The Wi-Fi spectrum keeps expanding, with new chunks of bandwidth opening up as the protocol evolves. If your current home router isn’t tapping into all of them, it’s going to run slowly. Modern devices will use the new Wi-Fi 7 protocol introduced in 2025, enabling the fastest and most stable speeds yet. Coverage range is also rising, especially with the introduction of multi-node mesh networks. If you’re sick of sluggishness, you should definitely check out what to look for when buying a router, as well as our evaluations of the best Wi-Fi routers and mesh systems on the market today.
The best router and networking deals
Figuring out which hardware is right for your needs can be a complicated proposition. That’s where the PC Labs experts come in. They run routers through a wide selection of tests, measuring data throughput rates, ease of setup, available features, signal strength, and more. Mesh Wi-Fi systems are tested similarly but with added factors to evaluate multi-node performance, ensuring that our ratings reflect a variety of factors (including price). We’ve taken all of that info and found the best prices on the best routers.
Mesh Wi-Fi Systems
Netgear Orbi 770 Series Tri-Band WiFi 7 Mesh System
$599.99
at Amazon
$699.99
Save $100.00
Wi-Fi 7 is the peak protocol right now, and the Orbi 770 is an easy and low-cost way to get into that ecosystem, especially with a $100 discount courtesy of Amazon. In our review of this system, we gave it an “Excellent” rating for its simple setup and capacious coverage, with this three-node system rated to spread the signal over 8,000 square feet. It performed adroitly in our benchmarking tests, with a zippy 2,099Mbps for the base node in close proximity testing and 1,033Mbps at 30 feet from a secondary node — all very impressive. This system comes bundled with a free one-month trial of Netgear’s Smart Parental Control and Armor network security software.
Best Budget Mesh System
Wyze AXE5400 Tri-Band Wi-Fi 6E Mesh Router Pro
$72.99
at Amazon
$179.98
Save $106.99
While Wyze doesn’t have the name recognition of some bigger brands in the networking space, we were incredibly impressed by this mesh router, giving it an Editors’ Choice in our review. We were impressed by how affordable and capable it was at base retail price, so chopping 59% off of a single node makes it an unbeatable bargain. Each node covers 2,000 square feet, so this single unit is good for apartments and smaller single-family homes. It’s effortless to expand the network with additional hardware thanks to user-friendly software. You also get multi-Gigabit Ethernet and USB-C connectivity from each node.
Best for Google Households
Google Nest WiFi 6 Pro 2-pack
$219.95
at Amazon
$299.99
Save $80.04
With up to 4,400 square feet of coverage, the Google Nest Pro 2-pack offers a strong, stable network connection. A single mesh router is capable of handling a large number of simultaneously connected devices due to the greater bandwidth offered by the tri-band connectivity, and a triple pack is available for larger spaces. Because this is a Google Device, the Google Nest Pro can be easily set up and added to your smart home network via the Google Home app. This app also allows you to check speeds and manage your network directly from your smartphone. Our expert reviewed the Google Nest Pro and praised the easy installation, Wi-Fi 6E support, and solid performance—all of which make this Wi-Fi mesh system a great choice at 27% off.
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Asus ZenWiFi AX6600 Tri-Band Mesh WiFi 6 System
$249.99
at Amazon
$329.99
Save $80.00
This compact and efficient dual-node mesh network is built for speed, with exceptional Wi-Fi 6 coverage and some neat features. We gave this one an Editors’ Choice award, with high points in our review, including its robust parental controls and network security tools, which you get for the life of the device with no additional subscription costs, as well as its excellent benchmarking in our tests. With a maximum range of 5,500 square feet, it overperforms for a two-node setup, and if you do have a larger house to hook up, adding additional units is very affordable and simple to connect. Throw in multi-gig LAN and USB ports and you’ve got a tremendous value.
More Mesh Wi-Fi System Deals
*Deals are selected by our commerce team
Wi-Fi Routers
Best For Competitive Gamers
TP-Link Archer GE650 BE11000 Tri-Band Wi-Fi 7 Gaming Router
$249.99
at Amazon
$329.99
Save $80.00
Here’s a recent release that’s already on sale for 24% off retail at Amazon. We gladly gave the GE650 an Editors’ Choice award for its ridiculously fast throughput that gives you super-low ping for gaming, smooth 4K streaming, and performance as fast as your ISP can deliver. In our review, we praised its “optimized acceleration settings, a dedicated game control panel, and an edgy design,” with cool customizable LED strips on the bottom and front. Four internal antennas give you total bandwidth of approximately 11,000Mbps, and it also supports Wi-Fi 7’s cutting-edge features like direct-to-client beamforming. At this price, it’s a can’t-miss.
Recommended by Our Editors
Best for High Bandwidth Households
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE300 AXE7800 Tri-Band Wi-Fi 6E Router
$169.00
at Amazon
$399.99
Save $230.99
The Netgear Nighthawk RAXE300 is a tri-band 6GHz Wi-Fi 6E router with coverage of up to 2,500 square feet. Supporting speeds of up to 7.8Gbps for up to 40 concurrent devices, you’ll be able to game, stream, and surf the web without a drop in connectivity. And if you’re looking for the most stable connection possible, the four 1G Ethernet ports and single 2.5G Ethernet port enable you to wire your computers, consoles, streaming players, and more. This router is suitable for those who use a lot of data in high-bandwidth activities, such as streaming to Twitch and playing multiplayer games online. Amazon’s 58% discount is extremely attractive.
Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX11000
$219.99
at Amazon
$329.99
Save $110.00
If you need absolute peak performance for your online gaming sessions, this Editors’ Choice-winning router is the top pick of the month. In our review of the Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX11000, we said that its exceptional throughput was accentuated with a bevy of gamer-centric features like bandwidth prioritization, RGB lighting customization, network monitoring, and more. It also supports Asus’s AIMesh technology, so if you have a lot of space to cover, it’s a breeze to add additional nodes and turn it into a mesh network. Slicing $110 off makes it a deal you can’t skip.
TP-Link AXE5400 Tri-Band WiFi 6E Router
$112.99
at Amazon
$199.99
Save $87.00
We gave the AXE5400 our Editors’ Choice for the best all-around router for most people, and in our full 2022 review, contributing editor John C. Delaney said that it was “ideal for future-proofing your network on a budget,” thanks to solid coverage of the 6GHz band, consistent throughput performance, and the ability to enable mesh networking with compatible TP-Link nodes. Installation is a breeze, and both security and parental controls are basic but sufficient. Some advanced features do require a HomeShield subscription, but that’s a minor quibble considering the value you get.
More Router Deals
*Deals are selected by our commerce team
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What Is the Best Router at the Best Price?
There is no single best router, since the type of router you need depends on how large your house is and how many devices you need to connect, among many other factors. That means picking the right one is more important than ever, and our expertise can help. PCMag has been testing Wi-Fi gear since the standard first emerged. We’ve outlined here our picks for the best Wi-Fi routers you can buy. Each has been selected based on thorough, objective testing, which includes evaluating throughput speeds, range, and signal strength. Our top overall Wi-Fi router pick for most buyers is TP-Link’s Archer AXE75, thanks to its reasonable price and solid throughput performance in testing.
How Much Should I Pay for a Good Router?
Like with most electronics purchases, router pricing is based on performance and features. For example, an entry-level AX1750 802.11ax router will cost anywhere from $50 to $100, but a quad-band Wi-Fi 7 gaming router with enough bandwidth to support a battle royale LAN party could cost upwards of $700.
What is the Best Router Under $100?
The TP-Link Archer BE230 is as inexpensive as Wi-Fi 7 routers get, coming in under $100 when it’s on sale (which is frequently). PCMag has a curated list of routers best suited for a variety of use cases and price points, so give that a look if you’d like more options.
What’s the Best Overall Budget Mesh Wi-Fi System?
Those in search of a budget Wi-Fi mesh system should take a look at the Wyze Wi-Fi 6E Mesh Router Pro. Reasonably priced as far as mesh systems go, the Wyze Wi-Fi 6E Mesh Router Pro delivered speedy 5GHz throughput in testing, is easy to manage, and offers multi-gig and USB connectivity. Its performance on the 6GHz (Wi-Fi 6E) band is also good, though not quite as good as its 5GHz performance.
Where Can I Find the Lowest Prices on Routers and Networking Gear?
This page is your top destination for the best routers and networking gear deals. Our deals team scours the internet for the best current prices and updates them frequently. As is the case with many consumer electronics devices, you’ll tend to find the best availability and prices from large retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy. Be sure to check out our daily coverage of the best deals from those retailers, as networking gear frequently makes the cut.
Do Wi-Fi Routers and Mesh Systems Get Price Cuts During Prime Day or Cyber Monday?
We typically see some of the biggest discounts in all consumer electronics categories on Cyber Monday, Black Friday, and Amazon Prime Day. Amazon owns eero, a major Wi-Fi mesh networking vendor, so you can expect price cuts on highly rated eero mesh systems especially on Prime Day.
When Do High-End Gaming Routers Go on Sale?
The best time to find sales on high-end networking gear is when a new Wi-Fi standard is introduced. For example, when Wi-Fi 7 was released, Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6e routers received significant discounts. In most cases, you don’t need the latest standard right away, since you’ll have few, if any, client devices that support it. So to get the absolute best deal on high-end hardware, it’s wise to upgrade to a new standard that’s one behind the current generation.
Plus, gaming-specific features like traffic prioritization tend to evolve slowly, and many gamers use a wired Ethernet connection from their PCs to their routers, so having the latest Wi-Fi generation is less important. This means that if you find a great deal on a Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E router right now, it’ll likely serve you for years to come.
Are Mesh Networking Systems Ever on Sale?
Mesh networking systems are almost always on sale. You should rarely expect to pay more than 90% of a system’s MSRP, and we typically see discounts deeper than that. One rare exception is for cutting-edge systems that use the latest technology. These tend to stick at their MSRPs for a few months or even a year after their introduction.
Can I Bundle a Router With an Internet Plan for a Deal?
In most cases, renting a router from your internet service provider is not a good deal. If your ISP charges $10 per month for a basic router rental, you’d pay more after two years than you would if you bought a $200 router.
However, two situations might make it worthwhile to bundle. The first is if your ISP offers a high-end system for a reasonable or zero extra monthly cost, which many do if you have a high-speed plan. For example, Frontier includes a Wi-Fi 7 router from eero at no extra cost with its Fiber 500 plan.
The second is if your ISP requires you to bundle. It could be worth using the bundled router rather than buying your own in this case.
About Our Experts
K. Thor Jensen
Contributing Writer
Experience
K. Thor Jensen is a writer and cartoonist living in the Pacific Northwest. He has contributed to dozens of prestigious outlets, including PCMag, Tested, Clickhole, and Newsweek. His second graphic novel, Cloud Stories, was released in 2017.
Read Full Bio
Tom Brant
Deputy Managing Editor
Experience
I’m the deputy managing editor of the hardware team at PCMag.com. Reading this during the day? Then you’ve caught me testing gear and editing reviews of laptops, desktop PCs, and tons of other personal tech. (Reading this at night? Then I’m probably dreaming about all those cool products.) I’ve covered the consumer tech world as an editor, reporter, and analyst since 2015.
I’ve appeared on CBS News, in USA Today, and at many other outlets to offer analysis on breaking technology news.
Before I joined the tech-journalism ranks, I wrote on topics as diverse as Borneo’s rainforests, Middle Eastern airlines, and Big Data’s role in presidential elections. A graduate of Middlebury College, I also have a master’s degree in journalism and French Studies from New York University.
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Jade Chung-Lee
Merchandising Associate
Experience
When she isn’t perusing online stores for deals, Jade enjoys playing video games (mostly JRPGs and roguelikes), sorting board game components neatly into containers, and building Gundam models. Her love of electronics has persisted through her youth and has resulted in a collection of gaming peripherals including keyboards and controllers, scale figures, and art work. Jade lives in blissful harmony with her wife, cat, and two chinchillas—as well as a host of houseplants.
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