: 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
: A pioneer in the then-new mesh Wi-Fi category. It was highly rated for its ability to cover up to 4,000 square feet using a dedicated tri-band backhaul, which ensured consistent speeds even with many connected devices. TP-Link Archer C7 (AC1750) : Known as the "trusty" budget king of the era, the
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)
was widely considered one of the best overall values, frequently recommended by retailers like Best Buy for its balance of speed and range. Top Recommended Routers of 2017 Netgear Nighthawk AC1900 (R7000)