Living in a century-old house with bricks as thick as the original Xbox means Wi-Fi routers rarely provide a reliable wireless Internet signal in every room. Particularly in my home office, the furthest away from my modem, those issues were all solved by the phenomenal TP-Link Deco X55, discounted from $279.99 to $169.99 at Amazon. If you want high-speed access all over your home, I've never tested anything better, so I'm still using it almost two years later.

Still the best mesh Wi-Fi 6 system in 2024

TP-Link's Deco range of mesh Wi-Fi systems is a testament to its decades-long expertise in home networking, featuring support for the widely adopted Wi-Fi 6 standard that most modern personal devices use.

Sure, Wi-Fi 6E is out there, and even Wi-Fi 7 is on the horizon, but most people I know and work with wouldn't benefit from all of the incremental upgrades of future standards just yet.

Part of my glowing TP-Link's Deco X55 review highlights the benefit of having three Gigabit LAN ports per unit, meaning I can connect my desktop PC with a standard LAN cable rather than running an unreasonably long extension across my house. Then, I still have space to hard-wire my Xbox Series X and maximize download speeds even at the furthest distance from my base modem, showing no discernible differences from a pure Ethernet setup with my 500Mb/s ISP package.

However, the AC cables for each Deco unit are a little on the short side, which can limit the positioning of each. I've resorted to using power extension cables to properly place each at the optimal point in every room. It's not a devastating downside, as, like many, my home is full of electronic gadgets anyway, but it's worth remembering if your power outlets aren't conveniently placed.

The Deco X55 triple pack offers an outstanding solution to Wi-Fi dead zone issues, has a straightforward setup via TP-Link's companion app, and network optimization tools to help diagnose placement issues. If you want to enhance your home network and overcome dead zones, it's still the strongest contender for the best mesh router despite the minor downsides of power cable length and a lack of USB ports for network-attached storage.

With each generation, Wi-Fi standards update with faster networking and many other incredible changes. Wi-Fi 802.11ax, more commonly named Wi-Fi 6 to lessen confusion, was designed to improve speeds and performance for households using thousands of devices all vying for data. Here's everything you need to know about Wi-Fi 6, plus more about its successor Wi-Fi 6E and beyond.

What is Wi-Fi 6?

Wi-Fi 6 was a new and exciting Wi-Fi standard introduced in 2019, named so to avoid confusion with older standards, which were designated in the following manner:

• 802.11b is now Wi-Fi 1
• 802.11a is now Wi-Fi 2
• 802.11g is now Wi-Fi 3
• 802.11n is now Wi-Fi 4
• 802.11ac is now Wi-Fi 5
• 802.11ax is now Wi-Fi 6

Wi-Fi 6 was based on a new IEEE 802.11ax standard, so the two terms are often interchanged. It still acts like the Wi-Fi you knew and loved from previous years, except with some added benefits. The Wi-Fi Alliance (the standards body that oversees Wi-Fi technology) listed these four key benefits of Wi-Fi 6:

• Faster overall transfer speeds to and from devices.
• More capacity for connected devices.
• Better performance with many connected devices.
• Less device battery drain when connected.

To summarize, Wi-Fi 6 expanded on Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) to better handle large crowds vying for data simultaneously (including expansive public events). It can handle theoretical speeds up to about 9.6Gbps, about three times the maximum theoretical speed limit of Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac). As we moved to higher-resolution video streaming in recent years alongside demanding gaming performance powered by Rivet Networks' Killer Wi-Fi, and extra connected devices, Wi-Fi 6 and its successors are better suited to handle our needs.

What is Wi-Fi 6E?

Wi-Fi 6 popularity has exploded since I first wrote the first draft of this article in 2019, and there's now a newer version called Wi-Fi 6E popping up in plenty of devices. Whereas standard Wi-Fi 6 operates on the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, Wi-Fi 6E has been extended — that's where the "E" comes from — into the 6GHz band.

To extrapolate, the two bands (2.4GHz and 5GHz) that standard Wi-Fi 6 operates on are very crowded. Wi-Fi 6E's ability to operate on the 6GHz band solves a lot of congestion, at least for compatible routers and devices. Wi-Fi 6E has seven additional 160MHz channels, roughly an extra 1,200MHz of the spectrum to work with. The 6GHz band doesn't overlap, also reducing congestion.

Wi-Fi 6E should further help accommodate the needs of people with heavy streaming demands, whether for high-resolution video content or games, including wireless VR headsets.

How is Wi-Fi 6 different from previous standards?

Wi-Fi 6 devices connected to Wi-Fi 6 routers will see potential performance gains of up to about 40% compared to previous-generation Wi-Fi 5 devices and routers. This is achieved due to Wi-Fi 6 being able to pack more data into each packet, and it will work on both the 2.4Gz and 5GHz bands (and the 6GHz band with Wi-Fi 6E).

However, a more significant benefit is revealed when multiple devices are connected to the same network. If you've ever stayed in a hotel or have connected to Wi-Fi at a coffee shop, you know how slow throughput can be due to the main access point attempting to handle all simultaneous connections.

Testing Wi-Fi 6 in an office environment during the COVID-19 lockdown, Intel found that Wi-Fi 6 improved the capability to handle more user connections per individual access point, with extra channels allowing those connected to Wi-Fi 6 in heavily congested areas to avoid impacts to networking performance. Wi-Fi 6 continued and expanded on the MU-MIMO trend released with Wi-Fi 5, which allowed a Wi-Fi radio to deliver data simultaneously to multiple devices instead of in a rotating manner. Instead of handling four simultaneous streams, Wi-Fi 6 upped the number to eight.

Thanks to the addition of Target Wake Time (TWT) in Wi-Fi 6, all connected devices should generally see significantly less battery drain. Compatible devices and routers will communicate key wake and sleep times, which means less uptime for an adapter and less pull on a battery. Not only was this important for everyday devices like laptops and modern phones, but it also made a difference as more Internet of Things (IoT) products entered our homes and businesses.

What does official Wi-Fi certification mean?

While hardware manufacturers have been pumping out Wi-Fi 6 products for a while already, official certification via the Wi-Fi Alliance, which assures devices meet specific guidelines, only began in mid-September 2019. When we wrote our Samsung Galaxy Note 10 review, it was the first phone to receive official certification, with the Ruckus R750 as the first certified access point. Devices released before certification began classed as "draft certified," which meant they might not have necessarily met the official standards now set by the Wi-Fi Alliance.

Products that adhere to the Wi-Fi Certified 6 certification program deliver an optimal wireless experience. Whereas Wi-Fi 5 provides 256-QAM (quadrature amplitude modulation mode), Wi-Fi 6 increased it to 1024-QAM. This offers far more throughput for data-hungry devices, and with 160MHz channels, MU-MIMO, and transmit beamforming, you will see phenomenal performance even with many users vying for bandwidth. Orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) for channel sharing is also a must for certification, improving performance across the board when there is a high demand for data.

How do I identify different Wi-Fi connections?

Besides knowing your hardware, knowing which Wi-Fi standard you're connected to while in public was supposed to be easier with dedicated interface icons. It depends on the device connected to Wi-Fi, but most modern phones, laptops, and tablets were expected to jump on board when Wi-Fi 6 became available to consumers.

When connecting, you're supposed to see a standard Wi-Fi icon with a number included, which denotes which standard is being used. Realistically, numbered icons have been more broadly used in cellular networks, representing 3G, 4G, and 5G connections. Wi-Fi generally still displays a simple icon on many devices, so check the specifications of your devices or anything you plan to buy.

Are wireless 5G and Wi-Fi 6 the same thing?

No, these two technologies are not the same. Wireless 5G is a cellular technology for mobile devices and compatible laptops. At the same time, Wi-Fi 6 is a wireless LAN (WLAN) technology that expands on (and is compatible with) older standards. You'll find that wireless 5G is most commonly associated with cellular data, while Wi-Fi 6 is most commonly associated with your home or office network.

Picking up a 5G device doesn't guarantee compatibility with Wi-Fi 6 networking at home, and likewise for the opposite. Always double-check before buying new devices if you plan to use specific hardware.

Do I need to buy a new router for Wi-Fi 6 or 6E?

If you're currently using a previous-generation router with your devices and would like to get in on the Wi-Fi 6 hype, you will need to buy a new router (and you'll need compatible devices). Plenty of options are now available on the market, and one of the best Wi-Fi 6 routers is the Netgear Nighthawk RAX50. It brings all the benefits of Wi-Fi 6 and remains compatible with any older devices that were using previous Wi-Fi standards. If you're looking for the best Wi-Fi 6E routers instead, the TP-Link Archer AXE75 is hyper-modern with a reasonable price tag.

Using one of the best Wi-Fi 6 mesh systems, you can connect all the devices and applications within your home that rely on a reliable Internet connection. Broad compatibility and high-performance networking offered by this modern Wi-Fi standard can accommodate bandwidth-intensive services, such as Xbox, Netflix, and YouTube, even for wired devices like desktop computers. Mesh Wi-Fi systems are well suited to larger homes and office spaces since adding extra units to fit your building is often incredibly simple.

Beaming a high-bandwidth Wi-Fi 6 signal throughout your home with a mesh system means devices can seamlessly connect as you move around, removing the need to switch between individual routers. I've picked the best Wi-Fi 6 mesh routers with alternatives to fit your budget from the most popular brands like TP-Link and Netgear.

The best Wi-Fi 6 mesh systems for you

One of the longest-standing networking manufacturers, TP-Link, knocked it out of the park with its Deco X55 mesh system. Available as a single unit, a 2-pack, or a 3-pack, the AX3000 whole home Wi-Fi 6 set provides an effortless setup process with the help of its companion mobile app for iOS and Android devices. Proving a genuine solution to wireless dead zones caused by thick-walled home foundations in our TP-Link Deco X55 review, it remains my permanent mesh solution to home networking.

Using a modem or an ISP-provided combination router set to modem-only mode, you can take advantage of the comprehensive dashboard available in the Deco via a web browser or the mentioned app. Set three units in the optimal positions around a home and watch the software run a network optimization tool to automatically select the Wi-Fi channel least affected by interference or congestion, repeatable whenever you wish.

Each Deco has three Gigabit LAN ports perfect for connecting desktop computers, smart devices, or anything that usually performs better with a wired connection. Keeping my home office connected is critical, and the Deco X55 set has never failed me during a full year of use. Its dual-band setup offers up to 3,300Mb/s of combined bandwidth, pairing with the Ethernet ports making it an ideal solution for most people with any Internet package rated up to a Gigabit.

The ASUS ZenWiFi XT8 2-PK comes up against the TP-Link Deco X90 as a powerful tri-band two-pack mesh Wi-Fi system that delivers a fast and stable connection to wireless devices throughout your home, packaged in a chunkier case that still looks good on display. Equipped with Wi-Fi 6 features such as OFDMA technology, it can easily handle the demands of multiple users while offering speeds that are perfect for streaming high-definition video and playing games.

The XT8 system consists of two or more wireless routers that create a seamless network allowing you to enjoy broader coverage than traditional routers, controlled by ASUS' companion app. It also supports voice control through Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa, so you can manage the online activity of your whole family from anywhere using voice commands.

While the XT8 2-PK can realistically support up to 200 devices, the number may vary depending on several factors. The type and speed of your Internet connection, the distance between the routers, and the software running on each. Its 2.5G WAN port supports Multi-Gig ISP packages, so anyone with high-speed Internet should be fine.

The ASUS ZenWiFi XT8 has several ports available for different purposes. On the back of each router, you will find 1x Gigabit WAN port for your modem and 4x Gigabit LAN ports for joining wired devices to the network. A single USB 3.0 port on each can connect to a network-attached storage (NAS) or printer, allowing you to share files and print wirelessly.

The Orbi systems from Netgear were another mesh solution featuring the Wi-Fi 6 standard that launched in 2020, ready to provide speedy and reliable Internet coverage around the home. The RBK752 two-pack is equipped with the usual 802.11ax luxuries, such as beamforming, to deliver stable traffic to each connected device, and built-in parental controls make it easy to manage activity for each.

One of the largest in this collection, the Orbi mesh isn't as rounded as the name suggests, and you'll need enough space to position them correctly. Thankfully, their design is beautifully subtle and doesn't resemble the sci-fi aesthetics featured on some modern networking hardware.

Since it's a tri-band set, the Orbi has an extra Wi-Fi frequency band to move traffic around the network faster with more reliable connections. While many mesh systems and standalone routers use only two frequency bands (2.4GHz and 5GHz), the RBK752 adds a third 5GHz band, allowing it to quickly send traffic back to the router along a dedicated Wi-Fi backhaul. Tri-band Wi-Fi is especially useful in homes with many devices, which can otherwise put a lot of strain on your Wi-Fi.

Although the Ethernet ports on each Orbi offer Gigabit speeds individually, they can combine to support Multi-Gig Internet by using link aggregation (LAG.) The method, also known as bonding, combines ports to function as a single high-speed connection. If you have 2x 750MB/s connections, line aggregation can combine them into a single 1500MB/s line. The name sounds complex, but the technology isn't difficult to use.

Another from Netgear, the Nighthawk MK62, is a two-pack Wi-Fi 6 system offering the same wireless mesh benefits without a steep price tag. It's also one of the most compact sets and features a somewhat art-deco aesthetic with a sharp-angled finish along the top. This affordable two-pack set is an ideal solution to poor wireless networking with a discreet yet stylish design, covering up to 3,000 sq. ft.

Featuring single Gigabit WAN and LAN ports for a modem and one other wired device could limit your connection options via Ethernet. Still, careful planning could see you benefit from this entry-level option and enjoy the benefits that the 802.11ax standard brings. The dual 2.4 & 5GHz bands provide a combined line rate of 1.8Gb/s (1200 + 600Mbps,) enough to serve around 25 devices simultaneously.

The MK62 still supports Netgear's Nighthawk companion software on iOS and Android. The app helps you manage both mesh units and monitor everything connected wired or wirelessly. Use it to set up and configure the Nighthawk mesh, use parental controls, and diagnose potential issues. It's one of the most affordable ways to get started with a mesh Wi-Fi network, and the 802.11ax tech provides speeds up to 1.5x faster than the previous 802.11ac standard.

Amazon offers its first-party Wi-Fi 6 mesh system to cover up to 5,500 sq. ft. with reliable Internet access if you choose the triple-pack of Eeros. It's one of the simplest models to set up and use, paired with a compact and discreet design to easily place around your home without taking up too much space. The companion Amazon Eero app is compatible with iOS and Android devices, using Bluetooth to make the initial connection to each node.

It is a dual-band system, but the 2.4 and 5GHz bands will combine to create a single network. It won't be an issue for novice users looking for simplicity but still something to consider for anyone looking to keep the faster 5GHz band separate for specific devices. If you're paying for a package providing around 500Mb/s speeds from your ISP, the Eero 6 will easily cover up to 75 devices in your home over its 1,800Mb/s bandwidth.

The Eero 6 is an appropriate mesh Wi-Fi choice for any household invested in the Amazon ecosystem, working alongside the Alexa smart speakers to offer parental controls and manage network traffic on any device. It's not the fastest option, so consider your desired speeds before purchase, but the Eero 6 offers an incredible range of coverage for an affordable price.

How do I choose the best Wi-Fi 6 mesh router?

The best Wi-Fi 6 mesh router will depend on your environment but should provide high-performance wireless networking without compromising convenience or raising costs. Ensure that your selected set can cover the full range of your home, and consider the obstructions between each room, such as the thickness of foundations and other electronic equipment.

A suitable set will reach farther than some of the best Wi-Fi 6 single routers, thanks to the nature of mesh systems sending traffic from point to point rather than relying on a single unit, so they're perfect for larger buildings.

Mesh systems with higher bandwidth will allow more devices to connect to your network and share data fairly. Any laptops using the Wi-Fi 6 standard, like the Surface Pro 8, can fully use modern enhancements like beamforming, which aims wireless signals towards a specific device rather than in all directions.

Finally, confirm that any mesh Wi-Fi system is compatible with the modem provided by your Internet service provider (ISP.) Otherwise, consider using access-point (AP) mode if you can't replace your current combination modem/router but still need to extend your wireless network. AP mode might not be listed on your chosen set, but it is available in our best overall Wi-Fi 6 mesh choice, the TP-Link Deco X55.

A stable network connection is critical for businesses of all trades in this digital age. Still, the chances of having a single ISP router in the perfect location are usually low, meaning there are often wireless dead spots somewhere in the building, and trailing cables can become a nuisance.

Wi-Fi access points can solve these issues by relaying a wireless signal from point to point, usually managed locally or remotely with a cloud service. The EAP610 from TP-Link is a ceiling-mounted access point powered by the modern Wi-Fi 6 standard and its Omada mesh system, but does it provide the advertised speeds and functionality you need?

I spent the weekend putting the AX1800 V2 model through its paces for our TP-Link EAP610 review.

TP-Link EAP610: Price, availability, and specs

TP-Link sells the EAP610 V2 Wi-Fi 6 access point through third-party retailers, including Amazon and Walmart for $100 MSRP. It's designed for ceilings or walls, so a mounting kit and plate are included in the box.

TP-Link EAP610: What's good

Since this compact access point is aimed more toward business than home use, you might think the setup process would be sterile and complex. Thankfully, that's not the case, thanks to the TP-Link Omada mobile app. It's not too dissimilar from other companion apps in their range, such as the Deco home mesh units. It walks you through each step and provides various tools and diagnostic information for every connected device.

I'm not running a huge office, so I don't have much use for a power-over-Ethernet (PoE) switch. A smaller business wouldn't necessarily need one either. However, suppose you're operating a quaint café, a compact store, or anything that requires just a touch more than a single wireless router. In that case, these little ceiling-mounted access points (AP) can be beneficial without needing to go all-in on the TP-Link Omada range.

Putting myself in the shoes of a small business owner, I set up the EAP610 in standalone mode, wired directly into my router via Ethernet, and used it as a single AP mounted to a wall, not the ceiling. I still need to use the included power adapter, but anyone can pick up a basic PoE switch with around five ports for less than $100, cutting down the number of cables in your building.

The EAP610 is packaged with a metal bracket designed to fit most walls, ceilings, and outlet boxes in the U.S. and Europe. TP-Link offers plenty of options for mounting in convenient locations, optimizing a position for the strongest Wi-Fi signal. A suspended ceiling with tile panels is usually the simplest solution. You would just need to drill holes for screws and an Ethernet cable, then rotate the AP into the plate locks.

For my tests, temporarily removing a security camera gave me a suitable place and power access, and it was luckily located roughly in the center of my home. With the simplicity and subtle design, I could see myself setting these up in a larger house, perhaps for a family with rooms on multiple floors.

They're more discreet than most business-grade hardware, looking like a clean, unassuming plate instead of an ugly antenna-laden block. The Omada SDN network still has plenty to offer for home use, such as the seamless roaming between each AP usually found in Wi-Fi mesh networks like the TP-Link Deco X55.

Still, guest Wi-Fi networks and robust security make the EAP610 ideal for businesses of any size, especially when combined with other products in the Omada range like VPN routers, JetStream switches, and weather-proof access points. Adding more units is simple, with remotely-accessed diagnostic tools making management a breeze.

TP-Link advertises the EAP610 as having an AX1800 line rate, a combined bandwidth of 1,201Mbps over a 5GHz band, and 574Mbps over 2.4GHz, making use of the Wi-Fi 6 standard and a Gigabit LAN port. I maintained a steady connection in stress tests while transferring multiple Gigabytes across the local network, reasonably close to the maximum if I stayed within a reasonable range to keep the signal strong.

ISP tests performed as expected, though my internet barely breaks 100Mb on a good day. It doesn't necessarily compare to business packages that usually offer far greater speeds, but I'm happy to say there were no signs of reduced transfer rates. I can confirm this AP is at least perfect for a modest-sized business or home if you're not aiming for anything faster than Gigabit connections.

Adding extra access points before the signal drop-off points will cover your network in a reliable and seamless Wi-Fi signal, and this is one of the more accessible units to set up and use.

If you're unsure, it's easy to start with just one, then effortlessly add as many as you need later. It's also not too hard on the eyes, making it an attractive option for updating wireless networks with the modern Wi-Fi 6 standard, business or otherwise.

TP-Link EAP610: What's not so good

The mounting plate is designed specifically for permanent screw-in fixtures, nothing temporary, so you won't be hanging it just anywhere like a framed photo. This model is specified as a ceiling-mounted model, so this doesn't drastically affect the score. Still, I would have appreciated space in the top-center position to wall-mount the AP with a simple hook.

Unfortunately, the Wi-Fi 6 signal struggles to penetrate the thick brick walls of my home, dropping strength when I move too far from the AP. It's not a genuine fault of the EAP610 since positioning is critical for a robust wireless network, and my house is almost the opposite of an ideal Wi-Fi environment.

Although the advertised speeds are realistic, they rely on this solid signal, but you shouldn't have any issues if there are minimal walls between the base router and your AP. 2.4GHz connections certainly fared better than 5GHz, allowing me to move further away before transfer speeds dropped, but too many obstacles significantly impacted performance.

As previously mentioned, I would recommend starting with perhaps one or two access points, depending on the size of your building, and running the TP-Link Omada network test tools. Each space will vary, and interference can occur in any environment.

Overall, the performance is admirable, and the EAP610 is affordable considering the tech on offer, but anything besides compact environments will likely need more than one unit. This price is a steal for the advantages Wi-Fi 6 and the TP-Link Omada SDN bring.

TP-Link EAP610: The competition

The Ubiquiti UniFi 6 Lite hits the same price bracket as the TP-Link EAP610, sporting the same Wi-Fi 6 standard. The combined line rate is slightly lower, at 1,500Mbps, but the functions of these PoE access points are mostly the same. Ubiquiti offers the UniFi network companion app, providing real-time diagnostics and management options comparable to the TP-Link Omada SDN.

TP-Link takes a minor lead for availability since you can usually purchase their products from more locations than Ubiquiti. Still, both offerings are very similar, and the decision will come down to the larger ecosystem you're planning to build. Setting up a cloud solution for your network usually means sticking with one brand to maintain compatibility and convenience, so speak to your team and consider each of your needs before committing to individual units.

TP-Link EAP610: Should you buy?

You should buy this if ...

• Your business or home suffers from weak Wi-Fi
• You need robust remote management tools
• You want Ethernet-powered access points

You shouldn't buy this if ...

• You can't reliably affix the mount to your ceiling or walls
• You have a multi-gig internet service

The EAP610 is an excellent value access point. It's powered by the modern Wi-Fi 6 standard and a Gigabit port and allows you to skip additional AC adapters with an appropriate PoE network switch. Suppose you're looking to bring a reliable, seamless wireless network to a larger home or your place of business. In that case, it works perfectly with the TP-Link Omada SDN, albeit not directly with a cloud controller.

It's primarily for mounting on ceilings, but the metal back plate can also easily attach to walls and most outlet boxes, doubling its usefulness with heat dissipation. It's intended to be a permanent mount with screws, so don't expect to hang it on the wall like a piece of art, even if it sports a sleek aesthetic. Almost perfectly balancing technology and value, the EAP610 would pair well with one of the best TP-Link routers for a reliable home or business network.

Sitting down for a nice evening just to have it ruined by a lack of strong Wi-Fi on your favorite corner of the couch? Time to cover your home in enough Wi-Fi that you never notice the lack of it. Get an ARRIS SURFboard mAX Plus Wi-Fi 6 mesh router system on sale for $299 at Amazon today only. This is one of Amazon's daily deals, so it won't last very long. The 2-router system normally sells for around $440 and has recently been going for over $450. Today's price is the lowest we've ever seen.

This is just one of a couple of pieces on sale from ARRIS today. Check out all the different mesh networks and routers you can save on, which includes the one-piece version of this system. If you don't need as much coverage, that's a less expensive option that's also on sale. If you want an even stronger option you can upgrade to the mAX Pro with its AX1100 routers on sale for $150 off its street price. ALL of these deals disappear at the end of the day.

So this mesh system can cover up to 6,000 square feet, and thanks to its Wi-Fi 6 capabilities it can provide speeds up to 7.8 GBPS. It has the capacity to support all of your devices, and you'll be able to stream 4K videos or play video games from all your devices. Plus, it works mostly automatically. There's a dedicated band that works between the routers and keeps you connected to the best possible Wi-Fi.

You can also connect your system to a smart home like Amazon Alexa. Use your voice to enable guest Wi-Fi and provide visitors with a temporary password. Pull out your phone for easy network management with an app that's available on iOS or Android.

If you care about speed and reliability on your home network, Ethernet has long been the answer. And if you're stuck working from home, the upgrade to Wi-Fi 6 can bring the capabilities we're used to seeing in wired networks to your entire home. Also known as 802.11ax Wi-Fi, Wi-fi 6 brings not only speed improvements but increased bandwidth and traffic management features to improve wireless connections compared to Wi-Fi 5 or 802.11ac. If you are ready to make this jump to new tech, the Netgear Nighthawk RAX50 provides the best overall experience. This router has plenty of speed, excellent coverage, and a price that's quite competitive.

Best Overall: Netgear Nighthawk RAX50

The Netgear Nighthawk RAX50 is an extremely practical high-speed Wi-Fi 6 router with a dual-band setup capable of AX5400 speeds. 600Mbps is provided by the 2.4GHz band while the majority of the speed is delivered thanks to a wide 160MHz 5GHz capable of pushing out 4800Mbps. The majority of users won't be able to make good use of a more expensive tri-and router making the Nighthawk RAX50 a great value.

Four Ethernet ports are available so you can hook up all of your wired devices without needing an extra switch. You also get a USB 3.0 port around the back flanked by two of the four total external antennas. WPA 3 security helps keep your local connections secure, and the optional Netgear Armor service adds in even more security features, including anti-virus protection from Bitdefender.

As with any Wi-Fi 6 router, you can still get your 802.11ac and older Wi-Fi devices connected with great speeds with room for improved connectivity as you upgrade your equipment.

Best Value: TP-Link Archer AX1500

TP-Link's Archer AX1500 delivers Wi-Fi connectivity and reliable speeds for a great price. While AX1500 isn't going to hold up for a fiber gigabit connection, for many people, it's plenty. There's more to Wi-Fi 6 than the pure speed with the Archer AX1500 bringing improvements like OFDMA and MU-MIMO. Speeds max out at 1201Mbps at 5GHz and 300Mbps at 2.4GHz.

Four gigabit Ethernet ports on the back are flanked by four external antennas. The router's housing is 10.2 inches across and 5.3 inches deep, so this router isn't precisely compact when compared to some other routers of the same speed. If you're looking to add Wi-Fi 6 as cheaply as possible, the AX1500 is an excellent option.

Best starter mesh: Netgear Nighthawk MK62

Quite a lot of people don't have gigabit Ethernet connections and won't be setting up an SSD-based storage server. These people can still benefit from the increased capacity and consistency that is available with Wi-Fi 6 with great coverage thanks to a mesh system. The Netgear Nighthawk MK62 comes in a small housing and can deliver speeds up to AX1800.

You only get a single Ethernet port on either node making this system better for people that have gone mostly wireless with their home network. If you are looking for the convenience of a mesh with the added features of Wi-Fi 6, the MK62 can be a great option with enough speed for most people that doesn't break the bank.

Best fast mesh: Asus ZenWiFi XT8

Asus was one of the first companies to make a mesh capable Wi-Fi 6 system. It continues that legacy with the purpose-designed ZenWiFi XT8. It comes in a compact housing around six inches wide and tall and just shy of three inches deep and is available in white or charcoal color. It also works with other Asus routers that support its AiMesh software, which is most of them but will be best with other Wi-Fi 6 capable routers.

The ZenWiFi XT8 also doesn't give up much in speed with a fast AX6600 tri-band connection and 3 Ethernet ports per unit. It can also accept a 2.5Gbps input making it a great way to add Wi-Fi to a fast wired connection. With two nodes, you can cover up to 5,500 square feet with the ability to easily expand it later.

Best Gaming: Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX11000

For the most part, computer accessories wearing a gaming badge are just cheaper accessories with a few lights glued on. With the Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX11000, you get a bit more than that. While RGB lighting is a bit cliché, the lighting on this router works with Asus' Aura RGB, which means it can synchronize with your Aura RGB gear to build Twitch-ready shrine to gaming.

Beyond the aesthetics, you get a fast 2.5Gbps WAN port, which can come in handy with a storage server or even just to be ready for faster network cards in the future. Built-in software can keep your gaming connection optimized to prioritize low ping times, even when there are multiple other active connections.

The ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 has an expressive design with eight large antennas that will stand out. If you like the gaming aesthetic, this router can be an excellent fit for your home.

Bottom line

Wi-Fi 5 speeds really are enough for what most people need to accomplish on their internet connection. The Wi-Fi 6 upgrade is mostly for future products and uses that haven't fully been realized yet. As 4K streaming and remote connections become more common, the need for a faster and more reliable connection will follow. Wi-Fi 6 will also be able to deal with the dozens of devices we need to get online in our smart homes.

With the Netgear Nighthawk RAX50, you get more than enough speed for standard usage, including multiple 4K streams and gaming. With the wealth of new options available, if you're ready to upgrade your wireless router, it's time to go with Wi-Fi 6.

Are you still using sub-standard Wi-Fi speeds? Basically meaning anything below the super speedy Wi-Fi 6? Then you need to upgrade! And maybe you have moved on to Wi-Fi 6 but the coverage isn't the best? The Arris Surfboard Max Pro mesh router can cover up to 3,000 square feet in a comfy Wi-Fi 6 blanket, and today it's on sale for just $259. That's a crazy low price considering this router's normal price fluctuates somewhere between $330 and $400. It has only dropped this low once before and that deal only lasted for a day, just like this one will only last through the end of this day.

If 3,000 square feet isn't enough for you and your Hollywood mansion, you should know the mesh router can be added onto. In fact, part of the sale today includes a two-pack of the router on sale for $459, which is down from its usual price around $650. This can cover up to 6,000 square feet and ensure you get every nook and cranny covered in Wi-Fi 6. Check out the full sale for other Arris devices on sale, too.

The router supports up to 255 devices on the network, so you can use it in a big home that has laptops, computers, tablets, smartphones, TVs, Amazon Echo devices, video doorbells, and all that other stuff you need connected to Wi-Fi. Even with all that gear connceted, you'll still have enough capacity to stream multiple 4K videos at the same time. Plus, the router has a self-optimizing feature that will allow it to make sure each device is connected to the best available channel at any time.

The router is compatible with Amazon Alexa, so you can use a connected Echo device to control it with certain voice commands. There's an easy-to-use app that makes setup a breeze and gives you step-by-step instructions.

Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E: What's the difference?

To understand why Wi-Fi 6 is still currently a better option than Wi-Fi 6E for most people, you have to understand how Wi-Fi 6 routers work and why they're still early in their lifespan. Wi-Fi 6 is like a performance patch to Wi-Fi 5. It just does a lot of things better and more efficiently, making your internet connection as invisible as possible. It essentially doubles the maximum speed throughput from Wi-Fi and uses that power to saturate connections to devices with more information. Again, put simply: It's just better than what came before.

Wi-Fi 6E isn't called Wi-Fi 7 for a reason. It's almost the same thing but with a big benefit that, for most people, is more future-proofing than anything. Wi-Fi 6E gets exclusive access to the 6GHz band. Not the 5GHz band that other Wi-Fi standards get. In comparison, the 6GHz band has a key difference. Although it technically performs at the same speeds as 5GHz, the 6GHz band allows communication with your devices on more channels. More pathways to your devices means less overlap, which means faster real-world speeds.

Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E: The problem with early adoption

While an improvement to our current Wi-Fi technology, Wi-Fi 6E is still extremely new, and therefore has a long road ahead of it before it becomes ubiquitous enough to matter. Many people still don't utilize the benefits of Wi-Fi 6. Add to that the importance of having devices, like a phone or a laptop, that benefit from Wi-Fi 6E, and you have a technology that's too early in its infancy for anyone but the most dedicated enthusiasts to consider.

It's simply too early to really make use of it. And because of that the prices of routers and devices that even support it are absurdly high. Unless money isn't an object, there's no reason to invest in a Wi-Fi 6E setup right now. There are much better ways to improve speeds if that's your issue.

Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E: Looking forward

All of this said, Wi-Fi 6E has potentially huge benefits for the future. Devices that need loads of bandwidth that can be next to your router or signal are becoming more common. Think of something like VR headsets that rely a lot on wires. If you could transfer that sort of data at high speeds via Wi-Fi 6E, it might make the entire technology more accessible for people in different environments. The only issue is that the tendency for this technology to fluctuate is so high that it's hard to tell what this will look like in even five years.

Regardless, Wi-Fi 6E is a very promising feature for the future. If enough people start to pick up routers capable of it, you'll start to see even more devices that actually function in tandem with them. For now, it's just hard to see that becoming a reality.

Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E: Choosing a router now

For now, stick with Wi-Fi 6. There are many routers out there that make use of it, and there are many more coming. Wi-Fi 6E will be something to worry about several years for now. For the biggest benefits to your connection speed, look into Wi-Fi 6 routers. Chances are, you have a lot of devices that would happily slurp up that data if you had one. And even if you don't, it's worth making sure you have it for any devices you buy down the line.

It's also good to note that Wi-Fi 6 route pricing is starting to normalize as the technology becomes more normalized. It's not absurd to pick one up because many of the products are comparable to Wi-Fi 5 versions. And for some companies, like in mesh networks, it's almost hard not to get Wi-Fi 6.

What you need to know

• TP-Link announced the Deco Voice X20 at CES 2021.
• It's a mesh Wi-Fi system that is also a smart speaker.
• TP-Link also announced several other Deco routers.

TP-Link announced the Deco Voice X20 at CES 2021. The device combines a mesh Wi-Fi system with a smart speaker and works with Amazon Alexa. The Deco Voice X20 supports Wi-Fi 6 and has two Gigabit WAN/LAN Ethernet ports as well. Alongside the Deco Voice X20, TP-Link announced several other Deco routers. TP-Link has not announced release date or pricing details at this time; apart from that, it will be available sometime in 2021.

As a mesh Wi-Fi system, the Deco Voice X20 allows you to create a seamless network of up to 4,000 square feet with a two-pack. TP-LInk highlights that since It works with TP-Link Mesh technology, you can walk around your network without dropping signal, even during streams such as video calls, media streaming, and cloud gaming.

With Alexa built-in, you can use the Deco Voice X20 to control devices in your home, including both the speaker itself and smart devices that support Amazon Alexa. You can stream several music services to the smart speaker, including Amazon Music, Spotify, Pandora, iHeartRadio, and TuneIn.

The device also supports TP-Link HomeShield, which protects IoT devices, has parental controls, and can create security reports. HomeShield has a free basic plan, but you can also upgrade to a paid pro plan.

The Deco Voice X20 will also support Alexa calling, messaging, and announcements, which helps you connect to people with your voice. The Deco Voice X20 product page states that "Alexa Calling, Messaging, and Announcements (ACM) features may not be available in early shipments, and users will need a subsequent firmware update."

Alongside the Deco Voice X20, TP-Link announced a family of Wi0-Fi 6 routers and products, including the AX7800 Whole Home Mesh WiFi 6E System (Deco X96), AX5400 Whole Home Mesh WiFi 6E System with Smart Hub (Deco X76 Plus), and 5G Whole Home WiFi 6 Gateway (Deco X80-5G).

The Deco X96 supports the 6GHz band, which allows it to cover more frequencies. It supports speeds of up to 7,800 Mbps with tri-band Wi-Fi. It also has AI-driven mesh intelligence that learns your network environment.

The Deco X76 Plus also supports the 6GHz band. It's also speedy, but it has a lower top speed of 5,400 Mbps with tri-band Wi-Fi. IT has a built-in Smart Hub that allows you to easily control your device and also has AI-driven mesh for seamless roaming.

The Deco X8- 5-G supports Wi-Fi 6 and will be available in select international markets. It supports download speeds of up to 5Gbps and works with Deco mesh technology.

Wi-Fi 6 offers the highest potential for speed, connectivity, and coverage. The Netgear Orbi AX6000 and Eero 6 Pro are relatively new entrants in the market for consumers. Where the AX6000 focuses on raw performance, the Pro 6 centers on extras like smart home powers and security. Let's see how they measure up and which may work best for you.

Netgear Orbi AX6000 or Eero Pro 6: How much coverage do you need?

Mesh networks are generally the best way to cover your entire apartment or house with a Wi-Fi signal. Consumer mesh network kits typically consist of a base and one or two satellites. The base connects directly to the modem, and the satellite helps extend coverage. Netgear and Eero go about their mesh systems in much the same way, but there are distinct differences that set them apart. Let's look at the specs.

The basic Netgear Orbi AX6000 Wi-Fi 6 package includes a base and one satellite, while the Eero Pro 6 Wi-Fi 6 system includes a base and two satellites. Both Netgear and Eero offer single satellites for sale, so you can extend your coverage, depending on your home's size. The AX6000's two-piece system covers about 5,000 square feet, and the Pro 6's three-piece package covers about 6,000 square feet. That may not sound like much of a difference, but if you want a solid connection in your basement, or perhaps out in your yard, that extra bit helps.

Perhaps most importantly, both these systems will cover the vast majority of homes. The average U.S. house is about 1,600 square feet. The 5,000-6,000 square feet of coverage from the Netgear and Eero should reach every corner of your home with no problem. While coverage is important, it isn't the only factor.

Netgear Orbi AX6000 or Eero Pro 6: Which is faster?

Some people prefer speed to coverage, and that's totally fine, but there's a limitation you should know about. When it comes to raw performance, the Netgear wins handily. It is capable of speeds up to 6Gbps, while the Eero can reach only 1Gbps. Of course, you have to have the corresponding connection speed from your service provider, but most people don't.

While Verizon and other internet service providers offer gigabit service, the average consumer home internet speed is a pokey 50Mbps. In other words, the experience you see on your devices won't differ much whether they're connected to the Netgear or the Eero. You'll be able to stream just as much Netflix or Disney+ content without hiccups.

The Netgear offers more capacity or the ability to connect more things. To start, it has double the ports. That's a huge deal. In addition to an input on the base, each satellite includes four ethernet ports. That means you can connect devices such as a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X directly to the satellite for top wired performance. This leaves your wireless capacity more widely available to laptops, tablets, and smart home devices. The Eero, by way of comparison, offers only two ports on the satellite for direct connections.

Netgear Orbi AX6000 or Eero Pro 6: What about smarts and set up?

Speaking of smart homes, both the AX6000 and Pro 6 pack some smarts. Where the AX6000 supports Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa smart commands, the Pro 6 supports Amazon Alexa and ZigBee-based smart home products, such as lights and switches.

Apps are essential. Both Netgear and Eero know that ease of use is paramount. Apps for Android and iOS are available in the Google Play Store and iTunes App Store, respectively, and can be used to set up and manage the mesh systems.

Netgear Orbi AX6000 or Eero Pro 6:Which should you buy?

You can't go wrong with either the Netgear Orbi AX6000 Wi-Fi 6 or the Eero Pro 6 Wi-Fi 6 mesh systems. The most significant differentiator between the two is pricing. The Netgear starts at $649 for a base and one satellite. A base with two satellites costs a sobering $949. That's a lot for consumer-grade Wi-Fi. The Eero starts at a slightly more affordable $599 for the basic package. Additional satellites cost $89. Whether you're looking for speed, security, flexibility, or raw square footage, both the AX6000 and Pro 6 have you covered.

Why is Wi-Fi 6 important?

The fact that the Surface Laptop Go supports Wi-Fi 6 is awesome, but it's important to go over what makes Wi-Fi 6 special in the first place. Wi-Fi 6, or 802.11ax, is the latest Wi-Fi standard that improves upon Wi-Fi 5 in many ways. Wi-Fi 6 networks deliver faster throughput and can handle more devices connected at once than any Wi-Fi network ever before. They also have better range and efficiency. In addition to this, devices using Wi-Fi 6 will also consume less power, meaning that Wi-Fi 6 is more power-efficient than previous Wi-Fi standards.

For Wi-Fi 6 to work, you'll need a Wi-Fi 6 router as well as a device that supports Wi-Fi 6.

What makes the Surface Laptop Go special?

Aside from supporting Wi-Fi 6, the Surface Laptop Go is special because of how much quality hardware it packs into a device that's almost as small as the Surface Go 2. With it, you get a 10th Gen Intel Core i5-1035G1 CPU, Intel UHD graphics, up to 8GB of RAM, and up to 256GB of SSD storage. The 12.4" PixelSense display, while boasting a modest 1536x1024 resolution, nevertheless looks pretty good based on what we've seen so far. Additionally, with its studio mics, Dolby Atmos speakers, and 720p front-facing camera, the Surface Laptop Go will also be a superb device for use during online meetings and classes when it releases on October 13, 2020.

On the physical side of things, the Surface Laptop Go is impressive as well. With a USB-C port and a USB-A port, you get a solid amount of peripheral connectivity for such a small device. Also, with a 0.62" thickness and just 2.45 lbs of weight, it's one of the lightest Surface devices that Microsoft has ever made.

What Wi-Fi 6 router should you get?

If you need to get a Wi-Fi 6 router to go with your Surface Laptop Go, we highly recommend the TP-Link Archer AX1500. It's a lot more affordable than many other Wi-Fi 6 routers on the market, yet you still get all the benefits that Wi-Fi 6 provides. It's dual-band, not tri-band, so you won't be able to comfortably connect as many devices as you would with a tri-band network. That being said, it's still an excellent router for an excellent price, making it one of the best Wi-Fi 6 routers and our favorite to pair with the Surface Laptop Go.

Wireless speed is all about spectrum and making the most of what's available. For years, we have been stuck using Wi-Fi in 40MHz chunks at 2.4GHz and 80MHz chunks at 5GHz with 160MHz available in some cases. On April 23 2020, though, the FCC adopted rules to make 1,200MHz of spectrum available at 6GHz that can be used in the next generation of Wi-Fi. This new spectrum could be key to keeping Wi-Fi fast and reliable even as we ask more of it all the time.

• Is this just Wi-Fi 6?
• How much faster is it?
• Do I need a new device for Wi-Fi 6E support?
• Do I really need Wi-Fi 6E?
• Should I wait for Wi-Fi 6E?

What is Wi-Fi 6E? Is this just Wi-Fi 6?

Wi-Fi 6E is Wi-Fi extended to the 6GHz band. Simply put, Wi-Fi 6E is the same thing as Wi-Fi 6 with access to the greater bandwidth available at 6GHz. With the 1,200MHz of space available on the 6GHz bands, there is a lot more room for Wi-Fi without overlap. This means that even if you live in an area with a lot of Wi-Fi connections, there is still enough bandwidth to keep your connection fast and consistent — with no interference.

Currently, Wi-Fi 6 operates on the same bands that were available to Wi-Fi 5 devices. This includes one band at 2.4GHz and two at 5GHz. While the lower frequency 2.4GHz signal can travel farther without degrading, it has less available bandwidth, maxing out at 40MHz per channel. Even so, in the United States, there are only 11 available channels, so most people with neighbors will end up sharing. 5GHz bands help quite a bit, with many more channels available typically at 80MHz.

For a long time, this was sufficient even in an apartment building but as we continue to add more and more wireless devices to our homes, even these 5GHz bands will start to hit their limits soon. Wi-Fi 6E is adding more channels and they're wider than ever at 160MHz. This is going to allow people to get as close as possible to the theoretical max speed of Wi-Fi 6.

How much faster is it?

The Verge explains that the maximum speed of Wi-Fi 6 is 9.6Gbs even with 6GHz. 6GHz is going to allow Wi-Fi 6 to get closer to its potential speed thanks to larger chunks of spectrum available much the same as mmWave 5G can deliver very high speeds.

This speed boost puts Wi-Fi performance quite close to even the fastest Ethernet connections. Of course, devices will still need to be able to take advantage of that speed, and servers will need to be able to deliver it, but at one point, Wi-Fi was 54Mbps and it seemed to be more than enough.

It's worth thinking about how we can even improve internet speeds with local caching that can deliver certain elements over your local network. Windows and Xbox updates, for example, can be transmitted from one device to another on the local network. Even so, making sure Wi-Fi isn't a bottleneck opens up a ton of possibilities at home as well as in businesses.

Do I need new equipment?

It seems like Wi-Fi 6 just became affordable for most people and suddenly there's a new version. If you want to use Wi-Fi 6E, you're going to need a router that supports it. There aren't any available yet and there won't be for quite a while. Until very recently, there was no need to support Wi-Fi 6E, and even now, Wi-Fi 6 on the older bands will be more than enough for the vast majority of people.

Wi-Fi 6E is looking very far forward and won't see widespread consumer adoption for years. There are still quite a few new routers coming out that only support Wi-Fi 5 and only top-end phones and computers are supporting Wi-Fi 6 despite it being available since early 2019.

Broadcom has already announced a Wi-Fi 6E mobile chip, with Intel saying it will have chips ready for January 2021. At the earliest, Wi-Fi 6E could start showing up in products at the end of 2020 but will more than likely come in 2021. If you bought a new phone or computer in the past year, you'll probably be OK waiting for the first wave of Wi-Fi 6E compatible devices.

Do I need Wi-Fi 6E?

Today Wi-Fi 6E seems like overkill. Who could possibly need multiple gigabit speed over a wireless connection? One group that immediately comes to mind is video creators. Many professional video productions are using resolutions higher than 5K for video with massive video sizes. With compression, these professionals can make efficient use of current network speeds but being able to edit or transfer terabytes of footage without running cables across your workspace will be great for these people.

The best part of all of this is that you can achieve these speeds even in a crowded area. You won't have to think about your connection failing or hitting lag spikes due to congestion. Even as more people move to wireless networking and ask more of their connections, the spectrum available at 6GHz will enable users to make the most of these speeds.

Should I wait for Wi-Fi 6E?

At best, we might see Wi-Fi 6E devices at the end of the year, and even then, upgrading to Wi-Fi 6E will be quite expensive. It's a safe bet that the vast majority of people will be quite well served by a fast Wi-Fi 6 router for long enough for prices to come down on Wi-Fi 6E routers. The nice thing is that you don't have to go all-in at once. Wi-Fi 6E devices and routers will be backward compatible and able to make the most of the current network.

For the vast majority of home users, Wi-Fi 6 is more than enough and is still a great upgrade to a slow network. If you're already running up against the limits of Wi-Fi 6 whether its due to congestion or the desire for higher wireless speeds, Wi-Fi 6E is going to be a great way to get even more out of your network.

10th Gen Intel processors and Wi-Fi 6 support

If you're getting a laptop with a 10th Gen Intel processor then it should be supporting Wi-Fi 6 since it's enabled on the CPU itself. That's the case here with the LG gram 14, and indeed the rest of the 2020 LG gram lineup.

Wi-Fi 6 is important for many reasons. In the home environment, for example, you can expect a faster and more stable wireless connection on your laptop. Wi-Fi 6 is also much better at handling a lot of devices all connected to the same access point and supports the more secure WPA3 security protocol.

However, to use Wi-Fi 6, you need a router that also supports it.

A great router to get for Wi-Fi 6

If you need a new Wi-Fi 6 capable router our current top choice is the ASUS RT-AX88U, which as far as routers go, is a wild-looking product. It's also incredibly powerful, with a quad-core processor inside and 1GB of RAM, which is pretty impressive for a product like this.

It also doesn't go crazy with the external antenna, limiting it to four. It does come with out-of-the-box support for VPNs as well as for being implemented as part of a mesh network for even better whole-home coverage.

It's a little pricey, but as Wi-Fi 6 becomes more common, the price of routers will come down.

The ASUS ZenBook Duo and Wi-Fi 6

The ASUS ZenBook Duo is fully compatible with Wi-Fi 6 thanks to its cutting edge Intel Core i7-10510U processor that allows the device to work with the new standard (and thus, get the benefits). When using an ASUS ZenBook Duo with a Wi-Fi 6 router, you'll notice that your internet speed will be faster, your connection will be more stable, and your battery life will be longer compared to the previous standard, Wi-Fi 5, due to the reduced energy cost to use the internet. In addition to that, Wi-Fi 6 networks are also better at handling multiple devices connected at once, and even come with the state-of-the-art WPA3 security system which is considerably more secure than WPA2.

It's worth highlighting that Wi-Fi 6 laptops are relatively tough to find right now since it's a brand new Wi-Fi standard and many processors aren't capable of supporting it. It's also worth noting that if the router you're connecting to doesn't support Wi-Fi 6, then you won't be able to take advantage of it. However, as it becomes more common, you'll be thankful you have the technology at your fingertips.

Why the ASUS ZenBook Duo is worth it

Aside from the excellent processor and Wi-Fi 6 compatibility, there are plenty of other reasons to get an ASUS ZenBook Duo. Along with choice between a 14 or 12.6-inch display, it has the unique feature of having a secondary screen located above the keyboard. This is essentially a miniature monitor in its own right, and with it, you can effectively create a "dual monitor" setup. This is fantastic for both working and creation, as being able to always keep a separate tab open can be extremely convenient. The secondary screen is touch compatible, too, and the device comes with a stylus.

The device also comes equipped with 16GB of RAM and an NVIDIA MX250 GPU. When paired with the excellent processor, this laptop gives you all the power you need to do everything short of intensive gaming or video editing. To round things out, the laptop has a solid 512GB solid-state drive (SSD) and both a USB-A and USB-C 3.1 port (not Thunderbolt 3) to allow for quick data transfers and easy peripheral connectivity. Overall, the ASUS ZenBook Duo is a lovely device that you shouldn't sleep on.

The device currently isn't being sold in the U.S, but you can thankfully find it for sale on Amazon U.K. We'll update the article when (or if) the laptop comes in stock in the U.S.

Why doesn't the Yoga work with Wi-Fi 6?

Unfortunately, the reason that the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga can't work with Wi-Fi 6 is unknown. Since it can be configured with one of Intel's new 10th Gen CPUs that enable Wi-Fi 6 compatibility, there must be some other reason why the device doesn't work with it that only Lenovo itself knows. Thankfully, though, Lenovo's ThinkPad X1 Carbon does work with Wi-Fi 6 as long as you get it with a 10th Gen CPU, so if your heart is set on a Lenovo device that can work with Wi-Fi 6, your luck hasn't run out.

Why get a Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga?

While the lack of Wi-Fi 6 compatibility is unfortunate, there are still plenty of reasons to get a Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga. The latest variant of it is an attractive and capable device that offers a plethora of excellent features. For starters, it can be purchased with a killer 4K display that looks gorgeous and will bring visual media to life. The device can also be configured with a variety of powerful Intel 8th Gen CPUs, and there's also the option of a 10th Gen i7-10510U. On top of that, the laptop also has Windows Hello functionality that's integrated into the device's IR camera (optional) and fingerprint reader, and you can outfit it with up to 16 GB of RAM and up to 1TB of SSD hard drive space, as well as a fantastic Dolby Atmos speaker setup. Finally, if you want to use it while you're on-the-go, you can get the 2-in-1 tablet with LTE.

In terms of physical design, the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga scores highly, too. It's got thin bezels, a thin frame, and a light chassis of three pounds, making it a very compact device that you can take anywhere without issue. It has a fantastic selection of ports as well, as it comes with two USB 3.1 slots and two Thunderbolt 3 ports, along with standard audio and HDMI sockets.

What about the Carbon?

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon is essentially a slightly less versatile version of the Yoga device, as it can't be used in tablet configuration and, thus, isn't as suited to mobile usage. However, it comes with the exact same hardware options as the Yoga across the board, and it also has the same slim profile and low weight. It also happens to be a tad less expensive, too, and of course, it also works with Wi-Fi 6 if you get it with an Intel 10th Gen i7-10510U — unlike the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga.

Ultimately, if you're willing to trade portability convenience for Wi-Fi 6 compatibility, then the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon is a fantastic alternative to the Yoga.

What is Wi-Fi 6?

Wi-Fi 6 is the latest Wi-Fi connection standard that improves the Wi-Fi user experience significantly in a variety of ways. Benefits of Wi-Fi 6 over previous Wi-Fi standards include better speeds, more stable connections, and better bandwidth stability when multiple devices are connected to a network at once. In addition to this, Wi-Fi 6 also drains less of your device's battery than other types of Wi-Fi, meaning you'll be able to use the internet with your device longer before needing to charge.

To get Wi-Fi 6 in your home, you're going to need a router that supports it, as well as a device that can make use of it. For a router, we recommend getting the ASUS RT-AX88U, as it offers both impressive speeds and very competent bandwidth management capabilities. The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon works with Wi-Fi 6, but you'll need to get the variant of the laptop that has Intel's new 10th Gen i7-10510U CPU.

Why get a Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon?

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon is worth getting for a myriad of reasons. One of the biggest ones is its excellent optional WQHD 1440p display with anti-glare technology, which makes all media you view look great and also helps keep your screen easily visible while out in bright sunlight. The speaker system is excellent as well, as it has Dolby Atmos technology. A wide range of powerful Intel 8th Gen processors are available for the laptop if you don't care much about Wi-Fi 6; if you do, or just simply want the best possible processor, you can opt to get the device with Intel's 10th Gen i7-10510U. On top of this, you can configure it with up to 16 GB of RAM and 1 TB of SSD hard drive space. The device also comes with Windows Hello fingerprint reading support, and you can add on an IR camera for facial recognition if you wish. If you're someone who likes to use their device on the go, you can get it with LTE, too.

When it comes to the physical features, the thin bezels, low thickness, and lightweight of the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon make it an incredibly compact and portable device. On top of that, the laptop comes with two Thunderbolt 3 ports and two USB 3.1 slots. This allows the user to enjoy connectivity with plenty of peripheral accessories.

What is Wi-Fi 6?

Wi-Fi 6 is the newest type of Wi-Fi standard that offers a myriad of advantages over previous connections. For instance, Wi-Fi 6 handles multiple connections at once up to four times better than the last Wi-Fi standard, and it also noticeably increases internet speed and stability. It even causes less of a strain on your device's battery, which means you can use your phone, tablet, or laptop longer than you would be able to on previous Wi-Fi configurations.

To get Wi-Fi 6 in your home, you'll need a router that uses it. There are plenty out there, but we recommend the ASUS RT-AX88U as it has fantastic speeds and bandwidth management, even if it is a bit pricey. Wi-Fi 6 routers will be generally pricey since they're still new to the market, but as more options become available, the prices will come down.

Why get a Microsoft Surface Pro 7?

Aside from the compatibility with Wi-Fi 6, there are plenty of awesome reasons to get a new Surface Pro 7. The 12.3-inch 2736x1824 display is sure to look lovely, and since the device has Intel's 10th Gen CPUs, it will have awesome computing power. On top of that, it can be outfitted with up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage space, which should be more than enough for any user. It has a Windows Hello-compatible camera, too, which means you'll be able to take advantage of Microsoft's biometric security. The cherry on top is the inclusion of a USB-C port, which no other Surface Pro prior to the 7 had on its chassis. This will allow for faster data and power transfer speeds between the Surface Pro 7 and other devices and accessories.

Just what is Wi-Fi 6, anyway?

Wi-Fi 6, also sometimes called AX Wi-Fi, is the latest and greatest Wi-Fi standard available. Compared to the previous standard, Wi-Fi 6 is capable of handling multiple devices at once up to four times better, and it also offers benefits to speed and stability.

When used with devices that have a battery life, such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops, Wi-Fi 6 will also reduce the speed that staying connected drains your battery. You can learn more about the nitty-gritty details by checking out our comprehensive guide to Wi-Fi 6, but the gist is that this new standard improves things across the board substantially.

Unfortunately, in order to take advantage of Wi-Fi 6 you'll need a compatible router, like the ASUS RT-AX88U, and a device that supports it. Since this standard has only just arrived, not very many devices do yet, although thankfully, the Dell XPS 13 (7390) does.

What makes the Dell XPS 13 (7390) great?

Aside from the Wi-Fi 6 compatibility, there's a lot of reasons why the Dell XPS 13 (7390) is an awesome laptop. The biggest one is arguably its killer 4K display that you can opt for, which looks gorgeous and will bring whatever you're looking at on-screen to life vividly.

In addition to that, the device uses Intel's brand new 10th Gen CPU chips, which are very powerful; the strongest processor available for the laptop is the Intel Core i7-10710U. Also, it can be configured with up to 16GB of RAM and 2TB of solid-state drive (SSD) storage space, which should be more than enough for most users. The cherry on top is that it's under half-an-inch thick and weighs just shy of three pounds, making it an incredibly light and compact device.

What you need to know

• Qualcomm Networking Pro Series platforms offer companies variety of Wi-Fi 6 infrastructure solutions.
• New FastConnect 6800 subsystem will bring even more advanced Wi-Fi 6 capabilities to phones and PCs.
• Some of the biggest names in networking are announced as partners using both Qualcomm's client and infrastructure technology.

5G may be the talk of the town in smartphones, but parallel with those mobile network solutions there are also big upgrades on the horizon for Wi-Fi. At an event today, Qualcomm and many of its partners made big announcements of technology and products that will be bringing Wi-Fi 6, the next generation of Wi-Fi, to a broader market much faster than you may have expected.

What is Wi-Fi 6?

On Qualcomm's end, the company has announced "Networking Pro Series" platforms, which is Wi-Fi 6 chipset that's available in four different tiers to fit the various needs of partners when bringing Wi-Fi 6 hardware to market. Qualcomm, of course, claims that its Wi-Fi 6 technology is superior in terms of technological capabilities and also ease of deployment:

The platforms offer up to 12 full streams of Wi-Fi 6 connectivity, including 8 streams of Wi-Fi 6 connectivity in the 5GHz band. They have MU-MIMO in the uplink and downlink across all bands, as well as OFDMA uplink and downlink across all bands with up to support for 37 users per 5GHz channel used. Qualcomm says its architecture supports up to 1500 simultaneous clients with either dual- or tri-radio configurations. And partners can choose to split streams to run multiple bands on the client side and on the backhaul side simultaneously.

Qualcomm's partners using the new Networking Pro Series platforms include Ruckus, HP Enterprise, Belkin, KT Corp. and Netgear — many of the biggest names in Wi-Fi infrastructure.

Alongside the announcement of the new platforms for the router infrastructure side of things, Qualcomm also took the time to remind everyone just how prolific its Wi-Fi technologies are across smartphones and PCs. Its current FastConnect 6200 subsystem already offers Wi-Fi 6 compatibility and is attached to "almost all" Snapdragon 855 and 855+ models available to device makers, including all 5G versions. Its upcoming FastConnect 6800 subsystem, which partners can choose to attach to their SoCs, supports MU-MIMO for Wi-Fi 6, among other improvements.

Between the strong list of partners in the infrastructure and device side, Qualcomm is doing its best to embed its technologies in all aspects of the early deployment of Wi-Fi 6. The benefits of dramatically higher simultaneous user counts, lower latency and faster speeds are easy to see across gaming, streaming, VR/AR and more.

Wi-Fi is undergoing a significant shift this year as the new Wi-Fi 6 standard, a.k.a., "802.11ax," with up to 2.4 Gbps throughput, is set to launch.

Rivet Networks – the team behind the popular Killer series of Wi-Fi cards – is working with Intel to merge its prioritization engine to the latest AX hardware. The Killer Wi-Fi 6 AX1650 card is a 2x2, Wi-Fi 6 module that supports 160 MHz channels and Bluetooth 5.0.

Killer Wi-Fi 6 AX1650 features and enhancements

Dell's Alienware series of gaming laptops and desktop PCs will be the first to launch the new card, beginning in the coming weeks. Interestingly, the card itself won't cost much more than current generation Wi-Fi cards, making rapid adoption by other PC manufacturers likely.

According to Rivet, the new Killer Wi-Fi 6 AX1650 card can deliver:

• Up to three times more throughput than the previous generation 80MHz 2x2 AC devices.
• Up to 40 percent more throughput than the previous generation 160MHz 2x2 AC devices.
• Up to four times more network capacity in dense environments than the previous generation.

On the software side ...

Of course, a Killer Wi-Fi card isn't just about the hardware but also the software suite that intelligently monitors and prioritizes data – especially for online gaming – to reduce any network congestion, especially when multiple devices are on the same network.

The Killer AX1650 uses Advanced Stream Detect 2.0 Technology to detect thousands of games, applications, and websites. It then leverages Lag and Latency Reduction Technology to prioritize the most important packets for a fast, smooth online entertainment experience. Gamers can expect up to three times better in-game latency performance when using the AX1650 during peak network usage periods.

GameFast Technology automatically pauses processes that are not needed when gaming, freeing up to 10 percent of CPU cycles and 20 percent of memory. Gamers who use GameFast will experience faster, more responsive gameplay with the additional system resources available to focus on the game.

Powered by the Killer Intelligence Engine, the Killer AX1650 automatically analyzes the network and makes adjustments to improve the overall online experience. For items that cannot be fixed automatically, the Killer Intelligence Engine makes recommendations to the user on how to best optimize their home network for ideal performance.

When combined with a Killer Ethernet product, the AX1650 features DoubleShot Pro Technology, which enables the use of both Killer Ethernet and the AX1650 at the same time. DoubleShot Pro works automatically to ensure the highest priority traffic will always be put on the fastest and most reliable link. Users can also leverage the Killer Control Center 2.0 to determine which applications and websites go over wireless and which use Ethernet.

Additionally, the Killer Control Center 2.0 lets users control, modify, and limit which apps are accessing the internet, while being able to optimize for their network, set bandwidth limits and more. There's also the new Wireless xTend technology that delivers powerful MESH network capabilities, letting gamers extending their home network.

While the user will still need a Wi-Fi 6-enabled router to leverage the full capabilities of the new 802.11ax standard, more hardware vendors are supporting the emerging tech. Because of the potential faster speeds – especially on networks with heavy device congestion – even battery life should improve because it is now quicker to access the data.

Best Wi-Fi Routers in 2019

Look for Killer Wi-Fi 6 AX1650 to begin shipping in Alienware computers in the coming weeks, with more vendors jumping on board after that. Both soldered and free-standing versions of the chips will be available to vendors, and we should see more high-end laptops and PCs with support for Wi-Fi 6 in the coming months.

If you need a new router now that supports Killer wireless cards and can't wait, check out the Linksys WRT32X detailed below.