A Wi-Fi router is a device that today is available wherever there is access to the home Internet. Its connection will not be difficult even for an unprepared user. However, choosing the right router for spectrum internet. In this article, we will present you rating of the Best Router For Spectrum Internet for home.
Table of Contents
Best Router For Spectrum Internet
- TP-LINK Archer C80
- Tenda AC10U
- Mi Wi-Fi Router 4A Gigabit Edition
- MikroTik hAP lite
- TP-LINK TL-WR841N
- ASUS RT-AC58U
- MikroTik hAP ac2
- MikroTik RB951G-2HnD
- ASUS RT-AX88U
- MikroTik hAP AC
TP-LINK Archer C80
Best Router For Spectrum
Opens the rating of the best routers for the home TP-LINK Archer C80. Even relatively inexpensive representatives of modern routers are ready to please their owners with a decent speed, the question is in choosing the optimal MU-MIMO configuration for the existing conditions. In particular, you need to take into account the number of client devices operating exclusively at 2.4 GHz, as well as the “population” of this range.
The Archer C80 in question is interesting in that the emphasis in its development was shifted in favor of the bandwidth of low-frequency Wi-Fi. In other words, such a router will be especially useful both for owners of predominantly low-cost technology and in a “smart home” environment. Please note that in the reviews of the first Archer C80 buyers, there are complaints about various problems with the firmware of this router. After several updates, the router works stably, and its main drawback is the lack of a USB port.
Pros
- three-stream work in both ranges;
- speed over Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz up to 600 Mbps;
- good coverage.
Cons
- modest amounts of memory;
- no USB port;
- no built-in VPN.
Tenda AC10U
Next in our ranking of the best Router For Spectrum Internet 2023 is Tenda AC10U. The feature of this router is the ability to forward the connection from the WAN port to LAN3. This mode can be useful both when a provider uses a non-standard IPTV distribution scheme, and for organizing bridging in general. For example, a second router without assigning a local “IP address” to it. Keep in mind that the provider will see two MAC addresses in this case. Also, the Tenda AC10U router is interesting for its very powerful signal in the 2.4 GHz band, which allows it to “punch” a couple of really thick walls. If the router is installed in the immediate vicinity of the workplace, the power may even be excessive (configurable).
Unfortunately, like most other Chinese devices, there is a kind of lottery with quality here, although the bulk of reviews about the router indicate that there are no problems. Note at the end that the AC10U is a global version, which differs from the AC10 v1 in the presence of a USB port. But the second version AC10 (v2) is much simpler and weaker.
Pros:
- the ability to organize bridging;
- strong Wi-Fi signal 2.4 GHz;
- USB port.
Cons:
- no print server;
- not every USB modem can be connected.
You may also like Best Routers For Home Use.
Mi Wi-Fi Router 4A Gigabit Edition
A useful feature of this inexpensive router is the use of a single network name (SSID), which allows the same smartphone to automatically switch between bands when you leave or return to the 5 GHz Wi-Fi coverage area. Just keep in mind that this type of roaming is not seamless, i.e. breaks at the moment of switching are inevitable. In addition, do not forget that after replacing the stock firmware with an alternative from Padavan or OpenWRT, this handy feature will simply disappear. And there may be a need to upgrade the software due to the desire to watch IPTV from the provider (this functionality is not implemented in Mi Router 4A).
Please note that all the capabilities and advanced settings of this router are available only through the proprietary smartphone application.
The Gigabit Edition offers faster WAN / LAN ports, more memory, more powerful processor, and more encryption protocols than the base model.
Pros:
- Smart Connect function;
- affordable price.
Cons:
- IPTV support is not implemented;
- access to all settings only through the application;
- no USB port;
- there are reviews with complaints about the stability of the connection.
MikroTik hAP lite
Even the youngest representative of the Home Access Point line of the Latvian manufacturer operates the RouterOS system (Level 4), which allows him to solve a really wide range of tasks. In particular, carry out simultaneous work with two providers, limit the speed of individual ports, organize VPN tunneling, support multiple local networks, act as a bridge or repeater, etc. Naturally, all of the above requires a good understanding of the network “kitchen” and is beyond the power of the average user, although a step-by-step wizard is ready to help him make basic settings. In an apartment, for the conditions of an apartment building, this single-band router is not the best option, but in less “populated” air it will show itself in all its glory.
Pros:
- great functional flexibility;
- able to withstand high loads;
- stable work.
Cons:
- fine-tuning is not within the power of everyone;
- single-band Wi-Fi;
- no USB interface;
- not enough RAM.
TP-LINK TL-WR841N:
best router for spectrum 100mbps
What always attracts TP-Link routers is the availability of advanced functionality even for the most affordable solutions. It is unlikely that the vast majority of TL-WR841N owners will organize virtual servers on machines on their local network, but the model manufacturer provided them with such an opportunity. For home use, parental control or traffic limitation functions, which are also available on the router in question, may be of interest. The device has an advanced and very flexible configuration system and supports all current connection protocols.
The design of the router claims to be thoughtful and somewhat original. The device looks stylish, conveniently mounted on a wall or installed on a horizontal surface, and the abundance of ventilation holes will not allow the electronic filling to overheat in the most difficult operating conditions.
Despite the declared theoretical wireless speed of 300 Mbit / s, the actual performance does not exceed hundreds of megabits. On the other hand, wired interfaces are designed for exactly this speed.
Pros:
- increased power antennas;
- very wide functionality and flexible configuration;
- interesting and ergonomic design.
Cons:
- no USB for connecting a printer or flash drive;
- 100 megabit LAN ports.
You may also like Best Long Range Routers For Rural Areas.
ASUS RT-AC58U
best router for charter spectrum
Considering that home routers change quite rarely, the next model of a router for charter spectrum internet is most practical to choose “with a margin”, but without fanaticism. This can also be understood as the desire to purchase a good wireless router with the highest class of radio path because a very limited range of client devices is still capable of fully revealing the high-speed potential of the latter. At the moment, it seems to us, the best capabilities are demonstrated by AC1300 class routers, and the recommended model is one of them. The device has a productive filling that supports hardware NAT, operates at 2.4 and 5 GHz using MU-MIMO technology, and is theoretically capable of providing exchange rates up to 400 and 867 Mbps, respectively. Paired, of course, with a client familiar with 256-QAM and a 2×2 MIMO scheme, and for both ranges. By the way, unlike the previously reviewed Keenetic Viva, this router also boasts a USB 3.0 port. True, only one.
Pros:
- powerful 4-core processor;
- optimal speed formula;
- high-speed USB port;
- several alternative firmwares.
Cons:
- one USB port;
- long reboot when changing settings;
- there were complaints about early firmware versions.
MikroTik hAP ac2
Among the best routers for a home or small office in 2023, the MikroTik hAP ac2 model should be included. This model should be recommended for purchase in the following cases: if the router requires the ability to dynamically share traffic between clients in the network; if desired, provide maximum coverage with one device; if necessary, remote power supply of the router; for simultaneous connection to two providers at once; to get the Internet via Wi-Fi interface; to provide a relatively simple implementation of several scenarios of work of choice (using pre-prepared scripts); and also for solving other specific tasks, such as the ability to create several SSIDs per channel with different protection profiles and access rules to them.
It is clear that it would be too optimistic to expect the ease and obviousness of the process of setting up such a “semi-professional”, so it is better for unprepared users to pay attention to other solutions.
Pros:
- flexibility and versatility;
- stable performance and long-term support.
Cons:
- high complexity of settings;
- not enough memory to update DualBoot.
MikroTik RB951G-2HnD
A feature of routers produced under the MikroTik trademark is simply the broadest functionality comparable to “adult” systems. It allows you to implement almost any network task, but the downside of universality here is expressed in the complexity of configuring the device itself. The router is best suited only for advanced users for whom the capabilities of consumer-grade routers are not enough, or for small and medium-sized businesses. On the other hand, a well-tuned MikroTik will work stably for a long time, smoothly passing large amounts of data and providing a confident coverage area due to a powerful transmitter. By the way, the model is equipped with three built-in antennas, each of which can be independently controlled, translating the device into different MIMO configurations 1×1, 1×2.
Pros:
- increased transmitter power;
- PoE power supply capability;
- allows you to simultaneously serve up to 200 users;
- configurable number of WAN ports.
Cons:
- The full potential of the router can only be realised when using scripts.
ASUS RT-AX88U
ASUS released its first Wi-Fi 6 router even before the official specification of this standard was approved. Naturally, it later had to correct some points with updates, but the RT-AX88U already belongs to a group of devices whose potential is fully revealed only when using third-party firmware from Merlin.
The router has a great variety of chips and “goodies”, the review format will not even allow you to list them trite, so we will focus on the most interesting features and spectrum internet compatible routers. Contrary to popular belief that processors from Broadcom are “stoves”, the recommended router heats up moderately. To obtain sufficient output power and, as a consequence, the required coverage, the owner will have to “shaman” with regional settings. Finally, the RT-AX88U clearly proves that a good router in 2023 does not need 100,500 antennas to provide a high exchange rate.
Pros:
- top speed characteristics;
- port aggregation to increase throughput;
- extensive customization options.
Cons:
- large dimensions;
- high price.
Check Best 5ghz Router With 802.11ac.
MikroTik hAP AC
If you prefer to keep all the parameters of your home network under tight control, and personally register the scenarios of interaction with the “outside world” – this router is for you. For a relatively reasonable price, the owner of MikroTik hAP AC gets a flexibly configurable router equipped with optical (SFP) and five gigabit wired ports. Connecting users to GPON-type networks is now far from uncommon, so instead of a converter, it makes sense to use more efficient equipment, ideally suited for such tasks. On the wireless side, it is difficult to find a competing offering that provides 3×3 MIMO independently over two bands. By the way, out of three pairs of internal antennas, you can connect external ones instead of one. Considering the solid output power of the power amplifiers, such a step will provide well, a very large coverage area. The device has one significant drawback – setting up MikroTik routers requires a good knowledge of network protocols, but this is already a problem with any universal tools.
Pros:
- optical port;
- support for MIMO 3×3 configuration;
- support for PoE technology in full (receiving and supplying power);
- the ability to customize for any network conditions.
Cons:
- USB 2.0 port;
- complexity of customization.
How Do I Pick a Good Home Router?
Correct Wi-Fi standard
At the moment, three generations of the Wi-Fi standard are relevant. The IEEE 802.11n specification was adopted back in 2009 and defined a speed ceiling of 600 Mbps (which could theoretically be achieved with a wireless client device connected in the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands simultaneously). In principle, it is enough for surfing, chatting and watching videos (except for high-definition formats), but there are two nuances. First, in modern low-cost wireless technology, a single-band version of the interface is usually implemented, i.e. the maximum speed is 300 Mbps, and a large number of “neighbors” in the range reduces the bandwidth even more. Second, the corresponding routers are very poor at coping with the multithreaded load and become a “bottleneck” when serving multiple clients at the same time.
A further development of the standard was the IEEE 802.11ac specification, presented in 2015. One of its features is the MU-MIMO technology, designed to improve the situation with the parallel service of multiple users (Multi-User). In addition, due to the use of more efficient modulation, it was possible to raise the “bar” of speed three times (within the framework of the standard). In fact, the capabilities of Wi-Fi 5 are quite enough even for the tasks of resource-intensive gaming and comfortable viewing of 4K on a couple of client devices at the same time, but if there are a large number of “smart” devices in the house (as well as for the future), it is better to focus on routers with support for the latest 802.11ax standard. The fact is that the principles of customer service have radically changed in it, due to which the overall efficiency of the Wi-Fi interface has significantly increased, not to mention the sharply increased top speed. We consider it necessary to note that “for the future” means for the next 3-4 years, as the intervals between generations are getting shorter and the next update is expected around 2023.
Do you live in a multi-apartment “anthill”, have a large family, or are you building a technological “smart home”? You cannot do without a router that supports 802.11ac and above.
Communication speed
Once again, we draw your attention to the fact that the presence of the coveted letters “ac” and even more so “ax” in the specifications of a router and, for example, a smartphone, does not at all guarantee that they will achieve the exchange rates declared by manufacturers with a wireless connection. If only because it is simply physically impossible to properly place even four pairs of antennas in a compact body of a mobile device. But in terms of servicing multi-user loads, such models definitely outperform representatives of the fourth generation (IEEE 802.11n).
Signal transmission range
Another point that requires lighting is the “range” of routers. First, the power of the transmitting part for devices of this category is regulated by law and is approximately equal for different models (adjusted for the ability to use “foreign” regional settings for some of them). Secondly, an increase in the speed of wireless communication is always accompanied by an increase in sensitivity to the signal-to-noise ratio. The dependence is direct. Therefore, as much as we would not want the opposite, the general trend in the development of Wi-Fi communications is aimed at increasing the coverage density in a quantitative way. Roughly speaking, each room has its own access point, preferably operating at 5 GHz. Moreover, seamless roaming technologies imply just such a solution.
IPTV support
The next nuance is the suitability of the Wi-Fi router for receiving IPTV. If the latter is understood as showing videos from all kinds of online resources, there are no restrictions. If the content provider is your “native” provider, most likely, it uses Multicast, and this technology requires support by a router. With all the availability and other advantages of the corresponding Xiaomi products, in the stock state, it is not suitable for this kind of streaming.
VPN support
The last feature, more or less useful to the mass user, is the presence of a VPN server in the firmware. If you have to visit resources, access to which is limited for any reason, look for Wi-Fi routers with VPN onboard.
