Impartial. No-nonsense. Real stuff.
All reviews on this website are based on thorough hands-on testing and real-world first-hand experience.
This category also includes previews and first-takes, derived from initial impressions, past experience, or preliminary assessments.
It took me a while to evaluate the NETGEAR Nighthawk RS700S BE19000 Wi-Fi 7 router. The router’s actual model is RS700, as printed on its underside and shown in the mobile app and web interface. The “S” signifies that it comes with a one-year trial of NETGEAR Armor. At $699.99, … Continue Reading
First available in late September 2023, the Orbi 970 Series, NETGEAR’s first Wi-Fi 7 mesh system, proved complicated to test. For one, it’s stupidly expensive. A 3-pack (model RBE973S) that includes a router (RBE971) and two satellites (RBE970) retails for $2299.99. Alternatively, you can pick a 2-pack (RBE972) for $1699.99, … Continue Reading
The TP-Link Deco BE85 is the first Wi-Fi 7 mesh system on the market, and consists of multiple identical mesh-enabled routers. At the retail price of $1,299.99 for a 3-pack (or $400 less for a 2-pack)—the street price varies and often includes discounts—the TP-Link Deco BE85 is an excellent buy … Continue Reading
If you ever wonder how I perform networking speed testing on devices—including Wi-Fi access points (standalone or housed within Wi-Fi routers/ mesh systems, or extenders) and switches—for reviews on this website, you’re reading the right post. Take note: An access point is the minimum requirement to create a Wi-Fi network. … Continue Reading
Ubiquiti, on January 8, 2024, announced the U7 Pro PoE access point as part of its all-new UniFi 7 family of Wi-Fi 7 broadcasters. The new access point, in many ways, is the company’s U6 Pro, or the U6 Enterprise, with the support for the latest Wi-Fi standard that became … Continue Reading
It’s the last day of the year, and I’m going to do a little recapping of what happened to me in my little world during the previous 364 days. This post is intended to be personal. It’s part of a years-long tradition partly for you to know that this website, … Continue Reading
The DS223 is the first standard Synology NAS server I’ve officially tested in a long time. Previously, I’ve reviewed mostly the Plus line. But after getting a third unit for personal use—the server was first available in February—I decided it deserved a review. Here’s the bottom line: This standard server … Continue Reading
If you have a home network—with a dated Wi-Fi standard or no Wi-Fi at all—and want to upgrade it straight to Wi-Fi 7, the Zyxel WBE660S BE22000 Wi-Fi 7 Triple-Radio NebulaFlex Pro Access Point would be right up your alley. This first Wi-Fi 7 access point on the market has … Continue Reading
