Best Router and Netw…

What Is the Best Router at the Best Price? 

There is no single best router, since the type of router you need depends on how large your house is and how many devices you need to connect, among many other factors. That means picking the right one is more important than ever, and our expertise can help. PCMag has been testing Wi-Fi gear since the standard first emerged. We’ve outlined here our picks for the best Wi-Fi routers you can buy. Each has been selected based on thorough, objective testing, which includes evaluating throughput speeds, range, and signal strength. Our top overall Wi-Fi router pick for most buyers is TP-Link’s Archer AXE75, thanks to its reasonable price and solid throughput performance in testing.

How Much Should I Pay for a Good Router? 

Like with most electronics purchases, router pricing is based on performance and features. For example, an entry-level AX1750 802.11ax router will cost anywhere from $50 to $100, but a quad-band Wi-Fi 7 gaming router with enough bandwidth to support a battle royale LAN party could cost upwards of $700.

What is the Best Router Under $100? 

The TP-Link Archer BE230 is as inexpensive as Wi-Fi 7 routers get, coming in under $100 when it’s on sale (which is frequently). PCMag has a curated list of routers best suited for a variety of use cases and price points, so give that a look if you’d like more options.

What’s the Best Overall Budget Mesh Wi-Fi System?

Those in search of a budget Wi-Fi mesh system should take a look at the Wyze Wi-Fi 6E Mesh Router Pro. Reasonably priced as far as mesh systems go, the Wyze Wi-Fi 6E Mesh Router Pro delivered speedy 5GHz throughput in testing, is easy to manage, and offers multi-gig and USB connectivity. Its performance on the 6GHz (Wi-Fi 6E) band is also good, though not quite as good as its 5GHz performance.

Where Can I Find the Lowest Prices on Routers and Networking Gear?

This page is your top destination for the best routers and networking gear deals. Our deals team scours the internet for the best current prices and updates them frequently. As is the case with many consumer electronics devices, you’ll tend to find the best availability and prices from large retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy. Be sure to check out our daily coverage of the best deals from those retailers, as networking gear frequently makes the cut.

Do Wi-Fi Routers and Mesh Systems Get Price Cuts During Prime Day or Cyber Monday?

We typically see some of the biggest discounts in all consumer electronics categories on Cyber Monday, Black Friday, and Amazon Prime Day. Amazon owns eero, a major Wi-Fi mesh networking vendor, so you can expect price cuts on highly rated eero mesh systems especially on Prime Day.

When Do High-End Gaming Routers Go on Sale?

The best time to find sales on high-end networking gear is when a new Wi-Fi standard is introduced. For example, when Wi-Fi 7 was released, Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6e routers received significant discounts. In most cases, you don’t need the latest standard right away, since you’ll have few, if any, client devices that support it. So to get the absolute best deal on high-end hardware, it’s wise to upgrade to a new standard that’s one behind the current generation.

Plus, gaming-specific features like traffic prioritization tend to evolve slowly, and many gamers use a wired Ethernet connection from their PCs to their routers, so having the latest Wi-Fi generation is less important. This means that if you find a great deal on a Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E router right now, it’ll likely serve you for years to come.

Are Mesh Networking Systems Ever on Sale?

Mesh networking systems are almost always on sale. You should rarely expect to pay more than 90% of a system’s MSRP, and we typically see discounts deeper than that. One rare exception is for cutting-edge systems that use the latest technology. These tend to stick at their MSRPs for a few months or even a year after their introduction.

Can I Bundle a Router With an Internet Plan for a Deal?

In most cases, renting a router from your internet service provider is not a good deal. If your ISP charges $10 per month for a basic router rental, you’d pay more after two years than you would if you bought a $200 router.

However, two situations might make it worthwhile to bundle. The first is if your ISP offers a high-end system for a reasonable or zero extra monthly cost, which many do if you have a high-speed plan. For example, Frontier includes a Wi-Fi 7 router from eero at no extra cost with its Fiber 500 plan.

The second is if your ISP requires you to bundle. It could be worth using the bundled router rather than buying your own in this case.