Best AT&T Internet Routers 2023

We looked at pricing, speeds, and features to find the best AT&T-compatible routers currently available.

Best Mesh System
The Nest Wi-Fi router sits on a desk with a blue lamp
Google Nest Wi-Fi
4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5
Price:
$219.00
  • con
    Max speed: Up to 2.2 Gbps
Best Parental Controls
NETGEAR Nighthawk RAX50
4 out of 5 stars
4
Price:
$185.00
  • con
    Max speed: 5.4 Gbps
Best for Gaming
TP-Link Archer C5400X router
TP-Link Archer C5400X
4 out of 5 stars
4
Price:
$239.99
  • con
    Max speed: 5.3 Gbps
Best Budget Pick
An image of the TP Link Archer A8 router
TP-Link Archer A8
4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5
Price:
$54.41
  • con
    Max speed: 1.3 Gbps
Best for AT&T Fiber Plans
NETGEAR Nighthawk RAX120 router
NETGEAR Nighthawk RAX120
3.5 out of 5 stars
3.5
Price:
$349.00
  • con
    Max speed: 6 Gbps
Catherine McNally
Aug 31, 2023
Icon Time To Read7 min read

We may earn money when you click our links.

After looking at dozens of routers and evaluating their features, speed, and performance, we found the Google Nest Wi-Fi to be one of the best mesh systems for those with AT&T internet plans.

We also like the Netgear RAX50 for its extensive parental controls and the TP-Link Archer A8 for its budget-friendly price.

When searching for the best Wi-Fi router for AT&T, we looked for models that could take full advantage of your plan’s speeds, but we also considered each router’s features and specifications. After all, your router is an essential tool tasked with managing your network and much of your Wi-Fi security.

Let’s dig into the specs and see why we picked these five as the best AT&T routers.

Find out which AT&T plans are available in your area.


Best AT&T routers prices and specs
Product
Price*
Speed
Compatible AT&T Plans
Details
Google Nest Wi-Fi$219.00Up to 2.2 GbpsAll DSL and fiber plans
NETGEAR Nighthawk RAX50$185.005.4 GbpsAll DSL and fiber plans
TP-Link Archer C5400X$239.995.3 GbpsAll DSL and fiber plans
TP-Link Archer A8$54.411.3 GbpsAll DSL and fiber plans
NETGEAR Nighthawk RAX120$349.006 GbpsAll DSL and fiber plans

Amazon.com List Prices (as of 12/14/21 12:31 MST). Full disclaimer

Need faster internet speeds or more data? See what AT&T internet upgrades are available in your area.

What to look for in a router for AT&T internet

If you’re going to purchase your own router for your AT&T internet, it should enhance your experience in some way. We recommend looking for features such as the following:

  • Enhanced security that uses WPA2 or WPA3
  • Large Wi-Fi coverage area
  • Mesh networking capabilities
  • Dual- or tri-band technology
  • Gaming and streaming enhancement features
  • Advanced parental and guest network controls
  • Trusted brands like Asus, TP-Link, and NETGEAR
  • Enough Ethernet and USB ports to connect your wired devices and printers

Look for router models that offer the latest technologies (MU-MIMO, beamforming, etc.), high-end hardware (a good amount of processing power, ample ports, etc.), advanced security, and user-friendly features.

It’s also important to make sure that your new router has max speeds that exceed your AT&T plan’s max speeds.

Why you should buy your own router

Your AT&T service likely includes an equipment rental fee that provides you with a gateway modem-and-router combo.

But to get the best networking features, many people choose to add on a separate router even though the gateway gives them basic Wi-Fi functionality. If you game, stream in HD or 4K, or work from home, you’ll probably find your internet runs smoother when you use your own router.

Google Nest Wi-Fi: Best mesh system

A Google Nest Wi-Fi router sits on a table next to a blue lamp
pro Large coverage area
pro Google assistant built in
pro Attractive design
List price:
$219.00

Source: Reviews.org

Amazon.com List Price (as of 12/14/21 12:31 MST). Full disclaimer 

If you’re a homeowner, we’re guessing there’s at least one room in your home where your devices struggle to keep a strong internet connection. With the Google Nest Wi-Fi, you won’t have to worry about dead zones or slow zones thanks to its mesh system that  provides coverage throughout your entire home.

One Nest Wi-Fi router alone covers up to 2,200 square feet, and you can add additional routers to extend your coverage area even more. (Two routers cover 4,400 square feet, and three routers cover 6,600 square feet.)

A large coverage area isn’t the only benefit to the Nest Wi-Fi system though. It has Google Assistant built in, so you can play music and direct hundreds of devices on your network. If you have a high-end AT&T plan, the system will be able to route network traffic to the least congested band.

The self-healing Nest Wi-Fi system (meaning if one of your routers goes down, your devices automatically get rerouted to the other router) is relatively maintenance free, and it’s more attractive than most routers, with a sleek design that fits in with most decor. It comes in snow, mist, or sand color options.

Unlike pricier systems, the Nest Wi-Fi is only dual-band instead of tri-band, so it’s not as advanced as a system like the latest NETGEAR Orbi. But overall, the Nest Wi-Fi system is an excellent value, and works for anyone who wants to expand their signal range with a mesh system but doesn’t want to shell out too much cash.

Google Nest Wi-Fi specs
ProductGoogle Nest Wi-Fi
Image
The Nest Wi-Fi router sits on a desk with a blue lampSource: Reviews.org
Price$219.00*
Wi-Fi range2,200 ft.2
Max download speedUp to 2.2 Gbps
Ethernet ports2 gigabit Ethernet ports
Wi-Fi standard802.11s
SecurityWPA3 encryption
FeaturesGoogle Assistant, touch controls, Bluetooth
Compatible AT&T internet plansAll DSL plans, all fiber plans
Details

Amazon.com List Price (as of 12/14/21 12:31 MST). Full disclaimer 

NETGEAR Nighthawk RAX50: Best parental controls

pro Wi-Fi 6 compatible
pro Can handle numerous devices
pro Excellent parental controls built in
List price
$185.00
Source: NETGEAR.com

Amazon.com List Price (as of 12/14/21 12:31 MST). Full disclaimer 

The Nighthawk RAX50 offers exceptional parental controls, speeds of up to 5.4 Gbps, Wi-Fi coverage of up to 2,500 square feet, and four LAN ports.

On top of all that, you get access to NETGEAR’s Smart Parental Controls, which are some of the best parental controls available. You can manage and monitor just about every aspect of your kids’ online activity, from screen time to internet history to specific device usage. You can even set up specific profiles, filters, bed times, down times, and set rewards for each individual profile.

The RAX50 also boasts Wi-Fi 6. If you have multiple smart devices or if you work from home, it might be worth it to invest in a Wi-Fi 6 router. But if you don’t need optimum network performance, then a Wi-Fi 6 router might be overkill.

NETGEAR Nighthawk RAX50 specs
ProductNETGEAR Nighthawk RAX50
Image
Source: NETGEAR.com
Price$185.00*
Wi-Fi range2,500 ft.2
Max download speed5.4 Gbps
Ethernet ports5 gigabit Ethernet ports (1 WAN and 4 LAN)
Wi-Fi standard802.11ax/a/b/g/n/ac
SecurityWPA3 encryption
FeaturesWi-Fi 6, works with Alexa and Google Assistant, NETGEAR Smart Parental Controls
Compatible AT&T internet plansAll DSL plans, all fiber plans
Details

Amazon.com List Price (as of 12/14/21 12:31 MST). Full disclaimer 

TP-Link Archer C5400X: Best for gaming

TP-Link Archer C5400X router
pro 8 gigabit LAN ports
pro Gaming features that optimize your connection for pc and console
pro Dynamic Optimization Engine reduces latency
List price
$239.99
Source: TP-Link.com

Amazon.com List Price (as of 12/14/21 12:31 MST). Full disclaimer 

This tri-band router by TP-Link is ideal for gamers on high-end AT&T internet plans. In addition to its futuristic aesthetic, the Archer C5400X blankets even a four-bedroom house with a zippy Wi-Fi connection.

With a 1.8 GHz quad-core processor and a Dynamic Optimization Engine, you have enough power and flexibility to play games on all of your consoles and PCs. And you can still optimize network traffic to other devices like smart home gadgets, productivity PCs, phones, and tablets.

While this router will perform well for any household that uses a lot of bandwidth, it’s especially helpful for gamers, with gaming-specific features like the aforementioned Dynamic Optimization Engine.

It’s also Alexa compatible, and it’s pretty fairly priced so you won’t have to spend too much cash to take full advantage of your AT&T internet while gaming on a console or PC.

TP-Link Archer C5400X specs
ProductTP-Link Archer C5400X
Image
TP-Link Archer C5400X routerSource: TP-Link.com
Price$239.99*
Wi-Fi range4-bedroom house
Max download speed5.3 Gbps
Ethernet ports8 gigabit LAN ports
Wi-Fi standard802.11/ac/n/b/g/a
SecurityWEP, WPA, WPA2, WPA/WPA2-Enterprise (802.1x)
FeaturesTri-band, works with Alexa, Dynamic Optimization Engine, built-in VPN server
Compatible AT&T internet plansAll DSL plans, all fiber plans
Details

Amazon.com List Price (as of 12/14/21 12:31 MST). Full disclaimer 

TP-Link Archer A8: Best budget router

An image of the TP Link Archer A8 router
pro Very affordable
pro Decent coverage
pro Fast
List price
$54.41
Source: TP-Link.com

Amazon.com List Price (as of 12/14/21 12:31 MST). Full disclaimer 

The TP-Link Archer A8 is a reliable, fast, and durable router that works well with most AT&T plans, yet it only costs around $60 or less at most retailers. (We should note that its 2.4 GHz band supports only 600 Mbps download speeds.)

The downsides? The Archer A8 doesn’t offer some of the perks like Wi-Fi 6 or tri-band technology. But you’ll get a decent Wi-Fi range out of this unit, as well as 4 LAN ports plus beamforming and MU-MIMO technology to improve efficiency and speeds.

The Archer A8 also comes with Smart Connect, which checks to make sure your device is connected to the best Wi-Fi band available. Along with parental controls, these thoughtful features make the Archer A8 an absolute steal.

TP-Link Archer A8 specs
ProductTP-Link Archer A8
Image
An image of the TP Link Archer A8 routerSource: TP-Link.com
Price$54.41*
Wi-Fi range2,500 ft.2
Max download speed1.3 Gbps
Ethernet ports4 gigabit LAN ports
Wi-Fi standard802.11ac
SecurityWPA, WPA2, WPA/WPA2-Enterprise (802.1x)
FeaturesParental controls, guest network access, built-in print server/media server
Compatible AT&T internet plansAll DSL plans, all fiber plans
Details

Amazon.com List Price (as of 12/14/21 12:31 MST). Full disclaimer 

NETGEAR Nighthawk RAX120: Best for AT&T Fiber plans

NETGEAR Nighthawk RAX120 router
pro Wi-Fi 6 capable
pro Excellent for streaming
pro Powerful
List price
$349.99
Source: NETGEAR.com

Amazon.com List Price (as of 12/14/21 12:31 MST). Full disclaimer 

If you want a router that can do it all, the NETGEAR Nighthawk RAX120 is an absolute beast. Combined with a high-end AT&T plan, the 12-stream RAX120 can manage an entire household full of streaming devices, work-from-home devices, smart devices, and gaming PCs and consoles.

With a 2.2 GHz quad-core processor that’s optimized for Wi-Fi 6, the Nighthawk RAX120 has the latest and greatest technologies like beamforming and MU-MIMO. It also boasts two USB ports, four gigabit LAN ports, and an easy-to-use app where you can manage your network.

Our biggest issue with the RAX120 is its steep price. But if cost is no issue to you and you’d prefer to future-proof your technology, this router fits the bill.

NETGEAR Nighthawk RAX120 specs
ProductNETGEAR Nighthawk RAX120
Image
NETGEAR Nighthawk RAX120 routerSource: NETGEAR.com
Price$349.99*
Wi-Fi range3,500 ft.2
Max download speed6 Gbps
Ethernet ports5 gigabit Ethernet ports
Wi-Fi standard802.11ax/a/b/g/n/ac
SecurityWPA3
FeaturesWi-Fi 6, works with Alexa and Google Assistant, Netgear Armor, Smart Connect
Compatible AT&T internet plansAll DSL plans, all fiber plans
Details

Amazon.com List Price (as of 12/14/21 12:31 MST). Full disclaimer 

Recap: Best routers for AT&T internet

  • Google Nest Wi-Fi: For those who want to extend their Wi-Fi range, a mesh system can be an effective solution. The Nest Wi-Fi system is affordable, practical, and it offers Google Assistant built-in for music, voice controlling your network, and easy smart home integration.
  • NETGEAR Nighthawk RAX50: Having parental controls at the router level makes it possible for you to control screen time and monitor usage all in one place. The RAX50 is a powerful Wi-Fi 6 router with some of the best parental controls available.
  • TP-Link Archer C5400X: Gamers will appreciate the power and gaming features this tri-band router has to offer. Though not a Wi-Fi 6 router, it’s still one of the best options available in its price range for gaming on your AT&T internet.
  • TP-Link Archer A8: If you have an AT&T internet plan that’s on the lower-to-mid end of the spectrum, it may not be necessary to spend hundreds on a high-end router. The Archer A8 by TP-Link gives you MU-MIMO and beamforming plus guest network access and parental controls, and you can find it for around $50–$60.
  • NETGEAR Nighthawk RAX120: If you want a router that can handle just about anything you throw at it, the RAX120 is the way to go. This NETGEAR unit can handle any AT&T plan, and it boasts the latest and greatest Wi-Fi 6 technologies.

Methodology

To determine the best AT&T routers, we paid close attention to compatibility, but we also looked at these factors:

  1. Price. While it’s true that you get what you pay for, we considered affordability as a huge factor when choosing the best AT&T routers.
  2. Speed. If you’re going to go with an aftermarket router, it should be more than capable of maximizing your AT&T plan speeds.
  3. Features. We looked for models that could offer perks that you don’t necessarily get with your AT&T wireless modem alone.

FAQ

Any time you’re considering purchasing a router, it’s best to ask yourself the following questions.

Pretty much any router from the past year or two should work with most AT&T internet plans, but it’s a good idea to check with your provider if you have questions about whether or not a specific model will work with your AT&T service.

Yes. AT&T requires you to use the modem it provides to you in most cases. However, you can choose your own router, which can improve your wireless performance and provide additional features you might not get with a wireless modem alone.

Related articles

Catherine McNally
Written by
Catherine McNally
Catherine has a degree in journalism and an MBA, and has spent the last 10+ years writing everything from Okinawa travel guides to stories on Medium. She’s been online since AOL CDs were a thing and is an unapologetic PC gamer. She believes the internet is a necessity, not a luxury, and writes reviews and guides to help everyone stay connected. You can also find her on Twitter: @CMReviewsIt.

Related Articles

Couple watching streaming service on bed while snacking on popcorn
Best Streaming Services 2023
If you’re planning on cutting the cord, we’ll help you find the best streaming service...
Woman holding a cup of coffee and her smartphone next to a city street
Spectrum Mobile Review 2023
Existing Spectrum customers can get a cheap and powerful cell phone plan. Here’s everything you...
Smart living room
Best Amazon Alexa Devices of 2023
Overwhelmed by the many Amazon Alexa devices to choose from? We’ve selected our top four...
Grandmother sitting on couch in living room watching cable TV
Basic Cable Packages and Channels Guide
We’ll help you find the best basic cable package for your living room and your...