WiFi 6 is now the standard for WIFI devices and routers. This is due to the fact that most new devices support the protocol. Wi-Fi 6 is now available in the cheapest routers, which most people want to buy without sacrificing its best features. Wi-Fi 6 routers also bring a new era in router software. These routers are now more secure and have parental controls. One of the best cheap Wi-Fi 6 routers is the ASUS RT-AX55 thanks to its solid WI-Fi 6 speeds and great software package for the price.
These routers are affordable Wi-Fi 6 options for your home
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(Image credit: Asus)ASUS RT-AX55
The best overall cheap Wi-Fi 6 router
Reasons to buy+
Solid AX1800 speeds
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Four Ethernet ports
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Asus AiProtection Classic is included for free
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AiMesh support included
Reasons to avoid-
Manual blacklist site blocking
The ASUS RT-AX55 not only offers great performance but comes with a few extra software features to sweeten the deal. This router has an AX1800 connection with 574Mbps at 2.4GHz and 1,201Mbps at 5GHz. It is very practical with four Ethernet ports at the back to connect wired devices. A USB port is missing, but it’s unlikely that most people will use it anyway.
The software is what makes this router stand out. TrendMicro provides security with AiProtection Classic software. Although most ASUS routers already have this feature, it is nice to see it available on even the cheapest Wi-Fi 6. AiProtection offers basic, but useful parental controls, including time limits, manual site block and Kid-Safe presets.
ASUS has a feature called AiMesh that allows you to connect multiple ASUS routers together to create a mesh network within your home. You don’t have to sacrifice the advanced network controls or Ethernet ports that provide better coverage. This is a great feature. If you’ve already got a fast ASUS router, you could even use the AX55 as a node to improve coverage.
(Image credit: Samuel Contreras / Android Central)
Perfect for most people
Reasons to buy+
Solid AX1800 speeds
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Four Ethernet ports
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Easy app setup
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OneMesh expansion capable
Reasons to avoid-
Limited parental controls
Many people don’t have gigabit internet connections in their homes, and even if they do, they don’t need all that speed on their wireless devices. As we saw in out TP-Link Archer AX21 review, this is an excellent choice for most people looking to get a wireless router that offers high speeds for mobile devices that support Wi-Fi 6 without paying for features they can’t fully utilize. With an AX1800 connection, this router provides 574Mbps at 2.4GHz and 1,201Mbps at 5GHz. You can connect wired devices to the router via four Ethernet ports. It’s tempting to choose a faster router but Wi-Fi 6 can do more with fewer channels and speeds. A Wi-Fi 5 Android phone, for example, will connect at 867Mbps at best, while a similar WI-Fi 6 device will connect at 1,201Mbps.
TPLink’s software is very advanced 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.
(Image credit: TP-Link)TP-Link Archer AX55
The best cheap Wi-Fi 6 upgrade
Reasons to buy+
Fast AX3000 dual-band speeds
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Four Ethernet ports
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Support for 160MHz connections on 5GHz
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HomeShield includes parental controls
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Mesh expansion available with some TP-Link Wi-Fi extenders
Reasons to avoid-
Requires a subscription for all security features
TP-Link makes some of the cheapest Wi-Fi 6 routers at any speed so if you like what you see with the cheaper AX21 but want a bit more speed, the AX55 is a great pick. The TP-Link Archer AX55 has a dual-band AX3000 connection which doubles the 5GHz speed compared to the AX21 as well as support for 160MHz connections so you can get closer to getting gigabit speeds over Wi-Fi. On the back you will find four gigabit Ethernet ports to connect your wired devices. You can also hook up network storage to the USB 3.0 port. You can also set up the connected drive to be a Time Machine backup, so you can back-up a Mac without having to search your bag for USB-C adapters.
HomeShield, a security package from TP-Link, is included in all routers. You will need to renew your subscription to access all the features. However, the price is very reasonable for anyone who wants to have advanced parental controls and more web security. You can still set up basic parental controls using the HomeShield free version.
(Image credit: Samuel Contreras)
As cheap as it gets
Reasons to buy+
Solid AX1800 speeds
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Easy setup and management with the app
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Four Ethernet ports
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Basic parental controls included
Reasons to avoid-
Feels lightweight and cheap
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Not the most consistent speeds
While we gravitate towards the brands we know, there’s a lot of good value in some up-and-coming smaller brands like Speedefy. The Speedefy KX450 is a fairly basic Wi-Fi 6 router with AX1800 speeds but as I found in my Speedefy KX450 review, you get plenty of speed for most everyday tasks with generally high reliability despite some speed fluctuations. This router is a great choice if you are looking for Wi Fi 6 at a low price.
This router has four gigabit Ethernet ports at the back that can be used to connect wired devices and two antennas. The bottom has holes for wall mounting, which is always appreciated. Speedefy’s software app is simple and functional. You can change the most used settings. Although the advanced settings are not as well-designed, they still provide most of what people need. Speedefy’s Wi-Fi 6 router is a great choice for anyone looking for a low-cost option that doesn’t sacrifice 2.4GHz speed, like other brands’ AX 1500 models.
Source: Asus (Image credit: Samuel Contreras)
Faster performance for lag-free gaming
Reasons to buy+
Fast AX5400 speeds
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Gaming QoS software included
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AiMesh support for easy coverage expansion
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AiProtection Pro included for free
Reasons to avoid-
Expensive
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Only dual-band
The Asus RT-AX82U is a dual-band AX5400 router with enough power to keep any gamer happy. With six streams, this router can deliver full Wi-Fi 6 speeds to devices, including 160MHz support. The router has four gigabit Ethernet ports on its back. One port is designated as a gaming port. You can also share your portable drives with connected devices using the USB 3.1 port. The software is what makes gaming fun. Asus has optimized the RT-AX82U for gaming without giving up any other software features. Asus Router users can decide whether to enable Game Boost on consoles or PCs in order 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.
The router’s exterior features, such as the large air intakes and RGB lighting, won’t appeal to everyone. The angular black housing is attractive, as you can control the RGB lighting and adjust the brightness to your liking.
(Image credit: Samuel Contreras / Android Central)Eero 6 Router
Build a mesh with Wi-Fi 6
Reasons to buy+
Fast AX1800 speeds
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Easy coverage expansion
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Compact size
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Works with all other Eeros
Reasons to avoid-
Only two Ethernet ports per unit
Thanks to its impressively intuitive software and solid performance, the older Eero was one of our favorite mesh routers. Eero 6 is faster than the Eero 5 and has a smaller AX 1800 Wi Fi 6 speed. However, it does not grow in size as much. The speeds break down to 574Mbps at 2.4GHz and 1,201Mbps at 5GHz. Eero recommends this router for gigabit connection on its own or up to 500Mbps connections as a mesh.
Eero is easy to use and all of its functions can be accessed via an app. Although you may not have as much control over routers as others, you still have all the necessary tools to manage your device, including setup and 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 can be used with all Eeros, even Wi-Fi 5 models. This gives you plenty of options to expand your coverage.
(Image credit: TP-Link)TP-Link Deco X55
The best cheap Wi-Fi 6 mesh upgrade
Reasons to buy+
Snappy AX3000 connection is better for mesh performance
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Easy expansion with any model Deco
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Three Gigabit Ethernet ports per node
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HomeShield includes parental controls
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Support for 160MHz improves mesh speeds
Reasons to avoid-
Advanced HomeShield features require a solution
When it comes to building a mesh system, one of the most important things to keep in mind is the need for faster hardware. The mesh Wi-Fi system links the nodes using a high-speed connection over the 5GHz band. To maintain a mesh connection, your router’s full speed must be shared among all devices.
‘The TP-Link Deco X55 doubles the 5GHz speed of something like the eero 6 with an AX3000 connection. This breaks down to 600Mbps at 2.4GHz and 2402Mbps at 5GHz. Best of all, the X55 supports 160MHz connections so your mesh can link at up to 2402Mbps so your system can put speed where it’s needed most.
HomeShield is included with all TP-Link routers for enhanced web security and parental control. You will need to pay a subscription fee to get the best out of HomeShield. However, many people will be satisfied with the free features. Mesh expansion is another Deco software trick. Any Deco software can expand the mesh system. This means that you could use an older, slower Deco node in an environment that does not require as much speed.
Get the speed and features that you want from your Wi Fi
If you have Wi-Fi 5 and an internet connection of less than 1Gbps, you don’t need to upgrade to Wi Fi 6, unless you live in an area with high wireless traffic. However, Wi-Fi 6 is a must if you are going to purchase a new router.
If you are looking for an upgrade that will match your internet upgrade, then you might also consider one of the top Wi-Fi 6 routers or one of the best WiFi 6E routers to help you plan for the future.
If you have high-speed internet connections, you may want to upgrade your router. However, AX 1800 is fast enough for most users. The ASUS RT-AX55 is not the cheapest AX1800 router around, but with ASUS’ great software packages and solid build quality, the extras will be worth it for many people. ASUS has kept setup simple and straightforward and still provides advanced settings for those who need them.
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