Best wifi 6 router

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The best Wi-Fi 6 routers are the fastest wireless routers ever made, offering blazing speeds across a greater number of devices than ever before. That makes them fantastic in homes where there are many devices connected simultaneously, or if you perform regular, large local network file transfers.

That's not all Wi-Fi 6 (ax) offers, though. In supporting devices it can also mean reduced battery drain when in use, extending battery life, and some models even offer additional bands for even greater performance and coverage.

Not all routers are created equal, though, making some better suited for gaming, others for larger homes and networks, and others that cater more to tighter budgets, with a more refined feature set.

Whatever kind of cutting-edge router you're after, though, these are the best Wi-Fi 6 routers you can buy today.

Best Wi-Fi 6e Router

Netgear Nighthawk RAXE Wi-Fi 6e router

If you want the absolute fastest wireless network possible, the Netgear Nighthawk is the best router for the job. It's packed full of high-end features, offers three separate frequency bands for a wide range of concurrent devices, and it looks unique and arguably sculpture-like, giving you some options for where you put it in your home.

Hide it away if you want, but you'll get better performance and a unique item within your home if you display it proudly.

The combination of Ghz, 5GHz and 6GHz bands gives it a versatile spectrum of connection options, making sure that no matter what band your devices are on, they should have plenty of bandwidth all to themselves. Those that support the newer 6GHz one will get the fastest speeds at close proximity, although performance does degrade with distance.

None of it takes much configuring, though, with the router able to seamlessly move devices around channels to give them the best performance and responsive networking experience possible.

Best Affordable Wi-Fi 6 Router

Asus RT-AX58U AX

The best Wi-Fi 6 routers aren't cheap, but they don't have to be crazy expensive either. If you eschew some of the most cutting edge features and coverage for huge homes, you can get a very affordable Wi-Fi 6 router, like the Asus AX58U. It offers solid Wi-Fi 6 performance, easily outstripping older Wi-Fi 5 (ac) rivals, and maintains its performance well through walls and obstructions.

It doesn't support the extreme range of some Wi-Fi mesh routers, nor does it have the tri-band support which helps handle 10s of devices at once, but it's very fast for a conventional router and is easily one of the best Wi-Fi 6 routers if you're on a bit of a budget.

Best Wi-Fi 6 Router For Gaming

Asus ROG Rapture GX-AX

Most gaming routers might come with a spiky array of antennas, but few can match the sheer crab-like-majesty of the Asus ROG Rapture. That gives it absolutely monstrous coverage for a non-mesh design, making it possible to play games with fantastic latency and bandwidth at well over feet away if needed.

It's tri-band, with a single GHz band, and two 5GHz bands offering excellent coverage for a large number of concurrent connected devices. It also has a robust backend of network support and analyzer tools to help you make the most of your super-speed gaming router.

This is a big and very expensive router, but for gaming, it's one of the best Wi-Fi 6 routers you can buy.

Best Premium Wi-Fi 6 Mesh Router

Netgear Orbi Whole Home Tri-Band Wi-Fi 6 Router and 2 Satellites

If you have an absolutely enormous house, office or even warehouse that you want solid Wi-Fi 6 performance in, then you absolutely need to consider a mesh router system. The best Wi-Fi 6 mesh router system is the premium version of the Netgear Orbi Whole Home tri-band W-Fi 6 router and its satellites—RBK It offers coverage of up to 7, square feet, twin 5GHz bands and a single GHz band, with eight high-performance antennas in every single unit. They also come with plenty of Gigabit Ethernet ports, so you can hardwire your games consoles, TVs and desktop PCs.

All of that combines to give these units absolutely fantastic coverage throughout larger homes, especially if you have to deal with a lot of obstruction, where singular or less-capable mesh routers just wouldn't measure up. They're also really easy to install and set up, making them about as plug-and-play as you can get from a mesh router system.

The only downside is that they are eye-wateringly expensive. If you want the best Wi-Fi 6 mesh router right now, though, this is as good as it gets.

Most Stylish Wi-Fi 6 Router

Asus AX82U AX Wi-Fi 6 Gaming Router

Most gaming routers look the same—a big block with a bunch of antennas sticking out of it. The Asus AX82U bucks that trend by incorporating a swooping, stealth-jet-inspired frame and some gorgeous RGB lighting in the front. It's completely superfluous, but it does look cool, and it backs up the solid performance of this great mid-range Wi-Fi 6 router.

Alongside great Wi-Fi 6 performance and coverage, this router also includes four Gigabit Ethernet ports, as well as a dedicated "gaming port." It doesn't have a drastic effect on performance from an all-round stellar gaming router, but it prioritizes that traffic over all else, so can help out if your network gets a bit busy while you're trying to play.

If you want to expand it later you can too, thanks to its support of the AiMesh framework, which lets you add in additional compatible routers to create a mesh network for better coverage.

More Affordable Wi-Fi 6 Mesh Router

Netgear Orbi Whole Home Tri-Band Wi-Fi 6 Router and Satellite

If you don't want to pay the sheer premium of the ultra high-end Orbi Whole Home Wi-Fi 6 router system, you can get most of the way there with the much more affordable RBK model. These models have six internal antennas, and this pack comes with just one satellite extender, rather than two, but that cuts the price by almost two thirds, making this a far more accessible home mesh router system.

It still covers as much as 5, square feet, although performance does degrade at distance from the units, so consider a third satellite if your home is particularly large or obstructed.

Setup with Orbi units is simple and intuitive, though, making it easy to get a strong mesh network throughout your home, and the units look good and unimposing—a far cry from some of the external antenna designs of their contemporaries.

Best Budget Mesh Wi-Fi 6 Router

TP-Link Deco X20 Wi-Fi System — 3 Pack

You can slash your budget further and still get a great mesh network with full Wi-Fi 6 speed. The TP-Link Deco X20 is an attractive and understated mesh network solution that doesn't dominate the room with a huge physical footprint. Despite that, the units still offer good Wi-Fi 6 performance with great coverage throughout larger homes.

You'll get better performance with pricier Wi-Fi 6 routers and mesh routers, but the Deco X20 still offers much improved performance over older Wi-Fi 5 models, and it maintains its speed better than some at greater distances too. The Deco X20 also comes with great lifetime features like solid parental controls and improved malware protection, making it one of the best Wi-Fi 6 router systems you can buy today.

Best Smart Home Wi-Fi 6 Router

Amazon Eero 6 3-pack

The Amazon Eero 6 isn't as fast as some Mesh Wi-Fi 6 routers out there, but it's still pretty nippy and comes with some excellent smart home features which could make it ideal for your setup. It has built-in support for both Alexa and Zigbee, so if you have any smart devices that are compatible with that, the Eero 6 can link right in with them for more nuanced control of everything, including transferring those devices to your new mesh network.

The router and satellites are very small compared to some of their mesh router counterparts, making them great for slipping into unobtrusive places if you like your technology to operate in the background.

Coverage is excellent, even if performance isn't quite as high as some mesh router systems. Still, if you have a heavily integrated smart home or want a more affordable mesh Wi-Fi 6 system, the Eero 6 is one of the best.

Best Wi-Fi Router For Parental Controls

Gryphon Parental Control Mesh Wi-Fi System (Sponsored)

While it doesn’t don Wi-Fi 6 technology, this Gryphon mesh Wi-Fi system is worth calling out for its class-leading ability to protect your young ones from the dangers of a free and open internet. Lock it down in your household with extensive parental controls, plus have peace of mind knowing your network will be protected with built-in cybersecurity features. Parents can access parental controls through a smartphone app which enables one-tap access to filtering and monitoring, browsing limits and more.

As for the router’s speed capabilities, it tops out at Wi-Fi AC, giving you up to 3, megabits of throughput across three bands working together simultaneously—one in the GHz range, and two for 5GHz. This should give you enough overhead to handle all of the wireless devices in your home.

Designed for homes up to 3, square feet, you can buy multiples of these units and have them work together to offer seamless connection and solid speeds throughout every nook and cranny. Even if you only have enough money for one, it should be able to support a large household with beamforming antennas and 4X4 MU-MIMO, technology that enables it to deliver faster speeds with limited interference and network congestion.

The best Wi-Fi 6 routers offer fantastic speeds and smart device management, whether in a standalone router or a mesh networking kit. With speedy performance that leaves the older AC standard in the dust, Wi-Fi 6 is a significant upgrade for all of the devices in your home. It even promises better battery life for mobile devices and connected home gadgets, thanks to more efficient connection management. And the latest enhancement is Wi-Fi 6e, which adds an additional 6GHz band, opening up a traffic-free data highway for dramatically faster speeds and truly unbeaten performance.

As Wi-Fi 6 has gone from draft technology to the accepted standard on mainstream devices, we've reviewed dozens of Wi-Fi 6 routers. If you want to upgrade your home network and get something to replace an old wireless AC router, now is the time.

To help you keep up with all of the new products, we've rounded up some of the best Wi-Fi 6 routers and Wi-Fi 6 mesh systems you can buy. We've selected from among the top selling, top performing, and most innovative products available. Here we highlight routers made for homes small and large, for gaming and media streaming, both standalone units and expandable mesh systems.

Best Wi-Fi 6 Black Friday deals

Black Friday deals are on the way, and there's already a solid array of discounts available. We'll be keeping an eye out for bargains on routers, mesh kits and Wi-Fi extenders as retailers start early Black Friday sales.

What are the best Wi-Fi 6 routers?

Of the many Wi-Fi 6 routers on the market, a few stand out as the most promising, offering better performance, better prices and more functionality. 

The best Wi-Fi 6 router overall is the Asus RT-AX86U, a Wi-Fi 6 powerhouse that will leave you satisfied whether you need connectivity for a house full of gadgets or gaming performance that rivals dedicated gaming routers.

For unbeatable performance, the hands down leader is the Netgear Nighthawk RAXE, which uses the new Wi-Fi 6e standard to offer incredible speeds of nearly Gbps. You'll pay a lot for that performance, but if you want the undisputed performance champ, this is it.

The Netgear Orbi with Wi-Fi 6 (RBK) is the best mesh system to get the new standard, combining the well-loved Orbi's ease of use with even better performance. When we tested it, we were seriously impressed with the performance it offered. And for a less expensive option (that doesn't have the same performance) there's also the cheaper Netgear Orbi RBK further down the list.

The best Wi-Fi 6 routers right now

The Asus RT-AX86U is a Wi-Fi 6 powerhouse that delivers great speeds and killer gaming features, as well as awesome customization options. With high-end performance and lifetime protection against intrusions and malware, it's also a great option for securing your entire home 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 1Gbps mark to provide speedy and effortless connectivity for all of your devices. With excellent range and great performance – even through walls and between floors – the RT-AX86U is equal parts general-use router and elite gaming router, and the collection 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 up for best Wi-Fi router in the Tom's Guide Awards. If you want the best Wi-Fi 6 router for the whole household, the Asus RT-AX86U is it.

Read our full Asus RT-AX86U review.

The Netgear Nighthawk RAXE is the first Wi-Fi 6e router to hit the market, and the results are mind-blowing. By adding a 6GHz band to the already impressive capabilities of Wi-Fi 6, the Nighthawk RAXE delivers category-leading performance. With an AXE rating, the tri-band device more than lives up to the hype by delivering nearly Gbps of real-world data. Add this to the slick design and highly customizable configuration options, and the Netgear Nighthawk RAXE becomes one of the best routers we've ever reviewed.

By adding access to a slew of new data-delivering channels in the 6GHz spectrum, the tri-band Netgear Nighthawk RAXE takes the lead as the first high-performance Wi-Fi 6e router. It's the sort of performance that earned it the Tom's Guide Award for best Wi-Fi router, even if it's not a great fit for everyone. While it’s best at close quarters and is one of the most expensive routers you can buy, the RAXE is worth every penny if you have the need for speed.

Read our full Netgear Nighthawk RAXE review.

The Netgear Orbi RBK updates a long-time leader in mesh Wi-Fi with the speed and capability of Wi-Fi 6. The faster standard and whole-home coverage of Orbi's mesh networking combine with the easy setup and stellar performance that the Orbi name is known for. With tri-band coverage that can handle 5, square feet with only a two-pack consisting of a base unit and satellite extension, the Wi-Fi 6 Netgear Orbi looks like it's the best mesh system yet.

In addition to massively improved speeds and handling of multiple devices, the Orbi also works with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa for seamless voice control throughout the house. And every Orbi extension that we've loved in the past works with the new Wi-Fi 6 models as well, whether it's the outdoor extensions or the Orbi Voice that has a built-in smart speaker.

Read our full Netgear Orbi WiFi 6 (RBK) review.

The Netgear Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR is a powerful gaming router with Wi-Fi 6 speeds that goes above and beyond other gaming routers with excellent speeds and top-shelf gaming enhancements. The Netgear's high-throughput, low latency design is packed with customization options and built-in security, providing protection against hackers along with superb Wi-Fi 6 performance. It's also great for slightly larger homes, with a range of 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 XR is one of the best gaming routers we've ever seen.

With an entire dashboard of customization tools, you can optimize the router's performance in a dizzying number of ways, from CPU usage monitoring to stats that identify what apps and devices are using the most data and connection tools that let you adjust connections by ping rates and location.

Read our full Netgear Nighthawk XR review.

The Eero Pro 6 combines tri-band Wi-Fi 6 networking with a mesh setup that's quicker and easier than pretty much any mesh system we've reviewed, making it the best way to get great performance throughout your home without much hassle. With a single unit covering 2, square feet with reasonably fast Wi-Fi, the three-pack Eero Pro 6 will blanket up to 6, square feet with ease - and we set up the three-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 and automatically adjusts just about everything. If you want granular customization, then tools like band steering, local DNS caching and home automation tools, it's got those, too. But the Eero Pro 6 does it's best when it lets you set it and forget it, giving you speedy Wi-Fi 6 without the hassles.

Read our full Eero Pro 6 review. 

With the Netgear Nighthawk AX8 (RAX80) Wi-Fi 6 router, top 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 network use. And with excellent performance through walls and floors, the Nighthawk AX8 will work just as well in the real world as in the lab.

It may be expensive – most Wi-Fi 6 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 foot range, but delivers better performance at distances of 50 feet, making it better suited to medium-sized homes. By almost any measure, the Netgear Nighthawk AX8 (RAX80) is a great Wi-Fi-6 router to get if you don’t want to compromise on speed and safety.

Read our full Netgear Nighthawk AX8 (RAX80) review. 

Inexpensive, small and easy to set up, TP-Link’s Deco X20 mesh networking kit is a cheap thrill that can help fill a home with Wi-Fi 6 data while protecting a family’s identities with an extra layer of online security. If you want mesh capability and Wi-Fi 6, the TP-Link Deco X20 is the best budget option for covering larger homes with better speed and capability than any older ac system can match. It even earned the runner up for best mesh router in our Tom's Guide Awards. Selling in a 3-pack of matching units, the Deco X20 covers up to 5, square feet, and can manage up to separate connected devices.

With dual-band connectivity and two gigabit wired connections on each node, the Deco X20 offers great coverage and connectivity with easy setup and management. TP-Link gives you all the tools you need in the accompanying Deco app, which lets you set up your network quickly and control the individual features of the network with illustrated, easy-to-navigate menus. It also protects, with WPA3 encryption and a lifetime subscription to TP-Link HomeCare security and antivirus included with the set.

Read our full TP-Link Deco X20 review.

The Netgear Orbi RBK  is the smaller and cheaper alternative to one of the best mesh routers on the market, the highly ranked Netgear Orbi RBK Selling in a two-pack that can cover up to 5, square feet, the cheaper Orbi RBK has fewer internal antennas and a less powerful processor, which translate into reduced throughput and range. That makes it well-suited to mid-sized homes, but you'll want to step up to the 3- or 4-packs for larger coverage areas. They may be more expensive, but buying them as a package will be cheaper than adding single satellite units.

The cheaper Wi-Fi 6 Orbi doesn’t place as much emphasis on raw performance, but does manage to include an impressive array of customization options, and offers a way to get the ease of Netgear's excellent mesh networking gear and decent speeds throughout your home for less than the more expensive version.

Read our full Netgear Orbi RBK review.

The Linksys Velop AX mesh kit offers tri-band Wi-Fi 6 that can cover a large home in Wi-Fi signal without the higher prices of many Wi-Fi 6 mesh systems. With decent throughput and great range – the three-pack we reviewed can fill an 8, square feet, and is easily expanded with additional units – this affordable mesh system offers simple configuration tools and a generous three-year warranty. It also has USB connectivity, a small touch, but one that some users will hugely appreciate. That was enough to get it named the best mesh router in our Tom's Guide Awards.

But it's not the fastest mesh kit on the block, lagging behind more expensive competitors and offering none of the extra security and customization options you'd get from other manufacturers. That said, the three-pack Linksys Velop AX is one of the best bargains in mesh networking at the moment, offering a relatively cheap way to set up a wide-ranging Wi-Fi network in a big house.

Read our full Linksys Velop AX review.

The Linksys Max Stream MR is a dual-band Wi-Fi 6 router that is among the smallest and least obtrusive Wi-Fi 6 models you can buy. The small size makes it easy to fit onto a shelf or desk, but the streamlined design does leave little room for ports — with only a WAN port, four LAN ports and two USB connectors, the rear panel of the Linksys Max Stream MR is uncluttered, but we wish it offered the two-line aggregation seen on many competing Wi-Fi 6 models.

Able to work either as a standalone router or to create a mesh network by linking it with other Linksys networking gear, the MR offers the choice of a single unit for smaller homes and apartments, or it can be incorporated into a mesh setup with other Linksys networking devices, giving you the unique ability to expand coverage for larger homes.

Read our full Linksys Max Stream MR review.

For a standalone router with Wi-Fi 6 capability, the TP-Link Archer AX is the best choice for optimal connectivity. The dual-band router promises great speeds and the eight high-gain antennas offer some of the best wireless coverage this side of a mesh Wi-Fi system. But for pure connectivity, it also has something most other routers do not — a wealth of ports and wired connections. A Gbps 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 Type-A  and Type-C connectors, giving you speedy connectivity for other peripherals, like NAS and home media servers.

The Archer AX is powered by a GHz quad-core processor, making it more than capable enough for the dozens of devices you likely have in your home, and TP-Link protects them all with a free lifetime subscription to HomeCare, which includes parental controls and threat blocking for the entire network.

Read our full TP-Link Archer AX review. 

Wi-Fi 6 is the latest, fastest version of Wi-Fi and we're expecting to see lots of new models that support it soon. And, if you want, you can upgrade to a Wi-Fi 6 router from a budget router right now to get faster, more efficient Wi-Fi performance from connected devices that support the new standard (the list is growing). Wi-Fi 6 is backward compatible, so your older devices will still be able to connect to the wireless signal, too -- but your new wireless router won't do anything to speed them up.

All of which is to say that it's probably still too early for most of us to get a new Wi-Fi 6 router (and don't forget that you'll need a really, really fast internet connection in order to notice the difference in the first place).

That said, if you're looking to make the upgrade now, or if you need a new wireless router and you want something future-proofed for the next generation of Wi-Fi devices, then go for the TP-Link Archer AX. It basically aced our performance tests, delivering the fastest router transfer speeds we've ever recorded, plus excellent range and low latency.

The AX debuted at a price of $, but it's currently down to $ and we've seen it marked down as low as $ It definitely isn't cheap even at that price, but if you can catch it on sale, it's a worthy way to upgrade your home network to a robust Wi-Fi 6 network.

Read our list of the best gaming routers.

If your home network is starting to creak and groan under the weight of all your phones, computers, appliances and their ever-growing demands for data, it may be time to upgrade your wireless router. WiFi technology keeps improving to keep up with the growing demand in increasingly smart homes, and the latest iteration, WiFi 6, was designed to help bear the burden of many, many connected devices. Whether you’re a casual user in a small apartment, a pro streamer in a family full of early adopters, or anything in between, the best WiFi 6 routers can offer an easy path to better WiFi at home. This introductory rundown of WiFi 6 will help you make an informed decision, and our picks will show the best they have to offer.

How we selected the best WiFi 6 routers

Now that WiFi 6-compatible devices have been on the market for over a year, there are enough routers available to actually identify the cream of the crop, rather than just highlighting what’s out there. We selected these specific routers based on testing, reading professional reviews, and consumer recommendations to ensure that these picks are both well featured on paper and well-liked in practice.

What to consider before buying one of the best WiFi 6 routers

The two main things to think about when picking a new router are how and where you are going to be using it. Broadly, as you would expect, the greater your anticipated usage, the faster and more powerful your router should be. Like computers, routers have processors and memory, and having one that’s more powerful will enable your home network to handle a lot of throughputs. 

As a rule of thumb, if you care enough to get a WiFi 6 router, you’re going to want a multi-core processor and at least MB of RAM or more. The router’s internal hardware, particularly its memory, affects how much data it can process without slowing or stuttering. A weak router can be a bottleneck for your network, especially if you pay for high-speed internet and have many connected devices communicating at once.

You also need to consider where you plan to put your router. Its location matters for both the distance the router needs to cover to connect your whole home, and the density of stuff in that space, interfering with the signal. A less expensive router will handily cover a studio or one-bedroom apartment, but you may need to invest in something more powerful to cover a larger, multi-level space like a house. If a single router still won’t reach far enough, or there are dead spots on account of interference, then there are WiFi extenders that can rebroadcast and extend the signals from existing routers, or dedicated mesh WiFi networks, which cover larger areas with multiple broadcast hubs.

What is WiFi 6?

You may be wondering where WiFi were, and your confusion isn’t unwarranted. The WiFi Alliance, an independent company that maintains wireless networking standards, retroactively added a consumer-facing number system to match the legacy IEEE wireless standard names like ac and n. So ax, the newest standard launched in , is now WiFi 6. (It’s also called “High-Efficiency Wireless” sometimes). 

We’ve put together a detailed description of everything new and exciting about WiFi 6, but here’s the short version: WiFi 6 was made in anticipation of a wireless future, with a population boom of connected devices and neighboring networks to sort through. It’s faster, and has been designed specifically to perform well in crowded networks. As with all prior standards, it’s fully backward compatible with all earlier hardware, so while only newer devices can take full advantage of its potential, it will connect to anything.

Router speed and your ISP

The primary stat you will typically see with a router looks something like “AX” The letters refer to standard–“AX” is shorthand for “ax,” A.K.A. WiFi 6–and the number refers to the combined maximum theoretical speed across all bands (in Mbps). The actual speeds you get for any one device in practice, however, will likely be lower, and depend on various factors like hardware, interference, and placement.

You should also keep your ISP plan’s maximum data rate in mind. Make sure that your router can handle as much bandwidth as your data cap or more to ensure you’re not losing out, but also don’t go overboard and spend a lot on a multi-Gigabit-capable router when your maximum download speed isn’t breaking 25 Mbps in the foreseeable future.

Security

For security, you’re primarily looking at “W” acronyms. WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) is the original protocol for secure WiFi transmissions, but is generally considered to be insecure and out of date. For contemporary routers, you want to make sure that they are compatible with WPA (WiFi Protected Access). WPA2 is the current standard, but many WiFi 6 routers are ahead of the curve, and support  the new and even more secure WPA3 standard. 

Some routers also support WiFi Protected Setup (WPS), a common extension of WPA that allows for a simple, push-button connection between devices, although security experts now recommend that people not use it due to some fundamental vulnerabilities. Many routers also offer more specific security features, such as malware protection and parental controls, which are all worth considering if they seem relevant.

The best WiFi 6 routers: Here’s what we recommend

The best WiFi 6 routers are, by and large, a huge leap forward over your average, ISP-provided networking hub. They offer more speed, more security, and the capacity to get the most out of your internet service. Each of these picks is suited to a different use-case, price point, or other needs, but they can all make a big difference in the right setup.

Best overall WiFi 6 router: Asus RT-AX86U

All the WiFi you probably need

Asus’ RT-AX86U will cover your networking needs for the foreseeable future.

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Specs

• Speed: Mbps
• Wired LAN Ports: 4
• USB Ports: 2
• Antennae: 3
• Bands: 2
• Security: WPA2, WPS, WPA3

Why it made the cut: The RT-AX86U bundles all the best features that WiFi 6 has to offer in a user-friendly package that isn’t cheap, but offers great value for the category.

The stealth bomber aesthetic on this overall best WiFi 6 router probably gives away that the Asus RT-AX86U is ostensibly a gaming router. As leading bandwidth hogs, though, gaming is where you should look if you’re trying to future-proof your network. It performs well across the board, especially for its mid-range price. Its setup is easy through either a web browser or app, and it offers a lot of control and advanced features for you to tinker with, including a VPN, anti-malware software, and parental controls. The only drawback is that it’s somewhat large and can only stand vertically, without the flexibility to lay it flat or easily wall-mount it.

Best value WiFi 6 router: TP-Link Archer AX50

Everything you need at a lower price

The TP-Link Archer AX50 is a no-frills intro to WiFi 6 for the budget-minded.

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Specs

• Speed: Mbps
• Wired LAN Ports: 4
• USB Ports: 1
• Antennae: 4
• Bands: 2
• Security: WPA2, WPS

Why it made the cut: For its low cost, the TP-Link Archer AX50 is a high-performing router that brings the main benefits of WiFi 6 and a robust general feature set.

TP-Link Archer routers have long been some of the best value WiFi 6 routers, and the AX50 is no different. It offers fast WiFi 6 performance, although with notably more drop-off with distance and interference than the more expensive counterparts, so it shines best without help in small spaces. The AX50 comes with TP-Link’s useful and user-friendly QoS (Quality of Service) software, along with parental controls and antivirus. It also features generous physical connectivity options for a budget router, with four gigabit LAN ports and support for link aggregation, which combines multiple ethernet sources into a single, stronger connection. The one notable sacrifice it makes from WiFi 6’s suite of upgrades is that it is not compatible with WPA3 security, instead still relying on WPA2.

Best WiFi 6 router for gaming: Netgear Nighthawk XR

Game on

Caption: Get a competitive edge in games with the Netgear Nighthawk XR

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Specs

• Speed: Mbps
• Wired LAN Ports: 4
• USB Ports: 1
• Antennae: 4
• Bands: 2
• Security: WPA2, WPS, WPA3

Why it made the cut: Netgear’s Nighthawk XR is a high-end WiFi 6 router built for competitive gamers who want low ping and a high KDA.

The Netgear Nighthawk XR is the best WiFi 6 router for gaming. It&#;s also expensive, particularly for being dual-band and not having multi-gig wired connections. (It doesn’t help that Netgear charges a subscription for security updates that some other manufacturers provide for free). Multi-gig connections and a third transmission band are future-proofing features for now, however, and the XR goes the extra mile with gaming-oriented features that will improve performance today. The polished and helpful DumaOS provides all the functionality you’d expect from a premium router’s UI, but with extra functionality designed for gamers, like Geo-Filter and Ping Heatmap, which intelligently test and record data on the ping of the various server options for online games to ensure that you always have the best connection possible.

Best WiFi 6E router: Netgear Nighthawk Tri-Band Wi-Fi 6E Router (RAXE)

Maximum WiFi

For when you need as much WiFi as possible in a small area.

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Specs

• Speed: Mbps
• Wired LAN Ports: 5
• USB Ports: 2
• Antennae:8
• Bands: 3
• Security: WPA2, WPS, WPA3

Why it made the cut: WiFi 6E is the bleeding edge of consumer wireless tech, and the Netgear Nighthawk RAXE is the best option available now.

WiFi 6 is still broadly in the “early adopter” phase, but WiFi 6E is newer and more exclusive. WiFi “6E” routers have the same functionality as WiFi 6 routers, with one extra trick: They can also connect to devices via the 6 GHz frequency band, which was recently opened up for general use by the FCC, in addition to the now-standard and 5 GHz bands. Like the jump from to 5, 6 GHz signals allow for even faster data transfer, but are more sensitive even more to physical interference. Generally speaking, that means you need to keep your router close to any devices that you plan to connect using 6GHz.

The Netgear Nighthawk RAXE is a well-made and high-performing 6E router, though very expensive for a standard that is not yet in wide use. It stands out as the best WiFi 6E router among its peers for its striking design, excellent performance, and premium features, as you’d expect from such an expensive product. That said, 6E is still extremely new, so the standards for performance are still being set.

Best WiFi 6 mesh router: Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8)

Spreading out

The Asus ZenWiFi AX XT8 is a powerful, foolproof mesh network for a reasonable price.

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Specs

• Speed: Mbps
• Wired LAN Ports: 7
• USB Ports: 1
• Antennae: 6
• Bands: 3
• Security: WPA2, WPS, WPA3

Why it made the cut: The Asus ZenWiFi AX XT8 is the best compromise of efficacy and cost for WiFi 6 mesh routers.

All of the best WifI 6 mesh routers allow for better coverage over large spaces by having multiple broadcast points. The Asus ZenWiFi AX XT8 comes with two identical hubs, either of which can serve as the primary node, helping to make setup easy. It features three bands (one GHz, and two 5 GHz), with the second 5GHz band by default set for “backhaul” communications between the primary and the secondary node, but you can configure it to be dedicated otherwise. It performs comparably to more expensive mesh systems, and includes great security tools with lifetime updates.

FAQs

The final word on the best WiFi 6 routers

WiFi 6 is here to stay, and it’s worth investing now if you’re looking to upgrade your home network. It isn’t an absolute necessity yet, but it may help more than you think. If you take an inventory of your connected devices and find you have a house full of signals bouncing around, it may make sense to upgrade. After a year of router launches, there are now enough options that you can probably find one that suits your needs.

You&#;ll find in this post the lists of &#;the best&#; Wi-Fi 6 routers.

This standard&#;s first router became available in early , and since then, I&#;ve reviewed dozens of them. Obviously, only those I&#;d use for myself make it here &#; and I indeed have been using at least some.

That said, any routers you find here will likely work out well &#; it&#;s a matter of degrees depending on your situation. But do bookmark this post &#; I&#;ll update it as I review more. You might find that perfect one the next time around.

By the way, if you live in a big home and need a multi-hardware-unit solution, check out this list of the best Wi-Fi 6 mesh systems instead. Looking to upgrade to the all-new Wi-Fi 6E? This list includes all you can buy right now.

Dong’s note: I last updated this frequently revised post on September 16,

Before we get to the lists, let&#;s cut to the chase and jump right to why you&#;re here: The very best Wi-Fi 6 router, all things considered.

The best Wi-Fi 6 router to date: Asus RT-AX86U

It&#;s tough to call a router (or anything for that matter) the best because everyone has different needs and budgets. So take &#;the best&#; with a grain of salt.

But the RT-AX86U AX Dual-Band Wi-Fi 6 Gaming Router indeed has almost everything one would want from a standalone Wi-Fi 6 broadcaster. It&#;s been that way since I first reviewed it in August and actually gotten better via firmware updates.

Here&#;s the list of what this router has to offers:

• Fast Wi-Fi speeds, excellent coverage.
• Multi-Gig wired connection support.
• Tons of useful features including tier-2 gaming from Asus.
• No login account required (like all Asus routers) means no privacy concern.
• Excellent support for AiMesh (with latest firmware). You can get multiple units or any other dual-band AiMesh routers to form a Wi-Fi system, preferably via wired backhauls.
• Comparatively pricing.

But like all things, the RT-AX86U is not perfect. Far from it.

It&#;s not wall-mountable, nor does it have multiple Multi-Gig ports. It doesn&#;t support Multi-Gig wired backhaul (yet?) when working as a mesh satellite. And as a gaming router, it doesn&#;t have all game-related features collectively available in Asus routers.

Still, if you&#;re in a hurry and want a &#;safe&#; purchase, you won&#;t go wrong with this router. Just make sure you understand that when it comes to Wi-Fi, we can never get everything.

Or can we? Well, maybe one of those on the following lists will prove me wrong for your situation.

Best Wi-Fi 6 routers of The lists

These lists are in reviewed order, the latest on top. Consequently, the number in front of each product&#;s name is numerical and not the ranking.

There are a few lists for different home sizes, including small, medium, and large, determined by the number of users and not necessarily space &#; again, you need a mesh for a large home.

Looking to see the routers mentioned here stacked up against one another in real-world speeds? Scroll to the bottom for the performance section. Or check out these Wi-Fi 6 matchups to see how they pan out as direct rivals.

Best budget entry-level (AX) and mid-range (AX) Wi-Fi 6 routers for a small home

This list includes dual-band 2&#;2 routers that range from affordable to semi-affordable. They all have a bandwidth cap of Gbps or lower when used with 2&#;2 Wi-Fi 6 clients &#; there are currently no faster devices.

These generally are routers for the budget-minded or those living in a small or medium home.

5. Asus GS-AX And excellent entry-level gaming router

(In case you didn&#;t read the intro: This is the latest member on this list &#; the number is only numerical, not the ranking.)

The GS-AX is somewhat of a gaming version to the RT-AX below, and as such, it&#;s an excellent option. This new router, part of Asus&#;s ROG STRIX series, has many gaming and non-gaming features for a small household.

In many ways, the GS-AX replaces the Asus RT-AX, which used to be on this list.

4. Netgear WAX A valuable router that thinks it&#;s an access point

The Netgear WAX sure is special. For one, Netgear calls it an Access Point, but in reality, it is a Wi-Fi 6 router &#; which encompasses an access point. And it&#;s a catch!

Indeed, with a sub-$ price tag and solid performance, the WAX is an excellent buy for a small home with a sub-Gigabit broadband connection.

3. Asus RT-AX68U: An entry-level mesh-ready router

The Asus RT-AX68U is a bit odd. It&#;s the only 3&#;3 Wi-Fi 6 router I&#;ve tested. But it proved an excellent choice as a standalone router or a member of an AiMesh system.

2. TP-Link Archer AX An excellent alternative worthy of the extra cost

The TP-Link Archer AX50 ( not to be confused with the similarly specced Archer AX) is a dual-stream (2&#;2) mid-range Wi-Fi 6 router.

But since there are only 2&#;2 clients on the market, this router can still deliver the top Wi-Fi 6 speeds, especially considering it supports the MHz channel width.

On top of that, the affordable pricing, plus an excellent set of features, make it a great deal.

1. Netgear RAX A safe Wi-Fi 6 choice for the semi budget-minded

(In case you didn&#;t read the intro: This is the oldest member on this list &#; the number is only numerical, not the ranking.)

While Wi-Fi 5 routers have been around for years, and most homes in America likely won&#;t top out on the speeds that these routers support, upgrading to a Wi-Fi 6 router comes with many alluring benefits. You&#;ll be able to get faster speeds &#; up to Gbps &#; if your home internet plan can support it, better security, and more manageability by being able to connect more devices to an access point.

To take advantage of the best features of Wi-Fi 6, you&#;ll need to upgrade to a new router. Here are some of the best Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E routers that should be on the top of your shopping list

Best Wi-Fi 6 routers at a glance

Netgear Nighthawk AX8

Why you should buy this: The Nighthawk AX8 boasts a unique design that can blanket a large space with Wi-Fi 6 coverage.

Who&#;s it for: Home users who don&#;t want a mesh system or unsightly antennas on their routers.

Why we picked the Netgear Nighthawk AX8:

Netgear has released a whole line of Wi-Fi 6-ready Nighthawks, but the AX8 offers some great middle-ground for those who want the best but don’t exactly need an office router. This model promises speeds up to 6Gbps across its bands &#; yes, Wi-Fi 6 really is that much of an improvement &#; and is designed for large homes that have a whole lot of devices on the wireless network.

Inside, the GHz processor helps take care of the details, managing up to eight simultaneous OFDMA connections and 16 simultaneous Wi-Fi clients while making sure there are no dead zones around. There are also six Gigabit Ethernet ports for file transfer, including the ability to combine two of the ports to create an even faster wired connection.

There are plenty of Nighthawk AX models that are Wi-Fi 6 ready if you want to choose something with a little less power and a lower cost, but the Netgear Nighthawk AX8 is the top of the line for a home router if you really want the best!

Asus RT-AX88U

Why you should buy this: The Asus RT-AX88U is a fast Wi-Fi 6 router designed to prioritize gaming traffic with a simple design that&#;s elevated with gold antenna accents.

Who&#;s it for: Gamers and streamers who worry about speeds.

Why we picked the Asus RT-AX88U:

Asus has several Wi-Fi 6 routers and, honestly, we&#;re impressed with all of them. This particular model has a lot in common with the Nighthawk AX8, offering 6GBps speeds (around Mbps on the GHz band and Mbps on the 5GHz band, the expected speeds on all Wi-Fi 6 models), plus 8 LAN ports. The dual-band router also works with AiMesh, the Asus Wi-Fi mesh system that can link multiple routers together for better, stronger coverage where necessary.

The router also supports both OFDMA and MU-MIMO for direct connections to devices for greater stability and better data streaming. Gamers, meanwhile, will appreciate the Adaptive QoS that can prioritize games to make sure there are no slowdowns that the worst possible time. As with most modern Asus routers, the Asus RT-AX88U&#;s network is guarded by AiProtection Pro, a security filter to help keep your data safe.

TP-Link Archer AX

Why you should buy this: The TP-Link Archer AX is made to minimize congestion and offers better band steering control for tech-savvy users.

Who&#;s it for: Gamers, streamers, and houses with multiple IoT devices trying to connect simultaneously.

Why we picked the TP-Link Archer AX

With Netgear and Asus offer top-tier ax models, you know TP-Link can&#;t be far behind. This Archer model offers up to 6Gbps across its bands, nine Gigabit LAN ports, and compatibility with both OFDMA and MU-MIMO. It comes with a Ghz quad-core processor, and two co-processors to help manage connection quality. By now, all this may be feeling a little familiar. But TP-Link has a few unique features to contribute.

The &#;band-steering&#; and &#;airtime-fairness&#; software helps make sure that bands don&#;t get overcrowded, while also ensuring that one device doesn&#;t get too much attention. The TP-Link Archer AX also comes with a USB-C port, useful for everything from data transfer to charging up your mobile devices &#; a nice benefit if your router is on your desktop. There&#;s even Alexa compatibility if you want to give it voice commands.

Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX

Why you should buy this: The Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX is high speed for high-bandwidth applications and can be paired with the company&#;s other mesh products for a whole-home Wi-Fi system.

Who&#;s it for: Serious gamers and streamers.

Why we picked the Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX

Primarily interested in gaming? The Rapture is a Wi-Fi 6 model designed for gamers that may not be able to get a wired connection but still want the highest-quality wireless connection available. The router will prioritize gaming devices, gaming servers, and what it identifies as gaming data packets, speeding up the connection from beginning to end, aided by the GHz quad-core processor.

If you do find an arrangement that allows for a wired connection, the Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX has a dedicated G port for gaming devices. AiMesh allows you to connect multiple Asus devices, while AirProtection provides a nice security filter. There are also plenty of options to customize connection monitoring and prioritization so you can check up on the quality of your connections at any time. Oh, and it makes port forward extra, with the ability to pick your game and device and activate open NAT in seconds.

TP-Link Deco X60 WiFi 6 AX Whole-Home Mesh Wi-Fi System

Why you should buy this: TP-Link&#;s Deco X60 comes with an attractive, minimalist design that can complement your home decor, and the mesh system can blanket large spaces.

Who&#;s it for: Home users or small business owners.

Why we picked the TP-Link Deco X

TP-Link’s Deco was an impressive mesh system to begin with, designed to spread multiple units throughout your building for superior coverage and no dead zones. But thanks to its upgrade, Deco is now better than ever. The new units can cover up to 7, square feet, making them suitable for pretty much any large space you have. They also provide up to 3 Gigabits per second (Gbps) speeds for up to devices, so it’s faster than ever, too.

The router is a smart choice if you enjoy video chatting, streaming, or gaming. Expected upgrades like OFDMA and MU-MIMO are here, but note that the TP-Link Deco X60 also supports WPA3 encryption &#; soon to become the new required standard &#; along with the TP-Links suite of security tools. The initial setup is simple, too. Just follow the process outlined in the Deco app. Deco is the mesh system to pick for the new decade.

Netgear Orbi

Why you should buy this: Netgear&#;s Orbi delivers strong Wi-Fi 6 signals and fast speeds with its tri-band design, and each node comes with Ethernet ports for more versatility.

Who&#;s it for: Home users and 4K streamers.

Why we picked the Netgear Orbi:

A mesh router system includes satellite models that function as repeaters, strengthening and rebroadcasting the Wi-Fi signal at different points to cover much more ground. This particular version offers both the primary router and one extender to cover a total of 5, square feet, but you can add more satellites for covering an even greater area, if necessary.

In addition to Wi-Fi 6 speeds (up to Gbps across the three bands supported by the router), this mesh system can handle more than 40 devices and includes Gigabit Ethernet ports on each device for wired connections. The Orbi app also gets a nod for being particularly easy to work with, an important factor when setting up a more complicated mesh system.

While such a high-end mesh network may not be for everyone, the Netgear Orbiis an excellent choice for large homes, businesses, and public areas where plentiful coverage is important. You can choose several different varieties if you want to look for a different price!

Linksys Atlas Max 6E

Why you should buy this: Linksys&#; Atlas Max 6E comes with Wi-Fi 6 support and boasts speeds up to Gbps.

Who&#;s it for: Gamers, 4K streamers, and small offices that need fast speeds and robust coverage.

Why we picked the Linksys Atlas Max 6E:

Even though Linksys&#;s Atlas Max 6E wireless mesh networking system is one of the priciest options on our list, it brings advanced Wi-Fi 6E support to those who need the latest and greatest technology. Promising speeds up to times faster than Wi-Fi 5, the Atlas Max 6E is a great tool for those with gigabit internet or faster and anyone who wants to stream games for the lowest of latency connections. The Atlas Max 6E adds in a 6GHz band and supports the same 4x channel of current systems, allowing more devices to connect to your network for speeds up to Gbps.

The Atlas Max 6E benefits from the same features of most modern mesh networks, including a smartphone app to access the settings, the ability to set up a separate guest network and parental controls, and firmware updates that happen automatically in the background. The system comes with 12 internal antennas that deliver tri-band coverage on the GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz spectrums. Powering the whole thing is a GHz quad-core processor, and Linksys claims that a network with two nodes can blanket up to 6, square feet of space. WP3 security is supported on all bands.

Eero 6

Why you should buy this: Eero promises a simple setup experience and expandable coverage with optional nodes for a complete mesh network.

Who&#;s it for: Home users who value simplicity.

Why we picked the Eero 6:

Eero is one of the first companies to enter the mesh networking space, and the company&#;s new Eero 6 mesh router is an iterative update that brings massive improvements. The Eero 6, as its name implies, supports the new Wi-Fi 6 standard, though more advanced users can also look to the Eero Pro 6 for faster speeds befitting of gigabit internet plans. Eero sells the Eero 6 in multiple configurations that can blanket up to a 5,square-foot home with speeds up to Gbps.

Another limitation of the standard Eero 6 compared to the Eero Pro 6 is that the non-Pro model tops out with dual-band support. Still, unless your home is loaded on IoT devices or you need the absolute best speeds to stream or game, going with the non-Pro model will be more than adequate and will save you money in the long run. The Eero 6 is powered by a GHz quad-core processor, and it also comes with built-in Zigbee support for smart home peripherals. Unfortunately, the more popular Z-Wave standard isn&#;t supported here. Eero&#;s extremely minimalistic setup means that you&#;ll get discrete, attractive nodes, but unless you buy a combo pack with multiple routers, you&#;re not going to find Ethernet ports on the add-on satellite units.

Research and buying tips

Are Wi-Fi 6 routers worth it?

Yes. A router isn&#;t a device that&#;s replaced very often. Unlike a smartphone, it tends to sit in one spot and do its job for several years or so. While Wi-Fi 6 is only starting to show up on newer devices (as we mentioned, it first appeared on the market in late ), within a couple of years, it will become the expected standard, the way ac was considered standard. Getting a Wi-Fi 6 router now isn&#;t just good future-proofing, it&#;s really the only option if you want a router that will be useful for longer than a year or two.

Do Wi-Fi 6 routers have better range?

Not innately, no. Wi-Fi 6 will improve your connection quality and eliminate dead zones, but your router will still keep its original technical range. If you need a larger technical range, mesh routers are probably your best option. The big benefits of Wi-Fi 6, also designated by the moniker Wi-Fi ax, include better throughput speeds, reduced latency, and the ability to connect more devices to the same access point. These benefits will be great for applications that require responsiveness, such as gaming, augmented reality, and virtual reality, to name a few. This makes Wi-Fi 6 routers great gaming routers. To benefit from Wi-Fi 6&#;s support for faster speeds, you&#;ll need a fast broadband connection, and that&#;s something you&#;ll have to discuss with your internet service provider, or ISP. 

How do I check if my router supports Wi-Fi 6?

It’s usually pretty obvious, but you can always look up your router model online. Compatible routers will state clearly they use Wi-Fi 6 or ax, which both mean the same thing. If you’ve had your router for more than a year, it probably won’t use Wi-Fi 6.

Remember that it’s also important to see if any of your new devices support Wi-Fi 6. You’ll have to make sure both your router and the connected device are Wi-Fi 6 compatible so that they can work without any disruptions.

Can my current router be upgraded to Wi-Fi 6?

Unfortunately, a simple upgrade isn’t possible. Wi-Fi 6 requires new components that are only available in newer routers. The same isn’t necessarily true of your connected devices, though. If you are comfortable modding your computer, you may be able to add a new PC Wi-Fi card that supports Wi-Fi 6. In the future, if you&#;re upgrading your smartphone, tablet, or laptop, be sure to check to see if those devices support Wi-Fi 6 &#; Intel-powered devices will be labeled as Wi-Fi 6 Gig+. In addition to Wi-Fi 6, a revised standard called Wi-Fi 6E is starting to make its way to the market. 

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