1. Best overall
2. Best armored
3. Best WiFi 6
4. Best mesh
5. Best business
6. FAQ
7. How we test
In an era where network security is paramount, choosing the best secure router is crucial for safeguarding your online presence, whether at home, in the office, or in a small business setting.
As more devices become network-enabled, the necessity to protect your network against unauthorized access and threats becomes more pressing. With the right secure router, you can enjoy not just fast Wi-Fi access, but also the peace of mind that comes with enhanced security.
Security should never be compromised, especially when it comes to protecting sensitive data. This is where secure routers play a vital role. The market offers a diverse range of options, including routers specifically designed for small businesses, those equipped with VPN capabilities for more secure internet access, and network switches that offer greater control over your network.
Wi-Fi 6 routers have raised the bar in terms of security, thanks to improved protocols introduced with this new technology. Whether you're looking for the best VPN router, the best WiFi 6 router, the best gaming router, or the best small business router, there are secure options available to meet your specific needs. Some of the best mesh WiFi systems, meanwhile, are also the most secure, so you can enjoy wide coverage and speed as well as advanced security features,
Our approach to finding the best secure router involves a comprehensive comparison of various models, focusing on factors such as speed, coverage area, communication bands, and the functionality of companion apps. We also assess the ease of setup, the effectiveness of built-in cybersecurity features (where available), and pricing to provide a well-rounded view of each router's capabilities.
We're here to help you find the best secure router that not only ensures robust protection for your network but also aligns with your connectivity needs and preferences.
The best secure router of 2024 in full:
Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.
Below you'll find full write-ups for each of the entries on our best secure router list. We've tested each one extensively, so you can be sure that our recommendations can be trusted.
The best secure router overall
Are you in the market for one of the best wireless routers and don’t mind a quirky design? If a 90s-inspired sci-fi design sounds like it will fit right in your home, then the TP-Link Archer C5400 v2 might be the best secure router for you.
It’s not exactly the most modern-looking mesh router out there, but it’s unique in that it can bridge consumer and enterprise users by offering high-end functionality at a reasonable price point with a relaxed setup. Its security credentials are boosted by TP-Link Homecare which offers parental controls and built-in antivirus protection.
Free for the first three years, it lets you manage network access and protects against malicious attacks. Security settings can be fine-tuned by logging into the router, where it's possible to configure security type (such as WPA/WPA2 Mixed Enterprise, WPA/WPA2 Mixed Personal, WPA2 Enterprise, WPA2 Personal, and WEP), and edit SSIDs and passwords.
Read the full review: TP-Link Archer C5400 v2.
The best secure router with armor
Featuring fast Wi-Fi performance, the R7000 is still one of the best secure routers you can get even a few years after being released – and you stand a good chance of picking it up in the sale.
Nighthawk is one of the most established router brands, and this model from Netgear features the security features we’ve come to expect – including built DoS attack protection and options for setting parental controls in addition to filtering unwarned domains.
This router has a black and dark grey angular design, making it look similar to the US military's Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk stealth bomber. There's a USB 3.0 port at the front, a USB 2.0 port at the rear, four Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports, and another for WAN.
Read the full review: NETGEAR Nighthawk Smart Wi-Fi Router.
Get the best deal on Netgear products with our Netgear coupon codes.
The best secure WiFi 6 router
If you’re seeking the fastest possible router for your home network, this model from Asus flies thanks to its Dual Band 802.11ax (or Wi-Fi 6) connectivity, and it also supports MU-MIMO and OFDMA.
If you have a recent smartphone, you’ll benefit from blisteringly fast file transfer speeds – and even those that are still running on the older 802.11ac connectivity band will benefit.
Wi-Fi 6 connectivity will ensure superb performance even in congested wireless environments. The Asus RT-AX88U also features AiProtection network security powered by Trend Micro, a commercial-grade security feature that blocks internet security threats for any device connected to the network.
The router has a USB 3.1 port at the front, a secondary USB 3.1 port at the back, a WAN port, a WPS button, and 8 gigabit LAN ports.
To save money on Asus products, check out our Asus promo codes.
We’ll post a full review once we’ve had an opportunity to check out the RT-AX88U router ourselves.
The best secure Mesh WiFi router system
One way to get around Wi-Fi dead spots that routers can’t reach is to switch to a Wi-FI mesh setup to wrap your home in wireless internet – and Eero’s Home Wi-Fi is a pricey, yet security-conscious option.
Its free app provides fine control over your network and devices, including guest user and parental controls. An optional expanded security service subscription offers enterprise-grade network security powered by AI that detects threats on normal browsing habits and traffic sources.
Subscriptions to Encrypt.me VPN, 1Password and Malwarebytes are also included. Setting up the mesh system is quite easy through the Eero app for iOS and Android. You just have to install the router, update its firmware, and give it a name and password.
Read the full review: Eero Home Wi-Fi System.
The best secure router for business
When you want to make sure your business data stays safe, consider the Meraki Go Router Firewall Plus. It’s made by Cisco, is simple to set up and run, and provides a ton of features such as Cloud connectivity, VPN, IP filtering, and network analytics.
With four 1Gb Ethernet ports for local access and another 1Gb port for Internet connectivity, you have plenty of options to expand your network and keep your devices and data connected safely.
You’ll need to consider adding Wi-Fi access points if you need to provide wireless access in your office. Also, the USB port is only used for powering a small device and provides no connection support for network-sharing devices like a printer or a shared storage drive.
Read the full review: Meraki Go Router Firewall Plus.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a router secure?
Routers are like shipping services for your network and they determine where data is sent and received. Making sure they are secure and only accessed by the devices and networks you deem safe should be of utmost priority when setting up your network. To secure a router and connections to it, you’ll want to add secure passcodes to the administrative access controls of the router, and ensure your WiFi access is secured behind an encrypted passcode using something like WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access), WPA2 or WPA3 standards. Many routers will also let you restrict access to your private network using MAC addresses that refer to specific devices you want to allow.
What is a firewall and why is it important?
The core functionality of a firewall is to monitor, assess and then allow or prevent connections from entering or leaving your network. In your network system, it’s the point of contact between your local private network and public networks on the internet. You’ll want to select one that allows you to customize the specific connections to and from your private network, and block the rest to prevent malicious access to your business data and systems.
How to choose the best secure routers for you
When choosing the best secure router, you'll want to consider your needs. Suppose you have children at home and must ensure safe and well-monitored internet access. In that case, you'll want to look for routers with cybersecurity apps that allow you to implement the necessary security changes.
You'll want to pick a powerful Wi-Fi router (or mesh system) based on the size of your home or office and the number of floors you need internet connectivity. If you have many internet-connected devices, you'll want a router that can seamlessly manage multiple connections.
Don't forget to evaluate how many communication bands the router has. Single-band routers can get congested easily if too many devices are on the network, but dual-band routers help manage internet traffic well and ensure better speeds for all devices.
You'll also want to check how easy the setup process is and whether there's a valuable companion app with the router. You'll also want to check how easy the setup process is and whether there's a valuable companion app with the router.
How we test the best secure routers
Why you can trust TechRadar: We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. To find out more, check out our guide to how we test.
When evaluating the best secure routers, we looked at various features, like their speeds, communication bands, coverage area, companion apps, and router type.
We considered what size spaces they'd be best suited for and the number of devices they could handle. We assessed their setup process and their companion apps to check what kind of optimization and control options were available to us.
We also looked at their connectivity options and pricing, among other things.
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