If you are looking for a new router to improve your home network, you might be overwhelmed by the variety of options available at Walmart. Routers are devices that connect your devices to the internet, and they come in different shapes, sizes, features and prices. How do you know which one is the best for your needs? In this article, we will review some of the best routers at Walmart in 2023, and give you some tips on how to choose the right one.
What to Consider When Buying a Router
Before you buy a router, you should consider some factors that will affect your network performance and user experience. Here are some of the most important ones:
- Internet speed: The speed of your internet plan determines how fast you can download and upload data online. You should choose a router that supports the speed of your internet plan, or even higher if you plan to upgrade in the future. For example, if you have a 100 Mbps internet plan, you should look for a router that supports at least 100 Mbps speed. If you have a 1 Gbps internet plan, you should look for a router that supports at least 1 Gbps speed.
- WiFi standard: The WiFi standard is the technology that enables wireless communication between your router and your devices. The latest WiFi standard is WiFi 6E, which offers faster speeds, lower latency, more capacity and less interference than previous standards. WiFi 6E routers also support the 6 GHz band, which is a new frequency range that provides more channels and less congestion than the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. If you want to enjoy the benefits of WiFi 6E, you should look for a router that supports this standard, and also make sure that your devices are compatible with it.
- WiFi coverage: The WiFi coverage is the area where you can receive a strong and stable wireless signal from your router. The WiFi coverage depends on several factors, such as the size and layout of your home, the number and location of walls and other obstacles, the distance between your router and your devices, and the interference from other wireless devices and networks. To improve your WiFi coverage, you should place your router in a central and elevated location, avoid physical barriers and sources of interference, and use additional devices such as range extenders or mesh systems if needed.
- WiFi security: The WiFi security is the protection of your wireless network from unauthorized access and attacks. WiFi security is important to prevent hackers from stealing your personal information, infecting your devices with malware, or using your bandwidth for illegal activities. To enhance your WiFi security, you should change the default password and name of your network, enable encryption such as WPA2 or WPA3, use a firewall and antivirus software on your devices, and update your router firmware regularly.
Best Routers at Walmart in 2023
Based on these factors, we have selected some of the best routers at Walmart in 2023 that offer great performance, features and value for money. Here are our top picks:
- D-Link WiFi Router AC1200: This is the best router for those who want a simple and affordable device that can handle basic internet tasks such as browsing, streaming and gaming. It supports speeds up to 1200 Mbps on dual bands (300 Mbps on 2.4 GHz and 867 Mbps on 5 GHz), and has four Gigabit Ethernet ports for wired connections. It also has advanced features such as parental controls, guest network, voice control with Alexa or Google Assistant, and cloud management with the D-Link app.
- NETGEAR Orbi RBK752: This is the best router for those who want a high-quality mesh system that can cover a large home with fast and reliable WiFi. It consists of a router and a satellite that work together to create a seamless network with speeds up to 4.2 Gbps on tri-bands (600 Mbps on 2.4 GHz, 1200 Mbps on 5 GHz and 2400 Mbps on dedicated backhaul). It also supports WiFi 6E standard, which means it can use the 6 GHz band for more capacity and less interference. It has four Gigabit Ethernet ports on each unit for wired connections, and advanced features such as parental controls, guest network, NETGEAR Armor security, voice control with Alexa or Google Assistant, and cloud management with the Orbi app.
- Linksys Velop: This is the best router for those who want a compact and stylish mesh system that can blend in with any decor. It consists of two or more nodes that work together to create a seamless network with speeds up to 2.2 Gbps on dual bands (400 Mbps on 2.4 GHz and 867 Mbps on each 5 GHz). It also supports WiFi 6 standard, which means it can deliver faster speeds, lower latency and more capacity than previous standards. It has two Gigabit Ethernet ports on each node for wired connections, and advanced features such as parental controls, guest network, Linksys Shield security, voice control with Alexa or Google Assistant, and cloud management with the Linksys app.
- ASUS RT-AX3000: This is the best router for those who want a great WiFi performance for gaming, streaming and multitasking. It supports speeds up to 3 Gbps on dual bands (574 Mbps on 2.4 GHz and 2402 Mbps on 5 GHz), and has four Gigabit Ethernet ports for wired connections. It also supports WiFi 6 standard, which means it can deliver faster speeds, lower latency and more capacity than previous standards. It has advanced features such as adaptive QoS, AiProtection Pro security, AiMesh compatibility, voice control with Alexa or Google Assistant, and cloud management with the ASUS app.
- Tenda AC10U: This is the best router for those who want a modern and sleek device that can handle multiple devices and applications. It supports speeds up to 1200 Mbps on dual bands (300 Mbps on 2.4 GHz and 867 Mbps on 5 GHz), and has four Gigabit Ethernet ports for wired connections. It also has advanced features such as MU-MIMO, beamforming, smart traffic prioritization, parental controls, guest network, Tenda Cloud security, voice control with Alexa or Google Assistant, and cloud management with the Tenda app.
Conclusion
Choosing the best router at Walmart can be a daunting task, but it can also be a rewarding one if you know what to look for and what to expect. By considering your internet speed, WiFi standard, WiFi coverage and WiFi security, you can narrow down your options and find the best router for your needs. We hope that this article has helped you in your search for the best router at Walmart in 2023. Happy shopping!