Best router for Optimum in 2024 – our top picks

Optimum is a leading internet service provider offering cable speeds of up to 1 Gig and fiber speeds of up to 8 Gig. Further, the company provides Smart WiFi 6 with an Optimum Extender that intelligently pairs with an Optimum Gateway 6 (a modem and router). So, getting the best router for Optimum can really help you get the most out of your WiFi – which is why it’s especially important to make the right investment.

Although the ISP company offers the Optimum Gateway 6 free for selected internet packages and to new customers, there are instances in which you will have to pay $10 per month as an equipment fee. Over time, this can get expensive, so you’re better off with a router that requires a one-time payment and has more advanced features.

These days, you can find many routers that support the latest WiFi 6 technology and are compatible with Optimum. Plus, these routers have more features like parental controls, Alexa compatibility, companion apps, and other extra security measures. 

To help you make the search easier, we’ve compiled a list of the best routers for Optimum while considering ease of use, advanced features, and budget. So, without wasting another second, let’s dive into the list! 

Products at a glance

How we picked

Our team used their expertise to find the best routers for the internet provider Optimum that are currently available in today’s market. These products have been selected on the basis of their performance, coverage, features, and other notable aspects that make them better than every other router. Also, we’re constantly exploring the market for new routers to add to our list, so make sure to bookmark this page and visit us again soon for new options.

Our top picks

01

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TP-Link AX5400 WiFi 6 Router (Archer AX73)

Specifications

• Standard: WiFi 5
• Frequency band: 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz
• Max speed: 5.4 Gbps
• LAN ports: 4 x 1 Gbps

Reasons to Buy

• WiFi 6 combined with 6 high-gain antennas give you excellent performance and coverage
• TP-Link HomeShield
• Speeds of up to 5,400 Mbps

Reasons to Avoid

• Not particularly meant for high-speed internet plans
• Some users mention that extra features might be a bit hard to find and configure

• Shop on Amazon

If you want a router that can support a high-speed plan and comes packed with features, then you should check out the TP-Link Archer AX73, which we think deserves to be one of the best TP-Link routers.

To start with, the Archer AX73 dual-band WiFi 6 router provides speeds of up to 5,400 Mbps, which is sufficient bandwidth for buffer-free 8K streaming, online gaming, and ultra-fast downloads. When it comes to coverage, the router uses advanced technologies like beamforming and 4T4R structures for stable WiFi signals throughout your home. Plus, it has 6 high-gain antennas and high-power FEM for boosting network coverage to every connected device.

Further, the MU-MIMO and OFDMA technology reduces network congestion, and this allows you to connect more devices simultaneously without losing speed. Also, you can control the router using voice commands with Alexa compatibility. To unleash the full power of the router, it has a contemporary design with more vents for better heat dissipation, keeping it cool under heavy loads. Plus, it includes a USB 3.0 port for easy media sharing and private cloud storage. For wired connections, you can use four Gigabit LAN ports and one Gigabit WAN port located on the back of the router. 

Coming to the security features, the TP-Link HomeShield delivers a safe internet space for your family and kids through basic parental controls, security scans, QoS, and weekly or monthly reports. Plus, the router works with all internet service providers, such as Optimum, CenturyLink, Spectrum, Cox, AT&T, and many more. Overall, due to the features and the price tag it comes with, the TP-Link Archer AX73 is one of the best routers for Optimum. 

What users say

As expected from our top picks, users rate the TP-Link Archer AX73 highly on Amazon, and it has a solid average of 4.5 stars. In terms of what features buyers like in particular, performance and signal strength are ones that are regularly praised. For example, one user puts it simply, saying “my WiFi strength is so much better. Faster and no buffering”, and another review comments that they like how it “supports large wifi coverage and good signal strength to all devices with their beamforming and 4T4R technologies”.

If you’re looking for the best affordable option for Optimum, the Netgear R6700AXS is a solid choice. 

For starters, the router boasts speeds of up to 1.8 Gbps on WiFi 6 (802.11ax), and it is backward compatible with older technologies. Plus, it offers coverage up to 1,500 sqft for 20+ devices and supports the majority of the ISPs with up to 1 Gbps, including cable, satellite, fiber, and DSL. On the inside, the router packs a quad-core 1.5GHz processor, 256MB flash storage, and 512MB RAM, which should handle heavy loads from connected devices without a hitch.

As far as the wired connectivity is concerned, you get 4 Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports and 1 Gigabit Ethernet WAN port for connecting devices, such as PCs, game consoles, streaming players, and more. When it comes to security, you get a 1-Year Netgear Armor subscription, which offers your family a shield against a harmful web environment. Further, there is a 30-day trial for the Netgear Smart Parental Controls, which lets you configure internet access for your kids and prompt healthy internet habits. 

Coming to the installation process, you can quickly set up your wireless router using the Nighthawk app, which also lets you manage WiFi settings, monitor data usage, and test internet speed. Overall, the Netgear R6700AXS is the best budget router for Optimum. In case you’re looking for more options from the same brand, check out our top picks for the best Netgear routers. 

What users say

Naturally, as our budget choice, one thing that reviews on Amazon mention about the Netgear R6700AXS is how good value it is. To draw on a few user comments, one review says that it’s a “very good product for the money”, another quotes that it’s “a good price point for what you get”, and to sum it up, one user says that they could “not be happier with the ease of setting this up and quality of WIFI”.

If budget isn’t much of a concern, the ARRIS Surfboard G34 is a good fit for Optimum, which offers a 2-in-1 solution – a cable modem with a built-in WiFi router. 

As for the router technology, it delivers WiFi 6 speeds up to 3,000 Mbps, and when paired with a cable modem, you can get ultra-fast streaming and downloading at every corner of your home. Further, the cable modem uses DOCSIS 3.1, which is the latest technology that provides better security, reduces gaming lag, and enables multi-gig networking.

When it comes to wired connectivity, you get four Gigabit Ethernet ports, which should allow you to connect multiple devices like PCs, Smart TVs, consoles, and more at once. Plus, the modem router combo supports cable internet service providers with up to 1 Gbps. As far as the installation is concerned, you need to download the SURFboard Central App first. Then, follow the step-by-step instructions to activate the modem and built-in router to create your WiFi network. 

Other notable features include parental controls for configuring internet access for your kids and Alexa compatibility for navigating the router using voice commands. All of this, paired with the DOCSIS 3.1 technology and support speeds up to 3,000 Mbps, make the ARRIS Surfboard G34 the best modem router combo for Optimum. We also think that it is a strong contender for one of the best DOCSIS 3.1 modems. 

What users say

On the whole, users on Amazon liked how easy the ARRIS Surfboard G34 was to setup, with one reviewer even going as far as to call it “idiot proof”. However, as mentioned in the ‘Reasons to avoid’ above, some users have mentioned that they regularly need to restart the router to keep things running smoothly: ” it constantly needs to be restarted and even then sometimes you have to restart it by hand”.

How to pick the best router for Optimum

As the market is filled with hundreds of routers, it can get tricky to choose the right one. We’ve listed a few things to consider before making a final purchase.

Compatibility

While selecting a router, carefully look at its specifications to find out whether it is compatible with Optimum or not. Also, do remember that Optimum typically supports routers that use DOCSIS 3.0 or higher for cable internet or specific models for fiber internet.

Coverage

Make sure that the router you’re getting can throw strong signals to every corner of your house. For a three to four-bedroom apartment, you’d want to opt for something with a range of around 2,000 sqft. But for a large house or office, especially one with multiple floors, it will be better to opt for one of the best routers for mesh networks, as these use extenders to offer a range of more than 6,000 sqft.

Features and app

Most routers these days come with a dedicated application that lets you set it up easily. In addition, this app also grants you access to additional features like QoS and security scans. If you have kids at home, you should go for a router with parental controls, as these let you block certain websites and monitor the internet usage of your children.

Price

Routers come in all shapes and sizes, and each one has a different price tag attached to it. If you’re looking for something fancy that not only supports high-speed internet plans but comes with a number of additional features, be ready to pay a premium price. However, if you’re not on the hunt for something advanced and just want a router that can deliver decent performance without breaking the bank, it will be better to opt for a budget router, which usually comes with a price tag of under 100 dollars. Some of the best budget routers offer a decent range and are compatible with most of the ISPs.

Can I use any router with Optimum?

Yes, you can use any router with Optimum. However, do note that Optimum usually supports routers that use DOCSIS 3.0 or higher for cable internet. For all the details on connecting your router to Optimum’s service, you can read this handy Optimum TV and Internet installation guide provided by SmartMove US.