Best for gamers—ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX11000
Best for gamers
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A great gaming router with excellent free security | |
Score:out of 5 | This router packs everything under the sun and then some, including the free AiProtect Advanced security suite. We tested and found great speeds at 120 feet too. |
| Pros | Cons |
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$399.00*
Read Our Full Review
* Amazon.com Price (as of 4/29/24 14:35 MST). Read full disclaimer.
Expand for product details and ratings
| Category | Score* | Summary |
| Performance | 4 | Holds some of the best speeds we’ve tested to date, even at 120 feet. |
| Features | 5 | Packs more features under the hood than you’ll likely ever use. |
| Design | 4 | Includes three bands and multi-gig internet support. |
| Setup | 4 | Requires more time to set up due to all the extra features. |
| Ease of use | 4 | Presents better network management in the web interface than the mobile app. |
* out of 5 points
What we like about it: Gamers need security too, and the GT-AX11000 excels with the AiProtect Pro suite. It’s also packed with plenty of other features you may never use fully, plus great speeds, even when we benchmark the router from across the street.
What we wish it did better: The antennas on the unit we purchased refused to stay upright over time.
Why do we recommend it? The price is a little steep, but you can’t go wrong with the ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 if you can afford it. With free security, parental controls, real gaming tools, and more, it’s the best network centerpiece you can buy, even if you’re not a gamer.
Security suite: ASUS AiProtect Pro
Tested speeds at a glance
| 5 GHz max speed | 2 feet | 40 feet | 120 feet |
| 1,200 | 848 | 642 | 260 |
* Speeds in megabits per second (Mbps) using a Wi-Fi 6 client and an 80 MHz channel.
| Wi-Fi specs | Wired specs |
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Routers for security specs and features
All routers provide security through their built-in firewall to keep hackers off your home network. However, some provide additional layers, like antivirus or built-in VPN tools. We’ll cover some of the basic features you should keep in mind while shopping for a new router.
Free security features
We usually suggest routers with free security and parental controls, like AiProtect from ASUS and TP-Link’s HomeCare. Other routers offer minimal security and parental controls while locking premium features behind a monthly subscription. Decide what’s best for your long-term budget before you invest.
Wi-Fi 6 and newer
Wi-Fi 6 and newer include Wi-Fi Protected Access 3 (WPA3), the latest security protocol for wireless connections. It features faster and stronger encryption than WPA2, making it less vulnerable to brute-force attacks against your Wi-Fi connections. Your Wi-Fi passwords are now better protected with WPA3—even the simple ones.
VPN
Many routers now include VPN connectivity. For example, you can surf anonymously from a coffee shop, as your data is directed to the VPN server in your home router first before it reaches the destination. Some routers have a built-in VPN to protect devices that don’t support VPN software, like a game console or media streamer.
Ethernet ports
Ethernet is inconvenient in a Wi-Fi-first world, but a wired connection keeps eavesdroppers from intercepting your data flowing to and from the router. We’ll always suggest Ethernet over Wi-Fi for better security and performance.
Other router features
Radios: We suggest a router with three bands. Each radio uses a separate channel, so you’ll see less congestion than you would on a dual-band router using just two channels.
Streams: Get a router with a high stream count for reduced latency. Most wireless devices use a two-transmit two-receive design (2×2), so a router with four streams on a single band can handle two devices at full speed simultaneously—four devices at half speed.
Antennas: You only need one antenna per band, but routers use multiple antennas for beamforming and supporting multiple devices simultaneously. You also get a better long range from external antennas than you do with internal ones.
Author - Kevin Parrish
Kevin Parrish has more than a decade of experience working as a writer, editor, and product tester. He began writing about computer hardware and soon branched out to other devices and services such as networking equipment, phones and tablets, game consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom’s Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authority, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others. At HighSpeedInternet.com, he focuses on network equipment testing and review.
Editor - Cara Haynes
Cara Haynes has been editing and writing in the digital space for seven years, and she's edited all things internet for HighSpeedInternet.com for five years. She graduated with a BA in English and a minor in editing from Brigham Young University. When she's not editing, she makes tech accessible through her freelance writing for brands like Pluralsight. She believes no one should feel lost in internet land and that a good internet connection significantly extends your life span.
