The best Wi-Fi 6 routers of 2024

We've reviewed more than 80 routers, evaluating them using a number of different benchmarks as well as real-world tests to help you find the best Wi-Fi 6 router for you. Whether you need a mesh Wi-Fi system for a larger home or a traditional router for an apartment, there's something here for every budget.

More expensive Wi-Fi 6E routers are at the top while cheaper Wi-Fi 6 routers are at the bottom of this list. However, if you want the latest and greatest networking gear, be sure to check out our roundup of the best Wi-Fi 7 routers.

The quick list

The best Wi-Fi 6 routers can give your home network a major upgrade, especially if you’re still using an older Wi-Fi router or one from your Internet Service Provider. Besides providing you with excellent speeds and a strong Wi-Fi signal, Wi-Fi 6 routers come in two varieties: Wi-Fi 6 routers and Wi-Fi 6E routers.

In order to determine which Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E routers ended up on this list, we put them all through extensive real-world testing but we also used networking benchmark software like iXChariot and iPerf3. This way, we could simulate what it would be like to use them in a crowded home with lots of connected devices. From here, we tested each of these routers at 5, 50, 75 and 100 feet to measure both their range and throughput.

While a Wi-Fi 6 router will improve the performance and speed of your home network, a Wi-Fi 6E router gives you access to the new 6 GHz band along with the 2.5 and 5 GHz bands. Not only does this prevent network congestion as your most important devices can use this newer band, but the 6 GHz band is dramatically faster, albeit at a much shorter range. We’ve rounded up the best Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E routers for apartments as well as both small and large homes with all of the features you need to completely upgrade your home network. 

Written by
Anthony Spadafora
Written by
Anthony Spadafora

As someone who's been working from home for the past six years, Anthony Spadafora has tried everything from Wi-Fi extenders to powerline adapters to get the most out of his home network before finally upgrading to a mesh Wi-Fi system. Along the way, he's tested out loads of different routers and network configurations. Based on what he's learned, Anthony tries to highlight the critical role Wi-Fi routers play in our day to day lives and how a mesh network can help solve the most common connectivity issues like Wi-Fi dead spots. 

Reviewed and Tested by
Brian Nadel
Reviewed and Tested by
Brian Nadel

With experience in testing, using and evaluating wireless data from before Wi-Fi was even a word, Brian Nadel has tried out and reviewed every major router available in his home networking lab. A LAN nerd, his philosophy is to use the router the way you would, testing networking gear for ease of setup, performance, security and above all for value. The result is peace of mind when it comes to choosing the right router.

The best Wi-Fi 6 routers you can buy today

Why you can trust Tom's Guide Our writers and editors spend hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and apps to help find what's best for you. Find out more about how we test, analyze, and rate.

The best Wi-Fi 6E router overall

(Image credit: Netgear)
A Wi-Fi 6e speed demon

Specifications

Wi-Fi spec: Wi-Fi 6e/Tri-band
Number of antennas/removable: 8/No
Ports: 1 WAN/4 LAN gigabit per second, 2 USB 3.0
Measured peak throughput: 2.396 Gbps
Size: 12.0 x 8.6 x 3.3 inches

Reasons to buy

+
Top speed with 6-GHz band
+
Customizability
+
Security software

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive
-
Throughput declines quickly with distance

The Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 was the first Wi-Fi 6e router to hit the market, and the results are mind-blowing. By adding a 6-GHz band to the already impressive capabilities of Wi-Fi 6, the Nighthawk RAXE500 delivers category-leading performance. 

With an AXE11000 rating, the tri-band device more than lives up to the hype by delivering nearly 2.5 Gbps of real-world data. Add this to the slick design and highly customizable configuration options, and the Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 becomes one of the best routers we've ever reviewed, and possibly the fastest.

By adding access to a slew of new data-delivering channels in the 6-GHz spectrum, the tri-band Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 takes the lead as the first high-performance Wi-Fi 6e router. While it’s best at close quarters and is quite expensive, the RAXE500 is worth every penny if you have the need for speed.

Read our full Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 review.

The best Wi-Fi 6E router for performance

Linksys Atlas Max 6E on counter

(Image credit: Linksys)
The best Wi-Fi 6e mesh router

Specifications

Wi-Fi Spec: 802.11ax
Number of Antennas/Removable: 12/No
Ports: Router: 1 WAN/4 LAN; Satellite: 4 LAN
Peak Throughput: 1.189 Gbps (at 15 feet)
Size: 9.6 x 4.5 x 4.5 inches

Reasons to buy

+
Great overall performance
+
Able to push a strong signal through walls
+
App or online configuration
+
Three-year warranty

Reasons to avoid

-
No added security protection
-
Large and bulky
-
Expensive

The Linksys Atlas Max 6E was the first mesh Wi-Fi router we tested that beat the Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi 6E (RBKE963) in terms of overall throughput. At 15 feet, the Atlas 6E had a throughput of 1.189 Gbps of data, which stayed strong at 25 feet (1.008 Gbps), before dropping to 382.2 Mbps at 50 feet. 

Each Atlas Max 6E device has 12 amplified antennas, one 5Gbps WAN input port, four downstream gigabit LAN ports and a USB 3.0 port for attaching a storage device. Just as significantly, each can be configured as the host router or satellite during setup. We also like the fact that it comes with a three-year warranty and lifetime support, which blows away the competition. Also, if the Linksys Atlas Max 6E is too bulky or too expensive for you, it might be worth considering the Linksys Velop AX4200 instead.

Read our full Linksys Atlas Max 6E review.

The Best Wi-Fi 6E router for range

(Image credit: Netgear)
Insane performance at an insane price

Specifications

Wi-Fi spec: Wi-Fi 6e/Quad-band
Number of antennas/removable: 12/No
Ports: 1 WAN/4 LAN (base unit), 4 LAN (satellites)
Measured peak throughput: 1.009 Gbps
Size: 11.1 x 7.5 x 3.0 inches

Reasons to buy

+
Best mesh performance ever
+
Easy to set up and configure
+
Optional security software, parental controls

Reasons to avoid

-
Extremely expensive
-
Just 90 days of free tech support

Easily the fastest mesh-router system on the planet, Netgear's Orbi RBKE963 is also the most expensive. But if you have money to burn, a gigabit broadband connection and an enormous house, this is the mesh system for you. 

The RBKE963 can cover up to 9,000 square feet; add a third satellite and you can go to 12,000 square feet. At a distance of 15 feet, the router's 6-Ghz channel delivered throughput of more than a gigabit, the first mesh router to do so in our tests. 

Each unit has 12 antennas and four Ethernet ports (one rated at 2.5 Gbps), and the system creates channels on the 2.5, 5 and 6-Ghz bands, plus a fourth 5-Ghz one for backhaul between units.

Netgear offers trial subscriptions to its Armor security software, which includes Bitdefender antivirus, and parental controls. You'll also have to pay for tech support after 90 days. 

But if you can afford to pay for this mesh system, you won't mind. If not, the Wi-Fi 6-based Orbi RBK863SB makes for a worthy alternative.

Read our full Netgear Orbi WiFi 6E (RBKE963) review.

The best value Wi-Fi 6E router

(Image credit: Future)
Best value mesh Wi-Fi 6E system

Specifications

Wi-Fi spec: AX5400/Tri Band
Number of antennas/removable: 4/No
Ports: 1 WAN/2 LAN
Measured peak throughput: 1.220Gbps (at 15 feet)
Size: 6.8 x 4.1x 4.1 inches

Reasons to buy

+
Inexpensive
+
Excellent data throughput
+
Built-in security software and two-year warranty

Reasons to avoid

-
Only three Ethernet ports

The Deco XE75 from TP-Link is available in either two-packs or three-packs and this mesh router system provides an inexpensive way to create a Wi-Fi 6E network that can fill your whole home with Wi-Fi. Each of the two (or three) nodes can act as either a satellite or a router and they all have three Ethernet ports that can be used to hardwire devices or as a wired access point.

In our testing, the Deco XE75 had excellent data flow through walls, clause up and at middle distances with a throughput of 1.220 Gbps at 15 feet. While you can use the 6GHz band to connect newer computers and phones, you can also use it for wireless backhaul between the unit designated as the router and the satellites. One downside to the XE75 is that its Ethernet ports only support 1Gbps which is why TP-Link just released the Deco XE75 Pro which features a 2.5G Ethernet port for multi-gig connections.

Read our full TP-Link Deco XE75 review

The best Wi-Fi 6E router for gamers

Asus GT-AXE11000 router on shelf

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
The best Wi-Fi 6E router for gamers

Specifications

Wi-Fi Spec: AXE11000
Number of Antennas/Removable: 8/No
Ports: 1 WAN, 4 1-Gbps LAN, 2 USB 3.0
Peak Throughput: 2.96Gbps
Size: 12.7 x 12.7 x 2.4 inches

Reasons to buy

+
Incredible throughput
+
Excellent customization options
+
Built-in security software
+
Gaming accelerator

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive
-
Throughput falls of quickly with distance

The Asus GT-AXE11000 is a Wi-Fi 6E gaming router that delivers excellent speeds, killer gaming features and awesome customization options. This tri-band gaming router also uses seven high-performance 160MHz data channels in the 6Hz band to help distribute a lot of data to nearby devices.

At the back of the GT-AXE11000 you'll find a 10G and a 2.5G WAN port, four gigabit LAN ports, a USB 3.2 Gen 1 x 1 port and a USB 2.0 port to connect all of your wired devices and even to transfer data from a hard drive across your home network. There's also Asus' built-in AiProtection security software to keep everyone and everything on your home network safe online. 

In our testing, the GT-AXE11000 was able to reach a maximum speed of 2.96 Gbps at 15 feet with an overall range of 85 feet. It's dedicated gaming features are nothing to slouch at either. If you want a powerful gaming router that's futureproof thanks to its multi-gig ports, the GT-AXE11000 should be your first choice.

Read our full Asus GT-AXE10000 review.

The best Wi-Fi 6 router design

Asus ZenWiFi Pro ET12 router sitting on shelf

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
Best budget mesh Wi-Fi system

Specifications

Wi-Fi Spec: Wi-Fi 6E/Tri-band
Number of Antennas/Removable: 10/No
Ports: one 2.5Gbps WAN, one 2.5Gbps LAN and two Gbps LAN
Throughput: 1.277Gbps (at 15 feet)
Size: 4.6 x 4.6 x 9.8 inches

Reasons to buy

+
Built-in security
+
Two-year warranty
+
Impressive app interface
+
Excellent performance close to router

Reasons to avoid

-
No 320MHz data channels
-
Only available in two-packs

The Asus ZenWiFi Pro ET12 is a mesh router with Wi-Fi 6E which is available in a two-pack or individually but you can't buy a three-pack. Two units should be enough for most homes though as together, they can can cover up to 6,000 square feet with a strong Wi-Fi signal. The Asus ZenWiFi Pro ET12 does come at a premium though with a two-pack selling for $800 while a single unit costs $430 which is more than the price of a three-pack for some other mesh Wi-Fi systems. It does go on sale quite often but even then, you'll likely find only $100 knocked off its price.

The Asus ZenWiFi Pro ET12 design is one of its best features and this mesh router almost looks like a desktop model of a skyscraper, thanks to its clear top and prominent chrome accents. From overhead, you can see several of each unit's 10 antennas through the clear top and they are positioned in such a way that they create a spherical transmission pattern since they're aimed at a 45-degree angle. There are also black cutouts on the sides of the Asus ZenWiFi Pro ET12 which act as vents to bring cool air in. During our testing, the units never exceeded a temperature of 105 degrees Fahrenheit.

As for the download speeds we saw during testing, the Asus ZenWiFi Pro ET12 was able to reach 1.27 Gbps at 15 feet with an overall signal range of 90 feet. If you have a multi-gig internet plan, you'll be able to make the most of this mesh router since it has a pair of 2.5 gigabit Ethernet ports at the back along with two gigabit Ethernet ports for connecting your other Wi-Fi devices. Asus also includes its AiProtection Pro security software for free to help keep your home network secured.

Read our full Asus ZenWiFi Pro ET12 review.

The best Wi-Fi 6 router for multi-gig

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
An improved Wi-Fi 6 mesh system with faster speeds and better range

Specifications

Wi-Fi Spec: Wi-Fi 6/Tri-band
Number of Antennas/Removable: 8/No
Ports: Router – 1 10Gbps WAN/4 1Gbps LAN; Satellite – 4 Gbps LAN
Measured peak throughput: 806.9Mbps (at 15 feet)
Size: 10 x 2.8 x 7.5 inches

Reasons to buy

+
Extended range
+
Improved mid-range Wi-Fi performance
+
Can create a separate network for smart home devices

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive
-
Slow set up process

The Orbi RBK863SB picks up where the the Orbi RBK852 left off and features improved performance as well as a new all-black color scheme which is sold exclusively through Netgear's website. 

There's also an innovative new antenna design that we found helped boost mid-range Wi-Fi 6 performance during our testing with speeds of up to 547.7 Mbps at 50 feet with a total range of 90 feet. Netgear has even added the ability to create a separate networking channel just for your smart home devices which can be really useful. 

Netgear also provides its built-in Armor security software with the Orbi RBK863SB for free for one year. However, after this trial period expires, it costs $100 annually. As for ports, there isn't a USB port for sharing data across your network but there is a 10 Gbps WAN port as well as four gigabit Ethernet ports. Like the other devices in Netgear's Orbi line, the Orbi RBK863SB is quite expensive at $1,100 for a three-piece kit but if you have a large home you want to fill with a strong Wi-Fi signal and want excellent performance, this mesh Wi-Fi system just might be for you.

Read our full Netgear Orbi RBK863SB review.

The best Wi-Fi 6 router for customization

(Image credit: Asus)
The best Wi-Fi 6 router overall

Specifications

Wi-Fi spec: Wi-Fi 6/Dual-band
Number of antennas/removable: 3/Yes
Ports: 1 WAN/1 Multi-Gig WAN/ 4 LAN gigabit per second, 2 USB 3.0
Measured peak throughput: 929.7 Mbps
Size: 9.0 x 6.7 x 3.1 inches

Reasons to buy

+
Excellent throughput
+
Security software with lifetime updates
+
Multi-Gig input and port aggregation
+
2-year warranty

Reasons to avoid

-
Lacks advanced gamer tools

The Asus RT-AX86U is a Wi-Fi 6 powerhouse that delivers great speeds and killer gaming features, as well as awesome customization options, all for under $300. With high-end performance and lifetime protection against intrusions and malware, it's also a great option for securing your entire home network, providing long term protection without a subscription fee, and carrying a two-year warranty.

But the real draw of the Asus RT-AX86U is the performance, which approaches the the magical 1-Gbps mark to provide speedy and effortless connectivity for all of your devices. 

With excellent range and great performance — even through walls and between floors — the RT-AX86U is equal parts general-use router and elite gaming router, and the collection of features and ports it offers are a steal compared to some of the top-performing gaming gear. If you want the best Wi-Fi 6 router for the whole household, the Asus RT-AX86U is it.

Read our full Asus RT-AX86U review.

The best Wi-Fi 6 router for smart homes

(Image credit: Eero)
Mesh Wi-Fi 6 with unbeatable convenience

Specifications

Wi-Fi spec: Wi-Fi 6/Tri-band
Number of antennas/removable: 7/No
Ports: 2 Ethernet (RJ-45) on each unit
Measured peak throughput: 438.2Mbps
Size: 5.3 x 5.3 x 1.9 inches

Reasons to buy

+
Great range
+
Dynamic tri-band operation
+
Easy and fast setup
+
Echo Dots devices can be used as mesh Wi-Fi extenders

Reasons to avoid

-
Devices have only two Ethernet ports
-
Moderate throughput close up
-
No USB ports

The Eero Pro 6 combines tri-band Wi-Fi 6 networking with a mesh setup that's quicker and easier than pretty much any mesh system we've reviewed, making it the best way to get great performance throughout your home without much hassle. With a single unit covering 2,000 square feet with reasonably fast Wi-Fi, the three-pack Eero Pro 6 will blanket up to 6,000 square feet with ease — and we set up the three-piece system in about 11 minutes.

It may not have the highest throughput, but the Eero Pro 6 mesh kit does well at mid-range distances where others peter out, is quick to set up and automatically adjusts just about everything. 

If you want granular customization, then tools like band steering, local DNS caching and home automation tools, it's got those, too. But the Eero Pro 6 does it's best when it lets you set it and forget it, giving you speedy Wi-Fi 6 without the hassles.

Read our full Eero Pro 6 review. 

The best budget Wi-Fi 6 router

Reyee RG-E5 on counter

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
An affordable yet feature-packed Wi-Fi 6 router

Specifications

Wi-Fi Spec: AX3200
Number of Antennas/Removable: 8/No
Ports: 1 WAN/4 LAN gigabit per second
Peak Throughput: 849.2Mbps (at 15 feet)
Size: 9.0 x 9.0 x 1.5 inches

Reasons to buy

+
One-button mesh network
+
Excellent midrange performance and range
+
2-year warranty

Reasons to avoid

-
Lacks extra security / WPA3 encryption
-
No USB port

The Reyee RG-E5 offers an easy way to upgrade to Wi-Fi 6 without breaking the bank. Besides being able to cover up to 3,000 square feet with a strong Wi-Fi signal on its own, this budget router can also be added to a mesh network by pairing it with other networking equipment from Reyee. In fact, there's even a one-touch button at the top of the device just for adding it to a mesh network. Still though, the Reyee RG-E5 lacks extra features like built-in security software, port aggregation or a USB port for connecting a flash drive or external hard drive and sharing its contents across your home network.

At the back of the Reyee RG-E5, you'll find four gigabit Ethernet ports and on the sides of the device, there are eight flipper antennas which you can manually reposition for a stronger signal. During our testing, this router was able to deliver speeds of up to 849.2 Mbps at a distance of 15 feet and overall, it has a range of 100 feet. If you want a compact router and an inexpensive way to upgrade to Wi-Fi 6, the Reyee RG-E5 just might be for you.

Read our full Reyee RG-E5 review.

How to choose the best Wi-Fi 6 router for you

Choosing the best Wi-Fi 6 router isn’t that different from shopping for any other networking product. Although the complicated jargon can be confusing, there are really only two significant questions that need to be answered.

First, what speed do you need for your internet use and devices? Second, what sort of coverage do you need for your home?

Speed: Wi-Fi 6 is good for  high-speed connections as the newer standard offers higher throughput than the previous 802.11ac standard. It’s also especially well-suited to gigabit-speed internet plans which may be available in your area. 

However, even average broadband speeds will benefit from Wi-Fi 6 as the standard offers better efficiency for sharing bandwidth among many devices.

Compatibility: Similarly, you’ll get the most out of Wi-Fi 6 by using newer Wi-Fi 6-equipped devices. While the standard is backwards compatible and should work with every older Wi-Fi-connected device you own, some of the features, like improved battery life for connected devices, will only work when both your router and your connected devices have Wi-Fi 6 capability.

Most new laptops, desktops, smartphones and tablets now include Wi-Fi 6 while a few even support Wi-Fi 6e which makes a Wi-Fi 6 router the best way to futureproof your home network.

Coverage: The other question is coverage area or how far and wide your Wi-Fi signal will travel. A basic standalone router will usually be sufficient for an apartment or smaller home with ranges of 50 to 100 feet being common.

Larger homes though, with 3,000 square feet of space or more, will benefit from a mesh system that pairs a base unit with satellite extensions that can be placed throughout the house.

These extensions stretch the reach of your Wi-Fi signal to cover even a large home though they can also be expanded as needed with additional units. (Learn more in our article What is a mesh Wi-Fi router, and do you need one?)

Gaming: One other consideration is gaming. The last thing you want is to have your gaming session slowed down or even interrupted by your network connection.

Gaming routers provide all of the same capabilities of a standard router but are optimized specifically for gaming. They reduce interruptions, help eliminate lage and usually offer advanced controls for customizing how data is used among the different devices in your home. (Check out the best gaming routers for more details and our favorite models.)

Price: Finally, the biggest factor in many people’s purchasing decisions isn’t specific features or capabilities, but price. While Wi-Fi 6 products are still notably more expensive than older standards, there are a handful of budget-friendly options out there and even a few with Wi-Fi 6e.

Though many Wi-Fi 6 products cost $300 or more, there are options in both standalone and mesh devices with more affordable prices. While these do offer many of the benefits of Wi-Fi 6, they will often do so with more modest device handling and less impressive coverage. Still though, a solid Wi-Fi 6 standalone router can be had for under $150 and a mesh system can be found for under $300.

How we test the best Wi-Fi 6 routers

A picture of the MSI RadiX AXE6600 next to a Pixel 6a running a speed test

(Image credit: Future)

We test every router we review to measure their performance and range, in addition to hands-on use to evaluate their setup process and the quality of their settings and features.

Throughput describes how much data a router can move back and forth over its wireless connection. Higher throughput will serve you better in data-heavy use cases like streaming video, gaming or connecting multiple devices at once.

We measure throughput using IXChariot, first at a 5-foot distance without obstructions in order to gauge the maximum amount of data a router can move. We then measure how much data a router can move at 50, 75 and 100 feet, so that you can choose the best model for smaller homes and apartments where short-range performance is more of a priority.

We also test performance through walls and ceilings to determine how well a router can provide a signal when dealing with Wi-Fi dampening conditions which are common to many buildings and homes.

For mesh routers, we perform additional testing to determine how well the mesh system does when it comes to sending a signal through both the main router and its satellite units.

Following our throughput tests, we also put the router through real-world tests by connecting a number of devices – laptops, TVs, smartphones and tablets — and stream several games, TV shows and movies simultaneously to see how well a router performs under strain.

For more information, check out our how we test page for Tom's Guide. 

Next: When and when not to use a Wi-Fi extender — and what to do instead.

Check out all of our home networking coverage:

Best Wi-Fi routers | Best mesh routers | Best gaming routers | Best Wi-Fi extenders | Best powerline extenders | Best cable modems  

Anthony Spadafora
Senior Editor Security and Networking

Anthony Spadafora is the security and networking editor at Tom’s Guide where he covers everything from data breaches and ransomware gangs to password managers and the best way to cover your whole home or business with Wi-Fi. Before joining the team, he wrote for ITProPortal while living in Korea and later for TechRadar Pro after moving back to the US. Based in Houston, Texas, when he’s not writing Anthony can be found tinkering with PCs and game consoles, managing cables and upgrading his smart home. 

  • KevinKProf
    I have seen reports from users that the TP-Link routers require a $5/month subscription to access their features. This is a big omission from your review. Can you confirm?
    Reply
  • fxv300
    Has anyone purchased or reviewed the Archer AX10 AX1500 Wi-Fi 6 Router or the Archer AX50 AX3000 Dual Band Gigabit Wi-Fi 6 Router ?
    How do they compare against the Netgear RAX20 ?
    Reply
  • mwerneburg
    Hi. After reading this, I bought a Netgear RAX4 Wifi 6 router. It was a disaster. Like so many commenters on the manufacturer's product page, I experienced constant problems with the router: not all of my family members could connect in the first place, and then the router would drop all connections 1-3 times a day. I couldn't reliably use the suggested "Nighthawk" app to connect to the router to administer it. I eventually got through a firmware upgrade using my son's iPhone (one of two identical phones, it was the only one in the home that could connect) and that did nothing. Just a lousy product.
    Reply
  • rlevs
    fxv300 said:
    Has anyone purchased or reviewed the Archer AX10 AX1500 Wi-Fi 6 Router or the Archer AX50 AX3000 Dual Band Gigabit Wi-Fi 6 Router ?
    How do they compare against the Netgear RAX20 ?
    I just purchased the AX50 AX3000, but I’m sending it back, because as another reviewer stated there’s a $5 per MONTH fee to use an app that controls some key functions like QoS, among others. Absolutely ridiculous that a: they are pulling that crap and b; Toms Guide review didn’t mention it. Take it off your list
    Reply
  • El Pato Grande
    I purchased the ASUS ZenWifi AX system, based in no small part to past good experience with other ASUS products and the great reviews of this product.

    Big Mistake! The System is entirely unreliable, with numerous problems, the most significant being the system crashing every 2 to 4 hours and rebooting. Unlike the past ASUS support has degraded to the point where they are no help at all.

    Being a past ROG customer for pretty much everything from ROG Motherboards and laptops to Monitors, their support is nothing like it used to be.

    Their suggested troubleshooting was nothing more than help a NOOB would require. It didn't solve any issues.

    Numerous "Reset to Factory Defaults" didn't solve the problem. I did manage to solve a few of the issues but swapping the nodes since they're symmetrical, making the former master node the remote and vice versa.

    Following the support folks advice was worthless, got me nowhere in spite of frequent sending diagnostic info. An analysis of the syslog didn't show any error messages prior to a crash.

    Eventually, I did another factory reset and went with totally default settings. That was stable but didn't meet my requirements. I let that run for a day or so before turning on IPv6 (in "Native" mode, again ASUS provided no help with this setting and their documentation on and in their "manual" was zero help). That also ran for over a day with no problems.

    I next turned on AiProtection, one of the major router features. running with the settings recommended by that feature except for UPnP (I left it on), which I need for my network. 4 hours later, the crashes resumed.

    So I contacted the ASUS office of the CEO and they promised to do a Manufacturer's Return and send me a check. I'm now waiting for their RMA instructions.

    With these flaws (and others) the system is of little use to me. I would warn anyone with a fast and complex network away from this product.

    I need a system that Allows for a large number of devices with high speed connections.

    I'm still looking at my options after I return this system. The lead candidate for me at this time is the AmpliFi™ Alien system. Reviews on this are sparse, but I've had much better luck with Ubiquiti products in the past as they're generally commercial grade instead of consumer grade. Runner ups are the Netgear Orbi and Linksys Velop systems.

    I'm quite disappointed that the Ubiquiti system wasn't included in this review.

    Background: I have 1 GB Internet (Comcast), 1 GB Ethernet connecting the nodes and 14 of my over 50 devices. The rest are on Wifi with many IoT devices.

    I also stream up to 2, 4K UHD streams simultaneously to 2 TVs, 3 Computers, 2 Amazon Echo Shows. I have 6 other Echo devices, Nest Thermostat, 3 Nest Protect Smoke/CO2 Alarms, plus a bunch of other IoT gadgets.

    While my home isn't large, it has robust walls and even a 2.4 Ghz signal has trouble in my home. The big chimney in the center of the home doesn't help. I have Ethernet spanning the length of the home but no Ethernet in the middle as my home office is at one end of the house and the Media room where the Comcast termination and equipment rack is at the other end.
    My plan is to put in a 3 node system with the base node in the Media Room and ethernet connected satellites in the Office and Living room (it's on the other side of the chimney and I can reach it with an new Ethernet cable without too much trouble.
    Reply
  • mwerneburg
    El Pato Grande said:
    I purchased the ASUS ZenWifi AX system, based in no small part to past good experience with other ASUS products and the great reviews of this product.

    Big Mistake! The System is entirely unreliable, with numerous problems, the most significant being the system crashing every 2 to 4 hours and rebooting. Unlike the past ASUS support has degraded to the point where they are no help at all.

    I don't know what's happened at Asus but the company that built a reputation on motherboards appears to be long gone. The Asus Wifi router I bought about 3-4 years ago systematically degraded to the point where I could no longer connect as a Wifi client or get the admin interface to function properly. And the Asus laptop I bought for my wife started developing cracks in its lid hinges about 18 months after I bought it. Asus used to be a go-to name but now it's a hazard.
    Reply
  • andreacanzi
    KevinKProf said:
    I have seen reports from users that the TP-Link routers require a $5/month subscription to access their features. This is a big omission from your review. Can you confirm?

    looking at www. tp-link. com / us / homecare / it seems that it is a free service for "Lifetime of Product" they say:
    *Free lifetime subscription to TP-Link HomeCare™ is included with purchase on select TP-Link routers at no additional cost. “Lifetime Subscription” refers solely to the life of the purchased device and can not be transferred. TP-Link reserves the right to modify the service and feature at any time.

    deco and ax series are supported.
    Reply