Long Range Wireless Router Reviews
Long Range Wireless Routers – Buyers Guide
Most routers can provide fast Internet access for a few devices within a short distance. Not all routers are designed to handle a large number of connections in a medium-to-large home. In order to find the best long-range wireless router, it’s important to understand what makes one device better than another.
In this guide, we’ll show you five of the best long-range wireless routers and mesh systems available and explain what makes them tick so you can make an informed decision when it comes time to buy a long-range wireless router you can be satisfied with.
What To Look For In A Long-Range Router
- At a minimum look for a router that supports the 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) standard. In order to future-proof yourself, you may want to consider 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6.) This is the latest and fastest Wi-Fi standard, and it will give you the best speeds and coverage.
- Make sure the router has dual-band support. This means it can broadcast on both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies. The 5GHz frequency is less crowded and will give you better speeds.
- Tri-Band is a good feature on Mesh systems because it uses its “magical” 3rd band for communication between mesh nodes and frees up the other 2 bands for communications with Wi-Fi devices.
- Check to see how many antennae the router has. More antennas usually mean better range and performance.
- Look at the processor speed and memory of the router. A faster processor will be able to handle more traffic, and more memory will allow the router to store more data.
- Lastly, make sure the wireless router uses MU-MIMO technology or Multiple User Multiple Input Multiple Output (MU-MIMO). It works by splitting up the data stream so that each device gets its own data stream. MU-MIMO gives the user much higher Wi-Fi speeds with significantly reduced interference from other devices using Wi-Fi around them.
Choosing The Best Long-Range Router
When choosing a long-range wireless router, there are some important things you need to take into account.
- You need to think about what you’ll be using the router for. If you’re a gamer, you’ll need a router that can handle high speeds and large amounts of data.
- You need to consider the size of your home. A larger home will need a more powerful router.
- You need to think about what kind of range you need. If you live in a small apartment, you won’t need as much range as someone who lives in a large house.
- Long-range routers can be expensive, so you’ll want to make sure you’re getting a good deal. Make sure you do some research before buying a new router. For example, look at reviews from people who have used the product, or ask an expert like Geek Squad® technicians for their opinion.
Once you’ve done all this research, you should feel confident in your purchase decision! Remember, it’s important to invest in a quality product because it will last longer than other cheaper models.
Recommended Routers And Mesh Systems
Most people are looking for the best bang for their buck. We feel these are some of the best long-range routers and mesh systems available in terms of price, features, and performance.
- Throughput performance
- Intuitive QOS and Parental Controls
- Built-in anti-virus and malware protection
- Easy setup with the mobile app.
- No web interface – phone app only.
- No USB ports
- Speed and Range
- Design
- Easy setup
- No USB
- No built-in VPN
- Full-featured parental controls and security require a subscription.
- Awesome performance
- Dedicated 3rd band technology
- MU-MIMO
- The Option of mobile app or browser setup
- Size
- Pricey
- USB 2.0 port
- Excellent throughput
- Speed and range
- Easy setup
- Stability with multiple connected devices.
- USB speeds could be better
- Expensive
- Stunningly fast over 802.11ax
- Eight network ports
- Link Aggregation ports
- Useful features including AiMesh
- No 10 Gbps network port
- Dual-Band instead of Tri-Band
- Pricey
More details on each of these below.
Tips On Installing Your New Long-Range Wireless Router.
I demonstrate all the ins and outs of setting, up configuring, backing up, and keeping your wireless router running flawlessly in my complete Wireless Router Setup video.
- Before you purchase a new router, check with your Internet service provider (ISP) to see if they have any recommendations.
- Once you’ve chosen a router, take a look at the included instructions so you know what you need to do before installation.
- Unplug your modem and router (if you have one), then plug in just the modem. Wait a few minutes for it to connect to the Internet, then unplug the modem and plug in your new router.
- Connect one end of an Ethernet cable to your new router’s Internet port, then connect the other end to your modem’s Ethernet port.
- Take another Ethernet cable and connect one end to your PC or laptop’s Ethernet port, then plug the other end into the PC/Laptop port on your new router.
- You’ll now be able to surf the Web wirelessly from your wireless devices by connecting them to your home network via Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS). WPS is easy to use, as long as you’re within range of your new router!
- Be sure to change the default password on your new router and make note of it somewhere safe in case you forget it later. If possible, change this setting up immediately after set up so that nobody else can access your network without authorization!
More Tips On Getting A Long Range Wireless Router
- Check your internet service provider’s data cap.
- Consider your home’s layout and the number of devices that will be connected to the router. If your home crosses the 2,500 square foot threshold a single long-range router may fall short. This is the time to consider mesh. We suggest a number of good mesh systems on this page.
- Compare the speeds and specifications of different routers before making a purchase.
- Make sure the router you choose supports WPA2 or WPA3 encryption for security purposes. The range of a powerful long-range router may extend past the boundaries of your home so security is important.
- Check reviews online to get an idea of which routers are reliable and easy to set up. Make sure the wireless router/mesh system has good customer reviews. Ask people you know what experiences they have had with trying to fill a large home with a Wi-Fi signal.
- Only pay for what you need. Choose a budget-friendly router that meets all of your needs.
- Don’t forget about any special features you may need, such as parental controls VPN and guest networks.
- After buying your new router, do not forget to install antivirus software on each device on your network! Some wireless routers have antivirus protection built in.
- If you need help setting up your new router see my Wireless Router Setup Guide.
- Don’t forget to ask questions before you buy. The more you ask now the fewer regrets you’ll have later.
Wi-Fi Coverage Considerations
If you want wireless coverage in all four corners of your large home, estate, or fortress a wireless router that is designed to cover large areas and provide a strong signal to many devices simultaneously or a good Mesh system are your best options.
Outside of budget considerations, there are a number of questions to ask yourself when looking for a wireless router for a large home:
- How large is your home? When crossing the 2,500 square foot threshold Mesh Wi-Fi should become a consideration.
- What is your home made of? Drywall is OK. A lot of Brick, metal, and concrete will cause problems.
- How many devices do you have? The more devices a wireless router is asked to connect to the harder it has to work and the slower it gets. Some wireless routers are designed to handle a large about of devices.
- Do you have WiFi devices that can cause interference? Too many wireless devices in a small area can interfere with each other. A good solution here is to get a Tri-Band router and put certain devices on separate bands that don’t interfere with each other.
The Top Five
1. TP-Link Deco X55
TP-Link Deco AX3000 WiFi 6 Mesh System(Deco X55) - Covers up to...
- Wi-Fi 6 Mesh Wi-Fi - Next-gen Wi-Fi 6 AX3000 whole home mesh system to eliminate weak Wi-Fi for good(2×2/HE160 2402 Mbps plus 2×2 574 Mbps)
- Whole Home WiFi Coverage - Covers up to 6500 square feet with seamless high-performance Wi-Fi 6 and eliminate dead zones and buffering. Better than traditional WiFi booster and Range Extenders
- Wi-Fi 6 Mesh Wi-Fi - Next-gen Wi-Fi 6 AX3000 whole home mesh system to eliminate weak Wi-Fi for good(2×2/HE160 2402 Mbps plus 2×2 574 Mbps)
- Whole Home WiFi Coverage - Covers up to 6500 square feet with seamless high-performance Wi-Fi 6 and eliminate dead zones and buffering. Better than traditional WiFi booster and Range Extenders
- Connect More Devices - Deco X55(3-pack) is strong enough to connect up to 150 devices with strong and reliable Wi-Fi
- Our Cybersecurity Commitment - TP-Link is a signatory of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) Secure-by-Design pledge. This device is designed, built, and maintained, with advanced security as a core requirement
- More Gigabit Ports - Each Deco X55 has 3 Gigabit Ethernet ports(6 in total for a 2-pack) and supports Wired Ethernet Backhaul for better speeds. Any of them can work as a Wi-Fi Router
- AI-Driven Mesh - Intelligently learns the network environment to provide ideal WiFi unique to your home
- Easy Setup and Management - The Deco app helps you set up your network in minutes with clear visual guidance and keeps you in control even when you are not home
- TP-Link HomeShield - This router includes TP-Link's premium security service, HomeShield, to keep your home network safe. No-cost features include (1) Basic Network Security, (2) Quality of Service, and (3) Parental Controls
- Works with all internet service providers, such as Comcast, Charter, ATandT, Verizon, Xfinity, Spectrum, RCN, Cox, CenturyLink, Frontier, etc.( a modem is required for most internet service providers)
TP-Link has never been shy about loading their devices with the latest Wi-Fi technology, and the TP-Link AX3000 Deco Mesh X55 is no exception.
TP-Link has launched its new Deco Mesh product line. It includes an assortment of routers with varying capabilities. All of them are designed to be easy and intuitive to use. The Deco Mesh X55 is TP-Link’s most reasonably priced Wi-Fi 6 mesh system in the Deco Mesh lineup. It features some great features for a budget router.
2. TP-Link Deco Mesh M5
TP-Link Deco Mesh WiFi System(Deco M5) –Up to 5,500 sq. ft. Whole...
- If you're looking to ditch your traditional router extender setup for a whole Home Wi-Fi system, put the TP-Link Deco M5 Wi-Fi system on your short list PC mag said
- Better coverage than traditional Wi-Fi routers: Deco M5 uses 3 units working seamlessly to create a mesh network that can cover homes up to 5,500 square feet. No dead zone anymore
- If you're looking to ditch your traditional router extender setup for a whole Home Wi-Fi system, put the TP-Link Deco M5 Wi-Fi system on your short list PC mag said
- Better coverage than traditional Wi-Fi routers: Deco M5 uses 3 units working seamlessly to create a mesh network that can cover homes up to 5,500 square feet. No dead zone anymore
- Seamless and Stable Wi-Fi: Rather than Wi-Fi range extender that need multiple network names and passwords, Deco M5 allows you to enjoy seamless roaming throughout the house, with a single network name and password
- TP-Link unique Adaptive routing technology automatically chooses the fastest path for every device and allows for more flexible placement than a satellite system
- Secure Wi-Fi Mesh Network: Protect your network and connected devices with a free lifetime subscription to TP-Link HomeCare featuring Next-level Antivirus, Robust Parental Controls, and QoS
- Easy to setup: Download the TP-Link Deco app, plug in your system, and follow the instructions to get your new home network up and running in minutes. Works with Alexa as well
- Each Deco M5 has 2 Gigabit Ethernet ports(6 in total for a 3-pack) and supports Wired Ethernet Backhaul for better speeds. Any of them can work as a Wi-Fi Router. 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)
For about the same cost of high-end wireless router, you can get Mesh Dual-Band Wi-Fi technology, MU-MIMO, Beamforming, QoS, and Parental Controls in your home or small business for a coverage range of up 5,500 square feet and 100 devices.
TP-Links intuitive mobile app makes it simple to install and configure your new Wi-Fi nodes in the areas of your home that need Wi-Fi coverage the most. To add icing no the cake, TP-Link adds built-in antivirus and malware protection. If you are looking for excellent value, you won’t find a product better than the TP-Link Deco Mesh.
TP-Link Deco Mesh M5 Full Review
3. Netgear Orbi RBK50
NETGEAR Orbi Tri-band Whole Home Mesh WiFi System with 3Gbps Speed (RBK50)...
- Ultra-performance Mesh WiFi network blankets every inch of your home in super fast and seamless WiFi connectivity - room to room, wall to wall, floor to floor
- Eliminates WiFi dead zones and buffering - 5,000 square feet of consistent coverage - with speeds up to 3Gbps
- Ultra-performance Mesh WiFi network blankets every inch of your home in super fast and seamless WiFi connectivity - room to room, wall to wall, floor to floor
- Eliminates WiFi dead zones and buffering - 5,000 square feet of consistent coverage - with speeds up to 3Gbps
- The most award-winning Mesh WiFi system on the planet: PC Mag, CNET, Wirecutter, Forbes, SmallNetBuilder
- Maintains speed even as more devices use your WiFi at the same time, thanks to patented tri-band technology
- 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)
Netgear’s Orbi RBK50 was once one of the biggest bully’s on the block. So it was large, somewhat expensive, and powerful. With advancements such as Wi-Fi 6 prices have come down but it’s still one of the mesh best systems available.
Despite its peculiar shape and size, The Orbi RBK50 became a popular household item due to its speed and coverage. If you have lots of space to cover and don’t want to spend a lot of money, the Netgear Orbi RBK50 is a great value.
Netgear Orbi RBK50 Full Review
4. ASUS RT-AX88U
ASUS AX6000 WiFi 6 Gaming Router (RT-AX88U) - Dual Band Gigabit Wireless...
- Next gen Wi-Fi standard 802.11Ax Wi-Fi standard for better efficiency and throughput; ultrafast Wi-Fi speed 6000 Mbps Wi-Fi speed to handle even the busiest network with ease.Power Supply : AC Input : 110V~240V(50~60Hz), DC Output : 19 V with max. 2.37 A current.
- Next gen Wi-Fi standard 802.11Ax Wi-Fi standard for better efficiency and throughput; ultrafast Wi-Fi speed 6000 Mbps Wi-Fi speed to handle even the busiest network with ease.Power Supply : AC Input : 110V~240V(50~60Hz), DC Output : 19 V with max. 2.37 A current.
- Certified for Humans – Smart home made easy for non-experts. Setup with Alexa is simple.
- Wider usage and more convenience 4 antennas plus 8 LAN ports to support more clients at the same time
- Commercial-grade security – AiProtection powered by Trend Micro blocks internet security threats for all your connected smart devices
- Better partner with mesh system; compatible with ASUS AiMesh Wi-Fi system for seamless whole home coverage’s support: Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Mac OS X 10.6, Mac OS X 10.7, Mac OS X 10.8
- Target Wake Time (TWT) allows RT-AX88U to schedule designated intervals for devices to transmit data. This allows them to sleep when there is no need to wait for a router signal, reducing power consumption by up to 7X for significantly improved battery life
The Asus RT-AX88U is a powerful gaming router that offers superb performance and range. With speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps, it is well suited for gamers who need quick connections and plenty of bandwidth.
For the most part, the Asus RT-AX88U is an excellent choice for avid gamers who prefer a reliable router that can handle high-definition gaming sessions and supply great overall network coverage.
5. Netgear Nighthawk X6S R8000P
NETGEAR Nighthawk X6S Smart Wi-Fi Router (R8000P) - AC4000 Tri-band Wireless Speed...
- Maximum Range : 3500 Sq Ft
- Fast Wi-Fi performance: Get up to 3500 square feet wireless coverage with AC4000 speed (Tri-band up to 750 + 1625 + 1625 Mbps).
- Recommended for up to 55 devices: Reliably stream videos, play games, surf the internet, and connect smart home devices.Double firewall protection (SPI and NAT)
- Maximum Range : 3500 Sq Ft
- Fast Wi-Fi performance: Get up to 3500 square feet wireless coverage with AC4000 speed (Tri-band up to 750 + 1625 + 1625 Mbps).
- Recommended for up to 55 devices: Reliably stream videos, play games, surf the internet, and connect smart home devices.Double firewall protection (SPI and NAT)
- 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 dual core 1.8GHz processor, 6 amplified antennas, Beamforming, MU-MIMO, Smart Connect, Amazon Alexa Voice Controls, and more.
- USB connections: Share a storage drive and printer with any connected device, and create a personal cloud storage to access from anywhere, using the 1x3.0 and 1x2.0 USB ports.
- 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).
- Safe & secure: Supports WPA2 wireless security protocols. Includes Guest WiFi access, DoS, Firewall, VPN, and more.
The Netgear Nighthawk X6s (r8000p) is a great choice for anyone searching for a high-performance long-range wireless router. It offers Wave 2 support of 802.11ac speeds with a maximum speed of 1,000 Mbps, as well as Beamforming technology to improve functionality in crowded areas or close to objects that may reduce transmission.
It’s also a bit expensive.
Netgear Nighthawk X6S Full Review
Long Range Wireless Routers – Video
The wireless routers are slightly out of date but the principles still hold true.
Tackling Issues With Signal Strength And Interference
There are a number of ways to maintain your signal strength in a large home. The first thing to try is a good old-fashioned long-range wireless router. Once you get past the 2,500 square foot mark it may be time to start thinking about other solutions such as extenders, Powerline, or Mesh.
Here’s a list of ways to deal with signal strength and Interference issues in your home from the cheapest to the most expensive.
Extenders – It’s a simple concept – you set up an extender on the edge of your wireless signal where it will pick it up and amplify it to remote corners of your home. Nice in theory but they don’t always work. Even if they do work the extra hop can cause you to lose as much as 50% of your bandwidth.
Powerline – Powerline involves adapters that use the electrical wiring in your home as network cabling. Powerline beats a weak WiFi signal but is not as stable as ethernet. It can be affected by the type of wiring in your home and certain appliances can alter the current in your wires which, in turn, can interfere with your network signal. You never know with Powerline until you try it.
Long Range Wireless Routers – This is where we focus on “brute-forcing” it with a powerful long-range wireless router with high gain antennas, lots of speed, and technical innovations such as beamforming and MU-MIMO.
Mesh – Mesh is probably the best solution for larger homes. There are a number of great mesh networking products out there. We cover a few on this page. Mesh can also get expensive pretty quickly but prices are coming down. Sometimes it’s worth doing things right the first time.
I demonstrate setting up a very affordable Mesh System in my video on Affordable Mesh Wi-Fi.
Buzzwords You Should Know
What is MU MIMO?
MU-MIMO has been around for a while and it’s easy to take it for granted. Like many things you have to go back in time a little to appreciate how good we have things today. I give a brief history lesson on how Wi-Fi has evolved over the years in my Home Wi-Fi Explained video.
Back in the “old days” a wireless router basically spewed out its wireless signal in all directions. If it was able to connect with a wireless client great. If not – oh well. A technology called MIMO was developed which was able to bounce multiple signals off of various surfaces which would ultimately find their way to their destination thus expanding coverage.
This worked great for one device at a time, but once you had several devices connected things started to slow down. So MU-MIMO was developed. MU-MIMO is basically MIMO for multiple clients. It sends a signal to all devices at once which allows all those devices to connect simultaneously.
This technology is like the difference between an old-fashioned network hub and a modern network switch. It’s so efficient it allows wireless clients to run at their maximum speeds without slowing other devices
Beam Me Up, Scottie!
Another advancement called “beamforming” is becoming commonplace in wireless networking devices. What Beamforming does is instead of just randomly sending out radio waves all over the place it kind of locks onto a wireless device and focuses its signal on that device. The device sends transmissions back to the source which allows the source to track the location of the device even as it moves around.
The combination of MU-MIMO, beamforming, AC speed, and high-gain wireless antennas allows for powerful wireless routers which can cover longer distances than an older wireless standard ever could.
QOS
QoS stands for Quality Of Service. It allows you to prioritize the traffic on your network. Using QoS video and gaming sessions can have a higher priority than email and surfing sessions. With standard QOS you do this manually by selecting the traffic and devices you want to prioritize. Dynamic QoS recognizes different types of traffic and devices on your network and prioritizes them automatically.
Dynamic QoS
Dynamic QoS requires little to no user intervention. The QOS engine automatically gathers information about the type of traffic on a network session including the application and the types of devices connected and automatically prioritizes it to optimum levels.
Adaptive QoS
Adaptive QoS Is a simplified way to prioritize and categorize your network traffic. For example, you can prioritize Gaming traffic over Web surfing using a simple list or drag-and-drop interface. The router will then automatically detect the different types of traffic and prioritize them accordingly.
Max Stream
Max-Stream is a Linksys technology that allows certain Max-Stream compatible devices to extend the range of your wireless network with “mesh-like” seamless roaming. This requires your clients to be 802.11k (Seamless roaming) compatible. Many phones and tablets meet this standard. The Linksys AC5400 EA9500 is an example of a router that supports Max-Stream.
