Ever been in a situation where you want to catch up with your favorite series or indulge in a movie a friend recommended, but your TV constantly lags?
Most of us have dealt with it uncountable times and dread going through it again. A 4K TV model is your answer to enjoying high-quality streaming without a pixelated, fuzzy picture. You will also need a high-performing router.
Finding the best 4K router isn’t an easy task because there are plenty of options in the market. For this reason, we evaluated routers for 4K streaming to find the most popular picks in the market.
If you are in a hurry, these are our best picks:
NETGEAR R9000 Wi-Fi Router– Best Value
NETGEAR Nighthawk Pro XR500 Wi-Fi Router– Most popular
Zyxel Armor Z2– Best Budget
Best Routers for 4K Streaming Reviews: Top Picks
NETGEAR R9000 Wi-Fi Router
It is an excellent choice for 4K streaming with impressive features and superb design. It runs using a quad-core 1.7GHz processor, which boosts content streaming.
The tri-band router offers three bands, including 60GHz, 5GHz, and 2.4GHz bands. The R9000 also gives you the ReadyShare options, which lets you backup memory and USB storage automatically.
With the 7200Mbps stream speed and download speed, you can effortlessly stream diverse content. Also, through Beamforming+ technology, you can prioritize particular devices. For example, you can prioritize the TV when streaming a movie to get a smooth experience without buffering.
MU-MIMO makes sure up to 45 devices connected to this router faces interference. It also has four powerful antennas to provide about 2500 sq. Ft. coverage. R9000’s wired connections are facilitated by 6 Ethernet ports (Gigabit) and two 3.0 USB ports.
Other features include the Dynamic QoS, Plex Media Server, and 10G LAN SFP+. You can manage the router through Alexa controls or a mobile app. One downside is that it is not the best choice for offices.
Pros
- Beamforming+ support.
- Simple, stylish design.
- Tri-band WiFi.
- It has four high-performing antennas.
Cons
- A bit pricey.
- Not suitable for large offices.
Linksys EA9500 Wi-Fi Router
It is a suitable choice for people looking for a high-speed router for 4K streaming with attractive features like eight high-performing external antennas which can penetrate through walls to provide stable connection throughout your home. You have to lay it horizontally, especially if you extend all the antennas.
Beamforming technology sends focused signals to every device, increasing your home’s WiFi efficiency. It allows different users to enjoy 4K content streaming without buffering.
It covers nearly 3000 square feet effortlessly; hence you can use it in a large home or office. The tri-band router offers up to 5300 Mbps of wireless speeds, broken down into 1000Mbps and 2166Mbps on the two 5GHz bands, while the 2.4GHz supports 2166Mbps.
Besides the wireless connections, you can create a wired connection using 2 USB ports and 8 Ethernet ports. Its dual-core 1.4GHz processor manages MU-MIMO technology flawlessly to provide similar speeds in up to 25 connected devices.
By following the provided instructions, you can set up the EA9500 easily. However, the WiFi setup could be improved.
Pros
- Ideal for 4K streaming.
- Good coverage.
- User-friendly mobile app.
- It supports multiple devices.
- Reliable AC Wi-Fi protocol.
Cons
- It needs Wi-Fi setup improvement.
Zyxel Armor Z2
This router is designed specifically for streaming. Take a look at Zyxel Armor Z2 if you want a router that delivers superb downloading and browsing speed at a reasonable price. It carries a futuristic design, so it will undoubtedly stand out.
It offers up to 2600Mbps that is sufficient for streaming 4K content and game online. It also has four wall-penetrating antennas that ensure that you receive WiFi connection throughout your home without dead zones. It also has four Gigabit Ethernet ports that facilitate wired connection.
Zyxel Armor Z2 is also designed with a dual-core 1.7GHz processor, MU-MIMO, and beamforming+ technologies, making sure you do not have to deal with buffering. It also uses 802.11ac and works with every device that uses older versions.
The guide has all the setup instructions, so installing should be quick and straightforward. It has one 2.0 USB port and a 3.0 USB port conveniently situated on the sides, providing easy access. One minor problem is that it lacks some features, but you can find what you require through the menu.
Pros
- Excellent output.
- Easy setup.
- Streamboost, MU-MIMO, and beamforming technology.
- Elegant design.
- Affordable.
Cons
- Slightly bulky design.
- Lacks a few features.
NETGEAR Nighthawk Pro XR500 Wi-Fi Router
If you are an avid online gamer who streams 4K sets, XR500 is the router for you. It is a well-engineered, high-performing router that generates fast internet speeds and supports multiple devices for 4K streaming, VR gaming, surfing, etc.
Since it has an appealing appearance, you can store it in the open. You can prioritize some devices, such as gaming gadgets, and allocate bandwidth to get rid of lag.
You can get up to 2600Gbps from it and enjoy its multi-user capabilities, ensuring you stream content seamlessly without slowing down your WiFi speeds. XR500 is equipped with a robust 1.7GHz processor which maintains reliable and consistent WiFi speed to avert interference when streaming UHD content.
It has four dual-band antennas to make sure all the devices receive internet. Two of the antennas are labeled Antenna 1, while the others are Antennas 3 and Antenna 2. It is critical to attach each antenna in the right spot to avoid connectivity issues.
While XR500 boasts excellent features, it parental controls are not as strong as other Netgear Routers.
Pros
- Impressive range.
- Suitable for 4K streaming and fast-paced gaming.
- Great security features.
- Powerful processor.
Cons
- Weak parental controls.
FAQs About Best Routers For 4K Streaming
What Type Of Router Is Best For 4K Streaming
A router with at least WiFi 6 or 802.ac standard is ideal if you can afford it. However, you can get solid quality with 802.11n standard routers.
Why Go For Wi-Fi 6?
It boasts the highest performance and speeds, 100% backward compatibility, so it works well with older Wi-Fi systems, creates less congestion, and has a huge device capacity. It is also a future-proof Wi-Fi tech.
What Do I Require For 4K Streaming?
To access 4K content, you will need a 4K streaming TV service or box, 4K TV, 4K-compatible HDMI cable, and fast, reliable internet speeds.
Conclusion
When it comes to the best router for 4K streaming, do not settle for less. The router you pick should support the devices in your home and facilitate consistent connection. All our router suggestions passed our evaluation criteria, but your ultimate choice boils down to your budget and preferences.