The best broadband routers in 2024

There is a distinct hierarchy of importance when it comes to purchasing electrical goods.

Top of the list come home entertainment devices, with expert guides scrutinising the key features to look at in a new laptop or how to make the most of your smart TV.

Somewhere below these prestige purchases come white goods – washing machines and fridge freezers – followed by prosaic items like scales and headphones.

At the bottom of the hierarchy, you’ll find broadband routers.

These unsung and unappreciated devices are usually supplied ‘free’ by an ISP (their cost will be incorporated into your monthly bills), potentially on loan for the duration of your contract.

We unbox them, plug them in, turn them on…and then ignore them until something goes wrong.

We tend to ignore flashing lights requesting assistance, signs of overheating or overloading, or even the benefits of rebooting a router occasionally.

It rarely occurs to anyone that the cheap plastic box supplied by their current broadband provider doesn’t have to represent their gateway to the internet.

You can replace your ISP-supplied router at any time, simply by plugging it into your main telephone socket.

(Some proprietary ISP networks like Grain and Virgin Media require their own routers to remain in situ, in which case your new addition may simply plug into them instead).

A new router could improve your home’s network coverage, signal strength and the number of devices which can be connected. It may even improve wireless and wired broadband speeds.

But if you are considering upgrading your hardware, how do you determine the best broadband routers currently on today’s market?

What to look for

The best broadband routers have a number of distinguishing characteristics:

1. External antennae. ISP-supplied routers tend to have weak internal aerials, whereas external prongs carry wireless data signals further with less risk of interference.
2. Tri-band coverage. First, there was 2.4GHz coverage. Then there was faster but more localised 5GHz. The best broadband routers will also offer ultra-rapid 6GHz compatibility.
3. Ethernet sockets. Hardwiring devices to your router is the fastest and most reliable method of connection. Some ISP routers only have one or two sockets – when buying your own, look for at least four.
4. Satellite units. Some modern routers can be connected to range extenders in the form of WiFi boosters or satellite units, amplifying their signals across a far broader area.
5. An app. Those flashing lights can be safely ignored if your router has a proprietary app, enabling you to set it up, define parental controls, receive updates and even repel malware.

The best broadband routers for 2024

Your domestic setup and personal requirements may influence your decision, so our recommendations below are intended as a general guide only.

Some of these models are part of a range of broadly similar products, with sibling versions sharing many features.

We’ve chosen three of the most highly rated devices currently available in this country, featuring the latest technologies and offering the prospect of improved domestic connectivity.

TP-Link Archer AX90. You’ll spot numerous TP-Link AX-range products in best-pick guides, but the 90 offers tri-band coverage at incredible speeds and a reasonable price.

It has eight external aerials, a ribbed top which adds some visual interest and mesh network support using proprietary range extenders.

Asus RT-AXE7800. Many Asus routers resemble dead spiders, but the 7800 is a stylish hexagonal product whose heavily contoured shell supports six aerials.

It has five LAN ports, tri-band coverage (including excellent 5GHz and 6GHz performance), a comprehensive mobile app, parental controls and subscription-free network security.

Netgear Nighthawk RAXE300. Sporting a suitably sinister name and a design reminiscent of a Star Wars fighter, the RAXE300 cloaks its aerials in jet black wings.

It’s a fully gigabit-capable performer, with WiFi 6E support, half a dozen LAN ports and the ability to channel four simultaneous video streams without buffering. It also has a superb app.