offered reliable dual-band performance for smaller homes and was a popular, lower-cost alternative to the Nighthawk series. Asus RT-AC3200
: Often cited as a "kickass" choice that delivered high performance at a friendly price of approximately $175. It featured a 1GHz dual-core processor and speeds up to 1900 Mbps, making it ideal for 4K streaming and gaming. Asus RT-AC88U best buy wifi router 2017
In 2017, the wireless router market was defined by the peak of the 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) standard and the emergence of early mesh systems. Based on reviews and retail availability from that period, the Netgear Nighthawk AC1900 (R7000) offered reliable dual-band performance for smaller homes and
: Recognized for its iconic blue-and-black design and strong support for open-source firmware like DD-WRT, making it a top pick for networking hobbyists. Comparative Table: 2017 Router Specs & Pricing Device Name Max Wi-Fi Speed Notable Feature Price (2017 Est.) Netgear Nighthawk AC1900 Best Overall Value Asus RT-AC88U 8 LAN Ports / MU-MIMO TP-Link Archer C7 Budget Reliability Netgear Orbi (RBK50) Mesh (4,000 sq. ft.) D-Link DIR-890L Tri-Band / "Spaceship" Design NETGEAR Nighthawk Asus RT-AC88U In 2017, the wireless router market
: A tri-band router specifically designed to manage busy households. Its "Smart Connect" technology automatically assigned devices to the fastest available band to prevent congestion. Linksys WRT1900AC