What’s the Best Router for Gigabit Internet?

If you have gigabit fiber optic internet, you need a router powerful enough to capture those kinds of speeds.

The top routers for gigabit internet need big memories, a fast processor, and support for the latest internet standards to get the most out of your internet plan.

Some of the best routers for gigabit internet are the ASUS WiFi Gaming Router, the Netgear Nighthawk AX6000, and the ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 Wi-Fi 6 2.5G. They offer support for gigabit internet, many quality-of-life features, and superior Wi-Fi coverage. Ultimately, the best Wi-Fi router for gigabit internet will depend on your needs and budget.

Here’s what you’ll need to look for in a good router for gigabit fiber internet.

Do I need a special router for gigabit internet?

If you have gigabit fiber internet, you'll want a router that can keep up with the lightning-fast speeds of fiber plans. So the short answer is yes, you need a high-end router to take full advantage of gigabit internet.

To reach the top speed of your gigabit fiber connection, you'll need a router that supports multi-gig internet speed and is compliant with the latest Wi-Fi standard. Currently, the standard is Wi-Fi 6, so a router fitting these requirements will guarantee a high-speed connection even when using wireless devices.

When choosing the right router, keep in mind that better routers offer the 6 GHz band. The 6 GHz band routers tend to have an overall lower coverage range than the 5 GHz band but offer much higher speeds. If you want to reach high speeds with wireless fiber internet, 6 GHz is definitely the best option.

While shopping for routers, always check the specs of the equipment, as most routers on the market are designed for the slower speeds of DSL and cable and cannot deliver fiber internet speeds.

Do I need to spend a lot of money on a router for my 1+ gigabit fiber internet?

While there are some decent options at lower price points of around $100, they’re generally not as powerful as higher-end models. Investing in higher-end routers will give you much better results, faster speeds, more stability, and many useful features.

The best gigabit internet router on the market tends to be in the $300 to $400 price range. However, there are many decent options between $200 and $300. It's a great investment to provide a reliable internet connection for your home or business.

If you work from home and need a fast and stable internet connection or are a gamer who wants low latency, we recommend investing in a higher-end router.

What features should I look for in a high-speed router for gigabit fiber optic internet?

There are several features manufacturers offer to improve your connection or increase convenience. However, there are a few features that you should keep an eye out for before you shop for a router to ensure you're getting the best deal for your money.

Multi-gig LAN port

The router you pick must have a multi-gig LAN port if you're hiring a fiber ISP like Fidium Fiber. This port type is necessary because it can handle high speeds of 2.5 Gbps, 5 Gbps, and even 10 Gbps or superior models, which is perfect for fiber internet.

The most common routers have a hard cap of 1 Gbps, so using them means losing a lot of speed on 1 Gbps+ connections.

Wifi 6 or newer

Another key feature for any modern household is Wi-Fi 6 or newer. As of 2023, Wi-Fi 6 is the most widespread version of the Wi-Fi protocol, and it's designed to support lightning-fast speeds delivered by fiber optic internet.

Wi-Fi 6 offers superior speed, greater connection capacity, and higher data transfer efficiency compared to previous versions. Wi-Fi 6 also uses modern technologies like MU-MIMO and OFDMA to increase the number of devices supported and reduce signal interference to improve connection efficiency.

Link aggregation capabilities

Link aggregation is a great feature you should look into if you use multiple devices connected directly to your router using Ethernet cables.

With link aggregation, you can connect multiple devices to the router using an Ethernet cable and have the router treat each of them as an individual high-speed connection. The feature is great if you have multiple devices that require a lot of bandwidth, like gaming consoles or home media servers.

3-band routers

While most common Wi-Fi routers offer a 2-band of 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, premium routers offer an additional 5 GHz band. It provides extra capacity for more devices to connect to the internet.

The extra 5 GHz band is useful in households with several wireless devices connected to the internet at the same time. With a 3-band router, you can avoid congestion and ensure each device has more available bandwidth, faster speeds, and a reliable connection.

4x4 antenna configuration design

If you want better coverage and faster Wi-Fi speeds in your household, make sure your router has a 4-by-4 antenna configuration. These routers have four antennas for each of the three bands, increasing data transfer speed and efficiency.

While routers with a single antenna per band can work, having multiple antennae gives you a stronger signal and better Wi-Fi coverage across a wide area. The placement and orientation of the antennae also improve signal strength and range.

What are some of the best routers for gigabit internet?

Several routers work well for gigabit fiber internet, and choosing the right one for you is a matter of budget, features, and specific needs. Here are some of the best options on the market today:

The ASUS WiFi Gaming Router

The ASUS Wi-Fi gaming router is one of the best choices for fiber internet. It has a great price of about $229, which is significantly lower than other high-end options. It also has a sleek finish with a gaming aesthetic that looks great with many gaming PCs.

This router offers one of the best values for money. One of its most attractive features is the ability to switch between bandwidths, allowing you to adjust the bandwidth for each device and giving you greater control over your home wireless network.

The WavLink AC2300

If you're looking for a budget router, the WavLink AC2300 is a good all-rounder. You can find the AC2300 for under $100 if you look for sales. It has a beautiful look designed by Jacob Jensen, an award-winning Nordic design firm known for innovative, eye-catching product design.

While cheap, some users have reported security vulnerabilities in its firmware, while others have experienced inconsistent performance and dropped connections. Despite its flaws, the WavLink AC2300 is still a solid budget pick for gigabit internet.

The Netgear Nighthawk AX6000

The Netgear Nighthawk AX6000 is a high-end router with a unique design inspired by Batman and Star Wars. While it's priced as a premium router, its cost is well justified by the features offered.

The Nighthawk can cover up to 2500 square feet and connect up to 40 devices, making it the right pick for big households with many online devices. The router is compatible with Wi-Fi 6 technology and has a transfer rate of 1 Gbps. It's also compatible with most types of internet connections, including fiber.

The Nighthawk has all-in-one internet security and parental control solutions, making it the perfect choice for families. Despite its high price, the router has many positive reviews and is considered a top choice by many consumers.

The LinkSys WTR3200ACM

The LinkSys WTR3200ACM is an excellent option if you don't want to spend too much but still need a reliable router designed for gigabit Wi-Fi. While the design is lacking, it makes up for it at the $200 price point with great performance.

This router is designed for high-speed Wi-Fi and has four adjustable high-performance antennae that can accommodate wireless connections even in multi-story buildings. The WTR3200ACM also has a solid package of security features, keeping your network safe without much problem.

The ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 WiFi 6 2.5G Port Router

The ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 is one of the more expensive options among gigabit routers, costing around $340. However, it is worth every penny for gamers and content creators looking for a top-of-the-line gigabit router.

Created for gamers, the ASUS ROG Rapture has a beautiful design that was made to offer the reliability gamers need to avoid network issues in the middle of a match. The router is compatible with voice controls using Alexa devices, making it even more accessible and easier to configure.

Customers purchasing the ASUS ROG Rapture are knowledgeable gamers looking for the best of the best. And even these demanding customers often leave positive reviews of this amazing router with great security features offered right out of the box.

A quality router can help you make the most of fiber internet’s high speeds

With a high quality router, you can make sure devices on your WiFi network maintain a fast, reliable connection to your fiber internet. 

Interested in making the switch to fiber? Click here to find out if Fidium Fiber is available near you.