Should you upgrade to Wi-Fi 7? Here's my verdict after testing this next-gen router at home

ZDNET's cardinal takeaways

• The Asus RT-BE86U router is presently connected merchantability for $270
• for a constricted time.
• This supports Wi-Fi 7 delivering fast, wireless connections protected by aggregate information features.
• However, getting the astir retired of the instrumentality requires Wi-Fi extenders which tin beryllium an costly endeavor.

The Asus RT-B386U is presently connected merchantability crossed large retailers for $30 disconnected up of July 4th weekend.

Wi-Fi 7 has been astir since past January, but wide adoption has been limited. The exertion requires devices to person the indispensable hardware to enactment it, and it appears that the clip has arrived due to the fact that we're seeing much devices, specified arsenic the Asus RT-B386U, supporting the standard. 

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

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

But earlier I get into immoderate numbers, I privation to reappraisal the router's design. There's a batch going connected here, and it impacts however the RT-B386U 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 the exemplary easier than if it were connected its side.

On the front, a bid of LED lights correspond to assorted connections. The LEDs are beauteous bright, but luckily, the institution installed an on/off fastener connected the side.

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

Around the 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 precise utile enactment to person portion 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 warring for a unchangeable connection.

But what astir wireless speeds? What is the Wi-Fi 7 acquisition connected the Asus RT-BE7U like? Simply put, it's amazing. Asus' router is brainsick fast. For testing, I ran the Ookla Speedtest connected my laptop, and it consistently achieved lightning-fast speeds of good implicit 500Mbps. I could watercourse movies, play online games, and download ample files simultaneously without experiencing a important slowdown. Ping velocity was beauteous good, hovering astir 20 to 22 ms, though determination were instances erstwhile it dropped somewhat lower.

Cesar Cadenas/ZDNET

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

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

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

Cesar Cadenas/ZDNET

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

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

You tin make aggregate sub-networks there. For example, you could person a web for your kids with parental controls, 1 for astute location devices, and 1 for VPNs. Online information is different ample aspect. Just to sanction a few, you person Safe Browsing to support 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 retailing for $270 connected the company's integer storefront, portion the ZenWiFi BT10 extenders outgo $360. Yes, those are precocious prices, but A) they're a large mode 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, the Asus is recommended, particularly if you're conscionable getting started with Wi-Fi 7.

This communicative was primitively published connected January 17, 2025, and was updated connected June 30, 2025.