Best cheap Wi-Fi 6 routers Android Central 2021
Wi-Fi 6 is now the standard for routers and WI-Fi devices, thanks to all new devices that support the protocol. Wi-Fi 6 is now available in the cheapest routers, which most people want to buy without sacrificing the great features. The TP-Link Archer AX21 is one of the most affordable Wi-Fi 6 routers, due to its dual-band speeds, good software offering and OneMesh support.
Source: Samuel Contreras / Android Central
Many people don’t have gigabit internet access in their homes. Even if they do, many don’t require that much speed for their wireless devices. The TP-Link Archer AX21 wireless router is a great option for anyone looking for a high-speed Wi-Fi router that supports Wi-Fi 6, and doesn't require them to pay extra for unnecessary features. This router offers 574Mbps at the 2.4GHz frequency and 1201Mbps at the 5GHz. You can connect wired devices to the router via four Ethernet ports. While it can be tempting to choose a faster router than Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6 can offer more speed and spectrum. For example, a Wi-Fi 5 Android phone will only connect at 867Mbps, while a comparable WI-Fi 6 device can connect at 1201Mbps. The software from TP-Link has improved over the years. This router supports OneMesh and basic parental controls. OneMesh lets you use a compatible TP Link Wi-Fi extender to increase your network coverage using the same Wi-Fi name. This router offers a great balance of features and speed, making it ideal for home use. Pros: The router has fast AX1800 speeds
Fast 2.4GHz band
Simple app setup
OneMesh expansion capable Cons: Limited parental controls
Best overall TP Link Archer AX21 Ideal for Most People The TP Link Archer AX21 is a great choice for anyone who needs speed and OneMesh expansion. Amazon: $80
B&H: $80
Best Value: TP-Link Archer 10
Source: TP Link
The TP-Link Archer AX10 is the best choice if you're looking to add Wi-Fi 6 capability on your network. The router has AX1500 speeds, with 300Mbps available at 2.5GHz and 1201Mbps at 5.GHz. Keep in mind that a 2.4GHz signal travels further so devices at the edge of your connection may not be able access your router's full speed. This won't affect a smaller house, as a 5GHz connection should provide enough speed. It's important to not get too excited about the router's speed. Most people don't have fast enough internet connections to be able to use the full speed. To stream 4K video over the Internet, you only need 25Mbps. Wi-Fi 6 also offers all the modern features, including better coverage and the ability connect to more devices than Wi Fi 5. The Archer AX10 has four Ethernet ports at the back. This allows you to keep your wired devices connected without the need for additional equipment. This is the best option if you are looking for Wi-Fi 6, but don't need to have a lot of speed. Pros: Very affordable
Four Ethernet ports
Fast 5GHz Wi-Fi Cons: No WPA3 support
No USB ports
Source: Joe Maring/Android Central
Linksys is moving more towards Wi-Fi 6 by offering a balanced and affordable router. The MR7350 is a stylish housing that will age gracefully and offers speeds comparable to other AX1800 offerings. Linksys estimates that the 5GHz channel can deliver 1201Mbps and 2.4GHz, respectively. The 2.4GHz channel is capable of delivering 574Mbps. Four Ethernet ports are located on the back to allow wired devices, and there is a USB 3.0 port. This router is an excellent choice for apartments and homes, with coverage of up to 1,700 square feet. You can also get more coverage for homes that are difficult to reach with a Linksys mesh router capable of Velop. You have many options for coverage and speed, including the whole Velop mesh line. A mesh-capable router is a great benefit as Wi-Fi demands are increasing. As congestion and local traffic increase, it will be worthwhile to have the ability to provide more coverage. The pros: AX1800 speeds are fast
Velop mesh compatible
USB 3.0 port
Four Ethernet ports
WPA3 support is not as good as other AX1800 routers.
Linksys MAXSTREAM MR7350 Wireless Dual Band Mesh Router - Best mesh expansion Linksys This router is great for now, but has room to expand later Linksys packs outstanding features into an easy package that includes Velop expansion, solid speeds and WPA3 security support. Best Buy $150
$150 on Lenovo
$150 at B&H
Best for gaming: Asus RT-882U
Source: Asus
The Asus RTX82U dual-band AX5400 router is powerful enough to keep gamers happy. This router has six streams and can provide full Wi-Fi 6 speeds, with 160MHz support. There are four gigabit Ethernet ports on the back, with one designated as a gaming port. You can also share your portable drives with connected devices via the USB 3.1 port. The software is what makes gaming fun. Asus optimized the RTX82U for gaming, without sacrificing any software features. Asus Router allows users to choose to enable Game Boost on consoles or PCs, allowing them to prioritize traffic. A Mobile Game Mode can reduce lag while gaming on an Android gaming phone. AiMesh supports you to increase your coverage by setting up a mesh with additional Asus routers. AiProtection is included free of charge to increase network security without the need to install additional software on connected devices. You can also set up parental controls to block certain content and create profiles for your family members. This router's design is not for everyone. The large air intakes at the front glow with RGB lighting. The black exterior looks great and you can adjust the RGB lighting to your liking. The pros: High speed AX5400 speeds
Gaming QoS software also included
AiMesh Support for Easy Coverage Expansion
AiProtection Pro is included free of charge
Only dual-band
Best for gaming Asus RT82U - Wireless internet router Faster performance for lag free gaming. The Asus RT82U features wireless performance and robust QoS software that will ensure your gaming traffic is uninterrupted. Amazon: $200
$250 on Best Buy
$250 at B&H
Best mesh: Eero 6
Source: Eero
The Eero 6 was a favorite mesh router due to its intuitive software and solid performance. Eero 6 goes one step further, with AX1800 Wi Fi 6 speeds that are faster than the older Eero while still being small in size. Speeds are 574Mbps at 2.5GHz and 1201Mbps @ 5GHz. Eero recommends the router for gigabit connections on its own, or as a mesh to connect up to 500Mbps. Eero's software is easy to use and can be controlled via an app. Although you may not have the same control as other routers you can still do everything, including setup and device management. The app allows you to set IPv6, WPA 3 and port forwarding. Eero 6 may not have the same coverage as other routers, but its small size and ease of mesh expansion make it worth it. Eero 6 mesh is compatible with all Eeros including Wi-Fi 5 models. This means that you can expand your coverage. Pros: High speed AX1800 speeds
Easy coverage expansion
Compact size
Compatible with all Eeros Cons: Two Ethernet ports per unit
Best mesh Eero 6 Router Amazon: $129
Best Buy - $129
$130 Dell
Best for security: Asus RT AX55
Source: Asus
The Asus RTX55 provides similar performance to the top choice, but with a few more software features to sweeten it. The router features an AX1800 connection that can deliver 574Mbps at 2.5GHz and 1201Mbps @ 5GHz. The router's design is practical with four Ethernet ports at the back to support wired devices. The only thing that is missing is a USB port. Most people will not use it anyways. Software is what makes this router stand out. TrendMicro provides antivirus software that includes AiProtection. TrendMicro also offers free AiProtection software. Although most Asus routers already have this feature, it is nice to see it available on even the cheapest Wi-Fi 6. Ai Protection includes parental controls. AiMesh can still be used to extend your coverage with additional Asus routers. The router has a nice appearance with its textured black housing with red accents. Pros: High speeds with AX1800
Four Ethernet ports
Asus AiProtection support
AiMesh support also included cons: Higher than other speeds at this speed
The best security software is the Asus RT AX55 AiProtection. This package includes parental controls and security to make your family's browsing more secure. Amazon: $130
$130 at B&H
$130 Dell
