1. For parents

For parents who want to keep kids off certain sites but don't want to sacrifice power, the Netgear Nighthawk AC1900 Smart WiFi Router (R7000) is a good choice. It will allow you to select what sites your children can safely browse while still providing great range, so the signal is sure to reach to the farthest corners of your house. It also provides enough bandwidth for kids (or parents) who are into online gaming.

With power comes a price. Get it for $192 from Amazon.

2. For college kids

If you're tired of seeking out the library or computer labs for Internet access and you can hook up routers in your dorm room, the Western Digital MyNet N900 packs a nice punch for a rock bottom price of $55. And you don't even have to be a genius to use it. Its intuitive setup and plethora of ethernet and USB ports make it easy to get connected.

3. For the design-obsessed

Routers have never been the prettiest girl at the tech party. In fact, they're often the thing you're most likely to hide out of the way if you can. But Apple's Airport Extreme is so beautiful you won't mind keeping it out on the desk and so simple to set up that you might forget that it's related to those antenna-covered eyesores of days gone by. There are a few minor complaints to be had here -- like only three LAN ports -- but for the Apple fanboy/girl with an eye for something simple and beautiful, this is the way to go.

You can order it from Apple, but it's a bit cheaper to buy from Amazon for $184.

4. For streamers and gamers

The Asus 802.11ac Dual-Band Wireless-AC1750 Gigabit Router is an excellent router with great range, but you'll want to be pretty tech savvy before you try to tackle its sometimes confusing settings. Dual band signals mean you can choose the speeds that are best for you, and plenty of security means your network is safe and sound. Game on, gamers.

Get it from Amazon for $170.

5. Best all around

If you're looking for a one-size-fits-all, the TRENDNet AC1750 Dual Band Wireless Router is a great option, with excellent range, speed, and coverage, as well as plenty of extras like the ability to set up a secured guest network and the ability to share music and videos via a USB shareport. It's sure to match any problem you throw at it, at a mid range price that won't bankrupt you. Get it from Amazon for $119.