Xfinity internet is one of the more popular offerings across the nation, and picking a router to take full advantage of a plan can be a daunting endeavor. Whether it be through looking at what option best serves your media and gaming needs, covering large spaces, or even just something to make it so you can check your email on an iPad, there are an astounding number of options to choose from.
These are five of the absolute best routers in a variety of categories, which can help take advantage of your Xfinity internet plan. The items selected for today’s guide are as follows:
- Best Overall Xfinity Internet Router: TP-Link AX5400
- Best Budget Xfinity Internet Router: TP-Link Archer A8
- Best Gaming Xfinity Internet Router: ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX11000
- Best Mesh Xfinity Internet Router: Amazon eero 6+
- Best Premium Xfinity Internet Router: Netgear RAXE500
Best Overall Xfinity Internet Router: TP-Link AX5400
- Suitable for 8K streaming
- Features two bands of wireless coverage
- Supports Wi-Fi 6
- Great ventilation keeps the heat down
The TP-Link AX5400 is the best all-rounder for Xfinity internet plans. This Wi-fi 6 capable router is USB enabled and allows for file sharing with minimal setup. Support for the latest Wi-Fi protocols makes this a future-proof device that can fully take advantage of all available bandwidth and distribute it to all connected devices. Mesh nodes are also supported for greater coverage and network saturation across larger spaces or areas with a lot of interference.
The AX5400 is easy to install, with TP-Link’s companion app making setup and maintenance a simple task. Speeds of up to 4.8Gbps are supported, and the six high-powered antennae provide optimal coverage over medium to large-sized homes. TP-Link has included some substantial security measures as well, providing VPN tunnels, DDoS protection, real-time protection of smart home devices, and parental controls for full control of network access as you see fit.
With a suggested retail price of $199.99, this fully featured router is an excellent router for your Xfinity internet plan.
Check out the TP-Link AX5400 on Amazon.
Best Budget Xfinity Internet Router: TP-Link Archer A8
- OneMesh Compatible Router- Form a seamless WiFi when work with TP-Link OneMesh WiFi Extenders.Processor : 1.2 GHz Single-Core CPU.
- Wave 2 Wireless Internet Router, 600 Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and 1300 Mbps on the 5GHz band
- MU-MIMO Gigabit Router, 3 simultaneous data streams help your devices achieve optimal performance by making communication more efficient
- Boosted WiFi Coverage, Beamforming technology delivers a highly efficient wireless connection, long range WiFi
- Full Gigabit Ports: Create fast, reliable wired connections for your PCs, Smart TVs and gaming console with 4 x Gigabit LAN and 1 x Gigabit WAN. No USB Port
At $79.99 suggested retail, the TP-Link Archer A8 is one of the less expensive devices in this guide. Make no mistake, however, it is a fully capable router with support for Wi-Fi 5, MU-MIMO, and mesh networks.
The Archer A8 is feature packed for its price point with a quartet of antennae providing high-output wireless signals to every device in your home. MU-MIMO, or multiple-user multi-in multi-out, allows for stable and secure connections across all devices without compromising the speed of your network. This isn’t a Wi-Fi 6 capable router, but at the price point, it offers quite a bit for the purchase.
Installation is similar to the AX5400, using TP-Link’s companion app to get things up and running with minimal fuss. The most surprising thing for the A8 is support for TP-Link’s OneMesh nodes which can allow for even greater network connectivity across larger homes.
Check ou thet TP-Link Archer A8 on Amazon.
Best Gaming Xfinity Internet Router: ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX11000
- Tri-band 10 Gigabit
- 1.8 GHz quad-core CPU
- Compatible with ASUS AiMesh Wi-Fi
- 256MB flash memory and 1GB RAM
- Triple-level game acceleration facilitates game traffic
Gaming requires intensive network resources which the ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 is more than happy to provide. This high-speed gaming router supports speeds up to 10Gbps, making it built for speed. The GT-AX11000 isn’t intended solely for gaming either. Its blazing speeds make it ideal for a variety of tasks like streaming resource-intensive media.
For gaming, it prioritizes gaming-related packets and transmissions, making sure you aren’t met with lag during an intense session online. A dedicated 5GHz band allows for optimal and uninterrupted gaming connections. A separate 2.4GHz lets the other devices on your network enjoy web browsing, media streaming, and more. The ROG gaming center allows for the administration of the device, down to controlling the RGB lights which adorn its exterior.
At a suggested retail price of $449.99, it is one of the more expensive choices in this guide. The ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 presents a great choice for the gaming obsessed.
Check out the ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 on Amazon.
Best Mesh Xfinity Internet Router: Amazon eero 6+
- Fast speeds of up to 2.3 Gbps
- Compatible with non-Wi-FI 6 devices.
- Connect 100+ devices within 6,000 sq ft
- TrueMesh routes traffic to minimize drop-offs
- Easy to set up via eero app
With support for up to 100 individual devices connecting at once, the Amazon eero 6+ is the best mesh router you can use with your Xfinity internet.
The eero Pro 6E supports up to 2.3Gbps wirelessly and is a Wi-Fi 6E-enabled device. Amazon’s TrueMesh technology allows for dynamic connections between mesh nodes. This route traffic intelligently to prevent coverage dead spots while the connection remains secure and stable. Built-in integration with smart home technologies like the Echo, Thread, and Zigbee devices also gives this a degree of flexibility.
A mobile device is required for setup, but installation is simple with a smartphone in hand. The eero Pro 6E comes with just the router, retailing for $299.99. Coverage can be extended by purchasing additional packs as well. The base package covers up to 1500 square feet. A three-node pack is also available offering up to 6000 square feet of coverage.
Check out the Amazon eero 6+ on Amazon.
Best Premium Xfinity Internet Router: Netgear RAXE500
- 6GHz WiFi band dedicated to WiFi 6E devices including Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. Enjoy 4K/8K video streaming, AR/VR gaming and HD videoconferencing.Beamforming : Improve range and performance for...
- Powerful 1.8GHz quad-core processor gives you exceptional 10.8Gbps WiFi speed, 9x faster than WiFi 5. Backward compatible for all WiFi devices on 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands
- Coverage up to 3,500 sq. ft. and 60 devices
- Replace your existing WiFi Router (separate modem or modem router required). Compatible with any Internet Service Provider up to 2Gbps including cable, satellite, fiber, DSL and more
- Sets up in minutes with the Nighthawk app – easily manage WiFi settings at the device and network level, test internet speed and monitor data usage
For users wanting a cutting-edge wireless router look no further than the Netgear RAXE500.
The RAXE500 supports speeds up to 10.8Gbps and is optimized for delivering 4K and 8K streaming video. Up to 60 devices are supported across 3500 square feet of coverage. Twelve individual channels allow for constant and secure connections, utilizing Netgear’s proprietary Wi-Fi optimization and eight antennae.
Three individual wireless bands are also available with 2.4, 5, and 6 GHz allowing for compatibility across all Wi-Fi protocols. This Wi-Fi 6E device is built for the future, supporting 802.11ax and all previous protocols. Netgear’s Nighthawk installs the device on your network, it also lets you manage your network.
This is a premium router, retailing at $599.99, but its feature set put it at the top of the heap.
Check out the Netgear RAXE500 on Amazon.
How To Pick a Router for Xfinity Internet: Step-By-Step
Picking the ideal router is reliant on a few factors and your own research. The factors are as follows:
- Price
- Features
- Area Coverage
- Compatibility
Price
Shopping for a router can be a somewhat daunting process. One vital consideration before picking a router is its cost. Routers come in at a variety of price points. This of course dictates their features and amenities which can add more flexibility to your choices. Modern routers are built to be quicker than the modems they’re working with. 1Gbps transfer speeds have become standard for most routers. No matter what you choose though, make sure it’s something that fits within your budget.
Features
What a router is capable of is a vital consideration when purchasing a new one for your home network. Someone who streams a variety of media or games has very specific priorities. Compare their priorities to someone who’s just looking to do some light web browsing. Features can also encompass things like mesh network compatibility, Wi-Fi 6 or 6E connectivity, and Adaptive QoS. Your home network’s layout is reliant on a router’s features. Choose one that has options that suit your configuration.
Area Coverage
One router might not cover your entire home. Larger areas require higher signal strength or the use of additional hardware like mesh nodes. Your router should cover your home with signal availability. Also, be aware of any obstructions which might impede ideal network coverage. Things like dense walls, electromagnetic interference, and appliances can all negatively impact the strength of your wireless signal.
Compatibility
For most routers, this won’t be a consideration, but for some, it can make or break a device’s function. Compatibility refers to your internet service provider’s equipment being able to take advantage of or use the features of your router.
Internet providers have white lists of approved equipment, use this as a reference if choosing something like a combination router and modem.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©ANDRANIK HAKOBYAN/Shutterstock.com.
