Expert Tested The 9 Best Wi Fi 6 Routers in 2022
Expert Tested: The 9 Best Wi-Fi 6 Routers in 2022 Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Best Products > Networking
What We Don't Like Bulky design Internal fan The Asus RT-AX89X is a Wi-Fi 6 router that pulls out all the stops for users with the very fastest broadband connections. Speedy AX6000 dual-band Wi-Fi is joined by eight high-performance beamforming antennas and a staggering array of high-performance wired ports to make sure that you can handle multi-gigabit plans and deliver top speeds throughout even the busiest homes. In fact, the RT-AX89X proves that when it comes to Wi-Fi 6, tri-band routers don’t inherently deliver better performance unless you have a huge number of 5GHz devices vying for bandwidth. Since the advanced MU-MIMO and OFDMA technologies that underpin Wi-Fi 6 already handle congested networks far better than Wi-Fi 5 routers do, you’ll find that dual-band routers are more than up to the challenge of handling busy networks, and our testing showed that the RT-AX89X can hold its own against Asus’ tri-band GT-AX11000 when it comes to delivering raw speed, even at extended ranges. What really sets the RT-AX89X apart, however, is its pair of 10Gbps Ethernet and SFP+ ports, delivering the fastest wired performance you’ll find in a home router. This not only allows you to take advantage of the fastest broadband available today—and beyond—but you can also use them for connecting a high-speed network attached storage (NAS) device, or even linking up another RT-AX89U elsewhere in your home for the ultimate in high-performance Wi-Fi 6 coverage using Asus’ AiMesh 2.0 technology. As if that’s not enough, you’ll also find eight Gigabit Ethernet ports around the edges, plus two 5Gbps USB 3.2 ports, and of course, it packs in all of Asus’ other great features like AiProtection Pro and a wealth of configuration options to keep even the most advanced power users happy. Wireless Spec: 802.11ax Security: AiProtection Pro, WPA3, 802.1x, Guest Wi-Fi Secure Access Standard/Speed: AX6000 Bands: Dual-band MU-MIMO: Yes Beamforming: Yes Wired Ports: 11
Do Wi-Fi 6 routers offer better range? Yes. Wi-Fi 6 routers don’t necessarily offer more power output than their older 802.11ac Wi-Fi 5 counterparts, but they do take advantage of newer technologies that help maintain faster speeds at greater distances. This means that you won’t necessarily get better range overall, but you will almost certainly get a more consistently fast signal at the outer reaches, which is what a good long-range router is all about.
How do I know if my devices are ready for Wi-Fi 6? The best way to do this is simply to check the manufacturer’s specifications for your device to see if they list either “Wi-Fi 6” or “802.11ax” for their wireless capabilities. However, most popular consumer electronics companies have embraced the standard, and if you’ve bought a new iPhone, Samsung smartphone, iPad, or MacBook in the past year or so, chances are good that it already has Wi-Fi 6 built in. Don’t worry if you still have older devices, however, as all Wi-Fi 6 routers are fully compatible with the older 802.11ac Wi-Fi 5 and even the 802.11n Wi-Fi 4 standards.
The 9 Best Wi-Fi 6 Routers of 2022
Jump into the latest wireless technology with these top-notch Wi-Fi 6 routers
By Jesse Hollington Jesse Hollington Writer Jesse Hollington is a tech writer with 10+ years' experience. He has written for iLounge, Forbes, Yahoo, The Independent, and iDropNews, among others. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on June 5, 2021 Fact checked by Stephen Slaybaugh Fact checked by Stephen Slaybaugh New York University London Metropolitan University Stephen Slaybaugh is a fact checker and music writer with with more than 20 years experience writing about internet retail and consumer tech. He has been featured in Digital Trends, DealNews, and TechRadar. He is a content designer at Bose Corporation and is completing his Master of Arts in Digital Media. lifewire's fact checking process We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Tweet Share Email Networking The Ultimate Router Buying Guide It’s an exciting time for Wi-Fi technology, with the advent of the new 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 standard ushering in a whole new era of even faster and more powerful wireless routers. Now that the Wi-Fi 6 standard has become well-established, there’s almost no reason not to get one of the best Wi-Fi 6 routers if you’re in the market for an upgrade. These modern routers are capable of delivering even faster wireless speeds to compatible Wi-Fi 6 clients, along with the ability to handle even more devices on your home network. While Wi-Fi 6 is becoming the norm on most new smartphones, tablets, and laptops, you also don’t need to worry about compatibility problems with your older wireless devices. The best Wi-Fi 6 routers still fully support the more common 802.11ac Wi-Fi 5 standard, which means you can pick up a Wi-Fi 6 router now to make sure you’re ready for the latest iPhones, iPads, Macs, Samsung Galaxy smartphones, and leading-edge game consoles like Sony’s new PlayStation 5. The best Wi-Fi 6 routers are ideal for anybody who wants to make sure they stay ahead of the technology curve, but with prices getting more affordable, they should be a serious consideration for anybody in the market for a new router. The Rundown Best Overall: Asus RT-AX88U at Amazon Jump to Review Best Budget: TP-Link Archer AX10 at Amazon Jump to Review Best Performance: Asus RT-AX89X at Amazon Jump to Review Best Splurge: Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi 6 System at Amazon Jump to Review Best Mesh: Eero Pro 6 at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Gaming: Asus GT-AX11000 at Amazon Jump to Review Best Parental Controls: TP-Link Archer AX50 at Amazon Jump to Review Best Design: Netgear Nighthawk RAX120 at Amazon Jump to Review Best Value: Linksys Velop MX12600 at Amazon Jump to Review in this article Expand Our Picks About our Trusted Experts The Ultimate Wi-Fi 6 Router Buying Guide Why Buy a Wi-Fi 6 Router? Brands Manufacturers ConclusionBest Overall: Asus RT-AX88U AX6000 Dual-Band Wi-Fi 6 Router
4.7 Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Best Buy What We Like Excellent performance Feature-rich Eight Gigabit Ethernet ports What We Don't Like Web UI can be a bit intimidating Lacks multi-gig network ports Asus AX6000 RT-AX88U Router Review: A Smart Wi-Fi 6 Router With Great Features Asus’ RT-AX88U was one of the first Wi-Fi 6 routers on the market, and it remains our top pick for its perfect balance of price, performance, and versatility. It’s a router with big shoes to fill, since its predecessor, the highly-acclaimed RT-AC88U was one of the most well-rounded Wi-Fi 5 routers we’ve tested. The good news is that the RT-AX88U does an admirable job of bringing the technology of that already great router into the Wi-Fi 6 generation, packing in an almost identical design and all of the same core features with a whole new level of power under the hood. The AX6000 dual-band Wi-Fi offers more than ample performance for most families, with up to 4.8Gbps on the 5GHz band and 1.2Gbps on the 2.4GHz side. While you’ll need Wi-Fi 6 clients to take full advantage of these top speeds, it still handles older Wi-Fi 5 devices remarkably well, with its four beamforming antennas putting out enough power to cover a 5,000 square foot home. Beyond the raw Wi-Fi performance, you’ll also find a generous collection of eight Gigabit Ethernet ports around back, which can save you the need to pick up an extra network hub or switch if you have a lot of devices to connect. Like most of Asus’ other routers, it’s also no slouch when it comes to configurability and security features, and we particularly like the Asus had its AiProtection Pro suite ready to go on the RT-AX88U right out of the gate, rather than leaving users to wait for a later firmware update like many other companies did with their early Wi-Fi 6 routers. This makes us confident that Asus will keep the RT-AX88U ahead of the curve when it comes to delivering important security and feature updates. Wireless Spec: 802.11ax Security: AiProtection Pro, WPA3, 802.1x, Guest Wi-Fi Secure Access Standard/Speed: AX6000 Bands: Dual-band MU-MIMO: Yes Beamforming: Yes Wired Ports: 9 "I was able to stream high definition Netflix to two televisions on my network while someone else was gaming, and various other phones and tablets were in use without any stuttering or slowdown." — Jeremy Laukkonen, Product Tester The 9 Best Wireless Routers of 2022Best Budget: TP-Link Archer AX10 AX1500 Wi-Fi 6 Router
TP-Link View On Amazon View On Walmart View On B&H Photo Video What We Like Very affordable Wi-Fi 6 technology Great performance for the price What We Don't Like Lacks advanced parental control features No USB port TP-Link’s Archer AX10 completely dispels the myth you have to pay a lot to get a Wi-Fi 6 router, with an affordable price that offers incredible bang for the buck. While it doesn’t offer all the frills of more expensive Wi-Fi 6 routers—there are no USB ports at all, for instance—it does provide solid Wi-Fi 6 performance for a modest-sized home or apartment. While the AX1500 speed rating on the Archer AX10 is probably lower than you’re used to seeing on Wi-Fi 6 routers, that still means you’re getting a healthy 1.2Gbps of throughput on the 5GHz band, which is more than enough for 4K streaming and Zoom calls. On the downside, the 2.4GHz side is capped at a mere 300Mbps, but for most users these days that’s only needed for devices like low-bandwidth smart home accessories. On the 5GHz side, however, this is a router that punches surprisingly well above its weight class, with single-client speeds that rival TP-Link’s AX3000-equipped AX50, although of course it won’t be able to handle as many devices. Not surprisingly, a Wi-Fi 6 router at the price of the AX10 cuts a few corners, but we think TP-Link made the right calls here. For instance, the 2.4GHz band only supports the older 802.11n Wi-Fi 4 standard, but that’s a reasonable tradeoff since Wi-fi 6 offers no measurable performance benefit below 300Mbps anyway. You’re also not getting the TP-Link’s full HomeCare suite of security and parental control features, and while there is basic QoS support, it’s limited to prioritizing traffic only for specific client devices, rather than by application or traffic type. So, for instance, you can prioritize your smart TV or game console, but not streaming or gaming traffic in general. That said, it does include a surprising amount of other advanced options, including the ability to set it up as a VPN server, and tweak settings for Wi-Fi, port forwarding, and even Dynamic DNS. While there’s no USB port, it still includes the usual allotment of four Gigabit Ethernet ports, so finding room for your wired devices won’t be a problem either. Wireless Spec: 802.11ax Security: WPA3, Guest Wi-Fi Secure Access Standard/Speed: AX1500 Bands: Dual-band MU-MIMO: Yes Beamforming: Yes Wired Ports: 5Best Performance: Asus RT-AX89X 12-stream AX6000 Dual Band Wi-Fi 6 Router
Asus View On Amazon View On Walmart View On B&H Photo Video What We Like Dual 10Gbps Network Ports Unique Design Excellent Wi-Fi 6 performanceWhat We Don't Like Bulky design Internal fan The Asus RT-AX89X is a Wi-Fi 6 router that pulls out all the stops for users with the very fastest broadband connections. Speedy AX6000 dual-band Wi-Fi is joined by eight high-performance beamforming antennas and a staggering array of high-performance wired ports to make sure that you can handle multi-gigabit plans and deliver top speeds throughout even the busiest homes. In fact, the RT-AX89X proves that when it comes to Wi-Fi 6, tri-band routers don’t inherently deliver better performance unless you have a huge number of 5GHz devices vying for bandwidth. Since the advanced MU-MIMO and OFDMA technologies that underpin Wi-Fi 6 already handle congested networks far better than Wi-Fi 5 routers do, you’ll find that dual-band routers are more than up to the challenge of handling busy networks, and our testing showed that the RT-AX89X can hold its own against Asus’ tri-band GT-AX11000 when it comes to delivering raw speed, even at extended ranges. What really sets the RT-AX89X apart, however, is its pair of 10Gbps Ethernet and SFP+ ports, delivering the fastest wired performance you’ll find in a home router. This not only allows you to take advantage of the fastest broadband available today—and beyond—but you can also use them for connecting a high-speed network attached storage (NAS) device, or even linking up another RT-AX89U elsewhere in your home for the ultimate in high-performance Wi-Fi 6 coverage using Asus’ AiMesh 2.0 technology. As if that’s not enough, you’ll also find eight Gigabit Ethernet ports around the edges, plus two 5Gbps USB 3.2 ports, and of course, it packs in all of Asus’ other great features like AiProtection Pro and a wealth of configuration options to keep even the most advanced power users happy. Wireless Spec: 802.11ax Security: AiProtection Pro, WPA3, 802.1x, Guest Wi-Fi Secure Access Standard/Speed: AX6000 Bands: Dual-band MU-MIMO: Yes Beamforming: Yes Wired Ports: 11
Best Splurge: Netgear Orbi AX6000 Wi-Fi 6 Mesh System
4.7 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Best Buy What We Like Blazing fast performance Excellent coverage 2.5Gbps WAN port What We Don't Like Very expensive Lacks some advanced features No USB ports Orbi Whole Home Tri-Band Mesh Wi-Fi 6 System Review: Fast Internet Throughout Your House Netgear’s Orbi AX6000 is a mesh Wi-Fi 6 system that’s guaranteed to give you top speeds in even the largest homes, which isn’t surprising as it builds on the great power and features of the standard Netgear Orbi, which is already one of our top-rated mesh Wi-Fi network systems. While it doesn’t come cheap, the Orbi Tri-Band Mesh Wi-Fi 6 system dials just about everything from the original up to 11, with greater network capacity that can offer top speeds to even the busiest homes. Like the classic Orbi, the AX6000 version dedicates one of its 5GHz bands to act as a dedicated backhaul channel—in this case at faster 2.4Gbps speeds—to keep things moving fast between all of the satellite units. Unlike the Wi-Fi 5 version, however, the user-facing 5GHz band still offers the same 2.4Gbps of bandwidth, courtesy of the faster 802.11ax speeds. On top of that, higher-end Wi-Fi 6 clients can get speeds of up to 1.2Gbps on the 2.4GHz side. The result is more than enough bandwidth to handle 4k streaming, fast-paced gaming, and uninterrupted video calling from multiple devices throughout your home. The standard pair of units will easily cover homes of up to 5,000 square feet, and if you need more, you can add up to five more satellite units to handle even the most sprawling estates. You’ll also get four Gigabit Ethernet ports on each unit, with full speeds back to the main router for multiple wired devices, thanks to the dedicated 2.4Gbps backhaul channel. Plus, a 2.5Gbps WAN port on the main router has you ready to hook up to the fastest broadband connections. Unfortunately, if you’re coming from the original Orbi system, you may be disappointed by the lack of USB ports on this higher-end model, but the good news is that it maintains the same straightforward setup process, as the rest of the Orbi family. Wireless Spec: 802.11ax Security: NETGEAR Armor, WPA3, Guest Wi-Fi Secure Access Standard/Speed: AX6000 Bands: Tri-band MU-MIMO: Yes Beamforming: Yes Wired Ports: 4 (per unit) "The Orbi immediately impressed, notching a maximum download speed of 939 Mbps when measured at the router." — Jeremy Laukkonen, Product TesterBest Mesh: Eero Pro 6 Mesh Wi-Fi 6 System
Amazon View On Amazon View On Best Buy View On B&H Photo Video What We Like Extremely easy to set up Solid W-Fi performance Compact design What We Don't Like Security features require ongoing subscription No web interface Lacks advanced features As the name implies, the Eero Pro 6 is the encore to the acclaimed Eero Pro mesh wi-fi system. It adds Wi-Fi 6 capabilities while retaining the same features that made its predecessor so popular, particularly its intuitive mobile-driven software interface that makes setting up an Eero system a cinch—even for somebody with absolutely no networking experience. The built-in anti-malware and parental controls are also very intuitive, although it’s worth noting that like many other routers, they do require a small recurring subscription fee. However, thanks to its cloud-based management system, you can monitor and access all the settings from anywhere you happen to be. The Eero Pro 6 works along the same principles as the older Wi-Fi 5 version, with a single base station that acts as your primary router and one or more satellite units that you deploy around the home to blanket it with Wi-Fi; a trio of three units can handle up to 6,000 square feet, and you can add more as you need them to expand coverage even further. As a Wi-Fi 6 system, it offers tri-band AX4200 speeds, with the two 5GHz bands split between 2.4Gbps and 1.2Gbps, while the 2.4Gbps band can deliver 600mbps. In that regard, it’s similar to Linksys’ Velop AX4200 system, although it doesn’t deliver quite the same range. Unfortunately, the Eero Pro 6 does change up the roster a bit in terms of the expansion units. You can still add as many additional Eero Pro 6 units as you like, with tri-band Wi-Fi and dual Gigabit Ethernet ports on each. However, the plug-in Eero Beacons have been replaced by tabletop extenders that look almost identical to the main router, but lack the Ethernet ports. It’s an unfortunate change, as we quite liked the more discrete design of the Beacons, and they could even double as nightlights around the home. That said, you can still add the Beacons—or any other Wi-Fi 5 Eero devices—to your mesh system as well, although you’ll lose the benefits of Wi-Fi 6 technology in those areas of your home. Sadly, the Eero Pro 6 also remains one of the rare routers that omits support for the PPPoE protocol used by many ISPs, which could make it a non-starter for some homes. However, as long as your broadband connection doesn’t rely on PPPoE, the Eero Pro 6 offers a great way for beginners to get up and running quickly and easily, with a mesh Wi-Fi system that just works and can grow with your needs. Wireless Spec: 802.11ax Security: Eero Secure, WPA3 Standard/Speed: AX4200 Bands:Tri-band MU-MIMO: Yes Beamforming: Yes Wired Ports: 2 (per unit) The 9 Best Mesh Wi-Fi Network Systems of 2022Best for Gaming: Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 Wi-Fi 6 Router
4.6 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Best Buy What We Like Fast Tri-Band Wi-Fi 6 Expansive coverage Cutting-edge game optimization features What We Don't Like Large footprint Pricey Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 Router Review: Great Gaming Features and Blazing Fast Speeds Asus’ ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 is a gaming powerhouse, but don’t let the designation fool you, as it’s also a great high-performance router to handle the needs of any large and busy home, even if you don’t have a gamer in the family. Packing in a powerful quad-core CPU and tri-band 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 support, it can handle just about anything you can throw at it, from hardcore gaming to 4K and 8K streaming. Dual 5GHz bands deliver speeds of up to 4.8Gbps each, and the 1.2Gbps 2.4GHz band offers plenty of performance to go around for older devices and even more modern Wi-Fi 6 devices at greater distances from the main router. However, with its eight beamforming antennas, it’s actually pretty hard to stray out of its strong 5GHz coverage. There are also four Gigabit Ethernet ports, plus a special higher-speed 2.5Gbps gaming port and dual USB 3 ports, so you have lots of room to hardwire in your console, gaming PC, or external storage and NAS devices. While tri-band Wi-Fi 6 may be overkill for many homes, especially with new 802.11ax technology so much more adept at handling multiple devices, it can still be a great investment for the future. Since this is primarily a gaming router, the extra 5GHz band offers the extra edge that gamers need, letting you keep your gaming traffic in a low latency fast lane, away from all of your other Wi-Fi devices. However, the GT-AX11000 also makes a great anchor if you want to expand your network with other routers that use Asus’ AiMesh 2.0 technology, since the third band can be used as a wireless backhaul, similar to what Netgear’s Orbi does. In addition to premium Asus features like AiProtection Pro and a built-in VPN server, the GT-AX11000 is packed with a ton of other great gaming tools too. This includes the WTFast Gamers Private Network, adaptive QoS to prioritize gaming traffic, and VPN Fusion to protect your privacy without slowing down your games. Wireless Spec: 802.11ax Security: AiProtection Pro, WPA3, 802.1x, VPN Standard/Speed: AX11000 Bands:Tri-band MU-MIMO: Yes Beamforming: Yes Wired Ports: 6 "Even with multiple devices hitting it from every direction for high-bandwidth streams, it never failed to provide what was needed." — Jeremy Laukkonen, Product Tester The 9 Best Gaming Routers, Tested by LifewireBest Parental Controls: TP-Link Archer AX50 AX3000 Dual Band Gigabit Wi-Fi 6 Router
TP-Link View On Amazon View On Walmart View On B&H Photo Video What We Like Very affordable LAN port aggregation Advanced security and parental controls at no extra cost What We Don't Like Mobile app required to configure security features Sluggish NAS performance If you’re looking for a full-featured Wi-Fi 6 router at a really affordable price, TP-Link’s Archer AX50 makes a great choice. It’s a healthy upgrade to TP-Link’s really wallet-friendly Archer AX10 that adds the most important frills back in while delivering more than enough performance for a typical home. For one thing, the dual-band AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 gives you a solid 2.4Gbps 5GHz band accompanied by a more typical 600Mbps on the 2.4GHz side, with enough range to cover an apartment, condo, or modest-sized home. In addition to the raw specs, however, TP-Link has packed in a few nice surprises for a router in this price range, including 160MHz-wide channels for getting top single-client performance, plus a lifetime subscription to its HomeCare suite of security features, which offers malware protection powered by Trend Micro as well as some pretty sophisticated parental controls and QoS features—all without requiring a monthly subscription. This lets you create profiles for different family members to set time limits, keep your kids safe online, and make sure your most important devices get the bandwidth they need for streaming and gaming. While the usual array of four Gigabit Ethernet ports around the back aren’t a big surprise, one other trick the AX50 has up its sleeve is port aggregation, allowing you to combine two of the Ethernet ports to support a 2Gbps connection, either for a high-speed WAN link or just to get peak performance out of a network attached storage (NAS) device in your home. There’s also the USB 3.0 port that the budget AX10 lacks, allowing for file and printer sharing or network backups, and it even supports Apple’s Time Machine for Mac users. Wireless Spec: 802.11ax Security: HomeCare, WPA3 Standard/Speed: AX3000 Bands:Dual-band MU-MIMO: Yes Beamforming: Yes Wired Ports: 5 The 9 Best Parental Control Routers Tested by LifewireBest Design: Netgear Nighthawk RAX120 12-Stream AX6000 Wi-Fi 6 Router
4 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Best Buy What We Like Sleek design 5Gbps Ethernet port Supports link aggregation for multi-gigabit internet plans What We Don't Like Security features require ongoing subscription USB ports can't be used for printer sharing Netgear Nighthawk RAX120 Review: One Of The Fastest Routers Available If you want a high-performance Wi-Fi 6 router that also looks the part, then Netgear’s Nighthawk RAX120 won’t disappoint. A pair of sweeping hawk-like wings give it a sleek, futuristic, design—or as our reviewer put it, “like a cross between a spaceship and the Batmobile.” There’s more to these upright wings than just cool looks, however, since they also allow it to conceal eight high-performance beamforming antennas without leaving them protruding in all directions like some kind of high-tech spider. It’s a very clean design that could have you quite comfortable showing off the RAX120 on your credenza, rather than hiding it away in the basement. The streamlined edges also line up with its performance, since it’s an AX6000 router that can deliver the usual 4.8Gpbs on the 5GHz and 1.2Gbps for 2.4GHz devices, along with 8-stream MU-MIMO support to guarantee all your devices get their fair share of your internet bandwidth. While you’ll naturally get the best performance with Wi-Fi 6 clients, it’s no slouch at handling older 802.11ac Wi-Fi 5 devices either. Since it’s capable of combining two of its six Gigabit Ethernet ports into an aggregated link, the RAX120 is also ready to handle faster 2Gbps internet plans. One of those is also a special 2.5/5Gbps Ethernet port that can be used to connect a downstream hub, high-performance game console, or network attached storage (NAS) device for maximum wired throughput. Two USB 3.0 ports are included for directly connecting network storage, although you won’t be able to use them for printer sharing. The RAX120’s features are also now rounded out with support for Netgear’s Armor cybersecurity suite to keep your network safe from viruses and malware, although sadly, unlike the security features found on some of Asus’ and TP-Link’s routers, you’ll need to pay a recurring monthly fee to take advantage of it. Wireless Spec: 802.11ax Security: NETGEAR Armor, WPA3, Guest Wi-Fi Secure Access Standard/Speed: AX6000 Bands: Dual-band MU-MIMO: Yes Beamforming: Yes Wired Ports: 6 "The RAX120 had no problem managing my numerous smart devices, nor did I experience any lag or connectivity issues on streaming and gaming devices. I simultaneously ran a gaming computer, two Playstations, and two FireTVs without the connection missing a beat." — Erika Rawes, Product TesterBest Value: Linksys Velop AX4200 Tri-Band Mesh Wi-Fi 6 System (MX12600)
Linksys View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Best Buy What We Like Tri-band Wi-Fi 6 Great coverage Affordable Mesh Technology We We Don't Like Requires mobile app for initial mesh set up Not suitable for multi-gigabit broadband services Lacks some advanced features Linksys’ Velop MX12600 Mesh Wi-Fi system offers impressive range and performance at a surprisingly affordable price tag. For about the same price that you’ll pay for most competing mesh Wi-Fi systems with only two satellites, Linksys gives you three tri-band AX4200 mesh units, and while it doesn’t offer quite the same insanely fast performance as Orbi’s AX6000 mesh system, it delivers more than enough for most large homes at a price that’s considerably easier on the wallet. You’ll also find four Gigabit Ethernet ports and a USB 3.2 port around the back of each unit, so you have lots of space to plug in wired devices like PCs, smart TVs, or game consoles around your home. You can even hook up the three units in a wired mesh configuration, in which case you’ll have full tri-band Wi-Fi coverage throughout your entire home, since the dynamic backhaul channel won’t be needed. This differs from the Orbi mesh systems, where the second 5GHz band is always a dedicated backhaul channel, even in a wired setup. The USB port also lets you plug in external storage devices anywhere in your home, and it offers remarkably fast NAS performance. Sadly, the only really knock against the Velop system—and it could be a big one depending on your needs—is that it doesn’t provide anything special in regard to anti-malware or parental controls beyond very basic device time limits and manual URL filtering. To be clear, the Velop is an AX4200 system throughout—if you do the math you’ll see that the MX12600 designation just means that you get three units, but it’s a little misleading, as you’re not getting AX12600 speeds. What this Velop system does give you, however, is a pair of 5GHz bands at 2.4Gbps and 1.2Gbps, plus a single 600Mbps 2.4GHz band. Most importantly, however, all the bands are potentially usable by your Wi-Fi 6 clients, since Linksys has implemented a dynamic backhaul channel that’s determined based on network load. In practical use it works very well, and we had no problem making Zoom calls and streaming Netflix in 4K on multiple devices. Even better, the three units can easily handle homes of up to 8,100 square feet, meaning that this system delivers some of the best range-per-dollar of the Wi-Fi 6 routers that we looked at, without sacrificing performance. Wireless Spec: 802.11ax Security: WPA3, Guest Wi-Fi Secure Access Standard/Speed:AX4200 Bands: Tri-band MU-MIMO: Yes Beamforming: Yes Wired Ports: 4 (per unit) The 9 Best Long-Range Routers of 2022 Final Verdict Asus’s RT-AX88U checks all the right boxes for a versatile and affordable Wi-Fi 6 router that will meet the needs of most households. For a really affordable way to step into the world of Wi-Fi 6, however, TP-Link’s Archer AX10 is a no-frills router at a price that’s really hard to beat for the performance it offers.About our Trusted Experts
Jesse Hollington is a freelance writer with over 10 years of experience writing about technology and three decades of experience in information technology and networking. He's installed, tested, and configured just about every type and brand of router, firewall, wireless access point, and network extender in places ranging from single-family dwellings to office buildings. university campuses, and even coast-to-coast wide-area network (WAN) deployments. Jeremy Laukkonen is an experienced tech journalist with a background in automotive repair that has taught him the importance of breaking down complex technical subjects in understandable ways. He specializes in VPNs, antivirus, and home electronics, and manages his own automotive blog on the side. Erika Rawes is a freelance tech writer who has written for Digital Trends, USA Today, Cheatsheet.com, and more. When she's not busy reviewing the latest gadgets on the market, she can be found fishing, playing board games, or enjoying water sports. Erika has tested more than 50 consumer technology products, ranging from kitchen gadgets to cameras, thermostats, and more. FAQ Is it worth buying a Wi-Fi 6 router? The short answer is yes. With Wi-Fi 6 now mainstream, prices have dropped significantly enough that there’s almost no reason to not go with a Wi-Fi 6 router if you’re looking to upgrade. Modern wireless devices like recent iPhones, Samsung Galaxy smartphones, and even Sony’s PlayStation 5 already offer Wi-Fi 6 support by default, and it’s becoming standard on almost all new laptops, so you don’t have to do anything special to get Wi-Fi 6 compatible clients; you’re going to end up with Wi-Fi 6 devices as you upgrade your consumer electronics anyway, so you might as well get a router that’s ready for them.Do Wi-Fi 6 routers offer better range? Yes. Wi-Fi 6 routers don’t necessarily offer more power output than their older 802.11ac Wi-Fi 5 counterparts, but they do take advantage of newer technologies that help maintain faster speeds at greater distances. This means that you won’t necessarily get better range overall, but you will almost certainly get a more consistently fast signal at the outer reaches, which is what a good long-range router is all about.
How do I know if my devices are ready for Wi-Fi 6? The best way to do this is simply to check the manufacturer’s specifications for your device to see if they list either “Wi-Fi 6” or “802.11ax” for their wireless capabilities. However, most popular consumer electronics companies have embraced the standard, and if you’ve bought a new iPhone, Samsung smartphone, iPad, or MacBook in the past year or so, chances are good that it already has Wi-Fi 6 built in. Don’t worry if you still have older devices, however, as all Wi-Fi 6 routers are fully compatible with the older 802.11ac Wi-Fi 5 and even the 802.11n Wi-Fi 4 standards.