Almost all popular router manufacturers make decent network hardware. Most of their routers offer strong signals, good data-transfer speeds, and best-in-class device management.

ASUS, Linksys, and Netgear have continuously represented the best router brands for the last several years. Despite being well-established brands, you're going to notice hits and misses with certain products.

So how do the router brands compare? In this guide, we're going to look into them to help you choose the best router brand that best meets your needs.

ASUS vs. Linksys vs. Netgear: Design and Build

Netgear Nighthawk AC1900

All three router brands provide solid hardware. ASUS routers, for example, are pretty robust and come in many different shapes. Some are square-shaped, others rectangular, and others are wedge-shaped.

The company also offers both high-end and low-end devices in different sizes. ASUS routers are also known to have many ports; the RT-AX88U has eight LAN ports. The brand also offers flashy devices like the ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 that look every part like a gaming router. The device is also one of the best Wi-Fi routers for power users.

Related: The Best Routers for Gaming

Netgear offers lots of design selections, many with sharp looks. The company provides simple routers for everyday users and advanced devices for the tech-savvy. The Netgear Nighthawk AX12 (model RAX120), for example, is a flying bird-looking router with high-end features.

Linksys routers tend to have stable firmware and less intrusive looks. Many of their models sport the same exterior design but with different internals. A good example is the Linksys WHW0301 Velop which features a clean, compact design that fits in various spaces.

ASUS vs. Linksys vs. Netgear: Performance

Router connections

ASUS routers are known to provide a pleasant and stable networking experience. The manufacturer supplies some of the best routers for everyone, from casual users to gamers who want the best performance possible.

The company's feature-rich tri-band routers sport powerful multi-core CPUs to reduce network latency. The ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX11000, for example, is a 10Gbps Wi-Fi router with a 1.8GHz quad-core processor. The router is equipped with AiMesh for improved coverage in a mesh Wi-Fi system. The gaming router has AiProtection that identifies and blocks known malicious sites.

ASUS Wi-Fi 6 routers provide high speeds and support wide-range transmissions. The routers also work in high internet traffic environments while supporting multiple devices that need fast speeds.

Related: How to Improve Your Wi-Fi Router Speed

Netgear makes dual-band routers, gaming-centered tri-band routers, and whole-home mesh networks. The routers are fast and good transmitters of high internet speeds over vast spaces.

The Orbi RBK853, for instance, is one of the best Wi-Fi networks for your home. It can transmit at speeds of up to 6Gbps over an area of up to 7,500 square feet.

The Nighthawk R6700 - AC1750 is a more affordable alternative and a great option for medium-sized homes. The router supports speeds of up to 1,750Mbps and is a good choice for the average home. Plus, it provides coverage up to 1,500 square feet.

If you need something more powerful, the Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 might be your best bet. The Wi-Fi 6e router transmits data over 2.4, 5, and 6GHz frequency bands and provides speeds of up to 10.8Gbps across 3,500 square feet.

Linksys routers are touted for ease of use, making them a top choice among non-techies for years. The routers feature user-friendly administrative tools, like port forwarding and parental controls. Unlike other router brands, Linksys tends to offer fewer enhancements. Regardless, the company's routers provide fast speeds, good coverage, and MIMO capabilities.

Related: The Best Parental Control Routers

Linksys has continued to innovate with the Velop lineup and started shifting to Wi-Fi 6 for the latest routers. Velop's Intelligent Mesh Technology gets you on the fastest path to the internet for smooth Wi-Fi anywhere. If you only need a router that offers decent speeds and supports mesh capabilities, the Max-Stream MR7350 is a great pick. The router supports MU-MIMO and is compatible with the Velop line.

For faster speeds and powerful tri-band AC5400 performance, you won't go wrong with the Linksys EA9500. The device supports up to 3,000 square feet coverage and can connect independently to the tri-band router for total data rates of about 5.3Gbps. It also features a 1.4GHz dual-core processor and is MU-MIMO capable.

ASUS vs. Linksys vs. Netgear: Other Features and Technologies

Linksys router

ASUS has adopted technologies like Wi-Fi 6, AiMesh, and tri-band across their latest lineup. An AiMesh powered network provides a clear and more seamless Wi-Fi signal than one router can. ASUS tends to update its stock firmware on time and has a downloadable app you can use to control the router from your smartphone.

The company's Wi-Fi 6 routers have many ports for better connectivity. A good example is the ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 which has a gaming port, WAN port, two USB ports, and four LAN ports for Gigabit transmission.

Netgear Wi-Fi 6 routers also support multiple ports. The Netgear Nighthawk AX12, for example, has two USB 3.0 ports, four Gigabit Ethernet ports, and one 2.5G Ethernet port for a convenient set up of home offices.

Read More: What Is a 2.5G Multi-Gig Port and How Does It Work?

The devices come with a NETGEAR Armor to protect them from cyberattacks and a downloadable app you can use to control the router. Also, many Netgear routers are compatible with DD-WRT and are easy to flash.

Linksys also has a downloadable and easy-to-use router-control app. The app supports security functions as well, thanks to Linksys Shield. It allows you to protect your family against cyber threats. The only downside is that Linksys Shield is a paid service and only works with a Velop Tri-Band Mesh Wi-Fi system.

Each Brand Offers Something Different

To experience the best internet connectivity for every other device in your home or office, you need a robust and reliable router. ASUS, Linksys, and Netgear are all well-established brands that manufacture feature-packed routers that last for years.

However, some brands have premium and low-end models in the same price ranges. In addition, there are only about three manufacturers for the chipset in your router, meaning the ones with similar chipsets offer pretty much the same performance.

Reading reviews on the best router each year is one of the best research you can do on routers. You should also focus on the models that best suit your needs; speed, range, and price are some of the most important ones.