Wi-Fi routers are an important part of your home networking setup and something you will use every single day, whether it’s to send an email, stream video, or chat with family members on the other side of the country. That’s why choosing the best Wi-Fi 6E router that fits your unique needs and has the best set of features possible is important.
Wi-Fi 6E routers are the future wave, but with so many new models hitting the market in recent years, it’s hard to know which one will be best for your situation. You might think that Wi-Fi 6E routers are the same as their predecessor, but the technology has improved in many ways.
These advances benefit those who want to use their router at home, those who want to use it for business purposes, and everyone in between. So, it’s easy to see how Wi-Fi 6E routers are capable of doing more than ever before. Whether you need lightning-fast speeds in a large home or want something with strong parental controls, here’s our guide on the best Wi-Fi 6E routers to help you find the right one for your needs.
- Best Wi-Fi 6E Router Overall: ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AXE11000
- Best Budget Option: TP-Link AXE5400
- Best Wi-Fi 6E Router for Gaming: Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500
- Best Compact Wi-Fi 6E Router: Amazon eero Pro 6E
- Best Wi-Fi 6E Mesh Router: Asus ZenWiFi ET8
Best Wi-Fi 6E Router Overall: ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AXE11000
- Wi-Fi 6E 10 Gigabit tri-band router
- Speeds up to 11000 Mbps
- 1.8GHz quad-core CPU
- 6GHz spectrum
- 2.5G LAN/WAN Port
The ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AXE11000 has everything you need in a router: it’s powerful enough to handle heavy-duty tasks like streaming video and gaming at high speeds, but it also has all the features you’ll need to make your home network as secure as possible.
On the back, there are six Ethernet ports: four gigabit LAN, one gigabit WAN, and one 2.5Gbps LAN port. Gaming is prioritized for this ephemeral port. With its adjustable RGB lighting, the Rapture blends in seamlessly with the rest of the ROG brand. The RGB can still represent network status or CPU load, even when Aura Sync is incompatible.
The software was also designed with gaming in mind, and optimizations were made to keep your games running smoothly with constant pings even on a busy connection. Not only that, but your connection will be optimized to locate the shortest path to the server if you’re playing one of the top Android games online.
Check out ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AXE11000 on Amazon.
Best Budget Option: TP-Link AXE5400
- Provides up to 5400Mbps Wi-Fi
- New 6 GHz band offers more bandwidth, more speed, and low latency
- 1.7GHz quad-core CPU and 512MB memory
- Supports VPN server and client
- Compatible with all internet service providers
TP-Link AXE5400 is a no-frills router that offers solid performance at an affordable price. It’s easy to set up and configure and has a simple interface that makes it easy to use. The router has enough features to keep the average user happy — but if you know what you’re doing with a router, there’s plenty of room for customization.
Overall, it’s a great choice if you want something simple but powerful — and its affordable price tag makes it even better. It has four Gigabit Ethernet ports that can handle powerline networking and Wi-Fi simultaneously without lag or slowdown, plus an additional USB 3.0 port for connecting external hard drives and printers.
It also includes the latest Wi-Fi security technology, which protects you and your devices against attacks from hackers and other malicious devices. Thanks to its easy setup, you won’t have any trouble getting connected with this router.
Just plug in your network cable and start using it immediately. Users can make use of built-in parental controls and access point mode features, too.
Check out TP-Link AXE5400 on Amazon.
Best Wi-Fi 6E Router for Gaming: Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500
- 6GHz WiFi band dedicated to WiFi 6E devices including Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. Enjoy 4K/8K video streaming, AR/VR gaming and HD videoconferencing.Beamforming : Improve range and performance for...
- Powerful 1.8GHz quad-core processor gives you exceptional 10.8Gbps WiFi speed, 9x faster than WiFi 5. Backward compatible for all WiFi devices on 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands
- Coverage up to 3,500 sq. ft. and 60 devices
- Replace your existing WiFi Router (separate modem or modem router required). Compatible with any Internet Service Provider up to 2Gbps including cable, satellite, fiber, DSL and more
- Sets up in minutes with the Nighthawk app – easily manage WiFi settings at the device and network level, test internet speed and monitor data usage
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 is the best gaming router on the market. With its tri-band configuration and enhanced signal strength, this router will make sure your lag is at a minimum.
It offers speeds up to 4.8Gbps at 6GHz. This is more than enough for streaming high-definition videos, playing games online, and other activities that require large amounts of data transfer.
The device also offers several advanced features that make it easy to set up and use. It has a nice, user-friendly interface and a simple setup process that allows users to get everything up and running in just minutes.
With a matte black housing and antennae hidden in the wings on the left and right sides of the device, this router has an identical appearance to Netgear’s other top-of-the-line Wi-Fi 6 routers. This is advantageous because these routers have excellent coverage and a stylish design.
The Nighthawk RAXE500 is also one of the most powerful routers on the market today. It has six Gigabit Ethernet ports: a gigabit WAN port, four gigabit LAN ports, and a 2.5Gbps WAN/ LAN port. These ports enable users to connect multiple devices at once, allowing them to share the bandwidth among all their devices without any issues whatsoever.
Check out Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 on Amazon.
Best Compact Wi-Fi 6E Router: Amazon eero Pro 6E
- Easy to set up and use
- Superfast and reliable gigabit + speeds
- Can connect 100+ devices at once
- Intelligently routes traffic to reduce drop-offs
- Wide coverage up to 2,000 sq. ft
The Amazon eero Pro 6E is our favorite compact mesh Wi-Fi system. It’s small, easy to install, and offers great performance in various environments. This router is also very fast and reliable, which means you can use it without worrying about your internet connection dropping or buffering for long periods.
It also has a range of about 6,000 feet, so if you’re in a large home or an apartment, it might not be able to reach all of your devices. This tri-band mesh kit comes with one or two identical nodes in the package; single nodes can be purchased separately later.
AXE5400, which translates to 574 Mbps at 2.4 GHz, 2402 Mbps at 5 GHz, and 2402 Mbps at 6 GHz, is the speed. Due to the ability to connect at full speed and with 160MHz support on both bands for both 5GHz and 6GHz, even older 160MHz Wi-Fi 6 devices can benefit.
Two Ethernet ports are located next to one USB-C port utilized for power on the back. One port is a 2.5Gb Ethernet port, which may be used as either a LAN or WAN port, depending on your network’s needs.
Check out Amazon eero Pro 6E on Amazon.
Best Wi-Fi 6E Mesh Router: Asus ZenWiFi ET8
- Wi-Fi 6E tri-band mesh Wi-Fi system boosts speeds up to 6600 Mbps, with coverage up to 5,500 square feet
- New 6 GHz band ensures stable backhaul connection between nodes as no legacy device interference
- Wider channels and higher capacity deliver higher performance and lower latency
- Instant Guard gives you one-click secure internet access via ZenWiFi ET8 from anywhere in the world
- Lifetime free ASUS AiProtection Pro, powered by Trend Micro, with WPA3 and advanced parental controls to protect your home
If you’re looking for a mesh router, the Asus ZenWiFi ET8 is the best option. It’s affordable and easy to use, which means it’s perfect for anyone who doesn’t want to spend much money on a high-end mesh system. It also offers a good range, so you won’t have trouble connecting your devices.
The Asus ZenWiFi ET8 has a built-in wireless range extender, so you don’t have to worry about running cables everywhere or having dead spots in your house. The router also has its own battery backup system, so you won’t lose connectivity if there’s an outage.
This system comprises a quick 2.5Gbps WAN port and two identical nodes with three gigabit Ethernet connections. On the back, there is a USB 3.1 Type-A port as well. You can cover up to 5,500 square feet with these two nodes and expand with additional AiMesh nodes.
AiMesh customers have a significant advantage for future expansion as it enables using a broad variety of ASUS routers in a mesh network. Additionally, ASUS offers its robust AiProtection Pro software suite, which comes with free parental controls, network security, and antivirus protection. In terms of software, ASUS enables you to name your Wi-Fi bands differently so that you may select exactly the band you want a device to connect to.
Check out Asus ZenWiFi ET8 on Amazon.
How To Pick The Best Wi-Fi 6E Routers For Every Use Case: Step by Step
Wi-Fi technology has advanced to a new generation with the release of Wi-Fi 6. Wi-Fi 6E routers are designed for a new era of Wi-Fi, with speeds up to five times faster than the previous generation.
These routers also support more advanced features like fast MU-MIMO technology, Beamforming, and more. If you’re looking for a Wi-Fi 6E router that’s perfect for your home, you should consider a few things before you buy it. They include:
- Speed
- Price
- Software Package
- Coverage
- Features
Now let’s explore each in more detail.
Speed
The first thing you should consider when shopping for a new Wi-Fi 6E router is its speed. The higher the number, the faster it can transfer data between devices like laptops, phones, or tablets. This will increase productivity in your home or office and provide better performance for streaming media or gaming online.
Price
Just like with most things in life, you get what you pay for when it comes to routers. The more expensive models will have better features, like tri-band support (2.4 GHz and two 5 GHz) and Gigabit ports for faster speeds on every device connected simultaneously. Most wireless routers are priced between $50 and $200, but some are cheaper.
If you’re looking for something less expensive, then perhaps a single-band router would be best suited to your needs — even if that means sacrificing some features, such as advanced security, in other brands’ products.
Software Package
The software package with your wireless router can make or break its performance in several ways. If you have a lot of connections, the router’s software will determine which devices are served first and significantly impact your network’s speed.
With their strong software management, ASUS and Netgear have dominated the market for Wi-Fi 6 routers. These routers also include built-in security software, while ASUS is free, and Netgear requires a monthly subscription.
Coverage
Almost all new routers come with tri-band support, which means they can work with both 2.4GHz, and two 5GHz bands simultaneously without any issues at all. If your home or office has multiple floors, then it is better to choose a dual-band router so that you don’t have any issues while using them together.
You want a router that can provide reliable coverage for all your devices but doesn’t require sacrificing speed or range for reliability. The best way to determine if your current router will give you adequate coverage is by testing it out.
Just plug in some of your household devices and see how they perform when connected through the router. If they don’t work as expected, there could be a problem with your router’s signal strength or range, so take note of any problems and contact customer support if necessary.
Features
Some routers offer more features than others, which can affect how much they cost. For example, some routers come with more powerful antennas and more advanced signal processing technology than others, which may enable them to achieve better performance at lower prices than similarly-equipped models.
Others have extra features, like parental controls and guest access, that can help limit access based on who’s using the network. They can also restrict public access altogether depending on who’s using it. You may also want to consider whether or not there are any security features built into the device, such as WPA2 encryption or IP blocking.
What To Know Before Buying a Wi-Fi 6E Router
Wi-Fi 6E is the latest wireless technology to hit the market and brings significant improvements. Wi-Fi 6 is designed to improve on the limitations of previous generations, such as faster speeds and more reliable connections.
However, not all routers are created equal, and you want to ensure you get a router with everything you need for your specific use case. Here are some things to consider before buying a Wi-Fi 6E router:
Will you be connecting a laptop or phone? If so, then having a dual-band router is most important so that you can have a stronger connection when downloading data from the internet. If you’ll only be using your home network to connect devices like tablets and smart TVs, then having a single-band router should work just fine.
What about security features? Having advanced security features is essential if you’re going to share an internet connection with other people in your household who may not know how to secure their own devices. A router’s firewall protects your home network by ensuring unauthorized users can’t access it, as well as by blocking any malicious traffic.
How much speed do you need? If you’re constantly streaming high-quality video or playing games online, then a tri-band router will likely offer better performance than one with dual bands. Most routers have a maximum theoretical speed of 1750 Mbps.
But, in reality, you will typically see less than 1000 Mbps depending on where you live and what kind of devices are connected at any given time. It’s also worth considering whether you need a 6GHz, 5GHz, or 2.4GHz frequency band; 6GHz is newer technology and provides a better range.
Using a Wi-Fi 6E Router: What It’s Like
Wi-Fi 6E routers are a great choice for any home or business. They have everything you’d expect in a modern router — powerful processors, gigabit Ethernet ports, AC Wi-Fi antennas, and more. These routers stand out by offering features that make them better than the competition.
Wi-Fi 6E is the latest standard of Wi-Fi. Its design provides both better performance and a greater range than previous generations. The goal is to ensure that your home network works well, even if one or more devices are offline.
This is important for things like streaming video, gaming, and other tasks requiring consistent Internet access. Wi-Fi 6E routers have an optional MU-MIMO (Multi-User Multiple In Multiple Out) feature that allows multiple users to connect to the same network simultaneously.
This is great if you want to share files with other people or if you want to stream videos while playing games together on your phone or tablet. The best part about using Wi-Fi 6E is that it will save you money because of its increased speed compared to older versions of wireless technology.
The best way to pick the right Wi-Fi 6E router for you is to determine what you want your router to do, then compare features and prices from different manufacturers. If possible, test out each router model before making a purchase decision so that you can make an informed choice.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©AtlasStudio/Shutterstock.com.
