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Top 9 Best Router for Charter Spectrum To Buy In 2022 Review

Spectrum customers are offered to rent a router for $5 per month. Many will say yes, often because they’re not confident enough to purchase their own router. Or they believe that the product offered will be optimized for spectrum use.

While the router will arrive preset for use with Spectrum, it will only offer mediocre to acceptable performance. What if you would like some additional speed, range, and network features?

Therefore, we decided to take a look at which is the best router for Charter Spectrum. Hopefully, our review will help you can gain some confidence to make that purchase, save on rental fees, and improve performance.

Top 9 Best Router for Charter Spectrum To Buy In 2022 Review

So, let’s go through what’s currently available on the market and find the best router for your needs…

Top 9 Best Router for Charter Spectrum In 2022 Review

  1. Netgear Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR500 – Best Gaming Router for Charter Spectrum
  2. Netgear Nighthawk Smart R7000 – Best Home Networking Router for Charter Spectrum
  3. Netgear Orbi Mesh RBK50 – Best Family Friendly Router for Charter Spectrum
  4. Netgear Nighthawk RAX200 – Best Premium Router for Charter Spectrum
  5. Motorola MG7550 – Best Modem and Router Combo for Charter Spectrum
  6. TP-Link Archer A7 AP1750 – Best Budget Router for Charter Spectrum
  7. Turris Omnia 2022 – Best Heavy Duty Router for Charter Spectrum
  8. Netgear Nighthawk RAX80 – Best Alexa Compatible Router for Charter Spectrum
  9. Gryphon AC3000 – Best Premium Mesh Router for Charter Spectrum

1 Netgear Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR500 – Best Gaming Router for Charter Spectrum

Although this is a gaming orientated router, everyone in the household can benefit from its features. Offering great Wi-Fi coverage, top speeds, and detailed parental controls, this is one powerful piece of hardware.

Of course, we can’t forget the gaming features that are also on offer. Tools and analytics are included to keep games running smoothly, such as latency minimization and geo-filtering. These may just give you the edge over your competition.

Sounds complicated…

Setting up the router is easy. After connecting to a modem, and plugging it in, connect to the Netgear network and open a web browser. The entire configuration process is automated, such as speed tests for optimization and password set up.

Netgear uses an interface called DumaOS. This is like gaming controls on steroids. When first accessed, there is a useful tutorial to familiarize yourself with the software. All the regular router settings can also be accessed here, and the intuitive nature of the menu system is what sets this router well apart.

High-end features… 

This router has excellent features that will increase your range, speed, and usability. Offering 800 Mbps on 2.4 GHz and 1,733 Mbps on the 5 GHz frequency makes fast speeds available for your devices.

Plus, the use of MI-MOMO technology means that multiple users can all achieve a fast and stable connection. Using a 4×4 external antenna system, each with four streams, gives improved signal range and stability.


Netgear Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR500

Our rating:4.4 out of 5 stars (4.4 / 5)

Pros

  • Useful gaming features.
  • Easy to configure.
  • Intuitive DumaOS software.

Cons

  • No useful App for setup.
  • Geo-filtering is limited in some PC games.

2 Netgear Nighthawk Smart R7000 – Best Home Networking Router for Charter Spectrum

Next up in our best router for Charter Spectrum reviews is an ideal networking router. This router should certainly be considered for running a home network at an affordable price while achieving high speeds. Offering top specifications and features for a device in this price range, we have a real contender.

While the design is attractive with a sleek, futuristic appearance, it is rather bulky compared to other options. You will need to make some desk space. Keeping with the bulky theme is the power adapter, and it will most likely need its own wall-socket.

Ready when you are…

There is a preset Wi-Fi network with all the details ready to get started printed on a label underneath the device. This means that once you are plugged in, you are ready to go immediately. We would recommend configuring your own settings, though.

Configuring the router is a relatively simple affair. Once all plugged in, you can either use a browser-based setup or install the Netgear Genie App. We prefer the browser as it is a little more comprehensive; however, the App would suit less confident users.

Impressive specifications and features…

This router would have put home PCs to shame not that long ago. The router uses a dual-core 1 GHz CPU, 128 GB of Flash memory, and 256 MB of DDR RAM. There is also a USB 3.0 port on the front. This assists in achieving some of the best speeds we’ve seen on the 5 GHz frequency.

That USB port is useful for connecting an external storage drive. Not only can the files be easily shared across the network, but it can also be used as a Time Machine backup utility. The router itself will even scan for new content instead of using your PC resources.


Netgear Nighthawk Smart R7000

Our rating:4.3 out of 5 stars (4.3 / 5)

Pros

  • Fast 5 GHz speeds.
  • Useful home network features.
  • Ready to use out of the box.

Cons

  • Router and power adapter are bulky.
  • Not as fast on 2.4 GHz as some other routers.

3 Netgear Orbi Mesh RBK50 – Best Family Friendly Router for Charter Spectrum

For those that are unaware of what a Mesh System is, in simple terms, it’s a group of devices which act as a single Wi-Fi network. This gives multiple sources of Wi-Fi around your house instead of just a single router.

The Netgear Orbi Mesh includes two devices. One router and a second unit referred to as the satellite. The router performs as any other would, while the satellite acts like having a whole extra router in your home. Perfect for eliminating dead spots.

Can anybody configure this system?

For essentially setting up an extended home network system, the configuration is surprisingly easy. You’ll need to install the App on your smartphone or tablet. This will then guide you through the entire process.

The App will show you how to do everything from connecting the cables to setting the network name, passwords, and administrator settings. Once completed, if you wish to use parental controls, they are run through a separate App called Circle.

Keeping your home connected…

This product is certainly designed for the average home user. We found MU-MIMO useful for large families, as it drastically improves performance when multiple devices are connected simultaneously. Now the parents can stream movies while the kids play video games comfortably.

While there are routers that can provide slightly higher speeds, the Orbi performed well on the 2.4 GHz frequency. We would recommend using the 5 GHz for games consoles, laptops, or TVs, while the 2.4 GHz gives excellent performance for smartphones and tablets.


Netgear Orbi Mesh RBK50

Our rating:4.4 out of 5 stars (4.4 / 5)

Pros

  • Extensive parental controls via Circle App.
  • Great home Wi-Fi coverage.
  • Easy to configure network.

Cons

  • Speeds aren’t as fast as other devices.
  • More expensive than a stand-alone router.

4 Netgear Nighthawk RAX200 – Best Premium Router for Charter Spectrum

Easily the least affordable option here is this premium router in Netgear’s Nighthawk lineup. But what makes it so much more expensive than all the other options, and is it worth it? We take a look to find out.

It certainly looks impressive, with its futuristic winged design. It looks more like a military stealth aircraft than a router. But that’s not enough to justify the premium tag; let’s check some of the performance features.

Flexible configuration options…

Setup is completed using the Nighthawk App. After the initial configuration, you have a choice of using the networks separately or combining them using Smart Connect. If you choose to combine the networks, the router automatically chooses which band incoming devices connect to.

This is a Tri-Band router offering the standard 2.4 GHz band. There are also two different 5 GHz channels. That way, you can separate your 5 GHz networks into one for media devices and the other for smartphones and tablets.

Extremely fast and powerful…

This is one of the fastest of all routers available today. At close range, Wi-Fi speeds of over 700 Mbps can be reached. While on the next floor up, it can still achieve speeds of nearly 400 Mbps. The 2.4 GHz frequency is much less impressive, though, as to be expected with its limitations.

However, it is possible to get full internet speeds throughout your entire house. This goes to show just how powerful this device is. The range does suffer if trying to establish a connection outside, though, as is the downfall of using 5 GHz.


Netgear Nighthawk RAX200

Our rating:4.1 out of 5 stars (4.1 / 5)

Pros

  • Breakneck speeds.
  • Endless configuration options.
  • Tri-Band channels.

Cons

  • Most expensive option.
  • Limited range outside house on 5 GHz.

5 Motorola MG7550 – Best Modem and Router Combo for Charter Spectrum

If you’re searching for the most cost-effective way to avoid rental costs, a combo device is a great way to go. This modem and router combination from Motorola offers excellent value, along with decent performance and features.

It is an attractive stand-upright device that can easily be placed on a desk or shelf inconspicuously. It is entirely compatible with Charter Spectrum cable internet services and is easy to set up.

Making the switch…

Switching from a rental device to this unit is reasonably easy. Take everything out of the box, connect your coaxial internet cable, then connect the ethernet cable from the device to your PC. Then all you do is call Spectrum and have them configure everything for you.

With the modem settings complete, it’s now time to configure your Wi-Fi settings. There is a simple setup wizard that will allow you to set an SSID and password for your network. Once this is done, you’re well underway.

Affordable performance…

For average home use, this device can handle whatever your ISP can currently throw at it. It is capable of handling up to 686 Mbps download speeds and up to 123 Mbps upload. These speeds can easily provide problem-free streaming and gaming for the family.

Even though this is a budget device, there are still some very handy features available. These include being able to set a VPN for an added level of privacy. There are also some basic parental control settings built-in for those with families.


Motorola MG7550

Our rating:4.4 out of 5 stars (4.4 / 5)

Pros

  • Affordable replacement for rental devices.
  • Decent speed performance.
  • Added features like VPN and parental controls.

Cons

  • Basic functions and capabilities.
  • Limited security features.

6 TP-Link Archer A7 AP1750 – Best Budget Router for Charter Spectrum

Another best router for Charter Spectrum for those on a budget. If you would prefer a separate router to your modem, this device from TP-Link represents great value. This router is capable of speeds that are well suited for 4K video streaming.

An understated, inoffensive design will look at home on any shelf or desk. There are three fixed antennas at the rear, along with the connection ports, including four LAN ports, an ethernet port, and one USB 2.0 port.

Easy to install…

Once you are plugged in, you can configure your router using either a web browser or the TP-Link Tether App. Once logged in, all you need do is click Quick Setup and then choose the Auto Detect function.

After only a few minutes of following the simple prompts, that’s it; you’re ready to go. It is easy to navigate the handy features like basic security functions, VPN support, and also basic parental controls.

High speeds, low price…

For such a remarkably affordable device, we were very impressed with the speed capabilities, especially in the 2.4 GHz range. Delivering 92.6 Mbps, this is even faster than many more expensive competitors.

Over on the 5 GHz band, the speeds were also impressive. From close proximity, speeds of over 500 Mbps are possible, more than sufficient for average everyday needs. Having only a USB 2.0 port instead of 3.0 means data transfer speeds are average. Not a massive deal-breaker for the value represented here.


TP-Link Archer A7 AP1750

Our rating:4.4 out of 5 stars (4.4 / 5)

Pros

  • Great performance for value.
  • Capable of high-speed internet.
  • Easy to install.

Cons

  • Basic security functions.
  • No USB 3.0 port.

7 Turris Omnia 2022 – Best Heavy Duty Router for Charter Spectrum

We bet you are tired of being rented equipment that can barely handle the internet speeds you signed up for. So were the Czech team who created this router through Indiegogo. It appears there were many others in the same position, as they raised over 1.2 million dollars!

This router is not going to be for everyone. It is designed for geeks, not just your average user. There is no simple setup process, and you will need some knowledge of how to set up a network before getting started.

Plenty of potential…

As this device was created by a non-profit with no experience on the open market, there may be some quality control issues. As mentioned, the interface is not exactly user-friendly and is almost all configured manually.

If you can get past these issues and don’t mind investing some time into setting up your network, the potential of this router is enormous. One of its main strong points is its security features. All of which are supported with regular firmware updates.

Amazing features…

This router offers PC-like performance. With a dual-core 1.6 GHz CPU and 2 GB of DDR3 RAM, it will outperform many tablets on today’s market. It also supports MIMO and has two USB 3.0 ports.

The possibilities with the right knowledge are massive. Not only a router, but this device can also be a NAS server, or you can even create your own private Cloud. Extensive VPN and parental control functions are also there for the taking.


Turris Omnia 2022

Our rating:4 out of 5 stars (4 / 5)

Pros

  • Impressive hardware components.
  • Advanced security features.
  • VPN, Cloud, and parental control settings.

Cons

  • Complicated setup process.
  • Quality control issues.

8 Netgear Nighthawk RAX80 – Best Alexa Compatible Router for Charter Spectrum

This is the smaller brother to the Nighthawk RAX200. While it doesn’t have the same raw power as its big brother, it still shares many of the features at a more affordable price. It’s still one of the more expensive models here, though.

You could easily mistake these devices at first glance, as they both share the same futuristic, winged design. They also both share the new Wi-Fi 6 technology. This helps with faster throughput speeds, less congestion, greater client capacity, and greater range.

Huge features…

Many of the useful features are still included, like MU-MIMO for data streaming. You also get Smart Connect band steering, as well as support for both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands.

Control of the Nighthawk’s features can be controlled using either a web console or by installing an App. With two USB 3.0 ports, this router is a powerhouse when it comes to file transfers and network data sharing.

No wonder it looks like it can fly…

Over the 5 GHz band, speeds of over 900 Mbps are possible over close proximity. Using the 2.4 GHz band, speeds of nearly 90 Mbps are possible. Any faster, and this thing really would take off.

The area this router really shines is with file-transfers. Using a USB 3.0 portable drive and a 1.5 GB folder with a mix of video, photo, audio, and document files, the results were terrific. The router produced a write speed of 76 Mbps and a read speed of 96 Mbps.


Netgear Nighthawk RAX80

Our rating:4.1 out of 5 stars (4.1 / 5)

Pros

  • Superfast speed capabilities.
  • Great for file-transfers.
  • Alexa and Google Voice support.

Cons

  • High price point.
  • Some features are not supported yet.

9 Gryphon AC3000 – Best Premium Mesh Router for Charter Spectrum

With mesh systems becoming more popular these days, better coverage across the home is a reality. They provide seamless wireless coverage and look more like a piece of artwork rather than another electronic device.

This router system from Gryphon achieves all of this, along with some extensive parental controls. Parents can have much more control over what their children are doing online. That makes this a strong contender for any family home network.

Strong components and features…

Using a Qualcomm quad-core CPU paired with 512 MB of RAM and 4 GB of flash memory, there is plenty of power under the hood. There are also six Wi-Fi antennas and a Bluetooth radio. This is a Tri-Band router with 2.4 GHz and two 5 GHz frequencies.

Features include MU-MIMO for multi-client performance. You also get beamforming that provides direct-to-client signal transmissions and automatic band steering that lets the router choose the best radio band for optimal performance.

Great App management…

A well-designed and easy to use mobile App allows for setup and management of the Gryphon. The UI (User Interface) is simplified into connected devices categorized into Unmanaged Devices, Things, and TV & Entertainment.

Each device can easily be paused by hitting the big pause button. Or, if you tap on the device, you can then manage its properties with a range of extensive options. Each device can be assigned as either a user or guest, with users also being able to be given their own family profile.


Gryphon AC3000

Our rating:4.3 out of 5 stars (4.3 / 5)

Pros

  • Powerful hardware components.
  • Future-proof features.
  • Extensive parental controls.
  • Well-designed App.

Cons

  • Pricey option.
  • Lacks firmware updates.

Best Router For Charter Spectrum Buying Guide

As you can see, there’s no reason at all to be renting equipment from your ISP with such a great range of products available. There is everything from budget devices, to home mesh network solutions, right up to top-end, high-speed models.

There really is something to suit everyone. Whether you are a hardcore gamer, an average user, a family, or even running a home business, all needs are covered. So now it’s time to discover which device suits your needs best.

Establishing Your Requirements

Turris Omnia 2022 | 2 GB RAM

If you are just looking to save money by cutting out those pesky rental costs, and at the same time, slightly increasing performance, there are two devices we recommend. Either the Motorola MG7550 or the TP-Link Archer A7. Keep in mind that the Archer is only a router, and you will still require a separate modem.

What about looking at increasing your Wi-Fi performance while still keeping on a budget? We would have to recommend the Netgear Nighthawk Smart R7000. It is sure to increase your speed and range without breaking the bank.

The next level…

For gamers wanting to take it to the next level, we would start by looking at the Netgear Nighthawk Gaming Pro XR500. If you just want your network performance to be at its peak, go no further than the Netgear Nighthawk RAX80, or if you can afford it, the RAX200.

If you have some IT experience or are even just interested in networking, the Turris Omnia 2022 might be for you. Its potential for being one of the most secure routers on the market while still providing incredible speeds makes it invaluable. But only to those that can unlock its true potential.

Building a Mesh

Anybody with a family knows what it’s like to have everyone battling for that all-important Wi-Fi signal in the home. This is where either the Orbi or Gryphon come into their own. Both are fantastic for setting up a home network.

Why exactly?

They can provide extra range across your home and are particularly useful if you intend on making your home smart. Not only that, the added parental control features give extra peace of mind, especially the Gryphon.

Join us next as we reveal our pick for the winning router for Charter Spectrum. We will also explain why we came to our decision.

Wanna See What You Can Connect With This Thing?

NETGEAR Nighthawk 12-Stream AX12 Wifi 6 Router (RAX200) - AX11000 Tri-Band Wireless Speed

Once you’ve invested in a device like this, all sorts of doors will open for you (literally if you like). Check out our Best 4K POE Security Camera System Reviews, our Best Wireless Outdoor Home Security Cameras Review, our Best Automated Light Switch Timer Reviews, and our Best 3D Printers Review!

Business owners may be interested in our Best Time Clocks for Small Business Review and our Best All in One Printers Review, while gaming enthusiasts won’t want to miss our Best Cheap 4K Monitors Under 300 Review and our Best Right Angle HDMI Adapter Reviews!

Back to the best router for Spectrum…

So, What Is The Best Router For Charter Spectrum?

With such a wide range of products, covering many different purposes, it makes it challenging to pick an overall best product. Due to this, we have based our decision on the following criteria.

The device must represent value, have great features, and strong performance. The router we feel performs the best in all these areas is the…

Netgear Nighthawk Smart R7000

It is an affordable option that has a great range of features that can be used by most users. It can also keep up with the performance of more expensive options.

Happy connecting!

About Paul S. Brunet

Known as the "Tech Lover", Paul is an expert of current and trending technology. Here at TinyGrab, he makes "tech" easy to understand for the average person.

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