Table of Contents
Cybersecurity is a necessity for any modern home network. In order to achieve this effectively, you will need to make sure that you are using the most secure router possible, locking down your network to the best of your ability.
You will still want a router that performs well and is capable of everything you need, but you will also want to have the best security features like encryption, firewalls, and even parental controls.
Malware and cybercrimes are on the rise, especially as more people are spending their days online. Here are the best routers for security on the market right now.
Features That The Most Secure WiFi Router Should Have
WPA2 Encryption
In order to keep cybercriminals out of your network, you need to consider the WPA encryption you are getting from your router. The WPA2 is the most widely-used form of encryption on the market, but the newest form is the WPA3.
Regardless, you never should opt for a router that has neither of these options. Encryption makes it hard for anyone to simply walk into your network and begin poking around, so look at WPA first.
Guest Network Access
Everyone needs WiFi, regardless of where they are at, including your friends or family that is over. The best thing that you can do for a visitor is to have a guest network setup on your router.
This way, an outsider cannot access your shared files or even the devices within your network, ensuring that they do not accidentally breach your security settings and allow in malware to your network.
Built-In VPN
Having a VPN or Virtual Privacy Network is also a great way to ensure your security online. A VPN works by hiding your IP address from websites that you might be visiting, so nothing can make its way back into your network.
Even the web traffic is encrypted, so anything interfering it would not be able to work out what your actual destination was. Routers should come with a VPN and you need to make sure it is enabled.
Parental Controls & Time Access Restrictions
Finally, when securing your router, make sure that the router has parental controls, which might include time restrictions. As children are needed to be more and more online, the need for this is continually greater.
It can prevent children from accessing dangerous content while also keeping cybercriminals away from them. Time limiting is another great feature, where the router can disable their device after a set amount of time.
7 Most Secure Routers (2022)
1. Netgear Nighthawk R7000 WiFi Router
Most Secure Router (Editor’s Choice)
Our choice for the most secure router is the Netgear Nighthawk R7000. The R7000 has good speeds, reliable performance, and all of the security features you need.
Design
The R7000 is a horizontal router made with three high-gain antennas that can be positioned in the direction that you need most. The design is large, so it will take up a lot of room on your shelf.
The router also uses Amazon Alexa voice controls of you have any Amazon devices in your home. Beyond the USB 3.0 port, you will get 4 x 1 Gigabit Ethernet ports.
The R7000’s security includes supporting WPA2 wireless security protocols, guest WiFi access, a firewall, a VPN, and DoS.
The Netgear Armor will protect your network from malware and viruses under a paid subscription. The router also connects to the OpenVPN Connect App, which allows you to have remote access to the network. It also has smart parental controls for more safety.
Performance
The performance for the R7000 is great. You can have up to 1800 square feet with dual-band up to 600 + 1300 Mbps. You can have up to 30 devices connected at one time with the R7000, which should work for most homes.
That means your TVs and gamin consoles as well as mobile devices. The router also features the ReadySHARE Vault that provides an automatic backup to your USB 3.0 port.
The R7000 has a 1 GHz dual-core processor as in addition to a Beamforming+ feature that adds more power to your antennas while extending the reach of your network. Another feature with this router is the dynamic QoS, so you can prioritize which devices should get the best speeds.
2. Synology RT2600ac Secure Router
Runner-Up
The runner up is the Synology RT2600ac router. The Synology RT2600ac is a great choice with excellent parental controls.
Design
The Synology router has a typical standard router design, since it is black, sits horizontally, and has four antennas. It comes with five Ethernet ports, so you will be able to directly wire-in whatever devices that you need to.
The Synology router is built with a 1.7 GHz dual-core processor so it is ready to take on whatever job that you want to through at it. It also has Dual-WAN capabilities, which allow for load balancing and failover support.
The router also can act like a private cloud server with its advanced file management capabilities. It operates between 40 degrees Fahrenheit and 104 Fahrenheit; it will not overheat in summer or stop working if it gets too cold in winter.
Performance
The best performance features that the Synology router has is the parental control features. It will let you to block thousands of potentially harmful websites. You can also setup customizable profiles for different family members, allowing for a variety of protections.
In the days where internet access is more available to children of all ages, being able to lock down your internet has never been more important. The data transfer rate on this router is 2.53 Gbps, which is outstanding as well.
The comprehensive VPN server can also keep you safe without losing any speed in the process. The router itself is regularly updated, keeping you safe from the latest threats. The router offers bandwidth prioritization to prevent lags as well, so your gaming or streaming will not lag.
3. Turris Omnia Most Secure Router
High Performance
The best high performance secure router is the Turris Omnia. If you are not familiar with this brand, do not think that this should be ignored. In fact, this router is impressive.
Design
The design of the Turris Omnia is boxy and bulky. It has three antennas that can be moved in whatever direction that you need them to go as well. It comes with six Ethernet ports, so you will be able to wire-in whatever devices that you really want to. It also has a USB 3.0 port.
The security configuration with this router is easy to set up and it also has automatic updates, keeping your system as current as possible with any new malware floating around. It also comes with a SIM card slot. The security features can be configured to lock it down as much as you need to.
Performance
The Turris Omnia supports speeds up to 800 Mbps, which is faster than most ISPs will allow. It has a high-powered dual-core ARM CPU at 1.6 GHz with PC-like performance, which is unusual from a router. It also offers 2 GB RAM, so it really will be able to handle whatever you throw at it. It is a dual-band router with 3 x 3 MIMO to keep everything running smoothly.
What makes this router especially different is that it has open hardware and runs open source. It has an open source operating system, giving you an infinite amount of options and variations to choose from. It will not work if you are not computer-savvy, because the system needs to be configured correctly.
4. Linksys Max-Stream EA7500
Budget Friendly
For a router that is easier on the wallet, take a look at the Linksys Max-Stream EA7500. This router can still give good performance at a more affordable price and still has the kind of security features that you would really want to get.
Design
Starting with its design, the EA7500is black, rests horizontally, and it has three external high-gain antennas. They can also be pointed in the direction that needs a stronger and more reliable signal. It also has a USB 3.0 and Gigabit Ethernet ports, allowing you to hook up whatever devices or connections that you need.
The settings for the EA7500 are simple and easy. There’s even a quick start guide to help you through everything that you will need to know in order to complete the set up online. It comes with a great firewall that is simple to set up, allowing you to lock down your network without a headache.
Performance
You will not be disappointed with the performance of the Linksys Max-Stream EA7500. It has 4K HD streaming capabilities, which is great for networks that stream a lot from multiple devices.
This is beneficial regardless of whether you are an online gamer or an avid streamer. With the MU-MIMO technology on board, you should not experience any kind of lag with others online.
Finally, the EA7500 also supports more than 15 connected devices at a time. This makes it easy to stream videos and games without any trouble from more than one device. The range is also excellent, since it reaches up to 1,500 square feet in coverage, more than most of the other budget-friendly routers on the market.
5. ASUS RT-AX88U AX6000 Router
For Gaming
Gamers sometimes need even more security than the average user. If you or anyone in your network is serious about gaming, we suggest the Asus RT-AX88U AX6000.
Design
The AX6000 has a horizontal design with four high-gain antennas that can be moved to point in whatever direction that you like. The design is a little bit bulky and will take up a lot of space wherever it is placed, but it is worth it. It comes with 8 LAN ports as well to support even more devices.
When it comes to security, the AX6000 uses Ai-Protection to keep malware and other viruses out of your system. You can’t get more secure than a router that is able to intelligently determine whether something is a threat before it has had any opportunity to cause havoc in your network. The security is really commercial-grade.
Performance
The Asus AX6000 is a dual-band 8-stream router that is built to perform. It is compatible with the Asus Ai-Mesh WiFi system for seamless whole home coverage support as well, giving you more control over what happens in your network. It is backward compatible with 802.11a/b/g/n/ac as well, even though it is an 802.11ax router.
The speeds of the router can reach 6000 Mbps, handling even the busiest networks out there without breaking a sweat. It can reach speeds up to 1148 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band and 4804 Mbps on the 5 GHz band. The adaptive QoS prioritizes game packets, giving you a lag-free, uninterrupted game play. Since this router is made for gamers, it will not disappoint any gamer out there.
6. Gryphon AC3000 Mesh WiFi Router
Extended Coverage
This router is a little bit different than most of the routers that we have looked at here, in both design and abilities, making it a unique and impressive choice.
Design
The Gryphon has a unique design since it is white and stands vertically, keeping the router cool, increasing its overall longevity. Since the antennas on this high performance router are all internal, there are no unsightly pieces sticking out of it, making it easier to blend in with your décor
The set up for this router is simple and straight forward, including when you want add on new Gryphon routers to further extend the coverage. It does come with security features as well, including ESET malware detection, AI-Intrusion Detection, and content filtering. It also works with an app to help manage your settings.
Performance
The Gryphon is a powerful router that covers up to 3,000 square feet, but it also can easily act as a mesh system, where you can infinitely expand the network by simply adding on another Gryphon router. It does not need more than one Gryphon to reach 3,000 square feet in coverage, however, which should work with the average larger home network all by itself.
This is a tri-band router with a 2.4 GHz band and 2 5 GHz bands, which will keep traffic flowing steadily on your network, without interruptions. It also has 4×4 MU-MIMO technology, making it easier for more than one user to stream at the same time without interruption. Generally, it is a powerful, secure router with a long range and lots of capabilities.
7. Linksys WRT A3200 WiFi Router
Open Source
Best secure router that is also open source is the Linksys WRT AC3200. This is a little different than some of the other routers, but still offers a lot of security features that will not disappoint you.
Design
The Linksys WRT A3200 sits horizontally, but it also has legs that keep it elevated from the surface. This provides better ventilation, keeping the device cooler while increasing its longevity. It is also the Linksys blue and black color combination, which might be nice if you are tired of the regular black router casings.
Because this is an open source router, it provides advanced customization options in just about every way, from security features to customization. The level of security that you want from this router is really up to you. It does require more configuration, but if you take the time, it will be worth the effort.
Performance
The performance of the Linksys WRT A3200 is excellent. It is a tri-stream router with 160 technology, doubling the bandwidth from 80 MHz to 160 MHz. It allows 4K streaming, which is ideal for gaming or heavy video streaming, all without buffering or any other lags that run the potential of ruining your games. It also has MU-MIMO technology on board, so you will be able to have multiple devices streaming at the same time.
The router offers great speeds. It is dual-band with speeds up to 2.6 Gbps, with an operating temperature from 32 to 104 F (0 to 40 C), meaning the machine will not overheat easily and should be able to handle anything.
Final Words
When it comes to looking for the most secure router on the market, you will need to think about encryption, firewalls, parental controls, and even VPNs.
The best all-around router to meet this need is the Netgear Nighthawk R7000. This router has the security that you want with all of the performance needs the average home network has.
Even if you want a higher performance router, like the Turris Omnia, you will still need to make sure that it has all of the security features that will keep your network safe and locked down. Whether basic or open source, your security should be your first consideration.
