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Whether it’s because you’re investing in newer desktop PCs, gaming laptops, Ultrabooks, tablets or smartphones, or you simply want to improve your network, consider upgrading to one of the best Wi-Fi 6 routers available. It’s just about time to future-proof your setup and experience with this new standard. From typical router setups to some of the best mesh Wi-Fi routers, these are our top picks for 2021.
What’s more, with Price Day 2021, we expect some of the best Wi-Fi 6 routers to be included in Amazon’s long list of Prime Day deals. We’re keeping an eye out for those in the days leading up to the 22nd and sharing the best ones with our readers. We suggest regularly checking in so that you can upgrade your network for much less than you’d normally pay.
- For the best Wi-Fi extenders, check out our top picks
- These are the best wireless routers
- One of the best powerline adapters might help when extending your network
The best Wi-Fi 6 routers at a glance
- Asus RT-AX86U
- Asus RT-AX58U
- Netgear Orbi WiFi 6
- Linksys Velop WiFi 6 AX4200
- Asus RT-AX88U
- Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX11000
- Netgear Nighthawk MK63
- NETGEAR Nighthawk AX8 RAX80
- NETGEAR Nighthawk AX12 RAX120
- Asus RT-AX92U
Asus has a winner on its hands with the Asus RT-AX86U. Not only does the company continue with its tradition of excellent gaming-centric devices but it has also introduced one of the more affordable Wi-Fi 6 routers out there, even if it’s still a bit pricey compared to most routers on the market. The device comes with some great features if you’re a gamer including assigning an ethernet port as a dedicated “gaming” port, a 2.5 Gigabit Wan port, and NVIDIA GeForce Now Cloud Gaming Optimization. It also comes with some other useful features such as robust parental controls.
Read the full review: Asus RT-AX86U
There are some excellent Wi-Fi 6 routers coming to market. Unfortunately, quite a few are just way too much for most homes, not to mention too expensive. Enter the Asus RT-AX58U. It brings Wi-Fi 6 into your home at a fantastic price, with just enough features to keep most small to medium home networks at the top of their game. So while it might not have the port selection or gaming features that it’s big brother, the RT-AX86U, has, it does offer the same parental controls as well as excellent Wi-Fi 6 support.
Read the full review: Asus RT-AX58U
If you’re ready to jump on the Wi-Fi 6 bandwagon, the Orbi WiFi 6 is your best bet when it comes to getting the best Wi-Fi 6 routers. It’s not by any means a casual purchase, with its steep price tag, but if you’re looking to upgrade to a faster and more reliable router to cover a massive space – like your countryside mansion, perhaps, or your crowded smart home – then this one’s absolutely worth the money. Plus, it’s easy and straightforward to setup, making it great for people who don’t have too much experience with Wi-Fi networks.
Read the full review: Netgear Orbi WiFi 6
The Linksys Velop WiFi 6 AX4200 is proof that Wi-Fi 6 mesh systems can be affordable and accessible, giving big households on a budget an excellent option that still delivers admirable performance and ease of use. If you want to improve your home network’s speed and connectivity, this state-of-the-art mesh system is an ideal solution. That’s especially if you’re ready to future-proof your network with Wi-Fi 6 technology. Those who aren’t as computer savvy will also appreciate that easy-to-use Linksys app.
Read the full review: Linksys Velop WiFi 6 AX4200
The Asus RT-AX88U has all the bells and whistles that you could want out of a router, including Wi-Fi 6 compatibility. And, it’s because it offers so much while resting on the lower end of the current Wi-Fi 6 router price range that makes it our favorite on our list. One advantage of this router over others on the list is the 8 LAN ports. At twice the amount most other routers carry, the RT-AX88U can save you from having to buy an ethernet switch. Couple that with the excellent web interface and gamer-friendly features, and you have one of the best Wi-Fi 6 routers available right now.
Sometimes running an ethernet cable just isn’t an option. In fact, if you’re a gamer, it can actually be disastrous. You can count on the Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 to help ease your pain. With 8 antennas, MU-MIMO, and options to prioritize gaming traffic, this router can help reduce the latency that makes gaming via Wi-Fi a pain. This router has the same great, easy-to-use interface as the RT-AX88U, but only has 5+1 LAN ports. One of those LAN ports is a 2.5 Gbps line, however, which is great for connecting a NAS or other device that needs a lot of available bandwidth on demand.
Larger homes need more robust solutions, and while the Netgear Nighthawk MK63 might be overkill for smaller homes, it’s just the ticket if you have a space of up to 3500 sq.ft and need an extremely reliable network for gaming and 4K video. There are some neat features you’re getting here as well, including the ability to create a guest network and a network map for monitoring all devices connected to your network. There are no parental controls, however, and as long as you can live with that and the high price tag, this might be the best Wi-Fi 6 router for you.
Read the full review: Netgear Nighthawk MK63
Netgear’s Nighthawk routers have always come highly recommended, and the Wi-Fi 6 models don’t fall from the tree. This is another Wi-Fi 6 router that ticks a lot of boxes when it comes to features and surprisingly is on the cheaper side of the market. The one thing that made the RT-AX88U beat out the AX8 is the fact that it only has 5+1 LAN Gigabit LAN ports. Otherwise, this router is an excellent affordable alternative for ASUS’s model.
The Nighthawk AX12 is Netgear’s analog answer to the Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 and as such it a great alternative. Inside the Batwing-looking appendages on the side are eight antennas, which delivers increased range and high-performance even when multiple devices are connected. If you have a device that needs high bandwidth on demand, this is an excellent router for you. One of the 5+1 LAN connections is a 5 Gigabit port, which once again, is great if you have a NAS.
The Asus RT-AX92U is for those who have a large area they need Wi-Fi in, but still want Wi-Fi 6 connectivity. It isn’t quite as feature-rich as many of its rivaling Wi-Fi 6 routers, but with its bundle, you get two routers for the price of any one of the others on our list. Since these are designed to work as mesh routers, it’s easy to get them going. You hook up one as you would normally, and use the second as an extender. It’s a perfect package for multi-story or sprawling households that one router just can’t cover.
