Almost any route can give you the throughput to stream 480p and 720p content. But if you’re looking forward to FHD and 4K streaming, and specifically on multiple streaming devices, you need to revamp your home networking setup.
With theoretical speeds high enough to deliver fast data transfers on 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency bands, the latest wireless routers can match up to the bandwidth-hungry streaming devices quite as easily.
In this guide, we’ll review the best routers for multiple streaming devices to make it easy for you to pick a suitable model on the go.
It doesn’t matter if you have a handful of Wi-fi-enabled gadgets lying around, or if you want to stream from multiple devices at once.
The routers we recommend in this guide will give you the blazing network speeds to stream Netflix reality shows on TV, watch Crackle movies on a tablet, and stream YouTube music from your laptop while using your smartphone to stream R&B music on Deezer at the same time.
A quick look at our top picks for Best Wireless Routers For Multiple Streaming Devices
Netgear Nighthawk 8-Stream AX8 Wi-fi 6 Router– Most Popular
Netgear Nighthawk AC2300 RS400 – Best Budget
TP-Link Archer C5400X– Best Value
How To Choose Best Wireless Routers for Multiple Streaming Devices
When it comes to picking a wireless router for multiple streaming devices, you need to go for an option built on the latest technology.
In other words, choose a router that:
- Has high throughput: Multiple streaming devices need to perform best. Choose a router with a decent throughput on 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency bands
- Can connect multiple devices: Check how many devices you can connect to the router before buying one.
- Features Beamforming technology: For better performance, buy a router that directs wireless signals directly to the streaming client.
- Includes parental controls: You want your kids to be safe when accessing the internet and therefore the router must include parental control options.
Related: Wireless routers under $100
Best Wireless Router For Multiple Streaming Devices
Netgear Nighthawk 8-Stream AX8 Wi-fi 6 Router
Although Netgear Nighthawk AX8 isn’t a budget router, it’s an option to consider if you need wireless data all over the place. It’s an easy-to-configure system, with the maximum setup time not exceeding 10 minutes give or take.
The Nighthawk 8-Stream gives you the generous speeds that you need to stream from multiple devices at the same time, with no Wifi or Ethernet connection drops whatsoever. And given that it can handle up to 20 clients without output buffering, the AX8 is a router to consider when you want to connect multiple devices.
The theoretical coverage of the 8-Stream AX8 is 2,500 square feet. In real time testing, it’s hard to notice a dead spot in a 3,500 square feet home. Not to mention that the coverage doesn’t die down even 30 feet from the location of the router.
When it comes to throughput, you get what you pay for. The AX8 ability to deliver speeds that meet the gigabit per second mark elevates your streaming experience to a completely new level. With the signals easily peering through floors and passing from wall to wall, the AX8 router is the model to use when neck-breaking speed is necessary.
Distance speed test is just as promising as the proximity test. Even at 90-feet from the router, you still get a decent connection to stream, although you shouldn’t go beyond 50 feet if you need faster data packet delivery.
The support for VPN is a definite plus for the router. For the people that love to unblock content only accessible to certain countries, this feature will definitely be useful. Whether you want to enjoy Spotify or you want to watch Netflix series that are not accessible in your country, take advantage of the VPN feature and enjoy streaming.
Pros
- High-performance router with a very generous throughput
- Includes security apps for protection against malware
- Has smart parental controls for keeping your family safe when streaming online
- Works with Amazon Alexa
- Can connect with multiple devices via wireless and wired connection
Cons
- The AX8 is an expensive Wifi 6 router
- The throughput is better only at close proximity
Related: Special features of Netgear Nighthawk S8000 Switch
Netgear Nighthawk AC2300 RS400
Netgear has always been about high throughput and therefore promising speeds. Even so, you do get a bit more with the RS400. First, you can connect up to 35 clients, even if they aren’t all streaming devices. If you ever want to stream and surf the web, while someone else surfs the web and play computer games, this may be the best wireless router to buy.
Powered by a dual-core 1GHz processor, Netgear AC2300 RS400 is sure one of the fastest networking devices in its class. And it isn’t just the processor that makes the RS400 a powerful router. It also features MU-MIMO, Beamforming, Dynamic QoS, Smart Connect, and Alexa Voice Control to take your networking performance to the next level.
To start with, the Beamforming technology directs the Wifi signals directly to the streaming client, giving you a stronger and faster internet connection over a long-range. The MU-MIMO technology adds to the performing power of this wireless router, as it ensures signals stays constant for your devices. Moreover, it ensures fair distribution of the bandwidth without compromising on speeds.
When it comes to bandwidth prioritization, no brand does it better than Netgear. With their Dynamic Quality of Service, Netgear ensures that the AC2300 RS400 router provides the right amount of data to an application that needs it the most. It’s all about traffic shaping where the router allocates clients a propriety level so that there isn’t a loss of the most significant data.
In term of range, the RS400 doesn’t give you a wider coverage like the AX8 does. But it doesn’t mean the coverage is bad, as the smart router can transmit signals well up to 2,000 square feet.
Like the AX8, the RS400 model also features smart parental controls, which let you monitor how much time your kids spend on the internet and the type of content they can access. In addition to pausing internet access for specific devices, you can filter websites, view history, and even schedule the time for access.
Pros
- Focuses heavily on speed and safety
- Easy to navigate parental controls
- Decent throughput for multiple streaming devices
- Fast internet connection means worrying less about output buffering
Cons
- The range could be better
- We wish it has ample configuration options
TP-Link Archer C5400X
Just when you think that Asus is the only beast best at designing the most powerful gaming routers, TP-Link entices you with the Archer C5400X, which is ideal for both gaming and streaming. For the price, you get tons of LAN ports, built-in malware protection, and fast throughput for seamless gaming and smooth streaming.
With streaming from multiple devices, either client after client or all inclusive, being our main concern, there’s no doubt that the Archer C5400X can get the job done quite well. Built to optimize bandwidth as you stream, while eliminating network lags at the same time, the TP-Link Archer C5400X is what you in place of your old router.
It’s big and heavy, almost looking and feeling the same like the Asus ROG Rapture in term of design. Like the Rapture GT-AC5300, it features eight thick antennas, only that in this case they’re removable. At the back of the router are a 1GH WAN Port and 8 Gigabit LAN ports. There’s a LED status light at the top of the device and buttons on the front.
Inside the unit is a 1.8GHz quad-core processor, 1GB RAM, and three co-processor, which, combined with the three frequency bands and the 1024 Quadrature Amplitude Modulation technology, delivers faster performance that can clock a throughput of up to 2160Mbps on each 5GHz band and up to 1,000 Mbps on the 2.4GHz band.
Archer C5400X does well when it comes to performance. With the right technologies built-in, from MU-MIMO and Beamforming to Smart Connect and parental controls, the Archer C5400X gives you the best gaming and streaming experience for its high-end price point.
In close proximity, TP-Link Archer C5400X delivers speeds of up to 115Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and up to 590Mbps on the 5GHz frequency band. Speed test at 40 feet away isn’t bad either, with the throughput clocking around 300Mbps. That’s still fine for gaming, although lower than what you get from the likes of Netgear R9000.
Pros
- Good throughput for simultaneous gaming and streaming
- Includes Beamforming technology, which sends Wifi signals direct to the streaming client for better performance
- More than enough LAN ports for wired connection
- Works with IFTTT and Amazon Alexa
Cons
- We wish the file transfer speed could be better than what it is
- It doesn’t have many gaming features
- This wireless router is quite expensive
NETGEAR Nighthawk Smart WiFi Router (X4S)
This router is a high-end router designed to support heavy-duty streaming. With 2600 Mbps, you can perform various high bandwidths like 4k Ultra HD streaming and multi-player gaming.
X4S is a dual-band router that works on 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, producing 800 Mbps and 1733 Mbps, respectively. The hardware components include two fast 3.0 USB ports, five Gigabit LAN Ethernet ports, an eSATA port, and a robust dual-core 1.7 GHz processor.
The two 3.0 USB ports and eSATA port facilitate cloud storage and sharing. It also comes with Smart Circle application parental controls that let you control internet access and filter websites.
The powerful processor facilitates the best performance on all wired and wireless connections. Since it uses wave 2 MU-MIMO, it can handle multiple devices concurrently (up to 45). It also has Dynamic frequency, QoS technology, and advanced beamforming + antennas for boosting range.
It provides a wireless connection up to 2500 sq. ft. The high-level WPA2/WPA wireless security protects your network from intrusion. The X4S packs some impressive features, but it’s expensive, and the LED lights are bright.
Pros
- Fast speeds.
- MU-MIMO.
- Suitable for heavy-duty tasks.
- Easy firmware upgrades.
Linksys Dual-Band WRT AC3200
With AC3200, you get fast, reliable multi-player gaming and 4K HD streaming. Its key features include up to 2600 Gbps, a powerful dual central 1.8 GHz processing unit, 160 Tri-stream bandwidth boost, Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS), and MU-MIMO technology.
Tri-stream 160 increases the bandwidth from 80MHz to 160MHz on network streams. AC3200 delivers incredibly fast AC WiFi network speeds even on a busy network.
It also features an eSATA/2.0 USB hybrid port, one 3.0 USB port for cloud storage and sharing, and four Ethernet ports (1G). Through the Smart WiFi application, you can control and monitor your network remotely.
AC3200 is an open-source router with DD-WRT and OpenWrt that lets you set a secure VPN and parental controls, control network traffic, detect intrusions, develop hotspots, and make the router a web server.
Many customers are impressed by AC3200 ability to embrace open-source custom firmware. This functionality gives you nearly total control over the router’s functions and features.
Although it offers great performance, one downside about the AC3200 is that obstructions like walls affect the connection.
Pros
- High WiFi speeds.
- It has customizable open-source firmware.
- Easy setup.
- Dual-band technology.
- MU-MIMO technology.
Cons
- It doesn’t block individual websites.
Asus RT-AC88U
It is a dual-band router that uses MU-MIMO technology to support multiple WiFi clients concurrently while maintaining the bandwidth. Your network must be MU-MIMO-compatible to benefit from this technology.
It has a WAN port, 8 Ethernet ports (Gigabit), 2.0 and 3.0 USB ports, and a power jack. RT-AC88U uses a NitroQAM Broadcom technology and a 1.4GHz Broadcom dual-core processor to deliver a combined 3,167Mbps, broken down into 1000Mbps and 2167Mbps on the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, respectively.
The RT-AC88U provides several management features and a user-friendly mobile app and web interface. The adaptive QoS lets you prioritize a specific application’s bandwidth.
Traffic Analyzer charts outgoing and incoming wired and wireless network clients’ data packets and gives you a graph of everyday client usage. The Professional Settings page allows you to adjust settings like multicast rates, beamforming, beacon intervals, and wireless scheduling.
With two USB ports and eight LAN ports, RT-AC88U is an excellent choice for connecting multiple wired clients and peripherals like gaming consoles, printers, and NAS devices. I did not like that it is a bit heavy, but it shouldn’t deter you from it.
Pros
- Extra security.
- Powerful software.
- Excellent performance.
- Multiple features.
Cons
- Pricey
- Complicated back-end.
FAQs about Wireless Routers for Multiple Streaming Devices
How Many Devices Can Routers Support?
You can connect a maximum of 255 devices to your WiFi like home appliances, laptops, mobile phones, and PCs. However, since each router differs, find out the number of devices it can support before buying.
Does Connecting Multiple Devices To My Network Slow Down WiFi?
Your WiFi network can support many devices without slowing down the connection. However, if you are streaming, transferring data, or downloading at once, you may realize a dip in speed.
Which Frequency Is The Most Ideal For Gaming And Streaming?
5GHz offers better performance with less lag and quicker data transmission for streaming. 2.4 GHz can also do the job.
Conclusion
Before making a purchase, take an assessment of your home to know the number of devices that need WiFi and consider the typical activities in your household. Doing so will give you an idea of the best wireless router, ideal for your home’s internet needs. I hope our review helps you find the best router.