Belkin offers a wide variety of routers with features to fit every lifestyle. While some of their products are relatively simple, some of the best Belkin routers include extra features like MU-MIMO technology, parental controls, and the ability to install a VPN client. These wifi devices are well-built and offer a quality internet connection at an affordable price.
While Belkin routers are among the best routers on the market for wireless internet and the perfect choice for the average family, they may not offer the advanced features that a tech-savvy person wants. For instance, they don’t come with an app to easily manage custom configurations.
Keep reading our buying guide to learn more about Belkin routers and how they work.
Top Belkin Routers
#1 Belkin AC1600 Router
Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: This router supports data transfer speeds of up to 1.6 Gbps and features Intellistream QoS to enable users to prioritize video streaming and gaming. The router has MultiBeam tech to maximize signal strength in different parts of the home.
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- Exceptional connection speeds
- Sleek design
- Great for streaming
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- So-so coverage
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The Belkin AC16000 router is an optimized AC Wi-Fi that delivers fast internet connectivity in homes and offices. This device supports dual-band connections, offering flexibility. With data transfer rates of up to 300 Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and 1.3 Gbps on the 5GHz band, this device is ideal for video sharing. This router is easy to configure via computers or mobile devices without the need to install the software. However, this device has limited coverage and is not ideal for large homes.
This Belkin AC16000 router features Intellistream QoS tech to give priority to video streaming and gaming. It uses MultiBeam technology to provide a strong signal in the different parts of the home. Norton parental control software blocks unwanted websites. The device has a sleek design that will enhance any space. It has four Ethernet ports, so users can connect computers and printers directly to the router. This device also has a USB port for thumb drives.
#2 Belkin F9K1123 AC1200 Router
Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: This device offers a Wi-Fi throughput of up to 1200 Mbps, providing streamers and gamers with a responsive experience. It uses Belkin’s Intellistream QoS for enhancing movie streaming.
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- Great connection speeds
- Stylish design
- Built-in parental controls
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- Low coverage
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The Belkin F9K1123 AC1200 router is a sleek device that will raise the aesthetics in any room. This router has speeds of up to 300Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and 867 Mbps on the 5GHz band. The device is backward compatible with Wireless G and Wireless N networks, so it connects to all sorts of devices. It uses MultiBeam antenna technology to reduce Wi-Fi dead zones in the home. However, this router has a relatively small broadcasting area and won’t adequately cover large homes.
This Belkin F9K1123 AC1200 router is easy to set up via the mobile Simple Start app. It offers adequate bandwidth to support streaming and gaming. This device comes with Norton parental control software to keep families safe. With Belkin’s proprietary Quality of Service (QoS), this device helps prioritize video content, reducing buffering. The device features four Ethernet ports, providing reliable cable connectivity. With a USB port, this device allows users to attach storage devices.
#3 Belkin N450 Router
Award: BEST FOR APARTMENTS
WHY WE LIKE IT: This router supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, offering fast connectivity. It features MultiBeam tech, which maintains a strong signal in houses with more than one floor.
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- Gorgeous design
- Four LAN ports
- Simple browser-based configuration
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- Lacks USB port
- Router resets itself occasionally
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The Belkin N450 router boasts a stylish appearance and decent speeds. Featuring speeds of up to 150 Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and 300 Mbps on the 5GHz band, this router is ideal for bandwidth-heavy offices and homes with streaming and gaming applications. This router has a browser-based setup process for convenient hassle-free configuration. However, this device lacks a USB port, so it’s difficult to connect USB broadband modems.
This Belkin N450 router has a WPS button for a simple setup. It comes with parental control software to help protect children against dangerous websites and apps. The router features MultiBeam technology, which is ideal for multi-floor homes. With four Ethernet ports, this router helps users connect a number of wired devices, offering reliable connections. Featuring a self-healing system, this device automatically detects and resolves a number of network issues. It features WPA, WPA2, and WEP protocols for security.
#4 Belkin F5D7230-4 Router
Award: BEST BROADBAND
WHY WE LIKE IT: This router is ideal for users who want to use a broadband modem to generate a wireless network. It has four 100 Mbps Ethernet ports, providing reliable wired connections to computers.
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- Outstanding self-adjusting installation processing
- Four Ethernet ports
- Built-in firewall
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- Low connectivity speeds.
- Lacks modern security protocols
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The Belkin F5D7230-4 router uses an installation wizard for fast setup. This Wireless-G router automatically detects internet settings and configures automatically, going online in as few as 3 minutes. With built-in NAT and SPI firewall protection, this device prevents spyware, malware, and other malicious attacks. However, with a maximum data transfer speed of just 54 Mbps, this device may not be suitable for homes with various streaming and gaming devices.
This Belkin F5D7230-4 router has four 10/100 Mbps RJ-45 Ethernet ports to bring wired internet connectivity to computers and printers. It has 64-bit and 128-bit WEP encryption tech to provide security against unauthorized access. This device is backward compatible with 802.11b networks, so it allows older devices to connect seamlessly. Featuring an external antenna, this router broadcasts the signal over a relatively large area. It has a web-based manager for a fast and convenient setup.
#5 Belkin F9K1116 AC750 Router
Award: BEST FOR NETWORK STORAGE DEVICES
WHY WE LIKE IT: This router has fast connection speeds and uses IntelliStream QoS to prioritize streaming and gaming. With four Ethernet ports and two USB ports, this device enables connecting computers and storage devices easily.
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- Extremely fast connection speeds
- Dual-band AC tech
- Two USB and four Ethernet ports
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- Doesn’t support the older WEP security protocol
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The Belkin F9K1116 AC750 router is a dual-band model that brings modern features and rapid speeds to homes and offices. It supports transfer speeds of up to 300Mbps + 433 Mbps, delivering stutter-free streaming and video sharing. Using MultiBeam technology, this device minimizes dead spots, offering a consistent signal in various parts of the home. However, this device doesn’t support older WEP encryption, so it might not be ideal for connecting legacy phones and computers.
This Belkin F9K1116 AC750 router is easy to set up with a user-friendly mobile app, so it doesn’t require installing computer software. Thanks to Belkin’s Intellistream QoS, this device prioritizes video and gaming content when needed, ensuring super-fast streaming. With built-in parental controls powered by Norton, this device allows administrators to block unwanted websites and applications easily. It features two USB ports for connecting NAS devices and USB broadband modems. This device features four 10/100 Mbps Ethernet ports for connecting wired devices.
#6 Belkin F9K1113 AC 1200 DB Router
Award: BEST ETHERNET PORTS
WHY WE LIKE IT: This router supports speeds of up to 300 Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and 867 Mbps on the 5GHz band, supporting multi-layer gaming and video streaming. With four 1-Gbps Ethernet ports, this router delivers super-fast internet to computers and printers.
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- Super-fast Gb E RJ-45 ports
- Incredible dual-band speeds
- MultiBeam tech minimizes dark spots
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- Poor coverage
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The Belkin F9K1113 AC 1200 DB router uses cutting-edge dual-band technology to bring fast internet connections to homes and offices. The device is also compatible with older N and G protocols, so it connects seamlessly to older devices. With a simple web-based configuration process, this device is easy to set up. It doesn’t need software installation for initial installation. This device has a sleek black design that will add visual interest to any space. However, the signal from this device doesn’t adequately cover large homes.
This Belkin F9K1113 AC 1200 DB router features connection speeds of up to 300 Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and 867 Mbps on the 5GHz bands. It supports bandwidth-intensive activities such as multilayer gaming, media sharing, and video streaming. With built-in parental controls, this device blocks unwanted websites and applications. This router has four 10/10/1000 Gigabit Ethernet ports, providing super-fast wired connectivity to computers and other devices. The device has 128-WEP, WPA, and WPA2 encryption protocols for security.
Introduction to the Best Belkin Routers
For nearly 40 years, Belkin has been manufacturing consumer-grade networking equipment. Over the past decade, they’ve had a lot of success in the router market and have branched out to make a few other networking devices as well.
Belkin began as a computer accessories company in California in 1983, when Chet Pipkin saw a need for connecting personal computers to printers. He founded Belkin to make products compatible with Commodore, Apple, Atari, and IBM computers. Over time, they expanded into other computer peripherals like the iconic Tune Station for iPod.
Fast forward 22 years to 2005, when Belkin first entered the router market. Since then, they’ve come out with more than a dozen routers which have had mixed success.
In 2012, Belkin was acquired by Foxconn, the Chinese company that assembles Apple products. This gave Belkin access to new manufacturing facilities and a larger market share.
Now a global company, Belkin is one of the leading providers of all types of networking hardware. The brand still manufactures a wide range of networking devices, but they’re most well-known for their routers to improve your online experience and wifi speed. These devices are their bread and butter, and they continue to make some of the best ones on the market.
The company is headquartered in Playa Vista, California, and has offices worldwide. They sell their products in over 100 countries and have a wide range of support options for users.
How Belkin Compares to Other Brands
Pro 1: Belkin routers are some of the most reliable on the market. It’s a well-known brand with a name that people trust. Belkin is likely a name they’ve seen in a casual trip to the electronics store, even for someone who’s not as tech-savvy, much like the best Linksys routers.
Con 1: Unfortunately, some of their more recent models have had mixed customer reviews. Belkin is doing their best to keep up with higher-priced, better-equipped models, and in doing so, they’ve created a number of routers lately that have been too hard for the average user to understand. Because this isn’t their target demographic, people who would normally buy a basic Belkin router were ultimately not pleased with their experience.
Pro 2: They have a variety of routers to choose from, catering to all types of users. Belkin strives to reach even the average consumer with products that offer simple setup, USB ports, gigabit ethernet ports, dual-band technology, and external antennas. This improves the experience for connected devices while online gaming, streaming, and more.
Con 2: Their firmware can be difficult to update. Like the best Arris routers, some competitors come with smartphone apps that make it easy to manage your router or allow you to connect them to your smart home devices like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Belkin doesn’t offer anything quite this seamless, which can make it difficult to connect to your router and manage updates.
Pro 3: Belkin equips their routers with some of the best features on the market. They have a lot of bells and whistles, such as the Belkin dual-band wireless router, and a high-speed USB 3.0 port or two. They’re also compatible with the latest wi-fi 6 technology and give users a fair amount of control over their wireless network settings with faster file transfer rates.
Con 3: Some of their features, like parental controls, can be difficult to navigate. They also aren’t as user-friendly as some of their competitors. You may also find the design lacking, and there are definitely more sleek and stylish options on the market.
Pro 4: Their prices are definitely on the affordable side, making them more accessible for people who might want to upgrade their router but aren’t financially prepared.
Con 4: Belkin’s customer support options leave a lot to be desired. If you have questions about your router or need advice on managing it, there are better companies to turn to than Belkin.
Pro 5: Belkin is an environmentally-friendly company. They recycle most of their products and strive to create energy-efficient routers. This focus on sustainability makes Belkin a logical choice for people who try to shop smart and support similar efforts.
Con 5: They still have a lot of work to do to make their routers more eco-friendly. For instance, Belkin could support more recycling efforts and eco-friendly power options.
Why Should You Buy a Belkin Router?
Belkin is a well-known and reliable brand when it comes to routers. Their name is synonymous with good performance at an affordable price, so the value they offer is often better than the competition. They have a variety of models to choose from, all with different features, creating several accessible product tiers to meet the needs of many households.
Belkin equips their routers with features like high-speed USB 3.0 ports and dual bands, both of which are features that not every router has. This enables users to connect to the internet at home using the widest range and the fastest speeds.
If you’re looking for routers with VPN protection, Belkin allows you to install VPN clients on their routers. This will enable you to secure your wifi connection at all times with a VPN, which is ideal for those worried about security online or who want to protect anyone browsing the web while connected to their network.
Belkin also has parental controls, which help keep track of your children’s online activity. You can set filters for specific websites and restrict the hours during which they’re allowed to be online. This is a great feature for parents who want to keep their children safe while exploring the internet.
How Long Will a Belkin Router Last?
How long a Belkin router lasts depends on how often it’s used and what type of use it’s put through, but they are designed to last for up to five years. By creating a home network that’s well-organized and using the features of a Belkin router effectively, you can expect it to last for that long.
However, as rapidly as technology changes, you may need to upgrade your Belkin router after only two or three years to be compatible with the latest technology. This can be a hassle as new technologies are constantly being developed, and it’s harder to find the exact features you’re looking for if your router is outdated.
Belkin Warranty
Belkin has a two-year warranty on most of its routers. This is a shorter warranty than some of the competition, but it’s still somewhat above average. If you need help with your Belkin router, the warranty makes getting it replaced a more straightforward process.
Under the two-year warranty, Belkin will replace your router if it becomes defective. A new one will be sent to you without any questions asked. If the warranty has expired, you may still be able to get your router replaced, but it depends on the situation and Belkin’s discretion.
The warranty doesn’t cover accidental damage, so you’ll need to care for your router if you want it to last. It’s also important to note that the warranty doesn’t cover the shipping cost, so you’ll need to pay for that yourself.
On a few select models, Belkin also offers a lifetime warranty. This is a more expensive option, but it provides added peace of mind if something happens to your router after the two-year warranty expires.
