How to Choose the Best Wi-Fi Router For Your Home

It's not as tricky as you think—if you know what kind of router that best fits your home.

The humble wireless router is one of the most common devices found in people's homes, but it's often one of the least-considered. Maybe you're using one you got for free from your ISP, or still using a years-old model in desperate need of an upgrade. A new router is the internet lifeblood for all your gadgets, whether a several thousand-dollar gaming PC or a cheapo Chromebook, and having the right one for your home could solve many of your internet woes.

But before buying a new wireless router (or routers), the most important thing to consider your space. If you have a small apartment, you can likely get away with a much less capable (and much less expensive) router than someone with a large home who who also wants coverage outside as well.

Unless you have have minimal wireless needs, the baseline you'll want to look for is a dual-band router that uses the 802.11ac standard. That will both cut down on interference from other devices and ensure that your router isn't limiting your internet speeds. The Wirecuttersingles out the TP-Link Archer C7 ($90) as its overall favorite router because it can cover a good size house or apartment at a relatively affordable price. If you're a bit more of a demanding internet user, Asus' RT-AC88U ($270) is highly rated by both CNET andPCMag, and comes with an abundance of features including eight Gigabit LAN ports.

For those with large houses prone to dead spots, a single router may not be your best option. One of the most surefire ways to ensure you have wireless coverage everywhere you want it is to install a mesh network, a series of access points that form a single wireless network.

But because you're essentially buying 2 or even 3 routers to cover more space, these options can run bit more than your average router. Google has its own mesh network option withGoogle Wi-Fi ($270), but it's Netgear's Orbi RBK50 Wi-Fi system ($350) that's recommended by both The Wirecutter and PCMag, each praising its easy setup and ample speeds. Most of these next-gen routers also come with convenient security and performance features piped through companion apps for a smartphone or tablet.If neither of these solution quite fit your mid-sized home, maybe its worth considering a range extender or a powerline networking system. The former is pretty much what you'd expect: a device that you can put anywhere you want to extend the range of your single Wi-Fi router. Something like Netgear's N300 extender ($30) is an inexpensive option, or you can step up to a device like the TP-Link AC1750 ($89). Since the extender is receiving and then boosting your existing wireless signal, there might be a slight loss of performance you wouldn't experience with a mesh system.

Another option to extend your network is with a powerline networking system like TP-Link AV1000 ($45), which is one of the best reviewed kits among Amazon customers. This let's you easily extend your network to anywhere you have a power outlet, and use your home's electrical wiring to transmit the signal. That can be an especially good alternative to a flaky wireless connection if you have a game console or streaming device in a problematic area of your house.One last piece of advice? Don't overlook security. The router is the central

brain to every Wi-Fi-connected gadget in your home, whether your laptop or smart refrigerator, so be sure to enable WPA2 encryption on your router and make sure you change the default password. It also wouldn't hurt to check with the manufacturer regularly for any firmware updates. Luckily, many new routers use smartphone apps to help give you more control over what's happening on your network.

With a little research and choosing the right router for your home, you can finally achieve Wi-Fi nirvana.