8 Best WiFi Routers in Australia for 2024 Compared

The best WiFi router will allow you to browse the internet, stream TV, and share files at an incredible speed. Back in the day, broadcasting the internet over the air seemed like science fiction. Today, we cannot imagine our lives without a WiFi connection.

The role of the best WiFi router in Australia has gone way beyond helping you get on YouTube, though. A good router will provide sufficient bandwidth for your computers, your streaming devices, and all your smart home fittings and appliances. Moreover, a device with extra features will help protect you and your family from hackers and allow you to control the content your kids access, guarding them from modern cyber threats. Here are the best WiFi routers for Australia today.

The 8 Best WiFi Routers You Can Buy in 2024 Ranked

You’ll typically get a WiFi router once you sign with your internet service provider. While it’s reasonable to keep this and save some money, you should remember that such devices are often of middling quality. As a result, there’s a chance you’ll never be able to use your internet’s full potential – and third-party devices also come with extra perks such as enhanced security.

Our analysts have reviewed hundreds of WiFi routers. Here are the best routers around, which excel in pricing, internet speed, child protection, and overall cybersecurity. Have a look at the best WiFi routers for Australia below.

1. AVM Fritz!Box 7590 – Our analysts have concluded the Fritz!Box 7590 is the best WiFi router in Australia. This dual-band router emits 2.4 Ghz and 5 Ghz parallel frequencies, allowing you to enjoy gaming and HD streaming at the highest speeds.
2. TP-Link AX1800 – A powerful WiFi 6 dual-band router with 4 antennas that emit signals up to 140 ft. It is ideal for large families that use up to 20 devices.
3. Netgear Orbi – This router comes with 8 internal antennas to cover and eliminate any dead spots in your home, up to 800 sq.m. It’s simple to set up and comes with Android and iOS apps for quick installation
4. Tenda Nova MW6-2 – This is a great budget router with a strong signal that covers almost 4,000 sq.m. It boasts speeds of up to 1.2 Gbps, which is enough to support 4K streaming.
5. Asus TUF Gaming AX4200 – Supports superb gaming speeds of up to 3,000 Mbps, giving you the ultimate gaming experience. Use the Game Boost mode to prioritize your computer or mobile gaming devices.
6. Gl.iNet GL-MT3000 – Small router that can be packed away almost anywhere. Comes with OpenVPN and WireGuard installed for safer internet connections.
7. TP-Link AX5400 – Delivers incredible speeds of up to 5.4 Gbps, making it ideal for fast downloading and simultaneous 8K streaming. It boasts a triple-core processor and supports up to 200 devices without buffering.
8. Google Nest WiFi Router AU-NZ Model – Thanks to the 1.4 GHz quad-core processor, the Google Nest is equipped to support up to 100 devices. As such, it is ideal for large homes and families that use multiple devices simultaneously.

Top 8 Aussie WiFi Routers Compared

Here’s a concise comparison of the best WiFi modems and routers in Australia. Find all the details you need in the table below. So, what are the best WiFi routers for Australia?

Best WiFi Router Australia Products Reviewed

Finding a reliable WiFi router is a challenging task, especially for those who aren’t experts on internet protocols. Telling a WiFi 6 router from a  WiFi mesh router and understanding the significance of WiFi protocols, band types, and ports can leave you feeling like you’re reading hieroglyphics without some background knowledge.

But don’t worry – we’re here to make things simple. Below, you’ll learn more about each WiFi router, and, more importantly, we’ll explain the pros and cons of each device. Read on to find the best WiFi router for you and your family.

1. AVM Fritz!Box 7590 – Overall, the Best WiFi Router in 2024

The AVM Fritz!Box 7590 brings famous German quality and reliability to your home. This is the best WiFi router in Australia in 2024.

It is compatible with most internet service providers, including the National Broadband Network – and the AVM!Fritz Box is arguably the best NBN router on the Australian market.

The AVM Fritz!Box 7590 has 4 Gigabit internet sockets. This allows you to connect up to four devices, like PCs and TVs. You’ll also find two analog telephone sockets if you wish to connect your phone or a fax machine to this device. In addition, there are two ISDN ports and two USB 3.0 ports, allowing you to connect your router with printers and storage devices.

In this case, the Fritz!Box 7590 supports internet speeds up to 300 Mbit/s, though it’ll likely be locked in somewhere between 250 and 280 Mbit/s.

The AVM Fritz!Box 7590 is a WiFi 6-based dual-band router that allows for better traffic and faster browsing. It runs on two frequencies at 2.4 GHz (1,733 Mbit/s) and 5 GHz (800 Mbit/s). Thanks to the mesh technology, you can also set multiple access points. This will allow you to connect from anywhere at your location with a minimum of speed drops – all of which makes this the best mesh router on our list.

Even if you hook up the best VPN service providers, you should notice only minimal speed drops.

Pricing

The AVM Fritz!Box 7590 isn’t always available, as the demand for the best NBN modem router exceeds supply. Its price ranges between $200 and $250 on Amazon.

The Fritz!Box 7590 has a lot going for it – including supporting DECT connections. It can hence act as a base station for up to 6 devices so you can make calls cable-free. It also has a preconfigured firewall filter that allows secure connections.

2. TP-Link AX1800 – Ideal for Large Families

The TP-Link AX1800 is the best WiFi router for home use and for families that use multiple devices like phones, desktop computers, gaming laptops, tablets and TVs.

TP-Link has launched a powerful yet affordable next-gen router that supports WiFi 6 technology, which would be a considerable upgrade if you previously used WiFi 5.

The AX1800 is a one-mesh router capable of delivering signals at long ranges. You get three devices inside the package. One is the primary device, which will be your router. The other two work as access points.

You can connect the devices to the main router via Ethernet or wirelessly. These access points do not work as modems. Instead, you put the two satellites in the farthest corners of your home. All three devices communicate with each other. The system will allow you to get fast and stable internet connections even if you are far away from the main router.

TP-Link products are known for being secure and innovative. The AX1800 is equipped with its own antivirus. You can also use the Parental Control option to control or restrict the content your family members can access.

The QoS option, meanwhile, allows you to set primary devices. This feature will let the router prioritize selected devices to ensure the fastest data transfers.

The AX1800 is a dual-band router that offers 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz connections. You can enable one or both options in the settings menu, and you can do the same with the Guest Network option.

Pricing

The TP-Link AX1800 is the best WiFi 6 router for Australia on our list and is highly affordable. This dual-band router costs $205, which is a bargain.

It’s less expensive than the AVM Fritz!Box 7590, for example. If you need a simple router to satisfy your family’s needs, this TP-Link mesh product will likely do the job. The AX1800’s coverage is around 140 ft or 43m, and you can connect up to 20 devices.

3. Netgear Orbi RBK355 – Great Range-Topping WiFi Router 

The Netgear Orbi is a tri-band satellite mesh system that provides you with the fastest internet speeds for an area of up to 800 square meters – making it the best router for WiFi range on our list.

The system broadcasts on one 2.4 GHz band and another two 5 GHz bands. The Netgear Orbi comes with four separate satellite devices you can connect to the main router, which will allow you to add an extra four access points for a better signal.

Thanks to this technology, the router will separate slow devices from fast ones. Moreover, it’ll automatically recognize the fastest devices and allocate them to the 5GHz band to provide you with the optimal speed.

That means you can have several of the best gaming PCs at your home working simultaneously, and you won’t feel even the slightest internet speed drop.

Some Netgear Orbi WiFi routers can support connections of up to 2.5 Gbps, while the RBK355 model boasts up to 1.8 Gbps. It has 8 high-performance internal antennas that’ll provide you with full signal almost anywhere at your location.

Installation is straightforward and intuitive. You can set up the router via a smartphone app. The whole setup process won’t take more than 5 minutes, which is great.

Pricing

This Netgear router is slightly more expensive than the models it replaced. You can get it for $838.40.

This price might seem a bit too much for an average 4-member family living in a 100 sq.m. apartment. However, if you live in a duplex or a 3-floor home with a large backyard or make a living by working from home, then this wireless router will satisfy all your needs, and you’ll quickly appreciate its performance.

4. Tenda Nova MW6-2 – Feature-Packed Budget-Friendly WiFi Router

The Tenda Nova MW6-2 is the best WiFi router for those on a budget. This is yet another Mesh router that comes with 2 extra nodes. You can put the two cube-shaped satellites anywhere at your home, and it’ll eliminate any dead spots you might have had.

You can find several types of Tenda Nova routers, some covering up to 6,000 square meters. The MW26-2 version sends a strong signal up to 4,000 sq.m.

This is another dual-band router with 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies. The first supports speeds up to 300 Mbps, while the latter can reach a maximum of 867 Mbps. If you’re an average consumer looking to stream some quality 4K videos, this will be more than enough.

The Tenda Nova MW26-2 has only two ports. The first one is reserved for your ethernet cable, while you can use the second one to either connect one of the nodes or plug in your smart TV.

Your IP address will most likely be dynamic, which is not always good if you have multiple devices connected to your router. Thus, it would come in handy to learn how to set up a static IP address if you intend to use this particular WiFi device.

Tenda Nova has successfully managed to compensate for some critical shortcomings with plenty of valuable features, with Parental Controls being one of the most essential ones.

Pricing

People typically tend to forget all the downsides once they see the MW26-2 price, which is only $94.99.

Yes, it may lack a few more LAN and USB 3.0 ports to be perfect; however, bear in mind that some routers cost twice as much while offering the same performance. If you don’t need to connect several computers or printers to your WiFi router, this one will do just the right job.

5. Asus TUF Gaming AX4200 – Enjoy Fast Internet Speeds While Gaming

The Asus TUF Gaming AX4200 is an ultrafast WiFi 6 dual-band router that gives you up to 3,000 Mbps internet speed for your PC or game console, delivering super-sharp images to your gaming monitor.

Once you open the box and see the logo printed in the middle of the router, you’ll notice the transformer-like vibes. Indeed, the AX4200 really looks like it came from a distant planet with its 4 non-removable antennas and predominantly black colour with sort of goldish details.

Ai Mesh, Guest Network and Parental Controls are just some of the standard features that come with the best WiFi router for gamers. The gaming part is intentionally emphasized because of the Game Boost option, one you won’t find with many routers in Australia.

This feature allows you to prioritize devices you regularly use for gaming. Thus, in case there’s another process consuming a lot of your internet bandwidth, the router will always check if some of your prioritized devices are on. If yes, your gaming computer, laptop or console will have an advantage in regards to the internet speed.

Furthermore, you will find iOS and Android QR codes. By scanning them, you’ll enable the mobile game mode, which guarantees a seamless gaming experience.

Ai Protection is another feature you’ll find quite useful. The best Asus router for gaming allows you to scan your network for malware. It protects your devices from downloading both malware and ransomware files.

This way, you protect all your devices from potential hacker attacks that might want to steal your passwords. Though, we still recommend using the best password manager for Windows or any other OS you use, just in case.

Pricing 

The Asus TUF Gaming Router costs a little over $270. For this price, you get a mid-to-high-end WiFi router with up to 3,000 Mbps max speed, which is ideal for gaming. It’s also compatible with laptops, PCs, tablets, smart TVs, and gaming consoles.

6. GL.iNet GL-MT3000 – Portable, Pocket-Size WiFi Router

The GL-MT3000 is the best WiFi router for portability and packing away. This is a dual-band WiFi that emits 574 Mbps on 2.4 GHz and 2,402 Mbps on 5 GHz frequency. It has only two ports (WAN, LAN), but given its purpose, we won’t consider this a significant downside.

You can use the Parental Control option to limit your kids’ access to potentially harmful online content. It comes with preinstalled open-source virtual private network providers like OpenVPN (up to 150 Mbps) and WireGuard (up to 300 Mbps).

The miniature device can be packed away almost anywhere, and it’s great if you need a router for travelling.

Finally, you can customize the GL-MT3000 portable WiFi router by downloading plug-ins for the open-source OpenWrt 21.02 firmware.

Pricing

The Gl.iNet GL-MT3000 is a bit pricier than some of its competitors but still affordable. Paying $159 for a WiFi 6 router isn’t something to regret.

Like most WiFi 6 routers, the GL-MT3000 emits signals up to 150 ft (45 m). If this isn’t enough, you can always purchase a WiFi range extender to get a stronger signal.

7. TP-Link AX5400 – Enjoy Super-Slick 8K Streaming

The TP-Link AX5400 is a giant when it comes to reliability and high internet speeds. You can enjoy up to 5,400 Mbps for browsing, streaming, gaming, or downloading.

The AX5400 is a WiFi 6 next-gen wireless router that stands out with incredible speeds and an above-average range. You can expect full speed on your 300 Mbps connection, even with 15+ devices connected to the router.

Moreover, this TP-Link router performs well outdoors and will deliver high-quality connection even with 3-4 walls in between. You can expect 20-30% speed drops outdoors, which is great, though it depends on the wall thickness and composition.

You can attach over 200 devices to this router and still enjoy quality streaming without buffering. Thanks to 6 non-removable antennas, multiple users can simultaneously enjoy streaming Amazon Prime, Netflix, Hulu or BBC iPlayer in 8K.

Pricing

The price of only $172.60 for the next-gen router may surprise you. But let us remind you that this is still a dual-band WiFi modem and, as such, doesn’t belong to the top end of tri-band routers.

Still, this device can compete against any gaming router thanks to its triple-core processor and improved vent system, allowing it to work at maximum capacity 24/7.

8. Google Nest WiFi Router AU/NZ Model – Connect Up to 100 Devices 

The Google Nest WiFi Router has everything an average user needs – a reliable connection, multiple-device support and plenty of features.

The Google Nest is a dual-band WiFi 5 router WiFi that emits up to 2.2 Gbps across the two frequencies (2.4 and 5 GHz). It uses a 1.4 GHz quad-core processor, which allows it to support up to 100 devices without buffering.

You can easily set up your router via desktop or mobile apps for iOS or Android. This process is straightforward and won’t take more than 5-6 minutes of your time.

The Google Nest AU/NZ model has several handy features that make it the best WiFi router for average users. It has a preinstalled mic and speakers. This allows you to use Google Assistant voice commands to turn it on and off or restart. Also, the two bands can work as speakers so that you can stream music from your WiFi router.

Your IP address will be static, so you can’t change it to dynamic, and this is an option we would really like to see in the future.

Pricing

The Google Nest WiFi AU/NZ is a bit pricey for an average consumer. It costs $379.99 and is more expensive than some WiFi 6 gamer routers.

Regardless, the Google Nest is a reliable router that provides internet speeds up to 2.2 Gbps with 2,200 sq. ft. coverage, which is really impressive.

Modem vs Router vs. Mesh Wi-Fi Systems

When searching for the best WiFi router, you’ll often come across terms such as modem, router and Mesh WiFi System. If you remember, we already promised you to avoid foreign languages and explain WiFi in simpler words. Here’s what you should know.

Internet Modem

By subscribing to your internet service provider (ISP), you get the right to use internet services.

This is the most common type of internet connection, but it’s also limited in some ways. Namely, you can connect only one device (TV, laptop or computer) to the box, automatically eliminating the chance of connecting multiple devices due to the lack of ports.

Router 

People frequently confuse routers with modems and vice versa, which brings us to the vital question – modem vs. router: what’s the difference?

As mentioned, a modem connects the internet the ISP provides with one device. However, a router is a device that takes signals from the modem and transfers it to multiple devices through a wireless connection.

People often mix up these two terms because ISPs often provide their subscribers with one box that works as both a modem and router – for example, an NBN connection box. While this concept is the most frequent among internet service providers, it has flaws.

Security is the most obvious one. ISPs will often provide you with cheap lower-end routers. As a result, you’ll often experience signal drops, connection instability and weak online protection. A WiFi router extender might do the trick. However, it’s better to purchase a router online.

Mesh WiFi Systems

A mesh router has extra boxes (nodes, satellites) that work as access points. These satellites will open new access points for your devices and maintain a strong signal across your home, regardless of the interior design, wall locations, etc.

This is possible because mesh routers rely on advanced AI technology, where each box communicates with the others. Consequently, your router will determine the best access point for your device and deliver faster speeds and more reliable connections.

Finally, the best mesh WiFi in Australia will be equipped with lots of extra features like parental control, advanced encryption and real-time antivirus to protect you from the moment you start connecting to the Internet and WiFi.

Understanding the Meaning of the Different Wi-Fi Bands

A WiFi router sends and receives data through a specific wireless broadcast frequency. A wireless router can have one, two or three radios (bands) to broadcast signals. The most common wireless frequencies are 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz and 6 GHz.

Tri-band routers emit different frequencies on each radio. Most commonly, it uses one 2.4 GHz and two 5 GHz frequencies. However, Wi-Fi 6e routers can have 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz radios.

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Wi-Fi Router for You

Now that you know the difference between a modem, router and mesh systems, as well as different WiFi bands, let’s see what else you should consider when purchasing the best home WiFi router in Australia, whether you want the best WiFi 6e router or a small, portable option.

Budget

WiFi routers differ in quality, efficiency, reliability, and, of course, pricing. However, that doesn’t mean having a great internet signal across your home should cost much or more than you’re ready to pay for. Nevertheless, having a reliable signal can have a big impact on your quality of life, so it’s worth buying the best modem router for your budget.

A lower-end router can cost anywhere between $80 to $150. The Tenda Nova MW6-2 is an excellent example of how a low-budget wireless device should work.

A mid-range Wi-Fi router costs from $150 to around $230. Such devices rely mostly on WiFi 6 standard and have an increased range and signal, such as TP-Link AX1800.

Higher-end routers can be either dual-band or tri-band. These wireless devices typically offer speeds of 1.8 Gbps and higher. Also, high-end routers like the AVM Fritz!Box 7590 can support 20+ devices connected simultaneously without buffering.

Wireless Protocols

Wireless protocols represent the specific generation of WiFi, with 4th being the oldest and WiFi 7 being the latest.

Many people are still locked on the 4th generation, which is outdated and significantly slower than its successor. Because of that, many decide to upgrade their WiFi for better performance.

For example, an NBN Wi-Fi modem study has shown that a consumer will achieve better performance by choosing a device that relies on the 802.11ac standard.

WiFi 6 and WiFi 6e devices belong to the newer-gen WiFi standard – and you should be able to get great results with the best WiFi 6 mesh router. These types of WiFi allow more stable connections and higher internet speeds with a 9.6 Gbps maximum throughput.

Finally, Wi-Fi 7 is the latest-gen WiFi and delivers significantly faster speeds and lower latencies.

You should contact your ISP to see which type of router you should choose. Not all WiFi devices are compatible with your ISP. For instance, if your internet comes from the National Broadband Network, you should look for NBN-compatible modems. Otherwise, you can end up driving a Ferrari on an 80 Kmph road, which would be something of a waste.

Features

WiFi routers have gone way beyond being simple wireless network providers. Today, the best modem WiFi routers offer plenty of features and functionalities.

You can also configure your router to prevent access to certain websites or apps. As a result, it makes it easier for parents to protect their children from online dangers.

Also, every decent router is equipped with a strong firewall and antivirus. Broadband router security is often stigmatized – and for a reason. With the increasing influence of the internet, concerns about cyber threats have grown rapidly. Protecting your devices from malware and ransomware is imperative, which is why more and more people opt to buy the best WiFi router instead of using the ISP-provided ones.

Ports

A router can have a minimum of two ports. The Ethernet port connects your device with the ISP, while the other allows you to connect one of your devices.

However, modern routers nowadays have multiple ports. Consequently, you can attach several devices to your router, like a TV, laptop or home computer. It makes connections more stable and reliable, as WiFi is inferior to a wired connection. A good WiFi router in Australia will have at least 4 LAN ports for devices.

Also, higher-end routers have additional USB ports. This will allow you to connect a hard drive to your router and share files and data faster. You can also use USB ports to connect printers or other devices and access them remotely from your router.

Best WiFi Extender Guides and Resources

Our team have also put together a range of other resources on the best WiFi extenders and routers available today, including:

• The best mesh WiFi system
• The best WiFi extender
• The best WiFi router
• The best WiFi extender for Australia
• The best WiFi mesh system for Australia
• The best WiFi extender for the UK
• The best mesh WiFi system for the UK
• The best WiFi router for the UK

Conclusion – What’s the Best Wi-Fi Router to Buy in Australia in 2024? The AVM!Fritzbox 7590

Can a router improve your network quality and internet speed? The short answer is yes, absolutely.

While you can improve your indoor internet connection with a WiFi booster, you should remember this is only a short-term solution as internet connections keep evolving. If you don’t upgrade, you may never have a chance to use your internet connection’s full potential.

Our analysts have tested hundreds of routers that can deliver exceptional speeds and will stand the test of time.

They’ve concluded that the AVM!Fritzbox 7590 is the best WiFi router in Australia. This dual-band router allows you to use two frequencies – 2.4 and 5 GHz. The Fritzbox 7590 can broadcast signals up to 46m indoors and 92m outdoors. On top of that, this multi-functional router boasts features like paternal control and DECT base functionality and comes with a mesh system.

All of this qualifies it as the best WiFi mesh router going, and you can get this premium router for only $226.11. Don’t waste time and grab the best WiFi box in Australia now.

WiFi Router FAQs

Aleksandar Stevanovic

Software Reviews Expert

• 
• 

Aleksandar Stevanovic

Software Reviews Expert

Aleksandar Stevanovic spent 10 years honing his craft as a freelance content writer. He has a degree in Economics, and extensive experience in software, crypto, and cybersecurity industries. He covers a multitude of topics, writing factual and informative articles, helping individuals better understand the intricacies of the online world. Over the last two years, his research focus shifted more towards tech and software content, as evidenced by his publications on CEX.IO, Business2Community, and Techopedia. He believes in simplifying complex topics and bringing them closer to like-minded individuals. His work is as detail-oriented as it is creative, and is designed to…

All Articles by Aleksandar Stevanovic