API

What to Look For in a best basic router?

You may know that shopping is one of the essential activities in a human being’s life. Selecting the best product will affect your daily life. However, which factors can make this purchase effective? If you are looking for best basic router for your demands, you will waste your time with incorrect data. But it would be best if you weren’t so nervous about that. We have a group of experts to research best basic router, and they’ve given reliable information.

There are lots of essential things you should keep in mind. On the other, just some of them are most focused. Here are the critical factors related to buying best basic router you may want:

USB Ports

USB ports on a router are used for connecting to a flash drive, an external hard drive, or a USB printer if the router has a built-in print server.

Booster Club

When it comes to wireless routers, most ISPs offer several tiers of service. If you’re ever in a situation where you need more speed for streaming or gaming, you can always upgrade your service. A connection speed of around 200 megabits per second should be able to handle a family’s worth of activities like this.

Quality Of Service

Wireless Routers offer a great way to optimize the performance of your computer. You can change the router's settings to work best for streaming videos, making Skype calls, playing games, or streaming music. This will give those applications more of the bandwidth—so, for example, your Netflix movie doesn't pause and rebuffer because someone in your house is downloading a large file.

App-Based Management

Every new router comes with apps meant to simplify the task of setting up and making adjustments to your WiFi network. The apps make it easier than ever before to monitor which devices are connected to your network and adjust which devices get priority. These apps can also alert you when an update is available for your router.

WiFi Standards

As of early 2021, the tech world is starting to transition away from the WiFi standard known as WiFi 5 and towards WiFi 6, which is faster and boasts better support for more devices connected at the same time. Older, WiFi 5-certified devices like smartphones and laptops can still be used with WiFi 6 routers, but you won’t receive the full benefits of WiFi 6 unless the device you are using is certified for the new standard. For more information on WiFi 6, be sure to read this article.

Security

To secure your router, you should use the latest available encryption standard. This is likely WPA2 or WPA3, depending on the age of your router. You’ll need to enter the password just once into each wireless device you use; afterward, the device will remember it.

LAN Ports

Many internet-connected smart home devices, such as Philips Hue and Samsung SmartThings products, require a LAN port-connected hub to function. If you need more LAN ports than the router has, you can expand the number available by adding an Ethernet switch. This is sort of like a power strip that adds open Ethernet ports.

FAQs

What is a router?

A router is a device that connects multiple computers, networks, and other devices to the internet. It is responsible for routing data packets between different networks and providing access to the internet.

What is the difference between a router and a modem?

A modem is a device that allows computers and other devices to connect to the internet by translating signals from the internet service provider (ISP) into a form that the device can understand. A router acts as a gateway to the internet, allowing multiple devices to connect to the internet through a single connection.

How do I set up a router?

Setting up a router can vary depending on the model and type of router you have. Generally, most routers will require you to connect them to your modem, configure settings in the router’s web interface, and then connect the router to your devices. Consult the user manual or online resources for detailed instructions.

What is the default username and password for my router?

The default username and password for most routers is usually “admin” and “password” or “admin” and “admin”. However, some models may have different defaults. Consult the user manual or online resources for detailed instructions.

Overall, the statistics we described here are not all of them. Instead, we always freshen it up continually as the data is updated and available. It would be best to remember things we mentioned above, including brand’s value, product’s value, product’s highlights, important specs, customer ratings & reviews. 

Our readers, you guys, are always respected and treated with top priority so that you are supposed to receive the most up-to-date information on our site. You should feel free to contact us for support with the product’s problems. Thanks for reading, and we wish you a happy shopping.


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About Harlan Ellison

Harlan Ellison

Harlan Ellison is a writer and audio equipment enthusiast. He's particularly interested in home theater HiFi audio, and he has been the editor of The Audio Insights since its inception. Harlan is known for his sharp wit and scathing critiques, but he also has a great love of music and audio gear. When he's not writing or editing, Harlan can be found listening to music or watching movies with his wife.