🛒You might feel overwhelmed by the number of options in the top 5 best lists presented below, but this Table of Contents will help. Hint: After a jump, use the browser’s Back function to return.
These are regularly updated lists of the best networking and storage devices that have been thoroughly tested or used in real-world scenarios for an extended period. You likely won’t go wrong with any of them. It’s a good idea to follow the link to the full post on each category or a product review to get even better informed before spending your hard-earned cash, but when in a hurry, you can literally make the right decision in a few clicks.
I. Top 5 best collections: Wi-Fi and networking hardware by use cases
These are devices grouped by how you can use them, depending on the situation, performance grade, or bandwidth needs.
1. Purpose-built vs. Do-it-yourself (DIY) mesh approaches
When it comes to building a network for a large home, you can pick the do-it-yourself approach that’s generally harder to start but gives you the best options in performance, management, and features. Alternatively, there are many purpose-built (or “canned”) options that make things much easier at the expense of one or all of the above.
Top 5 best DIY Wi-Fi systems (for a wired home)
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| Name | Ubiquiti UniFi-Based Wi-Fi System’s Rating | Asus AiMesh’s Rating | TP-Link Omada-based DIY PoE Mesh’s Rating | TP-Link EasyMesh’s Rating | EnGenius FIT DIY PoE Mesh’s Rating |
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Top 5 most popular purpose-built mesh Wi-Fi brands
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| Name | Asus AiMesh’s Rating | Linksys Velop Smart Wi-Fi’s Rating | TP-Link Deco’s Rating | Netgear Orbi’s Rating | Amazon eero’s Rating |
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2. Wi-Fi access points and cable modems
Cable modems are popular broadband terminal devices. Access points are standalone Wi-Fi broadcasters that can be added to a router, especially a non-Wi-Fi router, to turn a wired network wireless.
Top 5 best Wi-Fi access points
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| Name | Ubiquiti UniFi E7’s Rating | TP-Link Omada EAP783’s Rating | Asus ExpertWiFi EBA63’s Rating | EnGenius EWS850-FIT (formerly EWS850AP) Access Point’s Rating | Zyxel WBE660S Wi-Fi 7 Access Point’s Rating |
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Top 5 best cable modems
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| Name | Netgear CM2000’s Rating | Netgear CM1000’s Rating | Motorola MB8600 DOCSIS 3.1 Cable Modem’s Rating | ARRIS S33 Cable Modem’s Rating | Netgear CM600’s Rating |
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3. Wi-Fi and networking devices by Multi-Gig grades
Multi-Gig is equipment that can deliver two or more gigabits per second in real-world connections with grades ranging from 2.5Gbps to 10Gbps. This type of hardware is a must for those with Gigabit or faster bandwidth needs.
Top 5 best 10Gbps Multi-Gig routers
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| Name | Ubiquiti Cloud Gateway Fiber (UCG-Fiber)’s Rating | Asus GT-BE98 Pro’s Rating | Asus RT-BE88U’s Rating | TP-Link Archer GE800’s Rating | Netgear Nighthawk RS700S’ Rating |
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Top 5 best 10Gbps Multi-Gig mesh systems
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| Name | Ubiquiti UniFi-Based Wi-Fi System’s Rating | Asus ZenWiFi BQ16 Pro’s Rating | Asus ZenWiFi BT10’s Ratings | TP-Link Deco BE85’s Rating | Netgear Orbi 970 Series (RBE973S)’s Rating |
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| Buy this product |
Top 5 best 2.5Gbps Multi-Gig routers
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| Name | Ubiquiti UniFi Dream Router 7 (UDR7)’s Rating | Ubiquiti UniFi Cloud Gateway Max (UCG-Max)’s Rating | Asus RT-AX88U Pro’s Rating | Asus RT-BE92U’s Rating | TP-Link Archer BE230 (BE3600)’s Rating |
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Top 5 best 2.5Gbps Multi-Gig mesh systems
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| Name | Asus ZenWiFi Pro ET12’s Rating | Asus ZenWiFi BT8’s Rating | TP-Link Deco X55 Pro’s Rating | TP-Link Deco BE25 (Deco BE5000)’s Rating | Netgear Orbi RBKE960 Series’ Rating |
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4. Wi-Fi and networking devices by applications or special features
While all routers work with all devices, some come with extra features that don’t exist in others, including exceptional support for gaming, network storage, or the removal of a built-in Wi-Fi access point for better flexibility.
Top 5 best non-Wi-Fi Routers
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| Name | Ubiquiti Cloud Gateway Fiber (UCG-Fiber)’s Rating | Ubiquiti UniFi Cloud Gateway Max (UCG-Max)’s Rating | Asus ExpertWiFi EBG15 Router’s Rating | EnGenius ESG510’s Rating | Amazon eero PoE Gateway’s Rating |
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| Buy this product |
Top 5 best routers as mini NAS servers
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| Name | Asus RT-BE86U’s Rating | TP-Link Archer GE800’s Rating | Netgear Nighthawk RS700S’ Rating | Synology RT6600ax’s Rating | Linksys AXE8400 Atlas Max’s Rating |
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Top 5 best gaming routers
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| Name | Asus GT-BE98 Pro’s Rating | TP-Link Archer GE800’s Rating | MSI Radix AXE6600’s Rating | Netgear Nighthawk XR1000’s Rating | Netduma R3’s Rating |
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Top 5 best Wi-Fi 7 routers for virtual reality (VR)
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| Name | Asus GT-BE98 Pro’s Rating | Asus RT-BE96U’s Rating | TP-Link Archer GE800’s Rating | TP-Link Archer BE800’s Rating | Netgear Nighthawk RS700S’ Rating |
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Top 5 best Wi-Fi 6 and 6E routers for virtual reality (VR)
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| Name | Asus GT-AX11000 Pro’s Rating | TP-Link Archer AXE300’s Rating | Asus GT-AXE16000’s Rating | Synology RT6600ax’s Rating | Ubiquiti AmpliFi Alien’s Rating |
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Top 5 best travel routers
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| Name | TP-Link TL-WR3002X’s Rating | Asus RT-AX57 Go’s Rating | TP-Link TL-WR1502X’s Rating | D-Link D-Link G530’s Rating | Netgear M6 Pro’s Rating |
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II. Top 5 best collections: Networking hardware by Wi-Fi standards
These are devices grouped by the available Wi-Fi standards, including Wi-Fi 7, Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E, and Wi-Fi 5.
1. Wi-Fi 7 routers and mesh systems
Wi-Fi 7 is the latest wireless standard for computer networks.
Top 5 best full-band Wi-Fi 7 routers
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| Name | Ubiquiti UniFi Dream Router 7 (UDR7)’s Rating | Asus GT-BE98 Pro’s Rating | Asus RT-BE92U’s Rating | TP-Link Archer GE800’s Rating | Netgear Nighthawk RS700S’ Rating |
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Top 5 best dual-band Wi-Fi 7 routers
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| Name | Asus RT-BE86U’s Rating | TP-Link Archer BE230 (BE3600)’s Rating | Asus RT-BE88U’s Rating | Netgear Nighthawk RS200’s Rating | Netgear Nighthawk RS100’s Rating |
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Top 5 best Wi-Fi 7 mesh Wi-Fi systems
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| Name | Asus ZenWiFi BT10’s Ratings | Asus ZenWiFi BQ16 Pro’s Rating | Netgear Orbi 870 Series’s Rating | TP-Link Deco BE85’s Rating | Linksys Velop Pro 7’s Rating |
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2. Wi-Fi 6E routers and mesh systems
Wi-Fi 6E is the extension of Wi-Fi 6 and is the first standard to use the 6GHz band.
Top 5 best Wi-Fi 6E routers
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| Name | Asus GT-AXE16000’s Rating | TP-Link Archer AXE300’s Rating | MSI Radix AXE6600’s Rating | Netgear Nighthawk RAXE300’s Rating | Linksys MR7500 AXE6600 Hydra Pro’s Rating |
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Top 5 best Wi-Fi 6E mesh systems
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| Name | Asus ZenWiFi Pro ET12’s Rating | TP-Link Deco XE200’s Rating | Asus ZenWiFi ET8’s Rating | Netgear Orbi RBKE960 Series’ Rating | Linksys AXE8400 Atlas Max’s Rating |
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3. Wi-Fi 6 routers and mesh systems
Wi-Fi 6 is the first Wi-Fi standard that can deliver Gig+ real-world speeds. With Wi-Fi 7 being certified in early 2024, some might be worried that Wi-Fi 6 is now “dated”. If so, this post proves otherwise. It’s an excellent time to get this popular and mature wireless standard now.
Top 5 best high-end tri-band Wi-Fi 6 routers
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| Name | Asus GT-AX11000 Pro’s Rating | TP-Link Archer GX90’s Rating | Asus GT-AX11000’s Rating | Netgear Nighthawk RAX200’s Rating | MSI Radix AX6600’s Rating |
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| Buy this product |
Top 5 best high-end dual-band Wi-Fi 6 routers
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| Name | Asus RT-AX89X’s Rating | Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX6000’s Rating | Asus RT-AX88U Pro’s Rating | Synology RT6600ax’s Rating | Netgear Nighthawk RAX120’s Rating |
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Top 5 best mid-tier dual-band Wi-Fi 6 routers
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| Name | Synology RT6600ax’s Rating | Asus TUF-AX5400’s Rating | Asus RT-AX82U’s Rating | Netgear Nighthawk RAX50’s Rating | Synology WRX560’s Rating |
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Top 5 best entry-level dual-band Wi-Fi 6 routers
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| Name | Ubiquiti UniFi Dream Router (UDR)’s Rating | Asus RT-AX68U’s Rating | Asus ExpertWiFi EBR63’s Rating | Asus GS-AX3000’s Rating | Netgear WAX204 Access Point’s Rating |
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Top 5 best tri-band Wi-Fi 6 mesh systems
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| Name | Asus ZenWiFi Pro XT12’s Rating | AmpliFi Alien Mesh Kit’s Rating | Netgear Orbi RBK750 Series’ Rating | Linksys Velop MX12600’s Rating | TP-Link Deco X5700’s Rating |
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Top 5 best dual-band Wi-Fi 6 mesh systems
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| Name | Asus ZenWiFi XD6’s Rating | TP-Link Deco X55 Pro’s Rating | TP-Link Deco X4300 Pro’s Rating | Linksys Velop Micro 6’s Rating | Netgear SXK30 Orbi Pro Mini’s Rating |
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| Buy this product |
4. Wi-Fi 5 routers and mesh systems
Wi-Fi 5 is on the way out but is still popular in many existing devices. This standard will be supported for the foreseeable future.
Top 5 best Wi-Fi 5 routers
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| Name | Ubiquiti UniFi Dream Machine’s Rating | Asus RT-AC86U’s Rating | Synology RT2600ac’s Rating | TP-Link Archer C5400X’s Rating | Netgear Nighthawk XR500’s Rating |
| Price | – | – | – | – | – |
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| Buy this product |
Top 5 best Wi-Fi 5 mesh systems
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| Name | Ubiquiti AmpliFi HD’s Rating | ASUS RT-AX92U’s Rating | Asus ZenWiFi AC CT8’s Rating | Netgear Orbi CBK40’s Rating | Linksys Velop Dual-Band’s Rating |
| Price | – | – | – | – | – |
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| Description | |||||
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| Buy this product |
III. Top 5 best collections: SSDs and portable drives
These are digital storage devices that hold your information at home or when you’re out and about.
1. External storage devices
These are storage devices to be plugged externally into a host device, such as your computer or a game console, using a peripheral connection, namely USB or Thunderbolt.
Top 5 best external SSDs for gamers and casual users
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| Name | Samsung T7 Shield’s Rating | Crucial X10 Pro Portable SSD’s Rating | Asus AS1000 TUF Gaming Plus’ Rating | SanDisk Desk Drive’s Rating | Silicon Power DS72 Portable SSD’s Rating |
| Price | – | – | – | – | – |
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| Buy this product |
Top 5 best rugged/ultra-secure/professional external SSDs
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| Name | Samsung T7/Touch’s Rating | iStorage diskAshur M2’s Rating | iStorage datAshur PRO2’s Rating | Apricorn Aegis Padlock SSD’s Rating | Samsung Portable SSD X5’s Rating |
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2. Internal storage devices
These are devices to be used inside your devices, such as a computer or a game console.
Top 5 best NVMe SSDs
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| Name | Micron Crucial P510’s Rating | Samsung 990 EVO Plus SSD’s Rating | Samsung SSD 9100 PRO’s Rating | Micron Crucial P310’s Ratings | WD Blue SN5000’s Rating |
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| Buy this product |
Top 5 best SATA SSDs
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| Name | Samsung 870 EVO’s Rating | WD Red SA500’s Rating | WD Blue’s Rating | Crucial BX500’s Rating | SanDisk SSD Plus’ Rating |
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| Buy this product |
IV. Happy shopping!
If you didn’t find what you’re looking for, come back at a later time. As mentioned, these lists are regularly updated as more devices are released and tested.
Hi Dong
Really enjoying the site, and the top 5 section makes it easy to get your concise thoughts.
However, it would be really interesting to get your take on the best solutions (with a few price points) if you need a wireless backhaul. It feels like from a lot of your reviews, UNII4 solutions like the XT9 seem to rank highly, but it’d be good to get your singular take on the best solutions where it is either entirely wireless backhaul, or mixed wired and wireless.
My house probably requires 3 units to provide good coverage, and frustratingly, the router unit will have to be at one edge of the house rather the centre. It’s not economically viable to wired backhaul this to any other parts of the house.
It is feasible to wire the satellite that will sit in the centre of the house and the furthest satellite together though, and I presume wired between two satellites and then one wireless backhaul hop is still better than 2x satellites both wireless and one significantly further away?
I’m in the UK if that changes your answer based on what frequencies we’re allowed here etc!
Thank you
It’s impossible to name a particular hardware set as the “best” for wireless bakchauling, Tom. If you read that somewehre, it’s a lie. The reason is that the success of this setup depends on the layout of particular home and where the hardware units are placed—as described in thsi guide. After that you can use the satellite’s performance chart on each review to set your expectation. Generally, though if you have to go fully wireless:
– Tri-band Wi-Fi 6 with UNII-4. Or
– Tri-band Wi-Fi 7 with MLO backhaul.
In a mixed wireless/wired setup, the link between the router to the (first) satellite is the most imporant. Linking the stellites alone via a cable doesn’t hurt but doesn’t help much, either.
Any reason to spend an extra $630-700 on the GT-BE98 Pro vs the RT-BE96U at $450? I want to use it as a primary AI-Mesh Router with my AXE11000.
For the GT-AXE1100 as a satellite unit, David, you want the RT-BE96U as the primary router. Make sure you have wired backhauling, though. More here.
Good day, and thank you for your hard work providing this service to us!
I have a few questions:
– What does the gold color mean?
– How concerned are you with TP-Link security issues that are being raised in America?
Thank you again for your time!
Mike
1. What gold color, Mike? If you mean the star rating, the stars changes the hue toward red (away from green) as the rating gets lower. You can read the full reviews to see the ratings spelled out in numbers.
2. Here’s my observation on the matter.
Hi Dong
Any chance of a new category – 4/5g routers? Tethering is great, but obviously requires a phone. Some routers have a SIM slot
There are not many of them Steve, at least in the US. I’ve reviewed just the D-Link G530. Other than that, you have the mobile hotspot, like the Netgear M6 Pro.