Updater

By Jenna Weinerman

Published Mar 31, 2022

Updated Jan 11, 2024

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With cases of cyberbullying and other online crimes targeting children on the rise, parental control is a critical feature to look out for when shopping for a Wi-Fi router. The best router for parental controls should give you a wide range of options for protecting your kids, as well as an easy way to use them. It should come with features such as ad blockers, time management controls, malware protection, flexible content filters, and more.

If you are in the market for a great router with parental controls, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve gathered a list of the best Wi-Fi routers for parental control and this guide also provides a few key features to look out for when shopping for the right router for you.

• Key considerations
• Features and specifications to look for
• Routers with the best parental controls
• Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Key considerations

Choosing the ideal router for your needs can be a demanding task when you consider the myriad of choices available. The following are some details to consider when shopping for a router.

Number of devices

For the best performance, it is advisable to go for a router with enough capacity to cover the number of devices in your home, including computers, mobile phones, tablets, and smart home devices. You need a strong enough wireless network to support all your activities, including messaging, browsing, streaming, among others. If you are using many devices, consider a tri-band router, which provides plenty of flexibility when it comes to prioritizing all of the various connections on your network.

Types of parental control

Another critical consideration is the types of parental controls that are important to you. Because each companion app and router system differs, it is best to consider the internet filtering options that are most crucial. For example, if you have school-going kids, you may need a router that allows you to set schedules for specific types of data or messaging apps. With such a device, you can limit online activity during study hours and keep things on track when it comes to their education.

Coverage

The amount of coverage you need is another critical feature to consider when choosing a router. Depending on your space and architectural features, you may need to go for a mesh network or a Wi-Fi 6 router with a robust antenna for the best performance. The good news is that most of the latest models provide parental controls while delivering speedy throughput and adequate range.

Mobile device filtering

Some intelligent Wi-Fi apps and security apps allow you to install a version on your mobile devices. Check out the mobile device filtering capability of the router you are considering before buying.

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Features and specifications to look for

When considering different available routers, we recommend looking for these features and specs.

Wi-Fi standards

This is a critical feature to check when choosing a router. Older routers may use the standard IEEE803.11a or 802.11b. However, this may not deliver the best performance. 802.11ac is the latest standard, delivering the best internet experience available today. With a Wi-Fi standard of 802.11ac, you’ll enjoy faster speeds and maximize your investment in both your internet service and router.

Wi-Fi security and privacy

With the rise of hacking and internet fraud, it is crucial to ensure the router you are buying provides adequate protection for the whole family when accessing the internet. A router with WPA2 functionality is best for ensuring security. Additionally, the ideal router should offer the ability to add additional encryption, monitor devices, block unwanted users, and more.

Wi-Fi band specifications

You should also pay attention to the Wi-Fi band specifications. Typically, there are two major Wi-Fi bands; 2.4GHz and 5GHz. Some routers also have three bands. These types of routers are called tri-band routers. Ensure the router you are buying has the right band specifications to meet your needs.

Content and app filtering

Content filtering is a feature that allows your router to block certain content from passing through. A good parental control router will enable you to block traffic based on specific categories. Filtering adds an additional layer of protection against the sites that could slip through.

Screen time controls

When it comes to parental controls, you may want to be able to not only limit what your children can access, but how long they can access it as well. A router with screen time controls will allow you to set time limits on how long your kids can browse.

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Routers with the best parental controls

Some routers are better for parental controls than others and these are a few of the best parental control routers on the market today.

Gryphon Smart Mesh Wi-Fi router

The Gryphon Smart Mesh router boasts all the features you would expect in an excellent parental control system. The router enables you to manage each device on your network individually. This allows you to pause connections to computers and TVs without disconnecting other devices like smart bulbs or thermostats.

With this router, you can also filter content and manage internet schedules for specific user profiles. You can also manage devices via a mobile app to avoid the need to log into your router’s settings each time you want to add some extra screen time for your kids. The Gryphon Smart Mesh Router also delivers several network security features such as ad-blocking and malware protection. Other notable features include internet filtering, time management, and more.

Synology MR2200ac router

The Synology MR2200ac router provides a range of features to help you manage your home network. These include the Synology Router Manager for downloading free software packages to customize your home network. The Safe Access package is especially important, as it provides content filtering and time management tools. You can access parental control conveniently via a mobile app once it is up and running, but these controls aren’t the most intuitive.

Asus AX600 Wi-Fi router

If you need a router for demanding activities like gaming, the Asus AX600 Wi-Fi router has you covered. It is one of the best picks for child-friendly internet browsing as it provides features that are usually locked behind paywalls. It comes with the next generation 802.11ax OFDMA standard that fully uses bandwidth to allow for additional devices to connect while maintaining a lower latency.

What’s more, the router comes with a security suite referred to as AiProtection Pro that protects your family from online threats. With this package, you can easily restrict access to P2P connections, harmful content, messaging apps, and more. You can also set time limits and schedules for specific devices to ensure your kids are well protected while surfing or playing games online.

Gryphon AC3000 Parental Control router

Compared to other options, the Gryphon AC3000 parental control router is specifically designed to provide parents with an ideal solution for managing internet security in their homes. It delivers a range of advanced parental control features from the ground up to protect the family.

With this router, you can create adult or child profiles for multiple users. It can track browsing history to ensure you are in the know on your kid’s online activities even when they surf in Incognito or Private Mode. The router allows you to set limited screen time, bedtime, and homework time restrictions. You can also suspend connections for mealtimes if you’d like to. The safe search feature can also hide any inappropriate results when the child uses YouTube. It also comes with a Gryphon app that lets you control the devices when they are outside of the house.

TP-Link Parental Control Router AC1750

The TP-Link Parental Control Router AC1750 is ideal for a parent in need of an inexpensive internet router with parental controls. The device offers a complete parental control package, including customized website filtering, separate user profiles for kids and adults, internet access time limits, and internet usage data to enable you to develop a safe internet browsing ecosystem in your home.

With these features, you can easily configure your router to allow your kids to access secure websites. It also allows you to set up internet access routines to ensure your kids don’t exceed specific time limits when online. Ideally, you can set a bedtime internet block to ensure the kids go to bed after screen time. It also comes with three external dual-band antennas to extend the Wi-Fi range throughout your home. This ensures all your devices, including mobile phones, tablets, IoT devices, and computers, can access the internet from anywhere.

TP-Link AC1750 router

The TP-Link AC1750 router delivers an unmatched experience thanks to fast network speeds and strong signal strength. It also comes with parental controls you can customize to fit your specific situation. With its easy-to-control Tether app, you can set parental controls to match your needs with ease. The parental controls also allow you to control connected devices through Alexa.

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Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What should I do if my router lacks parental controls?

If your router’s control interface doesn’t offer the option of parental controls, consider using a companion device that adds firewalls and filters content. These devices feature their own control apps that deliver more options than a router’s standard built-in management controls.

Can I restrict individual devices on my Wi-Fi?

Most routers with parental controls allow users to set different restrictions on individual devices. The right router should allow you to set content filters and time schedules for internet usage for any connected devices.

How can I block unwanted websites on my home Wi-Fi?

You can either use the parental controls on your router’s management page or the companion app to block websites on your home Wi-Fi. Some routers also allow you to block specific apps and set time limits for websites and specific types of content.

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*Pricing varies by location and availability. Speeds may vary. All prices subject to change; for current pricing and availability visit our internet service page. Prices as of 3/31/22.

Street Address*

Please provide a street address (e.g. 35 Magnolia RD).

Apt/Unit

Zip Code*

Please provide a valid zip code (e.g. 23225).

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Jenna Weinerman

Jenna is Updater’s Head of Marketing and a published ReloTech expert. She’s an endless seeker of knowledge, a lover of craft brews, and a huge Philadelphia sports fan. Follow her on Twitter here.