Best Wireless Router For Multiple Devices 2021: Reviews, Buying Criteria & Verdict

Do you remember that time when we used to have only a single device or smartphone with us in our home? Now things have changed in 2021 as we are covered with an ecosystem of products, right? It means we are using multiple devices at the same time. Therefore, we need the best wireless routers for multiple devices so that we could use them without any network issues or interruptions.

In late 2018, Even I have replaced my old router with a powerful one that can handle multiple devices with ease. So I’ll let you know which will be the best option for you and why?

So you only need to consider four things and keep in mind before you buy. However, if you are in a hurry and don’t have much time to read the entire article, then.

5 Multiple Devices’ Routers Comparison Chart

Picture	Router Name	MU-MIMO/BEAM	Bands	Standards	Check Now!
Best Overall Netgear Nighthawk (R7800) X4s Check Price	Netgear Nighthawk x4s (R7800)	YES	Dual-Band	802.11 AC	Check Price
Best For 20 Devices Linksys Max-Stream AC2200 Check Price	Linksys Max-Stream AC2200	YES	Tri-Band	802.11 AC	Check Price
Best For Gaming Asus RT-AC88U AC3100 Check Price	Asus RT-AC88U AC3100	YES	Dual-Band	802 11 AC	Check Price
For A larger Home NETGEAR Nighthawk X10 Check Price	NETGEAR Nighthawk X10	YES	Tri-Band	802.11 AD	Check Price
Small Office/Home Synology RT2600ac Check Price	Synology RT2600ac	YES	Dual-Band	802.11 AC	Check Price

Make sure our router is supported with the following technologies and features at any cost.

1. MU-MIMO Vs. SU-MIMO
2. Beamforming
3. Bands
4. AC or AD WiFI Standard

1. MU-MIMO Vs. SU-MIMO

MU-MIMO stands for multiple-user Multiple Input, Multiple Output. In other words, you can say it is an upgraded version of SU-MIMO (Single-user MIMO).

2. Beamforming:

Our older routers used to send or broadcast their signal in all directions. In other words, they were omnidirectional. In result, they dilute the signal. On the other hand, modern routers can determine your connected device specific location using beamforming technology. Which means a stronger signal between devices.

3. Single-Band Vs. Dual-Band or Tri-Band:

Before we understand the tri-band, we need to learn about a single band and dual-band router.

4. Ac or Ad WiFI Standard:

Both are good wireless standards. However, there are some major differences between the two in terms of throughput, Range, Channel width, and wireless bands.

Note:

I am not including other factors like CPU, RAM, Antennas, Etc. They play a significant role when it comes to handling multiple devices. Here I don’t want to confuse you anymore with such technical parts of the router. So be with me and have trust in my top picks.

After these four considering factors, you can make a smart choice and would be able to buy the best multiple devices router. However, I can make it simple to you by showing you my top picks.

1. NETGEAR Nighthawk X4S – Best Overall

My views:

The primary purpose of taking this router at first position is only its price. However, at this price range, It comes with great features. Without any doubt, it can handle multiple devices at the same time, which is our concerned, though.

My Criteria:

MU-MIMO: Yes, it supports MU-MIMO
Beamforming: Yes, it supports Implicit and Explicit beamforing+ technology
Band: Yes, Dual-band
Standard: ac wireless standard

Overview:

The Nighthawk X4S is a dual-band router. It has a powerful dual-core 1.7Ghz processor, which ensures fast WiFi speeds of up to 2.5Ghz with 160Mhz bandwidth. It also increases the performance of WiFi, WAN, LAN and wired devices. It also allows accessing the home network using the OpenVPN connect app, which is available for both Android and iPhone users.

Verdict:

Overall, the x4s is an excellent router for a larger home or office. I didn’t have any issues while installing this router as it was quite easy to use. It provides excellent security and safety from hackers, malicious virus, or any other social attacks. Netgear’s support team is also excellent.

Note:

If you’re looking for a multiple devices router under $200 then you should consider this x4s router, it would be a great choice. If you are not, then you should consider its elder brothers x6 and x8. Obviously, these elder brothers will be better and faster in terms of performance, range, and features than x4s. If you are interested or want to read their comparison – click here.

2. Linksys Max-Stream – Best For Small Office

My views:

The Linksys Max-stream is holding the 2nd position on my list. However, its features and performance are not as good as Netgear’s x4s, but it comes under $150. So at this price range, It offers excellent features and performance.

My Criteria:

MU-MIMO: yes, it supports MU-MIMO technology
Beamforming: Yes, It supports advanced beamforming+ technology
Bands: Tri-Band
Standard: It’s a next-generation ac standard wireless router

Overview:

The max-stream ac2200 is a tri-band router from Linksys. It is equipped with a powerful Quad-core processor (clocked @ 716Mhz) with 256MB of RAM and 256MB of flash memory. It has four operation modes such as wireless router, access point as a wired bridge, bridge mode, and wireless repeater.

Pros & Cons: The Linksys max-stream ac2200

Verdict:

If compared to X4s, the performance of Max-stream is also excellent. However, you’ve known the reason why this router is in the second position. The main differences between these two routers are their speeds and hardware. Which is normal as it is not as pricey as x4s. So I would suggest you buy one according to your needs.

3. ASUS RT-AC88U (AC3100) – Best For Gaming & Straming

My Views:

The third place on our list goes to Asus RT-AC88U. This is one of the most feature-packed routers from Asus. However, it is more expensive than X4s and Linksys Max-stream. Despite being a dual-band router, it has a lot more to offer, and it costs under $230. In my opinion, this router is going to be the best option for gamers as it has WTFAST game accelerator.

My Criteria:

MU-MIMO: Yes, it supports MU-MIMO technology
Beamforming: AiRadar beamforming
Bands: Dual-Band
Standard: Ultra-fast 802.11ac

Overview:

The Asus RT-88U is a dual-band router. It has four 4×4 (4T4R) antennas with AiRadar beamforming technology, which ensures faster WiFi unrivaled WiFi-range and coverage. As I said earlier, the router is equipped with WTFAST game accelerator chip, Which takes the gaming experience to the next level.

Pros & Cons: The RT-88U dual-band Gigabit Router

Verdict:

Even though it is an expensive router, but it is worth the money. Asus made this router keeping gamers in mind; thus it affects its price. In other words, Asus RT-88U is a powerful router in terms of features, performance, and security. Since Asus advertised that router is protected with AiProtection and Trend Micro, which triple the network security.

If you are a gamer or want lots of wired connection, then the RT-88U is made for you. There is no competition close to this router.

4. NETGEAR Nighthawk X10 – Best For 30 Devices

My Views:

The fourth router on my list is Netgear’s Nighthawk X10. Being an ad wireless standard router, it is expensive and future-proof with great advanced features and technologies. From design to the performance of the router is next level.

My Criteria:

MU-MIMO: Yes, it supports advanced MU-MIMO technology
Beamforming: Yes, beamforming supported
Band: Tri-band
Standard: ad wireless standard

Overview:

The Netgear x10 is a tri-band Quad Stream router. It delivers combined WiFi speeds of up to 7.2Gbps (800Mbps Using 2.4Ghz and 256QAM + 1733Mbps using 5Ghz and 256QAM + ) with Quad-stream Wave 2. The ad standard, which is three times faster than 802.11ac. It has 10 Gigabit Fiber Ethernet LAN Ports with SFP+ port.

Pros & Cons: The Netgear Nighthawk x10

Verdict:

No doubt, the nighthawk x10 is a powerful router I have tested so far. However, we need ad wireless standard supported devices in order to take advantage of this router. I tested this router with my Samsung galaxy s10, which can support ad standard with 60Ghz bandwidth.

From home user to business user, the router is an ideal option for all types of users. If you are looking for a future-proof multiple devices router, the Netgear x10 is for you.

5. Synology RT2600ac – Best For Home

My Views:

The Synology RT2600ac is the last router on our list and the only Synology router that I’ve tested by now. It comes under $200 and offers advanced controls and security to our network. It is going to be a good option for both homes and small offices.

My Criteria:

MU-MIMO: Yes, it supports 4×4 Omni-directional MIMO technology
Beamforming: Yes, it is beamforming supported
Bands: Dual-Band
Standard: ac wireless standard

Overview:

The Synology RT2600ac is an 802.11ac dual-band router. It delivers combined speeds of up to 2.53Gbps using both bands (800mbps on the 2.4Ghz + 1733Mbps on the 5Ghz). It is equipped with 4 & 7 hardware Acceleration engine and 1.7Ghz dual-core processor for optimizing the network with a minimal performance loss.

Pros & Cons: Synology Router RT2600ac

Verdict:

The Synology RT2600ac is an excellent choice as multiple devices router. If the price is concerned, I don’t think any other router or brand can provide such features. I like its parental controls and thread prevention very much; they are handy. I used this router in all three operating modes (wireless router, access point, and repeater) with no issues.

Let’s understand some essential required features and technologies which are necessary to handle multiple devices at once.

Ports: LAN, WAN, and USB

There are so many different types of ports you can see on a modern router such as LAN (Gigabit Ethernet Ports), WAN, and USB.

For example, let’s understand the latest Netgear’s x10 AD7200 router.

On the back side of the router, You will find seven 7 (10/10/1000) Ethernet Gigabit ports, One Gigabit WAN port for connecting your modem, and two USB ports: 1x 3.0 USB + 1x 2.0 USB.

These ports are very important in order to connect multiple devices at once if it is a wired connection.

What is the best gaming router for multiple devices?

It is a very common question often asked. As I said earlier, The only and the best gaming router is Asus’s RT-88U. Why? As advertised by the company that they made this router keeping gamers in mind. The router has eight Gigabit Ethernet Ports for connecting multiple wired connections at once. Most important, the Asus RT-88U is equipped with WFTast game accelerator chip, which is designed for Heavy games and ultra HD streaming.

How Many Devices at once?

It depends on the router. Still, theoretically, many wireless routers support up to 250 to 300 devices at once. Whereas, You can connect four to eight wired devices such as a laptop, printer, and many more.

One thing you should keep in mind that adding multiple devices to your network reduce the available bandwidth as they are using the same network.

Why my internet connection gets slow down after connecting multiple devices to the network at once?

When you connect multiple devices at once, meaning they are using the same network and bandwidth; thus it causes slow internet connection on your device. To fix this issue, you need to limit the number of devices on the network. For example, you are updating your iPhone or downloading any large files. In this case, these types of files require much more bandwidth than web browsing.

One more example, Suppose you have 1Gbps internet connection, and you connect 50 devices at once. It means each device is using 20mbps of data per second. ( Note: It also depends on devices you are using.)

How to know who’s on my network?

It is straightforward to check how many devices are connected to your network. For that, you have to login into your router or read about the router’s configuration settings in order to check a list of connected devices.

1. Best Router For 20 Devices

You can go with Netgear’s x4s or Linksys max-stream if you want lag-free and uninterrupted internet. Both routers support MU-MIMO and beamforming.

2. Best Router For 30 Device

If you want to connect up to 30 devices at once, then you should try Netgear’s x10 AD7200 as it has a powerful 1.7Ghz Quad Core processor with MU-MIMO and Beamforming.

Conclusion:

I tried to make this list keeping all types of person in mind from home users to gamers. When it comes to buying a multiple devices router, we need to focus on many factors such as a processor, RAM, and technologies which are coming with. That’s why I mentioned all the factors above which come across while buying one.

Again, it is important for you to assess your needs first. For example, if you buy Netgear x10, which is an ad standard router, right? But, you don’t have any ‘ad’ standard supported device. It is totally waste of money and time, and my buying guide would be wasted too if you buy an unnecessary router.

So my request is to read this article entirely in order to make a smart choice. Plus, I want you to put a comment below and let me know which router you bought through this article. Your feedback will be highly appreciated and help me to improve my content too.