10 Best Wi-Fi Routers 2026 in the United States

The NETGEAR Nighthawk Tri-Band WiFi 7 Router (RS700S) is designed for users who want top-tier wireless performance, offering blazing speeds up to 19Gbps thanks to the new WiFi 7 standard. This makes it great for heavy activities like real-time gaming, streaming 4K/8K videos, and virtual reality without lag. Its tri-band setup helps manage multiple devices better, ensuring smoother connections across your home or office. You can expect strong coverage of up to 3,500 square feet, which suits medium to larger spaces well.

The router includes a powerful 10 Gigabit internet port plus four 1 Gigabit LAN ports, providing flexibility for high-speed wired connections, perfect if you have devices like gaming consoles or PCs that benefit from wired stability. Security is a strong point here, with NETGEAR Armor included for one year, offering protection against hackers, malware, and identity theft, which is reassuring for family safety online.

It’s important to note this is just a router—not a modem—so you'll need a separate modem if your internet service requires one. Also, it’s made specifically for use in the U.S. and does not have a coaxial input, so it won’t replace a cable modem. Its sleek design and advanced antennas help keep the footprint smaller without sacrificing performance. This router is ideal for tech-savvy users or households with many connected devices looking for future-proof speeds but might be more than needed for those with simple internet use or smaller homes.

The ARRIS SURFboard G54 is a powerful cable modem and Wi-Fi router combo designed for users with fast internet plans, especially those using Comcast, Cox, Spectrum, or similar providers. It supports the latest Wi-Fi 7 standard and DOCSIS 3.1 modem technology, enabling it to handle very high speeds—up to 18 Gbps on Wi-Fi and 10 Gbps via cable. This makes it ideal for heavy streaming, gaming, and smart home devices across a large area of up to 5,000 square feet, thanks to its quad-band Wi-Fi that uses multiple frequency bands including 6 GHz for less crowded connections.

The device also features one 10-Gigabit and four 1-Gigabit Ethernet ports for fast wired connections. Security features include easy setup with the SURFboard Central App, which offers parental controls and real-time device monitoring to keep your network safe. A notable benefit is that owning this device can save you from rental fees charged by cable companies.

On the downside, the device is somewhat large and might be more than necessary for smaller homes or users with basic internet needs. While it supports top speeds, the full benefit is realized only with extremely fast internet plans. Additionally, the 1-year warranty may be considered short compared to other products. For those seeking a future-proof combo that supports ultra-fast cable internet and extensive Wi-Fi coverage, the ARRIS G54 represents a solid option.

The NETGEAR Nighthawk WiFi 7 Router (BE17000) is a high-performance router designed for users who want the fastest and most reliable home or gaming network. It supports the latest WiFi 7 standard, offering wireless speeds up to 17 Gbps, which is about 2.4 times faster than WiFi 6. This makes it great for activities like real-time gaming, 4K/8K streaming, and video calls without lag. The router uses a tri-band setup, helping it handle many devices at once — up to 150 — while covering a large area of about 3,300 square feet. This coverage suits medium to large homes or even small offices. Security is well-covered with NETGEAR Armor, providing protection from hackers and malware, though the premium features come as a 30-day trial.

It includes one very fast 10 Gigabit Ethernet port and four standard 1 Gigabit ports, offering great wired connection options for compatible devices. This device is a router only and does not have a built-in modem, so you’ll need a separate modem to connect to your internet service provider. Also, it is designed primarily for use in the U.S. Setup is user-friendly with the Nighthawk App, and NETGEAR offers good customer support. If you want to future-proof your wireless network with top-tier speed and solid security for gaming or heavy streaming, this model is a suitable choice. However, if you need a combined modem-router or operate outside the U.S., you might want to consider other options.