For the common shopper, most routers are greater than sufficient; nonetheless, companies must put extra thought into selecting the most effective VoIP routers to make sure optimum name high quality, safety, load balancing, and redundancy.
Whether or not you’re outfitting a startup or seeking to improve your present setup, this information covers the most effective choices and the way to decide on the precise one for you.
Prime VoIP router comparability
Use the desk beneath to shortly examine technical particulars, like connectivity sort, ports, vary, and throughput, throughout the most effective VoIP routers accessible as we speak.
| Finest for | Beginning value | Sort | Max throughput | Ports | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asus RT-AX88U Professional | Finest general | $269.99 | Wi-fi, 2.5GHz + 5 GHz | 6,000 Mbps | 4 LAN, 1 2.5 Gbps WAN, 1 2.5 Gbps LAN, USB 3.2 |
| TP-Hyperlink ER605 | Finest for small companies | $59.99 | Wired | 1,000 Mbps | 1 WAN, 2 WAN/LAN, 2 LAN, 1 USB 2.0 |
| Nighthawk Tri-Band Wi-Fi 6E | Finest for big workplace areas | $599.99 | Wi-fi, 2.5GHz + 5GHz + 6GHz | 10,800 Mbps | 1 WAN, 1 WAN/LAN, 2 LAN, 1 2.5G LAN, 2 USB 3.0 |
| TP-Hyperlink ER7206 | Finest VPN router | $139.99 | Wired | 1,000 Mbps, 290 Mbps for VPN visitors | Twin WAN, 2 WAN/LAN, 2 LAN |
| UniFi Dream Machine Professional | Finest all-in-one SMB community resolution | $379 | Wired | 3,500 Mbps | Twin WAN, 8 LAN, 1 SFP+ |
Asus RT-AX88U Professional: Finest VoIP router general
In case you’re on the lookout for an all-around VoIP router with built-in Wi-Fi and spectacular 2.5G ports, the Asus RT-AX88U is a good possibility. It makes use of the latest era of Wi-Fi expertise designed to enhance community effectivity, even in environments with quite a few linked gadgets.
Why I selected the Asus RT-AX88U Professional
For VoIP customers, this implies diminished latency, higher name high quality, stronger energy effectivity, and assist for extra concurrent calls with out degrading efficiency. You’ll additionally get a router working the newest tech, guaranteeing it could possibly deal with your VoIP system effectively into the long run.
It has every little thing it is advisable to guarantee a redundant system too. You may mixture WAN connections or use a cellular knowledge plan as a backup by way of USB. Plus, built-in Wi-Fi means you don’t want a separate entry level for wi-fi connectivity.
With built-in sign boosting, you get large protection of round 3,000 sq. toes — though it may be a part of a mesh system, most companies don’t must go that far.
Pricing
The Asus RT-AX88U Professional is out there from a variety of shops, together with Amazon, Finest Purchase, and Asus. Whereas value varies relying on the retailer, Asus sells it for $269.99.
Options
- Subsequent-gen Wi-Fi 6 with max throughput as much as 6,000 Mbps.
- Twin 2.5G ports and skill to mixture WAN connections.
- Adaptive High quality of Service (QoS) to prioritize VoIP visitors.
- Parental controls to dam web sites and cellular apps.
- Suitable with AiMesh if you happen to want a wider vary.
- Constructed-in bandwidth and visitors monitoring.
- 1GB RAM, 256MB Flash.
- Commonplace VPN capabilities.
Professionals and cons
| Professionals | Cons |
|---|---|
| All of the instruments it is advisable to allow, handle, and monitor your VoIP system. | Not the most affordable possibility. |
| Enterprise-grade community safety. | Overkill for tremendous small companies. |
| Twin WAN so you’ll be able to separate VoIP visitors from common web utilization. | Superior options might require experience to configure. |
| Capacity to simply prioritize VoIP calls. | |
| Runs on the newest tech. |
TP-Hyperlink ER605: Finest for small companies
In case you’re a smaller enterprise on the lookout for a extra inexpensive VoIP router, the TP-Hyperlink ER605 is my high advice. It really works notably effectively for wired connections, however you’ll be able to simply pair it with a separate entry level for wi-fi capabilities if wanted.
Regardless of the cheaper price tag, you received’t miss out on stability, reliability, or essential VoIP options. You’ll even get a couple of belongings you’d sometimes solely see in higher-end fashions.
Why I selected the TP-Hyperlink ER605
Firstly, the TP-Hyperlink ER605 is straightforward to arrange. It comes with zero-touch provisioning and cloud administration by way of an online browser or cellular app that allows you to monitor customers and configure settings from anyplace with an web connection. You’ll additionally get important VoIP capabilities, together with VLAN assist, as much as 20 VPN connections, and High quality of Service (QoS) management to prioritize voice visitors.
It even affords three WAN connections and one USB port for cellular broadband, letting you arrange a completely redundant system with failover between a number of networks. That many connections is uncommon to see in budget-friendly routers.
Despite the fact that it doesn’t use the newest Wi-Fi tech, it’s a dependable possibility for smaller companies that prioritize name high quality.
Pricing
This router is lower than half the worth of each different possibility on my checklist. It’s accessible from many main retailers, together with TP-Hyperlink, Amazon, Lenovo, Walmart, and Dell beginning at $59.99.
Options
- As much as three WAN connections + one USB port.
- VLAN assist for digital visitors separation.
- As much as 1,000Mbps max throughput.
- QoS settings to prioritize VoIP calls.
- Assist for as much as 20 VPN connections.
- Easy internet-based interface for simple configuration.
- Constructed-in DoS protection and IP/MAC/URL filtering.
- Worker web entry controls.
- Person-friendly cellular app.
Professionals and cons
| Professionals | Cons |
|---|---|
| Least expensive possibility on the checklist. | Requires an entry level for wi-fi connections. |
| Glorious worth for the cash. | Decrease max throughput than others. |
| Sturdy security measures. | Doesn’t use W-Fi 6. |
| A number of WAN and USB ports for redundancy. | |
| Capacity to prioritize VoIP visitors. | |
| Straightforward cloud-based administration. |
Nighthawk Tri-Band Wi-Fi 6E: Finest for big workplace areas
Giant workplace areas that want wi-fi connectivity typically want a number of nodes to cowl your complete constructing. The Nighthawk Tri-Band Wi-Fi 6E is an extendable mesh-compatible Wi-Fi router with a large 3,500 sq. foot vary by itself — though it’s extendable, you’ll want fewer nodes to cowl your space (if you happen to even want a number of nodes in any respect).
Powered by Wi-Fi 6E, it affords excessive speeds and environment friendly efficiency, no matter variety of energetic customers.
Why I selected the Nighthawk Tri-Band Wi-Fi 6E
With the addition of the third band (6GHz), the Nighthawk Tri-Band Wi-Fi 6E delivers spectacular efficiency for high-density environments. You can too hyperlink two Gigabit WAN connections, mixture two LAN ports collectively, and leverage the two.5G port to funnel much more juice to your system.
It additionally options beamforming for even higher vary and one yr of free risk safety. For giant VoIP methods, this implies negligible latency, no community congestion, peace of thoughts, and crystal-clear name high quality it doesn’t matter what.
Regardless of the excessive price ticket, it might find yourself being cheaper than shopping for three, 4, and even 5 much less highly effective nodes.
Pricing
That is by far the costliest router on the checklist. As one in every of just a few that at present assist Wi-Fi 6E, its large vary, and dependable protection all through that vary make the worth tag price it for big areas.
You should buy the Nighthawk Tri-Band Wi-Fi 6E from Netgear, Amazon, Finest Purchase, Goal, and different retailers beginning round $599.99.
Options
- Wi-Fi 6E with tri-band assist (2.5GHz, 5GHz, and 6Ghz).
- Large 10,800 most throughput.
- Spectacular 1.8GHz processor.
- Mesh compatibility to increase protection if wanted.
- Community linking and aggregation choices.
- Pre-optimized antennas for indoor and out of doors protection.
- MU-MIMO (multi-user, multi-input, multi-output) for simultaneous connections.
- Person-friendly cellular app configuration.
- One free yr of risk safety with NETGEAR Armor.
Professionals and cons
| Professionals | Cons |
|---|---|
| Latest Wi-Fi tech throughout 3,500+ sq. toes. | Costliest possibility on the checklist. |
| Distinctive velocity and capability in giant areas. | It’s a must to pay for risk safety after the primary yr. |
| Capacity to hyperlink and mixture networks. | |
| Two USB 3.0 ports for cellular broadband backup. | |
| Free safety software program for one yr. | |
| Modern and futuristic design. |
TP-Hyperlink ER7206: Finest VPN assist for distant groups
When you’ve got distant employees that must tunnel into your router for safe and encrypted VoIP companies, you want one thing that helps a variety of VPN connections, just like the TP-Hyperlink ER7206. With assist for numerous VPN protocols, together with IPSec, PPTP, L2TP, and OpenVPN, it permits dozens of customers to attach on the identical time with out efficiency degradation.
Why I selected the TP-Hyperlink ER7206
It helps as much as 100 simultaneous IPSec connections or as much as 50 OpenVPN, L2TP, and PPTP connections.
Whereas there are different routers that may assist a whole lot of even hundreds of VPN connections, like these within the Cisco Meraki or Fortinet FortiGate sequence’, the TP-Hyperlink ER7206 is a good possibility for small to midsize distant groups needing a less complicated resolution. It additionally affords as much as 4 WAN ports, centralized cloud administration by way of the online or cellular app, multi-WAN load balancing, and numerous security measures to additional shield your crew.
Pricing
You should purchase the TP-Hyperlink ER7206 from quite a few distributors, together with Amazon, TP-link, and Walmart. Pricing begins round $139.99 however can differ relying on the provider.
Options
- As much as 100 safe VPN connections at a time.
- One-click auto IPSec VPN configuration.
- Digital community segments for visitors separation.
- Helps as much as 4 WAN ports for load balancing and failover.
- Constructed-in firewall and DoS safety.
- URL and key phrase filtering.
- QoS for prioritizing VoIP customers.
- Straightforward cloud administration.
Professionals and cons
| Professionals | Cons |
|---|---|
| Inexpensive possibility for small to midsize distant groups. | Requires an entry level for Wi-Fi. |
| Sturdy, but streamlined VPN capabilities. | Not an enterprise-grade VPN router. |
| Simplified administration by way of the online or cellular app. | Seemingly requires technical experience to configure and handle. |
| Load balancing and failover choices. | |
| Constructed-in security measures. |
UniFi Dream Machine Professional: Finest all-in-one SMB community resolution
Combining routing, firewall, and safety gateway features in a single machine, the Ubiquiti UniFi Dream Machine Professional is a wonderful alternative for small to midsize companies on the lookout for a unified networking resolution. As an all-in-one, you get enterprise-grade efficiency at a extra accessible value level.
This machine additionally makes it simpler for small IT groups of 1 or two to arrange and handle a whole community.
Why I selected the Ubiquiti UniFi Dream Machine Professional
With centralized community management by way of the UniFi Controller, common actions like visitors prioritization, firewall administration, and risk safety are simpler than ever for groups with restricted sources.
As a VoIP router, it has every little thing you want, together with redundant WAN ports for failover and cargo balancing, country-based QoS to prioritize VoIP visitors, outage reporting, VLAN visitors separation, assist for numerous VPN connections, and LTE backup choices.
As such, you get a full community resolution that doubles as a strong VoIP router with out the complexity of managing quite a few instruments.
Pricing
The Ubiquiti UniFi Dream Machine Professional is extensively accessible from Walmart, Amazon, VoIP Provide, Ubiquiti, and different carriers. The official value is $379 if you happen to purchase from Ubiquiti instantly.
Options
- As much as 3,500Mbps max throughput.
- 1.7GHz quad-core processor.
- 8-Gigabit LAN ports and 1 SFP+ for fiber connections.
- 3.5” arduous drive slot for storing safety footage.
- Nation-based High quality of Service (QoS) settings.
- Granular VPN controls and capabilities.
- Can connect with the UniFi Energy Backup energy provide.
- Small touchscreen for standing monitoring and primary configuration.
Professionals and cons
| Professionals | Cons |
|---|---|
| Streamlined community safety and VoIP routing in a single. | Requires a separate UniFi entry level for Wi-Fi. |
| Enterprise-grade options at a extra inexpensive value level. | Dearer than typical VoIP routers. |
| Glorious scalability as you develop. | Seemingly overkill for small companies. |
| Built-in contact display screen for primary monitoring and configurations. | |
| Extra LAN ports than most. | |
| Nation-based QoS settings. |
How do I select the most effective VoIP router for my enterprise?
The easiest way to right away slim your search is deciding between wired and wi-fi routers. Wired routers present sooner speeds and higher stability however provide restricted mobility as gadgets must be hardwired to the community. Nevertheless, you’ll be able to add an entry level to your system to allow Wi-Fi connections if wanted.
Wi-fi routers, then again, provide flexibility and ease of setup however are topic to interference and vary limitations. Entry factors are weak to those issues too.
In bigger areas, mesh methods (a selected sort of wi-fi router) leverage a number of nodes to make sure seamless connectivity throughout your complete constructing.
Except for the kind of router you want, you also needs to think about the variety of gadgets that may connect with it. A router that works for a dozen gadgets is way completely different from one that should assist a whole lot or hundreds. It’s vital to consider what you want now and what you’ll want within the foreseeable future so that you don’t have to switch your router in a couple of months.
From there, you’ll be able to slim your checklist additional by the options and capabilities you want:
- High quality of Service (QoS): Permits you to prioritize various kinds of visitors. That is solely essential for slower connections with potential bandwidth points.
- VPN assist: Lets distant employees tunnel into your community.
- Twin or tri-band: Offers you the choice of splitting visitors throughout a number of Wi-Fi bands.
- LAN ports: The variety of LAN ports dictates the variety of gadgets you’ll be able to plug in. You should purchase a community change if it is advisable to plug in a variety of gadgets with out overloading your router.
- Failover choices: Most have twin WAN or USB ports you should use as a backup.
The performance it is best to take note of is often primarily based on the dimensions of your small business, however that’s not all the time the case. Small companies in inflexible industries might have superior safety wants, for instance.
In case you’re unsure what you want, you could possibly attain out to your VoIP supplier or ISP for ideas.
Methodology
My foremost objective was to supply a spread of VoIP routers that work for companies in numerous situations. I thought-about a variety of things, focusing closely on people who instantly affect VoIP safety and efficiency. Right here’s a better take a look at the standards that knowledgeable my choices when placing this information collectively.
Community capability
Excessive capability routers guarantee dependable efficiency, even throughout peak utilization. Some companies don’t want so much, whereas others have a whole lot and even hundreds of customers on the community directly. I particularly selected VoIP routers that cowl a variety of wants.
Lengthy-term scalability
It’s vital to consider the place your small business goes to make sure your router can develop alongside you. In case you don’t, you’ll doubtless end up changing or bolstering it inside the yr.
Scalable routers permit for simple enlargement, whether or not by way of extra LAN ports, larger bandwidth capabilities, or mesh networking.
Security measures
Firewalls, VPN assist, monitoring, and intrusion detection can shield delicate VoIP communications and safeguard person knowledge. Some VoIP routers embody built-in instruments, others don’t. I leaned in direction of people who do to guard companies that don’t have the sources to deal with it on their very own.
High quality of Service (QoS)
This lets you prioritize various kinds of visitors. On this case, you’d prioritize VoIP communications to make sure optimum name high quality. Customers browsing the online, downloading recordsdata, or streaming one thing can wait.
Having the ability to prioritize visitors turns into much less vital as velocity and capability enhance, so it’s not all the time vital.
Administration and ease of use
I particularly selected routers that supply streamlined cloud-based interfaces for configuring, managing, and monitoring.
Redundancy choices
Twin or multi-WAN assist and USB ports (for cellular broadband) mean you can configure a backup in case your foremost community fails, guaranteeing uninterrupted VoIP companies.
Value
Finally, I seemed for routers that steadiness performance, capability, options, and value.