5 Best Wifi Routers for Long Range 2023 [Based on 250+ Tests]

No more weak connections and endless buffering! If you’re ready to upgrade your home or office network for seamless internet access, you’ve come to the right place. Choosing a long-range WiFi router shouldn’t be a daunting task, and we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

Tired of constantly losing WiFi signals and looking for the best WiFi router for long range? In this buyer’s guide, we’ve handpicked 5 of the best long-range routers based on 288 individual tests (P.S: Oh, and there is a bonus for you too!)

So, whether you want to use the long-range WiFi router outdoors or indoors – from the swimming pool out front to the gaming den in the basement – our recommendations have you covered. 

TL;DR – Top 5 WiFi Routers for Long Range 2023 

  • NetGear Nighthawk RAXE500: A cool and stylish tri-band WiFi router with class-leading Wi-Fi speeds at long ranges. 
  • Asus ROG Rapture GT-AXE16000: The best quad-band WiFi router for gamers looking for a long-range router with lots of gaming-centric features.
  • TP-Link Deco XE75: The best mesh WiFi router system for long-range. Provides reliable WiFi coverage even in large homes. 
  • Wavlink AC1200: Long-range WiFi router for outdoors. Water-proof, heat resistant, and built to last long.
  • Asus RT-AX1800S: The best budget WiFi router for an expansive range. Checks a lot of boxes at an affordable price. 

What is Considered a Long-Range Router?

A router with a peak range of 300 feet outdoors and 150 feet indoors is considered a long-range router. You can even extend this range using a mesh WiFi system, which uses multiple access points to propagate the signals over a larger area. However, the actual range of a router may vary depending on the obstacles and the level of radio interference between the router and the client device. 

WiFi Extender vs. Long-Range Router – Which is the Better Option?

While a WiFi extender may seem like an easy fix for extending your internet coverage on cheap, the technology carries a few significant flaws that must be considered. For example, WiFi extenders rely on your existing router’s signals. As a result, they need to be placed in areas close to your router. This can act a bit counterintuitive to the purpose of using these devices in the first place. Also, WiFi extenders typically use unique network IDs (SSID), forcing you to switch between routers as you move around the house manually. Not everyone might find this convenient. 

A long-range router easily remains the best solution for extending your WiFi signals. They come equipped with powerful radios and antennas and are designed to provide excellent WiFi coverage at long ranges. They also feature cutting-edge features – namely beamforming, OFDMA, and MU-MIMO technology – to further improve connectivity at longer distances.  

So, what is the best WiFi router for long-range?

Best Routers for Extended Range [First-Handed Tested and Reviewed!]

We started our research by scouring multiple online forums, including long range router Reddit threads, to find routers recommended by first-hand users for their long-range performance. After spending hours browsing the internet, we shortlisted 12 of the most popular routers and proceeded with testing them.

Test Setup Details 

To assess the performance of the routers, we used an Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 laptop with an Intel AX210 WiFi 6E card and a 750 Mbps Verizon internet connection. We tested each router at three different distances (10, 35, and 84 feet) to evaluate their performance at short, medium, and long ranges. 

The test settings had varying levels of obstructions. For example, at the 10 feet range, the router had a clear line of sight to the client device. At the 35 feet range, there was a wall between the devices. And finally, at the 84 feet range, the devices were placed across a multi-floor test setup. 

Various metrics were measured such as peak download speed, latency, packet loss, and ping. CoD Warzone and Fortnite became our virtual test environments. We also streamed Netflix on 4K video resolution to check for connection stability.  

In total, we performed over 250+ tests. Based on the data points from these tests, we were able to pick the top 5 performing routers for long-range WiFi connectivity.

NetGear Nighthawk RAXE500 – Best WiFi Router for Long Range Overall

Talk about cool, talk about fast, talk about the very best – the Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 router is built to impress. It even has the Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk stealth bomber look with two protruding wings.

Underneath the cool exterior is a powerful tri-band WiFi device with 10,800 Mbps bandwidth. The wings house eight internal antennas capable of a whopping advertised coverage area of 3,500 sqft. 

Being a high-end long-range router, the NetGear Nighthawk is WiFi 6E quite capable. The three available bands operate at 6GHz, 5GHz, and 2.4GHz for strong long-range coverage. Both, the 6GHz and 5GHz bands, are rated for up to 4,804 Mbps of bandwidth, while the 2.4GHz can provide up to 1,201 Mbps–or so the company claims. 

At the back of the router is a 2.5 Gbps Multi-Gig LAN port, a 2 Gbps WAN port, and 4 x 2 Gbps LAN ports for connecting client devices. In addition, the router supports up to 12 simultaneous WiFi streams–yes, we tested that. 

On the security front, the NetGear Nighthawk comes with the NetGear Armor all-in-one security suite powered by BitDefender. NetGear Armor provides an extra layer of security to thwart hackers, password thieves, and ransomware viruses. It even keeps your connected devices protected against brute-force attacks. 

During testing, the Nighthawk managed 728 Mbps at short range and 694 Mbps at medium range. The speed at long range clocked 468 Mbps on the 2.4GHz band. Gaming performance was also remarkable, with just a 6ms ping at 84 feet. Additionally, the 4K Netflix stream was smooth too.

In short, the NetGear Nighthawk is a capable router and deserves the top spot on our list. It looks cool and stylish and doesn’t compromise on quality, features, or security at all. The only downside is the Nighthawk software app. It’s a bit finicky to use and not very user-friendly.

NetGear Nighthawk RAXE500
DistanceTested Transfer Speed
@ 10 feet728 Mbps
@ 35 feet694 Mbps
@ 84 feet468 Mbps
9.4
NETGEAR Nighthawk 12-Stream WiFi 6E Router
  • 6GHz WiFi band dedicated to WiFi 6E devices including Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. Enjoy 4K/8K video streaming, AR/VR gaming and HD videoconferencing
  • Powerful 1.8GHz quad-core processor gives you exceptional 10.8Gbps WiFi speed, 9x faster than WiFi 5. Backward compatible for all WiFi devices on 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands
  • Coverage up to 3,500 sq. ft. and 60 devices

Asus ROG Rapture GT-AXE16000 – Best Long-Range WiFi Router for Gaming 

The Asus ROG Rapture GT-AXE16000 is a powerful, quad-band WiFi 6E capable router with up to 16,000 Mbps transfer rates. 

At the top of the ROG Rapture are eight antennas, giving the router the classic armory-like appearance from StarCraft II. At the back are dual 10 Gbps ethernet, four-gigabit ethernet LAN, and a couple of USB ports. There is also a solo 2.5 Gbps WAN port.

Two of the four available bands operate at 5GHz with 4,804 Mbps bandwidth. Meanwhile, the other two bands function at 6GHz and 2.4GHz with 4,804 Mbps and 1,148 Mbps data rates, respectively. Each band is capable of 4×4 transmission.

Powering the device is a 2.0GHz quad-core processor that’s mated to 2GB of DDR4 RAM and 256MB of internal NAND flash memory. You also get OFDMA, beamforming, 1024 QAM and MU-MIMO support–all crucial for ensuring strong long range performance. 

On the gaming front, the ROG Rapture router provides features like Game Boost, GameRadar, WTFast, ROG_First, and OpenNAT. It also comes bundled with Asus Ai Protection Pro and a host of various parental control features. Everything can be tweaked via the Asus Router App. 

During testing, the Asus ROG Rapture managed an impressive 728 Mbps at the short-range, same as our top-rated NetGear Nighthawk. At the medium range, we saw a peak download speed of 686 Mbps. The long-distance speed was recorded at 460 Mbps. Meanwhile, the gaming ping was pretty low at just 5ms, and the 4K Netflix stream ran without any issues.

Overall, the Asus ROG Rapture is an all-out, no-compromise router aimed squarely at gamers. The only downside is its rather steep price tag. But if you want the best long-range gaming router available on the market, the ROG Rapture is the one to go for.

Asus ROG Rapture GT-AXE16000
DistanceTested Transfer Speed
@ 10 feet780 Mbps
@ 35 feet686 Mbps
@ 84 feet460 Mbps
9.4
ASUS ROG Rapture WiFi 6E Gaming Router
  • World's first quad-band WiFi 6E gaming router – Ultrafast WiFi 6E (802.11ax) quad-band WiFi router boosts speeds up to 16000 Mbps
  • New 6 GHz frequency band – Wider channels and higher capacity delivers higher performance, lower latency, and less interference.
  • Expanded coverage – The exclusive ASUS RangeBoost Plus improves signal range and overall coverage.

The TP-Link Deco XE75 is a mesh WiFi router system for long-range, explicitly designed for large homes. 

Unlike other routers on this list, the Deco XE75 comes with multiple smaller substations called nodes. These nodes are designed to communicate through walls and other obstacles over a longer distance and are available in packs of one, two, and three. 

According to TP-Link, three XE75 nodes can cover up to 7,200 square feet area. However, you can install as many nodes as you want, depending on the size of your building. For example, if you live in a 10,000 sq-feet house (lucky you!) or a multi-level home, we recommend getting four XE75 nodes. 

That said, the device can also work as a standalone router if needed. 

In terms of design, the TP-Link Deco XE75 has a clean, minimalistic, cylindrical design. Network activity lights prime the front of each node, while at the back are three LAN ports for connectivity. There are no visible exterior antennas on the device, but each node comes with a set of four fully integrated ones. 

The nodes have tri-band radios operating at 6GHz, 5GHz, and 2.4GHz frequencies. 5GHz and 6GHz bands are capable of up to 2,402 Mbps transfer speeds, while the 2.4GHz band is limited to 574 Mbps. 

The overall effective bandwidth of each node is rated at 5,400 Mbps. While some might find this concerning, the load is likely to be divided among multiple nodes anyway. Therefore, the available bandwidth becomes an absolute non-issue.

Now, to the test results: the Deco AXE5400 managed 726 Mbps at short range and 684 Mbps at medium range. In the long-range test, the router managed a peak download speed of 446 Mbps. The ping was low during our gaming sessions at just 7ms, and we didn’t encounter any major buffering issues while streaming at 4K on Netflix either. 

Everything worked seamlessly, and overall, the Deco XE75 is the best tri-band WiFi 6E-capable mesh router system for large homes. 

TP-Link Deco XE75
DistanceTested Transfer Speed
@ 10 feet726 Mbps
@ 35 feet684 Mbps
@ 84 feet446 Mbps
9.4
TP-Link Deco AXE5400 Tri-Band WiFi 6E Mesh System(Deco XE75)
  • WiFi 6E Tri-Band Mesh WiFi – Cover up to 7,200 Sq.Ft with next-gen seamless WiFi and make dead zones and buffering a thing of the past
  • Brand-New 6 GHz Band – Experience the latest frequency of WiFi, eliminating interference from all legacy devices. The 6 GHz band works as the powerful dedicated backhaul to ensure stable connections between nodes by default. You can switch it to Wi-Fi Network mode and connect your WiFi 6E-compatible devices to 6GHz Network
  • True Tri-Band Speed – All three WiFi bands work together to unleash your network’s total speeds up to 5,400 Mbps for 200 devices(6 GHz: 2402 Mbps (HE160);5 GHz: 2402 Mbps (HE160);2.4 GHz: 574 Mbps)

The Wavlink isn’t your ordinary router. It’s a powerful wireless router for long-range designed specifically for outdoor WiFi coverage and use. It features a full-waterproof design with seals and rubber gaskets, ensuring reliable performance in harsh weather. 

The Wavlink AC1200 has a narrow, cylindrical design. At the front are network activity lights and a power indicator LED. At the top and the sides are four omnidirectional, detachable antennas. Each antenna is rated for up to 7 dBi and is optimized for long-range performance. 

The Wavlink is a dual-band WiFi router for long-range. It’s WiFi 5 capable and features both the 5GHz and 2.4GHz bands. Unfortunately, you won’t find support for the 6GHz WiFi 6E standard. The 5GHz band can transfer up to 867 Mbps of data, while the 2.4GHz band is limited to 300 Mbps for a combined bandwidth of 1,200 Mbps.

Although the Wavlink AC1200 is designed primarily for outdoor use, we subjected it to the same testing methods as other routers to maintain consistency. At short range with a clear line of sight to the client device, the router managed a respectable 727 Mbps peak download speed. At medium range, it managed 673 Mbps. 

At our 84 feet long-range test, we saw a download speed of 431 Mbps, which is quite impressive. The gaming performance was also smooth with a low 6ms ping, though we encountered some minor buffering issues while streaming. However, those only lasted a few seconds, and it was smooth sailing afterward. 

While the Wavlink AC1200 lacks a bit in raw upload and download speeds at long distances, it more than makes up for them with its decent coverage. And if you’ve multiple outdoor IoT devices such as WiFi cameras, motion trackers, lights, security alarms, etc., the Wavlink AC1200 is easily the best option.  

Wavlink AC1200
DistanceTested Transfer Speed
@ 10 feet727 Mbps
@ 35 feet673 Mbps
@ 84 feet431 Mbps
9.4
WAVLINK AC1200 High Power Outdoor Weatherproof WiFi Range Extender
  • WAVLINK AC1200 High Power Outdoor Weatherproof WiFi Range Extender/Access Point/Router/Mesh with Passive POE, Dual Band 2.4GHz 300Mbps+5.8 GHz 867Mbps, 4x7dBi Detachable Omni Directional Antenna
  • Dual Band: Speed up to 2.4GHz 150Mbps and 5.8 GHz 867Mbps, high transmission power breaking down the barries of WiFi
  • Weater-Proof RJ45 Connector, Integragted Passive Power over Ethernet (PoE). Passive PoE Support for Flexible Deployment

Asus RT-AX1800S – Best Budget WiFi Router for Long Range

The Asus RT-AX1800S is a budget-friendly, long-range wireless router that offers decent WiFi performance without breaking the bank. 

In terms of design, the AX1800S is entirely made of plastic. And while it doesn’t feel fragile, the body does look and feel relatively cheap. Not surprising given its low price, to be fair. At the front of the router are five network LED lights, while there are four antennas at the back. 

Surprisingly, the AX1800S doesn’t skimp on processing power. The device is powered by a 1.5GHz quad-core CPU, which is very impressive for a router in this price range. The CPU is accompanied by 256MB of RAM, more than enough to handle the router’s advertised 1800 Mbps bandwidth. There’s also 128MB of NAND flash storage for the software. 

As expected from a budget-oriented product, the AX1800S supports dual bands with no 6GHz band for the faster WiFi 6E standard. The primary 5GHz band is rated for 1,201 Mbps, while the secondary 2.4GHz band is rated for a peak of 574 Mbps bandwidth. 

During testing, the Asus RT-AX1800S performed well at short and medium ranges, managing peak download speeds of 725 Mbps and 666 Mbps, respectively. However it started to struggle at long range and could only clock 406 Mbps. While not as good as some of the more premium routers on the list, that’s still decent.

Despite its lack of raw bandwidth, the Asus RT-AX1800S proved to be a capable WiFi router for eSports gaming with a ping latency of just 8ms. Our 4K Netflix streaming experience was also moderately stable.

All in all, the Asus RT-AX1800S is a budget-friendly yet highly capable WiFi router perfect for medium-sized homes. While not as fast as the best routers on this list, it packs a punch for the price. It’s a great router to have, especially for people with slower 250 Mbps internet connections.

Asus RT-AX1800S
DistanceTested Transfer Speed
@ 10 feet725 Mbps
@ 35 feet666 Mbps
@ 84 feet406 Mbps
9.4
ASUS RT-AX1800S Dual Band WiFi 6 Extendable Router
  • New-Gen WiFi Standard – WiFi 6(802.11ax) standard supporting MU-MIMO and OFDMA technology for better efficiency and throughput
  • Ultra-fast WiFi Speed – RT-AX1800S supports 1024-QAM for dramatically faster wireless connections
  • Increase Capacity and Efficiency – Supporting not only MU-MIMO but also OFDMA technique to efficiently allocate channels, communicate with multiple devices simultaneously

WiFi Router Range Comparison Chart

Router DeviceRangeTested Speed
NetGear Nighthawk RAXE500@ 10 feet728 Mbps
@ 35 feet694 Mbps
@ 84 feet468 Mbps
Asus ROG Rapture GT-AXE16000
@ 10 feet728 Mbps
@ 35 feet686 Mbps
@ 84 feet460 Mbps
TP-Link Deco XE75
@ 10 feet726 Mbps
@ 35 feet684 Mbps
@ 84 feet446 Mbps
Wavlink AC1200@ 10 feet727 Mbps
@ 35 feet673 Mbps
@ 84 feet431 Mbps
Asus RT-AX1800S@ 10 feet725 Mbps
@ 35 feet666 Mbps
@ 84 feet406 Mbps

Additional Long-Range WiFi Routers for Families – Bonus Recommendations!

Have a family with kids or a busy household? Here are some special recommendations for you:

Synology RT6600AX – Best WiFi Router with Parental Controls for Long Range

The Synology RT6600AX is the new and improved successor of the older Synology RT2600AC. Unlike the 2600AC, the 2600AX supports WiFi 6 and offers a faster data transfer rate of 6,600 Mbps. But, aside from that, it’s the same old device with the same strong emphasis on parental controls and child safety features. 

The Synology RT600AX is a far-reaching WiFi router featuring dual 5GHz bands and a 2.4GHz band. The main 5GHz band is rated for a total bandwidth of 4,804 Mbps, while the secondary 5GHz band is limited to 1,201 Mbps. Finally, the 2.4GHz band offers a peak transfer rate of 754 Mbps. 

Powering the Synology RT600AX is a quad-core 1.8 GHz CPU paired with 1GB of DDR3 RAM. In addition, it features six omnidirectional external antennas, of which four support 4×4 MIMO while the other two are limited to 2×2 MIMO. 

At the back of the router is a single 2.5GbE LAN port, accompanied by three Gigabit LAN ports. There are also two 2.5 GbE dual WAN ports. 

In testing, the Synology RT6600AX managed 727 Mbps and 679 Mbps at short and medium ranges, respectively. Things also remained good at long distance, with the router managing 441 Mbps on the 2.4GHz band. We encountered a ping of just 6ms while gaming, and our 4K Netflix stream was smooth with no hitches or stutters of any kind. 

As mentioned earlier, the Synology RT6600AX features various parental control and child safety features. For example, you can block various website categories such as shopping, gaming, dating, and social media. Furthermore, you can also shut off access to specific websites and fine-tune everything to your liking. 

In addition, you can set time limits on your children’s internet usage. Similarly, data and bandwidth caps can also be enforced to prevent over-usage. Internet access to children’s phones, tablets, and computers can be blocked during specific hours too.

Overall, the Synology RT6600AX is a great option for parents wanting to control and supervise their children’s online activities strictly.

Synology RT6600AX
DistanceTested Transfer Speed
@ 10 feet727 Mbps
@ 35 feet679 Mbps
@ 84 feet441 Mbps
9.4
Synology RT6600ax - Tri-Band 4x4 160MHz Wi-Fi router
  • Expanded 5.9 GHz spectrum support enables additional high-speed 80 and 160 MHz channels
  • 2.5GbE port enables support for the fastest ISPs and can optionally be configured as a LAN port
  • Create and define up to 5 separate networks to segregate and contain vulnerable devices

The TP-Link Archer GX90 is ideal for busy households looking for a long-range WiFi router that can handle dozens of connected devices simultaneously without missing a beat. 

The Archer GX90 is a square-shaped router surrounded by eight high-gain antennas. Three antennas are located on each side of the router, while the front and the back have one antenna each. For connectivity, there are two 2.5 Gigabit and 1 Gigabit WAN/LAN ports and three dedicated Gigabit LAN ports. 

In terms of specs, the GX90 is a tri-band WiFi 6 router with a combined bandwidth of 6,600 Mbps. Two of the three bands operate at 5GHz, with the third band capable of operating at 2.4GHz. The primary 5GHz band can transfer up to 4,804 Mbps of data, while the secondary band is limited to 1,201 Mbps. And lastly, the 2.4GHz peaks at 575 Mbps. 

At short range, the TP-Link Archer GX90 managed 728 Mbps . At medium range, we witnessed a peak of 679 Mbps. Finally, the router clocked a decent 433 Mbps under the long-range test. 

During gaming, the Archer returned a ping of just 6ms. As expected, our gaming experience was smooth with no major latency issues. The 4K Netflix stream ran well too. 

TP-Link claims that Archer GX90 can handle up to 100 devices simultaneously. To put these claims to the test, we managed to scour 32 wireless devices, such as smartphones, laptops, tablets, and several IoT smart gadgets. Surprisingly enough, the GX90 handled all these devices without a problem. 

All the devices performed as expected, with no latency spikes or hiccups. While 32 devices are far from the claimed 100 devices, they still provide a good idea of what to expect from the TP-Link Archer GX90 under heavy loads. So, if you’re looking for a long-range router to connect dozens of devices, this router is the one to get. 

TP-Link Archer GX90
DistanceTested Transfer Speed
@ 10 feet728 Mbps
@ 35 feet679 Mbps
@ 84 feet433 Mbps
9.4
TP-Link AX6600 WiFi 6 Gaming Router (Archer GX90)- Tri Band Gigabit Wireless Internet Router, High-Speed ax Router, Smart VPN Router for a Large Home
  • Game Band: Tri-Band structure provides a 4.8 Gbps Game Band exclusive for your gaming rigs and bings pure immersion. 4804 Mbps (5GHz, HE160) + 1201 Mbps (5GHz) + 574 Mbps (2.4GHz)
  • Game Accelerator: Detect and optimize gaming streams, to ensure your gaming stays immersive
  • Ultra Connectivity: 1 × 2.5 Gbps WAN/LAN port + 1 × 1 Gbps WAN/LAN port + 3 × Gigabit LAN ports and 2 x USB ports ensure max flexibility and boosted throughput

Comparing Top Long-Range Routers 2023 

RouterBandwidth (Combined)BandsLink
NetGear Nighthawk RAXE50010,800 Mbps3Check Price
Asus ROG Rapture GT-AXE1600016,000 Mbps4Check Price
TP-Link Deco XE755,400 Mbps3Check Price
Wavlink AC1200 (WL-WN572HG3)1,200 Mbps2Check Price
Asus RT-AX1800S1,800 Mbps2Check Price
Synology RT6600AX6,6003Check Price 
TP-Link Archer GX906,6003Check Price 

Do More Expensive Routers Have Better Range?

Generally speaking, more expensive routers use multiple high-gain antennas, offering beamforming and spatial stream MU-MIMO support. All these features ensure a better range. However, the performance gap between cheap and expensive routers can sometimes be insignificant. This is especially true if you have a 250 Mbps or slower internet connection. 

In the end, it’s all about knowing what you are purchasing and the system constraints you face.

How Often Should You Replace Your Router?

Most routers can last over five years, but replacing them every 3 to 4 years is recommended to keep up with the advancements in WiFi technology. This will ensure that you’ll get optimal range and performance. 

While it may sound like a hassle initially, remember that routers have become quite inexpensive in recent years. You can get a good quality long-range WiFi router for around $250-$350 today. Therefore, they are a small yet worthwhile investment for peace of mind. 

What Should You Look for When Buying a Long-Range Router?

Here are the main things to consider when shopping for a WiFi router for long-range coverage:

Antennas

The number of antennas generally indicates the number of spatial streams a router can handle at any given time. For example, a router with two external antennas can transmit and receive two spatial streams simultaneously. In simpler terms, more antennas allow a router to allocate the bandwidth to each client device in an optimum way.

However, more antennas don’t always mean more actual spatial streams. Some manufacturers add cosmetic antennas to the routers, usually to keep the device looking symmetrical. So, looking at the specs sheet before buying a new WiFi router is crucial. 

Radio Bands

Another important aspect is the number of radio bands a router supports. For example, single-band WiFi 5 routers only support the 5GHz frequency band. The 5GHz frequency reduces the router’s overall effective range, giving poor connectivity at long ranges. But, on the flip side, it gives you good speed.

Hence, you should always consider a dual-band WiFi router supporting both 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies. And if you’re into online multiplayer gaming, a tri-band router is a must to keep the latency and ping as low as possible. 

OFDMA and MU-MIMO

OFDMA and MU-MIMO are two key technologies introduced with WiFi 6 and 6E (802.11ax/6E) standards. 

OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) technology allows a router to allocate a single band to different client devices by dividing it into multiple sub-channels. 

Similarly, MU-MIMO (Multi-User Multiple Input Multiple Output) allows the router to transmit multiple spatial streams to multiple client devices simultaneously. 

While these technologies work in different ways, they offer the same benefit to the end user: improved network efficiency, enhanced capacity, and reduced network congestion at longer ranges. 

CPU and RAM

Modern routers are portable computers designed to transmit large data streams wirelessly. And as to be expected from a computer device, the routers come with internal CPUs and RAM. 

Low-end routers usually have single-core 32-bit ARM CPUs paired with 128 to 256MB of RAM. On the other hand, high-end routers commonly feature 512MB to 1GB of RAM along with powerful 64-bit ARM64 quad-core CPUs. 

More processing power results in lower latencies, faster bandwidth, and quicker response times. It also helps the router to manage more client devices simultaneously. 

Frequently Asked Questions About WiFi Signals Over Long Range

How Can You Increase Your WiFi Range?

There are several ways to increase the range of your WiFi network. The best option is to use a powerful WiFi router specifically designed for long-range WiFi coverage. Another good alternative is a mesh WiFi network. With good implementation, a mesh network can easily cover a large area. Next, there are powerline adapters. Powerline adapters come in pairs and communicate via home electrical wiring, thus overcoming any physical obstacles. And lastly, you can use WiFi range extenders, also known as WiFi boosters, to increase your WiFi range.

Which WiFi is Better for Long Distance?

When it comes to long-distance coverage, the 2.4GHz WiFi band has a clear advantage over the 5GHz band. This is because lower frequencies have longer wavelengths that penetrate obstacles better. For reference, the 2.4GHz band has a wavelength of 12.5 cm, compared to the 6 cm wavelength of the 5 GHz band. 

However, the downside of using a lower frequency band is reduced data transfer rates. The 2.4GHz band can’t transfer nearly as much data as the 5GHz band, so they each have pros and cons. 

What is the Maximum Distance Covered by WiFi Routers?

Typically, most WiFi routers are able to cover a maximum distance of up to 300 feet under ideal scenarios. The ideal scenario means a clear line of sight between the router and the client device without physical obstacles or radio interference. This range shrinks indoors to around 100 to 150 feet, depending on the number of obstacles and the WiFi band itself. 

How Can You Extend Your WiFi Coverage to 1000 Feet or More Reliably?

Mesh WiFi networks are ideal for reliably covering a large 1,000 feet area with strong WiFi signals throughout. Mesh networks consist of multiple small nodes called ‘satellites.’ A large home can be blanketed with seamless network coverage by strategically placing these nodes in WiFi dead zones with poor signals. 

Does Mesh WiFi Penetrate Walls?

Mesh WiFi networks don’t directly penetrate walls. Instead, they overcome walls and other obstacles by relying on multiple secondary WiFi nodes working in sync. This gives mesh WiFi networks the unique ability to extend coverage through walls and floors.

Do WiFi 6 Routers Have a Better Range?

The main goal of the WiFi 6 standard is to handle denser wireless networks more efficiently. By employing techniques such as 1024-QAM, MU-MIMO, Beamforming, and OFDMA, WiFi 6 routers offer faster speeds at longer ranges. However, the actual range of the WiFi 6 remains mostly unaffected as it’s a limitation of the 5GHz band itself. 

Conclusion

Getting a long-range WiFi router is ideal for fixing weak or dead WiFi zones in large homes. In addition, mesh WiFi router systems can provide even greater coverage, especially when placed strategically around the area. 

Based on 288 data points, we found NetGear Nighthawk RAXE500 the best long-range router on the market. It provides fast data transfer rates, stable internet performance, low ping and latency, and strong security features. Ready to take your long distance relationship with your internet connection to the next level?

9.4
NETGEAR Nighthawk 12-Stream WiFi 6E Router
  • 6GHz WiFi band dedicated to WiFi 6E devices including Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. Enjoy 4K/8K video streaming, AR/VR gaming and HD videoconferencing
  • Powerful 1.8GHz quad-core processor gives you exceptional 10.8Gbps WiFi speed, 9x faster than WiFi 5. Backward compatible for all WiFi devices on 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands
  • Coverage up to 3,500 sq. ft. and 60 devices
Andrew is arguably the geekiest member of our team. He has a knack for new gaming hardware and awesome gadgets. Although Overwatch is his current favorite, he thinks the Counter Strike Global Offensive is the best shooter of all times. He is constantly hunting for news about new hero releases and patches. Andrew believes that playing video games is not just a hobby but a way of life. He regards his job at RealGear as a way of helping fellow gamers make the most of their gameplay by writing reviews about the hardware he uses and the FPS/ RTS he plays.

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