Gigabit internet plans are becoming more common with time as UHD streaming has become the norm, games files are 100 GBs, and all this is being done across multiple devices. So, to ensure that everyone is getting the best experience possible, a gigabit router needs to be installed to handle and disperse the internet signals across your office or living space.
However, selecting a router for high-speed internet is easier said than done, as there are multiple brands with tons of options. We completely understand that filtering through these options can be challenging and confusing.
To that end, we took the liberty of doing the research for you and put together this in-depth guide that lists multiple options that we’ve reviewed, their details, and pros and cons so you can kick off your buying journey in the best possible manner.
- Best router for gigabit internet overall
Netgear Nighthawk RS700S WiFi 7 (BE19000)
- Standard: WiFi 7
- Frequency Bands: 2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz
- Max Speed: 19Gbps
- LAN Ports: 1x 10Gbps, 4x 1Gbps
- Best gaming router for gigabit internet
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
- Best budget router for gigabit internet
GL.iNet GL-AXT1800 (Slate AX)
- Standard: WiFI 6
- Frequency Bnads: 2.4GHz, 5GHz
- Max Speed: 1800Mbps
- LAN Ports: 2x Gigabit
How we picked the best router for gigabit internet
To find the best routers for gigabit internet, we used our expertise to select items based on key specs, such as speeds, 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.
- Standard: WiFi 7
- Frequency Bands: 2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz
- Max Speed: 19Gbps
- LAN Ports: 1x 10Gbps, 4x 1Gbps
- WAN: 10Gbps
- CPU: Quad-core 2.6GHz
- Memory: 512MB NAND Flash and 2GB RAM
- USB: 1x USB 3.0 Type-A
- Dimensions: 281.7 x 124.0 x 142mm (11.1 x 4.9 x 5.6in)
- Weight: 1.635kg (3.61lb)
- App control allows for customization
- It has the WiFi 7 standard
- It supports the 6 GHz frequency
- It costs a premium
- The Wi-Fi 7 standard isn’t being used too much
For our top pick, we went with the Netgear Nighthawk RS700 router, as it performed excellently when we tested it against multiple benchmarks for our review.
For starters, this router has the WiFi 7 standard, which has a maximum data rate of 46 Gbps. While there aren’t any internet plans that offer this speed, it’s good to have extra overhead for future upgrades.
On top of that, it has a quad-core 2.6 GHz processor paired with 2GB RAM. These specifications are impressive for a router and should give it the edge needed to handle multiple devices simultaneously without compromising on performance.
Regarding connectivity options, it has one 10Gig and four 1Gig internet ports with up to 3,500 sq. ft. of coverage. What this means is that you have a total of 5 high-speed internet ports that support gigabit or multi-gigabit internet plans. To get the full speed of your internet, we recommend using CAT 6 or CAT 6a ethernet cables, as they support 1,000 and 10,000 Mbps, respectively.
It implements the latest tech into it and makes sure your network is the best it can be, as long as everything else allows it.
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However, the RS700 has more in store for you if you prefer a wireless connection. It has three frequency bands: 2.4, 5, and 6 GHz to choose from. So, depending on whether your device supports the higher frequencies or not, you should be able to experience fast download and upload speeds over Wi-Fi.
That said, while the 5 and 6 GHz frequencies have a higher bandwidth and transfer rate, they also have a shorter coverage than 2.4 GHz. So, if you can, we always recommend going for a wired connection when possible.
During our testing, at 2.4 GHz, this router delivered 103, 78.4, and 5.6 Mbps download speeds at 10, 30, and 60 ft, respectively. On the other hand, at 5 GHz, it managed download speeds of 273, 269, 117, and 25.5 Mbps at the same distances.
On the other hand, at 2.4 GHz, its upload speeds were 62, 50, and 22, and at 5 GHz, it managed 239, 227, 131, and 8 Mbps at 10, 30, and 60 ft. The difference between the two frequencies is clearly visible, and while they aren’t close to 1 gig, 5 and 6 GHz can easily handle a 1 gigabit internet connection.
When we tested the physical speed, this router with the 5 GHz frequency managed 1200, 864, 288, and 8 Mbps download speeds. So, whether you use this router with a wired or wireless connection, you should be able to get an uninterrupted connection for gaming, streaming, or productivity tasks.
What users say
According to Amazon reviews, this router has exceptional performance and coverage. One reviewer said: “We have around 52 devices(Ring cameras, thermostats, iPads, iPhones, smart TVs, Xbox, PS5, laptops, dehumidifier, air conditioners, washer, Nest smoke/CO detectors, Keurig, Alexa) and have had no problems or issues with coverage or slow speeds.”
- 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
- Excellent coverage for medium to large houses
- Good number of WAN and LAN ports for wired connections
- Quad-band Wi-Fi 6E for 6 GHz adoption
- The top is prone to fingerprint marks
- It comes with a hefty price tag
- It has a large design, which isn’t for everyone
The graphical fidelity of modern games keeps increasing. To ensure the smooth exchange of data, you need to establish a robust connection between the client and server, whether wired or wireless.
This is where the ASUS ROG Rapture router comes in. In our review, it performed well across several tests, earning it a spot on this list. This router features a 2 GHz quad-core processor and 2 GB of DDR4 RAM. What this means is that it should have enough processing power to handle various networking operations without slowing down processing or experiencing overloads.
The maximum speed of the ASUS ROG Rapture router is 16000 Mbps, which you can make use of via the two 10Gig LAN and WAN ports with an additional four 1Gig and one 2.5 Gbps ports, respectively. So, to put things into perspective, this amount of ports is enough to power various computers, consoles, and other devices without running out of connectivity options.
On top of that, it also supports the 2.4, 5, and 6 GHz frequencies for wireless connections, even though wired connections are recommended for uninterrupted internet, especially for online gaming, as wireless connections are susceptible to interference from other electronics.
ASUS developed this router specifically with gamers in mind, as it has triple-level game acceleration. At the first level, you can connect your gaming device with the gaming port, which prioritizes that device over other connections.
The ROG Rapture GT-AXE16000 is quite the monster of a WiFi 6E router. Although it might not be the latest tech anymore, it’s still plenty fast, and with a lot of features, you can customize it to a great extent with plenty of control as well.
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At the second level, Game Boost comes into play, which, upon enabling, gives the game data packets the top priority, ensuring a seamless connection between the client and server.
Finally, at the third level, WTFast ensures that your connection is established through the best route to the game server. This means a strong connection, less ping, and better headshots.
All of these levels combined should result in top-notch gaming, whether you’re fighting for the top spot in a competitive shooter or exploring an open world at your own pace. What makes this even better is the up to 5,500 sq. ft. of coverage, which should ensure that you’re getting adequate signals no matter where you are.
Lastly, during our testing for its download and upload speeds, we saw the following results for 5 GHz. The download results were 244 to 47.9 Mbps, whereas the upload results were 280 to 9.8 Mbps. While the results vary depending on where you’re located and if there is any obstruction in the way. That said, theoretically if your internet allows for it, you should be able to get 1-gigabit download and upload speed on a wireless connection and get that win.
What users say
According to Amazon reviews, it has great coverage and performance, and it works well with other ASUS routers via the AI-Mesh features. One reviewer stated: “As a passionate gamer who demands top-tier performance and reliability from my networking hardware, I find this router to be a game-changer in every sense of the word.” We believe this reviewer said everything you need to know about this router.
- 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
- Its dimension and weight make it very portable
- It comes at an affordable price point
- It comes with excellent features such as VPN and protection options
- It tends to run hot after a while
- The USB-C port can only be used for power
For our last pick, we went with the GL.iNet GL-AXT1800, which costs $112.90 at the time of writing and has a max speed of 1800 Mbps. In our AXT1800 review, it has excellent signal strength and speed.
For starters, this router is powered by the IPQ6000 1.2 GHz quad-core processor with 512 MB DDR3L RAM. While this may not seem as powerful as the other routers on this list, we need to keep its price in mind, as it has more than decent specifications.
It also has humble dimensions of 125 x 82 x 36 and weighs 245g. This means that it isn’t big or heavy enough to carry and shouldn’t take up much space atop a shelf or other furniture. Its small footprint shouldn’t also have a huge impact on the aesthetics of your office or living space.
The AXT1800 is built on the Wi-Fi 6 standard, which has a top speed of 9.6 Gbps. On top of that, it has dual-band connectivity. What this means is that you can use either the 2.4 GHz or the 5 GHz frequency. The difference between the two is in range and bandwidth. The 2.4 Ghz has a better range, but its performance is prone to interference. While this isn’t the issue with 5 Ghz, it does have a considerably shorter range.
With the small device focused on mobile usage, we weren’t expecting all the performance and features behind it to be available.
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However, to avoid issues with wireless connections, it has two gigabit LAN ports and one gigabit WAN port. Again, this isn’t as impressive as other routers, but given its size and price, it is a good option. This is particularly true if you only need a wired connection for yourself and don’t have to share with others.
This is a travel router, but the features it brings to the table also make it a good option for home use. It can be used as a repeater for other Wi-Fi networks, extending that network and increasing its reach.
It also has AdGuard and parental control options, meaning you can keep your information safe and deploy safeguards against inappropriate content. On top of that, it also has a good vent underneath it to keep it cool during summer, but we still recommend cleaning it occasionally to avoid dust buildup. If you’re interested in exploring other options, check out our guide for the best parental control routers that has the top picks.
As for its performance, the physical speeds at 2.4 GHz were the following: 206 to 17 Mbps download and 229 to 7 Mbps upload. At 5 Ghz, we saw an unsurprising increase of a whopping 960 Mbps max and 288 Mbps download at 60ft. The upload speeds were even better, with the top speed being 1200 to 576 Mbps.
So, despite its budget title, it has everything you need to experience the full potential of your gigabit internet, which sounds like a win-win situation.
What users say
According to Amazon users, it is being praised for its versatility as not only is it good for travel, but it can also be used to create small local networks. One reviewer said: “It’s so powerful, and the performance is solid.” Another user stated: “This little travel router is packed with features. I am really impressed. I use it when traveling to add an extra layer of security for my family. Joining the WiFi of a hotel is easy to do through the web interface.”
How to pick the best router for gigabit internet
There are a handful of factors that need to be considered while choosing a router for your gigabit internet. There are plenty of options available, but instead of spending top dollar on the fanciest, here are some considerations that should help you make an informed decision.
WiFi standard
Since a new router is an investment, you should look for one that runs the latest WiFi standard. At the moment, you should look at WiFi 7, WiFi 6, and WiFi 6E routers, which are the most recent WiFi standards. WiFi 7 was released on January 8, 2024, and has a maximum data rate of 46 Gbps.
However, since it was released at the start of 2024, there is a likelihood that you won’t be able to find many WiFi 7 compatible routers, and your best bet would be to opt for a WiFi 6/6E router.
Coverage
The next factor you need to consider is the coverage of the router. There is no point in purchasing a router if it doesn’t have the necessary range to cover your office or living space. So, opt for a router with multiple antennas and beamforming technology to get the most out of it.
On the other hand, if you have an ample living space or office, we recommend getting a mesh Wi-Fi system so no area is left without coverage or suffers from poor signals.
Ports
Having a router with plenty of ports is essential, as sometimes you need a wired connection to get the best gaming or streaming experience. Wi-Fi signals are prone to interference from other electronics, something an Ethernet cable fixes. So, ensure there is at least one gigabit LAN and WAN port to fully utilize your lightning-fast internet.
