We test every router we review to measure their performance and range, in addition to hands-on use to evaluate their setup process and the quality of their settings and features. It's fair enough to have a limited UI on a small LCD screen, but when your mobile admin app forces you to use the web for complex tasks it's clear that there are too many tools. In addition to massively improved speeds and handling of multiple devices, the Orbi also works with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa for seamless voice control throughout the house. Of the many Wi-Fi 6 routers on the market, a few stand out as the most promising, offering better performance, better prices and more functionality. The RBKE963 can cover up to 9,000 square feet; add a third satellite and you can go to 12,000 square feet. Speed: Wi-Fi 6 is good for high-speed connections as the newer standard offers higher throughput than the previous 802.11ac standard. Add this to the slick design and highly customizable configuration options, and the Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 becomes one of the best routers we've ever reviewed, and possibly the fastest. First, what speed do you need for your internet use and devices? With its tri-band design and Wi-Fi 6 performance, the Asus ZenWiFi AX comes through with the ability to fill a moderate-sized home with wireless data. It may not be the fastest mesh kit, but the ZenWiFi AXs two-year warranty and built-in security can give a family network administrator the peace of mind that the data will get through. Capable of covering 1,700 square feet, it's perfect for apartments and smaller homes, but the Linksys MR7350 also has a trick up its sleeve. If you want the best Wi-Fi 6 router for the whole household, the Asus RT-AX86U is it. Excellent throughput and range at the 5GHz band, lots of features (including full VPN)?plus a cool name?all make the Nighthawk one of the best routers we've seen from Netgear in a while, despite a few annoyances. With an AXE11000 rating, the tri-band device more than lives up to the hype by delivering nearly 2.5 Gbps of real-world data. Netgear's Nighthawk M5 5G WiFi 6 Mobile Router is an attempt to update the MiFi form factor for modern demands. It's installed near the router, close to the main windows. I purchased the ASUS ZenWifi AX system, based in no small part to past good experience with other ASUS products and the great reviews of this product. 
Read our full TP-Link Archer AX6000 review. The faster standard and whole-home coverage of Orbi's mesh networking combine with the easy setup and stellar performance that the Orbi name is known for. ZDNet's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. After reading this, I bought a Netgear RAX4 Wifi 6 router. Read our full Linksys Atlas Max 6E review. It also protects, with WPA3 encryption and a lifetime subscription to TP-Link HomeCare security and antivirus included with the set. The Nighthawk M5 measures 105mm (4.14in.) (Learn more in our article What is a mesh Wi-Fi router, and do you need one?). However, you do get premium performance to go with it. The Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) puts Wi-Fi 6 mesh networking into an easy-to-use package that's excellent for all sorts of mid-range homes. Neither ZDNet nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews.
Our favorite cheap Wi-FI 6 router is the Linksys MR7350, which proves that the capabilities and features of Wi-Fi 6 aren't limited to high-priced units. Most new laptops, desktops, smartphones and tablets now include Wi-Fi 6 while a few even support Wi-Fi 6e which makes a Wi-Fi 6 router the best way to futureproof your home network. 
The Archer AX6000 is powered by a 1.8GHz quad-core processor, making it more than capable enough for the dozens of devices you likely have in your home. Read our full Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) review. Netgear offers trial subscriptions to its Armor security software, which includes Bitdefender antivirus, and parental controls. 5G arrives: Understanding what it means for you, Smart home: Six tech upgrades to make your house even smarter, The best 5G home internet: Your broadband options. Coverage: The other question is coverage area or how far and wide your Wi-Fi signal will travel. It's also great for slightly larger homes, with a range of 105 feet, easily covering that extra room that other routers can't quite reach. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Still though, a solid Wi-Fi 6 standalone router can be had for under $150 and a mesh system can be found for under $300. 2022 ZDNET, A RED VENTURES COMPANY. The Linksys Velop AX4200 mesh kit offers tri-band Wi-Fi 6 that can cover a large home in Wi-Fi signal without the higher prices of many Wi-Fi 6 mesh systems. I've been using the Nighthawk M5 for failover connectivity in a small/home office network, connecting it to the Ethernet WAN port on a Draytek broadband router. The Eero Pro 6 combines tri-band Wi-Fi 6 networking with a mesh setup that's quicker and easier than pretty much any mesh system we've reviewed, making it the best way to get great performance throughout your home without much hassle. Nvidia GeForce RTX 3090 release date, price, specs, restocks and more, The best external hard drives for PS4 and Xbox One in 2022, Hurry! I have seen reports from users that the TP-Link routers require a $5/month subscription to access their features. Although the complicated jargon can be confusing, there are really only two significant questions that need to be answered. But if you can afford to pay for this mesh system, you won't mind. We also test performance through walls and ceilings to determine how well a router can provide a signal when dealing with Wi-Fi dampening conditions which are common to many buildings and homes. Like so many commenters on the manufacturer's product page, I experienced constant problems with the router: not all of my family members could connect in the first place, and then the router would drop all connections 1-3 times a day. The Netgear Nighthawk XR1000 is a Wi-Fi 6 router designed for gaming. To help you keep up with all of the latest products, weve rounded up the best Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6e routers and mesh systems you can buy right now. While performance is good, it is limited by being indoors. While Wi-Fi 6 products are still notably more expensive than older standards, there are a handful of budget-friendly options out there and even a few with Wi-Fi 6e. More complex tasks, like managing the build DHCP server and changing device IP ranges, need the web-based admin tool or the Netgear Mobile app, which is available for both Android and iOS. But there's still a place for portable cellular connectivity, especially in a world of hybrid work where the option of being online anywhere has great value. 
The small size makes it easy to fit onto a shelf or desk, but the streamlined design does leave little room for ports with only a WAN port, four LAN ports and two USB 3.0 connectors, the rear panel of the Linksys Max Stream MR9600 is uncluttered, but we wish it offered the two-line aggregation seen on many competing Wi-Fi 6 models. Blazing-fast combined WiFi speeds up to 6Gbps and AX optimized 64bit 2.2GHz quad-core processor powers smart home applications, ultra-smooth 4K UHD streaming, online gaming, and more. Though many Wi-Fi 6 products cost $300 or more, there are options in both standalone and mesh devices with more affordable prices. The router will then connect to your cellular provider, displaying the signal strength and how much data has been used. Netgear's NightHawk Pro Gaming XR700 is a powerful, feature-packed, and expensive tri-band router designed for gamers. Every Orbi extension that we've loved in the past works with the new Wi-Fi 6 models as well, whether it's the outdoor extensions or the Orbi Voice that has a built-in smart speaker. This approach has the added advantage of letting you use the Nighthawk M5 as a travel router, sharing one Wi-Fi connection between multiple devices. Weve thoroughly tested and reviewed dozens of Wi-Fi 6 routers along with several Wi-Fi 6e ones. It's important to note that this isn't a budget device. TP-Link gives you all the tools you need in the accompanying Deco app, which lets you set up your network quickly and control the individual features of the network with illustrated, easy-to-navigate menus. Each unit has 12 antennas and four Ethernet ports (one rated at 2.5 Gbps), and the system creates channels on the 2.5, 5 and 6-Ghz bands, plus a fourth 5-Ghz one for backhaul between units. MiFi-style wireless routers have fallen out of fashion, thanks to smartphones with good data plans and coffee shops with free Wi-Fi. But the real draw of the Asus RT-AX86U is the performance, which approaches the the magical 1-Gbps mark to provide speedy and effortless connectivity for all of your devices. The Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 was the first Wi-Fi 6e router to hit the market, and the results are mind-blowing. Linksys Max-Stream Mesh Router (MR7350). But the Eero Pro 6 does it's best when it lets you set it and forget it, giving you speedy Wi-Fi 6 without the hassles. Our expert industry analysis and practical solutions help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology. 'ZDNet Recommends': What exactly does it mean? Easily the fastest mesh-router system on the planet, Netgear's Orbi RBKE963 is also the most expensive. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services were assessing. You'll be prompted to set up a network SSID and password, as well as adding an admin password for the device's web-based admin tool. Heres why you can trust us. With an entire dashboard of customization tools, you can optimize the router's performance in a dizzying number of ways, from CPU usage monitoring to stats that identify what apps and devices are using the most data and connection tools that let you adjust connections by ping rates and location. Just make sure you're using a separate IP address range from the host Wi-Fi network. The XR1000's high-throughput, low-latency design is packed with customization options and built-in security, providing protection against hackers along with superb Wi-Fi 6 performance. The Netgear Nighthawk X6S R8000P is a multi-band router that offers a wealth of management settings and solid throughput, but its file-transfer performance could be betterespecially for the price. If you want mesh capability and Wi-Fi 6, the TP-Link Deco X20 is the best budget option for covering larger homes with better speed and capability than any older 802.11ac system can match. Gaming: One other consideration is gaming. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). Read our full Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 review. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. We also like the fact that it comes with a three-year warranty and lifetime support, which blows away the competition. x 4.14in. A basic standalone router will usually be sufficient for an apartment or smaller home with ranges of 50 to 100 feet being common. With the battery removed, the Nighthawk M5 behaves much like any other Wi-Fi access point, with some additional features that make it a useful option for small offices and for edge computing. Read our full Netgear Nighthawk XR1000 review. The last thing you want is to have your gaming session slowed down or even interrupted by your network connection. It was a disaster. VAT) in the UK, or $699.99 in the US. But that streamlined router still delivers solid performance and Wi-Fi 6 speeds, all for a very affordable price. Please refresh the page and try again. Put in a SIM, make sure the battery is charged and turn on the router. Selling in a 3-pack of matching units, the Deco X20 covers up to 5,800 square feet, and can manage up to 150 separate connected devices. This is a big omission from your review. thick. By By adding access to a slew of new data-delivering channels in the 6-GHz spectrum, the tri-band Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 takes the lead as the first high-performance Wi-Fi 6e router. PCMag, PCMag.com and PC Magazine are among the federally registered trademarks of Ziff Davis and may not be used by third parties without explicit permission. One of the fastest wireless router we've tested to date, Netgear's N600 is fit for technically inclined consumers or small business. While the standard is backwards compatible and should work with every older Wi-Fi-connected device you own, some of the features, like improved battery life for connected devices, will only work when both your router and your connected devices have Wi-Fi 6 capability. x 0.85in. Read our full Netgear Orbi WiFi 6E (RBKE963) review. Higher throughput will serve you better in data-heavy use cases like streaming video, gaming or connecting multiple devices at once. Based in Houston, Texas, when hes not writing Anthony can be found tinkering with PCs and game consoles, managing cables and upgrading his smart home. We did find you needed to make a relatively firm press on the keys, so take your time if you don't want to have to reset the device after an inadvertent typo! PCMag Digital Group. (And don't forget the somewhat cheaper Netgear Orbi RBK752.). Paired with an unlimited data plan it's a good alternative to fixed-line broadband, with the added option of being portable. The Netgear Nighthawk X6 AC3200 Tri-Band WiFi Router makes an impressive debut, proving the tri-band concept by deftly handling multiple wireless devices on a single network. Netgear's big beefy dual-band router delivers the fastest throughput we've seen on the 2.4 GHz band, which many of your consumer electronics devices probably use. Inexpensive, small and easy to set up, TP-Links Deco X20 mesh networking kit is a cheap thrill that can help fill a home with Wi-Fi 6 data while protecting a familys identities with an extra layer of online security. The bottom pops off easily, allowing you to remove the battery and swap out SIMs as needed. It has a 2.4-inch LCD touch screen, a power button, a USB-C port and an RJ-45 Ethernet port. The Netgear Nighthawk AX12 12-Stream Wi-Fi 6 Router (RAX120) is a powerful, if expensive, router that uses the latest 802.11ax technology to deliver fast throughput and file-transfer speeds. Now that Wi-Fi 6 has gone from an experimental new technology to the new standard on all of the latest laptops and smartphones, theres never been a better time to upgrade. A simple black box with an LCD touch screen on the top, the Nighthawk M5 has two ports: RJ-45 Ethernet and a dual-purpose USB-C connector for tethering laptops and powering the router.