ARRIS SURFboard G54

This is a modem first, router second. It has no WAN port at all, just an F-connector for your cable line, and it cannot function as a standalone router or access point on fiber or DSL. If your ISP isn't a DOCSIS 3.1 cable provider, this device does nothing for you.

For eligible cable plans up to 2.5 Gbps, it replaces a rented modem outright. That's real monthly savings that a standalone WiFi 7 router can't offer, since you'd still be paying modem rental on top of it.

BE18000 across four bands is a genuine quad-band WiFi 7 spec, but the 5GHz bands are capped at 80MHz channels instead of 160MHz, which limits real-world throughput on that band well below what the headline number implies.

ARRIS claims 5,000 sq ft of coverage. Independent testing found closer to 2,000 sq ft of reliable signal, less than half the marketing figure. Plan around the tested number, not the box.

Early units shipped requiring 8 to 20 character WiFi passwords with mixed case, numbers, and symbols, which breaks for devices that only accept a numeric PIN. A CAPTCHA was also required just to save router settings after you're already logged in.

Firmware updates addressed the password restriction, but the CAPTCHA requirement was still present at time of review. It's a minor annoyance rather than a dealbreaker, but worth knowing before you buy.

Winner for all-in-one convenience: the G54 itself, since there's no direct WiFi 7 gateway competitor at this price with a genuine 10Gbps port and built-in DOCSIS 3.1.

If you already own a modem or aren't on cable internet, skip this entirely and buy the TP-Link Archer GE650 at $250 instead, better WiFi performance for less money once you strip out the modem function. The G54 only makes sense if replacing a rented modem is part of the calculation.