Articles by Samuel Contreras

The fastest Eero

Eero Pro 6

$229 at Amazon

Pros

Fast AX4200 Wi-Fi can keep up with gigabit internet
Compact design compared to similar Wi-Fi 6 routers
Eero software is easy to use and stable
Can be expanded with any other Eero

Cons

Two Ethernet ports is low for a pro device
Eero Secure and Secure+ require a subscription

Eero Pro 6 is not only the fastest Eero ever, but its speed is on par with other routers at its price. AX4200 tri-band Wi-Fi makes this router a great fit for those trying to make the most of their gigabit internet connection. It’s also one of the most compact Wi-Fi 6 routers at this speed.

Still enough for most

Eero Pro

$199 at Amazon

Pros

Tri-band Wi-Fi for consistent mesh performance
Compact size
Eero software is great and works with all Eeros
Works with all other Eeros

Cons

Only two Ethernet ports
Eero Secure and Secure+ require a subscription
Slow performance for the price

The Eero Pro is a solid router, even considering its lower…

The best Wi-Fi routers can be lifesavers. The difference between good Wi-Fi in your house and poor connectivity can be the difference between a good day and a bad one. Whether you need something with a ton of speed and connections or just want to make sure you don’t drop connection when you move around your home there’s a router that’s right for you. Here’s our reliable guide to some of the best wireless routers you can buy today!

What are the best Wi-Fi routers?

The TP-Link Archer AX21 is the best Wi-Fi router thanks to its AX1800 speeds being enough for most people, along with offering the capacity for future Wi-Fi 6 devices. It also has an easy setup procedure thanks to the TP-Link Tether app for smartphones. If you’re looking for something to keep up with most households without going overboard, the AX21 is a great fit.

The best value option is the TP-Link Archer A7. While there are cheaper routers available, the AC1750 speeds should keep up with HD media streaming and browsing …

These are the best routers with parental controls to help you make sure your family uses the internet in a healthy and productive way. As more families work and study from home, staying on task is harder than ever, so these routers should help you out. The TP-Link Archer AX50 ticks just about as many boxes as possible with its great speeds and capacity alongside the robust and free HomeCare software offering parental controls, quality of service optimization, and antivirus protection. Here are a handful of trustworthy routers to ensure everyone in your household has safe access to the internet.

Best Overall: TP-Link Archer AX50

HomeCare is TP-Link’s router security software package powered by Trend Micro that comes with easy parental controls, quality of service enhancements, and antivirus protection. HomeCare is included with several of TP-Links routers. This includes the Archer AX50 as well as a few other routers, including Deco mesh systems. It also works with Alexa. Watch out…

Unlimited for all

T-Mobile

From $60/mo. at T-Mobile

Pros

5G access with all plans
At least 50GB of premium data
Third line free
Service in Mexico and Canada
Unlimited mobile hotspot

Cons

Plans are expensive
SD streaming on most plans
International calling not included (outside of Mexico and Canada)
Not all plans offer international data

T-Mobile’s three core plans (Essentials, Magenta, and Magenta MAX) are entirely unlimited when it comes to data, text, talk, and mobile hotspot. Along with multi-line discounts, you’re also guaranteed at least 50GB of premium data and various international benefits and extra perks. This plan has fantastic value for most smartphone users as long as they live in an area with T-Mobile coverage.

The choice is yours

Google Fi

From $20/mo. at Google Fi

Pros

Choice of Flexible or Unlimited plans
Large combined network
Free international data, talk, and text with Unlimited plan
Bill protection
Uses open Wi-Fi networks via Wi-…

Best answer: Wi-Fi 6, or 802.11ax, is the newest evolution of Wi-Fi and is providing faster speeds to more simultaneous devices than the last generation. If you’re buying a router today, you should buy one that supports Wi-Fi 6, especially now that prices have gone down.

How is Wi-Fi 6 better than Wi-Fi 5?

Most new flagship phones support both 5G and Wi-Fi 6 as standard, including most of the best Android phones. Wi-Fi 6 is the name given to the 802.11ax wireless standard following up 802.11ac, which has been retroactively named Wi-Fi 5. Hopefully, these simpler names will help people more easily understand their network equipment.

Wi-Fi 6 can be potentially 40% faster than Wi-Fi 5 by doing more with the same spectrum.

Wi-Fi 6 can also help your device last longer on battery power. When you’re on Wi-Fi, your phone communicates with an access point. If both the access point and the device are using WI-Fi 6 the Access Point (AP) can enable a new Target Wake Time (TWT) feature. …

There are a lot of things to consider when looking for the best cheap phone plans in 2021, whether you need a ton of data or just enough to get by when you’re away from Wi-Fi. One of the most important considerations is coverage and phone compatibility. Mint Mobile’s 4GB plan offers great coverage with 5G support and enough data to get you by with a little discipline.

Best Overall: Mint Mobile 4GB

T-Mobile’s network is home to some of the best cheap phone plans in the industry and Mint Mobile takes things a step further with great discounts for those who are willing to pay a little more upfront. Mint Mobile comes with unlimited calling and texting in the U.S. and mobile hotspot is enabled if you need it. With the 4GB plan coming in at a low $15 per month when you buy 12 months, it’s hard to find a much better value.

While the total cost of $180 for a year will sting once, it can be a great way to take advantage of times when you have a little extra cash on hand, such as getting …

Visible is one of the best values for people that need a lot of data. Not only that, but Visible’s simple plan, unlimited hotspot data, and 5G support make it an easy choice for someone trying to make the most of one of the best new Android phones. Utilizing Verizon’s LTE and 5G network, most people will have great coverage as well.

Visible isn’t for everyone since it lacks roaming support and doesn’t have many international calling options. It’s also not a good fit for people that need to travel abroad. Visible customers also don’t get the highest priority data connection, so the connection may be slower than expected in congested areas. Still, for many people, Visible is a great fit. Here’s our comprehensive Visible buyer’s guide, containing everything you need to know before signing up.

Just one plan

Visible

From $40/mo. at Visible

Unlimited talk, text, and data

Visible gives you great Verizon coverage with no limits, including 5G with truly unlimited high-speed data plu…

If you’ve held onto your old Android for too long and you’re ready to upgrade to a new phone and a new service, Visible Swap could work for you. If your phone isn’t compatible with Visible’s network, you can still swap it for a free Android phone. Customers looking for a faster device may want to purchase one of the best Android phones separately and bring it to Visible. Here’s how you can trade in your old device for something shiny and new with Visible.

How to use Visible Swap

Visible is an all-digital carrier using the Verizon network. As such, Visible phones must support features like Verizon’s VoLTE to activate properly. This means a lot of older phones or phones made specifically for other carriers may not work. To help new customers switch, Visible introduced Visible Swap which allows you to trade in your old Android phone for a Visible ZTE Blade A3 Prime. Your old phone needs to be able to turn on and must not be supported by Visible. It’s important to note that this progra…

Best answer: Boost Mobile now supports the T-Mobile and Sprint networks for coverage. Most unlocked phones will work on one of Boost’s networks, though many Sprint devices aren’t compatible.

New plans use T-Mobile’s network

With T-Mobile’s purchase of Sprint, Dish now owns Boost Mobile and has begun pushing customers toward what it’s calling the Expanded Network based on T-Mobile. For most people, this network will offer greater speeds and more consistent coverage than its old network. It also comes with T-Mobile 5G support with a compatible phone.

Boost Mobile now supports most unlocked phones compatible with T-Mobile’s network which includes most of the best Android phones. Still, if you’re unsure, you can check your IMEI on Boost’s website before signing up. Boost Mobile will also be able to tell you which network will work with your phone in a Boost Mobile store if you’re still unsure.

What does this mean for the Nationwide Network?

Boost Mobile was formerly owned by Sprint …

Tri-band mesh

Eero Pro 6

$599 at Amazon

Pros

Fast tri-band Wi-Fi 6 connection
Compact size
Compatible with all other Eeros
Great management app

Cons

Expensive
Only two Ethernet ports

Eero has made a name for itself by making simple-to-use mesh systems with enough speed for most people. The Eero Pro 6 is the first Eero that can keep up with a gigabit internet connection with multiple nodes thanks to a fast tri-band AX4200 Wi-Fi solution. You can even upgrade an older Eero system with Wi-Fi 6 at the core thanks to full compatibility with all other Eeros.

Affordable coverage

TP-Link Deco X60

$209 at Amazon

Pros

Solid AX3000 speeds
Compact size
HomeCare software for parental controls
Great price

Cons

Dual-band Wi-Fi must share 5GHz band
Only two Ethernet ports

The TP-Link Deco X60 is easily one of the best values in mesh systems thanks to an AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 setup that should be fast enough for most people. Two units cover a massive 5,800 square feet and ca…