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.
The TP-Link Archer AX11000 MU-MIMO Tri-Band Gaming Router looks like a duck. It tries super-hard to walk like a duck. But it can’t swim, nor does it quack. So chances are it probably still is a chicken. OK, it’s neither, but the point is this new high-end Wi-Fi 6 router …
It’d make sense if you think you can just cut the Archer AX50‘s performance in half to figure out the Archer AX10. But you’d be so wrong. Indeed. The AX10, an AX1500 router, proved to be a strong performer in my testing, rivaling the AX50 and other AX3000 routers to …
The ASUS RT-AX3000 (as well as its RT-AX58U variant) is among the most affordable Wi-Fi 6 routers in the market, and that’s the least interesting thing about it. This little Wi-Fi machine delivers a lot more than its compact design suggests. It has a ton of useful features and support …
The Archer AX50 is the international and better variant of the slightly stripped-down Archer AX3000 TP-Link made exclusively for Walmart in the U.S late last year. Since the two are so similar, I had a pleasant surprise finding out how better the AX50 is via testing. It’s not only faster …
It’s a bit of an irony to call the TP-Link Archer AX6000 well-rounded, but that’s true. The router has a lot to offer. With eight Gigabit LAN ports and a sub-$300 price tag, the Archer AX6000 intends to compete against the ASUS RT-AX88U. And in my testing, it proved to …
If you’re the type who gets excited about nice-looking and powerful home networking devices with a ton of ports, the ASUS RT-AX89X AX6000 Dual-Band Wi-Fi 6 Router will hit you like a six-pack of RedBull. At a glance, you know instantly that this Wi-Fi 6 router, at the very least, …
The NETGEAR RAX40 Nighthawk AX4 4-Stream Wi-Fi 6 router is slightly more potent than the entry-level TP-Link AX3000. Currently, at less than $150, it’s more affordable than many Wi-Fi 5 routers. Despite the relatively low cost, the RAX40 has an eye-catching design and respectable performance. What’s more, it, for the …
The Ubiquiti UniFi Dream Machine, or UDM, is my new favorite Wi-Fi 5 router. It’s an advanced enterprise-class system packed in a beautiful, compact, home-friendly hardware box. You can use it as a simple single router via a sleek mobile app, like it’s no big deal. Or you can dive …
With the Archer AX3000, not to be confused with the Archer AX50, TP-Link manages to hit that current sweet spot of Wi-Fi 6. The router delivers the performance level of existing available clients at a cost most of us won’t need to think twice. Indeed, available at Walmart at just …
ARRIS’s first Wi-Fi 6 offering, the SURFboard mAX Pro AX11000 Mesh system (model W133), is a bit of an exaggeration. Without a multi-gig network port, it can’t deliver max Wi-Fi 6 speeds, and its mobile app doesn’t include any pro features or, I dare say, any features at all. Update: …
