The best Wi-Fi 7 routers provide the fastest speeds and lowest latency possible while giving your home network a major upgrade. I upgraded to Wi-Fi 7, and it’s made a huge difference in ensuring all of the devices on my home network have a strong connection and in my download speeds overall.
At Tom’s Guide, we’ve been testing and reviewing Wi-Fi 7 routers since they first became available. Thanks to all our testing, I can help you find the best one for your home or apartment. Just like we do with traditional routers and mesh Wi-Fi systems, we’ve put each Wi-Fi 7 router in this guide through extensive, real-world testing to measure its download speeds and range at 15, 50, 75 and 90 feet.
Whether you want a standard Wi-Fi router for a smaller space (check out the TP-Link Archer BE770), a mesh Wi-Fi system for whole-home coverage (the Asus ZenWiFi BQ16 Pro will do the trick) or even a gaming router for lower lag (look no further than the Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE19000AI), these are the best Wi-Fi 7 routers you can buy right now.
The best Wi-Fi 7 routers you can buy today
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Best Wi-Fi 7 router overall
When our reviewer, Brian, says the TP-Link Archer BE770 is one of the best high-performing routers on the planet, he means it. From its breakneck speeds to its incredible range and, most importantly, its impressively affordable price for what you get, there's a good reason why we call this a "networking bargain."
In our lab tests, it pushed a real-world wireless throughput of 2.181 Gbps at 15 feet and maintained a measured range of 130 feet. That's easily among the best we've seen for a standalone router! These numbers aren’t just for show, either; in daily use, Brian found that the BE770 consistently handled heavy 4K streaming and gaming across multiple rooms without major slowdowns.
TP-Link Archer BE770 Performance Results
15 feet
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| TP-Link Archer BE770 | 2.181 |
50 feet
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| TP-Link Archer BE770 | 1.239 |
75 feet
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| TP-Link Archer BE770 | 772.1 |
90 feet
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| TP-Link Archer BE770 | 70.9 |
The BE770 also packs a serious wired arsenal, with multiple 10 Gbps ports (one 10 Gbps WAN, one 10 Gbps LAN) and four 1 Gbps LAN ports. Whether it's for fast wired or wireless internet speeds for PCs or consoles, or even printers or surveillance cameras, this router will have you covered across the board.
Since the BE770 can act as a traditional router, a wired access point or an EasyMesh wireless node, it finds the sweet spot between price, performance and future-proofing. While it does have exceptional speeds, it still lacks features you'll only find in gaming-specific routers (like pre-configured port forwarding options for consoles and access to a GPN), and be sure to make space, as this is quite a large router.
Along with setup being quick and easy, this ticks all the right boxes for most. If you want a router that feels like an obvious upgrade and sets your home up for the next wave of devices, the Archer BE770 is our top recommendation.
- Read our full TP-Link Archer BE770 review
Best budget Wi-Fi 7 router
The TP-Link Archer BE3600 is a budget game-changer because it finally brings the next generation of connectivity down to a price that's far less than you'd expect. While flagship Wi-Fi 7 routers often have a price of $500 and up, the BE3600 hits shelves at roughly $100. It ends the "early adopter tax," making it the first Wi-Fi 7 device that I can recommend to any household currently using an aging Wi-Fi 5 or Wi-Fi 6 router.
There are some sacrifices made at this price, as it loses out on the 6GHz transmission band for even higher throughput. That said, the Archer BE3600 still leverages core Wi-Fi 7 technologies like 4K QAM and Multi-Link Operation (MLO), so more data is packed into every transmission, along with connections to 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands.
TP-Link Archer BE3600 Performance Results
Speed measurements
15 feet
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| TP-Link Archer BE3600 | 1.138 |
50 feet
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| TP-Link Archer BE3600 | 702.3 |
75 feet
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| TP-Link Archer BE3600 | 205.2 |
90 feet
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| TP-Link Archer BE3600 | 15.5 |
What's more, Performance was surprising, especially where it matters most: real-world distance. In testing, the BE3600 actually outperformed several "premium" rivals at the 50-foot mark, delivering a solid 702 Mbps, and even provided up to 1.234 Gbps of throughput. That's fast enough for many at-home workers and gamers.
It’s rare to see a budget router deliver high throughput as you move away from the device, but the Archer BE3600 managed to cover my 3,500-square-foot testing home with impressive consistency. It even includes a 2.5 Gbps WAN port and a 2.5 Gbps LAN port, ensuring that your wired connections aren’t throttled. For $100, it's a router worth putting on your radar.
- Read our full TP-Link Archer BE3600 review
Best Wi-Fi 7 router for long range
Range is always an important factor when it comes to bringing Wi-Fi routers to big houses, and beyond to the great outdoors. If that's the most important factor for your purchase, the TP Link Deco BE65-Outdoor Wi-Fi 7 router should be your go-to choice.
The BE65-Outdoor is a powerhouse tri-band mesh node that supports the ultra-fast 6GHz band. This means your backyard, patio or detached garage can finally gain the same multi-gigabit throughput and low latency as your living room, or as close to it as possible. It’s the solution for anyone looking to future-proof their outdoor space for high-definition security cameras, outdoor 4K streaming, or lag-free poolside gaming.
TP Link Deco BE65-Outdoor Performance Results
Speed measurements
15 feet
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| TP Link Deco BE65-Outdoor | 864.6 |
50 feet
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| TP Link Deco BE65-Outdoor | 693.6 |
75 feet
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| TP Link Deco BE65-Outdoor | 635.4 |
90 feet
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| TP Link Deco BE65-Outdoor | 373.2 |
I will note that when testing the 6GHz band and the Auto setting for the unit’s smart antenna array, it delivered 833.7 Mbps at 15 feet from the device. Not the strongest we've seen, but the further away a device gets, the more impressive the results. For example, at 90 feet, it achieved 373.2 Mbps speeds. Its competition, like the Eero Outdoor 7, only got up to 52.2 Mbps. That's quite the gap!
Along with being built to withstand dust, heavy rain, and hot and cold temperatures, and reaching peak speeds of 1.56 Gbps at close range, this Wi-Fi 7 router was built for range, and it's not a bad shout at $300.
- Read our full TP Link Deco BE65-Outdoor review
Best Wi-Fi 7 router for mesh
The Asus ZenWiFi BQ16 Pro immediately grabbed my attention as a quad-band Wi-Fi 7-powered mesh system that, according to Brian’s testing, actually outperformed all of the other Wi-Fi 7 routers we’ve reviewed so far when it comes to sheer download speeds. At $1,299 for a two-pack, it’s definitely a premium option in the same price range as Netgear’s Orbi 970 series, unlike some of the more budget-friendly Wi-Fi 7 mesh systems we’re starting to see now. Still, just like with the RT-BE96U, you get the added benefit of Asus’s built-in AiProtection security software.
Brian’s speed tests with the ZenWiFi BQ16 Pro were remarkable to say the least. He saw a max download speed of 2.62 Gbps at close range (15 feet). This mesh kit provided a solid 100-foot range overall, but what really surprised me was its sustained speed at 50 feet, where it reached a blazing fast 1,532 Gbps. This puts it ahead of both the Orbi 970 and the eero Max 7, which were previously the fastest Wi-Fi 7 mesh kits Brian tested.
Asus ZenWiFi BQ16 Pro Performance Results
Speed measurements
15 feet
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| Asus ZenWiFi BQ16 Pro | 2.62 |
50 feet
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| Asus ZenWiFi BQ16 Pro | 1.532 |
75 feet
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| Asus ZenWiFi BQ16 Pro | 567.8 |
90 feet
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| Asus ZenWiFi BQ16 Pro | 46.7 |
Unlike the cylindrical designs found in other mesh routers, the ZenWiFi BQ16 Pro has a rectangular shape to house its impressive 12 internal antennas. Brian noted the top vents for cooling and the practical port array on the back, which includes a 10 Gbps input and a 10 Gbps output port, three gigabit Ethernet ports and a USB port for sharing data across your network.
Interestingly, Brian also highlighted that you can use this USB port to connect to your phone and use its hotspot as a backup internet source during outages. The real standout feature for me, based on Brian’s review, though, is that instead of a single 6 GHz band, the ZenWiFi BQ16 Pro has two. Brian believes this extra 6 GHz band is the key to this mesh kit’s incredible close-range speeds. The ZenWiFi BQ16 Pro does have a higher price, but it can cover a large home with a strong and extremely fast Wi-Fi signal.
- Read our full Asus ZenWiFi BQ16 Pro review
Best budget Wi-Fi 7 router for mesh
The Netgear Orbi 370 is a compact, dual-band Wi-Fi 7 mesh kit that costs significantly less than the company’s premium Orbi devices without sacrificing the reliability and performance they’re known for. This is especially true when you take into consideration how you can get the Orbi 370 in a three-pack for just $350 while the top-of-the-line Orbi 970 costs over $2,000 in a similar configuration.
Just like the MSI Roamii BE Lite, this is a dual-band Wi-Fi 7 mesh kit that doesn’t give you access to the faster 6 GHz band. However, this does keep the cost down, and you still get access to many of Wi-Fi 7’s best features. As such, during his testing, Brian saw max download speeds of 1.07 Gbps at close range (15 feet).
Netgear Orbi 370 Performance Results
Speed measurements
15 feet
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| Netgear Orbi 370 | 1.074 |
50 feet
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| Netgear Orbi 370 | 515.4 |
75 feet
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| Netgear Orbi 370 | 191.2 |
90 feet
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| Netgear Orbi 370 | 85 |
These speeds were slightly ahead of the Roamii BE Lite — a trend that continued across Brian's 50, 75, and 90-foot tests. What was really surprising, though, was how the Orbi 370 beat out the more expensive, tri-band Orbi 770 at 50 feet with a download speed of 515.4 Mbps versus 391.1 Mbps. Likewise, Brian was impressed by just how well the Orbi 370 could send a strong signal even through a wall into an adjacent room.
At 8.0 x 4.7 x 3.0 inches, the Orbi 370 is Netgear’s smallest mesh router yet, making its satellites easy to place around your home. However, due to their compact size and budget-friendly price, port selection is limited. The main unit that acts as your router has two 2.5 Gbps Ethernet ports, while the satellites only have a single 2.5 Gbps port around back. This may seem quite limiting for power users, but you can always add a network switch for more ports. The Orbi 370 certainly won’t be for everyone, but if you want to upgrade to a Wi-Fi 7-powered mesh kit on a budget and don’t mind not having access to the faster 6GHz, it could be the perfect fit.
- Read our full Netgear Orbi 370 review
Best Wi-Fi 7 router for gamers
The Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE1900AI Wi-Fi 7 router is, put simply, an absolute beast. Made for gamers and power-hungry homes, this router delivers the throughput for high-speed gaming with low latency, 8K video and some bandwidth left over for day-to-day computing tasks like email or listening to tunes on Spotify.
Compared to our previous pick, the TP-Link Archer GE650, it boasts a 27% uplight in real-world throughput at 15 feet, delivering a whopping 2.580 Gbps. But even at 50 feet, it manages to surpass 1 Gbps. For larger households, the ROG Rapture GT-BE1900AI will be able to reach far and wide while keeping up incredible speeds.
Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE19000AI Performance Results
Speed measurements
15 feet
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE19000AI | 2.58 |
50 feet
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE19000AI | 1.006 |
75 feet
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE19000AI | 528.3 |
90 feet
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE19000AI | 49.1 |
With its tri-band connectivity, covering 2.4GHz, 5GHz and 6GHz data, along with 4GB of RAM, 32GB of storage and a full-blown dedicated AI engine delivering 7.9 TOPS (trillions of operations per second), its specs are in line with those of a PC. All this helps with game-boosting features, with the Asus Router's app giving you full control of it all. I mean, it has it all.
Now, it is a power hog at 26.0 watts, which means annual electricity bills will cost more, and it can get quite hot when put to use. That's only adding to its already expensive $900 price tag, but this is without a doubt the best gaming router right now, and with the speeds and range it offers, it will bring a smile to any gamer's (or anyone, for that matter) face.
- Read our full Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE19000AI review
Best Wi-Fi 7 router for smart home
The Eero Max 7 marks Amazon’s first entry into the Wi-Fi 7 space, and true to form for eero, it’s a mesh Wi-Fi system since the company doesn’t offer traditional standalone routers. In terms of price, it sits slightly higher than the Deco BE85, coming in at $1,400 for a two-pack or $1,700 for a three-pack. However, I appreciate that eero offers single add-on units for $600, along with the fact that all eero devices are backwards compatible. Likewise, if you want to extend your Wi-Fi 7-powered home network outdoors, Brian also reviewed the Eero Outdoor 7 mesh extender after testing the eero Max 7.
When Brian put the eero Max 7 through his speed testing, it achieved a solid 1.78 Gbps at close range (15 feet). However, as he moved his test laptop further away, speeds dropped more significantly, down to 146 Mbps at 50 feet and an even less impressive 16.8 Mbps at 90 feet. On the positive side, Brian found that the eero Max 7 did a decent job of pushing a Wi-Fi signal through walls, maintaining 789.1 Mbps at 25 feet.
Eero Max 7 Performance Results
Speed measurements
15 feet
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| Eero Max 7 | 1.781 |
50 feet
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| Eero Max 7 | 146.9 |
75 feet
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| Eero Max 7 | 132.7 |
90 feet
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| Eero Max 7 | 16.8 |
Design-wise, eero has shifted away from its familiar puck shape to something closer to the Orbi 970 to allow for more ports and better cooling. In his review, Brian highlighted the inclusion of two 10 Gbps ports and two 2.5 Gbps ports around back. While the Max 7 and other eero devices lack a USB port for network sharing, one of the biggest strengths that he and I point out with eero mesh systems is their incredibly easy setup process using the Eero app.
The eero Max 7 is a great choice for building out your smart home network, too, with Thread, Matter and Zigbee support built in. At the same time, you can also use a newer Echo Dot as a mesh extender, which is a convenient way to expand your home network’s range using devices you might already have.
- Read our full Eero Max 7 review
Best Wi-Fi 7 router for fiber
The TP-Link Deco BE85 holds the distinction of being one of the very first mesh Wi-Fi systems with Wi-Fi 7 support. Though it does come in at a higher price point than the company’s older mesh kids like the Deco XE75, Brian’s testing shows it’s still one of the more affordable ways to upgrade to the latest wireless standard, complete with all the bells and whistles.
Just like with eero, I really appreciate how all Deco devices work together, so you can easily integrate an older TP-Link mesh kit into your new Wi-Fi 7-powered home network to extend its reach.
TP-Link Deco BE85 Performance Results
Speed measurements
15 feet
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| TP-Link Deco BE85 | 1.736 |
50 feet
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| TP-Link Deco BE85 | 790.4 |
75 feet
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| TP-Link Deco BE85 | 179.2 |
90 feet
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| TP-Link Deco BE85 | 42.6 |
When Brian tested the Deco BE85, he observed a top speed of 1.73 Gbps at close range (15 feet). Speeds remained quite strong at 50 feet, where Brian saw downloads of 790 Mbps. Even at 90 feet, the Deco BE85 still managed a respectable 42.6 Mbps on the 6 GHz band. However, you can get better performance at long distances by switching to the combined 2.4/5 GHz bands, as this system doesn’t automatically optimize band selection for peak speed, and you can’t manually choose which data channel to use.
Looking at the hardware, Brian highlighted the inclusion of two 10 Gbps ports (one can also be combined with an SPF+ fiber port) along with two 2.5 Gbps ports and a USB 3.0 port on the back of each unit. Another really user-friendly aspect that Brian pointed out in his review is that all of the Deco BE85 units are interchangeable. This lets any of them function as the main router or as a satellite. In terms of design, the BE85 features the familiar cylindrical look of previous Deco systems, but this time around, it features a prominent “7” on the front to clearly indicate its Wi-Fi 7 capabilities.
- Read our full TP-Link Deco BE85 review
Performance results compared
While all the best W-Fi 7 routers we've tested deliver blazing-fast speeds in their own right, it's exciting to see just how fast they perform, especially across a range of distances.
As we've discovered, just because one Wi-Fi 7 router has blistering speeds at 15 feet doesn't mean it will be as fast as another at 90 feet. So, if you have your eye on one system and want to see how it compares to the rest, check out our versus table below to help you find the right router for your setup.
Best Wi-Fi 7 Routers Performance Results
Select a Wi-Fi 7 router to compare internet speed at different distances (measured in Gbps and Mbps)
| Attribute | TP-Link Archer BE770 | TP-Link Archer BE3600 | TP Link Deco BE65-Outdoor | Asus ZenWiFi BQ16 Pro | Netgear Orbi 370 | Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE19000AI | Eero Max 7 | TP-Link Deco BE85 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 feet | 2.181 | 1.138 | 0.864 | 2.62 | 1.074 | 2.58 | 1.781 | 1.736 |
| 50 feet | 1239 | 702.3 | 693.6 | 1532 | 515.4 | 1006 | 146.9 | 790.4 |
| 75 feet | 772.1 | 205.2 | 635.4 | 567.8 | 191.2 | 528.3 | 132.7 | 179.2 |
| 90 feet | 70.9 | 15.5 | 373.2 | 46.7 | 85 | 49.1 | 16.8 | 42.6 |
Also tested
We've tested dozens of Wi-Fi 7 routers since they've arrived, and while some may have their quirks, they could be just the option for you. Think of this as our honorable mentions that are still worth considering.
Meet our testers
As someone who's been working from home for the past six years, Anthony Spadafora has tried everything from Wi-Fi extenders to powerline adapters to get the most out of his home network before finally upgrading to a mesh Wi-Fi system. Along the way, he's tested out loads of different routers and network configurations. Based on what he's learned, Anthony tries to highlight the critical role Wi-Fi routers play in our day to day lives and how a mesh network can help solve the most common connectivity issues like Wi-Fi dead spots.
With experience in testing, using and evaluating wireless data from before Wi-Fi was even a word, Brian Nadel has tried out and reviewed every major router available in his home networking lab. A LAN nerd, his philosophy is to use the router the way you would, testing networking gear for ease of setup, performance, security and above all for value. The result is peace of mind when it comes to choosing the right router.
How to choose the best Wi-Fi 7 router for your home
When it comes to picking the right Wi-Fi 7 router for your home network, there are a number of factors you need to consider first, including price, range, ports and design.
- Price: The first Wi-Fi 7 routers came to market in the summer of 2023, and as they are the latest and greatest home networking tech, they’re still priced significantly higher than their Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E equivalents. This is starting to change now that companies like Netgear, TP-Link, eero and others have released their flagship devices. For instance, you can pick up TP-Link’s budget Archer BE9300 Wi-Fi 7 router for just $249 at Walmart right now. Based on the Wi-Fi 7 routers we’ve reviewed this far, you should expect to pay around $500 to $600 for a traditional Wi-Fi 7 router, whereas mesh routers with Wi-Fi 7 typically cost anywhere from $1,000 for a two-pack all the way up to $2,300 for a three-pack. If you do decide to go with a mesh Wi-Fi system, though, remember you can buy a two-pack now and add an additional satellite later to lower the up-front costs.
- Range: Most Wi-Fi 7 routers have a range of around 2,000 square feet. If you live in an apartment or a smaller, one-story home, this should be more than enough for your needs. However, if you live in a large home or one with an odd layout with multiple stories or interior walls made from brick, opting for a mesh Wi-Fi system is your best bet. While you can use one of the best Wi-Fi extenders to increase the range of your home network, they require that you manually switch networks, plus there aren’t any Wi-Fi extenders that support Wi-Fi 7 just yet. Likewise, you can also use a powerline extender to extend your network further using your home’s electrical wiring, but this can be hit or miss. Paying more for a mesh Wi-Fi system makes more sense in the long run, especially if you don’t want to deal with Wi-Fi dead zones or extenders.
- Ports: The number of ports that you should look for on the back of your router depends on how many devices you want to connect using Ethernet. Even if you only plan on connecting one or even a few computers directly to your router, some smart home devices, like Philips Hue lights, come with a hub that needs to be connected via Ethernet. This is why it’s always good to have a few more Ethernet ports than you actually plan on using. You can always buy a network switch later to add more Ethernet ports if you need to, but having four or more ports is always a good idea. In addition to Ethernet ports, some Wi-Fi 7 routers have USB ports too. These USB ports can be really useful if you want to connect one of the best flash drives or even an external hard drive to your router and access the files stored on them across your home network.
- Design: As you’re spending your own money on a Wi-Fi router instead of renting one from your ISP, you’re going to want to get a device that you like the look of since you’re likely going to be using it for the next three to five years. If you plan on having your router out in the open, then its design will be more important than if you want to tuck it away in a corner. Likewise, some Wi-Fi routers have aimable antennas that you can physically manipulate to spread out your router’s Wi-Fi signal, while others have their antennas built-in. If you plan on going with a traditional Wi-Fi router, its design is less important than with a mesh Wi-Fi system. This is because mesh Wi-Fi systems consist of a main unit that serves as the router, but there are also satellites that you need to spread throughout your house for whole-home Wi-Fi coverage.
Wi-Fi 6 vs Wi-Fi 6E vs Wi-Fi 7
If you’re thinking of upgrading to one of the best Wi-Fi 7 routers, chances are you’ve also come across some Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E devices during your research. While Wi-Fi 7 is the latest and greatest wireless standard, you can save quite a lot by opting for a router that uses one of these older standards instead.
For those still using an older, wireless router that supports the 802.11ac standard (retroactively named Wi-Fi 5), upgrading to a Wi-Fi 6 router could still offer a number of improvements. In addition to a higher maximum data rate of up to 9.6 Gbps, Wi-Fi 6 also brought back the 2.4 GHz band. While the 5 GHz band is much faster, the 2.4 GHz band has better range, which is perfect for connected devices that are farther away from your router, like your smart home devices or one of the best outdoor security cameras. Having two Wi-Fi bands to work with also makes it easier to set up a guest network for visitors to keep them off of your main Wi-Fi network.
Wi-Fi 6 was released in 2019, but just a year later, Wi-Fi 6E was adopted by the Wi-Fi Alliance, and devices supporting it began rolling out. This is the first time in the history of Wi-Fi that there was an incremental upgrade to an existing wireless standard, and it very well could be the last time as well. The biggest difference between Wi-Fi 6 routers and Wi-Fi 6E routers is that these newer devices give you access to the new 6 GHz band.
Over the past few years, we’ve seen more and more smartphones, laptops and tablets ship with Wi-Fi 6E support. This means that they can use the 6 GHz band, which is less crowded (for now), while your older devices can use the 5 GHz band, and your smart home devices can be relegated to the 2.4 GHz band. There is one catch with 6 GHz that you do need to know about: it’s great at short distances, but download and upload speeds fall off very quickly the further you move away from your router. If you plan on working in the same room with your router, the 6 GHz band is the way to go, but if you want to go to the couch or sit at the kitchen table, you’ll likely have a better experience on the 5 GHz band.
Wi-Fi 7 supports the same number of wireless bands as Wi-Fi 6E, but Wi-Fi 7 routers can make use of Multi-Link Operation (MLO) technology. This allows your devices to connect to as well as send and receive data from multiple Wi-Fi bands simultaneously. Besides the inclusion of wider data channels, MLO is one of the main reasons Wi-Fi 7 is so much faster than its predecessors.
How we test the best Wi-Fi 7 routers
As part of our networking reviews at Tom’s Guide, we thoroughly test and evaluate each of the Wi-Fi routers we review. From detailing the setup procedure to drilling down into the customizability of each router, we spend plenty of hands-on time before publishing our reviews.
In order to gauge the performance of each of the Wi-Fi 7 routers on this list, we do a combination of real-world testing and testing using networking benchmarks like IXChariot and iPerf3. We start a range of 15 feet away from the router to check download and upload speeds up close before going through the exact same tests at a distance of 50, 75 and 90 feet in order to determine a Wi-Fi router’s maximum range.
After we’ve finished our throughput tests, we also put each Wi-Fi 7 router through real-world tests. During this round of testing we connect a number of devices including laptops, TVs, smartphones and tablets while streaming a number of games, TV shows and movies simultaneously to see how well each device performs under strain.
As there weren’t many Wi-Fi 7 client devices available when we started reviewing Wi-Fi 7 routers this year, we used a OnePlus 11 as it was the first smartphone to support the latest wireless standard. It took a while but the best laptops are beginning to support Wi-Fi 7 and we’re now using the Acer Swift Edge 16 for network benchmarking as well. All of our Wi-Fi router testing is done in a 3,500 square foot home with multiple floors. When it comes to testing mesh Wi-Fi systems that support Wi-Fi 7, we spread the satellites out between floors to see just how well these routers can push a Wi-Fi signal between floors.
Since Wi-Fi routers are electronic devices after all, we also take a close look at how much energy they consume and see if there are any power-saving modes to make them more economical to run. From here, we calculate how much it will cost you to run each device per year based on the national average of 16 cents per kilowatt hour of electricity.
For more information on how we test networking devices, check out our guide on how we test Wi-Fi routers along with our more general how we test page for Tom's Guide.
