Top 6 Wi-Fi Routers for Airbnb and Vacation Rental Properties

A Wi-Fi router is a device that provides an internet connection to other devices such as laptops, smartphones, and smart home devices. It is essentially the central hub that allows guests to connect to the internet during their stay in your property.

Investing in a quality router is crucial for hosts as it can enhance the guest experience. A good Wi-Fi router ensures that guests have a fast and reliable internet connection throughout their stay, making it easier for them to stream videos, work, or stay in touch with friends and family. In contrast, a poor quality router can result in slow and unreliable internet connectivity, causing frustration and leaving a negative impression.

The best Airbnb routers include:

• NETGEAR Nighthawk X10 Smart Wi-Fi Router: Best Overall Airbnb Router
• TP-Link Archer A7 AC1750: Best Budget Router
• ASUS RT-AC66U B1 AC1750: Best for Durability
• Google Nest Wifi: Best Space Efficient Router
• Asus RT-AX88U AX6000: Best Long-Range Router
• ASUS RT-AC3100 Router: Best High-Tech Router

Boost your Airbnb's connectivity with a high-speed Wi-Fi router, and remember to protect your investment with the right insurance. Regular homeowner's policies may not cover commercial activities like hosting. Secure your property with a specialized Airbnb insurance plan. Click below to receive a free quote and safeguard your investment today!

How We Selected the Best Airbnb Router

In evaluating the best Wi-Fi routers for Airbnbs and vacation rentals, we considered the following criteria: host recommendations, online reviews, speed, range, connectivity options, and value for money.

We evaluated the Airbnb routers based on:

• Host Recommendations: First, we interviewed experienced Airbnb hosts to see which routers they’d recommend.
• Online Reviews: We also looked at reviews from expert sources and real-life users to gauge the real-world performance of each router.
• Speed: We searched for routers with a high maximum speed limit and the ability to accommodate multiple simultaneous connections.
• Range: We looked at each router's ability to provide strong and consistent signals over a large area.
• Connectivity Options: We considered the number and type of ports available for connecting different devices and accessories.
• Value for Money: We determined the cost of the routers compared to their features and performances.

According to our criteria the best router for Airbnb hosts is the NETGEAR Nighthawk X10 Smart WiFi Router because it has a high-speed limit and good connectivity, ensuring your guests will have adequate (or even great) internet connection throughout their vacation.

The best Airbnb routers are:

1. NETGEAR Nighthawk X10 Smart Wi-Fi Router: Best Rated Router

Despite being first seen in 2016, the NETGEAR Nighthawk X10 AD7200 is our pick for the best rated router thanks to its lightning-fast speeds and advanced features. With support for top-notch Wi-Fi standards (802.11ac), it provides speeds of up to 7.2 Gbps, making it one of the faster routers on the market. Get this from Amazon, or check out the NETGEAR website.

It comes with six Gigabit Ethernet ports and a powerful 1.7GHz quad-core processor, making it capable of handling multiple simultaneous connections with ease. The Nighthawk X10 is easy to set up and manage, even for those who are not tech-savvy. Its user-friendly interface and compatibility with a wide range of operating systems and devices make it an excellent choice for Airbnb hosts.

One downside of the Nighthawk X10 is that it is on the pricier side, making it a less budget-friendly option, especially considering it’s not the newest router out there. However, its advanced features and performance more than make up for its cost, making it a good investment for vacation rental hosts who prioritize providing a top-notch internet experience for their guests.

2. TP-Link Archer A7 AC1750: Best Budget Router

Providing reliable internet for guests doesn’t have to break the bank. If you’re on a budget, try the TP-Link Archer A7 AC1750. This 2018 router can be purchased on Amazon or on the TP-Link website.

Despite its low cost, this router delivers decent speeds and has a strong range, making it capable of covering a small to medium-sized vacation rental property. Like the option above, this is extremely easy to set up–perfect for Airbnb hosts that don’t have time to tinker with technology.

Unsurprisingly, the A7 AC1750 doesn't have the same advanced features and performance as more expensive routers. For example, it has a maximum speed of 1.75 Gbps and is equipped with a less powerful processor, which limits its ability to handle multiple simultaneous connections. However, it is still a solid choice for Airbnb and vacation rental hosts who are looking for a budget-friendly option that delivers good value for money.

3. ASUS RT-AC66U B1 AC1750: Best for Durability

The ideal choice for Airbnb and vacation rental hosts who need a router that can withstand the demands of frequent use is the ASUS RT-AC66U B1 AC1750. This router was first seen in 2016, and is available on Amazon. Alternatively, you can find it on the ASUS website.

This router is built with high-quality materials and features a robust design that can withstand the wear and tear of daily handling. It’s compatible with a range of devices, plus has a user-friendly interface, making it a hassle-free solution for managing the internet in a vacation rental property.

However, this isn’t the most high-tech option out there. Its max speed is 1.75 Gbps, though its coverage is quite large at 3000 square feet. Still, this affordable yet reliable router can withstand constant handling and even minor accidents. Its robust build, compatibility, and ease of use make it a superb choice for hosts who want a router that will last.

4. Google Nest Wifi: Best Space Efficient Router

Measuring just 4.33 x 4.33 x 3.56 inches, the Google Nest Wi-Fi is our top pick for a space-efficient router. This relatively new router first came out in 2019 and is available on Amazon and on the Google Store.

With its sleek look, this router is compact and stylish, making it a solid choice for hosts who want to maintain the aesthetic of their property while still providing guests with high-quality internet. It’s also relatively inexpensive and is a suitable solution for hosts on a budget.

Because the Google Nest Wi-Fi is designed to be a simple and user-friendly router, with a focus on ease of use and a compact design rather than advanced features, it means that it doesn’t have advanced technical features that other routers offer. For example, it has a maximum range of 2200 sq. ft., which may be limiting for larger properties.

Despite this, if you’re looking for a router that takes up minimal space while still providing fast and reliable internet, then the Google Nest Wi-Fi is the way to go.

5. Asus RT-AX88U AX6000: Best Long-Range Router

For larger properties, you would ideally want one router to cover all the areas. If this applies to you, then the Asus RT-AX88U AX6000 is our recommendation. Get this 2018 router on Amazon, or visit the ASUS website.

Supporting up to 6 Gbps, with advanced features such as parental controls, VPN support, and commercial-grade security, this techy-looking device is quite advanced–at least compared to some of the other options on our list. Aside from that, it has advanced antenna technology and high-speed data transfer rates, and can provide fast and reliable internet connections even in large properties with multiple rooms and floors.

What we dislike about it is its price. It’s definitely not cheap, and a host on a tight budget may balk at the price. However, for hosts who prioritize high-quality internet for their guests, the investment in this router is well worth it.

6. ASUS RT-AC3100 Router: Best High-Tech Router

For hosts who want a feature-rich solution for managing their home network, we have another ASUS pick: the ASUS RT-AC3100. This router offers a wide range of advanced features and high-performance capabilities to give users complete control over their home network. Get it now on Amazon or on the ASUS website.

This router can help you provide a safe and secure internet experience for your guests while they are staying in the rental property. It has advanced parental controls, allowing you to restrict certain websites, plus built-in VPN connectivity which allows users to securely access the internet and keep their online activities private. This is a great feature for hosts who want to ensure that their guests' sensitive information is protected while they are using the internet.

Its ultra-powerful 1.4 GHz dual-core processor improves speeds, though it only handles a maximum capacity of 3.17 Gbps. It has MU-MIMO technology, which allows the router to communicate with multiple devices resulting in more efficient internet speeds.

This might all sound complicated, but this device is easy to manage. The router also includes an easy-to-use network interface that allows you to quickly and easily set up, monitor, and manage your home network.

Its downside, like with other ASUS devices, is its price. Although it's almost 5 times the price of our budget pick, its advanced features, both for connectivity and security, make it a fantastic router that you should invest in.

Key Takeaway

Investing in a good WiFi router can make the difference between guests enjoying a relaxing stay and feeling like they are cut off from the world. For a router that provides fantastic connectivity, we highly recommend the NETGEAR Nighthawk X10. This is a top rated router that offers lightning fast internet speeds and advanced features that will keep your guests connected seamlessly.