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The best Wi-Fi routers on Amazon Business: Top routers compared
In a time when mobile devices and Internet of Things (IoT) gadgets ranging from smart lighting to voice assistants have entered our homes, the basic routers usually provided with broadband subscriptions simply won't cut it.
Bottlenecks, congestion, and multiple devices fighting for the same bandwidth can interrupt everything from work to professional gaming, and so to cater for our need not only for speed but for reliable connections, technology vendors have created a wide variety of routers designed to replace basic models that can no longer keep up.
Many of these devices are available on Amazon Business, and substantial discounts are available for those interested in upgrading their setups and overall home connectivity, whether for work or play. Some of the items below may also be eligible for special discount pricing on Amazon Business if purchased in large quantities.
Disclosure: ZDNet may earn an affiliate commission from some of the products featured on this page. ZDNet and the author were not compensated for this independent review.
This is one of the best-selling mesh routers on Amazon Business. Google/Nest's WiFi system, available in one or three packs, provides what the company calls "attic to basement connectivity."
Suitable for users who want to make sure there are no dead spots in their home, the device also comes with an automatic network assistant that optimizes channel use. The system can be managed via an accompanying mobile application and includes family controls, guest accounts, and more.
Another router replacement is the Netgear Nighthawk, which offers up to 1800 sq ft coverage with up to 12 streams. The Nighthawk may have particular value for homes using a multitude of mobile and Internet of Things (IoT) devices, supporting up to 30 gadgets, games, and browsing.
The router is equipped with a 1GHz dual-core processor and can connect to USB storage devices for private cloud setups. BitDefender antivirus protection is included.
D-Link's EXO AC3000 router is a mid-range budget option on Amazon Business. The tri-band model offers high speeds through an 880 Mhz dual-core processor and has McAfee cybersecurity protection inbuilt. Extender plugs can also be purchased if you want to expand coverage in your house, or perhaps to a home office separate from your main residence. The router is also compatible with the Amazon Alexa voice assistant for remotely controlling devices connected to your home network and for implementing parental controls.
For an extremely powerful router designed with gamers in mind, the ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 is a tri-band, 10-gigabit device equipped with a 1.8GHz quad-core processor and a dedicated 5GHz band for gaming only -- which reduces latency and lowers ping rates.
The router makes use of up to 15 channels to secure the least-congested band for gaming purposes and is also compatible with ASUS mesh WiFi systems. The 12-stream option is popular and tends to sell out quickly; alternatively, you can opt for a mesh kit instead for $367.99.
The Linksys Velop Home Mesh WiFi system is a modular option that can be scaled if you want to gradually extend coverage at home. Especially useful if you live in a house with multiple stories, the Velop offers dual-band connectivity and customization through its accompanying application.
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) have become a popular method for hiding digital footprints, circumventing geolocation controls, and improving the basic security of standard browsing.
If you're in the market for a router that can double-up as a VPN, the Synology RT2600, complete with a 1.7GHz processor and capable of up to 2.53Gbps speeds, could be the right option for you. In addition, the router can also act as a multimedia center if you plug in compatible USB storage devices. For $498, you can pick up the router together with a DiskStation if you are also in the market for a NAS storage option.
A budget-friendly model available on Amazon Business is the Netgear N600, a simple, dual-band 300/300Mbps WiFi router designed to replace standard, ISP-issued devices. The router can also be used to monitor and create parental controls, as well as share content through the Ready Share service.
If you already have an established Samsung SmartThings ecosystem at home, the SmartThings WIFI Mesh Router extension could be worth picking up on Amazon Business.
The device acts as a mesh router and smart home hub for controlling SmartThings-compatible devices and improving home connectivity at the same time. Samsung says that a single router can cover up to 1,500 sq. ft or the three-pack boosts coverage to up to 4,500 sq. ft.