Best Wifi Router For Firestick

Best Routers for Streaming 2022

Adept picks to keep buffering at bay

Jan 14, 2022 Share
Equipment Guides

• Our choice

  

  Linksys EA7500

  • $145.95
  • AC1900 Wi-Fi

• Budget selection

  

  TP-Link Archer AX10

  • $79.99
  • AX1500 Wi-Fi

• Splurge pick

  

  NETGEAR Nighthawk AX12

  • $399.99
  • AX6000 Wi-Fi

• Wi-Fi half dozen pick

  

  TP-Link Archer AX6000

  • $289.99
  • AX6000 Wi-Fi

• Multitasking pick

  

  ASUS RT-AC5300

  • $233.00
  • AC5300 Wi-Fi

Amazon.com Prices (as of 3/24/21 3:52 MST). Read full disclaimer.

Which Wi-Fi router is best for streaming?

Most modern routers tin can handle video streaming. Only if yous're looking for the absolute best for your 4K streaming feel, nosotros recommend the Linksys EA8300 Max-Stream router. It has speeds fast enough for streaming, gaming, and other bandwidth-hogging activities without buffering.

Of class, different home networks accept different needs. So here are our top five router recommendations to keep you continued.

5 best Wi-Fi routers for streaming

• Linksys EA7500: Our pick
• TP-Link Archer AX10: Budget pick
• NETGEAR Nighthawk AX12: Splurge choice
• TP-Link Archer AX6000: Wi-Fi 6 pick
• ASUS RT-AC5300: Multitasking choice

Top Wi-Fi routers for streaming

Amazon.com Prices (as of 3/24/21 3:52 MST). Read full disclaimer.

What should you look for in a Wi-Fi router?

When selecting a router for streaming, make sure it has Wi-Fi speeds above AC1200. For streaming particularly, a router with quality of service (QoS) features that allow you to prioritize your streaming connection can assistance avert buffering.

Pro tip:

Is your internet fast enough to stream in 4K? Take an internet speed exam to make certain you're getting at least 25 Mbps download speed.

Linksys EA7500 Max-Stream: Our pick

$145.95

• Speed: 1.nine Gbps
• Ethernet ports: 4
• USB ports: 2
• Antennas: 3
• Dimensions: 10.03″ x 7.25″ 10 two.nineteen″
• Weight: 2.05 lbs
• Notable features: MU-MIMO and beamforming technology, Linksys direction app

Amazon.com Prices (every bit of 3/24/21 iii:52 MST). Read full disclaimer.

The Linksys Max-Stream router is a piddling more than conservative than other routers on this list, but it strikes a great remainder between reasonable price and performance. This router volition handle 4K streaming and everything else you do online, and its network management app lets you lot prioritize specific devices in your network when yous desire all your bandwidth to be defended to your binge-watching marathon.

Pros

• Easy setup with smartphone app
• Capacity for 12+ connected devices

Cons

• Only dual-band Wi-Fi

TP-Link Archer AX10: Budget pick

$79.99

• Speed: 1.five Gbps
• Ethernet ports: 4
• USB ports: 0
• Antennas: iv
• Dimensions: 10.24″ x 4.96″ x 1.3″
• Weight: 1.nine lbs
• Notable features: TP-Link Tether app, works with Alexa

Amazon.com Prices (as of iii/24/21 3:52 MST). Read full disclaimer.

This budget-friendly Wi-Fi 6 router combines a low cost tag with speeds fast enough for nearly households. Though the AX10 makes use of the latest Wi-Fi standard, it lacks many of the advanced features some other routers on this list have. But its efficient functioning makes information technology a keen upkeep selection for 4K streaming (plus playing around on your phone).

Pros

• Nifty cost
• Alexa integration
• Wi-Fi 6

Cons

• Lower max throughput than other models

NETGEAR Nighthawk AX12: Splurge option

$399.99

• Speed: x.8 Gbps
• Ethernet ports: 5
• USB ports: 2
• Antennas: eight (internal)
• Dimensions: 11.7″ 10 3.07″ x 8.3″
• Weight: 3.two lbs
• Notable features: Wi-Fi 6, WAN port integration, Nighthawk App

Amazon.com Prices (every bit of 3/24/21 3:52 MST). Read full disclaimer.

With max speeds up to vi Gbps, a range up to iii,500 square feet, and capacity for more than twoscore connected devices, the NETGEAR Nighthawk AX12 is probably overkill. But if you're looking for tiptop-of-the-line equipment that can handle all your 4K streaming, gaming, and other internet activities without breaking a sweat, this is your router.

Pros

• Wi-Fi vi
• Port aggregation for multigig internet

Cons

• High toll

TP-Link Archer AX6000: Wi-Fi vi pick

$289.99

• Speed: vi Gbps
• Ethernet ports: 8
• USB ports: 2
• Antennas: 8
• Dimensions: 10″ ten 12″ x 4″
• Weight: 3.v lbs
• Notable features: Wi-Fi six back up, MU-MIMO technology, tri-ring Wi-Fi

Amazon.com Prices (equally of 3/24/21 iii:52 MST). Read full disclaimer.

The TP-Link Archer router doesn't quite see the Nighthawk X12'south max speeds, but it's even so acme-of-the-line with Wi-Fi six speeds, viii external antennas for first-class range, and a load of advanced features similar MU-MIMO and beamforming. It's also a scrap cheaper than the X12— though, admittedly, information technology does look more like a spider.

Pros

• Alexa compatibility
• 2.five Gbps WAN port

Cons

• No way to disable Q0S

ASUS RT-AC5300: Multitasking choice

$233.00

• Speed: 5.3 Gbps
• Ethernet ports: 4
• USB ports: 2
• Antennas: 8
• Dimensions: 24.5″ x 6.5″ 10 24.5″
• Weight: iii.2 lbs.
• Notable features: Tri-band Wi-Fi, unique antenna design for longer range, built-in gaming optimizations

Amazon.com Prices (as of 3/24/21 3:52 MST). Read total disclaimer.

This router is unique in that it'due south optimized specifically for gaming. It'll work for any purpose, of form, and some of its gaming features—similar Adaptive QoS—can work to prioritize your streaming information. It besides has exceptional range, thanks to the large size and unique antenna design.

Pros

• Gaming optimization
• Wi-Fi coverage up to 5,000 sq. ft.

Cons

• Very big size
• No multigigabit ports

Wi-Fi router specs and features

Streaming—especially 4K streaming—eats bandwidth for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert, and so you'll need to purchase equipment and services that sustain it. You lot'll want to outset with an internet plan that provides enough bandwidth (and a high plenty data cap) to support your streaming habits and provide a expert experience. So you lot'll need a router that can handle the bandwidth and work with multiple devices at once to prioritize traffic.

Proceed in mind that while the router provided by your ISP might be able to handle basic 4K streaming, information technology likely lacks the avant-garde features that assistance facilitate streaming on multiple devices simultaneously with no hiccups. If you lot're seeing a lot of buffering, stutters, or freezes when streaming video, information technology might exist time to consider purchasing your own router.

Quality of Service (QoS)

Many high-end routers have quality of service (QoS) features that allow you to prioritize devices and traffic on the network then that the virtually important information streams (similar Netflix, in this case) go more than bandwidth. This ensures smooth video playback without interference from downloads, gaming, or other activities that might be going on in the home at the same time as the streaming. If your business firm has a lot of simultaneous internet usage, definitely look for QoS features in a router.

Powerful processors

You lot might hear the give-and-take "processors" and think of computer specifications, but processors perform a role in the router world too. The latest and greatest routers often possess dual processors, allowing them to process information and instructions faster. The result for the end user is a smoother connection with fewer pauses and delays.

Tri-ring, dual-band, or single-band

Routers employ 1 of two radio frequencies, or "bands": the older 2.4 GHz or the newer 5 GHz. A basic single-band router supports only one of those bands. Newer routers often feature dual-band capabilities, meaning they communicate with devices on both bands, one ii.iv GHz and one 5 GHz.

The virtually avant-garde routers accept tri-band functionality. These routers typically employ two 5 GHz bands and one ii.four GHz ring. The ability to use three bands increases download and upload speeds and oftentimes reduces the chances for bespeak interference.

Pro tip:

If streaming in 4K is your priority, shoot for a dual-band router at minimum. Information technology will requite your ultra-HD stream the power it needs at the nigh reasonable price.

Wireless standards

Naming conventions for wireless standards are in the process of irresolute, but you'll usually come across standards like 802.11n, 802.11ac, and Wi-Fi half-dozen. These are the most usually used standards at the moment. Wi-Fi six is the newest standard that is available in acme-of-the-line routers. (Its name is easier because information technology came out afterwards the name changes took identify).

Y'all could get okay streaming quality with an 802.11n router, merely yous want to look for 1 using 802.11ac or Wi-Fi 6 if possible. These standards offer the speeds needed to stream 4K video and handle a game or ii on your Xbox or PS5. Information technology's like shooting fish in a barrel to tell which wireless standard a router uses—it's usually in the proper noun.

MU-MIMO and beamforming

MU-MIMO stands for multi-user, multiple input, and multiple output. Many of the newer standalone routers utilise technologies like MU-MIMO considering it keeps cyberspace speeds steady when multiple users access the network by divvying up the bandwidth. Think of it like avant-garde multitasking for your router. It tin make a big difference, so if your household often has multiple devices active at one time, be sure to look for it.

Beamforming typically accompanies MU-MIMO. Information technology uses transmitters and receivers compatible with MU-MIMO to increase wireless throughput and range. The router (transmitter) essentially beams the Wi-Fi indicate to your devices' internal antennas, forming a home network capable of supporting loftier-stop streaming.

What'due south the end result? You get a indicate that's more than powerful and has a longer range that can handle multiple devices at once.

Antennas

The number and power of your router's antennas tin can impact your Wi-Fi signal range, reliability, and functioning, besides as features such as MU-MIMO and beamforming.

That doesn't necessarily mean that the router with the most antennas is the all-time one. Just if you're 4K streaming on Wi-Fi, you want the best bespeak with the well-nigh throughput possible, and that means multiple antennas.

Ports

Ethernet and USB ports make for a more than functional router. You certainly could go wireless for everything, merely it sometimes makes sense to hardwire in a device. Plus, if you program to use Wi-Fi extenders, you definitely want a router with a few free Ethernet ports. Many people make practice with two ports, but some tin't get by without at least four.

Ethernet ports on routers come in handy when placing the router on your amusement centre and plugging your streaming box or smart TV directly into information technology. This helps ensure a powerful signal to your primary device and leaves the Wi-Fi signal available for tablets and other devices.

Other features

Finally, some routers offering additional benefits. They won't necessarily improve a 4K stream, but they could make your life easier. Features range from parental controls to cloud access and from enhanced security settings to automatic backups. Some even include "airtime fairness," a characteristic that extends bandwidth to 802.11ac–compatible devices—such as your 4K HDTV—before offer it to 802.11n devices.

Our verdict

Whether you lot're trying to handle streaming in 4K, multiple streams, or divvying up bandwidth between Netflix and your roommate'south daily Zoom conference call with their whole family, these routers won't go out you buffering. Our pick for most households is the Linksys EA7500 Max Stream because information technology offers great operation at a reasonable cost.

Disclaimer

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Writer - Rebecca Lee Armstrong

Rebecca Lee Armstrong has more than six years of experience writing nearly tech and the internet, with a specialty in hands-on testing. She started writing tech product and service reviews while finishing her BFA in artistic writing at the Academy of Evansville and has found her niche writing near home networking, routers, and internet access at HighSpeedInternet.com. Her work has besides been featured on Pinnacle Ten Reviews, MacSources, Windows Central, Android Cardinal, Best Company, TechnoFAQ, and iMore.

Editor - Cara Haynes

Cara Haynes has been editing and writing in the digital space for seven years, and she's edited all things internet for HighSpeedInternet.com for five years. She graduated with a BA in English and a minor in editing from Brigham Young University. When she's not editing, she makes tech accessible through her freelance writing for brands like Pluralsight. She believes no one should feel lost in internet land and that a proficient internet connexion significantly extends your life bridge.

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