Wi-Fi Routers: Buying Advice, Tips, and News
Suffering with slow internet? It's probably time for a router upgrade. We’ve rounded up por top lab-tested picks, along with expert guides to help you understand specs, use cases, and what really matters. Dive into our in-depth reviews to find the right router for your setup.
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Worried a New Router Will Break Your Wi-Fi? Here's How to Upgrade SeamlesslyReplacing your router with a new model sounds like a challenge. Thankfully, modern technology has made this process much quicker and easier than it used to be.
By Lance Whitney
Our Current Top Tested Picks
TP-Link Archer AXE75
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
The TP-Link Archer AXE75 is a pioneering, reasonably priced tri-band Wi-Fi 6E router that lets you connect to the uncrowded 6GHz radio band. It’s a solid performer and ideal for future-proofing your network on a budget.
Full TP-Link Archer AXE75 ReviewPros
- Easy to install
- Reasonably priced
- 6GHz transmissions
- Solid throughput performance
- Includes HomeShield software
- Mesh ready
Cons
- Middling file transfer performance
- No multi-gig ports
- Some features require a subscription
Pros
- Easy to install
- Reasonably priced
- 6GHz transmissions
- Solid throughput performance
- Includes HomeShield software
- Mesh ready
Cons
- Middling file transfer performance
- No multi-gig ports
- Some features require a subscription
TP-Link Archer BE230 BE3600 Dual-Band Wi-Fi 7 Router
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
The TP-Link Archer BE3600, the cheapest Wi-Fi 7 router we've tested, is adequate for small households with basic internet needs.
Full TP-Link Archer BE230 BE3600 Dual-Band Wi-Fi 7 Router ReviewPros
- Reasonably priced
- Solid throughput performance
- Multi-gig connectivity
- Includes parental controls and network security software
Cons
- No 6GHz band
- Does not support 320MHz channels
- Middling signal coverage
Pros
- Reasonably priced
- Solid throughput performance
- Multi-gig connectivity
- Includes parental controls and network security software
Cons
- No 6GHz band
- Does not support 320MHz channels
- Middling signal coverage
Asus RT-BE96U
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
The Asus RT-BE96U has a big footprint and a hefty price tag, but it delivered speedy throughput and strong signal performance in testing, making it an excellent tri-band Wi-Fi 7 router.
Full Asus RT-BE96U ReviewPros
- Strong performance
- Wi-Fi 7 support with 6GHz transmissions
- 10GbE WAN/LAN
- 320MHz channel bandwidth
- Includes parental control and network security software
Cons
- Expensive
- Physically large
Pros
- Strong performance
- Wi-Fi 7 support with 6GHz transmissions
- 10GbE WAN/LAN
- 320MHz channel bandwidth
- Includes parental control and network security software
Cons
- Expensive
- Physically large
TP-Link Archer AXE95 AXE7800 Tri-Band Wi-Fi 6E Router
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
The TP-Link Archer AXE95 uses advanced 6GHz wireless technology and multi-gig wired connectivity to deliver speedy throughput, making it the new king of Wi-Fi 6E routers.
Full TP-Link Archer AXE95 AXE7800 Tri-Band Wi-Fi 6E Router ReviewPros
- Fast throughput performance
- Multi-gig WAN/LAN
- 6GHz transmissions
- Includes parental control and network security tools
- Mesh ready
Cons
- Pricey
- Middling file-transfer performance
Pros
- Fast throughput performance
- Multi-gig WAN/LAN
- 6GHz transmissions
- Includes parental control and network security tools
- Mesh ready
Cons
- Pricey
- Middling file-transfer performance
TP-Link Archer GE650 BE11000 Tri-Band Wi-Fi 7 Gaming Router
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
The TP-Link GE650 is a reasonably priced Wi-Fi 7 router designed with gamers in mind. It sports a cool look, delivers speedy throughput performance, and is packed with high-speed networking ports.
Full TP-Link Archer GE650 BE11000 Tri-Band Wi-Fi 7 Gaming Router ReviewPros
- Reasonably priced
- Superb throughput performance
- Gamer-friendly features
- Lots of multi-gig networking ports
- 6GHz transmissions
Cons
- Some HomeShield features cost extra
- Short 6GHz range
Pros
- Reasonably priced
- Superb throughput performance
- Gamer-friendly features
- Lots of multi-gig networking ports
- 6GHz transmissions
Cons
- Some HomeShield features cost extra
- Short 6GHz range
eero Pro 7
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
The eero 7 Pro is an excellent, reasonably priced Wi-Fi 7 mesh system that uses 5GbE Ethernet jacks and 6GHz transmissions to deliver strong wireless performance to every corner of your home.
Full eero Pro 7 ReviewPros
- Easy to install
- Supports Thread, Matter, and Zigbee
- Uses the 6GHz radio band
- Good performance
- 5GbE networking
Cons
- Parental control and network security software cost extra
- No USB ports
Pros
- Easy to install
- Supports Thread, Matter, and Zigbee
- Uses the 6GHz radio band
- Good performance
- 5GbE networking
Cons
- Parental control and network security software cost extra
- No USB ports
eero 6+
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
The eero 6+ Wi-Fi mesh system makes it easy to bring speedy wireless networking to every room in your house, but you’ll pay extra for some security and management features.
Full eero 6+ ReviewPros
- Excellent performance
- Easy to install and manage
- Controls home automation devices
- Supports 160MHz channels
Cons
- Pricey
- Lacks USB connectivity
- Some features require a subscription
Pros
- Excellent performance
- Easy to install and manage
- Controls home automation devices
- Supports 160MHz channels
Cons
- Pricey
- Lacks USB connectivity
- Some features require a subscription
Wyze Wi-Fi 6E Mesh Router Pro
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
With high-speed ports, USB connectivity, and speedy performance, the Wyze Wi-Fi 6E Mesh Router Pro is a smart choice to serve as the brains of a future-proof home network.
Full Wyze Wi-Fi 6E Mesh Router Pro ReviewPros
- Reasonably priced
- Wi-Fi 6E support
- Strong 5GHz throughput performance
- Multi-gig Ethernet and USB connectivity
- Built-in network security software
- Low-profile nodes
Cons
- Lacks strong parental controls
- Limited settings
Pros
- Reasonably priced
- Wi-Fi 6E support
- Strong 5GHz throughput performance
- Multi-gig Ethernet and USB connectivity
- Built-in network security software
- Low-profile nodes
Cons
- Lacks strong parental controls
- Limited settings
Asus ROG Rapture GT6 Wi-Fi 6 Gaming Mesh System
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
Asus' ROG Rapture GT6 is a sleek-looking, two-piece mesh system designed with gamers in mind. It combines game-enhancing settings, fast throughput, strong signal performance, and free Trend Micro network security software in a package that's a snap to set up and manage.
Full Asus ROG Rapture GT6 Wi-Fi 6 Gaming Mesh System ReviewPros
- Multi-gig WAN with strong broadcast signal
- Sleek design
- Speedy throughput performance
- Lots of game-friendly features
- Included anti-malware and parental control software
Cons
- Expensive
Pros
- Multi-gig WAN with strong broadcast signal
- Sleek design
- Speedy throughput performance
- Lots of game-friendly features
- Included anti-malware and parental control software
Cons
- Expensive
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