Networking

Orbi, Eero, ZenWiFi, and Deco picks for every house size — plus the subscription traps that quietly change the math.

October 20, 2026 · 12 min read

Four ecosystems, one house. What each brand actually sells you — the hardware, the app, and the bill in year three.

October 20, 2026 · 11 min read

Security, parental controls, and filtering you own instead of rent — plus the three-year math on the systems that do charge.

October 20, 2026 · 10 min read

Coverage math, port math, and the honest answer to whether your house even needs a mesh.

October 20, 2026 · 9 min read

Match the router to your internet plan and your floor plan, not the biggest number on the box. Seven picks from $80 to $400, with the 2026 FCC rules factored in.

October 25, 2026 · 13 min read

Wi-Fi 7 routers now start under $100. What changes as you spend more is the 6 GHz band, the antenna count, and the ports. Here is what each tier buys you.

October 25, 2026 · 12 min read

A gaming router can stop your housemate's 4K stream from spiking your ping. It cannot shorten the distance to the game server. Here is what to buy and what to fix first.

October 25, 2026 · 11 min read

Buying your own modem router combo can end the monthly equipment fee. It only works on cable internet, and it has to be on your provider's approved list.

October 25, 2026 · 11 min read

The modem brings the internet into your home. The router shares it with your devices. Here is how to tell which boxes you have and what to buy.

October 25, 2026 · 9 min read

An extender is the cheapest fix for one weak room. It is not a substitute for mesh in a big house. Five picks, from $39 to Wi-Fi 7.

October 25, 2026 · 10 min read

Extenders are cheap and quick. Mesh is seamless and faster. A wired access point beats both. How to pick for your home.

October 25, 2026 · 9 min read

A travel router turns one hotel login into a private network for every device you carry, with a VPN on top. Five picks, plus the places you can't bring one.

October 25, 2026 · 10 min read

All three are Wi-Fi 7 mesh routers with a smart home hub built in. The difference is 6 GHz, port speed, and how fast your internet plan is.

October 25, 2026 · 9 min read

Most Wi-Fi problems need a 30-second restart, not a factory reset. Here is how to do each, what you lose, and how to get back online afterward.

October 25, 2026 · 8 min read