MSI Roamii BE Pro Wi-Fi mesh system: Two-Minute Review

Back in 2024, MSI released a ‘Lite’ version of its Wi-Fi 7 Roamii mesh system that skipped the 6GHz band. The Roamii BE Pro adds that missing piece. So, should you buy it?

Once again, the kit consists of two white, triangular prism-shaped nodes, but this time there’s some snazzy RGB lighting at the bottom. It’s a refreshing change from the robot space spider school of router design, but how does the neat-and-tidy, completely hidden antenna array affect performance?

I ran my usual Wi-Fi tests in my single-story, Sydney weatherboard cottage by downloading large video files from a tethered 10Gbps Synology NVMe network-attached storage (NAS) device to a high-performance Wi-Fi 7 laptop up close, two rooms away (at the front of the house, where the second node was placed) and 15 meters (49 feet) away in the back garden.

MSI quotes a top speed of up to 11Gbps, depending on the region, spread across the 2.4GHz, 5GHz and 6GHz bands. The system also sports potentially limiting 2.5Gbps Ethernet ports. However, theoretical performance counts for nothing.

With the laptop next to the router, the Roamii BE Pro achieved a consistent transfer speed of 2,003Mbps. That’s the fastest speed I’ve ever seen from a consumer Wi-Fi router! Of course, a problem with many mesh systems is that performance can fall off a cliff when devices connect to nodes. I was disappointed to see that, with the laptop next to the second node, performance plummeted to 782Mbps.

That’s still quick in the scheme of things, but it seems that only TP-Link and Asus regularly create mesh kits that don’t butcher performance when using multiple nodes. Outside in the garden, the Roamii BE Pro dropped all the way to 14Mbps, which is just enough for basic web browsing. So, performance was a (very) mixed bag.

Setup was generally straightforward thanks to a phone app that’s become more responsive over the years and remains generally intuitive and feature-packed. On the first page, there are network status diagrams and options that facilitate easy access to separate networks for visitors, Internet of Things (IoT) devices and kids. A ‘FortiSecu’ security tab provides Trend Micro-powered, edge-based cybersecurity protection to both the network and devices connected to it.

There aren’t many options to configure here, but it does check for and log the most common threats. It’s also provided for free, unlike some rivals.

Parental controls are also included for free. They allow you to associate devices with different people across different age ranges and (attempt to) block various types of content. It can also force Google SafeSearch browsing and Restricted-mode YouTube access.

You can set bedtimes throughout the week and set time limits for different days. The latter two options will please many parents who routinely fight with their kids on this matter.

A fourth tab provides access to most of the usual router configuration options, with less-popular extras available via a (desktop-optimized) web browser interface.

Ultimately, all the important bases are covered in terms of features, and while I’m disappointed by the performance drop-off, this two-node kit costs a fraction of many rivals. As such, it’s a great-value buy and I’m happy to recommend it.

MSI Roamii BE Pro Wi-Fi mesh system: Price And Availability

• How much does it cost? $300 / £270 / AU$499
• When is it available? Now
• Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK and Australia

With premium Wi-Fi mesh kits often costing an arm and a leg, it’s refreshing to see a budget(ish) model. It costs $300 in the US, £270 in the UK and AU$499 in Australia. In all territories, those prices represent only a minor premium over the lesser Lite version.

There are now plenty of cheaper standalone Wi-Fi 7 routers on the market (including from MSI), but few mesh kits can match the Roamii BE Pro’s price.

Want more options? Check out our guide to the best mesh Wi-Fi systems.

• Value: 5 / 5

MSI Roamii BE Pro Wi-Fi mesh system: Design

• Smart-looking, lightweight, RGB prism design
• App is intuitive
• Three LAN ports and USB 3.0

I can’t think of any other prism-shaped Wi-Fi routers or nodes, so kudos to MSI for designing something different that doesn’t instantly polarize all those who lay eyes upon it. It can sit on a desktop or be wall-mounted (a wall-mounting kit is included).

Unlike the Lite version, it also has some cool RGB lighting at the base. However, you can’t schedule when to deactivate this so, unless you want its bright lights shining all night, you may wish to switch it off in the app.

At 830g (1.8lb), each node is heavier than the Lite version, but it still feels a little lightweight and plasticky compared to some premium rivals.

Setup is simple via the responsive and intuitive app. It’s worth noting that while each node has different login credentials, either can be used as a primary node. Once the primary is set up, it’ll automatically locate and connect to the secondary node and merge all credentials.

The browser-based firmware interface is slick and responsive. It doesn’t offer access to too many features beyond the standard router fare. However, in the Advanced tab you can access incredibly geeky settings like Beacon Period, Guard Interval and Request to Send (RTS) Threshold: the sort of stuff that will break the router if you don’t know what you’re doing, but also the sort of settings that some enthusiasts love to hack.

As for the hardware itself, this Pro version addresses some of the criticisms I had with the Lite version: the two Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports have been replaced by three 2.5Gbps LAN ports. These are also joined by a USB 3.0 port.

• Design: 4 / 5

MSI Roamii BE Pro Wi-Fi mesh system: Features

• Free parental and security features
• Simple multi-network setup
• Powerful parental controls

It’s good to see that the app’s home screen has large tabs to easily add a Guest Network, IoT Network and Children’s Network, as it should encourage novices to actually make use of them. There’s also a QR code for adding devices to the primary network, though this would surely be more useful to have for the guest network.

The Network Status panels usefully show you the status of the network along with what’s connected to it. It’s more responsive than when we first saw it with the Lite version back in 2024.

A Trend Micro-powered ‘FortiSecu’ Security tab can scan all connected devices and protect them against threats using edge security. That includes isolating dumb IoT devices on a separate network, reducing the risk that a compromised gadget could cause trouble elsewhere.

A third tab handles the parental controls. These offer more options than many rivals, including inappropriate app installation notifications plus forced Google SafeSearch and forced YouTube Restricted Mode. It also manages YouTube watching time separately from regular internet access, which many parents will approve of.

Unlike the Lite version, a USB port now adorns the Roamii BE Pro. While related applications are limited, it still enables you to add storage as a file server, File Transfer Protocol (FTP) server or Samba media server.

General router tools are housed in the Advanced Settings tab. If you want more, you can press the ‘Web UI’ button, which launches a web page that isn’t optimized for mobile and contains more settings.

While there aren’t too many features beyond the basics, you’re able to mess with the more intricate networking and power settings if you dare. Don’t try if you don’t know what you’re doing, though.

• Features: 4 / 5

MSI Roamii BE Pro Wi-Fi mesh system: Performance

• Incredibly fast at close range
• Not great at long distance
• Sluggish node interconnect speed

The Lite version of this router was dual-band Wi-Fi 7, so it missed out on the 6GHz band. The Pro variant adds 6GHz support and boosts the rated aggregate wireless speed to a region-dependent maximum of 11Gbps. Naturally, real-world speeds won’t come close to that.

I ran my usual tests of downloading large video files from a fast, 10Gbps Ethernet-equipped Synology NAS to a Wi-Fi 7-equipped laptop in a single-story cottage with thin walls.

Up close, the Roamii managed an incredible 2,003Mbps, which is the fastest score I’ve seen from any router and more than double the 943Mbps that the Lite version managed. That’s more than quick enough for wireless, multi-stream 4K video editing.

Two rooms away (at the front of the house), by the second node, the Roamii dropped to 782Mbps. While that’s not slow (and quicker than the Lite’s 455Mbps), it’s still a disappointing drop-off for a mesh system.

Finally, 15 meters (49 feet) away, in the back garden (where signal strength drops much more quickly), the Roamii dropped to 14Mbps. That’s even slower than the 24Mbps of the Lite version (likely due to shorter range on the 6GHz band), but neither score is particularly good. It should afford some basic web browsing and basic streaming capabilities. It’s worth noting that some other, lesser routers couldn’t even connect at this distance.

• Performance: 4 / 5

Should You Buy The MSI Roamii BE Pro Wi-Fi mesh system?

Buy the MSI Roamii BE Pro if...

Don’t buy it if...

MSI Roamii BE Pro Wi-Fi mesh system: Scorecard

MSI Roamii BE Pro Wi-Fi mesh system: Also Consider

If you're undecided about the MSI Roamii BE Pro Wi-Fi mesh system, I've compared its specs with two other options that might be a better fit.

• The FBI has remotely reset thousands of routers
• The Russian GRU had compromised end-of-life devices
• Routers that have been reset should be replaced, and network setting checked

The FBI have remotely reset thousands of home and small office routers after releasing a joint press release detailing how Russia has been compromising devices.

Some brands of routers are known for lasting upwards of a decade, and while that's great for the consumer, the developers will often stop releasing updates to keep the router secure.

This leaves them open to compromise by attackers, specifically Russia’s Main Directorate of the General Staff (GRU), tracked as APT28 or Fancy Bear, which has been snooping on unsecured routers since at least 2024, the FBI said.

Time to replace your router

If your device is included in the list of compromised devices (listed below), and you have found that it has been reset, the FBI and NSA recommend that you replace your router as soon as possible.

The GRU could be snooping on unsecured routers to intercept sensitive internet traffic, including credentials and authentication tokens that can be used to compromise personal and work accounts. In particular, GRU has been targeting routers belonging to workers in the military, government, and critical infrastructure industries.

“The FBI, NSA, and co-sealing agencies encourage SOHO router users to change default usernames and passwords, disable remote management interfaces from the Internet, update to latest firmware versions, and upgrade end-of-support devices. Users should also carefully consider certificate warnings in web browsers and email clients,” the NSA said.

Additionally, the FBI and NSA recommended that employees use a VPN when accessing sensitive information. Those that suspect they may have been compromised by the GRU should contact their local FBI field office and file a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).

A press release published by the US Justice Department detailed that the FBI had created a series of commands that, with court-authorization, it could send to compromised routers.

The commands were “designed to collect evidence regarding the GRU actors’ activity, reset DNS settings (i.e., remove GRU DNS resolvers and force routers to obtain legitimate DNS resolvers from their Internet Service Providers (ISP)), and to otherwise prevent the GRU actors from exploiting the original means of unauthorized access.”

The Justice Department added that the operation did not interfere with the normal functions of the router, nor did it collect any legitimate user data.

The full list of targeted routers includes:

• TP-Link TL-WR841N
• TP-Link LTE Wireless N Router MR6400
• TP-Link Wireless Dual Band Gigabit Router Archer C5
• TP-Link Wireless Dual Band Gigabit Router Archer C7
• TP-Link Wireless Dual Band Gigabit Router WDR3600
• TP-Link Wireless Dual Band Gigabit Router WDR4300
• TP-Link Wireless Dual Band Router WDR3500
• TP-Link Wireless Lite N Router WR740N
• TP-Link Wireless Lite N Router WR740N/WR741ND
• TP-Link Wireless Lite N Router WR749N
• TP-Link Wireless N 3G/4G Router MR3420
• TP-Link Wireless N Access Point WA801ND
• TP-Link Wireless N Access Point WA901ND
• TP-Link Wireless N Gigabit Router WR1043ND
• TP-Link Wireless N Gigabit Router WR1045ND
• TP-Link Wireless N Router WR840N
• TP-Link Wireless N Router WR841HP
• TP-Link Wireless N Router WR841N
• TP-Link Wireless N Router WR841N/WR841ND
• TP-Link Wireless N Router WR842N
• TP-Link Wireless N Router WR842ND
• TP-Link Wireless N Router WR845N
• TP-Link Wireless N Router WR941ND
• TP-Link Wireless N Router WR945N

The Justice Department included a list of remediations for all routers:

1. Replace End-of-Life and End-of-Support routers;
2. Upgrade to the latest available firmware;
3. Verify the authenticity of DNS resolvers listed in router settings; and
4. Review and implement firewall rules to prevent the unwanted exposure of remote management services.

“Operation Masquerade – led by FBI Boston – is the latest example of how we’re defending our homeland from Russia’s GRU which weaponized routers owned by unsuspecting Americans in more than 23 states to steal sensitive government, military, and critical infrastructure information,” said Special Agent in Charge Ted E. Docks of the FBI’s Boston Field Office.

“The FBI utilized cutting edge technology and leveraged our private sector and international partners to unmask this malicious activity and remediate routers. Now we’re asking everyone who has a router to secure it, update its firmware, and replace it if needed. By working together, we can guard against nefarious nation state actors trying to compromise our national security.”

• The FCC is considering a ban on "cellular modules" manufactured in China
• These modules send and receive communications on mobile networks
• The ban could effect devices of all kinds across IoT, industrial controls, and cars

The Trump administration is considering adding Chinese “cellular modules” to its list of electronics that could be banned over national security concerns.

Previously, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) had imposed a ban on Chinese labs testing products bound for the US.

Now, the FCC has included drones and routers in expansions to the ban, with the agency mulling over whether to include “cellular modules” in the ban, the Financial Times reports.

Ban could cause major supply chain disruptions

President Donald Trump is today meeting his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Beijing, in a seismic meeting where the pair are expected to discuss everything from trade and sanctions to the relationship between the two superpowers.

Cellular modules are electronic components that allow a device to send and/or receive cellular signals, such as those transmitted on 4G and 5G networks. These devices are included in a wide range of electronics, from Internet of Things (IoT) devices such as those included in smart home tech, medical systems, cars, and industrial control systems.

The potential ban of Chinese cellular modules is likely strategically timed, aimed at putting pressure on China and Xi to contribute productively during the meeting with President Trump.

The Trump administration has seen devices and software manufactured in China as a potential national security risk, gradually stepping up bans and restrictions on products manufactured in China from being used by government contractors and federal agencies. Now, that ban could extend to the domestic market.

Speaking to FT, Charles Parton, a retired UK diplomat and Senior Associate Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), who is an expert on modules, said that up to 70% of the global market for cellular modules is controlled by a few Chinese groups, including Quectel, Fibocom, China Mobile, Sunsea and MeiG.

Like any other electronic device with an internet connection, these devices must be periodically updated in order for them to function and remain secured against threats. However, the FCC fears that these subsequent updates could result in covert surveillance software or harmful malware being installed on devices.

Should the ban go ahead, the fallout for the cellular module supply chain would be enormous as manufacturers seek alternative sources. These sources would likely be unable to cope with the sudden increase in demand, leading to prices for cellular modules to skyrocket, subsequently increasing the costs of goods themselves for consumers.

• Google is rolling out an update for the Nest Wifi router ahead of the US router ban
• The ban hasn't come into effect, but could reduce router options significantly
• The Nest Wifi router is a solid choice, but we think Asus and Netgear are better options

Google has decided to go ahead with its next firmware update for the Nest Wifi router and Nest Wifi point despite the latest ban on Wifi routers manufactured outside of the US.

The update was spotted by 9to5Google, who shared that the company updated the changelog entry on April 24 with ‘stability and security vulnerability fixes’. According to the outlet, the Nest Wifi router is now running on software version 14150.883.231, and the Nest Wifi point is on version 1.56.3.497142 — the latter doubling as a Google Home speaker.

This is the first software update for the Google Nest Wifi point since May 2025, while the Next Wifi router’s most recent update was released all the way back in October 2024, meaning its April 2026 update marks exactly a year and a half since the last one.

Back in March, Google rolled out a new update to the Nest Wifi Pro to improve stability, security, and mesh performance, but this arrived before the FCC announced the ban on "consumer-grade routers" that are "produced in foreign countries", as per its ruling.

While the ban hasn’t come into effect yet, it could present quite a big problem for consumers, as a large majority of Wifi routers are made outside of the US, even ones by American tech giants like Google. Eventually, this will make purchasing US-manufactured Wifi routers even more difficult for two reasons: the first being that not a lot of routers on the market are made in the US anyway, and the second being the increasing user demand, which would ultimately put more pressure on companies to churn out new models to keep up.

However, as it stands, the Google Nest Wifi router is still safe to purchase and use now, while the ban is still up in the air. As far as the best Wifi routers are concerned, the Nest Wifi router doesn’t rank among them, but having said that, every single one of our favorites is made outside of the US.

Taking the top spot is the TP-Link Deco BE63, a solid performer with free content filters for parents, while the Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98 is still our best premium option due to its high-speed wired connections, making it perfect for gaming enthusiasts. Even the Netgear Orbi 373 is a reliable budget-friendly option that’s easy to set up, but though Netgear is an American company, its products are produced overseas.

Netgear Orbi 373: One-minute review

Netgear’s new management continues its quest to provide more affordable options for home users who want to upgrade their Wi-Fi. The company has recently launched a number of affordable Wi-Fi 7 routers, and it’s now bringing that approach to its Orbi range of mesh Wi-Fi systems too.

Like many of the more affordable Wi-Fi 7 routers and mesh systems that we’ve seen recently, the Orbi 370 series keeps its price down by providing basic dual-band Wi-Fi 7 that uses just the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz frequency bands, and omits the faster 6.0GHz band that is available with both Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7.

However, Wi-Fi doesn’t just focus on speed alone, and is also designed to be more reliable when connecting to lots of devices within your home all at the same time.

This means that a dual-band Wi-Fi 7 system such as the Orbi 370 series can still provide a useful upgrade for owners of older routers and mesh systems - especially for people who live in larger homes that need a far-reaching Wi-Fi network that can cover their entire home.

This also ensures that the Orbi 370 remains fully compatible with older computers and other devices that use the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands. However, owners of shiny new PCs or mobile devices that do have Wi-Fi 7 might prefer to opt for a more expensive router or mesh system that provides full support for the high-speed 6.0GHz band.

Netgear Orbi 373: Price & availability

• How much does it cost? $349.99/£299.99/AU$349.99
• When is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia

Most mesh Wi-Fi systems consist of two or more routers that are identical in terms of both design and features.

However, Netgear’s Orbi range takes a different approach, with each system consisting of a primary router along with one or more ‘satellite’ units. The Orbi 370 series can be bought as a two-pack mesh system (Orbi 372) that consists of the main router and one satellite for $249.99/£209.99/AU$249.99.

For this review, we tested the three-pack option (Orbi 373) that includes one router and two satellites, priced at $349.99/£299.99/AU$349.99. Netgear states that this should cover an area of up to 6,000 sq.ft – although that figure may vary due to differences in regional regulations, so check Netgear’s local web site in your own country before buying.

There’s also a four-pack available in the US and Australia, which adds a third satellite for $449.99/AU$449.99. However, that option doesn’t seem to be available for the quaint little hovels in the tiny island state of Great Britain.

• Value: 4 / 5

Netgear Orbi 373: Specs

Netgear Orbi 373: Design

• Slimline, compact design
• Router provides 2.5Gb ports for broadband and wired connections
• Satellites only have one Ethernet port

The Orbi 373 follows the upright mini-tower design that Netgear introduced last year, with each slimline unit standing just 204mm high, 75mm wide and 120mm deep.

They’re small enough to sit easily on any convenient table or shelf, although the white plastic casing feels a little flimsy, so it’s probably a good idea for parents to keep them out of reach of eager young hands.

There are some other compromises required to keep the price down too. The main satellite just has two Ethernet ports – one each for your broadband connection (WAN), and for providing a wired connection (LAN) for a PC or other devices.

The satellite units are even more basic, with just a single Ethernet port to provide a wired connection. Thankfully, though, the ports on both router and satellites all support 2.5Gb speeds so you can still use the Orbi 370 series with high-speed broadband services. However, if you do need additional Ethernet ports – perhaps for an office network – then you might prefer to look for an alternative that provides additional ports.

• Design: 3 / 5

Netgear Orbi 373: Features

• Easy to set up and use
• Parental controls require a subscription
• Provides Guest and IoT networks

One feature that helps to justify the price of Netgear products is that they’re very easy to use, and setting up the Orbi 373 proved to be a piece of cake (albeit a piece of cake that moves at a rather leisurely pace).

All you have to do is scan the QR code that’s printed on the main router and then download the Orbi app. This guides you through the set-up process automatically, connecting you to the new network created by the main router, and then linking the satellites to the router in order to complete your new mesh network.

It takes a little while – the Orbi app warns that it can take up to 20 minutes to connect the satellites to the main router – but the process is completely automatic. And, to keep things simple, the app merges the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands into a single network. The only thing that you need to think about is whether you want to use the default log-in details for the Orbi network, or assign a new name and password that you can choose yourself.

The app isn’t exactly overflowing with additional features though, because – even with its lower pricing – Netgear always wants to sell you some additional subscriptions.

You can view a network map that lists all the devices connected to the network, and block any device that you don’t trust (or if you just want to get the kids to put their phones down at dinner time).

You can also create a guest network for visitors, and an IoT network (Internet Of Things) for any smart devices in your home. However, additional security features and parental controls will require a subscription to Netgear’s Armor security or Smart Parental Controls services.

You do get a 30-day trial for both services when you buy the Orbi, but after that you’ll need to pay for a subscription. The Smart Parental Controls subscription costs $7.99 per month (around £6/AU$12) or $69.99 per year (around £50/AU$110). The Armor security service offers a discount for the first year, costing $33.33 per year (around £25/AU$50), rising to $99.99 (around £75/AU$150) after one year.

• Features: 3 / 5

Netgear Orbi 373: Performance

• Dual-band Wi-Fi 7
• 5Gbps Wi-Fi speed (3.6Gbps in UK)
• 2.5Gb Ethernet ports

There’s one minor oddity here, as Netgear states that the Orbi 370 series provides a Wi-Fi speed of 5Gbps in the US and Australia, but only 3.6Gbps in the UK.

That’s the first time we’ve come across a regional difference like that but, in any event, 3.6Gbps should still be more than adequate to handle most domestic broadband services.

The Orbi 373 that we tested certainly gave my office Wi-Fi a welcome boost. It runs at 150Mbps, but my aging router can only manage a top speed of 120Mbps even for devices that are in the same room.

I also have an office towards the back of the building that my old office router can’t reach at all, leaving me with an annoying Wi-Fi deadspot that means I have to use powerline adaptors to provide a wired connection instead.

The Orbi 373 immediately kicked my office Wi-Fi up a gear, hitting the maximum 150Mbps for devices in the same room for both the Ookla Speed Test and file downloads on Steam.

To reach the back office, I placed one of the satellites inside that office and the second satellite in a hallway, roughly halfway between the main router and the other satellite.

And, as I wandered along the corridor to the back office with my laptop still downloading files from Steam, I was pleased to find that the Orbi held steady at 150Mbps the whole time.

Netgear’s fondness for selling add-on subscriptions remains irksome, but at least you can ignore that if you want to. Some people might also prefer a router or mesh system that provides additional Ethernet ports.

But, if you simply want a reliable and easy-to-use mesh Wi-Fi system that can cover larger homes or offices, then the Orbi 370 series fits the bill at a competitive price.

• Performance: 4 / 5

Should you buy the Netgear Orbi 373?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Netgear Orbi 373: Also consider

How I tested the Netgear Orbi 373

• Tested it for 3-4 days
• Used it as my main office router
• Used the Ookla Speed Test app and tested game download speeds

We pride ourselves on our independence and our rigorous review-testing process, offering up long-term attention to the products we review and making sure our reviews are updated and maintained - regardless of when a device was released, if you can still buy it, it's on our radar.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed October 2025

The Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) is a mesh router that’s very pricey while the Asus RT-AX55 offers a bit less but is a significantly cheaper WiFi6 router.

If you’ve been looking to jump on the WiFi 6 train with a new router, you’ve probably come across more than a few different models from Asus. Among those, you’ll quickly find the Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) and Asus RT-AX55, two of the best Wi-Fi 6 routers out there that serve two very different crowds.

Specifically, the ZenWiFi AX (XT8) ranks among the best mesh router systems while the Asus RT-AX55 is one of the best routers for those on a budget. So, choosing between the former and latter requires a look at how much you want to spend, and whether a mesh router is better than going with a more traditional single unit.

One does perform a bit better as the Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) does reach faster speeds. However, the Asus RT-AX55’s speeds are more than enough for most people. If you’re still a little confused as to which model would serve you best, I’ll dive a little deeper on the pros and cons of each to hopefully clarify and guide you onto the way of faster internet.

Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) vs Asus RT-AX55: Price

With these two budget models, we have a pricier choice and a more affordable option. But, there’s a bit more going on. The Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) was released at a fairly high price point, but has since come down with a current listing price of $179.99/£179.99 (or $329.99/£329.99 for a two-pack). It also has two distinct units to get that full coverage over a large space (or if you have dead spots) that only mesh routing can handle.

The Asus RT-AX55 at $109.99 (£99.99) is still pound-for-pound cheaper and packs a serious punch. Of course, the top speeds are much lower here, but still solid enough that you won’t really notice if you’re just streaming or doing typical day-to-day work.

If you don’t care about reaching the same speeds as the Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) or the parental controls, you could buy two Asus RT-AX55 models and use the mesh feature for a makeshift mesh router system for a discount. So, if you’re willing to pay for premium performance and features, the Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) is worth it, otherwise the Asus RT-AX55 is the better value.

Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) vs Asus RT-AX55: Design

The most obvious difference between the Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) and the Asus RT-AX55 has already been mentioned and that’s the fact that the former is actually two units (though you can purchase a single unit as well) while the latter is just one. Beyond that, however, the Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) has a more discreet look despite coming in white since it just looks like a rectangle with some tech inside. The Asus RT-AX55 isn’t the most ostentatious router out there, however, it does keep that plastic upturned spider look with the wide base and four antennae sticking up in the back. It’s mostly black with two red racing stripes trisecting the top of the chassis.

Port-wise, the two models are just ever so slightly different. The Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) has one WAN, three LAN, and a USB port to share a USB device across the network, while the Asus RT-AX55 has one WAN and four LAN ports, but no USB. I can only imagine a space filled with multiple gamers or a server needing a ton of physical connectivity, but the smaller RT-AX55 does offer just one more.

Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) vs Asus RT-AX55: Features

When it comes to features, the most notable is going to be the fact that the Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) is a mesh router. I’ve thrown that word around a bit in this article, but haven’t really discussed what that means. A mesh router is a system of routers instead of a single unit to provide consistent internet connectivity throughout a space no matter where you are.

If the router attached to your modem (you still need one of those, by the way) is on the other side of the house, or even on the other side of a bathroom, you’re going to experience some dead spots or spotty connections. With a mesh router, the additional unit(s) will pick up the slack by boosting the signal from its location. The Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8), then, is ideal if you have issues related to fluctuating signal strength. Mesh systems are also able to cover a larger amount of space, with this particular model from Asus able to cover up to 4,400 square feet.

The Asus RT-AX55 may not be able to cover the same amount of space (or go around materials that might interfere with a signal), but it does come with Asus’ AiMesh feature, which allows you to pair it with other routers with this feature to make your own mesh system. That’s a pretty cool feature that lets you expand coverage at a later date if you need to. Interestingly enough, the Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) has this feature as well.

Both models come with security features like malicious site blocking and the ability to cut off devices that have been compromised via malware. The Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) takes it a step further by also including a two-way intrusion prevention system to block active attacks like DDoS.

Both models also come with parental controls. But while the Asus RT-AX55 allows you to create separate profiles and schedules for family members, the Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) also includes content blockers and without a subscription.

Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) vs Asus RT-AX55: Performance

Before I discuss the actual performance of these two routers, I want to dive into their setup. The Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) is actually a bit more complicated and not just because it’s a mesh router. First, you need to dig into the actual manual for the instructions as it’s not an intuitive setup. Second, you have to set up both routers at the same time in the same room (you usually just have to set up one and the others will pair to that one). Then you use an app to set up the network name and go through different settings, like parental controls.

The Asus RT-AX55 is much more straightforward as all you need to do is plug it in and scan the QR code on the bottom to create a network name and password.

As far as the actual performance goes, both models are WiFi6 capable and therefore better than non-WiFi 6 models out there. The Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) does also have a farther reach by design. But the ZenWiFi AX (XT8) also has three bands (one 2.4GHz and two 5GHz) to the RT-AX55’s two (one 2.4GHz and one 5GHz). The max data speed is better as well with the mesh router capable of data rates of up to 4804 Mbps on one of its 5GHz bands (only one of them supports such high throughput) while the RT-AX55 peaks at up to 1201 Mbps on its 5GHz band.

If you’re an avid online gamer sharing bandwidth with a few others, having that extra throughput is nice as no one has to experience any slowdowns from heavy internet usage. But if you’re in your own space or don’t spend exorbitant (or even moderate) amounts of time on Final Fantasy 14, then you probably won’t miss the extra bandwidth.

Which Asus router is right for you?

The Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) is clearly the better router of these two models when it comes to feature set. However, it comes with a higher price tag. The boost in performance and the extra security or parental controls on offer are nice additions but not the kinds of features that most people need. If you can spend the extra cash and have a large space, or even a small space with some dead zones, then a mesh router is always going to be better. And having that extra bandwidth is key if you or anyone in your household or office are heavy internet users.

Otherwise, the Asus RT-AX55 is more than enough modem for most people as it’s still fast enough with its WiFi6 support and is a heck of a lot cheaper. If you’re looking for solid speeds in a smaller space and aren’t spreading the bandwidth among too many devices, this is probably the modem for you.

There are few things in life more fun than hopping on a private gaming server with your friends. Games like Minecraft, Palworld, Ark and Rust offer functionality for private, third-party hosting, outside of official public worlds and realms operated by the game’s developers – and as opposed to public servers, private servers give you more freedom over plugins, modding and permissions. Setting up your own server might seem like an arduous process, but that’s where companies like OVHcloud come in and make things easy – and with a special offer of up to 25% off your monthly bill for life, it’s a great time to get started.

OVHcloud is a server provider, offering unmanaged hosting solutions to gamers, resellers, communities and publishers. The popular servers you’ve likely jumped on in the games listed above (whether they’re casual, competitive or roleplay focused) are often operated by companies similar to OVHcloud. These are not the kinds of basic servers that you might want to just boot up with a couple of mates – they’re far more capable than that.

The advantage OVHcloud offers over hosting your own server at home is that it offers its own powerful hardware and software. Each server is powered by high frequency Ryzen processors and comes with anti-DDoS protection, generous traffic, and low latency network to ensure smooth and uninterrupted gameplay experiences.

And depending on how many players you’re expecting from your server, OVHcloud offers two different server configurations, both of which are currently discounted and ready to go. And beyond these gaming servers, OVHcloud offers more great cloud services for a multitude of other use cases too.

OVHcloud is a TechRadar preferred partner (What does that mean?)

If you’re set on launching the next big Aussie gaming server for players to join and explore, or if you’ve got an avid community of Twitch or Discord users after their next obsession, OVHcloud is here to provide the optimum infrastructure. Better yet, with fully dedicated resources you can operate several game servers at once across different gaming titles with the options above.

Don’t delay though – these discounts end on Wednesday, 26 February.

Asus ZenWiFi BT10: Two-minute review

Back in the olden days of Wi-Fi 5, it was Asus’ ZenWiFi ‘mega mesh’ wireless routers that led the world. While regular mesh systems merely dribbled performance across numerous network nodes (like many still do), the ZenWiFi nodes innovatively used secondary 5GHz channels (plus, the nascent 6GHz channel) as fast backhaul to maintain peak performance at a distance. Nowadays, such advantages are built into the Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 standards, so where does that leave a Wi-Fi 7 version in the form of the ZenWiFi BT10? Let’s find out.

The two smart-looking nodes seem identical, but note the discreet sticker denoting one as the master. Failing to notice this may lead to hair being torn out, swearing for half an hour, decrying the powers that be and wondering why the dang thing won’t connect when you’ve obviously done everything right, repeatedly checked the password and #$@&%! drat. Otherwise, the setup process is simple via the phone app.

The app provides the usual monitoring and management settings on the first screen, and immediately asks if you want to reset the default password and set up a separate IoT network. You can assign devices to people, limit bandwidth, block them or assign them QoS optimizations for gaming, streaming or WFH. An ‘Insight’ tab provides suggestions for security and optimization. The Family tab enables you to set content filtering and on/off schedules (and, unlike some rivals, these settings are free).

Other features include Asus’ (Trend Micro-powered) AiProtection, which scans and protects your network as well as all the devices on it. The usual networking tools are available, including Google Assistant voice control. Ultimately, it’s well-featured and very intuitive. My main concern is that the QoS controls have a feature that tracks the websites used by everyone on the network. That raises some serious privacy issues.

Wired connections are the same on both nodes: there’s Gigabit WAN/LAN, 10G Ethernet WAN/LAN, and 10G Ethernet LAN. All the ports are color coded but that could be confusing to some users. There’s also a USB 3.0 port, which can be used for file sharing and media serving.

So how does it perform? On paper, the ZenWiFi BT10 is a tri-band router with 18,000 Mbps worth of throughput. Note, you can choose to reserve the 6GHz channel for backhaul, but leaving it at ‘Auto’ saw better results. I tested it by downloading video files from a Synology NAS to an HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 at close range, two rooms away (by the second node, at the front of the house) and 15 meters away in the back garden. It scored 1,661 Mbps, 614 Mbps and 370 Mbps, respectively, which is an excellent result.

All in all, the Asus ZenWiFi BT10 is a very appealing package that looks good, offers heaps of intuitive and useful features, plus fast performance to boot. Then there’s the price… Two nodes cost an eye-watering $900 / £779 / AU$2,799. Still, if you need high-end functionality and speed, it’s hard to beat.

Asus ZenWiFi BT10 review: Price and availability

• How much does it cost? $900 / £779 / AU$2,799
• When is it available? Now
• Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia

Asus has a plethora of Wi-Fi 7 routers, but (like other vendors) it’s pushing the expensive premium models out first. I saw many of its budget Wi-Fi 7 routers at the Computex 2024 trade show and those will offer similar features at lower cost, but there’s no sign of them appearing in most markets, at least not at the time of publication.

Until then, we’re stuck with inflated price tags. It costs $900 in the US, £779 in the UK and AU$2,799 in Australia. For some reason, Aussies seem to be getting particularly hard done by in this case. Most regions sell single nodes, but only a few, it seems, sell the three-node kit.

A tempting alternative is the Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98. While it’s not a mesh system, the powerful gaming behemoth can single-handedly rival the speeds, performance and features of the BT10, but at a cheaper price. As with most current Asus routers, older models or cheap ones can be used as nodes thanks to Asus’ AiMesh technology – a potentially affordable way of expanding the network into dead zones. However, it’s quite a confronting device and not everyone will want what looks like a giant robot spider in their home.

• Value score: 4 / 5

Asus ZenWiFi BT10 review: Specifications

Asus ZenWiFi BT10 review: Design

• Sleek enough for a stylish home
• Simple to set up
• App (and web-based firmware) are responsive, powerful and intuitive

The physical design of the ZenWiFi BT10 is not far from its predecessor, the ZenWiFi AX XT8. The grilles at the sides are more refined, but both will happily fit into a stylish home or office better than most on the market.

Setting it up is simple, thanks to the mature, intuitive and well-featured app. Just note that, despite the similarities, there’s a sticker on the primary node and you need to connect to that, as using the secondary node won’t work.

While there are many features accessible within the app, Asus has these and many more advanced options accessible via a web browser, and both interfaces are intuitive and responsive to use.

• Design score: 5 / 5

Asus ZenWiFi BT10 review: Features

• Security and Parental controls are included (without subscription)
• Has almost every consumer networking feature under the sun
• 10G Ethernet LAN and WAN ports

The Asus router app has been around for some time now and it’s well laid out, intuitive and packed full of features. The opening screen displays a wireless network map and provides a button to manually run a wireless-optimization cycle. There’s a real-time traffic monitor, CPU and RAM monitor, and an at-a-glance display of what type of devices are connected wirelessly and via cables.

The second tab breaks down which devices are connected along with their IP addresses and the resources they’re using. You can easily block them or assign them to family members to provide parental controls. There’s also the ability to configure Asus' AiMesh feature which lets you do things like turn the LEDs off, prioritize the 6GHz channel for backhaul or client connection, and see details like the IP address, MAC address and firmware version. The Insight tab offers smart recommendations regarding using secure connections, intrusion prevention and setting up family groups.

The built-in network security is called Asus AiProtection and it’s powered by Trend Micro. In addition to providing network security assessments, it offers malicious site blocking, two-way intrusion prevention and infected device isolation. It also powers the parental controls and (mercifully) doesn’t require a separate premium subscription – unlike other rivals.

The Family tab lets you add people and their devices to customizable and preset groups. This can provide web filtering that’s suitable for different children’s age groups (plus adults), setting up both online and offline schedules for each day of the week. Again, I’m very pleased to see Asus provide these features without asking for a subscription fee.

The final tab offers access to other standard router features, including QoS and VPN. While the analysis features that come with this are useful, I am concerned about the website history logging, which enables people to spy on the online activity of everyone on the network. You can also set up a USB port as a SAMBA media server or FTP file server, and there’s the ability to add Alexa and Google Assistant integration.

Accessing the firmware via a web browser provides access to all of the above along with functions like adding Dual WAN, 3G / 4G LTE USB WAN, Port Forwarding, Port Triggering, DMZ, DDNS, IPTV, automatic BitTorrent downloading, VPN management; Apple Time Machine compatibility, Shared Folder Privileges, among other high-level, network-admin features. Just note that many of these are available on Asus’ lesser routers, so don’t splash out on an expensive model just because one catches your eye.

Physically, each node has Gigabit WAN, 10G Ethernet LAN, and 10G Ethernet WAN/LAN network ports, plus a USB-A 3.0 connection. It’s also worth mentioning Asus’ AiMesh feature which can use most current (and many older), cheap and premium Asus routers as nodes to further extend a network.

• Features: 5 / 5

Asus ZenWiFi BT10 review: Performance

• Tri-band Wi-Fi 7 for blistering real-world speed
• One of the best performers at long range
• 10G Ethernet for fast wired connections

The tri-band (2.4GHz, 5GHz and 6GHz) router promises 18,000 Mbps of theoretical performance, but that only exists in lab conditions and certainly can’t be achieved in the real world where every network’s situation will be different. It’s possible to reserve the 6GHz channel for backhaul only, but leaving it set to ‘Auto’ saw better results.

I ran my tests, which included downloading large video files from a Synology NAS (with a wired, 10G Ethernet port) connected to the router, to a Wi-Fi 7-equipped HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 laptop at three different ranges.

Up close, it managed 1,661 Mbps, which I’ve only seen beaten by Netgear’s Nighthawk RS700S Wi-Fi router. Two rooms away, at the front of my single-story home (by the second node), it managed 614 Mbps. While that’s a significant drop, it’s still impressive, although other premium routers and mesh systems can be a bit faster. More impressively, the BT10 managed 370 Mbps, 15 meters away, outside the home in the garden. Only top-tier three-node mesh systems have rivaled that (and not all do).

In short, it’s very fast indeed, and I happily edited 4K video on my laptop from across the network with no issues at all.

• Performance: 5 / 5

Should you buy the Asus ZenWiFi BT10?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if…

Also consider

If you're undecided about investing in the Asus ZenWiFi BT10 router, I've compared its specs with three alternatives that might suit you better.

How I tested the Asus ZenWiFi BT10

• I tested it in typical home use
• I tested it at short, medium and long range
• I tested both the wired and wireless connections

We pride ourselves on our independence and our rigorous review-testing process, offering up long-term attention to the products we review and making sure our reviews are updated and maintained - regardless of when a device was released, if you can still buy it, it's on our radar.

Read more about how we test

• First reviewed in February 2025

A study by data center specialists Onnec has revealed that local authorities in the UK’s 20 largest cities have overwhelmingly approved data center projects, with 89% of applications receiving planning permission over the past five years. Of the 88 applications reviewed, only three were rejected, five were withdrawn, and one remained undecided.

Onnec looked at 44 local councils and their planning applications for the report. The researchers found that data centers are generally approved, which shows local support for digital infrastructure. To provide computing power and data storage for AI deployment makes that support crucial. Only three applications in Sheffield were rejected. Local authorities looked into possible issues around the design and impact of the centers, along with whether they would fit the character of the surroundings or damage the Green Belt.

Data Center Spread

Notably, the British government has made data centers critical national infrastructure to emphasize their report. That said, the report urges a holistic approach to planning and a nationwide approach to achieve the best outcomes. The UK has pledged £6.3 billion in data center investment as part of its work to make the UK a hub for AI. The UK's Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology (DSIT) is trying to reduce the friction in building data centers. It has looked into rejected projects to see where there is room for improvement.

“Data centers are critical for driving AI growth, and with the race for AI supremacy in full swing, the UK has recognized that to get ahead, the right infrastructure must be in place,” Matt Salter, Data Centre Director at Onnec. “Data centers can become the new oil for regions and cities, but only if they are planned holistically – this means considering every aspect of the data center instead of focusing solely on factors such as power and cooling. For example, thinking about the importance of cabling in providing the bandwidth needed to get the most from data center hardware.

London is the largest data center market in Europe, but the report suggests trying to up the availability of data centers elsewhere in the country. Relying solely on London means there is limited power availability along with problems around sustainability. Spreading data centers to other regions would also mean spreading the benefits to the people there. That means improved job opportunities not only for the data centers but for anywhere that the digital skills required for data centers are useful.

“Failing to take a holistic approach will result in sites that aren’t fit for purpose, don’t deliver on the UK’s needs, and degrade over time – poor planning could mean a new data center can feel five years old after the first year of operation, and in need of an expensive retrofit," Salter said. "The UK risks losing ground in the race for AI supremacy if data centers aren’t built to last.”

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Netgear Nighthawk RS300: One-minute review

Netgear’s range of Wi-Fi routers and mesh systems are always well-designed and offer high-end performance for business and home users who need a fast, reliable Wi-Fi connection.

They do tend to be pretty expensive, though, as we saw with the recently launched Nighthawk RS700, which weighed in at a hefty £800/$700/AU$1,499. That’s a lot of money for a single, standalone router – especially for home users who probably don’t need the blazing 19Gbps Wi-Fi speed offered by the RS700.

The new Nighthawk RS300 is therefore designed to provide a high-speed Wi-Fi 7 upgrade with a more affordable price tag. As you might expect, the RS300 is slower, offering a top-speed of 9.3Gbps, but that’s still more than fast enough to handle gaming, streaming 4K video, and other demanding online tasks, and it costs just under half the price of the RS700.

Netgear Nighthawk RS300: Price and availability

• How much does it cost? $329.99/£299.99/AU$649
• When is it available? Now
• Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia

Routers and mesh systems that support Wi-Fi 7 are still quite expensive, and Netgear in particular rarely troubles itself with the more affordable end of the market. That’s why we were pleased to see that the Nighthawk RS300 costs a relatively modest $330 in the US, £300 in the UK, and AU$649 in Australia, which actually makes it the most affordable Wi-Fi 7 router that we’ve seen so far.

There are, of course, faster Wi-Fi 7 routers, such as Netgear’s own RS700 or the gaming-oriented Rapture GT-BE98 from Asus, but the 9.3Gbps performance of the RS300 is still far faster than most home broadband services. In the US, Netgear states that the RS300 can connect to 100 devices simultaneously, and cover an area of up to 2,500 sq.ft. However, differences in national regulations mean that this area is quoted as 2,000 sq. ft in the UK and some other regions.

The sting in the tail, as always with Netgear, is its persistent attempts to sell additional subscriptions, such as its Armor security services and Smart Parental Controls - especially when there are rival routers that provide solid parental controls at no extra cost.

• Value: 4 / 5

Netgear Nighthawk RS300: Specs

Netgear Nighthawk RS300: Design

• Tower design provides 360-degree Wi-Fi
• 4x Ethernet ports for wired connections
• USB for network storage

Unsurprisingly, the design of the RS300 is similar to that of the high-end RS700, with both models adopting a tall, obelisk shape and finished in matte-black. This is in contrast to the more low-profile, winged ‘shuttle-craft’ design that Netgear used for several years on earlier Nighthawk models. Netgear states that this taller design helps the router’s four internal antennae broadcast an “omni-directional” Wi-Fi signal that broadcasts through a full 360-degrees, and reaches right across your home or office.

However, the lower price of the RS300 means that its plastic casing doesn’t feel quite as sturdy as its high-end counterpart, and I’d probably opt to keep it on a lower shelf or on a table where it’s not likely to get knocked over.

But, despite the lower price, the RS300 still provides a 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port that can handle high-speed fibre Internet connections (WAN). There are two more 2.5 Gigabit ports to provide high-speed wired (LAN) connections for devices, such as a laptop or games console, that need the best performance for gaming or streaming 4K video.

For more routine tasks, such as web browsing and email, the router also provides two conventional Gigabit Ethernet ports as well. And, unlike some less expensive routers, the RS300 also includes a USB port that will allow you to connect a USB storage device and share files with other people on your network. I also like the LED status lights on the front panel for all of these ports. These let you see that everything is working properly at a glance without having to check the Netgear app.

• Design: 4 / 5

Netgear Nighthawk RS300: Features

• App is easy to use
• Simple network set-up
• Limited parental controls

The RS300 supports tri-band Wi-Fi 7 with a top speed of 9.3Gbps. That’s actually a pretty modest speed for Wi-Fi 7, but it should be more than adequate for most home users and even quite a few small businesses too.

It doesn’t take long to get up and running; the Nighthawk app allows you to simply scan a QR code to connect to the RS300. You do need to create a name and password in order to use the app itself, but you can then accept the default settings for the new network and connect straight away, or change those settings for extra security. That keeps things simple for home users who may not have much experience with networking and routers, but the Nighthawk app isn’t exactly overflowing with additional features.

It creates a single network that merges the three frequency bands – 2.4GHz, 5.0GHz and 6.0GHz – and automatically connects your devices to the fastest band that is available in that particular room or location. Some advanced users might prefer more detailed controls within the app, such as the ability to create separate networks using each frequency band (which is available with the high-end RS700).

There are also very few parental controls included in the app. You do have the ability to create profiles for your children, and use these to pause Internet access at bed-time or dinner-time. However, additional features, such as content filters that can block unsuitable websites and online content, require a subscription to Netgear’s Smart Parental Controls service.

The Nighthawk app does offer a 30-day free trial for this service, and also for Netgear’s Armory security service, but you then have to pay $7.99/month or $69.99/year for the Smart Parental Controls, and $99.99/year for Armor. There are routers from other manufacturers that provide better parental controls free of charge, so that’s an important factor for parents of young children to bear in mind.

• Features: 3.5 / 5

Netgear Nighthawk RS300: Performance

• Tri-band Wi-Fi 7
• 2.5Gb Ethernet for broadband connection (WAN)
• 2.5Gb Ethernet for wired connections (LAN)

Netgear’s attempts to “upsell” you with its subscription services are always irksome, but we can’t fault the performance of the RS300. Our office internet connection provides a top speed of 150Mbps, but our aging office router can only manage around 120Mbps for the Ookla Speedtest when connecting to devices that are close by in the same room, while game downloads from Steam struggle along at around 100Mbps. We also have an office at the back of our building where the Wi-Fi signal from our normal router can barely reach, forcing us to rely on a set of wired Powerline adaptors to provide a decent Internet connection.

The RS300 solved all our Wi-Fi problems straight away, immediately hitting 150Mbps for devices in the same room for both Steam downloads and the Ookla Speedtest. It had no trouble zapping its Wi-Fi signal along our L-shaped corridor to reach that back office, either. And, as I walked along the corridor with my laptop, I was pleased to find that the RS300 maintained that 150Mbps speed every step of the way for both Ookla and Steam.

Larger homes or offices that cover 4,000 sq.ft or more might need one of the best mesh wi-fi systems to reach properly, but most home users and small businesses will find that the Nighthawk RS300 provides a high-speed Wi-Fi 7 upgrade with one of the most competitive prices we’ve seen so far.

• Performance: 4 / 5

Should you buy the Netgear Nighthawk RS300?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider

Not sure if the Nighthawk RS300 is for you? Below are a two alternatives that might be better suited.

• First reviewed in August 2024

TP-Link Deco BE63: One-Minute Review

The Deco range of mesh Wi-Fi systems from TP-Link is a popular option for many people who want good Wi-Fi performance at a competitive price, and the company recently introduced a new version of the Deco with support for the latest Wi-Fi 7 standard.

Somewhat oddly, there are some differences between the Deco models that are on sale in different countries, as in the US TP-Link has named this product the Deco BE63, while in other regions such as the UK and Australia it’s the BE65 instead.

There are a few other differences as well, but all models share the same basic design and features, and the three-router system that we’ve reviewed here is about the same price as some of the two-router systems we’ve seen recently – so the Deco is certainly good value for money for anyone looking for a high-performance Wi-Fi upgrade.

TP-Link Deco BE63: Price And Availability

• How much does it cost? $799.99 / £699.99 / AU$1,099
• When is it available? It's out now
• Where can you get it? The US, UK and Australia

Customers in the US have the best range of options, as they can buy a single Deco BE63 unit that will be suitable for smaller homes for $299.99. There’s also a two-pack available for homes with around four bedrooms, costing $549.99, while larger homes can opt for the three-pack that we’ve reviewed here, priced at $799.99.

In the UK and Australia, the model number is changed to Deco BE65, and the system is currently only available as a three-pack priced at £699.99. In Australia prices vary, but it can usually be found for around AU$1,099 for the three-pack, AU$799 for the two-pack and AU$450 for the single unit.

Wi-Fi 7 routers and mesh systems are still quite expensive as the technology is so new, but that three-pack option is actually quite competitive. We’ve seen Wi-Fi 7 products from rival manufacturers such as Netgear and Linksys that charge similar prices – or higher – for mesh systems that only have two routers, so TP-Link is certainly providing good value for money in relative terms.

• Value: 5 / 5

TP-Link Deco BE63: Design

• Smart and compact cylindrical design
• 4x Ethernet ports (2.5Gbps)
• 1x USB 3.0 port

This new version of the Deco sticks with the familiar white, cylindrical design that TP-Link has used in recent years. Each router stands 176mm high and 107.5mm in diameter, so they don’t take up too much space when you’re setting them up. They’re sturdily built too, and TP-Link adds a little flourish with what initially looks like a simple brush-stroke pattern, but actually becomes recognizable as a large ‘7’ as you move further away.

There are four 2.5Gbps Ethernet ports on the back of each router, and each port can be used to connect to the internet (WAN), or to provide a wired connection (LAN) for devices such as a laptop or games console. And, unlike some of its rivals, the Deco also includes a USB 3.0 port that allows you to connect a hard drive or other storage device to your home or office network.

But, as we’ve mentioned, there are some differences beneath the surface of the Deco, depending on which region you live in. The model sold in the US is called the Deco BE63, and provides tri-band Wi-Fi 7 using the 2.4GHz, 5.0GHz and 6.0GHz frequency bands, with a top speed of 10Gbps. However, customers in other regions are offered the Deco BE65, which has a slightly lower top speed of 9.2Gbps.

We were told by TP-Link that these differences are due to varying national regulations in each region, which affect the top speed that can be used on each frequency band (although this isn’t something we’ve encountered with other mesh systems that we’ve reviewed in the past).

The Deco hasn’t yet gone on sale in Australia, but TP-Link is actually planning to release three separate models in that region, with the standard Deco BE65 being joined by the BE65-5G with support for 5G mobile broadband, and the BE65 Pro, which will provide faster 5Gbps Ethernet ports for wired connections.

• Design: 5 / 5

TP-Link Deco BE63: Features

• Free parental controls
• MLO network
• Quick setup, well-designed app

Getting started was straightforward enough, as the Deco app prompted us to connect one of the Deco routers to our existing broadband router, and was then able to automatically connect to the new Deco mesh network. We were then prompted to create a new name and password for the Deco network, and the three Deco routers automatically connected to each other. So, all that really needs to be done is to simply plug them in.

On the downside on the ease-of-use front, the app does throw some jargon at you, asking you to select settings such as ‘VLAN’ and ‘Dynamic IP.’ Most people will be able to ignore these and just accept the default settings shown in the app, but TP-Link could explain these settings more clearly for newbie users who aren’t Wi-Fi wizards.

The Deco app is well-designed overall, though, and its main screen quickly shows you all the key information about your network. There’s a network map that displays the status of the three routers and all the devices connected to each router. It also shows the current download and upload speeds, and has a built-in speed test to check your broadband connection (using the same Ookla Speedtest that we use for our performance testing).

Some mesh systems simply merge all three frequency bands – 2.4GHz, 5.0GHz and 6.0GHz – into a single network, while others create a separate network for each. The Deco sits somewhere in-between, as it creates one network that combines the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands, but splits off the 6.0GHz band to create a separate high-speed network for newer computers and mobile devices that have Wi-Fi 7 or Wi-Fi 6E (which both support 6.0GHz).

We were also interested to learn that – unlike most of its Wi-Fi 7 rivals – the Deco also provides an option to activate or deactivate ‘multi-link operation’ (MLO) and create a separate MLO network as well. This is a key feature of Wi-Fi 7 that allows devices to use the 5.0GHz and 6.0GHz bands at the same time in order to improve Wi-Fi performance.

However, MLO only works with computers and mobile devices that also support Wi-Fi 7, so having the ability to create a separate MLO network allows you to prioritize performance for newer devices that cater for Wi-Fi 7. Alternatively, for older PCs, laptops and mobile devices, the Deco app also provides a QoS option (Quality of Service) that allows you to give priority to specific devices, such as a console or gaming PC, so that they get the best performance.

We were also pleased to find that the Deco app includes some useful parental controls free of charge. You can create profiles for each child in your family, specifying their name and age, and any particular devices that they may use. The app allows you to specify a ‘bedtime’ schedule that blocks internet access for your children at nighttime, and also provides content filters that can block adult content and other types of unsuitable material.

There are additional subscription services available, including an Advanced Parental Controls service, which includes extra features such as the ability to block age-restricted videos on YouTube. This costs £17.99 / $17.99 / AU$29.99 per year or £2.99 / $2.99 / AU$4.99 per month, but the basic parental controls provided for free are still better than those offered by some of TP-Link’s rivals, so parents are getting good value for money here.

• Features: 4 / 5

TP-Link Deco BE63: Performance

• Tri-band Wi-Fi 7
• Separate 6.0GHz network
• 2.5Gbps for wired connections

Whatever region you live in, the Deco BE63/BE65 provides impressive Wi-Fi 7 performance. Our aging office router can deliver fairly good performance levels for computers and mobile devices that are nearby, but its Wi-Fi signal struggles to reach a room located at the back of the building, where we have to use a set of Powerline adapters to provide a more reliable wired connection.

We therefore connected the first Deco router to our existing office router, with another Deco unit in the back office, and the last one in a hallway that was roughly halfway between the other two.

When running the Ookla Speedtest, devices in the same room as our old office router generally get a Wi-Fi speed of 120Mbps, which is fine for most uses but still less than the full 150Mbps provided by our office broadband service. Downloads from the Steam games store tend to struggle a bit more in that room too, rarely getting above 100Mbps.

However, the Deco immediately put that to rights, stepping up to 150Mbps on both the 6.0GHz band and the combined 2.4/5.0GHz band, and it was also able to maintain those consistent download speeds for both Ookla and Steam.

Furthermore, the Deco mesh system didn’t bat an eyelid as we walked with our laptop down the hall to that back office, effortlessly maintaining that 150Mbps download speed for Ookla and Steam on all frequency bands.

• Performance: 4 / 5

Should You Buy The TP-Link Deco BE63?

Buy the TP-Link Deco if...

Don’t buy it if...

TP-Link Deco BE63: Scorecard

TP-Link Deco BE63: Also Consider

If you're undecided about the Deco BE63 system, I've compared its specs with two other options that might be a better fit.

• First reviewed: July 2024

Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98: One-minute review

Most of the Wi-Fi 7 routers that we’ve seen in recent months are general-purpose models, designed for home and office use. However, the new ROG Rapture GT-BE98 from Asus is very much a specialist router aimed at hardcore gamers who want the very best performance for their online action.

Asus has pretty much thrown in the kitchen sink with the GT-BE98 – and then given the sink a bit of a polish and some go-faster stripes to ensure that every aspect of its performance is fine-tuned to perfection. 

With quad-band Wi-Fi 7 and a top speed of 24.4Gbps – which Asus slightly exaggerates by rounding it up to 25Gbps on its web site – the GT-BE98 is one of the fastest Wi-Fi 7 routers we’ve seen so far.

It also boasts top-of-the-range wired connectivity, along with a high-performance quad-core processor, and no less than eight chunky antennae that are designed to push the Wi-Fi signal into every corner of your home. Needless to say, it’s serious overkill for most of us – and, in fact, there can’t be many non-professional gamers who have access to the sort of high-speed broadband that could really do justice to a router like the GT-BE98.

However, it’s a great demonstration of the kind of performance provided by Wi-Fi 7, and how promising more affordable Wi-Fi 7 kit should be when it arrives for the rest of us. And, of course, Wi-Fi 7 is still backwards-compatible with older PCs and devices as well.

Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98: Price & Availability

• How much does it cost? $749.99 / £699.99 / AU$1,499
• When is it available? It's on sale now
• Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, Australia

Pricing for the GT-BE98 is a little erratic, depending on the region where you live. You can’t currently buy the GT-BE98 directly from Asus in the US or Australia at the moment, so you’ll need to shop around online, with prices in the region of $749.99 or AU$1,499 (and Asus’ US website doesn’t even bother to point you in the direction of any retailers, which isn’t very helpful). 

Customers in the UK can buy direct from Asus, with both Asus and Amazon listing the router at £699.99. And, believe it or not, that’s not a bad price for a state-of-the-art Wi-Fi 7 router such as this, since rivals such as Netgear’s Nighthawk RS700S are just as expensive – around $699.99 / £799.99 / AU$1,499 at the moment – while only providing tri-band support and a top speed of 19Gbps.

• Value: 4 / 5

Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98: Specs

Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98: Design

• Weighs a hefty 2kg 
• 10Gb Ethernet WAN/LAN port
• 4x 2.5Gb Ethernet LAN ports

Even by the standards of most gaming routers, the GT-BE98 is a seriously over-the-top piece of kit.

It’s built like a tank and, at 2kg, weighs more than many laptops. Even its array of eight external antennae seems unusually threatening, with a chunky ‘dual-feed’ design that helps to isolate the transmission and reception circuitry for optimum performance.

The router is powered by a quad-core processor running at 2.6GHz, and there are separate amplifiers for each of the four frequency bands. That sort of power requires good cooling and ventilation, so there’s a large heating vent on the top of the router, while the top panel consists of an aluminum heat plate coated with a nano-carbon layer to help dissipate the heat. 

And, of course, like any good gaming router, the GT-BE98 has a glowing logo on top, with completely gratuitous RGB lighting effects that can be controlled via the Asus app.

• Design: 5 / 5

Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98: Features

• Free parental controls
• Option to prioritize gaming performance
• Supports additional ‘virtual’ networks

Most Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 routers support tri-band Wi-Fi, using the 2.4GHz, 5.0GHz and 6.0GHz frequency bands, but the GT-BE98 adds a second 5.0GHz band to provide quad-band Wi-Fi 7 with a top speed of 24.4Gbps. 

That’s backed up by state-of-the-art wired connectivity as well, with the GT-BE98 boasting 10Gb and 2.5Gb Ethernet ports that can be used for either high-speed broadband connections (WAN) or wired connections to a laptop or other devices (LAN).

There’s a second 10Gb LAN port as well, which is set as a dedicated ‘gaming port’ that takes priority over all the other ports to ensure that your gaming rig gets the best possible performance. There are three additional 2.5Gb ports for LAN connections, and a single Gigabit Ethernet LAN port that dawdles along behind for doing boring stuff like email and work. You even get two USB-A ports for connecting a hard drive or other storage device to your network.

The Asus app could use a little fine-tuning, though. The app didn’t seem to recognize the GT-BE98 even when my laptop was already connected to it and was happily streaming the BBC News channel while I worked. 

Eventually I had to do things the old-fashioned way, using an Ethernet cable to connect the laptop to the router, and then configuring the router via its web browser interface.

Once that was done the Asus app was then able to connect to the GT-BE98 and worked without any further problems. However, Asus still needs to update the app so that less experienced users can get started without having to muck around with Ethernet cables and the not-very-friendly browser interface.

The app does provide some useful features, though – most notably free parental controls that include scheduling features and content filters to block various categories of unsuitable material.

And, unlike some of its rivals, Asus doesn’t charge an extra subscription for these features (Netgear, we’re looking at you). Gamers have the option to prioritize gaming to provide maximum performance, or other tasks such as video streaming or file transfers.

You can also use Asus AiMesh technology to run the GT-BE98 as part of a mesh Wi-Fi system. And, unusually, the Asus app lets you set aside some bandwidth to create ‘virtual’ networks for specific uses, such as having a kids’ network, or an IoT network (Internet of Things) for smart devices such as lights that you may have in your home.

Once again, though, the app feels a little cumbersome here, and assumes a fair amount of technical knowledge from the user, so ease of use remains an area that needs improvement.

• Features: 5 / 5

Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98: Performance

• Quad-band Wi-Fi 7
• 24.4Gbps speed
• High-speed wired connections

The initial setup process could be a little smoother, but we certainly don’t have any complaints about the performance of the GT-BE98. Our ageing office router only transmits on the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands, and even then it struggles with our office broadband connection, which runs at 150Mbps. 

Even at close range, when transmitting to devices in the same room, our office router can only manage 80Mbps for the Ookla Speed Test on the 2.4GHz band, and 120Mbps on the 5.0GHz band. Steam downloads tell a similar story, at just 40Mbps for 2.4GHz and 100Mbps for 5.0GHz. 

However, we also have an office located at the back of the building that the Wi-Fi signal from our old router can barely reach, forcing us to rely on Powerline connectors to provide a more reliable wired connection. 

Unsurprisingly, the GT-BE98 coped with both office locations easily. Even on the slowest 2.4GHz band, it boosted the Ookla test to 145Mbps for devices in the same room, and even managed to provide a steady 80Mbps in the back office that normally can’t get Wi-Fi at all.

Steam downloads on 2.4GHz almost doubled to 75Mbps for devices in the same room, and the GT-BE98 maintained that speed even in our back office as well. There are many smart devices, such as lights and security cameras, that still rely on the 2.4GHz band, so it’s worth having that speed improvement on 2.4GHz if you want the option of creating an IoT network using the Asus app.

But, of course, the 2.4GHz band is the slowest of the four frequency bands supported by the GT-BE98, and we weren’t at all surprised to find that the GT-BE98 effortlessly hit our maximum 150Mbps in both of our test locations when using its additional 5.0GHz and 6.0GHz bands. 

Like most Wi-Fi 7 routers, the GT-BE98 is overkill for most home users, but it’s competitively priced when compared to rival models, and will be a great option for gamers who need every advantage when they’re fighting it out online.

• Performance: 5 / 5

Should you buy the Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98?

Buy the Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98 if...

Don't buy it if...

Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98: Also consider

If my Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98 review has you looking for other options, here are two more routers to consider...

How I tested the Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98

We pride ourselves on our independence and our rigorous review-testing process, offering up long-term attention to the products we review and making sure our reviews are updated and maintained - regardless of when a device was released, if you can still buy it, it's on our radar.

Read more about how we test

• First reviewed April 2024

Linksys Velop Pro 7: One-Minute Review

Linksys originally announced the new Wi-Fi 7 version of its Velop Pro mesh system back in October 2023, but the final technical details of the Wi-Fi 7 standard weren’t actually ironed out until the official announcement at CES earlier this year.

So, like several other Wi-Fi 7 products, it’s taken a little while for the Velop Pro 7 router to actually go on sale. It’s a welcome arrival, though, as while the Velop Pro 7 isn’t exactly cheap, it’s considerably less expensive than some of the other Wi-Fi 7 mesh systems and routers that we’ve seen so far - ushering in some hope that Wi-Fi 7 is starting to become a little more affordable for ordinary home users.

It’s not a top-of-the-range Wi-Fi 7 system, mind, offering tri-band Wi-Fi with a top speed of just over 10Gbps. That’s actually fairly mid-range for the blazing fast Wi-Fi 7 standard, but it’s still more than fast enough to cope with most domestic broadband services and tasks such as online gaming or streaming 4K video.

Wi-Fi 7 is also backward-compatible with older PCs and mobile devices that use Wi-Fi 5 or 6, so you don’t have to worry about compatibility problems if you decide to upgrade with a Wi-Fi 7 system such as the Velop Pro 7.  And, as we’ve seen with previous Velop systems, you can buy either one, two or three Velop mesh routers to suit the size of your home.

Linksys Velop Pro 7: Price And Availability

• How much does it cost? $699.99 / £749.99 (around AU$1,060)
• When is it available? Now
• Where can you get it? Available in the US and UK

Each Velop router unit can cover an area of around 3,000 square feet, so people in smaller homes will probably find that a single router meets their needs perfectly well for a price of £399.99 / $349.99 (around AU$530).

However, the two-piece system that we tested costs £749.99 / $699.99 (around AU$1060), and there’s a three-device option also available for £999.99 / $899.9 (around AU$1,365). The Velop Pro 7 is currently available in the US and UK, although – as we’ve seen with other Wi-Fi 7 products – poor old Australia seems to be a bit of a Wi-Fi deadspot, having only recently caught up with last-gen Wi-Fi 6E.

That’s still fairly expensive, of course, but the Velop Pro 7 is only around half the price of rival Wi-Fi 7 mesh systems such as Netgear’s extravagantly expensive Orbi 970, which costs a hefty £1,499.99 / $1,699.99 (around AU$2,600) for a similar two-piece system - and a whopping £2,199.99 / $2,299.99 (around AU$3,475) for a three-piece system. 

• Value: 4 / 5

Linksys Velop Pro 7: Design

• Slim, compact design
• Lots of Ethernet ports
• Available with one, two or three routers

The design of the Velop Pro 7 will be familiar from previous Velop models, with each router consisting of a slim white tower, topped off with the Velop’s trademark tapered ‘teardrop’ shape on the top panel.

The router devices are slim and light enough to fit easily onto a shelf or table – although the height of each unit, at 221mm, means they’ll need a bit of headroom if you want to place them on a bookshelf or something similar.

The Velop routers are identical, so you can connect one of them to your existing router to use your broadband connection, and then place the other router(s) further away to extend the mesh network right across your home or office.

But while the Velop Pro 7 routers look very similar to previous models there are some significant differences. The Velop Pro 6E that we reviewed recently only included two Gigabit Ethernet ports on each router, with one required for the connection to your existing router and only the second port available to provide a wired connection.

In contrast, the Velop Pro 7 routers all have five Ethernet ports – a 2.5G port for a high-speed Internet connection (WAN) and four Gigabit Ethernet ports to provide wired connections for devices such as a games console or laptop.

There are no USB ports, though, which would allow you to connect a hard drive or other storage device to your network, but that’s not likely to be a deal-breaker for most users.

It’s a little odd, though, that Linksys avoids any mention of the Velop’s speed on its website, preferring to simply state that Wi-Fi 7 is a lot faster than Wi-Fi 6 (gosh, really?). After a little digging, we found a reference to a speed of ‘over 10Gbps’ before eventually locating a datasheet that specified a speed of 10,680Mbps (or 10.68Gbps).

• Design: 4 / 5

Linksys Velop Pro 7: Features

• Tri-band Wi-Fi 7
• App feels a little unfinished
• Parental controls are still in beta

As mentioned, the Velop Pro 7 provides tri-band Wi-Fi 7, using the 2.4GHz, 5.0GHz and 6.0GHz frequency bands, which will be more than fast enough to cope with most home and office broadband connections.

Getting started is fairly straightforward, although the process is a little cumbersome at times. There’s a QR code printed on the base of each router, but this didn’t allow us to automatically connect to the Velop network, as is the case with many rival mesh systems.

Instead, we had to write down the network name and password that were printed on the base of the router and enter these by hand, before subsequently changing the network details and creating a new name and password of our choosing.

You also have to start the setup process with the two Velop routers placed close to each other while you create your new network, and then move the second router – referred to as a ‘node’ - to another location once that’s done. And, oddly, the app told us several times that we had no internet connection - even though we were already streaming the BBC News channel on an iPad using the Velop network.

The app continues to be something of a mixed bag later on, as well. It creates a single network that combines the three frequency bands, which does keep things simple for new users - but more advanced users might prefer to have greater control over the network settings.

The app does include features such as a guest network, and the option to create a schedule to control your children’s internet access. However, the parental controls are a work in progress, with the app’s ‘Safe Browsing’ mode still being labeled as ‘beta’. This provides content filters that can block unsuitable material, although this feature isn’t clearly explained in the app. Furthermore, at present it seems to block content for all devices on your network, rather than allowing you to create different profiles and settings for children of different ages. 

• Features: 3.5 / 5

Linksys Velop Pro 7: Performance

• Top speed of 10.68Gbps
• Good performance and range
• Zaps through walls and other barriers

The Linksys app may be a little rough around the edges, but we didn’t have any complaints about the performance of the Velop Pro 7.

Our aging office router can’t even handle the full 150Mbps provided by our broadband connection, and even devices that are in the same room rarely get more than 100Mbps for either Steam downloads or the Ookla speed test. We also have a room at the back of the building that our office router can barely reach at all, forcing us to rely on Powerline adaptors to provide a wired connection for our office computers in that room.

Therefore, we set up the Velop Pro 7 with the first Velop unit connected to our normal office router, and the second Velop ‘node’ placed in a hallway just adjacent to that tricky Wi-Fi deadspot in the back office.

Unsurprisingly, the Velop easily hit 150Mbps for both Steam downloads and the Ookla speed test when connecting to devices in the same room. And, more importantly, the Velop’s far-reaching network didn’t bat an eyelid as we picked up our laptop and wandered along the corridor to that back office, continuing to maintain a speed of 150Mbps the whole time.  

• Performance: 5 / 5

Should You Buy The Velop Pro 7?

Buy the Linksys Velop Pro 7 if...

You’re An Early Adopter
It’s still early days for this new technology, but PCs, laptops and mobile devices that support Wi-Fi 7 are already starting to appear, so upgrading to a Wi-Fi 7 router or mesh system is a good way of future-proofing your home or office network.

You Have A Large Home
You can buy a single Velop Pro 7 router on its own, but it’s really intended as a mesh system that uses two or more routers to cover a wider area, up to 6,000 square feet or more.

Don’t buy it if...

You’re On A Budget
The Velop Pro 7 is one of the most affordable Wi-Fi 7 systems we’ve seen, but it’s still pretty expensive. Most domestic broadband services just don’t need the sheer speed of Wi-Fi 7, so most of us can stick with more affordable routers that use Wi-Fi 6 or 6E.

You Only Have A Couple Of Bedrooms
Mesh systems like this are very much designed for larger homes and offices. If you only have a small family home, or share an apartment with friends, then a single, conventional router will be all you really need.

Velop Pro 7: Scorecard

Velop Pro 7: Also Consider

• First reviewed: May 2024

Netgear Orbi 970: One-minute review

Netgear was quick off the mark with its RS700S, one of the first routers we’ve seen supporting the new Wi-Fi 7 standard. The Orbi 970 mesh system was announced around the same time and promised to be one of the best mesh Wi-Fi systems on the market, but faced some delays and has only just become available in the US and UK.

However, the Orbi 970 goes even further and faster than the standalone RS700, offering a three-piece ‘whole home’ mesh system with a phenomenal top speed of 27Gbps, that is capable of covering areas of up to 10,000 square feet. It’s also phenomenally expensive, with the three-piece system that we review here costing £2199.99/$2299.99 – and that’s before you add the cost of the extra subscription services that Netgear tries really hard to sell you.

The cost of the Orbi 970 will probably rule it out for most home users – especially since most of us are still muddling along with domestic broadband services running at around 150Mbps.

However, Wi-Fi 7 isn’t just about speed – it also brings improved capacity and reliability, and the Orbi 970 claims to provide fast, reliable connections for up to 200 devices on your home or office network. It also includes new Wi-Fi 7 features, such as ‘preamble puncturing’, which helps to reduce outside interference and improve the reliability of your wi-fi connections. 

And while there aren’t many computers or mobile devices that currently support Wi-Fi 7, the Orbi 970 will still be backward-compatible with older devices that are still using Wi-Fi 5 or 6, so it’s a good way of future-proofing the wi-fi network in larger homes and offices, or public venues such as hotels and restaurants.

Netgear Orbi 970: Price & availability

• How much does it cost? $2,299.99 / £2,199.99 / around AU$3,475
• When is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available in the US and UK

The Orbi 970 is the first mesh system we’ve seen that supports Wi-Fi 7, so it’s hard to draw comparisons with any of its mesh rivals. It’s also very much a high-end option, offering quad-band Wi-Fi 7 with a top speed of 27Gbps, for a somewhat daunting price of £2199.99/$2299.99 (it’s not currently available in Australia, although those prices equate to roughly AU$3475.00). 

There are certainly less expensive Wi-Fi 7 options, such as Amazon’s Eero Max 7, which costs £1699.99/$1699.99 (approx. AU$2568.99) for a similar three-piece system. However, the Eero is a far more modest performer, offering basic tri-band Wi-Fi 7 with a top speed of just 4.3Gbps – which is barely one-sixth of the speed of the Orbi.

Netgear states that this three-piece system can cover areas of up to 10,000 square feet (quoted as 8,200sq.ft in Europe due to differences in local regulations). However, there’s also a two-piece option available as well, which covers up to 6,600sq.ft (5,400sq.ft in Europe) for a still rather hefty £1499.99/$1699.99 (approx. AU$2600.00). And, if you’re a Silicon Valley zillionaire, you can buy additional add-on units for £799.99/$899.99 (approx. AU$1350.00) each.

• Value: 3 / 5

Netgear Orbi 970: Specs

Netgear Orbi 970: Design

• Newly refreshed Orbi design available in black or white
• Primary router with two 'satellite' routers
• Plenty of Ethernet ports, but no USB

The upright rectangular design of the Orbi range is a familiar sight in many homes and offices, but the Orbi 970 has had a bit of a facelift. The sheer speed of Wi-Fi 7 requires a lot more power than previous models, so the new Orbi units have a taller, more cylindrical design that stands 294mm high and 144mm deep, and houses no less than 12 internal antennae.

Netgear also states that this design helps the antennae to transmit the wi-fi signal through a full 360 degrees all around so that it can reach every corner of your building. And, as with previous Orbi models, you can choose a model in either black or white to suit your décor. However, the larger design means that each Orbi unit weighs 1.8kg, so you’ll need a sturdy shelf or table to support them – preferably with plenty of free space on all sides as well.

It’s also worth noting that although the three Orbi units look identical, they do differ in some ways. There is a primary router that needs to be connected to your existing wi-fi router, while the additional units are referred to as ‘satellites’. Reflecting the state-of-the-art performance of Wi-Fi 7, the main router has a 10 Gigabit Ethernet port for your Internet connection, with a second 10 Gigabit port to provide a high-speed wired connection (LAN) for a device such as a gaming PC or console that needs maximum performance.

The router also includes four additional ports with 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet for additional wired connections. The two satellite units also have a 10 Gigabit Ethernet port as well, but only two ports that provide 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet. You can’t fault the Orbi 970 for its high-speed connectivity, although – at this price – it’s a little disappointing that there are no USB ports provided, which would allow you to connect a shared hard drive or other storage device to your network. 

• Design: 4 / 5

Netgear Orbi 970: Features

• Easy-to-use companion app
• Relatively feature-light
• Comes with a one-year subscription to Netgear Armor

The Orbi’s hardware features are state-of-the-art, but the Orbi app is something of a mixed bag. To be fair, the app is very easy to use and guides you through the initial setup process quickly and easily. It’s a little irksome, though, that the app requires you to provide your email address in order to create an account with Netgear before you can finish setup – and then hits you with an ad for extended technical support before you can even look at your new network settings.

But while the Orbi app is easy to use, it is a bit lightweight when it comes to additional features. The app combines its different frequency bands – 2.4GHz, 5.0GHz, and 6.0GHz – into a single network and then automatically connects all your devices to the fastest band available. That keeps things simple for newcomers, but more advanced users might like to have more precise control over the network settings.

The Orbi does include a one-year subscription to Netgear’s Armour security service – as it should at this price – but after that, you’ll need to pay $99.99pa/£84.99 per year to continue the service. The app’s parental controls are also pretty basic, consisting of little more than a ‘Pause’ button that will pause Internet access when you want to get the kids to come to the dinner table. However, additional features, such as schedules for Internet access or content filters for unsuitable websites require another subscription for Netgear’s Smart Parental Controls service.

You only get a one-month free trial for this, and then have to pay $7.99/£6.99 per month, or $69.99/£49.99 per year for the service. There are rival routers that provide better parental controls free of charge, so the Orbi’s hard sell on its additional subscription services seems a bit cynical.

• Features: 4 / 5

Netgear Orbi 970: Performance

• Stellar connection quality
• Good penetration inside buildings
• Satellites allow for wide-range use

Whatever the shortcomings of the Orbi app, we can’t fault the system’s high-speed performance.

We have an office at the back of our building that normally struggles with weak wi-fi, forcing us to rely on some PowerLine adaptors to provide a wired network connection. So, to test the Orbi 970, we connected the Orbi’s main router to our existing office router, then positioned one Orbi satellite in a hallway that is roughly halfway between the main router and the back office. The second Orbi satellite was then set up in the back office itself.

Unsurprisingly, the Orbi just shrugged its shoulders as it effortlessly cruised along at the maximum 150Mbps provided by our office broadband connection (note that our benchmarks below don't actually demonstrate the true potential of the Orbi 970, as we were constrained in our testing by that 150Mbps limit).

It may be wildly expensive, but this is one of the best routers out there. If you’re looking for state-of-the-art performance for a larger home or office – and you don’t need too much in the way of parental controls – then the Orbi 970 really is state-of-the-art.

• Performance: 5 / 5

Should you buy the Netgear Orbi 970?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Netgear Orbi 970: Also consider

How I tested the Netgear Orbi 970

• Tested it for 3-4 days
• Used it as our main office router
• Used the Ookla Speed Test app and tested game download speeds

We pride ourselves on our independence and our rigorous review-testing process, offering up long-term attention to the products we review and making sure our reviews are updated and maintained - regardless of when a device was released, if you can still buy it, it's on our radar.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed April 2024

Linksys Velop Pro 6E: One-minute review

It’s taken a while, but Wi-Fi 6E is finally becoming a mainstream technology that is now available in many new computers and mobile devices. Along with improved wi-fi speeds, the key advantage of Wi-Fi 6E is that it introduces a new 6.0GHz frequency band that works alongside the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands used by previous generations, such as Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 5.

Needless to say, routers and mesh systems that support Wi-Fi 6E are still quite expensive, but the new Velop Pro 6E from Linksys is competitively priced and provides a number of options that allow you to tailor your new mesh system to suit your own particular home or office. But is it one of the best routers you can buy?

We tested the top-of-the-range mesh system, which includes three identical Velop routers, but you can also buy just one or two routers depending on the area that you need to cover. This also allows you to upgrade and extend your system by purchasing additional routers in the future if you need to.

And, as the ‘Pro’ name suggests, the new Velop provides high-end Wi-Fi 6E performance, with a top speed of 5.4Gbps that should be able to handle demanding tasks such as video-conferencing, streaming 4K video, and even the latest virtual-reality headsets.

Linksys Velop Pro 6E: Price & availability

• How much does it cost? Starts at $199.99 / £199.99 / around AU$310
• When is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available in the US and UK

The Velop Pro 6E is competitively priced when compared to many Wi-Fi 6E systems and, as mentioned, you do have the option of buying one, two, or three routers depending on the size of your home or office.

Each router covers an area of approximately 3,000 square feet, and is capable of handling up to 200 devices connected to your network all at once. A single Velop router should therefore be perfectly adequate for many small and medium-sized homes, and costs $199.99/£199.99. Larger buildings may require a pack with two routers for $349.99/£379.99, while the three-pack system that we test here costs $449.99/£499.99.

The Velop Pro 6E is now on sale in the US and UK, but isn’t currently available in Australia (which seems oddly bereft of Wi-Fi 6E routers in general, for some reason).  

•  Value: 4 / 5 

Linksys Velop Pro 6E: Specs

Linksys Velop Pro 6E: Design

• Fairly large, but not heavy
• Only one Ethernet port per unit
• Decent companion app with simple single-band option

Linksys seems quite proud of the ‘droplet’ design that gives the top panel of the Velop routers a slightly tapered shape, rather than sticking with a boring old rectangle. It’s a very subtle detail though, and if you look across the room at the Velop routers they do still look like a large, upright rectangular lump of white plastic. Each router stands 194mm high and close to 100mm on each side, so you’ll need a shelf or table with a fair amount of space to set each one up.

The power and reset buttons are tucked away on the base of each router, and the only other visible features are the two Gigabit Ethernet ports on the back panel. However, one of these ports is reserved for connecting the Velop to your existing broadband router or modem, which means that there’s only one Ethernet port available to provide wired connections for devices such as a laptop or games console. That’s a little disappointing for an expensive, high-performance mesh system such as this - two or three Ethernet ports are more common on some of the Velop’s rivals - but it may not be a deal-breaker if you’re primarily interested in using the Velop simply to boost your wi-fi performance.

The Linksys app takes an equally minimalist approach. It includes basic features such as the ability to create a guest network or prioritize devices such as a games console for maximum performance. You can also set a schedule for Internet access for your children, but it’s disappointing that there are no content filters that can automatically block websites that contain unsuitable material, and the app simply leaves it up to you to manually type in the addresses of any web sites that you want to block.

The app also sets up a single network that merges the 2.4GHz, 5.0GHz, and 6.0GHz frequency bands. That keeps things simple for less experienced users who may not know very much about networking technology, but more advanced users might prefer it if the app provided more detailed control over the network settings during the initial set-up process.

• Design: 4 / 5 

Linksys Velop Pro 6E: Performance

• Stellar connection quality
• Good penetration inside buildings
• Satellites allow for wide-range use

Getting started with the Velop Pro 6E is fairly straightforward, although you do need to follow the instructions in the Linksys app very closely. The app is available for iOS and Android, and uses Bluetooth to initially connect to the Velop routers and set up your new network.

The first Velop router has to be connected to your existing router or modem using the included Ethernet cable in order to use your broadband connection. The other two routers - which are referred to as ‘nodes’ - have to be set up and powered on within 10ft of the first router. We initially placed the two node routers slightly further away - simply because that was the closest available power socket - and the app simply failed to detect the additional nodes. We had to go searching for an extension lead so that we could move the two nodes closer to the main Velop router in order to complete the set-up process.

Thankfully, though, the Velop system performed admirably once it was set up. We do have an office towards the back of our building where we have to use PowerLine adaptors to provide a wired network connection as the wi-fi signal from our normal router is so weak. We therefore placed one of the nodes halfway along a hallway that leads to that back office, while the second node was placed in the office itself. 

Using a laptop that supported Wi-Fi 6E, we were impressed to find that the Ookla Speed Test app reported a consistent 150Mbps download speed for our laptop, which is the maximum speed provided by our office broadband. That was confirmed when using Steam to download some games onto the laptop, which again ran smoothly at 150Mbps the whole time. It's comfortably fast enough to sit among the best mesh Wi-Fi systems.

You don’t have to buy a brand new PC with Wi-Fi 6E to get those speeds either, as we also tested an older MacBook Air that only has Wi-Fi 6, and the MacBook also recorded the same 150Mbps download speeds in that office as well. Of course, not everyone will need a state-of-the-art mesh system with Wi-Fi 6E right now, but if you do have any new PCs or mobile devices that support 6E then the Velop is a good way of upgrading your home or office network with the latest wi-fi tech.

• Performance: 5 / 5 

Should you buy the Linksys Velop Pro 6E?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Linksys Velop Pro 6E: Also consider

How I tested the Linksys Velop Pro 6E

• Tested it for 3-4 days
• Used it as our main office router
• Used the Ookla Speed Test app and tested game download speeds

We pride ourselves on our independence and our rigorous review-testing process, offering up long-term attention to the products we review and making sure our reviews are updated and maintained - regardless of when a device was released, if you can still buy it, it's on our radar.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed April 2024

Netgear Nighthawk RS700S: One-minute review

Netgear originally announced the Nighthawk RS700S as its first Wi-Fi 7 router back in March 2023, although it didn’t go on sale in the US until the end of the year. What's more, the Wi-Fi Alliance that oversees the development of Wi-Fi technology didn’t officially launch the new standard until CES 2024 – under the somewhat odd label ‘Wi-Fi Certified 7’ (also known as IEEE 802.11be, for the more technically inclined). 

So, what we have with the Netgear Nighthawk RS700S is some bleeding-edge tech that makes it a shoe-in for a spot on our best WiFi router page, though not without caveats.

Unsurprisingly, the state-of-the-art RS700S is seriously expensive, with a single unit costing $699.99 in the US, and a whopping £799.99 in the UK (not to mention the additional subscriptions that Netgear tries to sell you as well). 

To be fair, Wi-Fi 7 does blow away previous generations of Wi-Fi, with the tri-band RS700S boasting a top speed of 19Gbs using the 2.4GHz, 5.0GHz, and 6.0GHz bands. Netgear also claims that it has the ability to reliably connect to 200 devices all at once, though I don't have nearly that many devices to attempt to test such a claim. 

Of course, all of this is probably overkill for most of us – especially since there aren’t many computers or mobile devices that even support Wi-Fi 7 yet - but the RS700S certainly gives us a fascinating glimpse into a future where 8K video and VR headsets and gaming are the norm. 

And, of course, Wi-Fi 7 is still backwards-compatible with older computers and mobile devices, so it will still work with your existing devices as well, but if you don't have the kind of hardware that can take advantage of the new tech, you're better off waiting until you do.

Netgear Nighthawk RS700S: Price & availability

• How much does it cost? $699.99/£799.99/AU$1499.00
• When is it available? Available now
• Where is it available? Available in the US, UK and Australia
  

There are very few Wi-Fi 7 routers currently available, so the RS700S doesn’t have many comparable rivals at any price. However, top-of-the-range Wi-Fi 6E routers such as the Asus Rapture GT-AXE11000, which runs at a still impressive 11Gbps, come in at around $400/£450/$700, so you’re paying quite a premium for the extra performance of Wi-Fi 7. It’s early days, though, so hopefully prices will begin to fall as rival manufacturers start to release their own Wi-Fi 7 routers and mesh systems throughout 2024.

Netgear Nighthawk RS700S: Specs

Netgear Nighthawk RS700S: Design

The tall, upright design and blinking lights of the RS700S are certainly eye-catching, and a departure from the winged ‘Cylon battle-cruiser’ designs of previous Nighthawk routers. 

Standing a lofty 282mm high, the slimline black pillar looks more like the monolith from 2001: A Space Odyssey, with a series of LEDs on the front panel that provide information about both wired and wireless connections. 

Netgear also claims that this upright design helps the RS700S and its eight internal antennae to more effectively transmit a Wi-Fi signal through a full 360 degrees, giving it a reach of 3,500 sq. ft (quoted as 3,000 sq. ft in some countries due to differences in national regulations).

You also get some idea of the power of the RS700S when you spot the large cooling vents on both the top and bottom panels, and a glimpse at the spec sheet reveals that the router is driven by a powerful quad-core processor running at 2.6GHz, backed up by 2GB of memory and 512MB of internal storage. 

The size of the router also leaves plenty of room for additional connectivity features, including no less than six Ethernet ports on the back panel and a USB-A port for connecting a network hard drive.

Netgear Nighthawk RS700S: Features

The ample ports give you an indication of the performance offered by the RS700S, as they include one 10 Gigabit Ethernet port for your Internet connection (via your existing broadband router or modem), along with a second 10 Gigabit port to provide a high-speed wired connection for a laptop, gaming console or other device that requires the fastest possible connection. 

There are also four Gigabit Ethernet ports for wired connections as well, with the ability to combine two ports (known as ‘link aggregation’) to provide a 2 Gigabit wired connection. 

Just as important, though, are the features provided by the Nighthawk app. It gets the basics right, walking you through the initial set-up process quickly and easily. 

To keep things simple for first-time users, the app has a Smart Connect feature that automatically connects your computers and mobile devices to the frequency band that provides the best performance in that particular room or location. 

However, you can turn this off and create separate networks for each frequency if you prefer, and also set different passwords for each network. And, for more experienced users, there’s also a web browser interface that provides more in-depth control over your network settings.

It's worth mentioning that the RS700S also includes a 12-month subscription to Netgear’s Armor security service, which can protect your network and devices from online threats such as malware and phishing websites. But, after 12 months, you’ll need to pay $99.99 per year to continue with the service. 

The RS700S also seems to be something of a work in progress, as there’s one important new feature in Wi-Fi 7, called ‘multi-link operation’ that allows devices that support Wi-Fi 7 to connect to all three frequency bands at once (rather than a single band, as is the case with previous versions of Wi-Fi). 

Netgear says that this feature will require a software update that is due in Q1 of 2024, so if you’re keen to see the full potential of Wi-Fi 7 it might be worth watching the Netgear website for updates.

Netgear Nighthawk RS700S: Performance

Even so, the RS700S still provides more than enough speed for most home and office networks. 

Even on the slower 2.4GHz band it outperforms the sluggish 85Mbps of our office router, hitting 123Mbps on the Ookla speed test for devices that are in the same room as the router. 

And, as I switch to the 5.0GHz and 6.0GHz bands, I feel as though the router is giving me the side-eye as both bands breeze along to the full 150Mbps provided by our office broadband. 

Longer, sustained downloads on Steam give the router more time to ramp up to speed and all three bands hit 150Mbps with no effort at all. Moving further away, to a back office separated by some partition walls, the Ookla test slows a little to 78Mbps when using the 2.4GHz band, while Steam downloads dip to 70Mbps. 

Even so, that’s still almost twice as fast as the 40Mbps that our normal router provides for both tests. And, needless to say, the 5.0GHz and 6.0GHz bands don’t have any trouble as I wander along the corridor to that back office, with both the Ookla and Steam tests maintaining a smooth and steady 150Mbps throughout. 

Should You Buy The Netgear Nighthawk RS700S?

 Buy the Netgear Nighthawk RS700S if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider

• First reviewed February 2024

Asus RT-AXE7800: Two-minute review

Routers that use the latest Wi-Fi 6E technology are still pretty expensive - as we saw with Asus’ top-of-the-range Rapture RT-AXE11000 just recently. However, the Rapture routers are aimed at hard-core gamers who need super-fast response times, so the company has also released a more affordable option in the somewhat unusual, hexagonal shape of its new RT-AXE7800. 

The Asus RT-AXE7800 doesn’t carry the Rapture brand name, so it’s not specifically aimed at gamers looking for the best gaming router. However, it still provides tri-band Wi-Fi 6E with a top speed of 7.8Gbps, which is more than fast enough for most home broadband connections. 

It also includes high-end wired connections, with a 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port designed for use with high-speed fibre broadband services. Features like that will provide all the speed and performance needed for streaming music, 4K video and even some serious gaming action too. However, the RT-AXE7800 is still competitively priced, making it a great upgrade option.

If you’re planning to buy a new laptop or iPad that supports Wi-Fi 6E, then the Asus RT-AXE7800 may be the best router for you.

The Asus RT-AXE7800 catches your eye straight out of the box, with an unusual hexagonal design and a series of external antennae that are initially folded down into a striking rosette pattern. It’s not just for show, though, as the six antennae fold upwards in order to provide good transmission for your new Wi-Fi network. 

As mentioned, the RT-AXE7800 supports tri-band Wi-Fi 6, broadcasting on the new 6.0GHz frequency band, as well as the more conventional 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands used by older Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6 routers.

Tucked around the back of the router you’ll find a total of five Ethernet ports. Two of these ports can double up as either WAN ports for your Internet connection or LAN ports for connecting a laptop or other devices that work best with lag-free wired connections. One of these ports supports high-speed Internet connections of up to 2.5Gbps, while the second provides more standard Gigabit Ethernet. 

However, the router also includes three Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports as well, and you can ‘aggregate’ - or combine - two of the Gigabit ports to provide a 2 Gigabit wired connection if required. There’s also a USB-A (3.0) port, which can be used to connect a USB hard drive or other storage device to your network.

Getting the router set up is fairly straightforward when using the Asus Router app for iOS or Android - although it does help if you already understand the basics of Wi-Fi networking. When you first plug it in, the RT-AXE7800 creates a default network, which you can join simply by scanning the QR code printed on the base of the router. 

This default network is unprotected, though, so it’s important to quickly proceed to the next step and create a new network with proper password protection. This is where things get a little more complicated, though.

The apps provided with many routers keep things simple by offering to automatically create a single network that merges the different frequency bands, but may also provide additional options for more advanced users who want greater control over their network. In contrast, the Asus Router app prefers to keep the new 6.0GHz frequency separate at all times, so you only have two options here - you can create three separate networks on the 2.4GHz, 5.0GHz and 6.0GHz bands (ach with its own name and password), or create two networks, with 6.0GHz remaining separate while the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands are merged. 

Seeing all that info thrown onto the screen of your smartphone might be a little daunting for newcomers who don’t know very much about networking. Asus’ skimpy Quickstart guide doesn’t provide much help either, so the Asus Router app could be a little more user-friendly for beginners.

The app does provide some useful features, though. You can monitor the traffic on your network in real-time, and there’s a QoS option - quality of service - that allows you to prioritise specific applications, such as streaming video or gaming, to make sure they get the best performance possible. 

The app also provides some useful parental controls, including the ability to create a schedule for your children’s Internet access, as well as content filters that can block unsuitable material online. And, unlike most of Asus’ rivals, it doesn’t require an additional monthly subscription for these parental controls. It does offer additional security features, provided by Trend Micro, which cost $89.95 per year (approx. £73.77 or AU$134.00), but at least it doesn’t get carried away with the hard-sell here, and the Asus Router app provides all the main features you need without any annoying hidden charges.

And, as you’d expect from a state-of-the-art Wi-Fi 6E router, the Asus RT-AXE7800 provides impressive performance. Devices that are located in the same room as our old Wi-Fi 5 router can achieve speeds of 150Mbps on the Ookla speedtest, and 19MB/s for Steam downloads. Those are the best speeds supported by our office broadband, and with the RT-AXE7800 connected to our old router it didn’t make any real difference for devices in that same room. 

However, we also have an office at the back of the building that our old router can’t reach, which forces us to use a set of PowerLine adaptors to provide wired connections in that office. That’s where the RT-AXE7800 made a difference, as it was easily able to extend its high-speed Wi-Fi into the back office, maintaining our top speeds of 100Mbps and 19MB/s for the Ookla and Steam tests with no trouble at all. 

It’s worth noting, though, that those speeds were achieved using the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands only. We haven’t yet been able to find a laptop that supports Wi-Fi 6E during testing in order to test the new 6.0GHz band properly, so the jury is still out on the performance of Wi-Fi 6E. 

But, if you’re lucky enough to have a brand new laptop or mobile device that does support Wi-Fi 6E, then the RT-AXE7800 provides an impressive Wi-Fi upgrade at a competitive price.

Asus RT-AXE7800: Price & availability

• How much does it cost?  $329.99 / £249.99 (about AU$485) 
• When is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia

The blazing 11Gbps speed of the Rapture RT-AXE1100 cost a pretty penny, weighing in at around $550, but the Asus RT-AXE7800 is a much more affordable proposition, costing $329.99 / £249.99 (about AU$485) while still offering seriously fast Wi-Fi running at 7.8Gbps. 

That’s a really good price for such a fast router - especially one that supports the latest Wi-Fi 6E technology. The RT-AXE7800 is available directly from Asus and other online retailers in the US and UK. It’s also been announced as a new product on Asus’ website in Australia, but hasn’t yet gone on sale, and the price has yet to be confirmed.

• Value: 5 / 5

Asus RT-AXE7800: Specs

Should you buy the Asus RT-AXE7800?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Asus RT-AXE7800: Also consider

How we tested the Asus RT-AXE7800

We pride ourselves on our independence and our rigorous review-testing process, offering up long-term attention to the products we review and making sure our reviews are updated and maintained - regardless of when a device was released, if you can still buy it, it's on our radar.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed January 2023

Asus RoG Rapture GT6: Two-minute review

There are quite a few high-speed routers that are designed specifically for gamers who need lightning-fast response times for their online action, but there aren’t many options on the best mesh Wi-Fi system lists that are able to combine top-of-the-range gaming performance with the wide coverage area required for larger homes.

The Asus RoG Rapture GT6, which is part of the manufacturer’s Republic Of Gamers (RoG) specialist brand, isn’t the first such mesh system that I’ve come across, but it’s certainly the fastest, providing tri-band Wi-Fi 6 with a top-speed of 10Gbps that should satisfy even the most demanding gamers. 

The mesh network features of the two-pack system that I reviewed here should also be able to cover large homes of up to 5,800 sq.ft in size (or six or more bedrooms, according to Asus). And, if you need the best gaming router that will meet your lofty coverage needs, it’s hard to beat.

The Asus RoG Rapture GT6 certainly doesn’t look like a conventional router - in fact, the two routers look more like small thermo-nuclear devices waiting for Bruce Willis to come along and disarm them (it’s the blue wire - it’s always the blue wire!). In fact, the sturdy and chunky routers are so solidly-built, they each weigh in at around 0.9kg (1.98lbs) each.

The routers are available in either black or white - although, just for the lolz, Asus sent us one of each - with a sharply angular hexagonal shape, and an assortment of garish logos and slogans carved into the plastic panelling that exhort you to annihilate your online enemies with extreme prejudice. 

Most gaming routers have an intimidating array of external antennae that are designed to boost transmission of the Wi-Fi signal (and also to look as scary as possible). However, the chunky design of the GT6 manages to hide no less than nine separate antennae inside the body of each router. 

These are also angled to point in different directions in order to spread the Wi-Fi signal as far and wide as possible. And, of course, like all good gaming gear, the GT6 routers include a number of fancy lighting effects that can be selected from within the Asus app and beamed through the large RoG logo on the front of each router.

The Asus RoG Rapture GT6 isn’t taking any prisoners. It provides tri-band Wi-Fi 6 transmitting on the 2.4GHz as well as two separate 5.0GHz frequency bands with a maximum speed of 10Gbps. That should be fast enough even for hardcore gamers, and the use of tri-band Wi-Fi is always a good option for gaming as it allows you to reserve one of the 5.0GHz bands to your gaming rig while everyone else has to jostle for space on the other two bands.

Wired networking is also top-of-the-range, with a 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port provided for high-speed Internet connections and three Gigabit Ethernet ports for wired networking. You can also combine - or ‘aggregate’ - two of these Ethernet ports to provide a 2Gbps Ethernet connection for your gaming PC or console. A USB-A (3.2) port is also provided so that you can port a USB storage device and share it with other people on your home network.

Despite its plethora of features, the Asus RoG Rapture GT6 is quite straightforward and easy to set up. One of the routers actually has a label that says - “I’m the main router - start here!” - along with a QR code for downloading the Asus Router app for iOS or Android. The app then lets you scan another QR code in order to automatically connect to the GT6’s Wi-Fi network, and also prompts you to create a new name and password for the network for additional security. 

For convenience, you have the option of merging the three frequency bands into a single network, but there’s also a choice to create three separate networks - which, as mentioned, will allow gamers to devote one of the 5GHz bands just to their gaming activities. Once the first router has been set up, the app also looks around to detect the second router - which it calls a ‘node’ - and automatically links the two routers together in order to create a wide-reaching mesh network. 

The app provides a good range of basic features for home users, such as network monitoring and diagnostics, and parental controls to protect young children online. For more advanced users, the GT6 also lets you open up a web browser interface that gives access to additional features, such as the ability to designate one of the Ethernet ports as the main ‘gaming port’ so that it gets priority for maximum performance and bandwidth.

To be honest, I was almost embarrassed to connect the Asus RoG Rapture GT6 to our humble broadband connection. However, I do have an office at the back of the building that is an ideal candidate for a high-speed mesh upgrade, as the Wi-Fi in that part of the building is very unreliable. With that in mind, I connected the first GT6 router to our normal router, and then placed the second router about halfway along the corridor leading to that office.

Computers and other devices located in the same room as our normal router generally manage to get the most of our 150Mbs broadband, achieving 150Mbps on the Ookla speed test and 19MB/s when downloading games from Steam. As expected, the GT6 simply maintained those speeds for devices in the same room, so the next step was to carry our laptop into that back office to repeat those tests. 

At this point, the GT6 simply shrugged and rolled its eyes at me, effortlessly maintaining rock-steady speeds of 150Mbps on Ookla and 19MB/s on Steam on all three frequency bands, with the routers’ smouldering red lights glaring at me the whole time as if to show their contempt for our feeble office broadband.

Asus RoG Rapture GT6: Price & availability

• How much does it cost?  $599.99 / £549.99 (about AU$900) 
• When is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available in the US and the UK  (Australia TBC) 

If your home has that many bedrooms then you’re probably not too worried about the cost of the Asus RoG Rapture GT6. Even so, that sort of performance and wide-ranging mesh Wi-Fi doesn’t come cheap. 

You can’t buy the GT6 direct from Asus so you’ll have to shop around to find the best prices, but the two-pack that I reviewed here typically costs $599.99 in the US, or £549.99 in the UK. It hadn’t gone on sale in Australia at the time of this review, but those prices are equivalent to approximately AU$900. 

We also noticed that it is possible for customers in the UK to buy a single GT6 router on its own, for £297.08. This option doesn’t currently seem to be available in other regions.

• Value: 4 / 5 

Asus RoG Rapture GT6: Specs

Should you buy the Asus RoG Rapture GT6?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Asus RoG Rapture GT6: Also consider

How I tested the Asus RoG Rapture GT6

• Tested it full-time for 3-4 days
• Used the Ookla Speed Test app and by downloading large game files from Steam

The Rapture GT6 is a mesh networking system that includes two routers. I connected the first router to our existing broadband router, and placed the second router in a hallway close to the Wi-Fi deadspot in our back office. I then used it as our main router, full-time for 3-4 days.

For general Wi-Fi performance we used the Ookla Speed Test app. I also tested real-world download speed by downloading large game files from Steam.

We pride ourselves on our independence and our rigorous review-testing process, offering up long-term attention to the products we review and making sure our reviews are updated and maintained - regardless of when a device was released, if you can still buy it, it's on our radar.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed July 2023

Netgear Orbi RBK763: Two-minute review

Netgear’s Orbi range of mesh Wi-Fi systems has proven very popular in recent years - so much so that there’s now a somewhat confusing array of almost 30 different models currently listed on Netgear’s website. 

It even introduced a new model called the RBK960, one of the best mesh Wi-Fi systems on the market, a few months ago that adopted the state-of-the-art Wi-Fi 6E standard, which adds a new 6.0GHz frequency band to the conventional 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands used by Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6. That high-end technology comes with a high-end price, though, with the RBK960 costing almost $1,500 / £1,500 / AU$2,800. 

Thankfully, the new Netgear Orbi RBK763 provides a slightly more affordable alternative that sticks with conventional Wi-Fi 6 while offering tri-band Wi-Fi with a top speed of 5.4Gbps, which should be more than fast enough for most home broadband services and even hardcore gamers. And, like all the Orbi mesh systems, it’s easy to set up and use, making it one of the best Wi-Fi 6 routers for users who aren’t necessarily network savvy. 

You do need to think carefully about whether or not you want to sign up for the additional subscription services that Netgear will try to sell you, however.

Most mesh systems consist of two or three identical routers, but the Orbi range has always taken a slightly different approach, with one primary router that is accompanied by one or two ‘satellite’ units. But, at first glance, the router and satellites do look virtually identical, sticking with the same distinctive, upright design used by all the other Orbi models, with the six Wi-Fi antennae tucked inside the body of each unit in order to maintain its smart, slimline design.

The only real difference is that the primary router has four Gigabit Ethernet ports, with one used to connect it to your existing broadband router, while the other three can be used to provide a wired connection for devices such as a laptop or games console. The satellite units simply have two Gigabit Ethernet ports each for wired connections.

Getting started is very straightforward - if a little slow. You can simply connect the primary router to your existing broadband router and then place the two satellites in other areas within your home in order to provide good Wi-Fi coverage throughout the building. It does take the Orbi units a few minutes to warm up when you plug them in, so you have time to go and boil the kettle and rustle up some lunch while you’re waiting. But, once that’s done, you can simply use the Orbi app for iOS and Android to scan a QR code that automatically connects you to your new Orbi network.

The app allows you to stick with the Orbi’s default network name and password, or to change them and provide your own log-in details if you prefer. It then sets up the new network for you, creating a single network that merges the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands - and then promptly proceeds to try and sell you the aforementioned selection of subscription services.

To be fair, you can decide for yourself whether you want the Armor security or ProSupport warranty, but it’s disappointing that this expensive mesh system charges extra for parental controls when there are rival routers and mesh systems that provide good parental controls free of charge.

Netgear’s hardsell is disappointing, but the Netgear Orbi RBK763 delivers the goods with its strong Wi-Fi performance. As you might expect, devices in the same room as the Orbi router and our normal broadband router simply recorded their usual Wi-Fi speeds of 100Mbps for the Ookla Speed Test, and 12.5MB/s for Steam downloads. 

However, we also placed one of the Orbi satellites in a back office that our normal router can’t reach, and where our office computers have to rely on PowerLine adaptors to provide a wired connection instead. The other Orbi satellite was then placed in a hallway, roughly halfway between the primary router and the satellite in the back office. With that set-up in place, we were able to pick up our laptop and wander into the back office, maintaining full speed for Ookla and Steam with no trouble at all. 

And, out of curiosity, we also ran those tests without using the second satellite in the hallway. Even with just the main router and one satellite, the Orbi was still able to maintain those speeds consistently, suggesting that the less expensive two-piece RBK762 kit would also be a good option for many small and medium size homes.

Netgear Orbi RBK763: Price & availability

• How much does it cost? $699.99 / £605.38 (three-packed as reviewed)
• When is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available in the US and the UK only

Netgear’s Orbi mesh systems always provide good performance and ease of use, but they don’t come cheap. Prices for the RBK760 series start at $499.99 / £461.51 for a two-piece system (model RBK762) that consists of a primary router and one satellite, and is capable of covering areas of up to 5,000 sq.ft. 

However, we reviewed the three-pack option, the Netgear Orbi RBK763, with a router and two satellites, which covers up to 7,000 sq.ft for $699.99 / £605.38. Customers who live in the US can also opt for a four-pack, with a router and three satellites, covering 10,000 sq.ft for $849.99, although that option isn’t currently available in the UK. The Orbi 760 series hasn’t yet reached the Asia-Pacific region, so none of these models is currently available in Australia.

And, as mentioned, Netgear will also do its darndest to sell you additional subscription services too. The price of the RBK763 does at least include a 12-month subscription to Netgear’s Armor security service, but after that first year the service costs an additional $99.99 per year (approx. £82 or AU$160). 

You also get a 30-day trial of Netgear’s Smart Parental Control service, after which it costs $7.99 per month (approx. £6.50 or AU$13) or $69.99 per year (approx. £57.50 or AU$112). And, last but not least, there’s the ProSupport extended warranty, which starts at $19.99 (approx. £16.40 or AU$32) for an extra 2-year warranty or $49.99 (approx. £41.00 or AU$80) with 24/7 technical support.

•  Value: 3.5 / 5

Netgear Orbi RBK763: Specs

Should you buy the Netgear Orbi RBK763?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Netgear Orbi RBK763: Also consider

How I tested the Netgear Orbi RBK763

• Used it for 3-4 days
• Used it for my main office Wi-Fi network
• Tested it with the Ookla Speed Test and real-world downloads

I set up the Netgear Orbi RBK763 and used it for my main office Wi-Fi network, full-time for 3-4 days. For general Wi-Fi performance, I used the Ookla Speed Test app in different locations throughout the building. I also tested real-world download speed by downloading large game files from Steam.

We pride ourselves on our independence and our rigorous review-testing process, offering up long-term attention to the products we review and making sure our reviews are updated and maintained - regardless of when a device was released, if you can still buy it, it's on our radar.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed June 2023

For every small business, the importance of securing data is paramount. However, as small businesses expand their digital operations, they’re increasingly exposed to data breaches, data loss and cyberattacks.

Loss of critical information – whether through accident or theft – can cripple a business overnight. To address the threats, robust cybersecurity, data protection and backup measures are vital to safeguard business information and systems, ensure business continuity and maintain customer trust.

A comprehensive approach is needed and Dell Technologies offers a suite of professional services and technology to protect Australian businesses.

Dell Technologies delivers data security for small business

Evolving cybersecurity threats have put a greater focus on data security and the risks are not just contained to enterprises. Data protection needs to be an essential part of a risk management strategy for small businesses.

Responding to the changing threat landscape and protecting sensitive information requires an experienced, trusted partner like Dell that can provide modern security solutions.

Dell Trusted Devices is the foundation of data security, offering in-built protection of devices with security software and services such as protection for login credentials and features like SafeID.

SafeID is a Dell-exclusive dedicated security chip that isolates and processes advanced authentication information to protect multi-factor authentication.

Trusted Platform Module (TPM) is a feature that raises the security settings. Using a specialised security chip in Dell commercial PCs, it stores platform certificates or encryption keys for the TPM.

Disaster recovery: How to protect against data loss with Dell Technologies

In the case of an attack or breach, if disaster strikes, small businesses need to maintain business continuity, while avoiding loss of revenue and ensuring ongoing productivity. For too long, however, small businesses have faced the challenge of achieving cost-effective disaster recovery and avoiding spending vast sums of money on hardware and software solutions with little ROI to show for it. Small businesses have had few options for reducing storage and hardware costs or minimising bandwidth for backup windows.

Dell Technologies offers small businesses simple, secure and economical disaster recovery solutions that support on-premises and cloud options along with orchestration and automation of disaster recovery testing, failover and failback. Businesses can safeguard production environments without the expense and management of replicating workloads to a secondary storage site.

Dell Technologies is a global leader in data protection technology, with solutions to suit the needs of small businesses across the board.

Dell Cloud Disaster Recovery solutions enable businesses to orchestrate and automate disaster recovery testing, recovery failover and failback to and from the cloud if disaster strikes.

Dell PowerProtect Cyber Recovery offers protection against cyberattacks with automated end-to-end workflows to protect critical data, identify suspicious activity and perform recovery after an attack.

Software, hardware and procedures enable small businesses to quickly recover from an attack, and as a complement to disaster recovery strategies, Dell PowerProtect Cyber Recovery offers vault protections to isolate and protect critical data from potential malicious insider attacks.

PowerProtect Cyber Recovery also provides scheduled security analytics with AI-powered adaptive analytics framework to stay ahead of evolving threats. Businesses will also benefit from recovery and remediation tools that bring critical business systems back online as part of existing disaster recovery procedures.

Damage assessments and forensics recover systems or remediate and remove offending malware. There’s also the option to utilise Dell Technologies planning and design services that help determine which business-critical systems to protect with Cyber Recovery capabilities.

Dell Technologies business resiliency services: Non-stop protection for non-stop digital businesses

Dell Technologies wants to help small businesses achieve resiliency for your non-stop digital business. This means protecting data for application-centric operating models, reducing planned and unplanned downtime, ensuring application continuity and recovering from a cyber attack.

A robust resiliency strategy is a must in order to minimise business risks and costly outages. Dell Technologies offers industry best practices to optimise small business resiliency strategies for your unique needs.

To achieve a highly resilient business, Dell Technologies focuses on three critical components to help achieve a highly resilient business:

Enable recovery from a destructive cyber attack

Every small business needs a well-designed strategy to respond quickly if an incident such as a breach, outage or attack occurs. Dell Technologies offers a holistic approach needs that includes a recovery vault, processes focused on recovery and support to continually test and improve processes.

Optimise data protection infrastructure and operations

Sensitive business information needs to be protected across the operating environments. Dell Technologies specialises in strategic design insights, ability to recover critical applications and expertise to design and implement a robust solution.

Ensure application availability amidst an outage

A small business needs a recovery plan to respond to planned and unplanned downtime. Dell solutions enable grouping applications for recovery based on business priority and supports operations across on-premises and cloud-based workloads.

Let Dell Technologies be your partner to protect your small business

Technology plays a critical role in your business, and selecting the right security, backup and recovery is vital to protect sensitive, valuable business information.

Dell Technologies servers and PCs are designed to be cyber-resilient and come with built-in security programs that can be easily automated and work hand-in-glove with Dell Technologies resiliency services to provide a full suite of small business data protection.

This article is part of a series on servers for small Australian businesses, brought to you in partnership with Dell Australia. Find out more about whether it’s time for your business to adopt a server, plus Dell’s range of systems.

Suffering small business growing pains? A dedicated server could be the answer

What’s the best way to safely share data inside your small business?

Get your small business server up and running with the right tools

Need a server for your small business, but don’t know where to start?

Eero 6+: Two-minute review

The original Eero 6 was the first Eero mesh Wi-Fi system to support Wi-Fi 6, and while it wasn’t particularly fast it did provide an affordable and easy-to-use upgrade for people who wanted to replace an older Wi-Fi 5 router. That was a couple of years ago, though, and the modest 1.8Gbps speed of the Eero 6 is looking a bit doddery now - especially when compared with newer models, such as the recently launched Eero Pro 6E that now supports the latest Wi-Fi 6E technology.

With that in mind, Eero - which is owned by Amazon - has just released the updated Eero 6+. This sticks with dual-band Wi-Fi 6, but its top speed of 3.0Gbps makes it almost twice as fast as its predecessor. It also includes new features, such as some additional Ethernet ports to provide wired network connections and support for the latest smart-home technologies.

The Eero 6+ sticks with the now-familiar design used across the entire Eero range, with each of its three routers consisting of a compact, gleaming white pod that measures just 66mm high, 97mm wide and 99.4mm deep. They’re sturdily built, though, and that compact design makes it easy to place each router on any nearby table or shelf when you’re setting them up.

The original Eero 6 consisted of a primary router - called the ‘gateway’ - and two ‘extender’ units that needed to be set up in a particular order. However, the Eero 6+ simply includes three identical routers, which can be placed wherever you want during the initial set-up process (as long as one of the Eero routers is connected to your existing broadband modem or router).

All three routers also include two Gigabit Ethernet ports so you have more options for providing wired connections for a gaming console, smart TV or other wired devices.

As mentioned, the Eero 6 is almost twice as fast as its predecessor - yet Amazon/Eero seems oddly reluctant to make any claims about its speed at all. The company bends over backwards to avoid mentioning the speed of the Eero 6+, saying only that it’s suitable for home broadband services with speeds of ‘up to one gigabit per second’ (Gbps). That’s not very helpful, as it’s referring to the speed of your existing Internet connection, rather than the speed of the Eero routers themselves. But, buried in the depths of the Eero website is a comparison table that gives the Eero 6+ a rating of ‘AX3000’ - which means Wi-Fi 6 (aka 802.11ax) running at 3000Mbps (3.0Gbps).

Along with the improved speed and the additional Ethernet ports, the Eero 6+ also provides support for Bluetooth Low Energy 5.0 and a new low-power wireless technology called Thread. It might not be a well-known name just yet, but Thread is being adopted by many new smart devices, such as lights and security sensors, so the Eero 6+ is well-equipped to work with the latest generation of smart home devices.

And, like all Eero devices, the Eero 6+ is very easy to set up and use. The Eero app for iOS and Android initially uses Bluetooth to connect to the Eero routers, and guides you through the process of setting up your new Wi-Fi network in just a few minutes. However, the simplicity of the Eero app does mean that it’s rather basic when compared to some of its rivals.

The Eero 6+ is a dual-band mesh system that can transmit data on the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz frequency bands, but the Eero app simply merges those two bands into a single network and relies on the routers to automatically provide the fastest connection for your computers and mobile devices as they join the new network. That does keep things simple for home users who may not have too much network know-how, but more advanced users may prefer an app that provides greater detail and control when setting up their new network.

It’s not exactly overflowing with additional features either. You can create profiles for individual users - such as young children - but if you want content filters that can block unsuitable material and dodgy websites then you’ll have to sign up for the additional Eero Plus security service.

You do get a 30-day free trial for Eero Plus included with the Eero routers, but after that, you’ll need to pay £9.99/$9.99 per month, or £99.99/$99.99 annually to continue to use the service. It’s also frustrating to find that several other features, such as the ability to block online ads and certain applications, also prompt you to sign up for this subscription service too. There are rival routers that provide better parental controls without any additional charges, so parents of young children might want to shop around to see what’s available elsewhere.

It may be a little light on features, but I didn’t have any complaints about the performance of the Eero 6+. As always, I test mesh systems such as this by setting them up with the first Eero router connected to my normal router (provided by my ISP) and then placing the second Eero router in an office at the back of the building that always suffers from poor Wi-Fi reception. The third Eero router was located - as advised by the Eero app - in a hallway that is roughly halfway between the other two routers.

As I expected, nearby devices in the same room as the first Eero router simply recorded their usual speeds of 150Mbps for the Ookla Speed Test and 19MB/s for Steam downloads, which are the maximum speeds supported by my office broadband connection. Those speeds did dip a little as I picked up my laptop and wandered along the hallway to the back office. However, it only took around 30 seconds for the Eero routers to adjust to the laptop’s new location and then I watched as the Wi-Fi speed smoothly climbed back up to top speed for both tests, reaching 150Mbps for Ookla and 19MB/s for Steam once more.

Eero 6+: Price & availability

• How much does it cost? From $139.99 / £139.99 / AU$249.99
• When is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia

It may not be the fastest Wi-Fi 6 mesh system we’ve seen, but the Eero 6+ is competitively priced - especially for larger homes that need the top-of-the-range three-pack system that we review here. That’s not the only option that’s available, though, as you can buy a single Eero 6+ router on its own for $139.99 / £139.99 / AU$249.99.

A single router can cover areas of up to 1,500 sq. ft which should be suitable for most homes with just one or two bedrooms. Customers in the US can also purchase a two-pack mesh system that covers 3,000 sq. ft for $239.99 - although that option doesn’t seem to be available outside the US at the moment.

The three-pack mesh system that we tested is designed for larger homes of up to 4,500 sq. ft and costs $399.99 / £299.99 / AU$599.99. That’s only slightly more expensive than the original Eero 6, which is still on sale, and only offers speeds of up to 1.8Gbps (and also looks virtually identical, so take care to choose the correct model).

If you want something faster then Asus’ ZenWiFi XT9 is more than twice as fast as the Eero 6+, with a top speed of 7.8Gbps. The XT9 is considerably more expensive, though, starting at $499.99 / £459.99 (about AU$750) for a two-piece mesh system.

• Value: 4 / 5

Eero 6+: Specs

Should you buy the Eero 6+?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Eero 6+: Also consider

How I tested the Eero 6+

• Used it for 3-4 days
• Used it for my main office Wi-Fi network
• Tested it with the Ookla Speed Test and real-world downloads

I set up the Eero 6+ mesh system and used it for my main office Wi-Fi network, full-time for 3-4 days. For general Wi-Fi performance, I used the Ookla Speed Test app in different locations throughout the building. I also tested real-world download speed by downloading large game files from Steam.

We pride ourselves on our independence and our rigorous review-testing process, offering up long-term attention to the products we review and making sure our reviews are updated and maintained - regardless of when a device was released, if you can still buy it, it's on our radar.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed April 2023

One-minute review

The TP-Link Tapo P125M is tiny, cheap and not especially eye-catching. However, those features pale into insignificance when you consider that it will help turn that dumb device of yours into a smart one.

Whether it's a light that you want to turn on using Alexa or Siri, or an electric kettle you want to set to come on at the point your eyes open of a morning, it can add a level of functionality to those devices, and more, so you don't have to discard them for a smart version. Instead, you can spend from $19.99 / £16.77 / AU$30.40 on the TP-Link Tapo P125M from Amazon. Considering that the Philips Hue Smart Plug doesn't seem to be Matter-certified and sells for $34.99 / £29.99 / AU$69.95, the Tapo P125M offers a pretty good deal, whether you're comparing it to other smart plugs or against the possibility of buying a whole new smart device.

Investing in this smart plug is also more environmentally friendly than tossing out a perfectly good, if somewhat obsolete, device. Although, if you really do want to upgrade (and likely benefit from more nuanced smart functionality), then consider investing in one of the best smart gadgets or best smart lights.

Of course, as Matter-certified devices are just starting to appear in the wild, this smart plug is currently only available in the US. However, in time it will be available worldwide.

The TP-Link Tapo P125M sports an interesting shape. While its depth of 1.5 inches (3.8cm) is expected – after all, there's plenty happening behind the scenes – it's fairly wide at 2.4 inches (6cm). Its width makes its use on surge protectors and power strips a bit unwieldy, since it will cover outlets on either side. Therefore, it's far better to use the Tapo P125M plugged directly in the wall.

Beyond its shape, the Tapo P125M's only real distinguishing physical characteristics are an LED button on the left side that lights up when on, and a QR code on the right that you can use for easy setup. This is standard on all Matter-certified devices.

Tapo P125M smart plug: specs

• Price: $19.99 / about £16.77 / about AU$30.40
• Wattage: N/A
• Color: White
• Color temperature: N/A
• Lumen output: N/A
• Lifetime: N/A
• Matter compatible? Y
• Works with: HomeKit, Alexa, Google Home, SmartThings

Tapo P125M smart plug review: performance

• Incredibly simple setup and pairing
• Very responsive, no matter how you interact with it
• Using the app delivers flexibility beyond on/off functionality

Getting the TP-Link Tapo P125M set up is incredibly easy. Part of that is due to the standards set out by Matter. All Matter devices come with a QR code that you can scan to get that device working with your smart ecosystem. And, TP-Link not only includes a QR code on the side of the smart plug, but it's also in the box.

The Tapo P125M was easily recognized by both HomeKit and Alexa, with minimal steps to set up. Tapo also has its own app where I was able to quickly get the plug paired in a matter of minutes.

Since the Tapo P125M is a smart plug, it seemingly offers limited functionality, with
much of this revolving around turning it on and off. However, it responded immediately whether I was controlling it in the Alexa app, Tapo app, or via voice command through my Echo Dot, which serves as my Alexa hub.

A quick side note here... although Matter-certified devices are made to be used universally, aka with any ecosystem, you will still need a hub to control it. Since I don't have a device to use as my HomeKit hub (iPhones can no longer function as one), I was limited to seeing if the HomeKit app would recognize the plug.

While this universality is a great development for all smart devices, and I appreciate the ability to control the Tapo P125M through whichever ecosystem I want to use, the real magic happens in the Tapo app.

From here, not only can I control whether a device is on or off, but I can create a schedule for when it's on (you can create a routine in the Alexa app as well), put it on a timer, and set it to "Away" mode. The latter is great for use with a light source, allowing you to turn the item on and off randomly to give the impression that someone is home.

Tapo P125M smart plug review: Should I buy?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Tapo P125M smart plug review: also consider

If you want to make your home more connected, here are a couple of options to consider...

Tapo P125M smart plug review: How I tested

• I used the Tapo P125M for about a week
• I tested its usefulness on a few different devices
• Not only did I test every feature in the app but also tried it with a voice assistant

I lived with the Tapo P125M for about a week, setting it up with the various apps I had on hand, using it with my Amazon Echo Dot, and testing it with a voice assistant. I used it to power a light and a USB hub. And, while testing it, I went through every function of the Tapo app to see what it does and how well it does it.

The Tapo P125M isn't the first smart device I've used. I've owned and used quite a few different smart speakers, have installed a handful of smart lights, and have dealt with stand-alone smart hubs. Having tested numerous products over the past few years, I have an understanding of what to look for, even when it's a new type of device that I haven't reviewed before.

Read more about how we test

Asus RT-AX59U: Two-minute review

The best routers that support the latest Wi-Fi 6E technology are still relatively expensive, but that does mean that the current generation of Wi-Fi 6 routers is coming down in price, with models such as Asus’ new RT-AX59U Extendable router being one of the most affordable that I've seen so far. 

You’re not going to get top-of-the-range performance from a router that comes in at around $150, but the Asus RT-AX59U provides good mid-range performance at a very competitive price. And, like all of the latest Asus routers, it is now described as an ‘extendable’ router – meaning that it can be used with any other Asus router that supports the company’s AiMesh technology to create a more extensive mesh network in the future.

Most Wi-Fi 6 routers are festooned with antennae that are designed to improve the reach of the Wi-Fi signal, but the Asus RT-AX59U has an unusually svelte design, consisting of a slim, upright tower that takes up very little space. It stands just 200mm 131mm wide and only 37.5mm thick and weighs a mere 460g, so you can easily sit it on any convenient shelf when connecting it to your existing broadband modem or router. 

Despite that slimline design, the RT-AX59U manages to squeeze in five internal antennae to help transmit the Wi-Fi signal far and wide. The router’s compact and lightweight design also means that you can easily fix it to a wall if you want - the higher the better to help the signal reach as far as possible - and there’s a wall-mount kit included in the box as well. 

The Asus RT-AX59U is a good mid-range router that offers dual-band Wi-Fi 6 - using the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz frequency bands - with a top speed of 4.2Gbps (although, strictly speaking, it’s 4.177Gbps). And, as mentioned, it also supports Asus’ AiMesh technology, which allows it to work with other Asus routers as part of a wider mesh networking system if you need to upgrade your network in the future.

The router also includes four Gigabit Ethernet interfaces as well - one of which is used to connect it to your existing broadband modem or router, while the other three provide wired networking for devices such as a games console or smart TV that may work better with a wired connection. There are also two USB ports, which will allow you to connect USB storage devices that you can share on your network - although it’s odd that only one of these uses USB 3.2, while the other opts for the aging USB 2.0.

Asus’ Router app makes it easy to get started, as you can simply use the app to scan a QR code on the base of the router and automatically connect to the router’s new network. You’re then prompted to create a new name and password for the network, and I was pleased to see that the app also asks if you want to merge the two 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz frequency bands to create a single network, or if you prefer to create two separate networks instead. 

The app has plenty of other useful features too, including a QoS option - quality of service - that allows you to prioritise specific tasks, such as gaming, so that they get maximum performance. And, unlike many of its rivals, Asus provides free parental controls, with content filters that can protect children by blocking unsuitable online material (whereas some companies require an additional monthly subscription for parental controls). 

My only complaint is that I was unable to find a proper manual on Asus’ website, which might be useful for more advanced users who want greater fine control over their network settings.

You’re not going to get top-of-the-range speed from a low-cost router such as this, but the Asus RT-AX59U proves more than capable of handling anything that our 150Mbps office broadband can throw at it. As I expected, devices in the same room as the RT-AX59U don’t show any major speed improvements, recording 150Mbps on the Ookla speed test and 19MB/s for Steam downloads on both the 2.4GHz and 5.0Ghz bands. 

The real test is our back office at the rear of the building, where I normally rely on PowerLine adaptors to provide a wired connection, as our normal Wi-Fi router can’t quite get a reliable signal into that room. And the RT-AX59U didn’t falter as I wandered along the corridor to the back office with our laptop, and maintained top speeds of 150Mbps for Ookla and 19MB/s for Steam on both frequency bands. 

Dedicated gamers might prefer a more expensive tri-band router that would allow them to devote one of the frequency bands to their gaming rig. But the RT-AX59U will provide a good, affordable upgrade for web browsing, streaming video and other forms of online entertainment.

Asus RT-AX59U: Price & availability

• How much does it cost? £124.99 (approximately US$150/AU$225) 
• When is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia

The Asus RT-AX59U has only recently been launched, and it can’t be bought directly from Asus in the US or Australia, so customers in those regions will need to shop around to buy online. However, Asus’ website in the UK lists the RT-AX59U at a very competitive £124.99 (approximately US$150/AU$225). 

It’s about the same price as the Linksys Hydra 6, but the Hydra 6 isn’t as fast, offering 3.0Gbps compared to 4.2Gbps for the RT-AX59U. Alternatively, if you want something even faster, then Asus’ TUF Gaming router steps up to 5.4Gbps but is quite a bit more expensive at $199.99 / £170 / AU$369. 

That combination of strong performance and competitive price makes the Asus RT-AX59U a good all-around upgrade for anyone that’s still plodding away with an ageing Wi-Fi 5 router.

•  Value: 5 / 5 

Asus RT-AX59U: Specs

Should you buy the Asus RT-AX59U?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Asus RT-AX59U: Also consider

How I tested the Asus RT-AX59U

• Tested it for 3-4 days
• Used it as our main office router
• Used the Ookla Speed Test app

I set up the RT-AX59U and used it as our main office router, full-time for 3-4 days. For general wi-fi performance, I used the Ookla Speed Test app. I also tested real-world download speed by downloading large game files from Steam.

We pride ourselves on our independence and our rigorous review-testing process, offering up long-term attention to the products we review and making sure our reviews are updated and maintained - regardless of when a device was released, if you can still buy it, it's on our radar.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed March 2023

Netgear has revealed its first Wi-Fi 7 router, and while we’ve seen other such models from rival manufacturers, this is different in that it’s actually priced and up for pre-order.

The Netgear Nighthawk RS700 is available to pre-order direct from the company priced at $699.99 (around £575, AU$1,050) – you didn’t think it would be cheap, now, did you? – with routers shipping in Q2 in the US (possibly as early as April).

The Nighthawk RS700 router packs Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) support, meaning you’ll be able to benefit from this next-gen wireless standard – at least in the future (we’ll come back to the ins and outs of that shortly).

Wi-Fi 7 makes some important advancements over Wi-Fi 6 (and 6E), ushering in big leaps in Wi-Fi speeds, lower latency, and improved range. In short, it’s all-around better for performance and reliability (and a lot faster than Wi-Fi 6).

On the technical side, the Nighthawk RS700 is a tri-band router boasting speeds of up to 19Gbps and coverage of 3,500 square feet, supporting up to 200 devices. On top of Wi-Fi 7 for wireless – across 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz bands – Netgear provides four 1Gbps LAN ports, and one 10Gbps LAN port, for wired connections.

The RS700 comes in a tower design that looks pretty smart, we think, and you can also hook up multiple units together if you want to go the mesh network route to cover a really big house with Wi-Fi signal.

Netgear is also implementing a system whereby there isn’t just the option to add a guest network for visitors alongside the main network. You’ll also be able to have a priority network to get the most responsive, fastest connections for gaming devices or streaming. Furthermore, an IoT (Internet of Things) network will be there to silo away your smart home gadgets, keeping them separate in case you’re worried about the security issues bound up with that sort of hardware.

Also worth mentioning on the security front is that included in the price tag is a year of Netgear Armor, the Bitdefender-powered security solution.

Analysis: To future-proof, or, erm, to not

When new technology comes out, it’s inevitably expensive, and that can lead to tricky buying decisions. Do you want to fork out all that cash to get on any particular bandwagon with a new device? With Wi-Fi routers, though, these early adopter decisions are even more complex, because hardware comes out before standards are actually fully in place.

What does that mean? Well, officially Wi-Fi 7 is still just a draft standard, and it won’t be officially set in stone until 2024 (most likely). And that’s precisely why other router makers may have revealed models, but they aren’t available or even priced yet. TP-Link has a fair few Wi-Fi 7 models already unveiled, but they’re all marked as ‘coming soon’ (Asus has a couple, too).

Netgear is the first manufacturer to actually price up and put a Wi-Fi 7 router on sale so you can buy it today – although it won’t ship for at least a month yet, possibly not until June. So, do you really need to pull the trigger and buy right now?

The short answer is: no, probably not. Read on for a more in-depth explanation.

Where's the support?

First off, we should make it clear that there’s nothing wrong with bringing out a Wi-Fi 7 router relatively early, in so much as even though 802.11be remains a draft wireless standard, Wi-Fi 7 is pretty much done and dusted, and won’t be meaningfully changed at this point.

The key point to realize here, though, is an obvious one: you can have a Wi-Fi 7 router, but if your devices don’t support Wi-Fi 7 – your phones, tablets, laptops, and whatever else – then they can’t use this cutting-edge wireless standard. And yep, you guessed it – it’s still so early days for Wi-Fi 7 that barely any devices support it. (The only one we’re aware of so far is the Xiaomi 13 Pro smartphone, although there may be other Chinese handsets that do).

So, a Wi-Fi 7 router is pointless for the vast majority of folks, then? Well, not quite, because it is backward compatible with all your existing devices, and could still run them like a dream (just not at Wi-Fi 7 speeds). What you’re getting with a Wi-Fi 7 router is future-proofing – use it with all your devices now, and eventually, as you buy Wi-Fi 7 hardware, you’ll get the full benefit.

The thinking is that if you need a new router anyway, perhaps because your current model has taken that final trip to silicon heaven, you’re spending money, so why not look to the future?

The problem with the Netgear Nighthawk RS700 is that you’re obviously splashing a lot of cash – $700 is no small expenditure. That’s enough to buy you a PC (a modest desktop, anyway). Is it wise to pay quite such a premium?

Not at this relatively early stage, we’d argue. Even if you need to replace your router, we’d advise at least considering getting a stopgap Wi-Fi 6 model for a relatively affordable outlay. Then sell that second-hand when Wi-Fi 7 fully arrives (and we start to see a meaningful number of devices supporting it), before upgrading to a Wi-Fi 7 router, which by that time will be more reasonably priced.

Still, all that said, if money’s no object, there’s no harm in getting future-proofed at this point in time, and this Netgear router does look pretty tasty.

Devolo WiFi 6 Repeater 5400: Two-minute review

The new Devolo WiFi 6 Repeater 54000 takes a different approach than other devices of its kind. 

A Wi-Fi range extender is an affordable alternative to an expensive mesh Wi-Fi system for many homes that need to improve their Wi-Fi reception. They’re convenient too, as most Wi-Fi range extenders have a compact plug-‘n-play design that allows you to plug them straight into a mains power socket anywhere in your home that needs a bit of a Wi-Fi boost. That was the case with Devolo’s compact and affordable Repeater 3000 - although the company prefers to use the term ‘repeater’ rather than ‘range extender’.

But the new WiFi 6 Repeater 54000 is larger than the Repeater 3000, and it opts for an external power supply, which means that you’ll need to sit it on a desk or shelf rather than just inserting it directly into a power socket. However, the larger design allows the Repeater 5400 to pack in more powerful hardware, stepping up to dual-band Wi-Fi 6 with a top speed of 5.4Gbps. 

It also provides additional features, such as a pair of Gigabit Ethernet ports that can provide wired connections for devices such as a laptop or games console. It’s easy to use too, although Devolo’s Home Network app can be a little awkward at times.

As mentioned, the Devolo WiFi 6 Repeater 54000 steers clear of the traditional plug-n-play design of most range extenders, and its larger size and separate power supply are more suited for use on a desktop, table or shelf. However, the size of the Repeater - 140mm high, 37mm wide, and 115mm deep when standing upright - allows it to house four internal antennae that help to boost the Wi-Fi signal. There’s also a handy LED on the front panel that indicates the strength of the Wi-Fi signal, which can help you when you’re deciding where to place it.

The larger design also means that there’s room on the back panel for two Gigabit Ethernet ports for wired connections (although the Repeater is still using Wi-Fi to connect to your main router, so the connection isn’t completely wired). There’s a small stand built into the base of the Repeater but, if you prefer, you can lay it flat on its side and tuck it out of the way if you’re tight for space.

Getting started is quite straightforward, as Devolo’s Home Network app for iOS/Android guides you through the process quickly and easily. You need to place the Repeater close to your main Wi-Fi router during the initial set-up process, but once that’s done you can move the Repeater to any other room or location where you need to improve the Wi-Fi signal. In general, though, Devolo recommends positioning the Repeater about halfway between your main Wi-Fi router and the room that suffers from poor Wi-Fi, so that the Repeater can still get a good connection to the router.

But, as we’ve seen before, Devolo’s Home Network app for iOS and Android does have some rough edges. By default, the app uses the same Wi-Fi name and password as your existing network. That keeps things simple and allows your computers and other devices to log in to the Repeater’s new network without having to enter a new password. Sometimes, though, it’s useful to change the name and password for the Repeater’s new network - as we wanted to do to isolate the Repeater for our performance tests. The Devolo app does provide an option to enter a new Wi-Fi name and password - yet the app resolutely refused to save the new details that we entered. 

Fortunately, the app also allows you to open a web browser interface, which provides more detailed controls and settings, and this did allow us to make the changes we needed. However, dealing with a browser interface is a more complicated option, and not ideal for less experienced users who may not have too much network knowledge. We’ve experienced similar problems in the past, so Devolo needs to eliminate glitches such as this from the app.

Thankfully, after working through that problem, the Devolo WiFi 6 Repeater 54000 did perform well. Devices close to the Wi-Fi router in our main office can hit 150Mbps on the Ookla speed test and 19MB/s for Steam downloads, but we also have a back office at the end of a corridor that the Wi-Fi can’t quite reach, forcing us to rely on a set of PowerLine adaptors to provide a wired connection. The Repeater 5400 solved that problem with no trouble at all. 

Admittedly, the slower 2.4GHz band did dip slightly - but only to a still very respectable 144Mbs with the Ookla speed test, and 17Mb/s for Steam downloads. And, on the faster 5.0GHz band it bounced right back and hit the maximum speeds of 100Mbps and 19MB/s once more.

Devolo WiFi 6 Repeater 5400: Price & availability

• £129.99 (approx. $160.00/AU$160.00)
• Available in EU, UK (US TBA)
• Currently unavailable in Australia

The higher speed and additional features of the Repeater 5400 mean that it’s more expensive than its smaller sibling, costing £129.99 (about $160 / AU$160). Devolo is based in Germany and tends to launch its products in European markets first, but its popular Magic Mesh systems are available in the US, so we’d expect the Repeater 5400 to reach the US quite soon. 

However, Devolo products aren’t widely available in Australia or the Pacific region at the moment.

• Value: 4 / 5

Devolo WiFi 6 Repeater 5400: Specs

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First reviewed March 2023 

Asus ZenWifi XT9: One-minute review

The latest addition to the range is the new Asus ZenWifi XT9 which, as the name suggests, is a follow-up to the Asus ZenWifi XT8. In truth, this Wi-Fi router is not a massive upgrade, providing tri-band Wi-Fi 6 with a top speed of 7.8Gbps, compared to 6.6Gbps for the XT8. However, this mesh Wi-Fi system has the same range of features - including free parental controls - and admirable ease of use that makes it a good option for larger homes that need fast, reliable Wi-Fi.

Not content with being one of the world’s leading PC manufacturers - with the Republic Of Gamers brand also under its wing - Asus also makes some pretty impressive networking products. Its XT8 mesh system walked off with our Editor’s Choice a couple of years ago, with the top-of-the-range ZenWifi Pro ET12 bringing the state-of-the-art Wi-Fi 6E technology to the range more recently. 

So, does the Asus ZenWifi XT9 maintain the same lofty standards? Read our review of the Wi-Fi 6 router to find out more.

Asus ZenWifi XT9: Price and availability

• How much does it cost? $499.99 / £459.99
• When is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available in the US and the UK

The increased speed of the Asus ZenWifi XT9 does mean that it’s a little more expensive than its predecessor - and we also have to take Asus to task for the slightly misleading information on its website. It shows a picture of a two-piece mesh system, with two identical routers, and states that prices “start at $269.99” (£256.49). 

In fact, that’s the price for a single XT9 router on its own, which can work like a conventional router, covering an area of up to 2,850 sq.ft (or homes with up to four bedrooms). The two-piece mesh system that we review here actually costs $499.99 / £459.99 and is suitable for larger homes up to 5,700 sq.ft (for 6+ bedrooms). 

That’s quite expensive, but still comparable to rival mesh systems that provide this level of performance, and online prices do seem to vary quite a bit, so it’s worth shopping around before buying. It also means that the older XT8 has now been reduced in price, providing a more affordable alternative that will be more than adequate for most domestic broadband services. The Asus ZenWifi XT8 is still the best option for users in Australia too, as the XT9 hasn’t yet been released in that region.

• Value: 4 / 5

Asus ZenWifi XT9: Design

• Smart, compact design, in black or white
• App is very easy to use
• Good parental controls, with no subscription

The Asus ZenWifi XT9 may be a bit pricey, but it works hard to earn its keep. Available in black or white, the two XT9 mesh routers have the same slim, upright design as the older XT8, which allows each router to house six internal antennae to boost transmission of the Wi-Fi signal. And, as mentioned, the mesh Wi-Fi system provides tri-band Wi-Fi 6 that uses 2.4GHz and two 5.0GHz frequency bands. 

To make the most of that performance, the XT9 has a 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet (WAN) port for high-speed broadband connections, along with three Gigabit Ethernet ports to provide wired connections. There’s even a USB-A 3.2 port that allows you to connect a hard drive or other storage device, which can be shared with other people on your network.

Getting started is a piece of cake. The two XT9 routers are identical, but one of them has a label on the front that says - “I’m the main router, so start with me!”. There’s a QR code that lets you download the Asus Router app for iOS and Android, and a second one that prompts the app to link the two XT9 routers together, checks your Internet connection, and connects your iOS or Android device to the new network. 

You do need to create a name (SSID) and password for your new Wi-Fi network, but the app allows you to create a single network that merges the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands for quick and easy set-up. Or you can separate the three bands and set up three networks with their own individual passwords. That will take a little longer, but it’s a useful option if you want to dedicate one of the fast 5.0GHz bands to a device such as a gaming console or PC for maximum performance. For more advanced users, the app also allows you to open up a web browser interface that provides more detailed control over the network settings.

The app provides standard features, such as a guest network and the ability to prioritise applications such as gaming or streaming video for maximum performance. However, we were also pleased to find that it provides good parental controls, including content filters that can block unsuitable material. These filters are free of charge, too - unlike many rival routers that require a monthly subscription fee for parental controls.

• Design: 5 / 5

Asus ZenWifi XT9: Performance

• Fast Wi-Fi 6 performance, with good range
• 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet for high-speed broadband connections
• 3x Gigabit Ethernet for wired connections

The whole point of mesh systems is that they can provide fast Wi-Fi that covers your entire home. 

Our normal router can provide good Wi-Fi performance for computers and other devices that are nearby, reaching 150Mbps on the Ookla speed test, and 19MB/s for Steam downloads. However, our router struggles to reach one office at the back of the building, where the Wi-Fi signal is so unreliable that we rely on PowerLine adaptors to provide a wired connection instead.

With one Asus ZenWifi XT9 connected to our router, and the second located halfway along that corridor, we are able to get smooth, steady speeds of 150Mbps and 19Mb/s for Ookla and Steam once more - even on the slower 2.4GHz band.

• Performance: 5 / 5

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Asus ZenWifi XT9: Report card

• First reviewed February 2023

How I tested the Asus ZenWifi XT9

We pride ourselves on our independence and our rigorous review-testing process, offering up long-term attention to the products we review and making sure our reviews are updated and maintained - regardless of when a device was released, if you can still buy it, it's on our radar.

Read more about how we test

Two-minute review

• Very fast
• Excellent range
• Prosumer and SMB features
• Value depends on local pricing

We were recently blown away by Synology’s push into the Wi-Fi 6 router market. The company's RT6600ax might have looked dull and ugly, but its performance, features and price changed everything. Now Synology is back with the Subaru-sounding WRX560 which offers similar headline specs and features, but in an even-cheaper, more family-friendly package.

Our primary gripe with the RT6600ax was that, for all its slick apps and interfaces, it was still a bit techie for the average Joe. The WRX560 quickly addresses this. Set-up is the simplest we’ve yet seen: the phone app instantly found our device, asked what we wanted to call our Wi-Fi network and asked for a password. Done. It also addresses our secondary gripe with the RT6600ax – the WRX650 looks much better!

The phone app is well-featured, intuitive and fast. The first two of four tabs seamlessly interlink to show you what’s on your network, the bandwidth used, plus you can organise basic QoS priorities and pause each device. You can also easily set up a guest network and give a QR code to visitors to connect to it.

The Safe Access tab addresses our previous issues about managing employees with parental controls. It enables you to very-easily set up extensive access and firewall controls for kids, adults and devices. This involves creating profiles which assign internet access scheduling, time-limits and content filtering for individual (or groups of) devices plus content filtering (including real-time access to online threat intelligence databases) for kids, employees and guests. There are default categories, but they’re all configurable. It’s one of the most well-featured and easy-to-use filters we’ve seen and, unlike rival models, it doesn’t require a subscription. 

The Settings tab provides access to the usual prosumer router settings, but accessing them via the web-browser provides the best experience on the market thanks to the Synology NAS-like GUI. All Synology’s home and SMB add-on packages are available, including advanced VPN, server tools and download managers. The only annoyance is you need to add USB storage to install and use them.

Other features include support for 10 SSIDs to segment devices and people on your network and provide different firewall controls to isolate or combine them. This is great for smart homes, SMBs and home offices where hackable IoT devices can be locked down and not used to access your important and sensitive data. One of the four network ports offers 2.5Gbps for LAN or WAN connections and other Ethernet ports can be combined for load balancing. It’s a fully featured business router if you need it to be.

It also smashed through our performance tests, managing 791.5Mbps up close, 375Mbps two rooms away and an amazing 216.7Mbps down in our longer-distance 'down in the garden' test. The latter rivals top triple-node mesh systems! That’s despite only operating on one 2.4GHz channel and one 5GHz channel.

As such, the combination of price, features, value, ease-of-use all mean this should be on  the shortlist of anyone looking to purchase a Wi-Fi 6 router.

Synology WRX560: Price and availability

• How much does it cost? $220 / £220 / AU$429
• Where is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available in most major markets including the US, UK and Australia

The Synology WRX560 is available now in the US, UK and Australia and is in the process of appearing in other international markets. The performance and features on offer suggest a high retail price but the WRX560 has street pricing of just $220 / £220 / AU$429. This is, frankly, ridiculously low. What’s more, you can connect multiple models together to create an ultimate mesh network and still save a fortune compared to any top-tier mesh system which has comparable performance to this solo device.

It’ main rival is its big brother, the business-designated RT6600ax. They support the same features but, for the RT6600ax's slightly higher price you get an extra, configurable 2.5Gb Ethernet port, a faster processor and more RAM, plus an extra 5GHz channel. We might not have seen these translate to real-world performance gains under general usage, but they should make a difference across a crowded network. So, if you’re managing multiple employees and multiple IoT devices across multiple networks, it’s likely worth paying more for the RT6600ax.

For some, however, the above is fanciful in the first place. At the time of review, we found it was so hard to find the WRX560 in stock, to the point that some stores are were charging a hefty premium for it. Meanwhile, the RT6600ax’s price has started to settle down, meaning both routers can cost the same in some locales!

• Value: 4 / 5

Synology WRX560: Design and features

• Not ugly
• Best access controls on the market
• Packed with professional and prosumer features

Synology’s RT6600ax looked older and dowdier than the very first mass-market wireless routers twenty years ago – which is some achievement. So, we were pleased to see an element of modern design added to the WRX560. Its tower-based chassis, with internal antennae, still can’t compete with glitzy RGB-decorated rivals, but it doesn’t take up much room and won’t blight most living spaces. 

Nonetheless, it’s worth labouring the point that the side-mounted USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 port will be used by many buyers to insert a USB stick and, as you can see from some of the photos in this review, the sight of that protuberance is decidedly not aesthetically pleasing.

Configuration can mostly be done by the well-featured, intuitively laid-out DS Router mobile app. This tells you what’s on your network and the resources that each device is utilising. You can assign High Priority or Low Priority status to devices, pause internet access or even block devices from connecting. You can easily provide access to a core network or a guest network via a QR code.

The Safe Access tab provides the best parental/access controls we’ve seen on any device – and unlike many competitors, they’re entirely free. Everything is based around profiles which are highly configurable and very intuitive to use. The starting point is whether you’re dealing with a child, adult or entire local network.

For specific kids (or kids in general), you can simply choose which connected devices they use, add a name (and optional photo) and then set-up an internet-access schedule and/or a metered time quota. You can also assign (customisable) web filters appropriate to their age. While these are always fallible and should never be wholly relied upon, you can easily block numerous curated categories of content or specific websites. You can also enforce whitelist-only policies for approved websites and can force Safe Search on YouTube and major search engines. If someone wants access to a proscribed website, an admin is immediately notified via the app and can approve or deny the request.

Access control for regular users much is the same, but the content filter is turned off by default. Nonetheless, you can easily apply customisable settings presets for employees and guests. Reports and alerts are available for you to identify problematic behaviour and attempts at illicit activity.

You can also enforce general settings across all devices on local networks and you can configure up to 10 separate SSIDs. 

The latter enables you to segment different people and devices across separate networks according to different firewall requirements. For instance, kids might get put on a kids’ network that is separate from a home office network – but you can still provide access to the home-office printer. Employees can be barred from your home server, smart speakers, media streamers and TVs. Meanwhile, IoT devices can be isolated so that, for instance, a security camera’s bi-directional stream can be rendered accessible in one direction only. Consequently, if compromised, it can’t be used to attack your network.

Also available is Synology’s QuickConnect system, whereby you can quickly access your router's settings and apps over the internet, wherever you are in the world.

Much of this is available on the app, but its worth moving to a web browser for the trickier configurations. As with the RT6600ax, Synology’s popular browser-based, NAS-like Synology Router Manager (SRM) OS is used in the WRX560. This is literally a mouse-and-keyboard-based desktop OS that's presented through your browser, where you can access and install new apps. 

Among these apps are VPN Plus Server, which employees can utilise – licence free – to access your internal network remotely. There’s also Synology WebVPN which allows similar VPN functionality without a VPN connection – just a web browser. There’s also fast, site-to-site VPN tunnelling that’s Microsoft Azure certified, active directory and LDAP support, plus extensive notification and event-logging options.

Other packages include Media Server, RADIUS server, DNS server, additional threat prevention options and the ability to turn USB storage into a bona fide office server. Judging by Synology’s extensive NAS-based DSM community, we expect more apps to appear down the line. But there’s very little you can’t already do here. 

Our only gripe is that new packages require there to be USB storage attached… from the side. We expect most of the target market will, by now, have a spare USB drive or two knocking around, so we’re mainly annoyed about the side-mounted positioning looking bad.

Meanwhile, the four Ethernet ports (one of which is 2.5Gbps) are all configurable for LAN or WAN functionality, load balancing or attaching new nodes. 

Ultimately, the WRX560 can do everything the mighty RT6600ax can do, but with less built-in headroom to expand for growing SMBs.

• Design and features: 5 / 5

Synology WRX560: Performance

• Very fast up close and at distance
• Single 5GHz band provides little headroom

Like the RT6600ax and other top Wi-Fi 6 routers, the WRX560 can access the less-crowded 160MHz spectrum (except in Canada and Australia) and the 5.9GHz channels too. However, we were concerned about its dual-channel nature – there’s just one 2.4GHz channel and one 5GHz channel. Still, the antennae match the RT6600ax, so we were keen to see how it performed.

We ran our usual tests in our single-storey Sydney weatherboard cottage, which involve setting the router up in the middle room, next to our modem and NAS which are both connected by Ethernet. We tested by downloading large files to a Wi-Fi 6 laptop next to the WRX560, in the front room (two rooms away) and 25m away, outside, in the back garden.

Up close it managed a blistering 791.5Mbps, which is in the top five scores we’ve seen. Two rooms away, it managed 375Mbps which is the fastest standalone (non-mesh) score we’ve seen from a non-pimped-out gaming router. Meanwhile, down in the garden, it scored an amazing 216.7Mbps, which rivals top triple-node mesh systems! 

Quite simply, these are among the very best performance and range scores we’ve ever seen from a router. Buying three and using them as a mesh will boost performance further – and often still save you money compared to other premium routers and mesh systems. However, we do worry that if you actually are using the WRX560 for SMB or mesh purposes, that single 5GHz band could get crowded rather easily.

• Performance: 5 / 5

Synology WRX560: report card

Should I buy the Synology WRX560?

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• First reviewed December 2022

How we test

We pride ourselves on our independence and our rigorous review-testing process, offering up long-term attention to the products we review and making sure our reviews are updated and maintained – regardless of when a device was released, if you can still buy it, it's on our radar.

Read more about how we test

Asus Rapture GT-AXE11000: One-minute review

Asus uses its Republic Of Gamers brand (RoG) for its most high-end gaming gear, and you don’t get much more high-end than the Asus Rapture GT-AXE11000 router. While most of us are still wondering whether or not to upgrade to a new router with Wi-Fi 6, this flagship model in the Rapture range was one of the first to bring the even newer Wi-Fi 6E technology to gaming routers. 

Wi-Fi 6E adds another frequency band to the router’s wi-fi networking, allowing the tri-band Rapture to transmit on the new 6.0GHz band, along with the more traditional 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands used by Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6. That allows the Rapture to offer a top speed of 11Gbps, making it one of the fastest Wi-Fi routers we’ve ever seen. 

It also provides a wide range of additional features designed to enhance gaming performance - including, of course, the obligatory flashing lights that serve no purpose apart from telling everyone that you’re a seriously serious gamer.

Asus Rapture GT-AXE11000: Price and availability

• How much does it cost? $549.99 / £479.99
• Where is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available in the US and the UK

State-of-art Wi-Fi doesn’t come cheap, and the Rapture’s tri-band Wi-Fi 6E technology weighs in at a hefty $549.99 for US customers, and £479.99 in the UK. There’s not much to compare it with though, as Wi-Fi 6E routers are still fairly rare - and especially so for high-end gaming routers such as this. However, even mid-range gaming routers with current-generation Wi-Fi 6 technology, such as Netgear’s XR1000, still cost close to $360/£350. 

The Rapture isn’t currently available in Australia, though, which still has to make do with the earlier Wi-Fi 6 model, at around AU$800

• Value: 3 / 5

Asus Rapture GT-AXE11000: Design and features

• Gigabit and 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet connections
• Useful gaming features
• Good parental controls

There’s nothing subtle about the Asus Rapture GT-AXE11000 - in fact, its chunky black design and array of eight bladed antennae make it look like something Darth Vader would fly around in (although even Darth V. would probably think twice about the pulsing, throbbing and twinkling light schemes that you can display on the router’s top panel).

The Rapture also boasts some impressive connectivity features, in addition to its Wi-Fi 6E technology. Tucked around the back of the router you’ll find a conventional Gigabit Ethernet WAN port for connecting to your existing broadband router or modem, along with four Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports to provide wired connections for you computers and other devices. 

However, there’s also a high-speed Ethernet port that supports speeds of up to 2.5Gbps, and can be used as either a WAN port for your Internet connection or a LAN port to provide a super-fast wired connection for your gaming rig. And while some routers provide a USB port for a network drive, the Rapture throws in two USB 3.2 ports so that you have both network storage and a network printer too.

Like other Asus routers, the Rapture allows you to scan a QR code in order to quickly connect to the router’s new network. However, the Rapture is so awash with features that the interface of Asus’ Router app doesn’t fit properly onto the relatively small screen of my iPhone and I find that I have to switch to my larger iPad in order to complete the set-up process. The state-of-the-art Wi-Fi 6E makes things a bit more complicated too, as the Router app creates three separate networks by default - on the 2.4GHz, 5.0 and 6.0GHz bands - and the only other option (which I couldn’t see clearly on my iPhone) is to merge the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands together, leaving the 6.0GHz band as a second network on its own.

Thankfully, things are a little more straightforward after that initial hiccup, and I’m able to complete the set-up on my iPhone again. As you’d expect with a gaming router, the app provides a quality-of-service (QoS) option to prioritise gaming performance, but the Rapture also includes a simple ‘Boost’ button on its front panel that performs a similar function without having to use the app.

Other features included in the Router app include some good parental controls, with filters to block adult content and other types of unsuitable material. There’s also an ‘aura’ feature that lets you control the coloured lights that flash on the top panel of the router. If that’s not enough, then the Asus Rapture GT-AXE11000 also provides an incredibly dense web browser interface - along with a 140-page PDF manual - that will allow you to tweak just about every network setting you can think of.

• Design: 5 / 5

Asus Rapture GT-AXE11000: Performance

• Top-of-the-range Wi-Fi speed
• Good range and reliability
• 6.0GHz band provides future-proofing

With a speed of 11Gbps the Asus Rapture GT-AXE11000's performance isn’t really in doubt, and when used with devices nearby in the same room it simply shrugged and hit the maximum speeds that our broadband service can provide, with 100Mbps on the Ookla speed test and 12.5MB/s for Steam downloads. It hit those speeds on both the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands, but none of our office computers or mobile devices currently support

However, we do have an office at the back of the building where the Wi-Fi signal from our normal broadband router is weak and unreliable, forcing us to rely on PowerLine adaptors to provide a wired connection instead. The Rapture wasn’t phased by this challenge all, though, and its intimidating blade-antennae simply zapped their Wi-Fi signal straight through the walls in order to reach my office iMac, which again recorded the maximum speeds of 100Mbps for Ookla and 12.5MB/s for Steam.

The one caveat here is that none of our office computers or mobile devices currently support Wi-Fi 6E, so we’re not able to fully test the Rapture’s additional 6.0GHz band. There’s certainly a question mark over whether it’s worth spending extra money on a high-end router that provides Wi-Fi 6E performance, when so few devices currently support it. 

But, with new devices, such as the iPhone 14 expected to adopt Wi-Fi 6E in just a few weeks from now, the Asus Rapture GT-AXE11000 will be a good way of future-proofing your gaming set-up for years to come.

• Performance: 5 / 5

Should I buy the Asus Rapture GT-AXE11000?

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Don't buy it if...

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Asus Rapture GT-AXE11000: Report card

• First reviewed December 2022

How we test

We pride ourselves on our independence and our rigorous review-testing process, offering up long-term attention to the products we review and making sure our reviews are updated and maintained - regardless of when a device was released, if you can still buy it, it's on our radar.

Read more about how we test

Devolo WiFi 6 Repeater 3000: One-minute review

A Wi-Fi range extender is a good option if you need to improve the Wi-Fi in just one or two rooms within your home - although Devolo prefers to call them ‘repeaters’ rather than ‘range extenders’. We‘ve always been a fan of Devolo’s Magic products, as they provide both Wi-Fi and PowerLine connectivity that can reach even into the annoying deadspot in the office at the back of our building. 

However, the use of PowerLine technology means that the Magic products can be quite expensive. And, of course, not everyone will need the wired networking features provided by PowerLine either. 

So, to provide a more affordable option, Devolo has now launched the new WiFi 6 Repeater 3000, which is a more conventional range extender (repeater) that omits PowerLine and just concentrates on the Wi-Fi side of things.

As the name suggests, the Devolo WiFi 6 Repeater 3000 supports Wi-Fi 6 with a top speed of 3Gbps, which is actually faster than the more expensive Magic products (it’s actually 2976Mbps, to be precise, but manufacturers always like to round these numbers up with lots of zeros). We’re also pleased to see that Devolo has updated its Home Network app, to make it easier for new users to get started.

Devolo WiFi 6 Repeater 3000: Price and availability

• How much does it cost? £89.99 (approx. $103.00, AU$160.00)
• Where is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available in the UK at the time of writing

Devolo is based in Germany, so the Devolo WiFi 6 Repeater 3000 has initially been launched across Europe, with a UK price of £89.99 (approx. $103.00/AU$160.00). The Magic range is already available from Devolo’s web site in the US, so the new Repeater 3000 should also be available in coming months. 

However, Devolo doesn’t currently operate in Australia or the Asia-Pacific region. There’s also a more expensive model, called the Devolo WiFi 6 Repeater 5400 coming soon, which provides 5.4Gbps speed and two Ethernet ports.

• Value: 4 / 5

Devolo WiFi 6 Repeater 3000: Design

• Plugs directly into mains socket
• Four internal antennae
• No mains pass-through

The Devolo WiFi 6 Repeater 3000 has a fairly conventional design for a range extender, looking like an oversized white plastic plug that you can simply insert into a mains power socket in any room where your Wi-Fi might need a boost. The size of the device is partly due to the fact that it houses four internal antennae to boost the Wi-Fi signal. There’s also an LED status light on the front that monitors the strength of the Wi-Fi signal coming from your main router, so you can use this to help position the Repeater during set-up. 

There’s also one Ethernet port on the base of the Repeater, which can provide a wired connection for a laptop or games console (although the Repeater itself is still connecting to your main router via Wi-Fi, so this Ethernet connection isn’t entirely wireless). It’s a shame, though, that the Repeater doesn’t also include a pass-through socket that would allow you to plug other devices into the mains, so that you don’t lose the use of that power socket. 

We’ve also criticized Devolo’s Home Network app in the past, as it could be confusing and unclear for people who haven’t used a repeater or range extender before, but Devolo has recently redesigned the app to make it a bit easier to use.

You need to start with the Repeater plugged into a power socket close to your own Wi-Fi router, which provides your Internet connection. It initially creates its own Wi-Fi network, and you connect your iOS or Android device to the Repeater so that the app can communicate with the Repeater. The app then asks you to enter the name (SSID) and password for your existing Wi-Fi network so that it can connect the Repeater to your network and continue to use the same login details. This allows your computers and devices to connect to the Repeater using the same Wi-Fi password as before - although you do have the option of giving the Repeater its own name and password later on if you prefer. 

The new app still has a few rough edges, though, as it sometimes told us that it couldn’t detect the Repeater, even though the Repeater had successfully connected to our main Wi-Fi network and - after restarting the Devolo app - seemed to be working perfectly normally. We also had trouble changing the name and password for the Repeater, as the app initially failed to save the new login details, forcing us to unplug and restart the Repeater.

Once that’s done, you simply unplug the Repeater and move it to another location that is about halfway between your main router and the room or area where you need to improve the Wi-Fi signal. This ensures that the Devolo WiFi 6 Repeater 3000 picks up a strong signal from your router and is then able to extend that signal into the rooms that need it.

• Design: 3 / 5

Devolo WiFi 6 Repeater 3000: Performance

• Dual-band Wi-Fi 6, 3Gbps
• Extends existing wi-fi network
• One Ethernet port

When using the Ookla speed test, our normal broadband service provides a consistent 150Mbps download speed for devices that are close to our main router, along with 19MB/s for Steam downloads. But, as mentioned, the router’s Wi-Fi can’t quite reach all the way to our back office, so computers in that room normally have to rely on PowerLine adaptors to provide a wired connection instead. 

So, following Devolo’s recommendations, we plugged the Devolo WiFi 6 Repeater 3000 into a power socket in a hallway that was about halfway between the office and our router. This provided a good Wi-Fi signal for the Repeater, which it then relayed into the back office, maintaining the Ookla test at 150Mbps and Steam at 19MB/s with no trouble at all. 

A single range extender such as this won’t cover your entire home, so owners of larger homes may need to invest in a more expensive mesh networking system. However, if you just need to boost your Wi-Fi in a couple of upstairs bedrooms then the Devolo WiFi 6 Repeater 3000 will work a treat.

• Performance: 4 / 5

Should I buy the Devolo WiFi 6 Repeater 3000?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider

Devolo WiFi 6 Repeater 3000: Report card

• First reviewed December 2022

How we test

We pride ourselves on our independence and our rigorous review-testing process, offering up long-term attention to the products we review and making sure our reviews are updated and maintained - regardless of when a device was released, if you can still buy it, it's on our radar.

Read more about how we test

For large organisations, network complexity can mean IT ends up spending too much time on manual configuration or management, and not enough time taking advantage of the network as an enabler.

A software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN) helps tackle complexity, revolutionising how distributed networks are provisioned and managed. The business benefits can be immediate. 

Network challenges

Organisations now need to be extremely agile to develop the products and services that meet rapidly evolving customer expectations, while at the same time being secure, scalable and meet regulatory requirements.  

To help meet these challenges, enterprises can build ‘best of breed’ systems that combine different applications and services, accessing a mixture of public and private clouds, as well as traditional data centres, connected by different public and private networks. 

In this type of environment, network solutions that are inflexible can hold a business back. 

Running networks over large geographical areas can also be a challenge, with businesses sometimes resorting to “best effort” technologies to connect branch offices, using point-to-point connections to address “last mile” network access challenges outside major population centres.  

As a result businesses can end up with connections that lack flexibility. 

Other challenges such connections present include an inability to define – and guarantee – standard configurations across the network, which can be important for security enforcement or prioritising network traffic based on data types. 

All of this can mean inconsistent application performance at different sites. Business processes, and the security protecting them, have to be adjusted to allow for the differences, which in turn can affect customer experience and business process performance.

How SD-WAN changes the game

SD-WAN offers many operational benefits, including centralised management, end-to-end security, and more real-time traffic visibility. It’s also a digital transformation enabler, being more responsive, flexible and cost-effective than traditional network management¹. Being software controlled means it can also open the door to automated management.

Software-defined networks also centrally control traffic and can use multiple connection types, including public internet and private services.  

Additionally, SD-WAN can be overlaid on existing networks, meaning a migration to more modern infrastructure can be done gradually and with less risk of disruption.  

Reconfiguration is simpler, making it easier to optimise the set-up as requirements change. Adding new sites (including branch offices) and end points to share the existing infrastructure and have consistent configuration is also less complicated. Firewalls, for example, no longer need to be individually configured at each site.

Update and optimise in real time

SD-WAN also provides a lot more flexibility in the way organisations manage business application performance across the network  – a real boost in today’s hybrid work world which increasingly relies on access to cloud-based applications. 

With traditional WAN, certain types of data are tagged to activities and applications and then prioritised as required. But when changes are needed, the prioritisation rules need to be updated on network devices at every location across the business, making changes time-consuming and difficult.  

SD-WAN makes configuration simpler and faster by using centralised data management. Data can be prioritised and then automatically routed using the most effective connection for the application. SD-WAN can also monitor the network for congestion and other issues, steering data away from problems that may slow it down. 

It helps get you the right data in the right place at the right time. 

A platform for innovation

SD-WAN has many inherent advantages, but its performance can be better supported² if it is combined with business-grade network infrastructure and services.

Plans from service providers powered by business nbn® include network features and speeds that can help enable flexibility and agility. These plans can offer a range of business-grade options, including prioritised data over the nbn network, symmetrical upload and download speeds, and enhanced service level agreements between nbn and service providers.*

As part of its mission to build Australia's digital backbone, business nbn's fibre initiative³ also means that more organisations, in more locations around Australia, have the option to get a business-grade Enterprise Ethernet+ service from a service provider that supports and enables their SD-WAN solutions.*

Running SD-WAN over enterprise-grade network infrastructure or services, decision makers can worry less about the “pipes” and instead focus on the business outcomes.

SD-WAN deployments can allow organisations to make better use of existing IT assets by simplifying management and simplifying the migration path for future upgrades. It can also dramatically improve application performance by recognising the importance of data and optimising its passage through the network.

By helping get more out of tech infrastructure, SD-WAN can help businesses focus less on network performance and more on business performance.

• Learn more about how businesses can help strengthen their security posture and continue to innovate and grow

Sources

1. https://www.paconsulting.com/insights/why-sd-wan-is-key-to-digital-transformation-and-agility/
2. https://www.riverbed.com/blogs/how-sd-wan-improves-cloud-application-performance.html
3. https://www.nbnco.com.au/corporate-information/about-nbn-co/corporate-plan/business-fibre-initiative

Disclaimers

* Your experience, including the speeds actually achieved over the nbn network, depends on the nbn access network technology and configuration over which services are delivered to your premises, whether you are using the internet during the busy period, and some factors outside nbn’s control (like your equipment quality, software, broadband plan, signal reception and how your service provider designs its network). For business nbn Enterprise Ethernet, if your provider has not selected Class of Service – High, the speeds you experience may be affected by contention on the nbn network, particularly in busy periods.

+ Business nbn Enterprise Ethernet is only available in the business nbn fibre zones, nbn Fixed Line network footprint and at limited premises served by the nbn Fixed Wireless and Satellite networks.

Asus ZenWiFi Pro XT12: Two-minute review

There are full PC systems that are smaller than Asus’ ZenWiFi Pro XT12 nodes. These twin towers are packed with powerful components and a channelled-air cooling system that’s partnered with beefy heatsinks. The idea is to create an overpowered Wi-Fi 6 mesh (with a dedicated backhaul channel between nodes) that’s robust enough for SMBs and demanding prosumers. 

First: performance. It utilises a 2.4GHz band and two 5GHz bands for a theoretical maximum throughput of 11,000Mbps. You can set which band acts as a dedicated backhaul link between the nodes or leave it (as we did) set on Auto. Past experience tells us that dedicated backhaul links make mesh Wi-Fi much faster. You can also use Ethernet to create the backhaul and free up one of the 5GHz bands.

We ran our usual tests from a Sydney weatherboard cottage. This involved setting the first node up in the middle room, next to the modem, and the secondary node two rooms away at the front of the house. We tested next to both nodes and 25m away in the back garden. Up close it scored 627Mbps, which is fast but still 100Mbps slower than other top Wi-Fi 6 rivals. Next to the secondary node, it scored 609Mbps – just a 3% drop-off and the fastest speed we’ve ever seen from a secondary node! Outside, at the bottom of the garden, however, this dropped to 46.6Mbps, which is still very respectable for a standalone router, but it’s beaten by mesh kits with a third node.

The 2GHz quad-core processor, 10 antennae and internal smarts are able to handle multiple, demanding and concurrent device connections much more robustly than equivalent consumer routers.

Other notable performance-related features include each node having a 2.5GbE WAN port, a 2.5GbE LAN port and two 1GbE LAN ports which can be aggregated for 2GbE. This will please people wanting to connect NAS boxes and such like. 

Both towers look impressive with their unique design and glowing graphics. Setup is simple via the app, which is intuitive and offers excellent monitoring and management tools, including powerful QoS options and a useful Insight tab that offers advice regarding configuration. The app also enables you to access everything remotely. Power users and sysadmins will warm to the extensive features accessed via a desktop browser which are also fast to access.

Meanwhile, Asus’ AiProtection Pro (powered by Trend Micro) offers Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) security, WPA3, real-time malware blocking and the usual parental/user controls. Regularly updated lifetime protection is included. Users can also access a separate Instant Guard app to filter traffic via the router, for security, when browsing using public hotspots.

Other SMB-friendly features include using up to 12 separate SSIDs to segregate users, although the firewall access control used to manage these separate networks is rather basic. There’s also a built-in VPN server, the ability to block protocols like BitTorrent and Target Wake Time which enables networked devices to power-down and save electricity when not being used. Plus, it’s compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant.

Ultimately, all of the SMB boxes are ticked, but even though significant tinkering can be done under the hood, some power users and system admins will want more before they let it take charge of their business’ Wi-Fi.

Asus ZenWiFi Pro XT12: Price & availability

• Retails for $800 / £699 / AU$1,499
• Available now

The Asus ZenWiFi Pro XT12 is available now in most major markets and costs a whopping $800 / £699 / AU$1,499. This makes it one of the most expensive Wi-Fi router/mesh kits available. 

It’s in a relatively new market segment for prosumers and SMBs that was recently brought to the fore by Synology’s RT6600ax. The problem is that while the Synology is much uglier, it offers even more features, similarly impressive performance and costs (gulp) around one-third the price of the XT12, depending on where you are in the world. 

The Synology is also designed to act as a mesh (with dedicated wired or wireless backhaul) when multiple units are connected, so you can buy two of those and still save significant money versus the Asus ZenWiFi Pro XT12's standard twin-pack. 

Still, for many, the XT12 will be cheaper than a full, business-class Cisco Meraki deployment but, if you’re weighing up that as an option, don’t forget to factor-in on-going support costs as part of the total cost of ownership (aka TCO). 

If both devices offer too much business-grade complexity, but you still like the performance elements, check out Asus’ excellent, consumer-friendly ZenWiFi XT8 mesh kits, which are 30% cheaper than the XT12 and still packed with features.

Value score: 3.5/5

Asus ZenWiFi Pro XT12: Design & features

• Big and beautiful
• Simple setup
• Feels like a souped-up consumer router with SMB features

The Asus ZenWiFi Pro XT12 nodes are big, imposing towers, but we can’t help but be impressed with their industrial design. The main chassis simultaneously clothe the powerful internals in a stylish cladding that fits in well, both at home and in the office, while acting as a cooling tower that channels air and makes use of substantial heatsinks. 

At the top, a glowing lamp changes colour depending on status while simultaneously masking 10 antennae that are angled for maximum performance and range. All LEDs can be turned off if desired.

Setup is simple. You simply download the app, follow the basic network setup instructions and it works. Adding the second node simply requires it to be powered on. Too easy.

Each node has four Ethernet ports: 2.5GbE WAN, 2.5GbE LAN and dual 1GbE LAN. The later can be aggregated for a 2GbE connection which is great for attaching things like NAS boxes. Each node also has WPS and reset buttons, plus a power switch. Note that there are no USB ports.   

The app is well featured and intuitive to use. It offers comprehensive details regarding network and client status, while an Insight tab offers advice on things like what’s available that’s not been activated and configuration boosts. There are the usual parental controls, plus an Advanced tab that enables the connection of other Asus AiMesh devices, QoS settings, the usual router options like Port Forwarding and voice assistant setup. You can also access the Instant Guard feature – this will channel the traffic from any public Wi-Fi hotspot you connect to through the XT12 so that its AiProtection scanning can check for malware and other cyber-nasties. 

The app is useful but, with so many features, it’s worth going through a web browser to configure the more complex settings.

The AiProtection Pro service provides on-going security updates and real-time malware scanning for everything on the network, and it lasts for the life of the router. Beyond scanning your network for basic vulnerabilities, it can block malicious sites and prevent infected devices from connecting.

The Parental/User Controls enable off-time, scheduling and internet usage timer for device. It can also block various types of inappropriate content (note this is never 100% reliable), messenger services, P2P and file transfers, plus streaming and entertainment sites.

QoS settings are extensive and can ensure that anything from web conferencing, through video streaming to gaming can be prioritised on various devices.

Business and prosumers will like the idea of being able to use up to 12 SSIDs to group users and devices onto separate network segments – each with different levels of access. However, the access controls for these segments are very broad and nothing like (again) the Synology, which offers numerous, IoT-optimised, firewall and sharing configurations for each network. Nine of the SSID networks are essentially forms of guest networks.

SMBs will like the built-in VPN server.

Everything is so well automated that even a novice can get a secure network up and running quickly and easily. Experienced network admins can get as down and dirty with intricate settings as they want.

Ultimately, the features on offer make the XT12 feel like a souped-up consumer router with SMB-friendly features, which is no bad thing. In some ways it’s like a consumer-friendly Draytek router – a brand that is all about no-nonsense SMB Wi-Fi without the bells, whistles or performance boosts found here. But we’ll have to wait and see whether that’s enough for SMBs to actually use it as the foundation of their core network though – that level of adoption tends to take years of trust to develop.

Of course, in the meantime, there’s the Synology RT6600ax always lurking nearby. It doesn’t so much have web browser "configuration" but a whole operating system replete with third-party apps. It offers all of the above features along with many additional ways to configure them.

Design score: 4.5/5

Asus ZenWiFi Pro XT12: Performance

• Fast, but not extraordinary peak performance
• Impressively low performance drop-off across the mesh

The Asus ZenWiFi Pro XT12 is a tri-band Wi-Fi 6 router with two 5GHz channels and a 2.4GHz channel that offer a combined, theoretical throughput of 11,000Mbps.

We ran our usual tests in a single-storey Sydney weatherboard cottage. This involved setting the first node up in the middle room, next to our modem and connected by Ethernet to our Synology NAS. The secondary node was two rooms away at the front of the house. We tested by downloading large files to a Wi-Fi 6 laptop next to both nodes and then 25m away, outside, in the back garden. 

Up close it scored 627Mbps, which is fast but about 100Mbps slower than other top Wi-Fi 6 rivals. Next to the secondary node it scored 609Mbps – which represents only a 3% drop-off and the fastest speed we’ve ever seen from a test by a secondary node on a mesh! 

Outside, at the bottom of the garden, however, the speed dropped to 46.6Mbps. This is still very respectable for a standalone router, but it’s beaten by mesh kits that have a third node at the back of the house. Of course, you can add a third node to the XT12 setup quite easily... but it will be very expensive!

Performance score: 5/5

Should I buy the Asus ZenWiFi Pro XT12?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider

[First reviewed October 2022]

Asus RT-AX55: One-minute review

The Asus RT-AX55 fits the bill nicely if you’re looking for an affordable router to provide a good Wi-Fi 6 upgrade for your home Wi-Fi. Its top speed of 1.8Gbps is relatively modest compared to some of the more expensive Wi-Fi 6 routers that are now available. However, it will still be more than fast enough to handle most home broadband services and able to provide fast, reliable wi-fi for web browsing, streaming music and video, and some casual gaming. 

Along with its dual-band Wi-Fi 6, the Asus RT-AX55 provides four Ethernet ports for wired connections. There’s an easy-to-use app to help newcomers get started, as well as a web browser interface for more advanced users who want greater control over their network settings. 

And, if you need to extend your wi-fi even further in the future, the Asus RT-AX55 can be used as part of a mesh system with other Asus routers too.

Asus RT-AX55: Price and availability

• How much does it cost? $129 (£119, AU$189)
• Where is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available in the US, the UK, and Australia

The Asus RT-AX55 is very competitively priced for a Wi-Fi 6 router, costing just $129 (£119, AU$189). That makes it a good upgrade option for most smaller and medium-sized homes that want the extra speed and reliability of Wi-Fi 6. 

And, as mentioned, you can buy additional Asus routers and use them together as a mesh network system if you ever move home or need to upgrade your Wi-Fi even further. There’s also a model called the Asus RT-AX56U, which provides similar performance, but also includes a USB port for adding a shared network drive, priced at $149 (£121, AU$229).

• Value: 4 / 5

Asus RT-AX55: Design and features

• Easy-to-use app
• Browser interface for advanced users
• Single or dual network options

The Asus RT-AX55 doesn’t have the ominous ‘Cylon attack ship’ design of Asus’ high-end gaming routers. However, it’s sleekly designed, with a streamlined black casing and go-faster red stripes to jazz it up a little. In addition to its dual-band Wi-Fi 6, the router includes one Gigabit Ethernet port for connecting to your existing broadband modem or router, with four additional Ethernet ports to provide a wired connection if required.

The Asus Router app is easy to use, allowing you to simply scan a QR code on the base of the router to connect to its new network. The network isn’t initially secured with a password, though, so you’ll need to quickly proceed to the next step, where you can assign a password and also change the name of the network if you prefer. 

We were also pleased to find that the app gives you the option of creating a single network that combines the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands or creating two separate networks on those bands. And, for more advanced users, there’s also the option of opening up a web browser interface that provides more detailed control over the network settings.

Asus also provides some useful security features, called AiProtection, which monitors your network to protect all your connected devices from malware and viruses. You can also set up profiles for individual family members and create schedules to limit their Internet access when required.

• Design: 4 / 5

Asus RT-AX55: Performance

• Good performance on 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands
• 4X Gigabit Ethernet for wired connections

Despite its low cost, the Asus RT-AX55 still provides a good upgrade for the ageing Wi-Fi router in our office. That old router can still provide respectable speeds for devices that are nearby in the same room, reporting speeds of 100Mbps in the Ookla speed test, and 12.5MB/s for Steam downloads, which are the fastest speeds supported by our office broadband connection. 

The Asus RT-AX55 simply matches those speeds for nearby devices in the same room, but we also have an office at the back of the building that our old router can barely reach, forcing us to rely on PowerLine adaptors to provide a more reliable wired connection. 

The Asus RT-AX55 is the clear winner in that back office, with its 5.0GHz band maintaining top Wi-Fi speeds of 100Mbs with Ookla and 12.5MB/s for Steam downloads. The 2.4GHz band is a little slower, dipping to 90Mbps with Ookla, and 11MB/s with Steam, but that’s still fast enough for streaming video and routine web browsing, allowing my aging Dell laptop - with only 2.4GHz Wi-Fi - to go wireless at last.

• Performance: 3.5 / 5

Should I buy the Asus RT-AX55?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider

Asus RT-AX55: Report card

• First reviewed July 2022

How we test

We pride ourselves on our independence and our rigorous review-testing process, offering up long-term attention to the products we review and making sure our reviews are updated and maintained - regardless of when a device was released, if you can still buy it, it's on our radar.

Read more about how we test

From the depths of the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) database, a new filing was discovered for a new Google Nest Wi-Fi router that supports Wi-Fi 6E.

The filing is available for the public to read through, but it’s all test results, some reports, and a few letters. Unfortunately there are no images of the new Google Nest Wi-Fi device apart from a label. What we do know is the model number will be G6ZUC and the different wireless technology standard that will be housed with the device. 

Wi-Fi 6E support confirmed

Reports of a Google Nest Wi-Fi router supporting Wi-Fi 6 have been floating around since June. Wi-Fi 6 is the current wireless standard that operates across two different frequency bands: 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz. Having two bands allows the standard to support multiple devices without having to, ideally, sacrifice speed. However in a situation with lots of devices, that ideal scenario becomes less likely if the bandwidth becomes is full. This results in lower speeds overall. 

Meanwhile, The Wi-Fi 6E ups the ante by offering a third 6Ghz band, which is the major difference between Wi-Fi 6 vs Wi-Fi 6E. The latter is much faster than the former and allows for more devices to hop on the connection, but it doesn't represent a strictly generational upgrade over the former. 

Still, by having that additional lane, high speed connectivity is more likely. Google's recent routers don't support Wi-Fi 6, causing it to fall behind some of its competitors. Amazon, for example, has its Eero 6 router fully supporting Wi-Fi 6. With this new Nest device, Google is essentially playing catch up. 

While the Wi-Fi 6E support is arguably the most important update, the Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) support is still noteworthy. This technology takes the original Bluetooth standard and optimizes it for lower power operation. According to the official website, Bluetooth LE can transmit data across 40 channels on its 2.4Ghz frequency band. Compared to Bluetooth Classic, this new standard shares the same bandwidth albeit with fewer channels.

Also seen in the FCC filing is support for the Thread protocol; a wireless standard that allows “smart home devices [to] work together.” It does this by creating a mesh network by using each smart home device, including routers, as an access point. Devices on a Thread network communicate with each other rather than a central hub and this results in high quality connections. Benefits include lower latency and reduced power consumption.

A release date is unknown at this point. It’s entirely possible the new Google Nest router could launch later this year, but Fall is looking busy for the tech giant.

Google's Fall launches

Fall 2022 is slated to be a pretty heavy launch window for Google. The highly anticipated Android 13 operating system is expected to release in September and recent reports point to the Pixel 7 phone launching that same month. And October could see the launch of the Pixel Fold smartphone and Pixel Watch, according to some leaks.

Google hasn’t scheduled any major events for the Fall or early Winter where they can reveal the new Nest router. Plus, leaks for the new Nest router haven't been circulating as far as we know. Ultimately, everyone will just have to wait and see, but we hope it’s soon. The more time Google takes to release its Wi-Fi 6E enabled router, the wider the gap gets with competitors. 

If you’ve been waiting for a new Google Nest Wifi router to drop and are tired of dropped connections and slow speeds, check out the best Wi-Fi 6 router while we wait for more Wi-Fi 6E support for devices and routers.

Linksys Hydra Pro 6: Two-Minute Review

It’s taken a while for the prices of Wi-Fi 6 routers to come down to more affordable levels, but the new Hydra Pro 6 from Linksys is a good option for anyone that wants to net themselves one of the best wireless routers without taking out a second mortgage. It is admittedly still a little pricey for a dual-band router, but it works hard to earn its keep.

Its top speed of 5.4Gbps is still far faster than most routers that use the older Wi-Fi 5 standard (aka 802.11ac), whilst also providing additional benefits of Wi-Fi 6, such as improved efficiency when transmitting data to lots of different devices on your network all at once. 

Linksys Hydra Pro 6: Price and Availability

• $299.99 in the US
• £169.99 from Amazon in the UK
• Currently unavailable in Australia

The pricing of the Linksys Hydra Pro 6 varies quite a lot from region to region, with Linksys listing it at $299.99 on its US website and other online retailers. At current exchange rates that price should convert to around £250.00 in British pounds - not including 20% of British sales tax - but the Hydra Pro 6 is actually a lot cheaper in the United Kingdom.

Linksys primarily sells via Amazon in the UK, which currently lists it at £169.99 (and it even recently went down to £129.99 for Prime Day). Linksys’ Australian division mostly seems to focus on the company’s Velop range of mesh routers, with few standalone routers currently available. 

• Price and availability: 3.5/5

Linksys Hydra Pro 6: Design and Features

• Guest network and ‘pause’ scheduling
• Four Gigabit Ethernet ports
• USB port for shared network drives

The Hydra Pro 6 isn’t much to look at, consisting of an unassuming black plastic box with a couple of antennae sticking up at the back. It’s compact and solidly built, though, and will fit neatly onto any convenient table or shelf when you connect it to your existing broadband modem or router. Linksys hasn’t cut too many corners either, as the Hydra Pro 6 provides impressive wi-fi speeds of up to 5.4Gbps, along with four Gigabit Ethernet ports that can be used to provide a lag-free wired connection for devices such as a games console or smart-TV. It even has a USB 3.0 port that can be used to connect a hard drive, so that you can share the drive with other people on your home network.

The Linksys app is a little basic, though. It takes a few minutes to set the router up, as you first have to download the Linksys app, create an account, and then enter a password in order to connect your iOS or Android mobile device to the router’s default ‘setup’ network. Then you have to rename that network and create a new password, and then re-connect all over again - which seems a little long-winded when many routers now just let you scan a QR code in order to set everything up automatically. But, once that’s done, the app is pretty easy to use - it automatically creates a single network that combines the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands, and then provides an overview of all the devices that are connected to the network. You can pause Internet access for any device, or create a schedule to limit your child’s Internet use to specific times. There’s a built-in speed test to monitor network performance, and you can prioritize three devices to provide maximum performance for demanding tasks such as gaming or streaming video. The parental controls are fairly limited, though, as the app just leaves it up to you to manually enter the addresses of any websites that you want to block - but at least it doesn’t constantly pester you with ads for additional subscription services, as some of Linksys’ rivals do.

• Design and Features: 4/5

Linksys Hydra Pro 6: Performance

• Creates a single network using 2.4/5.0GHz bands
• Good performance and range
• Ability to prioritise three devices

The wi-fi router provided by our broadband supplier works perfectly well for computers and other devices that are nearby, allowing us to achieve the maximum 100Mbps available from our broadband service, and 12.5MB/s downloads from Steam. And, as we expected, the Linksys Hydra Pro 6 simply reproduced that performance when connecting to nearby devices.

However, we also have an office towards the back of the building where our wi-fi signal is so erratic that we normally have to rely on PowerLine adaptors to provide a more reliable wired network connection. Happily, the Hydra Pro 6 didn’t bat an eyelid as I picked up my laptop and walked down the hall to the back office, maintaining those speeds with no problem at all. There may be faster tri-band Wi-Fi 6 routers now available, but the Hydra Pro 6 hits a good sweet spot, providing a fast and reliable Wi-Fi 6 upgrade that won’t break the bank.

• Performance: 4/5

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider...

Linksys Hydra Pro 6: Scorecard

First reviewed July 2022

How We Test

We pride ourselves on our independence and our rigorous review-testing process, offering up long-term attention to the products we review and making sure our reviews are updated and maintained - regardless of when a device was released, if you can still buy it, it's on our radar.

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Telstra is the largest telco in Australia, and it generally offers a high-quality service with dependable speeds… for a price. Yes, there’s no getting around the fact that Telstra has some of the most expensive NBN plans in Australia, with all the company’s plan prices sitting above average in their given tiers.

But what Telstra offers in return are fast download speeds, plenty of perks and optional add-ons. Aside from its gigabit plan, each of Telstra’s NBN plans offer the maximum download speed available at all times in their respective tiers, and at the time of writing, it is the only provider to offer a typical evening speed of 250Mbps on its NBN 250 plan. It also has the fastest NBN 1000 plan on the table.

While Telstra’s NBN plans aren’t especially competitive in terms of price, they’re hard to beat in terms of inclusions. All of its NBN plans now come with the Telstra Smart Modem 3, which Telstra says uses Wi-Fi 6 to deliver strong speeds to all corners of your home.

Our Telstra NBN review is going to outline the costs, performance, optional extras and customer feedback to help you choose whether to sign up to Telstra as your NBN provider. We’ll also keep you up to date with any deals currently available from the telco.

Noteworthy Telstra NBN deals

• NBN 50: save AU$10p/m for first 6 months (then AU$95p/m ongoing)
• NBN 100: save AU$10p/m for first 6 months (then AU$110p/m ongoing)
• NBN 250: save AU$20p/m for first 6 months (then AU$140p/m ongoing)

Telstra NBN pricing: is Telstra good value?

• NBN 25: AU$80p/m (average NBN 25 cost is AU$66.57)
• NBN 50: AU$95p/m (average NBN 50 cost is AU$75.19)
• NBN 100: AU$110p/m (average NBN 100 cost is AU$92.03)
• NBN 250: AU$140p/m (average NBN 250 cost is AU$121.18)
• NBN 1000: AU$180p/m (average NBN 1000 cost is AU$145.77)

As you can see indicated above, Telstra’s NBN plans cost above the average in comparison to other providers in every respective speed tier. In most cases, Telstra is also the most expensive option no matter what speed tier you choose. 

It’s fair to say that Telstra isn’t a good choice if you’re looking for a cheap NBN plan, but if your top priority is fast, reliable speed, then we’d argue that Telstra’s NBN plans are great value.

That’s partly because its NBN 25, NBN 50, NBN 100 and NBN 250 plans all report maxed-out evening speeds, and as mentioned above, Telstra is the only provider which can make that claim for its NBN 250 plan. Telstra’s NBN 1000 plan quotes a typical download speed of 700Mbps during the evening hours, a figure that far exceeds its small competition in this tier. Aussie Broadband and Origin are closest to catching up, both with a typical evening speed of 600Mbps.

Telstra’s also a good value option if you’re looking for a plan that comes with included benefits or optional add-ons. For example, all plans come with the Telstra Smart Modem 3, which is Wi-Fi 6 enabled and comes with 4G backup.

You’ll also get a two-month subscription to Binge, a three-month subscription to Apple TV Plus and a four-month subscription to Spotify Premium – all for free when you first sign up. If you want a home phone landline, that’s also included at no extra cost. There’s also Telstra’s rewards program, where you can earn points to redeem on devices at the Rewards Store.

If you’re considering signing up for a Telstra NBN plan, try to do so while there’s a discount available. You can sometimes score Telstra’s fastest NBN plans for just one dollar, though that rock-bottom price is typically only available for your first month on the service.

The discount tends to include Telstra’s NBN 50, NBN 100 and NBN 250 plans, and you can save as much as AU$139 in this deal. While the upfront saving is massive in comparison to other internet deals on the market, you’ll be paying above the average cost once the first month discount ends.

All Telstra NBN plans compared

Performance and typical evening speeds

• Maxed-out typical evening speeds on NBN 25, 50, 100 and 250 plans
• Competitors offer top speeds in NBN 25, 50 and 100 for less
• ACCC reporting shows fairly low rate of outages

Telstra is one of the few providers to offer a maximum typical evening speed on most of its plans. As mentioned above, the telco maxes-out its download speed in the NBN 25, NBN 50, NBN 100 and NBN 250 tiers (it does this by 'overprovisioning' – or in layman’s terms, providing more bandwidth than its customers generally require). With its NBN 1000 plan reporting download speeds of 700Mbps in the evening hours, it’s the telco closest to reaching the 1000Mbps mark.

These reported figures are also well-supported by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) broadband reporting, with its December 2022 report finding the telco came exceptionally close to delivering its promised download speed 100% of the time.

The ACCC found that the Telstra customers participating in the study were able to reach 99.8% of their plan’s rated speeds on average during the busy evening hours of 7pm to 11pm. Across all hours, the Telstra households exceeded the advertised speeds by 1.2% – both are excellent results for an NBN provider which is promising maxed-out download speeds.

The report also found that Telstra was marginally beat-out by Launtel, Exetel and Optus in average download speed during the busy hours. Exetel and Optus both offer top speeds on their NBN 50 and NBN 100 plans, and manage to do so for a decent amount less than Telstra. With this in mind, it’s worth considering whether Telstra’s price is justified for you.

The ACCC also looks at NBN outages, and its December 2022 report found that its pool of volunteers with a Telstra connection had a fairly low rate of outages, with one occurring about every 4.2 days on average. By comparison, the average for all telcos monitored was around every 3.4 days during the testing period.

While Telstra’s customers experienced an outage less frequently, the ACCC’s results show that when they occurred, they had a high instance of lasting 10 minutes or more (these longer outages accounted for about 40% of Telstra’s total).

Figures around outages can fluctuate over time, but we’d also note that this figure is consistent with the ACCC’s previous August 2022 finding. For more context, most other providers' proportion of 10 minute-plus outages is much lower – around 10-20% of total.

Netflix’s own ISP Speed Index measures the performance of the streaming service across various internet providers, and current figures show that most ISPs handle the service the same. Telstra’s currently on par with Optus, TPG and others, and its performance has remained steady since at least August 2022, as has Optus’.

Customer support

• Telstra NBN technical support: 13 22 00
• Telstra customer service: 13 22 00
• Online chat or face-to-face in Telstra stores also available

Telstra has plenty of support options for its customers. Its website has extensive support pages for troubleshooting issues on your own, but you can also speak to someone over the phone, through online chat, or by visiting a Telstra store. If you prefer getting assistance face-to-face, there’s few other telcos that can offer this kind of help.  

You can call Telstra on 13 22 00 for any inquiry, and lines for setup and technical support are open Monday to Friday from 7am to 11pm AEST. Alternatively, you can speak to a support agent using Telstra’s online chat (though you’ll first be connected to a bot to try and answer your query, if it’s unsuccessful, you’ll be put through to a real human).

If you’re already a Telstra customer, your text-based queries will be best served by the My Telstra app, which is available for iOS and Android. This will connect you to a Telstra support agent right away, and you don’t have to stay in the app while you wait for a reply – their response will just come through like any other notification.  

Telstra also offers specific support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander customers with a dedicated phone line. It can be reached on 1800 444 403 from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Multilingual services are available too – you can call 1800 241 600 for a free translation and interpretation service, which is only available to non-English speaking customers. Telstra also lists stores in your state with multilingual services if you’d prefer to speak in person.

When it comes to customer satisfaction, Telstra has not attracted positive ratings from either Product Review or Trustpilot, with both sites showing below two stars for the telco. It’s not uncommon for large NBN providers such as Telstra to receive mostly negative feedback from review aggregating sites, so take this feedback with a grain of salt.

Optional extras and bundle deals

• Telstra Smart Modem 3 included in all plans
• Wi-Fi boosters and gaming optimisations available
• Telstra TV box, Foxtel packs and Xbox All Access can be added

Aside from its high-performing service, Telstra’s choice of perks and optional added extras is a compelling reason for choosing the telco over others. All Telstra customers now receive the Telstra Smart Modem 3 when signing up, which is Wi-Fi 6 enabled, and comes with 4G backup if you lose your NBN connection. If you leave Telstra within 24 months, we like that you can return the modem or pay a AU$200 no-return fee – no other exit fees apply.

Telstra can also guarantee you wall-to-wall Wi-Fi coverage at home, though this comes at an additional cost. For AU$12 a month over 24 months, or AU$288 upfront, you can get the Telstra Smart Wi-Fi Booster added to your plan to fill those Wi-Fi black spots. The Wi-Fi extender will benefit those who live in larger, double brick or multi-story homes, as they’re the homes most likely to experience spotty Wi-Fi.

Internet Optimiser is another neat feature that’s now included with all Telstra NBN plans at no extra cost. You can set it up through the My Telstra app, and from there, you can prioritise online traffic on your home network. This feature is good for gamers who want to reduce lag spikes, or anyone who wants to control which devices get the most bandwidth.

If you’d like a home phone line included in your plan, Telstra will sort you out with a landline at no extra cost, with unlimited calls to standard mobiles and landlines in Australia all included. This is a pretty great deal in comparison to what’s on offer from the select number of providers who still offer customers a landline – TPG, for example, will charge you at least AU$10 a month if you want to use your landline. At present, there’s no option to bundle together your Telstra NBN plan with a Telstra mobile plan.

Telstra customers have access to some pretty great entertainment add-ons too. You’ll get a few free streaming subscriptions when you first sign up with Telstra, including a two months of Binge, three months of Apple TV Plus and four months of Spotify Premium – all for nothing.

You can also add a Telstra TV box to your chosen NBN plan for an extra AU$9 a month, or AU$216 outright. Telstra TV lets you pause and rewind live TV, and includes apps for Netflix, Stan, Kayo, Binge and Disney Plus, but note you’ll still need a subscription to watch these services. We can’t see much benefit in bolting on the Telstra TV service if you already own a smart TV, though.

There’s stacks more entertainment options available through Telstra’s partnership with Foxtel, from packs that include over 50 channels to more niche options, such as Foxtel Sports HD or Foxtel Movies HD packs. You can often snag a discount for your first 12 months on these services through Telstra as well.

Finally, Telstra has not forgotten about the gamers. You’re able to bundle in 24 months of Xbox All Access with your NBN plan, at an extra cost of AU$33 a month for an Xbox Series S console, or AU$46 a month for an Xbox Series X console.

Additional fees

• No setup or delivery fee
• No cancellation fee if you leave Telstra
• Return modem or pay AU$200 no-return fee if leaving before 24 months

As mentioned, all Telstra NBN plans come with a modem included, and you won’t have to pay for it if you stay with the telco for more than 24 months. If you leave within two years, you have the option of returning the modem or paying a AU$200 no-return fee.

All of the extras that are highlighted above come at an additional cost, and you’ll be able to tack them onto your plan of choice during sign up. These add-ons can be cancelled at any time, but keep in mind that some entertainment extras such as Xbox All Access (which comes with a console) will need to be paid off in full if you cancel within 24 months.

Since all of Telstra’s plans come in a no lock-in contract, no other exit fees apply and you can cancel the service at any time.

Telstra NBN FAQ

• First reviewed May 2022

After heavy delays, Final Fantasy XIV will be getting some sparkling new servers. Digital sales will also be making a return on Tuesday, January 25 at 5 pm JT / 3 pm ET / 9 am CT.

Director Naoki Yoshida announced the additional servers in an official blog post, after weeks of congestion due to the launch of the new expansion Endwalker.

These server expansions will come to Europe, North America, and Japan, along with a new data center opening in Oceania on January 15. Europe will receive four new Worlds sometime in July 2022, and a logical data center expansion with eight new Worlds in summer of 2023. North America will receive its logical data center expansion during August 2022, with an additional four Worlds added in summer of 2023. Both the European and North American expansions will occur in two stages.

Japan’s upgrade is a bit more complex, as there are currently too many Worlds per data center. As such, the region will receive one new logical data center while decreasing the number of Worlds to eight each, which will significantly increase the number of concurrent logins by over 50,000 in total.

The Data Center Travel System, which was initially planned for the Endwalker launch, will be released as a 6.1x patch. The Home World Transfer Service, which had been suspended due to server congestion, will be making its return on Wednesday, January 26. 

A massive immigration of players to Final Fantasy XIV necessitated some serious upgrades to the servers. However, due to the ongoing global semiconductor shortage, these increases had been significantly delayed and digital sales of the game even had to be halted (again) due to severe server congestion.

The Google Wifi has been replaced by 2019's Google Nest Wifi. While it still available and being sold by some online retailers, you'll find the current generation to be a better value as they are both sitting at the same price point.

The Google Wifi has brought mesh systems to the masses in a way that no other mesh router has. Other mesh Wi-Fi systems may have come before it, but it's the one that has taken the mesh router revolution into the mainstream.

In essence, Google Wifi has set the standard of what a mesh Wi-Fi router should be, even if Samsung Connect Home or Netgear Orbi have been around longer. That’s because the Google mesh router combines a stripped-down design, straightforward installation, and full feature set with a very reasonable price tag. It also blends in well wherever you install it, and provides a robust, continuous connection no matter where you are in your area of coverage. Dead spots will be a thing of the past.

No matter if you’re dealing with a weak and intermittent internet signal or are ready to move on from a typical router setup, Google Wifi is an ideal solution thanks to its performance, features, and, of course, price. 

Google Wifi review: Price and availability

• Expensive
• Can be bought separately or in packs of two and three for larger homes

With what it has to offer accessibility- and features-wise, Google isn’t asking for much, particularly for what the Google Wifi can do. At the time of writing, this first generation Google Wifi cost $259 (about £204, AU$399) for a set of three units, comprised of one main “Wi-Fi point” (the one you connect to the modem or gateway) and two secondary Wi-Fi points. Google promises that three Wi-Fi Points can cover up to 4,500 square feet (418 square meters) in a location.

If you’re in the UK, the Google Wifi is available in both a 2-pack and a 3-pack, which will cost you £229 and £329, respectively. The Google Wifi is a phenomenal value – it provides more units for less cash than any of its rivals, like the Netgear Orbi, with other wireless mesh routers coming in at $400 (about £320, AU$520), at least, for the same number of mesh nodes.

It's worth bearing in mind that this is a much older model and that its successor, the Google Nest Wifi, is available for less. The newer Nest Wifi Pro, which sits at a slightly higher price point, is also on the shelves now.

Google Wifi has disappeared from Google's Australia product page, so there's no option to buy either the first-gen or the newly refreshed Google Wifi mesh router. This strongly suggests that while the Australian rollout is a bit further behind the US and UK's, it is likely imminent and will almost certainly see a similar price cut on the three-pack of networking points. 

Google Wifi review: Design and setup

• Stylish and compact
• Easy to set up

Google not only has an edge in pricing on its hands, but it also has the sleekest designed Wi-Fi units and possibly the easiest setup of any offering. Each Google Wifi unit, a simple, little cylinder with a white LED band in its center, delivers the same capability.

This means that any Google Wifi unit can act as the core ‘router’ of the system, while the others can extend the wired signal, sent to the unit wirelessly, with their included Ethernet ports as well as wireless internet. All three units are powered through USB-C.

Setup is also completely smooth, just like the Google Wifi’s hardware design – using a free iOS or Android app to facilitate the whole process. We’re not going to dig into the nitty gritty of the process, but the Google Wifi App will allow you to configure your network by first scanning the QR codes on the Wi-Fi point connected to your modem or gateway.

The app will then ask you to give your new network a name and set a password, then pair any supplementary Wi-Fi points you have, by scanning their QR codes – you’ll then be able to name individual nodes in the app. Again, it only takes a short time for the first Google Wifi node to recognize additional nodes and for them to start working.

You are not going to get the same depth of access as even Netgear Orbi offers, so band switching isn’t a choice. However, Google Wifi does handle this behind the scenes automatically.

The Google Wifi app does provide more useful settings, like continuous monitoring of your network, as well as the points and devices connected to it. The app has an included internet speed test as well, like Ookla’s mesh test that measures the health of your Points’ connections, alongside a Wi-Fi test that measures your connection strength from within the network.

This is the most complete and sophisticated suite of controls we’ve ever seen on a Wi-Fi mesh system to date, in spite of its lack of dropdown boxes and toggles.

Additionally, you can prioritize bandwidth to one device for a time, control smart home devices and pause internet access to certain devices in a family setting – all from the confines of this app.

And, now Google has expanded Google Wifi’s Network Check feature to test multiple devices, so that you’re able to spot potential bottlenecks in your network, as well as rearrange your Google Wifi access points when you’re trying to optimize network performance.

Google Wifi review: Performance

• Excellent performance
• Helps cover a wide area with Wi-Fi

The Google Wifi is able to match, if not surpass, Netgear Orbi’s performance. Drawing the absolute most out of our 100Mbps Wi-Fi service, we have surely not seen any router be able to deliver the same service. But, the core difference here is that Google Wifi is able to bring this high performance to every room of our, albeit small, house.

We’re able to stream 4K video through Netflix to our Roku Premiere in the basement, as well as play Overwatch in the office where the modem is situated without any problems. Wi-Fi mesh systems like the Google Wifi aren’t focused as much on throughput as they are on coverage. Still, this product certainly delivers.

The traffic prioritization feature makes sure that your gaming session is receiving more of that critical bandwidth than the other devices in your house that are used most frequently for Facebooking and streaming HD videos. Additionally, the network can automatically repair itself should one or more of the Wi-Fi Points accidentally lose power.

Even though we know that Google Wifi operates its mesh system over existing Wi-Fi bands (2.4GHz and 5GHz) over the 802.11s mesh protocol instead of Netgear Orbi’s tri-band system that communicates over a second 5GHz Wi-Fi band, we haven’t seen a considerable difference between either’s performance. We do see marginally faster download speeds in MB/s on the 2.4GHz band from the Orbi over the Google Wifi. However, that could also be a possible anomaly.

Where the Google Wifi really excels over similar routers is in its striking price to coverage ratio. You can get similar coverage from rivaling systems with fewer units, sure, but the flexibility you get from having more units – just in terms of minimizing dead spots – is massive.

Should I buy the Google Wifi?

The Google Wifi is the simplest and most effortless router we’ve ever set up, bar none. And, that’s considering the two extra devices required to finish the process. For a reasonably affordable price point, there are more units on offer than most of Google’s rivals, as well as the best setup and management app so far.

Despite the finer hardware controls it lacks, and the lack of AC3000 or AC2200 throughput, Google deliberated every toggle and test it could present in an easily understandable way through its app. There’s even bandwidth priority control. Pair that with a clean, uncluttered hardware design that’s better to showcase in plain view than any other routers we’ve seen yet. Except for its successor, at least.

Also consider...

First reviewed April 2017

• What is Google Wifi? Everything you need to know

The Ring Alarm Pro is the latest home security device from Amazon, but in addition to the home security features of the Ring Alarm, this new device will have a built in Wi-Fi 6 router with backup internet capability.

"We worked with eero to create a device offering professionally monitored home security and digital security (with a Ring Protect Pro subscription), so you can help protect your home online and off. It’s everything you’ve come to expect from your Ring Alarm, and more," the company said in a statement emailed to TechRadar.

The Ring Alarm was first introduced in 2018 to provide a professional home monitoring service to protect against theft, fire, freezing temperatures, and even floods. 

• Check out the best wi-fi 6 routers you can buy today
• If you need some extra security, these are the best secure routers of 2021
• And check out our roundup of the best Wi-Fi extenders

This new device, which requires a Ring Protect Pro subscription of $20 a month per location covered, provides the same Wi-Fi 6 coverage as an eero home router, which provides up to 1,500 square feet of coverage.

The new device will feature an always-on backup internet connection via cellular data connection in case your primary internet goes down, which will keep your devices and home security equipment like cameras connected to the internet.

Select devices will also feature local processing and video storage via a MicroSD card with Ring Edge, and the 64GB card included with the Ring Alarm Pro, which ships separately, should be enough for about 47 hours of Ring video clips.

The Ring Alarm Pro is now available for preorder in the US for $249.

• For more product news from today's Amazon event, check out our live blog

Two-minute review

The launch of the Netgear MK83 has been very low key, and it’s currently only available in the US for $399.99 (£299 or AU$553.23 plus taxes, when ordered via Amazon US). However, the MK63 had a similar US-only launch last year, and that’s now widely available online, so we’d expect the MK83 to reach other regions in due course.

Netgear’s Orbi range of mesh Wi-Fi systems has proven popular with both home and business users over the last couple of years, but the company has quietly developed a second range of mesh systems using the Nighthawk brand name and sombre black designs that it traditionally uses for its more conventional routers. 

We liked the Nighthawk MK63 that it launched last summer, but the new MK83 is a significant upgrade that that steps up from dual-band to tri-band Wi-Fi 6 (aka 802.11ax) and doubles its top speed to an imposing 3600Mbps.

Design and features

The MK83 has a similar design to its predecessor, consisting of three black pods with a glossy finish and tessellated patterns on the top panel. However, its higher speed requires additional internal antennae, and it sports some additional Ethernet ports too, which means that the MK83 is considerably larger and stands 92mm high and 140mm wide and deep.

Most mesh Wi-Fi systems simply consist of two or three identical routers, but the MK83 follows Netgear’s more individual approach, which is to provide a primary router and two ‘satellite’ units. 

The three units do look almost identical, but it’s easy to tell them apart as the primary router has four Gigabit Ethernet ports on the back. One of these ports is used to connect it to your existing modem or router in order to use your Internet connection, while the other three provide a wired network connection for a laptop, gaming console or other devices. The two satellites just have two Ethernet ports on the back for wired connections, but it’s nice to have the option of multiple wired connections on all three devices.

But, as we’ve seen in the past, the Nighthawk app is a little more basic. By default, the app creates a single network that merges the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands, but it doesn’t provide an option to split those into two separate networks so that you can choose the frequency band you prefer. 

The MK83 does provide an alternative web browser interface that allows you to create separate networks, and to adjust other settings as well, but that’s really only suitable for advanced users who have a fair amount of experience with routers and networking technology.

Parental controls have always been a weakness with Netgear routers too, and although the company recently announced a new Smart Parental Controls service, this does require a subscription fee of $7.99 per month, or $69.99 annually. And, at the time of this review, the service was only available for a limited number of Orbi and Nighthawk models, and didn’t seem to be available for the MK83.

The app makes other attempts at getting you to spend money too. There’s a 30-day trial for Netgear’s Armor security service provided with the MK83, but after the trial period you’ll need to pay £59.99/$69.9 to keep using it. 

The app also plugs Netgear’s extended warranty and technical support options too. We don’t expect Netgear to give all these features away for free, but some of its rivals provide better parental controls at no extra cost.

Performance and getting started

Last year’s Nighthawk MK63 was easy to set up and use, but the new MK83 did seem a little more temperamental during the initial set-up process. The app for iOS and Android devices does allow you to scan a QR code in order to set up the primary router and connect to its new Wi-Fi network. 

However, it failed to automatically connect the primary router to the two additional satellites as well. The app does suggest bringing the satellites closer to the primary router during the initial set-up, but the sync process still failed even when all three devices were sitting together on the same shelf. 

In the end, we unplugged the two satellites and set up the primary router on its own. Once that was working we were able to manually connect the satellites one at a time and then move them further away into the locations where we needed them.

Thankfully, the MK83 fared better when it came to boosting our Wi-Fi performance. Devices in the same room as the primary router didn’t gain any major benefit - that’s not to be expected - but the real improvement came in the back office where the weak Wi-Fi signal means that our iMac normally relies on a PowerLine adaptor to provide a wired network connection.

The slower 2.4GHz band managed a steady 80Mbps on the Ookla speed test, which is a big improvement on the erratic and unreliable 45Mbps that we get from our normal router. 

Steam downloads did well too, with the MK83 boosting the 2.4GHz band from its normal 4.9MB/s to 6.4MB/s. Meanwhile, the 5.0GHz band on the MK83 cruised along at 100Mbps on the Ookla speed test, and 12.5MB/s for Steam downloads - easily hitting the highest speeds that are supported by our office broadband.

If you simply want a fast, reliable mesh Wi-Fi system that is suitable for larger homes then the Nighthawk MK83 will do the job very well indeed. However, the Nighthawk app is rather basic, and relies a little too heavily on selling you additional subscription services.

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

• These are the best wireless routers

Google Wifi got an unexpected refresh this week, bringing one of the best mesh wifi routers on the market to European customers – along with some cosmetic tweaks and a healthy cut in price. 

The new refresh was first released in the US in October 2020 and saw a substantial drop from $259 for the Google Wifi router with two coverage extenders down to $199, a $60 cut. The price cut in the UK is comparable (around £30) access points/routers $60 drop in price over the first-generation Google Wifi router. 

Both Google Wifi generations are priced lower than the Google Nest Wifi, which is the company's more premium smart home product line. But that doesn't mean Google Wifi is anything less than one of our top-rated mesh routers for several years running, so it's not surprising that Google would want to bring Google Wifi to the European market.

A Google representative told TechRadar that Google Wifi Gen 2 provides an "Improved work from home experience [and] expanded the preferred activities by adding support for Microsoft Teams, Slack, Webex, GoToMeeting." 

The rep also pointed to new additions to the Google Home App, specifically the new Network Insight feature that can help users figure out when and why their internet speeds are slowing down.

Beyond that, there aren't a whole lot of dramatic spec changes other than the price, but given how good Google Wifi is, probably better to not mess with a good thing. 

• Check out our list of the best wireless routers of 2021
• Also, make sure to check out the best gaming routers as well
• You can also check out the best VPN routers for extra security and peace of mind

Australia loses Google Wifi – for now

Google Wifi also appears to have vanished from Google's Australian product page entirely, a strong indication that Google is preparing to release the new refresh in that market as well.

While we followed up with Google about the missing Google Wifi listing on its product page in Australia, we have yet to hear back so all we can do is speculate that an Australian release is likely coming pretty soon. When we get further clarity on the situation with the Australian market, we'll be sure to update this page.

• Stay up to date on all the latest tech news with the TechRadar newsletter

Two-minute review

Netgear has been busy in recent months, updating its entire product range with new Wi-Fi 6 routers and Orbi mesh networking systems. It’s now turned its attention to the Nighthawk range of gaming routers, introducing the high-end XR1000, which combines high-speed Wi-Fi 6 performance with a plethora of features designed to enhance gaming performance.

Sometimes also referred to as the AX5400 - as an indication of its 5.4Gbps top speed - the dual-band XR1000 router costs £329.99/US $349.99/AU $549, when bought directly from Netgear, so it’s very much aimed at serious gamers who are prepared to pay for lag-free online action. Even so, there are faster gaming routers around, including the tri-band Asus RoG Rapture GT-AX11000, which is only slightly more expensive at around £380/$450/AU$700.

Design and features

The sleek space-shuttle design of the Netgear Nighthawk XR1000 clearly hints at streamlined speed for your gaming action, while the array of four external antennae helps to ensure good range and distribution for the router’s Wi-Fi signal. The Netgear Nighthawk XR1000 supports dual-band Wi-Fi 6 - aka 802.11ax - with a maximum speed of 5.4Gbps per second. That’s certainly fast enough for gaming and streaming 4K video although, as mentioned, it is a little expensive for a dual-band router. 

Tucked around the back you’ll find a Gigabit Ethernet port for your Internet connection, and four additional Ethernet ports for devices, such as games consoles, that tend to prefer lag-free wired connections. There’s also a USB 3.0 port that will allow you to connect a printer or hard drive and share it with other people on your network.

By default, the router creates two separate Wi-Fi networks on the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands, but there’s also a SmartConnect feature that allows you to merge the two bands into a single network, and will automatically select whichever band provides the best performance in your current location. 

It shows you all the devices that are connected to the Wi-Fi network, and allows you to pause internet access for any device if you need to get the kids away from the Xbox at bed-time. There’s also an option to set up a guest network as well.

However, the app also proves rather annoying at times. It includes Netgear’s Armor security software, which is free for one month but then requires an annual subscription of £59.99/US$69.99 (around AU$90). And, not to miss a trick, the app also has a shot at selling you an extended warranty as well. 

To be honest, it sometimes seems as though Netgear is using the app to drum up some extra cash, rather than focusing on useful features.

Performance and getting started

Getting started is very straightforward, although the Netgear Nighthawk XR1000 doesn’t include a modem, so you’ll need to use one of its Ethernet ports to connect it to your existing modem or router in order to use your internet connection. The Nighthawk app can then guide you through the installation process, and provides a simple set of features for setting up your new Wi-Fi network.

However, you’ll soon need to leave the Nighthawk app and delve into the router’s browser interface in order to use its key gaming features. 

Powered by the router’s tri-core processor and Netgear’s own DumaOS operating system, the browser interface includes features such as ‘QOS’ - quality of service - that allows you to prioritise specific services, such as gaming or streaming video.

There’s a ‘ping heatmap’ that can scour the entire planet to find the fastest servers for your favourite games, and a benchmark mode to fine-tune the performance of your network.

The Netgear Nighthawk XR1000 delivers the goods on performance too. As you might expect, devices located nearby in the same room as the XR1000 didn’t deliver much improvement over our normal router, but the real test is our back office - where we normally have to rely on a wired PowerLine adaptor to provide our network connection.

Sitting in the office deadspot, we found that even the slower 2.4GHz band on the Netgear Nighthawk XR1000 provided a steady Wi-Fi speed of 63Mbps, while the 5.0GHz band cruised along at the full 110Mbps supported by our ISP’s broadband service.

Steam downloads were equally strong. The 2.4GHz band peaked at a respectable 6.9MB/s, which almost doubled to 12.5MB/s on the 5GHz band. So, even though it’s a dual-band router, the XR1000 certainly provides strong enough performance to handle some serious gaming action. Our only complaint is that it’s quite expensive for a dual-band router when there are already tri-band routers competing for your attention for less than $550/£400/AU$720.

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• The best routers of 2021

Netgear announced their latest piece of networking gear this week during CES 2021, the Nighthawk RAXE500 Tri-Band Wi-Fi router.

Billed as the world's first all-purpose Wi-Fi 6E router, the Nighthawk RAXE500 promises speeds up to 10.8Gbps by accessing the newly unlocked 6GHz band, which at the moment is free of congestion and interference (though for how long is another matter).

“The proliferation of Wi-Fi over the last few decades first stressed the 2.4 GHz band and then eventually the 5 GHz band with Wi-Fi 4, 5, and 6,” Phil Solis, research director at International Data Corporation, said in a statement. 

“As regulatory bodies around the world open up the 6 GHz band, Wi-Fi 6E networks will provide enabled devices with the breathing room to use large channels even in dense and congested areas with higher average data rates and lower latency.”

Given that Netgear is a leading name in home and commercial networking equipment and is regularly featured on our list of best wireless routers, it's little surprise that they're the first out of the gate with new equipment to access this newly-opened frequency band.

"The Nighthawk RAXE500 Tri-band Wi-Fi Router will capitalize on the available bandwidth afforded by the new 6GHz channel," said David Henry, senior vice president of Connected Home Products for Netgear, "delivering an increase in speed and capacity that has never been experienced up until this moment.”

• Netgear Nighthawk M5 Mobile Router brings 5G to your workplace
• Where to buy a router: work remotely without interruption
• Need additional security? These are the best secure routers

Netgear's new Nighthawk RAXE500 Tri-Band router at a glance

Adding another band to the current dual-band router setup found in modern routers might not seem like that big of a deal, but according to Netgear, the new 6GHz band will provide up to 200% more available spectrum than can be accessed by dual-band (2.4Ghz and 5GHz) routers.

What's more, given that very few devices are currently using 6GHz connections and likely won't for some time to come, there is very little congestion at this frequency, meaning much less latency.

The Nighthawk RAXE500 uses 12-streams Tri-Band Wi-Fi – four streams each for 6GHz, 5GHz, and 2.4GHz – to improve available bandwidth for an unlimited number of connected devices, leading to less interference that can cut down on connection speeds.

It also features a Wi-Fi 6E optimized 64-bit 1.8GHz quad-core processor for smoother video streaming up to 8K and improved gaming performance. 

If you want to go wired, the Nighthawk RAXE500 also features five 2.5G Gigabit Ethernet ports for 2.5 times the speed of the standard Gigabit LAN connection. 

Plus, it looks cool. You'll be able to pick one up yourself in the US in Q1 2021 with an MSRP of $599 (about £470 / AU$840). Launch details outside of the US haven't been announced yet.

• Check out all of TechRadar's CES 2021 coverage. We're remotely covering the online-only show to bring you all the breaking tech news and launches, plus a smattering of hands-on reviews. 

Two-minute review

Asus makes a wide range of routers and mesh networking systems designed for home users, but it also owns the separate RoG brand - Republic Of Gamers - that specializes in high-performance gaming PCs and graphics cards, as well as a range of routers that focus on high-end performance for really dedicated gamers. 

The Rapture GT-AX1100 is Asus' top-of-the-range router for gamers, although it’s also aimed at people who need to run servers, or simply have a house full of the latest smart gadgets. 

Unsurprisingly, the Rapture’s high-end performance and tri-band networking come with a high-end price, at £380/$450/AU$700. But, to be fair, that’s not out of line with similar tri-band routers that support the new Wi-Fi 6 standard (aka 802.11ax).

Design and features

One look at the Asus Rapture GT-AX1100 tells you that it means business. Even before you attach the eight separate antennae, the bulky square router with its sharp, angular edges looks like something out of Battlestar Galactica. It measures 250mm wide and deep, and with all those antennae poking up into the air it stands 180mm high, so this is a router that will need plenty of room to get set-up properly.

It packs some serious networking power, though, boasting tri-band Wi-Fi 6 with a top speed of 11000Mbps (11Gbps). The tri-band router also sets up three separate networks, with two networks on the 5GHz bands, and one on 2.4GHz, with the option of assigning one of those bands as a dedicated gaming network that takes priority over the other bands for maximum performance. 

The router also supports Asus’ AiMesh technology for mesh networking, so you have the option of using it with other Asus routers to create a more extensive network if you ever move to a larger home or office. 

The Rapture doesn’t include a modem, so there’s a dedicated Gigabit Ethernet port for connecting it to your existing broadband router or modem, along with four more Gigabit Ethernet ports to provide wired connections for devices such as games consoles or a smart-TV. 

And, for really hard-core gamers, there’s also a ‘Multi-Gig’ Ethernet port that supports speeds of up to 2.5 Gigabits for super-fast Internet access, or setting up your own gaming LAN at home. The Rapture also includes two USB 3.0 ports, which will allow you to share a printer or USB storage device on your home network.

Performance and set-up

Getting started with the Rapture is not for the faint-hearted. The router’s Quick Start guide doesn’t mention an iOS or Android app that can help you to set the router up properly - it simply tells you to use either an Ethernet or Wi-Fi connection to connect to the router so that you can configure the network through the router’s web browser interface.

That might be fine for hard-core gamers who are used to configuring routers via a browser interface, but it’s not at all user-friendly for the rest of us. Fortunately, once we’d used the web browser interface to set the router up, we did find that we were able to view the router and most of the basic network settings using the standard Asus Router app that is provided for Asus’ more conventional domestic routers. 

That allowed us to use features such as the guest network, and parental controls for creating a schedule to limit online time for younger children. 

However, getting to grips with advanced features such as the ‘Gamers Private Network’, which is designed to reduce lag when playing online games, does still require you to delve into the dense and poorly explained web browser interface. 

Matters aren’t helped much by Asus’ manual either - which is over 100 pages long and buried in the support section of Asus’ web site, and which makes the common mistake of simply listing features without really explaining how they work.

But, if you can cope with the set-up process, the Rapture really delivers the goods with its high-speed wifi. Devices in the same room as the Rapture were actually able to nudge our normal 100Mbps broadband connection up to a full 110Mbps on both 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands, with Steam downloads also rock-steady at 12.5MB/s.

Moving further away to our back office did show a slight drop in performance, but still produced strong results with 73Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and impressive 100Mbps on 5.0GHz. 

Steam downloads held up strongly too, sticking at 12.5MB/s on 5.0GHz and only dropping slightly to 10.5MB/s with the 2.4GHz band. And, with features such as the ‘Game Radar’ in the browser interface, which allows you to monitor the performance of online servers for your favourite games, you really can fine-tune your gaming set-up to give you the best possible performance. 

It’s a shame that Asus doesn’t provide more help with the initial set-up process - after all, not all gamers are networking gurus - but if you need top performance for online gaming then the Asus Rapture GT-AX11000 is hard to beat.

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• These are the best Wi-Fi routers

Two-minute review

Asus has a very extensive range of networking products, which includes its specialist Republic of Gamers (RoG) brand that offers seriously high-end gaming products, such as its Rapture router, which pushes the envelope at close to $530/£400/AU$700. 

The Asus RT-AX82U isn’t in quite the same league, but this dual-band Wi-Fi 6 router is still far faster than conventional 802.11ac routers and is designed to appeal to a more casual gaming audience, as well as providing additional features for busy households that need fast and reliable Wi-Fi.

You can’t buy the RT-AX82U direct from Asus, and the online pricing seems to be somewhat inconsistent, but Asus says the RRP is £180 ($230/AU$310), so it’s worth taking the time to shop around before buying. 

Asus has clearly got its eye on the latest gaming consoles and mobile devices that support Wi-Fi 6, but that’s still a competitive price for a next-gen router such as this, making the RT-AX82U an affordable upgrade even for non-gamers. 

And, of course, new Wi-Fi 6 routers are also compatible with older devices that still use the 802.11ac version of Wi-Fi, so you don’t have to worry about compatibility problems if you decide to upgrade your router.

Design and features

It may not fall under the Republic of Gamers banner, but the Asus RT-AX82U has certainly got the right look for a gaming router, with a low-profile, sharply angular design and four large antennae stabbing out from the back panel. And, on the front panel, there’s a pair of ‘eyes’ - two small LED panels that glow with smouldering colours. You can even use the Asus app to choose a variety of ‘auras’ that strobe through different colour sequences. 

Gaming gimmickry aside, the RT-AX82U gets all the basics right, offering dual-band Wi-Fi 6 (aka 802.11ax) with a top speed of 5400Mbps (5.4Gbps). 

There are faster Wi-Fi 6 routers - including the RoG Rapture which boasts a massive 11Gbps - but that’s a good speed for a router in this price range. The RT-AX82U doesn’t include a modem, so it provides a dedicated Gigabit Ethernet port for connecting to your existing modem or router in order to use your broadband connection. 

There are also four additional Gigabit Ethernet ports for devices, such as a games console or a smart-TV, that work better with a lag-free wired connection, with one of those being designated as the ‘gaming port and taking priority over devices connected to the other Ethernet ports. And, finally, there’s a single USB 3.1 port for sharing a USB storage device on your home network.

Set-up and performance

The Asus RT-AX82U strikes a good balance between ease-of-use for beginners, and advanced features for gamers and more experienced users. 

The printed manual included in the box gives you two options for setting the router up, with the quick and easy option being the Asus Router app for iOS and Android devices, while a more advanced web browser interface is also available for people who don’t mind delving more deeply into their wi-fi and network settings.

We started with the Asus Router app and were pleased to see that it starts by giving you the option of setting up separate networks on the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands, or merging the two bands together into a single network. 

The only minor oddity here is that the router’s default Wi-Fi network isn’t initially protected by a password, so you need to move through the set-up process and assign a password fairly quickly in order to keep your new network secure.

Most people will find that the basic app provides all the features they need, including the ability to set up a guest network, and extensive parental controls that include content filters for a wide range of unsuitable material. 

There’s also a security feature called AiProtection that monitors your network for malware and hacking attempts from malicious web sites - and, thankfully, this doesn’t require an additional subscription as some routers do.

The Asus Router app provides a Mobile Gaming mode that prioritises mobile devices for maximum performance, but you can also select specific tasks, such as video streaming, that you might want to prioritise as well. And, if you’re prepared to delve into the web browser interface, you can select other devices for gaming priority, and even use that USB port to set up a hard drive for Time Machine back-ups on a Mac.

Performance is also very strong for a mid-price router such as this. Devices in the same room as the Asus RT-AX82U managed to coax our normal 100Mbps broadband connection up to 103Mbps using the Ookla speed test on both the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands, with Steam downloads also impressively steady at 12.5MB/s on both bands. 

Moving further away to a back office didn’t faze the RT-AX82U either, with the 5.0GHz band having no trouble maintaining those speeds, while the slower 2.4GHz band dipped only slightly to 98Mbs on Ookla and 11.7MB/s for Steam downloads. 

It’s hard to fault that sort of performance at this price, and with the Asus app and browser interface providing versatile features and controls that are suitable for both gamers and non-gamers, the Asus RT-AX82U is an excellent option for any household that needs a fast and affordable Wi-Fi upgrade.

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• These are the best routers

Two-minute review

The Wi-Fi 6 bandwagon is well and truly rolling now, with a wide range of routers now available that support the latest generation of super-fast Wi-Fi. Linksys provides a number of Wi-Fi 6 routers and mesh systems, but its new MR9600 is its top-of-the-range router, offering impressive speeds of up to 6Gbps for homes that want lag-free gaming or high-quality video streaming. 

Like all Wi-Fi 6 routers, the MR9600 is still compatible with existing computers and mobile devices that use the older 802.11ac version of Wi-Fi, but you will need newer devices with Wi-Fi 6 in order to get the full speed and benefits of these next-gen routers.

The MR9600 is a little on the pricey side, costing £299.99/$399.99 (around AU$530), and we’ve seen rival Wi-Fi 6 routers that offer similar performance for cheaper, but as well as acting as a conventional router, the MR9600 also includes the same mesh networking technology as Linksys’ popular Velop mesh systems. 

This helps to make it future-proof, as you could use the MR9600 to build or extend a mesh network in the future if you needed to. If you don’t need that sort of performance then there’s also a model called the MR7350 that looks very similar, but offers more modest 1.8Gbps speeds for a very reasonable £160 and just $150 in the US. At the moment, though, neither model seems to be available in Australia.

Design and features

The Linksys MR9600 isn’t particularly exciting to look at, consisting of little more than a rectangular slab of shiny black plastic, with an antenna poking up from each corner. However, its low profile design - just 60mm high - means that it will sit comfortably on any nearby shelf, and the four antennae can be adjusted to provide a good spread for the Wi-Fi signal. 

It’s a dual-band router, supporting Wi-Fi 6 - also known as 802.11ax - on the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands, with a top speed of 5951Mbps, which Linksys not unreasonably rounds up to ‘6Gbps’. 

The company also states that the MR9600 will be suitable for homes of up to 3,000 sq.ft in size, that contain up to 40 connected devices. That should certainly cover most two or three-bedroom homes, and maybe even reach out into the garden as well. And, thanks to the Velop mesh technology, you do have the option of extending your network if you decide to trade-up for a mansion in the countryside one day. 

The MR9600 doesn’t include a modem, but it has a Gigabit Ethernet port for connecting to your existing broadband modem or router, and four more Gigabit Ethernet ports to provide a wired connection for devices such as a smart-TV or games console. There are also two USB 3.0 ports on the router as well, which will allow you to share hard drives or other storage devices on your home network.

Set-up and performance

Getting started is very straightforward, as the Linksys app can use Bluetooth on your iOS or Android devices to connect to the router and help to set everything up for you. And, unlike most companies these days, Linksys still includes ye olde CD-ROM with a proper manual in PDF format.

But while the Linksys app is easy for beginners to use, it doesn’t provide a great deal of additional features for people who might prefer to configure the network for themselves. 

Most notably, the app creates a single network that merges the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands, and doesn’t give you the option of separating the two bands and assigning them different network names and passwords. Delving through the PDF manual only reveals a single line of text that states - “you can view or manage your Wi-Fi in an Internet browser”. 

However, the manual doesn’t provide any additional information about the features and settings that might be available via this web browser interface, leaving it up to you to roll up your sleeves and see what you can find.

The app does provide some useful features, though. It allows you to set up a guest network for visitors, and to prioritise three devices for maximum performance for tasks such as gaming or streaming video.

The app also includes the Ookla speed test for monitoring your network performance. The parental control features are a bit basic, though. You can create schedules to control Internet access for individual devices but, rather than providing automatic filters to block unsuitable web sites, the app simply tells you to enter the web addresses yourself - which isn’t very helpful given the vast amount of unpleasant material floating around on the net these days.

We can’t fault the router’s performance, though. The Ookla speed test showed that it was able to squeeze 101Mbps performance from our 100Mbps Internet connection, with that speed remaining constant even in our back office where our normal router tends to be rather erratic. We got good performance with Steam downloads too, cruising along at 11MB/s for devices in the same room as the router, and only dipping very slightly to 10.5MB/s as we moved further away into the back office.

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• These are the best routers

Two-minute review

You can’t buy the Nighthawk MK63 mesh system directly from Netgear, but the MK63 that we review here costs around £300 if you shop around online ($250, or AU$649). 

The Netgear Nighthawk MK63 is a three-piece mesh router system that supports Wi-Fi 6 and consists of a primary router and two secondary ‘satellites’. It’s designed to provide reliable Wi-Fi coverage for homes of up to 3500 sq.ft in size, but there’s a less expensive two-piece kit called the MK62 that will be suitable for smaller homes, up to 2000 sq.ft.

The newNetgear Nighthawk MK63 looks very similar to the affordable Orbi Whole Home RBK13 model that was introduced a few months ago, although the little square Nighthawk routers are designed in black rather than the Orbi’s white. 

Netgear tends to reserve black for its more specialized gaming routers, and the MK63 is very much focused on demanding applications such as gaming and streaming 4K video.

The compact design of the routers makes it easy to sit them on any convenient shelf or - in our case, a window ledge - and we were pleased to find that the power cable and Ethernet cable provided by Netgear were 2m long, so you can easily move them around while getting set up.

The differences between the Nighthawk and Orbi go deeper than just black and white though, as the Nighthawk MK63 uses the new Wi-Fi 6 standard - also known as 802.11ax - providing dual-band Wi-Fi on the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, with a total speed of 1800 megabits per second (Mbps).

Wi-Fi 6 introduces new features, such as OFDMA (orthogonal frequency division multiple access) that focus not just on speed, but also on providing fast, reliable Wi-Fi to lots of devices at the same time. 

Netgear states that the MK63 can stream efficiently to 25 devices simultaneously - although you’ll need to be using computers and mobile devices that also support Wi-Fi 6 in order to make the most of features such as OFDMA.

However, Wi-Fi 6 is still compatible with existing computers and mobile devices that use 802.11ac Wi-Fi, so you don’t have to rush out and buy a load of new gadgets with Wi-Fi 6 in order to use the Netgear Nighthawk MK63. 

The primary router has two Gigabit Ethernet ports - although one of these will be required to connect it to your existing broadband modem or router - while the two satellites both have a single Ethernet port, so you still have the option of a wired connection for devices such as a games console or smart-TV if required.

Netgear’s Nighthawk app makes it easy to set up the MK63 system, automatically detecting the primary router and satellites for you, and then simply allowing you to scan a QR code in order to connect to your new network. The only thing you need to do is to create a password for logging in to the app itself, and setting up a couple of security questions in case of emergencies.

Our only complaint is that the Nighthawk app is a little basic. To keep things simple it automatically creates a single network that combines the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands, but more advanced users - including many keen gamers - might prefer the option to create separate networks for each frequency band.

There are some useful features, including an option for creating a guest network, a built-in speed-test and a network map that allows you to monitor all the devices connected to your network. However, there’s little in the way of parental controls - simply an On/Off switch that controls Internet access for individual devices.

We can’t fault the Nighthawk’s performance, though. When used in the lounge alongside our normal broadband router it easily handled the full speed of our 50Mbps Internet connection - actually nudging it up to 58.9Mbps for download speeds, in fact. 

Even better was the fact that the Nighthawk maintained a steady download speed of 58.4Mbps even in our office at the back of the building where the wifi is normally so unreliable that we tend to use a wired Ethernet connection for our office computer. That performance was matched for Steam downloads too, with Steam reporting speeds of 7.3MB/s and 7.2MB/s in the lounge and office.

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• These are the best wireless routers

Two-minute review

The Google Nest Wifi is not only a worthy successor to the incredibly successful Google Wifi but it builds on it to offer something that fits into a modern smart home. It bridges the gap between best mesh Wi-Fi routers and smart home speakers and it does so very well.

In essence, it keeps a lot of what made Google Wifi special. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel or change the performance too much. But, it does finally integrate Google Home into the experience for a 2-in-1 device that can sit at the center of your smart home.

That said, what makes the Google Nest Wifi special is its straightforward and easy use, not to mention aesthetic, along with a focus on the kind of features most users will care about. It won’t have the kind of performance, throughput or fine tuning that a lot of the best wireless routers and mesh systems from companies like Netgear and Linksys offer.

Luckily, the feature set is pretty expansive here including traffic prioritization, easy and stress-free setup, included parental controls and a look that won’t encourage you to hide each unit behind a couch or vase. Of course, if you already have your quota of smart speakers and own a solid mesh system such as Google Wifi, making the jump to the Google Nest Wifi makes little sense. If you don’t however, we strongly recommend investing in the Nest Wifi.

Price and availability

Google Nest Wifi is available now in the US, UK and Australia starting at $149/£129/AU$229 for a single router unit. This wireless router simply connects to your modem or gateway and delivers up to 2,200 square feet (204 sq meters) of Wi-Fi coverage to up to 100 connected devices.

If you want that router paired with one of Google’s “Point” range extender products, that will cost you $269/£239/AU$399. This will increase your total Wi-Fi coverage by another 1,600 square feet (149 sq meters), and the Point doubles as a Google Home speaker complete with mutable microphones and 360-degree speakers.

Finally, Google is offering a three-pack in the US and Australia $349/AU$549 (not in the UK), which will cover up to 5,400 square feet (502 sq meters) and offer all of the same Google Assistant features available only via the Point devices.

Unfortunately, it appears that Google is only offering its beige “Sand” and light blue “Mist” colors in the US, as these options do not appear on the UK or Australian Google stores online.

How does this all stack up against Google’s new rival in home networking, Amazon? Well, Amazon’s entry-level Eero mesh solution is a bit cheaper at just $99 (£99, about AU$140), but its router alone only covers up to 1,500 square feet (139 sq meters) compared to the Nest Wifi router covering up to 2,200 square feet (204 sq meters).

However, Amazon offers up a three-pack of the Eero products for $249 (£249, about AU$361) and will cover up to 5,000 square feet (465 sq meters). Likewise, Google’s Nest Wifi three-pack can cover a wider area – as much as 5,400 square feet (502 sq meters).

Google Nest Wifi appears to offer both more flexibility and wider coverage than Amazon’s Eero devices, furthered by the fact that you can buy Nest Wifi Points on their own and add those to your existing Google Wifi network. Also, while Amazon’s Eero mesh network supports voice controls via any existing Alexa speaker, the Nest Wifi Point devices are Google Home speakers complete with microphones and a speaker on the bottom.

Design, setup and interface

The Google Nest Wifi design is a stark departure from the Google Wifi that preceded it. Gone are the glossy, white plastic cylinders in favor of some even more innocuous matte plastic domes that round off in comfortable corners at either end.

As for the Router device, it’s even lighter in terms of design features than the Points that double as Google Home speakers. All you’ll find here is a single, white LED that shines through the plastic shell to indicate a connection. On the bottom, you’ll find a tough rubber base hiding two Ethernet ports (one WAN and one LAN) as well as a standard AC charging port.

Of course, the Point device is a bit more stylish while looking nearly identical. Its major differences are the four far-field microphones on top and the 360-degree speaker with 40mm driver inside, bedecked by a single, round LED on the undercarriage that responds when asked questions via your voice. These units have no Ethernet ports included, making them considerably less useful than the previous-generation products but perhaps more focused.

When it comes to setting the network up and the interface therein, Nest Wifi is no longer set up using the Google Wifi app but rather the Google Home app. This is because part of the system is technically a Google Home speaker, making it easier to manage both within the same app. (Google Wifi will still exist for those who stick with the original model or opt to just add a Nest Wifi point to their original model.)

Of course, you’ll need a smartphone with the Google Home app to set up the Nest Wifi, which sees Google making a big assumption about who will be able to use this router. However, we have to imagine that the vast majority of Americans and Britons ready for a new router will have this access.

The setup process is a little wooly at times, which isn’t ideal, but retrying the connection a few times throughout will get you through the whole thing. Adding a Wifi Point after the main Router is done in exactly the same way, and can be just as … start-and-stop. Ultimately, Nest Wifi does do about 90% of the setup and updating itself, which is very welcome.

As for the interface, Google has brought the major features over from the Wifi app to the Home app – like setting a priority device, creating a guest network and setting family controls – but it does lose a bit of the fine control along the way. Particularly, you can no longer see exactly which Wifi device each connected device is actually tethered to and change that accordingly.

Instead, you’re left to assume and trust that Nest Wifi will automatically connect devices to the best possible Wi-Fi provider on-the-fly, which wasn’t always the case with the previous model. Google’s new, behind-the-scenes cloud features using machine learning chips within its Nest devices, which will automatically prioritize types of traffic based on bandwidth needs as well as physical position among other factors, should make up for this as the system learns your usage habits.

All told, having trudged through the days of typing “192.168.1.1” into our web browsers, we welcome the simplicity of the controls for Google Nest Wifi – even if it means giving up much of that fine tuning. Simply put, we don’t have the time for that nonsense any longer, but for those that care: know that this is not the system to go with if you want that level of control.

Performance

We’ve found the Google Nest Wifi to perform just as well as the original Google Wifi in our normal use, chewing through downloads and streaming video over our 100Mbps service via Verizon. This is especially impressive considering that our review unit only includes a single router and Point device, compared to the three router/points included in our Google Wifi setup.