The Best Wi-Fi 6E Routers of 2023

Replace, 01/10/2023: We’ve reviewed our suggestions and are assured these are nonetheless the perfect Wi-Fi 6E Routers you should buy.

What to Look For in a Wi-Fi 6E Router in 2023

Wi-Fi 6E is a comparatively new expertise, so there aren’t as many out there Wi-Fi 6E routers as there are Wi-Fi 6 routers. However even with this comparatively small pool of gadgets, there are some large variations to be seen. For instance, there’s a extensive variation within the prime velocity out there from these routers, with the quickest offering connection speeds as excessive as 4.8Gbps in optimum situations.

If you’re at present utilizing a Wi-Fi 5 or earlier router, an improve to a 6E router will provide you with a noticeable bump in community velocity. For anybody already utilizing Wi-Fi 6, the advantages of upgrading to Wi-Fi 6E are extra delicate. You’ll be able to anticipate a extra dependable connection, higher latency, and fewer interference from different community customers, however provided that the gadgets you’re utilizing to attach are able to accessing the 6GHz band.

The record of 6E-compatible gadgets is at present brief, however it’s more likely to get for much longer over the subsequent 12 months. A number of flagship telephones from Google and Samsung already help Wi-Fi 6E, and it’s rumored the next iPhone will also be Wi-Fi 6E compatible. There are a number of Wi-Fi adapters out there that may add 6E capabilities to your PC, however it might be some time earlier than something aside from the costliest laptops can hook up with it.

The 6GHz band that Wi-Fi 6E makes use of has a really extensive spectrum for bandwidth. Which means extra “house” for alerts from different gadgets and fewer likelihood of interference, subsequently offering you with a extra steady connection. On prime of that, there are at present far fewer gadgets utilizing the 6GHz frequency, so there may be additionally much less competing site visitors.

It’s value remembering that the 6GHz band is absolutely a further function, and any Wi-Fi 6E router may even work completely nicely with gadgets that use Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 5.

Protection can be an vital factor to take a look at. The 6GHz band makes use of a shorter wavelength than 5GHz, simply as 5GHz is shorter than 2.4GHz. This implies the sign doesn’t penetrate partitions and ceilings and has much less vary normally.

The precise protection vary will range, based mostly on the supplies your own home is constructed from, amongst different issues. The upper the protection promised, the extra doubtless you may be to have a very good connection in all areas of the home.

The capability of the Wide Area Network (WAN) port on the router may make an enormous distinction in the way it performs. The WAN port is the way you join the router to your Web supply, and the routers in our record have WAN ports that vary from 1Gbps to 10Gbps. In case you have multi-gigabyte Web, ensuring you select a router that may make full use of that by means of the WAN port means you gained’t have a velocity bottleneck.

As talked about above, Wi-Fi 6E has not but been closely adopted by system producers, so any features you get from a 6E router could also be restricted for now. However if you wish to improve from an older router to one thing that’s going to be future-proof, a Wi-Fi 6E router goes to serve you nicely.

RELATED: Should You Upgrade to Wi-Fi 6E?

For many individuals, the factor that makes one router higher than one other shall be a quicker wi-fi community velocity. All Wi-Fi 6E routers will provide you with the added stability and fewer interference the 6GHz band permits for, however not all of them can switch knowledge on the similar velocity.

The ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AXE11000 not solely excels when contemplating the velocity at 6GHz but in addition offers spectacular speeds on the two.4 and 5GHz bands. It’s a router constructed to deal with your entire fashionable community necessities resembling streaming TV and films, a number of connections, on-line gaming, and dealing remotely.

As you may anticipate from a router that features the Republic of Gamers branding, the GT-AXE11000 is not any shrinking violet in the case of appears to be like. It has a reasonably large footprint and makes its presence felt with the eight exterior antennas that stand proud round its edges. Add on the LED lighting, and it’s clear that this can be a router with a gaming aesthetic that was designed to be seen.

This router’s gaming credentials are additional enhanced by a number of options particular to enjoying on-line. These embody system prioritization, and the power to prioritize gaming site visitors when enjoying. These are good additions in case you are shopping for the router as a gamer, however non-gamers can merely ignore them and benefit from the excessive Wi-Fi speeds.

Whereas the gamer-focused design and options may not be for everybody, the speeds which it could possibly obtain are. The 11000 within the router’s identify refers to its potential velocity throughout the three bands of 11000Mbps, or 11Gbps to place it one other method. It’s secure to say that it is going to be capable of deal with most house web necessities.

The two.4GHz band can attain a most velocity of 1148Mbps, and each the 5GHz and the 6GHz band have a most velocity of 4804Mbps. That implies that even your older Wi-Fi 5 and 6 gadgets can get nice outcomes from their connection to the router, though they gained’t have the soundness good thing about the 6GHz band.

Protection is nice, though you shouldn’t anticipate to see these knowledge switch speeds everywhere in the home. The eight antennas assist to push the sign by means of partitions and ceilings, however if you’d like extra full protection your only option is a mesh router.

There may be loads of connectivity at your disposal, with 4 gigabyte LAN ports, a 2.5Gbps WAN/LAN port, and an additional 1Gbps WAN. There are additionally two USB 3.2 ports for connecting community gadgets resembling a network-attached storage (NAS) system.

The ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AXE11000 isn’t going to be for everybody, particularly those that need their router to mix in with the room relatively than stand out. However these unbelievable speeds are laborious to disregard, as are the gaming enhancements.

Finest Wi-Fi 6E Router Total

Amazon

$399.00
$479.99 Save 17%

If you happen to aren’t certain that you’re able to spend 5 hundred {dollars} to dip your toe into the world of Wi-Fi 6E however nonetheless need to expertise the brand new expertise, the Linksys Hydra Pro 6E might be the reply. This succesful, low-key, and easy-to-use 6GHz router may be picked up for round half the worth of most different Wi-Fi 6E routers, making it fairly laborious to disregard.

The Hydra Professional 6E guarantees protection of as much as 2700 sq. toes, which isn’t the perfect out there, however nonetheless a lot for the average-sized house. If you happen to want extra protection, the router is appropriate with the Linksys Velop mesh system and may be linked to a number of extender gadgets. These should be bought individually, however it’s good to have the choice.

The broader 6GHz band permits for a lot of extra gadgets to be linked at one time with out experiencing interference, and the Hydra Professional can deal with greater than 50 gadgets simply. Though different routers on our record can deal with extra concurrent connections, that’s fairly good for a router at this worth.

The utmost speeds at 2.4GHz and 5GHz are good at 600Mbps and 1200Mbps respectively. These speeds gained’t be breaking any information, however they’re in step with different mid-range Wi-Fi 6E routers, and must be greater than sufficient for common family use.

The utmost achievable velocity at 6GHz is a powerful 4800Mbps. That’s really akin to our top pick, the GT-AXE11000, in contrast to the two.4 and 5GHz speeds, the place our prime choose blows the MR7500 out of the water. It’s unlikely that you’ll expertise these most speeds except you’re sitting instantly subsequent to the router, however that’s the case with any 6E router.

Setup is straightforward by means of the Linksys app, which is accessible for iPhone and Android. You’re led by means of the method and the router may be up and operating in a couple of minutes. You too can select to arrange the router in a linked browser, however that is extra sophisticated and may take a while to determine in case you are not skilled with organising networks.

If you happen to’re apprehensive about appears to be like, the Hydra Professional 6E may be very understated in comparison with other routers, making it straightforward to cover away in a nook.  By way of connectivity, on the again are 4 Gigabit LAN ports and a really welcome 5Gbps WAN port. There may be additionally a single USB 3.0 port for connecting a NAS or different community system.

The Linksys MR7500 Hydra Professional 6E isn’t going to win any awards for uncooked velocity, product design, or protection vary. However for anybody who desires to expertise Wi-Fi 6E with out breaking the financial institution, this router is an excellent selection.

Finest Funds Wi-Fi 6E Router

Amazon

$289.99
$349.99 Save 17%

The Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 not solely appears to be like distinctive—it additionally brings high-speed connections throughout all three frequency bands and some additional options that make it sensible for players.

The Wi-Fi 6 version of the Nighthawk has proved to be a best choice for anybody desirous to sport on-line with out drops in velocity and connectivity. The RAXE500 mannequin solely improves on its predecessor with the addition of the 6GHz band and even larger web stability.

The Nighthawk appears to be like like no different router that’s out there proper now, with two wing-like panels on the edges. These do serve a function as they include a complete of eight inside antennas, every positioned in such a method as to offer sturdy and dependable connections in any route. On the again panel are 5 ethernet ports, together with a 2.5Gbps WAN/LAN port. You’ll be able to hyperlink two of the gigabyte ports collectively to provide a 2Gbps connection to a single system.

The RAXE500 is an AXE11000 router, that means it has a mixed whole capability throughout all three bands of 10.8Gbps. That is damaged down as 1.2Gbps on the two.4GHz band, and 4.8Gbps on each the 5GHz and 6GHz bands. With 12-stream connectivity, you possibly can anticipate some really quick and steady connections. That is good for gaming the place stability can imply the distinction between a win and a loss.

Protection of as much as 3500 sq. toes is one other nice function of this router. That is greater than sufficient for even giant homes, with the optimized antennae serving to to make sure you may get a very good connection wherever you’re.

The Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 is rather more than only a fairly face. If you’d like each velocity and stability to your on-line gaming periods, the Nighthawk is the way in which to go.

Finest Wi-Fi 6E Router for Gaming

Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500

A uniquely-designed Wi-Fi 6E router that may present spectacular connection speeds for gaming and the rest it’s worthwhile to do on-line.

Amazon

$507.58
$599.99 Save 15%

If you wish to guarantee nice Wi-Fi speeds everywhere in the home, notably if that home is giant and constructed of brick or stone, a mesh wi-fi system is the way in which to go. That is much more true if you wish to expertise Wi-Fi 6E everywhere in the home, as the broader 6GHz bandwidth can wrestle to move by means of partitions and ceilings. On the subject of Wi-Fi 6E mesh methods, the Netgear Orbi RBKE963 is main the way in which.

This quad-band mesh system encompasses a hub and two satellites, which if accurately positioned may give an enormous protection space of 9000sq.ft. You’ll be able to even add a third satellite, for roughly the worth of a stand-alone router, extending that protection to 12,000sq.ft.

Few house customers will ever want this, however it’s spectacular nonetheless. The Orbi mesh could also be extra suited to a business surroundings, contemplating that you would be able to additionally join as much as 200 gadgets concurrently.

In contrast to most Wi-Fi 6E routers, that are tri-band, the Orbi is billed as a quad-band router. The additional band refers back to the devoted 5GHz Wi-Fi connection between the hub and satellites. This leaves the two.4, 5, and 6GHz bands utterly free to your gadgets, dropping not one of the bandwidth to the spine connection.

The primary hub of the Orbi options an unbelievable 10 Gigabit WAN port, a 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port, and three additional gigabit ports. Each satellites have the identical, simply with out the 10Gbps WAN port.

Unusually, there is no such thing as a USB port on both the hub or the satellites. Whereas it’s in all probability not a deal-breaker, it does imply that if you wish to join a NAS, you’ll have to deplete one of many LAN ports.

The parts all have the identical smooth, fashionable design with no exterior antenna. The Orbi mesh is accessible in white and silver or black, with each variations that includes a discreet LED gentle on the entrance that modifications shade to point out connection standing.

The one actual draw back for many house customers is the excessive worth. At $1500, that is by far the costliest Wi-Fi 6E choice on our record. No three-node mesh that provides 6GHz connectivity shall be low cost, and also you do get an enormous protection vary and blistering knowledge switch speeds. Even so, this shall be a big funding for most individuals.

However in case you can swallow the worth, that is the perfect Wi-Fi 6E mesh system at present out there.

Finest Mesh Wi-Fi 6E Router

Netgear Orbi RBKE963

A high-spec, quad-band mesh router that packs in some spectacular options to go together with its pretty giant price ticket.

Finest Funds Mesh Wi-Fi 6E Router: ASUS ZenWiFi ET8

Whereas mesh wi-fi methods can hardly be described as “price range”, in case you’re in search of a community that doesn’t drain your checking account, the ASUS ZenWiFi ET8 is a good buy.

It combines the wonderful speeds and low latency of Wi-Fi 6E, with as much as 5500 sq. toes of protection, sufficient for even giant properties. It manages to try this with only a hub and a single node. These are utterly interchangeable, so every element can act because the hub or the node as wanted.

Setup is straightforward, with settings being routinely synced to all nodes on the community. You may have full management over the naming of your community, and you’ll even assign separate SSIDs to every frequency band.

You’ll be able to handle every thing from the ZenWiFi AX app, together with the free AiProtection Pro community safety software program. AiProtection Professional options an Intrusion Prevention System, a URL blocker, and contaminated system detection.

There are additionally some very helpful parental controls must you want them. These embody an Web exercise monitor, the power to dam community entry to particular gadgets at scheduled instances, and an easy-to-use content material filter for blocking apps or web sites by class.

The tri-band ET8 manages most speeds of 574Mbps at 2.4GHz, 1,201Mbps at 5GHz, and a powerful 4,804Mbps on the 6GHz band. So even when not your entire gadgets can entry the 6GHz band, something appropriate with Wi-Fi 5 or Wi-Fi 6 will have the ability to attain switch speeds of as much as 1201Mbps. The backhaul makes use of the 6GHz band, so the connection between the 2 hubs is lightning quick.

Every hub has a quick 2.5Gbps WAN port, together with three additional gigabit ports for connecting gadgets instantly. There may be additionally a USB 3.1 port so you possibly can join a NAS or different community system. The 6 antennae in every node are all inside, which helps make the styling much less obtrusive than different Wi-Fi 6E routers. Within the ET8, the 2 nodes are utterly interchangeable and nearly similar in look.

If you’re getting your own home Wi-Fi prepared for when extra gadgets turn out to be out there that use the 6GHz band, or simply need a steady and quick community backhaul, the ASUS ZenWiFi ET8 mesh is a good selection. It provides you nice velocity and protection, and excellent compatibility with Wi-Fi 6E and with earlier wi-fi gadgets. And it does all that at a value lower than some stand-alone Wi-Fi 6E routers.

Finest Funds Mesh Wi-Fi 6E Router

ASUS ZenWiFi ET8

A strong, dependable and nicely-designed Wi-Fi 6E mesh router that will provide you with nice wi-fi protection for a worth that will not make you are feeling faint.

Amazon

$449.99
$472.00 Save 5%