routers

Read Cult of Mac’s latest posts on routers:

This powerful Wi-Fi 6 router is amazingly affordable [Review]

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Rock Space AX1800 WiFi 6 Router review
The Rock Space AX1800 WiFi 6 Router is quite capable despite a bargain price.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Wi-Fi 6 is the latest version of the wireless networking standard we all love. It’s so much better than its predecessor you should think about upgrading your router just to get it. Especially because the change won‘t be as expensive as you might expect because the Rock Space AX1800 WiFi 6 Router is just $80.

At that price, I was a bit suspicious that the device. But I’m a believer. I used this Wi-Fi access point in my home office for nearly two weeks and have no complaints.

Don’t lose Wi-Fi signal even in a huge home with this powerful router

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Get wi-fi that doesn't make you scream for $245.
Grab one or two of these powerful Wi-Fi routers to improve your home network.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

When you’re home, the last thing you should be thinking about is how slow your internet is. The Gryphon AX router is a powerful Wi-Fi tower that gives you a fast connection that’s also incredibly secure.

For a limited time, you can get one Gryphon AX Wi-Fi router on sale for $245 (regularly $279) or two for $442 (regularly $479).

Secure your whole home Wi-Fi network with this VPN-equipped router

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Grab 19% off this high-security router with privacy app today.
Time to get vigilant about your internet security.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

How is your router protecting your privacy right now? If the answer is “it’s not” or “I have literally no idea,” then it’s time to upgrade to one that does. And lucky for you, the FlashRouters Netgear R6400 DD-WRT VPN Privacy App Router is on sale for a very competitive $219.99 — a 19% discount off the regular price of $274.

Apple households need this powerful Linksys mesh router [Review]

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Linksys Velop AX4200 Tri-Band Mesh WiFi 6 System review
iPhone, Mac and iPad users, the Velop AX4200 might be the mesh Wi-Fi router you’ve been looking for. Especially if you also use HomeKit.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Linksys Velop AX4200 Tri-Band Mesh WiFi 6 System offers the features Apple users need. And that’s especially true for fans of HomeKit as the routers add extra security to these home automation accessories. Plus, the system offers an improved version of Wi-Fi.

To test the system out, I added Linksys mesh Wi-Fi routers to my home. Here’s how they work in real-world use.

Get a more reliable internet connection with these top-rated Wi-Fi routers on sale

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Get the best connection with these high-end routers.
Get the best connection with these high-end routers.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

For many, the internet is a necessity as important as electricity and transport. Fundamental parts of life just don’t work without the internet anymore. Even jobs are moving online; in the United States alone, remote work grew 173% from 2005 to 2018 and it got even higher last year. So, it goes without saying that you need a good internet connection, and one the best things you can get to make that happen is a high-quality router.

If you want a good, consistent connection for both work and play, then you’ll want to check out these top-rated Wi-Fi routers. It helps that they’re on sale for Cult of Mac’s semi-annual sale.

Spread stellar Wi-Fi throughout your home with this discounted smart router

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WiFi router
This smart Wi-Fi router will deliver the best performance for your fiber internet connection.
Photo: Tenda

If there are certain spots in your house with spotty Wi-Fi, you’re not just imagining it. Connections sometimes works less efficiently or not at all in certain corners of any dwelling. Don’t let crummy tech ruin a great music streaming session, or an important workday, anymore.

8 great deals on connected devices that will make your life easier

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Cybersecurity hardware
Kick your tech troubles to the curb with these deals on helpful hardware.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

They might not be the first thing you think of when you consider technological innovation, and they’re probably not the first gadgets you reach for when packing your tech essentials. But owning connected devices can truly make your life so much easier.

Whether it’s a keychain with tracking enabled so you never misplace your keys again, a powerful router for fast and reliable internet connectivity, or even a next-level antenna that allows you to stream your favorite content without any lags, these are the oft-overlooked essentials you should really pay a little more attention to — and for a limited time, they’re all on sale.

Get online in those hard-to-reach places with handy Wi-Fi range extender [Review]

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Rock Space AC1200 Dual Band Wi-Fi Repeater review
The Rock Space Wi-Fi Repeater brings internet to dead spaces in your wireless network.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Rock Space AC1200 Dual Band Wi-Fi Repeater is just right for anyone working or taking classes at home and struggling with a weak Wi-Fi signal. Plug this accessory into any wall socket and it’ll expand your wireless network’s usable area. It offers both 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies, it supports one-button setup with WPS, and you can connect to it via Ethernet.

I tested this Wi-Fi range extender in my own home, and share how well it stands up to daily use.

Lock down your home network with this super-secure Wi-Fi router [Deals]

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Gryphon Guardian
Safeguard your home Wi-Fi network with malware filtering and advanced parental controls.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Going online can be risky business, so protecting your connection is always smart. And if you’ve got kids, there’s good reason to make sure they don’t end up where they don’t belong. Inappropriate content, excessive screen time, social media addiction, there’s plenty of reasons to get a tighter control of online life at home.

Amazon adds HomeKit support to Eero routers

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eero
HomeKit comes to Eero.
Photo: Eero

Some of the best mesh-routers on the market is finally adding support for Apple’s HomeKit.

Eero revealed today that its devices can now be added to the Home app on iPhone and iPad. The update allows you to control aspects of the eero routers remotely and also adds extra protections for other HomeKit accessories in your house.

Amazon buys mesh Wi-Fi router maker Eero

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eero
Eero monitors things like network throughput and interference, adjusting itself automatically.
Photo: Leander Kahney / Cult of Mac

Right when Apple has decided to get out of the router business, one of its biggest competitors is ready to jump in.

Amazon revealed today that it reached an agreement to acquire mesh Wi-Fi router maker Eero, giving the online retailer another powerful tool in its effort to dominate the smart home market.

Wifi Porter makes sharing your wireless network a breeze

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Connect to Wifi Porter by simply tapping your phone on it.
Connect to Wifi Porter by simply tapping your phone on it.
Photo: Ten One Design

Imagine letting a friend connect to your Wi-Fi network just by tapping a hockey puck-sized chunk of wood. That’s the promise of Wifi Porter, an accessory from Ten One Design that saves guests from having to type in a password to get on the net.

It uses NFC and doesn’t require users to install any software.

Wi-Fi is about to get way more secure

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smart-gadgets-are-getting-their-own-wi-fi-standard-in-2018-2-image-cultofandroidcomwp-contentuploads201409150272362_95f26266a2_b-jpg
After the changes being implemented in WPA3, you might feel less nervous about public Wi-Fi.

Part of the reason public Wi-Fi is so risky to use is that the security built into this short-range wireless networking standard hasn’t had a significant upgrade since 2004. But that’s about to change.

The Wi-Fi Alliance introduced Wi-Fi CERTIFIED WPA3, the next generation of Wi-Fi security. This adds new features to simplify Wi-Fi security and enable more robust authentication. The enterprise version offers increased cryptographic strength.

Hackers turn our gadgets against us, plus our favorite supercharged routers on The CultCast

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The CIA just made it easier to hack your Camera Roll nudies.
The CIA just made it easier to hack your Camera Roll nudies.
Photo: Nvidia

This week on The CultCast: The CIA loses control of its iPhone-hacking arsenal, and computer crooks turn your gadgets against you. Plus: Why iPhone 8 may arrive later than you hoped; our favorite Apple AirPort replacement routers; and we discuss the non-Apple gear we’re currently obsessing over in an all-new and aptly named “What We’re Into.”

Our thanks to Squarespace for supporting this episode. It’s simple to accept Apple Pay and sell your wares with your very own Squarespace.com website. Enter offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10 percent off any hosting plan.

AmpliFi HD’s blazing-fast Wi-Fi will spoil you rotten [Reviews]

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AmpliFi HD router
This is not your typical ugly router.
Photo: Lyle Kahney/Cult of Mac

For years, “the last mile” earned the title of broadband’s biggest boogeyman. Now that most of us benefit from having a fairly fat pipe to our houses, it’s more like the last 10 feet — Wi-Fi dead spots can drive you crazy.

The AmpliFi HD System, one of a new pack of mesh systems that pave the way to our trouble-free Wi-Fi future, solves the problem. With a charming little router and a couple of mesh points, AmpliFi HD makes it possible to get a strong Wi-Fi signal to your basement, your attic or that awkward back bedroom where you can never stream anything. It also eliminates the sort of nerdy pain points typically associated with setting up and managing a home Wi-Fi network.

Hackintosh monster Macs and iPhone 8’s marquee feature, on The CultCast

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Could this be the next Mac Pro?
Could this be the next Mac Pro?
Photo: Nvidia

This week on The CultCast: Why building a Hackintosh can get you the monster Mac you’ve always wanted. Plus: Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reveals iPhone 8’s marquee feature; AirPods ship date is finally revealed; and stick around for our top Apple AirPort router replacement picks!

Our thanks to Casper for supporting this episode. Casper’s American-made mattresses have just the right amount of memory foam and latex, and people everywhere love them. Learn why and save $50 off your order at casper.com/cultcast.

People love Apple’s doomed AirPort more than any other router

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Apple's routers are #1.
Apple's routers are #1.
Photo: Apple

Apple sure seems to be doing routers right. At least according to the more than 3,000 customers polled in J.D. Power’s 2016 Wireless Router Satisfaction Report.

Apple came out as the top-rated router manufacturer in Overall Satisfaction, which would be great news for the AirPort team — if Apple hadn’t just disbanded it.

Google’s mesh router might fix your Wi-Fi problems

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eero
Google Wifi will be a lot like Eero.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

Your home’s Wi-Fi could soon be powered by Google, according to a new report that claims the search engine giant plans to get into the router business next month.

Instead of competing head-on with Apple’s AirPort Express, the new Google router will supposedly bring a slew of smart features to the home, allowing users to pair two or more routers together to fix your home’s shoddy Wi-Fi coverage.

Rumors point to a major Macbook Pro overhaul, this week on The CultCast

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New Apple hardware in March on The CultCast
New Apple hardware in March? Reports say yes, indeed.
Image: Erfon Elijah/Cult of Mac

This week, on The CultCast: Macbook Pro’s about to get its biggest refresh ever; Apple’s plans to rival Amazon’s Echo; more great stories from the Cult of Mac; the state of gaming in OS X, iOS, and tvOS; Apple gets serious about iCar charging stations; and we set aside our agendas to discuss YOUR topics in an all-new As You Wish.

Our thanks to Freshbooks for supporting this episode. FreshBooks is the easy-to-use invoicing software designed to help small business owners get organized, save time invoicing and get paid faster. Get started now with a 30-day free trial.

Ditch your old router, Eero is the new king of Wi-Fi routers [Review]

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In a recent survey, Apple's soon-to-disappear AirPort was ranked the most popular Wi-Fi router.
In a recent survey, Apple's soon-to-disappear AirPort was ranked the most popular Wi-Fi router.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

I’ve seen the future of Wi-Fi. It’s called Eero. It comes in a pack of three, costs an arm and a leg, but boy is it worth it.

Eero is a slick system of mesh-connected routers that blanket your whole house in Wi-Fi. Eero promises to eliminate dead spots, make restarts redundant, and offer blazing speeds from the basement to the attic.

In my tests, Eero performs as advertised. After years of Wi-Fiheadaches, and an Apple Time Capsule that barely worked, we now have fast and reliable Wi-Fi all over the house.