On March 25, 2026, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced a ban on the sale of new foreign-made Wi-Fi routers in the United States. This regulatory change has significant implications, as virtually every Wi-Fi router currently available in the US market falls under the FCC's "foreign-made" classification. Although many popular routers on recommended lists have previously received FCC approval, there is concern that these devices might stop receiving software and firmware updates after March 1, 2027. Due to the uncertainty around which companies will be affected by this ban, CNET advises consumers to hold off on purchasing new routers for the time being.
Amid this regulatory backdrop, CNET has conducted extensive testing on Wi-Fi routers and recently shifted its view on the value of Wi-Fi 7 technology. Initially skeptical of Wi-Fi 7 routers, which were often seen as overhyped and expensive, CNET's hands-on evaluation of 34 different routers in their testing lab revealed that Wi-Fi 7 offers substantial improvements in speed and performance compared to previous Wi-Fi generations.
Wi-Fi 7 is emerging as a worthwhile investment for those looking to future-proof their home networks. According to a CNET survey, 86% of Americans experience Wi-Fi drops at home, underscoring the importance of a reliable router. "The router is the heart of your home network," Gianmarco Chumbe, CNET's lab engineer leading router testing, explained. "Just like the heart pumps oxygen and nutrients everywhere it's needed, your router pumps data to all your devices. And just as a bad heart can affect your whole health, a bad router can ruin the internet experience in your home."
CNET's testing involves rigorous procedures where engineers connect routers to laptops and test signal strength, speed, and responsiveness throughout a 15,000-square-foot facility. The results offer a clear comparison of Wi-Fi 5, 6, 6E, and 7 routers' real-world performance.
### Wi-Fi 7 Outpaces Previous Generations
In the lab, Wi-Fi 7 routers demonstrated the fastest speeds by a wide margin. The top-performing model, Netgear's Nighthawk RS700S, was the fastest Wi-Fi 7 router tested and overall the fastest router among all models evaluated. Wi-Fi 7 routers collectively recorded an average throughput of 3,169 Mbps across their three frequency bands-2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz. This compares favorably to Wi-Fi 6E routers, which averaged 1,309 Mbps across the same bands.
These speed gains largely stem from Wi-Fi 7's support for ultrawide 320 MHz channels, which are double the width of the widest channels available on Wi-Fi 6E routers. David Coleman, director of wireless networking at Extreme Networks, explained that this feature is akin to doubling the number of lanes on a highway, allowing more data to flow simultaneously. Wi-Fi 7 also introduces Multi-Link Operation (MLO), letting devices connect across multiple bands at once, and 4K-QAM (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation), which improves transmission efficiency by about 20% compared to Wi-Fi 6E.
Beyond raw speed, Wi-Fi 7 routers maintained stronger signals at longer distances. At 50 feet, Wi-Fi 7 routers averaged 515 Mbps across all bands, notably higher than the 383 Mbps average for Wi-Fi 6 routers. The inclusion of the 6 GHz band-a new ultrawide frequency band-plays a significant role in these performance gains, but Wi-Fi 7's advanced protocols also boost efficiency and speed.
### Lab Awards and Performance Highlights
CNET issues Lab Awards based on specific performance metrics, focusing here on throughput speed. The 2026 Lab Awards for fastest throughput went to routers that excelled in delivering high data rates. For consumers interested in a balance of price, features, and performance, CNET maintains curated lists of the best Wi-Fi routers, including top Wi-Fi 7 and mesh routers.
While Wi-Fi 7 excelled in throughput, it did not show dramatically better results in secondary metrics such as jitter (variability in latency) and packet loss. Ideally, routers should have jitter under 1 millisecond to support smooth online activities like gaming and video calls. Most routers tested, including Wi-Fi 7 models, met this benchmark comfortably. Packet loss was generally under 1% on most bands except the 5 GHz band, where all Wi-Fi standards struggled somewhat. This suggests that for sensitive applications like online gaming, switching to the 2.4 GHz or 6 GHz band might offer better reliability.
### Beware of Dual-Band Wi-Fi 7 Routers
A notable trend in the market is the emergence of "dual-band" Wi-Fi 7 routers, which offer Wi-Fi 7 features but only operate on the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands-omitting the crucial 6 GHz band. Examples include TP-Link's Deco BE5000 and Deco BE3600, which retail for about $100 each. While these routers incorporate some Wi-Fi 7 technologies like MLO and 4K-QAM, they miss out on full Wi-Fi 7 capabilities, particularly the ultrawide 6 GHz band that delivers the most significant speed improvements.
CNET's data shows that these dual-band Wi-Fi 7 routers perform more like Wi-Fi 6 routers and in some cases, are even more expensive with poorer throughput. When plotted on a price vs. throughput graph, the top quadrant-representing the highest speed and price routers-is dominated by tri-band Wi-Fi 7 routers that utilize all three bands, including 6 GHz.
The Netgear Nighthawk RS700S stands out in this category, achieving an extraordinary total throughput of 4,346 Mbps: 92 Mbps on 2.4 GHz, 1,586 Mbps on 5 GHz, and 2,668 Mbps on 6 GHz. Netgear also leads in mesh routers with its Orbi 970 system, a quad-band router that dedicates an additional 5 GHz band for communication between the main router and satellite units.
In contrast, dual-band Wi-Fi 7 routers cluster with Wi-Fi 6 routers in terms of both performance and price, often offering less value despite the Wi-Fi 7 branding. CNET strongly advises against purchasing dual-band Wi-Fi 7 routers, as their performance does not justify the premium price and they lack access to the 6 GHz band's benefits.
### Pricing and Value Considerations
Wi-Fi 7 routers launched at prices near $1,000 but have since become more affordable. Many dual-band Wi-Fi 7 routers now cost under $100, but tri-band models still carry a premium. Among 34 routers tested, Wi-Fi 7 models averaged $293, compared to $124 for Wi-Fi 6E, $178 for Wi-Fi 6, and $53 for Wi-Fi 5.
To evaluate value, CNET used a "price per Mbps" metric by dividing the router's price by its throughput score. This analysis revealed that some Wi-Fi 7 routers deliver excellent value despite their higher prices. The TP-Link Archer BE550, priced at $200, was the top value pick, offering a combined throughput of 3,269 Mbps across all bands-faster than many routers costing twice as much.
CNET's conclusion is that Wi-Fi 6 routers are becoming obsolete and no longer represent good value, especially for users planning to add new devices in the future. Although some Wi-Fi 6 models like TP-Link's Deco X55 Pro and Archer AX21 offer decent value, Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 routers provide more future-proofing and better performance.
### Compatibility and Future-Proofing
Before investing in a Wi-Fi 7 router, consumers should consider whether their devices support Wi-Fi 7 features, particularly the 6 GHz band. Recent devices such as the Google Pixel 8 and 9 series and the latest Microsoft Surface laptops are Wi-Fi 7 compatible. Apple's iPhone 16 and 17 series are technically Wi-Fi 7 devices but only support 160 MHz channels, half the ultrawide 320 MHz channels that maximize Wi-Fi 7 speeds.
CNET's signal strength tests involve measuring router performance at 61 locations in their lab facility, with color-coded indicators showing signal quality. Stronger signals (green) correlate with better speeds and reliability, while weaker signals (yellow and red) indicate poorer performance.
For most users, spending more than $200 on a standalone Wi-Fi router is unnecessary. The TP-Link Archer BE550 offers excellent price-to-performance ratios, and the Archer AXE75 is the fastest Wi-Fi 6E router available for around $113.
### The Case for Upgrading to Wi-Fi 7
Wi-Fi 7 routers have been on the market for over two years, but early models were expensive and often more powerful than most households needed. The Netgear Nighthawk RS700S, for example, costs around $600 and offers exceptional performance but may be overkill for typical users.
However, two major trends have shifted the landscape. First, Wi-Fi 7 routers are now more affordable, with quality tri-band options below $200. Second, average household internet usage is skyrocketing. A 2025 report from broadband analytics firm OpenVault revealed that the average American household used 767 GB per month, a 69 GB increase from the previous year. Mark Trudeau, OpenVault's CEO, warned that data consumption is rapidly approaching the terabyte mark, a milestone once considered far off.
Given these dynamics, Wi-Fi 6 and even Wi-Fi 6E routers may struggle to keep pace with future demands. CNET's testing and analysis conclude that Wi-Fi 7 is the best choice to ensure a home network can support increasing bandwidth needs over the next decade-provided users avoid dual-band models that do not include the 6 GHz band.
### Testing Methodology
CNET's router testing process is thorough and consistent. Each router is evaluated using standardized procedures covering key metrics such as throughput, jitter, packet loss, and signal strength across multiple frequency bands. Technicians test routers in a controlled environment with 61 marked locations to simulate different distances and obstacles within a typical home.
The results provide consumers with clear, data-driven insights into how routers perform in real-world conditions, enabling informed purchasing decisions.
### Conclusion
The FCC's ban on new foreign-made routers introduces uncertainty for buyers, making it advisable to delay purchasing until the situation clarifies. Meanwhile, CNET's extensive testing reveals that Wi-Fi 7 routers offer substantial performance improvements over previous generations, particularly due to the ultrawide 6 GHz band and advanced features like Multi-Link Operation and 4K-QAM.
Consumers should be cautious of dual-band Wi-Fi 7 routers that lack access to the 6 GHz band and perform similarly to older Wi-Fi 6 models, often at higher prices. For most users, tri-band Wi-Fi 7 routers priced under $200 offer the best balance of speed, features, and future-proofing.
As data consumption continues to rise, upgrading to Wi-Fi 7 is a smart move to ensure reliable, fast home internet for years to come. However, buyers should verify their devices support Wi-Fi 7 features to take full advantage of the new technology.
For more detailed recommendations and rankings, readers can consult CNET's updated lists of the best Wi-Fi routers, including specialized categories for Wi-Fi 7 and mesh router systems.