Should You Upgrade To Wi-fi 7? I Switched To This Next-gen Router At Home, And Here's My Verdict

ZDNET's cardinal takeaways

• The Asus RT-BE86U router is presently connected waste for $250.
• This supports Wi-Fi 7 delivering fast, wireless connections protected by aggregate information features.
• However, getting nan astir retired of nan instrumentality requires Wi-Fi extenders which tin beryllium an costly endeavor.

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Wi-Fi 7 has been astir since past January, but wide take has been limited. The exertion requires devices to person nan basal hardware to support it, and it appears that nan clip has arrived because we're seeing much devices, specified arsenic nan Asus RT-BE86U, supporting nan standard. 

Also: The fastest Wi-Fi 7 net providers successful nan US, ranked

This is 1 of nan company's latest midrange Wi-Fi 7 routers. "Mid-range" is an important word successful that condemnation because it doesn't lucifer nan speeds seen connected a high-end exemplary but still provides top-notch performance.

But earlier I get into immoderate numbers, I want to reappraisal nan router's design. There's a batch going connected here, and it impacts really nan RT-BE86U operates. Asus' gadget measures 9.25 x 3.5 x 12 inches. Instead of lying down flat, it sits connected a base, allowing it to beryllium placed upright. This makes uncovering a spot for nan exemplary easier than if it were connected its side.

On nan front, a bid of LED lights corresponds to various connections. The LEDs are beautiful bright, but luckily, nan institution installed an on/off fastener connected nan side.

Also: This Wi-Fi 7 router solved my large net headache - and it's reasonably affordable

Around nan backmost are a bid of I/O ports, including a 10G WAN/LAN input for long-distance connections and respective 2.5G LAN inputs for section networks. Although this isn't a gaming router, it does person a dedicated "Gaming Port," which prioritizes connected devices. It is simply a very useful action to person while trying to play video games during high-traffic hours. Speaking from experience, this 1 larboard tin prevention online matches. Lag practically disappears since you won't beryllium fighting for a unchangeable connection.

But what astir wireless speeds? What is nan Wi-Fi 7 acquisition connected nan Asus RT-BE86U like? Simply put, it's amazing. Asus' router is crazy fast. For testing, I ran nan Ookla Speedtest connected my laptop, and it consistently achieved lightning-fast speeds of good complete 500Mbps. 

I could watercourse movies, play online games, and download ample files simultaneously without experiencing a important slowdown. Ping velocity was beautiful good, hovering astir 20 to 22 ms, though location were instances erstwhile it dropped somewhat lower.

Cesar Cadenas/ZDNET

It wasn't each perfect. Asus states nan RT-BE86U has a maximum sum area of up to 2,750 sq ft.; however, I had trouble connecting my devices to nan router from nan acold extremity of my apartment. Asus gave maine a brace of ZenWiFi BT10 extenders to boost nan signal, and they were awesome -- erstwhile they worked. I did, however, person immoderate stableness issues pinch nan nodes during testing.

Also: Wi-Fi 8: Stability, not speed, is nan sanction of its game

Another constituent of contention is that nan router does not person a 6GHz band. It only has 2.4 and 5 GHz bands. These channels met my needs respective times over, but if you and your family person a batch of devices, 2 bands whitethorn consciousness limiting.

Cesar Cadenas/ZDNET

Thanks to nan Asus Router app, mounting up nan RT-BE86U is incredibly easy. After installing nan package and plugging successful my modem, I followed respective on-screen instructions to configure nan device. The full process took nary much than a fewer minutes. The app plays a large domiciled successful nan router's operation. Not only does nan package fto you group up nan RT-BE86U, but it besides offers entree to a wide array of features.

Also: This Amazon Wi-Fi 7 router solved my biggest smart location net rumor - and it's connected sale

You tin create aggregate sub-networks there. For example, you could person a web for your kids pinch parental controls, 1 for smart location devices, and 1 for VPNs. Online information is different ample aspect. Just to sanction a few, you person Safe Browsing to protect you from malware online, DNS (domain sanction system) encryption to screen your integer footprint, positive an advertisement blocker.

ZDNET's buying advice

Asus' RT-BE86U is presently trading for $250 connected nan company's integer storefront, while nan ZenWiFi BT10 extenders costs $360. Yes, those are precocious prices, but A) they're a awesome measurement to bring next-gen Wi-Fi to your home, and B) they're much affordable than akin devices. You'll often find different Wi-Fi 7 routers spell for $500 starting. That said, nan Asus is recommended, particularly if you're conscionable getting started pinch Wi-Fi 7.

Update log:

• October 2, 2025: After respective months of testing, this reappraisal was updated and thoroughly fact-checked to bespeak its marketplace positioning. The value of nan router has besides dropped from erstwhile it first launched to $250. We've included retailer links for illustration Best Buy.