A router is the heart of a local network. Each network needs one router, and preferably no more than one.
Technically, a router is a layer 3 network switch, which, at a minimum, includes a WAN port to connect to an Internet source and one (or a few) LAN ports for connecting local wired devices.
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 omits built-in Wi-Fi capability.
If you’re done being impressed by the Dream Machine Beast, Ubiquiti introduced another UniFi Cloud Gateway to behold today: the all-new Enterprise Firewall Core (model EF-Core). In a way, this is the enterprise version of the UDM-Beast. So, this new piece of hardware applies only to large-scale applications. Ubiquiti Enterprise …
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 …
If you’re still wondering whether it’s time to upgrade to Wi-Fi 7, do that now! You only have a few months left to enjoy the standard as a novelty. Today, TP-Link — that popular “not-Chinese” networking vendor — announced its comprehensive Wi-Fi 8 portfolio, along with a relatively concrete release …
The headline says it. It’s perfectly fine to feel attached to that almost-decade-old Wi-Fi 6 router. In fact, it’s a relevant Wi-Fi standard for at least the next half-decade, possibly longer. The gist is that, practically speaking, it’s currently the prime time for a Wi-Fi 6 access point — as …
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 to date. But like all things, it’s far from perfect. In …
When connecting to the Internet, you might have come across different devices you might, quite correctly, call “my Internet box”. But this box, or boxes, can actually be different devices with a different technical name depending on your situation. Knowing how to differentiate between them will ensure you get the …
The head says it. On March 23, 2026, in an unexpected move, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced it would ban all new consumer-grade routers manufactured abroad for national security reasons. This applies to hardware made in all other countries, regardless of the manufacturers’ nationality. In a way, this new development is …
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 …
