Five Best Non-Wi-Fi Routers: Build the Optimal Wi-Fi Network for Your Home Today!

Wi-Fi has become so popular that nowadays, getting a router without it, a non-Wi-Fi router, can be a challenge.

This post will include the best five options among standard routers without built-in Wi-Fi I've tested. They are the true representatives of the original meaning of the word "router."

If you're wondering why you'd want one in the first place or what a standard router has to do with a Wi-Fi network, you're reading the right post.

Let's dig in!

Why a non-Wi-Fi router?

Technically, a Wi-Fi router is a standard router with a Wi-Fi access point (WAP) included within the same hardware box. This convenient design works well when you only need one Wi-Fi broadcaster that you can place anywhere you want within your home for optimal coverage.

The problem is, in real life, you generally need to place the router where the Internet terminal enters the property. In most homes, the Internet drop is not the ideal spot to place the Wi-Fi broadcaster. Since the signals come out from the router like a sphere, the coverage is off-center, rendering many parts of the home Wi-Fi "dead zones".

For this reason, separating the Wi-Fi access point from the router gives you the flexibility for optimal hardware placement: You put the router unit near the terminal device and the Wi-Fi access point near the center of the area of desired Wi-Fi coverage with a network cable linking the two.

You can use a Wi-Fi router plus another broadcaster, which is the case for most canned mesh systems or extenders, but that's not ideal in terms of cost and signal quality due to interference.

The point is that getting a non-Wi-Fi router is the fitting option in many homes where the Internet drop is in the basement or at a corner. In this case, you can run a network cable to the center of the house and put a Wi-Fi access point there instead of having it at the same location as the router.

Important: This type of setup is applicable only in a home already wired with network cables or to those who are willing to run one cable or two manually, which can be a fun weekend project.

Top five best non-Wi-Fi routers: The list

Below is the list of the top five best non-Wi-Fi routers you can bring home today, ranging from the most recommended to the least. I'll also include their wired networking grades and recommended access points to use with each.

1. Ubiquiti Cloud Gateway Max: 2.5Gbps Multi-Gig router

The Cloud Gateway Max is the latest UniFi console from Ubiquiti that can do much more than just a standard router. For example, it can be the NVR for an IP camera surveillance system, the controller for an IP phone system, and more. And it can do that all at the same time. That, plus the compact design and excellent performance, makes its $199 price tag (no storage) a steal.

The Cloud Gateway Max works with any access point, but it's designed to host those from the same UniFi family.

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2. Ubiquiti UniFi Dream Machine Special Edition (UDM-SE): A 10Gbps-ready PoE+ router

The UDM-SE is literally a rackmount version of the Cloud Gateway Max above. It's a much larger UniFi console with more power and higher capacity for a large home or a big office. It, too, is an excellent standard router, among other capabilities, well worth its $500 retail price. Alternatively, you can opt for the Dream Machine Pro Max.

Like the Cloud Gateway Max above, the UDM-SE can work with any access point, but it's designed to handle those from the UniFi family.

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3. Asus ExpertWiFi EBG15: A Gigabit router

The EBG15 is the first standard router within Asus's new ExpertWiFi family. It's a tiny router with lots of advanced features for home and business users alike. When coupled with Asus's AiMesh router or access points, it'll be the host of a robust Wi-Fi network, making its sub-$90 price tag a great deal.

4. EnGenius ESG510: 2.5Gbps PoE+ router

The EnGenius ESG510 is a standard business router—it represents many other options, such as the Firewalla Gold, without a built-in controller for Wi-Fi access points of the same ecosystem. Still, it has a built-in firewall, PoE+ ports, and four 2.5Gbps ports, enough to be well worth the current $300 street price. You can use it with any standard access points, though in this case, it's best to use those with a centralized controller, such as the Omada or EnGenius FIT lineups.

5. Amazon eero PoE Gateway: A 10Gbps PoE++ router

The eero PoE Gateway is an excellent piece of hardware thanks to its two 10Gbps ports and eight 2.5Gbps PoE+ ports. Unfortunately, it runs a firmware that's very thin on features and settings while constantly nagging for the Eero+ subscription. If you only care about building a 10Gbps network, it's still a decent option to consider, especially when you also want to go with the eero access points.

The takeaway

There you go. Above are the current non-Wi-Fi routers you can bring home today. Depending on your needs, each will give you the flexibility of building a Wi-Fi network with optimal hardware arrangement and cost.

Give this approach a try, and by that, I mean get your home wired, and you'll find a satisfying home network on the other side.