Best Wi-Fi 6E Routers of 2022: The Cutting Edge List
Since early 2021, Wi-Fi 6E hardware has grown like (expensive) mushrooms after rain. This post only includes the best Wi-Fi 6E routers you can get today.
Some of those mentioned here can work as a member of a mesh Wi-Fi system, but they are here primarily because they work well as the sole Wi-Fi broadcaster in a home — in many cases, one is enough.
Not all Wi-Fi 6E routers on the market make it here. This list only includes those I’d use for myself. By the way, if you want to keep your existing (Wi-Fi 6 or older) router, the lower part of this page will give you a couple of options to upgrade your network to Wi-Fi 6E.
Dong’s note: I first published this frequently-revised post on May 17, 2021. Originally it included Wi-Fi 6E mesh systems. Starting December 17, 2022, this list only consists of standalone routers.
Hint: If you’re short on time, the Table of Content below will come in handy — you can jump back and forth between different hardware instantly.
Best Wi-Fi 6E routers of 2022: The list
This list includes standalone routers and is sorted in the review order. The numbers are just numerical and not meant to be the ranking.
8. Asus RT-AXE7800: A Wi-Fi 6E router that makes sense
(If you didn’t read the intro, this is the latest member on this list — the number is only numerical, not the ranking.)
The RT-AXE7800 is the lesser version of the GT-AXE11000 (below) and definitely is much inferior to the GT-AXE16000 (also below.)
But it has one thing going for itself: It’s compact and practical. On top of that, the performance is quite excellent. And the friendly price tag doesn’t hurt.
Pros
Excellent performance with tons of network settings with an excellent feature set, free online protection, and Parental Controls
AiMesh 2.0 support with Mult-Gig wired backhauling as a satellite
Super-flexible network ports for Dual-WAN and LAN/WAN Link Aggregations
Compact and practical design; relatively affordable
7. TP-Link Archer AXE300: TP-Link’s best router to date
With uncompromising specs, the TP-Link Archer AXE300 has (almost) everything a home user would look for in a standalone home router.
Its only shortcoming compared to the Asus GT-AXE1600 below is that TP-Link’s OneMesh approach has no option for Multi-Gig wired backhauling.
Looking for a single Wi-FI broadcaster? You won’t go wrong with this one.
Pros
Top-tier hardware with excellent performance; three flexible Multi-Gig ports and LAN Link Aggregation support
Robust web user interface; lots of network and Wi-Fi settings and a handful of valuable features for home users
Comparatively cheaper than competitors
Wall-mountable; useful optional mobile app; OneMesh-ready
Cons
No option for Gigabit WAN, Dual-WAN, or fast mesh with wired backhauling
HomeShield Pro requires a subscription, mobile app, and login account
Bulky design, the USB port’s performance could be better
6. TP-Link Archer AXE75: Wi-Fi 6E meets affordability
That’s right! The Archer AXE75 is the first standalone router from TP-Link, and it’s also the first that costs less than $200 (before taxes.) To put things in perspective, it’s half the cost of the “good-deal” Netgear RAXE300 below.
In return, it’s also one of the least impressive hardware and has no Multi-Gig port. In testing, though, it proved to be fast and reliable enough for most homes with sub-Gigabit broadband.
Pros
Fast Wi-Fi performance; good range, affordable
Wi-Fi 6E support, 160MHz channel width on both 5GHz and 6GHz bands
Standard web interface with lots of useful settings, including Dynamic DNS-based remote management
Support Time Machine backup vis USB storage, wall-mountable, OneMesh-ready
Cons
Middling Wi-Fi specs, no Multi-Gig port
Mobile app and login account required for Parental Control, QoS, and online protection
Write performance for network storage when hosting a portable drive could be better
5. Netgear Nighthawk RAXE300: Netgear’s “good-deal” Wi-Fi 6E router
Pros
Wi-Fi 6E-ready with excellent performance
Flexible 2.5Gbps LAN/WAN port, USB-C
Robust web interface, helpful (optional) mobile app
Cool fanless, wall-mountable design
Cons
Middling 6GHz specs, no standard Remote Management via Dynamic DNS
No 10Gbps port, only one 2.5Gbps port; not-well-thought-out Wi-Fi on/off button
Limited Wi-Fi settings and online protection/Parental Controls require a mobile app and subscription
Mediocre NAS performance when hosting a portable SSD; 100-120V power adapter
4. Asus ROG Rapture GT-AXE16000: The ultimate Wi-Fi router
The Asus GT-AXE16000 is the 2nd Quad-band Wi-Fi broadcaster besides the Netgear Orbi RBRE960 (below). It has everything any user would want — as a standalone router or an AiMesh member.
It’s a safe buy as long as you can afford it. And that’s a big if.
Pros
Powerful hardware, Quad-band with Wi-Fi 6E support, three Multi-Gig ports (one 2.5Gbps and two 10Gbps)
Stellar performance throughout
Excellent set of game-related, online protection and monitoring features, full AiMesh 2.0 support
Unmatched port flexibility, including interchangeable WAN, Dual-WAN, and LAN/WAN Link Aggregations
Beautiful ROG Aura lighting
Cons
Expensive, 10Gbps ports’ sustained rates and NAS performance (when hosting a storage device) could be better
Awkward backhaul band design in a wireless AiMesh setup, no UNII4 (5.9GHz) support, no SFP+
Bulky design, not wall-mountable
3. Linksys MR7500: A decent Wi-Fi 6E router
The Linksys MR7500 is the third Wi-Fi 6E router on the market, and the third time is not necessarily the charm in this case.
The new router looks a bit subdued in design — it’s sort of mundane looking. Its hardware specs are also relatively modest compared with the first two.
It’s a router that bets a bit too big on Wi-Fi 6E, making it less useful for the mainstream market.
Pros
Simple design with 5Gbps WAN port
Robust web interface, helpful (optional) mobile app
Cons
6GHz band requires Gig+ or faster Internet to be useful
Slow 5GHz and 2.4GHz bands
Limited Wi-Fi settings, mobile app coercion
No Multi-Gig LAN port, Dual-WAN or Link Aggregation
Buggy and slow NAS performance when hosting a storage device
2. Netgear RAXE500: A formidable contender
The Netgear RAXE500 is the second Wi-Fi 6E router on the market, and it’s the natural rival of the GT-AXE11000 below.
But within Netgear’s ecosystem, this one is quite familiar — it’s the 6E version of the tri-band RAX200.
Among other things, you’ll love the design. As such, it’s one of the most awesome-looking Wi-Fi broadcasters on the market. That’s if you can stomach the $600 price tag.
Pros
Collectively excellent Wi-Fi speeds and range
2.5Gbps LAN/WAN port, Dual-WAN, and LAN/WAN Link Aggregations
Robust web interface, helpful (optional) mobile app
Fast network-attached storage when hosting a storage device
Cons
Wi-Fi 6E is still in the early stage
No 10Gbps port, only one 2.5Gbps port
Limited Wi-Fi settings, no built-in QoS or Parental Controls
Online protection requires a subscription
Internal fan, a bit buggy (at launch)
1. Asus GT-AXE11000: The very first Wi-Fi 6E router
(In case you didn’t read the intro: This is the oldest member on this list — the number is only numerical, not the ranking.)
The Asus GT-AXE11000 is the very first home router to sport the all-new Wi-Fi 6E standard.
For the most part, this new router is a variant of the GT-AX11000. The two share the same design, ports, and processing power. The GT-AXE11000, however, uses a 6GHz band instead of the 5GHz-2 band.
And that makes all the difference. Oh, it’s also the most expensive router from Asus, costing $550 apiece. That’s if you’re lucky to find one right now at that price.
Pros
Tri-band with Wi-Fi 6E support
Excellent 5GHz and 2.4GHz performance
Excellent set of game-related, online protection and monitoring features, full AiMesh 2.0 support
2.5Gbps LAN/WAN port, Dual-WAN, and LAN/WAN Link Aggregations
Cons
Wi-Fi 6E is not fully available
Only one 2.5Gbps port, no 10Gbps port
Bulky design, not wall-mountable, buggy firmware (at launch)
UPGRADE your network to Wi-Fi 6E: It’s now possible
It’s pretty straightforward to upgrade to Wi-Fi 6E.
For a client, you only have to upgrade its Wi-Fi adapter, which is possible on Windows computers. Most new smartphones and laptops are now equipped with this Wi-Fi standard.
For a network, it’s about adding a Wi-Fi 6E access point, just like you do any standard access point. And for that, there are now two options.
2. ZyXel NWA220AX-6E: An odd standard access point
The ZyXel NWA220AX-6E is supposed to be a standard access point with three bands, including 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz.
However, you can use only the 5GHz or the 6GHz at a time. Consequently, it only works well when you already have an existing Wi-Fi 6 (or 5) network and want to add 6GHz to it.
That said, it makes a great Wi-Fi 6E upgrade device.
Pros
Reliable performance, good coverage
2.5 Gbps PoE network port, extra Gigabit port
Nice design, ready to mount
Local web interface with tons of customization
Cons
Only 6GHz or 5GHz is available at a time; no power adapter or PoE injector is included.
Sustained Wi-Fi throughputs could use some improvement
Overwhelming amount of settings for home users; a Nebula login account is required for mesh function and remote management
1. ARRIS SURFboard W6U: The easy way to upgrade your router to Wi-Fi 6E
The ARRIS SURFboard W6U is not a router. It’s an access point. Unlike any other access point you’ve seen, it’s the first that solely supports the 6GHz band — the hallmark of Wi-Fi 6E.
Consequently, it’s uniquely an excellent device when you want to upgrade your existing Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 5 router to Wi-Fi 6E.
Pros
Fast and reliable 6GHz performance
Quickly adds top-tier Wi-Fi 6E to any existing Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 5 network
2.5Gbps Multi-Gig port, compact design
Standard local web user interface, optional mobile app
Cons
No 2.4GHz, 5GHz, or PoE support;
Not yet supported by the mobile app (at the review)
A bit pricey, no Guest Wi-Fi network, no media bridge role, not supporting 240V power outlets
Best Wi-Fi 6E routers of 2022: The performance chart and the takeaway
I tested Wi-Fi 6E routers the way I do all routers. For the 6GHz band testing, I use a couple of laptops running the Intel AX210 Wi-Fi chip with the latest official Windows 11 driver and a few 6E-ready smartphones.
The charts below are the scores of the routers mentioned above, in alphabetical order for easy viewing.
Considering the fast speed but short range of the new 6GHz band, Wi-Fi 6E is an exciting addition to the existing 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands — it’s not a replacement for either.
But the new band is excellent for those living in an airy home or have clients close to the broadcaster. If you have a couple of 6GHz clients, it’s worth investing in a Wi-Fi 6E router, though that’s not a must.