Do you live in a 2 story house and often find yourself complaining that your router’s signals do not penetrate through the floors? One of the most common complaints that I get from my readers is that while their routers work great on the floor they are kept in, the floors below or above them just don’t get the right amount of signals or the speed.
When it comes to multistory buildings, choosing the right router can make a world of a difference! Not only can your signal strength be boosted, but you will also get faster speeds across all floors when you get the right device.
The basic router that you get with your ISP’s internet package is never good enough to provide you with appropriate levels of connectivity across multiple floors. Instead of paying them a fixed monthly rental, you should consider getting a compatible router that’ll suit your needs.
To make this easier for you, I reviewed around 17 highly-rated routers and after testing them over a period 11 weeks, I’ve made up this list of 6 best devices that will help you get better connectivity across both your floors.
6 Best Routers For 2 Story House in 2021
When it comes to getting a good router for a 2-story home, coverage is the key. The routers that I’ve mentioned below are all top-notch devices with the major difference being the coverage. Those on the top offer maximum coverage which reduces as you move downwards.
1. Best Overall: Asus RT-AX3000
- Top Speeds: 2402mbps + 575mbps
- Ports: 4 x 1 Gig LAN ports + 1 Gig WAN Port + 1 USB 3.0 Port
- Bands: Dual-band
- Range: Up to 3000 sq. ft.
- RAM: 512 MB
- Storage: 256 MB
The Asus RT-AX3000 is just the right option for anyone who doesn’t want to go for a multi-device mesh setup but wants to use a single unit to provide WiFi signals to their two-story home.
Speed, Performance & Coverage
This model offers a total connectivity speed of about 3000 Mbps. It features a dual-band system providing speeds up to 2402mbps on the 5GHz band and upto 575mbps on the 2.4 GHz band. The coverage is pretty impressive too.
The router claims to offer 3000 sq. ft. of coverage, but upon usage, you will realize it goes quite a bit beyond that as well. While using it, I was able to get coverage at 3250 sq ft, but I could also get low key signal on the 3rd floor of my place.
Antennas & Ports
The router is well-angled and features quite an impressive design. There are four antennae, all located on the back. The ASUS RT-AX 3000 is a smart-looking device for smart home and can support over 30 devices simultaneously. There are four LAN ports and 1 WAN port, as well as a USB 3.0 port located on the back.
Security Features & Mobile App
Asus has also made sure that your connection remains safe and secure with the help of their AiProtect Pro technology in association with Trend Micro. You get regular security and software updates here which keep you protected. The mobile app is also quite simple to use and helps you install the router in just a few taps.
Final Thoughts
Besides being one of the best routers for 2 story houses, this is also a great router for anyone who is into gaming and twitch video streaming. The network strength is really impressive and you can perform both these tasks simultaneously on different floors. In conclusion, a great option for anyone looking to get the most out of their internet connection.
- Supports USB 3.0 connections
- Regular security updates
- Great for gaming and streaming
- Easy to set up using the app
- Users report random drops in connectivity
2. Best Tri-Band Option: TP-Link AC4000 Archer A20
- Top Speeds: 1625mbps + 1625mbps + 750mbps
- Ports: 4 x 1 Gig LAN ports + 1 Gig WAN Port + 1 USB 2.0 Port + 1 USB 3.0 Port
- Bands: Tri Band
- Range: Up to 3500 sq. ft.
- RAM: 512MB
- Storage: NA
Next on my list but perhaps the most powerful of all the devices. The TP-Link AC4000 Archer A20 is quite a beast and can cover every inch of your crowded two-story house, providing high-speed connectivity all over. It is great for any purpose that you can think of and performs data-intensive tasks really well.
Speed, Performance, & Coverage
What straight-up separates it from all the other routers on my list is that this router features a tri-band network. There are two bands of 5GHz and one band of 2.5GHz. You get total connectivity of about 4000 Mbps, with each of the 5GHz bands supporting connectivity of 1625mbps, and the 2.4GHz band supporting upto 750mbps of speed.
The tri-band connectivity covers up to 3500 sq. ft. which is an ideal coverage for a two story house. Upon usage you are bound to find out that, at times, this goes well beyond the promised range too.
Antennas & Ports
The TP-Link AC4000 comes with 4 LAN ports on the back, along with 1 WAN port and two USB ports (1x USB 2.0 and 1x USB 3.0). In addition to these ports, there are six antennas placed on the sides, each of which helps provide a significant boost to the network.
Installation and Security Features
You can set up, manage and control the WiFi using the Tether application, which is available on Android as well as iOS devices. The app allows you to set up parental controls and manage connected devices. Besides, you can also control the router using voice commands via Amazon Alexa. This router also allows you to create and set up a VPN server at home.
Other Features
The router makes use of the MU-MIMO technology and ensures that devices are prioritized based on their data consumption. In addition to that, it is also very secure to use as you get a free lifetime subscription to TP-Link HomeCare, which ensures that the network remains secure from any threats. You also get a 2-year warranty and 24/7 customer support.
Final Thoughts
Summing it up, this is a router for power-users and for professionals who want to get the most out of their network connectivity. This is a feature-rich and future-proof device that will last you for years!
- Supports voice control via Alexa
- Free subscription to TP-Link Home Care
- 2-year warranty period
- 2 USB ports
- The web UI is a little buggy
3. Best Security: ASUS ZenWiFi Mini XD4 (B-3-PK)
- Top Speeds: 1800mbps
- Ports: 1 Gig RJ45 for LAN/WAN + 1 Gig LAN
- Bands: Dual-Band
- Range: Up to 4800 sq. ft.
- RAM: 256MB
- Storage: 256MB
Making use of the latest WiFi 6 standards and an incredible mesh network, the ASUS ZenWiFi Mini ensures that your internet connectivity reaches every corner of your home. Using this router is a great way to boost connectivity, particularly if you are living in a large 2 story house.
Speeds & Performance
A total speed of 1800 Mbps is one of the first things that you notice when you begin to use this dual-band router. While Asus has not specified which channel gets how much speed, both, the 2.4GHz and the 5GHz channels provide you with very fast internet speeds. There’s a tri-band variant available on Amazon as well.
Coverage
Given that this is a router that is best suited for a 2 story home, one of the first things that you are bound to ask for is the coverage. This router covers some 4800 sq. ft. of the area and can cover up to 5 rooms, making it suitable for crowded apartments as well. This is a three-piece unit. Options of getting one and two pieces are also available based on your needs.
Antennas & Ports
There’s a 1 Gig RJ45 LAN/WAN port on the routers, along with a 1 Gig LAN port. Something that really baffles us about this is that you don’t get USB connectivity here, which is a must in today’s times. Another baffling thing about this router is that you get only 2 ports per unit.
Installation and Security
This WiFi 6 Mesh Setup can be controlled using the mobile application, which is a huge plus. The application helps you set up, install and control the devices in just about three steps! There are a number of parental control options also available, which ensure your children remain safe while browsing the web.
Major advantage of using this router is that you get free lifetime security updates and support from Trend Micro. This ensures your privacy is never at a risk.
Final Thoughts
Summing it up, the ASUS ZenWiFi Mini covers every inch of your home with fast and powerful connectivity and when it comes to covering large two story homes, this is certainly one of the best options out there.
- Covers up to 4800 sq. ft.
- Easy to set up
- Free lifetime security updates
- Good parental controls
- No USB ports
- Lack of clarity on the speed distribution
4. Best For Smart Homes: Google 3-Pack WiFi 5 Mesh System
- Upload/Download Speeds: 1200mbps
- Ports: 1 Gig LAN + 1 Gig WAN per unit
- Bands: Single Band
- Range: Up to 4500 sq. ft.
- RAM: 512MB
- Storage: 4GB
Google is one of the most trusted names when it comes to all things internet, and even when it comes to providing proper WiFi access all over your home, the Google NLS-1304-25 system stands out. This is of particularly good use when it comes to managing IoT devices along with your regular WiFi usage.
Speeds & Performance
This Google WiFi system provides you with speeds up to 1200 Mbps, which is pretty great. This is a single-band WiFi system, which is a small drawback but would work well for most of your needs, especially if your primary agenda is to get good connectivity across 2 stories.
Coverage
Let us get to the coverage front now. With an impressive coverage of 1500 sq. ft. per unit, this mesh system will make sure both your floors get great connectivity. Since this is a three-pack set, you get a total of 4500 sq. ft. of coverage. If you need to expand this, you could get hold of a single unit and add another 1500 sq. ft. to your network.
Design
This WiFi network totally takes the cake when it comes to design. With a minimal and round design, with a ring-shaped depression separating every unit into two, the router looks straight out of a Kubrick movie and is bound to fit well with the interiors of your home.
Ports
The number of ports on Mesh WiFi devices are almost always lesser when compared to regular WiFi routers. Same is the case with the Google WiFi too, as you get only 1 LAN and 1 WAN port per unit. No USB ports on this system.
Security
The Google WiFi app allows you great control over your network. Setting up your WiFi units is also fairly simple. Being a Google product, another good thing here is that you can completely control the router using just voice commands with the Google Assistant. It makes use of the ‘Network Assist’ technology to prioritize devices based on their network usage.
Final Thoughts
Summing it up, trust Google to provide you with great coverage, security and app control when it comes to managing a fast WiFi network over a 2 story house. If this is what you are looking for, the Google WiFi is indeed one of the best routers for you out there for ISP Plans from Spectrum, Cox, etc.
- Can be controlled with voice using Google Assistant
- Very sleek, modern design
- Large 4500 sq. ft. coverage
- Great for IOT devices
- Single-band network
- No USB ports
5. Best For Media Steaming: Motorola MR2600
- Top Speeds: 1733mbps + 800mbps
- Ports: 4 x 1 Gig LAN ports + 1 Gig WAN Port + 1 USB 3.0 Port
- Bands: Dual Band
- Range: Up to 3500 sq. ft.
- RAM: 256MB
- Storage: 512MB
While Motorola is known for a lot of other products today, something that the company got really popular for back in the early 2000s was their wireless communications division. The Motorola MR2600 router is a continuation of this legacy. This is a power-packed wireless device that can cover two stories with ease and provides fast connectivity on both floors.
Speeds & Performance
This router, as the name suggests, provides internet speeds of 2.6 Gbps, with two wireless bands providing speeds of 1733mbps at 5GHz and 800mbps at 2.4GHz. The router makes use of the 802.11ac Wave 2 MU-MIMO technology, which ensures faster communication between all your connected devices and the router.
Coverage and Connectivity
This sub-$100 wireless router can cover an area of up to 3500 sq. ft. which makes it an ideal router for two story homes. Another thing that really makes it a great router for a home is the DLNA support. It allows your router to turn into a media server when you plug a pen drive/hard drive into it and you can access this shared media from any device across your home.
Ports
There are four LAN ports on the back along with one WAN port. There’s only one USB port, and thankfully it is the USB 3.0 port. The port isn’t placed on the back, but on the front, which is actually a good design choice, as plugging the drive there is more convenient than doing it if the port were placed on the back side.
Design
Talking of design, Motorola has aced it in terms of how the router looks like. A slightly curved top, along with four antennas (two on the back and two on the sides) give it a very sleek look. Diamond shaped patterns with a line going through them cover the top, making it quite a visually aesthetic device.
Final Thoughts
To sum it up, not only is this one of the best routers for a 2 story house, but it is also a media lover’s delight. You can easily stream movies on firestick using this across both the floors, and you can also use this to stream stored media across devices!
- USB Port located in the front
- Good-looking curved and minimal design
- DLNA support allows you to share media using USB
- 2-year warranty period
- Only one USB Port
- iOS app has glitches
6. Cheapest Option: TP-Link AX1800
- Top Speeds: 1200mbps + 574mbps
- Ports: 4 x 1 Gig LAN ports + 1 Gig WAN Port + 1 USB 2.0 Port
- Bands: Dual Band
- Range: Up to 3500 sq. ft.
- RAM: NA
- Storage: NA
If you are looking forward to buying a great router that can provide multi-floor connectivity to your two story home, but doesn’t cost too much, you have reached the right place. The TP-Link AX1800 is the most value-for-money product that can help you get optimal connectivity and speed without spending too much.
Speed, Performance & Coverage
With a total connectivity speed of up to 1.8gbps, the router supports a dual-band network where the 2.4GHz band gets about 574mbps of speed and the faster, 5GHz network gets about 1200mbps. Together, the two networks help you cover a total area of about 3500 sq. ft. which is an ideal coverage for a home with multiple floors.
Ports
There are 4 LAN ports on the back along with 1 WAN port located on the back of the router. Besides this, the router also features a USB 2.0 port. It would have been better if TP-Link had included a USB 3.0 port. However, at the price point a USB 2.0 port is also acceptable.
Design
There’s nothing that really stands out about the design of the router. It is just another generic looking router, with a ribbed linear pattern on the top. There are four antennae on the back which help give the connection quite a boost.
Features
The TP-Link AX1800 makes use of the OFDMA technology and the latest WiFi 6 standards, you can use this router to connect over 40 devices including Apple ones for your smart home. This model makes use of a 1. 5 GHz quad-core CPU to ensure that the connectivity between your router and all the connected devices remains smooth.
Installation and App Support
While the mobile app isn’t as good as we’ve seen in some other routers, one good thing about this TP-Link router is that it can be controlled by voice with the help of Amazon Alexa.
Final Thoughts
Summing up, the router is great for getting all your internet-related tasks done across both your floors. Be it simple mailing and doom-scrolling, or be it streaming 4K videos, this router does it all for you without being a burden on your wallet.
- Doesn’t cost too much
- Great for smart homes and IOT devices
- Amazon Alexa voice support
- Powerful CPU
- No USB 3.0 port
- Very ordinary design
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about routers for 2 story houses:
The answer depends upon how big your house is. However, for an average 2 story home any router that covers between 3000 to 4000 sq. ft. should do. If you have a larger house, you might want to go for a router that covers even more space.
Keeping the router on the ceiling of the lower floor or on the floor of the upper floor would be the best possible way to ensure maximum connectivity in a 2 story house. Alternatively, you could also have it connected on the staircase that connects the first and the second floor. However, a more centre-focused placement is ideal.
When it comes to providing coverage across a two story house, a mesh system usually does a better job as they tend to create 1500 sq. ft. coverage zones wherever they are placed. You can add another mesh unit to increase the coverage where you feel it is weakening up. However, traditional routers aren’t all that bad either if you place them the right way.
While the routers vary between under $100 to over $250, you will need to shell out anywhere between $150-$250 for the best of the lot. However, cost isn’t really a metric of how good they are and you need to check out other features such as coverage, connectivity speeds, ports, etc. to determine if the router suits your needs.
The Verdict
Summing up, here are three of the best routers for 2 story houses, based on some specific needs:
- If you are into gaming or high-quality streaming, you must get the ASUS RT-AX3000 router for the best performance across both floors.
- The Google WiFi 5 Mesh System is the best option for those looking for a mesh system for their two story home.
- If you wish to get a cost-effective router which can cover two floors, TP Link AX 1800 is the best such option for you.
I hope that this list has helped you find just the right router for your 2 story house. If you still have confusions, please comment below or get in touch with me.
