Routers are a boon for internet users. Anyone who's into fast internet connectivity would love a router that serves most users without the extra cost of buying an Ethernet switch. We bring you the best 8-port routers with gamers and video streamers in mind. Of course, it shouldn’t stop those working from home or having online classes and video conferences from using them.
All-Time #1 Choice of Gamers
Asus GT-AC3000
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
This Wi-Fi router has been on PC magazine’s #1 list and every gamer who bought this setup agrees to that and so do we.
Why It Stands Out to Us
We particularly love the dedicated ports and link aggregation for additional bandwidth, resilience, and balancing of connections.
Who Will Use This Most
No wonder Asus is the gamer’s choice for laptops and routers. The Asus GT-AC3000 is ideal for those who are hooked to VR & 4K streaming.
Runner-up for Best Gaming Router
Asus AC3100
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Users love the fast download speeds but wish that the setup process was easier. Some even offered hacks for the 2.4Ghz issues.
Why It Stands Out to Us
We love the NitroQAM technology that delivers high-speed connectivity for high-end online gaming and a dedicated port for NAS devices.
Who Will Use This Most
With the increase of online gamers all over the world, no wonder the Asus AC3100 is one of the most-loved routers on the market.
Best Splurge for Gamers
Asus RT-AX88U
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
This 8-port router works great for a 3-story house, offers good UI, and is fast and reliable.
Why It Stands Out to Us
We love the OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) that optimizes low bandwidth connections, so no device is compromised when you need stable internet access.
Who Will Use This Most
For the gamer who wants a top-of-the-line router for the best gameplay experience, you can never go wrong with the Asus RT-AX88U.
Best Wi-Fi 6 Router
TP-Link Archer AX6000
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers recommend this router for large homes with more than 25 connecting devices.
Why It Stands Out to Us
A great upgrade from the 802.11ac connection, the 802.11ax gets more devices working at optimal speed without sacrifice. Stream 8k videos, attend video conferences and go extreme gaming without any issues.
Who Will Use This Most
Home-based workers and gamers vote for this router. No wonder it won the Highest in Customer Satisfaction for Wireless Routers from JD Powers in 2017 and 2018.
High-Level Security Features
Cisco RV260W
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Performance, ease of use, and connectivity - these are the features that users like the most about the Cisco RV260W 8-port router.
Why It Stands Out to Us
Web filtering is a helpful feature, especially if you have younger children using the internet. It also keeps our business away from harmful and malicious sites.
Who Will Use This Most
Small businesses will love this VPN router with its added safety features. Peace of mind is a commodity that some of us cannot afford, but Cisco offers it at an affordable price.
Runner-up for High-Level Security
Cisco RV260
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Customers are happy with the overall performance, reliability, and security features of the Cisco RV260 VPN router.
Why It Stands Out to Us
We love the added level of security that web filtering offers. It frees us from safety concerns so we have more time in profitable business engagements.
Who Will Use This Most
Tomato firmware lovers, this is the best router choice for you.
Affordable Connection for Your Home
Linksys EA9500
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers are praising this router because it is easy to set up, has strong connectivity, and provides a wide range of Wi-Fi connections.
Why It Stands Out to Us
We love the simultaneous streaming from all the three Wi-Fi bands for stronger and better connectivity.
Who Will Use This Most
Everyone who loves 4K HD streaming and gaming will like the Linksys EA9500 8-port router. Join video conferences while the rest of your family enjoys gaming or watching movies without having to worry about lags and buffering.
High-Definition Streaming and Superb Security
D-LINK DIR-632
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Customers report that the D-LINK DIR-632 router is great for wired and wireless connections for both home and business use.
Why It Stands Out to Us
For business owners like us, stable internet is a must and that’s what we love about this 8-port router.
Who Will Use This Most
Perfect for those who want to upgrade their home network for better connectivity and multiple-use access for video conferencing, high-definition streaming, and gaming.
Protection from Dangerous Websites
D-LINK DSR-250
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers love the fast connection and the extra layer of security for network users. Remote access poses no issues at all.
Why It Stands Out to Us
We love the sleek design and the Green Ethernet features of this VPN 8-port router.
Who Will Use This Most
Small to medium businesses that need high-performance networking solutions will benefit from the D-LINK DSR-250 router.
Low-Cost Alternative Router
MikroTik CRS109-8G-1S-2HnD-IN
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
This is not a router for beginners. IT enthusiasts who bought this router love it, though.
Why It Stands Out to Us
It is an underrated 8-port router that offers the same bells and whistles of high-end routers at a lower cost.
Who Will Use This Most
Best for techy people who love using Tomato firmware and want a less expensive but quality router.
What does a router do?
A router is a device that connects the modem to the devices in the house. You can use a wireless or wired router. But a wired router gives a better connection as wireless internet is distance-dependent.
Do I need a router for Wi-Fi?
There is no need for a router to connect to Wi-Fi at home since most modems now work as a network switch, a router, and a Wi-Fi access point in one. However, connecting to the internet without a router can pose connectivity issues and exposes you to security threats in your network.
How can I get Wi-Fi in my house without the internet?
Getting Wi-Fi in your house without the internet is possible, but prepare for the extra expense.
- Mobile data: Use your mobile data to share a hotspot to any Wi-Fi-enabled device such as your laptop, smartphone, tablet, or smart TV.
- Mobile tethering: Using your mobile data, connect your smartphone to your laptop and share data through tethering. Your laptop will read your phone as a LAN so you see the LAN icon instead of the Wi-Fi icon.
- Public Wi-Fi: You can always connect to public Wi-Fi but be wary of the information you share. The security features of public connections are slack so use at your own risk.
When using mobile data to activate your internet connection, know its limitations. Use the best plan to optimize your data use without leaving a dent in your wallet.
How do I set up a router without a modem?
Usually, you can connect to the internet by plugging your internet cable to the modem then adding the router to connect to the devices. You can also add a router without a modem by setting a subnet, simply follow these instructions.
- Plug in the power cable for the modem and power up your device.
- Configure the default IP address using the ipconfig command.
- Change the last digit of the IP address to set up your new IP address.
- Connect your device to the router then reboot the device to connect to the new IP address. You should be able to connect to your internet.
Does a router increase internet speed?
Adding a router does not necessarily increase internet speed but it increases the reach of your internet connection. A modem usually only has two Ethernet ports so you can connect only two wired devices to it. Adding a router to your modem allows you to connect up to 8 wired devices to your network. Some routers are even Wi-Fi-enabled so you can make the most of your wireless devices.
Conclusion
If you haven’t decided on what to pick by now, we recommend the Linksys EA9500 for home use and the ASUS GT-AC300 Tri-Band Router for high-definition streaming and no-lag gaming experience.
We hope we covered everything you need to know about 8-port routers. You can also learn about the best 4-port routers if you don’t require that many Ethernet connections. But if you need to up your connectivity game, check out our review for the best 16-port Ethernet switches.
