We all remember the days when dial-up connection were life support for our computers, providing them with internet access. Then, WiFi came and made the internet more convenient to access, but everyone now dreads having a room in the WiFi dead zone.
Thankfully, a good thing about technology is that it keeps evolving to make our lives easier. With advancements in the WiFi technology, WiFi dead zones are quickly becoming a thing of the past. Because what good does buying an expensive high-speed internet do, when the router cannot distribute signals to your entire home?
The latest golden boy in the WiFi technology is WiFi 6, with fast speeds and a lot of potential to boost connectivity in your home. Yes, there is the WiFi 7 model as well, but most new devices are barely compatible with it. So to play it safe, investing in WiFi 6 is a better option right now.
Gear up, because this blog post is going to be a technically enriching ride.
What is WiFi 6?
Every major advancement in the WiFi technology is marked by a generation. The next generation WiFi is a considerable improvement on the previous generation. In this regard, WiFi 6 is the sixth latest technology. Also known as, AX WiFi, it majorly caters to the growing number of devices in every home or office that need internet connectivity.
WiFi 6 provides access to faster internet speeds, nearly zero dead zones, and seamless connectivity. With WiFi 6, you do not need to move closer to the device every time there is an internet disruption due to its stellar signal processing abilities.
It still provides internet access through radio technology, but it is drastically better in performance than its predecessor, i.e., WiFi 5. It has the highest number of streams on which data travels i.e. 12 streams for its 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz bands. This high number of streams means faster internet speed and easier communication between devices.
How Does WiFi 6 Work?
Now this will be a technical section, you can skip to the next one to see the benefits of WiFi 6. However, if you are curious, we explain the technologies used in the WiFi 6, which makes it better than all of its predecessors in terms of speed and performance.
There are two new technologies that equip WiFi 6 with better speeds and performance:
- MU-MIMO: Multi-User, Multi-Input, Multi-Output.
- OFDMA: Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access
The Verge explains these technologies using a truck metaphor. MU-MIMO allows the WiFi 6 router to maintain communication with multiple devices at a time. This is like a fleet with multiple trucks that can transport goods for you to different customers at the same time. Where the previous Mu-MIMO technology allowed WiFi routers to communicate with four devices simultaneously, the new MU-MIMO technology allows WiFi 6 routers to communicate with eight devices at a time. The capacity to communicate with multiple devices at once improves speed monumentally. This is because usually, when the router is forced to communicate with multiple devices, its speeds takes a hit.
As far as the second technology, OFDMA, is concerned, it improves WiFi 6’s performance. By enabling the WiFi 6 router to use one transmission to transmit data to multiple devices. This is done by empowering each frequency or transmission with multiple subcarriers.
In the truck metaphor, you can think of it like each truck can deliver goods to multiple customers. Now that each truck in the fleet can deliver to multiple locations, think of how optimized the performance of the entire fleet will be.
What is So Great about WiFi 6?
If you are looking to upgrade your WiFi router to a WiFi 6, then this section will give you all the right reasons to do so.
WiFi 6 is considered a game changer in the internet industry due to its faster speeds and better connectivity. Let us look at some of the reasons that make it a game changer.
1. It Improves Network Security
This is a major update in the WiFi technology. As cyber threats keep rising, having security protocols in your WiFi is plain smart.
WiFi 6 devices come equipped with better and improved WPA3. This secures your network and makes it harder than ever for hackers to crack your passwords. It also improves encryptions, which further secures your network.
2. It Maintains High Speed During Network Congestion
We all know the headache of slowed internet when there are too many devices connected to the router. WiFi 6 routers can save us from this headache.
The OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) technology equips it to handle the increase in device density without impacting internet speed. It does so because one Access Point can communicate with multiple devices at a time, reducing the need to compete for more bandwidth.
3. It Increases the Device Battery Life
This is good news for all the folks too lazy to charge their phones.
WiFi 6 is powered with TWT (Target Wake Time) which is why it does not need your device to communicate with the router all the time. It enables your devices to sleep when they are not using the internet. This means the devices do not need to power their antennas all the time to get signals. This is useful for IoT devices that do not require the internet all the time.
4. It Has an Increased Access Point Capacity
The number of devices that need WiFi internet access continues to rise, especially in a corporate setting. However, that does not deter the WiFi 6 routers from providing continuous internet access.
This internet access is free from lag and glitches which allows people to experience high-speed connectivity. This is all thanks to the increased Access Point capacity in WiFi 6.
Best WiFi 6 Routers
Now that you understand how WiFi 6 is much better in performance than its predecessor, let us explore the best WiFi 6 routers you can consider for this tech upgrade.
1. Best for Speed – Eagle Pro AI AX3200 Smart Router R32 – D-Link:
If you are looking for a WiFi 6 router for high speed, then we recommend D-Link’s Eagle Pro AI AX3200 Smart Router R32. It is an affordable option for high-speed connectivity at 5 GHz. It delivers around 430 Mbps speed, at close range. On a far range, it provides a speed of roughly about 365 Mbps, which is pretty solid if you ask us.
On top of this, it has low latency in close range. Also, in terms of a far range, but with a congested network, its speed and latency both take a hit, which is something you should consider. It has rock-solid parental controls which is great if you have kids. Other than that, it uses AI to prioritize traffic which is great if you have a lot of internet users in your home.
2. Best for Value for Money – Archer AX21 – TP-Link:
Despite being a budget router, the TP-Link Archer AX21 is a WiFi 6 router which means it can still manage a congested network while providing fast speeds and low latency. In fact, it can easily give you a download speed of 300 Mbps. The model is sturdy enough to compete with its fancy contenders like Asus and D-Link in terms of speed and performance.
The router is a good fit for people looking for an easy-to-set-up router. It is affordable and is consistent in its performance. The winning aspect is that it is really good at covering WiFi dead zones in the house. So you will get a connection ever in the corner-most room of your house. The only downside is that it is unable to top out gig speeds.
3. Best for Gig Speeds – R6700AX – Netgear:
If you have an internet connection with gig speeds, having a WiFi 6 router with a compatible transfer rate is necessary. The Netgear R6700AX enables you to enjoy high speeds without worry. It can handle speeds up to 1.3 Gbps, unlike the Archer AX21. Since it is dual-band, it can support 2.4 GHz and 5GHz simultaneously. Therefore, it can leverage high speeds for feats like online gaming and HD and 4K streaming.
It has a coverage range of 1500 sq. ft. and has a maximum device capacity of up to 20 devices. The Netgear Armor and Smart Parental Controls provide top-notch WiFi security and accountability respectively.
On the downside, these advanced features require a subscription but come with a 30-day free trial period. These can be too much on the pocket for some people.
4. Best for Large Homes – Archer AX11000 – TP-Link:
Even though TP-Link markets it as a game router, the Archer AX11000 has so much more to offer than that. Its list of features makes it an all-in-one WiFi 6 router. As a tri-band router, it can transmit waves on three different frequencies. This makes it ideal for big families with too many WiFi users. It can support high speeds which allows activities like online gaming and HD movie streaming, even when there are lots of users.
The router has beamforming technology which is its selling feature. This means access points know the position of the WiFi devices and send signals directly. The direct signals mean better signal strength and faster speeds. Its anti-malware tools and numerous ports also make it better than its competitors. The only downside we experienced was its non-adjustable antennas. However, you do not need to adjust them because of its commendable range.
5. Best for Gaming – RT AX86U – Asus:
If you are a gamer, you must already be familiar with Asus WiFi routers. The Asus RT AX86U router is easily overshadowed by its fancy competitors. However, that does not mean it cannot boost your gaming experience. The simple-looking machine is a pro at lowering latency than others from the same field. Its open NAT database and Mobile game mode are just some of the features which make it the best for gaming.
On top of these, this router is equipped to seamlessly handle gig speeds without any problem. So, if you are using a high-speed connection like Xfinity, then this router will amp up the gig-speed internet experience. It also has mesh WiFi support and internet security options. For its downsides, if it was a tri-band router, then it have been ideal for gamers with big families.
Bonus Tips: Getting WiFi 6 for Your Home
Getting a WiFi 6 router for your home is a major upgrade that is definitely worth it. However, it is smart to consider the following factors before making this upgrade.
- What is the speed of your current internet plan?
- How big is your home? Is it a multi-story one?
- Roughly how many devices require WiFi in your home?
- Do all of these devices support WiFi 6?
As you buy a WiFi 6 router, these considerations will help you make the best decision. This means you will be able to get the faster speeds of WiFi 6 with a great value for money. Remember, a pricey router is not your best bet. There are other affordable options, that can give you better performance in a much lower price.