Home networking
Coverage, connections & expansion
ASUS RT-BE86U
Best forFor a single-router home that values Ethernet ports and detailed controls more than a 6GHz radio.
Reviewers differ on value, so compare a tri-band BE550 at the actual selling price.
- Wireless standard
- Wi-Fi 7
- Radio bands
- 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz
- USB
- USB 3.0
- Management
- Web interface and mobile app
Reasons to choose it
- Useful multigigabit ports
- Extensive router controls
Before you buy
No 6GHz radio
2 review sourcesTP-Link Archer BE550
Best forMulti-gigabit wired devices and a Wi-Fi 7 home upgrade
A single well-placed BE550 can be the more sensible purchase when one router covers your home. Its 2.5GbE ports and Wi-Fi 7 support leave room for faster devices. Those features do not fix poor placement or make older clients faster, so buy mesh only when coverage is the actual problem.
- Wireless standard
- Wi-Fi 7 / 802.11be
- Radio bands
- 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz
- USB
- USB 3.0 storage port
- Management
- Tether app and web interface
Reasons to choose it
- Five multi-gigabit ports
- Tri-band Wi-Fi 7
Before you buy
Clients must support the useful radio features
2 review sourcesNo same-test benchmark comparison is available for these models yet. The review findings and specifications above are available now.