How do we test WiFi routers? First, we conducted extensive research, looking at reviews and experiences with dozens of models, then bought the most promising products. We took these routers and pitted them head-to-head in multiple tests, divvied up among four weighted rating metrics. The following sections describe our testing methods, and you can consult our comprehensive review to see the full results of our test and find out which WiFi router is the best addition for your home or office.
2.4 GHz & 5 GHz Throughput
A router's 5 GHz throughput is the ultimate measure of its networking strength and the performance metric that will be most relevant to the majority of people, so it accounts for 35% of the overall score. 2.4 GHz throughput is less of a deciding factor for the modern buyer, but still important enough to consider in its own right, so we give it a separate weighting of 10%. We used a program called iPerf3 running on a test computer to test this. This program sends data back and forth with the router, measuring the speed in Megabits/second, abbreviated as Mbits/s. This test is independent of the internet speed provided by the ISP, only testing how quickly each router can communicate with a computer. We used both the 2.4 GHz and the 5 GHz channels of each router, scoring the results independently.
We conducted four different tests with different levels of obstruction and distance between the router and the computer. For each test, we ran three trials of the iPerf3 test, averaging the results for any unexpected anomalies. Our first pair of throughput tests were the short distance line of sight, and short distance obstructed test. The line of sight test had 10 feet between the router and the computer, with the obstructed version having a closed door in the middle of a wall between them.
The next set of tests was the medium-distance version of these tests, with 35 feet between router and computers, again with two walls with closed doors between the two in the obstructed version. The final test of each of these metrics was the long-distance test, with 60 feet separating the router and computer. We only conducted an obstructed version of this test. We felt it would be a very uncommon circumstance to have a distance that far be completely unobstructed between a router and computer. This test also had 3-4 walls separating the router from the computer, compared to the closed doors on walls of the previous tests.
Multi-Device Efficiency
In our latest round of testing for WiFi routers, we included a multi-device efficiency test that accounts for 30% of a product's final score. This test evaluates how well each router can handle many connected devices at once. With multiple smartphones connected to the network, we streamed 1080p and 4K quality video to each device simultaneously and used the iPerf3 software to monitor how much bandwidth each phone received. With each connected device, the router's total throughput diminishes below its optimal one-device performance.
Range
Comprising 25% of each router's overall score, we looked at the effective range of each router. We selected a test video, then attempted to play the video in its entirety at set distances away from the router. We streamed the content in both 1080p 4K quality, measuring the distance from the router when the video stream began to experience interruptions and buffer, or the point at which we lost a connection to the router. We cleared the cache between tests and conducted multiple trials, averaging the measurements to confirm our results.
Conclusion
For more information on how specific products scored with this testing process, take a look at our complete WiFi router review for a thorough breakdown of what these products do and an explanation of some of the more technical jargon surrounding these products for those unfamiliar.