The Best Routers for AT&T internet

Although AT&T includes equipment rental fees in the costs of its fiber plans, you may still want to invest in your own equipment if you’re looking for additional features. Owning your own router allows you to customize your equipment to your specific internet needs, giving you more control over speed, coverage and security features.

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Best AT&T router winners

Device	Price	Features	Speeds	Best AT&T plan	Category
NETGEAR Nighthawk AX8	$$	5 Ethernet ports,	6,000 Mbps	Best for AT&T 500 – 2 Gig	Best overall
TP-Link Archer A7	$	WPA/WPA2 security protocol, parental controls, 4 ports, 3 external antennas, easy setup	1,750 Mbps	Best for AT&T Fiber 300	Best Budget
ASUS RT-AX86U	$$$	Mobile game mode, WPA3 security protocol, Wi-Fi 6, parental controls	5,700 Mbps	Best for AT&T Fiber 1 Gig	Best for gigabit speeds
ASUS GT-AX11000 Wi-Fi 6 gaming router	$$$$	Tri-band, triple-level game acceleration, multi-gig port	11,000 Mbps	Best for AT&T multi-gig plans	Best for fast internet plans
Amazon eero 6+ mesh system	$$$	Coverage up to 6,000 sq. ft., Wi-Fi 6, bandwidth boost	1 Gbps	Best for AT&T plans up to 1 Gbps	Best for large homes
Linksys N300 Wi-Fi Wireless Router	$	4 Ethernet (10/100 Mbps) ports, WPA/WPA2 personal and SPI firewall protection, easy setup, parental controls	300 Mbps	Best for Internet 10-100	Best for low speed tiers

How we chose the best router for AT&T

When looking for the best AT&T router, we compared the supported speed to the price of the device.

When looking for the best AT&T router, we compared the supported speed to the price of the device. Other features for routers compatible with AT&T to use in conjunction with the provided best AT&T modem included:

The number of ports offered
Parental controls included
Setup and control ability, such as controlling the device through an app
Band number
Security features including encryption and firewalls
Extended ranges
How the device directs Wi-Fi signals and how that affects speed, range and reducing interference

Finally, we also looked at customer reviews online, including Amazon star ratings and comments about how it was to use the product.

Best overall: NETGEAR Nighthawk AX8

What we like

Speeds – Speeds up to 6,000 Mbps.
Coverage – Coverage up to 2,500 sq. ft.
Great performance – This is a high performing router that will deliver top Wi-Fi speed.

Things to consider

Price – There are cheaper Wi-Fi 6 routers available.
Subscriptions – Some of the features like parental controls require a subscription.

Our best overall router is the NETGEAR Nighthawk AX8, a 6-stream Wi-Fi 6 router with speeds up to 6,000 Mbps and coverage up to 2,500 sq. ft. It is well suited for AT&T’s faster internet plans, but we’d recommend it for its 500 Mbps, 1 Gig and 2 Gig plans. It has some great features too, like security and parental controls but they require a subscription.

Customer reviews

The AX8 has 4 out of 5 stars on Amazon with customers raving about its performance. Many cite their fast speeds even with many devices connected at once and that it’s worth the price tag.

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Best AT&T router for budget: TP-Link Archer A7

TP-LINK Archer A7 router — Image credit: Amazon

What we like

Affordable – This is a great router for those on a budget.
Performs well for its price – Despite its cheap price, this router performs well.
Customer satisfaction – This router has high customer satisfaction ratings on Amazon.

Things to consider

Lacks features – Since it is a budget router, the TP-Link Archer A7 lacks some of the unique features that other higher-end routers have.

The TP-Link Archer A7 is a great choice if you’re looking for an affordable option without sacrificing performance. This router can reach gigabit speeds over a wired connection, but we recommend it for the AT&T Fiber 300 plan because of its wireless speeds, which are far more suitable for a mid-range plan.

Customer reviews

Customer reviews really set the TP-Link Archer A7 apart. With almost 80,000 global ratings and 4.4 out of 5 stars on Amazon, this router has long been a fan favorite. Customers love its affordable price, range and reliability.

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Best AT&T router for Gig speeds: ASUS RT-AX86U

ASUS RT-AX86U router — Image credit: Amazon

What we like

Speeds – Reliable speeds up to 5,700 Mbps
Wi-Fi 6 – You’ll get Wi-Fi 6 speeds with this router.
Features – Has some unique features like parental controls and device prioritization.

Things to consider

Price – This router is fairly expensive.

If you have AT&T’s Fiber 1 Gig plan, we think the ASUS RT-AX86U is a perfect fit. It is described as a gaming router, so it supports the blazing fast gigabit speeds you need to game, stream or work from home.

The ASUS RT-AX86U also has some great features, like a mobile game mode, parental controls and a multi-gig port that can support wired speeds of up to 2.5 Gbps. Even if you’re not a gamer, this router is great for heavy internet users who need high speeds and low latency.

Customer reviews

This ASUS router has 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon from over 3,000 total reviews. Many customers praise the easy setup process, fast speeds and signal strength.

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Best AT&T router multi-gig plans: ASUS GT-AX11000 Wi-Fi 6 gaming router

ASUS GT-AX11000 gaming router — Image credit: Amazon

What we like

Fast speeds – This router is meant for heavy internet use, so it’s perfect for fast, multi-gig internet plans.
Tri-band – This router is tri-band, so it has an extra 5 GHz frequency band increasing its bandwidth.
Features – This router has unique features for gaming, security and whole home coverage.

Things to consider

Price – If you don’t need the speeds this router can support, then it is likely not worth the money.

AT&T’s multi-gig fiber plans usually offer more speed than the average internet user needs, but if you’re looking for a router that can handle 2-gig and 5-gig speeds, then the ASUS GT-AX11000 is our pick.

This is a tri-band router, so it has an extra 5GHz band which allows it to support those high speeds. It is pricey and quite large, but if you’re a power user or gamer, then the GT-AX11000 is the router for you.

Customer reviews

It has 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon from almost 3,500 ratings. Customers love its easy setup process and ability to support their bandwidth-heavy internet activities like gaming downloading.

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Best AT&T router for large homes: Amazon eero 6+ mesh system

What we like

Wi-Fi 6 – This mesh system supports fast Wi-Fi 6 speeds.
Coverage – The eero 6+ provides coverage up to 6,000 sq. ft.
Customer satisfaction – The eero 6+ has 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon.

Things to consider

Cannot support multi-gig speeds – The eero 6+ mesh system is best suited for plans up to 1 Gbps.

If Wi-Fi coverage is your main concern, then the Amazon eero 6+ mesh system will not disappoint. With coverage up to 6,000 sq. ft. with the four-pack system and gigabit speeds you’ll be able to stream, game and browse with no dead zones. While the eero 6+ system does not support multi-gig speeds, it can support 75 connected devices simultaneously. It also supports additional bandwidth on the 160 MHz channel for an extra boost.

Customer reviews

The eero 6+ has 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon from over 5,000 ratings. Customers praise its easy setup process, coverage and speed.

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Best AT&T router for low speed tiers: Linksys N300 Wi-Fi Wireless Router

Linksys N300 router — Image credit: Amazon

What we like

Speeds – With speeds up to 300 Mbps, this router suits the low-tier AT&T plans.
Price – This router is very affordable.

Things to consider

Device limitations – This router is only suited for AT&T’s low tier plans so only supports limited device connectivity

The Linksys N300 gets up to 300 Mbps of transfer speed, making it a good option for the AT&T core plans, which run in tiers at 10 Mbps, 18 Mbps, 25 Mbps, 50 Mbps and 100 Mbps expected download speeds. So, a lower transfer speed router may fit your needs better on these plans. For the price point, you get a wide range of features: four Ethernet ports at 10/100 Mbps, customizable security settings like WPA/WPA2 Personal and SPI firewall protection, easy setup with included software and parental controls.

Customer reviews

It currently sits at a 4.2 Amazon star rating at the time of writing. However, reviewers state that speeds can fluctuate, it does not have the strongest Wi-Fi signal for many people and it seems to perform best in smaller spaces.

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Should you rent or purchase your AT&T equipment?

You may wonder what the point of purchasing your own AT&T router would be, especially when the provider requires you to use the supplied AT&T-compatible modem and router combo. But using your own router can have its perks.

Pros of getting your own router

Features allow for greater customization, like more control features, added security protocols, speeds customization and a greater number of ports
You will still have to pay the AT&T rental fee, but you can add extra features with just a one-time payment for the router, and you can choose one that fits your budget

Cons of getting your own router

You have to know what you’re looking for in a router, which may require being versed in the technical terms or a longer time spend researching the products
The AT&T modem router combo that the provider supplies comes pre-set to work with the network and plan, which is easier on you as a consumer

Learn more about buying vs. renting your equipment

What to look for in an AT&T-compatible router

Four of the main features to consider when looking for an AT&T router to go with the AT&T modem gateway include:

Speed: The speed of the router is the most important, and it’s listed as Mbps (megabits per second) or Gbps (gigabits per second). The faster the speed, the faster your data transfer will be and the less lag you’ll experience.
Security: Good routers have a firewall or two, as well as the latest encryption, like WPA2.
Setup and controls: Routers may be controlled through apps, websites or software to make setup easier. Controls like a parental block can also be a useful option.
Number of ports: Pay attention to the port number, as that will help you hook in the right number of devices you have.

Looking for AT&T modems?

AT&T at the time does not offer modem compatibility. Per AT&T contract, modems used must be AT&T issued. So if you’re looking for a modem compatible with AT&T service look to the obvious source, AT&T service provider!

The bottom line

Having your own AT&T router can help improve internet speeds. Even though you still have to use the AT&T-certified modems, having your own router can add additional features and make your internet experience run smoother. And remember, your broadband supporting equipment is only as good as your ISP plan, so stay knowledgeable about your current service and if it’s still right for your current needs.

Need a faster internet plan?

Are you finding you don’t have a fast enough internet service to keep up with your streaming, gaming and downloads? Look for an internet plan that has the fastest speeds in your price range so your internet signal keeps up with your online activities.

FAQs

How do I reset an AT&T router?

Whether you rent a router from AT&T or own one, you can reset it by pressing the reset button on the back of your equipment.

Should I get a different router for AT&T Fiber?

You can rent equipment from AT&T that will work with your fiber plan, but if you want to get your own router you should look for one that supports the speeds of your fiber internet plan. You want to avoid getting a router that does not have the capacity to handle the speeds you’re paying for.

Can I use any router with my AT&T plan?

Most routers these days are compatible with all the top internet providers, but you can always check with your ISP to ensure your router is compatible.

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Written by:

Camryn Smith

Cammy is a writer with Allconnect, growing her broadband industry knowledge for over a year on the internet marketplace. Her expertise lies in home internet and broadband service with a focus on providers, plans… Read more

Edited by:

Robin Layton

Editor, Broadband Content

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