Best Internet Equipment & Gear 2026

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Updated March 23, 2026

Best WiFi Routers

Two picks: a budget WiFi 6 router for most households, and a WiFi 7 router for future-proofing.

Best Budget

TP-Link AX1800 WiFi 6 Router (Archer AX21) — ~$60

Best budget WiFi 6 router. Covers 2,500 sq ft, dual-band, great for plans up to 300 Mbps.

Best WiFi 7 Value

TP-Link BE3600 Wi-Fi 7 Router (Archer BE230) — ~$100

Affordable WiFi 7 router with MLO and 320 MHz channels. Future-proof for multi-gig plans.

Best Mesh WiFi Systems

If your home is over 2,000 sq ft or has multiple floors, mesh eliminates dead zones.

Best Value Mesh

TP-Link Deco X55 AX3000 Mesh System (3-Pack) — ~$180

Covers up to 6,500 sq ft. WiFi 6, seamless roaming, easy app setup. Great value mesh system.

Best Cable Modems

Stop renting from Xfinity, Spectrum, or Cox. These modems pay for themselves in under a year.

Best Standalone Modem

ARRIS SURFboard SB8200 DOCSIS 3.1 Cable Modem — ~$130

Works with Xfinity, Cox, Spectrum, and others. DOCSIS 3.1 supports multi-gig speeds. Pays for itself in 9 months vs renting.

Best All-in-One Combo

NETGEAR Nighthawk CAX30 Modem Router Combo — ~$200

All-in-one DOCSIS 3.1 modem + WiFi 6 router. Eliminates two devices. Works with Xfinity, Spectrum, Cox.

WiFi Extenders & Adapters

Quick fixes for dead zones and devices without built-in WiFi.

Budget Extender

TP-Link AC1200 WiFi Extender (RE315) — ~$25

Affordable range extender for eliminating dead zones. Dual-band, covers an extra 1,500 sq ft.

USB WiFi Adapter

TP-Link AC1300 USB WiFi Adapter (Archer T3U) — ~$20

Add WiFi to any desktop or laptop. Dual-band AC1300, compact USB 3.0 dongle.

Networking Essentials

Wired connections are always faster and more reliable than WiFi. These essentials help you get the most from your internet plan.

Ethernet Cable

Cable Matters Cat 6 Ethernet Cable (25ft) — ~$10

Snagless RJ45, 10 Gbps capable. Use for gaming consoles, smart TVs, and mesh backhaul.

Gigabit Switch

TP-Link 8 Port Gigabit Switch (TL-SG108) — ~$20

Add wired ports to your network. Plug-and-play, fanless, metal housing. Great for home offices.

Powerline Adapter

TP-Link AV1000 Powerline Adapter Kit — ~$50

Turn electrical wiring into ethernet. Ideal when running cables is not an option.

MoCA Adapter

goCoax MoCA 2.5 Adapter (2-Pack) — ~$120

Use coax cable for 2.5 Gbps ethernet. Perfect for homes already wired with coax from cable TV.

Power Protection

Texas storms knock out power every year. A UPS keeps your router and modem running for 3-4 hours during outages.

Storm Essential

APC UPS 600VA Battery Backup (BE600M1) — ~$55

Keep your router and modem running during power outages. 3-4 hours of backup for networking equipment. Critical for Texas storms.

Read our full Texas Storm Prep Guide for backup internet strategies.

Outdoor & Pro Gear

For outdoor WiFi coverage and DIY network installations.

Outdoor WiFi

TP-Link EAP225 Outdoor Access Point — ~$70

Weatherproof outdoor WiFi. IP65-rated, PoE powered, covers patios, yards, and outbuildings.

Cable Tester

Klein Tools VDV501-851 Cable Tester Kit — ~$85

Test ethernet, coax, and phone cables. Essential for DIY network installations and troubleshooting.

Crimp Tool Kit

Klein Tools 80024 RJ45 Crimp Tool Kit — ~$50

Make custom-length ethernet cables. Includes crimper, connectors, and stripper.

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