Streaming content online doesn't require an especially fast router. Most platforms like Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+, and HBO Max recommend a minimum speed of anywhere from 15 to 50Mbps for 4k HDR content, and as we found in one of our router investigations, aggressive marketing claims don't always translate to better real-world performance. In fact, nearly every router we've bought and tested is more than suitable for high-quality streaming in multi-device households. Still, a good router can go a long way in improving your network's coverage and getting the speeds you're paying for, which is crucial if you're in a larger home or planning a backyard movie night.
We've tested over 80 routers to determine the best routers for streaming. You might notice that most of our current recommendations come from TP-Link; this is due to their exceptional price-to-performance ratio rather than preference for any particular brand. As we continue to test new routers entering the market, we may update our picks accordingly.
Looking for more buying advice? Take a look at our picks for the best long-range routers and the best parental control routers. If you're in the market for a VPN, check out our article on the best VPN services.
Since we started reviewing them in 2024, we've tested over 80 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 a standardized testing platform, providing you with all the data you need to compare different models.
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Best Router For Streaming
Apartment/CondoMulti-Level HouseSpeedRangeWi-Fi Version:Wi-Fi 7 (be)See all our test resultsTest Configuration:If you live in a very large home or notice that a standalone router leaves you staring at the Netflix buffering animation in some rooms, a mesh Wi-Fi system might help. We recommend the TP-Link Deco 7 Pro BE63 as the best router for streaming. This tri-band Wi-Fi 7 router has a sleek, unobtrusive design that's easy to position wherever you need better coverage. It offers great range performance, and since it's designed to be easily expandable, you can purchase additional units if you have an especially large home or some pesky dead zones to contend with. If you're unsure, you can always start by buying a single unit and getting a second later if you need the extra coverage. Speed performance is no problem either, as it can more than handle multiple devices streaming 4k HDR content, no matter which room they're in.
The Deco's mobile companion app makes it easy to get your mesh network up and running quickly. You can configure and monitor your network, view the number of connected devices, and access settings like the channel widths each band operates on. By default, you have access to several basic parental control features that let you set profiles for specific devices and block certain sites or categories. Unfortunately, more precise parental controls like time management, as well as additional security features like a network-wide antivirus, are locked behind the company's monthly subscription service.
If you're after more TP-Link recommendations, be sure to have a look through our recommendations for the best TP-Link routers.
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Best Mid-Range Router For Streaming
Apartment/CondoMulti-Level HouseSpeedRangeWi-Fi Version:Wi-Fi 7 (be)See all our test resultsTest Configuration:If you don't need the coverage of a multi-unit mesh system, we recommend the TP-Link Archer BE550 as a fantastic standalone router for streaming at a mid-range price point. It's a tri-band Wi-Fi 7 router with 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz bands, delivering speeds that are more than capable of supporting multiple people streaming 4k HDR content simultaneously. The range performance for multi-level homes is also excellent, so you can take full advantage of a gigabit internet connection. All five of its Ethernet ports are rated for 2.5Gbps, which comes in handy if you use high-bandwidth devices like a gaming PC or NAS. If your home suffers from connection dropouts due to dead zones, don't worry; this router supports the EasyMesh standard, allowing you to create a mesh network with compatible routers or range extenders for better coverage.
If you have newer devices compatible with Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7, you'll benefit from this router's blazing-fast 6GHz band (you can check whether the new devices you're shopping for are Wi-Fi 7-certified by using the Wi-Fi Alliance product finder). With that in mind, this router's biggest downside is its range performance on the 5GHz band: while it still delivers speeds suitable for most high-bandwidth uses, like fast downloads at 100 feet away, a mesh solution like the TP-Link Deco 7 Pro BE63, our top pick, would be a better option for larger spaces.
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Best Lower Mid-Range Router For Streaming
Apartment/CondoMulti-Level HouseSpeedRangeWi-Fi Version:Wi-Fi 6 (ax)See all our test resultsTest Configuration:If our mid-range pick is outside your budget or you don't need Wi-Fi 7, the GL.iNet Flint 2 (GL-MT6000) is an excellent lower mid-range alternative that doesn't sacrifice much in real-world performance. As a dual-band Wi-Fi 6 router, it delivers excellent peak speeds, making it more than capable of handling multiple people streaming 4k HDR content simultaneously. It's particularly good at maintaining those speeds at longer distances, which is useful if you have TVs or other streaming devices spread across a larger, multi-level home. You also get six Ethernet ports, including two rated for 2.5Gbps, providing plenty of options for connecting wired devices.
The Flint 2 runs highly customizable software that offers considerably more control over your network than most conventional consumer routers. Despite its extensive options, basic network management is relatively straightforward thanks to its simplified interface and mobile app (with a separate OpenWrt interface available for more advanced customization). You also get features like network-wide VPN support if you want access to a particular streaming library, and parental controls to manage screen time and filter unwanted content. This router's biggest downsides are its lack of a 6GHz band and limited support for mesh networking. It's also priced fairly close to our mid-range pick at regular MSRP, so we recommend picking it up during one of its frequent sales.
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Best Budget Router For Streaming
Apartment/CondoMulti-Level HouseSpeedRangeWi-Fi Version:Wi-Fi 6 (ax)See all our test resultsTest Configuration:If you're on a tighter budget, we recommend the TP-Link Archer AX55 as the best budget router for streaming that we've tested. It's a dual-band Wi-Fi 6 router with a conventional design and a small footprint that won't take up too much space. This router really shines in its range and speed performance; it can saturate an internet connection of up to 750Mbps at close range, and maintain consistently fast speeds up to nearly 100 feet away. With speeds like that, it has no problem handling high-speed downloads and multiple users streaming 4k HDR content simultaneously.
This router has an impressive range that's suitable for most apartments and small to medium-sized homes. If your home is especially large and you can't place the router centrally because of where your internet cable enters the house, it's compatible with both EasyMesh and TP-Link's proprietary mesh standard, so you can easily expand your coverage down the line with compatible range extenders or satellite units. If you have a lot of Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7 devices, this router's biggest drawback is that it's a Wi-Fi 6 device, so you'll lose access to the 6GHz band for faster speeds.
Looking for more affordable recommendations? Have a look at our favorite budget and cheap options.
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Best Cheap Router For Streaming
Apartment/CondoMulti-Level HouseSpeedRangeWi-Fi Version:Wi-Fi 6 (ax)See all our test resultsTest Configuration:If you simply need an affordable router that handles everyday basics reliably, the TP-Link Archer AX10 is an easy pick. It's a Wi-Fi 6 router that offers good speed and decent range, with speeds of up to 600Mbps at close range and solid performance at distances of around 100 feet. Although its range isn't quite as good as our budget pick, the TP-Link Archer AX55, it's still plenty of power for everyday browsing, large downloads, or streaming 4k video. If you need extra coverage, you can pair it with any compatible range extender to expand your network.
This router features a standard design with four external antennas and a compact size, making it easy to fit into most homes, though it doesn't win any bonus points for style. Its biggest limitation is the lack of support for Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS), which means it can't access additional Wi-Fi channels that help reduce interference in crowded environments like apartment buildings.
Notable Mentions
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eero Max 7:
The eero Max 7 is one of the fastest routers we've ever tested. It's a Wi-Fi 7 mesh system that maintains gigabit speeds nearly 100 feet away. However, it's incredibly expensive and overkill for streaming, and the TP-Link Deco 7 Pro BE63 delivers enough range and performance for most people at a much lower cost.
See our review -
ASUS RT-BE96U:
The ASUS RT-BE96U delivers some of the fastest Wi-Fi 7 speeds we've seen in a standalone unit. However, it's physically massive and very expensive. That makes the TP-Link Archer BE550 a better choice for most buyers, offering great real-world performance at a considerably lower price.
See our review -
eero 6:
If you want an affordable mesh system and don't need Wi-Fi 7, the eero 6 is worth considering. It's fast enough for multiple 4k streams, but the TP-Link Deco 7 Pro BE63 offers better range and performance overall.
See our review
Recent Updates
Oct 21, 2026:
We've reviewed our picks and added the GL.iNet Flint 2 (GL-MT6000) to our recommendations as the 'Best Lower Mid-Range' pick. We've also added the eero 6 to our Notable Mentions and updated the text throughout the article for clarity.
Aug 14, 2026:
We've reviewed our picks to ensure they remain available and are the best options for their price categories.
Jun 17, 2026:
We've adjusted the table tool to display the highest-scoring products first and verified that our picks are still the best available for purchase.
Apr 20, 2026:
We've reviewed this article for accuracy, added a link to our latency investigation article in the intro, and verified our current recommendations remain the best available picks.
Feb 05, 2026:
We've made a few changes to this article to better reflect the current market. The TP-Link Deco BE63 is now our top pick, while we've made the TP-Link Archer BE550 our mid-range pick. We've also made the TP-Link Archer AX55 our budget pick and added the TP-Link Archer AX10 as our cheap pick.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are currently the best routers for streaming for most people, whether you're looking to upgrade to the latest Wi-Fi standard, replace your ISP-provided router, or even get a better connection in your backyard. We factor in price (a cheaper router wins over a pricier one if the difference isn't worth it), user feedback, and availability (no routers that are difficult to find or almost 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 streaming 4k HDR content, even with multiple simultaneous users.