The best Wi-Fi 6 routers of 2022
The best Wi-Fi 6 routers of 2022
Included in this guide:
The all-time Wi-Fi 6 routers offering fantastic data-transfer speeds, strong signals and best-in-class device management, whether they are standalone units or mesh-networking kits.
With performance that leaves the older Wi-Fi five/802.11ac standard in the grit, Wi-Fi 6 (aka 802.11ax) provides significant upgrades for all of the devices in your home. Information technology even means better battery life for mobile devices and connected habitation gadgets, thanks to more efficient connectedness management.
The latest enhancement to the new protocol is Wi-Fi 6e, which adds the 6-GHz spectrum equally a third band, opening up a traffic-free data highway for dramatically faster speeds and truly unbeaten operation.
Nosotros've just seen several new Wi-Fi 6 and 6e routers unveiled at CES, including one whose antennas move to focus signals more efficiently, so be sure to read our roundup of the all-time home Wi-Fi routers of CES 2022.
Want to improve your home network and become something to supplant an old wireless Air conditioning router? As Wi-Fi 6 has gone from draft engineering to the accustomed standard on mainstream devices such as laptops and smartphones, in that location's no better time to upgrade. We've tested and reviewed dozens of Wi-Fi 6 routers and several Wi-Fi 6e ones also, and we've highlighted the all-time here.
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To assistance yous keep upwards with all of the new products, we've rounded up some of the best Wi-Fi half-dozen and Wi-Fi 6e routers and mesh systems you can buy. We've selected from among the peak-selling, acme-performing, and near innovative products available.
Here we highlight routers made for homes pocket-size and large, for gaming and media streaming, and both standalone units and expandable mesh systems.
What are the best Wi-Fi 6 routers?
Of the many Wi-Fi half-dozen routers on the marketplace, a few stand out as the most promising, offer better performance, better prices and more functionality.
The best Wi-Fi six router overall is the Asus RT-AX86U, a Wi-Fi 6 powerhouse that will leave you lot satisfied whether you need connectivity for a house total of gadgets or gaming performance that rivals dedicated gaming routers.
For unbeatable performance, the easily down leader is the Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500, which uses the new Wi-Fi 6e standard to offer incredible speeds of nearly 2.5 Gbps. You'll pay a lot for that functioning, but if yous desire the undisputed performance champ, this is information technology.
The Netgear Orbi WiFi 6E (RBK963) is the best mesh system to get the newest standard, combining the well-loved Orbi's ease of use with even better operation. When nosotros tested information technology, we were seriously impressed with the performance it offered — and seriously shocked by its high price. For a less expensive option that uses regular Wi-Fi 6, there's likewise the cheaper Netgear Orbi WiFi half-dozen (RBK852) farther down the listing.
CES 2022 has unveiled several new Wi-Fi vi and 6e routers and mesh systems; we'll have reviews up every bit presently as we can write them.
The all-time Wi-Fi 6 routers right at present
The Asus RT-AX86U is a Wi-Fi 6 powerhouse that delivers great speeds and killer gaming features, equally well every bit crawly customization options, all for under $300. With high-terminate operation and lifetime protection against intrusions and malware, information technology's also a neat option for securing your entire dwelling network, providing long term protection without a subscription fee, and carrying a two-year warranty.
But the real draw of the Asus RT-AX86U is the performance, which approaches the the magical ane-Gbps marker to provide speedy and effortless connectivity for all of your devices.
With fantabulous range and great performance — even through walls and between floors — the RT-AX86U is equal parts full general-apply router and elite gaming router, and the drove of features and ports it offers are a steal compared to some of the top-performing gaming gear.
It even gets a nod as the runner upwards for best Wi-Fi router in the most recent Tom's Guide Awards. If you want the all-time Wi-Fi 6 router for the whole household, the Asus RT-AX86U is information technology.
Read our total Asus RT-AX86U review .
The Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 was the outset Wi-Fi 6e router to hit the market, and the results are mind-blowing. By calculation a 6-GHz ring to the already impressive capabilities of Wi-Fi 6, the Nighthawk RAXE500 delivers category-leading functioning.
With an AXE11000 rating, the tri-band device more than lives up to the hype by delivering near 2.five Gbps of real-world data. 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.
By adding access to a slew of new data-delivering channels in the vi-GHz spectrum, the tri-band Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 takes the lead every bit the outset high-performance Wi-Fi 6e router. It's the sort of performance that earned it the Tom's Guide Honour for best Wi-Fi router, fifty-fifty if information technology's not a great fit for anybody. While it'south best at close quarters and is quite expensive, the RAXE500 is worth every penny if you have the demand for speed.
Read our full Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 review .
Easily the fastest mesh-router arrangement on the planet, Netgear'southward Orbi RBKE963 is also the most expensive. But if you have coin to burn, a gigabit broadband connection and an enormous firm, this is the mesh organisation for y'all.
The RBKE963 tin cover upwards to 9,000 foursquare feet; add a third satellite and you can go to 12,000 square feet. At a distance of 15 feet, the router's 6-Ghz channel delivered throughput of more than than a gigabit, the commencement mesh router to practice so in our tests.
Each unit has 12 antennas and iv Ethernet ports (ane rated at ii.v Gbps), and the system creates channels on the two.5, 5 and six-Ghz bands, plus a fourth 5-Ghz one for backhaul between units.
Netgear offers trial subscriptions to its Armor security software, which includes Bitdefender antivirus, and parental controls. You'll also accept to pay for tech support later on 90 days.
But if you can afford to pay for this mesh organisation, you won't mind. If non, the Wi-Fi 6-based Orbi RBK852 farther down this page makes for a worthy culling.
Read our full Netgear Orbi WiFi 6E (RBKE963) review .
The Netgear Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR1000 is a powerful gaming router with Wi-Fi 6 speeds that goes above and across other gaming routers with first-class speeds and superlative-shelf gaming enhancements.
The XR1000's high-throughput, depression-latency design is packed with customization options and congenital-in security, providing protection against hackers along with superb Wi-Fi half dozen operation. 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. If your current router isn't keeping up with your gaming abilities, the XR1000 is one of the all-time gaming routers we've always seen.
With an unabridged dashboard of customization tools, you can optimize the router's performance in a dizzying number of ways, from CPU usage monitoring to stats that place what apps and devices are using the near information and connectedness tools that let you suit connections past ping rates and location.
Read our full Netgear Nighthawk XR1000 review .
The Eero Pro 6 combines tri-ring Wi-Fi vi networking with a mesh setup that's quicker and easier than pretty much whatever mesh arrangement we've reviewed, making it the best way to go smashing performance throughout your home without much hassle. With a single unit of measurement roofing 2,000 square feet with reasonably fast Wi-Fi, the three-pack Eero Pro 6 will blanket upward to 6,000 square feet with ease — and we set up the 3-piece system in about 11 minutes.
It may not have the highest throughput, but the Eero Pro 6 mesh kit does well at mid-range distances where others peter out, is quick to set up up and automatically adjusts just about everything.
If yous desire granular customization, then tools like ring steering, local DNS caching and home automation tools, it's got those, too. But the Eero Pro half-dozen does it's all-time when it lets y'all gear up information technology and forget information technology, giving yous speedy Wi-Fi 6 without the hassles.
Read our total Eero Pro 6 review .
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With the Netgear Nighthawk AX8 (RAX80) Wi-Fi 6 router, superlative performance and enhanced security go hand-in-hand, combining throughput that smashes through the gigabit-per-second barrier with malware protection and Disney's Circle app for blocking inappropriate content and managing family unit network use. And with fantabulous performance through walls and floors, the Nighthawk AX8 volition work just as well in the real world every bit in the lab.
It may be expensive — almost Wi-Fi six routers are — but the RAX80 offers easy setup and lets you configure the router exactly the way you want it. It's also got a xc-foot range, simply delivers better performance at distances of 50 feet, making it amend suited to medium-sized homes. Past almost any measure, the Netgear Nighthawk AX8 (RAX80) is a great Wi-Fi-6 router to get if y'all don't desire to compromise on speed and rubber.
Read our full Netgear Nighthawk AX8 (RAX80) review .
Inexpensive, minor and easy to set, TP-Link's Deco X20 mesh networking kit is a cheap thrill that can aid fill a home with Wi-Fi half-dozen data while protecting a family's identities with an actress layer of online security.
If you want mesh capability and Wi-Fi vi, the TP-Link Deco X20 is the all-time budget choice for roofing larger homes with better speed and adequacy than whatever older 802.11ac system tin can match. It even earned the runner up for best mesh router in our Tom'south Guide Awards. Selling in a 3-pack of matching units, the Deco X20 covers up to 5,800 foursquare feet, and can manage up to 150 separate connected devices.
With dual-ring connectivity and two gigabit wired connections on each node, the Deco X20 offers keen coverage and connectivity with easy setup and direction. TP-Link gives you all the tools you need in the accompanying Deco app, which lets y'all gear up your network quickly and control the individual features of the network with illustrated, like shooting fish in a barrel-to-navigate menus. It also protects, with WPA3 encryption and a lifetime subscription to TP-Link HomeCare security and antivirus included with the prepare.
Read our full TP-Link Deco X20 review .
The Netgear Orbi RBK852 updates a long-time leader in mesh Wi-Fi with the speed and adequacy of Wi-Fi 6. The faster standard and whole-home coverage of Orbi'south mesh networking combine with the piece of cake setup and stellar operation that the Orbi name is known for.
With tri-band coverage that can handle 5,000 square feet with only a ii-pack consisting of a base unit of measurement and satellite extension, the Wi-Fi 6 Netgear Orbi looks like information technology's i of the best mesh systems withal.
In addition to massively improved speeds and handling of multiple devices, the Orbi also works with Google Banana and Amazon Alexa for seamless phonation control throughout the business firm. Every Orbi extension that we've loved in the past works with the new Wi-Fi 6 models equally well, whether information technology'due south the outdoor extensions or the Orbi Voice that has a built-in smart speaker. (And don't forget the somewhat cheaper Netgear Orbi RBK752.)
Read our full Netgear Orbi WiFi 6 (RBK852) review .
The Linksys Velop AX4200 mesh kit offers tri-band Wi-Fi vi that can comprehend a large home in Wi-Fi signal without the higher prices of many Wi-Fi 6 mesh systems.
With decent throughput and keen range — the three-pack nosotros reviewed can fill an 8,000 square feet, and is hands expanded with additional units — this affordable mesh organization offers unproblematic configuration tools and a generous three-year warranty. It as well has USB connectivity, a small impact but ane that some users will hugely appreciate. That was enough to get information technology named the all-time mesh router in our Tom'southward Guide Awards.
Just it'southward non the fastest mesh kit on the block, lagging backside more expensive competitors and offering none of the actress security and customization options you'd become from other manufacturers. That said, the three-pack Linksys Velop AX4200 is one of the best bargains in mesh networking at the moment, offer a relatively cheap style to prepare upwards a wide-ranging Wi-Fi network in a big firm.
Read our full Linksys Velop AX4200 review .
The Linksys Max Stream MR9600 is a dual-ring Wi-Fi 6 router that is among the smallest and to the lowest degree obtrusive Wi-Fi half dozen models yous tin buy.
The minor size makes it like shooting fish in a barrel to fit onto a shelf or desk, but the streamlined design does leave petty room for ports — with only a WAN port, four LAN ports and two USB three.0 connectors, the rear panel of the Linksys Max Stream MR9600 is uncluttered, but we wish information technology offered the two-line aggregation seen on many competing Wi-Fi 6 models.
Able to work either every bit a standalone router or to create a mesh network by linking it with other Linksys networking gear, the MR9600 offers the choice of a single unit for smaller homes and apartments, or being incorporated into a mesh setup with other Linksys networking devices, giving you the unique power to expand coverage for larger homes.
Read our total Linksys Max Stream MR9600 review .
For a standalone router with Wi-Fi half-dozen capability, the TP-Link Archer AX6000 is the all-time pick for optimal connectivity. The dual-band router promises corking speeds and the eight high-gain antennas offer some of the best wireless coverage this side of a mesh Wi-Fi arrangement.
Only for pure connectivity, the Archer AX6000 as well has something nearly other routers practice non — a wealth of ports and wired connections. A 2.5Gbps WAN port will work with even the fastest internet connections while a total of eight Ethernet ports give you connectivity for a huge number of wired devices. On the side of the router, you'll also find both USB 3.0 Type-A and Type-C connectors, giving you speedy connectivity for other peripherals such every bit NAS and abode-media servers.
The Archer AX6000 is powered by a 1.8GHz quad-core processor, making it more than capable enough for the dozens of devices you probable have in your home. TP-Link protects them all with a free lifetime subscription to HomeCare, which includes parental controls and threat blocking for the unabridged network.
Read our full TP-Link Archer AX6000 review .
When information technology comes to Wi-Fi 6 routers that we've tested and reviewed, the Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 stands out as one of the best, delivering excellent performance and packaging that expanded capability aslope gaming-oriented features that volition delight both the gamers and non-gamers in your house.
The GT-AX11000 has a larger design, bristling with eight swiveling antennas. But inside that larger footprint, the router offers enough of connectivity, with four downstream Gigabit LAN ports, a single 2.5G Base T Ethernet connection, and two USB 3.0 ports.
Wireless capability is even better, with performance that actually improved at longer distances, super depression latency and massive 10.8Gbps of maximum throughput. Combine all of this with customization tools and gaming optimizations, and it's still i of the all-time gaming devices we've seen in the new breed of Wi-Fi half dozen routers.
Read our full Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 review .
The Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) puts Wi-Fi half dozen mesh networking into an easy-to-use package that'due south excellent for all sorts of mid-range homes. With its tri-band blueprint and Wi-Fi 6 operation, the Asus ZenWiFi AX comes through with the ability to fill a moderate-sized home with wireless information. It may non be the fastest mesh kit, but the ZenWiFi AX's two-year warranty and built-in security can give a family network "administrator" the peace of mind that the information will become through.
The sleek-looking design isn't festooned with antennas, nor is it blinking with an assortment of lights. Instead, the ZenWiFi keeps things sedate with a design that could be used as a bookend on a shelf and a size that makes competing mesh systems wait downright beefy.
If you already take an Asus router at abode, chances are pretty proficient that you can add together it to the ZenWiFi'southward mesh network for even more than coverage expanse, making it a great manner to expand the coverage without giving upward current hardware that you love.
Read our full Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) review .
Our favorite cheap Wi-FI half-dozen router is the Linksys MR7350, which proves that the capabilities and features of Wi-Fi 6 aren't limited to loftier-priced units.
The unproblematic-looking router is a stripped downwardly model, sporting two uncomplicated antennas instead of the spider-similar antenna arrays of other routers, and it drops niceties similar built-in security and port aggregation. But that streamlined router all the same delivers solid functioning and Wi-Fi half dozen speeds, all for a very affordable price.
Capable of covering 1,700 square feet, it'south perfect for apartments and smaller homes, but the Linksys MR7350 too has a trick up its sleeve. The router can piece of work with other contempo Linksys products to create a mesh network from scratch.
While it'southward a far weep from the speed-demon performance of more premium Wi-Fi vi routers, it's a great bones model that provides Wi-Fi 6 adequacy for much, much less. If you've been waiting to upgrade from an older Wireless-N or AC router, this is a great low-toll option to get.
Read our full Linksys MR7350 review .
With Wi-Fi half-dozen speeds and mesh capability built right in, the Netgear AX1800 Mesh Extender (EAX20) was already a contender for the best Wi-Fi extender y'all can become.
While not anybody will exist excited about its large desktop blueprint — there's no hiding this extender behind the couch or in the corner — and a toll that'due south more than expensive than some routers, the proof is in the operation. And male child, does the Netgear EAX20 deliver, with category-leading speeds and an awesome 95-human foot range.
The Netgear EAX20 does ane matter and does it well: it extends networks that are faster and have a longer range than the competition. Throw in a handful of customization options, and add a layer of online security to aid protect your home network, and it's not hard to say that this admittedly pricey extender is worth every penny.
Read our full Netgear AX1800 Mesh Extender (EAX20) review .
How to choose the best Wi-Fi six router for you
Choosing the best Wi-Fi half dozen router isn't terribly different from shopping for whatever other networking product. While complicated jargon can be confusing, there are really only two meaning questions that need to be answered.
First, what speed do you need for your internet utilize and devices? 2nd, what sort of coverage do you demand for your home?
Speed: Wi-Fi half-dozen is good for loftier-speed connections, since the newer standard offers much higher throughput than the previous 802.11ac standard. It'due south especially well-suited to gigabit-speed cyberspace plans, which may be available in your area.
However, even average broadband speeds will do good from Wi-Fi 6, as the standard offers better efficiency for sharing your bandwidth among many devices.
Compatibility: Similarly, you'll get the most out of Wi-Fi half-dozen by using Wi-Fi 6-equipped devices, from laptops to smartphones. While the new standard is backwards compatible — it should work with every older Wi-Fi-continued device you already ain — some of the features, similar improved battery life for connected devices, will only work when both the router and the continued device have Wi-Fi six adequacy.
Near new laptops, desktops, smartphones and tablets at present have Wi-Fi six capabilities, and a few even support Wi-Fi 6e, making a Wi-Fi 6 router the best way to futureproof your home network.
Coverage: The other question is coverage area, or how far and wide your Wi-Fi signal will travel. A basic standalone router is usually sufficient for an apartment or smaller home, with ranges of 50 to 100 anxiety being mutual.
Larger homes, commonly those with iii,000 foursquare feet of infinite or more, would benefit from a mesh system, which pairs a base unit with satellite extensions that tin be placed throughout the house.
These extension units stretch the achieve of your Wi-Fi indicate to cover even the largest of homes, and tin be expanded as needed with additional units. (Learn more in our article What is a mesh Wi-Fi router, and practise you demand one?)
Gaming: I other consideration is gaming. The last thing you want is to be slowed down or interrupted past your network connection in the middle of a team raid or battle royale.
Gaming routers offer all of the capabilities of a standard router, just are optimized specifically for gaming. They reduce interruptions, help eliminate lag time, and unremarkably offer advanced controls for customizing how data is used in your dwelling among different devices. (Cheque out the best gaming routers for more than details and our favorite models.)
Price: Finally, the biggest factor in many people'due south shopping decisions isn't capability or specific features, only price. While Wi-Fi 6 products are still notably more expensive than older standards, there are a handful of budget-friendly options available, and even a few with Wi-Fi 6e.
Though many Wi-Fi half-dozen products price for $300 or more than, there are options in both standalone and mesh devices with more affordable prices. While these do offer many of the benefits of Wi-Fi six, they will often do and then with more modest device handling and less impressive coverage. However, a solid Wi-Fi 6 standalone router can exist had for under $150, and a mesh arrangement tin exist establish for under $300.
Check out all of our home networking coverage:
Best Wi-Fi routers | Best mesh routers | Best gaming routers | All-time Wi-Fi extenders | Best powerline extenders | Best cable modems
- Guide: What cyberspace speed do I need?
- What is a mesh Wi-Fi router, and exercise you demand one?
- How to delete a Wi-Fi network on Android and iOS
Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/best-picks/best-wi-fi-6-routers
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