How we rank products

Every ranking on this site is calculated, not hand-picked. Here is the whole method.

1. Specs come from official manufacturer tables

We enter only figures published on an official TP-Link, ASUS, NETGEAR or eero specification table or official technical-spec PDF, and we link the page or PDF we used under every product. If a figure isn't published we show "Not listed" instead of guessing. Maker coverage claims in square feet are not scored. eero's "wireless speeds up to" figures are not treated as an IEEE BE/AX class number.

2. Each spec is scaled from 0 to 1

Each criterion has a fixed reference range, from a "weakest reasonable" value to a "best in class" value (for example Wi-Fi 5 to Wi-Fi 7, or 1 Gbps to 10 Gbps official Ethernet). A product's figure is placed on that range and clamped between 0 and 1, so scores stay meaningful as products are added. Yes/no features count as 1 or 0. The ranges are listed below.

3. Weights decide what matters most

Each category lists its criteria and weights on the page. The score is the weighted average, multiplied by 10:

score = 10 × Σ(weight × scaled value) ÷ Σ(weight)

4. How missing data is scored

If a spec isn't published, the product scores at the lowest value any product in that category actually published, so an unpublished figure never outranks a published one. The page marks each such cell with an asterisk. Yes/no features that aren't stated count as no. Nothing is ever scored at the category average.

5. Prices and ratings switch on automatically

When our retailer feeds supply a current price or customer rating for at least 60% of products in a category, two more criteria join the formula: Price / value (20%) and Customer rating (15%, discounted when there are few reviews). Until then we show "Check price" and never estimate a price.

6. What the score can't tell you

Specs don't capture real-world coverage through walls, interference from neighbors, or how a given client actually connects. An official BE or AX class is a theoretical PHY maximum, not a measured speed. When we derive a figure from official numbers, such as adding official per-band PHY rates when the class token is missing, we label it computed. Use the score to shortlist, then read the pros, cons, safety notes and sources. When we add hands-on testing notes, we label them clearly.

7. Money never changes the order

We earn affiliate commissions from some retailers. Commission rates are not an input to the formula, and no brand can pay for placement. See our affiliate disclosure.

Criteria by category

Mesh Wi-Fi systems

• Official Wi-Fi generation: 20% · range 5 → 7
• Official combined PHY rate: 35% · range 1200 → 27000 Mbps
• Fastest official Ethernet port: 30% · range 1 → 10 Gbps
• Official Ethernet port count: 15% · range 1 → 6 ports

Wi-Fi 7 routers

• Official combined PHY rate: 35% · range 3600 → 25000 Mbps
• Fastest official Ethernet port: 30% · range 1 → 10 Gbps
• Official Ethernet port count: 20% · range 1 → 10 ports
• Official radio bands: 15% · range 2 → 4 bands

Wi-Fi 6 and 6E routers

• Official Wi-Fi generation: 20% · range 6 → 6.5
• Official combined PHY rate: 35% · range 1500 → 16000 Mbps
• Fastest official Ethernet port: 30% · range 1 → 10 Gbps
• Official Ethernet port count: 15% · range 1 → 8 ports