Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Your router may be using DNS servers provided by your internet provider, but that does not mean they are slow. DNS helps translate website names into network addresses; changing it can affect how quickly that lookup happens, but it will not increase your internet plan’s bandwidth. If you want to try another resolver, you can change the setting on a compatible home router and restore the old values if anything goes wrong.
What router DNS does—and what changing it can do
When you enter a domain such as example.com, a DNS resolver looks up the address your device needs to reach it. Routers commonly obtain DNS settings through the ISP or network configuration, then distribute them to devices on the home network. Cloudflare describes the default resolver as often being the one provided by an ISP: Cloudflare’s 1.1.1.1 setup guide.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
A different resolver may respond faster or more reliably on your particular connection, but it is not a general-purpose internet-speed upgrade. DNS is only one early step in connecting to a site. Download speed, buffering, and overall connection quality depend on other factors too. Resolver performance can vary with your location, network, caching, and the content-delivery network (CDN) that serves a site. Google’s guidance discusses these variables and does not establish that an arbitrary ISP resolver is slower: Google Public DNS FAQ and Google’s performance guidance.
Choose a resolver before changing the router
These public resolvers are examples, not a universal ranking. Compare options based on local response time, reliability, privacy policy, filtering needs, support for encrypted DNS, and whether your ISP or router relies on its own DNS for features.
#1 Best Overall
- DUAL-BAND WIFI 6 ROUTER: Wi-Fi 6(802.11ax) technology achieves faster speeds, greater capacity and reduced network congestion compared to the previous gen. All WiFi routers require a separate modem. Dual-Band WiFi routers do not support the 6 GHz band.
- AX1800: Enjoy smoother and more stable streaming, gaming, downloading with 1.8 Gbps total bandwidth (up to 1200 Mbps on 5 GHz and up to 574 Mbps on 2.4 GHz). Performance varies by conditions, distance to devices, and obstacles such as walls.
- CONNECT MORE DEVICES: Wi-Fi 6 technology communicates more data to more devices simultaneously using revolutionary OFDMA technology
- EXTENSIVE COVERAGE: Achieve the strong, reliable WiFi coverage with Archer AX1800 as it focuses signal strength to your devices far away using Beamforming technology, 4 high-gain antennas and an advanced front-end module (FEM) chipset
- OUR CYBERSECURITY COMMITMENT: TP-Link is a signatory of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) Secure-by-Design pledge. This device is designed, built, and maintained, with advanced security as a core requirement.
| Resolver | IPv4 addresses | IPv6 addresses | Filtering |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 | 1.1.1.1 1.0.0.1 |
2606:4700:4700::1111 2606:4700:4700::1001 |
Standard resolver; no content filtering. |
| Cloudflare Families: malware | 1.1.1.2 1.0.0.2 |
2606:4700:4700::1112 2606:4700:4700::1002 |
DNS-based malware filtering. |
| Cloudflare Families: malware and adult content | 1.1.1.3 1.0.0.3 |
2606:4700:4700::1113 2606:4700:4700::1003 |
DNS-based malware and adult-content filtering. |
| Google Public DNS | 8.8.8.8 8.8.4.4 |
2001:4860:4860::8888 2001:4860:4860::8844 |
No filtering behavior is stated on the cited setup page. |
Address lists and filtering descriptions are from Cloudflare’s 1.1.1.1 IP addresses page, Cloudflare’s router setup guide, and Google’s Google Public DNS setup instructions. Filtering is limited to DNS lookups that match the filter; it can miscategorize domains and is not a replacement for antivirus, a firewall, or comprehensive parental controls.
Change DNS on a compatible home router
Exact menus vary by router model and firmware. The following is a general process, not a model-specific menu path. Use the address label, manual, or manufacturer documentation for your router rather than assuming a default admin address.
Rank #2
- Dual-band Wi-Fi with 5 GHz speeds up to 867 Mbps and 2.4 GHz speeds up to 300 Mbps, delivering 1200 Mbps of total bandwidth¹. Dual-band routers do not support 6 GHz. Performance varies by conditions, distance to devices, and obstacles such as walls.
- Covers up to 1,000 sq. ft. with four external antennas for stable wireless connections and optimal coverage.
- Supports IGMP Proxy/Snooping, Bridge and Tag VLAN to optimize IPTV streaming
- Access Point Mode - Supports AP Mode to transform your wired connection into wireless network, an ideal wireless router for home
- Advanced Security with WPA3 - The latest Wi-Fi security protocol, WPA3, brings new capabilities to improve cybersecurity in personal networks
- Open the router’s admin page. Enter the router admin address in a browser on a device connected to your home network. Cloudflare’s router guide lists common addresses for several brands, but your model’s documentation is the authority.
- Sign in and find DNS settings. Look under WAN, Internet, IPv6, or IP settings; labels differ between routers.
- Record the current values. Save or photograph existing DNS addresses so you can restore them.
- Enter the new resolver addresses. Set IPv4 addresses and, if the router supports it and your network uses IPv6, the corresponding IPv6 addresses. Avoid leaving an old resolver configured unintentionally if the router has separate fields or modes.
- Save and reconnect if needed. Apply the settings, then allow the router to restart or reconnect clients if it requests that. Check that websites load on several devices.
A router-level change can cover many devices at once, but it does not guarantee that every phone, computer, or browser will use the router’s DNS. A device or browser with its own encrypted-DNS setting may behave differently.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
How to tell whether another resolver is better
Compare name-resolution times across many domains from your own network, rather than pinging a resolver and treating that as the result. Google’s vendor guidance recommends testing at least 5,000 domains for the benchmark approach it describes; that is not a universal requirement for every home user, nor an independent benchmark proving one provider is best. Network distance and CDN mapping can affect the outcome. See Google’s FAQ and performance guidance.
Rank #3
- NIGHTHAWK WIFI 6 ROUTER FOR YOUR WHOLE HOME: Delivers fast, reliable WiFi across every room of your apartment or small home for streaming, gaming, video calls, and smart home devices, all running at the same time without slowing each other down.
- WORKS WITH YOUR EXISTING INTERNET SERVICE: Pairs with your existing modem or gateway via ethernet. Compatible with most cable, fiber, DSL, and satellite providers. Some gateways and modem router combos may require bridge mode. No coax needed.
- SET UP AND MANAGE YOUR NETWORK WITH THE NIGHTHAWK APP: Download the free Nighthawk app on iOS or Android for guided setup. Manage WiFi, run speed tests, pause devices, and set up guest networks from anywhere. Active internet required.
- READY FOR THE DEVICES YOU ALREADY OWN: Your phones, laptops, and TVs work right out of the box. WiFi 6 delivers speeds up to 1.8 Gbps across 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Backward compatible with WiFi 5 and earlier.
- COVERAGE IN EVERY ROOM: Covers up to 1,500 sq. ft. for up to 20 connected devices. Walls, floors, and interference can reduce range. Larger or multi-story homes may benefit from a NETGEAR Orbi mesh WiFi system.
For an everyday decision, compare the resolver you currently use with one alternative over repeated checks and a varied set of sites. Note whether lookups are consistently responsive and whether sites or services behave reliably. There is no substantiated general percentage by which changing DNS will improve your connection; if the difference is negligible or reliability worsens, switch back.
What a DNS change means for privacy
Changing resolvers changes which organization receives your DNS queries. Google describes the choice this way: “When you use Google Public DNS, you are changing your DNS ‘switchboard’ operator from your ISP to Google Public DNS.” Google Public DNS documentation.
Rank #4
- 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞-𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐟 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐖𝐢-𝐅𝐢 𝟕: Powered by Wi-Fi 7 technology, enjoy faster speeds with Multi-Link Operation, increased reliability with Multi-RUs, and more data capacity with 4K-QAM, delivering enhanced performance for all your devices.
- 𝐁𝐄𝟑𝟔𝟎𝟎 𝐃𝐮𝐚𝐥-𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐢-𝐅𝐢 𝟕 𝐑𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐫: Delivers up to 2882 Mbps (5 GHz), and 688 Mbps (2.4 GHz) speeds for 4K/8K streaming, AR/VR gaming & more. Dual-band routers do not support 6 GHz. Performance varies by conditions, distance, and obstacles like walls.
- 𝐔𝐧𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐡 𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢-𝐆𝐢𝐠 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐃𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝟐.𝟓 𝐆𝐛𝐩𝐬 𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝟑×𝟏𝐆𝐛𝐩𝐬 𝐋𝐀𝐍 𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬: Maximize Gigabitplus internet with one 2.5G WAN/LAN port, one 2.5 Gbps LAN port, plus three additional 1 Gbps LAN ports. Break the 1G barrier for seamless, high-speed connectivity from the internet to multiple LAN devices for enhanced performance.
- 𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭-𝐆𝐞𝐧 𝟐.𝟎 𝐆𝐇𝐳 𝐐𝐮𝐚𝐝-𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐫: Experience power and precision with a state-of-the-art processor that effortlessly manages high throughput. Eliminate lag and enjoy fast connections with minimal latency, even during heavy data transmissions.
- 𝐂𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐫 - Covers up to 2,000 sq. ft. for up to 60 devices at a time. 4 internal antennas and beamforming technology focus Wi-Fi signals toward hard-to-reach areas. Seamlessly connect phones, TVs, and gaming consoles.
The resolver must process the domain being requested. Cloudflare says its public resolver will not sell or share users’ personal data with third parties or use personal data from the public resolver for targeted advertising, and describes limits and exceptions around source-IP retention. Those are Cloudflare’s stated commitments for this service, not an independent audit or a statement about every Cloudflare product: Cloudflare privacy policy.
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteDNS over HTTPS (DoH) and DNS over TLS (DoT) encrypt DNS traffic between a client or router and the resolver, reducing exposure to parties along that path. The resolver still receives the query, and encrypted DNS does not encrypt all internet traffic. Router support depends on the model and firmware; Cloudflare’s guide notes options including OpenWrt with Unbound and FRITZ!OS 7.20 or later: Cloudflare’s DNS encryption guide and router setup guide. A plain DNS-address change alone does not enable DoH or DoT.
Best Value
- Dual band router upgrades to 1200 Mbps high speed internet (300mbps for 2.4GHz plus 900Mbps for 5GHz), reducing buffering and ideal for 4K stream
- Full Gigabit Ports - Gigabit Router with 4 Gigabit LAN ports, ideal for any internet plan and allow you to directly connect your wired devices
- Boosted Coverage - Four external antennas equipped with Beamforming technology extend and concentrate the Wi-Fi signals
- MU-MIMO technology - (5GHz band) allows high speeds for multiple devices simultaneously
- Access Point Mode - Supports AP Mode to transform your wired connection into wireless network, an ideal wireless router for home
If something stops working
- Websites no longer load by name: Restore the saved DNS values, then check that both IPv4 and IPv6 settings are consistent. A mismatch can leave some devices using a different DNS path.
- The menu or fields do not match: Consult the router maker’s documentation for the exact model and firmware rather than guessing at a setting.
- Some devices still appear to use another resolver: Check their own DNS or encrypted-DNS settings; clients do not necessarily honor router DNS in every configuration.
- You are on a managed, work, or captive-portal network: Do not apply home-router advice to a network you do not administer. Such networks may require particular DNS behavior.
Google also advises preserving existing settings before changing them: Google Public DNS setup instructions.
Quick Recap
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 at the time of purchase will apply.
