The best routers with ultra-fast Wi-Fi

The advent of Wi-Fi 6 revolutionized the world of wireless communications, offering improved technology and high performance. But with the high price of such devices, not every consumer could afford the upgrade. The Mercusys MR80X would seem to solve this problem by offering a balance between price, quality and functionality.

Core Wi-Fi 6 technologies such as MU-MIMO, Beamforming and OFDMA ensure fast and stable performance even in dense radio environments. And the Smart Connect and BSS color functions make connecting devices to the network easier and more efficient. Cloud access, parental controls, and VPN setup tools make this router a fairly flexible tool for the average user.

However, the Mercusys MR80X, for all its functionality, is not intended for large home networks or high-load scenarios. Limitations such as the lack of mesh and USB support, and a not particularly powerful processor, make it the best choice for smaller apartments or homes with a limited number of devices.

Overall, the Mercusys MR80X represents a great compromise between cost and quality, providing consumers with a high-quality Wi-Fi 6 connection without having to shell out for more expensive and powerful models. This device is ideal for those who want to enjoy the benefits of the latest Wi-Fi standard without breaking the bank.

In the shelf of household routers of the AX3200 class, the wireless router model of the same name from the Chinese company Xiaomi seems to be very attractive in price and functionality. It is simply called Router AX3200.

The device is assembled in a rectangular case with a “striped” back, in the center of which a small Xiaomi logo proudly displays. Six antennas protrude from the rear and side ends of the router case to create the widest possible area of high-quality coverage. The router distributes the Internet in two bands: 2.4 GHz with a throughput of up to 800 Mbit/s and 5 GHz with a speed of up to 2402 Mbit/s. A trio of gigabit LAN ports are also available to the user. Total theoretical speeds of up to 3200 Mbps are made possible by 1024-QAM modulation and MU-MIMO 4x4 multi-channel data transmission.

OFDMA technology improves the efficiency of transmitting information to multiple connected devices. Another useful feature in the model’s assets is Beamforming “directional beam” technology, which determines the position of client devices within the deployed network. If the power of the router is not enough to cover the entire serviced perimeter, you can use the router to scale the coverage area as one of the links in seamless MESH networks.

In total, up to 128 client devices can work in the router’s Wi-Fi network. The model copes well with the assigned tasks both in a relaxed home atmosphere and in a relatively small office. The wireless router impresses with its increased data exchange speeds, Wi-Fi 6 support, easy setup and stable coverage.

TP-LINK Archer AX53 is a typical middle-class router, but with support for the new-fangled Wi-Fi 6 protocol, which is increasingly spreading to the masses.

The model provides overall wireless connection speeds of up to 3 Gbps. True, only in two ranges in total and under ideal signal transmission conditions. At a frequency of 2.4 GHz, you can squeeze out data exchange speeds of up to 574 Mbit/s from the router, and up to 2402 Mbit/s with a 5 GHz carrier. To ensure maximum Wi-Fi throughput, the model allows you to use a 160 MHz channel.

The device was equipped with a gigabit WAN port and four gigabit LAN connectors. You can get the most out of your router by using devices with Wi-Fi 6 and related technologies MU-MIMO, OFDMA and 1024-QAM. At the same time, the signal from the router is directed towards connected clients thanks to the introduction of Beamforming technology. TP-LINK Archer AX53 guarantees stable coverage in an apartment or country house.

An important advantage of the model is support for OneMesh technology, designed to create unified, seamless wireless access networks from several compatible routers. The technology is aimed at uninterrupted servicing of large households. The router is configured through the Tether mobile application (available for iOS Android) or through the classic web interface. As a bonus, the device owner receives a pre-installed set of HomeShield security tools, which includes protection against network threats, parental controls and advanced traffic consumption statistics.

Asus, known primarily for its products for gamers and professional users, is making a significant breakthrough in the home networking sector. The RT-AX57 demonstrates that the company not only listens to consumer needs, but also provides products that meet modern requirements, even at a more affordable price level.

The RT-AX57's specifications, especially its quad-core processor and amount of RAM, make it quite a powerful device in its price range. Gigabit ports and high bandwidth emphasize the focus on high-speed connections. Support for Wi-Fi 6 with the latest traffic optimization technologies confirms its readiness to cope with multiple devices working simultaneously.

AiMesh is a big plus for those with large living spaces. This allows you to create a seamless Wi-Fi network, reducing dead spots and providing a more stable and faster connection over long distances.

Software add-ons like Trend Micro's AiProtection enhance router security, making it more reliable and safer for home users. Combined with intuitive setup tools like NetEase UU software, the RT-AX57 is a truly great solution for those who want a modern, reliable and powerful router without the hassle and high costs.

Overall, the Asus RT-AX57 is an outstanding model in the mid-price segment, ideal for those looking for a reliable, powerful and feature-rich home networking solution.

The MikroTik hAP ax2 router offers extensive customization options thanks to the proprietary operating system RouterOS 7. The company offers a fourth license level, which is optimal for organizing a wireless network in an apartment, large house or office, and government agencies. The functionality allows you to intelligently distribute traffic between clients, limit access to certain resources and reliably protect all connected devices from intruders (WPA3 standard). The equipment copes with a large number of HotSpot connections, allowing you to create a free Wi-Fi zone in cafes, restaurants and public places. All logical operations are performed using a 4-core processor and 1 GB of RAM. It is worth noting that the settings can be managed either using the web interface or through the command line via the CLI protocol. Some knowledge and experience may be required to use RoterOS professional features.

The MikroTik hAP ax2 router guarantees high speed of both wired and wireless traffic. The user has 4 gigabit LAN ports and dual-band Wi-Fi 6, capable of operating simultaneously at two frequencies - 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. The latter offers speeds of up to 1200 Mbps, and a more stable connection over long distances is provided by powerful antennas (4.5 dBi for 2.4 GHz and 4 dBi for 5 GHz). Support for Beamforming technology has been implemented, which automatically determines the location of the client gadget and creates an effective directed Wi-Fi connection.

A special feature of the router is its combined power supply. It provides a standard connection to an outlet via an adapter and modern PoE power supply technology using a single twisted pair cable over long distances. Moreover, a PoE output is provided, which allows you to similarly power other equipment, such as a repeater, to expand the Wi-Fi signal range.