The Ultimate Guide to Elevating Your Home Wi-Fi Experience in 2024

We take it for granted but Wi-Fi has become our daily lifeline. From establishing our smart home ecosystem to powering the most epic binge-watching session of all time, a resilient Wi-Fi network is now an absolute must. As internet service providers (ISPs) tweak their infrastructure to serve come-what-may connectivity speeds, the focus turns to the diminutive but omnipresent router that stands at the centre of it all. And as we evolve towards faster speeds, there’s a whole new breed of routers waiting in the wings to really take things to ludicrous speed. Enter: The era of next-gen routers – your 2024 portal to unbridled online ecstasy.

Embrace Speed with ASUS RT-AX5400 - Best Overall Router

Topping my list is the ASUS RT-AX5400; a superhero of the router realm. For anyone with a desire for a gigabit-speed router, which is suitable for a large family, using this Wi-Fi 6 router for top-speed connectivity will never disappoint. Its connection speed on 4K streaming, gaming, and teleworking is certainly speedy, and the device is, overall, pretty affordable.

Key Highlights of ASUS RT-AX5400:

• Supreme speeds for extensive family use
• AiMesh expansion for comprehensive coverage
• Complimentary parental controls via AiProtection

And while perfection is hard to find – not having multi-gig WAN support and mandatory sharing of data with Trend Micro for AiProtection are misses – overall, the ASUS RT-AX5400 is still the best choice for most users, offering an amazing balance of features and usability.

Seeking Value? Meet TP-Link Archer AX55

Not everyone wants the ultimate, bleeding-edge pinnacle of router technology, and for that user there is no better alternative than the TP-Link Archer AX55, which occupies the sweet spot for quality and price for a basic gigabit router. It offers premium speed without larding on the advanced features. Its AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 configuration suits the requirements for streaming, gaming and browsing.

Why the Archer AX55 Shines:

• Ample speed for gigabit internet plans
• Mesh support with EasyMesh
• Straightforward setup via TP-Link Tether app

It suffers from shortcomings, including extra costs for flexibility or full security, as well as spottier coverage, but the Archer AX55 is a sensible middle ground.

Gaming Glory with ASUS RT-AX88U Pro

Gamers, rejoice, for here comes the ASUS RT-AX88U Pro. This router aims a lightning fast speed at high-speed gaming, with a latency killer that lets you play games on steroids. Two 2.5Gbps Ethernet ports are included for an unprecedented gaming typhoon on your screen. Say goodbye to lag and hello to persistent, superior gaming.

Gamer-centric Features of the ASUS RT-AX88U Pro:

• Dual 2.5Gbps Ethernet ports for blistering speeds
• Free AiProtection Pro for enhanced security
• Support for VPN Fusion, OpenNAT, and AiMesh

For those more concerned with performance than RGB lighting, or those with even deeper pockets, we have the ASUS RT-AX88U Pro. It’s a serious wireless router for serious gamers.

Unobtrusive Design with TP-Link Archer Air R5

For people who want both aesthetics and performance, this is a dream device – it’s the best way to get an excellent Wi-Fi 6 internet connection without creating a gadget-filled eyesore in your living space. The TP-Link Archer Air R5 is a wall-mountable mesh router that you can put in an ideal spot for coverage but keep out of sight. It’s also an AX3000 mesh router, one of the best ways to manage all your home’s internet needs in relative silence.

The Allure of Archer Air R5:

• Unique, ultra-thin wall-mountable design
• Fast AX3000 connection supporting a modern household
• EasyMesh expansion for broader coverage

However, its single Ethernet LAN port and subscription-based HomeShield features are serious drawbacks, while its design innovation and performance make this the box to buy if you’re style-conscious.

Tapping Into the Future with Eero Max 7

And, with Wi-Fi 7 starting to come to market, the Eero Max 7 is cutting-edge, super-slick, and very fast. It’s billed as the best Wi-Fi 7 router, and it’s exquisitely designed to be simple but hugely swift – which makes is perfect for tech heads wanting the next big thing.

Highlights of Eero Max 7:

• BE20800 tri-band connection for top-tier speeds
• Dual 10Gbps Ethernet ports per node for extensive connectivity
• Stylish, fan-less design for seamless integration into any space

Maximizing Value with Wi-Fi 7 - TP-Link Archer BE550

With Wi-Fi 7 finally here, the TP-Link Archer BE550 is the best-value option. As Wi-Fi 7 models start appearing, the TP-Link Archer BE550 is already the best-value option, priced to the point where it competes with Wi-Fi 6E models while offering the balance between future-proofing and affordability.

The Edge of Archer BE550:

• Substantial speeds across both 5GHz and 6GHz bands
• All Ethernet ports offering 2.5Gbps for versatile connectivity
• Competitive pricing for Wi-Fi 7 capability

Conclusion: The zenith of Connectivity with ASUS

And so, that concludes our tour of the best Wi-Fi routers of 2024. ASUS stands tall as a leader in combining performance, engineering and value in its RT-AX5400 and RT-AX88U Pro models, going beyond the needs of gamers and large families into the realm of tech nerds. Here’s hoping that its position at the forefront continues, whether it’s leaning into the latest Wi-Fi 7 tech or sprinkling on mini buffalo wings to please gamers.