10 Best Router for Apartment (2022) – Wi-Fi Routers For Small & Large Apartments

Whether you are living in a building, apartment, or a large house, the only thing that causes trouble is a bad Wi-Fi signal. It only gets worse when you live in a large apartment.

Whenever buying a router for your apartment, you need the best one that will give you secure, stable, and reliable Wi-Fi coverage to every corner of your house.

Using a generic router is fine, but if you want more, then you should get a powerful router. When you think of buying a router for your apartment, you must consider your Wi-Fi needs, the size of your apartment, and the number of members in your family.

There’s no need for you to worry about finding the best router because we have got you covered. In this post, we are going to give you a brief overview of the best routers for small and large apartments. So if you have been waiting to buy a new one, you must read through this post.

10 Best Routers for Apartments in 2022

The market is crowded with several options. But some are always better than others. To save you both time and effort, we have shortlisted the top routers available on the market. You can pick the best one for your apartment after going through the details.

1. TP-Link Archer AX21 Smart WiFi Router – Editor’s Pick

• Model Number: Archer AX21
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet

Our best choice is TP-Link Archer AX21 Smart WiFi Router. With 4.5 stars rating, this is one of the best routers you will find on the market. Given the features, it will work great for an apartment. Starting with the design, it features four antennas that can be adjusted to have a strong signal. It uses USB easy sharing that includes a USB 2.0 port. This will help you to share files easily within the network.

It has an advanced WPA3 security type which is the best in the industry. Just so you know, this is also the latest technology available. This will help keep your network and devices safe and secure.

Moreover, many users suggested that they selected this device based on its highly reliable performance. Yeah, it has a reliable OneMesh Wi-Fi system that makes it one of the prominent devices in the lobby.

With this router, you can get a speed of up to 1.8 Gbps, which is fast enough for enjoying a smooth Wi-Fi experience. Unlike other routers, it also provides a more stable network. This makes this router perfect for gaming, streaming, and downloading large files. It also allows you to stream multiple devices at the same time across the network. It offers a consistent speed that routers struggle to provide.

2. MOTOROLA AC2600 4×4 WiFi Smart Gigabit Router – People’s First Choice

• Model Number: MR2600
• Connectivity: LAN, USB 3.0

Motorola AC2600 Wi-Fi Smart Gigabit Router is a budget-friendly device that is perfect for your apartment. At the first glance, the router will look like a drone. The attractive design of the router is hard to resist. It is equipped with four adjustable antennas to provide concurrent performance across both the 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz bands. Although everything about the router may look great, it has a tricky setup.

For a budget-friendly router, it gives you pretty great performance. It uses MU-MIMO technology that is needed for online gaming. When combined with explicit and implicit Beamforming, it can give you lightning-fast speed and excellent range. It comes with a USB 3.0 port, a firewall, Smart QoS support, and parental controls. It may be an inexpensive router, but it surely has a lot of features.

With all these features combined, it becomes one of the most recommended routers out there in the market for home and business networks too.

With this router, you are sure to enjoy reliable and consistent speeds in every corner of your apartment. The upload speeds are average, but since you are getting it at an affordable rate, you know it is a good deal. Last but not the least; it is backed by a 2-year warranty. This is to restore your confidence in the router and make your purchase risk-free.

3. TP-Link Archer A7 Smart WiFi Router – Best Router for Apartments

• Model Number: Archer A7
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi Built-In

We have yet another TP-Link router, but this one is suitable for small apartments. Archer A7 from TP-Link is an affordable router with all the right features you need. It comes with a stand and features a design that can accommodate the cables in the back. Archer A7 may not look as good as the other options on the list, but it delivers high performance. It comes with multiple ports that make it easier to get your router hooked. You can also access the router wirelessly when you are not in the same room.

It has three high-gain antennas for providing a strong Wi-Fi signal inside the apartment. This allows you to enjoy fast internet in every corner of your house. It can cover up to 2500 square feet of area without any hassles.

This is a dual-band router and it can reach speeds of up to 1750Mbps. With this router, you can stream even in 4K. And, believe us, it gives a seamless experience while watching movies or videos online. Yeah, you’ll feel like you’re watching it on your local storage.

This router is perfect for gaming and heavy streaming. One of the best things about this router is that you can access it even when you are not at home. This feature comes in handy when you have to change the settings due to security reasons. Just like any other TP-Link router, even this one comes with a 2-year warranty.

4. NETGEAR Nighthawk Smart Wi-Fi Router (R7000) – Known for Ultimate Performance

• Model Number: R7000-100PAS
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi

Netgear Nighthawk R7000 is yet another top router device to go for. If you want a high-performing router, then this could be the perfect option for you. It comes with the required features and security you need. With three high-gain antennas, it gives you strong signals in any corner of the house.

All you have to do is just adjust it in the right position. Unlike other routers, this one is not thin or lightweight. Instead, it is more on the bulkier side. This might be an issue for people living in small apartments.

It comes with a USB 3.0 port alongside four Gigabit Ethernet ports. With the help of the OpenVPN Connect app, you can control the router remotely. The good thing is you don’t have to struggle much to install this router. It comes with an easy setup to save you time. This router from Nightgear has many great features and one of them is the Amazon Alexa voice controls. This router is designed to cover an area of up to 1800 square feet which is ideal for most apartments.

In terms of security, it has WAP2 wireless security protocols, a VPN, guest Wi-Fi access, and a firewall. The Netgear Armor is provided to keep your router safe from viruses and malware. But to take advantage of this, you will have to buy a subscription plan.

This is a 1 GHz dual-core processor router with Beamforming. It allows you to connect up to 30 devices at once time. The ReadyShare Vault is useful for automatic backup. Another great feature is the QoS that allows you to decide the devices that should get the best bandwidth.

Yeah, with high processing power and capabilities to handle higher bandwidths, it could provide seemless experience for streaming high resolution videos online.

5. GRYPHON – Advance Security & Parental Control Mesh WiFi Router – Best for Speed

• Model Number: 99999
• Connectivity: Wireless, Ethernet

If you are bored of the same horizontal box style router devices, then this advanced router from Gryphon could be the best choice for you. It features a unique design that is sure to get your attention in the first place. The white finish of the router is what makes it different from other routers. However, the Gryphon mesh Wi-Fi router is not just about good looks. It has many great features that make it an ideal purchase for buyers.

This router is designed to give you extended coverage inside your house. The tower design of the router keeps the points from overheating. Each point has its LAN ports using which you can hook whatever devices you want. Unlike most other routers, it has six antennas that help to boost the signal. To maintain the design, all the antennas are placed inside, so that they don’t stick out.

It comes with MU-MIMO technology along with Beamforming. It is because of these features that this router can provide fast and efficient performance. With the mesh system, you can have a wider range. The two points cover up to 6000 square feet of area. You can also add more points to expand the coverage.

Lastly, it has parental controls which you find handy. It can be controlled through an app, so you can see what websites your kids are accessing. The only drawback is that the security features are free only for a year. After that, you will have to pay for monthly subscriptions.

6. Motorola MG7550 Cable Modem Plus AC1900 Dual Band WiFi Gigabit Router – Best Value

• Model Number: MG7550
• Connectivity: Built-in Wi-Fi

The next best router for apartments is Motorola MG7550. This is a modem router combo that is designed to give you strong Wi-Fi signals inside the house. You can use this device as both a modem and router.

With this all-rounder device, you can meet all your Wi-Fi needs. It features a tower design that is unique in its way. It has enough venting to keep the device cool and prevent overheating. This will make the device last longer.

It comes with four Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports, so you can wire whatever devices you want. You can even use this router with your gaming consoles. Having a modem and router on the same device can save you a lot of money. This modem-router combo is designed to boost the signal strength and range of the wireless signal. This enables the device to work through walls.

The device is equipped with Beamforming technology which will come in handy while honing specific devices. Since this is a dual-band router, you can enjoy both the 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz, bands. Thanks to this feature that you can let your network run smoothly. It must be noted that this is a cable modem, which means it will not work with DSL.

7. NETGEAR Nighthawk 12-Stream AX12 Wi-Fi 6 Router – Perfect Pick For Apartment Owners

• Model Number: RAX120-100NAS
• Connectivity: USB, Ethernet

This is yet another high-performing router you can use in your apartment. Netgear Nighthawk RAX120 Router is different from the other Netgear router mentioned in the list. This one is specially designed to give you high performance, so you can enjoy a seamless internet connection at home.

The first thing you will notice is the stunning design. It has a unique design with two fins replacing the traditional antennas. These are high-powered antennas that are concealed within the fins.

Unlike most other routers, this one comes with two 3.0 ports. Along with that it also has one 2.5/5G Ethernet port. With all these connectivity options, it is easier to hook the router with other devices.

It allows you to enjoy uninterrupted coverage that you have been wanting for so long. Other features include the firewall, guest network, and the built-in VPN. All these features together make this router an ideal choice for users.

Coming to performance, it is better than other routers within this price range. This is a powerful router that can support up to 12 simultaneous streams. It is much faster and is perfect for live streaming and gaming. With this router, you can easily reach speeds up to 6 Gbps. It is equipped with MU-MIMO technology combined with Beamforming.

However, in case, you’ve ATT U-Verse connection then it might not fit into your requirement. Yeah, for that you’ll have to choose another bet.

8. NETGEAR Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router (XR1000) – Best Value For The Money Router for Apartments

• Model Number: XR1000-100NAS
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi

Lastly, we have Netgear Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router. From the name of the router, you can understand that it is specially designed for gamers. With a powerful triple-core 1.5 GHz processor, this is one of the best routers you will find.

It provides all the processing power to handle the heavy demands of 4K streaming, VR gaming, and more. It is powered by DumaOS 3.0 to reduce ping rates up to 93% so that you can enjoy faster and lag-free online gaming.

With compatibility for 1 Gbps wired speed, this router gives the ultimate gaming experience. It gives you unbelievable speed and allows for smoother streaming that you have never experienced before.

Also, Wi-Fi 6 provides greater throughput by letting more devices utilize the larger Wi-Fi bandwidth.

It is packed with advanced cyber-security that helps keep your device safe. It has WPA2/WPA3 wireless security protocols. Other security features include guest Wi-Fi access, VPN, and NETGEAR Armor, anti-malware, and data protection technology. Overall, this is a greater router as it has everything you need and more. It may be very expensive, but it is worth paying every penny.

9. NETGEAR (R8060) Dual Band WiFi Router for Apartments – Cheap & Suitable Latest Pick

• Model Number: R6080-100NAS
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Ethernet

Buying a router for your apartment can be tricky. You have to make sure the router works fine from all rooms in your apartment and is of great speed. Netgear is one of the popular and reliable router brands in the market with top ratings. This model of Netgear router uses Wi-Fi technology for connectivity and comes with an internet speed of up to 700 MB per second.

The router supports dual-band: 300 MB per second and 700 MB per second. You can use the router from different rooms across your apartment as it comes with about 1000 sq ft wireless coverage. You can connect up to 15 devices with this router to play games, watch movies, stream live videos, download or upload files, etc.

Netgear router comes with four 10/100 Fast Ethernet ports, using which you can connect your wired devices, gaming consoles, and other streaming players. With this router, you not only get fast internet but also safe internet browsing. It is equipped with WPA2 wireless security protocols. The router also comes with a guest Wi-Fi access feature, DoS, Firewall, and VPN features.

The dual-band technology will help you carry out even the internet-intensive tasks with ease. You can customize internet connection settings using The Nighthawk App. It is worth your buy as it comes at an affordable price with decent features.

10. TP-Link AX5400 WiFi 6 Router (Archer AX73)

• Model Number: AX5400 Archer AX73
• Connectivity: Dual-band (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz)

TP-Link is an old and trusted name when it comes to the world of routers and home-internet connectivity. This is the Archer AX73 (AX5400) router from the company and it is a really good option for those who are looking for the best routers for apartments. Why we say that is because the Archer AX73 works well for streaming, and also makes sure that all the rooms get a stable access if the router is placed right. 

The router supports connectivity speeds up to 5400 Mbps, and supports ISP plans up to 1Gbps. This makes it a great option for home, office, and entertainment purposes. Even gamers can make use of this router for some lightweight gaming, though professional gamers might want to go for a dedicated gaming router. The router is good enough for a three-room setup – making it a well-suited option for a 2BHK setup, providing internet access across two bedrooms and one hall. However, if you are using it in a larger area, we suggest you get an extender to ensure larger coverage. 

The router supports OFDMA and MU-MIMO technologies, which ensures that you can use more devices at the same time while all of them get a stable connectivity with the appropriate amount of data being allocated to them based on the usage. The router is also extremely secure to use, and comes with TP-Link HomeSheild, which is powered by Avira. It allows you access to a real-time home network scanner which monitors for security threats, provides you greater control over which device gets faster speeds, as well as better parental controls. All of this is available for free, but you can also upgrade to the Pro version to get even better support. 

Setting up this router is quite easy too. You can set up the router using the Tether app which gives you step-by-step guided instructions on how to do it. It also allows you to control the router remotely, from wherever you are! Lastly, we know that a number of modern-day routers come with high-performance CPUs which lead to them overheating. This router ensures that it does not happen as it comes with a contemporary design that has a custom vent feature which allows heat to escape rather rapidly, and the temperatures remain cool at all times. All in all, you should give this a serious thought while looking for the best routers for apartments. 

Pros and Cons of TP-Link Archer AX73

FAQs – Best Routers For Small & Large Apartments & Condos

1. What to look for in a router?

Whenever buying a new router, you must look for the following features:
• Wi-Fi standards
• Wi-Fi speed specifications
• Ease of set-up
• Broadband provider compatibility
• Security features
• Wi-Fi bands
• MU-MIMO & Beamforming
• Router antennas

2. Should you get a modem-router combo?

When having connection issues, you can blame it on your router and reset the device to solve the issue. Buying both modem and router separately can be expensive than buying a combo device. If you have space issues, then buying a combo device would be a better choice for you.

3. What is the main purpose of a router?

Routers carry out two main functions. Firstly, they select a path between networks, and secondly, they securely transmit information packets across that path toward an intended destination. To take advantage of a router make sure you buy the best one.

4. Is there any specific requirement to look after best router for small & large apartments?

Yeah, there are a couple of things that you must take into consideration. However, you don’t need to worry about it as we’ve curated each product in this list only after confirming that fulfillment of requirements.

5. Should I Buy A Cheap Router for My Apartment?

Well, the answer to this question is completely subjective and it depends on your overall requirements. However, to make a balance between pricey & affordable recommendations we’ve recently updated this list with one of the best budget routers for apartment owners which is Netgear R6080. Also, according to our experts, this router has much more to offer than ideal expectations in such a price range. I think you should check that model out.

6. Can I Block WiFi Signals to my neighbors if I live in a small apartment?

Yes! That’s doable. In fact, it’s very easy to do so. Yeah, all you need to do is change SSID to private and keep it manual. This way your neighbors won’t be able to see your SSID in their nearby WIFI signals and hence they can’t attempt to connect with your network. Also, when you’re living in a small or large apartment and using a router then we always suggest our readers to use private SSID for utmost privacy and more security.

7. How many devices should a router for an apartment be able to connect?

The answer to this depends upon your need. If you are a basic user you might need a router that connects to about 10 to 20 devices. However, if you are working out of your home and have a lot of gadgets that you need for that, you might just want something that connects between 25 to 50 devices. Lastly, and this is something that is getting really popular of late, if you are someone who has a smart home and uses a lot of IOT devices, you will certainly need a router that can support 50+ devices. The more devices you keep adding, the stronger your router needs to be! Future proof yourself and get one which supports 50 to 75 devices. 

8. How to determine the range of a router you are buying for an apartment? 

Measure up your apartment, room by room. Decide where you are going to keep the router and see which is the furthest point in your apartment from there. Factor in walls. Also consider the fact that you might want the network to extend beyond just your home and might want it in the lobby area as well. It is based on all these calculations that you should choose a router with the right range. In fact, if you need a 1500 sq.ft. router, we’d suggest you look for a router that covers 1750 sq. ft. just to ensure that the edges get better coverage. 

9. Where to place a router in an apartment for the best connectivity?

There are two approaches to this. You can either have your router placed near your work area where a bulk of your usage might happen – and that is a place where you want a strong and stable internet connection at all times. The second option is to place it centrally and get an even coverage all across the apartment and into all your rooms. If you are someone who works from home, we’d suggest the first option. If you want your router more for a family-usage sort of a thing and mainly want to connect your TV and other smart devices with it, we’d recommend you go with option no. 2.

10. Are routers with mesh network satellites good for an apartment?  

The simple one-word answer to this is – YES. However, it also depends upon the size of your apartment and whether you really need it. This is something that is excellent for people living across multiple floors, or for people who own really large apartments because network connectivity tends to take a major hit in these cases. Even in smaller apartments though, you can use mesh connectivity to get fast internet access across both the ‘halves’ that you create. But in any case, mesh networks based routers are a great choice and if you do feel like going for it, you should totally go for it without second-guessing yourself on this!

Conclusion

Having the best router means enjoying fast Wi-Fi speeds at all times. Whether you are a gamer or want to download heavy files, these routers are some of the best models you will find. If performance and speed are your priority, then you must select a router from the mentioned list in the post.