Rankings
The ASUS ROG Rapture GT-BE98 Pro is a high-end quad-band Wi-Fi 7 router offering up to 30 Gbps total throughput and dual 10 Gbps WAN/LAN ports. Its large chassis and reduced 5 GHz range at distance are notable trade-offs. Best suited for hardcore gamers and power users demanding maximum speed.
The ASUS RT-BE96U provides tri-band Wi-Fi 7 performance with up to 19 Gbps aggregate speed and dual 10 Gbps Ethernet ports for high-speed wired backhaul. Its large, heavy chassis and high power draw make placement challenging, and MLO operates only alternately. Targeted at tech enthusiasts and large homes needing future-proof connectivity.
The Tenda AX1500 (RX2Pro) is a budget-friendly Wi-Fi 6 dual-band router offering up to 1.5 Gbps combined speed, four gigabit ports, and mesh capability. Its lack of 160 MHz channel support and limited independent testing make its top-end performance uncertain. Best suited for cost-conscious households that want Wi-Fi 6 and optional modem integration without premium features.
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 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 ASUS RT-AX1800S provides AX1800 dual-band Wi-Fi 6 speeds, AiMesh expandability and built-in security features. Its coverage is modest and it lacks a USB port, which can affect larger homes or users needing external storage. It fits well in small-to-medium apartments seeking affordable Wi-Fi 6.
The Linksys E7350 is a compact AX1800 Wi-Fi 6 router offering modern features like MU-MIMO, EasyMesh and parental controls. Its performance claims are hard to verify and coverage may fall short of expectations. Ideal for small homes or apartments up to 1500 sq ft with 10-20 devices.
| Attribute | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
3,600 Mbps | 1,167 Mbps | 1,775 Mbps | 19,000 Mbps | 1,500 Mbps | 1,800 Mbps | 30,000 Mbpsbest | |
— | — | — | — | 3,500 sqftbest | 1,500 sqft | 2,500 sqft | |
4 | 4 | 4 | 8best | 4 | — | 8best | |
4best | 1 | 2 | 4best | 4best | 2 | 4best | |
— | — | 0.256 GB | 2 GBbest | — | — | 2 GBbest | |
4 | 4 | 4 | 5best | 4 | 4 | 5best | |
— | — | 0.128 GB | 0.256 GBbest | — | — | 0.256 GBbest | |
1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 2best |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Connectivity(2) | |||||||
Wi‑Fi Standard | Wi‑Fi 7 | 802.11ac | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | 802.11be | 802.11ax | Wi‑Fi 6 | WiFi 7 |
Frequency Bands | 2.4 GHz,5 GHz | Dual-band | dual-band | Tri-Band | Dual-band | 2.4GHz/5GHz | Quad-band |
Security(1) | |||||||
Security Protocols | WPA3,HomeShield | WEP, WPA, WPA2, WPA3, WPA/WPA2-Enterprise (802.1x) | WPA/WPA2-Personal/Enterprise, WPA3-Personal, Open | — | WPA3 | — | WPS, WPA3-Enterprise, WPA2-Enterprise, WPA3-PSK |
Design(1) | |||||||
Antenna Count | 4 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 4 | — | 8 |
Performance(6) | |||||||
Maximum Wireless Speed (Mbps) | 3600 Mbps | 1167 Mbps | 1775 Mbps | 19000 Mbps | 1500 Mbps | 1800 Mbps | 30000 Mbps |
Coverage Area (sqft) | — | — | — | — | 3500 sqft | 1500 sqft | 2500 sqft |
Processor | Quad-core | Single-core | Dual-core MIPS 1004Kc 880 MHz | 2.6 GHz quad-core | 1.5 GHz | 880 MHz dual-core | 2.6 GHz quad-core |
CPU Cores | 4 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 4 |
RAM (GB) | — | — | 0.256 GB | 2 GB | — | — | 2 GB |
Flash Storage (GB) | — | — | 0.128 GB | 0.256 GB | — | — | 0.256 GB |
Ports(3) | |||||||
LAN Ports | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 |
WAN Ports | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 2 |
USB Ports | 1 | — | — | 2 | — | 1 | 2 |
General(1) | |||||||
Warranty (years) | 2 years | 2 years | 3 years | 3 years | 3 years | 1.5 years | 3 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.
Professional reviewers view the RT-AX1800S as a solid, value-driven Wi-Fi 6 router that delivers good close-range speeds and useful AiMesh expandability, but they note its average long-range performance and heavier-than-expected feel.
Everyday users appreciate the easy setup, strong signal in small spaces, reliable AiMesh integration, and free security features, while repeatedly criticizing its limited coverage in larger homes, occasional 2.4 GHz instability, and a plasticky build that feels heavier than anticipated.
Professional reviewers commend the RT-BE96U for its solid hardware platform, impressive Wi-Fi 7 speeds, and flexible dual 10 Gbps ports, while noting its lack of gaming-specific optimizations and the limited alternating MLO implementation. The router's AiMesh support and robust security suite are highlighted as strong points, but the absence of native mesh satellites and its large chassis are seen as drawbacks.
Everyday users praise the router's blazing Wi-Fi 7 performance and the convenience of AiMesh for whole-home coverage, especially in large homes with many devices. Recurring complaints focus on the unit's bulky size, heavy weight, and relatively high power draw, with some users wishing for simultaneous multi-band MLO support.
Professional reviewers acknowledge the Tenda AX1500's solid Wi-Fi 6 performance, quad-core CPU, and compact design, but criticize the paucity of detailed testing, unknown specifications, and missing 160 MHz channel support, leaving its real-world capabilities uncertain.
Professional reviewers view the Linksys E7350 as a solid entry-level Wi-Fi 6 router that balances price, size, and feature set, but they caution that the lack of independent performance testing makes it hard to verify the advertised speeds and coverage.
User feedback is scarce in the available sources, indicating limited real-world exposure; the few Q&A entries suggest basic compatibility questions but no strong praise or complaints.
Professional reviewers highlight the GT-BE98 Pro as a top-tier Wi-Fi 7 router, emphasizing its powerful quad-core CPU, abundant multi-gigabit ports, and premium antenna array that together deliver the fastest 6 GHz performance seen in testing, while also commending its gamer-centric QoS tools and subscription-free security suite.
Everyday users consistently celebrate the router's extraordinary 6 GHz speeds and reliable coverage across large homes, noting its impact on smooth gaming and 8K streaming, though some express disappointment with reduced 5 GHz range and the unit's sizable chassis.
