The internet has become a modern necessity that most people use in some way, shape, or form every day. Since its humble beginnings, the internet has become something it’s hard to imagine living without.
Unfortunately, it’s also made data breaches, scams, harassment, and all manner of unsavory acts easier than ever to fall victim to. That’s why protecting yourself and acquiring the best tools and products has become essential.
Overall best secure wireless router for home:
ASUS WiFi 6 Router (RT-AX3000) - Dual Band Gigabit Wireless Internet Router
Deciding what is the most secure home wireless router is no easy task, as everyone uses the internet differently. In this review, we have picked out 6 products that each cater to a specific internet usage scenario.
You can see for yourself and compare each one to your own internet habits to see what will best suit your needs. Before we look at these products, we will first cover some of the features you should look out for when considering a secure router.
Contents
- Key Takeaways
- Best WiFi Security Features To Look For
- #1: ASUS: Overall Best Secure Wireless Router For Home
- #2: TP-Link: Best Secure Router For Gamers
- #3: NetGear: Best Secure Router With Mobile App Integration
- #4: Meraki: Best Secure Wireless Firewall Router For Home
- #5: Express VPN: Best Secure Home Router With Express VPN
- #6: TP-Link: Best Secure Home Router On A Budget
- Conclusion
Key Takeaways
- A secure wireless router should have strong WiFi encryption, firewall protection, and VPN support, among other features.
- We will look at various routers that are specifically tailored for more specific niches, such as gaming or small businesses so you can choose which is the best fit for you.
Best WiFi Security Features To Look For
Strong WiFi Encryption
The word ‘encryption’ will be used a lot when describing internet security, but what exactly is it? Encryption has been around in a few forms since ancient times, and in a modern context, it basically entails scrambling data in such a way that only those with the encryption key can decipher.
The better the encryption, the harder it will be for hackers to break in and access the information hidden within. That’s why having strong wifi encryption is vital when choosing a router.
Firewall and Network Protection
Firewalls are also something you will see mentioned frequently when talking about internet security. Much like a real wall protecting a building, a firewall serves as a ‘wall’ of protection between your private network and the rest of the internet.
A firewall will monitor internet traffic and enforce any security policies that are in place. Firewalls are pretty essential for modern internet usage, so it’s a good idea to ensure they are supported by your router.
Deep Packet Inspection (DPI)
While the previous two terms we looked at are pretty well known, deep packet inspection, or DPI, sounds a lot more complicated. However, its name helps to explain what DPI is, specifically the ‘inspection’ part of the acronym.
Essentially, it is a process where information will be analyzed and acted on accordingly depending on what kinds of threats, breaches, or errors there may be.
Network Attached Storage (NAS)
Network-attached storage (NAS) is another term that sounds quite complicated. Very basically, a NAS device will essentially handle storage and sharing requests for a server.
Usually, this will come from a central source, and authorized networks can share data with that source.
VPN Support
VPNs, or Virtual Private Networks, have become very popular in recent years. Basically, a VPN creates a private network that can add extra protection and anonymity to your browsing.
VPNs can be used for safe torrenting, bypassing censorship, accessing regional-specific content, and many other uses.
MAC Address Filtering
Most secure wifi routers will have the feature of MAC address filtering, which is an important feature for any network. What this feature basically ensures is that non-authorized devices will not be able to connect to a specific network.
This is essential for preventing unwanted connections or unauthorized access.
Parental Controls
The internet is filled with content that is not suitable for children and teens, so having parental control features can be vital for parents or guardians who look after younger people using the internet. Parental controls can range from blocking certain websites to restricting certain words and phrases as well.
Regular Firmware Updates
Any device that connects to the internet will need regular updates to make sure it’s not left behind. This is true for anything from game consoles to routers. Ideally, a well-supported router should be receiving fairly regular updates and improvements for more complete protection.
It’s always a good sign to see at least semi-regular firmware updates, as it means it’s less likely your product will be outdated in a short amount of time.
Smart App Integration
Pretty much anyone who uses the Internet will likely have apps that they use every day. The more convenient an app is, the better. Some routers will feature apps that have been chosen for their usefulness and parity to that device, so it’s always great to have that included when choosing a router.
Some of the routers we will look at even have proprietary apps for increased features and security.
In our interconnected homes, a secure wireless router is the cornerstone of digital safety. It’s not just about speed and coverage; it’s about creating a fortress for your data, ensuring that every byte transmitted is shielded from the prying eyes of cyber adversaries.
– Kurt Sanger Cybersecurity Expert
#1: ASUS: Overall Best Secure Wireless Router For Home
The name ASUS immediately inspires confidence and trust in anyone who knows a bit about technology. That is why it is no surprise that they are the first to be featured on our list. The ASUS WiFi 6 Router RT-AX3000 is one of our top choices when it comes to the overall best secure wireless router.
It’s an example of a device that would suit pretty much anyone’s needs and has lots of the features you would want from a quality router. On the product page, ASUS mentions how this device is future-proofed. This is great, as technology can advance so quickly that it’s easy to be left with something outdated that can’t take advantage of the latest tech.
With excellent speeds that will keep up with internet technology going forward along with great security features, this is definitely a router we can heartily recommend. At the time of writing, the router has a cost of $159.
That does make it one of the pricier routers on this list, but the features and quality you get in return make it more than worth the investment.
#2: TP-Link: Best Secure Router For Gamers
Gaming is one of the biggest industries on the planet. In just a few decades, it turned from a niche hobby for tech enthusiasts to an industry that brings in billions of dollars every year. Competitive gaming is a huge deal in gaming, which means fast and reliable internet is essential for gamers who take their hobby seriously.
Enter the TP-Link AX6600 Gaming Router. On a purely visual level, this router will be sure to fit into a fancy gaming setup with its really cool and eye-catching design. But this router is not just a neat-looking gadget, as it has the specifications to back it up.
This router boasts many features that gamers will be happy to have. There are features such as a game optimizer mode as well as low latency, which is great for games needing fast reflexes.
Fast reaction times and download speeds are essential for competitive and single-player gaming alike, and this router will help to give any gamer an edge in that regard.
This is another premium router at $199, but once again it boasts excellent performance and security features, making it a must-buy for any serious gamers.
#3: NetGear: Best Secure Router With Mobile App Integration
Earlier, we mentioned app integration as a great router feature, and that is something the NETGEAR Nighthawk WiFi 6 Router (RAX120) excels at. It also features impressive speeds and security features, and it is highly recommended for anyone who likes convenient app access.
The router can be connected to the proprietary Nighthawk app, which makes setup easy and adds features such as remote access. Additionally, the router features a free 30-day trial of NETGEAR ARMOR, which adds additional security features to protect your home network.
At $209, this router would be suggested for advanced internet users who value speed, security, and app convenience the most.
#4: Meraki: Best Secure Wireless Firewall Router For Home
![Meraki Go Router Firewall | Cloud Managed | 5 Ports | Cisco [GX20-HW-US]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/2187uWaR6CL.jpg)
We’ve covered just how important firewall protection can be for network security, so anyone who wants that extra layer of protection should certainly have the Meraki Go Firewall Router (GX20) on their radar.
This router would be perfect for businesses or places that offer wifi access to customers, as the firewall and security features are quite robust. The router can be connected to the Meraki Go app, which is always a great feature for those who want a bit more control over their device.
Additionally, the Meraki Go will alert you to any breaches or issues that pop up, meaning that you can be aware of problems quickly. None of these features are tied to a subscription either, making it a great one-off purchase. We have covered all of the features small businesses should look for in a router, and this one ticks a lot of these boxes.
We would definitely recommend this router for business owners primarily, but it would be great for anyone who values robust security and firewall features.
At the time of writing, the Meraki Go Firewall router is unfortunately temporarily out of stock, but you will hopefully be able to get your hands on one soon if you keep an eye out. The price for this router ranges from around $120-$130.
#5: Express VPN: Best Secure Home Router With Express VPN
A VPN can be enormously helpful to many different kinds of internet users, but they can, unfortunately, be a bit finicky to set up. Routers such as the ExpressVPN Aircove 6 can help to make it much easier, however.
For more basic use, this router has great speeds, coverage, and security features, but the built-in VPN can make it so much easier to reap the benefits. This router is best paired with a separate ExpressVPN subscription; but seeing as it’s designed with this VPN in mind, you know you’re getting parity with one of the top VPNs on the market.
You will get features such as accessing multiple VPN servers along with increased protections built in. This router would be perfect for anyone wanting to get into VPNs but find the process a bit overwhelming.
This router is currently going for $189.90 and is a great choice for people who want more control over their internet safety and anonymity.
#6: TP-Link: Best Secure Home Router On A Budget
When looking at quality tech products, you will often be facing some pretty hefty price tags. These prices are usually warranted, but it can feel a bit hopeless if you’re working on a budget.
That’s why we chose our final router, the TP-Link AX3000. While this router may not be specifically suited to niche needs like gaming or VPN access, it’s a pretty solid choice for a secure router.
The speed is quite decent and this router could easily handle quality streaming, large downloads, and VPN usage. The range is a bit less comprehensive than some of the other items on this list, but it would be perfect for a smaller living space or if paired with an extender.
This would be a great router for the average internet consumer, especially those working on a budget. Right now, the AX3000 can be purchased for $95.25, making it the lowest price on this list by quite a large margin.
Considering how little compromise there is with this router while maintaining a fair price, it’s not hard to recommend this as a great router to use.
Conclusion
As we have seen from this list, routers have become a lot more specialized to suit a wide range of internet needs. People use the internet for all sorts of things, so not everyone will need the same features.
Whether you’re a hardcore gamer, someone who takes their privacy really seriously, a business owner, or part of a family of internet users, you have more choices than ever before.
You can’t go wrong with any of the routers on this list, whether you decide on something more specialized or an all-rounder. Hopefully, now that you have seen what is out there, you can determine what your needs are and how they can be met by the perfect router for you!
