Best Tri-Band Routers 2021 | Top 3 Review, Buying Guide & FAQ

If you’re a streamer, gamer, and using multiple devices at the same time, you need the best tri-band router. 

In 2021, we can’t rely on a dual-band router, am I right? It is okay to have a dual-band router who is a normal user. But you and I are not normal. We need the best tri-band router at any cost as we do lots of gaming, streaming, and live video chat at the same time. 

So we can’t avoid the fact that a budget or cheap router can’t handle heavy-duty tasks as I mentioned above. 

Related: Best cheap/budget routers in 2021

Therefore, in this article, you’ll see top tri-band routers, a buying guide, FAQ, and in-depth reviews. 

The list of three best tri-band routers in 2021

1. Netgear Nighthawk x6s AC4000 – Best Overall

Key Highlights: 

1. 802.11ac wireless standard
2. Wireless coverage of up to 3,500 sq. Ft.
3. Tri-band up to 4Gbps (750Mbps + 1625Mbps + 1625Mbps)
4. Dual-core 1.8GHz processor
5. MU-MIMO & Beamforming

Overview:

The Netgear Nighthawk X6s AC4000 is one of the best tri-band routers. It provides wireless coverage of up to 3,500 square feet. The maximum combined WiFi speeds up to 4Gbps, where it delivers 2x1625Mbps on the 5GHz bands and 750Mbps on the 2.4GHz band. 

It is equipped with a dual-core 1.8GHz processor responsible for handling numerous devices simultaneously up to 55. Moreover, while playing games, video streaming, surfing, and other heavy-duty tasks, it will ensure a reliable, stable, and lag-free internet. 

When it comes to gigabit wired connectivity, you get four Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports. These ports come in handy while making multiple wired connections, such as gaming consoles, computers, and other ethernet-enabled wired devices. 

Pros & Cons: 

What I like:

1. The advanced QoS feature is easy to set up. 
2. It is super easy to set up using its Nighthawk app. 
3. Overall performance over multiple devices is excellent, no lag at all. 
4. MU-MIMO, Beamforming, smart parental controls, Netgear Armor protection, and Nighthawk app. 
5. Design and build quality is pretty solid. It also works with Alexa and Google Assistant. 

I don’t like:

1. Not all the features can be configured through its app. 

Summary: 

I recommend this router for those who love doing streaming and gaming to multiple devices at the same time in their home. You can enjoy the fastest WiFi speed without lag and buffering while playing with excellent wireless coverage throughout your home. 

2. Linksys AC2200 (EA8300) – Best Tri-band for streaming

Key Highlights:

1. Quad-core processor
2. Wireless 802.11ac standard
3. WiFi speeds up to 2.2Gbps
4. LAN Link Aggregation
5. Linksys App

Overview:

The Linksys EA8300 AC2200 is one of the best budget-friendly tri-band routers on the market. It delivers the fastest maximum combined WiFi speeds of up to 2.2Gbps. Its 2.4GHz band tops out a maximum WiFi speed up to 400Mbps. While the other two bands promise up to 867Mbps each. 

The EA83200 offers some great features and technologies. It includes Link aggregation (It doubles the data transfer speed), DFS channel (to find the possible clearest WiFi airspace), MU-MIMO, advanced beamforming+, and advanced band steering. 

When it comes to hardware, it offers a wide range of physical ports and buttons, such as four Gigabit Ethernet Ports, USB 3.0 port (for sharing media files and adding external storage). 

On the inside, it boasts a powerful quad-core 716MHz CPU with three offload processors. The router can handle multiple devices without any interfering issues and ensures lag-free 4k gaming and streaming. 

Pros & Cons:

What I like:

1. Its easy setup and installtion using the website and the Linksys mobile app. 
2. The Link Aggregation feature for the fastest possible speed for wired-enabled devices. 
3. The Linksys app for Parental controls and management. 
4. A broad range of features— seamless roaming, DFS, speed check, band steering, Airtime Fairness, WiFi traffic optimizer, etc. 
5. Linksys SPI firewall and DOS protection.

I don’t like:

1. Single USB 3.0 port.

Summary:

It is an excellent router with pretty straight forward features. It can be an ideal tri-band router for home users yet under budget. You can expect smooth 4k streaming and gaming to the multiple devices. 

However, if you’re looking for heavy-duty tasks, I recommend buying the first router on my list —Netgear Nighthawk x6s AC4000. 

3. Netgear Nighthawk Orbi RBK50 – best Tri-band Mesh system

Key Highlights:

1. Wireless coverage up to 5,000 sq.ft
2. Maximum speeds up to 3Gbps
3. Wireless 802.11ac standard
4. Netgear Armor security
5. The Orbi App

Overview:

The Netgear Nighthawk Orbi (RBK50) is one of the best tri-band mesh systems on the market. As Netgear claims – no more dead zones. It is entirely true. The mesh system is a pack of two devices that includes one primary router and one satellite. Each unit can provide a fantastic wireless coverage up to 2,500 square feet. You can add more satellites (which you bu separately) to the main unit in order to extend the coverage. 

One of this unit’s main features is the tri-band backhaul—a dedicated band between the satellite and the router. Using this, it achieves the maximum possible speed by frees up the other bands. 

This whole-home mesh WiFi system is loaded with advanced technologies, such as MU-MIMO, Beamforming, smart connect, and security, including Guest WiFi access, VPN, Firewall, DoS, and Netgear Armor. 

Pros & Cons:

What I like:

1. Excellent WiFi performance and Ultra-fast speeds throughout the house.
2. Ony single SSID for the network. 
3. Setup is super easy and quick via its Netgear Orbi app. 
4. Its Netgear Orbi app is handy and allows you to manage the whole network with primary features – speed test, security, and parental controls. 
5. Six High-performance internal antennas with high-gain amplifiers. 

I don’t like:

1. Expensive. Though, it is worth every penny. 

Summary: 

It is a last and powerful option for the best tri-band router on my list. You can’t get better than this. In terms of technologies and features, it is unbeatable. 

It offers excellent speeds, tri-band backhaul, easy setup, fantastic app, excellent web interface, outstanding wireless coverage. Go for it if you’re living in a giant house with many dead zones. 

Buying guide: How to choose the best Tri-band router for your needs?

Choosing a tri-band router is a little bit tricky and more confusing than a dual-band router. However, after reading this guide, it will become straightforward for you. Let’s how you can pick the perfect tri-band router. 

Note: I am not going to tell you about the common buying factors, such as wireless standards, physical ports, external antennas, security, installation, safety, warranty, and price. These are very common features, and almost all modern routers offer them. Therefore, here I will include only essential ones. 

Coverage:

The first thing you have to figure out is the layout of your home as it directly affects speeds or the router’s overall performance. Before shopping for a tri-band router, it is essential to assess the size of the house you’re living in. 

Note: Your building’s material, router’s position or location, plaster, hollow doors, and many others can interfere with your router’s performance. 

Speed:

The overall speed of your router is another crucial factor to consider before buying any router. You can’t avoid the fact that during the coronavirus, everyone is suffering from slow internet speeds. It is all happening because more people have started doing their work from home. 

So, it is important to assess the number of devices that will use the same network. Then, look for the router that can handle multiple devices without compromising the speed. 

Quality of Service (QoS):

If you’re looking for a tri-band router, chances are, you’re the type who have lots of devices in your home to connect. In other words, you might be a heavy internet user. If yes, then the QoS feature on your router is very crucial for you. It is also called media prioritization. With the help of QoS, you can improve the router’s performance. 

Make sure your router provides the dynamic QoS feature, not basic QoS settings, in order to control traffic.  

FAQ: Most Common Questions Asked About Tri-Band routers.

1. What is a Tri-band router?

Ans. As it implies, a tri-band router offers three wireless bands in order to handle more devices on a network. In other words, a tri-band router provides one 2.4GHz band and two 5GHz bands. 

It’s like three routers in one. A tri-band router divides the clients as per their usages; therefore, it can handle multiple wireless devices at the same time without compromising the speeds. 

Related: Best routers for multiple devices

2. Should I buy a Dual-band router or Tri-band router? 

Ans. It depends. However, I always recommend the dual-band router when someone is living in a small to medium-sized home. 

On the other hand, if you want a router for your office, a large area, or a public place (when there are many devices on a network), I recommend the tri-band router. 

3. What are the advantages of a Tri-band router? 

Ans. The main advantage of having a tri-band router is that it allows you to connect more devices than any single-band or dual-band router. It is very easy to understand that when the first —the 2.4GHz band, and second — the 2.5GHz band, are being used very heavily, the third-band will be used for the other devices. It means no network congestion. 

4. Disadvantages of a Tri-band router? 

Ans. A tri-band router requires devices that support the 5GHz band. Compared to the dual-band router, the tri-band routers are expensive and useless if used in a small home. 

Conclusion: How to pick the perfect tri-band router?

It’s time to wrap this article up. I tried to include everything (Three best tri-band routers, buying guide, and the FAQ section) related to tri-band routers.  

Now you can easily decide which tri-band router will fit your needs. I can understand that tri-band routers are expensive compared to dual-band routers. But they are worth every penny because of the features they offer. 

If you still have any doubts about tri-band routers, let me know in the comment section below. I’d love to reply to your questions.