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.
I’d say this the D-Link DIR-X5460 EXO AX AX5400 Wi-Fi 6 Router is basically the lesser model, the DIR-X1560, plus some extra. And that’s true mostly in the physical size and performance. At the core, though, the two are essentially the same, including the old web interface, the lacking feature …
There are two things about the NETGEAR WAX204 Wi-Fi 6 AX1800 Dual-Band Business Wireless Access Point (WAP). First, it’s not a standard access point—it’s a router. And second, it’s a phenomenal deal. Indeed, at well less than 100 bucks, it’s one of the most valuable Wi-Fi 6 routers you can …
Linksys E8450 Dual-Band AX3200 Wi-Fi 6 Router is a breath of fresh air. This new Wi-Fi 6 router harkens back to when Linksys was one of my favorite home networking vendors, thanks to its traditional local web interface. Indeed, it’s the first in a long time that’s no longer part …
I find the ASUS RT-AX68U AX2700 Dual-Band Wi-Fi 6 Router, officially announced on January 13, 2021, in the U.S., a bit of an oxymoron. It’s somewhat an entry-level Wi-Fi 6 router that comes out after ASUS’s first Wi-Fi 6E machine, the GT-AXE11000. So it’s more like an exit-level Wi-Fi 6 broadcaster. …
The ASUS RT-AX92U, first released in mid-2019, is an interesting case for two reasons. First, you only find it during the transition from Wi-Fi 5 to Wi-Fi 6. And secondly, well, I reviewed it twice. Dong’s note: That’s right! You’re reading the updated review published on January 7, 2021, with …
The Amazon eero Pro 6 tri-band AX4200 mesh Wi-Fi 6 router is an exaggeration. There’s nothing “Pro” about it. It has the least to offer among all (tri-band) Wi-Fi 6 routers I’ve reviewed. So, at best, it’s a router for the uninitiated. And in that regard, this one does have a …
The TP-Link Archer AX3200 is somewhat of a rare find. That’s because, in the US, it’s available first exclusively at Costco, which requires a membership. And it proved in my testing to be a great find, too, for certain users. Being a product for an exclusive retailer, the Archer AX3200 …
The Zyxel Armor G5 AX6000 12-Stream Multi-Gigabit Wi-Fi 6 Router (model NBG7815) is like a concept car. It has enough style and power to be a promising networking machine. It’s great to look at to boot. On the inside, though, it’s lacking. Even severely so. Many standard features available in …
The NETGEAR Nighthawk XR1000 Pro Gaming 6-Stream Wi-Fi 6 Router is like a sophisticated date with a complicated personality. You’ll have a hard time figuring out if you love it or just like it as a friend. One thing is for sure, it’s close to impossible, for me at least, …
The ASUS RT-AX82U AX5400 Dual-Band Wi-Fi 6 Gaming Router looks the part. Gamers—well, almost anyone, actually—will love the cute design and especially the large front-facing programmable fancy lighting. On the inside, though, the new router is a somewhat muted version of the more mundane-looking RT-AX86U. It has lesser processing power, …
