Search Results
Products are chosen independently by our editors. Purchases made through our links may earn us a commission.

5 Best Netgear Routers 2025 in US

Updated
Experienced product tester and reviewer with 5+ years, providing unbiased reviews and ensuring product quality.
Updated
#1 | Winner
NETGEAR RBK852

Main Features

  • WiFi 6 technology
  • Tri-band WiFi
  • Covers up to 5,000 sq. ft
  • Easy setup with Orbi app

Product Overview

The NETGEAR Orbi Whole Home Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 System (RBK852) is designed to provide strong and reliable WiFi coverage throughout your entire home. Whether you're working from home, streaming videos, or gaming online, this system ensures that your connection remains fast and stable.

With its advanced WiFi 6 technology, the Orbi RBK852 can handle multiple devices simultaneously, providing each with the bandwidth they need for optimal performance.This system includes a router and one satellite, covering up to 5,000 square feet.

The tri-band technology separates your devices across three bands, reducing congestion and ensuring that each device gets the fastest possible speed. Plus, the system is easy to set up and manage through the Orbi app, which allows you to customize your network settings, monitor data usage, and more.

PROS
  • Strong and reliable coverage
  • Easy to set up
  • Handles multiple devices well
CONS
  • Higher price point
  • Large physical size

Product Specifications

  • WiFi Coverage Up to 5,000 sq. ft.
  • WiFi Bands Tri-band
  • WiFi Technology WiFi 6 (802.11ax)
  • Ports 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports

Main Features

  • Advanced QoS
  • Dual-core 1.7 GHz processor
  • Supports speeds up to 2.6 Gbps
  • Nighthawk app management

Product Overview

The NETGEAR Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR500 is the ultimate router for gaming. Engineered for the most demanding gamers, this router ensures that your gaming sessions are smooth and lag-free. With its advanced quality of service (QoS) feature, the XR500 prioritizes gaming traffic to reduce latency and eliminate lag spikes.

This router supports WiFi speeds up to 2.6 Gbps, providing ample bandwidth for even the most intensive gaming sessions. The XR500 also includes powerful hardware, such as a dual-core 1.7 GHz processor and four high-performance antennas, to ensure that your connection remains strong and reliable.

Additionally, the Nighthawk app allows you to manage your network settings, monitor connected devices, and optimize your gaming performance.

PROS
  • Excellent for gaming
  • High-speed performance
  • Customizable settings
CONS
  • Expensive
  • Bulky design

Product Specifications

  • WiFi Speed Up to 2.6 Gbps
  • Processor Dual-core 1.7 GHz
  • Antennas 4 high-performance
  • Ports 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports, 1 WAN port

Main Features

  • WiFi 6 technology
  • Supports speeds up to 3 Gbps
  • Advanced security features
  • Nighthawk app management

Product Overview

The NETGEAR Nighthawk AX4 4-Stream WiFi 6 Router (RAX40) brings the power of WiFi 6 technology to your home at an affordable price. This router is ideal for families and small homes looking to upgrade their network to the latest standard without breaking the bank.

The AX4 supports WiFi speeds up to 3 Gbps, ensuring that your devices can stream, game, and browse at top speeds.With its four-stream WiFi 6 technology, the RAX40 can handle more devices simultaneously, reducing congestion and improving overall network performance.

The router also includes advanced security features to protect your network from online threats. The Nighthawk app makes it easy to set up and manage your network, allowing you to monitor connected devices, run speed tests, and more.

PROS
  • Affordable price
  • Supports many devices
  • Easy to set up
CONS
  • Limited range
  • Basic design

Product Specifications

  • WiFi Speed Up to 3 Gbps
  • WiFi Technology WiFi 6 (802.11ax)
  • Antennas 2 external
  • Ports 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports, 1 WAN port

Main Features

  • Tri-band technology
  • Supports speeds up to 4 Gbps
  • Six high-performance antennas
  • Smart Connect and Beamforming+

Product Overview

The NETGEAR Nighthawk X6S AC4000 Tri-band WiFi Router (R8000P) is designed to deliver superior performance and extensive coverage for large homes. Its tri-band technology ensures that your network can handle multiple high-bandwidth activities simultaneously, such as streaming 4K videos, gaming online, and video conferencing.

The X6S supports combined WiFi speeds up to 4 Gbps, providing ample bandwidth for all your devices. The router features six high-performance antennas and powerful amplifiers to maximize coverage and signal strength.

Additionally, advanced features such as Smart Connect and Beamforming+ help optimize device connections for the best possible performance. The Nighthawk app allows for easy setup and network management, giving you full control over your network settings.

PROS
  • Excellent performance
  • Wide coverage
  • Advanced features
CONS
  • Expensive
  • Complex setup

Product Specifications

  • WiFi Speed Up to 4 Gbps
  • WiFi Bands Tri-band
  • Antennas 6 external
  • Ports 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports, 1 WAN port

Main Features

  • WiFi 6 technology
  • Supports speeds up to 1.8 Gbps
  • Advanced security features
  • Nighthawk app management

Product Overview

The NETGEAR 4-Stream WiFi 6 Router (RAX20) provides the benefits of WiFi 6 technology in a compact and affordable package. This router is perfect for small homes or apartments that need reliable and fast wireless connectivity.

With support for WiFi speeds up to 1.8 Gbps, the RAX20 ensures that all your devices can stream, game, and browse the internet without interruption.The RAX20 features four-stream WiFi 6 technology, which allows it to handle multiple devices simultaneously without compromising performance.

The router also includes advanced security features to protect your network from online threats. The Nighthawk app makes it easy to set up and manage your network, allowing you to monitor connected devices, run speed tests, and more.

PROS
  • Compact design
  • Affordable
  • Easy to set up
CONS
  • Limited range
  • Basic features

Product Specifications

  • WiFi Speed Up to 1.8 Gbps
  • WiFi Technology WiFi 6 (802.11ax)
  • Antennas 2 external
  • Ports 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports, 1 WAN port

Understanding Your Needs

Before diving into specific models, it’s essential to understand your requirements. Your choice of router should be influenced by factors such as:

  1. Internet Speed: Ensure that the router can handle your internet plan’s maximum speed. If you're paying for a gigabit connection, a router that supports gigabit speeds is necessary.

  2. Coverage Area: Consider the size of your home or office. Some routers are designed for smaller spaces, while others can cover large homes with multiple floors.

  3. Number of Devices: Modern households have numerous connected devices. Make sure the router can handle simultaneous connections without compromising performance.

  4. Specific Needs: Identify any special needs like gaming, streaming, or smart home integration. Some routers come with features optimized for these activities.

Key Features to Look For

  1. Wi-Fi Standards: The latest routers support Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), which offers better performance, efficiency, and capacity than the previous Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac). Wi-Fi 6 is especially beneficial in environments with many connected devices.

  2. Dual-Band vs. Tri-Band: Dual-band routers operate on two frequencies (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), while tri-band routers add an extra 5 GHz band. Tri-band routers are useful for reducing congestion and improving performance in busy networks.

  3. MU-MIMO Technology: Multi-User, Multiple Input, Multiple Output (MU-MIMO) allows the router to communicate with multiple devices simultaneously, reducing wait times and improving overall network efficiency.

  4. Beamforming: This technology focuses the Wi-Fi signal directly on your devices rather than broadcasting it in all directions, enhancing signal strength and coverage.

  5. Security Features: Look for routers with robust security protocols such as WPA3 encryption, built-in VPN support, and automatic firmware updates to protect your network from threats.

Recommended Netgear Routers

  1. Netgear Nighthawk AX12 (RAX200): This top-tier model supports Wi-Fi 6 and offers tri-band connectivity with a combined speed of up to 10.8 Gbps. It's ideal for large homes with many devices and provides excellent performance for gaming and 4K streaming.

  2. Netgear Nighthawk AX8 (RAX80): Another Wi-Fi 6 router, the AX8 features dual-band support and speeds of up to 6 Gbps. It includes MU-MIMO and beamforming technologies, making it a great choice for medium to large homes.

  3. Netgear Orbi RBK852: For those needing extensive coverage, the Orbi RBK852 is a Wi-Fi 6 mesh system that can cover up to 5,000 square feet. It’s perfect for eliminating dead zones in larger homes and supports high-speed connections throughout the space.

  4. Netgear Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR500: Designed specifically for gamers, this router features dual-band Wi-Fi 5 with advanced QoS (Quality of Service) to prioritize gaming traffic. It also includes a gaming dashboard for real-time bandwidth monitoring.

  5. Netgear Nighthawk AC1900 (R7000): A reliable and affordable option, the AC1900 supports dual-band Wi-Fi 5 with speeds up to 1.9 Gbps. It’s suitable for smaller homes and offers robust performance for streaming and everyday use.

Additional Considerations

  • Firmware Updates: Regular updates from Netgear ensure your router stays secure and performs optimally. Check if the router has automatic update capabilities or a simple manual update process.

  • Parental Controls: If you have children, consider a router with built-in parental controls to manage and monitor internet usage.

  • Customer Support and Warranty: Netgear provides various levels of customer support and warranty options. Ensure that the router comes with adequate support and warranty coverage to address any potential issues.

Conclusion

Selecting the best Netgear router involves evaluating your specific needs and understanding the features that different models offer. By considering factors such as internet speed, coverage area, number of devices, and special requirements, you can narrow down your options. Netgear's extensive range of routers ensures that there is a suitable model for every scenario, whether it’s a high-performance gaming router or a comprehensive mesh system for large homes. Investing time in research will pay off with a reliable and efficient network that meets all your connectivity needs.