Wi-Fi 6 promises to bring the biggest evolutionary leap in wireless connectivity in more than twenty years. It is all set to be officially standardized with the publication of the new specification by the Wi-Fi Alliance (WFA) next month. Wi-Fi 6 routers and smartphones that are compliant with the new standard are already available in the market. So if you’re looking to update your home or home-office network with the new technology, here are the best Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) routers you can buy in the US and in India right now.
Best Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) Routers You Can Buy
Here, we have rounded up the best Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) routers you can buy right now. Most of them also support mesh networking, which should theoretically enable multi-Gigabit transmission speeds. So without further ado, here are the best Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) routers that you should upgrade to in 2021. You can navigate to the end of the article using the button below to check out the best Wi-Fi-6 routers in India.
Things to Remember While Buying Wi-Fi 6 Routers
One of the first things to do while buying a Wi-Fi router is to ensure that it supports the latest Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) standard. Here are some of the other features and specifications to look out for while buying a router for your home or office in 2021:
- At least dual-band support: Your new router must offer at least dual-band support (2.4GHz and 5GHz). Preferably, it should support tri-band connectivity, whereby it will broadcast 2 separate 5 GHz bands for newer dual-band ac Wi-Fi devices. This will offer more bandwidth for devices connected to congested networks.
- Router naming convention: The names of Wi-Fi routers typically include their theoretical maximum bandwidth. However, in real life, an AC1200 wireless router can sometimes outstrip an AC1750 router because of hardware, firmware and other reasons.
- Companion app: Make sure that your router has a companion app on both Android and iOS to facilitate smooth connectivity. Otherwise, you might have to access the firmware through a web browser on a computer, which is both old-fashioned and cumbersome.
- Advanced QoS: Try to opt for routers with Advanced QoS instead of standard QoS. This will enable the router to use smart algorithms to automatically configure how to split the bandwidth between devices on the network without needing any input from the user
- Mesh Wi-Fi: If you live on a large property or a multi-level house, you might need mesh Wi-Fi to ensure that the network reaches all corners of the house. However, if you live in a small, single-level apartment, you might give this feature a miss and save some money in the process.
- Finally, with Wi-Fi 6E routers starting to hit the market, you might want to hold out a little while longer if you think the additional 6GHz support will be of massive importance to you. As a rule of thumb, if you live in a congested area or is planning a network with dozens of connected devices, Wi-Fi 6E might be well worth it. However, if you live in the suburbs and are looking to create a private network for your home, you’re unlikely to need the additional bells and whistles.
1. TP-Link Archer AX50 (Affordable Wi-Fi 6 Router)
The Archer AX50 offers speeds of up to 1.8 Gbps with 2400Mbps on the 5GHz band and 574 Mbps on 2.4GHz band. It also supports OFDMA (Spatial Multiplexing) that lets your router communicate with more devices simultaneously, enabling you to connect all your streaming, gaming and smart home devices. It also comes with built-in parental controls to keep children safe while they are surfing online.
Archer AX50 is backwards compatible with all WiFi-enabled devices and supports new 802.11ax phones, laptops and other devices. It also offers more reliable coverage, thanks to beamforming technology and four antennas that work together to focus signal strength towards client devices. It also comes with Target Wake Time (TWT) that increases battery life via better power management.
- Pros: Affordable, Good range for a standalone router, Alexa support
- Cons: Few Gigabit LAN ports, Only four antennas, Dual-band only, No native mesh support
Buy From Amazon: ($149.99)
2. Netgear Nighthawk MK62 (Affordable Wi-Fi 6 Mesh Router)
The Netgear Nighthawk MK62 Wi-Fi 6 router offers all the expected Wi-Fi 6 features, including up to 1.8Gbps connectivity and 25+ concurrent connections. It comes with 2x Gigabit Ethernet ports to plug in computers, gaming consoles and more. The retail pack linked here also has an additional satellite unit for a mesh network that the company claims can extend coverage to 3,000+ sqft.
The Netgear Nighthawk MK62 also has a companion Nighthawk app to help set up your router and get more out of your Wi-Fi. It offers a number of features like internet speed test, remote access to your network, internet pausing and more. The router comes with a 30-day trial subscription to Bitdefender cyber-security suite to protect all your home devices from virus, malware and data theft.
- Pros: Long range, Easy setup, Remote management via Nighthawk app
- Cons: No parental controls, Only dual-band support, Expensive
Buy From Amazon: ($179.99)
3. Asus ZenWiFi XT8 (Affordable Wi-Fi 6 Gaming Router)
The Asus ZenWiFi XT8 is a tri-band mesh WiFi system that delivers strong Wi-Fi signals to every corner of your home, providing total wireless speed of 6600Mbps. The router comes with OFDMA, MU-MIMO and ZenWiFi AX technology, enabling more efficient, stable and faster transmission even when multiple devices are transmitting data at the same time.
Like most other high-end routers, the Asus ZenWiFi XT8 also comes with a companion app that offers a 3 steps setup and easy management. As is to be expected, it is also compatible with Asus’ own AiMesh routers to let you add more satellite units to create a powerful and flexible whole-home Wi-Fi system. Finally, the Asus ZenWiFi XT8 comes with lifetime free network security from Trend Micro to ensure security and privacy of every device connected to the network.
- Pros: Large coverage, Plenty of configuration options, Flexible AiMesh support, Full 4×4 dedicated backhaul band, Free lifetime cyber-security
- Cons: No 160MHz 4×4 support, No multi-gig LAN port or LAN link aggregation
Buy From Amazon: ($249.99)
4. D-Link EXO AX1500 (Best Budget Wi-Fi 6 Router)
If you really want a Wi-Fi 6 router but are unwilling to spend an arm and a leg on it, the D-Link EXO AX1500 is the one that you should be looking at. It offers MU-MIMO, OFDMA and dual-band networking with combined speeds up to 1.5Gbps. It also works with Alexa and Google Assistant. Thanks to Wi-Fi 6, you can expect 5GHz band speeds up to 38% faster than the equivalent 802.11ac routers. This should translate to better 4K streaming, gaming and downloading.
The D-Link EXO AX1500 supports Wi-Fi 6 features like Target Wake Time (TWT), which helps reduce battery consumption for smart home devices. It also supports mesh networking and, can be paired with a satellite unit for seamless Wi-Fi connectivity across the house. As with most of the other routers on this list, the D-Link EXO AX1500 comes with a companion app to help you setup and manage your wireless network from your smartphone or tablet. There’s also enhanced parental control to support profile-based Wi-Fi access.
- Pros: Highly affordable, Parental controls, Alexa and Google Assistant support, Easy setup with mobile app
- Cons: Only dual-band, No native mesh support
Buy From Amazon: ($85.89)
5. Linksys MX5/MX10 Velop
The Linksys Velop MX5 comes with top speeds of up to 2400Mbps @ 5GHz and up to 1147MHz @ 2.4GHz. It supports tri-band connectivity, up to 3,000sqft of coverage, and is among the fastest Wi-Fi 6 mesh router systems (MX10) you can use today. The routers has 1x USB 3.0 port and 4x Ethernet ports to plug in all your connected devices, including computer, console, TV and more.
The Linksys Velop can be paired with another MX5 unit to create a fast and efficient mesh network. It is compatible with the entire Velop range, so you can also use a cheaper Velop device as your range extender. The Velop MX5 is easy to set up with the Linksys app which offers parental controls and allows you to manage guest access. You also get a three-year warranty with three years of tech support.
- Pros: Tri-band connectivity, Sleek design, Extends up to 10 nodes
- Cons: Expensive
Buy From Amazon: ($394.97)
6. Netgear Orbi RBK852
If you want to upgrade to Wi-Fi 6 because of ultra-fast speeds and ultra-low latency, look no further that the Netgear Orbi RBK852. It comes with an additional satellite unit for mesh networking and, supports up to 6Gbps of speed for streaming, gaming, web-conferencing and more. The Orbi works with all existing Wi-Fi 5 devices and new Wi-Fi 6 devices, including the PlayStation 5, iPhone 11 & 12, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro 13 & Mac Mini, Galaxy S10/ 20/ 21 and more.
The Orbi RBK852 comes with a tri-band backhaul that opens up a dedicated band between the router and the satellite to free up the other two bands for maximum speed. It also comes with a companion mobile app that connects to your existing cable modem for a hassle-free setup. The main router comes with 5x Gigabit Ethernet ports, while the satellite unit has 4. Security features include Guest WiFi access, DoS, Firewall, VPN and more.
- Pros: Tri-band support, Up to 10,000sqft range, Alexa and Google Assistant support
- Cons: Prohibitively expensive
Buy From Amazon: ($667.59)
7. Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 (Best Wi-Fi 6 Mesh Router for Gaming)
The Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 comes with cutting-edge hardware that includes a 1.8GHz quad-core CPU, 256MB Flash and 1GB RAM. It also comes with a 2.5G gaming port for ultimate performance. The router is compatible with ASUS AiMesh, so you can easily pair it up with a satellite unit to create a fast and efficient mesh network at home. It comes with easy port-forwarding, a ROG-themed Gaming Center with point-and-click control, and a ‘game radar’ that lets you check ping times to different servers before you play.
The GT-AX11000 provides triple-level game acceleration to boost game traffic. This lowers ping rate and reduces latency for a better gaming experience. Tri-band networking lets you dedicate one 5GHz band solely to gaming, so you can avoid competing for bandwidth with other devices on your network. With dynamic frequency selection (DFS), ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 also unlocks 15 channels in the least-congested 5GHz bands. Finally, it also lets you run a VPN and an ordinary internet connection simultaneously to prevent virtual private networks dragging down game performance.
- Pros: Performance over long distances, Plenty of customization options, 2.5Gbps wired connector
- Cons: Unwieldy, Expensive
Buy From Amazon: ($414.95)
8. TP-Link Deco X20
The TP-Link Deco X20 is an out-of-the-box mesh networking system with three full units. It offers wide network coverage of up to 5800sqft and simultaneous connectivity for up to 150 devices. It also offers speeds of up to 1.8Gbps for buffer-free 8K/4K streaming and, is backward compatible with all Wi-Fi generations.
The TP-Link Deco X20 comes with a companion app that helps set up and manage your network. The routers are also compatible with Alexa, and lets you turn Guest Wi-Fi on or off with simple voice commands. Finally, it also comes with a free lifetime subscription to TP-Link HomeCare featuring powerful antivirus, robust parental controls and advanced QoS.
- Pros: Compact, Affordable
- Cons: No dedicated data backchannel
Buy From Amazon: ($249.99)
9. Eero Pro 6
The Eero Pro 6 Wi-Fi 6 router is the fastest Eero ever, supporting speeds of up to 1Gbps. It comes with a tri-band technology that offers enough bandwidth to support up to 75 concurrent connections without slowing down. The Eero pro 6 also comes with the proprietary TrueMesh technology that intelligently routes traffic to reduce drop-offs so you can confidently stream 4K videos, play games and conduct video conferences. The mesh network system is compatible with older Wi-Fi standards and covers an area of up to 2,000 sqft.
With a built-in Zigbee smart home hub, Eero Pro 6 connects compatible devices to Alexa so you can control lights, locks, plugs and more. There’s also a companion Eero app that allows you to manage your network from anywhere. The company is also offering free customer support 7-days a week. While the link below is for the single unit, the Eerop Pro 6 is also offered in a two-pack option that covers an area of up to 3,500sqft and costs $399.
- Pros: High-performance mesh, Triband support, Security features, Parental controls, Built-in Zigbee smart home hub
- Cons: Expensive
Buy From Amazon: ($229)
10. Netgear Nighthawk RAX80 AX8
The Netgear Nighthawk RAX80 is one of the best Wi-Fi 6 routers around with great AX6600 speeds, tri-band connectivity, eight streams and 160MHz support. It offers dual-band support and comes with 8 removable antennas. Connectivity options include 1x WAN port and 5x LAN Gigabit ports, as well as 2x USB 3.0 sockets. The router supports a throughput of up to 1.389Gbps and a range of up to 90 feet.
The Netgear Nighthawk RAX80 offers anti-malware protection and comes with Disney’s Circle app for blocking inappropriate content and managing family network use. The one in the link below offers 8 Wi-Fi streams with four times the capacity of typical 2×2 AC routers. Netgear also offers it in a more expensive AX12 version with 12 Wi-Fi streams.
- Pros: High performance, Cyber security suite, Good configuration options
- Cons: Expensive
Buy From Amazon: ($299.99)
Best Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) Routers in India
The Wi-Fi 6 router market in India is still in its infancy, but is expected to pick up going forward. There are a number of offerings in the market, but most of them are priced way too high to make sense for general users. However, if you’ve set your mind on getting a Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) access point, here are the best Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) routers in India you can buy right now:
1. TP-Link Archer AX10 (Affordable Wi-Fi 6 Router)
The TP-Link Archer AX10 is one of the best Wi-Fi 6 routers in India in terms of its price-performance ratio. It is an entry-level Wi-Fi 6 router that offers all the advantages of Wi-Fi 6, but without any of the bells and whistles. It supports dual-band connectivity, OFDMA, MU-MIMO and 1024-QAM to offer blazing speeds of up to 1.5Gbps and super-low latency, while beamforming and 4 high-gain antennas combine for strong, reliable Wi-Fi signal, delivering smooth and stable connections for every client.
The Archer AX10 is powered by a 1.5GHz triple-core CPU and comes with 4x Gigabit Ethernet ports. It also comes with the companion Tether app to help setup the router and manage connections remotely. The router also lets you connect a new device to your Wi-Fi network by using just your voice and without a password. Other notable features include parental controls, VPN service and QoS. Overall, it’s a great choice if you’re looking for an affordable Wi-Fi 6 router in India.
Buy From Amazon: (Rs. 5,399)
2. ASUS AX3000
If you want Wi-Fi 6 and are unwilling to compromise on features, the ASUS AX3000 dual band Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) router is the one to go for. It is one of the best Wi-Fi 6 routers in India, thanks to its support for 160MHz bandwidth and 1024-QAM. The router offers a total networking speed of about 3000Mbps — 574Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and 2402Mbps on the 5GHz band. It supports both MU-MIMO and OFDMA to efficiently allocate channels and communicate with multiple devices simultaneously. It is also compatible with ASUS AiMesh Wi Fi system, enabling you to add satellite units for seamless whole-home coverage.
With the AX3000, Asus is offering complimentary commercial-grade security with lifetime free AiProtection, powered by Trend Micro, to block online security threats for all your connected smart devices. The router also supports WPA3 security to enable more robust authentication, and deliver increased cryptographic strength. There’s also support for Target Wake Time (TWT) to reduce power consumption by up to 7x for improved battery life.
Buy From Amazon: (Rs. 15,890)
Best Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) Routers Listed For You
Wi-Fi 6 is designed to enhance the capacity of wireless networks and accommodate more devices without a drop in performance. The routers listed above will do that and much more for your home and/or home office. We have listed both single units, as well as the best Wi-Fi 6 mesh routers to help you with your selection. We have also listed some of the best Wi-Fi 6 routers in India.
So go ahead, take your pick from our list of the best Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) routers and let us know which one you chose and why. As a note, remember to not confuse Wi-Fi 6 with Wi-Fi 6E. For more clarity, head over to our linked article where we explain the differences between Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E standards.
