Future-proof your home with the best Wi-Fi 6 routers - Android

The best Wi-Fi 6 routers get us closer to 5G speeds at home. Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) has arrived and promises to push Wi-Fi speeds over 10Gbps by combining 2.4GHz and wider 5GHz bands to provide a better experience and much wider coverage in the home. The new Wi-Fi standard is becoming increasingly common in phones and laptops and now is the right time to invest in one of the best Wi-Fi 6 routers on the market.

What are the best Wi-Fi 6 routers?

The Netgear Nighthawk RAX70 comes with everything that people expect out of a Wi-Fi 6 router with great AX6600 speeds, tri-band, eight streams, and 160MHz support. QoS by application and a great control app make this the best-balanced Wi-Fi 6 router around.

The second best option is the Linksys MAX-STREAM Mesh Router, which is for people who don't necessarily need a mesh solution right now but may want to expand their network in the future. Mesh router solutions pair multiple "nodes" together to increase signal quality and speeds throughout larger homes.

And if you're looking for something with the hardware for great gaming with the right software to back it up, the ASUS RT-AX86U delivers. With gaming prioritization for mobile devices, this is one of the best choices for gaming on Android. Game streaming is also a strength since this router comes recommended for GeForce Now.

Netgear Nighthawk RAX70

Best Wi-Fi 6 Router Overall

Bottom line: The Nighthawk RAX70 comes with plenty of speed at AX6600 with support for a ton of devices thanks to tri-band Wi-Fi and even 160MHz support. With the Nighthawk software backing it up, the RAX70 should offer more than enough performance for most people without breaking a sweat.

• Top speeds: Tri-band AX6600, 4.8Gbps + 1.2Gbps @ 5Ghz, 0.6Gbps @ 2.4Ghz
• Top features: 4x Ethernet ports, 1x USB 3.0 port, Link Aggregation for WAN and LAN, QoS by Application

Pros:

• Fast tri-band Wi-Fi 6 with 160MHz support
• Modern design with a reasonable size
• Lots of connectivity options
• Great Nighthawk software

Cons:

• Slower than some others at this price
• No 2.5G Ethernet
• Expensive

Netgear was an early leader in Wi-Fi 6 thanks to its well-balanced specs and nice, modern designs. The Nighthawk keeps up this trend with great speeds and the right selection of options for most homes. While there are faster options available in the Nighthawk line, the RAX70 has a great amount of speed at AX6600 with tri-band capabilities and a 160MHz wide 5GHz channel allowing for great speeds on supported devices. This is a great setup for most people.

Netgear packs its antennas into two wings on either side of the main router body. While this won't be ideal for a vertically mounted network setup, it should still provide enough coverage for most large homes. Four Ethernet ports are available for devices around back with two capable of link aggregation. One of these LAN ports can also be combined with the WAN port for link aggregation if you need a bit more speed. It would have been nice to see a 2.5G port, but for most people, this won't be an issue for years.

Netgear keeps its software offering fairly simple with the Nighthawk app allowing for most of the adjustments people need with the more precise control available in a browser or on PC. QoS by application allows you to prioritize performance on a per-app basis rather than by device so no matter which device you connect with, you can be sure your performance will stay high. A Netgear Armor subscription is available if you wish to add additional security software to your router's software.

Netgear continues its spaceship-like design with the RAX70's extended wings bringing the router's total width to 13.66 inches with a height of 6.57 inches. Even so, with three antennas in each wing, it should provide great coverage in even large homes on its own. This is a very nicely balanced router that should suit most people.

Best Wi-Fi 6 Router Overall

Netgear Nighthawk RAX70

• From $285 at Amazon
• $350 at Best Buy
• $300 at Newegg

The Nighthawk RAX70 continues Netgear's Wi-Fi 6 leadership with a fast tri-band solution with plenty of features for most people.

Linksys MAX-STREAM Mesh Router (MR7350)

Best Wi-Fi 6 Router for Easy Expansion

Bottom line: Linksys melds performance, size, and value with its new MR7350 mesh router. Great as a standalone and even better when joined together in a mesh setup, this is one of the best inexpensive Wi-Fi 6 routers you can buy.

• Top speeds: 1201Mbps @ 5Ghz, 574Mbps @ 2.4Ghz
• Top features: Dual-band, 1,700 sq ft. coverage, mesh-capable, 4x Ethernet ports, 1x USB ports, low profile

Pros:

• Velop mesh support
• Low profile
• Inexpensive
• Setup is super simple
• Alexa compatibility

Cons:

• Low Wi-Fi 6 speeds compared to the competition

Linksys recently unveiled its budget entry into Wi-Fi 6 with the MR7350, which has dual-band speeds up to AX1800. The dual-band connection drives speeds of 574Mbps at 2.4GHz and 1,201Mbps at 5GHz. It also has four Ethernet ports on the back as well as a USB 3.0 port. WPA 3 security is also included.

While it manages to cover up to 1,700 square feet on its own, it also works with any of the Linksys Velop mesh routers or even another MR7350 to add more coverage. This can be a great way to help your network grow with your needs or if you find any areas with a weak signal. It comes in an understated black housing with two antennas around the back.

Setup is simple thanks to the Linksys App including remote access. This is also where you can set up the included parental controls and you'll have access to Linksys' 24/7 support to help you if you run into any issues. Finally, you can control Wi-Fi access with Alexa making it easy to stay in control of who's online.

Linksys - Max-Stream AX1800 Dual-Band Mesh Wi-Fi 6 Router

Best Wi-Fi 6 Router for Easy Expansion

• $120 at Best Buy
• From $150 at Lenovo
• $120 at B&H

The Linksys MR7350 offers Wi-Fi 6 speeds for a low price as well as Velop mesh support to expand your coverage if needed later.

Asus RT-AX86U

Best Wi-Fi 6 Router for Gaming on a Budget

Bottom line: If you're a gamer looking for a fantastic router experience, the Asus RT-AX86U is a fantastic option — as long as you have the room (it's pretty big).

• Top speeds: 4804Mbps @ 5Ghz, 861Mbps @ 2.4Ghz
• Top features: Dual-band, coverage for very large homes, 2.5G WAN/LAN port, dual USB 3.2 ports

Pros:

• Great price for a gaming router
• Upright form factor
• NVIDIA GeForce Now-recommended
• AiProtection included
• AiMesh support

Cons:

• Large size

Asus manages to pack a ton of features into its affectionately named RT-AX86U. It delivers AX5700 speeds with its dual-band connection thanks to a 160MHz wide 5GHz channel. It's also capable of up to 861Mbps at 2.4GHz, which is great for a home with a lot of interference. You'll also have a choice of a gigabit WAN port or a 2.5G WAN port for your internet connection. If your internet connection is gigabit or slower, you can use the 2.5G port for LAN for a high-speed NAS or even a fast PC.

For gamers, there are four Ethernet ports in addition to the 2.5G port. This router is also GeForce Now-recommended for great game streaming. A mobile game mode can optimize your connection for low latency to mobile devices. Game traffic can be prioritized with ease with the setup app on your mobile device.

You still get some other great Asus perks such as AiMesh support which allows you to use other Asus routers to add coverage to your network with a single Wi-Fi name. AiProtection Pro is also included for the lifetime of the product which brings antivirus protection thanks to Trend Micro as well as advanced parental controls.

Asus RT-AX86U Gaming Router

Best Wi-Fi 6 Router for Gaming on a Budget

• $245 at Amazon
• $250 at Newegg
• $245 at B&H

The Asus RT-AX86U is a fast AX5700 dual-band gaming router with a 2.5G WAN port and great software to keep your connection fast.

TP-Link Archer AX90

Best Wi-Fi 6 Router for Homes with Lots of Devices

Bottom line: With a tri-band connection, 160MHz support, and 4x4 MU-MIMO, the Archer AX90 will keep up with a large number of connected devices without giving up speed. HomeCare QoS keeps devices connected to the best band and eight antennas give it plenty of coverage for most homes.

• Top speeds: AX6600, 4804Mbps + 1201Mbps @ 5Ghz Wi-Fi 6, and 574Mbps @2.4GHz
• Top features: Tri-band, 4x gigabit Ethernet ports, 1x 2.5Gbps WAN/LAN Ethernet port, 2x USB ports, OneMesh support, HomeCare software included

Pros:

• Tri-band Wi-Fi 6 connection
• Fast AX6600 speeds
• Coverage expansion with OneMesh
• Free HomeCare includes security, parental controls, and QoS

Cons:

• Large and imposing

The TP-Link Archer AX90 is one of the first waves of fully Wi-Fi 6 tri-band routers and it nails just about everything. This router features AX6600 speeds with a tri-band Wi-Fi 6 setup. Unlike some other tri-band WI-Fi 6 routers, every band is Wi-Fi 6. The speeds break down to 4804Mbps on one 5GHz band thanks to a 160MHz channel with the other 5GHz band delivering a steady 1201Mbps. The coverage 2.4GHz band comes in with 574Mbps.

On the back are three dedicated gigabit LAN ports with another WAN/LAN gigabit port. There's also a 2.5Gbps WAN/LAN port so you can connect your router to a very fast network or connect a very fast PC to the router with no compromises. The eight antennas provide plenty of coverage for even a large home but if you need more, you can expand your wireless coverage with another TP-LInk OneMesh compatible router.

Many dual-band routers are delivering speeds close to the speed of this router but those won't hold up as well in tricky conditions such as a densely populated apartment building or a home with a lot of interference. The AX90 can connect to your device on the fastest possible band automatically keeping your network running smoothly.

TP-Link has also been making up a lot of ground in the software department with its solid HomeCare package. This includes improved security scanning for connected devices as well as reports to keep you up to date on network activity. HomeCare also comes with advanced parental controls that allow you to block specific content types. Finally, HomeCares's QoS makes sure the devices that need it most get plenty of speed to eliminate buffering even on a crowded connection.

TP-Link Archer AX90

Best Wi-Fi 6 Router for Homes with Lots of Devices

• $330 at Amazon
• $330 at Best Buy

The TP-Link Archer AX90 is a great tri-band Wi-Fi 6 router with plenty of speed for just about anyone and great HomeCare software to back it up.

TP-Link Archer AX1500 (AX10)

Best Wi-Fi 6 Router Under $100

Bottom line: If you want Wi-Fi 6 support for your devices but don't want to spend too much — and don't need the additional speed Wi-Fi 6 offers — the TP-Link Archer AX1500 is your best bet.

• Top speeds: 1200Mbps @ 5Ghz, 300Mbps @ 2.4Ghz
• Top features: Dual-band, Low power usage, 4x Ethernet ports, low profile

Pros:

• Incredible price for Wi-Fi 6
• Slim design
• Alexa compatibility
• Basic parental controls included

Cons:

• Lacks WPA 3 security
• Slow 2.4Ghz speeds
• Not for those with larger homes

TP-Link offers the biggest bang for your buck with its entry-level Wi-Fi 6 routers. The Archer AX1500 can deliver speeds up to 1201Mbps at 5GHz and 300Mbps at 2.4GHz. While the speeds aren't leaps and bounds over comparable Wi-Fi 5 routers, you do get the benefits of Wi-FI 6 including better coverage and support for more connected devices thanks to MU-MIMO and OFDMA.

With four Ethernet ports, you don't give up any usability either but you do leave behind WPA 3 support for security. Still, with coverage for a small to medium home, Archer AX1500 is the cheapest way to get into Wi-Fi 6 and in the real world, the speeds should be adequate for most people.

The Archer AX1500 can be configured with the TP-Link Tether app. Once set up, you can control your network with Amazon Alexa allowing you to quickly and easily control your network with your voice. Basic parental controls are included allowing you to restrict time spent online for devices as well as blocking content.

TP-Link Archer AX1500 (AX10)

Best Wi-Fi 6 Router Under $100

• $72 at Amazon
• $80 at Dell
• $69 at Walmart

Get into Wi-Fi 6 networking for as little as possible with the Archer AX1500. You still get four Ethernet ports and USB as well.

Linksys Velop MX5

Best Wi-Fi 6 Mesh System

Bottom line: If you're building your Wi-Fi 6 system with mesh by default, you're going to be well served by the incredible Linksys MX5, which is bundled in a two-pack go by the MX10. Just be warned, all that performance and reliability comes at a cost: this is among the most expensive routers on our list.

• Top speeds: 2400Mbps @ 5Ghz, 1147Mbps @ 2.4Ghz
• Top features: Tri-band, 3,000 sq ft. coverage, mesh capable, 4x Ethernet ports, 1x USB port

Pros:

• One of the fastest mesh systems we've tested
• Slim, tall profile
• Easy to set up

Cons:

• Can't be easily hidden due to shape
• Expensive

The Linksys Velop MX5 is a very capable router all by itself with AX5300 tri-band Wi-Fi and four Ethernet ports. With its three bands coming in at 1147Mbps, 2402Mbps, and 1733Mbps, there's plenty of speed for any task. Around the back, it also has a USB 3.0 port sitting above the vertically oriented Ethernet ports.

Of course, the killer feature of the MX5 is that it was designed to be part of a mesh so it has the right hardware to create a flawless experience. Paired with another MX5, the tri-band Wi-Fi will be able to keep data speeds high even if you're connected to one of the satellite nodes. Linksys makes it easy to expand thanks to compatibility with the entire Velop range and a few mesh-enabled Linksys routers. Of course, you'll want the fastest router serving as the main routers.

The MX5 has no exposed antennas opting for a somewhat large rectangular case measuring 9.6 inches tall and 4.5 inches wide. Some people won't love the vertically stacked Ethernet ports but it's nice to see a mesh system with this many Ethernet ports.

If you think you'll need the coverage, Velop MX10 comes with two MX5 routers and makes a great mesh. Velop MX5 is easy to set up with the Linksys App which allows you to control guest access and parental controls. You also get a three-year warranty that comes with three years of tech support if you run into any issues.

Linksys Velop MX5

Best Wi-Fi 6 Mesh System

• $341 at Amazon
• $400 at Dell
• $341 at Best Buy

The Linksys Velop MX5 is a great start to a Wi-Fi 6 mesh system with tri-band AX5300 speeds and great backward compatibility.

Netgear Nighthawk MK62

Best Value Mesh Wi-Fi 6 System

Bottom line: While not quite as performant as the Linksys MX5, Netgear's superb Nighthawk MK62 will fill your home with a fast, reliable mesh Wi-Fi 6 signal for just under $200.

• Top speeds: 1200Mbps @ 5Ghz, 600Mbps @ 2.4Ghz
• Top features: 1x Ethernet ports, compact size

Pros:

• Small nodes are easy to conceal
• AX1800 provides enough speed for most usage
• Easy Nighthawk app setup
• Compact housing

Cons:

• Dual-band Wi-Fi isn't the best option for mesh
• Only one Ethernet port per node

The Netgear Nighthawk MK62 is a mesh system capable of covering up to 3,000 sq ft with its two nodes. With dual-band speeds up to AX1800, this system should be fast enough for most standard browsing and even 4K streaming with a good connection. The Wi-Fi speeds break down to 600Mbps at 2.4GHz and 1200Mbps at 5GHz. Tri-band connections will always be better for mesh systems but the speeds offered here should be enough for most people.

On the back of the primary router, you get a WAN port to connect to your modem as well as a single Ethernet port for wired devices. The satellite node only has one open Ethernet port as well which could be an issue if you have several wired devices that need to be connected. You can add a wired switch if you need though. With a small housing measuring just 4.8 inches deep and wide, these nodes can fit in just about anywhere which allows you to make sure you've got it positioned with great signal.

Netgear's Nighthawk app makes setup a breeze and allows you to easily add more satellite units to your mesh. You can also subscribe to Netgear Armor to add more advanced security from Bitdefender to your network as well as more control for each connected device.

Netgear Nighthawk MK62

Best Value Mesh Wi-Fi 6 System

• $196 at Amazon
• $230 at Best Buy

• 09/04/2021 05:00 PM

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