What are Multi-Gigabit Ports for Home Networking?
WiFi 7 technology has theoretical data rates close to 47Gbps. These incredible speeds can be bottlenecked by available ports on the router and modem. Routers that feature 10-gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) and other multi-gig ports help remove the final speed limit between your modem and your connected devices. A NETGEAR WiFi 7 router pulls service from the modem through a 10GbE WAN port, then pushes that full bandwidth back out over matching LAN ports to wired gear—gaming PCs, media servers, and next-gen consoles—while WiFi 7 delivers the same ultra-fast throughput wirelessly.

Multi-Gig Ethernet Speeds (Anything Above 1 Gbps)
- 2 Gbps Link Aggregation: Combines two 1 Gbps cables between modem and router; useful when native multi-gig ports aren’t available.
- 2.5 Gbps Multi-Gig Ethernet: Now common on high-end modems and WiFi 7 routers.
- 5 Gbps Multi-Gig Ethernet: Often found on prosumer and SMB switches.
- 10 Gbps Ethernet: Popular for LAN backbones, network-attached storage (NAS), high-speed switches and top WiFi 7 Routers.
The potential of WiFi 7 in your home is enormous. Whether you choose a single Nighthawk WiFi 7 router for concentrated performance or an Orbi WiFi 7 mesh system to blanket every room and property corner, those 10 Gb ports let you exploit every gig you pay your ISP for—resulting in smoother 4K/8K streaming, lower-latency gaming, and zero-lag smart-home connectivity.
Latest 10Gig Routers by NIGHTHAWK
Nighthawk WiFi 7 routers are built to a higher standard, offering exceptional WiFi with advanced security features, ground-breaking power and high-performance reliability.
Multi-Gig Router Port Types & CAT Cable Capacity
Routers use standard Ethernet Cables (CAT 5, CAT 6, CAT 7, etc.) with RJ45 End-connectors (They look similar wide telephone jacks, remember those?). The performance capability of each port is defined as it’s maximum port-speed. Most routers have 1x WAN port and one or more LAN ports. In most cases standard CAT 6 Cable can handle 10G speeds unless it’s a very long cable run.
Router Port Types:
- WAN Ports: Ethernet Port that connects between the Modem and the Router.
- LAN Ports: Ethernet Port that connects the Router to end devices such as PC’s & Laptops, SmartTV, Network Storage (NAS), Video game consoles, Ethernet Switches and more.

Meet the Powerhouses: The Best 10Gb Routers by NETGEAR
Remove all the bottlenecks in your home network with the fastest Ethernet speeds. WiFi 7, the latest WiFi standard, is the secret behind NETGEAR latest Routers with 10GbE and Multi-Gig port speeds. NETGEAR WiFi 7 routers are a huge leap forward for 8K streaming, remote work, cloud gaming, and smart home technologies requiring reliable wired or wireless internet connections.
Nighthawk RS700S – High-End 10Gb Standalone WiFi 7 Router
Unleashes WiFi 7 speeds up to 19Gbps for real-timing gaming, 4K/8K streaming, UHD video conferencing, and AR/VR entertainment.
Ports: 1x 10Gbps WAN, 1x 10Gbps LAN, 4x Standard 1Gbps LAN ports
Shop RS700S
RS600 – 10Gb Router Performance on a Budget
Unleashes blazing-fast WiFi 7 speeds up to 18 Gbps for gaming, smooth video streaming, and entertainment.
Ports: 1x 10Gbps WAN, 1x 10Gbps LAN, 3x Standard 1Gbps LAN ports
Shop RS600
The Multi-Gig Mesh Advantage: Orbi WiFi 7 Systems
Unlock even more capabilities when you upgrade to Orbi WiFi Mesh systems. Capable of powering every corner of your home with the most powerful WiFi 7 signals. Even cable of using Multi-Gig wired backhaul as an alternative to Wireless backhaul for even the most difficult WiFi deployment scenarios.
Orbi 970 Series – Unmatched Performance and Coverage
NETGEAR WiFi Mesh speeds up to 27Gbps Quad-Band WiFi 7. 10 Gig Ethernet ports on both the router & satellites for unparalleled performance in large homes and properties. Everyone can have their own cozy nook with a superfast and reliable WiFi connection.
Router Ports:1x 10Gbps WAN, 1x 10Gbps LAN, 4x Multi-Gig 2.5Gbps LAN
Satellite Ports:1x 10Gbps LAN, 2x Multi-Gig 2.5Gbps LAN
Shop Orbi 970 Series
Orbi 870 Series – Unmatched Performance and Coverage
Powerhouse WiFi 7 speeds up to 21 Gbps, including a 10 Gig Ethernet port for exceptional coverage from the front door to the back yard.
Router Ports:1x 10Gbps WAN, 4x Multi-Gig 2.5Gbps LAN
Satellite Ports:4x Multi-Gig 2.5Gbps LAN
Shop Orbi 870 Series
How to Choose the Right 10Gb Router
Apart from the superfast router speeds, you need a router that can connect concurrently with multiple devices. Consider a router or that can more cover the square footage of your home and property. With Tri-band and Quad-band capabilities the router should also be able to broadcast a strong and reliable signal for everyone in your home. NETGEAR WiFi 7 routers and mesh systems tick all the right boxes.
Standalone vs Mesh – What’s Best for You?
Top line NETGEAR Nighthawk Routers and NETGEAR Orbi WiFi Mesh Systems are hugely popular across the United States. NETGEAR routers include backward compatibility with older devices that lack WiFi 7 capacity. NETGEAR WiFi 7 is future-ready architecture for next generation WiFi networks.
- When to choose Nighthawk Routers: smaller spaces, focused speed needs, fewer walls.
- When to choose Orbi Mesh Systems: larger homes, more devices, whole-home seamless coverage.
Coverage, Speed, and Future Needs
It’s no secret that a fast ISP internet plan is required for high-quality 4K/8K streaming, gaming, and working from home. A WiFi 7 upgrade opens up new horizons for virtual reality, augmented reality, and AI for work and play. NETGEAR Orbi Mesh WiFi 7 Routers are among the best WiFi 7 routers for gaming, while NETGEAR WiFi 7 Mesh Systems are next-generation devices that can adapt and grow with your expanding smart home networks. 10 Gig performance, unbeatable wireless performance, plus convenient USB 3.0 ports for sharing files and streaming.
Are You Ready to Upgrade to a 10Gb Router?
While dual-band WiFi 5 sufficed several years ago, times have moved on. Device technology and router performance are evolving simultaneously, allowing users to tailor and personalize their NETGEAR 10Gb Router WiFi 7 system for a quantum leap into the future of networking. NETGEAR Orbi and NETGEAR Nighthawk lines serve different needs for home and office networks but are market leaders in every department.