Latest news with #eeroMax7
Tom's Guide
2 days ago
- Tom's Guide
I get faster Wi-Fi speeds in my backyard than some people do in their homes — and it's all thanks to the eero Outdoor 7
Looking for a signal when you're outside is one thing, but having to do so within your own home is another. Unfortunately, that's exactly what it's like for people still living with Wi-Fi dead zones. You see, even with one of the best Wi-Fi routers (and definitely without one), you could still end up in a situation where parts of your home aren't covered with a strong wireless signal. Maybe your home has an odd layout, or perhaps it's built out of materials like brick or cinderblocks, which make it difficult for your router to achieve its maximum range. Likewise, your home may just be too big for your current router. In this case, upgrading to one of the best mesh Wi-Fi systems is your best bet. Unlike a traditional router, a mesh system is actually made up of multiple devices, often called satellites or nodes, that relay the signal of the main unit (which serves as your router) even further. This way, whether you're on the other side of your house, upstairs or downstairs, you always have a strong signal that doesn't drop off as you move further away from your router. I upgraded to a mesh router after moving into my first home, and it's been wonderful not having to deal with Wi-Fi dead zones anymore. However, there was still one area of my home that eluded me: the great outdoors. Well, not necessarily the great outdoors, but my backyard. Sure, I could get a signal out there, but it paled in comparison to the types of speeds I saw indoors. That was until I added the eero Outdoor 7 to my mesh network. I've been using the eero Outdoor 7 for seven months now, and I haven't had any issues with it yet, even though it's mounted on a fence in my backyard. Here's everything you need to know about the next big thing in mesh networking and why you might want to add an eero Outdoor 7 or a similar device to your own backyard. eero Outdoor 7: $349 (without AC adapter), $399 (with AC adapter) @ Amazon This Wi-Fi 7-powered outdoor mesh Wi-Fi extender lets you easily extend your eero mesh network out into your garage or backyard. It has an IP66 rating which means it's protected from dust, rain and snow and it can be powered from an AC outlet or over Ethernet. The outdoor 7 has a range of 15,000 square feet and can deliver wireless speeds up to 2.1 Gbps. One of the great things about most mesh Wi-Fi systems is that many of them provide you with an easy way to upgrade your network later on. This is especially useful if you underestimate the size of your home, buy a two-pack and then realize that you don't have enough coverage, as you can always buy an additional satellite. I know for a fact this is true with both eero and TP-Link, as I did exactly that in my detached garage before adding the eero Outdoor 7 to my home network. Last year, when I switched from cable to fiber internet, I also upgraded to the eero Max 7 to take full advantage of the significantly faster 10 gigabit per second speeds I now get from my local internet service provider. While the Max 7 is eero's flagship mesh system, the good thing about the Outdoor 7 is that it's compatible with the rest of eero's mesh routers. In fact, all eeros are compatible with one another, just like with TP-Link's Deco mesh routers. At first glance, the Outdoor 7 looks like just another eero satellite. However, it works like one, too. Once you have it plugged in, you then go through the setup process in the eero app, which is almost identical to adding another satellite, except for the mounting section. In the box, you get all the gear you need to mount it to wood, vinyl and even stucco, though eero does offer professional installation through MasTec in the U.S. I won't get into all the nitty-gritty details, but you also have two options as to how you decide to power the eero Outdoor 7. While you can pay extra for an AC power adapter, if your home is wired for Ethernet, you don't have to. Instead, you can use Power over Ethernet (PoE) for the Outdoor 7, which can be especially useful if you're installing it somewhere that you don't already have an AC outlet. As my home isn't wired for Ethernet (maybe one day), I took the easy route and just plugged it into a nearby AC outlet where I also have my smart string lights installed. The optional AC adapter for the Outdoor 7 is just as strong and weatherproof as the device itself. That way, you don't have to worry about water accidentally seeping in at its base. The Outdoor 7 has an IP66 rating, and during its development, eero's engineers tested it to operate in temperatures as low as -40°F and as high as 131°F. It can easily stand up to the elements too, with protection from dust, rain and snow. So what's it been like having a full-fledged mesh router mounted on my back fence? Wonderful, to say the least, even though I've yet to fully push the Outdoor 7 to its limits. Last November, once my upgrade to fiber internet and Wi-Fi 7 was complete, I went outside and mounted the Outdoor 7 on a fence post in my backyard. To this day, I haven't had to mess with it yet, either in the eero app or physically out in my backyard. It just works and I've been really impressed with how "plug-and-play" such a complicated device like an outdoor mesh extender can be. It's worth noting, though, that while the Outdoor 7 is a Wi-Fi 7-powered device, it doesn't utilize the full potential of the latest wireless standard. This is because it uses dual-band Wi-Fi 7 instead of tri-band Wi-Fi 7 like the Max 7 mesh system in my home. Though you get access to both the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands, the Outdoor 7 doesn't support the faster 6 GHz one first introduced with Wi-Fi 6E. I have to admit, I was a bit disappointed by this at first. However, in practice, it hasn't made that much of a difference. When I'm out in the backyard, say for a family party or get-together, all of my devices have a strong signal, and there isn't a Wi-Fi dead zone in sight. We've even brought my projector outside and streamed movies via a Chromecast without any buffering or other issues, too. Before writing this story, I took the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE (admittedly a Wi-Fi 6E-powered device), which I borrowed from work to use with a pair of AR glasses on a plane, outside to do some speed tests. While I've been using Orb for most of my speed testing since it launched back in April, I decided to use Ookla's for this round of testing, as I'm sure that's what most people are familiar with. As you can see in the screenshots above, even though I was outside, I consistently saw download speeds of between 350 Mbps and 450 Mbps. Keep in mind, this was during peak hours, and I had a whole house full of connected devices slurping up bandwidth at the same time. I'm sure if I had turned a few off or used a Wi-Fi 7-equipped phone like the iPhone 16 or the Galaxy S25, these numbers might have been even higher. Still, I was pretty pleased with the results of the dozen or so speed tests I ran back to back for this story. I don't get to do it as often as I like, due to the heat here in Texas, but I've even gone outside and streamed games from my PS5 Pro and Xbox Series X back inside from the eero Outdoor 7. Sure, the glare from the sun did make it somewhat hard to see, but there was no stuttering whatsoever, and gameplay was buttery smooth. In fact, one of the reasons I put together my ultimate remote play setup using a Lenovo Legion Tab 3 and a Razer Kishi Ultra mobile game controller was for this exact reason. Now, to truly push the Outdoor 7 to its limits, I'm considering setting up one of the best standing desks on my side porch and moving my home office outdoors. However, that's a story for another day once the weather finally cools here in Houston. For now, I'm quite pleased with how the Outdoor 7 has held up over seven months and the way in which it has completely eliminated Wi-Fi dead zones, both in my backyard and garage, as well as around the rest of my property. If you already have an eero-powered mesh network, then the Outdoor 7 is an easy recommendation due to just how seamless it is to add and integrate it with your other eero devices. However, if you don't, it's not your only option. Back at CES 2025 in January, I got to take a look at TP-Link's outdoor mesh extenders for its Deco mesh devices. Unlike eero, the company is launching two Wi-Fi 7-powered mesh extenders quite soon. The first is the Deco BE25-Outdoor, and like the Outdoor 7, it is a dual-band Wi-Fi 7 device. There's also the Deco BE65-Outdoor, and that will be a full-fledged Wi-Fi 7 mesh extender with support for the faster 6 GHz band in addition to the 2.4 and 5 GHz ones. One other key difference with TP-Link's upcoming outdoor mesh extenders is that they'll also feature two 2.5 Gbps Ethernet ports, which could be really useful if you have other wired outdoor devices you want to add to your home network. Now that eero has paved the way with the first outdoor mesh extender and TP-Link is bringing its own take on this tech to market soon, I expect other networking hardware makers will follow suit. This means that regardless of which mesh Wi-Fi system you have indoors, you'll be able to extend it out into your backyard. The days of poor internet connectivity and Wi-Fi dead zones are quickly becoming a thing of the past, especially now that your home network can extend well beyond your home. For instance, the Outdoor 7 has a range of 15,000 square feet, and you can also add multiple units for even greater range. After testing out an outdoor mesh extender for myself, I can't wait for this tech to become mainstream. That way, we can all have a strong wireless connection in the places where we previously had to rely on mobile data. For now, I'm off to see what else I can do besides streaming movies and playing games with Wi-Fi 7 out in my backyard.
Android Authority
6 days ago
- Business
- Android Authority
Need a top-tier router? Save $180 on the Amazon Eero Max 7 today
Looking to upgrade your home network? The Amazon eero Max 7 is on sale for Amazon Prime Day, offering a great deal on a high-performing mesh Wi-Fi system. You can grab it for just $419.99, down from its usual price of $599.99, which is a 30% discount and its lowest price ever. Amazon eero Max 7 for $419.99 (30% off) The Amazon eero Max 7 is a tri-band mesh Wi-Fi 7 router that offers impressive features for modern homes. It delivers wireless speeds up to 4.3 Gbps and wired speeds up to 9.4 Gbps. The coverage per unit is up to 2,500 square feet, making it suitable for large spaces. It can support over 200 connected devices, which is ideal if you have numerous smart devices and family members online at the same time. The eero Max 7 also features two 10-Gigabit and two 2.5-Gigabit Ethernet ports for versatile wired connections. This router integrates with popular smart home systems, supporting Matter, Zigbee, and functioning as a Thread Border Router. This makes it a great addition to a smart home setup. Management and setup are handled through the intuitive eero app, which makes it easy to get started. There is an optional eero Plus subscription available for those who want enhanced security features. These Prime Day deals are available exclusively to Amazon Prime subscribers. If you're not yet a member, consider signing up for a Prime membership. There's even a 30-day free trial available, which will give you access to these and other great deals.
Tom's Guide
07-07-2025
- Business
- Tom's Guide
Best Prime Day mesh Wi-Fi system deals: 11 mesh routers I'd grab now for whole-home connectivity
If you're tired of Wi-Fi dead zones as you move throughout your home, one of the best mesh Wi-Fi systems is exactly what you're looking for and thanks to Amazon Prime Day, you can save up to hundreds of dollars off our favorite models. There are already plenty of great mesh router deals available right now and more will likely be added throughout the week. So far, you can save $500 off the eero Max 7 or $150 off the TP-Link Deco BE63 and both of these mesh Wi-Fi systems come in a three-pack to ensure you'll have whole-home connectivity in even the largest houses. Likewise, by purchasing your own router, you won't have to pay monthly equipment rental fees to your Internet Service Provider, especially when you pair any of these mesh kits with one of the best cable modems. These are just the best deals I've seen so far and I'll be adding even more as Amazon's massive sales event continues. For now, here are the best Prime Day-worthy deals on mesh Wi-Fi systems and mesh routers that you won't want to miss. Upgrading to a Wi-Fi 7-powered mesh router doesn't have to cost a fortune, especially with this deal. The mesh Wi-Fi system comes in a two-pack and covers up to 5,800 square feet with support for over 120 connected devices. As we noted in our MSI Roamii BE Lite review, this deal gets you some of Wi-Fi 7's best features in a more affordable package with a 2.5 Gbps input port and built-in security software for free. Just keep in mind this is a dual-band Wi-Fi 7 mesh kit and not a tri-band one, so you won't get access to the faster 6GHz band. Before upgrading to Wi-Fi 7, I used this Wi-Fi 6E-powered mesh system for years without any issues. The TP-Link Deco XE75 Pro can cover up to 7,200 square feet in a three-pack and supports up to 200 connected devices. You can use any of the three units as your main router too. When we reviewed the standard TP-Link Deco XE75 we praised its value for money but with this deal, you're getting the more powerful version that comes with a 2.5 Gbps (instead of a gigabit) input port which is ideal for multi-gig internet plans. If small and discrete is what you're after, look no further than Amazon's puck-shaped eero Pro 6E mesh kit. This Wi-Fi 6E-powered mesh Wi-Fi system covers up to 6,000 square feet and supports more than 100 connected devices at the same time. In our eero Pro 6E review, we loved how easy this mesh router is to set up and we really appreciated the fact that it has a smart home hub built-in. Tired of paying for extra security software? Well with this and other mesh Wi-Fi systems from Asus, you don't have to. This Wi-Fi 6E-powered mesh kit comes with Asus' AiProtection Pro, can cover up 7,500 square feet and there are plenty of ports around back for those with a lot of wired devices. In our Asus ZenWiFi ET8 review, we praised its rich feature set and more affordable price which is even lower than when we first looked at it thanks to this deal. Who says gamers can't benefit from whole-home connectivity? This Wi-Fi 6-powered mesh kit has long been one of the best gaming routers in our opinion and it can cover up to 5,800 square feet while packing in some very useful gaming features. In our Asus ROG Rapture GT6 review, we were really impressed with this mesh router's design and its built-in RGB lighting. Even with its flashy looks though, it delivers great performance and packs in plenty of ports for all your wired devices. For those that want the benefits of a mesh network and the power of Wi-Fi 7, this mesh kit from TP-Link certainly delivers. It can cover up to 7,600 square feet while supporting over 200 connected devices with a 2.5 Gbps input port and even USB ports on the back of each unit. In our TP-Link Deco BE63 review, we loved how the company managed to incorporate some of the best features of its more expensive Deco BE85 mesh kit in a much more affordable package. For those with a large home who want excellent performance, this mesh router certainly delivers. The Netgear Orbi 770 is a Wi-Fi 7-powered mesh kit that can cover up to 8,000 square feet with support for more than 100 devices. It's packed with multi-gig ports too and you get four 2.5Gbps ones on the main unit. In our Netgear Orbi 770 review, we were very impressed with its performance, particularly at mid-range distances where other mesh Wi-Fi systems tend to fall short. If you like what Asus is doing with the ET8 but want the power of Wi-Fi 7, this is the mesh kit for you. This Wi-Fi 7-powered mesh system covers up to 8,850 square feet, comes with multiple 2.5 Gbps ports and you also get Asus' built-in AiProtection Pro security software for free. One neat thing with this mesh router is that you can connect your phone to its USB port in hotspot mode to keep all your devices connected in the event of an internet outage. Not only is this mesh Wi-Fi system blazing fast but it's also incredibly simple to set up. The eero Max 7 is a Wi-Fi 7-powered mesh kit that can cover up 7,500 square feet and supports up to a whopping 750+ connected devices. It also works as a smart home hub with Thread, Matter and Zigbee support built-in. In our eero Max 7 review, we called it the simplest Wi-Fi 7 mesh system to set up and for good reason thanks to eero's excellent yet intuitive app. Unlike one of the best Wi-Fi routers, mesh routers or a mesh Wi-Fi system as they're also referred to are comprised of multiple devices you place throughout your home. This way, even as you move from room to room, your smartphone, tablet or laptop doesn't disconnect. Instead, your internet connection starts at the main unit which serves as your router and then gets handed off to the satellites you have set up in other rooms. If you live in a small home or apartment, a two-pack might be all you need. However, if you live in a larger home or one with a unique layout, then a three-pack might be the better choice. It's worth noting that you can always buy another satellite later on if you find that your current setup doesn't offer the coverage you need. So if you get a two-pack now and still have some Wi-Fi dead zones, you can just add another satellite later for additional coverage. One big difference between traditional routers and mesh routers involves the number of free Ethernet ports you have around back. Most traditional routers have four Ethernet ports while some mesh ones might only have two. Depending on the number of wired devices you plan on connecting, you might want to consider a mesh Wi-Fi system with more ports. However, you can always buy a network switch to easily add more ports to your mesh router. The other thing you want to take into account is which Wi-Fi standard will best suit your needs. Wi-Fi 6 devices are typically less expensive but you don't get access to the faster 6GHz band, just the standard 2.4 and 5GHz. Meanwhile, with Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 devices, these mesh kits will likely feature a tri-band design (2.4, 5 and 6GHz). However, be aware that some less expensive Wi-Fi 7 routers might only offer a dual-band (2.4 and 5GHz) design. So if you want access to the faster 6GHz band for the fastest downloads possible, pay close attention to the specifications. For more on all things Wi-Fi, check out our guides on Wi-Fi 6 vs Wi-Fi 6E, Wi-Fi 6 vs Wi-Fi 7 and if you're on the fence about upgrading to a mesh router, take a look at our roundup of the best Wi-Fi extenders as one of these devices might be able to solve your connectivity issues without the need to upgrade to a brand new router.
Tom's Guide
17-05-2025
- Tom's Guide
I built the ultimate remote play setup with Wi-Fi 7 to say goodbye to stuttery gameplay for good — here's how
The promise of being able to play your console or PC games smoothly from anywhere in your home on your phone or tablet seems almost too good to be true. And unfortunately, for most people it actually is. Getting an identical experience to what you'd see on your TV or monitor with remote play is next to impossible unless all the pieces fit perfectly in place. From your home internet connection to your router to the way you have everything connected and even the device you plan on playing remotely on, there are countless variables that can make or break your remote play experience. I remember how excited I was to try out remote play back when I first got one of the best phone controllers, as I could almost instantly transform my smartphone into a game console. While native games worked great I couldn't say the same thing about remote play. I'd miss the timing of a jump or an attack due to lag. Or when things were working somewhat well, my phone would disconnect from my console or my PC and immediately take me out of the action. Both remote play and my home network have come a long way since then. However, to get the remote play experience I've always dreamed of, I knew I still had to make a few changes. Keep in mind, though, these changes didn't happen overnight. Instead, they're the culmination of several different upgrades and a few new devices that I've picked up recently to finally achieve this. Here's how I completely leveled up my remote play experience along with everything you need to know about the devices and apps I used to make it happen. Back when I first gave remote play a try, I was using a router from my internet service provider and a sub-gigabit internet connection in my old apartment. When I moved into my house, though, one of the best Wi-Fi routers was one of the first purchases I made to break free from my ISP. As it turns out, a single router wasn't enough for the remote play experience I wanted. To finally rid my home of Wi-Fi dead zones, I went all in and upgraded to one of the best mesh Wi-Fi systems with Wi-Fi 6E. This fixed a lot of my overall connectivity problems, but I still wasn't quite ready for stutter-free remote play. At that time, my cable internet was limited to just over a gigabit down while upgrading to one my ISP's multi-gig plans cost an arm and a leg. (In fact, they still do.) As I was in the process of upgrading to Wi-Fi 7 to try out the latest wireless standard for myself, I decided to ditch cable internet for good in favor of something much much faster. I had always imagined that one day I'd upgrade to Google Fiber as soon as it became available in my area. That day never came, but a local fiber provider had wired our whole neighborhood for even faster internet a few years ago. To fully utilize the eero Max 7 mesh system I was testing, I knew I'd need much faster internet speeds, so I gave that fiber provider a call. After a bit of back and forth on the phone, they sent a team out to connect my home to the main fiber line on our street and we were in business. Suddenly, I went from gigabit internet to multi-gig internet with a full 10 gigabit connection without any data caps or other restrictions to worry about. I now had a lot more bandwidth to work with but I still needed some Wi-Fi 7-equipped devices to take full advantage of these faster speeds. Fortunately, I saw a tablet that caught my attention at CES 2025, and it turned out to be the perfect fit for a better remote play experience. But more on that in a bit. With a faster fiber connection coming into my home and a three-piece eero Max 7 mesh kit set up throughout my house, my download speeds saw a major increase. In this photo for instance, I was able to get more than 2 gigabits per second (Gbps) down over Wi-Fi with plenty of other devices connected to my home network. After laying the perfect foundation for a better remote play experience, it was time to pick out the devices that would make it as comfortable as possible, starting with the controller. If you've ever used a smaller mobile game controller, then you know how playing with one for hours can lead to your hands cramping up. For the best remote play experience, I needed a controller that was comfortable to hold for long hours along with extra remappable buttons so that I could give my thumbs a rest from time to time. At CES, I also got a chance to try out Razer's new PC Remote Play platform. Like Steam Link, Moonlight or other similar services, it aims to provide a better and smoother overall experience when streaming games from one of the best gaming PCs to your phone or tablet. The demo definitely impressed me, but it was also my first time going hands-on with the Razer Kishi Ultra. Unlike the original Razer Kishi controller or the upgraded Kishi V2, the Kishi Ultra takes things up a notch with its full-sized form factor. From its face buttons to its thumbsticks, all of its parts are the same size as the ones you'd find on one of the best PC game controllers. And of course, you get that signature touch of RGB lighting Razer is known for. The thing that intrigued me most about the Razer Kishi Ultra is that instead of stopping at just over 6.5-inches like other mobile game controllers, it can extend all the way up to 8.3-inches. This means that you're not limited to only using your smartphone with remote play; you can use one of the best tablets as well, given it has the right dimensions. Razer Kishi Ultra: $149 @ Best BuyIf you like playing games on your phone or even a smaller tablet like the iPad mini 7, but prefer the feel of a full-sized Xbox controller, then the Razer Kishi Ultra is your best bet. In addition to larger thumbsticks, it also has mecha-tactile face buttons, Hall Effect Triggers, a pair of programmable buttons on top and Razer's Chroma RGB lighting on the check: $149 @ Amazon Given that Razer went as far as to feature it on the Razer Kishi Ultra's box, I decided that I too had to test out this super-sized mobile game controller with the iPad mini. Even though I'm a long-time Android user, I spent two weeks trying out one of the best iPads and I can easily say, the iPad mini 7 is a fantastic device. It's easy to pick up and use, and I was really impressed by just how long the iPad's battery lasted in standby mode. However, it wasn't quite perfect for my ultimate remote play setup for two reasons. First off, the iPad mini 7 ships with Wi-Fi 6E and not Wi-Fi 7. For the purpose of this project, I wanted access to all of the new features that come with the latest wireless standard including multi-link operation (MLO) which lets you use multiple Wi-Fi bands (2.4, 5 and 6 GHz) simultaneously. Likewise, due to the tablet's narrower 3:2 aspect ratio, you get larger black bars at the top and bottom of its screen when playing games remotely. Remember that tablet that completely won me over at CES? Well, when I learned it was just the right size for the Razer Kishi Ultra, I ordered one immediately, especially as I knew it shipped with Wi-Fi 7 on board. To my surprise, the Lenovo Legion Tab 3 came with everything I needed right in the box. Not only did I get a 68W fast charger and a USB cable, but Lenovo also threw in a glass screen protector and a folio case with a detachable magnetic cover. It's also well-suited for playing games on its own as it is a gaming tablet after all. Even though its successor has just been announced, I'm still really happy with all of the features Lenovo has managed to cram into this tablet. From its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor to the fact that it ships with 12GB of LPDDR5X, this thing is a power house for everyday use and even with a 6,550 mAh battery, you're still going to be able to play remotely for hours on end without having to charge it. Another thing I really like about the Tab 3 is that it comes with dual USB-C ports, one on the right side and one on the middle in portrait mode. This lets you connect a controller like the Razer Kishi Ultra and still have another port free for direct charging or even for hooking up a pair of wired USB-C headphones. With an 8.8-inch 2.5K display, you get a bit more screen space than you do with the iPad mini, and the Tab 3's 16:10 aspect ratio means that the black bars while playing remotely are even smaller. If you have a fast PC and are using Razer's PC Remote Play, you can also take advantage of the Tab 3's faster 165Hz refresh rate as opposed to the standard 60Hz refresh rate on the iPad mini. Now that I had the network, the controller and the tablet I wanted, it was time to get the devices set up that would power my improved remote play experience. This gaming tablet features an 8.8-inch, 165Hz display with a Snapdragon Gen 3 processor, 12GB of RAM, 256GB of storage and Wi-Fi 7 support. It also comes with a folio case, a glass screen protector and a 68W fast charger in the box. If you want one of the best gaming laptops or a gaming PC with Wi-Fi 7 support, you won't have to look that hard these days. Now with consoles, it's a different story altogether. Back when Microsoft and Sony were designing the Xbox Series X and the PS5, neither the Wi-Fi 7 nor the Wi-Fi 6E wireless standards were finalized. To Sony's credit, it released the original PS5 with Wi-Fi 6 support while Microsoft only included Wi-Fi 5 support on the Series X. A mid-gen refresh would have really helped the Xbox's Wi-Fi prowess but Microsoft decided to forgo one altogether. Sony went all in on power and connectivity with the PS5 Pro though, which is the first and only console to ship with Wi-Fi 7. (Side note: the upcoming Switch 2 isn't getting Wi-Fi 7 support and will be Wi-Fi 6 only.) In order to take my console remote play to the next level, Sony kindly sent over a PS5 Pro for me to test out. It's a huge upgrade over my old PS4 Pro and thanks to my ultimate remote play setup, I've been able to catch up on all the best PS5 games I've missed out on so far this console generation like Spider-Man 2 and Astrobot. On the PC side, I'm using the AtomMan G7 Ti which features a Nvidia RTX 4070 laptop GPU, 32GB of DDR5 RAM, a Core i9 processor and of course, Wi-Fi 7 support. You might be wondering why I'm not using a big gaming desktop. Well, as I test and review the best mini PCs, I always have a few on hand for projects like this one. Now that I had the devices powering my ultimate remote play setup on the backend, it was time to put it to the test. PS5 Pro: $699 @ AmazonThe PS5 Pro is the most powerful PlayStation ever. Unlike the PS5, the Pro system is readily available from multiple vendors like Amazon. Despite its steep $699 asking price, it's worth it if you're a die-hard PlayStation user. As a father with a 3-year-old, I don't get to play games nearly as much as I used to, and I rarely get a chance to plop down on the couch and play on my TV. With this setup, faster internet and a mesh router covering my whole home with a strong connection, I can now play games from anywhere in my house. The Legion Tab 3's larger 8.8-inch screen means I don't have to squint looking at a phone when playing remotely and the full-size thumbsticks, face buttons and remappable buttons on the top of the Razer Kishi Ultra prevent my hands from cramping up after longer gaming sessions. One thing that always drew me to remote play was the possibility of playing games in my bed on the other side of my house and with this setup, that's now possible. I've mainly been playing through Spider-Man 2 after finally beating Metaphor ReFantazio, and its action packed gameplay is a nice change after a 100-hour-long Atlus RPG. I'm a big fan of Mario and platformers in general, so I've also had a lot of fun playing Astrobot after finishing Astro's Playroom to get better acquainted with Sony's new DualSense controller. I also picked up a PlayStation Portal to try out with the PS5 Pro, and while I like how its controls are identical to the DualSense — it too has a large 8-inch screen — it's a Wi-Fi 5 device as opposed to a Wi-Fi 7 one. To get the Razer Kishi Ultra working with the PS5 Pro and my Xbox Series X I'm using Stream Game Dev's PXPlay and XBXPlay apps, respectively. That's because the PS Remote Play app limits you to using an official PlayStation controller or a licensed one like the Backbone One, while Xbox recently decided to take remote play out of its app and make you use a browser instead. They're both fantastic apps that I highly recommend. On PC, I did try Valve's Steam Link app but even with a faster and more reliable Wi-Fi 7 connection, I experienced stutters and some streaming issues. Thankfully, Razer's PC Remote Play app is based on the open-source PC streaming software Moonlight. As such, it gives you the perfect mix of low latency gameplay and high-quality streaming. Another thing that I really like about PC Remote Play is that instead of using the resolution of my gaming monitor, it can take full advantage of the device you're playing on. In my case with the Tab 3, I'm able to make full use of its 8.8-inch screen with no black bars whatsoever and its 165Hz refresh rate with compatible games. You do have to start streaming from your PC first using Razer's Synapse app but if you know you're going to be playing remotely, you can set this up before walking away from your PC. In addition to playing from my bed or the couch on either console or PC, I was also able to play for a bit outside in my back yard from the comfort of The Foldable Gaming Chair. My Wi-Fi 7-powered mesh network did extend beyond my home's walls a bit after I got everything all set up. However, when I added the eero Outdoor 7 mesh extender to the mix, I got an even stronger signal outdoors as it has a max range of 15,000 square feet. One thing to keep in mind with the eero Outdoor 7 is that it's a dual-band Wi-Fi 7 device instead of a tri-band one. Due to this, you don't get access to the faster 6GHz band found in the best Wi-Fi 7 routers. If you have a real need for speed, though, and you want to be able to remote play and stream video content as fast as possible, you're going to want to keep an eye out for TP-Link's upcoming Deco BE65-Outdoor mesh extender. Unlike the eero Outdoor 7, it will be a tri-band device. This tri-bad Wi-Fi 7 mesh kit comes in a two-pack or a three-pack and each unit can support more than 250 connected devices while covering up to 2,500 square feet with a strong Wi-Fi signal. In terms of ports, you get two 10 Gigabit Ethernet ports and two 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet ports. In our eero Max 7 review, we loved all the extra smart home features and how it can serve as a smart home hub for your other connected devices. This bundle throws in an eero Outdoor 7 so you can have Wi-Fi 7 out in your backyard too. It took a couple of months of planning, a few key upgrades and I did have to call in a few additional devices from Razer and Sony. But my ultimate remote play setup is now complete and I couldn't be happier. As someone who works from one of the best standing desks for hours on end each day, I don't necessarily want to be tied to a desk when I do get to kick back and play some games at the end of the day or during the weekend. Taking over the TV isn't an option either since my son or my wife get first dibs on the largest screen in our home. I know you might be thinking that one of the best handheld gaming consoles might have been a better and certainly less expensive option. You're not wrong on the second point, but the whole idea behind this setup was to give me a more convenient way to play my console games from anywhere in my home. As for portability, the Razer Kishi Ultra, while very comfortable, isn't the easiest controller to take with you due to its larger size. You also don't get a carrying case with it, though there are third-party cases available online. At the end of the day, my favorite thing about my ultimate remote play setup is that it's completely modular. If the controller breaks, I can swap it out with a new one and if I want to try out a different tablet, I can do that too. At $149, the Razer Kishi Ultra is definitely on the expensive side. However, there are some cheaper alternatives like the GameSir G8 Plus ($79, Amazon), which will also work with tablets, not just phones. How you want to play your games is completely up to you, but if you're looking to finally have a reliable remote play experience, you might just want to follow in my footsteps. As for me, I'm off to get a bit more remote play gaming in before I leave for Computex in Taiwan. And don't worry, I have another mobile game controller story planned for that trip, too.
Scotsman
12-05-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Carnival Internet UK launches, promising better broadband that gives back
First broadband company to reward customer loyalty with a unique discount that grows over time Sign up to our Scotsman Money newsletter, covering all you need to know to help manage your money. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Carnival Internet UK, a new broadband provider, has launched in the UK, aiming to disrupt the telecoms industry with a focus on fairness, sustainability, and cutting-edge technology. Promising ultra-reliable, full-fibre broadband without hidden fees, or mid-contract, annual price increases, Carnival Internet UK also pledges to reward customer loyalty in unique ways, contribute to environmental efforts, and do its bit to help tackle digital poverty across the country. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The service guarantees that all customers, new or existing, pay the same rate for the same package, with a choice of two different routers and speed options ranging from 100Mbps to 900Mbps speeds at the initial launch. This breaks from the long-standing telecoms practice known as 'loyalty tax,' where long-term customers end up paying significantly more than new ones for exactly the same service. Carnival Internet UK Designed for busy families and professionals, Carnival Internet UK delivers consistent, high-speed connections using eero's mesh Wi-Fi routers that incorporate TrueMesh, TrueRoam and TrueChannel. Carnival's 'Max' plans, include eero's fastest, most powerful router yet that supports the latest Wi-Fi 7 standard – the eero Max 7. Customers will also benefit from eero Plus for advanced, inbuilt security features as standard, including content filtering, malware and ad blocking, and internet scheduling tools to ensure a safer and more controlled online experience, keeping families safer online. The company offers the now-industry standard One Touch Switching process and provides a hassle-free setup to remove the common pain points often associated with switching providers. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We believe the broadband industry has long neglected its responsibility to loyal customers and the planet,' said Olly Sedden, Director of Product, Commercial and Marketing at Dotlines UK, the company behind Carnival Internet UK. 'Carnival Internet's launch comes at a time when the industry is under scrutiny for rising prices and poor service. By combining sustainability, fairness, and high-performance technology, we hope to lead by example and reshape how broadband providers operate in the UK. Our goal is to build a happy customer community by delivering brilliant, highly automated, and effortless customer experiences - putting people and the planet first.' Carnival Internet UK pledges to plant one tree or kelp plant for every month a customer stays with them, with a target of planting one million in its first five years. Partnering with Carma, a specialist in sustainable biodiversity and reforestation projects, the company will ensure every contribution is trackable through its online dashboard, ensuring full transparency and a clear stand against greenwashing. In addition, 1% of all customer bills will be donated to UK charities working to combat digital poverty.
