Wireless routers are an essential part of the modern home, and the best Wi-Fi routers incorporate the latest and greatest features — like HomeKit — for greater security. HomeKit routers allow you to set restrictions on the devices and services that your HomeKit door locks, light bulbs, and more can access. And, if you want to keep your smart home traffic local, you can even block your accessories entirely from the internet. Just one of the many HomeKit devices you need in your life, here's our guide to the best HomeKit routers you can buy today, before you start adding on HomeKit hubs for other tasks.
The best HomeKit routers you can buy
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Whole home coverage
The third-generation dual-band eero mesh Wi-Fi 6 system consists of three separate nodes blanketing your home with excellent Wi-Fi. This set can cover homes up to 5,000 square feet and reach speeds up to 550 Mbps over its wireless connection. An easy setup process gets you up and running with the latest features — like HomeKit — in just a few minutes.
Single solution
For those with smaller homes — or those just looking for a simple way to add HomeKit support — the Linksys AX4200 Velop single pack is the way to go, as detailed in our sister site Android Central's review. This single node router can cover most homes up to 2,700 square feet on its own, plus Tri-Band Wi-Fi 6 mesh networking technology paves the way for easy expansion in the future.
Gigabit speeds
The eero Pro 6 mesh Wi-Fi System includes three tri-band nodes that deliver lightning-fast speeds and excellent range. This system can reach up to 1 Gbps speeds via Ethernet and over the Wi-Fi 6 standard. Plus, a 6,000-square-foot range reaches areas inside and out of the home, so you can finally browse the internet from the comforts of your favorite outdoor chair. If you're curious how it stacks up to our first pick, the eero 6, you can check out the comparisons.
Maximum coverage
The Linksys MX12600 Velop three-pack offers the most extensive coverage area of all HomeKit routers right out of the box. This powerful, tri-band three-node system can reach all corners in larger homes — up to 8,100 square feet. What's more, if you somehow need more power, you can always add additional nodes.
Solid start
The most affordable HomeKit-enabled router from eero is a single dual-band Wi-Fi 6 node ideal for smaller homes — up to 1,500 square feet. This router expands as needed with other nodes, Beacons, and even Pro models, allowing it to serve as a great way to test the waters before making a total home commitment.
Plenty of ports
Great for medium-sized homes, the Linksys MX8400 Velop two-pack brings HomeKit security features to devices within 5,400 square feet. Plus, like other Linksys Velop mesh routers, each node comes with four Ethernet ports onboard, supports Wi-Fi 6, and you can add additional nodes if you ever need a little extra coverage.
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Give your home a speed and security boost with the best HomeKit routers
The best HomeKit routers are an excellent way to expand your home Wi-Fi network while keeping tabs on the smart home devices you own. They make a great alternative to the best Wi-Fi routers for Apple devices. By creating a firewall between devices, HomeKit routers prevent scenarios where a simple, smart light bulb or door lock can become an attack vector within your home and prevent it from spreading outside of your network.
We love the eero 6 mesh Wi-Fi system as it is easy on the wallet — and easy to manage. This dual-band whole-home system consists of three nodes that cover up to 5,000 square feet, and a simple plug-and-play setup gets you up and running with the HomeKit Secure Router feature in no time.
Have a smaller home or want to keep your home network simple? The single Linksys Velop MX4200/AX4200 WiFi 6 Mesh System gives you the basics while allowing for expansion if needed. This single node router includes HomeKit, Wi-Fi 6, and tri-band mesh networking technology that will suit your home well for years.
