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Amazon is offering the TP-Link Deco X15 Wi-Fi 6 mesh router at a 29% discount, bringing the price down to $42, its lowest point this year. The unit includes two Gigabit Ethernet ports and supports mesh networking for extended home coverage.
The FCC has given Asus 'conditional approval,' clearing its routers of security concerns raised by the Defense Department and exempting them from the agency's ban on foreign-made routers until March 2028. The exemption spans multiple Asus product lines including RT, ROG, TUF Gaming and ZenWiFi Mesh series. TP-Link, despite meeting with FCC officials and arguing it operates as a US company based in California, has not yet secured similar approval.
The FCC has issued a conditional approval covering Asus's entire wireless networking lineup, including its RT, ROG, TUF Gaming, ExpertWiFi and ZenWiFi router series, along with mesh systems, repeaters, access points and 5G MiFi devices. The approval, tied to a national security review by the Department of War, is valid for 18 months from issuance.
When a home network has both an ISP-supplied gateway and a personal router or mesh system, leaving both in default settings can create double NAT, since the ISP gateway keeps routing traffic even when connected to another router. The fix is to either put the ISP gateway into bridge mode so it stops routing, or switch the personal router into access point mode so it only extends Wi-Fi while the gateway keeps routing.
Amazon has discounted the TP-Link Litewave LS1005G, a 5-port unmanaged gigabit Ethernet switch, to $9.98 for a limited time. The compact, fanless device adds four extra wired ports to an existing router setup without any configuration required.
TP-Link showed off its first Wi-Fi 8 devices, the Archer 8 Ultra router and Deco 8 Ultra mesh system, ahead of the IEEE 802.11bn standard's finalization. The Archer 8 Ultra promises up to 19Gbps wireless speeds with 18 antennas, while a three-pack Deco 8 Ultra mesh setup can cover nearly 9,800 square feet and handle over 200 devices. Pricing remains undisclosed, but preorders for the Archer 8 Ultra begin September 30th in select regions, with the Deco 8 Ultra and other Wi-Fi 8 accessories arriving in early-to-mid 2027.
TP-Link unveiled its first consumer Wi-Fi 8 router, the Archer 8 Ultra BN19000, at IFA 2026, with pre-orders opening September 30. The tri-band router promises 19Gbps aggregate speeds, 18 antennas, and coverage for a 3,600-square-foot home, alongside a mesh sibling called Deco 8 Ultra rated up to 22Gbps for larger properties. TP-Link plans additional Wi-Fi 8 models in early-to-mid 2027, but has not confirmed whether any of these devices will reach the US market.
WIRED's testing roundup for 2026 mesh Wi-Fi systems highlights different products for different needs: the Asus ZenWifi BD5 Outdoor as a weatherproof, PoE-powered node for existing Asus AiMesh setups, TP-Link's tri-band Deco BE67 as a strong all-around Wi-Fi 7 performer despite some setup glitches, and the budget Netgear Orbi 370 as a dual-band system that struggled badly with satellite-node speeds in real-world testing. The TP-Link Deco BE25 is also named a top pick for outdoor coverage on non-Asus networks.
A new buyer's guide breaks down what shoppers should evaluate when choosing a USB Bluetooth adapter for a PC, from budget picks like the ASUS USB-BT500 and TP-Link Nano 2-in-1 AC600 to advanced options such as the Avantree DG80, Creative BT-W5, and Sena UD100-G03. It explains that basic $10 adapters suit simple headset pairing, while pricier models offer better codecs, lower latency, and multi-device support.
A hands-on comparison of more than fifty Wi-Fi routers has narrowed the field to seven standout picks for 2026, led by the Asus RT-BE58U as the overall best choice at $150. Other category winners include the Asus RT-BE96U for high-end upgrades, Netgear's Nighthawk RS300 for midrange buyers, TP-Link's Archer BE230 for budget shoppers, and the Netgear Orbi 770 two-pack for large homes, alongside dedicated travel and 5G options.
Tom's Hardware reviewed TP-Link's Deco 7 Pro BE13000, a tri-band Wi-Fi 7 mesh system sold exclusively at Costco as a three-pack for $399, covering up to 8,100 square feet. The satellites share the familiar white cylindrical Deco design but include only three 2.5 GbE LAN/WAN ports each, fewer than the lower-tier Deco BE63, with mismatched port speeds on the back.