A federal ban on new foreign-made routers leaves only Asus, Netgear and Eero with exemptions. CNET says to hold off on other brands.
If you are shopping for a new Wi-Fi router, the brand now matters as much as the speed. CNET reports that, as of Nov. 2, only Asus, Netgear and Eero have received an exemption from a federal ban on selling new foreign-made routers. For every other brand, CNET advises waiting.
On March 25, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a notice that sales of new foreign-made routers will be banned going forward. CNET says virtually every router sold in the US counts as foreign-made under the FCC's criteria. That is why the three exemptions stand out.
The other routers on CNET's best list already have FCC approval. The risk is later. They may not be able to get software and firmware updates after Jan. 1, 2029. Firmware is the built-in software that runs a router, and updates fix security holes. CNET also notes that TP-Link routers are under investigation by the US government over security concerns.
A mesh system uses several units placed around a home to spread the signal. Jitter is how much delay in the connection bounces around, which matters for gaming and video calls. The material includes no Asus model from CNET's list.
If your current router works, there is no rush. If you need a new one, CNET says to stick with Asus, Netgear or Eero for now. Wi-Fi 7 is more appealing than it was in 2023. Prices have fallen, and CNET's lab testing shows real gains in speed and lower latency, meaning less lag. Check the size of your home and your internet plan before picking. The RS700S is on the larger side and cannot join a mesh. The Eero 7 has no 6GHz band.
CNET says it is still following the story. It is waiting to learn more about a software extension and which other router brands will get exemptions. Until that is clear, the safe choice is one of the three exempt brands.
If you need a router now, buy Asus, Netgear or Eero so you are more likely to keep getting security updates.
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