We also like the Netgear RAX50 for its extensive parental controls and the TP-Link Archer A8 for its budget-friendly price. When searching for the best Wi-Fi router for AT&T, we looked for models that could take full advantage of your plan’s speeds, but we also considered each router’s features and specifications. After all, your router is an essential tool tasked with managing your network and much of your Wi-Fi security. Let’s dig into the specs and see why we picked these five as the best AT&T routers.
Enhanced security that uses WPA2 or WPA3 Large Wi-Fi coverage area Mesh networking capabilities Dual- or tri-band technology Gaming and streaming enhancement features Advanced parental and guest network controls Trusted brands like Asus, TP-Link, and NETGEAR Enough Ethernet and USB ports to connect your wired devices and printers
Look for router models that offer the latest technologies (MU-MIMO, beamforming, etc.), high-end hardware (a good amount of processing power, ample ports, etc.), advanced security, and user-friendly features. It’s also important to make sure that your new router has max speeds that exceed your AT&T plan’s max speeds. But to get the best networking features, many people choose to add on a separate router even though the gateway gives them basic Wi-Fi functionality. If you game, stream in HD or 4K, or work from home, you’ll probably find your internet runs smoother when you use your own router. One Nest Wi-Fi router alone covers up to 2,200 square feet, and you can add additional routers to extend your coverage area even more. (Two routers cover 4,400 square feet, and three routers cover 6,600 square feet.) A large coverage area isn’t the only benefit to the Nest Wi-Fi system though. It has Google Assistant built in, so you can play music and direct hundreds of devices on your network. If you have a high-end AT&T plan, the system will be able to route network traffic to the least congested band. The self-healing Nest Wi-Fi system is relatively maintenance free, and it’s more attractive than most routers, with a sleek design that fits in with most decor. It comes in snow, mist, or sand color options. On top of all that, you get access to NETGEAR’s Smart Parental Controls, which are some of the best parental controls available. You can manage and monitor just about every aspect of your kids’ online activity, from screen time to internet history to specific device usage. You can even set up specific profiles, filters, bed times, down times, and set rewards for each individual profile. The RAX50 also boasts Wi-Fi 6. If you have multiple smart devices or if you work from home, it might be worth it to invest in a Wi-Fi 6 router. But if you don’t need optimum network performance, then a Wi-Fi 6 router might be overkill. With a 1.8 GHz quad-core processor and a Dynamic Optimization Engine, you have enough power and flexibility to play games on all of your consoles and PCs. And you can still optimize network traffic to other devices like smart home gadgets, productivity PCs, phones, and tablets. While this router will perform well for any household that uses a lot of bandwidth, it’s especially helpful for gamers, with gaming-specific features like the aforementioned Dynamic Optimization Engine. It’s also Alexa compatible, and it’s pretty fairly priced so you won’t have to spend too much cash to take full advantage of your AT&T internet while gaming on a console or PC. The downsides? The Archer A8 doesn’t offer some of the perks like Wi-Fi 6 or tri-band technology. But you’ll get a decent Wi-Fi range out of this unit, as well as 4 LAN ports plus beamforming and MU-MIMO technology to improve efficiency and speeds. The Archer A8 also comes with Smart Connect, which checks to make sure your device is connected to the best Wi-Fi band available. Along with parental controls, these thoughtful features make the Archer A8 an absolute steal. With a 2.2 GHz quad-core processor that’s optimized for Wi-Fi 6, the Nighthawk RAX120 has the latest and greatest technologies like beamforming and MU-MIMO. It also boasts two USB ports, four gigabit LAN ports, and an easy-to-use app where you can manage your network. Our biggest issue with the RAX120 is its steep price. But if cost is no issue to you and you’d prefer to future-proof your technology, this router fits the bill. Cheapest AT&T internet plan How to Choose a Router How to Hook Up Your Internet 10 Easy Ways to Speed Up Your Internet Connection
