While we certainly miss the simplicity and reliability of Apple’s discontinued AirPort router line, there are plenty of fantastic alternatives today. The best Wi-Fi routers for Apple devices deliver whole-home coverage with mesh networking technology or blazing fast gigabit speeds over the air — all with simple app setup and management. They’re ideal accompaniments if you’ve just bought yourself a new MacBook Air (M2) or iPhone 14 Pro, and want the best speeds on your network.
If you are ready to upgrade your network but still want an Apple-like experience, these are our picks for the best Wi-Fi routers for Apple devices.
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No more weak wi-fi signals with these routers
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Amazon eero 6 dual-band mesh Wi-Fi 6 system
It just works
The eero 6 delivers frustration-free Wi-Fi for homes up to 5,000 square feet with a user-friendly app that gets the system running in minutes. Dual-band radios inside each eero 6 node allow the system to cover your entire home, and Wi-Fi 6 offers speeds up to 550Mbps. The eero 6 also supports Apple’s HomeKit router feature, which puts you in control of your smart home accessories.
TP-Link WiFi 6 AX3000 Smart WiFi Router (Archer AX50)
Awesomely affordable
TP-Link’s single unit Archer AX50 ditches mesh networking in favor of a more affordable price that makes it perfect for smaller homes. Don’t let the low cost and smaller size fool you, though, as this router can deliver speeds up to 3GB and supports the latest Wi-Fi 6 standard. This router also includes several ethernet ports, which mesh systems often lack. If you’re deciding between this router and our top pick, eero 6, be sure to check out how they stack up.
Linksys MX12600 Velop Intelligent Mesh Wi-Fi 6 System: AX4200
Extreme coverage
The Linksys MX12600 handles the largest homes with a coverage area of 8,100 square feet. The powerful, tri-band Wi-Fi 6 radios in the MX12600 support for 120 devices simultaneously and at speeds of up to 1GB. Thanks to the incredible range, the four ethernet ports on each node make this system a great addition to game rooms, offices, and even guest houses.
NETGEAR Orbi Whole Home Tri-band Mesh Wi-Fi 6 System (RBK852)
Super speeds
The Orbi RBK852 Mesh Wi-Fi 6 system takes things to the extreme by offering speeds up to a whopping 6GB. It isn’t all about the speed, though, as this tri-band mesh system supports up to 100 devices, and each node provides up to 2,500 square feet of coverage. And if you somehow need more coverage, you can always add additional nodes.
Google Nest WiFi Router 3 Pack (2nd Generation)
Supports them all
While it lacks HomeKit, the Nest Wi-Fi Router, which our sister site Android Central reviewed and loved, is an excellent choice for those wanting to build the smart home of their dreams by supporting 200 devices per access point. Each Nest node covers 2,200 square feet and delivers speeds up to 1.2 GB — and it’s the only router available in multiple colors.
Introducing Amazon eero Pro 6E tri-band mesh Wi-Fi 6E system
Pro power
eero’s Pro 6E system goes beyond the base eero by offering expanded coverage, more ethernet ports, and even faster speeds with Wi-Fi 6E. An additional 6 GHz band inside the Pro 6E nodes allows it to reach up to 1.3 Gbps speeds wirelessly and covers up to 6,000 square feet with less network congestion. Despite more power, the eero Pro 6E is still easy to manage with the eero app and is highly recommended after we reviewed it hands-on.
Give your home an instant upgrade with the best Wi-Fi routers for Apple devices
Even though Apple pulled the plug on the AirPort router line a few years ago, you can still get an Apple-like experience for the best iPhone or best Mac from various router vendors. Whether it is a whole-home mesh networking system or a tried-and-true single unit, the best Wi-Fi routers for Apple devices make it incredibly easy to manage your household phones, tablets, computers, and more from the convenience of an app.
If you’re looking for Wi-Fi that just works, look no further than the eero 6 Mesh Wi-Fi System. This three-node Wi-Fi 6 mesh router blankets your home in fast, reliable Wi-Fi that takes just a few taps to set up. For Apple users, the eero 6 also supports Apple’s HomeKit Secure Router features, so you can rest assured knowing your home’s network is safe and secure.
On a budget but still want great Wi-Fi? The TP-Link Archer AX50 may be the router for you. Despite sporting a more traditional design, the AX50 packs plenty of power with four antennas that offer speeds up to three gigabits and coverage for 2,000 square feet. Plus, it supports Wi-Fi 6, so you can take advantage of your iPhone’s latest and greatest networking capabilities.
Are all routers compatible with Mac?
While some routers support extra features that tie into Apple products, like the eero 6 with its HomeKit Secure Router facility, you can still use any router or mesh setup with your Apple devices.
We’ve highlighted ones that work particularly well for numerous reasons, but all Wi-Fi routers will work with your iPhone, MacBook, Apple TV, and other Apple devices.
iMore offers spot-on advice and guidance from our team of experts, with decades of Apple device experience to lean on. Learn more with iMore!
Christopher spends most of his time writing and dreaming about all things HomeKit and the Home app. Whether it is installing smart light switches, testing the latest door locks, or automating his households daily routines, Christopher has done it all.
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If you have a Mac or Apple computer, you will certainly want the best router for Mac possible.
Since Apple ceased production of the AirPort Extreme routers back in 2018, because of its inability to keep up with modern technological progress, you will need to look beyond AirPort to find the ideal wireless Macintosh router.
Looking for the right router might seem daunting, but it is not. You will need to think about your ISP, internet speed package, and even what you are going online throughout your network before committing.
Here’s what you need to know before you buy a new router.
Choosing A Wireless Router For Mac & Apple Devices
Your Internet Speed
Your internet speed package will greatly affect the speeds that you can get from your best router for Mac. There is no reason to look for a router that can reach up to 7 Gbps if your internet package is only 200 Mbps.
If the Macintosh router you would like naturally comes with higher speeds, then that is great, but be prepared to only get the speeds you pay for rather than the speeds your router can reach.
Size Of Your Home
Whether you have a one, two, or even three story home will affect the type of router that you need. The number of rooms that you have also should be taken into account.
If you have a large home, you might need a mesh network rather than a single device, but if you live in a smaller apartment, your router will not need to have that kind of reach.
Number Of Connected Devices
There is a difference between having one device browsing the internet and having five devices streaming at the same time. Your router needs to be able to meet the needs of your network.
Every router can accommodate a certain amount of connected devices at a time, so make sure that yours will be able to handle your needs. What you are doing online also goes into this since a heavy streaming network will have different needs.
WiFi Router Features
All routers come with a wide array of features, including MU-MIMO technology for multiple users, QoS for prioritizing devices, Gigabit ports, USB 3.0 ports, and even security features to help you lock it down.
The features that you need from your router will vary from network to network. Make sure that the router that you want comes with the features that you need by considering what your expectations are from your router.
8 Best Routers For Mac & Apple Devices
|
Device |
Speeds |
Ports |
Rating |
Check Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. Netgear RAX40 Editor’s Choice |
3000 Mbps |
4 Ports |
100% |
Check Price |
|
2. Netgear RAX80 High Performance |
6000 Mbps |
5 Ports |
99% |
Check Price |
|
3. TP-Link Archer A7 Budget Friendly |
1750 Mbps |
4 Ports |
95% |
Check Price |
|
4. Gryphon AC3000 Extended Coverage |
3000 Mbps |
4 Ports |
97% |
Check Price |
|
5. Motorola MG7550 Modem Router Combo |
1900 Mbps |
4 Ports |
96% |
Check Price |
|
6. Netgear XR700 For Gaming |
7200 Mbps |
4 Ports |
98% |
Check Price |
|
7. Linksys Velop Mesh System |
2200 Mbps |
4 Ports |
94% |
Check Price |
|
8. Synology RT2600 Extra Security |
2600 Mbps |
4 Ports |
97% |
Check Price |
1.Netgear Nighthawk RAX40 WiFi Router
Best Router For Mac (Editor’s Choice)
After doing some careful research, we have selected the Netgear Nighthawk RAX40 as the best router for Mac.
You need to make sure that your router will be entirely compatible with the devices that you use the most, making this one the clear winner. Not only does it have excellent performance, but it has a lot of enhanced features to improve your overall experience.
Design
When you look at the design of the RAX40, you might think that it looks more similar to a drone than it does a router. But, its innovative design has a purpose, when it comes to the performance of the router.
The vents of this router are located along the middle of the top of the router. This will keep the warm air pushing upward rather than allowing the router to overheat.
The RAX40 comes with two antennas. While other routers might come with more antennas, with only these two, the RAX40 is able to have an impressive amount of power.
The router comes with four 1-Gigabit Ethernet ports, but it also has a 2.5-Gigabit Ethernet port, which is practically unheard of with other routers. This kind of port will offer you only the highest connected speeds possible.
Performance
As we said, the RAX40 is a perfect router for Mac, demonstrated by the fact that it can reach speeds up to 3 Gbps. While the speeds are determined by the speed package that you have with your internet provider, you can believe that you will be getting the fastest and the best speeds possible.
These speeds are possible, because the router is on the Wi-Fi 6 standard. This is the latest wireless technology on the market, making it the best.
The RAX40 can reach up to 1500 square feet in coverage as well. This might not be the largest range out on the market, but it should still cover most networks without a problem. If this is a concern for you, make sure that you put the router in a central location so that it is able to put out the best range that it can.
Finally, the RAX40 uses Smart Connect technology. This will allow you to easily connect your home Wi-Fi devices with a high amount of reliability.
- Wi-Fi 6 standard
- Up to 1500 square feet in coverage
- Speeds up to 3 Gbps
- Smart Connect
- Excellent security features
- The router is enormous in size
2. Netgear Nighthawk RAX80 WiFi Router
High Performance
A high performance router that works well for Mac computers is the Netgear Nighthawk RAX80. This is one of the highest performing routers that you can get and might even be more than you need.
Design
The design of the RAX80 is bulky and not easy to conceal. If you compare it to other routers, it is a bit of an eye-sore. That said, instead of standard external antennas, the internal antennas are hidden within two large fins on this router.
The RAX80 comes with smart parental controls, allowing you to manage not just the device, but also the internet access across the network.
This is important if you have any children who log on, giving you an added amount of peace of mind and control over your network. The RAX80 comes with 5 1-Gigabit Ethernet ports to support your wired connectivity as well.
Performance
Looking at the performance of the RAX80, you will find that it supports more than 30 connected devices simultaneously, which is made possible through the 8 simultaneous streams that come with it. The Netgear RAX80 is the best router for Mac if performance is your top priority.
You should be able to use many devices to stream at the same time without losing any speed, giving you all of the power that you need to keep your network up and going as efficiently as possible.
The RAX80 can reach speeds up to 6 Gbps, which is perfect for the 4K/8K Ultra-HD streaming that the router allows for. Interruptions are a thing of the past with the RAX80.
The MU-MIMO technology on board further promotes the use of multiple users on multiple devices to stream at the same time. When you combine it with Beamforming+, this router has excellent range.
- Supports 30+ devices simultaneously
- 8 simultaneous streams
- MU-MIMO technology built-in
- 1.8GHz quad-core processor
- 5 x 1-Gigabit Ethernet ports
- Bulky design
3. TP-Link Archer A7 Wireless Router
Budget Friendly
Not all routers need to cost an arm and a leg in order to be effective for your Mac computer.
If you are working within a budget, we recommend the TP-Link Archer A7 router as your best option.
Design
The Archer A7 has a horizontal design with three high performance antennas to give your signal an added boost.
The power lights are easy to see since they are right on the front of the router and allow you to keep track of what is going on with your router with a quick glance.
The Archer A7 router comes with 4 x 1-Gigabit ports, which will allow devices to be plugged into the router directly rather than wirelessly. This is best for the devices that cannot suffer a break in connection for any reason, giving them a direct link to the router.
Performance
Looking at the device’s performance, it can reach up to 2,500 square feet in range, which is decent considering the fact that this is a budget-friendly router. The router can reach speeds up to 1750 Mbps, providing 3x faster Wi-Fi than other traditional routers do.
The Archer A7 is a dual band router. The 2.4 GHz band gives you 450 Mbps while the 5 GHz provides 1,300 Mbps, but the two work together to give you decent download speeds.
Also improving the performance of the Archer A7 router is the QoS technology that is on board. The QoS has bandwidth prioritization, giving your devices all of the bandwidth they need. It also offers 4K HD streaming capabilities, which is great for online streaming of any kind.
- Wireless USB access for printers and other devices
- 4K HD for streaming
- 4 x 1 Gigabit Ethernet ports
- QoS technology
- Simple setup
- Might have to be restarted from time to time
4. Gryphon AC3000 Mesh WiFi Router
Airport Extreme Replacement With Extended Coverage
If you are looking for a router for Mac that also has extended coverage, we recommend the Gryphon AC3000 router. This is new router to the market that has a unique design.
Design
To begin with, the Gryphon router has a unique design, as we previously stated. Instead of the traditional black, horizontal router, this one is tall and white, making it easier to blend in with your home.
It comes with six high-powered internal antennas that should be able to reach anywhere within your network.
The Gryphon router comes with parental controls, though they are not as customizable as some people would like.
It also has an easy smartphone app that can even let you filter control, screen allowed time, and even times of day that it will be available to get onto.
It does not allow you to block specific access, however, if you needed to block certain types of content from devices logged on.
Performance
The throughput for the Gryphon router is up to 3Gbps, utilizing its simultaneous tri-band radios.
You will also find that it has 4×4 MU-MIMO and antenna beamforming, which improves the overall coverage. That means it can handle more than one device streaming at the same time.
Since this is a router that provides coverage, we cannot leave it out. The coverage of the Gryphon reaches up to 3,000 square feet and it also works like a mesh system.
So you can add extra points to further increase the size of your coverage if you needed to, though this should be more than adequate for the average network. The more Gryphons you have, the further your coverage will go.
- Covers 3,000 sq. ft.
- Expandable mesh system
- MU-MIMO technology
- 3 Gbps speed
- Tri-band
- Parental controls are not customizable
5. Motorola MG7550 Modem Router
Modem Router Combo
For a modem router combo unit, we suggest that you take a look at the Motorola MG7550. This device gives you the best of both worlds, supplying both a modem as well as a wireless router.
Design
The MG7550 has an upright tower design, which can keep your modem as cool as possible. The design also helps to save you space and it is easier to conceal. Tower devices are the best design that you can get because they have an increased longevity than horizontal designs do.
This modem/router combo has4 x 1 Gigabit Ethernet ports so that you can plug in any device that cannot risk being kicked off your WiFi.
Other devices can also be connected to the modem as well in order to be accessed throughout the network. The MG7550 has a stable signal, but interruptions can interfere with anything that you might be streaming.
Performance
Looking at the performance of the MG7550, you will find that it has the Motorola Power Boost feature with the MG7550, which increases the overall coverage of the network and with speeds up to 650 Mbps, you should have enough power to effortlessly maintain signal throughout your network.
The only downside that we found for this modem/router comb is that it is not intuitive with its setup.
The MG7550 has a dual band router with both the 2.4 GHz and the 5 GHz bands. Since the 5 GHz band is not as commonly used as the 2.4 GHz, you are more likely to have better luck streaming on the 5 GHz without interference. Dual-band has become the standard for modern routers.
- 4 x 1 Gigabit Ethernet ports
- Motorola Power Boost
- Tower design
- Speeds up to 650 Mbps
- Dual band router
- Not easy to setup
6. Netgear Nighthawk Pro XR700 Router
Best WiFi Router For Mac If You Are A Gamer
If you are more in the market for a router that will work well for serious gaming, we recommend the Netgear Nighthawk Pro XR700. This is a powerful router that can handle anything that you throw at it.
Design
The design of the XR700 includes four high-gain antennas, which will help you extend the reach of your router throughout your network.
This router is a little bulky when compared to others and it does takes up a lot of space, making it difficult to put on a desk.
Instead, you will likely need to have a dedicated location to accommodate it. If you are serious about gaming, however, the inconvenience is worth the trouble.
The part about the design that should make you happiest is that it was designed by gamers for gamers. That means that all of the important features that you would dream of in your perfect gaming router are likely here.
Performance
The XR700 was built for performance. It can reach speeds up to 7.2 Gbps, using its powerful 1.7GHz quad-core processor. As long as your ISP package allows for that kind of speed, you should be able to reach it.
This router has the lowest ping on the market. Every millisecond counts when gaming, as you should know already.
The XR700 comes with geo-filtering to help your router connect to the closest servers and players, giving you efficient response time and allowing you to dominate on the battlefield.
You also can monitor your network and game ping in real time. Combine this fact with the advanced QoS and you are able to see what is hogging your bandwidth.
- Low ping rate
- Real time ping monitoring
- Speeds up to 7.2 Gbps
- Advanced QoS
- Geo-filtering technology
- Bulky design/takes up a lot of room
7. Linksys Velop Mesh Network
Mesh WiFi System
The final router that we are going to look at is a bit different because it is a mesh network router. We suggest the Linksys Velop Mesh Network.
Design
The Velop network’s points are designed as towers with white casing. The mesh system can come in 1, 2, or 3 packs, but, like all mesh systems, can be further extended the more points that you add on.
The antennas within this router are entirely internal, but do contain high powered amplifiers to ensure that the coverage is as much as you need.
The setup of the router is also designed to be easy. It uses the Linksys app that allows you to set it up, adjust your settings, and even update the system.
The only drawback is that the maintenance updates have to happen through the app instead allowing them to be done through a connected computer.
Performance
The coverage of the Velop system is fantastic. Each point that you get provides 2,000 square feet in coverage. With two, you will get 4,000 square feet, and so on as you add on points.
This makes it a great choice for homes that have more than one story as well as more than one bedroom.
This is a tri-band router as well, giving you a 2.4 GHz band and two 5 GHz bands. This will keep the traffic down along your wireless bandwidth and keep your speeds up as high as they can go.
The tri-band speeds at 867 + 867 + 400 Mbps, per node. There is also 4K streaming for gaming and videos.
- Tri-band
- Ideal for multi-story homes
- Covers up to 4,000 square feet with two points
- Simple to setup
- 4K streaming
- Preferred maintenance only happens through the app
8. Synology RT2600ac WiFi Router
Extra Security
The most secure router for Mac is the Synology RT2600ac. As long as you are technologically savvy, you will be happy with this router, but if you are not, prepare for a learning curve.
Design
Starting with the design of the Synology RT2600ac, it sits horizontally with a black casing. It has four high-gain antennas that can be moved to the direction that needs the strongest signal possible.
Typically horizontal routers run the risk of overheating, but this router does not, because it rests at an angle that helps with overall ventilation. Naturally, you still need to have it in a well-ventilated location as well, but the angle definitely helps.
The RT2600ac also comes with one USB 2.0 port and five Ethernet ports to give you connectivity for the devices that really need it. The operating system uses the Synology Router Manager for setup, which can be nice. Unfortunately, the manager it is not user-friendly, so if you are not tech savvy, this might not be the right router for you to get for your Mac.
Performance
The RT2600ac has a lot of great performance features, like a 1.7 GHz dual-core processor, which will give you excellent overall performance capabilities. The range of the router is up to 3000 square feet, which means that it should cover the average home size without any kind of trouble.
The security features are what really make this router important. The router is regularly updated with the latest security protocols, keeping the latest malware or cyber threats out of your network. Additionally, you get intrusion protection, denial-of-service protection, and a reliable firewall management system to further keep outsiders locked out.
- Angled design for great ventilation
- 3000 square feet in coverage
- 5 x 1 Gigabit Ethernet ports
- 4 high-gain antennas
- Denial-of-service protection
- Not good for people less tech savvy
How To Set Up A Wireless Router On A Mac
- Turn off or disable your modem if it is setup.
- Using an Ethernet cable, connect the wireless router to the modem.
- Turn your modem on and let it initialize. Your computer needs to be on as well.
- Plug your modem into the computer using an Ethernet cable.
- Open a browser and type in the address that came with your router.
- Input the network name of your choice and use a password. Apply the settings.
- Right click on the network icon on your computer to allow your Mac to connect to the wireless router.
Final Words
We have found that the best router for Mac is the Netgear Nighthawk RAX40. The Netgear RAX40 is reliable with adequate performance and range.
While Linksys customer service is not the best out there, the router itself will get the job done well.
That said, there are still other routers that might be better for your individual situations. Gamers will have a better time with the XR700, while the Archer A7 is perfect if you are working within a budget.
Try to figure out what you need from a router and then you will be able to identify the best router for Apple devices for your network.
Mac OS — это операционная система, разработанная компанией Apple, которая используется на компьютерах Mac. Для подключения к Интернету на компьютере Mac необходимо настроить роутер. Роутер — это устройство, которое соединяет компьютеры в сеть и обеспечивает доступ к Интернету. Выбор и настройка роутера для Mac OS — важный этап, который поможет обеспечить высокую скорость и стабильное соединение.
При выборе роутера для Mac OS следует обратить внимание на несколько факторов. Во-первых, роутер должен быть совместим с операционной системой Mac OS. Некоторые роутеры предназначены только для работы с Windows и могут не поддерживать Mac OS. Во-вторых, следует обратить внимание на скорость передачи данных, которая измеряется в мегабитах в секунду (Мбит/с). Чем выше скорость передачи данных, тем быстрее загружаются веб-страницы, скачиваются файлы и проводится видеозвонок.
Настройка роутера для Mac OS также является важным шагом. Сначала необходимо подключить роутер к компьютеру с помощью кабеля Ethernet. Затем нужно ввести IP-адрес роутера в адресную строку браузера и ввести логин и пароль для входа в настройки роутера. После этого следует выполнить настройку Wi-Fi сети, указав имя сети (SSID) и пароль. Кроме того, рекомендуется обновить прошивку роутера, чтобы обеспечить его стабильную работу и защитить от уязвимостей.
Выбор и настройка роутера для Mac OS являются важными шагами для обеспечения стабильного и быстрого интернет-соединения на компьютере Mac. Совместимость с операционной системой Mac OS, высокая скорость передачи данных и правильная настройка Wi-Fi сети — все это поможет создать комфортные условия для работы и развлечений в сети.
Как выбрать роутер для Mac OS?
При выборе роутера для устройств на базе операционной системы Mac OS есть несколько важных факторов, которые следует учитывать:
- Совместимость с Mac OS: перед покупкой роутера нужно убедиться, что он полностью совместим с операционной системой Mac OS. Это гарантирует более стабильное и безопасное соединение с вашими устройствами.
- Скорость и производительность: роутер должен обеспечивать достаточно высокую скорость передачи данных и обрабатывать большое количество подключенных устройств без проблем. При выборе стоит обратить внимание на скорость передачи данных (в Мбит/с) и количество поддерживаемых устройств.
- Диапазон Wi-Fi: роутер должен иметь достаточно большой диапазон Wi-Fi, чтобы покрыть всю вашу квартиру или дом. Это особенно важно, если у вас есть большие площади или множество перегородок, которые могут снижать качество сигнала.
- Безопасность: роутер должен обеспечивать высокий уровень безопасности для ваших данных. Он должен поддерживать шифрование Wi-Fi, фильтрацию URL-адресов и защиту от вредоносных программ.
- Дополнительные функции: некоторые роутеры имеют дополнительные функции, которые могут быть полезны для пользователей Mac OS, например, поддержку сетей Apple Time Machine или интеграцию с iCloud.
Учитывая эти факторы, вы сможете выбрать роутер, который будет идеально подходить для вашей системы Mac OS и обеспечит быстрое и стабильное подключение к Интернету.
Совместимость с Mac OS
При выборе роутера для использования с Mac OS, важно обратить внимание на его совместимость с операционной системой Apple. Несмотря на то, что большинство роутеров поддерживают работу с Mac OS, не все из них имеют специализированные функции и возможности, которые могут быть полезны для пользователей Apple.
Для обеспечения наилучшей совместимости и оптимальной работы, рекомендуется выбирать роутеры, которые поддерживают основные протоколы и технологии, используемые в Mac OS. Например, поддержка протокола AirPlay позволит без проблем стримить аудио и видео контент на совместимые устройства; поддержка Bonjour упростит настройку сети для обмена данными между устройствами Apple; а поддержка Time Machine позволит использовать роутер для создания резервных копий данных.
Также стоит обратить внимание на наличие специальных приложений и программного обеспечения для управления и настройки роутера с устройств под управлением Mac OS. Некоторые производители предлагают приложения, которые имеют оптимизированный интерфейс и дополнительные возможности для пользователей Mac, что упрощает процесс настройки и управления сетью.
Важно также учесть характеристики и спецификации роутера, такие как скорость передачи данных, покрытие Wi-Fi, количество портов Ethernet и другие. Все эти аспекты должны быть согласованы с требованиями и задачами, которые вы ставите для своей сети в среде Mac OS.
Итак, при выборе роутера для Mac OS важно обращать внимание на совместимость с операционной системой, наличие специализированных функций, приложений и поддержку основных протоколов и технологий, используемых в Mac OS.
Скачивание фильмов, стриминг видео, онлайн-игры — все это требует стабильного и быстрого интернет-соединения. Однако, не всегда стандартный роутер, предоставляемый провайдером, может обеспечить нужное качество сигнала. Владельцы устройств на базе операционной системы Mac OS особенно ценят свою свободу в интернете и стабильность работы сети. Что делать в таком случае?
Решение простое — иметь на своем распоряжении надежный и мощный роутер, который сможет обеспечить стабильное и быстрое подключение к Интернету. В данной статье мы расскажем о лучших роутерах, которые идеально подходят для пользователей Mac OS. Вы сможете выбрать наиболее подходящую модель в зависимости от своих потребностей и бюджета, и наслаждаться комфортом в использовании интернета.
Apple Airport Extreme
Один из лучших вариантов для пользователей Mac OS — роутер Apple Airport Extreme. Эта модель обладает высокой скоростью передачи данных, широким диапазоном радиуса действия и простым в использовании интерфейсом. Кроме того, роутер поддерживает работу в стандарте 802.11ac, что обеспечивает быструю и стабильную передачу данных. Красивый и стильный дизайн Apple Airport Extreme сделает его гармоничной частью вашего интерьера.
Asus RT-AC88U
Если вам требуется роутер с еще большим диапазоном действия и возможностью подключения одновременно большого количества устройств, то вам подойдет модель Asus RT-AC88U. Этот роутер оснащен 8 антеннами, что обеспечивает широкий радиус покрытия. Превосходная производительность и возможность настройки множества опций делают Asus RT-AC88U надежным и функциональным роутером не только для пользователей Mac OS, но и для всех, кто ценит быстрый и стабильный интернет.
Содержание
- Высокая скорость передачи данных
- Надежная защита от хакеров и вредоносного ПО
- Легкость настройки и управления
Высокая скорость передачи данных
Некоторые роутеры оснащены технологией Wi-Fi 6, которая позволяет достичь гораздо более высокой скорости передачи данных по сравнению с предыдущими стандартами Wi-Fi. Это особенно актуально для пользователей, которые регулярно загружают или скачивают большие объемы информации, стримят видео, играют в онлайн-игры и проводят видеоконференции.
Также стоит обратить внимание на технологию 2.4 ГГц и 5 ГГц, которая позволяет выбирать наиболее подходящий диапазон для вашего устройства и обеспечивает более стабильное и быстрое соединение.
Надежная защита от хакеров и вредоносного ПО
Некоторые роутеры предлагают встроенные механизмы защиты, которые могут пресечь попытки вторжения и многие виды вредоносного программного обеспечения. Это может включать фильтрацию по IP-адресам, блокировку нежелательных сайтов или предупреждение о подозрительной активности в сети.
Другие модели роутеров имеют встроенные системы межсетевых экранов (Firewall), которые блокируют доступ к вашей сети извне и позволяют вам контролировать поток данных. Это особенно важно для обеспечения безопасного подключения к общедоступным сетям Wi-Fi, таким как кафе или аэропорты.
При выборе роутера для Mac OS также стоит обратить внимание на наличие функции обновления прошивки. Обновления прошивки помогают исправить обнаруженные уязвимости и повышают уровень безопасности вашей сети.
Важно помнить, что надежная защита от хакеров и вредоносного ПО требует активного участия пользователя. Необходимо устанавливать пароли на роутер и Wi-Fi сеть, использовать безопасные протоколы шифрования, такие как WPA2, и не делиться личной информацией в небезопасном сетевом окружении.
Легкость настройки и управления
Большинство таких роутеров оснащены удобными интерфейсами, предоставляющими пользователям множество опций настройки, которые можно легко настроить и изменить. Большинство предложенных моделей также имеют возможности управления через мобильные приложения, что делает процесс настройки и управления еще более удобным и интуитивно понятным.
Кроме того, роутеры для Mac OS обычно поддерживают функции автоматической настройки и обновления, что позволяет пользователям не беспокоиться о сложностях настройки и поддержки устройства. Такие функции существенно упрощают процесс использования роутера и позволяют сосредоточиться на получении наилучшего интернет-соединения.
Таким образом, выбрав роутер, который обеспечивает легкость настройки и управления, вы сможете быстро и без проблем настроить свое интернет-соединение с учетом своих потребностей и предпочтений, что обеспечит вам стабильное и надежное подключение к сети.
It’s hardly surprising that sales of routers and mesh Wi-Fi systems have soared in the last couple of years. The ‘new normal’ has seen many of us working and studying at home, and making Zoom calls on a daily basis. And, of course, the long months of lockdown saw a huge growth in the number of people signing up to streaming video services and playing online games.
And now, just as things seem to be settling down a little, there’s another reason to think about buying a new router. For many years, our computers, routers and other devices have all used a Wi-Fi standard known as 802.11ac– which has recently been renamed Wi-Fi 5, as the industry’s marketing brains decided that sounds a bit more user-friendly. Wi-Fi 5 transmits a signal on two frequency bands–2.4GHz and 5.0GHz–which is known as dual-band Wi-Fi. However, some more expensive tri-band routers are also able to transmit with two separate 5.0GHz signals, giving Wi-Fi 5 a maximum speed of 6.9 gigabits per second (Gbps). Just remember that the Wi-Fi speeds quoted by manufacturers are the theoretical maximum, and you won’t get those speeds in real-life.
However, the most widely used form of Wi-Fi at the moment is probably the newer Wi-Fi 6–also known as 802.11ax–which has been standard on most Macs, iPhones and iPads over the last couple of years. This uses the same 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz frequencies as Wi-Fi 5, but is a lot faster, with a top speed of 9.6Gbps. In addition, Wi-Fi 6 is also more efficient when transmitting data to lots of different devices all at the same time–including smart devices such as lights, speakers and security cameras, in addition to all your computers and mobile devices. If you’re still using an old Wi-Fi 5 router then it’s definitely worth upgrading to a new router that has Wi-Fi 6.
However, Wi-Fi technology is developing so quickly that there’s already a new kid in town, called Wi-Fi 6E – and, looming on the horizon is Wi-Fi 7 too. Wi-Fi 6E is a definite step forward, as it adds a new 6.0GHz frequency band alongside the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands used by Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6. But while routers with Wi-Fi 6E have been available for more than a year now, Apple and other manufacturers haven’t been in a rush to add it to their own products. In fact, Apple only introduced Wi-Fi 6E with some of the latest Mac and iPad models at the start of 2023. So while we’d certainly recommend upgrading to a router with Wi-Fi 6, it’s not really essential to pay even higher prices for Wi-Fi 6E at the moment–especially as it won’t be long before Wi-Fi 7 arrives too.
There are a handful of routers available that offer Wi-Fi 7 at the moment, promising blazing speeds of up to 46Gbps, which are designed for next-generation applications such as VR and streaming 8K video. However, Wi-Fi 7 probably won’t be widely available until the end of 2023, and neither Apple nor any of its PC rivals currently support Wi-Fi 7 in their products, so there’s certainly no rush to upgrade at the moment. In the meantime, here’s our selection of some of the best routers that currently support Wi-Fi 5, 6 and 6E.
Updated March 23, 2023 with Linksys Hyrda Pro 6E
D-Link DIR-X1560 – Best for beginners
It’s a bit basic, but if you shop around online you can probably pick up D-Link’s DIR-X1560 for a lot less than the manufacturer’s recommended price, so it’s a good option if you want to upgrade to Wi-Fi 6 without spending too much money.
The DIR-X1560 is a dual-band router that transmits on the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands, running Wi-Fi 6 with a top speed of 1500Mbps. That’s not going to win any awards, but if – like me – you have home broadband that tops out at 100Mbps then the DIR-X1560 will provide all the speed you need for web browsing and streaming music and video.
The router also includes five Gigabit Ethernet ports – which is pretty good at this price – with one being used to connect to your existing broadband modem or router, while the others provide wired connections for laptops, games consoles and other devices that need it. We were pleased to see that the router comes with a two-year warranty, and there’s also an option to get it professionally installed if you’re not too keen on tackling it yourself.
You shouldn’t have too much trouble getting started, though, as the D-Link WiFi app is very easy to use. You can simply scan a QR code provided with the router, and the app will set everything up for you. There’s also a web browser interface provided for more advanced users who prefer to set things up for themselves.
The app provides a decent set of basic features, providing a network map that shows all the devices connected to your network. You can set up a guest network, and there’s an option to create schedules to control your children’s access to the Internet, or to simply pause Internet access for a while when you need to get them round the dinner table.
Asus RT-AX56U – Best for larger homes
The RT-AX56U is an affordable WiFi 6 router, offering dual-band WiFi on the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands, with a top speed of 1800Mbps. That’s a relatively modest speed for WiFi 6, but should still be perfectly adequate for streaming music and video, and at just £115.00 it’s a good way of stepping up to WiFi 6 without spending too much money.
It doesn’t cut too many corners, though, despite the low price. There’s one Gigabit Ethernet port for connecting to your existing broadband modem or router, and four additional Ethernet ports that can be used to connect a laptop, games console, or other devices that work better with a lag-free wired connection. It even has two USB ports – one each for USB 2.0 and 3.0 – that will allow you to connect USB storage devices that you can then share on the network.
That’s all straightforward enough, but it’s the router’s versatile software and features that really provide good value for money. Newcomers can use the Asus Router app, which helps you to get started quickly and easily, but there’s also a web browser interface provided for more advanced users who want to fine-tune their network settings for themselves. The app can monitor your network to watch out for attempted cyber-attacks and also provides some useful parental controls, such as the ability to block unsuitable web sites.
Some of Asus’ rivals require an additional subscription for security and parental controls (Netgear, we’re looking at you…) so it’s good to see that Asus provides these features at no extra charge. The RT-AX56U also supports Asus’ AiMesh technology, which allows it to form a mesh network with other Asus routers, so you can easily upgrade and extend your home network in the future if you need to.
Linksys Hydra Pro 6E – Best for new Macs/iPads
Apple only introduced the new Wi-Fi 6E on a handful of the latest Macs in January 2023, and to iPads in late 2022, so it’s not an essential upgrade for most of us just yet. However, this new version of Wi-Fi is a big step forward, so it’s worth considering a new router with Wi-Fi 6E if you own any Macs, iPads or other devices that also support Wi-Fi 6E.
The Hydra Pro 6E is fairly expensive, and its design is classic boring black box, but it’s packed with state-of-the-art features for both wireless and wired networking. The ‘E’ in Wi-Fi 6E stands for extended as it adds a new 6.0GHz frequency band to the standard 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands used by previous versions of Wi-Fi. If you’ve got a Mac or iPad that supports Wi-Fi 6E then the advantage here is that they can use the new–and uncongested–6.0GHz band all to themselves in order to provide maximum performance, while all your other devices have to compete for a slice of bandwidth on the busier 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands. The Hydra Pro 6E also provides a top speed of 6.6Gbps, which is more than fast enough for most home and business users, for streaming music and video, remote working, or some online gaming.
It provides high-speed wired connections too, with a 5Gbps Ethernet port for high-speed broadband, and four Gigabit Ethernet ports to provide wired connections for devices such as laptops or games consoles. On its own, the Hydra Pro 6E can cover areas of up to 2,700 sq.ft, but it can also be used with other Linksys routers to create a wider mesh network, so you’ve got a future upgrade path as well.
Getting started is very straightforward, as the Linksys app (iOS/Android) uses Bluetooth to connect to the router during the initial set-up process and then prompts you to enter a name and password for your new network. The only disappointment is that the app’s parental controls are a bit basic. The app does allow you to create a schedule to control your children’s Internet use, but there are no content filters to block unsuitable material, and the app takes the easy way out by leaving you to type in the addresses of millions of dodgy web sites for yourself.
Linksys MR8300 – Best for WiFi 5
The Linksys MR8300 aka Max-Stream is not, admittedly, the most elegant design we’ve come across – the MR8300 is essentially a large slab of black plastic, with four big antennae sticking up out of it. The router provides strong performance, though, transmitting 802.11ac Wi-Fi on 2.4GHz and two separate 5GHz bands. That allows the MR8300 to provide a top speed of 2200Mb/s, and it also supports MU-MIMO (multi-user, multiple input/multiple output), which helps it to stream efficiently to several devices at once.
There are five ethernet ports on the back of the router for wired connections – although one of those ports will be needed to connect it to your existing broadband modem or router – and a USB 3.0 port that allows you to share a hard drive or printer on your home network. The MR8300 is also compatible with Linksys’ Velop range of mesh routers, so you can extend your Wi-Fi network over a larger area by buying a Velop and placing it in part of your home that has trouble getting a good signal.
The Linksys app is easy to use, and provides a guest network and basic parental controls, but watch out as the company requires a subscription for the router’s more advanced parental controls, such as ‘age-appropriate blockers’.
TP-Link Archer C6 – Best budget buy
The Archer range of routers from TP-Link is always good value for money, and the company’s Archer C6 is one of the most affordable 802.11ac routers currently available. It’s been one of TP-Link’s top sellers and we’ve seen it available online for much less than TP-Link’s price; it’ll be a good upgrade for anyone that’s struggling with an old router provided by their ISP.
You’re not going to get top-of-the-range speed at that price, and the Archer C6 is just a dual-band router offering 802.11ac Wi-Fi on the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. Its top speed is rated at 1200Mb/s, which is certainly modest compared to more expensive routers, but most homes only have broadband speeds of 100Mb/s or less, so it should still be more than adequate for streaming Netflix or a spot of online gaming or Zooming.
Its four large external antennae – and a fifth antenna hidden inside the shiny black case – also support MU-MIMO (multi-user, multiple input, multiple output), which helps to stream data smoothly to several devices simultaneously when everyone is online in the evenings.
The C6 also has five ethernet ports for wired connections – with one being needed to connect it to your existing broadband modem or router – and the only real sign of cost-cutting is that there are no USB ports for sharing a printer or hard drive on your home network. And, if you’re on a really tight budget, there’s a model called the
Archer A5 that provides similar speed and features for half the price. However, the A5 model lacks MU-MIMO, so it will only really be suitable for homes with just a few connected devices that are using the internet at the same time.
Netgear RAX20 – Best for Wi-Fi 6
Netgear was one of the first companies to launch new routers based on the latest 802.11ax technology – also known as
Wi-Fi 6 (with existing 802.11ac routers being retroactively renamed ‘Wi-Fi 5’).
Admittedly, it’s only been in the past few years that iPhone models have supported Wi-Fi 6, so this isn’t a must-have upgrade right now. However, more and more devices will be supporting this new standard in the coming months, so buying a Wi-Fi 6 router now will ensure that you’ve future-proofed your home network for years to come. And while some of Netgear’s AX range of Wi-Fi 6 routers are really expensive, the entry-level RAX20 provides an affordable Wi-Fi 6 upgrade for less than £150/$150.
In some respects the RAX20 is fairly conventional – it’s a dual-band router that transmits Wi-Fi on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, with a total speed of 1800Mb/s. It also includes four ethernet ports for wired connections, and a handy USB 3.0 port that can be used for connecting a hard drive for back-ups or storing music, photos and videos. It doesn’t include a modem, though, so you’ll need to connect it to your existing router.
Of course, that 1800Mb/s speed isn’t much faster than existing routers that use 802.11ac, but the great strength of Wi-Fi 6 is that it introduces new features such as OFDMA (orthogonal frequency division multiple access) that help to improve performance when streaming data to lots of devices all at once. Netgear claims the RAX20 is ideal for homes with up to 20 connected devices, and other models in the AX range are designed to work with 50 or more devices all connected at once.
Routers buying advice: What to look for
We’ve listed our favourite choices and explained why they’re worth your consideration. But speaking more generally, what features should you be looking for in a router?
Speed vs capacity
Speed is always an important factor, of course, and it’s certainly worth buying the fastest router you can afford without totally busting your budget. You don’t need to get too obsessed about speed, though.
Bear in mind that home broadband services – particularly in the U.K. – tend to run at speeds of 100 megabits per second (Mb/s) or less, so you really don’t need to spend $300/£300+ on a top-of-the-range router specced at several gigabits per second. A router like that will just sit there twiddling its thumbs most of the time, waiting for your internet connection to keep up.
But there’s a catch when figuring out how much speed you need from your router. Just as important as speed is capacity – the ability to stream data efficiently to several computers or other devices at the same time. That’s especially important now that entire households are spending so much time indoors with several family members or flatmates all computing for bandwidth on Zoom, Netflix, Spotify and all those new streaming video services.
There are several factors that can affect the performance of a router when it’s streaming data to lots of different devices simultaneously.
Cheaper routers tend to be ‘dual-band’ models, which means they actually transmit two Wi-Fi signals on the 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency bands. However, more expensive models may offer ‘tri-band’ Wi-Fi, which adds a second 5GHz band. As you’d expect, having that extra frequency band available helps the router to stream data to lots of devices more efficiently, as each individual band gets less cluttered than it would on a comparable dual-band router.
It’s also worth checking the spec sheet of any new router to see if it supports features such as ‘beamforming’ or MU-MIMO (multi-user, multiple input, multiple output), which are specifically designed to improve performance when streaming data to several devices at the same time (when in doubt, just look for lots of big, pointy antennae sticking out all over the place).
And just as important as the router’s hardware design is the app that each manufacturer provides with its routers. As well as helping you to set up the router, a good app will provide additional features, such as parental controls that allow you to keep an eye on your children’s internet use, or additional security features to prevent evil hackers from gaining access to your home network and vital personal data.
Mesh networking
No matter how fast your router is, there are many larger homes, and older buildings with thick walls that can block the signal, where a conventional router simply can’t provide good Wi-Fi that reaches every single room.
If that’s the case in your home then you might want to consider a ‘mesh networking’ system, which uses two or more routers that link together to create a wider and more reliable network. However, mesh routers are really a different category, so we cover those in a separate article for people that need them: pop over to
Best mesh routers for Mac to browse our advice.