Best routers to boost your Wi-Fi signal

Internet service providers (ISPs) generally include a router free of charge or for a fee with their fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) offerings, but these are often quite basic.

However, prominent brands like TP-Link, Netgear, and ASUS produce a wide range of more powerful routers that can help meet your home Wi-Fi network needs.

MyBroadband looked for some of the best routers and mesh Wi-Fi systems that South Africans can buy to boost their Wi-Fi signal and included options for various budgets.

These devices promise better Wi-Fi performance and often improve network speeds, produce a more stable connection, and provide enhanced features.

We included the TP-Link Archer C80 in the comparison for those not looking to break the bank.

The router is available for R1,155 from FirstShop and offers max speeds of up to 1,300Mbps, with four external antennas. In comparison, typical routers included with FTTH packages only offer speeds up to 500Mbps and fewer antennas.

Notably, it is the only option included with the 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) standard. All the other options offer newer technologies.

South Africans can get the TP-Link Archer AX73 for R3,499 from Incredible. The device features six antennas, Wi-Fi standard 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6), and speeds of up to 4,804Mbps.

The router features 128MB NAND flash storage and 512MB of RAM for firmware.

For R2,100 more, homeowners can get the ASUS RT-AX86U Pro from FirstShop. The gaming-oriented router has four antennas, three of which are external, and offers speeds up to 4,804Mbps.

Owners can prioritise specific devices via a dedicated gaming port or via the Gear Accelerator in its online control panel. The ASUS RT-AX86U Pro features 256GB NAND flash storage and 1GB of RAM for firmware.

The most expensive option listed — ASUS’s ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 — has eight external antennas and offers speeds up to 4,804Mbps on both 5GHz bands and up to 1,148Mbps via 2.4GHz for a total of nearly 11,000Mbps.

ASUS says the speed capabilities are ideal “to handle even the busiest network with ease”. It also features device prioritisation with its Triple-Level Game Acceleration feature.

The ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 packs 256MB NAND flash storage and 1GB of RAM firmware updates.

The GT-AX11000’s eight antennas and gaming-inspired design make it look a bit like a spider, and another router available to South Africans with a striking design is Netgear’s Nighthawk AX12.

It is available for R10,642 from Loot and features Wi-Fi 6 support, eight antennas, and offers speeds up to 4,804Mbps on its 5GHz band.

Some of the best Wi-Fi routers and mesh systems that you can buy to boost your Wi-Fi signal in South Africa are listed with pricing below.