These days, when the average internet user does more than just surf the web, your Wi-Fi router needs to be able to do more.
To help you make the right choice and keep your network running optimized like a well-oiled machine, below are some of the best routers available today for streaming TV.
Best Routers for Streaming at a Glance
| Rank | Brand | Speed | Coverage | More Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NETGEAR Nighthawk (R6900P) | Up to 1900 Mbps | Up to 1800 sq. ft. | Check Price |
| 2 | NETGEAR Nighthawk (R6700) | Up to 1750 Mbps | Up to 1500 sq. ft. | Check Price |
| 3 | TP-Link AC1750 | Up to 1750 Mbps | Up to 2500 sq. ft. | Check Price |
| 4 | Google WiFi System | Up to 1200 Mbps | Up to 1500 sq. ft. | Check Price |
| 5 | Linksys WRT1900ACS | Up to 1900 Mbps | Not mentioned | Check Price |
| 6 | Linksys WRT3200ACM | Up to 2160 Mbps | Not mentioned | Check Price |
| 7 | NETGEAR Nighthawk RAX40 | Up to 3000 Mbps | Up to 1500 sq. ft. | Check Price |
| 8 | ASUS AC1300 | Up to 1300 Mbps | Up to 3000 sq. ft. | Check Price |
| 9 | Linksys Tri-Band Router | Up to 2200 Mbps | Up to 2000 sq. ft. | Check Price |
| 10 | Razer Sila Router | Not mentioned | Up to 3000 sq. ft. | Check Price |
1. NETGEAR Nighthawk R6900P
- Recommended up to 30 devices
- Can connect to storage drive/printer
- Smart parental controls
As anonymity becomes increasingly important when surfing the web today, NETGEAR’s Nighthawk R6900P’s VPN capabilities come in quite handy.
It’s the best router on the list, considering its powerful features: it can connect up to 30 devices and implement intelligent parental controls.
A cool, stealthy design, respectable range, and excellent speeds on the 5GHz band, as well as NAS capability, are just some of the things that are worth liking about the NETGEAR Nighthawk R6900P.
However, as important as staying anonymous is, that’s not what the NETGEAR Nighthawk R6900P can offer.
Then again, on the flip side, there’s reasonably little worth mentioning regarding the NETGEAR Nighthawk R6900’s cons.
With so many things going for the NETGEAR Nighthawk R6900P and so very few reasons as to why you shouldn’t even be using it, this router is a no-brainer of a pick-up, regardless of whether you’re the average TV streaming family or you’re composed of a mix of power users, hardcore gamers, and casual browsers.
2. NETGEAR Nighthawk (R6700)
- Recommended up to 25 devices
- Protects devices from threats
- Wired Ethernet ports
The Nighthawk R6700 is another best router from the NETGEAR in its class.
It’s more or less that above-average kid who occasionally stands out but is generally just happy to get by.
And, well, there’s nothing wrong with that.
For streaming TV and other users commonly associated with the average user, the NETGEAR Nighthawk R6700 is an overall complete package, boasting above-average speeds and a more-than-decent range, making it perfect for the budget-conscious and value-seeker alike.
Easy-to-use and feature-filled, the NETGEAR Nighthawk R6700 is a damn good choice for a daily driver.
3. TP-Link AC1750
- External antennas for a more extended range
- Integrated USB ports
- Easy to set up and assemble
Not all users need a router that has all the bells and whistles, or so to speak.
Sometimes, it’s enough that a router is at least better than the stock router that their internet service provider gives the average user.
A long-time fan favorite, the latest iteration of the TP-Link A7 AC1750 is just that, and probably a little bit more.
Priced to perfection, the TP-Link A7 AC1750 is easy to set up and even easier to manage, all the while boasting plenty of connectivity options, including a USB-A 2.0 port on the back.
Although power users definitely would need something better than what this router can offer, for pretty much everyone else, this is as reliable as any best router can reasonably get.
4. Google WiFi System
- Reliable coverage and fast connection
- Simple setup functions
- Parental controls technology
The quintessential WiFi mesh router system, the Google WiFi blends excellent coverage and ease-of-use perfectly.
If you want consistent WiFi coverage throughout your house, whether it be in your bathroom, or your garage, or when you’re outside relaxing on your front porch, the Google WiFi mesh router system is a catch-all solution for the typical average user’s range problem, especially in larger homes with a limited number of people streaming.
Even though you won’t get as much access to stuff like parental controls and device usage tracking, and guest networks, with the Google WiFi, the sheer amount of coverage that you can get more than makes up for any of its lapses.
5. Linksys WRT1900ACS
- High-performing antennas
- Continues high-speed performance
- Can prioritize devices
Once you go into the enthusiast range of the router market, you start to get bombarded with all of these buzzwords and features that, quite frankly, you probably won’t be able to make use of, either because you don’t know how or the routers just aren’t user-friendly enough.
The Linksys WRT1900ACS presents itself as the best router for those looking into a feature-packed router that can be tweaked and experimented on with relative ease.
Out of the box, the Linksys WRT1900ACS isn’t too shabby either.
It’s among the best router in its class in terms of Wi-Fi range, signal, speed, and stability, all of which are crucial for a pleasurable and comfortable home TV streaming experience.
But that’s not all.
It’s also great for power users, thanks to the router’s excellent network storage performance, and will generally help you squeeze the most out of your already-fast broadband connection.
6. Linksys WRT3200ACM
- Fast wireless router for home
- Tri-stream 160 technology
- MU MIMO system
If you’re deep into the router-modding rabbit hole, the WRT3200ACM is an excellent choice.
With its near-top-of-the-class 5GHz performance and incredibly robust feature set that includes well-polished software, it’s definitely the best router in its category.
Paired with an old school design that, truth be told, actually helps it stand out in a sleek-obsessed market, it’s hard NOT to recommend what the Linksys WRT3200ACM is offering.
7. NETGEAR Nighthawk RAX40
- Caters to all network providers
- Easy to set up and manage
- Wired Ethernet ports
If you’re looking to jump into the WiFi 6 bandwagon but don’t want to splurge and keep costs relatively modest, the NETGEAR Nighthawk RAX40 is for you.
Featuring a wide variety of features, including but not limited to Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant integration, wall-mount support, automatic firmware updates, as well as ReadySHARE, the NETGEAR Nighthawk RAX40 is excellent for those who are looking to upgrade their older aftermarket routers.
When you consider that it supports the newest WiFi standard and has a nifty set of modern features, the NETGEAR Nighthawk RAX40 is a worthwhile upgrade, regardless of whether you actually need it or not.
8. ASUS AC1300
- Improved WiFi range
- Encryption technology
- Intuitive ASUS Router app
While the ASUS AC1300 isn’t going to win any design awards anytime soon, nor is its feature set something to write home about, it’s all not half-bad either.
Considering that the ASUS AC1300 is supposed to be an entry-level router, it comes with a nifty seat of features, modern-ish aesthetics, and just as good of wireless performance 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz radio bands that you can expect in its class.
Sometimes, simple is better, and for those looking for a no-frills router for typical home use, the ASUS AC1300 is an excellent choice for your next best router.
9. Linksys Tri-Band Router
- Works with existing modem
- 4K HD streaming
- MU MIMO supported
Do you need to provide stable and consistent WiFi coverage for as many as 20 (or more) internet-heavy wireless devices in a reasonably large area without having to use something huge and conspicuous?
If so, then look no more.
The small but capable Linksys EA8300 is perfect for tiny homes, apartments, and businesses that need a whole lot of router power for preferably a little less.
Albeit, the tolerable range and file transfer speeds might be a bit of a bummer.
10. Razer Sila
- Prioritizes device with high speed
- Hybrid wireless mesh
- Dedicated backhaul channel
The Razer Sila, a high-performance WiFi router, as with any other gaming peripheral or component created by the California-based gaming hardware company, was built specifically for high-end and demanding users in mind.
Sleek if unassuming, the Razer Sila packs a ton of features into its black chassis.
For starters, it has a 2.4GHz network that can reach speeds of up to 400Mbps and two 5GHz networks that can reach up to rates of up to 1,733Mbps and 866Mbps, respectively.
More importantly, it has mesh support, so you can set up multiple Razer Sila routers to work together to create a Wi-Fi network that can cover as much area as 6,000 square feet.
Other essential features include the FasTrack QoS engine, as well as the Multi-Channel ZeroWait DFS.
If you live in a house filled with hardcore users who want nothing but blazing-fast speeds at all times and in every nook and corner of the house so they can stream and binge their favorite shows in 4K with zero interruption, investing in a Razer Sila mesh network might be well worth it.
Making the Right Choice
Out of the many things that are constantly changed and upgraded in your household, your router most likely isn’t one of them.
The average user very rarely, if at all, switches routers during its lifetime.
In fact, most would prefer NOT to switch at all if possible.
This is why you must put in the necessary amount of time to research which routers are worth buying.
If your family spends a lot of time streaming TV, among many other things, any of the devices that we rounded up above is worthy of your buck.
Our list should help make that a lot easier for you to find the best router for streaming, and it should give you more information on which routers are worth taking a close look at.
