TOP-9 Best Routers For Multiple Devices in the UK | Comparison & Buyer’s Guide

What is the best router for multiple devices? It is essential to have a good router when you have a variety of streamers, gamers and serious downloaders on your network. Characteristically, a good multiple device router is dual or tri-band equipment with features that simultaneously connect a variety of devices and Wi-Fi signals without sacrificing connection, coverage or speed. The actual number of devices that can successfully connect depends on the router’s features, CPU and RAM capabilities. We believe that NETGEAR Nighthawk X6S Smart Wifi Router meets these criteria best.

High-Speed Wireless Routers for Multiple Devices Compared

What Are The Trusted Brands of Routers for Multiple Devices

NETGEAR is known for its solid networking technology. Some of its wireless routers are more expensive, but they offer many features and deliver exceptional power and speed. Asus designs their popular and reliable routers for the gamer, with a focus on range, speed and file sharing. Linksys reputably delivers uninterrupted and “lag-free” streaming to multiple devices. TP-Link offers affordable and reliable short-range budget-routers.

What Are The Main Features Of A Powerful Router?

Beamforming

Beamforming improves your wifi reception, reduces interference and strengthens and expands the signal. It allows the router to optimize wireless data broadcasting for each device.

Data Speed

Basic high speed wireless router connection speeds are measured in megabits/per sec (Mbps). Older routers typically run at 300-600 Mbps. Newer, faster wireless models run at 1 Gbps (ISP gigabits/per sec) or faster. Although your modem must be able to handle the connection and data speed, your internet connection typically will not reach these higher speeds.

MU-MIMO (Multi User-Multiple In Multiple Out)

MU-MIMO allows multiple devices to simultaneously use MIMO technology which reduces the effects of negative wifi signal reflection. MU-MIMO uses two antennas to improve connections and increase data throughput. MU-MIMO allows several devices wifi signal reflection protection, unlike MIMO that only allows one device to be protected.

Dual Band and Tri Band

Dual and tri band routers allow devices to connect to different networks with less congestion. Dual band routers have one 2.4GHz network and one 5GHz network, which allow two wireless signals to be transmitted simultaneously. Tri band routers have one 2.4 GHz network and two (2) 5 GHz networks, which allow more users to connect with less interference.

AC Wireless Standard v. AD Wireless Standard

Both Ac and Ad wireless standards are good. But range, bands and channel width differ. An Ac standard router provides maximum throughput up to 5400 Mbps and max wireless range up to 500 feet. It can use tri band and has a 20-160 Mhz wireless channel width. An Ad standard router provides maximum throughput up to 7200 Mbps and max 500+ ft. wireless range. It can use tri band (2.4Ghz, 5Ghz and 60GHz w/Quad-stream) and has a 5-20 Mhz wireless channel width.

High-End Vs Budget Routers for Multiple Devices

The cost of a wireless router depends on its network standard and features.

Basic (802.11n) multiple device wireless routers designed for in-home use provide fast wireless connections (a little less speed than 802.11ac) and few, if any, features. They are typically in the £50-£80 range. A faster speed (802.11ac) wireless router with few, if any features, gains you connection speed and is priced mid-range between £80 and £150.

A high-end 802.11ac wireless router that has significantly long range and includes extras such as multi-stage protection, remote access apps, game acceleration, etc. is typically £150-£350. DOCSIS 3.1 modems and multiple device wireless routers that support gigabit Internet speeds can cost £200-£300.

TOP-5 Best Routers for Multiple Devices

Below, you will find a review of the best routers for multiple devices at a price ranging from £60 to £350. Some models are characterized by high-speed operation and power, others have customizable open-source firmware. There is a router designed specifically for gamers with a 2.5G gaming port to boost gaming traffic.

1. NETGEAR Nighthawk X4S Smart WiFi Router (R7800)

The 802.11ac, dual band, AC2600 Nighthawk R7800 smart wifi router is a DOCSIS 3.1 modem that supports gigabit speeds up to 2600 Mbps and provides AST wifi performance for fast and reliable 4K Ultra-HD streaming and multiple player gaming up to 800 + 1733 Mbps. It has a powerful 1.7 GHz dual core processor and advanced range-boosting Beamforming+ antennas, MU-MIMO, Dynamic frequency and QoS technology It has a wireless coverage range up to 2,500 SF and supports up to 45 devices.

The Nighthawk R7800 router also features four (4) 1G Ethernet ports for fast (wired) connections and (2) 3.0 USB and (1) eSATA ports for sharing and cloud storage. Smart Circle App parental controls allow you to filter websites and manage Internet access. This wifi router also supports high level WPA2 wireless security protocols including double (SPI and NAT) firewall, DoS, double (SPI and NAT) firewall, VPN, Guest wifi access and Alexa voice controls.

NETGEAR R7800: Check the current price

2. Linksys WRT AC3200 Dual-Band Open Source Router

The 802.11ac, dual band, AC3200 Linksys WRT3200ACM router is an “enterprise grade” home wifi unit that supports gigabit speeds up to 2.6 Gbps and consistently fast and reliable 4K HD streaming and multiple player gaming up to 600 + 2600 Mbps. It has a powerful 1.8 GHz dual central processing unit. It offers Tri-Stream 160 bandwidth boost and MU-MIMO technology for expanded router speeds and responsive multiple performance and DFS (Dynamic frequency selection) for three times the number of available 800 MHz channels.

The Linksys WRT router also features four (4) 1G Ethernet ports for fast (wired) connections and one 3.0 USB and (1) eSATA/USB 2.0 hybrid port for sharing and cloud storage. The Smart W-Fi App allows you to remotely monitor and control your network. This wifi router also supports an open-source customization with OpenWrt and DD WRT that allows you to set parental controls and a secure VPN, detect access intrusions, manage network traffic, create hotspots or transform the router into a web server.

Linksys: Check the current price

3. Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX11000

The innovative tri-band Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 wifi router offers fast, large whole-home / gaming coverage for 802.11ac as well as next Gen 802.11ax devices. It supports triple-level game acceleration, port forwarding and game radar and easy point and click gaming interface. It has a high performance 1.8 GHz quad core processor, 2.5 Gbps gaming port and compatible ASUS AiMesh wifi system as well as standard range-boosting Beamforming, MU-MIMO, DFS (Dynamic frequency selection) and QoS technology.

The ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 also features four (4) 1G Ethernet ports for fast (wired) connections and (2) 3.1 USB and (1) RJ45 for BaseT ports for cloud and data sharing. AiProtection Pro security provides commercial grade network security and advanced parental controls. This wifi router also includes ASUS wrt monitoring and control, firewall, VPN and traffic analyzer.

Asus: Check the current price

4. NETGEAR WiFi Router (R6230)

The 802.11ac, dual band, AC1200 NETGEAR R6230 wifi router is the best affordable multiple device router on the market. It supports fast speeds up to 1200 Mbps and multiple player gaming and HD streaming up to 300 + 900 Mbps. It has a powerful 880MHz processor and advanced QoS technology. It has a wireless coverage range up to 1,200 SF and supports up to 20 devices.

This NETGEAR R6230 wifi router also features five (4) 1G auto-sensing Ethernet ports for fast wired connections and one 2.0 USB port for wireless sharing and access. Convenient Nighthawk App parental controls allow you to filter websites and manage Internet access. This wifi router also supports high level WPA / WPA2 - PSK wireless security protocols including DoS, double (SPI and NAT) firewall, VPN, and the ability to create a separate Guest Network.

NETGEAR R6230: Check the current price

5. TP-Link AC1750 Smart WiFi Router

The 802.11ac, dual band, TP-Link AC1750 is a smart multiple device wifi router that supports gigabit speeds up to 1750 Mbps. It provides affordable high-speed, long-range coverage for home. It is three times faster, providing high speed high speed Internet for seamless 4K streaming and multiple player gaming. It has advanced QoS (Archer A7) technology, wireless coverage range up to 2,500 SF and supports up to 50+ devices.

The TP-Link AC1750 wifi router also features five (5) 1G Ethernet ports (4 LAN, 1 WAN) for fast connections and one 2.0 USB for sharing media and files. The TP Link tether app allows you to remotely manage and filter your home network. This home wifi router also supports high level WPA / WPA2 wireless security protocols and controls including parental and Guest wifi access, password protected encryption, VPN and Alexa integration.

TP-Link: Check the current price

9 Best-Selling Routers for Multiple Devicesin the UK | Comparative Table

Most modern households today utilize their wireless router for more devices than one, and often at the same time. Households with at least two members should be equipped to handle phones, tablets, laptops, computers, and televisions all at once - sometimes all from multiple members at once.

There is nothing more frustrating than having an otherwise great connection and having to sacrifice using one device in favor of having the wireless connection run smoothly on another.

How Do Routers for Multiple Devices Work?

Using multiple antennas, these routers begin optimizing the wireless internet connection of many devices at once by being able to communicate and transfer more data at a time. Every time a computer or other device attempts to connect to the internet, the router must transfer its information between the router and modem.

The more devices attempting to communicate via one device at a time, the slower the router is at being able to transfer said information. Starting with a device that can transfer more information from the beginning is essential to handling multiple devices on the same internet connection.

Look for available bandwidth, and take a close look at how your router handles said bandwidth between multiple devices.

The router’s overall wireless speed also comes into play here. The faster your router’s base speed is, the more quickly it is likely going to be able to transfer your devices’ information and keep them all running quickly.

What Are Trusted Brands of Routers for Multiple Devices?

Most people looking for trusted routers to handle multiple devices tend to go with Linksys, Netgear, and TP-Link. These are some of the most popular producers of routers overall, and their ability to transfer information from multiple devices at a time simply cannot be beaten.