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An old router is not automatically unsafe. Update its software, then check its Wi-Fi security setting: the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recommends WPA3 Personal or WPA2 Personal. If the updated router offers only WPA or WEP, consider replacing it. In the meantime, strengthen the router’s settings and secure the devices connected to it.
Why your router matters to smart devices
Smart cameras, speakers, televisions, and appliances commonly reach the internet through your home router. That makes the router an important connection point for the privacy and security of those devices, but it does not mean that every old router is unsafe. The FTC describes the router as “the key to privacy” for internet-connected devices at home. FTC: How To Secure Your Home Wi-Fi Network FTC: Securing Your Internet-Connected Devices at Home
Check the router before deciding to replace it
- Identify the router and who manages it. Find its make and model on the device label or in its management interface. If your internet provider supplied it, ask whether the provider manages software updates and whether updates are installed automatically.
- Check for and install available software updates. Look for update instructions from the router manufacturer or your internet provider. Use the instructions for your specific model; update processes vary.
- Inspect the wireless security setting after updating. In the router’s wireless or Wi-Fi settings, look for WPA3 Personal or WPA2 Personal. Menu names and locations vary by router.
- Decide based on the available security options. If the updated router supports WPA3 Personal or WPA2 Personal, select one of those options. If only WPA or WEP remains, consider replacing the router. The FTC identifies WPA and WEP as outdated and not secure, and recommends considering a new router when WPA3 or WPA2 is unavailable. FTC guidance on securing home Wi-Fi
Age alone does not establish that a router has a security flaw. Nor does this guidance set a universal age cutoff or require a particular Wi-Fi generation, speed, or coverage level. The security decision depends on the options and update support for your specific router.
Harden the settings if you keep the router
- Replace default credentials. Set a unique administrator password for the router and a unique Wi-Fi password. These are separate credentials: the administrator password controls router settings, while the Wi-Fi password lets devices join the network.
- Choose a privacy-conscious network name. Use a name that does not reveal your name, address, or other personal information.
- Enable the router firewall. Check the router’s settings or instructions to confirm that its firewall is on.
- Use a guest network where available. A guest network can separate visitors’ devices from your main network. Check the router’s documentation to understand how its guest-network feature works.
- Turn off features you do not need. The FTC advises considering whether to disable remote management, WPS, and UPnP when they are not needed, since these convenience features can make a network less secure. Before disabling one, check whether a household device relies on it; changing the setting can affect how that device connects or operates.
See the FTC’s home Wi-Fi security guidance for its recommendations on router updates, passwords, security settings, and network features.
#1 Best Overall
- DUAL-BAND WIFI 6 ROUTER: Wi-Fi 6(802.11ax) technology achieves faster speeds, greater capacity and reduced network congestion compared to the previous gen. All WiFi routers require a separate modem. Dual-Band WiFi routers do not support the 6 GHz band.
- AX1800: Enjoy smoother and more stable streaming, gaming, downloading with 1.8 Gbps total bandwidth (up to 1200 Mbps on 5 GHz and up to 574 Mbps on 2.4 GHz). Performance varies by conditions, distance to devices, and obstacles such as walls.
- CONNECT MORE DEVICES: Wi-Fi 6 technology communicates more data to more devices simultaneously using revolutionary OFDMA technology
- EXTENSIVE COVERAGE: Achieve the strong, reliable WiFi coverage with Archer AX1800 as it focuses signal strength to your devices far away using Beamforming technology, 4 high-gain antennas and an advanced front-end module (FEM) chipset
- OUR CYBERSECURITY COMMITMENT: TP-Link is a signatory of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) Secure-by-Design pledge. This device is designed, built, and maintained, with advanced security as a core requirement.
Secure every device connected to the network
A well-configured router cannot make an insecure camera, speaker, TV, or appliance secure by itself. For each connected device, check for firmware and app updates, change any default device password, and disconnect or disable the device and features you no longer use. The FTC’s guidance on internet-connected devices at home covers these steps.
Give cameras particular attention
For home security cameras, the FTC recommends using WPA3 or WPA2, keeping router software current, enabling the router firewall, and placing cameras on a separate network where available. A separate network can help distinguish camera traffic from other household devices; check your router and camera instructions for supported setup options. FTC: How To Secure Your Home Security Cameras
Rank #2
- Dual-band Wi-Fi with 5 GHz speeds up to 867 Mbps and 2.4 GHz speeds up to 300 Mbps, delivering 1200 Mbps of total bandwidth¹. Dual-band routers do not support 6 GHz. Performance varies by conditions, distance to devices, and obstacles such as walls.
- Covers up to 1,000 sq. ft. with four external antennas for stable wireless connections and optimal coverage.
- Supports IGMP Proxy/Snooping, Bridge and Tag VLAN to optimize IPTV streaming
- Access Point Mode - Supports AP Mode to transform your wired connection into wireless network, an ideal wireless router for home
- Advanced Security with WPA3 - The latest Wi-Fi security protocol, WPA3, brings new capabilities to improve cybersecurity in personal networks
What to compare if replacement is warranted
If updating does not give the router WPA2 Personal or WPA3 Personal, compare potential replacements on the security features and compatibility relevant to your home:
- Update support: Check the manufacturer’s current information for software-update availability for the exact model.
- Wi-Fi security: Confirm support for WPA3 Personal or WPA2 Personal.
- Network separation: Check for a guest network or another option to separate devices, if you need it.
- Compatibility: Confirm that the router works with your internet provider and the devices you already use.
These criteria help answer the security question without assuming that a faster, newer-generation, or more expensive router is automatically necessary. Verify exact model support with the manufacturer and compatibility with your provider.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Dual band router upgrades to 1200 Mbps high speed internet (300mbps for 2.4GHz plus 900Mbps for 5GHz), reducing buffering and ideal for 4K stream
- Full Gigabit Ports - Gigabit Router with 4 Gigabit LAN ports, ideal for any internet plan and allow you to directly connect your wired devices
- Boosted Coverage - Four external antennas equipped with Beamforming technology extend and concentrate the Wi-Fi signals
- MU-MIMO technology - (5GHz band) allows high speeds for multiple devices simultaneously
- Access Point Mode - Supports AP Mode to transform your wired connection into wireless network, an ideal wireless router for home
Rank #4
- 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞-𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐖𝐢-𝐅𝐢 𝟕 - Designed with the latest Wi-Fi 7 technology, featuring Multi-Link Operation (MLO), Multi-RUs, and 4K-QAM. Achieve optimized performance on latest WiFi 7 laptops and devices, like the iPhone 16 Pro, and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.
- 𝟔-𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦, 𝐃𝐮𝐚𝐥-𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐢-𝐅𝐢 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝟔.𝟓 𝐆𝐛𝐩𝐬 𝐓𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐰𝐢𝐝𝐭𝐡 - Achieve full speeds of up to 5764 Mbps on the 5GHz band and 688 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band with 6 streams. Enjoy seamless 4K/8K streaming, AR/VR gaming, and incredibly fast downloads/uploads.
- 𝐖𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 - Get up to 2,400 sq. ft. max coverage for up to 90 devices at a time. 6x high performance antennas and Beamforming technology, ensures reliable connections for remote workers, gamers, students, and more.
- 𝐔𝐥𝐭𝐫𝐚-𝐅𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝟐.𝟓 𝐆𝐛𝐩𝐬 𝐖𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 - 1x 2.5 Gbps WAN/LAN port, 1x 2.5 Gbps LAN port and 3x 1 Gbps LAN ports offer high-speed data transmissions.³ Integrate with a multi-gig modem for gigplus internet.
- 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐂𝐲𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 - TP-Link is a signatory of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) Secure-by-Design pledge. This device is designed, built, and maintained, with advanced security as a core requirement.
Rank #3
- NIGHTHAWK WIFI 6 ROUTER FOR YOUR WHOLE HOME: Delivers fast, reliable WiFi across every room of your apartment or small home for streaming, gaming, video calls, and smart home devices, all running at the same time without slowing each other down.
- WORKS WITH YOUR EXISTING INTERNET SERVICE: Pairs with your existing modem or gateway via ethernet. Compatible with most cable, fiber, DSL, and satellite providers. Some gateways and modem router combos may require bridge mode. No coax needed.
- SET UP AND MANAGE YOUR NETWORK WITH THE NIGHTHAWK APP: Download the free Nighthawk app on iOS or Android for guided setup. Manage WiFi, run speed tests, pause devices, and set up guest networks from anywhere. Active internet required.
- READY FOR THE DEVICES YOU ALREADY OWN: Your phones, laptops, and TVs work right out of the box. WiFi 6 delivers speeds up to 1.8 Gbps across 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Backward compatible with WiFi 5 and earlier.
- COVERAGE IN EVERY ROOM: Covers up to 1,500 sq. ft. for up to 20 connected devices. Walls, floors, and interference can reduce range. Larger or multi-story homes may benefit from a NETGEAR Orbi mesh WiFi system.
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