The Best Router For a College Apartment and Dorm [2022]

Having a router in your college apartment is a no-brainer. Public internet can be slow due to the demands of the people using it. Plus, it’s probably not secure. Having your own router will eliminate these problems.

Get a high-speed router that will help you have faster upload and download speeds. Here are the 10 best routers for college dorm rooms based on factors like price, function, and size. You’re about to have the best wireless router in your whole apartment building!

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10 Best Routers For College Apartments

Here are our top picks plus what you need to know about them to find the best router for your dorm room or college apartment. You deserve to have an affordable router and fast internet with great performance!

Google Wi-Fi – Mesh Wi-Fi System 

When it comes to producing any high-end technological device, Google is a well-known and reputable brand. Our first selection is one of their excellent items, the Mesh Wi-Fi Router System.

The three routers in the bundle are linked together to provide Wi-Fi coverage throughout a home.

They have a radio frequency of a 5GHz band. It can cover 1500 square feet of space. If you use all three, they cover 4500 square feet. This ensures not only great speed but great coverage too.

It’s also easy to set up. You just need the Google Home App. This is why it is on our list for best Wi-Fi router! It’s a powerful router at a good price point.

BrosTrend Wi-Fi Extender

The dual-band router allows you to cover a total area of 1200 square feet. This translates to the ability to connect 20 distinct devices to this router.

With simple set-up procedures and no technical knowledge required, no student should be without this technology. Regardless of the size of your apartment or dorm, you may currently get quick internet access. College students may use wireless devices to study, work, and play at an affordable price for a small or large apartment.

NETGEAR Nighthawk Smart Wi-Fi Router, R6700 

This is an awesome choice because it can connect to 25 devices at the same time. This means you can stream music or movies, your online classes, online gaming — all at the same time! While these are wireless routers, if you need high-speed internet use the Ethernet ports for an unmatched connection. The usb ports are handy.

This router also connects to cloud storage which is handy. It is Firewall Protected and also has VPN access which can help you bypass network blocks.

TP-Link AC1750 Smart Wi-Fi Router (Archer A7) 

TP-Link is an industry leader providing excellent coverage (2500 square feet). It has three antennas which help to keep the signal strong.

It can be connected to 50 different devices at one time.

It provides a secure connection from the WPA/WPA2 encryption. You can control who has access to your router and wireless network. There are also parental settings and it is connected to Alexa as well!

TP-Link is known for having some of the top wifi router options on the market.

Tenda AC1200 Dual Band Wi-Fi Router

Small but mighty, this dual-Band 2.4GHz + 5 GHz allows you to get lightning-fast connections for all your wireless devices by upgrading to Tenda’s enhanced 1200 Mbps high-speed Wi-Fi technology (300mbps at 2 4GHz plus 867Mbps at 5GHz).

You can link up to 20 devices including various streaming devices, simultaneously, while maintaining optimum network conditions.

The Tenda AC6 is equipped with four powerful 5dBi antennas, delivering high-speed internet throughout your home and providing seamless coverage for up to 2000 Sq. ft.

Plus, the beamforming technology makes it possible to concentrate the WLAN signal in one direction, thus completely covering small to medium-sized apartments with WLAN.

It is also Alexa compatible!

TP-Link Deco Mesh Wi-Fi System (Deco M5) 

If you’re looking to ditch your traditional router extender setup for a home Wi-Fi system, put the TP-Link Deco M5 Wi-Fi system is the choice to make!

It has better coverage than traditional Wi-Fi routers because Deco M5 uses 3 units working seamlessly to create a mesh network that can cover homes up to 5,500 square feet. This means no dead zones anymore. It’s great for a large home.

It provides a seamless and stable Wi-Fi connection – no extender needed.

TP-Link unique Adaptive routing technology automatically chooses the fastest path for every device and allows for more flexible placement than a satellite system.

Additionally, the secure Wi-Fi Mesh Network protects your network and connected devices with a free lifetime subscription to TP-Link HomeCare­ featuring Next-level Antivirus, Robust Parental Controls, and QoS.

It is easy to set up and install.

Also, each Deco M5 has 2 Gigabit Ethernet ports and supports Wired Ethernet Backhaul for better speeds.

NETGEAR Wi-Fi Router (R6330)

This is a smart choice for a small apartment with just one or two users. It covers about 1200 square feet. The speed is up to 1600 Mbps.

You can connect 20 devices at once. You can also use Ethernet cables with it for a faster and more secure connection.

To amplify the coverage and frequency, the router contains 2 antennas. You will also enjoy privacy by blocking out unwanted devices from connecting to it. Not only this, you can filter out websites and limit online time to not be on the internet all day long using it.

TP-Link AC1200 Gigabit WiFi Router (Archer A6) 

Another choice from TP-Link, this router has speeds up to 1200 Mbps.

This is a great choice if you want to stream 4k video. It keeps your internet speed fast so you don’t have to wait for it to load.

It has four Gigabit ports that allow you to connect your devices right to the router. This is very convenient if you need a fast connection.

It is very simple to set up, just requiring the Tether app.

TP-Link AC4000 Smart Wi-Fi Router (Archer A20) 

This Wireless Internet Router is great for 4K video, streaming, and gaming with incredibly high speed, 1625 Mbps on both 5 GHz bands and 750 Mbps on 2. 4 GHz band.

It has an Archer A20 V3 with a powerful 1. 8 GHz 64-bit CPU. Additionally, it has three co-processors and 512 MB of RAM.

MU-MIMO technology eliminates buffering and allows you to connect more devices simultaneously. Can easily handle multiple requests and accelerated loading times.

It also provides advanced security with a free lifetime subscription to TP-Link HomeCare­ featuring next-level antivirus, robust parental controls, and QoS.

It works with every internet service provider, such as AT&T, Verizon, Xfinity, Spectrum, RCN, Cox, CenturyLink, Frontier, etc.

Amazon Eero 6 Dual-Band Mesh Wi-Fi 6 Router

This little guy provides whole-home Wi-Fi 6 coverage. It covers up to 1,500 sq. ft. with Wi-Fi and supports Wi-Fi speeds up to 900 Mbps.

The TrueMesh technology intelligently routes traffic to reduce drop-offs so you can confidently stream 4K video, game consoles, and video conference.

The Wi-Fi 6 supports faster Wi-Fi than prior standards and permits 75+ connected devices.

Includes built-in Zigbee smart home hub and connects to Alexa.

It gets better over time – it includes automatic updates to bring your the latest and greatest in Eero Wi-Fi while also helping to keep your network safe and secure.

You can also easily expand your system – with cross-compatible hardware, you can easily add eero products as your needs change over time.

It is also very affordable! If you’re looking for the best router for the money, this is the one to consider.

What To Think About Before Buying a Router

When you buy a router, you want it to last a while. You should be able to use your router for many years before replacing it.

Even as a college student, you’ll likely want to invest in a router that fits your needs. If you live in a dorm, you’ll likely want to invest in a router with a good range and that can connect to multiple devices.

Before making your purchase, be sure to do some research on the different types of routers available and what might be best for your purposes.

Your Own Requirements

If you need a router for streaming, online classes, gaming, etc. you’ll want one that can handle all of those needs.

It’s preferable to invest in a high-quality router that works on numerous devices and provides a fast speed over something cheap that just won’t work.

Speed and Frequency

When you go router shopping, you will notice that all routers have something like single, dual, or tri-band written on it. If you are not tech-savvy, these phrases might confuse you. We have clarified it for you to get a good router with a frequency of your preference.

To begin, a single band router can handle only one frequency. In this situation, the most popular frequency is 2.4 GHz. This frequency’s maximum speed is limited to 600 Mbps.

The two frequencies used in the double band router are 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. Along with specific services, the higher frequency can offer a faster internet connection. Connect with an ethernet cable for best results.

A Tri-band offers even more but is not the best choice for a college apartment.

Coverage Area

Another thing to look for when purchasing a router is its coverage area.

Because an apartment isn’t as big as a house, it’s preferable to get a router with around a 1200-square-foot coverage area.

The more expensive ones generally cover more space.

Security

To keep intruders and hackers from accessing your private information on your home network, you’ll need a robust Wi-Fi system that can defend you.

WPA2 encryption is the bare minimum you should look for in this scenario. This will guarantee that no third parties can monitor your activities or steal your information.

A VPN support system, anti-virus software, and a private IP address of your own should all be checked for. This will keep you safe from malware and spam while also maintaining your privacy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does WPA encryption mean?

WPA means “Wi-Fi protected access.” This means it is password protected and keeps hackers from accessing your network.

How do I make my Wi-Fi private?

Make sure the Wi-Fi has WPA encryption. Then set up a secure username and password.

Can I extend my Wi-Fi signal?

You can do so with an extender but it’s most likely better to have your own router in your apartment.

Do college dorms have Ethernet ports?

Some do but not all. Check with your campus.

Can a router be hacked? Should I be worried?

A router can be hacked which is why security is important.