The Best Wi-Fi 6 Routers for 2024
Asus RT-AX86U
This Asus router is a good option for anyone who is willing to spend more money in order to have a more seamless Wi-Fi experience because it is easy to set up, has a performance that is silky, and has substantial speed. In addition to having three antennae that can be rotated, it has a striking design that is red and black.
Gamers have access to a number of helpful customizing options, as well as optimizations that guarantee low latency. It also features a large number of connections, including two USB 3.2 ports and a port with a bandwidth of 2.5 Gigabits per second that can be configured as either a wide area network or a local area network.
The Asus app is loaded with options, which makes it quite simple to adjust the settings of the router in the event that you would need to do so. Everything is taken care of, consisting of full parental controls, traffic prioritization, and network security. Included in this is AiProtection Pro, which is powered by Trend Micro and monitors your network for suspicious activity without requiring a membership. Because this router is compatible with AiMesh, you can install any other Asus router that supports AiMesh in order to establish a mesh network and increase the amount of connectivity in your home.
TP-Link Archer AX21
The AX20, which was our previous recommendation, has been replaced by this remarkable Wi-Fi 6 router, which offers dependable performance at a price that is quite affordable. It was difficult for us to discern a significant difference in day-to-day performance between this and our top choice, the AX55, despite the fact that it was being used by four people for gaming and video streaming.
This router performs exceptionally well for the majority of day-to-day chores. With four gigabit Ethernet LAN connections and one wide area network port, it is identical to the AX55, however it only has a USB 2.0 port.
The Tether app is easy to use and comes with all of the fundamental features that you require, such as the ability to prioritize traffic, parental controls, and a guest network. This router does not offer support for HomeShield or HomeCare; nonetheless, the majority of users do not require these additional services. There is a good chance that you do not require spending more than this amount if you do not care about the performance of your online gaming or if you have a large number of smart home gadgets and your home is at least 1,600 square feet in size.
Asus RT-AXE7800
Despite the fact that many users will be better off skipping Wi-Fi 6E in order to wait for Wi-Fi 7, anyone who is experiencing congestion issues could benefit from hopping into the 6-GHz band right now. One method that is both dependable and reasonably priced is the tri-band Asus RT-AXE7800. A WAN/LAN port with a speed of 2.5 Gbps, a second WAN/LAN port with a speed of 1 Gbps, and three more gigabit LANs with capability for link aggregation are all included in this hexagonal router. The performance at close range was outstanding on both the 5-GHz and 6-GHz bands, the results at mid-range on the 5-GHz band is satisfactory, and the performance at long range on the 2.4-GHz band is mediocre.
In the mobile app and browser interface, there is an abundance of settings available, such as band-splitting, priority for certain activities, guest network support, virtual private network (VPN) compatibility, and a great deal more. In addition, the RT-AXE7800 comes with parental controls and network security, and it does not require a membership to get these features, so there are no additional expenditures. Due to its support for AiMesh, the RT-AXE7800 may be coupled with other Asus routers to build a mesh network.
TP-Link Archer BE800
The BE800 is likely to appeal to you if you are an early adopter who is eager to test out Wi-Fi 7. This tri-band beast features a modern look that is more reminiscent of a desktop computer than a router, and it provides both high speeds and extensive coverage. When tested on the 2.4-GHz, 5-GHz, and 6-GHz bands, it performed exceptionally well in terms of speed when it came to transferring files and downloading data. It came out on top or very close to it. Additionally, it features an abundance of fast connections, including two WAN/LAN ports with a speed of 10 Gigabits per second, four LAN ports with a speed of 2.5 Gigabits per second, and a USB 3.2 port. Even more impressive is the fact that TP-Link included a dot-matrix LED screen that can be customized, but it is kind of meaningless. On the other hand, there is no reason to spend this much money. In order to put this router through its paces, you will need to make use of devices that are compatible with Wi-Fi 7 and a connection that is capable of several gigabits per second.
TP-Link's Tether app offers a range of features, including a guest network, IoT network, VPN, EasyMesh, QoS, and remote management. The basic HomeShield level provides essential functionalities, with the option to upgrade to Pro for improved parental controls and enhanced security. Despite Wi-Fi 7 specifications being preliminary, TP-Link assures pre-certification and promises firmware upgrades as needed.
Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX6000
It was a pleasant surprise that we did not encounter any problems while using the Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX6000. Gamer is the word that comes to mind when you see this large, noisy design with four antennae and RGB illumination. In spite of this, it servs up lightning-fast and uninterrupted Wi-Fi, and it does not even flinch while you play four online games at the same time. In addition to a mobile game mode, straightforward port forwarding, and a port that is specifically designated for gaming, it is simple to prioritize gaming devices or activities. You will also have four gigabit local area networks, one USB 3.2 Gen 1 port, and a USB 2.0 port.
The Asus mobile app, like the rest of their product line, offers top-notch quality and includes essential features such as guest networks, band splitting, parental controls, and anti-malware protection. Parental controls and AiProtection Pro are free for the device's lifetime, with the added benefit of Instant Guard for protecting public Wi-Fi connections using a VPN server on the router at home, eliminating the need to share data with an external VPN provider.