Now, a Wi-Fi router for small businesses would ideally have a standard compatible with most devices, excellent security measures, and technologies like MU-MIMO to cater to everyone. It would provide coverage throughout the office and deliver uninterrupted, speedy internet for your customers and clients. On top of that, an efficient companion app would be a plus as it would enable you to change passwords, prioritize networks, set up guest networks, and do more for easier management.
That said, if you browse the available options, you’ll find routers of every shape and size with varying price tags. Seeing so many options can be confusing and leave you double-guessing your choice. However, you need to look at the router’s range, speed, and security to ensure that every device in the office gets adequate speed and signals.
To that end, we’ve put together this guide after researching and reviewing products and listing their details and pros and cons to help you make an informed decision.
Products at a glance
- Best router for small business overall
GL.iNet GL-AXT1800 (Slate AX)
- Standard: WiFI 6
- Frequency Bnads: 2.4GHz, 5GHz
- Max Speed: 1800Mbps
- LAN Ports: 2x Gigabit
- Best budget router for small business
GL.iNet GL-MT300N-V2 (Mango)
- Standard: Wi-Fi 4
- Frequency bands: 2.4GHz
- Max speed: 300Mbps
- LAN ports: 1x 100Mbps
- Best high-end router for small business
ASUS ROG Rapture Wifi 6E Router (GT-AXE16000)
- Standard: WiFi 6E
- Frequency bands: 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz-1, 5 GHz-2, 6 GHz
- Max speed: 16000 Mbps
- LAN ports: 2x 10Gbps (WAN/LAN), 4x 1Gbps
How we picked
To find the best router for business, we used our expertise to select items based on key specs, such as speeds, coverage, wireless standards, security, and additional features. We’ve also delved into and weighted market sentiment and user views to ensure our selections align with users’ experiences with these products.
However, we don’t rely solely on specifications and reviews that anyone can read. We conduct in-house testing to check their signal strength, speed, and file transfer speed. If you’re interested in learning more about our process, check out our How We Test Routers guide for a more in-depth understanding.
Our top picks
- Standard: WiFI 6
- Frequency Bnads: 2.4GHz, 5GHz
- Max Speed: 1800Mbps
- LAN Ports: 2x Gigabit
- WAN: 1x Gigabit
- CPU: IPQ6000 1.2GHz Quad-core Processor
- Memory: DDR3L 512MB / NAND Flash 128MB
- USB: 1x USB 3.0
- Dimensions: 125 x 82 x 36mm
- Weight: 245g
- It comes at a very affordable price point
- It can support a 1 Gbps internet connection
- It has good safety features and applications such as WireGuard and support for over 30 VPN service providers
- It tends to get a bit hot after a while
- No multi-gigabit LAN/WAN port
After carefully researching multiple routers, we concluded that the GL-iNet GL-AXT1800 (Slate AX) is one of the best routers for small businesses. In our Slate AX review, it showcased excellent signal strength and speed which should be great for a small office space and promote efficient working.
To begin with, this router features a 1.2 GHz quad-core processor and 512 MB of DDR3L RAM. This should be more than enough to handle the networking requirements of a small business without compromising performance.
It also has a max speed of 1800 Mbps, supports the Wi-Fi 6 standard, dual-band functionality, and a smart design that brings its dimensions to 125 x 82 x 36mm. So, it should be compatible with most devices, deliver high-speed internet via 2.4 or 5 GHz frequencies, and shouldn’t look out of place in an office setting.
A great aspect that makes the Slate AX a suitable option for a small business is that it can simultaneously support up to 120 devices. The only thing you’d need to ensure is that you have a fiber internet connection with enough bandwidth to cater to every device connected.
As it offers quite a range of connections from WAN to tethering whilst also providing two ethernet and WiFi 6 to connect up to it, it manages to hold up against bigger standalone routers.
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However, dispersing the internet across the business shouldn’t be an issue because it has 2 gigabit LAN ports and 1 gigabit WAN port. So, you have the option of upgrading your internet to a 1 Gbps package without running into compatibility issues.
This router also comes with OpenVPN and WireGuard to ensure that your network is safe from malicious websites and protects your digital journey. According to GL-iNET, you should experience speeds of 550 Mbps with WireGuard and 120 Mbps with OpenVPN. It supports over 30 VPN services, so if you want, you can work with your preferred service provider for enhanced protection.
As far as its real-world performance is concerned, it didn’t disappoint. We checked for its speed with a 300 Mbps connection, and the 2.4 GHz band delivered 119 to 8.9 Mbps download speed and 95.1 to 2.5 Mbps upload speeds at 10 and 90ft, respectively. As for 5 GHz, it failed to connect at 90 ft, but it delivered massively better results. It had a download of 271 to 197 Mbps and an upload of 293 to 137 Mbps at 10 and 60ft, respectively.
Overall, this is one of the best routers available for a small business. It delivers good speed, works with the Wi-Fi 6 standard, has decent safety features, and doesn’t burn a hole in your pocket. All of these factors gave it the top spot on our list, and we see it reigning for quite some time.
What user say
According to Amazon reviews, this router is well-liked for its performance, portability, and ease of usage. One reviewer stated: “One of the standout features of the GL-AXT1800 is its ability to connect to up to 120 devices simultaneously. With MU-MIMO and OFDMA technology, it ensures efficient and stable connections for all your devices. I tested it with multiple devices, including my personal computer, tablet, and smart television, and the performance was exceptional. Streaming 4K videos, online gaming, and browsing the internet were seamless and lag-free.”
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- Standard: Wi-Fi 4
- Frequency bands: 2.4GHz
- Max speed: 300Mbps
- LAN ports: 1x 100Mbps
- WAN: 1x 100Mbps
- CPU: MTK MT7628NN @580Mhz SoC
- Memory: DDR2 128MB / NOR Flash 16MB
- USB: 1x USB 2.0 port
- Dimensions: 58 x 58 x 25mm
- Weight: 40g
- Top-notch router for securing and extending networks
- It can support up to 39 devices simultaneously
- It is very affordable
- It only works with the 2.4 GHz band
- It only has 100 Mbps LAN and WAN ports
- Not the best option for bandwidth-intensive activities
There are various budget constraints while running a business, particularly on a small scale. So, instead of going for a premium router, a budget option should also get the job done, as online gaming, streaming, and other bandwidth-heavy activities aren’t generally a part of an office.
That said, we recommend the GL-MT300N-V2 (MangO) because when we tested it for our review, it delivered a decent performance for a budget router. This router has humble specifications with a 580 MHz processor, DDR2 128 MB RAM, Wi-Fi 4 standard, and only has the 2.4 GHz band to work with.
However, these specifications should be more than enough for a small business. According to GL.iNet, this router can support up to 39 devices simultaneously. So, unless your business requires multiple UHD video conferences simultaneously, this router should serve you just fine.
It also comes with the same VPN options as your top pick but also has encrypted DNS with Cloudflare. What this does is encrypt your DNS queries to add a layer of privacy and security for the users by preventing eavesdropping and tampering with DNS data.
So, these security features should safeguard your business’s integrity and keep it running efficiently.
It’s definitely a useful addition to those looking to secure their public network usage or extend out their network for light usage.
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We tested this router’s range and speed during our review, and it managed to connect at 60ft meaning it has enough wall penetration to connect through a room. As for its actual download and upload speeds, it managed 18, 13.8, and 0.3 Mbps and 21.4 to 0.4 Mbps, respectively. So, while these speeds aren’t lightning-fast, we need to keep in mind this router’s nature and price point.
It does come with 2 x 100 Mbps LAN and WAN ports, meaning you’ll get better speeds via Ethernet. The Slate AX delivered 91.9 and 87.9 Mbps download and upload speeds when we checked for its LAN speed, respectively.
Overall, while the GL-MT300N-V2 may lack the bells and whistles you’d find in a high-end or latest router, it has just enough hardware to get the job done well and the capacity to support multiple devices throughout the business.
What user say
According to Amazon reviews, users are pleased with its portable nature and the features it brings to the table. One reviewer stated: “I’ve put this router through its paces a few times now, and it’s been a standout for the money spent. Naturally, with VPN activation, there’s a slight dip in speed, but that’s to be expected and is a small trade-off for the convenience it offers.”
- Standard: WiFi 6E
- Frequency bands: 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz-1, 5 GHz-2, 6 GHz
- Max speed: 16000 Mbps
- LAN ports: 2x 10Gbps (WAN/LAN), 4x 1Gbps
- WAN: 1x 2.5Gbps, 2x 10Gbps (WAN/LAN)
- CPU: 2.0GHz quad-core processor
- Memory: 256MB NAND flash and 2GB DDR4 RAM
- USB: 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 1x USB 2.0 Port
- Dimensions: 354 x 354 x 193mm
- Weight: 2425g
- It works with the Wi-Fi 6E standard and has the 6 GHz band
- It has excellent performance and range
- AiProtection Pro doesn’t require a subscription to work
- It comes with a heavy price tag
- The design isn’t very office-friendly
If money isn’t an issue and you want a router that will last a while and can handle your business’s resource-intensive networking demands, we recommend giving the ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AXE16000 a shot.
During our GT-AXE16000 review, it had excellent range and download and upload speeds that put it in the premium category of routers. To begin with, this router features a powerful 2.0 GHz quad-core processor with 2 GB of DDR4 RAM. So, it should be able to easily handle the network traffic and communication and data transfer between devices without running into congestion issues.
It also has quad-band functionality meaning you have the 2.5, two 5, and 6 GHz frequencies at your disposal. On top of that, it works with the Wi-Fi 6E standard, which should enable fast data transfer via wireless connection between the router and devices.
By default, the first 5 GHz band comes as a dedicated backhaul, but you have the option to use the 6 GHz frequency as the backhaul between nodes for fast and interference-free connections. This is possible due to the AiMesh technology, which enables you to extend your network by connecting more ASUS routers as nodes.
So, it is possible to have a large office space despite being a small business, and if you’re in this boat, then coverage shouldn’t be an issue with this router. That said, it does come with ASUS RangeBoost Plus, which should improve the range and Wi-Fi performance. According to ASUS, this technology should increase coverage by 38%.
Bringing in 6GHz you get on a faster newer band so you can get a whole lot of bandwidth that’s less likely to be interrupted.
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A neat aspect of this router is that it comes with ASUS Aiprotection Pro, which is automatically and regularly updated to keep your network secure from vulnerabilities and threats. However, it doesn’t end there. Unlike many other manufacturers, ASUS made this feature completely free for life, meaning no yearly or monthly payments to safeguard your network.
This is a very nice change of pace and should help uphold the business’s integrity. Besides that, it comes with it comes with two x 10G LAN/WAN ports, four 1G LAN ports, and one 2.5G WAN port. Plus, it supports LAN and WAN aggregation, which allows you to combine ports to increase the overall bandwidth.
This is an excellent feature as it will allow you to upgrade your internet plan to the max and increase the office’s overall efficiency and productivity. Slow load times will be a thing of the past. Another great aspect of this router is that you can dedicate a band for office devices such as printers. This way, there’ll be less network congestion and better speeds.
Regarding performance, the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands were able to connect to the farthest 90ft mark, which includes two rooms and four walls between the device and router. The 2.4 GHz band delivered 71.4 to 0 Mbps download, and 66.3 to 0 Mbps upload speeds at 10 and 90ft, respectively.
The 5 GHs managed 244 to 47.9 Mbps download and 280 to 9.8 Mbps upload speeds at the same distances. So, the difference in performance is clear. We weren’t able to test the 6 GHz frequency because we didn’t have a device that supported that band. However, seeing the results of these two bands, 6 GHz’s performance is sure to be even greater.
Overall, this is the best router for small businesses due to the hardware it packs and the features it offers. That said, it does come with a relatively heavy price tag, but it should handle everything network-related in your business without a hitch.
What users say
According to Amazon reviews, the GT-AXE16000 is an excellent router with great performance, coverage, and features. One reviewer said: “The performance of the unit itself is excellent and using the Ai-Mesh feature to connect to my other ASUS router, it adequately provides whole home coverage. The 2.5G WAN port is great connected to the 2G fiber service I have and can consume all of it.”
- Standard: WiFi 6E
- Frequency band: 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz
- Max speed: 5.4 Gbps
- LAN ports: 2 x 1 Gbps per unit
- Wifi 6E support
- Speed up to 5.4Gbps
- Easy to configure
- Devices may not be compatible with Wifi 6E
- Some users say it’s a bit overpriced
If you want a Wifi 6E router for your workspace, then you need to check out the Google Nest Wifi Pro 6E, which we think deserves a place in our best Wifi 6E routers guide.
For this guide, we have selected the Google Nest Wifi Pro 6E pack with three routers, which promise to cover an area of up to 6,600 sq. ft., which should be more than sufficient for a small or medium-sized office with no dead zones. Plus, you can expand the coverage by adding another router. However, it should be noted that the 6E routers are not compatible with the older routers.
As mentioned earlier, this is a Wifi 6E router, so it has three bands – 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and the new 6GHz band. Combined, these three bands promise to give you a speed of 5.4Gbps, which should deliver fast and reliable internet speeds. As far as wired connections are concerned, each router unit has two Ethernet ports, which give you a combined speed of 1Gbps.
As mentioned earlier, this is a Wifi 6E router, so it has three bands – 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and the new 6GHz band. Combined, these three bands promise to give you a speed of 5.4Gbps, which should deliver fast and reliable internet speeds.
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Another noteworthy feature of Nest Wifi Pro is that the router adjusts performance as per your activities. For instance, it loads websites quickly and prioritizes video calls, which should be useful for business professionals. Further, the Nest Wifi Pro runs scans on itself, detects network issues, and can even fix minor issues by itself.
Coming to security, the Nest Wifi Pro automatically updates its software to keep the network running on the latest version and avoid router hacks. Plus, you can get the Google Home app, which lets you keep track of connected devices, disconnect unknown devices, create guest networks, and more.
How to select the best router for small business
Picking up the best router for small businesses isn’t just about going to the market and choosing one of the best wireless routers. Instead, you need to carefully look at its specs, performance, and the type of security features it offers. Here are a few things to consider before making a purchase.
Connectivity options
The first thing you need to consider is the router’s connectivity options. For example, how many Ethernet ports and frequencies does it have? Some routers offer dual, tri, and quad-band functionalities. The more bands you have, the better performance you’ll get, and you can use one frequency for dedicated equipment around the office, such as printers.
On top of that, also make sure to check how many devices it can support simultaneously. This is important because if the devices outnumber the router’s threshold, everyone will experience slow internet, and it could even come to a dead stop as the network is overloaded.
Wi-Fi standard
Another important factor to consider is the Wi-Fi standard. You’ll have to cater to various new and old devices, as not everyone has the newest mobile phone or laptop. So, the best bet is to opt for a standard that has been around for a while and is widely used, like Wi-Fi 6. If you’re interested in exploring some options, check out our best Wi-Fi 6 router guide for the top picks.
Security options
Last but not least, special attention should be paid to the router’s security protocols. This is important because official and sensitive information is sent across the office via the internal network, and weakness could spell catastrophe for the business. So, ensure that it has adequate safety measures like WPA, WPA2, WPA3, and 128—and 256-bit encryption.
There are manufacturers that offer protection software, such as NETGEAR Armor and ASUS AiProtection, that safeguard your network and keep it up to date with the latest security patches. However, some of them require a monthly or yearly subscription, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry, even if you have to spend a little extra for your business’s integrity. If you’re interested in checking out some options, we recommend giving our best secure router guide a shot that has the top picks available.
Are mesh networks necessary for small businesses?
It all depends on the physical size of your business. Mesh networks may be desirable for owners of larger businesses that need greater WiFi coverage. However, mesh networks are not worth the money for smaller businesses that only require coverage in a single office, for example. For regular homeowners choosing the best modem router combo is all that is needed for great internet connectivity.
