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The 10 best wireless routers to buy in the UK

Picture of a wireless router

A wireless router is one of the most useful devices a home can have. By allowing various devices to connect wirelessly to the internet, a wireless router can save the hassle of wired connections while allowing you to browse the web on mobile devices like laptops and smartphones. However, as most people aren’t that tech-savvy when it comes to home networks, choosing the best wireless router is quite difficult. Therefore, knowing what to look for in a wireless router can be a massive help when buying.

Check out the buying guide below for how to choose the best wireless router for your home:

What are wireless routers?

A wireless router is a device that distributes your home internet connection to various devices without the need for ethernet cables. As a result, various devices such as smartphones, tablets, and games consoles can wirelessly connect to a single router.

Why should you buy a good wireless router?

Most people have at least one device in their home that requires a wireless connection. For instance, smartphones don’t have an ethernet cable so require a wireless router to connect to the internet. While devices like laptops can connect to a router using a cable, it’s much more convenient to do so wirelessly, in which case a wireless router is required.

If you want to avoid countless ethernet cables throughout your home and connect to devices that don’t have this connection, you’ll want to buy a good wireless router.

How to choose the right wireless router in 2024?

Another picture of a wireless router

Choosing the best wireless router is often difficult, especially for those that don’t know much about computers. Here are some things to consider that can help you choose a reliable wireless router:

  • Speed Compatibility: A wireless router needs to be compatible with the top speed of your internet to work efficiently. So, check with your internet service provider to determine your top internet speed, and then choose a router that can handle these speeds. Also, the top speed of a router won’t enhance the top speed of your internet.
  • Security: While convenient, wireless routers are also very easy to access without appropriate security in place. Therefore, you want to buy a device with suitable security measures, including WPA2 support. WAPA supported routers are an okay alternative, but you should always look for the best security possible, otherwise your data may be at risk and people could leech your internet connection for free.
  • Single or Dual Band: Wireless routers work with different frequency bands - 2.4GHz and 5GHz. Single band routers connect to 2.4GHz, which is use by most electronic devices, but it’s likelier that signals become congested. A dual band router connects to both 2.4GHz and 5GHz, the latter of which offers less congestion and improved connection speeds. If your internet speeds are slow, it may be because of congested signals in your neighbourhood. If this is the case, a dual band wireless router is a much better option to buy.

What is the best kind of wireless router in the UK?

There are two main types of wireless routers available:

  • Single Band: This wireless router connects to a single frequency band of 2.4Ghz. Most common devices connect using this frequency band, so a single band wireless router is suitable for most homes, while being cheaper than dual band routers.
  • Dual Band: Dual band wireless routers are more advanced than single band routers, capable of connecting to both 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency bands simultaneously. This offers faster connection speeds but will cost more to purchase. Plus, if you’re connection speeds are fine, then a dual band wireless router may be unnecessary.

Top 10 list of wireless routers in the UK (2024)

The bestseller list compares brands and their wireless routers. Which router is the best?
Best choice TOP 1
Image of TP-Link Archer C6 wireless router
TP-Link AC1200 Wireless Dual Band Wi-Fi Router - Speed Up to 867 Mbps/5…
  • Please contact TP-Link Technical support and service by calling the hotline number…
  • Easy Setup – Set up your Wi-Fi in minutes with TP-Link Tether app, with 3 years…
  • Access Point Mode –Supports AP Mode to transform your wired connection into…
BUY NOW
Offer TOP 2
Image of TP-Link TL-WR841N wireless router
TP-Link TL-WR841N 300 Mbps Wireless N Cable Router, Easy Setup, WPS…
  • Please contact TP-Link Technical support and service by calling the hotline number…
  • System Requirements Internet Explorer 11+, Firefox 12.0+, Chrome 20.0+, Safari 4.0+,…
  • Easy wireless security encryption at a push of WPS button
BUY NOW
TOP 3
Image of TP-Link Archer AX53 wireless router
TP-Link WiFi 6 OneMesh Router, AX3000 Mbps Gigabit VPN Router, Dual-Core…
  • Compatible with Alexa—Control your router via voice commands and make your…
  • Improved Battery Life—Target Wake Time helps your devices to communicate more…
  • TP-Link HomeShield - Enhanced security defends against the latest cyber threats
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TOP 4
Image of TP-Link Archer AX23 wireless router
TP-Link WiFi 6 OneMesh Router, AX1800 Mbps Gigabit VPN Router, Dual-Core…
  • Backward Compatible – Supports all previous 802.11 standards Wi-Fi devices
  • Easy Setup – Set up your router in minutes with the powerful TP-Link Tether…
  • Works with Most ISPs – Compatible with most ISPs with extra L2TP/PPTP support;…
BUY NOW
TOP 5
Image of TP-Link Archer C80 wireless router
TP-Link Archer C80 AC1900 MU-MIMO Dual Band Wireless Gaming Router,…
  • Please contact TP-Link Technical support and service by calling the hotline number…
  • To fix dropout issues, please check if the firmware of the router is up to date.…
  • Intelligent Connection – Smart Connect directs clients to the less congested…
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TOP 6
Image of Tenda F3 wireless router
Tenda Wireless Router 300 Mbps, 3 External Antennas for Streaming…
  • After-sales Service - If you have any problems with the products, please feel free…
  • Quick and Easy set-up - Configure F3 in 30 seconds via web page (192.168.0.1) or…
  • Multiple Operating Modes - Wireless Router Mode, Repeater Mode, Access Point Mode,…
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TOP 7
Image of WAVLINK 532A wireless router
WAVLINK 1200Mbps Dual Band WiFi Router, 867 Mbps/5 GHz + 300 Mbps/2.4GHz…
  • Easy to Set up and Use: With a simple web-based interface and easy-to-follow instructions,…
  • Extended WiFi Coverage: Equipped with 4 x 5dBi omnidirectional antennas, providing…
  • 3 Operation Modes: Easily switch between router, AP and repeater modes to adapt to…
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TOP 8
Image of TP-Link ARCHER AX55 wireless router
TP-Link Next-Gen Wi-Fi 6 AX3000 Mbps Gigabit Dual Band Wireless Router,…
  • USB 3.0 Port- Connects external storage devices to rapidly share files, photos, and…
  • Enhanced Security—More secure and trusted Wi-Fi with TP-Link HomeCare
  • Expanded Wi-Fi Coverage—Four High-Performance Antennas and Beamforming technology…
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TOP 9
Image of GL.iNet GL-SFT1200 wireless router
GL.iNet GL-SFT1200 (Opal) Secure Travel WiFi Router – AC1200…
  • Enable VPN or AdGuard Home EasilyImmediately enable/disable your selected feature(AdGuard…
  • Repeater for Public WiFiConvert a public network(wired/wireless) to a private Wi-Fi…
  • Keep your Internet SafeIPv6 supported. OpenVPN & WireGuard pre-installed, compatible…
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TOP 10
Image of TP-Link Archer AX72 wireless router
TP-Link Next-Gen Wi-Fi 6 AX5400 Mbps Gigabit Dual Band Wireless Router,…
  • EasyMesh-Compatible - Flexibly creates a Mesh network by connecting to an EasyMesh-compatible…
  • Easy Setup – Set up the router in minutes with the Tether app
  • More Vents, Less Heat – Improved vents area unleashes the full power of the…
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