Best Routers for Streaming 2023
We tested more than a dozen routers and handpicked the best for streaming music, video, and games.
Mar 31, 2023 | Share 
Equipment Guides
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Best overall
TP-Link Archer AX90- $199.99*
- Basic parental controls
- Three bands
- Antivirus subscription
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Best for budgets
TP-Link Archer AX20- $84.98*
- Built-in VPN tools
- USB storage support
- Limited stream count
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Best for livestreaming
NETGEAR Nighthawk RAX200- $433.69*
- Best long range
- Multi-gig internet support
- Hefty price tag
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Best for heavy streaming
ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX11000- $349.99*
- Real gaming tools
- Free security
- Annoying antennas
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Best for mesh
TP-Link Deco X55- $89.99*†
- Low price
- Attractive design
- Paid premium features
*Amazon.com prices (as of 3/31/23 07:53 MST). Read full disclaimer.
† Price for one unit.
Our pick: Which router for streaming is best?
The TP-Link Archer AX90 is our top router for streaming. It has great speeds for the money, multi-gig internet support, three Wi-Fi bands, and eight streams to handle all your streaming needs. The only drawback is HomeShield, TP-Link’s security suite, locking the most notable features behind a subscription.
How we test routers
We vigorously test routers to see how well they stack up against the competition in speed and range. We also evaluate the setup process and dig into the web and mobile apps to see if they’re easy or difficult to use. Check out our methodology section for more information.
The 5 best routers for streaming
- Best overall: TP-Link Archer AX90
- Best for budgets: TP-Link Archer AX20
- Best for livestreaming: NETGEAR Nighthawk RAX200
- Best for heavy streaming: ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX11000
- Best for mesh: TP-Link Deco X55
Compare router speeds and prices
| Model | Max throughput | Tested speed @ 40 ft.† | Price* | Order online | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | TP-Link Archer AX90 | 6,600 Mbps | 530Mbps | $199.99 | View on Amazon |
| Best for budgets | TP-Link Archer AX20 | 1,800 Mbps | 470Mbps | $84.98 | View on Amazon |
| Best for livestreaming | NETGEAR Nighthawk RAX200 | 11,000 Mbps | 691Mbps | $433.69 | View on Amazon |
| Best for heavy streaming | ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 | 11,000 Mbps | 642Mbps | $349.99 | View on Amazon |
| Best for mesh | TP-Link Deco X55 | 3,000 Mbps | 339Mbps | $89.99† | View on Amazon |
* Amazon.com Prices (as of 3/31/23 07:53 MST) Read full disclaimer.
† Price for one unit.
What should you look for in a router for streaming?
You can use just about any router for streaming—you don’t need a lot of speed to do so—but we suggest ones with four or more streams on a single band. The higher count ensures your wireless devices have a better chance of seeing their full real-world speeds. We also suggest routers with Wi-Fi 6, as it’s the most common specification today and provides better speeds and data management than other Wi-Fi versions.
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Best overall—TP-Link Archer AX90
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The best well-rounded router for streaming |
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Score:3.8out of 5 |
The Archer AX90 is a great router for anything you do, whether you’re streaming Max or sharing gameplay with your followers. The built-in VPN server and client are a plus. |
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
$199.99*
* Amazon.com Price (as of 3/31/23 07:53 MST). Read full disclaimer.
The Archer AX90 is a great router, but expect to pay extra for everything it offers. 
The Archer AX90 supports Multi-Gig internet connections up to 2.5 Gbps. 
The Archer AX90 has a speedy USB-A port located on the right side. 
The Archer AX90 has eight antennas you can adjust side to side but not remove. 
The Archer AX90 includes VPN tools, media streaming, and Alexa support. 
You need the web interface and Tether app to fully utilize the Archer AX90.
Expand for product details and ratings
| Category | Score* | Summary |
| Performance | 4 | Achieved some of the best speeds we’ve tested to date. |
| Features | 3 | Prioritizes traffic for better per-device streaming. |
| Design | 4 | Supports 4 wireless devices at full speed or 8 at half speed. |
| Setup | 4 | Takes no time to get your Wi-Fi network running. |
| Ease of use | 3 | Lacks parental controls, QoS, and security controls in the web interface. |
* out of 5 points
What we like about it: The Archer AX90 has some of the best speeds to date in our tests and handles our streaming test beautifully. We love that it gets you ready for multi-gig internet and includes features like a built-in VPN server and client and three bands for better traffic management.
What we wish it did better: We’re not a fan of subscriptions. The AX90 is one of the few TP-Link standalone routers requiring one for antivirus.
Why do we recommend it? You get great Wi-Fi speed for the price. Plus, it sets you up for mesh networking if you want whole-home coverage.
Tested speeds at a glance
| 5 GHz max speed | 2 feet | 40 feet | 120 feet |
| 1,200 | 860 | 530 | 252 |
* Speeds in megabits per second (Mbps) using a Wi-Fi 6 client and an 80 MHz channel.
| Wi-Fi specs | Wired specs |
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Best for budgets—TP-Link Archer AX20
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Decent Wi-Fi 6 speeds at an affordable price |
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Score:3.8out of 5 |
The Archer AX20 is an affordable router for a two-person home with several devices. It has decent Wi-Fi 6 speeds for the money, plus cool features like a built-in VPN server and client. |
| Pros | Cons |
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$84.98*
* Amazon.com Price (as of 3/31/23 07:53 MST). Read full disclaimer.
The TP-Link Archer AX20 has decent speeds for the money. 
The Archer AX20 has all the basics you need for wired networking. 
You can rotate the Archer AX20 antennas side to side and bend them back, but you cannot remove them. 
The TP-Link Archer AX20 provides decent speeds even at 100 feet. 
You can pair the Archer AX20 with a OneMesh extender to create a mesh network. 
The web interface is easy to use, but the Tether app is even better.
Expand for product details and ratings
| Category | Score* | Summary |
| Performance | 4 | Has decent Wi-Fi 6 speeds for the price. |
| Features | 4 | Includes a built-in VPN server and a USB port for sharing files. |
| Design | 3 | Supports 2 wireless devices at full speed or 4 at half speed. |
| Setup | 3 | Takes you longer to get going than the competition. |
| Ease of use | 4 | Provides a better, more streamlined experience in the Tether app. |
* out of 5 points
What we like about it: It performed as expected in our testing, providing baseline Wi-Fi 6 speeds. But for the price, there’s a lot to love, including media and file sharing via USB, parental controls, and built-in VPN features.
What we wish it did better: There are many things we wished the router did better—more streams and wired multi-gig speeds, for example—but you can’t expect a lot at this price.
Why do we recommend it? The AX20 is a great router for under $100. It’s suitable for two people with a handful of devices, and it sets you up for mesh networking.
Tested speeds at a glance
| 5 GHz max speed | 2 feet | 40 feet | 120 feet |
| 1,200 | 809 | 470 | 244 |
* Speeds in megabits per second (Mbps) using a Wi-Fi 6 client and an 80 MHz channel.
| Wi-Fi specs | Wired specs |
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Best for livestreaming—NETGEAR Nighthawk RAX200
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One of the fastest routers you can get |
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Score:4.2out of 5 |
The RAX200 is a powerhouse, perfect for livestreamers who need lots of Wi-Fi speed. It packs plenty of wired ports and data streams to ensure the best speeds for all your devices. |
| Pros | Cons |
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$433.69*
* Amazon.com Price (as of 3/31/23 07:53 MST). Read full disclaimer.
The RAXE500 and RAX200 have very few notable features, but they have incredible ranges. 
You can use the Multi-Gig Ethernet port on the RAXE500 and RAX200 for a speedy internet connection or a compatible wired device. 
Each foldable wing on the RAXE500 and RAX200 has four antennas. 
The new 6 GHz connection on the RAXE500 promises real-world Gig+ wireless speeds. 
The surface on the RAXE500 and RAX200 sparkles like deep space if you look at it just right. 
The Nighthawk app provides a better experience than the web interface.
Expand for product details and ratings
| Category | Score* | Summary |
| Performance | 5 | Outpaces all gaming and non-gaming routers we’ve tested to date. |
| Features | 3 | Requires subscriptions to use the parental controls and security fully. |
| Design | 4 | Includes a third band and multi-gig internet support. |
| Setup | 4 | Has one of the fastest setups we’ve endured. |
| Ease of use | 3 | Provides a better experience in the app than the web interface. |
* out of 5 points
What we like about it: The RAX200 has the speeds you need (and then some) based on our tests. There’s plenty of wireless connectivity too, along with real-world wired speeds of up to around 2,370Mbps. It’s perfect for a fiber internet plan of 2Gbps or faster.
What we wish it did better: We’re not a big fan of added expenses, and the RAX200 stacks them up. We wished NETGEAR offered free security and parental controls as seen on competing TP-Link routers.
Why do we recommend it? The RAX200 has the best speeds in our tests, but what really sells this router is the wired multi-gig speeds, the three Wi-Fi bands, and the 12 streams. It’s perfect for a home full of content-hungry devices.
Tested speeds at a glance
| 5 GHz max speed | 2 feet | 40 feet | 120 feet |
| 1,200 | 880 | 691 | 285 |
* Speeds in megabits per second (Mbps) using a Wi-Fi 6 client and an 80 MHz channel.
| Wi-Fi specs | Wired specs |
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Best for heavy streaming—ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX11000
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The slower alternative to the Nighthawk RAX200 |
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Score:4.1out of 5 |
The GT-AX11000 is similar to the Nighthawk RAX200, but you don’t need multiple subscriptions to get the most out of it. However, the tradeoff is a lower Wi-Fi 6 speed. |
| Pros | Cons |
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$349.99*
* Amazon.com Price (as of 3/31/23 07:53 MST). Read full disclaimer.
The Rapture GT-AX11000 has wired speeds up to 2.5 Gbps. 
The Rapture GT-AX11000 has eight antennas you screw into place, but they can fall over time. 
The Rapture GT-AX11000 has some of the fastest Wi-Fi speeds we’ve tested to date. 
You don’t need to be a gamer to appreciate everything the Rapture GT-AX11000 has to offer. 
The ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 has one of the best web interfaces we’ve used to date.
Expand for product details and ratings
| Category | Score* | Summary |
| Performance | 4 | Falls short of the RAX200 in Wi-Fi 6 speed but is one of the fastest we’ve tested. |
| Features | 5 | Includes free antivirus, parental controls, and a built-in VPN server and client. |
| Design | 4 | Supports 6 wireless devices at full speed; 12 at half speed. |
| Setup | 4 | Takes longer due to all the extras you normally don’t get on a standard router. |
| Ease of use | 4 | Provides a better experience in the web interface than the mobile app. |
* out of 5 points
What we like about it: This router definitely has a lot to love. Its biggest selling point is capacity: three bands and 12 streams. The free antivirus, parental controls, and VPN components also sweeten the deal.
What we wish it did better: We found the antennas problematic—at least on the model we purchased. No matter how hard we screwed the antennas into place, some of them fell over time.
Why do we recommend it? The GT-AX11000 is a great router for gamers—or anyone for that matter. You get free antivirus, decent parental controls, multi-gig internet support, and VPN tools to keep you safe online. It’s ideal for households with lots of devices if you can handle the price.
Tested speeds at a glance
| 5 GHz max speed | 2 feet | 40 feet | 120 feet |
| 1,200 | 848 | 642 | 260 |
* Speeds in megabits per second (Mbps) using a Wi-Fi 6 client and an 80 MHz channel.
| Wi-Fi specs | Wired specs |
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Best for mesh—TP-Link Deco X55
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A good whole-home system for streaming anywhere |
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Score:3.8out of 5 |
The Deco X55 is a great alternative to the traditional standalone router. It’s cheaper than the Eero Pro 6 but lacks the third band. |
| Pros | Cons |
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$89.99*†
* Amazon.com Price (as of 3/31/23 07:53 MST). Read full disclaimer.
† Price for one unit.
The Deco X55 looks great no matter where you place it. 
Kevin Parrish | HighSpeedInternet.com 
You can use an Ethernet port as a wired connection between the Deco X55 units for better speeds. 
We tested decent Wi-Fi 6 speeds on our iPhone 12 Pro Max and Lenovo ThinkPad laptop. 
You can use the Deco app only to manage your home network.
Expand for product details and ratings
| Category | Score* | Summary |
| Performance | 4 | Supplies decent Wi-Fi 6 speeds even on different nodes. |
| Features | 3 | Lacks a third band for increased bandwidth and better device management. |
| Design | 4 | Supports 2 wireless devices at full speed; 4 at half speed. |
| Setup | 3 | Has a lengthy setup and requires a TP-Link ID account to use. |
| Ease of use | 4 | Provides easy controls in the Deco app once you learn the layout. |
* out of 5 points
What we like about it: The Deco X55 is an attractive, affordable kit. You get a few extra wired connections and decent Wi-Fi 6 speeds for the money. It does a good job handling multiple streams too.
What we wish it did better: The X55 would benefit from a dedicated Wi-Fi band for node-to-node communications to increase the bandwidth for client devices. Plus, TP-Link should ditch HomeShield for HomeCare.
Why do we recommend it? The X55 is a decent kit for the money. You can’t expect tons of speed, but there’s plenty for a few devices. The extra Ethernet ports come in handy if you want better speeds for streaming.
Tested speeds at a glance
| 5 GHz max speed | 2 feet | 40 feet | 120 feet |
| 1,200 | 739 | 339 | Not tested |
* Speeds in megabits per second (Mbps) using a Wi-Fi 6 client and an 80 MHz channel.
| Wi-Fi specs | Wired specs |
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Router for streaming specs and features
Technically, you can use any router to stream video and music to your devices—you don’t need a lot of speed to do so, either. But there are a few factors to consider when you want the best router for streaming.
Wi-Fi 6
Wi-Fi 6 isn’t the latest spec, but it’s the most commonly used in today’s routers, and for good reason. It supports more devices, provides better speeds, and manages data more efficiently than previous wireless tech like Wi-Fi 5. Plus, most modern Wi-Fi devices now support it, so choosing a Wi-Fi 5 router just slows you down.
Streams
The number of data streams a router supports is essential. Think of them as digital cargo ships cruising along on a sea of radio waves. Devices like smartphones, tablets, and laptops can handle two at a time one way. So, if you have a router with just two streams on a single band but you have three laptops connected, you get higher latency and slower speeds per device. All three laptops have to share those two streams. A router with six or more streams is ideal in this scenario.
Quality of service (QoS)
You want a router that lets you prioritize traffic received from streaming services. NETGEAR routers, for example, have a Downstream QoS setting you can toggle on to prioritize streaming traffic and lower the priority of all other internet traffic.
Our verdict
The TP-Link Archer AX90 is an excellent router for streaming, hands down. It provides great speeds at a great price, plus plenty of connections to improve your streaming experience. It has a handful of other great features too, like built-in VPN tools, Amazon Alexa support, and more. The HomeShield subscription requirement is the only drawback, but you may not even need it.
Methodology
We test router speed by setting up each router in an office and connecting it to a local test server. Then, we transmit test data between our wireless devices and the server, taking numerous measurements to account for fluctuations in Wi-Fi speeds.
The first tests occur close to the router, without obstructions—so the Wi-Fi is as strong and fast as it’s gonna get. We repeat the process straight out at 10, 20, and 30 feet, with only a glass door obstructing our view of the router. The same glass door and an exterior door blocks our path when we test outside at 40 and 50 feet.
We also run tests in a hallway to the left of the TV room and office—where there’s a glass door, three walls, and an air handler unit blocking our view of the router. The dining room, another testing point, sits to the right of the kitchen, TV room, and office—two walls and a glass door block the path in this test.
To test video streaming, we connect a fast storage device to the router and stream a 4K video to six wireless devices simultaneously—two phones, three tablets, and a laptop—connected to the same wireless band.
Client devices used in testing
| iPhone 12 Pro Max | Google Pixel 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi specification | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 |
| Stream configuration | 2 x 2 | 2 x 2 |
| Max 5 GHz speed (AX) | 1,200Mbps | – |
| Max 5 GHz speed (AC) | 866Mbps | 866Mbps |
| Max 2.4 GHz speed (AX) | 195Mbps | – |
| Max 2.4 GHz speed (AC) | 195Mbps | 144Mbps |
| Wi-Fi specification | |
| iPhone 12 Pro Max | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Google Pixel 3 | Wi-Fi 5 |
| Stream configuration | |
| iPhone 12 Pro Max | 2 x 2 |
| Google Pixel 3 | 2 x 2 |
| Max 5 GHz speed (AX) | |
| iPhone 12 Pro Max | 1,200Mbps |
| Google Pixel 3 | – |
| Max 5 GHz speed (AC) | |
| iPhone 12 Pro Max | 866Mbps |
| Google Pixel 3 | 866Mbps |
| Max 2.4 GHz speed (AX) | |
| iPhone 12 Pro Max | 195Mbps |
| Google Pixel 3 | – |
| Max 2.4 GHz speed (AC) | |
| iPhone 12 Pro Max | 195Mbps |
| Google Pixel 3 | 144Mbps |
Router benchmarks
Here are the average 5 GHz speeds recorded for each router. Wi-Fi speeds fluctuate significantly, so these numbers reflect at least three tests taken at each 10-foot interval.
TP-Link Archer AX90
| iPhone 12 Pro Max | Google Pixel 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 feet | 860 | 642 |
| 10 feet | 818 | 534 |
| 20 feet | 764 | 464 |
| 30 feet | 692 | 359 |
| 40 feet (porch) | 530 | 281 |
| 120 feet (across street) | 252 | 146 |
* Speeds in megabits per second (Mbps) using an 80 MHz channel.
TP-Link Archer AX20
| iPhone 12 Pro Max | Google Pixel 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 feet | 809 | 620 |
| 10 feet | 741 | 540 |
| 20 feet | 653 | 415 |
| 30 feet | 542 | 327 |
| 40 feet (porch) | 470 | 200 |
| 120 feet (across street) | 244 | 92 |
* Speeds in megabits per second (Mbps) using an 80 MHz channel.
NETGEAR Nighthawk RAX200
| iPhone 12 Pro Max | Google Pixel 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 feet | 880 | 703 |
| 10 feet | 864 | 671 |
| 20 feet | 833 | 538 |
| 30 feet | 750 | 511 |
| 40 feet (porch) | 691 | 464 |
| 120 feet (across street) | 285 | 184 |
* Speeds in megabits per second (Mbps) using an 80 MHz channel.
ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX11000
| iPhone 12 Pro Max | Google Pixel 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 feet | 848 | 652 |
| 10 feet | 827 | 644 |
| 20 feet | 755 | 529 |
| 30 feet | 729 | 462 |
| 40 feet (porch) | 642 | 308 |
| 120 feet (across street) | 260 | 169 |
* Speeds in megabits per second (Mbps) using an 80 MHz channel.
TP-Link Deco X55
| iPhone 12 Pro Max | Google Pixel 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 feet | 739 | 611 |
| 10 feet | 680 | 573 |
| 20 feet | 613 | 509 |
| 30 feet | 565 | 443 |
| 40 feet (porch) | 339 | 262 |
| 120 feet (across street) | Not tested | Not tested |
* Speeds in megabits per second (Mbps) using an 80 MHz channel.
Other routers we tested
We tested over a dozen standalone routers and mesh kits to determine which routers are ideal for streaming music, video, and games. Here are the tested models we do and don’t recommend.
Other routers we recommend for streaming
| Model | Summary | Price* | Shop online |
|---|---|---|---|
| TP-Link Archer AX11000 | Provides faster speeds than the Rapture GT-AX11000 at a lower price. | $235.78 | View on Amazon |
| TP-Link Archer AX6000 | Lacks the third band and extra streams seen with the AX11000 model. | $249.99 | View on Amazon |
* Amazon.com Prices (as of 3/31/23 07:53 MST). Read full disclaimer.
Other routers we don’t recommend for streaming
| Model | Summary | Price* | More details |
|---|---|---|---|
| TP-Link Archer A10 | Uses the older Wi-Fi 5 spec and is hard to find new at a reasonable price. | $59.99 | View on Amazon |
| NETGEAR Nighthawk XR500 | Lacks parental controls and free security features. | $299.00 | View on Amazon |
* Amazon.com Prices (as of 3/31/23 07:53 MST). Read full disclaimer.
FAQ about routers for streaming
How much speed do you need for streaming?
You don’t need a lot of speed to stream music and video, but you need a router that can handle multiple wireless devices simultaneously. We provide a few guides on how much speed you need for music, video, and more.
- How Much Speed Do I Need to Stream Video?
- How Much Speed Do I Need to Stream Music?
- How Much Speed Do You Need for Live Video Game Streaming?
- How Much Internet Speed Do You Need for YouTube?
Are three Wi-Fi bands better than two?
Yes. Each band uses a single radio—one for 2.4 GHz, one for 5 GHz, and in some cases, one for 5 GHz or 6 GHz. Moreover, each band uses a single channel. So, routers with two 5 GHz radios see the lower channels used by one radio and the higher ones used by the second.
That means your devices won’t crowd a single channel and experience slowdowns caused by congestion. Wi-Fi 6e routers have the third 6 GHz band, which is less congested but has an even shorter range than 5 GHz.
Disclaimer
Amazon.com Prices as of 3/31/23 07:53 MST. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Highspeedinternet.com utilizes paid Amazon links.
CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT
Author - Kevin Parrish
Kevin Parrish has more than a decade of experience working as a writer, editor, and product tester. He began writing about computer hardware and soon branched out to other devices and services such as networking equipment, phones and tablets, game consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom’s Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authority, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others. At HighSpeedInternet.com, he focuses on network equipment testing and review.
Editor - Rebecca Lee Armstrong
Rebecca Lee Armstrong has more than six years of experience writing about tech and the internet, with a specialty in hands-on testing. She started writing tech product and service reviews while finishing her BFA in creative writing at the University of Evansville and has found her niche writing about home networking, routers, and internet access at HighSpeedInternet.com. Her work has also been featured on Top Ten Reviews, MacSources, Windows Central, Android Central, Best Company, TechnoFAQ, and iMore.
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