So… what is the best Wifi Router for Google Home?
One of the most critical components you could possibly have in your Smart Home is, of course, your Wifi System/Router. This is virtually the epicentre of it all when it comes to smart homes. You won’t be getting much done without your Wifi connection, would you? With Google Home as one of the leading choices in smart home assistants, we take a look the best Wifi systems/routers to accompany it. Today we discuss the options for the Best Wifi Router for Google Home.
In addition to providing a list of the best Wifi routers for Google home, this article also breaks down the difference between two major forms of routers to choose from for smart homes. That is, Mesh Wifi and traditional routers. Let’s dive in shall we?
Mesh Wifi System vs Router
Before we dive into our list of top wifi routers for Google Home, it’s important to understand the main types Wifi Systems that would typically go into a smart home.
Given the fact that so much of modern life has its place in the online world, achieving faster internet connectivity in the home has become key. The developments in Wifi devices and connectivity in both home and work places have truly come a long way since the early days. We’ve witnessed a rise in not only high speed Wifi routers, but also the devolpment of Mesh Wifi systems to enhance home networks.
The main recommended types of Wifi connectivity would be either through a traditional Wifi Router or a Mesh Wifi System. Either of these options come with many of their own benefits. So it is key to know the difference between the two so that you can make the best choice for your smart home. Let’s take a brief look at this, shall we?
Traditional Routers
I’m pretty sure we’re all familiar with your typical wireless Wifi Router. These have been around pretty much since the 90’s for your average home. A router is a device that basically transmits data from the internet cable to other devices (i.e. phones computers etc.). This device would be responsible for granting your internet access throughout your home.
Many modern Wifi routers have indeed been designed to span reasonable distances across the home. However, the common limitation with a traditional router in the home is that the signal becomes slower or intermittent in different areas of the house. This is especially the case when dealing with larger, multi-storey homes. This is also the case with brick interior walls. These unreachable areas are known as Wifi Dead Spots.
To resolve these issues, a Wifi extender for your router would come into play in order to the extend the Wifi signal range to your dead spots. Alternatively, you may opt for a Mesh Wifi system, which is the newer popular approach.
Mesh Wifi
A Mesh Wifi System basically entails a primary router linking directly to your modem. You then have two or thre accompanying satellites placed around your house to cover the place with Wifi. This system is specifically ideal for larger, multi-level homes with many smart home devices requiring connectivity.
The difference between a Wifi extender vs the satellites is the following. A Wifi extender simply boosts the main rooter’s signal (which could actually weaken the original signal). The satellites, on the other hand, create a whole new Wifi network, separate from the main router’s signal. This basically means that your primary router’s signal is not weakened. It also means that you have strengthened connectivity throughout your home.
For this reason, mesh Wifi systems have increasingly become the popular choice amongst smart home owners. This is particularly because smart homes encompass many devices that would all rely on one router’s signal, if not for a mesh system.
We’ve now established the variances between these types of wifi systems. Hopefully you’ll be able to discern from our list with more knowledge. Let’s dive into our recommendations for the best wifi router for Google Home.
The Best Wifi Router For Google Home
We look at eight of the best wifi systems to use with google home. Our list incorporates a combination of both the best mesh wifi systems and traditional routers on the market for smart homes.
1. Google Wifi
Google Wifi is a popular choice for smart homes. Eliminate dead zones in your home with this Mesh Wifi Solution for optimal coverage. It is no doubt that we are in a revolutionary age when it comes to wireless mesh solutions. Google Wifi is a testament to this new age in coverage. The Mesh system features satellites in addition to the main router that can be placed around your home. Each unit encompasses 500 Megabits per second, emphasising just how fast your internet can be when downloading.
It features a combined 2.4GHz and 5GHz into a single band, a quad core CPU, and 512MB of RAM. Google Wifi is incredibly easy to set up, with no hassles. Simply scan you QR code and you’re pretty much good to go. Check out Google Wifi here on Amazon.
| Specs | Details |
|---|---|
| Coverage: | Up to 4,500 square feet |
| Connectivity: | 2 x Gigabit Ethernet ports per Wifi point |
| Speed: | 5GHz down: 101.41 Mbps, 2.4GHz down: 47.53 Mbps |
2. Netgear Orbi
Another great Mesh Wifi Solution. Next on our list of best wifi router for Google Home is the Netgear Orbi AC2200 (RBK23). It covers up to 6,000 square feet, making it solid for fast network connectivity in larger homes. It offers speeds of up to 2.2Gbps. Each unit is decently small in size, so they’d be placed indiscernibly through the home and they’d fit right in. The Netgear Orbi features 4 Ethernet ports as well as both 2.4GHz and 5GHz radio connections. Check out the Netgear Orbi AC2200 (RBK23) here on Amazon.
| Specs | Details |
|---|---|
| Coverage: | Up to 6,000 square feet |
| Connectivity: | 2 x Gigabit Ethernet ports per Wifi point |
| Speed: | 5GHz down: 68.8 Mbps, 802.11ac |
3. TP-Link Deco M5
Next on our discussion on the Best Wifi Router for Google Home, is the TP-Link Deco M5. A third Mesh solution at a friendlier cost than our previous two. The Deco M5 is one of many mesh wifi systems that have made their way into the modern market, but this stands out as one of the best choices for smart homes. The TP-Link Deco M5 enables you to connect up to 100+ devices seamlessly within it’s network. It offers up to 5,500 square feet in network coverage. The system is very easy to set up and get going in your home. Have a look at the Deco M5 here on Amazon.
| Specs | Details |
|---|---|
| Coverage: | Up to 5,500 square feet |
| Connectivity: | 2 x Gigabit ports per Deco M5 unit, 1 x USB Type-C port, Bluetooth 4.2 |
| Speed: | Wireless 400 Mbps on 2.4 GHz + 867 Mbps on 5 GHz |
4. Amplifi HD
On the pricier side of things, our list of the best Wifi Router for Google Home features the Amplifi HD. Aesthetics really come to the fore with this modern yet minimalist design. making it stand out visually against its competitors. The system features a simple touch screen display along with two Wifi Mesh points to maximize coverage. Amplifi HD offers coverage of up to 10,000 square feet, featuring 802.11AC technology for faster connection speeds.
| Specs | Details |
|---|---|
| Coverage: | Up to 10,000 square feet |
| Connectivity: | 1 x Gigabit WAN, 4 x Gigabit LAN |
| Speed: | 802.11AC 1300mbps |
5. Linksys AC2200 Tri-Band Wireless Router
This is our selected traditional wifi router in our discussion on the best Wifi Router for Google home. For more moderately sized homes, the Linksys AC2200 wireless router is a great option smart homes. Offering up to 2,000 square feet in network coverage, it also accommodates more than 20 wireless devices for connectivity. You can reach speeds of up to 2.2Gbps with this gadget. The device is perhaps better suited your more budget oriented smart homes, without much intricacy in terms of the number of devices you’re going to be using. You may consider adding an extender for dead zones in the home for this option. Check out the Linksys AC2200 here on Amazon.
| Specs | Details |
|---|---|
| Coverage: | Up to 2,000 square feet |
| Connectivity: | 4 x Gigabit Ethernet ports, Ultra-fast USB 3.0 port |
| Speed: | 2.2 Gbps (5 GHz / 400 Mbps) + (5 GHz / 867 Mbps) + (2.4 GHz / 867 Mbps) |
These are our top choices for the Best Wifi Router for Google Home. As you’ve probably observed, we have more Mesh Wifi options than traditional Wifi routers. It is typically more advisable when developing a smart home in general, to opt for a mesh system as these offer greater coverage, more speed and also accommodate more devices.