

With simple setup, wide Wi-Fi coverage, reliable operation and a choice of three wired ports, you get a lot for your money here. If you're looking to get Wi-Fi 6 for the cheapest possible price then the D-Link R15 Smart Router is likely to be of interest: the "smart" part refers to all the background AI algorithms that are running to make sure every one of your devices gets enough bandwidth to do what it needs to do (and the router is able to support up to 128 devices in total).

Just like the best mesh networks, best SSDs and best webcams, a higher quality router can elevate your entire computing experience. Where a new router can help, though, is in getting that wireless signal faster even as it gets further away from your router, making sure that WiFi signal is more stable, and managing device loads more intelligently. You'll still be getting the same connection speed sent to you from the local exchange, and you'll need to pay your ISP more money to get an improvement on that. It's worth bearing in mind though that installing a new wireless router isn't going to magically boost the speed of the internet being piped into your home.

Even if you have one of the best laptops around, if you don't have one of the very best wireless routers installed in your home then you run the risk of missing out on features and functionality that you might need – not to mention improved Wi-Fi coverage. Whether you're after the best gaming router or the best router for 4K video streaming, upgrading your home WiFi hardware can make a big difference to your internet speeds and stability.
