5 Best Routers for Access Point [2024 List]

Match the router capabilities with the connection plan from your ISP

8 min. read

Updated onJanuary 8, 2024

updated onJanuary 8, 2024

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Any router with Wi-Fi can be used as an access point but choosing the best router for access point can be daunting. That is why, your Windows Report networking team has tested and provided the best ones for you.

Why use a router as an access point? It’s better to use a router for the access point because it can be configured for other purposes, paired up with a VPN, it provides access for more devices than a simple access point and it offers more security features.

What is the best router to use for access point?

What is the best router to use for access point?

Archer A54 from TP-Link is a very popular router because it offers excellent performance as an access point and it has a very affordable price point.

From the tests performed by the WR networking team, A54 managed to provide a full signal in our lab and a steady Wi-Fi connection of around 700 Mbps on a 1 Gbps plan.

TP-Link’s router offers a maximum Wi-Fi speed of 867 Mbps so our number was pretty good.

The device was very easy to set up by following the instructions and it also provides 5 Ethernet ports for wired connections. It is one of the best choices for an AP router if you have a small home.

Netgear AX5400– Wide area coverage

Netgear’s AX5400 router is in a whole ballpark than its rival above, but it’s also a lot more expensive.

In the WR lab tests, this device was able to supply great signal from over 75 feet away and a wall in between.

We tackled that feature because the manufacturer advertises a 2,500 sq. feet Wi-Fi signal coverage and we must acknowledge that AX5400 is pretty potent in that aspect.

Another capability is holding 6 streams simultaneously which we also found to be true thanks to the Wi-Fi 6 technology and the Beamforming+ technology. If you have a large area and 10+ devices, this router is a great choice.

Wavlink AC3000 is a triband Wi-Fi 6 router with one 2.4 GHz channel that can achieve 400 Mbps, one 5 GHz channel that offers an 867 Mbps connection, and a third, 5 GHz channel with up to 1733 Mbps speed.

The 8-antenna setting provides good coverage and it can be great for game parties because it can host up to 96 devices.

However, you also need great bandwidth from your internet service provider, otherwise, it will choke even on 10 devices.

The WR networking team has tested it over 4K streaming with great results and it’s a very good tri-band router for its price point.

Linksys EA8300 Max-Stream– Great for gaming

Linksys EA8300 Max-Stream is another Wi-Fi 6 router with one 2.4 GHz channel and two 5 GHz channels.

The strange bit about this router, as our WR networking team discovered, is that you need to log into the router over Wi-Fi to configure its access. However, once you get after this part, you will be good to go.

Thanks to its Beamforming technology and its large antennas, EA8300 manages to get pretty good coverage and signal strength.

This router is great for the whole family, streaming, and gaming because it will provide more than 15 steady connections.

Linksys Velop Pro– Best mesh system

Linksys’s Velop Pro is a mesh system that comes with Wi-Fi 6E connectivity. That means it also has a 6 GHz channel but before you buy it, check if any of your devices is compatible. Otherwise, the extra money for the tech will be wasted.

The advantage of this tri-band mesh system is that you can start with one device and add more and they will sync on a press of a button.

You won’t need to adjust any complicated settings because the routers will identify themselves and adjust their speed and bandwidth to your needs.

Another huge advantage is that with more routers in the mesh, you will be able to cover a huge area of over 3000 sq. feet and a lot more devices than with a single router.

Different types of routers

There are many types of routers to choose from so you should know about the main types and the differences between them:

Features to consider when choosing the best router for access point

So, if you need a router for access point, consider the number of devices you need to connect, the area you need to cover with a Wi-Fi signal, and match the internet speed and band from your ISP, or upgrade your plan.

The WR networking team has tested the best Wi-Fi router for access point according to all possible needs and we hope that you have found the right one for you.

Which one did you choose? Tell us all about that in the comments section below.

More about the topics:router,Router guides,Wi-Fi

Claudiu Andone

Windows Toubleshooting Expert

Oldtimer in the tech and science press, Claudiu is focused on whatever comes new from Microsoft.

His abrupt interest in computers started when he saw the first Home Computer as a kid. However, his passion for Windows and everything related became obvious when he became a sys admin in a computer science high school.

With 14 years of experience in writing about everything there is to know about science and technology, Claudiu also likes rock music, chilling in the garden, and Star Wars. May the force be with you, always!

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Claudiu Andone

Windows Toubleshooting Expert

Oldtimer in the tech and science press, with 14 years of experience in writing on everything there is to know about science, technology, and Microsoft