Top Best 10 Home Routers in December 2021

19667Reviews Scanned
1ST PLACE
Google
Nest Wifi - Mesh Router (AC2200) and 1 point with Google Assistant - 2 pack - Mist
Description

Nest Wifi blankets your whole home in fast, reliable Wi-Fi.* With up to 3800 sq. ft. of coverage, it automatically updates itself to get new features and help your network stay safe. And Nest Wifi points have a speaker with the Google Assistant for extra help around the house.

8 Features
  • Scalable whole home Wi-Fi system.: Provides up to 3800 square feet of fast, reliable Wi-Fi coverage for your home. Handles up to 200 connected devices, and fast enough to stream multiple 4K videos at a time.*
  • 2 port ethernet.: Built in 2 port ethernet available on the router.
  • Manage your family's Internet use.: Keep track of your family's screen time - pause the Internet on your kids' devices at bedtime or during homework hours.
  • Wi-Fi protected access.: Protects your network against hackers and eavesdroppers.
  • Simple setup in a few steps.: Use the Google Home app to create your network and get online in minutes.** No matter how tech savvy you are.
  • Beamforming technology.: Focuses signals directly to compatible wireless devices to help ensure dependable connectivity.
  • Google Home app.: Makes it simple to share your password with guests and prioritize devices on your network.
  • Wireless-AC technology.: Features two wireless bands (2.4GHz and 5GHz) and up to 2.2 Gbps data transfer speed for faster wireless performance.
  • 8 Most Useful Reviews
  • Review by AtlantaGreg, 8 out of 10
    Google Nest Wifi - Better Range Within Minutes.

    If you are still using the wifi router provided to you by your internet service provider, chances are (unless you live in a very small house or apartment), that you are not completely happy with your wifi performance. Your signal can be strong in one room, and non-existent in the next. You may wish to sit “here”, but you can’t get a signal unless you move a few feet over “there”, where you don’t want to sit. You may have tried wifi repeaters or extenders in the past, but they basically just create a second network in your home with slow speeds and similar dead zones, forcing you to switch back and forth.

    Enter the Google Nest wifi router and “point” (what they call an extender). These small, semi/almost round devices that can fit in your hand create what’s called a “mesh” system where by connecting the Google router to your existing router, you can transfer the wifi functions to it, allowing it to send out stronger signals in both the 2.4 ghz and 5 ghz frequencies simultaneously. The “point(s)” (very slightly smaller than the router itself) are set in other areas of your home, picking up the signal from the main Google router, and boosting them even further. Nicer still, they do not create a separate network in the same way older models do, but instead, extend the one you have.

    If you buy a pair (one being the main router and the other the point device), you have three choices of colors, but the router is always white – the point comes in three colors… Mist (a very pale blueish color), Sand (which to me looks Pink), and Snow (white). For large homes, you can also get a router and two points sets. You need to install the appropriate Google Home app to set the system up, and instructions for doing so are simple and included in the app, which works on Apple devices and Android. Provided there are no unforeseen hiccups, you should be up and running within minutes. I know a couple of other people with these devices aside from myself, and one of them did not even need the extra access point – the Google router alone provided stronger and faster wifi than their older one did. One of them has a multi-level home and they did use the point on another level, which did boost speeds and reliability in that area. For myself, the router speed dropped off once it reached the other side of the single level ranch style house, but the overall STRENGTH of it was stronger than my older model… no dead spots.

    Side-note: Your access point should you decide to use it, also doubles as a Google Assistant device, where you can ask it a variety of questions, control lights, and more with the appropriate equipment.

    I do recommend this system, but there is one warning involved – if you have some types of security cameras, doorbells, and devices that ONLY run on a 2.4 ghz frequency, some people can have an issue where they won’t connect, or they won’t stay connected, to a mesh system like this because it transmits on both 2.4 ghz and 5 ghz at the same time. They get confused it seems. Now, RING (doorbells, cameras, etc) tech support can walk you through how to get around this. If you are lucky (very lucky) you can get a tech at ARLO to do this, too. Your success will vary and you may have to make more than one call if you do run into this issue, so just be prepared knowing that you MIGHT have to do this to ensure all of your devices work with it. Waving a finger at these other device makers though, they need to get with it and update their devices to work on all wifi frequencies, and better be able to detect, connect to, and maintain connection to, mesh networks. It’s not always the router’s fault – many times it’s the device makers not keeping their devices updated, and one rep with one of these companies even admitted to me they are behind in catching up to working with mesh networks.

    My one big complaint about the router itself, and it is a big one as others have pointed out, is that the Google router only has one “out” ethernet port on the back for extra devices. That’s it. Camera systems like Arlo require you plug their own hub into one of these. Perhaps you have smart bulbs that come with a small hub as well that need a port, or home phone service, etc. In my opinion, there really is NO excuse for Google only putting one extra ethernet port on this device. Just be aware of this because if you have various things that you currently have plugged directly into your old modem, you may need extra equipment if you are going to use this one to replace it entirely – and the point device has NO ethernet ports. It’s for this reason I won’t give this 5 stars, and really, would drop it to 3 ½ if I could. Yeah – big booboo, Google.

    Otherwise, yes, it’s a reliable system for those willing to do the tech call work to perhaps get some of their devices to work with it. But you will most likely be rewarded with a stronger wifi signal over greater ranges.

    Dec 25, 2019 22:37
  • Review by Njuice, 10 out of 10
    Simplified WiFi to Boost Your Connected Home

    With internet usage and connected home devices increasing so much in your typical household, the need for high quality routers have become more common. I believe that the best form of achieving this is through a mesh router system and Google has really made an achievement with their new Google Nest Wifi Mesh System.

    PROS:

    - The design of the router and the point are very appealing. Everything is smooth, seamless, and its meant to be that way. Google did this on purpose to encourage users to have them out in the open as opposed to tucked away. The router will work much better being out in the open so it’s a good choice to make them beautiful!

    - Set-Up was very easy. As expected, Google makes everything feel so simplified and straight forward. It was a clean process and I was very pleased with the set up!

    - This package features a Router and a Point, which is very common for mesh systems. The Router plugs in directly to your modem so that it gets the hard wired internet source. Then the Point can be placed elsewhere in the house and it just requires power. The system works together flawlessly and really provides a strong boost of internet across multiple levels of your home. It is worth noting that the "Point" isn't as strong as the Router, which seems obvious, but I had no issues as the Point delivered much stronger internet than I previously had to an almost dead internet area of my home.

    - The Point makes up for its subtle lack in power, by doubling as a Google Nest Speaker as well and it sounds great! Once again, this encourages you to place it out in the open but the speaker sounds great, has all the same functionality as a Google Nest Mini, and even has a colorful ring to it.

    - Lastly, Google really makes this WiFi very easy to manage and just makes it feel so much more accessible than any other WiFi system I have used. By integrating this into your Google Home App and Google Assistants, there are plenty of perks you enjoy. This includes checking connection speeds, setting up Guest networks, see what devices are on it, prioritize which devices are more important for WiFi, and even turn off WiFi for devices aka devices your kids are using. I also really enjoy that you can use a Google Smart Display device to show what your speed tests are or display password information easily.

    CONS:

    - The biggest complaint I foresee people having is that the router only has 2 Ethernet ports. One being for the input and one being for output. Sure there are ways around this issue but it would be nicer to have more ports.

    - At the time of this review, you really need two apps to access every feature for these routers: The Google Home app and the Google WiFi app. Eventually, Google will merge these two apps into one but for the time being you will have to have two apps if you really want to utilize all the features - although this isn't necessary.

    - This mesh system does not support WiFi 6. It seems odd considering WiFi 6 is moving forward as the latest and greatest in home consumer WiFi, but Google opted against including it in this system.

    BOTTOM LINE:

    - This system is an all-around win-win for home internet users. On one hand it can be simple and out of the way for you minimalists while providing easy controls when needed. On the other hand, it can be a welcomed addition to you heavy smart-home users by providing a well-integrated Mesh WiFi system that works so well with your other devices. Google knows how to make high quality products, with comfortable ease of use, at reasonable prices compared to what others offer - this Google Nest Mesh System is no exception and will keep you happy.

    Dec 11, 2019 11:35
  • Review by Romo0012, 10 out of 10
    Superb Wifi Speeds and Coverage

    I've had the Asus Ac 5300 for about 2 years. Great router for gaming, but doesn't cover the 5,000 sq ft that it advertises. Maybe it does, but my walls are insulated with foam and I was hardly getting a bar in my garage area (2900sq) to connect my 2 garage doors to wifi. I made a decision to buy another Asus router to mesh. I bought the AC 2900 and it really changed the game, but now I was about $500-600 invested. The routers didn't look attractive at all since we moved to a newer modern home so I invested in these tiny Google routers and boy are they a game changer. Now I don't worry about updates or any problems what so ever. I am very glad I finally made the move to this new system after many years with Asus. They are worth every penny and more! I highly recommend these to anyone that wants superior wifi coverage and speeds.

    Feb 11, 2020 20:47
  • Review by Navin, 10 out of 10
    Best Router I have ever used!

    Paired with Arris Surfboard 3.0 (also reviewed), the best wifi service I have ever experienced. I highly recommend this pair. I used to have cable company modem and could not have more than 3 devices connected at once without the frustration of lagging.

    With my Arris Surfboard and Google Nest pairing, I have had as much as 12 devices connected at the same time and no lagging. I am so happy I no longer have to constantly get stressed about my wifi signal like before ^_^

    I normally do not review products unless they blow my expectations away. This product with the Arris surfboard pairing did exactly that. Absolutely phenomenal!!!

    Feb 07, 2020 15:47
  • Review by MarkusKong, 10 out of 10
    Sleek, Stylish and EFFECTIVE Mesh System

    Google - Nest Wifi AC2200 Dual-Band Mesh Wi-Fi System (2-Pack)

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    Google’s Nest Wifi system has been a huge upgrade from my (fairly old) ASUS RT-N66U. One of the biggest differences has been going from a single-router to a mesh system with multiple access points to cover more square feet around my home. Initially I bought the 2-pack (Router and AP) but ended up expanding to another AP due to how satisfied I was with the product.

    Setting up the system is bar-none the easiest I’ve had to setup. Using Google Home’s app, it’s all automated and straight-forward as you go through the prompt. The only issue I had (which is definitely due to my laziness) is I shared the same SSID and PW with my current router and the new Nest...so of course I had issues getting it all paired up. But after I worked that out, the drop in was almost flawless.

    Speeds have been considerably faster on all of my WiFi devices (which I have quite a bit of) and I haven’t experienced any dropoff or inconsistent speeds since my installation. Arguably some of this could have been attributed to how WiFi signal dips as it goes through walls or other channels my neighbors are using...but nonetheless it has resolved a lot of what I was hoping it would fix.

    One personal gripe I have (which is a nonissue for most) is the hardline capabilities of the router itself. If hardline is required, you will have to get an unmanaged switch to fork the connections to allow for things such as ethernet runs or Powerline ethernet (which is how I hardline my computers in separate rooms). Unfortunately there’s only one output of ethernet on the back of the router, so some creativity might be involved with transitioning to this router.

    Onto the aesthetics, I don’t think there are many mesh systems that are as sleek and provide as much features as the Nest. Having a built-in Google Home essentially replaces the current Google Minis I have spread across rooms. Not just that, but the AP is pleasing on the eyes wherever they’re placed.

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    *****Quick Features & Specs*****

    Each AP covers around 1600sq ft

    Dual-band 2.4 and 5GHz channels

    Built-in Google Assistant

    Ease of setup via Google Home App

    Lots of management options for the router (IE parental rules, or limiting bandwidth)

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    *****What's in the box*****

    Nest AC2200 Dual-Band Mesh Wi-Fi Router

    Nest AC1200 Dual-Band Access Point

    Ethernet Cable (6.5ft)

    Power Adapter (2x)

    Manual

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    Jan 21, 2020 15:37
  • Review by zero325, 10 out of 10
    Amazing Upgrade

    As a longtime owner of the previous generation Google WIFI, I’m definitely impressed with this surprising update. Setup was a breeze and the results speak for themselves.

    The previously required Google WIFI app still has a place when needing advanced routing features like reservations, port forwarding, etc... However, it’s no longer a requirement. You can see critical information, manage family WIFI settings, see devices and retrieve passwords from within the Google Home app, along with all your other google smart home integrated products.

    With the 2 unit kit, one router and one access point, I was able to cover my entire home without issue. The documentation claims that 2 units can handle up to 3800 square feet – so no surprise my 2000 + backyard was no issue. Placement is key, so make sure take consideration when setting them up.

    The icing on the cake, at least for me, is that the access points are also Google Home Minis. What a great extra little feature for people like myself who have one in every room. I was able to place the access point in the back of the house and finally finish my full house audio setup.

    Dec 27, 2019 00:45
  • Review by MovieMan, 10 out of 10
    Probably the best Google product I’ve ever bought.

    I wasn’t looking to buy a router but the salesman explained this item to me and I bought it. I have 47 devices on my home network and e always had problems with WiFi extenders. This lets all my devices work seamlessly I’m even able to hold my weekly zoom meetings in the back yard on the patio with blazing speed. I have X-Finity 200 mbs service and I am able to get full speed in the back yard.(241 mbs) It’s worth every penny!My point is near the back patio door.

    Sep 19, 2020 17:52
  • Review by Matt, 10 out of 10
    Great wifi!

    Great wifi get solid coverage inside and outside the house. My approximate sq is 3700 and this covers everything my old router couldn’t. The built in app that you set this is is also great. I see everything on the network and what’s being used. This is a feature I use all the time tied to my kids iPads and Xbox in order to kill their internet for bedtime, dinner, lunch and other breaks. Has parental controls in it as well to help protect them from sites and I can do network and Speedtest that are built in to check wifi. Really great system and having the google home function built in to play music, answer questions or use it like an intercom and broadcast to the house is an awesome feature too! Btw they look really nice and are compact!

    Jun 07, 2020 10:02
  • 9.2score
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    BEST SELLER
    Linksys - AC2200 Tri-Band Mesh WiFi 5 Router - Black
    Description

    The MR8300 Max Stream™ AC2200 is a high-performance Tri-Band router. Perfect for households that thrive on entertainment, it delivers up to 2.2 Gbps of superior speed throughout your entire home. The Tri-Band and MU-MIMO technology make it ideal for simultaneous streaming of HD movies, online gaming, video calling and supporting all of your smart home devices. MR8300 also grows as your needs do. With its built-in mesh Wi-Fi, instead of investing in a new router, you can expand coverage by simply adding Linksys Velop™ Mesh Wi-Fi nodes for seamless Wi-Fi everywhere.The MR8300 serves as the master router and must connect directly to your modem to create your network. Sets up in minutes with the Linksys app.

    9 Features
  • Wireless-AC technology: Backward compatible with 802.11b/g/n networks, so you can easily upgrade.
  • Entertainment powerhouse: Simultaneous streaming, online gaming, and smart home devices always have superfast Wi-Fi throughout your home. Intelligent Tri-Band AC2200 Wi-Fi combined speeds: 867 Gbps (2-5GHz) and 400 Mbps (2.4GHz).
  • Grows as your needs do: Add additional coverage by simply adding a Velop Mesh Wi-Fi node anywhere in your home.
  • Built-in 4-port Ethernet switch: Enables a wired connection of up to 4 computers.
  • Automatic firmware updates: Keep your system up to date and secure.
  • Easy setup: With the Linksys app, simply name your network and choose a password.
  • Security controls with Linksys app: Easily limit Internet use, and know your network is always protected.
  • Works with all Internet service providers: Enjoy flawless Wi-Fi with all Internet service provider supplied equipment and speeds.
  • Alexa Wi-Fi Access: With Alexa, you can easily manage Wi-Fi access for devices and individuals in the home,taking focus away from screens and back to what’s important.Say commands like“Alexa, turn off Timmy’s Wi-Fi”,when it’s time for dinner or“Alexa, enable guest Wi-Fi”when you have people over
  • 8 Most Useful Reviews
  • Review by Crasher, 10 out of 10
    Great Wi-Fi Coverage

    Linksys tri-band router with the supplied wi-fi extender is sure to reach everybody in your home no matter where you place the main router. There are some key features that set this unit apart from most other tri-band set ups out there and hopefully this will help to clear up any confusion on rather or not this is the right set up for you.

    Lets talk about what you can expect to receive right out of the box. Your going to receive the wireless router, power cable, Ethernet cable, wifi extender, and a instruction booklet. Right off the bat i was a little concerned on how well this unit would work due to its small size and only having 4 antennas instead of 8 as my previous router had. I have a 4000 sq foot house and my main router is placed in the basement so wifi signals have always been a struggle for anyone on my second floor. This unit combined with the given wifi extender(which plugs directly into a wall socket) was able to give everyone in my house full bars no matter where they were. Before i talk about performance i really want to talk about setting this unit up because i feel it deserves some praise as to how easy the set up was. The set up on this unit was by far the fastest and easiest set up i have ever done on a router. Most of my previous routers required me to hook them up directly to my pc or either access them via the wifi signal on my pc which required me allowing a pass through on my firewall to even begin the initial set up. I have always found setting up a wireless router tedious and sometimes overly complicated then what is necessary. This Linksys set up was very easy to do and took me a matter of 5 minutes to do. The nice thing about the set up was everything was done through the Linksys provided phone app. I was able to set up both my wifi device and extender all while sitting on my couch. Through the app you can also set up wifi passwords and wifi signal name. This app is also one of the most integrated app i have seen so far. Let me explain what i mean by this. Through the app you see every device that is connected to your router. Not only can you see them but you can rename them to help identify where they are coming from i.e. "Julie's Tablet." You can also set up parental controls and wifi schedules if you have kids. This means that you can block whatever websites you want and set up a schedule as to when the wifi will be available to the kids. For example my kids get home from school around 4 pm so i have the schedule set to turn the wifi off monday through friday between 8am to 6pm. This means that after 6pm they will be able to get on the wifi. Whats also nice about this feature is that it does not effect everyone in the house it is device specific. Through the app you can also set up device priority. This means that if you get a heavy stream of devices on your router you can set certain devices to take priority meaning they will get the fastest signal. For me i set up my wireless home security cameras to have priority seeing as how my home safety was more important than my kids streaming Youtube.

    Lets talk performance. What makes this unit really perform so well is the fact that this is a tri-band device combined with the router extender. Let me talk briefly about the tri-band for those that are not too familiar with what that means. With out getting all technical and confusing you this basically means that your router is running three signal frequencies to help prevent traffic on the lines. You have your standard 2.4 ghz line and two high speed 5 ghz lines. So let me break this down for you as to how this means efficiency and speed. Your 2.5 ghz line is the one that has the biggest signal and the one that most devices will grab on to. This means that if your on your phone or tablet just surfing the web or posting on Facebook you will be directed to this line. Now lets say you have a smart tv and decided to stream a 4k movie off of Netflix. Obviously your going to need faster speed with less interruption so you can get the full quality of the movie. The router will automatically pick up on that and put you on the high speed 5 ghz line this way you can have the fastest speed available without being held up from your kids watching Youtube or posting on social media. They will be on one band and your tv will be streaming on another band. During heavy congestion i had about 10 devices on my router and when i checked signal strength and speed i was still at full bars while being 60 feet away with a speed of 160 mps. I was impressed to say the least.

    Here's the bottom line. As of writing this review i truly can not find any flaws so far. Time will be the real test as to how well this unit continues to perform. But as of right now im loving this device. As a person who loves to stream videos and game it up this router is a godsend. Given the added parental controls to keep your family safe without limiting your personal internet usage is a nice touch that i think any adult with kids can appreciate. So should you buy this set up? Lets see, do you game? Do you have a big house? Do you have kids? Then yes buy this unit and you will not be disappointed. In all reality this router should suit just about everyone's needs.

    Feb 11, 2019 18:48
  • Review by pauldar, 10 out of 10
    Wide Range, Speed, Multiple-Devices, No Dead Spots

    Because I have four new devices that are MU-MIMO, I was anxious to receive this Linksys Max-Stream AC2200 Tri-Band Router in exchange for an honest review. I was especially curious to see if this router could handle my two Smart TVs and allow buffer-free streaming on both. When my Grand Kids are over my Wi-Fi router has to do a lot of work: a gaming console, streaming on two TVs, and playing music from an Internet music service becomes routine. Then, I have my desktop computer in my home office, my wife using her laptop plus our two cellular phones, Wi-Fi temperature control and Wi-Fi home security system also on our network. It only took a few days of use to convince me this was a terrific replacement for my old router. After three weeks of use and experimenting with the location of the main router unit and the Linksys Mesh Wi-Fi Router Extender I am now thrilled. I have full, Wi-Fi home and patio coverage (wife insists on Wi-Fi on our Patio) without any dead spots. YooHoo!

    I am super-pleased with this Linksys AC2200 and here is why:

    ** Wide Range – This is probably the most important reason for choosing a home Wi-Fi router. This Linksys AC2200 with Mesh Extender has outstanding range and coverage. The old two-band SU-MIMO router was placed in my home office, and I just got used to limited coverage and dead spots. However, I found after moving the Linksys AC2200 around my house, that by placing it approximately at the center of my house was optimal for me (see attached pic). That location also eliminated my previous dead spots. By placing the Mesh Wi-Fi Extender in one of the baseboard outlets in the kitchen (see attached pic) gave my wife (her) Patio coverage, and, in the garage too (for me). WooHoo! If you purchase this router move it around to various locations in your home or residence if you can. You may be pleasantly surprised at the range of coverage that is possible. However, additional Linksys Mesh Extenders can be purchased and added to your existing home network for even more extensive coverage. I live in a rural area of North Florida without a lot of neighbors or electronic interference. I can go outside with any of my mobile devices: the phones, tablets, or I-Pad and still be connected for approximately 150 feet on 5 GHz before it drops to 2.4 GHz. 5.0 GHz frequency does not broadcast as far as 2.4 GHz does, but your router and device will automatically adjust the radio frequency for the distance from the router to your device. How cool is that?

    ** Easy Setup – Linksys furnishes a complete Setup Guide, which walked me through the entire process in less than15 minutes. I first had to download the Linksys App, then physically connect the power supply (LED blinks blue) and Internet, Ethernet cable to my router. After connecting to my Internet, the LED on my router turned purple. I then opened the Linksys App and followed the detailed setup steps. EZ! On your mobile device (phone) you can see the actual status of your entire network (see attached pic), make any necessary changes and allow Guest Access. Guests on this router can access the Internet, but NOT make any changes to any of your settings. I also accessed my Linksys Router Network through my Web Interface from my desktop (see attached pic), laptop, and tablet. My mobile account e-mail and password allowed me to login to check the network from any of those devices. The one big advantage of using a computer to access my Web Interface instead of a mobile phone is that it allows me to check the download and upload speed between the Internet and that device.

    ** MU-MIMO Technology – I have four devices that are MU-MIMO (802.11ac), Wave 2. My Linksys AC2200 allows my Home Wi-Fi network to broadcast a signal from my router to multiple devices simultaneously. The speed and download rates are very noticeable on my devices equipped with MU-MIMO - Desktop, Laptop, and my two mobile phones (Samsung S8 & S9). There are three radio frequencies, 2.4 GHz ('legacy' devices), which can reach speeds of up to 400 Mpbs and two different 5 GHz, which can reach speeds of up to 867 Mpbs. This Linksys Router supports 'beamforming', which sends my data over a broader range to my devices simultaneously other than the 'stand-in-line' kind of sharing my old router performed.. This results in faster download speeds because it decreases the time any one of my devices has to wait to receive data, and increases the amount of devices my network can handle simultaneously. I have 18 devices, but they are all not on-line at any one time (see attached pic). Even my devices that do not have MU-MIMO technology have a better Wi-Fi connection and over all experience. However, please keep in mind that MU-MIMO only increases the download speed NOT the upload speed.

    ** Device Prioritization - Prioritization allows me to choose the devices I want the best possible Wi-Fi connections too. All of the devices my Grand Kids use are on my prioritization list. Plus my wife's laptop (she uses on the Patio).

    ** Band Steering – Another cool feature, when turned ON, senses gaming and video streaming and gives me outstanding Wi-Fi performance. No more buffering and Grand Kids complaining they can't play their games or get their videos. WaHoo!

    ** Security – Linksys Firewall has the ability to recognize data for different types of connections, and pass through only data from known and recognized active connections. Additionally, Linksys provides DoS network, 'attack' protection.

    ** Parental Controls – Linksys allows me to block certain websites, and soon will have Linksys Shield available, which is much more comprehensive in blocking malicious websites. I have Parental Control on all of the devices my Grand Kids use, but this adds another layer of protection.

    ** Automatic Firmware Updates – Updates are automatically added and configured to my router during off-peak times at night. Since my router is 'ON' 24/7 I really appreciate this feature.

    ** Cons – Although I like the mobile app for setup and everyday status, the web interface is almost another world. There are some things I can only do on the mobile app and others only on the web user interface. Am not sure why this is,but I am hoping the Linksys Developers make both seamless and compatible, or, at least explain the differences in writing in their Setup Guide to all users.

    ** Conclusion – I highly recommend this Linksys Max-Stream AC2200 Tri-Band Mesh Wi-Fi Router as an upgrade, and, or replacement for your existing home router. Coupled with the Extender this unit serves my 3,000 plus square feet of service area. And, If I ever build an addition or move to a bigger home this AC2200 Router with additional Mesh Extender(s) will provide me with the Wi-Fi coverage my devices demand. If you have lots of devices, and, or, are going to replace your computer, laptop, tablet, smartphones, or other electronic devices, insure they are MU-MIMO and that you have a router like the Linksys AC2200 to support them. You won't be disappointed.

    Mar 03, 2019 19:59
  • Review by UncleRico, 8 out of 10
    Star off for setup. Performance is above a 5 star

    This is for the AC200 Whole Home WiFi; MR8300 with a Velop AC1300

    Once up and running this is solid piece of tech that will enhance your home’s WiFi experience. The quad core 716 MHz offers the equivalence of a gas guzzling V8 under the electronics hood. There is no update to the core frequency from the prior model and that is fine, assuming there are refinements to the hardware and software of the device. The AC200 offers plenty of tech and features to keep your network up to maximum potential up-time and capable of serving most all internet speeds wireless to the maximum speed of present WiFi technologically available. Data transfer rates and router management are as fast as can be and the GUI snappy for an appliance.

    Tri-Band - Now, this is cool. I have way too many devices for my older wireless router to effectively keep up with. I used to have a lot of issues with my older router. Now, I can view each connection anytime in the app with their name, icon and what band they are using, i.e., 5GHz, 2.4GHz, or Ethernet. Congestion has been remedied. We are a house of streaming and occasional intensive data use. We depend on OTA DVR streaming, streaming services and all wireless except only the DVR, a Sonos and gaming console that are Ethernet, using 3 of the 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports available. The dedicated 5GHz for streaming was noticeable while other 5GHz and 2.4GHz devices were being used with file transfers/work, etc, with no hiccups. Very solid connections and after a few weeks, there have been zero issues. The above said, I believe this is really the guts of what sets this router apart; being able to serve the three bands to all the connected devices, intelligently and with solid performance. The Tri-Band is able to self-configure with the connected device to intelligently determine what bandwidth usage will be best and then assign the channel/band and traffic cop the total bandwidth.

    Intelligent Mesh - Comes at a cost. The VELOP AC1300’s aren’t cheap, but they are worth it. These nodes will expand your WiFi range for larger homes and applications. In short, the configuration of the AC1300 was seamless but what it is doing in the background is far from light duty. The expansion adapter is constantly in communications with the router to adjust bandwidth and total network utilization. There is a protocol that is nested into the hardware of the router and each node. When the node is setup, it gets it’s parameters from the router and behaves as part of the mesh. It is very fast, acting as the router in the form of an access point. This is invisible to the user. What you get is an expansion of your WiFi range and it’s capable bandwidth.

    MU-MIMO - Multiple users, multiple inputs and Multiple outputs. This is cool tech that has been around for consumers since around IPhone 6. The protocol is chip based and newer devices using this tech will be able to have individual sub channel data streams to connect to the router versus the older 802.11 spec where there was more of a token type prioritization where, when multiple users waited in a queue to get to the Net. Now, there is no line; when multiple users with today's WiFi controls request to get out, there is no line - it is more of a concurrent connection without a lag in connectivity. With more users, the lag used to be noticeable. So this, in my opinion, is a must have in a busy home/WiFi environment.

    USB - Unfortunately the USB is unavailable for any real use other than acting as a 5V power supply, at this point. Talking with Customer Support they did mention a future firmware will allow this to connect to a USB HDD and serve files. "Looking forward to that."

    The App, (good parts:) Once setup you can change the name and icon for the device. This was nice since I have so many strange wireless devices, from streaming to smart plugs and temperature/humidity monitoring devices. It took some time to copy the mac addresses/device list from the old router, log the names of each device and rename them into the new router. There are still about 7 more devices to add and with updating security on the router, it takes a time to get to each one and configure it to the new router. I wanted to make sure that only the devices in my home were connected, verified mac and each device settings. Regardless, After setup the app does a nice job presenting the devices with the icon and as you’ve named them, showing who is active, who is prioritized, who is inactive and who is in parental lock down.

    Prioritization. Prioritization means that if the kids are gaming or doing heavy internet utilization surfing and there is a lag in the ISP then the main TV, Chromebook or dad’s laptop don’t take a hit. That’s all there is. 3 devices can be added to the priority list. And with today’s bandwidth you’ll probably not need this or notice, anyhow. But it is nice to have with larger homes with more data intensive users, small businesses, dorms, etc.

    Parental controls. This is more of a basic on/off switch with limited scheduling options, i.e., setting on and off on the hour or half hour. You can also add in specific websites to block for each device per schedule. ‘Nothing fancy to see here, just a schedule you can set for each device and the ability to enable or disable the device. For me and the two school aged girls in the house - this works. For others, they may want something more extensive and that is not to be found in this device. And most offerings of parental controls are subscription based. Not to be found here and honestly I don’t want to task my router with this and experience has shown that it is a painful policy to police. Parental controls are weak.

    Guest access - Nice to have. Instead of giving people your login info - you can turn this feature on from the App when needed and have a separate username/password for temporary guests. I will use this and it is nice to have. We all have to do a better job of controlling our passwords and access to our networks. This is a feature that will help protect your network and information. “Nice.”

    The bad. Setup via App was extremely painful. Having configured countless routers and similar gear over the years, this was one of the modern worst experiences. I was really missing yesterday's Linksys/Cisco web interface to plug in and play. This was no the case out of the box. Plug in internet, setup App, wait for blinky light, tap on head, rub belly, and hope for the best. By default the response from the app during setup was to call your cable provider and ask for new device configuration. What happened to plug in and mac cloning? It’s there, but nested - after setup! In my case, I own my cable modem so my ISP doesn’t care what is hooked up past my modem. Only my modem is registered to their network. Long story short, I stumbled on the manual configuration after many trials and failures all while listening to the persistent Mrs. ask if I should return it or maybe it was beyond me, etc. “It’s like when they tell you to stop and ask for directions and you keep saying you know where you are going, but in reality you can’t see the road. Lol. Extremely frustrating. I really wish they would have given the ability to plug in and configure the basic router settings to get the router talking to the net, then let the app take over and do what it needed to do. Rather the app takes everything over from the get go. Not until you unlock the App’s desire to setup the internet can you get into all the settings and web interface. It is all there but it is unnecessarily frustrating that you are locked out until you get through the setup interface part of the App.

    Support - Linksys does have 24 hour support. I was able to reach them on a Saturday evening and during the week, both with very reasonable call back times. Many companies cannot offer this. So good job with this part.

    In all fairness - My recommendation is to know what you are going to be up against. Take your time and reset your home network. Take the time to put a hard security password and identify every connected device. You may have issues getting through the basic set up and expect a lot of patience or maybe just call in and have someone walk you through it if you fail to get it going right away - if you are having any difficulty, just call their tech support. Further, you should have any username and password ready for your cable company in case you are not familiar with mac address cloning and are swapping out a router connected to a cable company’s modem. If you have experience, just dig in, let the app fail to connect and find the manual setup in the app.

    Conclusion: After the frustration of initial setup, this Max-Stream is really a 5 star rating and the star off is for their App during setup. Yeah, maybe a bit pricey for a router, but I believe in this case you are getting what you pay for. You are future proofing a bit and the Tri-Band with all the extra tech is pretty sweet. And notice how I never said Access point? Because my configuration is Router - not access point. So good luck if that is your path, but for a Router, this thing is the bomb. I cannot speak on behalf of more than one VELOP, but for my home, one is all I needed and there is no signal degradation in any corner of my house, Excellent WiFi.

    Feb 20, 2019 11:54
  • Review by TechnicallyWell, 10 out of 10
    Great primary node for a Velop system

    Linksys' Velop line of mesh routers have been a popular choice for people struggling with WiFi dead zones in their homes. The MR8300 gives you the look of a traditional router with the benefit of working with the Velop mesh system.

    -= Who should buy this router? =-

    First off, you don't want to use this router by itself. To fully take advantage of this router, you'll need at least one of the Velop nodes. This allows you to the expand the WiFi coverage as needed.

    You can think of a mesh system as placing multiple routers around your home to blanket it in WiFi coverage. While the best place for your router is a central location in your home, who actually places their router there? Usually, you need to connect your router near a cable or phone line jack, which is typically located on an exterior wall of your home, which limits the coverage in your home since half of your WiFi signal is going outside.

    -= Setup =-

    The setup process is very easy as you only need your smartphone and the Linksys app. Thanks to Bluetooth technology built into the Velop system, the app automatically detects the router and your internet connection, and then configures it with the network name and password that you want. This sure beats the setup of traditional WiFi routers, which usually involved connecting to a temporary WiFi network, configuring it, then disconnecting and reconnecting to the new WiFi network. And it's definitely better than installing a program from a CD-ROM disc (anyone remember that?!).

    If you have an existing router in your home (perhaps your internet provider gave you a combo modem-and-router-in-one), the MR8300 can be placed into "bridge mode" which allows you to use your existing router with the range-extending antennas of the MR8300 and any associated Velop nodes.

    -= Performance =-

    The MR8300 broadcast 3 bands:

    - a 2.4Ghz band that most WiFi devices use

    - a 5Ghz band that newer smartphones and streaming boxes use

    - an additional 5Ghz band dedicated to connecting the mesh system together

    Typically, if your device supports 5Ghz, you'll want to use that because it's faster. However, the 5Ghz band doesn't go through walls or travel as far as the 2.4Ghz band does, so having a mesh system that gives you multiple 5Ghz spots throughout your home can improve WiFi performance.

    My internet service maxes out at 100 Mbps and I was happy to find that I was able to hit that speed in the far corner of my home where it would previously only reach about 30-40 Mbps with my old router. I only needed one additional Velop node to get coverage throughout my whole home.

    With the Linksys app, you are able to monitor which of your devices are connecting to which node. Although I have a node setup in my home office with my Mac, I've found that my Mac will skip over it from time to time and connect to the MR8300 router on the opposite end of the house. I've noticed my other devices occasionally doing the same thing: connecting to the node located furthest away from them. It baffles me, but all my devices seem to be performing fine regardless.

    -= Features =-

    Oddly, the USB 3.0 port on the back of the router is currently non-functional and is reserved for "future expansion". I imagine it will function like the USB ports on other Linksys routers and will allow you to plug in a USB flash drive and hard drive for use as network storage, but at this time (February 2019), it doesn't do anything.

    Power users will appreciate features such as port-forwarding and MAC address filters, which can be administered through the Linksys app. More features are also available on the web interface to the router, but oddly some things can only be done in the app (such as setting up and viewing nodes) while others can only be done in the web interface (such as creating separate names for the 2.4 and 5Ghz networks).

    -= Overall =-

    With about 40 devices on my network, the MR8300 has performed very well and has definitely improved areas of my home where the WiFi was lacking with my last router. One of the major benefits of the Velop system is that you can expand it as you go by adding nodes individually to your mesh network. The MR8300 is a great starting point, but remember that it will work best if you purchase a Velop node to go along with it.

    Feb 16, 2019 07:56
  • Review by J0A0A7, 10 out of 10
    Solid entry into the Velop Mesh System Routers

    Last year I replaced my router with a Linksys Velop Mesh router which so far has been a solid performer. WiFi speeds and coverage has been excellent. This year my internet was upgraded to a fiber gigabit connection. I wanted to take advantage of those speeds as much I could with wired connections for my 4k Tv and game consoles. The only thing lacking from the Velop router was the lack of gigabit ethernet ports. With this model, I still retain all the good features from the Velop Mesh technology but with 4-gigabit ethernet ports. Setup was quick and easy with the Linksys app. The Linksys app allows you to make some adjustments and see connected devices. It also offers a built-in speed test to help with troubleshooting slows speeds. Wifi coverage has been good without any nodes connected to it. Since this model has more a traditional wifi router look the signal output is much stronger thanks to the 4 antennas that stand out. Both Wired and WiFi speeds have been excellent. Of course, wired speeds will be faster compared to WiFi speeds. Games like the Resident Evil 2 one-shot demo (25gb in size) took less than 5 mins to download on my PS4 Pro via wired. Wifi Speeds are fast even with multiple devices on at the same time. The router does a very good job of distributing WiFi bandwidth throughout the multiple devices connected. You also have an option to enable a guest network to keep devices from seeing your local area networks like network drives or wireless printer. It performs well just as a standalone router but with the flexibility of adding nodes to remedy dead spots locations. It’s a router that can be easily be adapted to a bigger place if you happen to move. It’s pricey but well worth it for how well it performs and the features it brings to the table.

    Feb 10, 2019 01:41
  • Review by MommyMay, 10 out of 10
    So easy to set up

    I want to first say this was so easy to set-up. I have never owned a store bought router before and have only used the modem and router that came from our internet service provider. We pay a lot each month for the fastest speeds and the modem we have does not transmit the fastest speeds. As soon as I set up the Linskys I could already see the difference. I had so many problems connecting my Ipad pro and my dell laptop, it was ridiculous. I literally could not use my Ipad or laptop in the living room because the main box would not allow me to connect and on the occasion that I could connect, my laptop would run so slow. My internet is running so much faster than it was before. Why are we paying so much for internet to get the fastest speeds and they give us a standard box so we don’t get the speeds we are paying for? It makes no sense to me. I never realized how much of a difference a new router could make.

    The Linskys was packaged very nicely and the directions were so easy to follow. The box had the mesh wifi router, the power adapter, an ethernet cable to connect to the modem and the directions (which were super simple to follow). I felt like all I did was plug it in, download the app and the router did the rest of the work. All I did was click next when it prompted me to. I also received a velop, an extra connector to connect in another room, and that was also easy to set up. You can purchase more velops to connect to your main Linskys router so wifi can reach throughout your whole house. I owned a wifi extender and that was way more difficult to set up than the extensions for the Linskys products. I would def reccommend this product to anyone who is having trouble getting the speeds they are paying for (even those who arent tech savvy like me because the set up is so easy). You wont regret it.

    Jan 31, 2019 14:02
  • Review by Poocher917, 8 out of 10
    Strong performance, weak setup and administration

    This review covers the MR8300 and one Velop Wi-Fi extender. I have mixed feelings about rating this product. On the one hand, it performs extremely well. On the other hand, using the Linksys App for setup and administration is not as good as it could be. For the reasons stated below, I will rate it a 5 for performance and coverage; and, only a 3 for set up and administration. Splitting the difference, I will rate it a 4.

    Setup: Whenever I add a new device to the network, I typically will reboot my modem and then install the router (connect CAT cable and turn it on). However, the directions you receive will direct you to install the Linksys App and follow the instructions. In the interest of doing what you are likely to do, I followed the instructions exactly. Of course you need a smartphone for this. The phone (Android 9 if that matters) connected to the router fine using Bluetooth but then I got stuck on the router connecting to the internet step. I tried starting from the beginning doing exactly the instructions on the App. And failed again and again at the same step. I then deviated to follow what I normally do with a new router. I exited the App. I disconnected the power for the router. I rebooted my modem. Once my modem was back online and functioning correctly, I connected the CAT cable from the modem to the router and powered up the router. I then started up the App and waited for the router. This allowed me to connect to the internet and then you are asked to create a Linksys account using the App. One thing the setup also does is there is one name for your 2.4 Ghz and 5Ghz bands. As I wanted to test each separately, I had to use the Linksys Smart Wi-Fi website to complete this set up with a different name for each. So on my computer I entered 192.168.1.1 in the browser (see image). There is a “Continue to Linksys Smart Wi-Fi” option near the bottom of the page. Select this link and login to your Linksys account (you created it in the App when setting up your router). Your browser should tell you that you are NOT SECURE. I did not like this as this is the site for my router. I completed the remaining changes I like for my router using this website.

    Performance: I tested both the 2.4 Ghz and 5 Ghz radios for the router using 6 different locations. It is very cold where I live so I did not check the maximum range outdoors. Here is the information for each location:

    Location A: On the desk with the router.

    Location B: Out of the line of sight of the router about 26 feet away in a different room with one wall in the way.

    Location C: Within the line of sight of the router but 42 feet away in a different room.

    Location D: On a different floor almost directly below the router about 15 feet away.

    Location E: On a different floor on the opposite side of the house about 45 feet away. There are many obstructions in the way.

    Location F: On the same floor as the router in a garage with many obstructions in the way about 50 feet away.

    I also put the Velop extender on the top floor for some tests. I have 150 Mbps down and 5 Mbps up for my service using cable internet. I typically speed test around 180/6 up/down. I do not quite understand why but the use of the Velop range extender did not make much of a difference on my tested speeds. I would need to play with this Velop more to understand why. Each location tested at 6 Mbps up. Here are the download results for each location:

    Location A: 2.4G 87 Mbps, 5G 180 Mbps – fast as expected.

    Location B: 2.4G 94 Mbps, 5G 180 Mbps – the difference could just be traffic related.

    Location C: 2.4G 86 Mbps, 5G 180 Mbps – I am used to seeing a 5G drop-off at this distance. This surprised me.

    Location D: 2.4G 96 Mbps, 5G 180 Mbps – sending the signal through the floor had no impact.

    Location E: 2.4G 84 Mbps, 5G 180 Mbps – Much faster than I expected. I typically get a marginal 5G coverage at this location. Adding the Velop on the same floor made a small difference for the 2.4G coverage.

    Location F: 2.4G 75 Mbps, 5Ghz 176 Mbps – Again the 5G signal and speed is very strong.

    Conclusion: The setup and administration functions direct you to the use of an App. This did not allow for all of the functions I wanted. This resulted in using the Linksys Smart Wi-Fi web page which is not secure per the browser (Chrome and Firefox). For many people, this may not be a concern. If you are a tweaker, you will not like this. Also, no DD-WRT or Tomato support for this router. Once it is set up, the performance exceeded my expectations. You should be able to have this in a 2,000 sq. ft. multi-level home and it will cover it all. So like many things in life, it has its advantages and disadvantages.

    Feb 15, 2019 17:58
  • Review by Biglou, 8 out of 10
    Very Nice Router

    Very Nice i would have given it 5 stars but difficult to understand the directions say to download the app to your phone and setup, not true I had tech support from linksys assist me and we configured everything through the computer. DJ walked me through the steps very helpful.

    attached with pictures see my setup Im using the T-Mobile Internet as my modem and the linksys as the wifi Router Check out my speed.

    Sep 02, 2021 00:40
  • 9.2score
    3
    ASUS
    ASUS - RT-AX58U AX3000 Dual-Band WiFi 6 Wireless Router with Life time internet Security - Black
    Description

    Keep your home or office connected with this ASUS Wi-Fi 6 router. The 2x2 antenna configuration offers fast networking speeds of up to 3 Gbps, while the 4Gb LAN ports, 2Gb Ethernet ports and a USB 3.1 port make sharing with other devices easy. This ASUS Wi-Fi 6 router is compatible with 802.11ax technology for better wall penetration and less bandwidth issues.

    9 Features
  • Wireless-AX technology: Promotes rapid performance and optimal coverage.
  • Dual-band 2.4GHz/5.0GHz frequency: Delivers a fast response when transferring files.
  • 256MB flash memory: Plus 512MB RAM promotes optimal performance.
  • MU-MIMO technology: Supports multi-user MIMO in the downlink direction, meaning it can send data to multiple devices simultaneously.
  • 1 USB 3.0 port: Allows you to connect a printer and enjoy 3G and 4G file sharing.
  • Gigabit Ethernet connectivity: Offers a high-speed wired network connection.
  • Auto detecting and auto sensing: To simplify device connectivity.
  • LED indicators: Make it easy to monitor the status of your network.
  • One-touch WPS wireless security: To protect you from Internet threats.
  • 8 Most Useful Reviews
  • Review by Guesswho, 10 out of 10
    Extremely satisfied!!

    I am extremely satisfied with this purchase, I had to replace my netgear nighthawk router because it had so many connection drop issues, but Asus AX3000 was easy to install , has steady connection no drop in speeds and it even upgraded to the recent version, I am even getting more speeds than my cable is providing for me, I have 400mbps down, check out the picture I attached.

    (471.0mbps) Down

    Nov 26, 2020 10:15
  • Review by Tombohio56, 10 out of 10
    Great performance and WiFi6 support

    I've been using the Netgear R7300 router for a few years, but with the addition of smart TV's, Roku's, iPad, Android tablets, iPhones and so on, I've noticed some latency issues especially with streaming 4K content. Even with the included DST range extender I wasn't feeling good about the unit's performance.

    After checking various review sites and other due diligence, I opted for the ASUS RT-AX58U router.

    Even though I currently have no devices that support the new WiFi6 standard, I thought I'd give this unit a try. So far, it's been a great choice.

    Setup using the web interface was straight-forward and allows access to all of the advanced features. The ASUS app is just meh; OK for checking status but I certainly wouldn't want to rely on the app for a comprehensive setup.

    I left most of the router settings at default, but did opt in for the router's dual-band Smart Connect feature. This allows the use of a single SSID and the router automatically chooses 2.4 / 5G when the device connects. It works flawlessly for my mix of ancient to fairly new hardware. Streaming performance is top-notch, and I get better coverage now than with my old Netgear/DST setup.

    My house is relatively small with 1300 sq ft with two levels. The router is in my home office on the lower floor yet coverage is excellent throughout and even out to the back yard.

    Other than checking for a firmware update on first boot, changing the default admin password and configuring WiFi pass phrases, it's been a "set it and forget it" proposition. I've had the router for over a month and haven't had to finesse any of my original settings. And the WiFi6 functionality seems to work well; my son and daughter happened to upgrade their phones to Samsung S20 and S20 Ultra, and the ASUS connected via WiFi6 with no issue. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to run any serious speed tests on the WF6 band; but the devices did connect.

    Overall I'm extremely pleased and hopefully I'll be able to take advantage of WF6 operation as my hardware is slowly upgraded.

    Recommended!

    Oct 23, 2020 19:56
  • Review by Billiam, 10 out of 10
    Bought this to replace ISP router.

    Very pleased. I bought this to replace Spectrums new AI (Garbage) sagemcom router. I especially like the app and the control it gives me over my network from anywhere I have access to the web.

    Aug 08, 2020 11:42
  • Review by Jaron, 10 out of 10
    An awesome router for advanced users!

    I bought this router back mid-December and it's now late February, and I've got to say, I LOVE this router. Wireless AX is a new technology that utilizes OFDMA (orthogonal frequency division) rather than TDMA (time division) so, for devices that have AX compatible adapters, every device can talk at the same time, rather than waiting on every other device to talk. This allows for a much faster connection to the router. Keeping in mind that your broadband connection is most likely still TDMA, though. I upgraded all of the computers in my house to wireless AX adapters, and both mine and my wifes phones both have wireless AX adapters. (galaxy s10 and s10e phones) You can buy a laptop wireless AX200 adapter on amazon for $20, and $30-$40 for a desktop PCI version.

    The router has an app on your phone that you can use, too, that I find VERY useful. It also allows you to set up DDNS through the router so that you can remotely access your router from anywhere. You can monitor real-time traffic, set Quality of Service policies, and even group devices so that you can schedule internet access and at any time block internet access.

    It has a LOT of advanced features, as I've already mentioned, including built in QoS, Security, Device Grouping, DDNS, USB modes, and more, which makes it kind of a techie dream router... Advanced features without having to configure a command line interface. But it can also be set up relatively simply, so I'm sure someone with little experience could also set it up.

    I couldn't in good faith recommend this router to someone who knows nothing about technology, though. It does take a basic understanding to set this up and use it properly and securely.

    That being said, if you know what you're doing around a computer, you should be fine. And the more you know, the better this router is.

    Feb 26, 2020 20:29
  • Review by Chuck, 8 out of 10
    Not to hard to set uo

    I have to do some of my own investigating to figure a few things out. Still trying to figure a few things out

    Aug 08, 2020 09:27
  • Review by Ramon, 10 out of 10
    IF YOU ARE NOT GETTING 1GB SPEED THROUGH LAN

    IF YOU ARE GETTING ONLY 200mpbs (WIRED) BUT ARE SUPPOSE TO GET 1gb I HIGHLY RECOMMEND DOWNLOADING MERLIN FIRMWARE. (YOU CAN GOOGLE IT OR FIND TUTORIALS ON YOUTUBE)

    OVERRALL THIS ROUTER IS PRETTY GOOD

    modem: CM2000

    ISP: Xfinity (1200mpbs)

    Jun 04, 2021 13:46
  • Review by wavedashdoc, 10 out of 10
    Excellent Range that tops even the Nighthawk

    My 2014 R7000 Netgear Nighthawk was starting to fail (intermittently would lose connection with WiFi and Lan, at random for about 3 months), so it was time to replace it. I was originally looking at another Nighthawk, but then my friend started suggesting a mesh network for superior coverage. However a big caveat to those in both the Orbi, Ubiquity, etc is the lack of multiple Lan ports on the back of the moderately priced systems. Additionally, I was not having issues with coverage with my existing setup. So I decided to go with the Asus based off a recommendation from one of the Erie Store Supervisors/Managers.

    After about a week of owning it the RT-AX58U, I have no complaints. The range is superior to the Nighthawk (in both 5ghz and 2.4ghz) (2,000sq ft+) and unlike the Nighthawk, it is silent in it's operation. (There are numerous complaints about a high pitched noise coming from the Nighthawks when there is network traffic).

    The Setup on the Asus was straight forward and I was back up and running in under 15 min. The admin tool includes many extra features that the nighthawk did not have either, so there's a huge plus for those that like additional security features. Additionally this router is WiFi 6 (AX) but also has the ability to be disabled until your devices support it).

    I was always a Netgear supporter but it's nice to see strong offerings from other brands. Additionally for all the features you get in this router you would normally be paying double (close to $250-300+). I highly recommend this router as a mid-high range option for enthusiasts and those that just want peace of mind with reliability.

    Overall all excellent router.

    - Long Range (Both 5Ghz and 2.4Ghz)

    - WiFi 6 (Future Proof)

    - Compact size (compared to the enormous Nighthawk)

    - Silent operation

    - Easy to setup

    - Expansive Admin Tool.

    - Android App is dated looking, but simple and provides all the same options as the desktop web app.

    - Reasonably priced, even not on sale.

    Dec 19, 2019 07:14
  • Review by KCC123, 10 out of 10
    Future Proof Compact Router Packs A Serious Punch

    This router is awesome! The GUI interface is intuitive, loaded with useful information, and how-to’s for every single setting that make setting up your own advanced home net work a breeze. One click set up is also an option for those who want fast and secure wifi thats plug-n-play. WiFi-6 gives this router longevity and blazing fast speed. There are so features in this thing that would turn this review into a dissertation just trying to mention them all—but all of them make this router so customizable that its a great option for just one person, the whole family, and everything else in-between. Honestly I haven’t found anything that would make me think “the [. ] could be better” or “would be nice if it had this....” This router has everything and it’s all packed into compact device thats easy keep out of sight regardless of where it needs to be placed to give whole home coverage.

    Dec 16, 2020 02:13
  • 9.2score
    ARRIS - SURFboard AC1600 Dual-Band Router with 16 x 4 DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem - Black
    Description

    Build your home network with this ARRIS SURFboard dual-band router. With Wi-Fi speeds up to 1600 Mbps and a 1.2 GHz processor, it has the power to support multiple devices for streaming and downloading anywhere in your home. This ARRIS SURFboard dual-band router comes with a mobile app for easy connection.

    5 Features
  • Wireless-AC Technology: Offers rapid Wi-Fi speeds and coverage, so you can easily connect more than 10 devices to your network.
  • Up to 1600Mbps data transfer speed: For fast, efficient operation.
  • DOCSIS 3.0 technology: For use with your existing setup.
  • Ethernet connectivity: Ensures compatibility with a variety of systems.
  • Internet security: Protect your information with AES, WPA and WPA2.
  • 8 Most Useful Reviews
  • Review by RD68, 10 out of 10
    Works great with Xfinity!

    I was skeptical going from a separate modem and router to a combo, but I'm glad I made the switch. My old combo didn't support Comcast's new speeds, so I needed to upgrade to realize the full benefits. My 5GHz wireless d/l speed went from about 100Mb/s to over 300Mb/s. Wired stayed the same, but probably because I have an outdated ethernet cable. As far as range, I live in a three story townhome. Router goes on the top floor and has no problem reaching the bottom (third) floor. Remember, internet signal is like an umbrella - it branches out and down.

    Overall, extremely happy with this deal of the day (99.99)! Also, make sure you rename your SSID and use the same passwords to match your old settings so your devices will reconnect seamlessly. Download and activate through the app, then get on your PC to set up your SSID/passwords. Don't forget to change the default admin password as well!

    Oct 19, 2019 15:35
  • Review by Nora, 10 out of 10
    Great choice to avoid comcast cable fees

    This unit works wonderfuly. Great workmanship and design. Couldn't be happier with my purchase. Thanks again!

    Jul 21, 2019 06:00
  • Review by Tyler, 6 out of 10
    WARNING

    So this router modem combo is only decent. It does not pull 1 gig speeds as advertised. I set it up correctly and plugged it in the most efficient way. Brand new Ethernet cable. I have the 1 gig plan with suddenlink and when I ran a speed test, I was only grabbing like a maximum of 480 mbps download, 25 mbps upload and a ping of 14. I had a suddenlink tech come out yesterday to find out what was wrong. On his end nothing was wrong and he said I should be pulling at least 750-800 mbps on download and that a lot of router modem combos and just routers and modems separately that advertise 1 gig speeds, dont usually pull speeds like that. Now it could just be a faulty model that I have but nothing seems wrong with it other than the fact that I’m averaging 390-430 mbps download when I’m paying for 1 gig speeds. That’s really all I have to say!

    Apr 02, 2021 11:28
  • Review by TracyC, 2 out of 10
    Constantly drops signal

    This worked great at first then after a few months became unreliable. Xfinity came out twice checked everything and replaced outside cables. Finally they said it’s got to be the modem. Arris customer support was very nice but the factory reset didn’t work. I work from home and the internet does 4 or more times per work day plus at night is unacceptable. I will be replacing this! I got this in January 2021 and problems started in July 2021. Now it’s HIGHLY unreliable.

    Oct 01, 2021 14:27
  • Review by llynng60, 4 out of 10
    Dual-Band Router / Modem is weak

    Wifi strength is weak. Does not maintain connection with printer which is in next room.

    Jul 29, 2019 18:57
  • Review by Dpete, 2 out of 10
    Do your homework before buying

    In trying to get a grip on unnecessary expenses I decided to buy a modem & return $10/month one to WOW. The Arris got decent or better customer reviews so I bought. Before installing I looked further at tech reviews & found the warning against buying a product labeled “with Intel” - can’t remember what issue was but without opening returned Arris, bought Motorola.

    May 16, 2020 10:54
  • Review by Btown11, 2 out of 10
    False advertising

    This item states it has two 1gb ports but once you read the back it states you only get 686mbps speeds. Stay away from this one. Returning and buying a nicer version.

    Sep 03, 2020 05:02
  • Review by Bobbie, 10 out of 10
    Internet wifi

    Excellent! Works great no problems speed up fast better then infinity it save me money by buying my own.

    Jan 25, 2019 20:26
  • 9.0score
    Linksys - AC1900 Dual-Band Wi-Fi 5 Router - Black
    Description

    Enjoy a high speed and remarkable range with the Linksys R74 Max-StreamTM Wi-Fi 5 router. With speeds up to 1.9 Gbps to multiple devices at once, everyone in your home can stream and game at the same time without lag or buffering. It's easy to set up, and with automatic software updates and features, such as Parental Controls and Guest Access, your network will always be secure and up-to-date.

    14 Features
  • Web browser setup: Set up using your laptop, computer, smartphone, or tablet. No CD required.
  • Up to 1.9 Gbps data transfer speed: Ensures fast, efficient operation.
  • 3 high-performance antennas: Enable enhanced performance.
  • MU-MIMO technology: MU-MIMO gives every compatible device its own dedicated full-speed Wi-Fi connection so that multiple devices can connect at the same time without slowing down the network.
  • 1 USB 3.0 port: Allows you to connect a printer and enjoy 3G and 4G file sharing.
  • Parental control: Lets you automatically block specific content on connected devices.
  • Seamless roaming: Move freely in and around your home without dropping the Wi-Fi signal.
  • Gigabit Ethernet connectivity: Offers a high-speed wired network connection.
  • Linksys Smart Wi-Fi: Access and control your home network from anywhere with the Linksys Smart Wi-Fi.
  • App LED indicators: Make it easy to monitor the status of your network.
  • Advanced security: Safeguard your network with wireless WPA2 encryption and an SPI firewall.
  • Beamforming technology: Optimizes performance and reduces interference by focusing a wireless signal to connected devices.
  • PC system requirements: Microsoft Windows 7, 8, or 10.
  • Mac system requirements: Apple MacOS X 10.5.8 or later, Apple MacOS X 10.6.1 or later, Apple MacOS X 10.7 Lion, Apple MacOS X 10.8, Apple MacOS X 10.9, and Apple MacOS X 10.10.
  • 8 Most Useful Reviews
  • Review by ProudDad, 10 out of 10
    Excellent choice for the price.

    I would rate the product as excellent. Easy setup. It can handle all of our devices easily.

    Aug 20, 2021 22:39
  • Review by Router, 10 out of 10
    Excellent Router & Excellent Price too!

    Great Router, excellent price point and easy to install.

    Jul 03, 2021 18:04
  • Review by JediMindTrik, 10 out of 10
    Solid Router for the Price

    My old router gave out after several good years, plus it was time for a bit of an upgrade anyway. Wasn’t looking for anything too fancy or overly robust, and I came across this model. Compared with a few others in the same price range, and felt it offered the most bang for the buck. Easy setup out the box, the companion app is easy to work as well. We’re a family of 4, with just as many TV’s and streaming devices, in a 1600 sq for single story house. They’re not always running at the same time, usually just 2, plus our phones and security system. I’m running 2 secure networks, which can each carry their guest network. This helps ease the load and keep bandwidth optimal for all connections. I’ve also got 3 “priority” devices - they’ll always get the extra bandwidth they need over other connected devices. Coverage and speeds are great in all parts of my home. I would definitely recommend for most at-home needs.

    Apr 18, 2020 11:01
  • Review by gamerwizk1d, 10 out of 10
    Excellent router!

    You can't go wrong with a Linksys router! I am using this router to extend the Wi-Fi range from my primary router. My room is the farthest from the primary router, so I wanted to boost the wireless range. My Wi-Fi signal and speed have significantly increased with a second router installed. I am getting over 175mbps on my PlayStation 5 now (compared to 1mbps or slower before). I thought my PS5 had a hardware issue because I couldn't understand why my download speeds were extremely slow. My speeds were so slow that my games were estimated to take over 28 hours to download. I am so glad I decided to purchase a second router. This router has excellent range and I am very happy with my purchase. My ISP speed cap is 200mbps so I am getting close to the max speed I can get. Linksys routers are the best!

    Nov 01, 2021 14:11
  • Review by IanLee64, 10 out of 10
    This is a great product

    This is a great product. It is inexpensive, but cover a lot of areas of your home with its 3 adjustable external antennas provide maximum range. It has a beam forming technology that follow your Tablet, Smartphone or Notebook to ensure a great connection as you move around. It has: 1 USB 3.0 and 1 USB 2.0 port to print, share and store content. Dual Core 800Mhz CPU for lightning fast processing. And 4 gigabit ports to connect wired devices. All you needed for a great home router.

    Nov 10, 2021 13:56
  • Review by teachkindness, 10 out of 10
    Router works well and tech support was amazing!

    As routers go this one is functions well but what really stood out to us was the tech support we received from Linksys. We are in the demographic that you have to scroll way through the years to get to when filling out surveys and we can safely say that tech definitely is not our first language. We needed assistance setting up this router and called for support. I won't go into the details but our support person was extremely kind, patient and never gave up on us in spite of our inaptitude. Thank you Linksys for hiring Kelly, she is an asset to your company! Thank you Best Buy for the ease of ordering online and store pick up.

    Jul 18, 2020 10:09
  • Review by Alexander9, 10 out of 10
    Router - Purchase

    Love the router. Had to upgrade my router. Works great, for my tv, lap tops, phones, or what ever deice I need it for. Simple use to set up, manage the router as well. Bought the product at Best Buy during the Corona Virus time period, process with Best Buy was great. Simple with BEst But online purchase, then went to store to pick up. They brought it out. It was awesome.

    Apr 24, 2020 15:52
  • Review by SCWPerson, 10 out of 10
    Router

    Linksys - AC1900 Dual-Band Wi-Fi 5 Router seems to be working fine. The Sales Person who helped me seemed very knowledgeable about the product. I didn't previously have Wi-Fi in my home so was nervous about installing myself but I did it.

    Oct 23, 2021 08:44
  • 9.0score
    NETGEAR - Nighthawk AC2300 Dual-Band Wi-Fi 5 Router - Black
    Description

    The NETGEAR Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi 5 Router provides up to 1625 + 600 Mbps WiFi and MU-MIMO for lag-free gaming, better video streaming and multiple mobile devices. With Gigabit WiFi, Beamforming, and built-in high-powered amplifiers and external antennas, get ready for extreme performance! Frustration-free fast install using NETGEAR Nighthawk App to get online in matter of minutes. NETGEAR Armor - Advanced cyber threat protection for your home and all your devices. Control your home network with voice commands using Amazon Alexa and the Google Assistant.

    12 Features
  • Supports high definition video conferencing (Zoom, Skype, WebEx, FaceTime, and more): Whether you work from home or want to connect with your friends and family you can video conference with crystal clear audio and video from anywhere in your home.
  • Faster WiFi: Faster performance and speed with AC WiFi (1625 + 600Mbps). Ideal for Smart Home devices and large homes.
  • NETGEAR Nighthawk App: Easily setup your router. Limit online content and screen time using Circle Smart Parental Controls. Manage Internet access by pausing and resuming internet instantly. Run a speed test. Control your network security. All from your mobile device!
  • Circle Smart Parental Controls: Manage your family's internet use. Limit daily Internet time for websites, apps, and more. Set individual filter levels for family members to match their age and interests.
  • NETGEAR Armor: Built-in anti-virus and data theft protection for all of your smartphones and computers. Protects your connected home from internet threats. Free trial included. Covers unlimited devices.
  • 4 Gigabit Ethernet Ports: Directly connect all your wired devices for maximum speed and performance.
  • MU-MIMO: Capable for simultaneous streaming of data to multiple devices.
  • Smooth Streaming: Better video streaming, lag-free gaming, surfing, and more with a powerful 1GHz Dual Core Processor.
  • Dynamic QoS: Prioritizes network traffic by application & device.
  • VPN Support: Secure access to your home network and Internet when you're away from home using any of your devices.
  • Smart Connect: Intelligently selects the fastest WiFi band for every device.
  • Two USB Ports: One (1) USB 3.0 & One (1) USB 2.0 for faster streaming, backup and easy access to your stored media.
  • 8 Most Useful Reviews
  • Review by SwtGirl, 10 out of 10
    Best Router Ever

    I bought a Linksys and that thing was a piece of garbage. It was blinking all the time kicking me out of the internet. I had enough of it and returned it to Best Buy thank God Best Buy is always a help and always have the best knowledge and employees. With the help of one of their employees I got this one and it work perfectly... I’m happy with my purchase.

    Jul 14, 2019 09:40
  • Review by MisterKinch, 10 out of 10
    The most epic WFH upgrade.

    I, like many others, have needed to work exclusively at home due to the pandemic. I had just moved into a new home, and the WiFi router provided to me from my ISP was a big, fat frowny face. Even thirty feet away, my signal strength was more than lacking, and getting all of my Ring security devices connected was becoming problematic. In general, I don't believe in silver bullets, but the NETGEAR - Nighthawk AC2300 Dual-Band Wi-Fi 5 Router is a true superhero, literally faster (not sure) than a speeding bullet, with connectivity stronger than The Man of Steel himself. Setup was a breeze. I first uploaded the Nighthawk app, reset my modem, plugged the router to the modem, waited a few minutes, followed prompts on the app, and within 15 minutes, my devices were all connected and flying with new confidence. I was physically connected via Ethernet to my old router, and my speeds were just over 400 Mbps. With this new router, I'm getting the same speeds, WIRELESSLY. Amazing. I cannot recommend this enough. (NOTE: my ISP is Spectrum, in case you're curious about compatibility).

    May 01, 2020 13:16
  • Review by ScoochingMom, 10 out of 10
    It does what it’s supposed to!

    We like it, the speed is faster than our old wireless router. No issues.

    Jun 26, 2020 22:22
  • Review by RobKansas, 8 out of 10
    Very Good. (Wifi range is less than competitors).

    Internet and wifi is important at our house as we do a lot of gaming - Xbox, mobile, and PC. I had an Asus model that was very similar but it locked up and I could not save it. So I researched the Netgear Nighthawk AC2300. It had good reviews and it was on sale. We are pleased with its performance overall. The only possible issue is its' overall wifi range isn't quite as good as the Asus but the difference is slight. It has 4 ethernet wired connections and two USB connections and that is pretty common. It also has clear markings and lights to tell you about connections and activity. There is an app you can put on your phone to manage your network too.

    Overall I am pleased and zero problems. I recommend this router.

    Jan 25, 2019 20:01
  • Review by Mags, 10 out of 10
    Love at first mbps

    I've always been quite fond of Netgear routers. The Nighthawk does not disappoint! The 5ghz signal is working with my 300+mbps speed with no problem! And it's able to deal with my excessive smart home items just fine! I've got about a dozen or so pieces of tech running on my 2.4 network and save the faster one for things like my laptop and phone. Attached screenshot is from my phone over the 5ghz network. Just remember, your speed will always only be as fast as your slowest bottleneck!

    May 08, 2020 10:31
  • Review by Candeman, 8 out of 10
    Good router for the price

    I have used this router for about a year now and have had no issues. You can download an app (IOS or Android) that gives you control over devices connected on your network. Simple toggle controls in the app let you turn off devices on the fly(for when one of your children needs to do some homework) Fast network speeds with good range.

    Would recommend.

    Jun 19, 2019 20:25
  • Review by JCarcamo11, 2 out of 10
    You won’t get your money worth!!

    I got AT&T finer internet.. that fastest there is 1000mbps..... it is not compatible. At most you’ll get is 300mbps..... don’t recommend if you are trying to get the most of your internet.....

    First picture is new router R7000p ..... 2nd picture is my old router... also a nighthawk r7000

    Jan 12, 2021 22:10
  • Review by Starfire, 8 out of 10
    Upgraded

    Having done my research we decided to get this model router. Our old model was the 2300 and worked until the storm blipped it and it stopped connecting.

    The router works out to the box great. Side note: I thoughtI had to individually connect every device & tv again to the new router. Don’t! After setting it up, I logged into my iP and there is a tab that will allow you To check mark the devices to allow it to connect to. Also, it comes with a new wireless password but I just switched it back to the one we had so my visiting friends & family didn’t have to do anything.

    The ONLY negative I can see about this is the antenna’s. My old one was just a square black box, very thing and didn’t draw attention to itself. This one has 3 antennas and because its sits just under my hanging tv, I have to look at against a light colored wall. Maybe they should start making home in the same color the Arlo Netgear Base color, which is white so it doesn’t stick out as much in a room. Otherwise, no fear, find a good price and if its one Best Buy matches, grab it from them. Their technical help is spot on!

    Oct 18, 2019 06:02
  • 9.0score
    TP-Link - Archer AC1350 Dual-Band Wi-Fi 5 Router - Black
    Description

    The Archer C59 comes with the brand new Wi-Fi standard - 802.11ac, widely compatible with both wireless AC and wireless N devices and three times faster than previous wireless N speeds. With this cutting edge technology, the Archer C59 offers you faster, stronger and more capable Wi-Fi. Simply put: a revolutionized network experience on all your devices.The Archer C59 provides your entire home with simultaneous dual band Wi-Fi connections. The strong and stable 2.4GHz wireless band with 450Mbps Wi-Fi speed is perfect for sending emails, browsing the web or listening to music. Meanwhile, the 5GHz wireless band provides up to 867Mbps Wi-Fi speed for latency-sensitive entertainment so you can stream HD video, play online games and hold video chats all at the same time, without delay.

    13 Features
  • Compatible with 802.11ac: Backward compatible with 802.11a/b/g/n networks, so you can easily upgrade.
  • Up to 1.35 Gbps data transfer speed: For fast, efficient operation.
  • 3 high-performance antennas: For enhanced performance.
  • 1 USB 2.0 port: Allows you to connect a printer and enjoy 3G and 4G file sharing.
  • Parental control: Lets you automatically block specific content on connected devices.
  • Print and file servers: Along with a guest network to suit a variety of uses.
  • Complies with a variety of standards: Including FCC and RoHS.
  • 4 LAN ports: Along with 1 WAN port for wired connectivity.
  • Auto detecting and auto sensing: To simplify device connectivity.
  • DoS attack prevention: Helps block intruders from accessing sensitive information.
  • Encryption: Includes 128-bit WEP, 64-bit WEP, WPA, WPA2, WPA-PSK and WPA2-PSK to keep your network secure.
  • Plug-and-play operation: Makes setup simple.
  • System requirements: UNIX, Apple MacOS, Novell NetWare, Linux, Microsoft Windows NT, Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition/Windows 2000, and more.
  • 8 Most Useful Reviews
  • Review by TechOnDeck, 10 out of 10
    Quality Router At An Affordable price

    Archer C59 AC1350 Wireless Dual Band Router Version 2

    *My Test Setup

    Desktop PC

    Windows 10 Pro

    AC1900 Wireless Dual Band PCI Express Adapter (Archer T9E)

    *Setting Up

    Setting up the router for the first time is quite simple to do. Once you have everything properly connected, you’ll be online in less than 5 minutes. And when you’re ready to dig into the router’s more advanced settings to customize it to your liking, you’ll have plenty of options to dig into. You can set parental controls for certain users, as well as set up a Wi-Fi guest network for your guests, which keeps them off of your main network. Also, the router’s web management page is very nicely done, too. All the different settings are laid out perfectly and easy to navigate.

    *Ethernet & Wireless Performance

    After getting the Archer C59 router set up and running, I ran several speed tests while connected to the router over Ethernet, and Wi-Fi. Listed below is the current Internet plan I am subscribed to, and those speed test results.

    My Internet Plan: Download 75 Mbps / Upload 10 Mbps

    Ethernet Speed Test: Download 90.45 Mbps / Upload 12.15 Mbps

    Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz Speed Test: Download 89.22 Mbps / Upload 12.05 Mbps

    Wi-Fi 5 GHz Speed Test: Download 90.43 Mbps / Upload 12.18 Mbps

    Those are great test results! And the router was able to easily handle multiple devices connected at once, streaming HD content and surfing without any issues. I also have a very large backyard area, and the router provides excellent coverage around my entire home. I can stream HD videos and music without any issues at all. I had 3 mobile devices all doing just that, and they all streamed perfectly, whether inside or out around the yard. For the best wireless coverage, be sure to place the modem in an open area of your home free of obstruction. Do not place the modem in an enclosure, under a desk, or block the vent-holes.

    Best of luck setting your network up.

    Dec 01, 2017 17:08
  • Review by AndrewSeattle, 10 out of 10
    Great upgrade router for every day user

    I installed this at my in-laws house to upgrade their old D-Link router that had poor range to this one.

    Install: 5 stars

    The installation was super easy and straight-forward. A quick start guide is included with 5 steps. Basically turn off your modem, disconnect old router, connect new router, turn on modem and wait 2 minutes to startup, then turn on router (press on/off switch). Then connect to the router (wired or wirelessly) and go through the setup.

    I was able to replicate the previous wireless names/passwords and an all the devices in the house connected to this new router seamlessly. No need to re-enter passwords for the most part.

    Only one login is allowed into the administration page, so if you don't log out of the one you setup on, you won't be able to get in. I had to switch my laptop back to the original network (wired instead of wireless) and logout before I could access it from the wireless network.

    Operation:

    The range on this router is far superior to the previous wireless router. Full signal strength to areas where I was only able to get 1-2 bars before. The house isn't very big, but has a lot of walls, that reduced the strength.

    The 2.4Ghz wireless worked well for all the devices I tested. Only issue I had was a Surface Pro 4 (Windows 10) that recognized the wireless network as 2nd of the same name so had it listed twice, which was confusing. Had to make it forget the previous network.

    The 5Ghz wireless worked for most of my devices since it was the first time they were seeing it. The only issue I had was a work laptop, Lenovo T460s (Windows 10 Pro) that wouldn't connect to the 5Ghz network for some reason. Finally gave up and switched it to the 2.4Ghz to connect. Good thing there's two wireless networks.

    Extra features:

    There are Guest wireless networks (2.4 & 5Ghz) available if you want, but it is off by default.

    There is a USB port for network storage or printer. To get the printer to work, you need to download something from the TP-Link support site, to make it work, so I didn't try it.

    Standard router features are available (port forwarding, UPnP, etc)

    There is a VPN option available too which could be helpful for some.

    Remote management also is an option.

    The LED lights on the router can be turned off as well if you want it to run dark.

    This is not a top of the line router (those cost 2-3 times more), but for the price, an excellent choice. It would give it a 4 star overall rating if comparing to more expensive routers, but at this price, probably one of the best you can get.

    Submitted as part of a free sample program

    Feb 12, 2017 00:26
  • Review by Scully, 8 out of 10
    Good for basic dual band wireless

    Pros:

    Initial user setup is straight forward and easy enough for the basic operation.

    Built in guest wireless settings for both 2.4GHz and 5GHz, with multiple connection options and wireless bridging support.

    Throughput was good for at least 10 devices. Video streaming showed no stuttering or slowness even when multiple (4) concurrent devices were streaming at high quality (1080p 8MB/sec)

    Two different SSIDs used for 2.4GHz (802.11bgn) and 5GHz (802.11ac) and you can disable either one if you do not use it.

    Supports OpenVPN for outside access.

    Cons:

    Usernames are case sensitive, I found this buried in the manual, not on the web administration page.

    Passwords can not use extended characters, limited to a-z, A-Z, 0-9, _ ONLY, even for the external system and USB drive access!!!!

    Only 1 administrator logged in at one time, so if you forget to log out of the web interface, you have to log back in reboot the router to reset

    External remote management uses HTTP not HTTPS, I suggest not enabling this.

    USB sharing only works through FTP access.

    Parental controls are difficult to understand and hard to setup

    Facts:

    The unit supports the standard set of wireless features such as NAT forwarding, QOS, Dynamin DNS and IPTV support.

    Supports IPv6 connections on the Internet interface only.

    The tether feature (mobile app) is a neat concept that works with your mobile devices, but it only works while on your internal network unless tied to a TP-Link account, which I never setup and oddly enough the app was locked into one orientation of my device, so I could not rotate my phone.

    Daylight savings time off by default

    All in all this unit is a good unit for what I would consider an 'entry level' dual band router. If you are on a budget, do not need any "geek-level" advanced features, this would work for you. It is not supported by DD-WRT, so you can not re-flash it for a different feature set. Signal coverage was excellent across my my entire single story home, including in areas where neighboring wireless routers could be detected. Also, just keep in mind that some of the default settings are not what you may expect them to be, so definitely read the user manual if you are going to enable any of the advanced features.

    Disclaimer: Review Submitted as part of a free sample program.

    Jan 22, 2017 15:05
  • Review by Bumper, 10 out of 10
    Great Coverage

    Works great for what I need! I seem to be getting faster speeds than advertised, which is a bonus. I only use internet for email, streaming TV, and general internet purposes (no gaming). 1750 sq ft house and i get solid signal everywhere. Works for me!

    Mar 12, 2021 17:52
  • Review by tiger62, 10 out of 10
    Great value

    I bought this unit to replace a 5 year old Cisco unit which started to drop wifi signal more frequent than expected, I was tired of rebooting it. This unit was very easy to hook and has stronger signal strength for sure. I haven't had any issue since I bought it a month ago. Also, the main reasons I bought this was its great value and good reviews by others after reviewing several other comparable items.

    Sep 08, 2017 19:24
  • Review by Michael, 10 out of 10
    Strong signal

    I bought this router for WFH since I need strong signal for my work. It did the excellent work. I love it.

    Dec 22, 2020 21:14
  • Review by Preemo, 10 out of 10
    Great Value for the Money

    For the price, this is a fantastic basic Wi-Fi router. If you want to upgrade from Wireless AC from Wireless N, but don’t need a powerful Wi-Fi router, then this is a good choice. It is nice to see advanced features on this router, especially at this price point. For instance, it comes with parental controls, QOS MU-MIMO, Beamforming Technology, VPN Access, and a USB port. It also has 3 high gain external antennas instead of 2 which is normally seen on similar routers.

    Though you have two methods to setup this Wi-Fi router, I recommend using the Tether App to configure it. The overall process took me less than 5 minutes. In my tests, I found 3 antennas (instead of 2) made a really big difference in coverage and reach of the Wi-Fi signal. I tested this against a similar Wireless AC router with 2 Antennas, and also a Wireless N router with 3 Antennas. I found it could also handle many connected devices at once. Naturally, when I added a lot more devices (15 connected devices) to stress test it, things started slowing down a little. It is also important to note that the Ethernet ports max out at 100Mbps. Hence, this is best suited for smaller homes with a < 100Mbps internet connection coming in.

    I find that this is a perfect Wi-Fi router for non-power users that only have a moderate number of simultaneously connected wireless devices, and don’t need any of the very advanced features found in more expensive Wi-Fi routers.

    Submitted as part of a free sample program.

    Nov 29, 2017 11:39
  • Review by Theman1, 10 out of 10
    Good enough

    Have not had any issues, this appears to be working very well, no complaints!

    Mar 14, 2021 05:15
  • 8.8score
    NETGEAR - Nighthawk X6S AC4000 Tri-Band Wi-Fi 5 Router - Black
    Description

    The Nighthawk X6S AC4000 Router, with breakthrough Tri-band WiFi 5 and multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO) is ideal for simultaneous streaming to many WiFi devices in your home. The X6S offers the fastest combined WiFi speed up to 4Gbps, and is powered by a powerful 64-bit, dual core 1.8GHz processor with three offload processors. Enjoy fastest WiFi speed throughout your home with less lag and less buffering as you game, stream and surf. Access and control your router from anywhere using features such as NETGEAR Nighthawk App, ReadyCLOUD and OpenVPN. NETGEAR Armor - Advanced cyber threat protection for your home and all your devices. Control your home network with voice commands using Amazon Alexa and the Google Assistant.

    13 Features
  • Supports high definition video conferencing (Zoom, Skype, WebEx, FaceTime, and more): Whether you work from home or want to connect with your friends and family you can video conference with crystal clear audio and video from anywhere in your home.
  • Faster WiFi: Faster performance and speed with AC4000 WiFi (Up to 4000Mbps). Ideal for Smart Home devices and large homes.
  • Tri-Band WiFi: 3 dedicated WiFi bands to optimize speeds for all WiFi devices.
  • NETGEAR Nighthawk App: Easily setup your router. Limit online content and screen time using Circle Smart Parental Controls. Manage Internet access by pausing and resuming internet instantly. Run a speed test. Control your network security. All from your mobile device!
  • Circle Smart Parental Controls: Manage your family's internet use. Limit daily Internet time for websites, apps, and more. Set individual filter levels for family members to match their age and interests.
  • NETGEAR Armor: Built-in anti-virus and data theft protection for all of your smartphones and computers. Protects your connected home from internet threats. Free trial included. Covers unlimited devices.
  • 4 Gigabit Ethernet Ports: Gigabit Ports give you fast wired connections to your computer, game box and other devices. Two USB ports let you share a storage drive or printer across your network.
  • MU-MIMO: Capable for simultaneous streaming of data to multiple devices.
  • Smooth Streaming: Better video streaming, lag-free gaming, surfing, and more with a powerful 1GHz Dual Core Processor. Up to 4000Mbps wireless speed for demanding activities like 4K Ultra-HD streaming and multi-player online gaming.
  • Dynamic QoS: Prioritizes network traffic by application & device.
  • VPN Support: Secure access to your home network and Internet when you're away from home using any of your devices.
  • Smart Connect: Intelligently selects the fastest WiFi band for every device.
  • Two USB Ports: One (1) USB 3.0 & One (1) USB 2.0 for faster streaming, backup and easy access to your stored media.
  • 8 Most Useful Reviews
  • Review by Cotto01, 10 out of 10
    Netgear X6S AC 4000 Super Fast

    Xfinity made me an update before I had 300 speed and I changed to 800 and I still had problems when measuring my speed it only went up to 200 and they sent 2 technicians and they could not solve my problem on my own I bought this Netgear X6S AC 4000 Router and finally I have my speed of 800 I recommend it is extremely fast

    Oct 14, 2021 14:54
  • Review by Gamer, 10 out of 10
    Do it!!!

    My house is almost 2200 square feet and I get full signal everywhere. My PS5 is on the opposite side of my house and I stream games with now issues. Best purchase ever.

    Jan 01, 2021 20:10
  • Review by ITProfessional, 2 out of 10
    Nice equipment until firmware upgrade breaks it

    Worked great up until the 1.4.1.50 firmware upgrade. At that point the router began locking up frequently and unable to upgrade or downgrade firmware. Have determined that this is a common issue with this firmware version. Only way to resolve is to purchase support if outside of 90 day window from Netgear. We are just over one month past our warranty window. $300 paper weight. Will not purchase Netgear again. As a seasoned IT veteran, this type of support is abhorrent.

    Jan 28, 2021 20:14
  • Review by BH23, 10 out of 10
    Much improved WiFi

    Replaced a very outdated (though still functional) airport. With all the added devices over the years and more time recently sharing bandwidth, it just wasn’t keeping up. So far the Nighthawk X6S AC4000 has been a very pleasant upgrade. Connected to our Spectrum provided cable modem. Solid, full speed coverage throughout the entire house now (~2000 sq ft), even for our previous dead zones and outside areas that weren’t reached before. Not sure setup could have been easier. Downloaded the app, followed the instructions and in about 10 minutes was up and running. Used the same network name/password and all devices connected without issue. Love being able to monitor and control the router from the app. And the included, built in device protection is a nice add on feature. It’s only been a couple weeks but so far no drops, no reboots, all good and a hugely improved signal for all the gaming, streaming, working at home needs.

    Oct 05, 2020 17:57
  • Review by Cavdaddy, 10 out of 10
    Worth it

    Setup super easy with iOS app.

    Rock solid connection, incredible range and speed.

    It is on the expensive side but worth it. Buy once cry once

    May 01, 2021 08:09
  • Review by Amor, 10 out of 10
    Very good product

    Excellent product first time user very easy to program its a little pricey but it's worth it you can manage it from your phone.

    Apr 25, 2020 09:57
  • Review by LTwinJeff, 10 out of 10
    Excellent coverage and FAST!

    I was in need of an upgrade from an aging ASUS router that was constantly dropping WiFi or my GIGABIT connection (issue was later discovered to be Xfinity XB6). Plus who DOESN'T like to upgrade, right?! :-)

    I have used almost every brand of router on the market. I have purchased Netgear in the past and have had good luck with them.

    This one in particular came as a recommendation from a Best Buy associate. I have a lot of devices using the internet via wireless and wired connections. My ethernet cables are all CAT6 24AWG Shielded High Performance (Shielded Twisted Pair). I am also using 10/100/1000 Mbps Unmanaged Gigabit Ethernet Switches.

    Wireless performance is everything I expected it to be. I adjusted the antennas after using a WiFi app on my iPhone 11Pro Max called Wi-FiSweetSpots. I was able to walk around my entire home while using the app and analyze and figure where I needed to place the router (centered as closely as possible to my house/property).

    In this house with 3 boys, we have a few wireless devices going on an almost all day schedule (especially with school out because of COVID-19). 3 4K ROKU TV Sticks going, A Nintendo Switch (and Switch Lite), iPads and a TAB S4 tablet, 2 iPhones, 6 Alexa devices, 5 KASA smart plugs, 2 Google NEST thermostats, and Google minis to name a few. We never have an issue with dropouts or speed on any of these devices.

    I average killer speeds on my iPhone 11Pro Max 609 Mbps down and 37 Mbps down (those speeds are when most online devices are not in use). This router manages our wireless devices correctly and spreads the bandwidth accordingly.

    Wired connection speed tests (connected to my Netgear CM1150V-100 modem via Xfinity) averages 940-952 Mbps down and 40-43 Mbps up. The user interface is clean and easily understandable. Netgear user forums are also informative if you don't quite understand the setup.

    At any given time when I look at my router, I can have 30 devices combined using the network (PS4's, XBOX One X and so on) and this router has been solid since I purchased and installed it on 27 February 2020. I recommend this model after my user experience has been positive.

    I purchased it for $249.99 (did not purchase the extended warranty).

    Mar 28, 2020 13:42
  • Review by Drashnar, 10 out of 10
    Fast speeds & great coverage

    I've only had this router for a few days, but all is working well so far. Coverage in my house is great, and the router handles multiple devices without any issues - we currently have 2 iPhones, an iPad, Apple TV, home server, smart speaker, smart TV and laptop all connected (mix of wired and wireless connections).

    Setup was easy using the Netgear Genie software. I configured all network settings within the app, including the single 2.4GHz and two 5.0GHz bands.

    We have a wireless broadband connection and the router immediately started exceeding our 300/300 Mbps bandwidth (see attached image), with 343 Mbps download and 433 Mbps upload on a 5GHz connection to my iPhone X. We're off to a great start!

    Please note that I received this product for free as part of a testing program.

    Mar 30, 2018 23:00
  • 8.8score
    NETGEAR - AC1000 Dual-Band Wi-Fi 5 Router - Black
    Description

    The NETGEAR AC1000 Dual Band WiFi Router delivers WiFi speeds up to 300 + 700Mbps. It allows you to upgrade your WiFi to support new AC devices. NETGEAR Nighthawk app lets you easily manage your home network. It's easy to install and ideal for medium to large homes.

    7 Features
  • Supports high definition video conferencing (Zoom, Skype, WebEx, FaceTime, and more): Whether you work from home or want to connect with your friends and family you can video conference with crystal clear audio and video from anywhere in your home.
  • Faster WiFi: Faster performance and speed.
  • Upgradable WiFi: Upgrade your WiFi to support new AC devices.
  • Compatibility: Works with all N150, N300 and AC devices.
  • Improved WiFi Coverage: Provides WiFi coverage no matter where you are in your home.
  • Reliability: Reduces interference for better connections to more WiFi devices.
  • Smooth Streaming: Optimized for smooth HD streaming and gaming.
  • 8 Most Useful Reviews
  • Review by Jelan, 8 out of 10
    App needs more options

    Router is good if you set it up for its intended purpose. If your buying as a access point or extending your WiFi the nighthawk app will not let you configure. You have to sign in using a computer and manually plugging in the router to your laptop or cpu. I would go into more detail but that would be a novel. Once again basic use great access point thumbs down.

    Mar 28, 2020 10:10
  • Review by Ruthie, 10 out of 10
    Great for a router

    Works well and cut out the payment to cable every month

    Jul 21, 2020 13:09
  • Review by Coolatmosphere, 2 out of 10
    Slow router. 100 mbsp!

    The front of the box says it capable of 1000 mbsp and I tried this router for a long time I spend 3 hours troubleshooting with netgear, is only capable of 100 mbsp !

    Don’t buy it if you plan to use with higher speeds from your internet provider.

    Mar 08, 2021 17:59
  • Review by Anton, 6 out of 10
    Don't read the marketing spec!

    What's up guys so I bought it device for $60 and I tested for you at 100Mbit plan internet with MacBook Pro 2015 1gb LAN port with adapter Thunderbolt to ethernet connected directly to modem raw port (connected without router):

    - results http://www.speedtest.net/result/d/33077258

    &

    Wifi 5Gh to MacBook Pro AC connection:

    - results http://www.speedtest.net/result/d/33069855

    and ethernet MacBook Pro 2015 1gb LAN port with adapter Thunderbolt to ethernet connected directly to Lan router:

    - results http://www.speedtest.net/result/d/33076683

    conclusion:

    if you do not want to use your cable internet at the maxim (I have 100 Mbit plan) you can bay this router, but I don't recommend! 3 star.

    Feb 04, 2018 22:47
  • Review by dadofgamers, 10 out of 10
    Good value if you don't have a lot of devices

    I purchased this router for my parents who don't have a lot of devices in their apartment: two iPhones, two iPads, and an Apple TV. This may sound like a lot, but since they are the only ones in the apartment (except when family goes over), only three devices intensively use the router. At a max of 700Mbps, this isn't an issue for the streaming they do on the Apple TV and the games on the phones/iPads.

    If you have a larger family and/or more than six devices that are routinely active and require higher bandwidth, this device isn't for you. I would recommend the Nighhawk AC2300 or higher model with MIMO, especially if you have a gaming computer. It's $100+ more, but it's worth it.

    Oct 01, 2018 16:04
  • Review by Nana4, 10 out of 10
    Great Router

    I updated my router with this NETGEAR-AC1000. Easy setup and installation. Was a good choice

    Sep 04, 2020 16:00
  • Review by MikeC, 8 out of 10
    Perfectly adequate router with basic features.

    We're in the process of a relocation. I had to leave my nice Asus AC router behind for my wife and needed a basic router for the new house. This is a perfectly adequate router for most people with a simple setup procedure. Power users will not be interested, but it would be fine for anyone who doesn't want to put much effort into managing their router. When I get my Asus router back, I'll retire this one, but it would probably be fine for my in-laws as an upgrade. It's a perfectly serviceable router without a lot of bells and whistles.

    Jan 10, 2020 16:16
  • Review by IanLee64, 8 out of 10
    One of the best routers ever!

    The NETGEAR - AC1000 Dual-Band Wi-Fi 5 Router is a great router for your home or small office. It delivers WiFi speeds up to 300+700Mbps. It allows you to upgrade your WiFi to support new AC devices, for up to 15 devices and 1,000 square foot coverage. The high-speed 5 GHz band can support more demanding activities, such as online gaming and video streaming. What a great all around router.

    Nov 10, 2021 14:03
  • 8.8score
    ASUS - AC2600 Dual-Band Wi-Fi Router - Blue/white
    Description

    Manage your home network with this dual-band ASUS Blue Cave wireless router. It uses Intel Wi-Fi and 802.11ac 4x4 technology for advanced network throughput, and it delivers blazing-fast data speeds of up to 2600 Mbps for optimal performance. This ASUS Blue Cave wireless router is built to perform, thanks to its dual-core Intel CPU.

    13 Features
  • Wireless-AC technology: Promotes rapid performance and optimal coverage.
  • Up to 2534 Mbps data transfer speed: For fast, efficient operation.
  • Dual-band 2.4GHz/5.0GHz frequency: Delivers a fast response when transferring files.
  • Powered by dual core Intel CPU: Easily handle the simultaneous demands of multiple connected devices in your home.
  • 128MB flash memory: Plus 512MB RAM promotes optimal performance.
  • AiCloud: Lets you use the router to access, store and share your files between connected devices.
  • Parental control: Lets you automatically block specific content on connected devices.
  • Built-in print server: Supports wireless printing to a printer connected to the router via USB.
  • Gigabit Ethernet connectivity: Offers a high-speed wired network connection.
  • Auto detecting and auto sensing: To simplify device connectivity.
  • DoS attack prevention: Helps block intruders from accessing sensitive information.
  • Encryption: Includes MPPE, WPA-PSK, WPA2-PSK, WPA-enterprise and WPA2-enterprise to keep your network secure.
  • QoS (Quality of Service): Keeps track of network traffic to help determine the priority of applications.
  • 8 Most Useful Reviews
  • Review by Networkgeek, 10 out of 10
    Beautiful, smart & powerful

    I was comparing the Blue Cave with the Netgear AC1750 on 7/22/2018 and ultimately, purchased the AC1750 due to it being $80 cheaper/on sale & since it was comparative to the Blue Cave in regards to performance - I thought "save the money"!

    Took it home & immediately tested my internet speed and it was strong (both were super easy to setup).

    But, since my router has to be next to my TV due to where the internet coax cable comes out of the wall.... it's really visible. The AC1750, with its buggy antennae's was hideous on top of my subwoofer. So naturally, after it bothering my wife and I for two days, I went back to B.Buy to return the Netgear & picked-up the ASUS Blue Cave. It matches, if not exceeds the performance of the AC1750 & is gorgeous anywhere out in the open. The user dashboard and app are super cool too! I tip my hat to ASUS for thinking outside of the box & bucking the antennae trend.... well done.

    Jul 24, 2018 22:25
  • Review by VladPitt, 10 out of 10
    very good wireless bridge for me...

    I was looking for a router to use as a wireless bridge that would not be too conspicuous for the living room, this one somewhat fit the bill...the setup for wireless bridge is too easy, I was looking forward for an elaborate setup, but cannot complain it is working very well as I intended it too.. I experimented with it first as access point and from what I have seen it is excellent as one.. if only I do not have a better AP router I would be using it but for now it is a wireless bridge for my ethernet connected A/V setup, it is a mesh Ai too.. so if you have other Asus router you can add it a another mesh wifi and it has good security and is VPN ready..

    Jan 12, 2019 09:20
  • Review by vrs99, 10 out of 10
    Excellent Security Features - Strong Wi-Fi

    ASUS had my attention with the looks and packaging of the Blue Cave, it is cool and aesthetically pleasing. Was jazzed before I even got the box open.

    But more importantly to me was the aspect of having a Hardened Router at the head of my network parade. This is my first ASUS router and I am impressed with the depth of the Front-Line Protection they have built into this box. Teaming up with TrendMicro was an exceptionally smart move on ASUS’s part, TrendMicro being a solid leader in Consumer and Enterprise Network protection.

    Having access to TrendMicro’s Black or White Lists is a Big Thumbs-up with the Blue Cave. Have not had access to Black Lists on a consumer router previously, last time I used Black lists was back in my Enterprise IT years. They are very helpful in avoiding pitfalls on the Internet, TrendMicro maintains a current Black List of Web-Sites found to be malicious and blocks access. In today’s environment this is particularly notable. Kudos.

    The Blue Cave is quite easy to get up and running, but I suggest if you pick one of these gems up to take some time and dig into the router’s settings, they are extensive for a consumer router.

    The options and settings are wide-ranging, a few that caught my eye are a highly customizable Traffic Manager (QoS) and a excellent Traffic Analyzer which tracks client and app usage graphically (love it). The Firewall is highly tunable and where you will find the Black List option.

    Wireless is unexpectedly stronger than I expected with the built-in antennas. Three rooms away from the Blue Cave my Signal Quality is running between 585 Mbps and up to 720 Mbps which surprisingly is the same rate that I am pulling off a larger router with Eight Large External Antennas from the same room! The Blue Cave is also pushing more Max Data Rate than my larger 802.11ac router at 346.7 vs 288.9 on the 2.4 GHz band and matching it on the 5 GHz band at 1733.3. Lot of juice in a small box.

    After running the Blue Cave for a couple weeks, it has blocked quite a few Web-Sites that two of my software systems did not catch. That is a warm and fuzzy feeling, in-depth protection for the network and my family.

    My network has enough routers, bridges and switches to light up a small city and the Blue Cave has earned a place at the head of my system with its brilliant set of technologies and capabilities.

    Managed large enterprise networks formerly and I am excited to find many of the technologies we employed in our networks, firewalls and routers in the Blue Cave. The cost for the Blue Cave makes it a remarkably good choice for anyone wanting to secure their home network. On top of that it is a good-looking piece of equipment with strong Wi-Fi and networking features.

    Big Thumbs Up.

    Jul 02, 2018 20:02
  • Review by Kakarot187, 10 out of 10
    Amazing

    Not only does this router look awesome it performs superb, better then I had anticipated.

    Oct 05, 2018 18:35
  • Review by Bree, 10 out of 10
    Excellent router

    We have three computers hardwired and one on wi-fi with no lag in the internet.

    Jul 23, 2018 10:19
  • Review by Beerdude, 10 out of 10
    Outstanding Router

    I love the Blue Cave. Setup was a breeze. Internet connection is super fast. WiFi is fast and reliable. Great user interface when logging into the modem. Tons of options. Very happy with my purchase!

    Jun 02, 2018 17:48
  • Review by JerryZ, 10 out of 10
    Artwork or appliance, the new ASUS Blue-Cave WiFi

    Artwork or appliance, the new ASUS Blue-Cave WiFi high speed router no longer needs to be hidden from view.

    Besides being straight forward and easy to set up, the ASUS AC router comes with built in and free update-able AI security protection (provided by TREND.)

    Take a moment and check out the web software setup tools also available for free with ths router. Parental controls help protect the family (children) from unsafe websites as well as monitoring who (what device) is online and setting time limits to those who do. Allow children access only during certain times of the day as an example.

    The unit has a RJ45 connector for hooking up to your modem and additional high speed ports. WPS for easy linking of new devices.

    Recessed reset button for returning unit to original factory settings. I set up and then factory reset to see how simple the function worked. No problems.

    Wireless router mode - for most users

    Access point mode - for extending your existing router and SSID if needed

    Media bridge mode - Connect two (2) routers with the capability of sharing the network resources

    Use the router as an additional access point on an existing network

    Connect the router to a modem/router from your Internet Service Provider (ISP)

    Disable the router functionalities to work with third party devices

    I can now justify upgrading to a 32-up 16 down 1.6GB MODEM and my IPS's 175-mips high speed service.

    Jun 22, 2018 09:15
  • Review by DCinNH, 10 out of 10
    Blue Cave Surprise

    I was already using an ASUS router, not too old, with the sci-fi, bug-like antenna protruding in every direction. Recently moved that from an upstairs office to in our living room for better overall coverage. Mistake. Wife commented on the ugly bug at least weekly. We also still had deadspots.

    So I read a few reviews on the Blue Cave and thought it could hang out in the living room in full view without too much comment from the one I wish to please most. Setup was incredibly easy, I simply powered my old router down and created the networks using my old router's network names and passwords so I didn't have to change every device in the house.

    Considering my old router was only 2 years old, I didn't expect the Blue Cave to be significantly better than the Asus RT-AC3100. It is. It has better coverage throughout our home.

    I did add the RT-AC3100 as an AiMesh device about a month after getting the Blue Cave, simply to extend the range out into a detached garage. I literally have the routers at opposite ends of the house.

    PROS:

    Not alien-bug ugly. Looks cool with the blue circular glow.

    Is a damned fine router. Great coverage.

    Easy to setup, beautiful interface to use with the app.

    AiMesh capable.

    CONS:

    You cannot create a dedicated 2.4Ghz network except as a Guest Network.

    AIMesh does not extend the Guest Network.

    Your non-main AiMesh device, in my case the RT-AC3100, can not be firmware updated via the Asus App. You have to download the firmware update to a usb drive and manually install it. That is quite painful and I will probably just turn off my Blue Cave, make the RT-AC3100 the main, update the firmware, and then put things back.

    I have 31 devices online right now (have had as many as 42)- easy to see in the app. Many of them are home automation and while the Blue Cave is dual-band, I have found it easiest when bringing any new IoT devices online to have a dedicated 2.4Ghz network. They always connect on the 2.4Ghz. The dual-band where the Blue Cave tries to decide which (5Ghz or 2.5Ghz) is right for the device causes enough grief that all my home automation and even older devices are on the Guest Network.

    I like the Blue Cave so much, when I went to visit my brother who just moved into a new home in a rural setting outside of Cleveland I bought him one, too. We were outside at his fire pit and I was trying to follow my non-Cleveland football team on my tablet. His older router had no range. So off to Best Buy and another Blue Cave in the basket. The setup for his Blue Cave router was also extremely easy, the range was significantly improved, the speed within the house doubled. Now I did have to walk a non-techy through switching to the Guest network if he wanted better coverage on his phone or tablet outside at the fire pit or in his detached garage. I had to explain 5Ghz is faster and use that when he is in the house but it has less range, and the Guest network on 2.4Ghz will reach much further outside.

    I also made it easy to tech support him because I can pull up the exact same app for my Blue Cave and walk him through any issues he might need to fix.

    The Blue Cave has needed a few reboots, but fires right back up every time. I have also done 3 firmware updates with zero issues.

    Great product. Cool Look. Fantastic coverage. Awesome App.

    Dec 21, 2018 06:24
  • 8.2score