Best secure router in 2024 – our top WiFi routers for security

If you are looking for the best secure router, then we’ve got you covered right here. Whether it’s your home or office, having a secure network is a must-have in this day and age. A secure router gives you access to a ton of security features that protect your network against attacks and privacy compromises – especially if you have lots of devices connected. 

These days, you can find routers with security features like WPA3, firewall, parental controls, VPN compatibility, automatic updates, and regular scans. On top of that, many routers offer “premium” security subscriptions with which you can unlock some even more advanced features for keeping your sensitive data safe. Luckily, a fair chunk of these subscriptions come with a free trial, so you can test them out to see if they’re worth getting.

To help you kick off the search in the best possible manner, we’ve done the research and have selected a few options we think are the most secure routers available in the market. We carefully looked at the specs and features of each router before adding it to our list. So, without any further ado, let’s take a look at some of the best secure routers.

Products at a glance

How we picked the best secure routers

For this guide, we have looked at several routers, compared them, and used our in-depth topic knowledge and expertise in networking to narrow down the ones that we think have the most effective security features. These routers have been selected based on their key specs such as speed, coverage, and, of course, security features: with the right router, you’ll be able to truly enjoy ultra-fast browsing speeds with the peace of mind that your network is protected. While feature preference will vary from person to person, some of the specific ones we kept an eye out for are traffic monitoring tools, content filtering and parental controls, malware and ransomware protection, and VPN.

Beyond additional features, the reliability and reputation of each manufacturer were a paramount concern, and we made sure to do our research into user reviews to only recommend routers that have had plenty of positive feedback. Plus, we’re actually always on the lookout for new products to add to our list, so check back here for more updates.

Best secure router in 2024 – our top WiFi routers for security

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NETGEAR Nighthawk 6-Stream AX5400 WiFi 6 Router (RAX50)

Specifications

• Standard: WiFi 6
• Frequency bands: 5 GHz
• Max speed: 5.4 Gbps
• LAN ports: 4 x 1 Gbps

Reasons to Buy

•  Speeds of up to 5.4 Gbps
•  Coverage up to 2,500 sq. ft.
•  Special features including Beamforming, Internet Security, Remote Access, Parental Control

Reasons to Avoid

• Should have had a multi-gig port
• Have to pay for Netgear Armor
• Some security features are on the basic side

• Shop on Amazon

If you want a secure router for general use, then you should check out the Netgear Nighthawk RAX50 router, which we think deserves to be one of the best WiFi 6 routers. 

Starting with its performance, the router has Wi-Fi 6 speeds with dual band frequency, bringing up to 5.4 Gbps – which should be sufficient for gaming and streaming. Further, you also get decent coverage as it can cover up to 2,500 sq. ft. while staying connected with around 25 devices. So, if you have a small home with few users, then it should provide sufficient coverage. 

As for the ports, there are four LAN ports and one WAN port (all gigabit), so you should be able to plug in your consoles and computers without any trouble. There is also a USB 3.0 port, but that’s relatively standard these days.

Now, let’s go over the most important part of the RAX50 router: the security features. The router does offer basic security features for free, but if you want advanced security features, you can subscribe to Netgear Armor. This comes with a free one-month trial and gives you access to features such as advanced parental controls and VPN support.

With parental controls, you can monitor the internet usage of your kids and restrict access to certain websites to promote healthy internet habits. On top of that, the router also offers protection against DDoS attacks, and a single Netgear Armor subscription keeps all of your connected devices safe. Overall, the RAX50 currently stands as the best secure router you can get from the market today.

What users say

From our research into Amazon user reviews of the Netgear Nighthawk RAX50, we can safely say that the speeds of this router are one of its standout features. Multiple reviewers have commented on this device’s “cutting-edge WiFi 6 technology and impressive AX5400 dual-band speeds”, and how its “lightning-fast speeds making lag-free gaming and 4K streaming a reality” has improved online experiences. However, other users have also praised its “robust security features”, which help when it comes to “ensuring a safe online experience for all connected devices”.

02

Synology RT2600ac WiFi router

Reasons to Buy

•  Dual WAN ports
•  Advanced parental controls
•  Create 5 separate networks

Reasons to Avoid

• Have to update the router at least monthly to keep security patches up to date
• Some users report having issues with signal strength

• Shop on Amazon

If you’re after a more budget-friendly option, we recommend the Synology RT2600ac. Sure, it is a Wi-Fi 5 router, so the speeds are not as high as other Wi-Fi 6 options, but it is a solid choice for most use cases. You get combined speeds of up to 2,530 Mbps from the dual-band connectivity, which should be more than enough for most users. 

Going over the ports, the router has a standard layout of a Gigabit WAN port and 4x Gigabit LAN ports. Of course, there is also a USB 3.0 option. An impressive feature here is that you can do load-balancing because one of the four Gigabit LAN ports can act as a WAN port.

When it comes to security, the router comes with tools like intrusion prevention, denial-of-service protection, and firewall management. On top of that, it receives regular updates from the company to make sure your network is safe from online threats. The RT2600ac can also act as a VPN server and allow you to set up a secure connection.

Parental controls on this router are also pretty advanced. You can block access to thousands of websites in only a few clicks, something that can help protect your kids from inappropriate and harmful content. On top of that, you can set up custom profiles for different family members or employees, so you won’t have to worry about their internet usage every time they connect their device to the router.

Other than that, you can also create up to five separate networks. This way, you can have a separate network for your home, guests, IoT devices, office, and surveillance. Overall, the RT2600ac is a great choice for those who want excellent privacy and security, and it is even one of the best parental control routers due to its features. 

What users say

When it comes to what Amazon user reviews have to say about the Synology RT2600ac and its security features, one aspect that was highly praised by buyers was its parental controls. In particular, one user comments that this is the “best router that I have used that has straight forward parental controls that didn’t require an extra subscription fee”, and another that it has the “best parental control options by far”. Essentially, each child “can have an individual internet schedule, time quota, web filter and safe search”, which is pretty invaluable for families where there are lots of different needs and preferences in one household.

If you are looking for a secure router for your small business, then you should check out the Netgear Cloud Managed Wireless Access Point router. The device supports dual-band Wi-Fi 6 speeds to deliver up to 3 Gbps throughput (2.4 Gbps on 5GHz and 0.6 Gbps on 2.4GHz), which should be more than sufficient for businesses. 

As far as coverage is concerned, the router can give Wi-Fi coverage for up to 2,750 sq. ft., which should deliver reliable connectivity throughout your office space. Plus, the router can keep up to 256 client devices connected, so you should be able to get enough connections for your small business. And for wired connectivity, you get a 2.5G PoE+ port. 

Regarding security features, the router lets you create up to 8 SSIDs, has separate VLAN control, and gets both WPA3 security and backward compatibility with WPA1/2. Further, there is a 5-year warranty with 24/7 technical support, which should ensure uninterrupted business. Overall, the WAX615 is easily one of the most secure routers for businesses. 

What users say

Whilst doing our research into the Amazon user reviews of the Netgear Cloud Managed Wireless Access Point router, we found that customers were pleased with the ease of setup in particular. One user explained that “it’s a breeze to get it up and running”, and went even further to say that “the performance, in terms of speed and range, surpasses what I had anticipated”. Other reviews were a testament to this, saying that “the network was simple enough to make it work quick out of the box”.

If you’re looking for a mesh Wi-Fi system without compromising security, you should check out the Amazon Eero 6 mesh system. In fact, we think it’s one of the best mesh systems available.

It is a dual-band Wi-Fi 6 pack of 1 router and 2 extenders that can handle speeds of up to 500 Mbps, which is suitable for users who prefer budget internet plans. 

As it is a mesh system, the Eero 6 covers around 4,500 sq. ft. of space and can keep up to 75 devices connected, which makes it suitable for large homes. As far as wired connections are concerned, you get two auto-sensing Gigabit ports and one USB-C port at the back of the main router. Plus, each of the extenders has a USB-C port.

Coming to security, the router offers WPA3, WPA2, VPN passthrough, and several key features. Plus, if you get Eero Plus (a subscription-based service), you can access advanced security features like DDNS, Malwarebytes, 1Password, VPN Powered by Guardian, and much more. All of these should help protect your network and devices from online threats, including DDoS attacks. 

What users say

Well, when it comes to customer reviews, the Amazon Eero 6 mesh system is clearly a hit with the majority of users awarding it 5 stars. One particular reviewer solos out the coverage of this router setup, claiming that they have “no dead spots at all”, and another goes ahead and comments that the “3 eero devices provide excellent coverage”. So, if you’re looking for a solid and secure connection throughout your entire home or workspace, this setup from Amazon looks like it should tick a lot of boxes.

If you are looking for a secure router with firewall protection, then you should look at the Gryphon Tower Super-Fast Mesh Wi-Fi router. 

This is a Wi-Fi 6 router with tri-band connectivity that offers up to 3 Gbps of speed, which should make the most out of your high-speed internet plans.

Plus, with coverage of up to 3,000 sq. ft. and capacity to handle north of 100 devices, it can take care of all your IoT devices without throttling the performance. There are also three Gigabit LAN ports and a WAN port for wired connectivity, which should let you connect your consoles, computers, and other devices.

As for security, the firewall is top-notch, with protection against malware and ransomware. There are also features for phishing scams and robust paternal controls that offer content monitoring, time limits, app/website blocking, and much more. Accessing these features is also pretty easy, as it can be done directly through the Gryphon Connect app. All in all, if you want to focus on high-speed connectivity with advanced security features, the Gryphon Tower is a great choice to consider.

What users say

From what we’ve seen, the user reviews for the Gryphon Tower on Amazon also point towards this router being an excellent secure choice for families where parental controls are important. One user testaments to the fact that the “parental controls are slick and simple”, whereas another praises its “practical functionality for the whole family”. However, its more versatile security features are praised in reviews too, with one user commenting on its “decent firewall/malware protection/detection”.

How to pick the best secure routers

Picking up the most secure router isn’t just about going to the market and choosing one of the best wireless routers. Instead, you need to carefully look at its specs, performance, and the type of security features it offers. Here are a few things to consider before making a purchase.

Wireless standards

As you will be using your new router for quite a while, you should invest in a device that has new WiFi technology. As of now, you can go for a WiFi 6 router or a WiFi 6E router. Now, WiFi 6 is more commonly available, and most of your devices would be compatible with it. On the other hand, WiFi 6E has a third 6GHz band that provides faster speeds. However, you will have to check if your devices are compatible with this standard. You can also find WiFi 5 devices with decent security features, but keep in mind that WiFi 6 is around 40% faster than WiFi 5.

Speed

Another important spec that you should look at is maximum speed. Ideally, the router should support greater speed or match the speed that you are subscribing to. For instance, if you are getting a 1 Gbps plan from an ISP, then your router should support that speed.

Coverage

Ideally, your WiFi router should provide coverage throughout your house without any dead zones. For this, you need to make sure that you get a router that is capable of providing that coverage. For instance, some of the best routers for large homes can cover up to 6,000 sq. ft. or more area.

Security features

This is obvious, but you need to make sure the router you’re getting comes with advanced security features and should offer parental controls so you can restrict access to certain websites. If your router can not protect your devices from DDoS attacks, you need to replace it. This is because, according to Netgear, once hackers gain access to your router, they can hack every device connected to it. So, you need to take this into consideration before making a final purchase.

How do I make sure my router is secure?

First of all, you need to make sure you’re not using a basic WiFi password. Other than that, regularly update your router, change the default network name, and enable WPA3 encryption to keep your router secure.

Are newer routers more secure?

Newer routers come with advanced security features that protect your router from online threats. However, do keep in mind that in most cases, these advanced security features can only be accessed by paying for a monthly subscription.