Searching for a long-range router to cover your 3000 sq. ft. house? Have you recently moved away from the city to a suburb or are setting up a workplace in your backyard? In either case, you need a router that offers seamless connectivity throughout the 3000 Sq Ft house, and I will help you find just that.
If you are wondering whether to opt for mesh routers or routers with long 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, read our router buying guide, compare different routers, or you can simply read this article. It answers all your questions by adding clarity on choosing the right router for your house based on your specific home network requirements.
Not just that, it also has a list of the 7 highly recommended routers for 3000 Sq Ft households. Besides, the guide also highlights features like MU-MIMO, Beamforming, OFDMA, etc., which deliver stable signals to every device in your home.
7 Best Routers for 3000 Sq Ft House in 2022
I analyzed over 31 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, emphasizing the coverage and price factor.
1. Best Overall: TP-Link Archer AX6000
- Wireless Standard: WiFi 6 (802.11ax)
- Speeds: 1148 + 4804 Mbps
- Range: Up to 3000 Sq Ft
- Ports: 8 LAN + 1 WAN + 2 USB 3.0
- App Support: Yes
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 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 3.50 lbs, 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 supporting 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 Google Fiber or Verizon FiOS plans and get ultra-fast internet at every corner of your home.
- WiFi 6 support
- 8 Ethernet LAN ports
- 2.5Gbps WAN port
- MU-MIMO & OFDMA
- Supports 160MHz channels
- DFS (Dynamic Frequency Selection)
- No WPA3 support
- Expensive
2. Best Runner Up: Netgear Nighthawk X6
- Wireless Standard: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
- Speeds: 750 + 1625 + 1625 Mbps
- Range: Up to 3500 Sq Ft
- Ports: 1 WAN + 4 LAN + 1 USB 3.0+ 1 USB 2.0
- App Support: Yes
A tri-band router that gives all the smart gadgets in your 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 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 port. 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.
- Netgear Armor security
- Smart parental controls
- Extensive coverage
- Supports over 50 devices
- Two USB ports for wired connections
- MU-MIMO, Beamforming+, QoS
- Expensive
- No WiFi 6 support
3. Best Tri-Band Router: Linksys MR9000
- Wireless Standard: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
- Speeds: 400 + 867 + 1733 Mbps
- Range: Up to 3000 Sq Ft
- Ports: 4 LAN + 1 WAN + 1 USB 3.0
- App Support: Yes
The power of a quad-core processor and adequate operating memory gives 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 the 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 enable 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 500 Mbps connection from google fiber or Xfinity and give yourself the best chance to keep yourself entertained.
- Tri-Band technology
- Mesh compatible
- Supports over 25 devices
- MU-MIMO & QoS support
- Adjustable Antennas
- Expensive
4. Best Mesh Compatible: ASUS RT-AC68U
- Wireless Standard: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
- Speeds: 600 + 1300 Mbps
- Range: Up to 3000 Sq Ft
- Ports: 4 LAN + 1 WAN + 1 USB 2.0 + 1 USB 3.0
- App Support: Yes
Setup this wireless router directly to an Ethernet connection or couple it with a router as a part of your AiMesh system. The equipment can cover up the entire 3000 sq ft home and improve the signal strength across your home to support gaming, 4K streaming on multiple devices.
Performance and Speeds
The ASUS RT-AC68U offers a total of 1900mbps with the capacity to reach maximum speeds of 600mbps on 2.4GHz & 1300mbps on 5GHz. Asus has bundled 256MB of RAM and 128MB of flash memory, and 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 1.40 lbs, 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 two USB ports ensure you get stable wired connections to your priority devices.
Installation and App-Support
The ASUS Router mobile app keeps the installations simple. The Access Point mode gives you stable connectivity and bandwidth for other wireless devices. The AC1900 router 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 router gets access to many features like AiProtection, Adaptive QoS, Amazon Alexa voice commands support, and parental controls to limit the internet access time control.
Is this Router for you?
If you are looking for a router that is also open for a future upgrade into the Mesh system, ASUS RT-AC68U fits the bill perfectly. Start with the entry-level plans of google-fiber and FiOS to complement the speeds of the router.
- Ai-Mesh compatibile
- Excellent QoS settings
- Supports up to 30 devices
- Inclusion of two USB ports
- Alexa voice compatible
- AiProtection security
- No WiFi 6 support
5. Best WiFi 6 Mesh Router: TP-Link Deco X20
- Wireless Standard: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
- Speeds: 574 + 1201 Mbps
- Range: Up to 4000 Sq Ft
- Ports: 1 WAN + 1 LAN (on each unit)
- App Support: Yes
With WiFi 6 support on TP-Link Deco X20, create a stable home network for up to 100 devices spread across your large home measuring over 3000 sq ft. Easy to set up and app-based remote management makes it a steal at this price.
Performance and Speeds
An aggregated speed of 1800mbps and an individual maximum speed of 574mbps on 2.4GHz and 1201mbps on 5GHz give you sufficient bandwidth for the indispensable devices at home. The two-pack system can cover up to 4000 sq ft.
Design and Configuration
The circular white disc-like mesh router would adorn any household with its simplistic design weighing close to 2 lbs (two-pack). A quad-core processor clocking at 717MHz, an operating memory of 512MB, and a flash memory of 128MB remain the core of the Deco X20 Wi-Fi 6 based mesh router.
Antennas and Ports
With 4 internal antennas using MU-MIMO, OFDMA, and 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 mobile 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 WiFi 6 mesh system to go with your 500 Mbps internet subscription from AT&T, Xfinity, and cover your entire home, the Deco X20 from TP-Link finds the right balance between the price and features.
- WiFi 6 standards
- MU-MIMO & OFDMA
- Remote network control
- Solid parental controls
- Supports up to 100 devices
- Amazon Alexa compatible
- No USB ports
6. Best Under Budget: ASUS RT-ACRH12
- Wireless Standard: WiFi 5 (802.11ac)
- Speeds: 300 + 867 Mbps
- Range: Up to 3000 Sq Ft
- Ports: 4 LAN + 1 WAN + 1 USB 2.0
- App Support: Yes
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 house.
Performance and Speeds
With a combined speed of 1200mbps, the ASUS RT-ACRH12 splits it into top speeds of 300mbps on 2.4GHz, and 800mbps on 5GHz. The router is a steal for households measuring 3000 sq ft and over 20 devices.
Design and Configuration
At 1.63 lbs, the router is lightweight and comes in an uninspiring chequered design. A quad-core processor, an operating memory of 128MB, and a flash memory of 16MB are adequate to push through the demands of a medium-large household with simultaneous streaming and gaming.
Antennas and Ports
The 4 huge external antennas get MU-MIMO and AiRadar beamforming power to deliver stable signals across a large area. Asus finds room for 4 Gigabit LAN ports, 1 Gig WAN port, and one USB 2.0 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 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.
- Excellent coverage
- AiRadar Beamforming
- Support for MU-MIMO
- Easy to setup and manage
- Good port selection
- Works with Amazon Alexa
- Affordable price
- No AiProtection
- No Mesh Support
7. Best for 2 Story House: Google WiFi
- Wireless Standard: WiFi 5 (802.11ac)
- Speeds: 300 + 867 Mbps
- Range: Up to 4500 Sq Ft
- Ports: 1 LAN + 1 WAN (on each unit)
- App Support: Yes
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, makes it a suitable router 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 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.
- Uncomplicated setup
- WPA 3 encryption + TPM security
- Extensive coverage
- Excellent parental controls
- No USB port
- Expensive
Frequently Asked Questions
If your household is non-duplex and has few devices, it will be prudent to go for a router with extended coverage. For duplex or multi-storied houses, the mesh WiFi system offers the best features to steer and provide stable signals to the devices.
The ASUS RT-ACRH12 accommodates a plethora of features at a very affordable price. If you’re interested in mesh WiFi, the TP-Link Deco X20 is the best budget mesh system with WiFi 6 support. It finds the perfect balance between utility, features, and price.
If you are combining WiFi extenders with routers, you might have to switch between networks manually. The mesh WiFi system offers seamless roaming, and the device automatically switches to the node with the strongest signal.
Features like MU-MIMO, Beamforming decide the bandwidth and quality of the signal to a device. If a household involves multiple data-intensive gaming, 4K streaming, a powerful multi-core processor, and adequate RAM remain imperative for seamless operation.
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.
- The TP-Link Archer AX6000 is the best wireless router for a 3000 sq ft house with powerful hardware, WiFi 6 standard, and exceptional speeds to support gaming and other data-intensive activities.
- The Netgear Nighthawk X6 is a powerful tri-band router with extended range that works well for households with multiple Smart TV and gaming consoles.
- The TP-Link Deco X20 offers the best value for money mesh system that is suitable for a modern home with multi floors and gadgets with WiFi 6 support.
- If you are a household with a fixed number of devices spread across a large surface area and a backyard, the Linksys MR9000 offers excellent speeds and the right balance of features.
- Lastly, if you want to opt for a budget-friendly router that easily covers 3000 sq ft house without any dead zones or signal break, the ASUS RT-ACRH12 should be your ideal choice.