The Best WiFi 6E Access Points for Every Use Case — Reviewed and Ranked

Retire your hired-and-tired home router and benefit from the enhanced functionality of market-leading access points.

Many households have a love-hate relationship with Wi-Fi. Until recently, problems with speed, coverage and network security, and capacity have made the quality of Wi-Fi networks extremely variable. However, the Wi-Fi Alliance, the industry body behind Wi-Fi has gone back to the drawing board and has come up with a range of improvements that have really enhanced Wi-Fi performance. It is important to understand what makes a best Wi-Fi 6E access point with Wi-Fi. But what exactly is a Wi-Fi 6E access point, and what makes a Wi-Fi 6E access point the best?

What Is A Best Wi-Fi 6E Access Point?

The best Wi-Fi 6E Access points take advantage of the latest advancements in Wi-Fi including: 

• Access to the 6GHz frequency band.
• The WPA3 updated security protocol.
• Improved encryption.
• Enhanced network name and password security.
• Simplified onboarding and recognition of network devices.

So if you want to take advantage of Wi-Fi 6E for your home or business network, the best Wi-Fi 6E access points deliver superb performance in a range of everyday use cases. We’ve trawled the market and reviewed dozens of the latest access points that provide Wi-Fi 6E connectivity. Here are our top picks: 

• Best overall: Ubiquiti UniFi U6 Enterprise Access Point
• Best gaming option: ASUS ROG Rapture WiFi 6E Gaming Router (GT-AXE11000)
• Best home office choice: TP-Link AXE5400 Tri-Band WiFi 6E Router
• Best for large homes: Ubiquiti UniFi U6 Enterprise Access Point 
• Best smart home selection: NETGEAR Orbi Quad-Band WiFi 6E Mesh System (RBKE963)
• Best business pick: Linksys MR7500 MESH WIFI 6E
• Best Overall Access Point: Ubiquiti UniFi U6 Enterprise Access Point

Best Overall: Ubiquiti UniFi U6 Enterprise Access Point

Solid Access Point

Ubiquiti UniFi U6 Enterprise Access Point | US Model | PoE Adapter not Included (U6-Enterprise-US)

$279.76

• WiFi 4/WiFi 5/WiFi 6/WiFi 6E (2.4/5/6 GHz bands)
• 10.2 Gbps aggregate throughput rate
• (1) 2.5GbE RJ45 port (PoE In)
• Powered with PoE+ (PoE adapter optional)

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11/26/2023 11:02 pm GMT

The Ubiquiti UniFi U6 Enterprise Access Point |is an extremely versatile access point for building scalable home and business networks with indoor and outdoor coverage. It deliver excellent coverage bandwidth and performance for both household and commercial applications. As part of the UniFi range of wireless networking equipment, you can benefit from additional coordinating products like range extenders and outdoor, weather-resistant versions of this competitively priced access point. 

Owners of the Ubiquiti UniFi U6 Enterprise Access Point appreciate the quick and simple app-based setup you can even complete on your phone. This makes it remarkably easy to build and scale the network as your needs change. Ubiquiti also provides regular firmware updates and outstanding support that safeguards the longevity of your purchase.

Quick Specs

Check out the Ubiquiti UniFi U6 Enterprise Access Point on Amazon.

Best For Gaming: ASUS ROG Rapture WiFi 6E Gaming Router (GT-AXE11000)

Triple-Level Game Acceleration

ASUS ROG Rapture WiFi 6E Gaming Router (GT-AXE11000)

$484.14

• 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

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11/25/2023 11:00 pm GMT

Serious gamers need the exceptional bandwidth and capacity only a Wi-F- 6E access point can deliver, and the ASUS ROG Rapture WiFi 6E Gaming Router does not disappoint.

Wi-Fi 6E is ideal for gaming and with speeds of 11 Gbps+, you’ll always have the advantage in the most advanced gaming environments. The massive channels that Wi-Fi 6E delivers are perfect for supporting low-latency, interference-free gaming. This router prioritizes high-throughput applications with a dedicated 2.5G port for routing data. ASUS’ proprietary triple-level acceleration speeds up game traffic between your device and the game server for a more responsive experience for you and your competitors.

This access point also features the most advanced Wi-Fi security standard WPA3- Enterprise and the gaming-focused AiProtection Pro by Trend Micro™ that automatically generated novel security signatures and handshakes to protect you from cloud-based threats. Strong parental controls and site blocking also keep children safe online. 

Quick Specs

Check out the ASUS ROG Rapture WiFi 6E Gaming Router (GT-AXE11000) on Amazon.

Best For Home Office: TP-Link AXE5400 Tri-Band WiFi 6E Router

Our Pick

TP-Link AXE5400 Tri-Band Wi-Fi 6E Router

$159.99

• 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

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11/26/2023 07:30 am GMT

If you’re still working from home, investing in networking hardware that provides you with the best connection speeds and performance will help you keep in touch with the outside world. A regular home router might not be up to ‌supporting heavy Zoom use alongside regular household use, so an upgraded access point is a shrewd investment. 

This access point features tri-band Wi-Fi 6E technology, the most advanced available. The 3×3 multi-user MIMO antennas provide multi-gigahertz speed connectivity, making this an access point that you can rely on for advanced WFH networking applications like:

• Telecommuting 
• Running remote desktops and VPNs
• Essential Virtualization applications 
• Cloud computing 

The TP-Link AX1800 Wi-Fi 6 router also has the bandwidth to cover your home office use while supporting regular household usage. Its intelligent networking features like the Wi-Fi Dead-Zone Killer, and Smart Roaming keep coverage consistent around your property. 

Check out the TP-Link AXE5400 Tri-Band WiFi 6E Router on Amazon.

Best for Large Home: Ubiquiti UniFi U6 Enterprise Access Point  

Solid Access Point

Ubiquiti UniFi U6 Enterprise Access Point | US Model | PoE Adapter not Included (U6-Enterprise-US)

$279.76

• WiFi 4/WiFi 5/WiFi 6/WiFi 6E (2.4/5/6 GHz bands)
• 10.2 Gbps aggregate throughput rate
• (1) 2.5GbE RJ45 port (PoE In)
• Powered with PoE+ (PoE adapter optional)

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11/26/2023 11:02 pm GMT

Wi-Fi Mesh networking is the best solution for providing high-speed coverage all over your big house, and Ubiquiti has designed the Ubiquiti UniFi U6 Enterprise Access Point specifically for this purpose. With UniFi, you can install individual discrete, wall-mounted access points in each room or area of your property. The individual access points link to create a single network with excellent coverage wherever you are in the building as you’ll only be a few meters from an access point. 

Achieving consistent Wi-Fi coverage can be a challenge in large properties. A single router does not have the transmitting power to maintain consistent performance across multiple rooms or over several floors. This means that the Wi-Fi signal is often very weak in certain parts of the property, even if the Wi-Fi network speeds are high. That’s why we think that this premium Wi-Fi 6 access point is a great buy for guesthouses and vacation rentals too. 

Check out the Ubiquiti UniFi U6 Enterprise Access Point  on Amazon.

Best for Smart Home: NETGEAR Orbi Quad-Band WiFi 6E Mesh System (RBKE963)

NETGEAR Orbi Quad-Band WiFi 6E Mesh System (RBKE963), Router with 2 Satellite Extenders, Coverage up to 9,000 sq. ft, 200 Devices, 10 Gig Internet Port, AXE11000 802.11 Axe (Up to 10.8Gbps)

$1,299.99

• Our most powerful whole-home WiFi 6E system with speeds up to 10.8Gbps and coverage up to 6,000 sq. ft., including front & back yards
• WiFi 6E opens up a new 6GHz band, delivering dedicated top speeds to the latest WiFi 6E-ready laptops, phones, & tablets
• Exclusive Quad-band technology & Dedicated Backhaul WiFi ensures max speeds for up to 200 connected devices
• 10 Gig internet port unleashes the fastest download speeds of today and tomorrow. Connect to the latest cable or fiber internet service up to 10Gbps
• NETGEAR Armor protects your family's WiFi with an automatic shield of security across your connected devices with a 30-day free trial

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11/26/2023 12:22 pm GMT

If you rely on smart home solutions like automated locks, lighting, and thermostats, the NETGEAR Orbi Quad-Band WiFi 6E Mesh System delivers lighting-fast speeds and bandwidth throughout your property that can support as many smart devices as you need. After all, speed and coverage are essential for the connectivity required to run a smart home network.

But what sets this access point apart from competitors are its exemplary security features, which are essential for smart home applications. You can be confident that your Wi-Fi network is secure and hacker-proof with features like: 

• Harmonized mesh network names and passwords
• WPA2 and WPA 3 network security, the latest Wi-Fi security standards from the Wi-Fi Alliance
• AES encryption 
• Email notifications if there is a security event
• Firewall security

Depending on the size of your home, you can use a single Orbi access point or opt to connect multiple Orbis throughout your home in a mesh network. 

Check out the NETGEAR Orbi Quad-Band WiFi 6E Mesh System (RBKE963) on Amazon.

Best for Business: Linksys MR7500 MESH WIFI 6E

Linksys Mesh Wifi 6 Router, Dual-Band, 2,700 Sq. ft Coverage, 55+ Devices,High-Speed ax Router for Streaming & Gaming, Speeds up to (AX6600) 6.6Gbps - MR7500

$229.99

• ULTRA HIGH SPEED 6E WIFI: Unleash multi-gigabit internet speeds and extremely low latency for the most stable connection when livestreaming, VR gaming, or streaming video across multiple devices
• LIMITLESS CONNECTIVITY: Ultra fast wireless router, with 5 ethernet ports, the Linksys Hydra Pro 6E Router has a WiFi range up to 2,700 square feet
• MESH WIFI THROUGHOUT YOUR HOME: The Hydra Pro 6E mesh wireless router has a dedicated 6 GHz band to bring ultra-fast data streaming and connections between devices across your entire home, from the...
• EASY SETUP & CONTROL: Wireless routers set up in minutes with the free Linksys App, allowing seamless management of your mesh network system from home or on the go
• POWERED BY INTELLIGENT MESH TECHNOLOGY: Eliminate dead zones and dynamically maximize speed with Linksys WiFi mesh networks. Expand the range of your WiFi network by adding nodes to keep your...

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11/26/2023 09:35 am GMT

Linksys has designed the Linksys MR7500 MESH WIFI 6E to provide multi-gigabit wireless connectivity speeds in high-density environments such as offices, stores, and coffee shops. If you run an office or commercial environment, you’ll appreciate this router’s robust, high-speed connectivity, which are essential to keeping staff productive.

This access point can be discretely wall or ceiling-mounted and provides omnidirectional broadband Wi-Fi connectivity over the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz frequency bands. Multiple MR7500 MESH Wi-Fi 6E access points can create a mesh network with centralized cloud management and an intuitive, browser-based dashboard. Linksys also prioritizes security with enterprise-level WPA3 network security. 

Check out Linksys MR7500 MESH WIFI 6E on Amazon.

How to Pick The Best Wi-Fi 6E Access Points: Key Considerations

A Wi-Fi 6E access point is your opportunity to take advantage of the most advanced type of Wi-Fi networking, first released in early 2021. This high-speed, high-bandwidth technology is the perfect partner for a fiber gigabit broadband internet connection. The right access point is key to enjoying enhanced performance for this wireless networking tech. Here are five key considerations for selecting the best Wi-Fi 6E access point for your needs:

• Frequency bands
• Antennas
• Mesh networking 
• Network Security
• Price 

Let’s review each one in more detail.

Frequency bands and channels 

Wi-Fi 6E differs from the 2019 release of Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) because it can use the 6 GHz frequency band for high-speed, high-throughput data exchange. This is a very new thing as the FCC only allowed unlicensed use of this frequency band in 2020. 

Wi-Fi 6E access points now have up to four distinct frequency bands to use:

1. The 2.4 GHz frequency band ranges between 2.401 GHz and 2.473 GHz. In the US the 2.4 GHz frequency band has 11 20 MHz-wide channels but in other regions 14 channels are available. 
2. The 5GHz frequency band spans 5.170 GHz to 5.835 GHz and is often divided into upper and lower frequency bands. It has up to 25 20 MHz-wide non-overlapping channels for data exchange. 
3. The 6 GHz frequency band, also known as the Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure (U-NII) band, spans 5.925 GHz to 7.125 GHz. This frequency band is the largest and can provide up to 59 20 MHz-wide channels. 

If a manufacturer markets the 5 GHz frequency band as a single frequency band the Wi-Fi 6E access point will be called a tri-band access point. If the access point divides the 5 GHz frequency band into upper and lower bands, the access point is a quad-band access point.

Antennas

Wi-Fi 6E access points rely on the latest antenna technology to achieve super-fast connectivity. The key antenna technology for Wi-Fi 6E is Multi-user Multiple Input Multiple Output (MU-MIMO) which improves the performance of the Wi-Fi signal by sending and receiving it via multiple antennas. A legitimate 6E access should have at least 4 antennas to achieve its connectivity (2×2 MIMO). 

Mesh networking 

Mesh networking technology involves the creation of a network that comprises multiple, interconnected access points, known as nodes. This is the ideal solution for providing great Wi-Fi coverage through large buildings or over multiple floors. Each node receives and transmits data within a localized area. Data moves in and out of the mesh network via a controller with a wired backhaul to the internet.

Network security 

Wi-Fi 6E benefits from the most up-to-date Wi-Fi security standard WPA3. This newly released security standard provides industry-leading encryption, authentication, and device onboarding technologies, with robust protection against common forms of network attack. 

Price

By purchasing a Wi-Fi 6E access point, you are buying the latest Wi-Fi technology and futureproofing your wireless network. These next-generation access points, understandably, have a significantly higher price point than even Wi-Fi 6 ones. For enterprise or mesh networking access points, you can expect to pay upwards of $400, but prices should come down as the adoption of Wi-Fi 6E increases. 

Best Wi-fi 6E Providers

We’ve provided different product recommendations for upgrading to a 6E access point, but here are the most popular companies that consumers buy from:

• Asus: They’re a networking company that offers a wide range of products, including the ROG Rapture GT-AXE16000 and the RT-AX92U 6E routers.
• Linksys: Their most common and popular 6E router options are the Velop MX5500 and the MX2500.
• Netgear: Arguably the most popular or trusted provider, they offer multiple 6E Wi-fi routers including the Nighthawk RAXE500 and the Nighthawk AX1800.

What To Know Before Buying The Best Wi-Fi 6E Access Points

Wi-Fi 6E has some great features, but it may not be the most appropriate wireless networking technology for every use case. Here are three things you need to know before you buy that Wi-Fi 6E access point:

1. Only Wi-Fi 6E-certified devices can use the 6 GHz frequency band

This is extremely important because if you buy a Wi-Fi 6E router and no devices can use the 6 GHz frequency band, you are essentially paying extra for Wi-Fi 6 networking. Only certified devices can take advantage of the massive amount of bandwidth available at 6 GHz, so if you are buying a new smart TV, phone, or laptop, ensure that it is Wi-Fi 6E compatible.

2. Wi-Fi 6 also delivers significant improvements to network performance

If you’re keen to use Wi-Fi 6E because of the improvements in performance, you may benefit from using Wi-Fi 6. Wi-Fi 6 is essentially Wi-Fi 6E without the 6 GHz frequency band. The Wi-Fi Alliance has added a variety of enhancements to Wi-Fi 6 that have improved its speed, capacity, and resilience against interference. You can confidently use Wi-Fi 6 for demanding applications like videoconferencing, gaming, and IoT.

3. Wi-Fi 6E coverage is limited at 6 GHz

Adding the 6 GHz frequency band is a game-changer because it massively increases the number of channels you have available to use. However, it’s important to note that the 6 GHz signal is a lot weaker than the 2.4 and 5 GHz signals, and walls and other obstructions will absorb the 6 GHz signal. This means that the 6 GHz signal has less coverage than the other frequencies, often limited to a single room. Intelligent access points play to the strength of the different frequency bands and divert traffic to each one to make the network fast and efficient. 

Using The Best Wi-Fi 6E Access Points: What it’s Like? 

Wi-Fi 6E is engineered to deliver an efficient and intuitive user experience. The 802.11ax protocol addresses common problems like interference, congestion, and difficulties in onboarding new or unusual devices on a network. Users of Wi-Fi 6E can benefit from multi-gigabyte connectivity, but the overall speed of the network will be determined by the internet connection to the property. If a Wi-Fi 6E access point is connected to 100 Mbps DSL internet, the DSL speed determines the speed of the entire network!

Wrapping Up 

Wi-Fi 6E represents the future of Wi-Fi and the speed and capacity of these networks realize the true capabilities of this popular wireless networking technology. As you can see, leading manufacturers have been quick to respond to Wi-Fi 6E with a varied range of access points that Easily satisfy common use cases. However, end-user devices are still lagging behind Wi-Fi 6E, and with so few devices compatible with the 6 GHz frequency band, a 6E access point may take time to deliver a return on investment. 

Up Next

• Wi-Fi 6E vs. 5g: What Are the Differences? Which is Better? — Now that you know more about what Wi-fi 6E is, see how it compares with 5G coverage.
• Wi-Fi 7 vs Wi-Fi 6E: What’s the Difference? — Is Wi-fi 7 an even better option than the new Wi-fi 6E? See here how they compare and what the actual differences are between the two.
• Bluetooth vs. Wi-Fi 6E: What’s The Difference? — Bluetooth is a common tool that consumers look for with how common wireless devices have become, but what are the technical differences between Bluetooth and 6E Wi-fi?