A router is the heart of a local network. Each network needs one router, and preferably no more than one.
At a minimum, a router includes a WAN port to connect to an Internet source and a few LAN ports for connecting local wired devices. Technically, a router is a layer 3 network switch.
Nowadays, the term “router” is often used to refer to a “Wi-Fi router” — one that has a built-in Wi-Fi access point. Consequently, we use “non-Wi-Fi” to refer to a standard router that lacks built-in Wi-Fi capability.
As a travel router, the TP-Link Roam 7 has gone through a lot. TP-Link first announced it at the beginning of 2025 as the TL-WR3602BE, then made it available for purchase on August 5 of the same year under that same cryptic name. In early 2026, TP-Link quietly adopted a new …
Since the beginning of 2025, Ubiquiti’s UniFi has become increasingly relevant for the home, in addition to the business and enterprise environments that were once its original sole focus. This post includes the current five best Wi-Fi UniFi Cloud Gateways, a.k.a. UniFi consoles or “Wi-Fi UniFi routers” if you will, based on …
This post lists the five best Wi-Fi 7 routers — specifically, the best tri-band Wi-Fi 7 routers — and their alternatives. Tri-band routers support all three frequency bands: 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz. For dual-band options, those without the 6GHz band, check out these top five dual-band Wi-Fi 7 routers instead. These are …
The ROG Rapture GT-BE19000AI has arguably been the most significant Wi-Fi 7 router for the home, thanks to its much-hyped “AI-driven” features. And the router proved to be an excellent Wi-Fi machine in my testing, delivering the fastest performance in real-world tests to date. But like all things, it’s far …
Ubiquiti’s UniFi Dream Router 5G Max (model UDR-5G-Max), first announced in late 2025 and now available for purchase, is a unique UniFi Cloud Gateway (a.k.a. “router”). It’s the first among its peers to feature a built-in 5G cellular modem, and for those who’ve used the AmpliFi Alien, it evokes a …
At the request of many, this post, a supplement to the one detailing the UniFi Network, provides a quick yet comprehensive buying guide for UniFi Cloud Gateways. When through, you’ll be able to pick the right UniFi “router” for your needs. It also includes tips on upgrades or replacement if …
The head says it. This post lists the current best dual-band Wi-Fi 7 routers. They are hardware that does not feature the 6GHz band. These routers are made for those who don’t need or care for this band or live in a region where it’s unavailable for Wi-Fi use. If …
