Honest, hands-on reviews of routers, mesh systems, and networking equipment.
The Netgear Nighthawk XR1000 pairs WiFi 6 AX5400 hardware with DumaOS 3.0 — the most feature-rich gaming firmware available on a consumer router. Geo-Filter, ping heatmaps, and per-app QoS promise lower, more consistent latency for competitive play. We tested it to see whether the software advantage justifies the premium price.
The Starlink Mini fuses a phased-array satellite dish and a dual-band WiFi 5 router into a single 2.43-pound unit that runs off a USB-C power bank — making it the most portable satellite internet solution available. We tested it across multiple locations to see how far that portability takes you.
The ASUS RT-BE88U skips the 6 GHz band to deliver a dual-band WiFi 7 router loaded with dual 10G ports, MLO, and enterprise-grade features at $349. We break down whether that trade-off is worth it.
The Netgear Orbi 970 is the fastest mesh system we’ve tested — a quad-band WiFi 7 BE27000 system with 10G ports, 12 amplified antennas per node, and coverage up to 10,000 sq ft in a 3-pack. The $1,499–$2,299 price tag is brutal, but if you need the absolute best whole-home WiFi 7 mesh, nothing else compares.
The ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX6000 is a dual-band WiFi 6 powerhouse built specifically for gamers — triple-level game acceleration, a 2.0 GHz quad-core processor, dual 2.5G ports, and AiProtection Pro for free. Here’s how it holds up in real-world testing.
The Ubiquiti UniFi Dream Router packs a full UniFi Cloud Gateway — complete with Network, Protect, Talk, and Access apps — into a $199 cylindrical desktop unit. Here’s how its WiFi 6 performance, PoE ports, and enterprise-grade management software hold up in real-world testing.
The TP-Link Deco BE65 brings WiFi 7 mesh networking to a genuinely mainstream price point — all four Ethernet ports are 2.5G, MLO is supported, and real-world throughput beats every WiFi 6E system we’ve tested at this price.
The ASUS RT-BE96U BE19000 is the fastest single router we’ve tested. With dual 10G ports, 320 MHz on the 6 GHz band, and MLO support, it’s built for the fastest home networks — if you can stomach the $700 price.
The Netgear Orbi 770 (RBE773) brings WiFi 7 mesh to a more accessible price point. We test real-world throughput, backhaul performance, and whether the tri-band design is a meaningful step down from the flagship Orbi 970.
The ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 Pro pairs a dedicated 5 GHz gaming band with a 10G LAN port and free lifetime security — making it the most feature-complete tri-band WiFi 6 gaming router money can buy.
The ASUS RT-AX88U Pro packs dual 2.5G ports, eight LAN ports, WiFi 6 AX6000, and lifetime security into one impressive package. Here’s how it performs in real-world testing.
The Amazon eero 6+ brings WiFi 6 with 160 MHz channel support, a built-in Zigbee hub, and the simplest setup experience in the industry — all for around $139 per node. We tested a 3-pack in a real home to see if it lives up to the hype.
The TP-Link Deco X55 delivers genuine WiFi 6 performance across a whole home for well under $200 — three Ethernet ports per node, HE160 support, and coverage for up to 6,500 sq ft. Here’s how it performs in real-world testing.
The Motorola MB8611 packs a 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port, 32×8 DOCSIS 3.1 channel bonding, and approval from Xfinity, Spectrum, and Cox into a compact modem that pays for itself in roughly a year of avoided rental fees. Here’s everything you need to know.
The ARRIS SURFboard S33 packs DOCSIS 3.1, a 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port, a bonus 1 Gbps port, and broad ISP approval into a compact modem priced at $199. Here’s how it performs and whether it’s the right pick for your cable plan.
The Netgear Nighthawk CM2000 is a DOCSIS 3.1 modem with a 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port designed for multi-gig cable plans. We break down its specs, ISP compatibility, and whether the premium price is justified.
The TP-Link Archer AXE75 was the first affordable WiFi 6E router, and it’s still one of the best value picks in 2026. We break down performance, design, and who should buy it.
The Netgear Orbi 960 is the most powerful consumer mesh WiFi system ever built — quad-band WiFi 6E, a 10 Gbps WAN port, and coverage for up to 9,000 sq ft. But at $1,500 for a 3-pack, is it worth the asking price?
The TP-Link Archer AX55 packs AX3000 WiFi 6 performance, a USB 3.0 port, and OneMesh support into one of the smallest and cheapest routers in its class. We put it through its paces to find out if the value holds up.
The ASUS ZenWiFi XT9 is a tri-band WiFi 6 mesh system built for large homes and demanding households. With a dedicated 4.8 Gbps backhaul band, 2.5G WAN port, and lifetime AiProtection Pro security, it’s one of the most capable mesh systems in its class. Here’s how it performs in the real world.
The TP-Link RE605X is an AX1800 WiFi 6 range extender that covers up to 1,500 sq ft for around $80. We tested its speed, range, and OneMesh compatibility to see if it’s the best budget WiFi 6 extender you can buy.
The Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 was the first flagship WiFi 6E router, and it still impresses with tri-band AXE11000 performance, a 2.5G WAN port, and blistering close-range speeds on the 6 GHz band.
The Linksys Velop MX5300 is a tri-band WiFi 6 mesh node with AX5300 speeds, 3,000 sq ft coverage, and a premium build. We tested its real-world performance to see if it still holds up.
The Amazon eero Pro 6E is a tri-band WiFi 6E mesh system that pairs exceptional ease of use with rock-solid coverage. We tested the three-pack in a 3,000 sq ft home to see if it justifies the premium price.
The Google Nest WiFi Pro brings WiFi 6E tri-band performance to the masses with the easiest setup we’ve tested — but limited ports and a closed app ecosystem mean it’s not for everyone.
The TP-Link Deco XE75 brings WiFi 6E mesh to the masses at an affordable price. We tested it in a 2,400 sq ft home to see if it lives up to the hype.
The Nighthawk RAX50 is a dual-band WiFi 6 router that delivers strong performance for mid-size homes without breaking the bank.
Built for gamers with adaptive QoS, a 2.5 Gbps WAN port, and blazing WiFi 6 speeds, the RT-AX86U Pro is a powerhouse — but is it worth $279?