: Best for small-to-medium homes or apartments. High-end models like the TP-Link Archer BE900 offer extensive ports and quad-band capabilities.

The "Wi-Fi" number refers to the generation of technology. Modern routers typically fall into one of three categories:

: The current "mainstream sweet spot". It adds access to the 6 GHz band , which acts like a brand-new, uncongested freeway for compatible devices, away from the interference of older gadgets.

: Ideal for large or multi-story homes. These use multiple "nodes" to blanket your entire house in coverage, eliminating dead spots and allowing your device to switch seamlessly between units as you move. Choosing a WiFi Router - Consumer Reports