8 Best Routers For 3000 Sq Ft House in 2021 [Extended Coverage]

Did you recently move away from the city to a suburb for the comfort of a large house? Or you are setting up a work area in your backyard or have moved to a multi-storeyed house in either case, you would need a wireless router that offers seamless connectivity (irrespective of your location at your home) in your 3000 sqft house.

If you are wondering whether to go for a mesh router or a router with comprehensive coverage. You also might have concerns about manually switching between nodes and networks, when you are roaming inside the house? Getting overwhelming already?

You can start doing research, reading router buying guides, comparing different routers or you can read this article. It answers your questions by adding clarity on how to choose the right router for your house based on your requirements. It also has a list of 8 best options after hours of testing. Besides, the guide also highlights features like Beamforming, OFDMA which delivers stable signals to every device in your home.

Best Routers for 3000 Sq Ft House in 2021

I analyzed over 35 routers, meeting the specific criteria imperative to a router covering large houses. High-powered antennas with beamforming, OFDMA, backed by powerful hardware are essential features I looked for in the premium routers in the market.

The mid-range products were picked for their balance in features like beamforming, coverage, and a RAM that supports simultaneous connections. I narrowed down the budget routers based on the balance between the utility and the features, with an emphasis on the coverage and price factor.

1. Best Overall: TP-Link Archer AX6000

At the behest of powerful hardware, TP-Link AX6000 gets the power and wide range to cover the 3000 sq ft homes. It supports the latest WiFi standards (WiFi 6), and a copious amount of wired connectivity makes this the perfect router for households with simultaneous TV streaming and gaming at the same time.

Performance and Speeds

With a total speed of 6000mbps, the support for 160Mhz channels lets you achieve a maximum speed of 1148mbps and 4804mbps on 2.4GHz & 5GHz frequencies. It gives high-speed internet connectivity for VR activities and 4K streaming across a large area of 3000 sq ft.

Design and Configuration

Weighing 3.50lbs, the Archer matches its heavyweight performance in its weight too. An octagonal base with black stripes for ventilation and a beveled cross on top of it gives it an attractive outlook. It houses a powerful 1.8GHz quad-core processor, 1GB RAM, and 128MB of flash storage.

Antennas and Ports

The 8 external antennas are bolstered by advanced technologies like OFDMA and Beamforming to ensure extended coverage. AX6000 throws in a 2.5Gbps WAN port, eight LAN ports with support to link aggregation, and two USB ports that keep all the high-priority devices and hard drives connected to the router.

Installation and App-Support

Sporting one of modern designs is the tether mobile app and web GUI. Choose your mode and install the router with ease. If you are tech-savvy and like to experiment with settings, the web interface wouldn’t disappoint you. Features like SmartConnect and QoS ensure the devices get the fastest speed available.

Security Features

If you are concerned about your kid’s internet consumption, the interface allows you to filter content with preset age-appropriate filters, keywords, and URLs. The real-time updated antivirus database of TrendMicro and the WPA 2 encryption offers the requisite security from unauthorized usage and cyber threats.

Is this Router for you?

If you are in a large household spanning 3000 sq ft and a diverse crowd of working professionals, kids, and teens, the TP-Link AX6000 offers the best tool to manage your network. Complement your router with Gigabit plans for Google-Fiber or Verizon FiOS plans and get ultra-fast internet at every corner of your home.

2. Best from Netgear: NETGEAR Nighthawk X6

A tri-band router that gives all the smart gadgets in your large home, the privilege of high-speed internet without breaking a sweat. On the back of a powerful processor and a multitude of features, the Netgear Nighthawk X6 R8000 router gives complete control over your home network.

Performance and Speeds

The Netgear Nighthawk X6 has an aggregate capacity of 3200mbps and can support top speeds up to 600mbps on 2.4GHz, 1300mbps on its dual 5GHz frequency. It can support over 50 devices spread across 3500 sq ft.

Design and Configuration

At approximately 2.4lbs, the router has a wide yet sleek mesh-like body with slots to hold the antennas. The 1GHz dual-core processor is aided by three offload processors to keep up the demands of gaming and high-quality Twitch streaming. The 256MB RAM and 128MB storage decide the limits of data-intense activities.

Antennas and Ports

Equipped with implicit and explicit Beamforming, the 6 tri-band antennas act as stable carriers of signals. Keep your priority devices connected with 4 LAN and 1 WAN ports. The USB 3.0 & USB 2.0 port makes sharing printers and storage devices easy for office-based setups.

Installation and App-Support

Nighthawk application takes you through a set of pre-designed steps to complete the initial setup. The intelligent QoS observes the user patterns and prioritizes the bandwidth for the primary gadgets.

Security Features

With Circle smart, you can control the access and screen time for devices. Maintain schedules, filter websites for every device in your network. The support to VPN, Guest access, and the security of Netgear Armor gives the home network privacy and security from cyber threats.

Is this Router for you?

If you require an extended range wireless router for a large home with multiple Smart TVs streaming HD content, the Nighthawk X6 offers the best combination of features and power. The high gigabit plans from Google Fiber, Verizon FiOS offer the best ecosystem to keep you entertained at home.

3. Longest Range Router: ASUS ZenWiFi AX Mini

Get extensive coverage of a three-pack mesh system with WiFi 6 support and security of WPA3 encryption. Connect your gaming console, smart TV to your Asus nodes, and get the best out of your internet connection using the ZenWiFi Mini.

Performance and Speeds

An aggregate speed of 1800mbps with a top speed of 574mbps in 2.4GHz & 1201mbps on 5GHz gives access to the fast internet to the limited number of devices in your household. The three-pack WiFi system can cover a large surface area measuring up to 4800 sq ft.

Design and Configuration

The matte-black rectangular Asus units with groovy edges weigh close to 0.65 lbs each. The mesh system derives its power from a quad-core processor clocking at 1.5GHz and 256MB combination of operating and storage memory. It gives sufficient capacity for simultaneous streaming of 4K content and online gaming.

Antennas and Ports

The mesh WiFi system has only 2 internal antennas. Asus mini WiFi system has limited to offer on wired connectivity. It comes with one Gigabit WAN port and one Gigabit LAN port per unit, which should be sufficient for the primary gadgets at home.

Installation and App-Support

With a choice of dual-mode (wired/wireless) for installation, the initial setup gets simplified. Asus provides the best combination of a simple interface with the mobile application and a comprehensive web interface to manage your home network.

Security Features

AiProtection gives a single window control over all the customizations. Parents can control the internet access of their kids, schedule the access to devices, assign bandwidth and priority, and protect their home network from unauthorized access, and the threat of malicious viruses.

Just so you know, this is one of the best WiFi 6 mesh systems available.

Is this Router for you?

If you are looking for a mesh router for multiple floors, given the scalability of devices is limited, ZenWiFi will be perfect for you. It offers extensive coverage with the support of future proof speeds. A 500mbps connection from ISP like Verizon, google-fiber, and Xfinity is likelier to keep your home connected with fast internet.

4. Best Tri-Band Router: Linksys MR9000

The power of a quad-core processor and adequate operating memory, give this tri-band router the sufficient power to handle a household filled with gaming aficionados, and working professionals looking to entertain themselves with some High-definition content.

Performance and Speeds

The Linksys MR9000 has a combined capacity of 3000mbps with individual top speeds of up to 400mbps on 2.5GHz, 867mbps, and 1733mbps on 5GHz. It can work as a standalone router or a part of mesh systems, the router alone covering an area of 3000 sq ft and supporting up to 25 devices.

Design and Configuration

At 1.3 lbs, the lightweight router comes in a perforated black body. The chassis holds a quad-core processor, a 512MB operating memory, and a 256MB of storage memory that gives the capacity to handle gaming sessions on Xbox One, streaming 4K videos across multiple devices.

Antennas and Ports

Linksys has 4 external antennas geared with Beamforming and MU-MIMO to ensure stable signals across a large surface area. With four Gig LAN ports, one Gig WAN port, and a USB 3.0 port, you can connect shared hard drives, wire your gaming console and desktops.

Installation and App-Support

Create a Linksys account and set up the router within a few minutes using the simple mobile application. Monitor the internet speed of priority devices at the dashboard. If you have kids at home, use parental controls to block websites, set an internet schedule, and enable/disable internet for devices.

Security Features

With the guest network, WPA2 encryption, and MAC filtering, you protect the network from unauthorized access. Port forwarding and triggering enables the router to establish efficient communication to streaming and gaming servers.

Is this Router for you?

If you are looking for a tri-band router that can support multiple devices undertaking data-intense activities, MR9000 brings matching features to the table. Complement it with a high-speed 500mbps connection from google fiber or Xfinity and give yourself the best chance to keep yourself entertained.

5. Best With AiMesh Node: ASUS RP-AC1900

Setup this wireless extender directly to an Ethernet connection or couple it with a router as a part of your AiMesh system. The equipment can cover up to 3000 sq ft and improve the signal strength across your home to support gaming, 4K streaming in multiple devices.

Performance and Speeds

The Asus RP-AC1900 offers a total of 1900mbps with the capacity to reach maximum speeds of 600mbps on 2.4GHz & 1300mbps on 5GHz. Asus doesn’t reveal RAM and memory capabilities, however, I assume it is at par with the current market standards

Design and Configuration

It can cover large areas of up to 3000 sq ft and support multiple devices simultaneously. At 1.76lbs, this lightweight range extender tapers into a rectangular black tower with a narrow base.

Antennas and Ports

The 3 external antennas support MU-MIMO to deliver strong signals across a large household. One Gigabit WAN port, four Gigabit LAN ports, and the support for wired backhaul ensure you get the highest wireless bandwidth and stable wired connections to your priority devices.

Installation and App-Support

The Extender Application keeps the installations simple. The Access Point mode gives you stable connectivity and bandwidth for other wireless devices. The WiFi extender is easy to set up as AiMesh or can be configured easily with any other router or modems.

Security Features

When connected to an AiMesh router, the range extender gets access to a plethora of features like AiProtection, Adaptive QoS, and parental controls to limit the internet access time control.

Is this Router for you?

If you are looking for a range extender to act as an access point and open for a future upgrade into the Mesh system, Asus RP-AC1900 fits the bill perfectly. Start with the entry-level plans of google-fiber and FiOS to complement the speeds of the extender.

6. Best Under Budget: ASUS RT-ACRH17

You get the comfort of the Asus mobile application, and the Web GUI bundled together with the best collection of features, powered by a quad-core processor. It makes it the best budget router for a 3000 sq ft home.

Performance and Speeds

A combined speed of 1700mbps, the ASUS RT-ACRH17 splits it into top speeds of 400mbps on 2.4GHz, and 1300mbps on 5GHz. The router is a steal for households measuring 3000 sq ft and over 30 devices.

Design and Configuration

At 1.1 pounds, the router is lightweight and comes in an uninspiring chequered design. A quad-core processor, an operating memory of 256MB, and a flash memory of 128MB are adequate to push through the demands of a medium-large household with simultaneous streaming and gaming.

Antennas and Ports

The 4 huge antennas get the power of MU-MIMO and AiRadar beamforming to deliver stable signals across a large area. Asus finds room for 4 Gigabit LAN ports, 1 Gig WAN port, and one USB 3.0 port.

Installation and App-Support

Asus router app and the web interface offer distinct capabilities. The setup hardly takes a few minutes with the mobile application guided by the set of pre-designed steps. The web GUI gives comprehensive control over the customization of the router.

Security Features

The application gives the comfort of parental controls for a household with kids. Create user profiles and set time limits for internet access. Monitor traffic and set user-defined bandwidth allocation and QoS priority for devices. Users can set up a keyword, URL-based, and Network service-based filters to protect their network.

Is this Router for you?

A budget-friendly solution to cover your large homes. Despite the price, the Asus router can handle loads of gaming and HD-streaming and can get the best out of the entry-level to mid-range plans of Google-Fiber for people living in the major cities.

7. Best for Ease of Use: TP-Link Deco Mesh System

Create a stable home network for the limited devices spread across your large home measuring over 3000 sq ft with the reliability and dual-band WiFi of the TP-Link Deco M5. Easy setup and app-based remote management make it a steal at this price.

Performance and Speeds

An aggregated speed of 1300mbps and an individual maximum speed of 400mbps on 2.4GHz and 867mbps on 5GHz give you sufficient bandwidth for the indispensable devices at home. The two-pack system can cover up to 3800 sq ft.

Design and Configuration

The circular white disc-like router would adorn any household with its simplistic design weighing close to 1lb. A quad-core processor clocking at 717MHz, an operating memory of 256MB, and flash memory of 32MB remain the core of the Deco M5 system.

Antennas and Ports

With 4 internal antennas using beamforming to improve signal strength towards the devices, the limited selection of two Gigabit Ethernet ports should be sufficient for the priority devices at your home.

Installation and App-Support

The assisted setup in the deco application helps you find the best position for the router and satellite nodes. Monitor the devices remotely, prioritize applications and devices with the easy interface of the deco app.

Security Features

With Deco, you get to create profiles for every family member, filter content with preset levels, set up daily time limits for devices, enable/disable the internet. The built-in antivirus protects the home network and its devices from malicious content, intrusion, and infected devices.

Is this Router for you?

If you are looking for a budget mesh WiFi system to go with your 150/500mbps internet subscription from AT&T, Xfinity, and cover your entire home, the TP-Link Deco finds the right balance between the price and features.

8. Best for 2 Story House: Google Mesh System

The Google Mesh System is a testament to simplicity in design and management. If you are a homemaker trying to avoid the complications of managing the router, the Google Mesh WiFi plays right into your requirement. A perfect home network system for your automated home and smart gadgets.

Performance and Speeds

The google mesh system isn’t the fastest device on the market. But it comes with an aggregated speed of 1200mbps, with maximum speeds of 300mbps on 2.4GHz and 867mbps on 5GHz. Total coverage of 4500 sq ft keeps all your devices connected in your large home.

Design and Configuration

The cylindrical white tower weighs 0.750 lbs each. The minimalistic design finds room for a Quad-core ARM processor, a flash memory of 4GB, and a RAM of 512MB, that lets you connect over 100 devices (including home automated devices) and offer stable internet connectivity, making. it suitable for crowded apartments.

Antennas and Ports

Google doesn’t let the absence of external antennas deter its coverage. Each node in the three-pack system has one gigabit Ethernet and one gigabit WAN port. Use it to backhaul your WiFi system or connect your smart TV or gaming console. The lack of USB ports limits the possibility of sharing hard drives or printers.

Installation and App-Support

There is no complicated web interface to control your network. Setup and configure the mesh systems with the mobile application operated through a google account. Installing the router and the satellites take hardly a few minutes.

Security Features

Google lets you control your network by creating profiles/labels, schedule access and exposure for kids/teens through SafeSearch. The users can prioritize bandwidth usage for devices, switch off the internet and monitor their network at the comfort of a mobile application. It has the security of WPA3 encryption and TPM hardware.

Is this Router for you?

If you are looking for an uncomplicated software to manage your home network, the Google WiFi Mesh system gives the perfect balance of features with security and speed. Couple the mesh system with mid-range plans from Xfinity, AT&T, or Verizon FiOS, you get the perfect network for your smart gadgets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Verdict

The households come in different sizes and with multiple requirements in terms of devices and preferences over usage/activities. It affects the suitability of the product despite the basic requisite being a large coverage area of 3000 sq ft.

• TP-Link Archer AX6000 is the best wifi router for long range with powerful hardware and extended coverage to support gaming and other data-intensive activities.
• Google Mesh WiFi System offers the best value for money mesh system that is suitable for an automated home.
• If you are a household with a fixed number of devices spread across a large surface area and a backyard, the ASUS ZenWiFi System offers future-proof WiFi speeds and the right balance of features.
• Linksys MR9000 is a Tri-band with extended coverage that works well for households with multiple Smart TV and gaming consoles.