Most Wi-Fi routers these days are designed to work with a reasonable number of connected devices. Even in relatively large households, numerous smartphones, computers, and smart TVs can stay connected. Things change, however, when you want to connect, say, more than 50 devices. Your Wi-Fi router may be able to stay connected, but performance will take a hit.
At this point, you need to start searching for a Wi-Fi router that is optimized for multiple devices.
Factors To Consider
Sure, you need the Wi-Fi router to support a higher number of devices. However, the number alone is not going to help you connect more devices to the network. You need to consider the following factors if you like to have a superior Wi-Fi experience on multiple devices.
WiFi Speed
When you connect multiple devices to a router, the router will share its bandwidth. Therefore, you should find a Wi-Fi router with sufficient top speed. Ideally, it should support a total speed that can handle the load of all connected devices at once. You should also keep in mind that theoretical maximums do not always convert to reality. It means you should not expect a 1Gbps speed just because the label says 1Gbps.
Wi-Fi Protocol (Version)
It is also essential to choose a compatible yet performance-friendly wireless protocol. You should ideally go for Wi-Fi 7 routers to future-proof everything, but compatibility is not optimal right now. We recommend Wi-Fi 6 or 6E routers as the best option. Compared to previous protocols like Wi-Fi 4 and Wi-Fi 5, Wi-Fi 6 and 6E can support more connected devices as well.
WiFi Range
You cannot choose a router just because it supports more devices. If the router cannot deliver a good range across your home or office, multi-device support becomes a waste. Therefore, you should consider a router with a decent Wi-Fi range. You may also want to consider mesh Wi-Fi routers because they can deliver better coverage and seamless roaming.
Number of Bands
You probably know that more Wi-Fi bands indicate better performance. One way to achieve this enhanced performance is by assigning suitable devices to different bands. For instance, your 4K streaming smart TV needs the 5GHz band since it requires heavy bandwidth. At the same time, the 2.4GHz band is enough for a variety of low-bandwidth devices. This way, you can accommodate more devices without stuffing a band.
Advanced Features
You don’t have to compromise advanced features just because you need to connect more devices. So, you should check for options like VPN, Guest Network, VLANs, Parental Controls, Band Steering, etc. Such options can simplify the router management process at times while accommodating more devices. You should also check out whether the router supports the latest security standards and protocols.
QoS
Quality of Service, better known as QoS, is a set of features that help you control how the network prioritizes traffic, among other things. By choosing a router with rich QoS features, you can prioritize certain tasks like video calls and gaming requests from all devices. It is a blessing when you have connected multiple devices to the network.
It is equally important to choose a suitable router for the correct sector. For instance, you should not expect industry-grade performance from even a high-end residential Wi-Fi router. Also, when in doubt, you can go for mesh Wi-Fi routers with multiple satellite modules. Each of these modules can add tens of devices to the list, making things easier.
Top 5 Best WiFi Routers for Multiple Devices
Our selection procedure was pretty straightforward. For starters, all Wi-Fi routers in this list have checked all the boxes we mentioned above. They are powerful and pack most of the features you would expect from an easy-to-use, performance-friendly Wi-Fi router.
#1 TP-Link AXE5400 Tri-Band WiFi 6E Router – Best Overall Router for Multiple Devices
Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)
Bands: Tri-band (2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz)
Combined Speed: Up to 5.4 Gbps
Processor: 1.7 GHz Quad-Core CPU
Coverage: Up to 2,500 sq. ft.
Devices Supported: 75+
We have picked TP-Link AXE5400 as the best overall option for a few reasons. First, despite being powerful enough to handle over 75 devices, this Wi-Fi router does not break your bank. It also delivers incredible speeds and tri-band connectivity, while offering a combined throughput of 5.4 Gbps. This system should be sufficient to power your multi-Gig network from any major ISP.
The 1.7GHz quad-core CPU does a great job of offering value-added features as well. The TP-Link AXE5400 does not disappoint in terms of coverage, either. The tri-band system (with 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz bands) allows you to assign devices based on your priority and preferences. The OFDMA also makes it a breeze to handle a considerable number of devices.
This performance-friendly router from TP-Link offers a curated bunch of value-added features as well. First, you get a set of QoS features for prioritization. Similarly, Network Scanner and HomeShield Pro will help you scan the network for potential threats and prevent them. HomeShield Pro is a premium subscription, which costs close to $6 a month.
The Parental Controls options on the TP-Link AXE5400 router are also awesome. It lets you set up profiles, track activity, and gather insightful reports. The TP-Link Tether app is also one of the better router manager apps we have come across. It assists you in quick setup and makes it easy to manage the network. It also offers extra features like a VPN.
The TP-Link AXE5400 router ships with support for OneMesh, which lets you use compatible extenders and Wi-Fi routers to create a mesh Wi-Fi system. We also loved the connectivity options, which include 4x LAN ports, 1x WAN port, and 1x USB 3.0 port. Last but not least, you won’t have any trouble setting up the Wi-Fi router with Amazon Alexa for smart control.
#2 NETGEAR Nighthawk WiFi 6E Router (RAXE500) – Best Premium Router for Multiple Devices
Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)
Bands: Tri-band (2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz)
Combined Speed: Up to 10.8 Gbps
Processor: 1.8 GHz Triple-Core CPU
Coverage: Up to 3,500 sq. ft.
Devices Supported: 60+
If you want a router that can handle 60+ devices, you should check out the NETGEAR Nighthawk RAXE500 router. Though it loses points in terms of device support, it makes up for it in terms of performance. This premium, performance-friendly router will leave a noticeable dent on your wallet. Still, it can ensure top-notch speeds and performance on all connected devices, even if you are into low-latency gaming.
For starters, the NETGEAR Nighthawk RAXE500 is a tri-band Wi-Fi 6E router, which can deliver a maximum throughput of 10.8 Gbps. These speeds can not only accommodate multi-Gig Internet connections but are also great for high-speed network data transfer. Because it can handle 12 streams simultaneously, you won’t have trouble managing various devices on the network.
The 1.8GHz triple-core CPU of the NETGEAR Nighthawk RAXE500 makes it smooth and reliable for most tasks. Whether you are modifying QoS settings or setting up a VPN, everything seems smooth. The tri-band router also makes it easy to ensure signal quality, thanks to technologies like Beamforming+, OFDMA, and Smart Connect.
Since the router is designed for performance-centric tasks, it delivers on the hardware front as well. As far as standard connectivity is concerned, the NETGEAR Nighthawk RAXE500 packs 4x Gigabit Ethernet ports and 2x USB 3.0 ports. You can easily use these connections for network extension as well as shared storage. What’s more, these LAN ports support port aggregation as well.
In addition to triple band management, other value-added features are included in the package. However, we wish some of them were available without the NETGEAR Armor subscription. Even so, you will benefit a lot from features like Google Home/Alexa integration and security options like Guest Wi-Fi Networks. We’ve seen this router being used to cover areas as large as 3,500 sq. ft.
#3 Amazon Eero 6+ Mesh Wi-Fi System: Best Mesh Wi-Fi Router for Multiple Devices
Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
Bands: Dual-band (2.4GHz, 5GHz)
Combined Speed: Up to 1.3 Gbps (per node)
Processor: 1.2 GHz Quad-Core (approx.)
Coverage: Up to 4,500 sq. ft. (3-pack)
Devices Supported: 75+
These days, you get to choose from quite a few options when you need a mesh Wi-Fi system. However, Amazon’s Eero 6+ Mesh Wi-Fi is excellent for a few reasons. First, it does not break your bank, even while it allows you to connect over 75 devices at a time. More so, you always have the option to expand coverage and speed by adding more Eero units.
This affordable Wi-Fi 6 mesh system is designed for gigabit Wi-Fi networks, and it delivers on most fronts on most days. We are talking about a range of 4,500 sq. ft. with the 3-pack option. If you think you can do with two units, you can save more money. Because these units come with two Gigabit Ethernet ports, it is effortless to ensure maximum speed as well.
Unlike some other options we talked about, the Eero 6+ mesh Wi-Fi from Amazon is a dual-band router, but thanks to its smart connectivity, it does a better job of making sure that all your devices are kept on the right band and speed considerations. Even if you do not spend time on QoS, you can expect decent performance for most of your tasks.
There is no scarcity of additional features either. For one, because it comes from Amazon, you get deep integration with Amazon Alexa. More so, the Eero application makes it easy to set up the thing. In addition, it has deep support for Bluetooth Low Energy, Matter, and other smart home systems. The 1GHz dual-core processor and 512MB of RAM are more than enough to take care of your networking needs on most days.
Overall, the Eero 6+ Wi-Fi mesh system from Amazon does a good job in terms of value proposition and performance. Thanks to its two bands to take care of your different networking needs, you can count on this device and its multi-device support to power a network consisting of over 50 devices. Everything else you’d get—like seamless roaming and easy management—are additional perks.
#4 ASUS ROG Rapture WiFi 6E Gaming Router (GT-AXE16000) – Best Gaming Router for Multiple Devices
Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)
Bands: Quad-band (2.4GHz, 5GHz-1, 5GHz-2, 6GHz)
Combined Speed: Up to 16 Gbps
Processor: 2.0 GHz Quad-Core CPU
Coverage: Up to 6,000 sq. ft.
Devices Supported: 50+
Things are a little different when you want to connect multiple devices, primarily for gaming. In these instances, you may go for the ASUS ROG Rapture WiFi 6E gaming router, which comes with the serial number GT-AXE16000. This Wi-Fi 6E router ships with four different bands that you can use to arrange your devices and prioritize traffic for gaming.
While the ROG Rapture Wi-Fi router lets you use the 2.4GHz band for basic internet-connected devices, you can utilize the two 5GHz bands and the one 6GHz band for advanced gaming devices. These bands offer incredible latency and gigabit speeds, thanks to the router’s combined throughput of 16Gbps. It may leave a dent on your wallet, though.
It offers a maximum coverage of 6,000 sq. ft., thus letting you accommodate more devices. The RangeBoost Plus technology from ASUS does a better job of ensuring performance, but the company doesn’t specify how many devices you can connect. However, independent testing has revealed that people have connected more than 50 devices to the router while enjoying superior quality networking.
Because it ships with AI mesh technology, you won’t have trouble connecting other compatible routers to the network to create something of a mesh network. Connectivity-wise, the hardware option also doesn’t disappoint because you get dual 10 Gbps Ethernet ports that you can use for a variety of needs. You also get a detailed QoS section, which is optimized for gaming.
Value-added features of the ASUS router AXE16000 include parental controls, VPN compatibility with Alexa and Google Assistant, Instant Guard, and AI protection from ASUS. We also love the ASUS Router app, which makes router and network management a breeze. In the end, if you prioritize premium performance for your gaming needs, the ASUS Rapture Wi-Fi 6E router won’t disappoint.
#5 TP-Link Tri-Band BE9700 WiFi 7 Router – Best Wi-Fi 7 Router for Multiple Devices
Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)
Bands: Tri-band (2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz)
Combined Speed: Up to 9.6 Gbps
Processor: 2.2 GHz Quad-Core CPU
Coverage: Up to 2,600 sq. ft.
Devices Supported: 120+
If you are concerned about future-proofing your network, Wi-Fi 7 routers are an ideal option. This option is also great when you want to accommodate more devices, say over 120. Wouldn’t it be more awesome if this router doesn’t break your wallet? Well, the TP-Link BE7900 Tri-band Router is the best option you can find on the market right now.
Just released in 2024, this WiFi 7 router comes with three bands: 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz. Combined, these three bands can offer a throughput of 9.6Gbps, making it an excellent choice for most gigabit internet plans out there. The 2.2GHz quad-core CPU on this device is also capable of offering impressive management options. It means you get a number of value-added features, including VPN and network security.
The 10 Gbps wired connection option, which can be used as a WAN or LAN port, is an excellent addition to this router. When combined with the ease of use that the TP-Link tether app offers, you can ensure a coverage of up to 2600 square feet without breaking a sweat. As far as the Wi-Fi 7 options are concerned, you can benefit from technologies such as multi-link operation, 4K QAM, and multi-RU.
The OFDMA and Beamforming technology also add value to the network by focusing signals on individual devices. And the fact that it can run 120 devices at the same time with the best performance is a solid reason to pick this over any other option out there. You can expand the coverage further by using the six antennas the router ships with.
Last but not least, the TP-Link BE7900 is compatible with EasyMesh, which lets you use compatible devices to create a handy mesh Wi-Fi network. We also love the Tether app, which offers incredible features while keeping them easy to use. QoS options are easy to navigate and enable when you use a router of this design and optimization.
Comparison Table
Feature | TP-Link AXE5400 (Archer AXE75) | NETGEAR Nighthawk RAXE500 | Amazon Eero 6+ Mesh | ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AXE16000 | TP-Link BE9700 WiFi 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Best For | Overall performance & value | Premium performance & coverage | Whole-home mesh coverage | High-end gaming & multitasking | Future-proofing with Wi-Fi 7 |
Wi-Fi Standard | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 7 |
Bands | Tri-band (2.4GHz + 5GHz + 6GHz) | Tri-band (2.4GHz + 5GHz + 6GHz) | Dual-band (2.4GHz + 5GHz) | Quad-band (2.4GHz + dual 5GHz + 6GHz) | Tri-band (2.4GHz + 5GHz + 6GHz) |
Maximum Speed | Up to 5.4 Gbps | Up to 10.8 Gbps | Up to 1.3 Gbps (per node) | Up to 16 Gbps | Up to 9.6 Gbps |
Coverage | Up to 2,500 sq. ft. | Up to 3,500 sq. ft. | Up to 4,500 sq. ft. (3-pack) | Up to 6,000 sq. ft. | Up to 2,600 sq. ft. |
Devices Supported | 75+ | 60+ | 75+ | 50+ | 120 |
Ethernet Ports | 1× WAN, 4× LAN (Gigabit) | 1× WAN, 4× LAN (Gigabit) | 2× LAN per node (Gigabit) | 1× 10G WAN/LAN, 1× 10G LAN, 4× LAN (2.5G/1G) | 1× 2.5G WAN/LAN, 4× LAN (Gigabit) |
USB Ports | 1× USB 3.0 | 2× USB 3.0 | None | 2× USB 3.2 Gen 1 | 1× USB 3.0 |
Processor | Quad-core 1.7 GHz | 1.8 GHz Triple-core | 1GHz Dual-core | 2.0 GHz Quad-core | 2.2 GHz Quad-core |
Security Features | WPA3, HomeShield | WPA3, NETGEAR Armor | WPA3, Eero Secure (sub. req.) | AiProtection Pro, WPA3 | WPA3, HomeShield Pro |
Parental Controls | Yes (via TP-Link app) | Yes (via app/subscription) | Yes (via subscription) | Yes (advanced options) | Yes |
Smart Home Integration | Alexa | Alexa, Google Assistant | Alexa, Thread support | Alexa, IFTTT | Alexa |
Mesh Support | OneMesh compatible | Not mesh-capable | Yes (native) | AiMesh compatible | EasyMesh compatible |
Mobile App | TP-Link Tether | Nighthawk App | Eero App | ASUS Router App | TP-Link Tether |
Release Date | 2022 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
Mesh Systems vs Traditional Routers
The choice between conventional Wi-Fi routers and mesh Wi-Fi systems can be confusing at times. Here is a quick showdown to help you decide.
Feature | Mesh WiFi | Traditional WiFi Router |
|---|---|---|
Coverage | Covers big spaces using many units | Covers one area from a single spot |
Number of Devices | Handles many devices well | Slows down with many devices |
Dead Zones | Fewer dead zones | Dead zones likely far from router |
Setup | Simple app setup for most brands | Setup can be more technical |
Cost | Usually costs more | Cheaper upfront |
Scalability | Easy to add more coverage | Hard to expand coverage |
Reliability | Stays stable as you move around | Can drop signal as you move |
Best Use Case | Big homes or offices | Small spaces or few devices |
As you can see, mesh Wi-Fi systems offer better value compared to traditional Wi-Fi routers. Their upper hand becomes more evident when you want to connect multiple devices across your house.
For instance, you can place your devices at larger distances as long as you optimize the location of satellite modules. It is also great that each satellite module supports a number of devices. So, when you add more mesh points to the system, you can increase not only the range but also the number of supported devices. You also benefit from features like smart roaming, which maintains a single Wi-Fi network across the space.
As a result, mesh Wi-Fi can get rid of Wi-Fi dead zones as well. We have also noticed that mesh Wi-Fi systems are far easier to set up than conventional routers. They are more reliable as well from uptime and signal quality perspectives.
Therefore, despite their high upfront costs, mesh Wi-Fi systems offer better value.
Wrapping Up
From conventional Wi-Fi routers to advanced mesh Wi-Fi systems, a variety of devices have been added to this list. In one way or another, all these devices allow you to accommodate more connected devices without compromising performance. However, we have left some room for you to choose routers based on your specific requirements, such as gaming or performance. At the same time, we made sure that you get some affordable options as well. As it happens, the first pick we have as the overall one and the last option, which is designed for Wi-Fi 7 connectivity, are so affordable that you get maximum value for the money that you pay.
