If you are looking to upgrade to Gigabit internet, you will need to have the best router for Gigabit internet possible.
If you have had your router for a while, it is unlikely that it will be able to give you the most out of your upgraded speeds.
Looking for the right router will mean some homework for you, however. You will need to look at the available speeds, what WiFi standard the router is on, and what kind of coverage you can get from the router.
Some routers will have a lot of similarities, making it difficult to choose the fastest router for your network, so think about what kinds of features you need before you buy.
You need a router that can offer more than what you pay for with your internet package in order to get the most out of your internet package.
10 Best Routers For Gigabit Internet (2021)
Device | Speed | Ports | Rating | Check Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1. Netgear RAX80 Editor's Choice | 6000 Mbps | 4 Ports | 100% | |
2. Asus ROG AX11000 Runner-Up | 11000 Mbps | 4 Ports | 99% | |
3. TP-Link Archer A9 Budget Friendly | 1900 Mbps | 4 Ports | 96% | |
4. Asus RT-AX82U For Gaming | 5400 Mbps | 4 Ports | 98% | |
5. Gryphon AC3000 Extended Coverage | 3000 Mbps | 4 Ports | 97% | |
6. Motorola MG7700 Modem Router | 1900 Mbps | 4 Ports | 95% | |
7. Turris Omnia Open Source | 2200 Mbps | 4 Ports | 94% | |
8. Synology RT2600ac Extra Security | 2600 Mbps | 4 Ports | 96% | |
9. Linksys MR9600 | 6000 Mbps | 4 Ports | 95% | |
10. Netgear R8000 | 3200 Mbps | 4 Ports | 97% |
1. Netgear Nighthawk RAX80 WiFi Router
Best Router For Gigabit Internet (Editor's Choice)
If you are looking for the best router for Gigabit internet, we have found that you cannot do better than the Netgear Nighthawk RAX80.
This is an incredible router that can offer you both the speeds and the range that you should be looking for in your home network.
Design
Starting off with its design, the RAX80 is large, bulky, and not easy to conceal, if you had planned on doing that. It will take up a lot of shelf space, no matter what you do, so you will be better off embracing its appearance.
Even so, instead of the standard external antennas, the RAX80 has internal antennas that are concealed within two large fins on this router, making it look more like a spaceship than a router.
The RAX80 also comes with 5 1-Gigabit Ethernet ports to support your wired connectivity. You will also find that it has smart parental controls, allowing you to manage not just the device, but also the internet access across the network. It also has other security protocols in place to keep malware and uninvited guests out of your network.
Performance
You should be impressed by the performance of the RAX80 since it can reach speeds up to 6 Gbps. This level of speed is perfect for the 4K/8K Ultra-HD streaming that the router allows for.
The router also comes with MU-MIMO technology to facilitate the use of multiple users on multiple devices to stream at the same time. Combined with Beamforming+, this router has excellent range, since the signal is incredibly strong.
Finally, you will find that this router supports more than 30 connected devices at a time, which is made possible through the 8 simultaneous streams that come with it. As a result, you should be able to use many devices to stream at the same time without losing any speed, ensuring that everyone within your network is happy with the best speeds possible.
2. Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 Gigabit Router
Runner-Up
Our second place winner for the best router for Gigabit internet is the Asus ROG Rapture AX1000. This router is really made to perform.
Design
The AX11000 has a unique design and it is large, so you are not going to be able to hide this router, even if you wanted to. Keep it out in the open where it can get good ventilation. The AX11000 does sit flat on a surface and has 8 high-powered antennas, extending from every side of the router.
The Rapture also has a 2.5 G gaming port, for ultimate, high-speed performance for the devices you plug in. It’s good to note that the design of the Gaming Center interface is ROG-themed as well, so you get an easy point-and-click control over everything that you need to set up on your router.
Performance
The Rapture is actually a high performance router and is made for any gamers out there. It would work for anyone who wants high speeds from their router, so even if you aren’t a gamer, this router might still work for you. It’s called the AX11000, because it gets WiFi speeds up to 11000 Mbps.
The Rapture also offers triple-level game acceleration with game package and game server prioritization. The triple-level acceleration will boost game traffic while lowering the ping rate and reducing the game latency, for an overall better experience.
3. TP-Link Archer A9 Gigabit WiFi Router
Budget Friendly
You do not need to speed all of your money to get a high-quality router for your Gigabit internet. In fact, the TP-Link Archer A9 router is a great Gigabit router that does not also cost a fortune.
Design
While you might first take a look at the Archer A9 and assume it is just your everyday router, which is not true.
The design of the Archer A9 does have some more common attributes, like the three antennas, the black casing, and how the router is laid. Outside of that, there is a kind of space design element to the router, making it interesting to look at.
The Archer A9 comes with four 1-Gigabit Ethernet ports as well as a USB 2.0 port. The four Ethernet ports on the Archer A9 will let you hardwire any device that you do not want to travel over the wireless connection.
This does give you a more reliable signal, though it limits your ability to move your device around once you have connected it that way. The USB 2.0 port is perfect for sharing a printer within your network, or will also work to support a storage device that could be shared throughout the network.
Performance
The performance of the Archer A9 is great for Gigabit internet users who are working within a budget. The data transfer rate for the Archer A9 is 1900 Mbps.
The actual speed that you get can be affected by the layout of your home and even the type of Gigabit internet that you are working with. The router is dual-band as well, so you will get some added traffic control along the network.
The Archer A9 also has many different security features to keep your network safe. The security features include a VPN server, a guest network, and parental controls. These will work together to keep your network as locked down and private as you would like it to be. It can also help limit your children’s access to unwanted content.
The range of the router is up to 2,000 square feet. If you keep your home free of obstacles, your Wi-Fi should be able to travel as unobstructed as possible to reach its destination. This also depends on whether you have stairs.
4. ASUS RT-AX82U Gigabit Router
For Gaming
If you are a serious gamer, it would be natural to look for the best Gigabit Internet router that is specific for gaming.
We have found that the best Gigabit internet router for gaming is the ASUS RT-AX82U AX4500. This is a unique router design-wise, but it does come with all of the wonderful speeds that you would hope to get out of a gaming Gigabit router.
Design
Like we said above, the design for the AX5400 is unique. The shape itself is angular and looks very space-age.
There are also display lights that are prominent on the front of the router and they can be adjusted to suit your lighting preference. There are a lot of different effects to choose from. The router is also very lightweight, weighing only a pound and a half.
This router comes with four Ethernet ports to give you more direct connectivity. It also has an AiProtection Pro available.
This is a fortified frontline type of network security, which should keep the malware away from your network. It does have four antennas to help boost your range, but they are fixed in place and cannot be removed or adjusted.
Performance
There are a lot of wonderful performance features that come with the ASUS RT-AX82U AX4500 Gigabit internet router.
You can get AiMesh support, which means that this router can turn into a mesh system if it does not have enough range to reach the entirety of the network. It also has Adaptive QoS which will let you keep your network running smoothly without any trouble.
The router is Wi-Fi 6 and, as a result, can easily reach speeds up to 5400 Mbps. This does not mean that you will get those speeds. But that you will get the most out of your ISP speed package. It uses a mobile app to monitor the traffic for your network, run diagnostics, and even grant guest wireless access.
5. Gryphon AC3000 Mesh WiFi Router
Extended Coverage
This is a more unique router than other routers, in part because it acts like a mesh system if you want it to.
Design
The Gryphon has a more original design than the other since it has a white casing and stands vertically, keeping the router cool while making it easier to blend in with your walls. The antennas with this router are all internal, so there are no unsightly pieces sticking out of it.
The set up for this router is simple and straight forward, including when you want add on new Gryphon routers to further extend the coverage. It does come with excellent security features as well.
Performance
The Gryphon is a high performance router that covers up to 3,000 square feet. It does not need more than one Gryphon to reach 3,000 square feet in coverage, however, which should work with the average larger home network all by itself. But, if you need more than 3,000 square feet in coverage, you can just add on more Gryphons and extend the reach.
This is a tri-band router with a 2.4 GHz band and 2 5 GHz bands, so traffic flowing steadily on your network, without interruptions. It also has 4x4 MU-MIMO technology, making it easier for more than one user to stream at the same time.
6. Motorola MG7700 Modem Router Combo
Modem Router Combo
If you have Gigabit internet and need a modem router combo unit, we suggest the Motorola MG7700. This device has a cable modem and a wireless router put together.
Design
The design of the MG7700 is a black tower design. It has excellent venting, keeping all of the internal components cool, increasing its longevity. It also takes up less space on your shelf than a horizontal device does, so it will not be as much of a space burden.
The MG7700 comes with four Gigabit Ethernet ports, so you will be able to plug in up to four devices directly to it. The ports will work with an HDTV or a gaming console, since you will be able to hardwire them in, as well as the computer that you use as your home base.
Performance
The performance of the MG7700 includes wireless power boost which will give you better speed and range. It does have built-in AnyBeam WiFi beamforming that will improve the reach of your signal and really hone in on the area that you need the strongest wireless signal.
The MG7700 comes with a dual-band built-in router, so it has both the 2.4 GHz and the 5 GHz bands to allow you delegate traffic between the bands, and therefore increasing your overall speeds. You can also get 1,500 square feet in coverage.
7. Turris Omnia WiFi Router
Open Source
The final router that we will look at for Gigabit internet is the open source Turris Omnia 2020. Open source technology is more customizable than the standard router, but it does have a bigger learning curve.
Design
The Turris Omnia 2020 is not as aesthetically pleasing as other routers. It has a simple, silver boxy design with three high-gain antennas that boost your signal. You also gives you the option to customize your LEDs so they can flash in any colors or patterns, or you can turn them off.
The Omnia 2020 is an open source router, so you get a lot of choice as far as additional software goes. You can download the software that you want, so you can get that custom router that you have always wanted. This is not a user-friendly router in general, but it has a lot of possibilities and customizations.
Performance
The CPU for the Turris Omnia 2020 is a Marvell Armada 385 with a 1.6 GHz dual-core. That means this is a powerful router and will do its job well. The router comes with 2 GB of RAM and 8 GB eMMC, which are both excellent options to have with a router.
This is a dual-band router with extensibility, so you can customize the internal part of the router as well. It has enough internal room for WiFi cards, an LTE modem, or even a disk controller.
8. Synology RT2600ac Gigabit WiFi Router
Extra Security
Some networks needs a little more security than others. If you are looking for a Gigabit internet router with extra security, take a look at the Synology RT2600ac.
This router comes with excellent performance and high security features, making this a great choice if you need power as well as protection.
Design
Let’s start with the design of the Synology RT2600ac. The router sits horizontally with a black casing. It also has four high-gain antennas that can be moved to the direction that needs the strongest signal possible.
Typically horizontal routers run the risk of overheating, but this router does not, because it rests at an angle that helps with overall ventilation.
The RT2600ac has one USB 2.0 port and five Gigabit Ethernet ports to give you connectivity for the devices that need it. The operating system uses the Synology Router Manager for setup, but the manager it is not user-friendly. There is a learning curve when it comes to using the router, so if you are not tech savvy, this might not be a good choice for you.
Performance
The performance of the RT2600ac includes its security features are what really make this router important, so let’s move onto looking at them. To start with, the router is regularly updated with the latest security protocols, keeping the latest malware or cyber threats out of your network.
Other security features include intrusion protection, denial-of-service protection, and a reliable firewall management system to further keep outsiders locked out. It also has a comprehensive VPN server that offers an easy setup, smooth connectivity, and secure access.
The router has a 1.7 GHz dual-core processor, which will give you excellent overall performance capabilities. It also can get up to 3000 square feet, which means that it should cover the average home size without any kind of trouble. The dual WAN capability will help with load balancing and failover support as well, ensuring that your network is not going to fail on you.
9. Linksys MR9600 Mesh WiFi Router
Another router that you should look at for Gigabit internet is the Linksys MR9600. This is a mesh Wi-Fi 6 router that provides you with future-proof stability and excellent performance.
Design
Starting with its design, the MR9600 is huge and has a square shape. It is going to take up a lot of room, wherever you decide to put it. The vents of the router run all along the top of the router, ensuring that it will stay cool while you are using it.
Since it is a more advanced router, it will be put under a lot of strain as the demands are put upon it, making it all the more important that it stay as cool as possible.
The MR9600 comes with four antennas that have been placed at each of the corners of the box. This will give you more coverage than you might get from other routers, since the antennas reach will stretch in any directions that you put it.
The MR9600 has four Ethernet ports, which will allow you to connect any device needs powerful coverage. This is a nice option for computers, HDTVs, or gaming consoles.
Performance
Looking at its performance, the MR9600 can reach speeds up to 6 Gbps. The Gigabit speed package that you have with your ISP might meant that you cannot reach 6 Gbps, but you will have a router that is capable of more speeds as speed packages continue to improve and technology continues to expand.
Additionally, the MR9600 can easily support over 40 connected devices at the same time. 40 devices should be plenty for most home networks, including if you have any IoT devices as well as your smartphones, TVs, and gaming consoles.
The router also can reach up to 3,000 square feet in coverage, which should easily work for most home networks out there, but it can act as a mesh system and be expanded.
10. Netgear Nighthawk R8000 Gigabit Router
The Netgear Nighthawk R8000 is another wonderful choice for a Gigabit internet router. This is a high performance router that really should be able to get the job done well, especially if you are looking for a router that can handle many devices at high speeds.
Design
Starting with its design, the R8000 is large and bulky, so it will take up a lot of room. That means that if you try to stash it away somewhere, the router is likely to overheat. It needs to be kept in a well-ventilated location. It comes with 6 high gain antennas that can be pointed in the directions that you need the strongest signal.
The R8000 comes with four high-speed 1G wired Ethernet connections that can help you hardwire in your devices directly to the router. The router has both Smart Connect and the Circle App capabilities as well.
The Smart Connect app gives you a direct connection to your router’s activity while the Circle App manages any parental controls or other security protocols that you might have or want in place.
Performance
The performance of the R8000 is excellent. The R8000 can easily cover 3,500 square feet in your network, which really should work well for most home networks.
The R8000 also has a tri-band radio, giving you plenty of bandwidth for all of your devices. Speaking of connected devices, it can allow for up to 55 connected devices at a time.
Looking at its speeds, the R8000 offers a combined total of 4,000 Mbps, which should work really for any of the Gigabit internet packages out there. Because it is higher than Gigabit internet offers, the router is also future proof, ensuring it does not need to be replaced when technology improves.
The R8000 router has heavy-duty streaming with 4K Ultra-HD and it comes with MU-MIMO technology The MU-MIMO feature is ideal for a network with a lot of connected streaming devices, whether it’s a gaming console or HDTV.
How Fast Is Gigabit Internet
If you have heard of ultra-high-speed internet or even just Gigabit internet, you might be asking what that means. Gigabit internet means that you can get up to a gigabit per second download speed with your device or your ISP. It is not brand new and has been around for a few years, but it is becoming increasingly more common.
All of the major ISPs offer this internet now, including Cox, Comcast, and Spectrum, but that does not mean it will be available for you. If it is available, however, you will want to get it.
Using Gigabit internet makes your connectivity faster than possible. Since more and more of our devices are coming with the ability to be online, having Gigabit internet can help ensure that you still get great speeds.
While fiber internet is the fastest option and more common for Gigabit internet, more cable internet options are popping up all of the time.
Things That The Fastest Router For Gigabit Internet Should Have
Latest Wireless Standard
The first thing that your router should have is the latest wireless standard, which is WiFi 6. The previous standard was 802.11ac. The newest started has better speeds, lower latency, better connection quality, and even better battery life.
WiFi 6 can pack more information within your signal, making it faster overall. This is great if you like MU-MIMO technology, which is where you can have more than user streaming online at the same time.
Antennas
When we talk about antennas with a Gigabit internet router, we do not just mean the amount of antennas a router has, though that is also important. The more antennas that you have to work with, the more directions your signal can travel.
The antennas also need to be high-gain, so that they have a bigger reach with more power than the traditional antennas had. Some antennas are contained within fins, but as long as they are strong, they will get the job done.
Ethernet Ports
The amount of Ethernet ports that you have is also a factor to look into. Ethernet ports allow you to connect devices to your router.
If you have a gaming console, for example, you will want your router to be able to connect directly to the console in order to have the strongest connection possible. The more ports you have to work with, the more devices can be wired directly into the router.
MU-MIMO & QoS Features
Two other features that you should look for in your Gigabit internet router is MU-MIMO technology and QoS features. The MU-MIMO allows more than one user to stream at the same time, which is great if you have a lot of streaming activity.
The QoS technology allows you to prioritize your devices, indicating which devices should receive the majority of the bandwidth when traffic gets heavy, so that they do not experience any lag.
Steps To Do Before Upgrading To Gigabit Internet
Moving to Gigabit internet is like taking a breath of fresh air. Here are some steps to take before you upgrade.
- How are your wired connections? Gigabit internet works really well for wired connections, because there is a lack of interference. This will give you the most out of your Gigabit internet.
- Does your router support WiFi 6? WiFi 6 is the latest WiFi standard and is the best for Gigabit internet. If your router doesn’t support WiFi 6, you might want to consider an upgrade.
- Make sure your 5 GHz band is working. The next thing to do is to make sure that your 5 GHz WiFi band is set up well and working. You should be able to access the settings for this in your router settings.
- Do a speed test. Make sure that your speeds are on par.
- Update your firmware and software. Are there any updates hanging around that haven’t been taken care of? It is time to address them.
Final Words
You should want to get the most out of your Gigabit internet and part of that is making sure your router is able to tolerate that level of speed.
Our choice for the best router for Gigabit Internet is the Netgear Nighthawk RAX200. This is a high performance router that is built to give you all of the speeds that you want.
If you can get a router that is on the WiFi 6 standard, you will already be better off and able to get the best speeds from your new internet. Look at the features for the different routers and decide which is right for you.
Hey, it’s James here. I’m the founder and editor here at RiverstoneNet.com. I’m a network engineer during the day and a blogger at night. Let me know if I can help you with choosing a new modem/router or troubleshooting your Internet connection.