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10 Best Router For Rural Internet: Top Choices

Christopher Brown
  Dec 27, 2024 3:18 PM

Living in a rural area can pose unique challenges when it comes to staying connected online. From unreliable LTE throughput to old, slow lines (like dial-up), many people find themselves stranded with poor internet access.

Fortunately, you don’t have to resign yourself to low-speed internet! With the right router for rural areas, you can enjoy a reliable Wi-Fi signal that reaches far into isolated locations on your property without sacrificing speed.

To help you identify which modem is best suited for your situation at hand and make an informed decision before purchasing one, below we’ve highlighted the top 10 best router models available today as well as their features and benefits so that you can get back up to high speeds in no time.


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Top picks

Best budget: ARRIS G36

The ARRIS's top-of-the-line Surfboard G36 DOCSIS 3.1 multi-gigabit cable modem and AX3000 Wi-Fi router will provide you with the ultimate home connectivity experience: high speeds, low latency, and superior internet performance no matter where you are in your house – all at an incredible value!

The Surfboard G36 is certified to work with major U.S. cable internet service providers including Comcast Xfinity, Cox, and Spectrum; so you’ll have access to lightning-fast speeds and up to 1.2Gbps max internet speed – plus four 2.5Gbps ports with 4 OFDM channels for plenty of wireless streaming options.

Best versatile: WAVLINK RC-WN530HG4-UK

With the WiFi Router 1200Mbps from WAVLINK, you can access ultra-fast speeds and extended coverage for all your connected devices.

The Smart Router Dual Band 5Ghz+2.4Ghz pairs with 2x2 MIMO antennas to ensure your experience is latency-free and performance-driven.

The dual-band AC1200 delivers up to 300Mbps of 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi with 867 Mbps of 5 GHz connections - perfect for 4K streaming.

 Plus, the integrated amplifiers PA+LNA give you added stability while 4x5dBi external adjustable antennas extend and focus your Wi-Fi signal - so everyone in your home can experience the high-speed connection they need without buffering issues or dropped connections no matter where they are in the house. 

WiFi Router 1200Mbps, WAVLINK Smart Router Dual Band 5Ghz+2.4Ghz, Wireless Internet Routers for Home & Gaming with Amplifiers PA+LNA | 2x2 MIMO Antennas | Support Router/Access Point/WISP Mode

Best for heavy users with multiple devices in their network: TP-Link ‎Archer AX21

The TP-Link AX1800 WiFi 6 Router (Archer AX21), is a dual-band wireless internet router built to handle all your home and business needs.

Certified for Humans and compatible with Alexa, this cutting-edge router is perfect for people of any skill level. With Wi-Fi up to 1.8 Gbps (1200 Mbps on the 5 GHz band and 574 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band) and the latest 802.11ax technology, you can be sure of faster speeds, more capacity, and much less congestion compared to other routers.

But that's not all - with Archer AX21 you also get a VPN Server & Client (Open/PPTP/L2TP over IPsec) as well as a USB port - making it an ideal choice for heavy users with multiple devices in their network.

And because it's TP-Link certified, you can be sure that it offers the best hardware standards along with the latest software features for a truly secure connection every time. 

Best for large homesASUS RT-AX3000

The ASUS WiFi 6 Router (RT-AX3000) – Dual Band Gigabit Wireless Internet Router, Gaming & Streaming is the newest addition to this top-of-the-line wifi routers.

With ASUS WiFi 6 technology, you can experience a fast, secure and stable connection to fulfill all your home networking needs. 

Immerse in the ultimate gaming experience with RT-AX3000 that supports 160MHz bandwidth and 1024-QAM, providing a total network speed of up to 3000Mbps, 575Mbps on the 2.4GHz band, and 2402GHz on the 5GHz band.

Featuring OFDMA and MU-MIMO technology, you can now connect multiple devices for lag-free streaming, gaming, or downloading without any delays. This powerful router is also able to provide coverage up to 3000 sq ft., making it perfect for large homes. 

Best overall: Motorola MG7700

The Motorola MG7700 Modem WiFi Router Combo with Power Boost | Approved by Comcast Xfinity, Cox, and Spectrum. Now you can say goodbye to high cable modem rental fees of up to $156 per year and get lightning-fast speeds of up to 800 Mbps. This DOCSIS 3.0 plus Gigabit Router is exactly what you need for an efficient and reliable home internet connection. 

With this combo, you get a 24x8 DOCSIS 3.0 cable Modem as well as a built-in AC1900 dual band (2.4GHz and 5GHz) Wi-Fi Gigabit router with four Gigabit (GigE) Ethernet ports, power boost Wi-Fi amplifiers, industry-leading firewall security, and more - all in a single device. It supports services up to 650 Mbps, which means fast downloads and smooth streaming with no buffering. 

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Things to consider

Things to consider before purchasing the router for rural internet

Looking to get fast and reliable internet service in a rural area? If so, you may be in the market for a new router. A quality router can mean the difference between frustration-free browsing and dead zones that make it impossible to access your favorite sites or stream videos.

When shopping for a router, there are several factors you should take into account. This guide will walk you through some of the most important considerations so that you can find the perfect router for your needs and budget.

1. Range

Perhaps the most important factor to consider is how far away from your home or office your wireless signal reaches on a regular basis. That may depend on several factors, including the size of your property, how many floors your signal has to travel through, and whether or not you have any physical barriers in between you and the router.

2. Price Range

While a high-end router can be an excellent investment if it provides all of the features you need, there are certainly other options out there that will still get the job done. If you’re on a tight budget, there are plenty of more affordable routers that will provide fast and reliable service without breaking the bank.

3. Security Features

Another important factor to consider is how much security your router provides. A quality router may include features like password protection and an option to block specific devices from accessing your network. While not all routers will include these features, it’s certainly an important consideration to keep in mind when looking for a new device.

4. Quality of Service (QoS) Controls

If you plan on using your router for gaming or streaming video content, you may want to pay special attention to the quality of service controls. Quality of service controls allow you to prioritize certain types of traffic over others, so your gaming or streaming doesn’t get interrupted by other network activity.

5. Wireless Standards

Finally, it’s always a good idea to take note of any wireless standards supported by your router before making a purchase. This can help you ensure that your device will work with the rest of your home or office equipment and prevent any compatibility issues from cropping up down the road.

Router for rural internet FAQs

Router for rural internet access can be a challenge, especially if you live in an area with limited or unreliable connectivity. Here are some frequently asked questions about using routers to connect to the internet in rural areas:

1. What factors should I consider when choosing a router for my rural internet connection?

There are several things to consider when selecting a router for your rural internet connection. Some important factors to consider include the strength of your signal, the type of internet service you have (such as DSL or cable), and how many devices you need to connect at once.

2. How do I set up my router for optimal performance in a rural area?

To set up your router for optimal performance in a rural area, you will need to take some steps to optimize the signal strength.

This may include installing an outdoor antenna on your roof or using range extenders to improve coverage throughout your home.

You may also want to consider investing in a high-quality modem and router that are specifically designed for use with slow or unreliable internet connections.

3. What are some common challenges I might face when using a router to connect to the internet in a rural area?

Some common challenges you might encounter when using a router to connect to the internet in a rural area include slower speeds, limited bandwidth, and connection dropouts.

You may also find that your connection is more prone to outages or interference from other devices, such as cordless phones and microwaves.

To minimize these issues, you may want to use a high-quality router with strong signal strength and invest in additional hardware like range extenders or boosters to improve your connection quality.


Conclusion

Rural internet can be a challenge, but with the right tools, you can get the job done. We’ve provided our top 10 routers for rural internet and we hope that this will help make your decision easier.

If you have any questions or need assistance choosing the right router for your needs, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We would be happy to help! Thanks for reading!