We also like the built-in 4-port switch since many other mesh systems have just two Ethernet ports, and in some cases less than that. The Netgear Orbi RBK50 will be fine for most people with performance on-par with newer Wi-Fi 6 devices. Wi-Fi 6 routers are now widely available and we have tested many of them. Do note however this is a Wi-Fi 5 only system. They typically use dedicated channels for internal backhaul, while basic extenders leech off your main connection.Īlmost every major home networking provider has an entry in this market, but some are better than others, and Netgear's Orbi kit is competitively priced at $260. Today's mesh systems use advanced routing algorithms to maintain high speeds even at range. While boosters make it seem like you have good signal all around your house, they almost always deliver terrible speeds and poor reliability. A properly implemented mesh network will be leaps and bounds better than a traditional router with a cheap range booster. The Netgear Orbi was the best performer in our Mesh Wi-Fi roundup about a year ago, receiving top recommendations among several other competing systems. Mesh systems are more expensive than standard routers, but provide a host of benefits including extended range and seamless connectivity, an easy setup process, and advanced management interface. They are designed for medium to large houses where a single router doesn't reach every corner. Mesh Wi-Fi systems have become a popular segment. When testing the Asus RT-AX3000, we liked the simplicity of the setup process while still providing advanced features and customization. This gives you the benefits of both a standalone system and a mesh system.

That's also significantly cheaper than some of the $600-700 flagship systems.

This is a much better solution than buying a range extender since you won't have to deal with the confusion of multiple networks (or performance issues), letting you move around without having to reconnect.Īt around $170 each, you can pick up two of these and put together a killer Wi-Fi 6 mesh system for the same price as competing systems. If you purchase one of these devices now and realize later you don't have enough coverage, you can seamlessly expand your network down the road with other AiMesh routers. That's why we typically don't recommend mesh systems for smaller spaces.Īlong these lines however, the RT-AX3000 does ship with Asus 'AiMesh' support, so it can build a mesh network with compatible devices if you ever need it. If you're wondering about a mesh system (see further down below for our recommendation), generally speaking, a standalone router will be faster since there is less overhead to deal with. Given the device's relatively low price, it's hard not to recommend it as our top pick for most households. Sure, it was measured right next to the router in an unrealistic environment, but it's still impressive. At roughly 950Mbps, that is full gigabit wireless speed. In our tests, the Asus RT-AX3000 achieved the fastest Wi-Fi speed we've ever measured.

Best wireless router 2021