There are a lot of tech stories that get published every day on TechRadar, and we'll forgive you for not getting around to reading all of them — though we're very grateful if you do (and our daily newsletter might be perfect for you as well).

If you're in need of a catch up on what's been happening since this time last week, then our ICYMI (In Case You Missed It) round-up is here to help. It features the biggest stories from the week, summarized in an easy-to-digest format.

With new LG TVs, cameras from DJI and GoPro, Fire TV sticks, and more to discuss, it's once again been quite a week in technology — here's what went down.

7. We got our first taste of Spider-Man: Brand New Day

We've already seen a trailer, but the first extended clip of Spider-Man: Brand New Day has been shared at CinemaCon 2026 in Las Vegas, and there's lots to dig into. Besides what it tells us about the upcoming Spidey flick (arriving in theaters on Friday, July 31), it also hints at some retconning that could have an impact on the next two Avengers movies.

This is mostly just speculation until we get to see the movie for ourselves, but everything is now perfectly set up for the return of Tom Holland as the superhero web slinger. At the same CinemaCon 2026 event, we've also been treated to two excellent new posters for the movie — check both of them out via the link below and tell us which one you prefer.

• Read the full story: Spider-Man: Brand New Day's first big clip has been revealed at CinemaCon 2026 — and I think it's teasing us over how it'll set up Marvel's next two Avengers movies

6. There was a new twist in the US foreign router ban

The US administration recently banned the launch of any new routers manufactured in foreign countries — ostensibly over national security concerns. One of the companies expected to be affected by the ban was Netgear, but this week we got news that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will be giving Netgear routers a pass.

Netgear has told us that it did submit an application for an exemption based on the FCC guidelines, which take into account the future plans of a company as well as current manufacturing processes, and that may be what made the difference here. Whatever the details in the small print, this remains a somewhat confusing ruling by the FCC.

• Read the full story: Netgear routers seemingly won’t be banned in the US after all — and this just proves the ban was never about security

5. Amazon gave us a slimmer Fire TV Stick

There was a lot of Amazon Fire TV news this week: not only did we get a slimmer version of the dependable Fire TV Stick HD streaming device, there's an interface revamp coming for all Fire TV devices. The updated layout is apparently going to help users to find content faster, with improved category selections one of the incoming software improvements.

Alongside the interface refresh, Amazon is also pushing out Fire TV channels, which will be free and ad-supported. These channels are going to be rolling out internationally at the end of the month, and cover genres such as news, comedy, cooking, and travel. These updates are substantial enough for rivals such as Roku and Google to take note.

• Read the full story: Own a Fire TV device? You're getting a free update soon, with refreshed layout and new streaming channels — and Amazon's also launching a slimmer Fire TV Stick

4. We tried 'the most beautiful phone of 2026'

Oppo has something to say to those who think smartphone design has peaked, and it's saying it in the form of the Find X9 Ultra. We've spent some time with the handset, which is inspired by the fantastic Hasselblad X2D camera in terms of its aesthetics, and this could genuinely end up being the most beautiful phone of 2026 (and quite a few other years as well).

There's going to be a full reveal of the phone next week, but for now we can confirm that the Oppo Find X9 Ultra comes with twin 200MP cameras and 10x optical zoom, and we're confident that the inside of the phone will be just as good as the outside. Stay tuned to TechRadar for more details over the next few days, including pricing and availability.

• Read the full story: The Oppo Find X9 Ultra is inspired by my favorite Hasselblad camera — and I think it's the most beautiful phone of 2026 so far

3. The DJI Osmo Pocket 4 finally landed

After months of rumors and speculation, the DJI Osmo Pocket 4 has finally landed, and this looks to be a serious upgrade over the Pocket 3 that preceded it. We've listed seven key upgrades that make the latest model worth a look, whether you're looking to upgrade from an existing device or wanting to get started with a vlogging camera for the first time.

The upgrades here include a new 4K sensor for better photos and video, improved color handling, a new slo-mo mode (up to 8x in full 4K), and subject tracking. We've got some welcome design tweaks to talk about too, while there's a higher capacity battery compared to the Pocket 3 that should ensure more recording time between charges.

• Read the full story: DJI Pocket 4 vs DJI Pocket 3 — 7 upgrades for the next best-selling vlogging camera

2. GoPro launched its epic Mission action cams

GoPro has been rather quiet of late, but that changed this week, when we got three new models from the camera company. These models are firmly aimed at serious videographers and photographers, too — the Mission 1 Pro ILS supports a Micro Four Thirds lens mount, which means it's compatible with hundreds of existing lenses.

That model is joined by the Mission 1 and Mission 1 Pro models. All three cameras feature a new 1-inch 50MP sensor and are capable of recording 8K video, and while we're still waiting for details on pricing, we do know pre-orders are opening up on May 21. Check out the three new models for yourself and let us know your thoughts — is GoPro back?

• Read the full story: GoPros get their biggest upgrade for 20 years with trio of 'professional' Mission 1 8K action cams — and one even supports hundreds of pro camera lenses

1. We tested LG's new flagship OLED TV

For many years LG has topped our list of the best OLED TVs on the market – or been very close to the top – and so expectations were high for the LG G6 that's leading the charge for the electronics maker in 2026. Having spent three weeks in the company of the television, we can confirm that it sets a new high bar when it comes to viewing experiences.

The LG G5 remains an excellent TV, but the LG G6 has somehow managed to improve on its predecessor in terms of picture quality, reflection reduction, gaming performance, color reproduction, and performance in brightly lit rooms. Have a read through our review and see if this could be the significant television upgrade you've been waiting for.

• Read the full story: I reviewed the LG G6 for 3 weeks, and it's a fantastic OLED TV that's the new best option for brighter rooms

• TP-Link claims Netgear misrepresented a Microsoft report, harming its public reputation significantly
• Netgear CEO remarks allegedly linked TP-Link to Chinese state-backed cyber campaigns incorrectly
• Disputed statements reference Typhoon-named threat groups without vendor attribution

TP-Link has filed a lawsuit accusing fellow hardware giant Netgear of intentionally spreading misleading claims which portrayed the company as linked to Chinese state-backed cyber threats.

The complaint alleges comments made by Netgear CEO Charles Prober during a recent earnings call implied TP-Link had a role in cyberattacks attributed to groups tracked under the Typhoon naming scheme, despite no attribution to the vendor in initial reports.

TP-Link argues these statements distorted public perception and contributed to media reports suggesting that its products pose a national security concern in the United States.

Disputed references to cyberespionage activity

During the earnings call, Prober referenced Microsoft’s findings into a cyber campaign involving TP-Link routers, framing the issue as part of broader national security scrutiny.

TP-Link disputes this interpretation, saying the report did not identify any involvement from the vendor itself, only that attackers had exploited its routers as part of a botnet.

The company argues that citing multiple Typhoon-named threat groups created a misleading association between the vendor and Chinese state operations.

TP-Link alleges that those statements were not only false but also derogatory.

The company highlights it is incorporated and headquartered in California, employs hundreds of staff in the state, and maintains US-based leadership responsible for global decisions.

Its complaint acknowledges the existence of a separate China-based predecessor entity, but claims TP-Link Systems and TP-Link Technologies now operate independently.

The company asserts its US headquarters disproves claims of Chinese government control or risk based on origin.

The filing also references a previous settlement in which TP-Link paid Netgear $135 million to resolve patent litigation.

Under that agreement, Netgear allegedly committed to stop making disparaging claims about TP-Link and its products.

TP-Link argues the remarks made in recent investor calls constitute a breach of that agreement and amount to commercial disparagement and unjust enrichment.

The vendor seeks damages and a jury trial to address reputational harm and alleged contract violations.

Media reports have suggested that US agencies may be examining TP-Link’s products in relation to national security concerns, though no official confirmation has been issued.

• Netgear Nighthawk 5G M7 supports up to 32 devices simultaneously
• Wi-Fi 7 connectivity allows near multi-gigabit speeds for connected devices
• Global eSIM support provides access to data plans in 140+ countries

Netgear has introduced the Nighthawk 5G M7 hotspot, a standalone option for users who want cellular data across multiple devices without relying on using a smartphone as a mobile hotspot.

The Nighthawk 5G M7 is a compact unit which claims to offer portable connectivity through dual-band Wi-Fi 7 and a hardware layout intended for frequent travel.

Netgear even claims that the M7 can support up to 32 devices simultaneously, which aligns it with higher-end portable units rather than single-user data accessories.

Connects 32 devices simultaneously

The device runs on Qualcomm’s Dragonwing SDX72 platform, a fifth-generation 5G modem system with wireless throughput approaching multi-gigabit levels.

A 2.4-inch display offers a basic monitoring interface that shows real-time information ranging from network strength to connected device count.

When direct physical links are required, users can connect via the USB-C or attach a USB-C-to-Ethernet adapter.

The internal battery is designed to last up to ten hours, and Netgear states that it can operate as a power bank through its 3850 mAh capacity.

What distinguishes this model from earlier iterations is the addition of global eSIM support, integrated through a dedicated eSIM marketplace accessible in the Netgear mobile app.

Data plans ranging from 3GB to 20GB are expected to be available across more than 140 countries, with purchased plans transferring directly to the device without manual configuration.

It also supports a physical SIM slot, and Netgear plans to extend the eSIM marketplace to the older Nighthawk M7 Pro at a later date.

Security functions include a firewall, WPA3 encryption, automatic firmware updates, and Netgear’s proprietary Wi-Fi router protection suite.

The app permits settings management, review of consumption, and activation of plans, which consolidates configuration into a single interface.

The device is unlocked and expected to function with major US carriers, although actual performance will depend on local coverage conditions.

These specifications seem to be a direct attempt to pull users away from relying on phone-based tethering, even though the long-term durability of that shift remains uncertain.

"We designed the M7 to solve the universal need for simple, encrypted, and reliable internet access anywhere," said Graeme McLindin, Vice President of Mobile at Netgear.

"By integrating an eSIM Marketplace, we are not just launching a hotspot; we’re delivering a complete connectivity solution that empowers users to connect with confidence and ease...”

If all goes well, the Nighthawk 5G M7 may reduce reliance on mobile hotspots, providing a standalone option for travelers, remote workers, and families to connect multiple devices.

If you take as many photos as I do, a digital photo frame is a fantastic purchase. Rather than leaving your snaps gathering metaphorical dust on your phone or SD card, it allows you to bring snaps into your home without the faff or expense of printing them all out. But before picking one up, there’s one thing I’d urge you to bear in mind – bigger does not always equal better.

In the year I’ve spent reviewing digital photo frames for TechRadar, I’ve tested a whole load of frames and have gone hands-on with some of the best examples out there. However, the more I’ve tested and dug through the specs of the best digital photo frames on the market, the more I’ve come to appreciate that the most expansive frames on the market aren’t always those that offer you the best image quality.

At the more premium end of the market, your boosted spend increasingly goes on larger and larger screen sizes. But while these huge frames look like they’re giving you loads of screen estate, this can be something of a false economy, as you’re not necessarily getting better image reproduction in return.

Why bigger digital photo frames aren't always better

The main reason that larger screens don't necessarily translate to better-looking photos is that most brands peg their digital photo frames at fairly similar resolutions… regardless of how big their screens may be. Apart from the odd exception – like the true 2K Pexar digital photo frame from Lexar – few frames go above 1080p. As a result, the mileage you’ll actually get out of that 1080p resolution will vary wildly.

Given that many screens contain the exact number of pixels, each pixel in the smaller screens is actually significantly smaller. A 1080p screen stretched over a massive 25 inches isn’t remotely as high definition as the same 1920 x 1080 pixels squeezed into a diminutive 10-inch frame. This means that smaller frames often give you far crisper, higher-res looking photos, despite generally being available for a lower price.

Take the Aura Aspen – it's 1600 x 1200 resolution sounds pretty puny compared to the Vieunite Textura’s 1920 x 1080. But when you consider it stretches that resolution over a relatively modest 11.8 inches compared to the Vieunite’s expansive 27 inches, its relative precision comes into focus.

In fact, the Aspen offers 169.49 pixels per inch (ppi), compared to the Textura’s significantly lower 81.59ppi – meaning the resolution listed in its specs doesn’t tell the full story.

In light of this, it’s often worth probing the specs of digital photo frames to be sure you know what you’re getting. Make sure you weigh up the size of each product’s screen in comparison to its resolution so you’re clear on how crisp it will make your photos. But don’t panic if you find the math confusing – our guide to the best digital photo frames can help you understand which frame will offer you the best picture quality for your investment.

Should you avoid large digital photo frames entirely?

So does that mean there’s no place in your home for larger frames? Not at all. In fact, in the right context, you may not even notice the difference.

The benefit of big screens is they’re, well… bigger. That means you’ll most likely view them from much longer viewing distances. Unlike the small frame you might have on your desk or beside your couch, larger frames are designed to be wall-mounted and viewed from across the room. Essentially, it’s the same logic that means your 4K TV can get away with much lower pixel density than your 4K smartphone – because both screens occupy about the same area of your visual field.

I’ve lived with the truly Brobdingnagian 27-inch Netgear Meural Canvas II for well over six months now. Despite its 81.59ppi pixel density being thoroughly thrashed by the super-fine 212ppi offered by the smaller Pexar digital photo frame, I’ve found it’s a great way to show off my favorite snaps in my living room.

When they’re viewed from an equal distance, the Canvas II definitely looks less sharp than the 11-inch Pexar, but when one is viewed from 12 inches away and the other from six feet, the effective resolution of each looks much more even.

So, rather than assuming bigger automatically equals better or banishing huge digital photo frames from your home entirely, the important thing is to be more intentional about the size of the frame you select.

Want a frame to hang in a narrow hallway or to sit on a bedside table? Then plump for the highest pixel density you can get. Looking for a statement piece to adorn the wall of your spacious living room? Then it’s well worth going for the largest frame you can afford.

You might also like

• Unsure if you want a big screen for movies and shows? Check out our guide to what size TV should you buy
• If you fancy printing out your photos instead, make sure you take a look at our guide to the best photo book services

• Netgear’s Exium acquisition targets SMEs with powerful all-in-one security
• Traditional VPNs may vanish as Netgear pushes SASE into its next-gen business offering
• Netgear’s hardware gets smarter, bundling security directly into routers for out-of-the-box protection

Netgear has entered the business cybersecurity market by acquiring Exium, a company specializing in secure cloud-based networking.

The company says the move is part of Netgear’s long-term strategy to serve small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with simplified, high-performance connectivity solutions.

By integrating Exium’s technology into its portfolio, Netgear aims to go beyond traditional VPNs and deliver a modern Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) framework that addresses both networking and security needs.

Making enterprise-grade security manageable for small IT teams

With this step, the company believes it can offer not only a strong business VPN alternative but also a comprehensive, user-friendly platform.

The integration of Exium’s platform will enable Netgear to develop an all-in-one system that combines wired and wireless networking with built-in security features.

“AI has changed the threat landscape for small and medium enterprises as well as larger businesses, but the solutions for SMEs are often too difficult to implement or need to be cobbled onto the network and managed separately,” said Pramod Badjate, President and GM of Netgear for Business.

“By offering the Exium SASE solution with the goal of integrating it into our Insight cloud management platform, we’ll be able to bring our customers a seamless, single-pane-of-glass solution that is easily deployed and managed by small IT teams or MSPs.”

The acquisition also sets the stage for improved hardware that supports advanced security functions right out of the box.

With its sights set on becoming a top provider of VPN routers for business users, Netgear now aims to deliver networking devices that are secure by design.

The company’s established expertise in wireless hardware, combined with Exium’s cybersecurity layer, means SMEs could soon benefit from ready-to-use routers and switches offering both performance and protection.

At the core of Exium’s platform is a zero-trust architecture, which aligns with Netgear’s plan to deliver a leading Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) solution for its customer base.

“Exium was built from the ground up as a cybersecurity solution to help protect small and medium enterprises that lack a comprehensive solution for combatting cybersecurity threats,” said Farooq Khan, CEO of Exium.

“We share a similar vision with Netgear and are excited to be joining the team to build a fully integrated network and security solution specially tailored to serve the needs of these customers.”

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Netgear Meural Canvas II review

The Netgear Meural Canvas II is a premium 27-inch digital photo frame that will allow you to show off your photos at a huge size. But that’s only half of its talent: it's also an art frame designed to screen a wide variety of visual art, offering an optional subscription that will unlock access to over 30,000 artworks. This will likely make it appealing to those who want to show off photos of their family, and also enjoy art by a range of artists from Katsushika Hokusai to Gustav Klimt.

Getting started with the Netgear Meural Canvas II is straightforward… for the most part. Once you’ve downloaded the app, you’ll navigate to the Canvas tab, then click to add a new device. Scan the QR code that displays on the Canvas II’s screen and you’re good to go. However, it isn't always totally foolproof. On one occasion, I was forced to set up the frame again – after resetting the Canvas II, every time I scanned the QR code, it threw up an error about not being able to connect to the Wi-Fi. Eventually, I resolved the issue by connecting it via an Ethernet cable for initial setup; but it’s worth being prepared, just in case you experience similar setup gremlins.

Adding photos to the Meural Canvas II is a breeze. Select "upload" from the app and you can send either individual shots or even link whole albums, letting you easily add all your snaps of Ibiza 2022 in one go. Meanwhile, you can buy individual artworks from the Meural app for $3.95 / £3.99, or access over 30,000 free with a Meural membership. Again, adding these is as simple as selecting the artwork in question and tapping "Send to Canvas".

Once you’ve set up and loaded your Meural Canvas II with photos and art, the first thing you’ll likely notice about it is that substantial display, which can rival any of the best digital photo frames can offer. Netgear’s digital art frame is gargantuan – at 27 inches, it exists right on the nexus between a photo frame and the Samsung Frame, the gorgeous art-focused TV screen. Not only does this mean it will show off your favorite snaps and paintings at a large size, butunlike much smaller frames, it doesn’t look swamped by space when you mount it on your wall.

While such epic screen estate is a definite plus, it does have an impact on detail levels. Stretching its relatively modest 1920 x 1080 resolution over such a large area does mean the Meural Canvas II has a low pixel density of just 80ppi. Compare this to the super-crisp 212ppi density offered by the Pexar 11-inch Digital Picture Frame, and you can see that you won't be getting the sharpest picture on the market. However, to put this in perspective, this is no worse than a mid-market 4K 55-inch TV such as the LG C4 and, given the frame is designed to be viewed across the room, you’re unlikely to notice too much blurriness unless your face is basically pressed up against its display.

This was absolutely my experience living with the Meural Canvas II. Even on that expansive screen my photos looked crisp from most vantage points. Monochrome shots of the grand ceiling of the Mosque–Cathedral of Córdoba showed off the intricate filigree of its vaulting in exquisite detail, while a color macro photo of the head of a thistle displayed the fine threads of its wispy thistle-down. When it comes to art, Blossoming Acacia Branches by Vincent van Gogh looked so detailed that his daubs of thick yellow oil appeared three dimensional.

Color reproduction is also impressively accurate. Whether I was displaying snaps of fireworks exploding into a haze of violet sparks and smoke, or blooming rhododendrons in a riot of reds and amber, every hue was faultlessly replicated. Meanwhile, Hilma af Klint’s Altarpiece No. 1 showed every color and tone of her prismatic pyramid flawlessly, never causing them to become oversaturated. I honestly couldn't spot the difference between the images on my iPhone 16 Pro’s camera and on the Meural Canvas II, which is a definite compliment given the iPhone’s almost slavish commitment to precise color reproduction.

At 300 nits, the 27-inch model I tested also felt plenty bright enough, without losing the impact of its blacks. Rocky outcroppings and distant valleys in my snaps of Fuerteventura displayed impressive levels of contrast, perfectly balancing the bright sunlit highlights with the dark shadows. And the screen's brightness is sufficient to continue to enjoy your artwork in direct sunlight. Don’t get me wrong: the sun does dull the image slightly, but its ambient light sensor boosts the brightness to compensate and that matte, anti-glare finish assures there’s very little in the way of reflections or glare.

The Netgear Meural Canvas II’s beauty goes beyond that screen, though. Its overall design is gorgeous; the perfect blend of minimal chic and authentic materials. Those thick white bezels make a convincing mount for your images, further reinforcing its artistic cred, while the range of finishes in which it's available – matte black, matte white, dark wood and light wood – make it super easy to complement your decor.

When it comes to your mounting options, the Meural Canvas II doesn’t come with a stand, which is perhaps understandable, given I’m not sure I’d trust a plastic stand to support its substantial bulk. I wasn’t able to test out its wall-mounting system – I rent and can’t quite justify losing my security deposit in the spirit of journalistic curiosity. Nevertheless, its mount seems easy enough to use, and for $49.95 / £45.99 can be upgraded to a swivel mount that will allow you to spin the frame’s orientation without removing it from the wall.

When you’re not using the app, you can control the frame using hand gestures, swiping through the air in front of it to change between your artwork, view metadata providing additional info on artwork and photos, or to navigate through menus. It’s all very Minority Report… if Tom Cruise had spent half that film frantically waving his hands and getting increasingly bewildered like a technophobic relative trying to use TikTok. I’m being only slightly hyperbolic here: occasionally, the frame would pick up the return stroke of my gestures, recoiling in the opposite direction – this was fine when just navigating artwork, but occasionally became quite irritating when trying to tweak complex settings buried down in multiple submenus.

Ultimately, aside from the odd UI quirk and the slightly lower pixel density, the Meural Canvas II is a fantastic picture frame. But the big stumbling block for most people will likely be that price. Starting at $599.99 / £649.99, it isn't going to meet anyone’s definition of cheap, particularly when you factor in the optional $8.95 / £8.99-a-month art membership. So if you can’t afford this kind of outlay, you might be better off with one of the best digital photo frames. However, if you can stretch to it, the Meural Canvas II is a thoroughly worthy purchase, offering a window to a world of art in your living room.

Netgear Meural Canvas II review: price & release date

• From $599.99 / £649.99
• Announced ‎September 6, 2019
• Meural membership costs $8.95 / £8.99 a month or $69.95 / £69 a year

First announced back on September 6, 2019, the Netgear Meural Canvas II retails for the not-insignificant sum of $599.99 / £649.99 for the 21-inch version or $699.99 / £822.99 for the 27-inch version. However, right now it’s reduced down to $399.99 and $499.99 respectively on Netgear’s US site right now.

For context, the Canvas II’s closest rival for the title of the best premium digital photo frame for art fans is the 27-inch Vieunite Textura Digital Canvas, which retails for £490 (around $620). That means even the smaller sized 21-inch Canvas II is pricier.

Meural membership is an additional cost. Costing $8.95 / £8.99 a month or $69.95 / £69 a year, it offers access to over 30,000 artworks, expands cloud storage from 4GB to 20GB, allows you to push images to multiple Canvas products, and offers up to 60% off premium content. However, if you’re happy just displaying your own photos and artwork, you’re by no means obligated to upgrade, so you shouldn’t necessarily let this put you off.

Netgear Meural Canvas II review: specs

Should I buy the Netgear Meural Canvas II?

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

Netgear Meural Canvas II review: also consider

How I tested the Netgear Meural Canvas II

• Tested the product over multiple weeks
• Tried it out with a variety of photos and artwork
• Have many years of experience working with photography

I tested the Netgear Meural Canvas II over a period of several weeks. I uploaded a wide variety of my own photos using the Meural app and also loaded a range of artworks onto the screen.

I made sure these images covered a wide variety of subjects, both portrait and landscape, and everything from monochrome landscapes to vibrant pictures of blossoms and leaves. I tested the frame in multiple positions to assess its performance in different lighting conditions, as well as trying it in both horizontal and vertical orientations.

I have extensive experience in photography, whether that’s the years I spent shooting on my Canon DSLR, or the snaps I now take on my iPhone 16 Pro. I’ve taken around 40,000 photos in the past and I’ve also got around a decade of experience preparing images for print, which has given me a lot of insight around spotting issues with image resolution and color reproduction.

• First reviewed: March 2025
• Read more about how we test

D-Link is aiming to take surveillance in new directions with its DSS-200G series of Layer 2 switches, which are designed to power the latest IP cameras and provide automated recovery services. This family of four switches is headed up by the 28-port DSS-200G-28MPP, which has a punchy power budget of 518W and offers support for 90W 802.3bt PoE services.

We reviewed the DSS-200G-28MP model, which sits on the rung below and offers a more modest 370W power budget with 30W 803.2at services available across all 24 gigabit ports. Both have four pairs of unpowered copper and fiber dual-personality gigabit ports for uplinks to a network video recorder (NVR) or server.

The switch can power any PoE-compliant device, but D-Link has focused primarily on surveillance usage. It incorporates 6kV surge protection circuitry to shield external cameras against lightning strikes.

One common feature of the DSS-200G series is the block of five DIP switches at the front, which are used to hard-set certain features. The first switch sets an ingress priority function so packets entering port 1 have the highest priority while those incoming on port 24 have the lowest.

The second switch enables a PoE extend mode on the first eight ports. This overcomes the 100-metre PoE cable length limitation by allowing powered devices (PDs) to be placed up to 250 meters away but, in common with all PoE extenders, it drops speed to 10Mbits/sec.

The third switch activates an isolation function so packets incoming on a “controlled” port will only be forwarded to a designated uplink port. This is a handy security feature; it means that if an IP camera is compromised, the intruder can’t gain access to any others attached to the switch.

Next up is D-Link’s PD-Alive function, which pings the IP address of a device to check availability and, if it doesn’t respond for a specific time, will reset its PoE services and send out notifications, although for traps, only the less secure SNMPv2 is supported. Lastly, the fifth DIP switch enables STP, which uses redundant paths to restore connections due to a link failure.

Two management modes are available, and selecting the standard option from the quick start wizard presents a web interface with access to every switch feature. From here, you can configure all Layer 2 functions, create surveillance and voice VLANs, assign one of three PoE priorities to each port and enable the global ONVIF service so all compliant IP cameras are discovered and placed in a separate VLAN.

The surveillance mode presents a completely different interface with a smart graphical topology view showing all ports and attached devices. After we connected three D-Link PoE IP cameras, they were identified and automatically assigned icons with the correct model photo.

Add non-D-Link cameras and, as long as they’re ONVIF-compliant, the switch assigns a generic camera icon but won’t identify their make or model. Devices such as our Netgear Wi-Fi 6 APs were simply classed as “other” but, in all cases, PoE services can be manually recycled to force a remote reboot.

The graphical theme continues with the console offering a filtered view showing only IP cameras along with their IP addresses and power consumption. You can keep a close eye on total power consumption and switch stats from the surveillance overview page, set schedules to control when power is provided to selected ports and configure the PD-Alive function on individual ports instead of using the fourth DIP switch.

The web console is mainly concerned with surveillance functions and offers greatly reduced access to switch settings. This isn’t a problem, though, as you can swap back to the standard mode if you need to tweak something and then return to surveillance mode.

The DSS-200G-28MP is a worthy contender for business surveillance duties as it offers plenty of smart IP camera management and monitoring features. Value looks good, too, as it includes a generous PoE budget, but you’ll need to focus on D-Link’s IP cameras to get the best from it.

We also rated the best secure smartphones.

• Netgear found two flaws affecting WiFi access points and routers
• To mitigate them, it released new firmware for the devices
• The company urged users to apply the fix as soon as possible

Netgear has confirmed recently fixed a number of critical-severity vulnerabilities, plaguing multiple access points and routers.

Since the bugs can be exploited in attacks requiring no user interaction, and could result in remote code execution (RCE), Netgear urged its customers to apply the released fixes without delay.

A Netgear security advisory noted the two flaws are internally tracked as PSV-2023-0039 (a remote code execution flaw), and PSV-2021-0017 (an authentication bypass flaw). They affect these WiFi 6 access points and Nighthawk Pro Gaming Routers: XR1000, XR1000v2, XR500, WAX206, WAX220, and WAX214v2.

Reaching end-of-life status

"NETGEAR strongly recommends that you download the latest firmware as soon as possible," the company said in the security advisory, before giving a step-by-step tutorial on how to download and install the latest firmware for Netgear routers.

"NETGEAR is not responsible for any consequences that could have been avoided by following the recommendations in this notification,” it warned.

Internet routers and WiFi access points are among the most attacked devices because they serve as the gateway between a local network and the internet. They are also often considered a “low hanging fruit” in cyberattacks, since many have default credentials, outdated firmware, or weak security configurations. In many instances, users keep their devices past their end-of-life date, losing support and exposing themselves to known vulnerabilities.

Attackers can use compromised routers for botnets, man-in-the-middle attacks, DNS hijacking, or data interception. Since routers operate 24/7 and control network traffic, an attacker who gains control can redirect users to malicious sites, steal credentials, or deploy malware across networks.

Due to its popularity, Netgear is a popular target for hackers. In June 2024, a popular budget-friendly Netgear small business router was found vulnerable to half a dozen flaws that could lead to the theft of sensitive information, and possibly even full device takeover. The device reached its end-of-life, so Netgear did not bother releasing a patch.

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• Huawei has won a number of court rulings in its legal wrangles with Netgear
• The patents involved are crucial to WiFi 6 technology used in Netgear's wireless routers
• Netgear produces the popular Nighthawk and Orbi family of products

Update 01/06/25:

Since the verdict in this case, a PR company acting for Netgear has confirmed that the company has obtained a license to Huawei's WiFi 6 patents, "resolving all outstanding WiFi related litigation".

Original article follows:

Huawei has won a series of legal victories against Netgear in its ongoing patent disputes over WiFi 6 technology, with the latest development potentially having far-reaching implications for Netgear’s operations across Europe.

As reported by intellectual property activist Florian Mueller, the Unified Patent Court (UPC) recently granted Huawei a multi-country injunction against Netgear, following a ruling in its Munich Local Division.

This decision, centered on a WiFi 6 standard-essential patent (SEP), applies to seven countries, including Germany, France, and Italy. Mueller says it marks one of the most commercially impactful rulings in the UPC's history regarding SEPs.

Netgear facing a tough choice

Netgear, a major US router brand best known for its Nighthawk and Orbi products, has been defending itself against Huawei’s claims, but faces mounting challenges. A new ruling from the Munich I Regional Court, expected on January 9, 2025, could further complicate matters. In this case, Huawei is asserting another WiFi 6 SEP, which appears likely to be deemed valid and infringed, based on court proceedings.

Netgear’s defenses hinge on arguments related to FRAND (Fair, Reasonable, and Non-Discriminatory) licensing obligations and patent exhaustion. However, Mueller says the court has historically been skeptical of such defenses unless supported by strong evidence. Patent exhaustion, which Netgear hoped would protect devices using Qualcomm chips, has limited applicability. According to the UPC ruling, the exhaustion defense only applies if Qualcomm chips were first sold within the European Union, creating logistical and manufacturing hurdles for Netgear.

The ramifications extend beyond Netgear, as the decision reinforces the UPC's stance on SEPs and FRAND obligations. The court has emphasized that implementers must engage constructively in licensing negotiations and, in some cases, accept pool license offers. Netgear’s rejection of a pool license, combined with its litigation strategies, has not helped its position.

With enforcement of the injunction imminent, Mueller says Netgear faces a tough choice: negotiate a license or risk further legal and operational setbacks. This case not only highlights the complexities of SEP enforcement in Europe it also sets a precedent for similar disputes in the future.

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Netgear Nighthawk RS200: One-minute review

Netgear has always been happy to sit up at the more expensive end of the networking market but, following a management shake-up earlier this year, we’re pleased to see that it finally seems to be taking a more competitive approach with its pricing. The new Nighthawk RS200 is certainly the most affordable Wi-Fi 7 router that it’s released so far - although that low price does mean that it lacks some key features that most of its Wi-Fi 7 rivals take for granted.

Most notably, the RS200 is a dual-band router, which transmits a Wi-Fi signal on the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz frequency bands – whereas most Wi-Fi 7 routers are ‘tri-band’ devices that can also transmit on the 6.0GHz band as well (as do previous generation routers with Wi-Fi 6E too). Some people might argue that this omission means that the RS200 doesn’t even qualify as a true Wi-Fi 7 router at all, but there are other technical features within Wi-Fi 7 that enable the RS200 to squeeze better performance out of the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands. This ensures that it can outperform many of the older dual-band routers that are still in use in many homes, so it may be worth considering as an upgrade for people who are still using an old Wi-Fi 5 or Wi-Fi 6 router that was provided by their ISP.

Netgear Nighthawk RS200: Price and availability

• How much does it cost? $229.99/£199.99/AU$449.00
• When is it available? Now
• Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, Australia

A price of $229.99/£199.99/AU$449.00 means that the RS200 is one of the most affordable Wi-Fi 7 routers we’ve seen so far – although, of course, Netgear had to omit support for the high-speed 6.0GHz band in order to achieve that price. However, its top speed of 6.5Gbps should still be adequate for most domestic broadband services. Netgear also states that it can connect to 80 different devices at the same time, and can cover homes up to 2,500sq.ft in size (although regions outside the US may quote that figure at 2,000sq.ft due to differences in national regulations).

• Value: 3.5/5

Netgear Nighthawk RS200: Specs

Netgear Nighthawk RS200: Design

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

I still miss the streamlined design of the original Nighthawk routers, with folding wings that made it look like Darth Vader’s shuttle craft. But, like other new Nighthawk models since the introduction of Wi-Fi 7, the Nighthawk RS200 has a more upright design, looking like a tall, black obelisk that stands a full 249mm high. You’ll need to give it plenty of room when first setting it up, but this design does allow the router’s four internal antennae to more effectively transmit the Wi-Fi signal through 360-degrees all around, in order to achieve the high speeds that are provided by Wi-Fi 7.

And, despite the low price, the RS200 provides wired good connectivity too, with a 2.5Gbps Ethernet port for a high-speed fibre or cable broadband connection. There’s another 2.5Gbps port to provide a wired connection for a PC or games console, and three Gigabit Ethernet ports for additional connections. It’s also possible to ‘aggregate’ – or combine – two of those Ethernet ports to provide a faster connection if required. There’s even a USB-A (3.0) port that will allow you to connect a USB storage device to your network, so that you can share files with other people at home or in an office.

• Design: 4/5

Netgear Nighthawk RS200: Features

There’s no getting around the fact that omitting the 6.0GHz frequency band is an odd decision for a Wi-Fi 7 router, as anyone who has a shiny new PC or smartphone that supports Wi-Fi 7 will want all the speed they can get from it. However, a speed of 6.5Gbps is still more than adequate for most home users, and many business users too, and the RS200 does include Wi-Fi 7 features – such as reduced latency – that still give it an edge over older dual-band routers.

The Nighthawk app is well designed too, and makes it easy to set up your new network in just a few minutes. There’s a QR code printed on top of the router, and you can just scan this code and then leave the app to set everything up for you automatically. You can simply use the default network name and password if you want, but the app allows you to create a new name and password for extra security. The only thing that slows you down is the need to create a Netgear account in order to keep using the app after the initial installation.

To keep things as simple as possible, the Nighthawk app combines the two frequency bands into a single network and automatically connects your computers and other devices to the fastest band available in that particular location within your home or office. But while the app is very easy to use, it doesn’t offer many additional features.

You can create a guest network, and there are tools for running a speed check and monitoring network traffic to ensure that everything is working properly. However, the app’s parental controls are very basic, simply allowing you to pause Internet access for individual devices. There are no weekly scheduling controls, or content filters to block web sites that might be unsuitable for children.

If you do want those additional features then you’ll need to pay a subscription fee for Netgear’s Smart Parental Controls service. There’s a 30-day free trial available, but once the trial ends you’ll need to pay $7.99/month or $69.99/year to continue the service. The same thing applies to Netgear’s Armor security service, which also provides a 30-day trial, but then costs $99.99 per year.

As we’ve said – many a time in the past – there are rival routers that provide better parental controls free of charge, so parents that do need these features may want to consider alternative routers.

• Features: 3.5/5

Netgear Nighthawk RS200: Performance

• 6.5Gbps speed
• Dual-band Wi-Fi 7 (2.4GHz/5.0GHz)
• 4 internal antennae

The lack of support for the 6.0GHz frequency band is clearly disappointing – and for some users it may well be a deal-breaker. Even so, the improved performance of the Nighthawk RS200 still allows it to beat the aging dual-band router in our office, which was provided by our ISP.

Our office broadband runs at 150Mbps, but our old router can normally only manage a top speed of 120Mbps even when connecting to devices that are close by in the same room.

We also have an office at the back of the building that our old router struggles to reach at all, forcing us to rely on PowerLine adaptors to provide a wired network connection instead. In contrast, the RS200 immediately hit the full 150Mbps speed that was available when connecting to devices in the same room for both the Ookla Speed Test and for large file downloads on Steam.

That speed did dip slightly as I picked up my laptop and wandered along the hall to the back office, but the RS200 took just a few seconds to roll up its sleeves and bump the speed back up to 150Mbps once more, and eliminate the need for those PowerLine adaptors. If you already own an expensive laptop or iPhone 16 that has full support for tri-band Wi-Fi 7 then it probably doesn’t make much sense to compromise on an entry-level router such as the RS200 that doesn’t support the 6.0GHz band. However, the RS200 can still provide a fast, reliable upgrade for people who are using an older dual-band router that is past its sell-by date.

• Performance: 4/5

Should you buy the Netgear Nighthawk RS200?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider

Netgear has traditionally offered an outstanding range of the best network switches and wireless access points (WAPs) for small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs), but routers have always been conspicuous by their absence. Not any more: the PR60X Pro fills this void in Netgear’s product portfolio by delivering a 10GbE-ready solution offering plenty of routing capabilities, dual WAN failover, support for up to 30 site-to-site IPsec VPNs and an integral firewall.

Powered by a 2.2GHz quad-core ARM A73 CPU partnered by 2GB of DDR4 memory, this slimline 1U rack unit offers a 10GbE copper port configurable for LAN or WAN duties, a 2.5GbE WAN port and three 2.5GbE LAN ports, all of which are the multi-gigabit variety. You get a 10GbE SFP+ uplink port for long-distance connections over fiber, and a neat touch is its status LEDs are presented front and back so you can rack-mount it in either orientation.

Deployment scenarios are manifold since the PR60X Pro can be used to head up a small office network and provide secure internet access to all connected devices. Larger businesses with regional offices can place a router in each location and link them together over site-to-site VPNs.

The PR60X supports a standalone mode plus Insight cloud management and includes a one-year Insight subscription in the price. The pricier PR460X is exactly the same, but this model is aimed exclusively at integrators, has a four-year Insight subscription and a more generous five-year hardware warranty.

We started testing in standalone mode and followed the router’s quick-start wizard, which sensibly requested an admin password change and upgraded its firmware to the latest version. The console is nicely designed and presents an informative dashboard, with a topology graphic showing connected devices along with status views of the system, each network port and all VPNs.

The fifth port defaults to LAN duties but you can change this to a WAN port and team it up with the other one for failover duties. You can decide which are primary and secondary connections and apply a policy so that if one fails, the second takes over; the router doesn’t support load balancing.

The firewall is enabled out of the box and provides basic SPI (stateful packet inspection) services, along with port scan and denial of service protection. It can be customized with rules that specify connection directions, source and destination addresses, protocols and allow or deny actions.

The router comes with a set of predefined IPsec VPN profiles for services such as Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services, to which you can add custom profiles. Along with site-to-site VPNs, the router supports client-to-site VPNs and the third-party OpenVPN service.

Quality of service (QoS) configuration for the WAN ports is simplified by the router’s Smart Queue Management (SQM) feature. Run an internet speed test from the web console and it will automatically configure itself with the discovered upload and download speeds to ensure that latency and congestion are kept to a minimum.

Adding the PR60X to our cloud account was simple enough, as we used the Insight iOS app on an iPad to scan its QR code and assign it to a site. It duly appeared as a new device on the portal’s router section, and we noted that you can still manage it from the local interface.

The Insight portal provides access to all the same settings, so you can remotely configure the WAN ports, firewall traffic rules, port triggering and forwarding, IPsec VPNs and the like. A topology map shows how your devices are linked to each other, you can view connected clients and keep an eye on hardware stats such as operating temperatures and cooling fan speeds.

The PR60X Pro neatly fills a gap in Netgear’s networking armor and provides a powerful set of routing, VPN and WAN failover features. It’s an affordable option for SMBs, can be easily managed locally or in the cloud, and its 10GbE WAN port is ready and waiting for ultra-fast broadband.

We list the best mesh Wi-Fi systems.

The best network switch will be a necessity for anyone looking to add more wired connections and gain greater network speeds.

One of the biggest issues we've found with even the best routers and best small business routers is a lack of ports to the rear. This means you might need to rely on slower wireless connections when you'd rather hook up an RJ45 or ethernet cable. And that's where network switches are essential. These units effectively act as an ethernet hub, letting you connect a full suite of devices, including PCs, printers, and gaming consoles, for reliable wired connections.

The Cisco CBS350-8MGP-2X remains the best network switch for most people, and we found during review that it offers enough ports to solve most home networking issues. Through our extensive testing, top alternatives also include the TP-Link TL-SG3210XHP-M2, which is great for small businesses and the TRENDnet TPE-TG380/TEG-S750 for those who just want simplicity. Check out our reviews below, where we've compared a range of features from port numbers and selections to security features and network scalability.

The best network switch overall

With the CBS350 series, Cisco has a foothold in the lucrative consumer market which is bound to grow as more people work from home. The CBS350-8MGP-2X offers the right balance in terms of the number of ports, speed, and features. The fanless design together with great PoE support both in hardware and software makes the unit a treat to deploy and maintain. The web interface and companion mobile application increase the utility of the managed switch by simplifying its configuration.

The CBS350-8MGP-2X is not without flaws as the price is still a bit steep with only four ports 2.5Gbps and over. The case could definitely be smaller if the 10G combo ports were stacked. The CBS350-8MGP-2X remains one of the higher quality switches that we’ve seen and will be a good investment in the long run.

Read our full Cisco CBS350-8MGP-2X review.

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The best network switch on a budget

If you’re especially concerned about power efficiency, this switch features TP-Link’s energy saving tech that saves power up to 70%. This 1-port switch has a 3.2Gbps switching capacity and 9k Jumbo frame to improve the performance of large data transfers. It’s one of the quietest switches we’ve tested which is made possible by its fanless design – and because it’s plug-and-play there’s no configuration required. Oh, and it’s as affordable as switches of its kind come. What’s not to like?

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The best network switch for quiet operation

So quiet you won’t hear a peep out of it, this unmanaged 24-port switch from Netgear can be mounted as a rackmount or desktop switch and is backed by an industry-leading warranty. It’s plug-and-play, making it suitable for small-to-medium-sized businesses – and it’s power efficient to boot. Additionally, each port is equipped with automatic speed and duplex sensing, in addition to auto uplink to adjust for straight-through or crossover cables to make the right link.

Get the best deal on Netgear products with our Netgear coupon codes.

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The best network switch for video

Cisco’s monster 24-port Gigabit switch is an unmanaged switch designed for small office spaces. It’s plug-and-play, requiring zero configuration out of the box, and it’s available in both compact desktop and rack-mount models. As part of the networking giant’s 110 series, it’s designed for bandwidth-intensive video services, and this model can conserve energy by optimising power use without compromising features, which not only helps the environment – it’ll reduce your business’s energy cost too.

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The best network switch for long-distance connections

This switch from TRENDnet has one of the longest PoE+ signals on our list, reaching up to 200m at 10Mbps once its DIP switch is enabled. It can supply up to 30W of PoE+ power per port with a 65W total budget. Its other features are appealing too – it’s wall mountable, features a fanless design for silent operation and is incredibly easy to install and maintain thanks to its unmanaged nature and plug-and-play design. Oh, and its lifetime warranty will give you peace of mind.

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The best network switch for beginners

TRENDnet is bringing high-speed Ethernet to the masses with the introduction of the TEG-S750 and TPE-TG380 which are 10G five ports and 2.5G eight ports unmanaged switches. The TPE-TG380 adds Power over Ethernet support, allowing for example high-end 4K cameras to be connected and powered over the same wire. The switches are very reliable since they have no moving parts and are extremely simple to use. They are compatible with most modern network infrastructure and are decently priced.

The TEG-S750 has a maximum power consumption of 18W and is heavy given the limited number of ports. It has no mounting hole and is designed to be placed on a desk. Conversely, the TPE-TG380 is bigger but lighter and offers the option of being wall-mounted. Both come with a power adapter as the only accessory and are covered with a lifetime warranty in North America.

Read our full TRENDnet TPE-TG380/TEG-S750 review.

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The best high-powered network switch

With its 48 Ethernet ports, the new EnGenius ECS2552FP managed switch offers plenty of connectivity even for the most demanding network infrastructure. The network switch with 32 x 1GbE and 16 x 2.5GbE supports both legacy and modern equipment. If that's not enough, four additional SFP+ ports allow easy scalability when connected to other ECS2552FP. A 740W PoE power supply available to all copper ports makes running power-hungry devices fuss-free.

What makes the ECS2552FP great is the mobile application and cloud services. They are straightforward to use and make deploying and managing the switch and other EnGenius devices a breeze. On the downside, a loud fan that is always on makes the switch impossible to use on a desk. Furthermore, some parts of the cloud service, such as the firmware upgrade, can be improved. At an MSRP of $1599, the ECS2552FP is priced just about what other similar switches cost.

Read our full EnGenius ECS2552FP review.

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The best network switch for small businesses

The TP-Link TL-SG3210XP-M2 managed switch offers eight 2.5GbE ports and two 10G SFP+ connectors. A 240W power supply dedicated to PoE devices means cameras can be powered without any worry. The console is accessible through a legacy RJ45 connector and a micro USB, which is suitable for laptops lacking a serial port. The onboard 800MHz single-core processor ensures that webpages are served quickly with port statistics rendered in real-time.

The switch could have been perfect if not for the noisy fan. At about 45dB, it is not the quietest piece of office equipment. The power consumption is on the lower end, at 20W when idle. The TL-SG3210XP-M2 requires the purchase of an additional controller box to be accessible from the Internet. With an MSRP of less than $400, the TP-Link TL-SG3210XP-M2 switch remains a good value for the quality provided.

Read our full TP-Link TL-SG3210XHP-M2 review.

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The best network switch for small networks

The C1300-8MGP-2X represents Cisco's next generation of affordable network switches but with an enterprise touch. With eight ports split into 1Gbps and 2.5Gbps bandwidths, it covers most of the needs of small businesses and home labs. A 120W PoE budget makes it an excellent surveillance switch, as it can provide power even while the switch is rebooting after a firmware update. The passively cooled unit will last longer and help avoid unnecessary hardware maintenance.

The C1300 has its quirks. It uses an ecosystem that includes a mobile app, so the user must first register a Cisco account and add the hardware QR through the app. Having a single LED per port does not help visually diagnose field issues. The C1300 remains more expensive than similar products because it carries the Cisco brand.

Read our full Cisco Catalyst C1300-8MGP-2X review.

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How to buy a network switch?

• If you have decided that you need a network switch to connect multiple devices directly to different resources – such as a broadband router and / or security gateway, or to shared server, storage and print devices – you have plenty of choices available. But you can quickly narrow the options down. Daniel Marsh, Business Development Manager at Zyxel Networks UK, explains:

How many ports?

The first consideration must be how many ports you need. This will be dictated by the number of devices you want to connect. You can buy switches with as few as four or eight ports, and these smaller devices are ideal for the smallest businesses or for a home office.

Most switches for business use will have 16, 24, or 48 ports and are designed for deployment within the network fabric. They come with a variety of features and capabilities and these factors will also influence your choice.

If you expect to increase the number of devices you will want to connect in the future, it may be worth purchasing a switch that has more ports than you need immediately. But you could also achieve this by purchasing an additional switch later on.

Power over Ethernet?

The second question will be whether or not you want Power over Ethernet (PoE) or not. This depends on what sort of devices you are going to connect and how much PoE budget they will need. You can get switches that have PoE on all ports and others that only have it on a set number of connections. But usually, it’s a straight choice – with or without PoE. You’ll always pay a little more for a switch with PoE.

Devices that you can power through PoE include IP phones, wireless access points, and IP cameras. Here, the overall PoE budget and how it is allocated by the switch may be important. IP phones don’t use a lot of power, WiFi access points don’t consume much either, IP cameras – especially those used for security with pan, zoom and tilt (PZT) capability, use much more.

Remember that connected devices will consume more power when active than inactive. If all your connected devices are going to be active at the same time you might need the switch to have quite a high PoE budget i.e. up to 30W per port. On some switches, you might have only 15W per port maximum. Also, the way that the power is distributed might be significant. Many switches will have a fixed maximum Wattage per port; on others, the power can be dynamically allocated, so different PoE ports can use more power if it’s needed by the connected device.

Desktop or rack?

If you are going to install the switch into an existing network cabinet, you’ll need to choose one designed to fit i.e. a ‘rackable’ switch. These come in ‘U’ sizes, which is just a standard designation for the height of the switch. Usually, they are 1U or 2U. If you don’t need to put the switch in a rack, you might want to consider how it will look on a desktop, shelf or wherever you plan to position it.

If you are using a rack, you may also want to consider whether or not you need the switch to have a second, redundant power supply, so that you have a back-up should the primary power unit fail. This might be important if the switch is supporting critical infrastructure, such as security appliances or surveillance cameras.

Speed

On many switches, every port runs at the same speed. But there are a growing number of devices that offer multiple speeds on different ports. If you are only connecting a small set of devices, you will only need one speed – and it’s quite commonplace now to get 1 Gigabit speeds (1000 Mbps) even on small switches.

For bigger networks you might want to take advantage of the ‘multi-gig’ capability. This allows you to connect ports with more bandwidth capacity to the network backbone (uplinks) and out to connected devices – like laptops, access points or IP cameras – through lower speed ports. You might for example, want to run at 5 Gigabits on the backbone fabric of the network (which has to have capacity for all network traffic) and only 2.5 Gigabits or 1 Gigabit between the switches and devices on the edge of the network.

Managed or unmanaged?

Put simply, an unmanaged switch is a junction box on which you can’t really change anything. A managed switch gives you the ability to set up different types of connection – for virtual LANs for example or for different types of traffic, such as video or voice. You can usually monitor and manage the switch ports through a special app or management service provided by the vendor. This can be really useful, especially if you have other devices on the network like WiFi access points and security gateways that you also want to manage through the web connection.

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Netgear Orbi 770: One-minute review

We were pleasantly surprised by the Nighthawk RS300 router that Netgear released recently as it marked a move towards slightly more affordable pricing than we’d seen from the company in the past. It looks like that trend is continuing, as Netgear has now launched a new addition to its range of mesh Wi-Fi systems in the form of the Orbi 770, which is considerably less expensive than previous models in the Orbi range.

It’s still not exactly cheap – after all, Wi-Fi 7 is still the current state-of-the-art for Wi-Fi technology – but the Orbi 770 provides tri-band Wi-Fi 7 with a top speed of 11Gbps, which should be more than fast enough for most homes and small businesses. And, more importantly, it’s a lot less expensive than previous Orbi models, and can even compete with mesh systems from rivals such as Linksys and TP-Link as well. The only sting in the tail, as always, is Netgear’s fondness for selling subscription services that provide additional parental controls and security features.

Netgear Orbi 770: Price and availability

• How much does it cost? $999.99 / £899.99 / AU$1,499.00
• When is it available?: Available now
• Where can you get it?: Available in the US, EU, UK and Australia

There are two options for the Orbi 770 series, with prices starting at £649.99/$699.99 for a two-piece system that consists of one primary router and one secondary ‘satellite’. Netgear states that this two-piece system is capable of covering areas of up to 5,500sq.ft, although regions such as the UK and EU may quote slightly lower coverage areas due to differences in local regulations. However, we tested the top-of-the-range three-piece system that includes a router and two satellites, covering up to 8,000sq.ft, for a total price of £899.99/$999.99. That three-piece system is the only option currently available in Australia, where it is priced at AU$1499.00.

That’s a fraction of the price of Netgear’s high-end Orbi 9700, but also compares well with rivals such as the Linksys Velop Pro 7, which provides similar speeds and features. However, people who need parental controls or more advanced security features may want to shop around to see how much rival manufacturers charge for those features and services.

Value: 4 / 5

Netgear Orbi 770: Specs

Netgear Orbi 770: Design

• Upright design boosts Wi-Fi signal
• Primary router with two ‘satellite’ units
• 2.5GB Ethernet for WAN/LAN connections

Many mesh Wi-Fi systems simply provide you with two or three routers that are completely identical, but the Orbi 770 – like all of Netgear’s Orbi range – consists of a primary router and two additional ‘satellites’. The router and satellites do look very similar, with a tall, upright design that helps them transmit the Wi-Fi signal through a full 360-degrees all around, but there are a number of differences between them. The primary router – which has a helpful sticker on the front that says ‘ROUTER’ in capital letters – has a 2.5Gb Ethernet port (WAN) port for connecting to your existing broadband router or modem, along with three additional 2.5Gb ports to provide wired (LAN) connections for devices such as a games console or set-top box that might work better with a wired network.

In contrast, the satellite units each have just two 2.5Gb port for wired connections. It’s also a little disappointing that there are no USB ports at all, which would allow you to connect a hard drive or other storage device that you could share with other people on your network. The white plastic casing of all three units also feels a little lighter and less sturdy than it does with some of the more expensive Orbi models, so parents with young children should probably place them out of reach of eager little hands.

Design: 4 / 5

Netgear Orbi 770: Features

• Good app with simple set-up
• Can create guest and IoT networks
• Some features require subscriptions

Netgear’s Orbi app has always been easy to use, so getting started is very straightforward – apart from the fact that the router and satellites take a rather leisurely few minutes to warm up before their status lights announce that they’re ready for action.

The app starts by telling you to set up the main router on its own, and you can simply scan a QR code on the router to connect to the new Orbi network. You can use the default network name and password if you want, but you’re also given the option of creating new login details for improved security. You are then prompted to set up the satellites in different locations around your home, and the app automatically connects the three units together to complete your new network.

The Orbi 770 is a tri-band router that can transmit a Wi-Fi signal on the 2.4GHz, 5.0GHz, and 6.0GHz frequency bands, with a top speed of 11Gbps (strictly speaking it’s actually 10.8Gbps but Netgear’s marketing info tends to round the numbers up).

To keep things simple for home users, the Orbi app combines all three bands to create a single network, but there are other options as well. Like most routers and mesh systems, the Orbi 770 allows you to create an additional guest network, but it also introduces a third ‘IoT’ network – or ‘Internet Of Things’ – that sets aside the 2.4GHz frequency band specifically for use with smart devices such as lights and security cameras.

It also supports Wi-Fi 7 features such as MLO – multi-link operation – that allow it to use the 5.0GHz and 6.0GHz bands together to improve performance (although your computers and other devices will also need to support Wi-Fi 7 in order to use MLO).

But while the Orbi app is easy to use, it’s not exactly overflowing with additional features, and more advanced users might prefer an app that provides more detailed control over your network settings. That rather barebones approach also allows Netgear to try and sell you additional subscriptions that provide more advanced parental controls and security features.

The basic parental controls that are available within the app merely allow you to pause internet access for individual devices, but there are no scheduling features that can limit Internet access to specific times, or content filters for blocking unsuitable websites.

If you want those features then you’ll need to sign up for Netgear’s Smart Parental Controls service, which costs £6.99/$7.99/AU$10.99 per month, or £49.99/$69.99/AU$99.99 per year. You do get a 30-day free trial with Netgear’s Armor security service, but after that you’ll need to pay for an annual subscription starting at £84.99/$99.99/AU$145.00.

As we’ve noted on many occasions in the past, there are rival routers and mesh systems that provide some of these features free of charge, so parents in particular might want to consider some of the alternatives in our list of best mesh systems.

Features: 4 / 5

Netgear Orbi 770: Performance

• 11Gbps, tri-band Wi-Fi 6
• 2.5Gb Ethernet ports
• Supports MLO and other Wi-Fi 7 features

It might be far less expensive than other models in the Orbi range, but the Orbi 770 doesn’t cut any corners when it comes to performance. Its 11Gbps speed is more than fast enough to cope with most domestic broadband services, and even many business networks as well, and it’s not even slightly bothered by the troublesome Wi-Fi ‘deadspot’ that we have in an office located towards the back of our building.

Our normal office router can provide the full 150Mbps provided by our office network when connecting to devices that are close by. However, its Wi-Fi signal struggles to reach that back office, which means that we normally have to rely on a set of PowerLine adaptors to provide a more reliable wired network connection. As expected, the Orbi 770 doesn’t provide any real improvement for devices that are close to its primary router, simply matching the 150Mbps that we normally get when running the Ookla Speed Test or downloading games from Steam.

However, the Orbi satellites do a great job of extending our new Wi-Fi network into that back office, allowing us to maintain that 150Mbps speed for both Ookla and Steam with no trouble at all.

Admittedly, the Orbi 770 may still be overkill if you’re using older devices that only support Wi-Fi 5 or Wi-Fi 6, but it provides a competitively priced Wi-Fi upgrade for owners of newer devices that have Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7.

Performance: 5 / 5

Should you buy the Netgear Orbi 770?

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Don't buy it if...

Also Consider

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

It’s difficult for tech writers like myself to get a broad view on a piece of tech within our day-to-day lives. Many of us live in small rental apartments in the inner city, which severely limits our ability to conduct holistic reviews on more fixed things like doorbells and security cameras. In the case of mesh Wi-FI, the tech’s greatest advantage is consistent coverage across a wide area, so it’s tough to get a good view in a small apartment. My solution with this modem-router? Take it to my dad’s big home out in the suburbs, of course.

Netgear sent me the company’s new Orbi 970 Series mesh routers some months ago, which represent the height of the company’s home internet tech (and the most expensive). They’re some of the first mesh modem-routers equipped with Wi-Fi 7, which offers improvements over Wi-Fi 6E, the most impressive of which being a shared SSID for 5GHz and 2.4GHz bands – no more split network names!

The Orbis came to me at a brilliant time – my dad was having Wi-Fi problems in the (much larger) family home. At the time, the smart home devices in his pool area, including the pump, lights and cleaning robot, required a 5GHz connection that my dad’s old modem-router could not extend far enough across the property, especially with so many walls and obstacles in the way. Moreover, the home was plagued by consistently slow speeds.

Exacerbating the issue was the fact that Dad’s modem-router combination was just old (God bless him, he holds onto tech for as long as he can). It was so old that I remember the very same devices being used seven years ago on an ADSL2+ connection when I was still living in the family home. Certainly not ideal for Australia’s fiber-based National Broadband Network (NBN), nor the 250Mbps-capable plan he’s paying for. I’d been telling my dad to consider mesh for a while, but he didn’t see how it would actually improve anything.

So how did the Netgear Orbi 970 mesh routers perform? Perfectly.

Let's get meshy

Netgear quotes the Orbi 970 mesh routers as capable of providing a consistent Wi-Fi experience across 660 square meters with three modules (the standard allocation of devices) placed evenly across a home. My dad’s block of land is 700 square meters in total, but considering only about 200 square meters of that is the physical home, a single module would have also worked a treat as they’re rated at 220 square meters each.

The gateway module was placed in the garage, where the access point is (in this case, the FTTP NBN box – or fiber to the premises for those who aren’t in Australia). Functioning as a modem-router system, this is all we needed to get started, though this may be different for you depending on the technology type used in your home.

We immediately ran into a problem that slowed setup. Netgear encourages users to stick to the app when setting up their mesh Wi-Fi, however as my dad uses a PPPoE connection (where you typically need to enter a username and a password in the back-end of a modem) we needed to login with an ethernet connection to a computer. Thankfully the Netgear Orbi 970 mesh routers have this functionality (the Eero 6 Pros on the other hand do not, as I had previously found). 

After this, pairing the Orbi modules to the gateway was easy. We placed the remaining two modules throughout the home to achieve the greatest quality Wi-Fi.

The same SSID and password as the previous modem-router combination was used, which allowed almost every device in the home to reconnect quickly without needing to sign in individually. Even without a separate SSID for the 5GHz band, devices that required this connection hopped right on the single setup without a problem.

Up and running speedily

Going from a dinghy modem-router setup to the most expensive commercially available mesh system available in Australia absolutely worked well. My dad’s office, which is a fair distance from the garage, would previously report a maximum speed of 30Mbs – but often much less (as low as 2Mbps)  – on the previous modem-router setup, but with these modules, that cranked all the way up to 266Mbps. I noted this same speed across the house, with some of my dad’s older computers recording a maximum speed of 100Mbps. 

The big takeaway wasn’t necessarily that this was some be-all and end-all mesh router to buy, but that you should really give mesh Wi-Fi a shot if you’re looking to drastically improve Wi-Fi quality in your home. My dad’s home isn’t the biggest by any account, despite the measurements listed in this article, but I can still confidently say that this setup would provide a benefit over a single modem-router setup. As the mesh modules use their own specific band to stitch an even blanket of Wi-Fi coverage between themselves, this solution offers a much more consistent experience than, for example, using a Wi-Fi extender or simply using a more powerful modem.

I’m not sure if I would recommend the Netgear Orbi 970 to pull off this Wi-Fi overhaul in your home, however. The mindblowing £2,199.99 / $2,299.99 / AU$4,299 price tag for the three-module kit is enough to turn away a lot of buyers. It might be worth considering this device if you want Wi-Fi 7, but just keep in mind that many devices don’t currently support this standard (the only one in my household of fairly up-to-date tech is the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra).

The bottom line – give mesh a shot. It might be the Wi-Fi upgrade you’ve been waiting for.

You might also like...

• If you're interested in mesh Wi-Fi, these are your best options
• Don't need mesh? Check out Netgear's powerful new Nighthawk router
• Everything you need to know about Wi-Fi 7

A popular budget-friendly Netgear small business router is vulnerable to half a dozen flaws that could lead to the theft of sensitive information, and possibly even full device takeover, experts have warned.

Since the device reached its end-of-life, Netgear is not expected to release any patches for the flaws, so it might be wise to just replace the endpoint with something newer.

Being budget-friendly, reliable, and easy to use, Netgear’s WNR614 N300 is a popular choice not just in the household, but in small and medium-sized businesses (SMB) as well.

Router risk

Cybersecurity researchers at RedFox Security discovered the following flaws in the WNR614 N300 device:

• CVE-2024-36787: authentication bypass vulnerability that allows threat actors to access the admin interface. From there, they can tweak router settings and possibly even steal sensitive data.
• CVE-2024-36788: improper setting of the HTTPOnly flag for cookies flaw, allowing threat actors to intercept sensitive communication between devices.
• CVE-2024-36789: allows threat actors to create new passwords for the admin account.
• CVE-2024-36790: this flaw makes the router store login credentials in plaintext format.
• CVE-2024-36792: poor implementation of WPS grants attackers access to the router’s PIN.
• CVE-2024-36795: insecure permissions vulnerability allowing threat actors easy access to URLs and directories embedded within the router's firmware.

Mitigations

That being said, chances are many SMBs will keep the device despite the vulnerabilities. In that case, the company suggests applying the following mitigations:

• Turn off remote management features
• Create strong passwords
• Separate the router from critical systems
• Make sure the router uses HTTPS and use browser settings to enforce HTTPS
• Turn off WPS
• Switch to WPA3
• Restrict access to the router's admin interface.

Being the gateway for the internet, a router is one of the most widespread pieces of technology today. As a result, it is a popular target among cybercriminals looking not just for sensitive data, but also for extra hardware to use in potent DDoS attacks. Securing the router should be mandatory for all households and businesses.

Via BleepingComputer

More from TechRadar Pro

• Netgear Orbi routers have some troubling security issues, so patch now
• Here's a list of the best firewalls today
• These are the best endpoint protection tools right now

As home security cameras have become more affordable and more commonplace, one of the more popular brands has been Arlo. The Netgear-owned company's cameras are versatile, offer a range of features, and are generally easy to set up. 

Unfortunately, however, because the cameras are in such high demand, Arlo discounts are always at a premium. Luckily for you, we've scoured the internet to find the best Netgear Arlo camera deals, so you don't have to. Check out the Arlo deals below, and you're sure to find a model at a price that is right for you. We've started by listing the best bundle deals, perfect for securing your entire home, while further down the page, you can learn more about each Arlo model and find the best deals for individual cameras.

Not interested in an Arlo camera? Be sure to check out these other home security camera deals that are happening right now.

Buy an Arlo System bundle

If you want to be sure that every nook and cranny of your home is secure and save money over buying individual cameras, there are a number of Arlo bundles available. Most come with the Arlo base station, which paired with your router, connects your wireless cameras to your Wi-Fi and the internet. It also features a Smart Siren for deterring would-be intruders. Regardless of how many cameras you need inside and out, you should be able to find the right package for you.

Wire-free cameras make Arlo the most flexible surveillance kit around. Setting up Arlo is quick and painless. And, once you're up and running, it is easy to configure, thanks to its rules-based system. Captured camera footage is of decent quality, and the ability to easily move cameras (including outside) means you can capture the area you need with minimal effort. Being able to view the action from a mobile app or desktop browser doubles Arlo up as a handy real-time monitoring system, one that requires minimal maintenance if you get the sensitivity settings right.

If you're looking for a professional-quality security camera set up for your property, the Arlo Pro 2 is definitely worth considering. The camera is solidly built and capable of recording crystal-clear HD video. The app is full of great features that allow you to personalize your control of the Arlo Go cameras, including the built-in siren, which makes the product a particularly useful burglar deterrent.  The inclusion of free cloud storage is a real boon, and the Arlo ecosystem is feature-rich, including great integration with Amazon's products, such as Alexa control and the ability to display the video feed on Echo devices.

With its smart, solid and compact design, the Arlo Q has instant appeal as a discrete security camera. And it’s backed up by the user-friendly Arlo app that enables you to access key features, like the push notification settings, without going round in circles. If you’re looking for a discrete and well-made IP camera to monitor your property in Full HD quality, this user-friendly indoor device could be just the ticket – and free 7-day cloud storage is a real boon, too. 

Arlo accessories

If you're buying an Arlo security camera, chances are you're going to need some accessories to go with it. Luckily, we've also found deals on some of the most popular Arlo accessories. Whether you need a solar panel to power you're out door camera or a rechargeable battery, you'll find great prices below.

• Before making your final choice, check out our latest Arlo coupon codes for additional savings on your purchase.

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

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?

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• First reviewed February 2024

Two-minute review

Netgear’s Orbi range of mesh Wi-Fi router systems already includes a model that can use 5G mobile broadband as a fail-safe option if you ever lose your standard broadband connection. However, the company also makes several dedicated mobile routers as part of its high-performance Nighthawk brand, which can provide a quick and easy Wi-Fi network when traveling or working outdoors or just in case of a sudden broadband outage at home or in the office.

The latest addition to the Nighthawk range is the Nighthawk M6 Pro. It’s a top-of-the-range option – with a top-of-the-range price to match – but it supports both 5G mobile broadband and the latest Wi-Fi 6E technology. This allows it to create its own Wi-Fi network using the new 6.0GHz frequency band and the standard 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands used by Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6 routers. It also provides high-speed wired connections too, via both Ethernet and USB-C. The built-in rechargeable battery should last for around 13 hours, so you can easily get a full day’s work from the M6 Pro when you’re traveling, and a mains adaptor is also included for indoor use. 

Design

The compact M6 Pro is undoubtedly well suited to life on the road. The square black casing measures just 105mm on either side and 21.5mm thick and only weighs 256g, so you can easily slip it into a bag alongside your laptop while traveling. It feels pretty sturdy, so it should be tough enough to cope with a few bumps. The back of the router can be removed to install the rechargeable battery and your 5G SIM, and the battery charges via a USB-C connector on the bottom edge of the router.

The front panel includes a 2.8-inch LCD with touch-screen controls that provide quick access to the router’s various settings, and the main Home screen can display a QR code that lets you quickly connect a smartphone or tablet to the M6 Pro’s Wi-Fi network.

Features

There are several other mobile routers in the Nighthawk range, so the defining feature of the M6 Pro is its support for Wi-Fi 6E, which adds the new 6.0GHz frequency band to the standard 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands supported by older routers. But, unlike a conventional Wi-Fi 6E router, the mobile M6 Pro cannot transmit ‘tri-band’ Wi-Fi on all three rounds simultaneously. 

By default, the router transmits Wi-Fi on just the 5.0GHz band to save power and provide compatibility with a wide range of computers and mobile devices. If you’re lucky enough to have a shiny new laptop or smartphone with Wi-Fi 6E, switch the router to the 6.0GHz band instead. The router also supports the older 2.4GHz band used by older computers and some smart-home devices, such as bright lights and speakers that are limited to 2.4GHz (yes, Sonos, we’re looking at you…). The M6 Pro can switch into dual-band mode here, transmitting on both 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands or 2.4GHz and 6.0GHz, although using dual-band Wi-Fi like this may drain the battery more quickly.

Connectivity

The M56 Pro isn’t limited to 5G connectivity and provides beneficial wired networking options. It has a 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port allows you to connect it to high-speed broadband connections at home or in an office. Alternatively, you can use the M6 Pro more like a range extender, connecting it to your broadband router via Wi-Fi and then moving the portable M6 Pro into another room or office that might have weak Wi-Fi. In that situation, you can use the Ethernet port to provide a fast, wired network connection for a laptop or desktop PC. On the other hand, if your computer doesn’t include an Ethernet port, you can also get a wired connection by using the USB-C port on the M6 Pro. This ensures the router provides a wide range of wired and wireless networking options for indoor and outdoor use.

The M6 Pro also can switch between networking modes automatically. When traveling, you can set it to rely purely on 5G mobile broadband, but when you’re indoors, you can put it to use either ‘Ethernet+Cellular’ or ‘Wi-Fi+Cellular.’ This tells the router to use your standard broadband connection when available – saving you money on your mobile broadband plan – and then switch to 5G if that’s not available. 

These features and settings are all straightforward to use via the router’s touch-screen controls, and we also like the fact that there’s a web browser interface with additional features available for IT managers or more experienced home users. 

Our only complaint is that Netgear’s documentation isn’t beneficial for less experienced users. The Quickstart guide included with the M6 Pro assumes that you’ve installed the battery and SIM card and successfully connected the router to your 5G mobile network. However, we had problems with the EE mobile network as the router’s Settings menu told us we first needed to select an ‘APN’ – access point name – for our network. Several preset APNs were already available in the Settings menu, but none were labeled ‘EE.’ Netgear informed us that an existing APN labeled ‘everywhere’ was the correct choice for using our EE SIM, but that wasn’t made clear in the Quickstart guide. Hence, Netgear needs to make the initial set-up process more transparent for people who may not have used a mobile router before. 

Performance and Battery Life

Thankfully, it worked smoothly and performed well once we connected the M6 Pro to our 5G mobile network. Oddly, the M6 Pro model sold in the UK has a top speed of 4.0Gbps when connecting to mobile broadband, while the US version steps up to 8.0Gbps. However, US and UK models transmit their Wi-Fi signal with the same maximum speed of 3.6Gbps. US customers don’t necessarily have that much of an advantage – especially given the variation in 5G speed and coverage in different locations.

The EE mobile network in the UK indicated a typical speed of 58.5Mbps for our location in a heavily built-up part of London, and we nudged slightly past that with the rate provided by the M6 Pro settling at a consistent 60Mbps as we wandered around with it during the day. That’s not quite as fast as our regular office broadband, but it’s more than adequate for web browsing, email, and even the occasional video call at work.

As mentioned, the rechargeable battery provided with the M6 Pro should last for around 13 hours when using the default 5.0GHz band. However, you can also use the touch-screen controls to adjust the router settings to provide either maximum Wi-Fi speed or longer battery life. There are preset options for balancing performance, range, and battery life, and you can also adjust other settings, such as Standby time for turning off the LCD screen or putting the M6 Pro to sleep if there are no devices currently using its Wi-Fi network. 

Price and Availability

• How much does it cost? Unlocked - £899.99 / $999.99
• When is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? US, UK, EU

With so many advanced broadband and mobile connectivity features, it’s no surprise that the M6 Pro comes with a pretty hefty price tag. An unlocked router version suitable for most mobile networks costs £899.99 in the UK or $999.99 in the US. Customers in the US may also be able to buy the router from their existing mobile provider at a lower price – although, of course, this will be locked and only suitable for use with that provider. This Wi-Fi 6E model isn’t currently available in Australia, though.

• Value: 3.5/5

Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro: Report card

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• Looking for a business laptop to use with your new Wi-Fi router? Check out our best business laptops

If you own a Netgear Orbi RBR750/RBS750 networking devices, then you’ll want to make sure you’re running the latest firmware to stay clear of some pretty alarming security vulnerabilities.

Experts from Cisco Talos, ironically part of one of Netgear's biggest rivals, revealed that three of the four vulnerabilities have since been patched, including one critical issue that was awarded a score of 9.1 out of 10. 

However, one (less severe) issue remains at large.

Netgear Orbi security vulnerabilities

The most significant finding - CVE-2022-37337 - has luckily been patched. According to Talos, “the access control functionality of the Orbi RBR750 allows a user to explicitly add devices (specified by MAC address and a hostname) to allow or block the specified device when attempting to access the network.”

Many were reasonably safe from attacks because the hacker would have needed to gain access to the device, primarily leaving unprotected networks at risk, however even some protected networks may have been exposed due to weak SSID passwords.

A further two issues existed, though as above, they have been issued a patch. The fourth issue, which remains unfixed, is specific to the router node meaning that even Orbi users who have not rolled out the full mesh Wi-Fi 6 setup are at risk. The Talos summary reads:

“A command execution vulnerability exists in the hidden telnet service functionality of Netgear Orbi Router RBR750 4.6.8.5. A specially-crafted network request can lead to arbitrary command execution. An attacker can send a network request to trigger this vulnerability.”

Enabling automatic updates is sensible to help prevent attacks, however sometimes critical vulnerabilities come around and require a more proactive approach. Manually checking for an update can help make sure that it hasn’t been missed, or is not scheduled for a future installation.

• Protect yourself with the best firewalls

Netgear has issued a patch for a high-severity vulnerability found in almost a dozen of its Wi-Fi routers and urged its users to apply the fix immediately. 

Given the destructive potential of the flaw, Netgear did not disclose the details, other than saying that it’s a pre-authentication buffer overflow vulnerability, which could be used for all kinds of malicious activity, from crashing the device after a denial of service, to arbitrary code execution.

To abuse the vulnerability, the attackers do not need user permission or user interaction. The flaw can be used in low-complexity attacks, it was said.

Pre-authentication buffer overflow

Issuing a security advisory about the flaw, Netgear said it “strongly recommends” users download and install the latest firmware as soon as possible.

"The pre-authentication buffer overflow vulnerability remains if you do not complete all recommended steps," Netgear added. "Netgear is not responsible for any consequences that could have been avoided by following the recommendations in this notification."

The list of all of the affected devices, which includes multiple Wireless AC Nighthawk, Wireless AX Nighthawk (WiFi 6), and Wireless AC models, can be found on this link.

Those looking to patch up their routers should navigate to the Netgear Support website, and type in their Wi-Fi router’s model number in the search box. Once the right version is identified, press Downloads, and under Current Versions, select the first download with “Firmware Version” in the beginning of the title.

Detailed instructions on how to apply the fix can be found in the Release Notes file accompanying the firmware download. 

Wi-Fi routers are a popular target for cybercriminals due to the fact that all of a user's traffic must go through the device. What’s more, users rarely change the factory settings, and update the firmware even less frequently. 

• These are the best firewalls right now

Via: BleepingComputer

Netgear Nighthawk RAXE300: One-minute review

Netgear is always quick to adopt the latest networking technologies, as it should given the price of its products, and has already introduced the latest Wi-Fi 6E technology into its high-end Orbi mesh systems. The Orbi systems are very much designed for larger homes, but if you don’t live in a Silicon Valley mega-mansion you can now get state-of-the-art Wi-Fi 6E from Netgear’s more conventional Nighthawk range of routers.

Things are a little confusing here, as there are four very similar Nighthawk models in the new RAXE range. Look out for that ‘E’ on the end, which denotes the use of Wi-Fi 6E as opposed to the earlier RAX range of routers which stick with straightforward Wi-Fi 6. The new Wi-Fi 6E models look virtually identical, sporting the eye-catching black, winged design used by previous Nighthawk models.

All four models also support tri-band Wi-Fi 6E, which adds the new 6.0GHz frequency to the existing 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands used by Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6. However, the four RAXE models all offer different speeds and prices, ranging from 7.3Gbps up to a colossal 10.8Gbps.

We decided to opt for the mid-range Netgear Nighthawk RAXE300, a Wi-Fi 6 router that sneaks in at just under $400, with a top speed of 7.8Gbps that should be fast enough to stream 8K video or play the latest VR games with headsets. The Nighthawk RAXE300 also provides solid wired connectivity, with multiple Ethernet ports and even USB-C too. The Nighthawk app will get you started quickly and easily but, as we’ve seen before, the app is also a little basic and requires additional paid subscriptions for access to parental controls and other features.

Netgear Nighthawk RAXE300: Price and availability

• How much does it cost? $399.99 (£349.99, AU$699.00)
• Where is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available in the US, the UK, and Australia

Alternatively, speed demons can go for the top-of-the-range Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500, which reaches a blazing 10.8Gbps and costs $599.99/£549.99/AU$1099.00. But, as mentioned, all the Nighthawk routers look virtually identical, so it’s important to pay close attention to the speeds they offer before buying.

The Nighthawk RAXE300 might seem to be a fairly expensive standalone router, costing $399.99/£349.99/AU$699.00. Even so, that’s still less than rival Wi-Fi 6E routers, such as Asus’ top-of-the-range Rapture GT-AXE11000. Customers in the US can save a little money by opting for the entry-level Nighthawk RAXE290, which is only slightly slower at 7.3Gbps. That model costs around $250 in the US, although it wasn’t available in other regions at the time of this review.

• Value: 3.5 / 5

Netgear Nighthawk RAXE300: Design

• Eye-catching design
• Lots of Ethernet ports
• USB-C for shared storage

The Nighthawk routers are instantly recognizable, with a streamlined, low-profile design and prominent ‘wings’, which make them look like a Cylon battleship from Battlestar Galactica. It’s not just eye-candy, though, as the wings house six internal antennae, holding them up and away from the body of the router to beam the Wi-Fi signal as far as possible.

There are some impressive options for wired connections too, with no less than six Ethernet ports available on the back panel of the router. There are two ports, marked in yellow, that can be used for your Internet (WAN) connection, offering either Gigabit or 2.5 Gigabit speeds, along with four Gigabit Ethernet ports for wired (LAN) connections for devices such as a laptop or games console. It’s also possible to ‘aggregate’ two of these LAN ports, combining them to provide 2Gbps over Ethernet. The Netgear Nighthawk RAXE300 is also the first router we’ve seen that includes a USB-C port to connect a hard drive or other storage device that can be shared with other people on your home network.

Getting started is very straightforward, as the Nighthawk app allows you to simply scan a QR code on the base of the router to connect to its new Wi-Fi network. You can stick with the default network name (SSID) and password printed on the base of the router or create a new name and password for extra security. And, for simplicity, the app also allows the Nighthawk to use the same network name (SSID) and password as the network from your original router, so that you don’t have to change the log-in details on every device in your home.

But while the Nighthawk app is very easy to use, it is fairly basic, and attempts to sell you additional subscriptions to fill in for some of its missing features. The app’s parental controls are very limited, simply allowing you to pause Internet access to your kids’ devices. There are no scheduling features or content filters to block unsuitable web sites without paying for Netgear’s Smart Parental Controls service.

There’s a 30-day trial available in the app. But, after that, the service costs $7.99 per month (approx. £6.50 or AU$13.00) or $69.99 per year (approx. £57.50 or AU$112.00). That’s disappointing, given the Nighthawk’s high price - especially when some rival routers provide good parental controls at no extra cost. The app also provides a 30-day trial for Netgear’s Armor security service, with subscriptions costing $99.99 per year (approx. £82.00, or AU$160.00).

• Design: 4 / 5

Netgear Nighthawk RAXE300: Performance

• Eye-catching wings do a good job
• Provide fast Wi-Fi

As you’d expect, the state-of-the-art Netgear Nighthawk RAXE300 provides impressive performance, as well as good range that allows it to provide fast Wi-Fi even in the back office of our building, which is normally something of a Wi-Fi dead zone. Devices close by in the same room as the Nighthawk don’t show an obvious improvement, as the Nighthawk records the same speeds as our normal router, at 150Mbps for the Ookla speed test and 19MB/s for Steam downloads.

However, the Nighthawk’s eye-catching wings do a good job of firing its Wi-Fi into that back office, maintaining full speed for both Ookla and Steam as we pick up our laptop and wander along the hall to that back office.

• Performance: 5 / 5

Should I buy the Netgear Nighthawk RAXE300?

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Netgear Nighthawk RAXE300: Report card

• First reviewed November 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

The best WAP devices are built to improve your Wi-Fi speeds and experience - if you're dreading yet another call to your ISP, a Wireless Access Point may be exactly what your office (or home office) needs. 

You might not be able to see those internet black spots and dead zones that infiltrate your business or home office, but you can certainly feel the constant frustration as the connection drops, with productivity grinding to a halt. A Wireless Access Point (WAP) means you'll get a great Wi-Fi connection everywhere you go. But which are the top units out there today?

Our team of experts have tested hundreds of networking devices, from the best small business routers to the best powerline adapters - so, when it comes to the best WAP devices, we know what you need to look out for and what to avoid. Going hands-on with each model, we compared speeds, size, as well as features such as remote access for IT professionals. 

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Best WAP overall

Netgear has designed the WAX214 to be surprisingly simple to set up and install at your office or home. While it may not allow for as many concurrent users as more expensive options, it’s an affordable solution that supports Wi-Fi 6 and works just as well in a large home as in an office. 

The WAX214 includes mounting brackets on its underside, as it should be placed either high up on a wall or, ideally, on the ceiling. It’s worth noting that this unit doesn’t come with a power adapter as it supports Power over Ethernet (PoE). Using a LAN cable, you’ll need a PoE switch or injector to power the device. It features a dual-band WAP with support for both 2.4GHz and 5GHz, and Netgear says it can handle up to 128 devices simultaneously.

Read our full Netgear WAX214 WiFi 6 PoE+ Access Point review

Get the best deal on Netgear products with our Netgear coupon codes.

• ^ Back to the top

Best Cisco WAP

The Cisco CBW150AX Wi-Fi 6 access point does a good job at providing fast wireless Internet access across several rooms. Its processor is powerful enough to handle multiple connections over many WLANs while using additional mesh adapters helps increase the access point's range. Installation requires a few steps with clear instructions given on the mobile application.

Booting the access point can take a lot of time, but once the unit is up, it will stay operational without performance degradation for a long time. The CBW150AX offers features such as a firewall and an RF optimization mode for less than $130. It would have been great if it had been accessible from the cloud. Connected clients cannot be named or blocked off the network, which makes it less appealing if one wants to limit access to the Internet.

Read our full Cisco CBW150AX Access Point review

• ^ Back to the top

Best WAP for reliability

The WAX610D WAP from Zyxel can be wall or ceiling-mounted to bring WiFi 6 to your home office or business reliably. The device itself is made from quality components. Zyxel has included extras like an anti-noise spreader, surge and ESD protection, and a 4G/5G filter to minimize interference from cellular networks. 

The WAX610D also packs a powerful quad-core CPU, two Ethernet ports (one at 2.5Gbps), and best-in-class internal antennas. While it may be slightly higher than the competition, the WAX610D can be managed remotely via an app and a free cloud service.

Read our full Zyxel WAX610D WiFi 6 PoE Access Point review

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Best budget WAP

Although Wi-Fi 6 may be the latest and greatest, Wi-Fi 5 still has a lot to offer, and the 240AC from Cisco is a well-built and affordable WAP to meet the needs of most users. The 240AC sports a Qualcomm quad-core CPU with 1GB of RAM and 256MB of Flash memory, and Cisco says that up to 400 clients can use this WAP simultaneously. 

Wall mounting holes can be found at the unit's base, and it also ships with a flat Ethernet cable to power it when connected to a PoE Ethernet switch. This WAP’s range can also be extended further when paired with the company’s 142AC mesh extender.

Read our full Cisco 240AC Wi-Fi 5 Access Point review

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Best WAP for remote access

With the EAP660HD, TP-Link refreshes its small and home office product line with Wi-Fi 6 technology. The access point featuring remote management and high-gain antennas comes in an imposing plastic case. It feels solid and accommodates eight antennas for the two radio bands the EAP660HD serves. A quad-core Qualcomm CPU and a generous amount of memory guarantee good responsiveness. It supports up to 16 SSIDs and multiple concurrent connections streaming video content with very few packet drops.

But where the EAP660HD shines is with the software and tech support that TP-Link provides. First, it is very easy to access the AP remotely, even across the Internet, thanks to the Omada Cloud application. The AP software is regularly updated when potential vulnerabilities are found, and an easy-to-use mobile application is available both for Android and iPhone. Its main drawback is not using the Wi-Fi 6 to its full potential, as the EAP660HD uses an 80MHz bandwidth for the 5GHz band.

Read our full TP-Link EAP660HD Wi-Fi 6 Access Point review

• ^ Back to the top

Best WAP for streaming

For a Zyxel access point, the WAX630S isn’t the most expensive it makes, but it’s also not the cheapest either.

The attractive features of this design include support for six simultaneous streams, with four over 5GHz and another two using 2.4GHz, a 2.5GbE PoE LAN connection, and a sophisticated internal antenna array.

When combined with special hardware filters, the antenna design reduces the interference from 5G/4G masts and other wireless transmitters. This unit has also been configured to work equally well if it is wall or ceiling-mounted, enabling more flexibility for deployment.

Part of the range of hardware that works with Zyxel’s cloud-based Nebula management tools, the WAX630S is a sophisticated access point built for city office installation and other challenging wireless environments.

Unfortunately, it's priced accordingly and competes with similar or better specification hardware at a lower price point. If it were to become cheaper, many IT professionals might find the WAX630S an attractive proposition.

Read our full Zyxel WAX630S review

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Best WAP for outdoors

The EWS850AP is a mesh-enabled WAP from EnGenius that is ideal for businesses that operate outdoors, but it can also be used in your home if you want full wireless coverage in your backyard. As the device is powered over Ethernet, a 1Gbit PoE injector is included, so you don’t have to buy your own. 

As the EWS850AP is intended for outdoor use, EnGenius includes all the hardware needed to mount it directly on a wall or a metal pole. One downside, though is that it only has a 2x2 WiFi configuration which means that it only supports two channels on each frequency with its four antennas. Still, though, for a 2x2 WiFi 6 access point, the EWS850AP has excellent performance, and it can also connect via 2.5GbE, but you will need to purchase a separate PoE injector.

Read our full EnGenius EWS850AP Outdoor Access Point review

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Best WAP for speed

The Zyxel’s NWA220AX-6E provides an immediate speed uplift thanks to the 6GHz band brought by the new WiFi 6E standard. It easily outperforms wired 1Gb Ethernet with dedicated radio amplifiers and a great antenna. The limited drop in throughput, even at ten meters or more, makes the access point a piece of equipment central to any small office or during work-from-home periods.

The Nebula cloud system provides an exceptional view of the network and provides devices’ health data points and if any bottleneck is present. At just under $150, the new Zyxel’s access point is an affordable upgrade to a home or office infrastructure, which can also serve as an Ethernet extender thanks to a second Gigabit LAN port.

Read our full Zyxel NWA220AX-6E review

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Best WAP for WiFi 7

Thanks to the new Wi-Fi 7 standard, the EnGenius ECW536 takes wireless networks to the next level by adding more range and bandwidth. The range should be as good as previous 5GHz access points. The increase in bandwidth results from using a better encoding algorithm, quadrupling the throughput compared to Wi-Fi 6. These gains come with higher power dissipation and a more expensive unit. A 10G LAN infrastructure supporting PoE is required to use the AP to its fullest potential.

EnGenius offers a 5-year warranty on the ECW536 and customer support via online chat, phone, or email. The AP has cloud access, allowing network inspection and problem resolution remotely.

Read our full EnGenius ECW536 review.

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Best WAP for powerlines

The final device on our list is an outlier since it’s technically a powerline adapter. Still, the Powerline 500 Wi-Fi Access Point from Netgear can help extend your network by using the power lines in your home or business to carry the network further before turning it into a wireless signal. While the adapters included in this package are quite small, they can only deliver 100 Mbps per second over Ethernet and 300 Mbps via the access point.

Read our full Netgear Powerline 500 Wi-Fi Access Point review

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Best WAP: Frequently asked questions

We’ve also tested the best wireless routers and the best small business routers

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Welcome to our pick of the best Wi-Fi routers in 2026. With our homes filling up with internet-connected smart devices, investing in a router is incredibly important, as it will ensure that every device in your home has a fast, dependable and secure wireless connection.

Most Internet Service Providers (ISPs) provide a modem router to their customers when they subscribe – so why should you spend money on a separate router?

For a start, most of these free routers are rather basic, and often lack advanced features you'll find in the best Wi-Fi routers we list below, such as the latest Wi-Fi 7 technology, QoS (Quality of Service) settings to help prioritize certain devices, parental controls (important if, like me, you have children), and much more.

The modem routers your ISP gives you are usually quite locked down when it comes to configurations. This is understandable, as changing the wrong setting could mean your internet connection stops working, but it also limits what you're able to do with your home network.

It also means that if you swap broadband supplier, you'll need to replace the modem router, and that can cause a lot of disruption. With a seperate router, you can swap the ISP's modem for a new one without having to reconnect all of your devices.

So, swapping out an existing router for one featured in this guide to the best Wi-Fi routers can give your home network an instant upgrade with potentially faster internet speeds, while devices in the far corners of your house could finally be able to connect to the internet, thanks to larger and more stable Wi-Fi coverage.

Buying a new Wi-Fi router can be difficult, however, as there is such a huge range of makes and models, and you'll want to make sure your new router is compatible with your internet connection and your devices in your home. Wi-Fi 7 is the latest wireless tech (even though we are beginning to hear from tech companies about Wi-Fi 8, that technology is still quite far off), so now's a great time to upgrade your home Wi-Fi network with a new router. In this guide, we have high-end picks that offer seriously speedy connections, alongside more affordable options and mesh routers as well, which can cover your entire property with lightning-fast Wi-Fi.

For more router buying advice, make sure you check out our guides on the best mesh Wi-Fi systems, best gaming routers, and best Wi-Fi extenders.

The best Wi-Fi router in 2026

Below you'll find full write-ups for each of the best WiFi router picks on our list. We've tested each one extensively, so you can be sure that our recommendations can be trusted.

The best Wi-Fi router overall

The TP-Link Deco BE63 is our latest pick as the best Wi-Fi router you can buy in 2026 (as well as out pick as the best mesh Wi-Fi system). It features cutting-edge Wi-Fi 7 support for fast speeds and wide and dependable wireless signal. It's also got a very competitive price, so it won't cost you a fortune like some other mesh Wi-Fi systems do.

During our review of the TP-Link Deco BE63 we were impressed with how the Wi-Fi router and its satellites performed, giving our test network a speed boost, while also broadening the range of the network which allowed areas of the building that usually could not get Wi-Fi to connect with ease.

The TP-Link Deco BE63 also comes with some great features, including free parental controls, which makes this an excellent Wi-Fi mesh system for large family homes, as it means everyone in the house can connect easily, while also making sure that younger family members are kept safe.

Setting up the router, and connecting its satellites which act as Wi-Fi repeaters to extend the network, was very easy, and while we tested the three-unit version (which is sometimes called the Deco BE65 in the UK and Australia), you can also buy two-unit packs for smaller homes and offices, and a single unit as well, which can either be used as a traditional router, or added to an existing mesh network to expand the range.

Read our full TP-Link Deco BE63 review

The best affordable Wi-Fi 7 router

The Netgear Nighthawk RS100 proves that you don't have to spend an absolute fortune if you want to future-proof your home network and go for Wi-Fi 7, the very latest wireless networking technology.

Netgear, which used to be best known for more expensive routers, has been steadily putting out a range of affordable routers that combine some of the latest technology and features, whilst also keeping prices low.

Of course, there have been some compromises made so that the Nighthawk RS100 remains affordable. It's a dual-band router, supporting both 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands, but not the faster 6.0GHz band that more expensive Wi-Fi 7 routers offer.

Whilst it's not the fastest Wi-Fi 7 router, the benefits Wi-Fi 7 offers are more than just about raw speed. It allows for more devices to access the network at once (which is very handy for modern households with seemingly endless amounts of smart devices all vying for your internet connection), and with a stronger wireless network with a wider range, the Nighthawk RS100 will be a big upgrade over older wireless routers.

In our tests the Netgear Nighthawk RS100 did an excellent job of maxing out our broadband connection, while also reaching areas a Wi-Fi signal usually struggles to get to. It also comes with features that can help improve online game performance, which is why it's also one of our picks for the best gaming router.

Read our full Netgear Nighthawk RS100 review

The premium Wi-Fi router

If you want a cutting-edge router, then the latest tech is Wi-Fi 7 – and the Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98 is one of the fastest of this breed we’ve seen, with performance and features that mean it’s future-proofed to the extreme.

The Rapture GT-BE98 offers quad-band Wi-Fi 7 (2.4GHz, 2 x 5GHz, and 6GHz bands) and a top speed of 24.4Gbps. In our testing, we found it had blistering real-world performance, the only likely limitation being the speed of the internet connection it’s hooked up with. Wired connectivity is also a strong suit, as you get 2.5Gb Ethernet ports and even two 10Gb ports (one of which is a dedicated priority port for gaming).

As well as top-notch performance, you get a well-featured router and that includes parental controls to keep the kids safe when they’re online – and this is free too (note that some parental controls require a subscription these days).

Naturally, you’ll pay for all these goodies and the dizzying speeds on offer, and the Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98 is a very expensive piece of kit. Then again, it’ll last you a long way into the future, so the investment could work out to be an astute one over the longer run. Furthermore, if you’re willing to wait a while, pricing will likely drop (at least to some extent) – as ever, early adopters pay for the privilege.

Read our full Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98 review

The best budget mesh WiFi router

Netgear's Orbi lineup of mesh Wi-Fi routers are usually very expensive, but its new budget release, the Orbi 370, combines the ease of use and design quality we've come to expect from Orbi routers, but with a very competitive price.

This is a dual-band Wi-Fi 7 router, so you get the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz frequency bands, but not the faster 6.0GHz band that is available with both Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7.

So, it's not the fastest router out there, but for most people it'll still offer everything they need for a fast and dependable wireless home network, especially as Wi-Fi 7 isn't just about speed, but also futher improving the stability and reach of your network.

We reviewed the Orbi 373 pack, which features three units, which makes it ideal for very large homes. It was very easy to get started, with the automatic setup procedure doing much of the hard work for us.

During our review we saw the Netgear Orbi 373 boost our network speeds to make use of our broadband connection (despite only being dual-band, the Netgear Orbi 373 will offer more than enough speed for household broadband connections). You can also set up parental controls, though you have to pay a subscription for the Orbi's built-in service.

Read our full Netgear Orbi 373 review

The best gaming Wi-Fi router

The Acer Predator Connect T7 is the best gaming router you can buy in 2026, and can be bought as a single unit to act as a regular router, or you can buy it in packs with additional units that turns it into a powerful mesh Wi-Fi system.

As part of Acer's Predator product series, the Connect T7 comes with gaming-centric features that's geared towards online gamers who want to have the flexibility of a wireless network without the impact to latency that that can sometimes involve.

Other features included with the Connect T7 include a QoS (quality of service) option, which prioritizes high-bandwidth tasks such as gaming or streaming video for specific devices, plus security and parental control features, and two Gigabit Ethernet ports for wired connections.

In our tests, we found that the Acer Predator Connect T7 gave us fast and dependable Wi-Fi speeds across the entire building, and it's particularly adept at dealing with busy home networks that have loads of devices connecting at once. However, the T7's top speed of 11Gbps is incredibly fast, and will be overkill for most people, and if you're not a gamer, then there are better value Wi-Fi routers out there.

Read our full Acer Predator Connect T7 Wi-Fi 7 Mesh Router review

The best Wi-Fi 6 router

While Wi-Fi 7 is getting increasingly popular, there are still a lot of devices that don't support it. While Wi-Fi 7 is backwards compatible, so older hardware can connect to Wi-Fi 7 routers, those devices can't take full advantage of the newer technology.

So, buying a Wi-Fi 7 router might not be the best choice if you don't have many devices that will benefit from it, so you can save a decent amount of money by going for a Wi-Fi 6 router instead, and that's why we recommend the Acer Predator Connect W6x. It sticks with dual-band Wi-Fi 6, which while not the fastest, should still be plenty for most people.

This is a gaming router, but can still be used by non-gamers, and the design doesn't look outrageously flashy (like some gaming products do). You get a 2.5Gb Ethernet port for a high-speed Internet connection, plus four Gigabit Ethernet ports for a gaming PC or console if you prefer a lag-free wired connection.

It also comes with some useful features including free security and parental controls, something its rivals sometimes charge extra for. It also has a QoS option to prioritize gaming network traffic for the very best performance.

When reviewing the Acer Predator Connect W6x, we were impressed with how well it worked with devices in the same room as the router, while also expanding our test Wi-Fi network to areas of the building that were usually out of reach. However, the range isn't as big as many newer Wi-Fi 7 routers, so network speeds began to drop when connecting several rooms away from where the Acer Predator Connect W6x was installed.

Read our full Acer Predator Connect W6x review

The best Wi-Fi router: FAQs

How to choose a wireless router

When picking out a Wi-Fi router, there are a few things to keep in mind. Upgrading your wireless network is not a one-size-fits-all situation.

The first thing to consider is the type of router you need. You’re generally picking from two form factors: a traditional single-unit router and mesh Wi-Fi systems that are made up of multiple units, often one that connects to the modem with two or three satellite units strategically placed around the home or office for wider coverage.

If you have a small home or office, a normal router will more than cover you, not to mention cost less. For larger homes and offices though, a mesh router will do a much better job of reaching every nook and cranny with a strong, continuous signal as they provide a much larger area of coverage. They’re also much better at eliminating or minimizing dead or weak spots.

However, if you do have a newer router that just doesn’t have the reach you need, you can save a little and invest in a wireless extender instead of getting a more expensive mesh Wi-Fi router.

Once you’ve settled on the type of router you need, make sure it’s fast enough for your requirements. Most contemporary routers should at least have the Wi-Fi standard of 802.11ac aka Wi-Fi 5, or really these days you want Wi-Fi 6 support at an abosolute minimum. Wi-Fi 6E routers offer an upgrade in performance and range, while Wi-Fi 7 routers are also becoming more popular. However, Wi-Fi 7 is still relatively new, and that means those routers can be quite a lot more.

If you have a router with a slower and older standard like 802.11n (Wi-Fi 4), it will act as a bottleneck to your network no matter how fast the connection is from your provider or what speeds your new laptop can support.

Lastly, while most devices are wireless or support a wireless connection, you’ll want to use ports for some of them. Maybe someone in your household is a gamer and needs the fastest speeds possible. Being able to connect that PC or console directly via an Ethernet port is going to be much more vital than for general internet use. And, if you have an older PC or printer, you’ll probably need to physically connect that to the router as well.

How we test Wi-Fi routers

We test every Wi-Fi router before we make our recommendations. We take a look at its design to ensure that they can blend in your space. We check its ease of initial setup and use, as well as its ports and features – like the ability to create a guest network and set up family controls.

Moving on to its performance, we check its range and strength of coverage. We find out how it performs in the Ookla speed test and our file download test, jotting down any information we collect. We also test it against our everyday network usage to give you a glimpse on its real-world performance. We then take everything we’ve learned and measure all that against its price to see if it’s a great value to consumers.

Today's best WiFi Router deals

Netgear has found a clever way to bring  Wi-Fi 6E speeds to aging computers. The new standard comes via Netgear's Nighthawk AXE3000 USB 3.0 adapter, which can be plugged into a computer and upgraded it to Wi-Fi 6E.

Wi-Fi 6E has been steadily rolling out in recent years allowing devices to access the 6GHz band on top of the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. The standard allows for “faster speeds, more connections, and less interference from congestion.” However, there still aren’t many devices or accessories that support Wi-Fi 6E, limiting its reach. With the Nighthawk AXE3000, you're retroactively adding Wi-Fi 6E connectivity to laptops and desktop PCs that didn't have native support.

Features

The AXE3000 comes in the form of a USB dongle that can be directly plugged into a computer’s USB ports. According to NETGEAR, it will automatically detect your router’s Wi-Fi bands so that the device can connect to the right one – be it the 2.4GHz band, 5GHz, or 6GHz. Connection speeds range from 600Mbps (megabits per second) on 2.4GHz to a peak of 1200Mbps on 6GHz. Because of these speeds, the company claims people will experience smoother data transfers and suffer through “less lag [while] gaming.”

If this concept sounds somewhat retro, it's because, as those with long memories will recall, we used to add basic Wi-Fi to some computers by plugging in USB-based Wi-Fi antennas.

You’ll also notice a stand for the AXE3000. NETGEAR says this is a cradle and can be used instead of plugging the dongle directly into a computer. Once the dongle is plugged into the cradle, you can unfold the AXE3000 and have it function as a Wi-Fi 6E antenna. On the other end of the cradle is a USB cable for connecting to your computer. And if you’re worried about security, the AXE3000 comes equipped with the WPA3 protocol from the Wi-Fi Alliance to ensure your devices are protected. 

Gaining access

Be aware you will still need to buy a Wi-Fi 6E router, which can be rather expensive. The AXE3000 is only an adapter allowing you to access those speeds, It is compatible with any Wi-Fi router and mesh system, so you won’t have to landlock yourself to a NETGEAR device. However, the company does recommend getting a 6E router and supporting mesh system like the Orbi 960 Series to access those high speeds.

You will also need to have a computer that runs Windows 11 as, at the time of this writing, it's the only Windows version that natively supports Wi-Fi 6E (and its promised speeds). The AXE3000 does work with Windows 10 computers, according to the official specs sheet, but you’ll be missing out on those high speeds. 

The AXE3000 adapter launches by the end of September for $89.99, but will only be available in the United States, one of the few countries in the world to support Wi-Fi 6E. A company representative told us the dongle might be released elsewhere as more countries adopt 6E, but didn’t say which ones.

If you’re in the market for a new Wi-Fi 6 router, we recommend checking out TechRadar’s recently updated list of the best routers. Just be prepared to shell out a few hundred dollars for the 6E entry. 

The best VPN router is a critical tool for safeguarding your internet connection and activities against a wealth of nasty digital threats.

Rather than having to manage the standalone virtual private network (VPN) apps on your home network, by installing a VPN directly on the router, the best VPN routers ensure that all devices connected to your network benefit from enhanced privacy and security by default.

Many individuals already utilize some of the best VPN options on the market as part of their online security arsenal, as they mask user credentials and location. While the top premium offerings like the best business VPN offer robust protection, even the best free VPN can provide an important layer of security for a home network (albeit with some limitations), and installing one on a VPN router can secure your network even more.

To help you select the best VPN router, we've conducted thorough testing and comparisons. Our review process includes evaluating aspects such as design, connectivity, speed, coverage, and additional features like parental controls. We also scrutinize functionality, firmware quality, and the level of support provided by VPN providers.

Whether you already have the best WiFi router, best mesh WiFi system, or the best secure router without a VPN, anyone can benefit from the best VPN router, and this guide aims to provide comprehensive insights to assist you in determining whether you need one and help you find the right VPN router for your needs and budget if you do.

The best VPN router in 2026

Below you'll find full write-ups for each of the entries on our best VPN router list. We've tested each one extensively, so you can be sure that our recommendations can be trusted.

The best VPN router overall

Wi-Fi 6 is the cutting-edge technology in networking, with powerful features delivering faster speeds, greater coverage, and the ability to handle even more simultaneous connections. That often means it’s expensive, but not here: with the Asus RT-AX58U, you get all the core Wi-Fi 6 functionality and performance for an absolute bargain of a price.

Compare it to the high-end Wi-Fi 6 competition, and it doesn’t match up everywhere. It’s dual, not tri-band. The CPU is triple, rather than quad-core. There’s no 2.5Gbps port, and you ‘only’ get one USB connection. But while this might be a problem for demanding users, the reality is there’s more than enough power here for many homes.

That’s especially true when it comes to VPNs. There’s built-in support for connecting the Asus RT-AX58U to a VPN provider; a built-in VPN server enables securely connect to your home network while you’re on the move; and the comprehensive dashboard gives you many ways to customize the router to suit your exact needs.

Read our full Asus RT-AX58U review.

The best ExpressVPN router

Most VPN routers offer a lot of power and flexibility, but can take a while and some technical knowledge to set up. If you’re in a hurry or just prefer an easier life, ExpressVPN’s Aircove is refreshingly different: you’ll probably have it up and running in under ten minutes, even if you’ve no VPN expertise at all.

You will need a separate ExpressVPN subscription to connect, but once that’s set up, Aircove’s well-designed, jargon-free dashboard ensures it’s even easier to operate than most VPN apps.

There are welcome bonus features, too. Aircove’s groups enable connecting up to five locations simultaneously, for instance, so some devices can use your fastest local server, while your TV connects to your favorite streaming location, and a laptop uses the best server for your work.

Although Aircove excels on the VPN front, there’s plenty to like about it as a router, too. Wi-Fi 6 support gives you potential speeds of up to 1,200Mbps, a 1.2 GHz 64-bit Quad-Core CPU has the power to handle dozens of simultaneous connections, there are four gigabit Ethernet ports for nearby devices, and a decent 1,600 square feet coverage to help you reach everything else.

Read our full ExpressVPN Aircove review.

The best VPN router for gaming

If the TP-Link Archer GX90’s bulk, eight pointy antennas eye-catching black/ red color scheme make you think this isn’t for office users, you’d be right: it’s a high-end, high-performance gaming router which comes absolutely stuffed with advanced features and technologies.

We’re not just talking Wi-Fi 6, tri-band speeds, for instance. The GX90 can set up a dedicated Gaming Band network with 4.8Gbps speeds all on its own. Connectivity options include 2.5Gbps Ethernet and a couple of USB ports (there are 3x regular Gigabit ports, too), and you can set it up as a mesh network with other TP-Link routers.

On the VPN front, there’s no need to use new firmware because the TP-Link Archer GX90 has built-in support for connecting to VPN providers via OpenVPN, L2TP or PPTP. Need more? No problem: the GX90 also has a built-in VPN server, allowing you to securely access your home network from anywhere in the world.

Read our full TP-Link Archer GX90 review.

The best feature-packed VPN router

Most routers look dull in the extreme, but the Asus RT-AC86U's angled surfaces and red slashes give it just a little more visual appeal. The case has some issues on the ergonomics front - it has to stand up; there’s no wall-mounting option- but unusual pluses include buttons to handle tasks buried in the firmware (disable the radios, turn off the lights).

There’s plenty to like about what’s inside that casing, too. The CPU is ‘only’ dual-core, but it’s a 1.8GHz model; there are four Gigabit LAN ports and two USB ports; MU-MIMO technology supports a theoretical transfer speed of up to 2,900Mbps, and Asus’ 5GHz Quad-Stream system optimizes traffic for the best gaming and streaming performance.

Browse through the comprehensive dashboard, and you’ll find an array of other options, including the ability to run the router as a VPN client or server. Need more power? No problem, you can install third-party firmware for even greater control.

The Asus RT-AC86U may not have quite the leading-edge technologies of other routers in this list, but it’s less than half the price of some, yet still offers enough power for many users, and that seems like a great deal to us.

Read our full Asus RT-AC86U review.

The best premium VPN router

The Synology RT6600ax may look like another bland, boring, identikit router, but beneath that boxy casing is an exceptional product for business, gaming, and other demanding users.

You’re after speed, say? Tri-band Wi-Fi delivers up to 6,600Mbps, and our real-world tests revealed excellent performance. Configurability? The router can operate multiple Wi-Fi networks, each with its own custom settings and rules. Security? There’s a comprehensive firewall, exceptional content filtering, optional threat and intrusion detection, and a whole lot more.

It’s a similar story with the VPN features. Sure, you can set it up to connect to most of the big providers, but that’s just the start. There’s also a VPN server that gives you remote access to your network and the SMB-friendly ability to remotely operate PCs and servers.

If your VPN needs are simple, just a little Netflix unblocking occasionally, the Synology RT6600ax is overkill in the extreme. But if you’re a power user, an SMB, or anyone with more complex requirements, this router offers a phenomenal set of features for a bargain price.

Read our full Synology RT6600ax review.

The best general purpose VPN router

The Asus RT-AX86U isn’t the cheapest router around, but it’s good value for what you’re getting: Wi-Fi 6 performance, a 2.5Gbps wired port, two USB 3.2 ports, and gaming optimization for GeForce Now to keep your connection running smoothly.

Setup is relatively easy, with a browser-based dashboard offering the most depth and control, while a simpler app is on hand for Android and iOS.

Surprisingly capable extras include built-in malware protection from Trend Micro, while the extensive parental controls go well beyond what you’ll see from most of the competition (and Asus doesn’t charge you extra for them, either)

The router held up well in our tests, delivering above-average speeds in even the most difficult-to-reach corners of the office.

And as with other Asus routers, the excellent interface makes it easy to set up and manage a connection to your preferred VPN.

Read our full Asus RT-AX86U review.

The best enterprise VPN router

The TP-Link Archer C5400 v2 has an odd design which somehow manages to look both distinctive and dull, all at the same time (which, although it’s not ideal, is quite an achievement when you think about it). But if you value functionality over form, don’t scroll down just yet, because this router has a great deal to offer.

The eight antennas support four 1,000Mbps streams on the 2.4Ghz band, for instance, while the two 5Ghz channels also have four streams running up to 2,167Mbps. Although the four gigabit Ethernet ports can’t handle that kind of bandwidth, TP-Link’s support for link aggregation means (if your laptop or NAS supports it) you can use two Ethernet ports as if they were one, doubling throughput: very impressive.

This level of enterprise power normally comes with a degree of complexity, but the TP-Link Archer C5400 v2 does a lot to keep its functions accessible to regular consumers. An app and some very clear setup instructions walk you through the first steps, and TP-Link’s Router Skill even allows you to carry out common tasks via simple Alexa commands.

Read our full TP-Link Archer C5400 review.

The best premium VPN router for gaming

The Linksys WRT32X is an impressive gaming-focused router with a smart prioritization engine that automatically optimizes your gaming traffic, cutting latency and boosting performance.

The hardware is a little more ordinary: dual-band, a dual-core CPU, four gigabit ports, one USB 3.0 port, and one mildly surprising extra in an eSATA USB 2.0 port (handy for a network-attached storage device)

The firmware is a definite plus, crammed with handy performance tweaks and essential settings. They’re well-presented, too, and far easier to access than you’ll see with many more business-oriented routers.

But if VPN functionality is top of your priority list, the good news is that you can install open-source firmware to give you extra functionality and connect to most of the best providers. Many VPNs have tutorials to explain exactly what’s involved. As an example, check out ExpressVPN’s guide here.

Read our full Linksys WRT32X Gaming Router review.

How to choose the best VPN router

With so many VPN routers on the market, these days, figuring out which one will work best for your setup can be a daunting task.

To make things easier, here are the criteria to keep in mind when shopping around.

Firstly, check out the router's installation process and determine whether it's feasible for you. If you're new to the world of routers, or just want a more seamless setup, then you'll want to opt for a router with a beginner-friendly installation.

It's also important to see how many bands are supported by the router. If you have a mixture of old and new devices in the home, you'll benefit from multiple bands that cover 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. This will distribute the internet traffic and ensure faster online speeds for all devices.

Next up, check out the router's speed and connectivity to ensure it can keep up with whatever you do online. Think streaming, gaming, video calls, and more. It's a good idea to determine which features are non-negotiable, too, and make sure the router of your choice offers them.

Finally, and although it's a bit shallow, consider the router's design. If it's something that'll stand out like a sore thumb in your home, there might be more discreet models available elsewhere.

How we test the best VPN router

When testing the best VPN routers, we first looked at their design, ease of setup, and connectivity ports. We checked their performance in terms of speed, range, and strength of coverage.

We used Ookla to test the speeds with a file download, and we also tested it against our everyday network usage to give you an idea of its real-world performance.

We checked the routers' additional features, like parental controls, voice control, and the option to install software other than the default one that the router ships with.

We also considered what type of users the routers would be best suited for, and their pricing.

Netgear has finally released a fix for a broken update that locked people out of some of their devices and forced them to commit to a factory reset.

In late April 2022, the networking gear manufacturer released firmware update 4.6.8.2 for a number of Orbi devices (RBR750, RBS750, RBR850, and RBS850), as well as mesh Wi-Fi systems. However, the update seems to have messed things up, as users soon started reporting being unable to connect to their router’s admin console, both via the web browser, and the Orbi app. 

The device still worked, as pinging the device got a response. However, being locked out of the device means users were no longer able to make any configuration changes.

Pulling the update

It took Netgear two weeks to acknowledge the mess up. In mid-May, the company released an announcement: "We are aware of an issue affecting the Orbi RBK85x and RBK75x Series Mesh WiFi 6 Systems," it said.

"Some customers can no longer access or manage their Orbi systems through the Orbi app or the web user interface. A factory reset usually resolves this issue. We are working to understand the root cause and identify an alternative recovery method that doesn't require a factory reset."

Roughly at that point, Netgear even pulled the firmware update altogether, preventing further exacerbation of the issue. After that, a new patch was gradually rolled out. 

The patch seems to have fixed the problems: "Christine here from NETGEAR. I am reaching out to confirm u/mary55330 message and note that we have had a lot of positive feedback that this fix does in fact recover the ability to access the router settings via the app and web user interface," a Reddit post by a Netgear support member reads.

Not all users will get the fix immediately. For those that cannot wait, there is a solution:

"We will be deploying the fix to the general audience in the very near future so you're welcome to wait. For those who may not want to wait, please send me your serial number via direct message and I'll have the fix rolled out to you promptly."

Netgear did not explain what caused the issues in the first place.

• Keep your devices safe with the best endpoint protection software

Via: BleepingComputer

Wireless networking equipment has evolved significantly in the past ten years, and it is used more now than it ever has been before.

And, with that use comes both a reliance on it working effectively throughout our homes, possibly in ways that, due to the nature of the technology, are unrealistic.

Originally designed to solve the challenges of WiFi inside office buildings, Mesh has become distributed into more mainstream products, like the new Netgear Orbi hardware covered in this review.

What can spending a substantial chunk of change do for your home WiFi performance?

• These are the best Wi-Fi extenders
• Consider also the popular Google Wifi

Price

The NBK752, or Netgear Orbi 5G WiFi 6 Mesh System to give its full title, has an eye-watering MSRP of £1,099 in the UK and $1099.99 in the US.

That cost is for the 2-pack option, where you get a single NBR750 router and a single RBS750 satellite module. A three-pack with two satellites (NBK753) is available, and also individual RBS750 satellites, increasing the space covered and expanding the system. The triple pack is $1299.98, and any additional RBS750 satellites are $199.99. That price gives you little incentive to buy the satellites bundled in the triple pack, since the purchase price is identical to adding them later.

If this all seems expensive, you probably don’t own the mansion this is designed to provide the coverage for.

Design and features 

The Orbi line has from the outset projected this curved persona that makes the components look like vases rather than electronics. Sadly, you can’t put flowers in these, and for the best performance, they need to be in full view.

Our recent review of the Orbi Mini gave us hope that these devices were getting smaller, a promise that was dashed by the NBK752 as it’s the NBR750 router part is the biggest Orbi component we’ve encountered so far.

Weighing a hefty 1247g and measuring 246 x 196 x 86 mm, we’d be concerned if this was mounted on a wall and fell on us. However, unlike the business-orientated Orbi lines, this product has no wall mountings in the box, although you can buy these at additional cost.

The RBS750 satellite is slightly slimmer than the router, measuring 231 x 183 x 71mm and a svelte 861g.

In the box, you get the two components, power supplies for each and a single LAN cable, along with some cursory documentation.

We noted that the PSU for the router is a different design than the one for the satellite, and the router PSU outputs 42W versus 30W on the smaller PSU.

That these are so close in spec and even have the same barrel connector, and yet completely different tooling was made to make each strongly hints at a missed commonality for the Netgear engineers designing these.

The rear of the NBR750 router has three Ethernet ports, one allocated to a WAN broadband connection, two SMA LTE antenna connectors and a Nano-SIM slot for a mobile SIM card.

Amazingly, no SMA LTE antenna are provided at all.

Netgear tells us that the unit will work without them, and only those with connection issues need to invest further. These antennas aren’t expensive, but they’re not an accessory that Netgear sells.

The limited number of Ethernet LAN ports is a concern. With only two on the NBR750 router and only one spare if you want to use a wired backchannel to the satellite, owners might have to buy an extra switch to breakout the wired network to more than one device.

That’s not great, but with only two LAN ports on the RBS750 Satellite, one that might be used to wire it back to the NBR750 and the other needed to chain another RBS750 potentially, you might end up with none free.

Most routers come with four LAN ports, and we’ve even seen designs with eight or 2.5GbE for greater backbone bandwidth, but Netgear has chosen to go in the opposite direction here.

In use  

Netgear switched a while ago to use a mobile application to configure their wireless products, available for both Apple and Android phones.

While this does guide a new owner through the setup process effectively, it is also a means to try and sell you Netgear subscription services.

Of these, the subscription being pushed the hardest is a security solution, Netgear Armor, that, after a free trial period, costs $99.99 a year. Alongside that, Netgear has a premium parental control solution for those that like to throw money at their parental responsibilities for another $69.99 (£49.95) per annum.

It always amuses us that a hardware maker like Netgear gets its customers to install an application that then does a ‘security check’ that advises, entirely coincidentally, that you spend more with that company. Who would have guessed?

The Orbi application is an effective tool for getting the hardware operational, but we could have done without the blatant marketing opportunities at every turn.

Performance

We’ve talked about the reality stretching nature of wireless specs in many of our reviews, but if you didn’t catch those previously here, we go once again.

The router and satellite are rated for AX4200 MU-MIMO, inferring that it is capable of 4.2Gbps of wireless speed. Except no one client can get that performance, and even if it was possible to bond the tri-band (2.4GHz and two 5GHz channels) solution used here into a single data stream using a device that could aggregate them, the router only has 1Gbit LAN ports.

A good proportion of the total bandwidth can only be used if WiFi devices are communicating across the router, and not to the Internet or LAN connected devices.

If the connection is via the satellite and it is backhauling over WiFi to the router, the total potential bandwidth is reduced by that router to satellite communications.

Most connected devices will be using the internet or a local NAS connected to a wired network, and those will be the bottlenecks that define what speed client devices will experience.

If you have 100Mbit broadband or 150Mbit 5G, then that’s the best internet performance that one client can experience, even if they can talk to the router or satellite at 1200Mbps.

What AX4200 more accurately represents is the number of simultaneous users that can get higher speeds because of multiple channels, but again, the usefulness of this could easily be undermined by poor broadband or 5G performance downstream.

The final issues that need to be discussed are signal propagation and what 4,000 square feet of coverage can mean in practical terms.

By implication, 4,000 square feet could be an area of 63 ft by 63ft, or 100ft by 40ft, or variations that add up to that area depending on how you space out the router and satellites. For those living in a business or home that is smaller, say only 100ft wide, the WiFi signal will extend out at least 25ft, and possible further, onto adjacent properties. That will occupy channels that they might want to utilise but can’t because of the reach of this system.

If both properties alongside decide to deploy similar hardware, performance is impacted more widely, and everyone that bought this equipment to get better connections is effectively back to square one.

In short, the performance of this equipment is excellent when used in isolation and with client hardware that can exploit the multi-frequency capabilities of WiFi 6, but for exactly the same reasons, your neighbours might find it much less helpful.

Final verdict 

We're not sure what the percentage of homes in Europe are close to 4,000 sq ft, with the average UK home being a modest 729 sq. ft. And, even in the USA, the average home is still only 2,500 sq. ft, making this solution overkill for average homeowners in most regions.

For those curious, the common definition of a mansion is 5,000 sq. ft or more, so this hardware is better fitted to those that own one of those.

Using this gear in a smaller house with close neighbours is probably inconsiderate since the signals from it will propagate and reduce the overall performance of WiFi in their homes.

The other issue with this hardware is the concept, promoted by the mobile phone industry, that 5G is equivalent to broadband in performance terms.

The best realistic 5G performance you are likely to see would be around 225 Mbps, even if you are located right next to the mast. That’s well below the 1Gbit speeds that many fibre broadband providers now offer, and only a fraction of the bandwidth in the WiFi available through this equipment.

It can connect to 4G services if 5G aren't available, but that performance is predictably less.

As a fail-over solution, it might make sense, unless whatever stops your broadband working also impacts the backhaul from the 5G mast local to you, like a power cut.

For business users, this type of disaster recovery model has business justification, but for home users annoyed that they can’t watch Netflix 24/7 it seems excessive not only in hardware outlay but paying for a parallel 5G broadband account for those limited times when you might need it.

The hardware price also seems excessive, since the version of this equipment without the 5G capability is less than half the cost at £499.98 ($449.99). Adding this one feature bumps the price up by the cost of a Google Pixel 6 (128GB), and it has no screen, camera, or way to play Angry Birds.

In short, the equipment is predictably excellent at what it does. But we’re unsure about the economics given the excessive cost of the hardware and high overheads for having 5G internet access. Unless you can get a special bundle deal from your Internet provider and have a good 5G service near your mansion, this might not be for you.

• Also take a look at the best Mesh Routers 2021 for the home

You might also want to check out the Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) review

Netgear has announced the launch of its latest Wireless Access Point (WAP) which features WiFi 6E to provide SMBs with improved connectivity.

The Netgear WAX630E is a tri-band, business-grade WAP that can be managed over the cloud using the company's Netgear Insight network management service.

In addition to offering fast throughput and low latency, Netgear's latest WAP supports the new 6Ghz WiFi band known as WiFi 6E. The WAX630E is well-suited for businesses in the manufacturing, education, hospitality, municipality and retail sectors though it could also be the perfect solution for small businesses with limited IT staff.

Director of product line management and SMB Wireless at Netgear, Doug Cheung provided further details on the WAX630E and the advantages offered by WiFi 6E for SMBs in a press release, saying:

"As applications that include 4K and 8K video streaming or virtual and augmented reality become more pervasive, businesses will need to at least double their WiFi connection speeds to support them. WiFi 6E provides a wide open, fast superhighway to provide the required capacity and speed. The new WAX630E is the perfect onramp for SMBs.” 

Netgear WAX630E

Netgear's WAX630E features a tri-band design that enables the latest WiFi 6E technologies. As such, the WAX630E can operate in the widest 160MHz WiFi channels on both the 5GHz and 6GHz bands.

However, all three bands (2.4GHz, 5GHz and 6GHz) fully enable AX technologies such as MU-MIMO (multi-user, multiple input, multiple output) which increases the number of simultaneous users that a single access point (AP) can support.

In total, the WAX630E delivers an aggregate throughput of 7.8Gbps to provide client devices on all three WiFi bands with ultra-fast access to both the internet and intranet.

There are two models of the WAX630E available (the WAX630 E-100NAS and the WAX630EP-100NAS) the first costs $349 (£299.99) while the later is slightly more expensive at $369. The WAX630EP-100NAS, which is only available in the US, includes a power adapter while the WAX630 E-100NAS doesn't. However, this WAP supports Power over Ethernet (PoE) so if you choose the cheaper model, you will need to pick up a network switch as well.

• We've also rounded up the best business routers, best powerline adapters and the best business broadband deals

If you play a lot of competitive multiplayer games, getting the best gaming router can be just as important as investing in the best gaming PC, gaming monitor, gaming keyboard or gaming mouse.

For online games, having a fast and reliable internet connection is essential - you don't want a network dropout just before you win a match. Keeping your ping rate (the time it takes for data to travel from your gaming PC or console to the game's servers, measured in milliseconds) as low as possible can also be the difference between winning and losing - as the higher the ping, the bigger the gap between you performing an action and your character responding.

But why pick a gaming router rather than an all-purpose one from our best Wi-Fi routers guide? The best gaming routers don't just come with fancy gamer asthetics - they also come with dedicated features aimed at giving you the best possible online gaming experience.

We’ve gathered the best gaming routers – including some of the best Asus routers – for you, digging into all their respective features, including support for the latest wireless standard - blazing-fast Wi-Fi 7. If you have a large area of coverage, however, you should take a look at our best mesh Wi-Fi system picks instead.

The best gaming routers 2025

The Acer Predator Connect T7 is the best gaming router you can buy in 2025. It can be bought as a single unit to act as a regular router, or you can buy it in packs with additional units that turns it into a powerful mesh Wi-Fi system that will ensure that every device in your house gets rock-solid Wi-Fi.

As it's an Acer Predator product, the Connect T7 features cutting-edge technology to give gamers the very best experience and performance, with the company claiming that this gaming router boasts ‘wired-level latency.’

So, if you're a competitive online gamer that is sick of trailing network cables throughout your home, the Acer Predator Connect T7 could be the answer, finally allowing you to go wireless without sacrificing your competitive advantage.

Game-centric features include a QoS option – quality of service – that allows you to prioritise high-bandwidth tasks such as gaming or streaming video for specific devices, plus security and parental control features, and two Gigabit Ethernet ports for wired connections.

In our tests, we found that the Acer Predator Connect T7 gave us fast and dependable Wi-Fi speeds across the entire building. The T7's top speed of 11Gbps is incredibly fast, and will be overkill for most people. However, if you have lots of devices on the network for playing local multiplayer games, then this is a fantastic investment.

Read our full Acer Predator Connect T7 Wi-Fi 7 Mesh Router review

If you don't need cutting-edge Wi-Fi 7 (and many devices still don't support it), then the Acer Predator Connect W6x is an excellent affordable gaming router. It sticks with dual-band Wi-Fi 6, which while not the fastest, should still be plenty for most people.

The design is unobtrusive, though there's definitely a hint of gamer asthetic to its sharp corners and angles, and you get a 2.5Gb Ethernet port for a high-speed Internet connection, plus four Gigabit Ethernet ports for a gaming PC or console if you prefer a lag-free wired connection for your online gaming sessions.

It also comes with some useful features including free security and parental controls, something its rivals sometimes charge extra for. It also has a QoS option to prioritize gaming network traffic for the very best performance.

During our review, we were impressed with how the Acer Predator Connect W6x performed with nearby devices, and it managed to expand our test Wi-Fi network to areas of the building that were usually out of reach. However, speeds did drop noticeably when you start going too far. So, this isn't the fastest gaming router in the world, but it's affordable and dependable, making it a great budget pick.

Read our full Acer Predator Connect W6x review

If you want the fastest possible performance, based on cutting-edge Wi-Fi 7, then look no further than this Asus gaming router – but be warned, you’ll pay a heavy price for it.

Before we come to that price tag, let’s explore the specs here which are nothing short of staggering for wireless performance. The Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98 boasts quad-band Wi-Fi 7 with a top speed of 24.4Gbps, and if you want great wired performance, that’s on hand too – with 10Gb and 2.5Gb Ethernet ports at your disposal. There are two 10Gb Ethernet connectors, in fact, one of which is a dedicated ‘gaming port’ into which you can plug your gaming PC to ensure it gets priority over all other ports.

Not only is the ROG Rapture GT-BE98 jaw-droppingly fast, but it’s also well-featured – incorporating the likes of parental controls even – and this is a standout router for features and performance. Of course, then we come to that price tag, which at launch is around the same as the cost of a cheap gaming PC – it goes beyond eye-watering for a router.

In short, the GT-BE98 won’t make sense to any gamer but those with deep wallets, and also the matching hardware with Wi-Fi 7 support, plus a very speedy broadband connection to feed to the GT-BE98 to make the most of it. If you want the absolute pinnacle of gaming router performance, though, this is it – but in the value stakes, a Wi-Fi 6 or 6E model makes a lot more sense currently.

To save money on Asus products, check out our Asus promo codes.

Read our full Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98 review

Netgear used to be known for making some of the most expensive routers on the market, and while it still does (check out the Orbi 970 if you want to see just how expensive Wi-Fi mesh systems can get), it's also been releasing a steady stream of affordable Wi-Fi 7 routers, and the Netgear Nighthawk RS100 is an excellent example of this, and one of the best gaming routers you can currently buy.

As with many other affordable Wi-Fi 7 routers we're seeing these days, the Netgear Nighthawk RS100 sticks to dual-band, supporting both 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands, but not the faster 6.0GHz band that more expensive Wi-Fi 7 routers offer.

So, this isn't a gaming router to get if all you care about is speed, but the benefits Wi-Fi 7 offers are more than just about raw bandwidth. Being able to handle far more devices accessing your home network at once, while also offering a wider and more stable wireless network means that even dual-band routers like the Netgear Nighthawk RS100 can offer a big upgrade over your current setup, especially if you're using the free modem/router that your ISP (Internet Service Provider) gave you.

For households with plenty of gamers with PCs, laptops and consoles (plus various mobile devices) all vying for your internet connection, the Netgear Nighthawk RS100 is an excellent option that is a lot more affordable than its competitors, while still featuring solid build quality and an easy setup that we've come to expect from Netgear's more expensive routers.

In our tests the Netgear Nighthawk RS100 did an excellent job of maxing out our broadband connection, while also reaching areas a Wi-Fi signal usually struggles to get to. While high-end gaming routers like the Acer Predator Connect T7 are overkill for many households, the Netgear Nighthawk RS100 offers an ideal balance of cutting-edge Wi-Fi 7 performance with an affordable price tag, and some handy gaming features as well.

Read our full Netgear Nighthawk RS100 review

FAQs

How we test gaming routers

Gaming routers are just as important as gaming PCs and peripherals, especially for online gaming, so of course we take our job seriously when testing them. Before recommending one in this buying guide, we make sure that each one not only performs as promised, but is also a cut above the rest. After all, although there are a lot of options out there, only a few stand out.

We start with the design. We test its build, physical features, and look – although a whole lot of them are going to have that gamer aesthetic. We make sure that it has enough ports for that all-important wired connection, is effortless to set up, has support for such technologies as QoS, and has features like parental controls (in case you have young ones at home).

Naturally, we test its performance as well, seeing how it measures up against our file download test as well as the Ookla speed test – especially in comparison to its rivals. And, because you need to know how exactly it performs in real world scenarios, we take it for a spin by playing a few of the most demanding and popular online titles out there. It’s a tough job, but somebody’s gotta do it.

When all is said and gamed, we take all the information we’ve collected and compare it to the unit’s price tag. At the end of the day, what matters is that the gaming router delivers robust performance, an excellent feature set, and a solid build that is worthy of its price – even if that means paying a little more.

Two-minute review

There’s a saying in the tech industry: “the good thing about standards is that there’s so many of them”. And, having only recently gotten used to all the jargon surrounding the latest Wi-Fi 6 technology, we now have to contend with the new state-of-the-art, called Wi-Fi 6E. The ‘E’ bit stands for ‘extended’, as Wi-Fi 6E adds a new 6GHz frequency band, in addition to the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands already used by Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 5.

Netgear was one of the first companies to introduce Wi-Fi 6 into its range of routers and mesh networking systems, and it’s been equally quick off the mark with the new Orbi Quad-Band WiFi 6E, which is the first mesh Wi-Fi system we’ve seen that supports the new 6E technology. Mind you, Wi-Fi 6 products are still pretty expensive, and stepping up to 6E means that this new three-piece Orbi system weighs in at a whopping $1,499.99 (£1,499.99, around AU$2,100).

Hopefully, at some point, Netgear will launch a two-piece system for smaller homes, although that’s still likely to cost around £1,000/$1,000/AU$1,400, which is far more than most of us can afford. 

Even so, it’s worth taking a look at the new Orbi to get an idea of the new features and performance that are available with Wi-Fi 6E. This review is based on the UK edition of the Orbi, but it’s worth noting that governmental regulations on the use of the new 6.0GHz band do vary from country to country. This means that the specifications and performance of any Wi-Fi 6E router or mesh system may vary in different regions, so it’s important to check the specifications quoted for the Orbi in your own country.

Design and features

This latest version of the Orbi sticks with Netgear’s familiar white obelisk design, although Netgear says that it has now added a black option as well, in response to customer demand. 

The Orbi 6E is larger too, measuring 280mm high, 190mm wide and 84mm deep, reflecting the fact that this new Wi-Fi tech requires each Orbi to squeeze in no less than 12 internal antennae to provide extended range and speed.

The use of Wi-Fi 6E also means that this top-of-the-range mesh system can now offer quad-band Wi-Fi, using the 2.4GHz band, two 5.0GHz bands, and the new 6.0GHz band. This allows the Orbi to provide a top speed of 10.8Gbps, and a range of 7,500 sq.ft - compared to 4.2Gbps and 6,000 sq.ft for the standard Wi-Fi 6 version of the Orbi. 

Just remember that while the Orbi 6E is compatible with older devices that use Wi-Fi 5 or Wi-Fi 6, you will need newer devices that support Wi-Fi 6E in order to get the full benefit of the Orbi’s high-end performance.

Most mesh systems from other manufacturers simply provide two or three identical routers, but Netgear’s approach with the Orbi systems is to provide one primary router - which needs to be connected to your existing broadband modem/router - and two ‘satellites’, which can be placed in other rooms or locations around your home. 

To avoid confusion, the primary Orbi router has a large ‘Router’ label on the front, but tucked around the back you’ll also find a bright yellow Ethernet port that connects to your existing broadband router, and which supports high-speed Internet connections of up to 10Gbps. 

That’s far faster than most home broadband services, of course, but if you can afford the Orbi WiFi 6E then you can probably afford super-fast fibre broadband as well.

The primary router also has three additional Gigabit Ethernet ports, and one 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port, to provide wired connections for your computers, or for devices such as a smart TV or games console that work best with a lag-free wired connection (this reviewer lost a L70 Witch Doctor in Diablo’s hard-core mode last week due to a Wi-Fi glitch, so wired connections are definitely a good idea for gaming). The two satellites also have three Gigabit Ethernet ports of their own, along with one 2.5 Gigabit port, so you’ve got plenty of options for wired connections if you need them.

We do have some qualms about the Orbi app, though - especially as the information on the Orbi’s packaging seems to indicate that the app includes Netgear’s Smart Parental Controls and Armour security services. 

In fact, these services are only provided as a 30-day free trial, but then require additional subscription fees for both services. The Smart Parental Controls cost £6.99/US$7.99/AU$10.99 per month or £49.99/US$69.99/AU$99.99 per year, while UK users currently get a half-price offer for the Armour service, costing £42.50 for the first year, and then £84.99/US$99.99/AU$140 after that.

Performance and getting started

To be fair, the Orbi app does at least deserve credit for being easy to use. The app allows you to simply scan a QR code on the primary router, and will then automatically connect your smartphone or tablet to the new Orbi network, and also connect the primary router to its two satellites as well.

The app isn’t awash with additional features, though. It simply creates a single network that merges the 2.4GHz, 5.0GHz and 6.0GHz networks together, and automatically connects your computers and mobile devices to the fastest frequency band that is available. 

The network name (SSID) and password are printed on the same label as the QR code, so all we needed to do was to plug the three Orbi units into mains power and we had the new mesh network up and running in around 10 minutes.

Needless to say, this high-end mesh system took our network speed tests in its stride. We didn’t expect devices located in the same room as our existing broadband router to improve Wi-Fi performance with the Orbi, simply registering 100Mbps with the Ookla Speed Test, and 12.5MB/s for Steam downloads, which are the best speeds we can normally expect from our 100Mbps broadband service.

However, we have a back office that suffers with poor Wi-Fi, where we normally rely on a set of Powerline adaptors to provide a wired connection for our office computers. We placed one of the Orbi satellites in this office, and the other satellite in a nearby hallway, and this set-up gave us our maximum Wi-Fi speeds right off the bat, maintaining 100Mbps for the Ookla test, and 12.5MB/s with no trouble at all.

The price of the Orbi Quad-Band WiFi 6 obviously means that it’s very much at the luxury end of the market at the moment. But, as we’ve seen with Wi-Fi 6 in recent months, prices will soon start to come down, especially as new computers and mobile devices also start to adopt Wi-Fi 6E later this year.

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

• Check out the best Wi-Fi 6 routers

Netgear has launched a new business-focused router that promises rapid Wi-Fi speeds for small offices and remote working setups.

At CES 2022, the networking company unveiled the Orbi Pro SXK50, its latest tri-band mesh router system with support for Wi-Fi 6. The model fills a gap in the current range, between the Orbi Pro SXK30 and SXK80.

The new router offers theoretical speeds of up to 5.4 Gbps, supports up to 75 concurrent devices and has a maximum coverage area of 12,500 square feet.

The Orbi Pro SXK50 will be available in the US later this month for $449.99, and in Europe later in Q1 at a price of £419.99/€449.99.

Home office routers

Since the start of the pandemic, connectivity has been among the most significant challenges for remote and hybrid workers, whose ability to remain productive often hinges on the speed of their home network.

Many remote employees rely on the stock router provided by their internet service provider, but Netgear says businesses could consider funding an upgrade.

“The challenge for the small business is to provide employees with a home Wi-Fi experience that is on par with that of the office with the reliability and performance that relieve the most basic work-from-home frustrations,” the company wrote.

“Ideal for the home office or small businesses, the Orbi Pro SXK50 offers incredible performance, easy management, and support for a larger number of devices.”

Although there are many high-speed routers on the market, the networking firm claims its Orbi Pro line stands apart courtesy of advanced cybersecurity facilities, which include a business VPN, support for WPA3 wireless security protocols, VLAN management and four distinct SSIDs.

“The key concerns for business Wi-Fi customers are reliability, robustness, security and performance,” said Doug Cheung, Director of Product Line Management at Netgear. “The Orbi Pro line satisfies all of those needs, but its security features really set our devices apart from the competition.”

Cheung went on to explain that business-grade security is “standard across the entire lineup”, which means customers need only determine how many devices they are required to support.

Check out all of TechRadar's CES 2022 coverage. We're bringing you all the breaking tech news and launches, everything from 8K TVs and foldable displays to new phones, laptops and smart home gadgets.  

• Also check out our list of the best secure routers

In a shocking revelation, cybersecurity researchers have discovered over 200 bugs in Wi-Fi routers made by nine popular manufacturers, suggesting that millions of the most common devices around the world are vulnerable to attacks.

Researchers from IoT Inspector and CHIP examined devices from Asus, AVM, D-Link, Netgear, Edimax, TP-Link, Synology, and Linksys, and found a total of 226 potential security vulnerabilities.

"The test negatively exceeded all expectations for secure home and small business routers. Not all vulnerabilities are equally critical - but at the time of the test, all devices showed significant security vulnerabilities that could make a hacker’s life much easier," said Florian Lukavsky, CTO of IoT Inspector.

The two devices with the most number of vulnerabilities were the The TP-Link Archer AX6000 with 32 vulnerabilities, and the Synology RT-2600ac with 30 vulnerabilities.

Greater accountability

According to the researchers, some of the security issues were detected across multiple devices, generally because of outdated software. They fathom that, since integrating a new kernel into the firmware is a costly affair, all of the tested routers were running dated versions of the Linux kernel.

Similarly, additional services, such as multimedia streaming or VPN, were usually found to be powered by outdated software.

When contacted by the researchers, all of the manufacturers quickly responded by releasing firmware patches to resolve the issues. 

The researchers also used the opportunity to point out that the coalition agreement of the new German government seeks to hold manufacturers accountable for vulnerabilities in their products.

“This increases the pressure on the industry to continuously secure products in order to avoid immense claims for damages,” point out the researchers.

• Batten down the hatches with the help of the best firewall apps and services, and ensure your computers are protected with these best endpoint protection tools.

Netgear has released a set of updated firmware for its small business routers and Wi-Fi extenders after a number of vulnerabilities were discovered in several models by security researchers at Immersive Labs.

If exploited, these vulnerabilities could be used to achieve unauthorized access to devices or even to modify the internal filesystem which can be abused to affect traffic passing through the device according to a new blog post from the cybersecurity firm.

Two vulnerabilities, tracked as PSV-2021-0169 and PSV-2021-0172, make it possible to gain authenticated access to affected Netgear devices. Once done, an attacker could then modify settings in the administration panel to run arbitrary commands on a victim's router. However, this kind of command injection also adds persistence which means that the vulnerability can still remain on an affected device even if the router is restarted or updated.

Additionally, commands could be used to open other ports or to allow command line access over the network to a victim's operating system. With operating system access, a malicious user could significantly impact the availability of one of Netgear's routers and the data that is passed through it.

Resetting a router's password

Another vulnerability, tracked as PSV-2021-0171, discovered in Netgear's routers by Immersive Labs can be exploited by an attacker with access to a local network.

By doing so, they can make a request to a router's UPNP port and view the device serial number. While this may sound fairly harmless at first, keep in mind that this serial number is used as part of the password reset function on most Netgear devices.

Although the likelihood of an attacker exploiting these vulnerabilities is considered low by Immersive Labs' security researchers, there is still a valid threat surface. By exploiting these three vulnerabilities, it is possible to add new files and configurations to any of the affected devices that could even survive a device reset. At the same time, it would also be possible to block any future firmware updates to keep a compromised device in this state.

Thankfully though, Netgear has now released patches for all of its affected small business routers which you can download here.

We've also highlighted the best small business routers, best Wi-Fi extenders, best endpoint protection software and best firewall

In an effort to further secure the networks of remote employees working from home, Netgear has announced a new business VPN service that's compatible with its existing mesh router systems.

The networking company's new Insight Business VPN is an add-on service available for its Orbi Pro Series of Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6 business mesh routers. With this new service SMBs will be able to extend their corporate networks to branch offices and even the home offices of employees while ensuring that each node on the network is secured and centrally managed.

The Wi-Fi work network in an employee's home is preconfigured as a separate VLAN for Netgear's corporate VPN and runs separately from their home network which is on another isolated VLAN. By using the same SSID at an organization's headquarters and at remote sites, Insight Business VPN provides an easy-to-use and secure end-user environment while also eliminating administrative complexity for IT teams.

• We've built a list of the best business VPN services
• These are the best small business routers on the market
• Also check out our list of the best endpoint protection software

Senior product line manager at Netgear, Douglas Cheung provided further insight on the company's new Insight Business VPN add-on service in a press release, saying:

“In the big shift to work-from-home, we’ve seen many challenges for the remote workforce, including security concerns and declining employee productivity levels due to unreliable access to company applications and networked systems, and storage. NETGEAR Insight Business VPN tackles these concerns with a secured and persistent connection, running on Orbi Pro, a high performance business WiFi mesh system, all the while providing an seamless experience equivalent to that of working at the headquarters.”

Insight Business VPN

To get started using Netgear's Insight Business VPN, an admin will first need to configure the business VPN on the headquarter Orbi Pro unit and the remote units before sending them out to employees.

The Orbi Pro units at remote and home sites connect employees to their headquarters using the same corporate SSID once powered on. The connection they provide is encrypted and persistent and requires no repeated authentication while providing the equivalent level of security if an employee was working at the office.

Existing users of Netgear's SXK80 and SRK60 Orbi Pro systems can enable Insight Business VPN by downloading the latest firmware version. Administering VPN access at a group or department level, managing VPN access for remote employees or branch office locations and receiving reports as well as notifications on VPN performance is then done using an administrator web GUI.

Netgear Insight Business VPN is available to purchase worldwide through the Netgear Insight Cloud Portal and authorized resellers. Pricing starts at $160 per year for five concurrent VPN enabled client devices and this goes up to $2,000 per year for 250 devices.

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Netgear’s Orbi range of mesh Wi-Fi systems always provide good performance, but they do tend to be a little on the pricey side. The new Orbi RBK353 is an attempt to provide a more affordable option, providing simple dual-band Wi-Fi 6 with a top speed of 1800Mbps. 

The Netgear Orbi RBK353 that we review here is a three-piece kit that includes a primary router and two satellites, which are designed to cover an area of up to 3,750sq.ft (although Netgear’s website incorrectly states an area of 5,250sq.ft in some places, which is careless and potentially misleading). 

The RBK353 was launched with an introductory price of $399/£250 (around AU$550). That’s still not cheap compared to dual-band rivals such as the Eero 6, although the Orbi does have some useful additional features, such as multiple Ethernet ports on each unit for wired connections. 

And, for smaller homes, there’s a two-piece option, called the RBK352, with a router and one satellite that can cover 2,500 sq.ft for £250.00 (AU$379.00).

 Design and features

The Netgear Orbi RBK353 has a similar design to most of the Orbi range, with both router and satellites consisting of an upright, plain white rectangular unit, with a glowing status light located in the base of each unit. 

The three units look almost identical from the front, but around the back of the main router you’ll find four Gigabit Ethernet ports that set it apart from the satellites. One of these ports is marked in yellow so that you can quickly spot it and use it to connect the Orbi to your existing broadband modem or router for your Internet connection, while the other three ports can be used to provide wired network connections for a laptop, games console or other devices that prefer lag-free wired connections. 

The two satellites have two Ethernet ports each for additional wired connections, giving you a total of seven Ethernet ports altogether. Less expensive mesh systems tend to have fewer Ethernet ports, so it might be worth paying a little extra for the Orbi if you work from home and like having those extra Ethernet ports.

However, the Orbi app isn’t quite so well equipped. It’s easy to use, but lacks some features that many of its rivals take for granted. The Netgear Orbi RBK353 is a dual-band system, but the app creates just a single network that merges the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands. And, as we’ve seen in the past, the Orbi app is singularly lacking when it comes to parental controls. 

Netgear has recently announced a new Smart Parental Controls service - but this is an added extra that requires a monthly subscription, and doesn’t currently seem to be available for this particular mesh system.

The app does include a free one-month trial of Netgear’s Armour security software, but this also requires a subscription after the trial period, of $99.99/£59.99 (around AU$150). And, never one to miss a marketing opportunity, the Orbi app also tries to sell you extended warranty and technical support plans as well.

Performance and getting started

Over-active marketing aside, we were pleased to find that setting up the Orbi is a piece of cake. The Orbi app for iOS and Android can set everything up for you automatically, simply by scanning a QR code, and this will connect you to the new Orbi network using its default network name (SSID) and password. However, the app also allows you to set things up for yourself, perhaps creating a new name and password for the Orbi network if you prefer.

Its speed of 1,800Mbps isn’t going to win any awards, but the Orbi performed well when we used it to extend our Wi-Fi network to a back office where the weak Wi-Fi from our normal router normally forces us to rely on PowerLine adaptors for a wired network connection instead. When connecting to the main Orbi router, in the same room as the router that provides our broadband connection, our devices registered speeds of 100Mbps from the Ookla speed test, and 12.5MB/s for Steam downloads. 

Those speeds are what we’d normally expect in that room, but it was the back office that really good a boost from the Netgear Orbi RBK353. The Ookla speed test wasn’t fazed at all, maintaining a steady 100Mbps, even as we wandered with our laptop from the first satellite in the hallway, and then picked up the signal from the second satellite in the back office. Steam downloads did dip just a little in the back office, settling at 12.0MB/s, but that’s still perfectly adequate for most casual gaming, as well as streaming music and even 4K video.

It’s not cheap, and the limited features of the Orbi app are disappointing, but if you’re looking for a mid-range mesh system that can cover larger homes, and also provides additional Ethernet ports for wired connections, then the Orbi RBK353 fits the bill.

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Netgear has fixed a high severity remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability in the Circle parental control service, on several of Netgear’s Small Offices/Home Offices (SOHO) routers.

What makes this vulnerability particularly interesting, is that even though it exists in a third-party component included in the firmware, it is just as damaging as a vulnerability that exists in the Netgear core’s firmware, because of the fact that Circle runs with root permissions. 

“The Circle update daemon that contains the vulnerability is enabled to run by default, even if you haven’t configured your router to use the parental control features. While it doesn’t fix the underlying issue, simply disabling the vulnerable code when Circle is not in use would have prevented exploitation on most devices,” notes Adam Nichols, researcher with cybersecurity experts GRIMM.

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Nichols suggests the vulnerability serves as a cautionary tale, and helps demonstrate the importance of attack surface reduction.

Don’t talk to strangers

Under normal circumstances, a simple mitigation for the vulnerability (tracked as CVE-2021-40847) in Circle would have been to disable the service. However, this wouldn’t work here, since the vulnerability actually exists in Circle’s update daemon, circled, which too is enabled by default. 

In the post, Nichols explains that the update process relies on fetching unsigned updates over the unencrypted HTTP protocol. He reasons that an attacker can hijack the update process via a Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attack, which would enable them to run code as root on the device. 

While Netgear has issued patches to fix the issue, GRIMM recommends the use of VPN to mitigate the risk posed by compromisable network routers.

Update: A Circle representative responded to our coverage with the following statement:

"Circle created software fixes to resolve recently publicized security vulnerabilities for a loader on Netgear routers and has worked with Netgear to ensure that it is available for Netgear customers. Circle recommends that Netgear users ensure that they are using the latest firmware for their Netgear routers. No other Circle customers are impacted by this vulnerability."

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Cybersecurity experts found three vulnerabilities in over a dozen models of Netgear’s smart switches which could be exploited to take control of the vulnerable devices.

Discovered and reported by security researcher Gynvael Coldwind, Netgear has plugged all three vulnerabilities urging users of affected devices to apply the patches immediately.

Coldwind has published details as well as proof-of-concept (PoC) exploit code of two of the three vulnerabilities.

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According to BleepingComputer, while most of the twenty affected devices are smart switches, some of them include cloud management capabilities, and can be monitored and configured over the internet.

Device control

Although Netgear’s advisory doesn’t include any technical details about the bugs, Coldwind has been a lot more forthcoming.

Sharing details about the attack vectors of two of the vulnerabilities, Coldwind lists the scenarios in which affected devices can be exploited to hand over complete control to the attackers.

Interestingly, Coldwind believes that Netgear has been a little conservative in their severity score assessment of the vulnerabilities, particularly for one of them he’s dubbed Demon's Cries. While Netgear has rated it as highly severe with a score of 8.8, Coldwind believes it deserves a critical score of 9.8.

Exploiting the flaw reportedly requires that the Netgear Smart Control Center (SCC) feature is active, which it isn’t by default. 

Talking to BleepingComputer, Coldwind says that the second bug that he’s named Draconian Fear is “more interesting than dangerous” since it requires quite a bit of legwork.

He’ll share details about the third vulnerability at the start of next week, on September, 13, 2021.

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Via BleepingComputer

Internet infrastructure company Cloudflare says its system thwarted a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack that peaked at 17.2 million request-per-second (rps), which is three times larger than any previous attack.

To put the number in perspective, Omer Yoachimik, Product Manager, Cloudflare’s DDoS protection service, writes that the company servers over 25 million legitimate HTTP rps on average, which means this attack reached 68% of their average rps rate.

“This attack was launched by a powerful botnet, targeting a Cloudflare customer in the financial industry. Within seconds, the botnet bombarded the Cloudflare edge with over 330 million attack requests,” shares Yoachimik.

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According to Cloudflare’s analysis of the attack, it was composed of traffic from over 20,000 bots in 125 countries around the world. Based on the bots’ source IP addresses, a good chunk of the traffic came from devices in Indonesia, India, and Brazil.

Repeat offender

Yoachimik adds that this isn’t the first time the company has picked up activity from this particular botnet, which has reared its head at least twice in the past few weeks.

A couple of weeks earlier, the botnet launched over a dozen UDP and TCP based DDoS attacks against Cloudflare customers of their Magic Transit and Spectrum services. This attack peaked several times over 1 Tbps, maxing out at about 1.2 Tbps.

Most recently, the botnet targeted a hosting provider Cloudflare customer that relied on the WAF/CDN service. It was hit with a HTTP DDoS attack that peaked just below 8 million rps.

“In all cases, the attacks were automatically detected and mitigated without human intervention,” concludes Yoachimik as he outlines the steps for businesses to protect their online presence from DDoS attacks.

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A new variant of the Mirai botnet has begun exploiting multiple vulnerabilities in a software development kit (SDK) used by thousands of Realtek-based devices.

The vulnerabilities were discovered by IoT Inspector, the makers of the firmware security analysis platform of the same name, last week and thought to affect more than 65 hardware manufacturers and a variety of wireless devices.

Network security firm SAM Seamless Network now reveals that the Mirai-based botnet started trawling the web for unpatched devices two days after the public disclosure, even though Realtek had patched the vulnerabilities three days prior to IoT Inspectors’ announcement.

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“One of the vulnerabilities disclosed, CVE-2021-35395, affects the web interface that is part of the SDK, and is a collection of six different vulnerabilities. As of August 18th, we have identified attempts to exploit CVE-2021-35395 in the wild,” notes Omri Mallis, chief product architect at SAM Seamless Network.

Updated botnet

The researchers note that the particular Mirai malware used to exploit the Realtek vulnerability, was first seen by Palo Alto Network earlier this year in March. 

This was followed by another sighting by Juniper Networks earlier this month, when the botnet authors exploited another newly discovered vulnerability, again only a couple of days after it was announced.

“This chain of events shows that hackers are actively looking for command injection vulnerabilities and use them to propagate widely used malware quickly. These kinds of vulnerabilities are easy to exploit and can be integrated quickly into existing hacking frameworks that attackers employ, well before devices are patched and security vendors can react,” observes Mallis.

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Cybersecurity analysts have discovered critical security vulnerabilities in Realtek chips that affect more than 65 hardware manufacturers and a variety of wireless devices.

The vulnerabilities were uncovered by IoT Inspector, the makers of the firmware security analysis platform of the same name, during an analysis of the binaries packaged as part of the Realtek SDK.

“We performed vulnerability research on those binaries and identified more than a dozen vulnerabilities – ranging from command injection to memory corruption affecting UPnP, HTTP (management web interface), and a custom network service from Realtek,” explained researchers in a blog post.

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The vulnerabilities can be exploited remotely by attackers to fully compromise the vulnerable devices and execute arbitrary code with the highest level of privileges.

Supply chain transparency

According to IoT Inspector, Realtek provides the SDK to vendors and manufacturers that use the RTL8xxx system-on-a-chip (SoC).

The list of hardware manufacturers affected by the Realtek vulnerabilities includes Asus, Belkin, D-Link, Edimax, Logitech, Netgear, ZTE, and more, and cover an equally wide range of devices, from residential gateways to travel routers, Wi-Fi repeaters, IP cameras, smart lightning gateways and even connected toys.

“We identified at least 65 different affected vendors with close to 200 unique fingerprints, thanks both to Shodan’s scanning capabilities and some misconfiguration by vendors and manufacturers who expose those devices to the Internet,” the researchers observed.

Citing recent supply chain attacks such as SolarWinds and Kaseya, the researchers believe the vulnerabilities in the Realtek SDK are a prime example of how an obscure supply chain can lead to all kinds of attacks.

Florian Lukavsky, MD at IoT Inspector, says the researchers notified Realtek about the vulnerabilities and a patch was issued promptly. Lukavsky urges manufacturers who use the vulnerable Wi-Fi modules to check their devices and provide security patches to their users without delay.

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Netgear is giving its Armor security service which ships with many of its wireless routers a major boost with new capabilities designed to protect all of the connected devices in a user's smart home.

The company's Armor security service is built into most of its Orbi and Nighthawk routers and provides a protective bubble for connected devices on a home network to help consumers stay safe from hackers, malware and viruses.

Cyberthreats that were once only found on PCs are now present in nearly all connected devices including Smart TVs, smart thermostats, light switches, home theater systems, security cameras, game consoles, smart speakers, streaming players, tablets, smartphones and other smart home gadgets. 

In fact, according to Bitdefender's 2020 Consumer Threat Landscape Report, the number of vulnerabilities in Smart TVs has ballooned by 335 percent while the number of vulnerabilities in IP cameras almost doubled between 2019 and 2020.

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Having connected devices from different manufacturers installed in one's home not only increases the chance of incoming attacks but also outgoing threats such as a home security camera attempting to send data to a rouge site. In order to prevent these threats, Netgear has added new capabilities to its Armor security offering to provide simple and comprehensive network and device protection.

Netgear Armor revamped

Unlike traditional endpoint protection software, Netgear Armor is built into a router to monitor activity going to and from the internet so that it can protect the devices on one's network while also eliminating both the need and cost for multiple security software solutions.

In addition to its existing features, the company has added sensitive data protection to block attempts to send sensitive data such as banking info, SSNs and more over unencrypted connections, anomaly detection which uses machine learning algorithms to learn the usual behavior of connected devices and block any abnormal activity, brute force protection to prevent bots from trying to compromise a user's passwords, DDoS protection to protect a user's network from denial-of-service attacks and exploit prevention/IDS to protect a user's data and devices from malicious intrusions.

At the same time, the latest generation of Netgear Armor will also still include internet threat protection software that users can install on their computers, smartphones and tablets at no extra cost. Netgear Armor is currently available on supported Wi-Fi 6 routers and while there is a 30-day trial period, a yearly subscription to the security service costs $99.

President and GM of Netgear's connected home products and services division, David Henry explained in a press release why the company has decided to release a new version of Armor, saying:

“With the explosion of connected devices in the home from baby monitors to smart TVs, all of which can be compromised, we understand how overwhelming it can be for individuals and families to know what to do to keep themselves and their information safe. We realized that a new type of security solution was needed and with this version of NETGEAR Armor, we take worry out of the equation by providing a comprehensive ‘set-it-and-forget-it’ service.” 

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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.

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Cybersecurity researchers have disclosed vulnerabilities in Netgear’s DGN-2200v1 series routers that can be abused to gain access to business networks. 

Researchers from the Microsoft 365 Defender Research Team were first alerted by a device owned by non-IT personnel trying to access the router’s management port. This led them to investigate whether there was an exploitable weakness in the firmware.

“In our research, we unpacked the router firmware and found three vulnerabilities that can be reliably exploited,” wrote Jonathan Bar Or, Principal Security Researcher at Microsoft.

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Interestingly, the researchers were led to explore the router while playing with the new device discovery capabilities in Microsoft Defender for Endpoint.

Securing the realm

The researchers point out that an increasing number of recent attacks on internet-facing devices suggest attackers are looking beyond exploiting weaknesses in the operating system.

Bar Or says these attacks hint that, in addition to securing their operating systems, businesses of all sizes must ensure that even “single-purpose software that run their hardware—like routers” are fully secure.

Describing the three issues, all of which have now been fixed, he notes that one enabled the researchers to access the router’s management pages by exploiting an authentication bypass vulnerability. 

The researchers then extracted the credentials of the router’s admin user via a cryptographic side-channel attack, and even recovered authentication details stored in the router's memory by exploiting the configuration backup/restore feature.

“Routers are integral to networking, so it is important to secure the programs supporting its functions. Collaboration between vulnerability researchers, software vendors and other players is crucial to helping secure the overall user experience,” concludes Bar Or.

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Netgear has unveiled the latest addition to its range of WiFi 6 access point devices, the AX6000 Tri-band Multi-gig Access Point (WAX630).

The WAX630 is the fourth member in Netgear’s Insight Managed WiFi 6 portfolio of devices, which according to the company is designed specifically to cater to the needs of small and medium businesses. 

“Whether it be better overall throughput or faster speeds for individually connected devices, SMBs are always demanding more from their WiFi network. The WAX630 delivers industry leading network performance based on its unique WiFi 6 12-stream tri-band architecture,” said Doug Cheung, Senior Product Line Manager of SMB Wireless at Netgear.

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Anandtech believes the new product is Netgear’s attempt at shoring up its SMB portfolio, with more and more employees now returning to work as remote working makes way for hybrid work environments. 

Full house

Cheung added that the WAX630 joins the WAX610 and WAX620 that, together with the common Insight management platform, offer SMBs an array of price-performance options.

The WAX630 builds upon the 802.3at as well as 2.5GBASE-T support of the WAX610 and WAX620 devices, and is equipped with two Ethernet ports, a standard Gigabit Ethernet port and another Power-over-Ethernet (PoE++) 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port. 

In its analysis, AnandTech notes that the device supports up to 600 active clients with 100 concurrent devices. It also covers a wider 3500 sq. ft. area, compared to 3000 sq. ft for the WAX620, and 2500 sq. ft. for the WAX610. 

Netgear claims that the WAX630 delivers up to 40% higher speeds to each connected device as compared to WiFi 5 (802.11ac), while being interoperable with other Insight Managed AP, notably the two WiFi 6 devices as well as WiFi 5 devices (WAC510, and WAC540). 

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The enhancement experienced by those using 802.11ax class hardware (WiFi 6) is probably the most significant for some time. Compared with previous wireless standards, it delivers lots of useable bandwidth to users without them interfering with each other when they exceed more than a handful.

Before AX, there was a threshold where the overlapping transmissions and resending of packets effectively nullified the network.

The early snag, and there generally is one, was the cost of 802.11ax hardware, where some routers could easily cost more than $500 each.

Thankfully, the cost of WiFi 6 capable hardware has come down, now at a level where home users can be deploying multiple access points.

The Netgear WAX214 is precisely that type of solution; a WiFi 6 access point that works equally well in a large home as an extended office. It might not sport the number of channels, and therefore concurrent users, more expensive options offer, but it doesn’t cost nearly as much.

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Availability and pricing

In the UK, the WAX214 costs £88 inc. VAT directly from Netgear, and in the USA, it can be found for just $119.99.

In the box, you get the access point and a few screws to mount it to a wall or ceiling, and that’s it. A power adapter isn’t included in the basic package, and those that want that part pay $129.99.

The PSU is not a standard accessory because this is a PoE+ (Power over Ethernet) design, where the LAN cable carries both the data and the power, making for much simpler installations. And, typically these are deployed with the use of a PoE capable network switch.

Design

What’s important to understand about 802.11ax hardware is that for a large home or business, it's common practice to deploy multiple routers. By doing this, WiFi connected devices can seamlessly move between as they move around.

To achieve its full wireless potential, the WAX214 needs to be placed either high on a wall or ideally on the ceiling. But, unless you’ve thought of everything or once had a projector professionally installed, most buildings don’t come with ceiling-mounted power sockets.

The WAX214 solves that problem using PoE technology, powering the unit over the same Ethernet connection as it transfers data.

If you don’t have a PoE switch, then alternatively, you can use a PoE injector to power the device via the wires in the LAN cable.

The ideal scenario for deployment is a suspended ceiling, where the LAN cable can be run out of sight and come through a small hole on a tile to connect to the WAX214.

Netgear made it small at just 16cm square and coloured it white, making the device blend in with its surroundings should the colour scheme be white.

The designers of this hardware aimed to make it as unobtrusive and straightforward as possible.

On the front are four LED indicators, one each for the 2.4 and 5GHz frequencies, one for LAN connection and a fourth to indicate power. Although, logically, none of the first three lights would be on if the fourth wasn’t.

Where the front is made of white plastic, the rear feels metallic and has some keyhole projections to help fix it in place but keep it slightly proud of the surface.

There is a small recess at the rear near the top where the power jack inserts (if you bought one), or for those with PoE only the LAN cable.

What’s slightly odd is that most PoE routers with a similar design have the pocket at the bottom for those running the cable up a wall. And, you can invert the unit to do that, but in that instance, all the indicator LED labels, and the Netgear Business logo will be upside down.

The only other external feature is a security slot at the top right, for those concerned that someone might admire the WAX214 so much that they take it home.

In conclusion, there isn’t anything remarkable about the outside, but the inside is a much more exciting proposition.

In use

To test the WAX214, Netgear very kindly provided a Netgear GS119TUP along with the router. This is a ten-port Gigabit Ethernet smart-managed switch with power available on eight ports and can therefore power the WAX214 with the same cable that it uses for Ethernet.

This is one of Netgear’s Pro Switches, and it is a managed solution costing around $400, but Netgear has other less expensive PoE capable switches available.

The WAX214 has no power on/off switch, making the access point active once connected to the switch and ready for use. When first activated, it generates an unlocked SSID ‘CONFIG_ONLY’, connecting to this SSID and then using //aplogin.net in a browser gets you to the configuration interface.

We like this methodology much more than the mobile phone applications that we’ve seen on other products, as this will work with any phone, Chromebook or PC irrespective of what OS they’re running.

On the first connection, you are invited to create a new admin password and SID. This security-focused approach extends to many configurable features.

By default, the access point supports four different SSIDs, enabling one each to be allocated for admin and guest accounts, plus two more for users.

Connecting devices can be placed on a MAC-based access control list, and along with the standard WPA and WPA2 security protocols, the WAX214 also supports WPA3.

The web interface provides administrators with real-time statistics regarding those who are connected and the performance they’re experiencing, along with CPU loading and traffic levels. If the WAX214 isn’t providing the optimal service, the information provided here should point admins in the direction they need to adjust the configuration to smooth out the bumps.

We were impressed by how sophisticated the controls are on this device, as it has better features than most retail access points and more robust security.

The only significant limitation for business users is that it can’t be cloud-managed, making it more of a chore for technical staff to make global changes if they have many of these to adjust.

Performance

It’s easy to assume that the performance of this access point is determined by the bandwidth provided by the dual-band, 2.4 and 5GHz, capability. But wireless networking is never that straightforward, and there are many factors that impact what the user experience of the WAX214 might be.

On paper, the 2.4GHz range is theoretically capable of 573.5Mbps throughput, and the 5GHz range another 1201Mbps, approximately explaining the AX1800 rating.

But if the connecting device can only use one of those channels, it can never use the full bandwidth potential. And, that’s not a significant problem since the wired backhaul to the server is only 1Gbit wide.

Therefore, the only feasible way that this unit could use its full capability is when two wireless connected devices exchange data with each other through the access point.

If the wireless clients are accessing the internet, then unless the office has a 1000gbps backbone to the connected world, then that will become the bottleneck.

In our tests, the best performance we saw was around the 800Mbps for a single client, but with more clients connecting, that number will go down per client, even if the proportion of the total bandwidth used goes up.

It’s also very dependent on the connecting adapter, as we discovered that the typical speeds for some laptop wireless adapters were closer to 700Mbps, even if they were 802.11ax rated.

For those using earlier technologies, WiFi 5, for example, a more realistic expectation is around 550Mbps.

But all these numbers are in ideal line-of-sight conditions, and building structures never improve the speeds. They can only negatively impact them.

Overall, considering how cheap the WAX214 is, it performed admirably and better in some circumstances than much more expensive equipment we’ve seen.

Final verdict

For the modest sum it costs, the WAX214 is rather good and may be ideal for those that need basic 802.11ax networking on a budget. Being able to deploy three of these and a PoE switch to drive them for less than $500 is something of a bargain.

However, the amount of bandwidth on offer here is much less than the top-end routers have, making it unsuitable for locations where there are many users and devices.

Netgear suggests that it can handle up to 128 devices simultaneously, but if you take 1800mbps and device it by 128, that’s only around 14mbps each or 1.7MB/s.

That might be enough to get emails and messages, but it won’t handle them all live streaming video in high quality.

Looking at these numbers, we’d only allocate a WAX214 to a maximum of 32 people, even if it can handle more in theory.

For those that want more bandwidth, Netgear has the WAX218, with double the bandwidth to dish out and has a 2.5Gbps Ethernet backhaul, for only $199.99 for a bare unit.

But even with the 1800mbps that the WAX214 has, it could be remarkably useful for a small office or extended home, and it is incredibly easy to get it working quickly.

Not everyone needs a router that can cope with vast amounts of users and deliver 4K streaming movies to all of them. The WAX214 provides the enhancements of 802.11ax relatively cheaply and in a streamlined solution that is easy to deploy without the need for an electrician or infrastructure changes.

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

Netgear offers a wide selection of range extenders, using both desktop and plug-in designs at a variety of different prices. The new - and somewhat confusingly named - Nighthawk AX8 (EAX80) is its latest top-of-the-range model, with Netgear claiming that it is the first extender to support the new Wi-Fi 6 standard (also known as 802.1ax). 

Leading edge features don’t come cheap, though, and the EAX80 weighs in at a hefty $250.00/£280.00/AU$425.00. If you’re shopping around online then just look for ‘EAX80’, as that’s the actual model number (the AX8 bit is just gratuitous techno-babble).

There aren’t, admittedly, many homes that already have a new Wi-Fi 6 router at the moment (Wi-Fi 6 is also known as 802.11ax), so the Nighthawk AX8 will be overkill for people who are still using a current generation 802.11ac router. But, if you do have a super-fast Wi-Fi 6 router then the impressive performance of the Nighthawk AX8 could be the ideal solution for reaching that tricky spot that struggles to get good Wi-Fi.

Design and feature

The Nighthawk AX8 (EAX80) costs more than many routers, but it works hard to earn its keep with impressive performance and features. 

It’s as big as many routers too, and requires a separate power supply, but at least that gives you the option of moving it around to make sure you get the best Wi-Fi signal - which you can’t do with smaller range extenders that plug directly into a power socket. 

And, like many routers, it includes additional features such as four Gigabit Ethernet ports for connecting a games console or other devices that work best with a wired network connection. It even has a USB 3.0 port for connecting a hard drive to provide network storage that you can share with everyone else in your home.

And, of course, there’s the state-of-the-art Wi-Fi 6, with the EAX80 providing dual-band Wi-Fi 6 on the 2.4GHz and 5.0Ghz bands with a top speed of 6000Mbps (6Gbps), which is far faster than a conventional 802.11ac router or range extender. 

And, rather than acting as a simple range extender, Netgear also refers to the EAX80 as a ‘mesh extender’, which means that people who live in enormous mansions can buy additional EAX80 extenders and link them together to create an enormous mesh network that covers several thousand square feet.

Set-up and performance

Getting started with the Nighthawk AX8 (EAX80) is very straightforward, as the Nighthawk app guides you through the process quickly and easily. 

You don’t need to use it with an existing Netgear router either - Netgear states that the EAX80 can “use the Wi-Fi you already have”, and we had no trouble connecting it to the standard router provided by our broadband supplier.

We were also pleased to see that - unlike some range extenders - the Nighthawk app assumes that you’ll want the EAX80 to use the same network name and password as your existing router, and sets everything up for you automatically. 

This allows you to wander from room to room with your mobile devices, and automatically switch between your main router and the EAX80, depending on which one is closer and provides the strongest Wi-Fi signal. More experienced users who prefer to fine-tune their network set-up can log in to the EAX80 using a web browser interface, which allows you to assign different network names and passwords to both Wi-Fi bands, as well as adjusting other settings.

Performance is impressive too, making a real difference to the erratic Wi-Fi signal in our home office. Performance on the slower 2.4GHz band jumps from 18Mbps to 21Mbps, but it’s the faster 5.0GHz band that really gets a shake-up, leaping from just 60Mbps to 342Mbps. Just remember, though, that you’ll need a router that also supports Wi-Fi 6 in order to get the full performance that the EAX80 is capable of.

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• These are the best Wi-Fi extenders