Networking

Routers

WiFi 6 (dual band)

• under $100
  • Netgear Nighthawk RAX5 ($69)
  • Linksys Hydra 6 ($99)
• under $150: TP-Link Archer AX55 Pro ($149 $119)
• under $200
  • Asus RT-AX86U Pro ($199 $169)
  • TP-Link Archer AX80 ($189)
• OpenWRT: GL.iNet Flint 2 ($159)

WiFi 7 (tri-band)

• under $200: TP-Link Archer BE550 ($299 $199)
• under $300
  • Asus RT-BE86U Pro ($299)
  • Netgear Nighthawk RS300 ($299 $279)
• over $300
  • Netgear Nighthawk RS500 ($399 $349)
  • TP-Link Archer BE800 ($599 $349)
• over $500: Netgear Nighthawk RS700S ($599 $549)

Note that dual-band WiFi 7 routers do not support 6Ghz, one of the main features of WiFi 7! Quad-band WiFi 7 routers like the TP-Link Archer BE900 ($699 $549) split the 6Ghz band into two. Most people do not need this however, and these are more expensive than equivalent tri-band WiFi 7 routers.

The GL.iNet Flint 3 is coming soon!

Travel Routers

• WiFi 5: GL.iNet Opal ($49 $34)
• WiFi 6: GL.iNet Beryl AX ($86)
• WiFi 7: GL.iNet Slate 7 ($149)

Mesh

prices are for “2-packs”

WiFi 6 (dual-band)

• Asus ZenWiFi XT9 ($349 $279)
• Linksys Velop Micro Mesh 6 ($279 $176)
• TP-Link Deco BE63 ($139 $119)

WiFi 7 (tri-band)

• under $500
  • Asus ZenWiFi BT6 ($479 $399)
  • TP-Link Deco BE63 ($549 $394)
• over $500
  • Asus ZenWiFi BT10 ($689)
  • TP-Link Deco BE85 ($999 $699)

Note that dual-band WiFi 7 routers do not support 6Ghz, one of the main features of WiFi 7! Quad-band WiFi 7 mesh routers such as the TP-Link Archer BE95 ($999 $899) and Asus ZenWiFi BQ16 Pro ($1099) split the 6Ghz band into two. Most people do not need this, however, and these are more expensive than equivalent tri-band WiFi 7 mesh routers.

Other

• network switch: any from a reputable brand, just get a cheap one

Ubiquiti

• router: Cloud Gateway Max ($199)
  • rack-mount: Dream Machine SE ($499)
• network switch
  • standard: Lite 8 PoE ($109)
    • PoE only: Flex ($99)
  • smaller: Flex Mini ($29)
  • better: see Ubiquiti’s other network switch offerings, they have a lot