Make an informed choice
Guides
Research-backed picks and explainers for home Wi-Fi, NAS and homelab networking. Updated as products change.
How we chooseBest picks
Best PoE Switches for Home: Cameras, Access Points and Doorbells
Choose a PoE switch for cameras, access points and doorbells with verified power budgets, usable port counts, VLAN options and hardware-version checks for home.
Updated November 2, 2026Read
Best Wi-Fi 7 Routers in 2026, Matched to Your Internet Plan
Wi-Fi 7 routers picked by internet plan and home: the WAN port you need, what BE numbers mean, and each brand's FCC status and update policy, checked Nov 1.
Updated November 2, 2026Read
Best Wi-Fi 7 Mesh Systems in 2026: Picks by Home Size and Wiring
Wi-Fi 7 mesh kits from eero, Netgear Orbi and ASUS ZenWiFi matched to home size and wiring, with ports per unit, backhaul and FCC status checked Nov 1, 2026.
Updated November 2, 2026Read
Best NAS for Home in 2026: Backups, Photos and Plex
Synology and UGREEN NAS picks chosen by job: phone and computer backups, photo libraries and Plex or Jellyfin, plus the CMR drives and the RAID maths.
Updated November 2, 2026Read
Best Cable Modems in 2026: DOCSIS 3.1 Picks Checked Against Xfinity, Spectrum and Cox
Four DOCSIS 3.1 cable modems checked against Xfinity's, Spectrum's and Cox's own device lists on November 1, 2026: supported plans, 2.5G ports, upload limits.
Updated November 2, 2026Read
Comparison
Cat6 vs Cat6a vs Cat8: Which Ethernet Cable Do You Need?
Choose Cat6, Cat6A or Cat8 by port speed and cable length, with official distance limits, copper checks and clear picks for patch leads and in-wall wiring.
Updated November 2, 2026Read
eero 7 vs eero Pro 7 vs eero Max 7: Which eero Should You Buy?
eero 7, Pro 7 and Max 7 compared on bands, Ethernet ports, plan speeds and coverage claims, plus how each one stacks up against the Orbi 770 and the Deco BE63.
Updated November 2, 2026Read
MoCA vs Powerline in 2026: Wired Internet Without New Cables
MoCA uses your TV coax, powerline uses your power outlets. Which one fits your home, the filter, splitter and outlet rules that trip people up, and what to buy.
Updated November 2, 2026Read
Explainers
Buying a Router After the FCC's 2026 Rule: What Changed, What Still Gets Updates, Which Brands Are Approved
The FCC's 2026 router rule from its own documents: what changed on March 23, which existing routers can still be sold and updated, and which makers are approved.
Updated November 2, 2026Read
Modem vs Router: What Each Box Does, and What Your Internet Type Needs
A modem connects your home to your provider; a router shares that connection with your devices. Which boxes cable, fiber, 5G home internet and Starlink need.
Updated November 2, 2026Read