Asus ROG Strix GS-BE18000 Wi-Fi 7 gaming router — Good overall performance and a wealth of LAN ports

The Asus ROG Strix GS-BE18000 is a tri-band Wi-Fi 7 gaming router with a sleek design and a plethora of features, including seven 2.5 GbE LAN ports, USB 3.0 port, configurable RGB lighting, and a compact form factor. Priced around $450, it offers good overall performance but lacks a 10 GbE LAN port and falls short in 2.4 GHz performance compared to its competitors. Setting up the router is straightforward using either the web interface or Asus' smartphone app, and it supports Automated Frequency Coordination for enhanced 6 GHz band performance. The router's software includes gaming-oriented features, parental controls, AiProtection security tools, and versatile USB port functionality. Despite its solid performance, the TP-Link Archer GE800 outperforms the Asus in various aspects, making it a more compelling choice unless the extra LAN ports are a critical requirement.