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You might be wondering what the best WiFi router for large homes is, what with all that’s available on the market at the moment, and the sometimes confusing jargon surrounding these complex pieces of kit.
A router is the middleman between your devices and your local network, so it’s important that it’s up to scratch.
What’s more, with the rise in competitive gaming and streaming every year, it’s as vital as ever to be confident in your home’s internet connectivity.
So, we’ve done the hard part for you, and selected our top picks for routers with large homes, and thus WiFi range in mind.
You can also expect to see routers with mesh systems and multiple antennae, for the best connectivity.
We also kept in mind overall performance, WiFi 6E capabilities and budget preferences when compiling this list.
Rest assured, these picks all have great coverage, plenty of outputs, and fast internet speeds. So keep scrolling to see our selection of the best routers for large homes currently on the market.
Best WiFi routers for large homes
Best overall WiFi router – Netgear Orbi 960 series
Netgear Orbi 960 series
Coverage
8,000 sq.ft
Ethernet Ports
5
- Impressive coverage
- All-round top-notch performance
- Security included
- On the pricier side
Mesh routers dominate the wireless network market for larger homes and offices and currently, the Netgear Orbi 960 series Tri-band WiFi 6 offers the best wireless performance on the market.
The additional signal extenders that come with the router ensure you can stay connected to the internet, even if you’re on the other side of the house.
Covering a whopping 8,000 square feet, the Netgear Orbi 960 series offers a solution if you’re facing WiFi dead zones with your more traditional routers.
WiFi mesh routers aren’t only great for coverage, but they can also offer a flawless experience by providing exceptionally fast internet with low latency.
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Equipped with WiFi 6 capabilities, the Netgear Orbi 960 series can support up to 6GB/s of internet. Coupled with the extensive coverage, you’re guaranteed a top-notch performance.
The sophisticated design of the router also makes it an interesting option for enthusiasts, as it blends in quite nicely with other electronic equipment. What’s more, the compact design of the router and its satellite extenders means it can be placed anywhere inside the home.
The router comes with 4x1GB/s ethernet ports for wired devices and 1x10GB/s ethernet ports. Since it can support up to 100 devices, you can make use of the fast downloading speeds with multiple devices at once.
The Netgear Orbi 960 series routers also come with Netgear Armor security protocols as well, which protect the connection from external attacks and viruses. Further, using the native Orbi app, users can modify their network and use features like parental control to take complete control over the network.
Overall, the Netgear Orbi 960 series Tri-band router is without a doubt, one of the finest routers on the market for large homes that need extended coverage.
However, to get your hands on this router system, unfortunately you’ll have to spend a big chunk of money.
Best router with WiFi 6E – Linksys Atlas Max 6E
Linksys Atlas Max 6E
Coverage
9,000 sq.ft
Ethernet Ports
5
- Very fast
- Uses WiFi 6E
- Easy set-up
- Expensive
One thing guaranteed with this router is that you’ll get coverage all over your home and have the option to connect hundreds of devices.
The Linksys Atlas Max 6E is not only for homes but also for big businesses that require a network covering the whole area and is therefore compatible with plenty of devices. Capable of offering flawless speed of up to 8.4GB/s, you will never have to complain about slow internet.
One of the biggest plus points of the Linksys Atlas Max 6E is that it uses WiFi 6E, one of the latest wireless technologies on the market.
WiFi 6E essentially allows faster and stronger internet connectivity than ever before, functioning well even in densely connected environments.
Although they are limited in number because of how new the technology is, devices that are compatible with the WiFi 6E technology can support an even faster internet connection. Older version devices that use WiFi 6 or lower are also compatible with the router.
This router comes equipped with multiple standard ethernet LAN ports and a 1x5GB/s ethernet LAN port for extremely fast connectivity for wired devices. Also, a USB Type-A is found on the I/O panel of the router, further increasing the number of devices that you can connect at a time.
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As for the design, it looks nice and simple, with its plain all-white exterior and mesh grill on the top for effective heat dissipation. It seems as if the design concept of the routers may be inspired by the Xbox Series X/S consoles.
Lastly, setting the Linksys Atlas Max 6E up isn’t complex at all, and you can get them running right out of the box using the native Linksys mobile application.
If you do want to leverage all-new WiFi 6E capabilities, then the Linksys Atlas Max 6E is surely an option to consider. But beware, the price tag of this 3-pack router system can break your bank.
All-in-all, this is a great router, especially for larger homes and offices, and if you don’t have budget restraints and want the latest tech, the Linksys Atlas Max 6E comes highly recommended.
Best budget-friendly router – Google Nest Wifi Router
Google Nest Wifi Router
Coverage
6600 sq.ft
Ethernet Ports
2
- Very reasonably priced
- High speeds
- WiFi 6E compatible
- Limited wired connectivity
If you’re looking for a cheap way to increase the WiFi coverage in your home then the Google Nest WiFi router is your best bet. It is quite cheap compared to its peers and for a large home, it offers more than enough coverage to meet your requirements.
The 3-pack Google Nest router covers up to 6600 square feet and since the average U.S home is around 2200-4500 square feet, this router mesh network is ideal for most large homes.
The Google Nest router is quite powerful and can offer speeds up to 5.4GB/s which is enough for streaming, competing in high-end gaming, and consuming other entertainment.
The routers are also compatible with WiFi 6E, which is generally not the case when you’re looking at cheap options, making this option great value for money.
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With only 2 Ethernet LAN ports, this is the main limitation of the Google Nest and may not be for you if you’re planning on connecting a few wired devices as well. As for the wireless devices, you can connect up to 200 wireless devices with this router.
When setting up this router, you can modify your network preferences and also apply parental locks if you wish. As for the design, these are pretty agreeable, being modern, compact and minimalist.
Overall, a decent option if you’re looking to expand the WiFi signals around the house and cover all the dead zones. And since it is light on the pocket as well, it really is one of the best WiFi routers for large homes that offers the best bang for the buck.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a next-gen Wi-Fi 6 router?
Wi-Fi 6 is the next generation standard in WiFi technology, built in response to the increasing number of devices in the world.
How often should you replace your router?
It’s recommended to upgrade your router every 3-5 years, to coincide with how often most people upgrade their phones and desktops connecting to the router.
Is it better to connect to 5GHz or 2.4 GHz?
The 5GHz band is generally better for gamers, reducing latency issues, though 2.4GHz is better for range, ideal for those in large homes.