Hey, there! Welcome to our list of the 2023 Best Wi-Fi Routers for Apartment Living! In this article, we have extensively researched, tested, and compiled a list of the best Wi-Fi routers for apartments. 

We understand how frustrating Wi-Fi connections can get in apartments: from the congested mess of many devices to the hefty beams and metal barriers. While compiling this list of Wi-Fi routers, we addressed speed, presence of roommates, budget, reliability, and wireless coverage.

Ready to find the perfect Wi-Fi for your needs? Let’s Go!

Our Top Router Picks For Apartment Living

Since there are thousands of different options out there, shopping for a new router can feel like an overwhelming chore. We looked at technical specifications to ensure that the router you pick may enhance your online experience.

Here’s an overview of our picks:

What to Look for in a Router

• Your router budget
  • You don’t need a fancy router to get the job done. Consider the amount you are willing to spend. If you have a roommate, ensure they will be ok with the budget allotment before purchasing one.
• Is your new router compatible with your internet service provider and internet plan?
  • Your options may be limited if your apartment complex is wired for one internet provider. Your apartment coverage may also favor another internet service.
• Does it support your internet speed?
  • Are you constantly streaming TV shows or streaming? Ensure that your router’s speed supports all the devices for a smooth-sailing ride.
• Do you need to use mesh Wi-Fi or extenders?
  • If you have roommates or your apartment is on the larger side, you may want to consider getting mesh Wi-Fi or extenders to accommodate your devices wherever you are in your apartment.
• How about extra features that benefit you?
  • A router with extra features for smart homes may benefit you.

Now that you have a mental (or physical) checklist of what you are looking for, let’s do a deep dive into each of our picks to help you decide:

Best Overall: TP-Link Archer AX55

Powered by a 1GHz Qualcomm, Archer AX55 is an AX3000 router with speeds of up to 3,000 Mbps and many extra features for a reasonable price. So, if you want a router that can handle streaming 8K movies or playing games, this is the minimum you need to get the most out of Wi-Fi 6.

We decided to test this router in a one-bedroom apartment about 800 sq. ft. in size. Right off the bat, this was one of the easiest routers we have set up. The mobile app is user-friendly, and the interface is easy to navigate.

Its design is compact and lightweight enough to place in the center of the apartment where the entertainment center is.

Network interference is common in this apartment building due to signal disturbances and physical obstacles, so we were pleasantly surprised that it left no WiFi dead spots.

It has up to 2,500 square feet of coverage and didn’t disappoint! The devices reached approximately the same speeds around the apartment, and we could accomplish most of our duties on 25 devices without a hitch.

You also get a well-equipped router with Wi-Fi 6 technology to send a solid 5GHz signal with good throughput.

It has easy-to-use parental controls and basic network scans, but you must pay extra for the HomeShield Pro package to get more advanced network security features.

The TP-Link Archer AX55 is a good bargain, given its features and performance. The router speed mainly comes from the 5GHz frequency, and the second 5GHz channel is best for high-speed devices.

Although 5GHz is faster, it travels less and can be slowed by thick walls. If you live in a bigger-than-average apartment, you may choose to use an extender.

Pros:

• Affordable performance upgrade
• User-friendly firmware and mobile app
• Support Smart Connect
• Stable and consistent performance
• Compact with a Modern aesthetic
• Fast USB file transfer performance

 Cons:

• HomeShield Pro requires a subscription
• OneMesh only works with extenders

Overall Thoughts:

This model works well and is a fantastic value. It will support all of your common home devices. If you want an above-average WiFi router with good parental controls and strong speed performance but don’t want to pay for a more expensive router, the TP-Link Archer AX55 is a safe bet and a great value.

You may wish to use an extender if you would like to improve the coverage, but you are probably better off with a mesh system. If that’s the case, keep reading to find out what suits your space and devices.

Best for Apartment Living with Roommates: TP-Link Deco X68

Wi-Fi Speed & Capacity: Up to 3,600 Mbps

WiFi Range: 5,500 square feet

Ethernet Ports: 4

Recommended for: For a larger apartment with multiple people living together

Wireless standard: Wi-Fi 6

Processor: Quad-core processor

Features: HomeShield, App Management

Number of Devices: 150

There are various factors to consider when living with roommates. Sharing a living space means deciding how to live, like splitting the rent, power, and water bills, setting boundaries, etc.

When selecting the best router to match your and your roommate’s needs, you need a Wi-Fi router that can provide excellent coverage and speed and seamlessly connect to multiple wireless devices.

We put this to the test on a 1,400 sq ft three-bedroom apartment. We easily installed it, and the Deco app had the network up and operating in minutes. We connected the primary unit to the internet modem in the master bedroom and positioned the other at the opposite end of the adjoining bedroom to test the wireless speeds of the router.

We were astonished at how the Deco X68 created a more efficient network with four times the average throughput on linked devices. Even with dozens of connected devices, it provides faster loading and no dead spots.

This router is ideal for those sharing a living space because it forms a single, unified network that provides a smooth WiFi experience. While using the Deco X68, your device automatically connects to the quickest unit as you walk about your house.

It is pricey, but with roommates splitting the bill, it would be less taxing on the wallet. Despite its high price, it outperforms comparable mesh routers in its price range.

See More: 5 Best Mesh Wi-Fi Systems in 2023: How to Choose the Best Mesh Router For You

Pros:

• Quick and great coverage with amazing wall and ceiling penetration
• Best Wi-Fi 6 mesh performance
• Tri-band operation

Why you may not like it:

• Expensive (Although you can split the bill among your roommates)
• HomeShield Pro requires a subscription

The Deco X68 has a modern design, great features, a wide range of coverage, and delivers high-speed internet. All of these come in one package for a competitive price, which makes it an attractive choice. If this isn’t really within your price your price-range or the advanced features are not really for you, keep on reading!

Best Budget-Friendly Wifi Router: TP-Link Archer AX10 (AX1500) Wi-Fi 6 Router

Wi-Fi Speed & Capacity: 2.4GHz : 300Mbps; 5GHz: 1,201Mbps

Wi-Fi Range: Up to 1500 sq ft

Ethernet Ports: 4

Recommended for: Best Budget Router

Wireless standard: Wi-Fi 6

Processor: Triple-core

Number of Devices: 25

You may think that a budget router this cheap would be a little slow. That, however, is not the case. We’ve done a slew of tests to see how good the AX10 is, and we’re pleasantly impressed by the results.

The range is adequate enough for apartment living and it’s still fairly good for the price. We put this to the test in a 750-square-foot, 1-bedroom apartment. Things are pretty decent in terms of range: 80-90 feet. This could be the one if you have an average-sized apartment.

Keep in mind that if you wish to extend the signal range of this router, you will need to utilize a regular Wi-Fi extender because the AX10 does not support OneMesh.

With its theoretical download speed of 650 Mbps, it would technically let you have 26 simultaneous 4K Netflix streams, which is more than enough for average apartment dwellers. Based just on maximum speed, this router will be sufficient for a large, high-internet-usage family or roommates.

We also like how it comes with a slew of cool extras like beamforming and advanced security. If you want to test the waters of Wi-Fi 6 but don’t want to spend a fortune, the TP-Link Archer AX10 is the most economical option.

Pros:

• Good 5GHz throughput and signal range in testing
• Affordable
• Reasonable range
• Includes smart, advanced features
• Compact design

Cons:

• No anti-malware tools
• Lacks USB and multi-gig LAN ports

We think the TP-Link Archer AX10 is a great option for anyone without a superfast internet connection or a huge home. Range and lack of antivirus are the key limitations but this router is great otherwise! It performs well for a studio to a three-bedroom apartment but won’t cut it for most workplaces. If you are someone working from home, read on to find the best option for you!

Best for Working From Home: TP-Link AX6600 (Archer AX90)

Wi-Fi Speed & Capacity: 5GHz: 4808Mbps; 5GHz: 1203Mbps; 2.4GHz: 574Mbp

Ethernet Ports: 5

Recommended for:  people working from home

Wireless standard: Tri-band WiFi with high-tech WiFi 6

Processor: Quad-core processor

Number of Devices: 100

Working from home (WFH) is becoming the new normal for most firms, regardless of whether employees are completely remote or in a hybrid home/in-office work environment. If this is, you would then almost certainly need to connect more than one wireless device.

While streaming video and browsing the web pose significant risks, the risks are multiplied when you access sensitive content related to your job. You would need to select the most secure router while yet being able to connect to a wide variety of electronic devices (both wireless and wired devices).

That is why we chose the TP-Link Archer AX90 AX6600. This is, in our opinion, the best Wi-Fi router for home office use. We put this single device to the test in a 900-sq. ft apartment in the home office. We built a good multi-Computer WFH desk setup, and the range of ports on the rear came in handy.

There are three regular Gigabit Ethernet ports for connected devices, as well as two additional ports that can be utilized as either a WAN or a LAN port.

Its eight high-gain, adjustable antennas send optimized Wi-Fi signals to every room in your house, ensuring a fast and reliable connection.

The router combines advanced WiFi6 and Tri-band WiFi to give eight continuous data streams. The external antennae design also aids in opening up additional bandwidth and allowing gadgets to run at faster speeds.

Pros:

• Reliable and fast Wi-Fi performance with an excellent range
• Quick installation
• A comparatively more affordable router than other tri-band routers
• Multi-gig WAN/LAN
• Strong parental controls

Cons:

• Mobile app with some features requiring a subscription
• Moderate file transfer performance

The Archer AX90 is a powerful WiFi6 router with multiple gigabit ports and full parental controls. Even though its throughput speeds are not the fastest ever the router sent strong signals to all parts of the apartment and kept network speeds fast and stable.

If needed, you can add mesh extenders to make it cover more area.

Best Features (For Smart Apartments): Eero 6+

Wi-Fi Speed & Capacity: 3,000 Mbps

Range: 1,500 sq ft

Ethernet Ports: 2

Recommended for: Apartments with smart home features

Wireless standard: Wi-Fi 6

Processor: Dual-core processor

Number of Devices: 75

The Eero 6+ is compatible with Wi-Fi 6 and AX3000. With this, you can stream videos, browse the internet, or play games at more reliable and faster speeds.

Apartment-size smart homes better meet our desire for flexibility and convenience. It gives you more control over your energy consumption while automating tasks like regulating the thermostat, turning on and off lights, and opening and shutting window coverings with the use of smart devices.

That is why we love the Eero 6+, which functions as a smart home hub, allowing you to operate compatible Thread and Zigbee devices with Alexa. Control lights, locks, plugs, and more with your Eero 6+ and Alexa.

We tested this in a 1500 sq. ft. apartment and it’s no surprise that the performance was good throughout the home, even in the kitchen, where we usually don’t observe signals.

It is also great for beginners because it is known for making everything simple and straightforward. With its price, it will be a wonderful asset to your apartment.

Want to Read More about Eero 6+? Check this out: Eero 6+ vs Eero Pro 6E: Should You Get a Wi-Fi 6E Mesh System?

Pros:

• Simple and straightforward setup process.
• Reliable router with consistent internet speeds.
• Better and faster performance with the 160MHz channel.
• Readily available Zigbee smart home hub for smart homes.

Cons:

• Few ethernet ports.
• Limited custom router setting features on the app.
• No USB port.

Best for Streaming Games: NETGEAR XR1000-100NAS

Wi-Fi Speed & Capacity: 2.4GHz: 600Mbps on the (2×2) band; 5GHz: 4,800Mbps on the (4×4) band

Ethernet Ports: 4

Recommended for: For streaming games

Wireless standard: Wi-Fi 6

Processor: tri-core

Its high-throughput, low-latency design can send bytes around the world to carry your team in online games. However, the Netgear Nighthawk XR1000 doesn’t have bandwidth-expanding features like Multi-Gig input or port aggregation output.

In addition to being a helpful online gaming buddy, this powerful router offers protection from hackers, a plethora of optimization options, and the ability to change the path used by the data stream.

It is also compatible with game PCs and gaming consoles such as Xbox, PS4, and Nintendo Switch, as well as any other game system that uses Ethernet or wireless connections.

The XR1000 is the best high-performance router to acquire if you needed to cover a large area, with a range of 105 feet.

To put this to the test, we placed it in the gaming room of a 1500 sq. ft. apartment and played apex legends on our game console. The improved internet connection by stabilizing ping and reducing gaming lag spikes kept us in the game and even checked wins!

Pros:

• Gamer-friendly with advanced controls and gaming features
• Solid throughput performance in testing
• Fast file transfer speeds
• DumaOS 3.0
• Simple installation

Cons:

•  Expensive Anti-malware tools cost extra
• Browser interface can be complicated
• Lacks multi-gig LAN port
• Doesn’t support link aggregation

Want to improve your gaming experience even more? You might want to check this out: Best Wi-Fi Extender for Gaming in 2023: Enjoy Fast Gaming and Strong Signal Boost

Data Summary

	TP-Link Archer AX55	TP-Link Deco X68	TP-Link Archer AX10	TP-Link Archer AX90	Eero 6+	NETGEAR XR1000
Best for	Overall	Apartment Sharing	Budget	Best for Working From Home	Features	Gaming
Max Wi-Fi Speed:	2402 Mbps	3,600 Mbps	1,201 Mbps	4808 Mbps	3,000 Mbps	4,800Mbps
Ports:	4	4	4	5	2	4
Wireless standard:	Wi-Fi 6	Wi-Fi 6	Wi-Fi 6	WiFi 6	Wi-Fi 6	Wi-Fi 6
Processor:	Dual-core	Quad-core	Triple-core	Quad-core	dual-core	Tri-core
	View Latest Price	View Latest Price	View Latest Price	View Latest Price	View Latest Price	View Latest Price