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Most VPN routers offer a lot of power and flexibility, but can take a while and some technical knowledge to set up. If you’re in a hurry, or just prefer an easier life, ExpressVPN’s Aircove is refreshingly different: you’ll probably have it up and running in under ten minutes, even if you’ve no VPN expertise at all. Expect regular updates to this post as we continue testing networking devices periodically. When we find a new router that merits strong consideration, we'll add it to this list with links to our most recent test data so that you can always find the best router. There are welcome bonus features, too. Aircove’s groups enable connecting up to five locations simultaneously, for instance, so some devices can use your fastest local server, while your TV connects to your favorite streaming location, and a laptop uses the best server for your work. What comes next after 802.11ax? That would be 802.11be, known as Wi-Fi 7. Some routers supporting this future standard have been announced, but no client devices support it yet, and the standard itself hasn't yet reached its final version.
Make sure to evaluate the router's speed and connectivity options, along with additional features like parental controls, gaming optimization, and voice control. The hardware is a little more ordinary: dual-band, a dual-core CPU, four gigabit ports, one USB 3.0 port, and one mildly surprising extra in an eSATA USB 2.0 port (handy for a network-attached storage device.) Finally, there's the 6GHz band, which the FCC made available for Wi-Fi use in 2020. While this new spectrum promises a significant boost to overall wireless network performance, few devices support it yet. Plus, the FCC has yet to approve consumer Wi-Fi routers to operate at full power on the 6GHz band, so take performance claims with a grain of salt. For more on that topic, see our story What Is Wi-Fi 6E? First thing’s first: the Asus Rapture GT-AXE11000 is Asus’ highest-end router in its Republic Of Gamers (RoG) line. So if you’re looking for something affordable, you should probably look elsewhere – the Asus TUF Gaming AX5400, which is on this list, might be a better option for you.Sure, the ZenWiFi ET8 above is also an option for very large homes, but if you don't need its Wi-Fi 6E or multi-gig LAN capabilties, the X4300 Pro is a better choice for those who live large without spending big. With four 1Gb Ethernet ports for local access and another 1Gb port for Internet connectivity, you have plenty of options to expand your network and keep your devices and data connected safely.
Most routers look dull in the extreme, but the Asus RT-AC86U angled surfaces and red slashes give it just a little more visual appeal. The case has some issues on the ergonomics front - it has to stand up, there’s no wall mounting option - but unusual pluses include buttons to handle tasks buried in the firmware (disable the radios, turn off the lights.) When you want to make sure your business data stays safe, consider the Meraki Go Router Firewall Plus. It’s made by Cisco, is simple to set up and run, and provides a ton of features such as Cloud connectivity, VPN, IP filtering, and network analytics.You will need a separate ExpressVPN subscription to connect, but once that’s set up, Aircove’s well-designed, jargon-free dashboard ensures it’s even easier to operate than most VPN apps. One thing to note though is that its 2.4GHz band was a little slower during our testing, dipping to 90Mbps with Ookla and 11MB/s with Steam. Plus, while the app is easy to use, the router itself doesn’t come with more extensive filters and other controls provided by some of Asus’ more expensive routers. But, when you’re going for a budget option, such concessions are to be expected. Any gamer who needs a robust internet connection to feed their hobby in every room of a large house should consider the GT6. The aesthetic might not be to every gamer's liking, but the performance certainly is.
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