9 Wi-Fi Routers Exposed: Speed, Price, Coverage

At a Glance

• Wi-Fi 7 routers start at $140 and top out at $629 for gaming models
• Coverage claims range from 1,500 to 5,500 square feet depending on model
• Subscriptions required for advanced security on many TP-Link and Netgear units
• Why it matters: Your next router could lock key features behind monthly fees

Derrick M. Collins tested dozens of routers in a busy family home to find the best options across budgets and use cases. The results show Wi-Fi 7 is finally affordable, but buyers must watch for hidden subscription costs.

Best Router Overall: Asus RT-BE58U – $150

• Wi-Fi 7 dual-band 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz
• 1× 2.5 Gbps WAN, 1× Gigabit WAN/LAN, 3× Gigabit LAN, 1× USB
• Covers up to 2,000 sq ft
• No subscription needed for security or parental controls

News Of Fort Worth‘s testing found the RT-BE58U delivered steady speeds on every band and recovered quickly after power outages. Asus bundles lifetime threat protection and parental controls at no extra cost.

Upgraded Wi-Fi 7 Pick: TP-Link Archer BE9700 – $250

• Tri-band 6 GHz, 5 GHz, 2.4 GHz
• 1× 10 Gbps WAN/LAN, 1× 2.5 Gbps WAN/LAN, 3× 2.5 Gbps LAN
• Covers 2,600 sq ft

The BE9700 beat every mid-range rival for speed and range, according to News Of Fort Worth. A one-week trial in a four-person household saw zero drops while streaming and gaming.

Best Wi-Fi 7 Router: Asus RT-BE96U – $550

• Tri-band with full 6 GHz support
• 1× 10 Gbps WAN/LAN, 1× 10 Gbps LAN, 4× Gigabit LAN
• Covers 5,400 sq ft

This flagship topped News Of Fort Worth‘s benchmark charts on all three bands and includes Asus’s free security suite. It is fanless and runs cool even under heavy load.

Best Budget Router: TP-Link Archer AX55 – $90

• Wi-Fi 6 dual-band
• 1× Gigabit WAN, 4× Gigabit LAN, 1× USB 3.0
• Covers 1,600 sq ft

For under $100, the AX55 delivered reliable speeds in a 1,600-square-foot home. Range drops beyond two rooms, making it ideal for apartments or small houses.

Best for Large Homes: Netgear Orbi 770 Series (2-Pack) – $550

• Wi-Fi 7 tri-band mesh
• Main node: 1× 2.5 Gbps WAN, 3× 2.5 Gbps LAN
• Satellite: 2× 2.5 Gbps LAN
• Covers 5,500 sq ft

The two-pack blanketed a multi-floor house with seamless hand-offs, Derrick M. Collins reported. Setup took under 10 minutes via the Orbi app.

Best Gaming Router: Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98 Pro – $629

• Wi-Fi 7 with dual 6 GHz bands plus 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz
• 2× 10 Gbps LAN, 1× 10 Gbps WAN/LAN, 4× Gigabit LAN
• Covers 2,500 sq ft

Latency stayed below 3 ms during week-long gaming sessions. The router’s open firmware options and dedicated gaming port clinched the win over flashier rivals.

Best 5G Router: Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro – $700

• Wi-Fi 6E tri-band
• 1× 2.5 Gbps WAN/LAN, 1× USB 3.2, 2× TS9 antenna ports
• Works with major carrier SIMs

Insert a 5G SIM and the M6 Pro replaces home broadband, delivering speeds above 1 Gbps in News Of Fort Worth‘s tests. Battery lasts 10 hours on a charge.

Best Travel Router: TP-Link BE3600 TL-WR3602BE – $140

• Wi-Fi 7 dual-band
• 1× 2.5 Gbps WAN, 1× Gigabit LAN, 1× USB-A 3.0
• Pocket-sized at 5.5 oz

Slip it into a hotel Ethernet port or tether a phone via USB for instant Wi-Fi 7. It powered four devices streaming 4K video without stutters.

Best Router for NAS: Synology RT6600ax – $330

• Wi-Fi 6 dual-band
• 1× 2.5 Gbps WAN/LAN, 1× Gigabit WAN/LAN, 3× Gigabit LAN, 1× USB 3.2
• Covers 2,500 sq ft

The Synology OS turns the router into a mini-server. File-transfer speeds to a plugged-in drive averaged 110 MB/s, faster than most standalone NAS boxes under $500.

Subscription Traps to Avoid

Several brands lock advanced features behind paywalls:

Asus, Synology, and most budget TP-Link models include these tools free for life.

What You Should Know Before Buying

• Wi-Fi 7 phones and laptops are still rare; buy for future-proofing, not immediate speed gains
• 6 GHz band is fastest but fades after 30 ft through walls
• Place the router central and high; moving it 3 ft can boost speeds by 30%
• Mesh beats extenders every time-dead zones disappear without separate networks
• Check port count: 2.5 Gbps LAN ports are needed for multi-gig internet plans

How News Of Fort Worth Tests

Derrick M. Collins runs every router for at least seven days in a busy home with 25-plus devices. Standardized tests include:

• Speed tests on each band at 10 ft, 30 ft, and 50 ft
• 2 GB file transfers between devices
• NetSpot heat-maps for signal strength
• Power-cycle recovery checks

Only routers that stay stable under real-world load earn a recommendation.

Key Takeaways

1. Asus RT-BE58U at $150 gives the best mix of speed, range, and value without subscriptions
2. TP-Link Archer BE9700 at $250 is the sweet-spot Wi-Fi 7 upgrade
3. Skip models that require paid add-ons unless you need niche security tools
4. Mesh systems like Orbi 770 beat single routers for homes above 3,000 sq ft
5. Buy Wi-Fi 7 now only if you keep routers 5+ years; Wi-Fi 6E still handles most homes