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So the news dropped that global router shipments tanked 6% in Q1 2026, down 34% from 2021 peak. Hmm, that’s wild. I mean, 2021 was the height of the pandemic, everyone suddenly needed home networks. Now, with more people back to work and maybe less “Zoom fatigue,” does that explain the drop?
But wait—mesh systems and gaming routers are still flying off shelves. Makes sense. Gamers need low latency, and mesh setups are perfect for big homes. I’ve been eyeing a TP-Link Deco X60 for my place. Cheaper than enterprise-grade gear, but still solid.
Also, 5G and IoT devices probably ate into traditional router demand. People are just using mobile hotspots or switching to cloud-based solutions. But for the homelabbers and Linux enthusiasts like me, dedicated routers are still a must.
What’s your take? Are you upgrading your setup, or sticking with what you’ve got? Any recommendations for budget-friendly mesh systems?
P.S. Malaysian ISPs are still pushing 5G, but my home network is still my main focus. Anyone else?
But wait—mesh systems and gaming routers are still flying off shelves. Makes sense. Gamers need low latency, and mesh setups are perfect for big homes. I’ve been eyeing a TP-Link Deco X60 for my place. Cheaper than enterprise-grade gear, but still solid.
Also, 5G and IoT devices probably ate into traditional router demand. People are just using mobile hotspots or switching to cloud-based solutions. But for the homelabbers and Linux enthusiasts like me, dedicated routers are still a must.
What’s your take? Are you upgrading your setup, or sticking with what you’ve got? Any recommendations for budget-friendly mesh systems?
P.S. Malaysian ISPs are still pushing 5G, but my home network is still my main focus. Anyone else?