The market may offer you more and more choices when it comes to routers. However, it is never safe to assume that all of them can match your needs or specifications. Not all routers are created equally. If you’re living in an apartment, then you should get a router designed for apartment use. Below are your top 10 choices for routers made for apartments:
1. Best for the Whole Apartment: Google WiFi System
Editor’s Rating: 4.7 out of 5
- Smart Design – this WiFi system could be the most stylish and portable router in the market. It goes with nice, simple features and a decent performance that give the best value for your money.
- Nice LED Light Indicators – it features built-in LED lights that you will see in the center of every WiFi point. This adds to the overall look of the device.
- Fast Connection – this router can offer fast connectivity to gaming devices, desktops, and even home automation centers. It seems to be the speediest radio band in the market so far.
Pros
- Strong and wider coverage
- Easy to configure
- With independent updates for an enhanced WiFi system
Cons
- No USB port for backup or network storage
2. Best Fast Connection: TP-LINK AC5400
Editor’s Rating: 4.4 out of 5
- Incredibly Fast – this router aims to be the super-fast WiFi router. It delivers as much as 5400 Mbps and 1000 Mbps for 2.4GHz and 4334 Mbps for 5 GHz. It comes with three radio bands. Also, it uses 1024QAM or Quadrature Amplitude Modulation.
- More LAN Ports – this is one of the few routers in the market with more LAN ports.
- Fast Processing – this 4 x 4 router is powered by the 1.8GHz quad-core processor, three secondary processors, and 1GB for RAM. This device is compatible with the newest 802.11ac technologies involving the simultaneous MU-MIMO data transfer.
Pros
- Awesome Performance
- More LAN ports
- 5 GHz connection
Cons
- Expensive
3. Best Performance: NETGEAR R6700
Editor’s Rating: 4.3 out of 5
- Best for Up to 12 Devices – this device is highly suitable for homes and apartments. It offers a fast and reliable connection good for up to 12 devices.
- Innovative – NETGEAR R6700 is highly innovative as it goes equipped with the latest technologies that aim to minimize interference and make the wireless Connection more dependable.
- Impressive Speed – with up to 1,300 Mbps, the speed of your internet connection will be good enough. The device also comes with high-performing exterior antennas that allow you to enjoy the greatest WiFi coverage for your house. It uses beamforming+ for optimizing the range, boosting both the Performance and Speed of the router at both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz.
Pros
- VPN support
- Two parallel networks for improved performance
- Ideal for streaming and gaming
Cons
- Extensive wall warts
4. Best Long-Range Router: NETGEAR R7000
Editor’s Rating: 4.3 out of 5
- Better and Wider Coverage – compared to other routers in this list, the R7000 guarantees a maximum wireless speed of 600 Mbps with a 2.5GHz range. It is compatible with 802.11 ac users.
- Packed with the Latest Technology – this product is a modern router as it features the latest BROADCOM BCM4709 WiFI chip with TurboQAM Technology. This chip may offer 200 Mbps for 2.4 GHz.
- Extra Connection – the mentioned chip also comes with an extra 2.4GHz WiFi connection for another network. It makes the R7000 suitable for a bigger group of users.
Pros
- Stable
- Stylish design
- Long-range
Cons
- The ports are not all at the back
5. Best in Design: NETGEAR R8000-100NAS
Editor’s Rating: 4.3 out of 5
- Sleek design – the device looks nice with its sleek black body. You can lay it flat on the counter or table. It is compact and doesn’t require too much space.
- 6 External Antennas – you will also get up to 6 external antennas that will provide a boosted, more directed signal across your network.
- Great performance – this router is also carefully designed to provide the greatest performance. It features Smart Connect that auto-selects the best WiFi channel and band for each device to keep all of them up and running flawlessly. This device is tri-band, giving you 2 5 GHz bands and a 2.4 GHz band.
Pros
- Tri-band
- ReadySHARE Vault
- Six performance antennas
Cons
- Expensive
6. Best for Big Apartments: TP-LINK Archer A20
Editor’s Rating: 4.2 out of 5
- Excellent Coverage – Archer A20 is a decent tri-band router that aims to offer reliable coverage by using advanced technologies like RangeBoost and Beamforming. Hence it can give the far-reaching coverage across your apartment. Since it’s tri-band, it gives incredible WiFi speed. Also, it has a 1.8GHz quad-core processor and MU-MIMO technology. Therefore, you can connect multiple devices to a WiFi network without experiencing hiccups.
- 6 Exterior Antennas – the device also houses six exterior antennas designed to deal with high-end technologies such as the MU-MIMO and NitroQAM. These antennas will increase the speed of your WiFi network so that it can accommodate more devices.
- Built-in Antivirus Software – this router comes with a built-in antivirus coming from Homecare that helps in preventing online threats. You will also get it with a two-year warranty and unlimited technical support.
Pros
- Can be used with IFTTT and Alexa
- Range boost Technology
- Built-in virus
Cons
- Expensive
7. Best for Fewer Devices: TP-LINK Archer A7
Editor’s Rating: 4.2 out of 5
- Ideal for Smaller Spaces and Fewer Devices – if you’re looking for a router that works best for a smaller space and good enough for a small group of users, then this product can be the right one for you. It is a good performer that is much cheaper than other routers included in this list.
- Firmware Updates – you can be sure of its reliability as the device has been guaranteed to receive firmware updates for improved performance.
- Affordable – Archer A7 is one of the best routers you can get today at below $100.
Pros
- Affordable
- Good Performance
- Firmware updates
Cons
- Needs frequent reboot to avoid interrupted connections
8. Best Value: Linksys EA7500
Editor’s Rating: 4.2 out of 5
- Sleek and Futuristic – if the design matters to you, then you will be impressed with the look and feel of this router. It comes in a shiny black shade with three antennas standing still on top.
- Easy Setup – this router is easy to install and configure. The entire process has been made simple and straightforward. Just plug the router to a socket with the modem. By using your computer, follow the setup wizard as it will guide you through the whole setup process.
- Good for Video Streaming and Playing Online Games – whether you love to watch videos on YouTube or play online games, this router will never disappoint you. It features a built-in Beamforming that increases and widens the coverage of a WiFi network. Its 2.4GHz band provides a maximum speed of 600 Mbps while the 5GHz band handles Speed of up to 1300 Mbps.
Pros
- Dual-band speed (1.9 Gbps)
- MU-MIMO capable
- Designed for HD video streaming
Cons
- A little expensive
9. Best Budget-Friendly: Motorola MR2600
Editor’s Rating: 4.2 out of 5
- Good design – this router has four adaptable exterior antennas. They are designed to give you concurrent performance on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. It is affordable, but the device doesn’t look cheap.
- Easy to Set up – setting up this router can be challenging if you try to figure it out on your own. Good thing, it has the Motorola Wizard that will help you in setting up the router. It will walk you through each step to help you get it successfully done.
- Good performance – this router is also equipped with the MU-MIMO Technology that ensures good connectivity for a more pleasurable gaming experience. It also features the famous beamforming that boosts the signal and range of your network, including its Speed.
- More Features – while it is a budget device, it comes with the Smart QoS support, USB 3.0 port, parental controls, firewall, and many more. Its Gigabit Ethernet ports let you hardwire in your devices that need to be continuously connected to the internet.
Pros
- Four adjustable antennas
- USB 3.0 port and DLNA media sharing
- MU-MIMO capabilities
Cons
- No auto firmware updates
10. Easiest to Install: Tri-Band WiFi Router from Linksys
Editor’s Rating: 4.0 out of 5
- Connection for More Devices – this router provides a fast WiFi connection on several devices. It features 512MB of RAM, a quad-core processor, and 802.11ac circuits coming with three 2GHz and 2.4GHz radio bands.
- Beam Configuration – it also supports this function that will help in sending data straight to a client instead of a wide variety of MU-MIMO streaming data that transmits data to successively compatible clients instead of simultaneously.
- Tape Headers – this device also has two kinds of tape headers. The bandwidth settings let the device itself give the best possible range between the three bands. Plus, it offers 5GHz to let you enjoy a faster connection.
Pros
- Easy installation
- Two bands of 5GHz
- Incredible Performance
Cons
- Average Speed and Performance in big file transfers
Why Should Get the Best Router for Apartments?
The internet has become a crucial requirement in today’s modern world. By using a wireless router, you can do not just simple browsing of the internet but other things you like watching videos on YouTube and playing the hottest mobile games. By getting the best router for apartments, you will enjoy the following benefits:
Ease of Use
A router comes with various IP addresses for every device that connects to the internet, allowing each of them to connect in a few seconds. It can also give an internet connection known as the WLAN. Smartphones, laptops, and other mobile devices with WiFi support will be able to connect to the internet and access it with the help of a wireless router.
Wireless Technology
A wireless router is using wireless technology and radio waves technology that offers a multitude of benefits. The leading advantage it can give is that it makes your life much easier by minimizing the need for those tangling cables.
Portability
The most obvious benefit of using a wireless router is that it allows you to work just about anywhere. It makes things much more convenient.
Features to Look for in a Wireless Router for Apartments
When you shop for a wireless router, you have to figure out closely each one of your options and determine which of them best suits your needs and budget. Of course, you should consider the features they offer. Go for the wireless router that all of the following:
Dual Band
A dual-band router is much better than the single band kind. Tri-band is even better. A dual-band router can transmit your data on two frequencies: 5.0 GHz and 2.4 GHz. The latter is often compatible with older devices. It goes with a longer range and is not a power hog. However, a 2.4 GHz band tends to be slower and is susceptible to wireless interference.
Fewer devices support the 5.0 GHz band. It also has a shorter but much reliable and faster range.
Frequency
You must consider the frequency of a wireless router as well. It determines the overall performance of a network for various devices.
802.11ac
It’s the advanced wireless network that provides faster WiFi speeds, active WiFi connection, and more compatible editions. Meaning, the 802.11ac router is working well in the previous note-802.11ac-compatible units.
MU-MIMO
If a wireless router does not support the MU-MIMO, it could have a bottleneck as it has to connect the data to various connected devices but not simultaneously. It has to be one by one. If the wireless router has the MU-MIMO technology, it can deliver the data to connected devices altogether. Hence, it significantly speeds up the transfer rate.
External Antennas
They give a more dependable WiFi connection compared to interior antennas. This means an extensive range as well as stronger signals.
How to Choose the Best Wireless Router for Apartments
Choosing a more appropriate wireless router for apartments is so crucial. Good thing, the market has so much more options to provide every consumer. But still, one has to be careful when making a choice. Here are tips to help you make a wise buying decision today:
- Budget
It is quite easier to pay a few more for a wireless router and modem. If you have an idea of how much you must spend, you will realize that you do not need to settle for a high-end router. If you are using the router for your space in a big apartment, then you must look for those units designed for this purpose.
Usually, spending less than $300 is enough to get a decent router and modem. Make sure your budget is quite flexible to get a router that offers what you might be expecting when it comes to performance and reliability.
- Figure Out Where You Need Internet Coverage
Living in a large house can be a problem in terms of giving a WiFi network and making it available all over the house. This is true when you are using 5 GHz bands. Small apartments should have one wireless router equipped with many different antennas.
Reading reviews will help you figure out how large should be the coverage of your wireless router. Also, it can help you learn the proper way of controlling WiFi extensions, which collect the network signal from a wireless router and re-direct it towards a certain part of your house.
- Router Speed
Every router comes with a varying speed ranging from 300 to 1900 Mbps. This particular value will indicate the achievable rate under suitable conditions. Moreover, the Speed of the internet also depends on the router’s Speed.
Thus, internet services do not have a connection with the Speed of the internet. The router speed is much associated with enhancing interior network performance in transmitting videos, music, files, and so on.
- Count or Estimate the Number of Your Devices
If you live on your own and have devices that can connect to the internet simultaneously, then you have nothing to worry regarding loading on the router. When its hardware stopped connecting, the more devices need to connect, the slower the internet speed.
Conclusion
The clear winner for this group is TP-LINK AC5400. It won the race for some reason. You can hope for the best from this device in terms of Speed. Unlike other routers, it’s a tri-band wireless router with 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Also, it stands out from the competition because it has more LAN ports. It guarantees fast data processing and transfer, too.
If you are asking for another option, then it might be TP-LINK Archer A20. It is also equipped with the latest technologies to ensure fast and reliable internet connectivity. Likewise, it offers both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, bands. If you’re worried about your budget, consider Motorola MR2600.
