Editor’s Note: On March 25, 2026, the Federal Communications Commission issued a notice that the sale of new foreign-made routers will be banned going forward. Virtually every Wi-Fi router available for purchase in the US meets the FCC’s “foreign-made” criteria. All of the routers we recommend on our best list have previously received FCC approval, but there’s a risk that they won’t be able to receive software and firmware updates after March 1, 2027. CNET is reporting on this regulatory ban, and we’re recommending that you hold off on purchasing a router until we learn which companies are subject to the ban.
Our Picks
Editor's Note: We think you should be aware that TP-Link routers are under investigation by the US government over security concerns and could be banned in the US this year, according to multiple news reports. CNET reported on the potential ban in 2025, but in the absence of documented evidence to support the allegations, we chose to continue recommending TP-Link as one of our best router choices. In fact, you can read more about why I still use a TP-Link router here.
Pros
- Most affordable tri-band Wi-Fi 7 router in our tests
- Second-best throughput scores
- Easy-to-use app and setup
- Can pair with other TP-Link routers to form mesh system
- Solid jitter scores on every band
Cons
- Will likely have some dead zones in larger homes
- High packet loss on 6GHz band
Why I like it: The Netgear NightHawk RS700S isn’t just the fastest Wi-Fi 7 router -- it’s the flat-out fastest router we’ve ever tested at CNET’s lab, which is why it earned a highly coveted CNET Lab Award for fastest router. It recorded stunning throughput rates of 1,586Mbps on the 5GHz band and 2,668Mbps on 6GHz, which were the highest of any router on both bands. Its jitter scores were all-around phenomenal, too, which means real-time applications like online gaming and video calls should be smooth.
Pros
- Highest throughput of any router on 5 and 6GHz bands
- Excellent jitter scores on every band
- Solid range with no noticeable dead zones
- Two 10Gbps ports
- Easy-to-use app and setup
- Lab Award winner
Cons
- On the larger side
- High packet loss on 5 and 6GHz bands
- Can’t pair with other Netgear routers to create mesh system
- Lacks Multi-Link Operation
Why I like it: When it comes to mesh routers, I’m generally looking for two things: strong performance and the ability to maintain it at long distances. The Orbi 870 checked both boxes and earned a 2026 CNET Editor's Choice award. It ranked in the top five of any Wi-Fi 7 router for throughput, packet loss and jitter, and it spread that connection beautifully over the CNET lab when we paired it with a satellite router. At $650 for a two-pack, it’s not exactly cheap, but you won’t find many tri-band Wi-Fi 7 mesh routers for less.
Pros
- Minimal performance dropoff at long distances
- High throughput rate on all three bands
- Virtually no packet loss
- Best jitter score of any Wi-Fi 7 router
- Sleek design available in black and white
Cons
- On the expensive side
- No USB port
Why I like it: Of the Wi-Fi 7 routers under $150 that we tested, the Eero 7 was in a class of its own. It returned average throughput rates of 1277Mbps on the 5GHz band, which actually outperformed our top pick, the TP-Link Archer BE550. While it won’t get you access to the 6GHz band, it does have Multi-Link Operation (MLO), which allows devices to connect across multiple frequency bands at the same time.
Pros
- One of the most affordable Wi-Fi 7 routers available
- Fastest dual-band Wi-Fi 7 router we tested
- Small router with a discreet, minimalist design
- Can combine with other Eero routers to create mesh system
Cons
- No 6GHz band
- Weak signal -- best suited for smaller homes or apartments
- Can’t install VPN directly on router
WIRELESS ROUTER DEALS OF THE WEEK
- $1,700 (save $600)
- $280 (save $70)
- $100 (save $30)
- $200 (save $130)
- $96 (save $104)
If you're like most people, you only upgrade your Wi-Fi router when life forces your hand -- you switch internet providers, move to a new house, or the buffering on your old router gets too annoying to stomach any longer. But sometimes, there’s a big enough leap forward in technology that it makes sense to upgrade for the improvements themselves. Wi-Fi 7 is one of those leaps. I used to tell people to skip upgrading to a Wi-Fi 7 router. Ever since I saw with my own eyes how much additional speed you can get for your money in a 7th-gen router, I changed my mind.
A Wi-Fi 7 router will drastically increase the speeds you can get and, perhaps more importantly, significantly reduce latency -- essential for activities like virtual reality or online gaming, where real-time responsiveness is all-important. I've been covering the broadband space for a decade. When Wi-Fi 7 routers first appeared two years ago, I wasn't ready to recommend them simply because they were too expensive. Now, Wi-Fi 7 router prices are coming down, making them a no-brainer buying decision for anyone in the market for a new router.
What’s the best Wi-Fi 7 router of 2026?
The best Wi-Fi 7 router for most people is the TP-Link Archer BE550, which earned our Editors’ Choice badge for its combination of value and performance. It checked every box on paper and delivered results in our lab tests that made the most of all the technical upgrades Wi-Fi 7 introduced. It’s also incredibly affordable. At $177, it was nearly $100 cheaper than any other tri-band Wi-Fi 7 router we tested, and it outperformed models that cost more than three times as much.
If you're looking for pure speed, the Netgear Nighthawk RS700S earned our CNET Lab Award for the fastest Wi-Fi 7 router, recording the highest throughput scores we've ever seen in our testing. Its jitter scores were phenomenal as well, making it an excellent -- if pricey -- choice for gamers or VR enthusiasts.
Best Wi-Fi 7 routers of 2026
TP Link Archer BE550 2.4GHz signal strength map
Pros
- Most affordable tri-band Wi-Fi 7 router in our tests
- Second-best throughput scores
- Easy-to-use app and setup
- Can pair with other TP-Link routers to form mesh system
- Solid jitter scores on every band
Cons
- Will likely have some dead zones in larger homes
- High packet loss on 6GHz band
Editor's Note: We think you should be aware that TP-Link routers are under investigation by the US government over security concerns and could be banned in the US this year, according to multiple news reports. CNET reported on the potential ban in 2025, but in the absence of documented evidence to support the allegations, we chose to continue recommending TP-Link as one of our best router choices. In fact, you can read more about why I still use a TP-Link router here.
Why I like it: TP-Link routinely outperforms its price tag in our router testing, and the Archer BE550 might be the starkest example yet. It was the cheapest tri-band Wi-Fi 7 router I saw, but it delivered the second-highest throughput scores. In router terms, that’s like paying for a Kia Soul but getting a Maserati engine. That's why we gave it a 2026 CNET Editors' Choice award. It lagged behind some of the more expensive routers on the ultrawide 6GHz band, but at 1882.46Mbps, it’s still more than enough for almost any home, and it had the best price-per-Mbps value of any router we've ever tested. It also had the highest throughput on the 2.4GHz band at 127Mbps, which means you should still be able to do simple tasks like check your email even in the far reaches of your home.
Who is it for: This router is for anyone who wants to take full advantage of their Wi-Fi 7-compatible devices, but doesn’t necessarily have a multi-gig internet plan. The Archer BE550’s average throughput scores were comfortably above 1Gbps on both the 5.0 and 6GHz bands, meaning it won’t hold you back even if you pay for a gigabit internet plan.
Who shouldn't buy it: This router has two main flaws: signal strength and packet loss. It performed about average in our signal strength tests, which means you’ll probably see some dropoff in rooms that are far away from the router in larger homes. But this is what we see in almost all standalone routers; if you need a strong connection in every corner of your home, upgrading to a mesh system is the best solution. The Archer BE550’s packet loss scores were in the acceptable range on every band, but if you’re doing things like online gaming where real-time responsiveness is paramount, you’ll be better off with the Linksys Velop Pro 6E, our pick for the best gaming router.
Pros
- Highest throughput of any router on 5 and 6GHz bands
- Excellent jitter scores on every band
- Solid range with no noticeable dead zones
- Two 10Gbps ports
- Easy-to-use app and setup
- Lab Award winner
Cons
- On the larger side
- High packet loss on 5 and 6GHz bands
- Can’t pair with other Netgear routers to create mesh system
- Lacks Multi-Link Operation
Why I like it: The Netgear NightHawk RS700S isn’t just the fastest Wi-Fi 7 router -- it’s the flat-out fastest router we’ve ever tested at CNET’s lab, which is why it earned a highly coveted CNET Lab Award for fastest router. It recorded stunning throughput rates of 1,586Mbps on the 5GHz band and 2,668Mbps on 6GHz, which were the highest of any router on both bands. Its jitter scores were all-around phenomenal, too, which means real-time applications like online gaming and video calls should be smooth.
Who is it for: At $600, I wouldn’t recommend the Netgear NightHawk RS700S to most people. But if you’re already paying over $100 a month for a multi-gig internet plan, it’s worth investing in a router that can get the most out of it. With 10Gbps Ethernet input and output ports and four 1Gbps downstream connections, you’ll get plenty of options for hardwiring your network.
Who shouldn't buy it: The average American home currently gets 305Mbps download speeds. For the vast majority of people, the RS700S is overkill -- the internet connection will limit speeds far before the router will -- and I'd recommend saving money with our top pick, the TP-Link BE550. It also lacks one nice feature that’s common in Wi-Fi 7 routers called Multi-Link Operation, which allows devices to use different frequency bands and channels at the same time. There’s plenty of throughput to go around on the RS700S, so this isn’t as much of an issue as it would be on lesser routers. But at $600, it’s a confusing oversight.
Netgear Orbi 870 2.4GHz signal strength map
Pros
- Minimal performance dropoff at long distances
- High throughput rate on all three bands
- Virtually no packet loss
- Best jitter score of any Wi-Fi 7 router
- Sleek design available in black and white
Cons
- On the expensive side
- No USB port
Why I like it: When it comes to mesh routers, I’m generally looking for two things: strong performance and the ability to maintain it at long distances. The Orbi 870 checked both boxes and earned a 2026 CNET Editor's Choice award. It ranked in the top five of any Wi-Fi 7 router for throughput, packet loss and jitter, and it spread that connection beautifully over the CNET lab when we paired it with a satellite router. At $650 for a two-pack, it’s not exactly cheap, but you won’t find many tri-band Wi-Fi 7 mesh routers for less.
Who is it for: If you’re paying for an internet plan above 1,000Mbps and live in a larger home, it’s worth investing in a mesh system that can get the most out of your connection. Netgear says each router covers 3,000 square feet. I generally take manufacturer claims with a healthy grain of salt, but this one appears to be pretty accurate. Two Orbi 870 routers comfortably covered most of CNET's 12,500-square-foot testing facility, with only the 6GHz band experiencing significant dead zones.
Who shouldn't buy it: If you don’t live in a larger home -- or don’t need top-notch performance in every room -- you can probably get by with a standalone router or cheaper mesh system. For smaller homes, I'd recommend our top pick, the TP-Link Archer BE550, which has a strong enough signal to cover small and midsize homes. That said, less expensive options may not come with the full suite of Wi-Fi 7 features, including access to the ultrawide 6GHz band.
Eero 7 2.4GHz signal strength map
Best budget Wi-Fi 7 router
Eero 7
Pros
- One of the most affordable Wi-Fi 7 routers available
- Fastest dual-band Wi-Fi 7 router we tested
- Small router with a discreet, minimalist design
- Can combine with other Eero routers to create mesh system
Cons
- No 6GHz band
- Weak signal -- best suited for smaller homes or apartments
- Can’t install VPN directly on router
Why I like it: Of the Wi-Fi 7 routers under $150 that we tested, the Eero 7 was in a class of its own. It returned average throughput rates of 1277Mbps on the 5GHz band, which actually outperformed our top pick, the TP-Link Archer BE550. While it won’t get you access to the 6GHz band, it does have Multi-Link Operation (MLO), which allows devices to connect across multiple frequency bands at the same time.
Who is it for: This budget Wi-Fi 7 router is best suited for people who live in smaller homes and don’t necessarily have the latest devices that can take advantage of the 6GHz band. With its excellent jitter and packet loss scores, the Eero 7 is an especially attractive choice for gamers who don’t want to shell out for a pricier gaming router.
Who shouldn't buy it: If you’ve bought a new phone, computer or gaming console that supports Wi-Fi 7 in the past couple of years, I’d recommend spending a little more to upgrade to our top pick, the TP-Link Archer BE550. This will get you the most important feature of Wi-Fi 7: access to the 6GHz band. The Eero 7 still has plenty of other Wi-Fi 7 features that improve performance, but 6GHz is the most impactful.
Best Wi-Fi routers comparison chart
| TP-Link Archer BE550 | Netgear NightHawk RS700S | Netgear Orbi 870 | Eero 7 | |
| Price | $177 | $600 | $600 (two-pack) | $140 |
| Wi-Fi standard | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Frequency bands | 2.4, 5, 6 | 2.4, 5, 6 | 2.4, 5, 6 | 2.4, 5 |
| Number of Ethernet ports | 5 | 6 | 4 (per router) | 2 |
| USB connectivity | One USB 3.0 port | One USB 3.0 | None | One USB-C port |
| VPN compatibility | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
What’s so great about Wi-Fi 7?
If you’ve shopped around for a router anytime in the past year, you’ve probably been bombarded with messaging about Wi-Fi 7. It’s easy for manufacturers to get away with some suspect claims -- router speed ratings are one notorious example -- but Wi-Fi 7 doesn’t belong in the category of marketing fluff.
There are three main Wi-Fi standards you’ll see when shopping for Wi-Fi routers in 2026: Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7. Wi-Fi 7 means the router checks the boxes for the seventh generation of Wi-Fi standards.
These standards were developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, a worldwide association of technical professionals. When a device uses the latest standard, an organization called the Wi-Fi Alliance gives its stamp of approval to devices that meet its qualifications.
Essentially, when you buy a Wi-Fi 7 router, you can be sure it has a number of the most advanced features in home networking. Here’s how Wi-Fi 7 compares to previous generations of routers:
| Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) | |
| Frequency bands | 5GHz | 2.4 and 5GHz | 2.4, 5 and 6GHz | 2.4, 5 and 6GHz |
| Maximum bandwidth | 80MHz | 160MHz | 160MHz | 320MHz |
| Maximum speed | 1.3Gbps | 9.6Gbps | 9.6Gbps | 46Gbps |
- Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be): Uses 2.4, 5 and 6GHz bands and doubles the channel size of the 6GHz band from 160 to 320MHz. A typical Wi-Fi 7 laptop could reach “potential maximum” speeds of 5.8Gbps -- 2.4 times faster than the 2.4Gbps possible with Wi-Fi 6 and 6E, according to Intel.
- Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax): The first Wi-Fi standard to add in the 6GHz band along with 2.4 and 5GHz.
- Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax): A massive upgrade over Wi-Fi 5, Wi-Fi 6 was the first standard to allow your router to divide the channel it's using -- 2.4 or 5GHz -- to send its signals through smaller frequency allocations. This allowed for much faster speeds than previous generations.
- Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac): Wi-Fi 5 used the 5GHz band exclusively. It was the first Wi-Fi standard to exceed 1Gbps maximum speeds, but its range is significantly smaller than Wi-Fi 6.
Confusingly, some Wi-FI 7 routers, like the Eero 7, don’t actually give you access to the 6GHz band, but are still considered Wi-Fi 7. That’s because they employ other features such as wider channels, MLO and 4K-QAM. These are called “dual-band” routers, compared to the tri-band models that include all three of the 2.4, 5 and 6GHz bands. (Some Wi-Fi 6 tri-band routers include two 5GHz bands, but these are relatively rare these days.)
Along with the addition of the 6GHz band, which already existed on Wi-Fi 6E routers, there are a host of other features that improve performance on Wi-Fi 7 routers.
Wider channels
There isn’t just an entirely new band on Wi-Fi 7 routers -- the channels within those bands are actually wider, too. Wi-Fi 7 supports 320 MHz-wide channels , which is double the size of the widest channels in Wi-Fi 6E. More data can go through the same channels at once, which means you have a lot more room before you start to experience slowdowns due to network congestion.
Multi-Link Operation
While it doesn’t get as much attention as the addition of the 6GHz band, Multi-Link Operation is arguably the most exciting of the new Wi-Fi 7 features. This lets Wi-Fi 7 devices connect on all three bands at the same time.
Think of it like a highway. With previous generations of Wi-Fi routers, your device could only use one at a time. Now, Wi-Fi 7 devices connecting to a Wi-Fi 7 router are able to use multiple lanes simultaneously. The result is improvements in just about every metric that matters: increased throughput, lower latency and reduced instances of packet loss.
Preamble puncturing
One of the unsung heroes of Wi-Fi 7, you probably won’t see preamble puncturing touted on the sales page of a Wi-Fi 7, but it will arguably have a bigger impact on your network experience than any other feature. This lets you avoid network interferences by “puncturing” or splitting part of a Wi-Fi channel.
To go back to the highway metaphor, previous generations of Wi-Fi routers would have closed all three lanes on a highway if there was an accident in just one lane. With preamble puncturing on Wi-Fi 7 routers, data can still flow freely on the two unaffected lanes. This allows more devices to connect seamlessly to the same band without experiencing congestion.
4K QAM
QAM, or Quadrature Amplitude Modulation, is the process by which your Wi-Fi router translates digital information into a signal that can be transmitted wirelessly to your devices. Wi-Fi 7 routers have the ability to represent 4,096 data points in what is known as a constellation, which translates to 20% higher theoretical transmission rates than Wi-Fi 6. The keyword there is “theoretical.” As QAM increases, the range drops, becoming more susceptible to signal noise and interference. All of the Wi-Fi 7 routers we recommend are equipped with 4K QAM, but it’s probably not one of the features you’ll notice most.
Which devices are compatible with Wi-Fi 7?
Only devices equipped with Wi-Fi 7 can take advantage of the upgrades offered by Wi-Fi 7 routers. There’s no definitive list of Wi-Fi 7-compatible products out there, but if you’ve purchased a new device in the past year, there’s a good chance that it works with Wi-Fi 7.
Keep in mind, just because a device is labelled as Wi-Fi 7 doesn’t mean it necessarily comes with the full suite of features. The iPhone 16 and 17 series, for example, only support a maximum of 160MHz channels -- not the ultrawide 320MHz. Other devices, like MacBook Pros released since 2023, are Wi-Fi 6E certified. That means you’ll still be able to access the 6GHz that comes with most Wi-Fi 7 routers, but you won’t get advanced features like MLO and 4K QAM.
Here are some of the most popular Wi-Fi 7 devices available right now:
Phones
- Apple iPhone 17 series
- Apple iPhone 16 series
- Apple iPhone Air
- Google Pixel 8 series
- Google Pixel 9 series
- Motorola Edge 50 Ultra
- Motorola Edge Plus
- Motorola Razr Plus (2024)
- Motorola Razr Plus (2025)
- Motorola Razr Ultra (2025)
- Samsung Galaxy S25 series
- Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold series
Tablets
- iPad Pro M5
- Microsoft Surface Pro Tablet
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra
- Zebra ET401
Computers
- Some laptop models with Intel Core Ultra (Meteor Lake) processors
- Laptops with Qualcomm FastConnect 7800 modules
- Microsoft Surface Laptop (WCN785x)
How we test Wi-Fi 7 routers
CNET uses custom-made scripts designed by our in-house lab engineer, Gianmarco Chumbe, to carry out our testing and data analysis. We focus on three main measurements when testing routers: speed, reliability and distance. We want to know how well a router will translate the internet from your provider into a wireless connection, and how far it can do so -- even with obstacles like walls and floors in the way. To capture all three, we conduct two types of tests: Data-throughput and signal-strength measurements.
CNET’s testing is unique because we remove the internet provider from the equation entirely. Even the most reliable internet connections are fairly erratic: factors like time of day, network congestion and even the condition of your neighborhood’s broadband infrastructure can all affect your internet speed. To make sure these variables didn’t skew our analysis of each router, we set up a separate server to measure the raw throughput of data from the router to a device, bypassing the need for an internet connection entirely.
Learn more: How We Test Wi-Fi Routers
Data throughput tests
Here I am running a throughput test at close distance from the router.
To see how fast a router will perform in real-world conditions, we measure its throughput, or the volume of data that a router actually transmits during a period of time. All Wi-Fi signals travel through 2.5GHz and 5GHz radio frequencies -- that’s why most routers you’ll see are referred to as “dual-band.” (Tri-band routers use an extra set of channels in the 6GHz band.)
To start, we conduct a wired measurement on the 2.5GHz, 5GHz and, when available, 6GHz bands to establish a baseline. This is as fast as throughput can get for the router over each band, so it’s a good point of comparison for our wireless tests. From there, we take five different wireless throughput measurements, 60 seconds each, mimicking a household with five devices connected to the router with different throughput needs. These wireless measurements are taken from three different distances from the router: 7 feet, 25 feet and 50 feet.
As any online gamer or remote worker can tell you, speed isn’t the only factor in evaluating routers. Just as important is jitter, which measures the variations in latency, or the time it takes for data to arrive at its destination. When you’re in a video meeting and there’s a delay in audio or someone’s video freezes, jitter is the culprit. We felt jitter was a better measure than latency when evaluating a router, as average latency can show up in testing as low, even when an internet connection is glitchy.
These tests also captured packet loss, which tells us whether any data failed to reach its destination during the test. You’ll often see packet loss as a frozen video screen or a garbled voice during a video call. With both packet loss and jitter, a lower score is better.
Signal strength
CNET Labs technician Samantha De Leon makes her way around the facility's 61 marked locations to test each router's signal strength.
The second step in our testing is to measure each router’s wireless signal strength and broadcasting capability. To capture this, we used NetSpot, a wireless site survey and analysis tool. This test also shows how well a router handles interference from other objects and networks you’d find in your home, like TVs or your neighbor’s Wi-Fi. CNET’s labs have many electronics being tested around the facility, and it shares walls with other businesses, so there’s plenty of interference for a router to work through.
We taped targets in 61 locations around CNET’s 12,500 square-foot testing facility to see how well each router transmitted data through obstacles like walls and electronics. As expected, the 2.4GHz band had better range than the 5GHz band, which sends a stronger signal at a closer range.
The second step in our testing is to measure each router’s wireless signal strength and broadcasting capability. To capture this, we used NetSpot, a wireless site survey and analysis tool. This test also shows how well a router handles interference from other objects and networks you’d find in your home, like TVs or your neighbor’s Wi-Fi. CNET’s labs have many electronics being tested around the facility, and it shares walls with other businesses, so there’s plenty of interference for a router to work through. In the signal strength maps, the numbers refer to decibels relative to a milliwatt (dBm), and they indicate how strong the Wi-Fi signal is at a given location. A value like -55 dBm is considered strong enough and typically correlates with high throughput. Here’s how to interpret the numbers on signal strength maps:
- -15 dBm: Extremely strong (almost on top of the router)
- -30 dBm: Excellent signal
- -45 dBm: Very good signal
- -60 dBm: Good, supports most tasks
- -75 dBm: Weak, may see drops in speed/stability
- < -80 dBm: Very poor, likely unstable or unusable
In the example above, the Netgear Orbi 870 never dipped below -58dBm on 5GHz-- even when it was on the other side of the 12,500 square foot lab. That’s incredible range for a Wi-Fi router.
Other Wi-Fi 7 routers we tested
We tested 15 Wi-Fi routers in total during this round of testing, and we’ll continue testing more as new models are released. Here are some other top performers that didn’t make our top picks.
Netgear Orbi 970 (9.2/10): Netgear fared well in our testing, earning the top three overall scores for Wi-Fi 7 routers. The Orbi 970 is its most advanced mesh system yet. Not only does it have the usual 2.4, 5 and 6GHz access -- it also adds in a second 5GHz backhaul that allows the mesh satellites to communicate with each other seamlessly. It was slightly behind the fastest router we tested -- its Netgear cousin, the Nighthawk RS700S -- in throughput, but it had the edge in both jitter and latency. The only thing that kept it off our list was its price. At $1,350 for a two-pack, the performance didn’t quite justify the splurge over the cheaper Orbi 870.
Eero Pro 7 (8.9/10): Amazon’s Eero series has been a consistent high performer in our testing since they launched, and its Pro 7 is no exception. It returned a throughput rate of 2,029Mbps on the 6GHz, which was about average on that band but still well above what most households might use. Packet loss and jitter were virtually nonexistent on this band as well. (Eero’s newer routers automatically choose 6GHz when it’s available, so we were unable to test on the 2.4 and 5GHz bands.)
Eero Max 7 (8.3/10): Eero’s newest router returned excellent all-around scores on the 6GHz band for throughput, jitter and packet loss, but its signal strength was noticeably worse than the cheaper Eero Pro 9 on both the 2.4 and 6GHz bands -- even when we tested it as a mesh system. With double the antennas for sending and receiving on 5 and 6GHz, we expected to see a significant throughput boost with the Eero Max 7, but that didn’t necessarily hold true in our tests.
Netgear Orbi 770 (7.2/10): The Orbi 770 was one of Netgear’s earliest Wi-Fi 7 offerings, and the mesh system is still a solid performer nearly two years after its release. That said, the dropoff from newer models was noticeable, particularly in our signal strength and packet loss tests. On the 6GHz band, the Orbi 770 experienced average packet loss of 8.3% -- far higher than we’d hope to see on a mesh system that costs $500 for a two-pack.
Netgear Nighthawk RS300 (7.0/10): At $280, the Nighthawk RS300 is actually one of the cheaper tri-band Wi-Fi 7 routers you’ll find right now. Its performance on the 2.4GHz band was uniformly excellent, but that’s not the band you’re paying a premium for. It only returned 637Mbps on 6GHz in our throughput test, which was over 1,200Mbps slower than the second-slowest router on that band. Its packet loss on 6GHz was also the highest we saw at 9.2%. While it performed relatively well on the other bands, its poor showing on 6GHz means you can safely pass this one by.
Wi-Fi 7 router FAQ
Is Wi-Fi 7 worth the upgrade?
Unless you have a newer device that’s compatible with Wi-Fi 7, you might not notice much of a difference between a Wi-Fi 7 router and an older Wi-Fi 6 model. But with Wi-Fi 7 routers coming down in price significantly in the past year, we’re now at the point where it makes sense to invest in the newer standard as a way to future-proof your network.
I recommend replacing your router about every five years. There’s a good chance that in the next half decade, many of the new devices you buy will be equipped with Wi-Fi 7. It’s worth paying a little more now to take full advantage of those devices in the future.
How much faster is Wi-Fi 7 than previous standards?
Wi-Fi 7 routers are significantly faster than previous generations on every band. Newer features like wider channels, Multi-Link Operation and preamble puncturing have shown up in our test results in a big way. On 6GHz, Wi-Fi 7 routers returned average throughput scores of 2,023Mbps, compared to 594Mbps for Wi-Fi 6E routers. The difference wasn’t quite as dramatic on the 2.4 and 5GHz bands, but Wi-Fi 7 still led the way.
Do I need a mesh Wi-Fi system or is a single router enough?
Mesh routers use multiple devices to relay a better Wi-Fi signal throughout your home, with fewer dead zones. They're likely the right approach if you live in a large, multi-story home or if there are multiple spots where you can't connect as reliably as you'd like.
There are many great mesh systems available at this point, and prices have come down significantly in the last few years. For more information and our top recommendations, be sure to check out our full rundown of the best mesh Wi-Fi systems of the year.
How do I optimize router placement for the best coverage?
Place your router in a central location in the home, off the ground, and away from walls.
“The main factor you have to consider is that Wi-Fi travels very well over open air, and it travels very poorly through hard material,” Julian, a technician with ThoseTechGuys in Renton, Washington, told me in a previous interview. “The best place to put a router is centrally located out in the open away from any cabinets, kitchen, plumbing, walls, things like that.”
Can you install a VPN on your router?
In most cases, yes. Most routers allow you to set up a VPN directly on your router, which ensures every device connected to your home Wi-Fi is secured. The only exception on our best Wi-Fi 7 routers list is Eero, which does not offer network-wide VPN support.
