How many devices can your router handle at the same time? If the answer is one, you will need to find a router that handles numerous devices. There are many reasons why routers can’t handle a number of devices, but the main one is the lack of bandwidth. If you connect a couple of bandwidth-hungry devices, all at once, things quickly get challenging for your router.
If your router doesn’t perform well when multiple devices are connected, then your house is probably full of downloaders, streamers, and gamers. These are the main three culprits that eat bandwidth. If this is the case, they will want a higher quality router.
So, we decided to find the best wireless routers for multiple devices. We chose eight that not only have a great price but are packed with features. So, let’s go through them and find the perfect router for your needs…
Contents
- 1 Top 7 Best Wireless Routers For Multiple Devices In 2023 Reviews
- 1.1 1 Linksys WRT AC3200 Dual-Band Open Source Router – Best Quality Wireless Router for Multiple Devices
- 1.2 2 Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 – Best Gaming Wireless Router for Multiple Devices
- 1.3 3 TP-Link AC1750 Smart WiFi Router – Best Affordable Wireless Router for Multiple Devices
- 1.4 4 NETGEAR Nighthawk X4S Smart WiFi Router (R7800) – Best Streaming Wireless Router for Multiple Devices
- 1.5 5 Netgear R8000 Nighthawk X6 AC3200 – Best Premium Wireless Router for Multiple Devices
- 1.6 6 TP-Link Deco M5 – Best Whole House Wireless Router for Multiple Devices
- 1.7 7 Asus ROG Rapture GT-AC2900 – Best Value for the Money Wireless Router for Multiple Devices
- 2 Best Wireless Routers For Multiple Devices Buyer’s Guide
- 3 Looking For More Superb Router Options?
- 4 So, What Are The Best Wireless Routers For Multiple Devices?
Top 7 Best Wireless Routers For Multiple Devices In 2023 Reviews
1
Linksys WRT AC3200 Dual-Band Open Source Router – Best Quality Wireless Router for Multiple Devices
Quick with lots of great features…
The AC3200 is a dual-band router that is classified as an enterprise-grade Wi-Fi unit. It was made for home usage but is also great for LAN events. With speeds up to 2.6 Gbps, it’s both consistently fast and reliable.
It supports 4K streaming and multiplayer gaming for high speeds of 600 + 2600 Mbps. It uses MU-MIMO technology for added router speed and DFS, which adds up to three times the number of available 800 Mhz channels, and gives you a clear Wi-Fi signal. The powerful 1.8 GHz dual central processing unit adds increased performance.
Another great feature is the Tri-Stream 160 bandwidth boost, which enhances both speed and quality of your streams.
Plenty of ports for fast wired connections….
The Linksys WRT has many useful ports as well. Four 1G Ethernet ports ensure a fast wired connection and one USB 3.0 port for added connectivity. It also features a hybrid eSATA/USB 2.0 port for easy sharing and cloud storage.
You can both control and monitor your network by using the Smart Wi-Fi app. If you want to use parental controls or a secure VPN, it supports open-source customization using OpenWrt and DD-WRT. This also helps to detect intrusions, managing your network traffic, setting up hotspots, or even transforming the router into a web server.
Our verdict…
The Linksys WRT AC3200 is a good router and not too expensive. It’s not the cheapest of routers but delivers high speeds, is very reliable, is packed with useful features, and has a clean design. It’s best suited for streaming and gaming on multiple devices, which makes this an excellent choice for anyone who is looking for a quality router.
Pros
- Easy setup and usage.
- Powerful and fast.
- Customizable firmware
- Good price.
- Great features.
Cons
- Can’t block individual websites.
2
Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 – Best Gaming Wireless Router for Multiple Devices
The Asus ROG Rapture is one of the best routers on the market for multiple devices. Its superb set of features enhance your gameplay, especially if you’re using many different devices. It uses Wi-Fi 6, which is a relatively new technology and supports speeds up to 11,000 Mbps. It also covers 802.11ac devices and the next-generation 802.11ax devices.
The 1.8 GHz Quad-Core CPU gives you excellent performance. If you’re a gamer, you can use the 2.5G gaming port for even better performance.
Triple-level Game Acceleration…
The Triple-level Game Acceleration boosts your game traffic and lowers your ping to give a better gaming experience. You can easily cover your whole home since it provides stable and secure Wi-Fi up to 3,500 square feet. If you want a larger range, you can connect multiple ASUS routers using the ASUS AiMesh. This also turns your computer into a central control for all connected routers.
Like the Linksys WRT, it uses DFS and will support up to 15 channels of the least-congested 5GHz bands. This gives your connected device the most bandwidth and avoids straining other devices.
Port forwarding for gamers…
Port forwarding is crucial for gamers. This ensures that you will always be able to connect with your friends and teammates. Just follow three simple steps. Select the game to play, select your gaming device, and activate.
Wired connection or Wi-fi?
If you don’t want to use the Wi-Fi, you can use any of the four 1G Ethernet ports. Other important features include Beamforming, MU-MIMO, and QoS.
The AiProtection keeps your network secure and free from intruders. It also protects your data, and has advanced parental controls, and can run a VPN simultaneously as your normal network connection.
Our verdict…
One of the best routers for numerous devices. It’s fast, has a great set of features, and is both stable and reliable. However, it’s quite expensive but well worth the money and is the perfect router for a house full of gamers.
Pros
- Easy to install.
- Fast Wi-Fi speeds.
- Wi-Fi 6.
- Aimesh.
- Ensures great gaming experience on multiple devices.
Cons
- Expensive.
3
TP-Link AC1750 Smart WiFi Router – Best Affordable Wireless Router for Multiple Devices
Just like the name suggests, this is a smart router for multiple devices, which supports speeds up to 1750 Mbps. It’s an 802.11ac, dual-band router that is great for long-range coverage. It provides high-speed internet, so you can stream in 4K without any latency or interruptions.
It’s also very good for multiplayer games. The advanced QoS, Archer A7, covers ranges up to 2,500 square feet and can connect over 50 devices without competing over bandwidth.
Wired connections and sharing…
For wired connections, there are five 1G Ethernet ports, which consist of four LAN and one WAN. The USB 2.0 is good for sharing media and other content. The TP-Link tether app lets you monitor and filter your network.
The AC1750 has three vital security features, including parental control, guest access, and high-level WPA/WPA2 encryptions. You can turn on/off the guest Wi-Fi using the Alexa voice control.
Our verdict…
The AC1750 is one of the cheaper routers in our review. It performs well, so the price can be deceiving. It has all features you need, even though security is not as high as on other routers. The connection also isn’t as stable as on other high-end routers, but it will do.
It works great with multiplayer games and streaming and is a great router for anyone on a budget.
Pros
- Cheap.
- Long range.
- Reliable.
Cons
- Unstable connection.
4
NETGEAR Nighthawk X4S Smart WiFi Router (R7800) – Best Streaming Wireless Router for Multiple Devices
The NETGEAR Nighthawk X4S is one of the most popular Best Wireless Routers for Multiple Devices in our review. And it’s easy to see why. It’s incredibly user-friendly, and both setup, as well as installation, are really easy too. The design is nice, and it’s lightweight. Performance is excellent, and the long-range coverage of 2,500 square feet is more than many of its competitors in the same price range.
Connect up to 45 devices…
With features including Beamforming, MU-MIMO, dynamic QoS, and Alexa voice control, the X4S is best for gaming or streaming in HD. And you can connect up to 45 devices without losing speed or performance.
Four Ethernet G1 ports, two USB 3.0 ports, and one eSATA port make wired connections and sharing fast. The four amplified antennas secure a stable and reliable connection no matter the distance, up to 2,500 SF, that is.
Security could be better, but it does use WPA2 wireless security protocol, and you can access and filter websites using the Nighthawk app.
Our verdict…
A great price for a great router. The X4S is fast, stable, and performs well. This makes it one of the most popular routers for multiple devices amongst many gamers. The design is nice, but more importantly, it’s really light, so it’s easy to take with you and doesn’t take up too much space.
A great router for streamers and gamers, and we highly recommend it.
Pros
- Wide coverage.
- High speed.
- Parental control.
- 1.7 GHz processor.
Cons
- Not the most reliable option.
- Takes some time to connect multiple devices.
5
Netgear R8000 Nighthawk X6 AC3200 – Best Premium Wireless Router for Multiple Devices
If you thought that three or four antennas would boost your network performance, wait till you try the Nighthawk X6. This router has six antennas, which give you a long-range coverage of up to 3,500 sq. ft. It is extremely powerful and fast. It is one of the most expensive routers currently on the market but at the same time one of the best.
The design looks like something out of the future, and it is one of the biggest routers available. And you will need to set it up horizontally or mount it on a wall.
Reliable and stable connection for 55 devices…
13 LEDs show you which bands and ports are active, but they can be turned off with a switch on the back. It can connect up to 55 devices, and the signal stays stable and reliable. It has four Ethernet 1G ports, one USB 3.0, and one USB 2.0 port.
Security is good with parental controls, filter websites, set online limits, and more. Like most of the routers in this review, it also has Beamforming, MU-MIMO, and Alexa Voice control. The circle app lets you customize the security settings to your liking.
Easy to connect multiple devices…
It’s easy to connect multiple devices using the step by step guide on the Nighthawk app. The X6 can be manually configured or even set up as an access point. Each of the three bands has its own network name, security settings, and speed.
Both gamers and streamers can enjoy 4K streaming, and the six antennas ensure a good stable connection.
Our verdict…
Even though expensive, the X6 is a powerhouse. The 1.8GHz processor and six antennas make for great performance and excellent range. The only thing is the size. It’s huge and not something you want to carry around with you.
It has significant features, and the security is top-notch. Plus, the ability to connect 55 devices and the long-range makes it ideal for LAN parties.
Pros
- Tri-band.
- Easy to setup.
- Six antennas.
- Excellent range.
Cons
- Expensive.
- Huge.
- No eSATA port.
6
TP-Link Deco M5 – Best Whole House Wireless Router for Multiple Devices
Even though mesh routers aren’t new, they used to be so expensive; it just wasn’t worth thinking about buying one. The Deco M5 has changed that and allows you to have a mesh system at a much better price than its competitors.
What sets the Mesh router apart from other routers?
Mesh routers differ from more traditional routers in that they can have two or three units that ‘mesh’ together for better coverage. The Deco M5 has three units that together cover up to 5,500 sq. ft.
Since you can place the units in different places, it eliminates dead zones. The Wi-Fi is stable and only uses a single network instead of multiple ones as used by a wifi extender.
Adaptive routing for optimizing each device…
The adaptive routing technology chooses the quickest path for each device. This makes it more adaptable because you can place the three units quite far apart. However, the Deco M5 isn’t as fast as many of the more expensive routers like the ROG Rapture, but it still works well and efficiently. And more importantly, it covers your entire house or building.
If you really want to boost the performance and speed, you can connect the three units using the Ethernet ports. But this minimizes the flexibility of the placement.
Easy setup and user-friendly…
It is incredibly easy to set up. The design is ok, and each unit has two Ethernet ports. The Deco app is easy to use and helps you through the setup. Security options are good with parental controls, Antivirus, and QoS.
At longer distances, the performance dropped a bit, as more obstructions were involved. But on the whole, the differences were minimal, and this wasn’t a big deal.
Our verdict…
Easy to set up and connect multiple devices. It’s not as fast as other more expensive routers, but it still is great value for money. The combination of the price and the easy setup makes the Deco M5 a great option. The only real letdown is the speed. However, it is a great router for anyone who wants to cover a large area without any dead zones.
Pros
- Value for money.
- Easy setup.
- Excellent coverage.
Cons
- Not as fast as higher-end competitors.
- No fine control.
7
Asus ROG Rapture GT-AC2900 – Best Value for the Money Wireless Router for Multiple Devices
The last router in our review of the Best Wireless Routers for Multiple Devices is the ASUS ROG Rapture AC2900. Even though it’s not as good as the AX11000, it is still a good router for multiple devices. Asus added more game-oriented controls and some excellent features. The RGB lighting gives it that extra something that gamers love.
Considering the modest price, you might think that it lacks many of the features that expensive high-end routers have. But it doesn’t. It has all the same features that are found on other ROG routers, including Game Radar, game traffic optimization, Aiprotection, and Aimesh, just to name a few.
Why is it cheaper than other ROG routers?
The reason why it’s cheaper than other ROG routers is because it is dual-band. This makes it smaller and less complex than the tri-band routers.
The design looks a lot like the RT-AC6U, but it benefits from the small footprint, which makes it easier to place around the house. Unlike the Nighthawk X6, where you have to clear your entire desk to make room for it.
But just like the Nighthawk X6, it can be wall-mounted. The stands double as wall mounts, and it’s easy to mount because it only weighs 780g.
RGB lighting…
If you want to customize your gear as many gamers do, this is an excellent choice since it supports Aura lighting. If you don’t like flashy colors, you can simply customize it to a single color or turn the lights off.
It’s fast for its size, and it supports DFS. But what really makes it a quality router is the Triple-level Game Accelerator.
As the name indicates, it’s made up of three features, which are the ROG gaming port, which allows the device you plug in to have priority over other devices. Next, we have the game boost, which is a QoS that prioritizes gaming data packs. And finally, the wtfast, which provides the shortest connection to popular game servers, and therefore lowers your ping and latency.
Our verdict…
It’s a great router for any regular user or gamer. It has everything you need, and the design is compact and colorful with RGB lighting. It’s also packed with features and performs well.
This makes it a great choice for those who don’t want to spend a lot of money on routers like the Rapture AC5300. The only downside is that it is dual-band and therefore missing the second 5GHZ network. But if you don’t have too many connected devices or users at home, you won’t really notice the missing network.
Pros
- Fast.
- Compact.
- Lightweight.
- Great price.
Cons
- Dual-band.
Best Wireless Routers For Multiple Devices Buyer’s Guide
Finding the right router for your needs isn’t always as easy as it may seem. Our eight routers are good choices that will suit anyone from gamers to average users. There are, however, a few things you should know before buying the perfect router.
The size of your home, how big the rooms are, how many devices you will connect, what security, and what features you need are all important, so let’s discuss them…
The size of your home
This is not only important, but the size of each room is critical as well. It goes without saying that you don’t need the most powerful router if you live in a small apartment. If that’s the case, you should go for the…
EROG Rapture AC2900…but if you live in a big house with a large number of rooms you want the…
Nighthawk X6If there are many rooms in your house, you might find areas with dead zones, which would make the Deco M5 an excellent choice. But all the routers we reviewed have excellent coverage.
How Many Devices Will You Connect?
All internet traffic goes through your router, so you will need to connect as many devices as is necessary without losing any bandwidth. It’s not enough to own a router that can only handle one or two devices. You may have multiple smartphones, maybe a couple of computers, and other devices that all use the internet.
You don’t want your router to be the bottleneck, and therefore you need a router that is suitable for multiple devices.
A great solution is to overestimate the number of devices you want to connect. We’re not talking about overestimating to 500 devices if you want to connect 10, but 15-20 wouldn’t be a bad idea, and it keeps you in the buffer. You also need to know what each device will do once connected. Streaming high-quality video is going to affect your bandwidth a lot more than just basic web browsing.
Security Is Important!
If the router doesn’t have good security, you might invite nearby troublemakers to invade your network. They can monitor what you are doing online, access your files, and even infect your network with viruses. The router should, therefore, support WPA2. Plus, every device on the network must also support WPA2 in order for it to be effective.
Remember, your network is only as safe as the least secure device you connect to it. If you can’t afford a router with WPA2, or you want a router that doesn’t support it, WPA is better than nothing. But if you choose any of the routers reviewed, you will be fine because they all support WPA2.
Some of the routers come with enhanced security, like the ability to block certain users or devices. These are often a better choice.
Ports And Features
You want to make sure that the router has enough ports for all your devices. The ports should be fast and high-performing. Important features vary from person to person, so make sure you decide on which features are important to you.
Looking For More Superb Router Options?
Then check out our Best Small Business Routers Review and our Best Wireless Access Points Review for 2023.
You may also be interested in our in-depth Netgear CM1150v Nighthawk Cable Modem Review, our Asus RT AC88U Wireless AC3100 Review, our NetGear CM 700 32×8 Cable Modem Review, and our Asus RT AC68u AC1900 Review.
So, What Are The Best Wireless Routers For Multiple Devices?
We’ve come to the end of our reviews of the best routers for multiple devices. And they will all provide good speeds, quality performance, and stable connections. But most importantly, they can all handle a number of different devices.
But there has to be an overall winner, and our number one choice is the…
Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX11000Yes, it is expensive, but it comes with everything a great router needs. High-speeds, enhanced security, and it gives you a great gaming experience on all connected devices. The Rapture GT-AX11000 really is the best choice currently on the market.
Happy routing.