No matter how you spin it, the closer you are to your router, the better your Wi-Fi will perform. Simply put, a Wi-Fi signal degrades the further away you are from its source. Unfortunately, it's not realistic to be sitting beside your router at all times, so in that case, you'll want one that has the best possible range. Most modern routers are at least dual-band, meaning they broadcast a 2.4GHz and a 5GHz signal (with newer Wi-Fi 6E and 7 routers also broadcasting on the 6GHz band). A 2.4GHz signal can travel farther than the 5GHz band, but it's much more prone to interference and noise, meaning it's orders of magnitude slower in practice.
We measured the range performance of over 50 of the most popular routers on the market by taking a speed test every 10 feet through multiple interior walls (on the 5GHz and 6GHz bands, if applicable). We found that, on average, mesh systems delivered more consistent speeds at those farther distances. That said, there are still very effective long-range standalone routers, so read on to learn more.
Check out our R&D article to learn more about how we tested mesh systems and when they can help. Also, check out our picks for the best Wi-Fi routers, the best routers for large homes, and the best mesh Wi-Fi systems.
Since we started reviewing them in 2024, we've tested over 35 routers. We maintain complete editorial independence and impartiality by purchasing each router ourselves, which ensures we aren't testing specially selected review units. Rather than casually assessing performance by throwing on Netflix and seeing if it works, we rigorously evaluate each router on the same standardized testing platform, providing you with all the data to allow you to compare between different models.
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Best Long-Range Wi-Fi Router
Multi-Level House8.5Apartment/Condo8.8Range8.5Wi-Fi Version:Wi-Fi 7 (be)See all our test resultsTest Configuration:Dual Node MeshIf you're looking to extend Wi-Fi coverage across a large space, mesh systems are an easy and reliable way to do so. With that in mind, we recommend the TP-Link Deco BE63 as the best long-range Wi-Fi router we've tested. This tri-band Wi-Fi 7 mesh router is compact and has a clean, minimalist look, making it easy to place anywhere in your home. It has excellent range and is simple to expand, working seamlessly with any other router in TP-Link's Deco lineup, which makes it ideal for very large homes. It also offers strong wired connectivity with four 2.5Gbps Ethernet ports and provides impressive top speeds that can fully utilize a multi-gigabit internet connection. This means you can download large files, like video games, quickly, even when you're far from the main router or outside the reach of a wired connection.
Setting up the mesh system is simple through the TP-Link Deco mobile app, which is especially helpful for less tech-savvy users who might find the process intimidating. The app lets you configure and monitor your network, see how many devices are connected, and tweak advanced settings like Wi-Fi channel widths or enabling MLO. You can also access basic parental controls, but features like detailed time management and network antivirus require a TP-Link HomeShield monthly subscription. While there is a browser interface, it’s very limited in what you can adjust, so you'll almost certainly need to rely on the app.
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Best Long-Range Standalone Wi-Fi Router
Multi-Level House8.0Apartment/Condo8.5Range7.8Wi-Fi Version:Wi-Fi 7 (be)See all our test resultsTest Configuration:StandaloneIf you're not ready to jump into a mesh system right away, the TP-Link Archer BE550 is the best long-range standalone router we've tested. It's a tri-band Wi-Fi 7 router with 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz bands, and it delivers enough speed for multiple people to download large files or stream high-resolution video at the same time. Its port selection is also excellent. Each of its five Ethernet ports supports 2.5Gbps, ensuring your high-bandwidth wired devices, like gaming PCs and NAS units, can perform at full speed.
If your home has coverage challenges like brick or concrete walls creating dead zones, you're still in good shape. This router supports TP-Link's EasyMesh feature, so you can pair it with compatible routers or range extenders to build a mesh network and improve coverage throughout your space.
To take advantage of the router's ultra-fast 6GHz band, you'll need Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7 devices. Wi-Fi 7 is a new standard that promises major performance gains, and while more devices are starting to support it, it may still be a while before your entire setup is fully Wi-Fi 7-ready. The router's biggest drawback is its 5GHz range performance. It still offers speeds that are more than adequate for most demanding tasks, but if you need extra reach, a mesh option like our top pick, the TP-Link Deco BE63, is a better fit.
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Best Mid-Range Wi-Fi Router For Range
Multi-Level House8.0Apartment/Condo8.1Range8.2Wi-Fi Version:Wi-Fi 6E (ax)See all our test resultsTest Configuration:Dual Node MeshThe TP-Link Deco XE5300 is the best long-range router we've tested in the mid-range price bracket. This tri-band Wi-Fi 6E system uses compact access points that blend seamlessly into your home. It has excellent range, maintaining strong, consistent coverage across multi-story houses with speeds reaching up to 900Mbps. It's a great choice for busy households with lots of devices streaming content or participating in video calls simultaneously. It's also compatible with other TP-Link Deco models, so you can easily expand your network down the line if needed.
As with the TP-Link Deco BE63 mentioned above, setup is simple through the Deco app, which provides a clean, intuitive interface for managing and monitoring your network. Each unit includes three Gigabit Ethernet ports; if your internet plan exceeds that, our top pick above will suit you better. Keep in mind that this model only comes in a three-pack and is often pricier than its nearly identical counterpart, the TP-Link Deco XE75, which is sold in one-, two-, and three-packs. While we haven't tested the XE75, we expect it to perform almost the same as the Deco XE5300, so it's the better choice if it's available for a lower price.
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Best Budget Long-Range Wi-Fi Router
Multi-Level House7.8Apartment/Condo7.7Range7.9Wi-Fi Version:Wi-Fi 6 (ax)See all our test resultsTest Configuration:StandaloneThe TP-Link Archer AX55 is the best long-range Wi-Fi router if you’re working with a tighter budget. It's a dual-band Wi-Fi 6 router with a traditional design and a compact footprint that won't take up much room. Its real strengths are range and performance. At close range, it can fully utilize internet speeds up to 750Mbps and maintain reliably fast connections even at distances approaching 100 feet. With this level of performance, it can easily handle high-speed downloads and support multiple users streaming and browsing 4k content at the same time.
Although its range is impressive, it's still a standalone router, so you may not be able to place it in the perfect spot for whole-home coverage. Fortunately, it supports both OneMesh and EasyMesh, allowing you to build a mesh network with compatible routers and extenders. Its biggest limitation is that, as a Wi-Fi 6 router, it doesn't offer a 6GHz band, so Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 devices won't reach their top speeds.
The budget router market is competitive, with prices and availability changing frequently. If this model isn't selling at its ideal price of around $70, the TP-Link Archer AX10 is a more affordable backup option. It doesn't perform quite as well and lacks Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS), a feature that helps reduce interference in crowded wireless environments.
Notable Mentions
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eero Max 7:
The eero Max 7 is the best-performing router we've tested. It's a Wi-Fi 7 mesh system that delivers exceptional speeds, maintaining gigabit performance even at distances close to 100 feet. However, we don't recommend it due to its extremely high price, especially since the TP-Link Deco BE63 offers more than enough performance for the vast majority of users at a much better value.
See our review
Recent Updates
Nov 17, 2025:
We've replaced the AmpliFi Alien with the TP-Link Deco BE63 as our top pick, and added the TP-Link Archer BE550 as our pick for the 'Best Standalone Long-Range Router.' We've also replaced the TP-Link Deco X5000 with the TP-Link Deco XE5300 as our mid-range pick.
May 01, 2025:
We've reviewed our picks and haven't made any changes to our list. We're keeping a close eye on the evolving trade and tariff situation and will react to changing prices and availability the best we can, but some of our picks will likely go out of stock or increase in price. We've also added a link to an article explaining how we test routers in the introduction of this article.
Mar 11, 2025:
We've verified our recommendations are in stock and represent the best choices. We also made edits for clarity.
Feb 12, 2025:
Verified that all picks are valid and available. No change in recommendations.
Jan 15, 2025:
We've verified that all our picks are readily available and remain the best choices.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are currently the best Wi-Fi routers for range for most people, whether you're looking to upgrade to the latest standard, replace your ISP-provided router, or even get a better connection in your backyard. We factor in the price (a cheaper router wins over a pricier one if the difference isn't worth it), feedback from our users, and availability (no routers that are difficult to find or out of stock everywhere).
If you'd like to choose for yourself, here's the list of all our router reviews. Be careful not to get too caught up in the details. While no router is perfect, nearly all of them are more than good enough for most high-bandwidth uses, like streaming 4k content and downloading large files quickly.