Best Routers For Mac Computers

• Wireless Routers For Mac
• Best Routers For Mac Computers

Routers are small electronic devices that join multiple computer networks together using either wired or wireless connections.

How Routers Work

Wireless router technology has gone through its latest regeneration cycle, with the 802.11ac networking standard (a.k.a 5G Wi-Fi), that offers roughly 2.5 times faster data transmission speeds, compared to the earlier 802.11n standard. NETGEAR Nighthawk X10 – Best WiFi Router for Gaming. Netgear's top of the line wireless router is the Nighthawk X10, it comes with a quad core processor, 512 megabytes of NAND flash storage, 1GB RAM. You also get 3 high speed bands, and 7 Ethernet ports for anyone who's willing to connect wired devices with the router. 1-16 of over 1,000 results for 'best wireless router for mac and pc' Showing selected results. See all results for best wireless router for mac and pc.

In technical terms, a router is a Layer 3network gateway device, meaning that it connects two or more networks and that the router operates at the network layer of the OSI model.

Routers contain a processor (CPU), several kinds of digital memory, and input-output (I/O) interfaces. They function as special-purpose computers, one that does not require a keyboard or display.

The router memory stores an embedded operating system (OS). Compared to general-purpose OS products such as Microsoft Windows or Apple macOS, router operating systems limit what kind of applications will run on them and also need smaller amounts of storage space. Examples of popular router operating systems include Cisco Internetwork Operating System (IOS) and DD-WRT. These operating systems are manufactured into a binary firmware image and are commonly called router firmware.

By maintaining configuration information in a part of memory called the routing table, routers filter incoming and outgoing traffic based on the addresses of senders and receivers.

Routers for Business Networks and the Internet

Before home networking became popular, routers were found in businesses and schools. These routers cost thousands of dollars and require special technical training to set up and manage.

The largest and most powerful network routers form the internet backbone. These routers manage many terabits of data flowing through and between internet service provider (ISP) networks

Home Broadband Routers

Routers became mainstream consumer devices when households began to accumulate multiple computers and wanted to share a home internet connection

Home networks use Internet Protocol (IP) routers to connect computers to each other and to the internet. Early generations of home routers supported wired networking with Ethernet cables while newer wireless routers supported Wi-Fi together with Ethernet. The term broadband router applies to any home wired or wireless router used to share a broadband internet connection.

Home routers often cost $100 or less. They are manufactured to be more affordable than business routers in part because they offer fewer features. Still, home routers provide many essential home networking functions:

• Share a home internet connection with dozens of devices.
• Provide basic home network firewall and other security support.
• Change router configuration settings from a web browser.

See our updated Best Wireless Routers to Buy guide for help choosing the router that's best for you.

Other Types of Routers and Routing Devices

A class of portable Wi-Fi routers called travel routers are marketed to people and families who want the functions of a personal router when they're traveling and away from home.

A class of portable Wi-Fi routers called travel routers are marketed to people and families who want the functions of a personal router when they're traveling and away from home.

Routing devices called mobile hotspotsthat share a mobile (cellular) internet connection with Wi-Fi clients are also available. Many mobile hotspot devices work with certain brands of cellular service.

Choosing a Router

There are many types of routers. From least expensive to top-rated, below are some of the routers available:

• Linksys EA6500: This is the first Linksys smart WiFi router and gives users total mobile control of the wireless network in their home.
• Netgear AC1750 (R6300): A solid choice for big homes with a lot of wireless devices.

• Netgear N300 WNR2000: This is a quality router and the limited lifetime warranty means if you run into any issues while using it, you can contact Netgear to fix the problem.
• TP-LINK TL-WR841N: TP-LINK routers are some of the most sought after ones on the market. The TL-WR841N features external antennas that make a stronger connection.

• Netgear WGR614: The WGR614 is a first-rate router with a wide signal range that's ideal for homes with brick walls or similar obstructions. And, a three-year warranty is included.
• Linksys WRT54G Wireless-G: This Linksys router doesn't take any time to install and its strong signal range means no more slow-loading pages.

Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.

The Rundwon

• Best Overall:Net-Dyn AC1200 USB Wireless Wi-Fi Adapter at Amazon, 'Capable of covering an area of around 100 yards while still offering its fastest connection speed.'
• Best Budget:Panda Wireless PAU06 at Amazon, 'Keeps itself in the background so it does not take up too much of your laptop's battery.'
• Best Compact: TP-Link N150 Nano at Amazon, 'Has a plug-and-play design that requires little configuration regardless of your operating system.'
• Runner-Up, Best Compact:Glam Hobby 600Mbps AC600 at Amazon, 'An excellent and smart way to add a 5GHz connection to a laptop or desk in a small package.'
• Best Features:Netgear Nighthawk AC1900 Wi-Fi USB Adapter at Amazon, 'Includes an extension wire and stand so you can set it upright like an antenna to improve signal.'
• Best Range:TRENDnet TEW-809UB at Amazon, 'Featuring beamforming technology that excels at handling multiple Internet users at the same time.'
• Best Splurge:Asus USB-AC68 at Amazon, 'Featuring foldable, external antennas to provide enhanced reception for laptops when open.'
• Best for Gaming:Linksys Dual-Band AC1200 WUSB6300 at Amazon, 'Featuring speeds up to 300Mbps on the 802.11n 2.4GHz band.'
• Best Design:D-Link Systems AC1900 Ultra Wi-Fi USB 3.0 at Amazon, 'An orb-shaped adapter that connects to your computer via a three-foot USB cable.'

Our Top Picks

Best Overall: Net-Dyn AC1200 USB Wireless Wi-Fi Adapter

Compatible with both Windows and Mac computers, the Net-Dyn dual band USB wireless Wi-Fi adapter is an outstanding choice for adding Wi-Fi to any computer. Utilizing both 2.4GHz and 5GHz capabilities, the Net-Dyn is capable of reaching and covering an area of around 100 yards while still offering its fastest connection speed. Reaching speeds up to 300Mbps, the addition of 802.11n connectivity guarantees a future-proofed purchase.

Setup is a snap. Just plug the Net-Dyn into your computer, install the drivers (Windows only) and connect to the Internet. Supported by all WLAN routers, there are WPA/WPA2/WEP connectivity options, which ensures the Net-Dyn works with just about any Internet provider in the U.S.. Additionally, Net-Dyn provides a lifetime warranty along with routine software and driver updates.

Best Budget: Panda Wireless PAU06

The Panda Wireless PAU06 offers stellar performance at a fantastic budget price. Upgrading any computer to the future-friendly 802.11n standard means the max data rate can reach up to 300Mbps on the connection. Additionally, there's backward compatibility with the 802.11g on the 2.4GHz band to ensure a stable connection regardless of your Internet service provider.

Utilizing low power technology, the Panda works to keep itself in the background so it does not take up too much of your laptop's battery. Beyond battery, a WPS button works to connect the computer and PAU06 quickly without a headache for the user. The Panda is compatible with Windows 10, as well as Mac OS and various Linux systems. State-of-the-art security standards are also in place to provide the user with peace of mind through 128bit WEP, WPA and WPA encryption standards.

Best Compact: TP-Link N150 Nano

The TP-Link N150 Nano USB Wi-Fi adapter is a compact choice that's priced just right. Just plug it into your device's USB port and you can connect to 2.4GHz band Wi-Fi at 150Mbps — it also utilizes the future-proofed 802.11ac standard. This little device has a 'SoftAP Mode' that allows you to turn your computer's wired connection into a wireless hotspot for your phone or tablet. Setup is easy thanks to a plug-and-play design that requires little configuration regardless of which operating system you're working on. Once you're online, this device offers 64/128 WEP, WPA/WPA2, and WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK security standards for extra peace of mind while you browse.

The N150 Nano is a very small dongle, which means it won't interfere with other ports and you can leave it plugged in indefinitely without worrying about it getting knocked out. But it also means you'll want to stick close to the wireless or wired router/modem to get maximum performance.

Runner-Up, Best Compact: Glam Hobby 600Mbps AC600

Whether you're looking to stream video, browse the Web or host an online video conference, the Glam Hobby AC600 USB Wi-Fi dongle is ready for action. The device offers fantastic speed capabilities (including a 600Mbps connection speed running 3x faster than similarly priced Wireless N adapters). It's capable of working on the 5GHz band for a 433Mbps max connection speed (150Mbps on 2.4GHz), and support is available for both Windows 10 and Mac OS (the former requires a software download from the Glam Hobby website).

Measuring just 22mm in length, the Glam Hobby is an excellent and smart way to add a 5GHz connection to a laptop or desk in a small package (and at a budget-friendly price tag). While the omission of the 802.11n is noteworthy, the Glam Hobby makes up for it with unique features like creating a Wi-Fi hotspot for additional mobile devices whenever there is a wired internet connection.

Best Features: Netgear Nighthawk AC1900 Wi-Fi USB Adapter

The Netgear Nighthawk AC1900 Wi-Fi USB Adapter offers you a dual-band 802.11n connection, giving you speeds up to 600Mbps on a 2.4GHz brand and 1300 Mbps on a 5GHz band. It's compatible with Windows 7, 8, and 10, as well as Mac OS X 10.8.3 or later.

All of these features are exactly what you'd look for and expect in a Wi-Fi adapter, but the extra feature that sets it apart for this slot on the list is the ability to both plug it directly into your laptop like a thumb drive and the ability to use an included extension wire and stand to set it upright like an antenna to improve signal. This is great because you can toss the versatile device alone into your laptop bag for on-the-go Wi-Fi compatibility, and leave the stand doc at home to increase your signal when you're at your desk.

Best Range: TRENDnet TEW-809UB

The four-antenna design of the TRENDnet TEW-809UB adapter might look a little 'too much' for some buyers, but it's definitely more than meets the eye. The powerful antennas offer high-end features such as beamforming technology that excel at handling multiple Internet users connected at the same time without interfering with network performance. The antennas are independently adjustable, so you can fidget with each one to effectively increase range in your house or workplace.

It is capable of providing speeds of up to 1300Mbps on the 802.11ac standard or up to 600Mbps on the 802.11n standard. The inclusion of the latter allows for the TEW-809UB to remain future-proofed for years to come. While it might be mistaken for a router in appearance, its range rivals that of some routers (you can bank on more than 100 yards of distance before signal degradation).

Best Splurge: Asus USB-AC68

With a unique dual-winged design, the Asus USB-AC68 is one of the best Wi-Fi adapters money can buy. Featuring foldable, external antennas to provide enhanced reception for laptops when open (and easy transportation and portability when closed), the Asus offers outstanding range and speed. Utilizing powerful 3x4 MIMO (multiple in, multiple out) antenna technologies, the dual three-position external antennas pair with an internal antenna for long range connectivity. Working off both the 2.4GHz band (600Mbps) and the 5GHz band (1300Mbps), the Asus is more than ready to tackle bandwidth-intensive tasks.

Additionally, the increased expense results in features such as AiRadar and beamforming technology that create extended coverage, dynamic speed increases and enhanced stability while online. To get hooked up, just plug it into a USB 3.0 port on your computer or into the cradle that arrives with the Asus. The desktop cradle allows for easy positioning in and around the computer to find the best signal position whereas USB-only options limit reach.

Best for Gaming: Linksys Dual-Band AC1200 WUSB6300

Released in 2013, the Linksys Dual-Band AC1200 WUSB6300 Wi-Fi adapter stands the test of time with outstanding performance and lightning fast gaming speeds. Featuring speeds up to 867Mbps on the 802.11ac 5GHz network or up to 300Mbps on the 802.11n 2.4GHz band, the Linksys is more than ready for multiplayer gaming at any hour of the day. With support for any 802.11ac routers, access points and extenders, the Linksys also supports up to 128-bit encryption through WEP, WPA and WPA2 standards.

The Linksys works with all Windows platforms, including Windows 7, Window 8 and Windows 10 for maximum use cases both in the home and office. Beyond gaming, the 1200Mbps max speed is perfect for Netflix or Hulu HD video streaming, which makes it an ideal choice for the whole family. While it might be one of the older options available, the WUSB6300 still outperforms more current options and is an excellent choice for gamers that's priced just right.

Best Design: D-Link Systems AC1900 Ultra Wi-Fi USB 3.0

Released in late 2014, the D-Link Systems AC1900 Ultra Wi-Fi USB 3.0 adapter bares a striking resemblance to the Death Star in Star Wars. The orb-shaped adapter connects to your computer via a proprietary three-foot USB cable. At 3.2 x 3.2 x 3.2 inches in size, the D-Link might be better-associated size-wise with a baseball or tennis ball to give a good idea of just how 'large' it will be on your desk. Awesome design aside, the D-Link provides up to 1300Mbps performance on a 5GHz network and up to 600Mbps on a 2.4GHz network. The flexible technology allows the D-Link to be backward compatible with 802.11/n/g/a networks.

The D-Link has advanced D-Link's SmartBeam (aka beamforming) technology that improves coverage by directing network signal straight between a router and the DWA-192 adapter. Additionally, the inclusion of USB 3.0 transfer mode allows the user to transfer data more than 10x faster than USB 2.0 performance. All in all, while it's a little on the pricey side, it's definitely worth it.

Tested by

How We Tested

Our reviewers spent 34 hours testing one of the most popular Wi-Fi USB adapters on the market. We asked our testers to consider the most important features — from size and style to range and speed — when using this Wi-Fi USB adapter and we've outlined them here so that you, too, know what to look for when shopping.

What to Look for in a Wi-FI USB Adapter

Size -Wi-Fi USB adapters vary in size, with some as small as a Lego block and others as large as a full-fledged router with antennas. If you're looking for something more portable, the smaller ones work well, but bigger ones often come equipped with neat features like beamforming technology for diverting interference.

Speed -There's nothing more frustrating than a buffering stream, so make sure you get an adapter with speeds fast enough for your needs. While 300Mbps should be enough for most tasks, some provide up to 1300Mbps.

Range -Depending on where your router sits, you might have trouble connecting. Splurging on an adapter with a longer range will come in handy if it's far away. Some of the best options will score you up to 100 yards of range.

Test Results: Net-Dyn AC1200 USB Wireless Wi-Fi Adapter (Best Overall)

What We Like

Wireless Routers For Mac

• Improved Wi-Fi connection

• Great range

• Reliable

Best Routers For Mac Computers

Although one of our testers felt that setting up this adapter was a bit challenging, he found that it worked very well once it was up and running: 'I was mostly using it at the furthest location from my router in my house and it worked perfectly,' he said. One tester even measured his wireless Internet speed before and after use and found it increased by approximately 15 percent.