Rankings
The TP-Link Archer BE230 is a dual-band Wi-Fi 7 router delivering up to 3.6 Gbps total throughput with four antennas, MLO and two 2.5 Gbps ports, ideal for medium-size homes. However, it lacks a 6 GHz band and its 5 GHz range drops off beyond short distances. Best for gamers and streamers in smaller spaces who need fast wired connections.
The Tenda AC1200 Smart WiFi Router is a dual-band AC1200 device offering MU-MIMO, Beamforming+, and a feature-rich Smart App for easy management. It lacks a USB port and advanced security options, which may be limiting for power users. Best suited for medium-size apartments or homes that need reliable whole-home coverage and app-based control.
The newer Netgear R6700AX offers AX1800 speeds, a quad-core 1.5 GHz processor, and built-in VPN and security features. Fixed antennas and real-world speed drops constrain performance in larger spaces. Fits small homes or offices needing a reliable Wi-Fi 6 upgrade.
The TP-Link Archer A54 is an AC1200 dual-band router offering up to 1.17 Gbps combined speed, MU-MIMO, and parental controls for typical 3-bedroom homes. It lacks gigabit Ethernet ports and Wi-Fi 6, positioning it as a budget-friendly option for modest networking needs.
The Amazon eero 6 is a Wi-Fi 6 mesh system that provides whole-home coverage up to 5,000 sq ft and supports over 75 devices with easy app setup. Its dual-band speed ceiling of 500 Mbps per node and limited wired ports may constrain power users, ideal for families prioritizing simplicity and coverage.
Google Nest Wifi is a second-generation mesh system delivering AC2200 dual-band speeds and up to 4400 sq ft coverage with integrated Google Assistant. It trades off Wi-Fi 6 and tri-band capabilities for ease of use and modest port count. Best for families in medium-size homes who value plug-and-play setup and voice-assistant integration.
The TP-Link Archer A6 is an AC1200 dual-band Wi-Fi 5 router offering up to 867 Mbps on 5 GHz, gigabit Ethernet, MU-MIMO and beamforming for reliable performance in medium-sized homes. It lacks Wi-Fi 6, supports MU-MIMO for only two devices, and provides no USB connectivity, which may limit future-proofing. It suits budget-conscious households needing solid dual-band Wi-Fi without advanced enterprise features.
| Attribute | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1,167 Mbps | 3,600 Mbpsbest | 1,800 Mbps | 1,167 Mbps | 1,800 Mbps | 2,200 Mbps | 867 Mbps | |
— | — | 1,500 sqft | — | 5,000 sqftbest | 2,200 sqft | — | |
4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | — | — | 5best | |
— | 4best | 4best | 1 | 4best | — | — | |
— | — | 0.512 GBbest | — | 0.512 GBbest | — | — | |
3 | 4best | 4best | 4best | 2 | 2 | 4best | |
— | — | 0.256 GB | — | 4 GBbest | — | — | |
1best | 1best | 1best | 1best | 1best | — | 1best |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Connectivity(2) | |||||||
Wi‑Fi Standard | 802.11ac | Wi‑Fi 7 | 802.11ax | 802.11ac | 802.11ax | 802.11ac | 802.11ac |
Frequency Bands | Dual-band | 2.4 GHz,5 GHz | dual-band | Dual-band | Dual-band | Dual-Band | 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz |
Security(1) | |||||||
Security Protocols | WPA2 | WPA3,HomeShield | AES-128 | WEP, WPA, WPA2, WPA3, WPA/WPA2-Enterprise (802.1x) | — | WPA3 | WPA/WPA2/WPA3 |
Design(1) | |||||||
Antenna Count | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | — | — | 5 |
Performance(5) | |||||||
Maximum Wireless Speed (Mbps) | 1167 Mbps | 3600 Mbps | 1800 Mbps | 1167 Mbps | 1800 Mbps | 2200 Mbps | 867 Mbps |
Coverage Area (sqft) | — | — | 1500 sqft | — | 5000 sqft | 2200 sqft | — |
Processor | Realtek | Quad-core | Quad-core | Single-core | Quad-core 1.2 GHz | — | 1.2 GHz |
CPU Cores | — | 4 | 4 | 1 | 4 | — | — |
Flash Storage (GB) | — | — | 0.256 GB | — | 4 GB | — | — |
Ports(1) | |||||||
LAN Ports | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
General(1) | |||||||
Warranty (years) | 3 years | 2 years | 1 years | 2 years | 1 years | — | 2 years |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers consider the Archer BE230 a high-performance Wi-Fi 7 router for close-range, bandwidth-intensive use cases, praising its fast 5 GHz speeds, robust 2.4 GHz signal, 2.5 Gbps ports, and superior VPN and USB performance. However, they point out the critical omission of a 6 GHz band and the steep drop-off of 5 GHz throughput at longer distances, which limits its suitability for large or multi-story homes without mesh expansion.
Everyday users value the router's ability to deliver gigabit-level speeds near the device, its strong 2.4 GHz coverage for IoT gadgets, and the convenience of the Tether app. The most common criticism revolves around limited long-range 5 GHz coverage and the lack of a 6 GHz band, prompting many to consider adding EasyMesh nodes for broader coverage.
“outstanding close-range speeds (918 Mbps via built-in Speedtest)”
“decent performance across clients, good cooling”
Professional reviewers consider the R6700AX a solid budget WiFi 6 option, praising its impressive close-range throughput, effective multi-device handling, robust cooling, and the added value of NETGEAR Armor security, while noting that real-world speeds fall short of the lofty theoretical numbers and that the fixed antennas and heavier chassis are drawbacks.
Typical consumers find the router easy to set up via the Nighthawk app and reliable for everyday streaming, gaming, and handling around 20 devices, but they frequently mention that performance drops at longer distances and that the advertised maximum speeds are not fully achieved in practice.
Professional editors position the eero 6 as a solid, budget-friendly Wi-Fi 6 mesh solution that excels at eliminating dead spots and handling many devices, but they recommend the Pro 6E or Wi-Fi 7 models for users demanding higher throughput, tri-band performance, or advanced wired connectivity.
Typical users celebrate the easy installation, reliable whole-home coverage, and seamless Alexa integration, while recurring complaints focus on the modest wireless speed ceiling and limited wired ports for power users.
Professional reviewers commend the Nest Wifi AC2200 for its intuitive app-based installation, solid AC2200 throughput, and sustainable construction, describing it as a reliable, easy-to-use solution for typical households. However, they criticize its reliance on legacy Wi-Fi 5 hardware, the absence of tri-band capability, and limited wired ports, noting that it falls behind newer Wi-Fi 6/6E competitors for power users and gamers.
Everyday users praise the system's plug-and-play setup, strong signal coverage across multi-story homes, and the convenience of the built-in Google Assistant speaker. Common complaints revolve around occasional speed drops, reduced performance through thick walls, and occasional buffering, especially when the mesh is stretched beyond its optimal coverage area.
Professional reviewers commend the Archer A6 for its solid AC1200 performance, easy Tether app setup, and robust antenna array that delivers reliable coverage in medium-sized homes. However, they caution that the router's Wi-Fi 5 platform and limited two-device MU-MIMO may feel dated for users seeking the latest Wi-Fi 6 speeds and higher simultaneous device capacity.
While direct user reviews are not provided, the consensus among everyday users is likely positive about the straightforward setup, stable speeds for everyday browsing and HD streaming, and good coverage in typical homes. Common concerns probably revolve around limited range in larger spaces and the lack of Wi-Fi 6 capabilities for future-proofing.
