Whether at home or in the office, with gamers or series junkies: The new WLAN standard Wifi 6 has established itself at breakneck speed – in the truest sense of the word. Because compared to its predecessors, it offers a significantly faster, more stable and more reliable WLAN connection as well as an improved level of security.
But in order to be able to access the new speed standard and benefit from the other advantages of the latest WiFi generation, users need new hardware. The TECHBOOK editors reveal why it is still worth switching to the new WLAN transmission standard and also presents the best routers with the new WLAN standard Wifi 6 – for every budget, every application and every requirement.
What is Wifi 6?
Wifi 6 – also known under the technical name “IEEE 802.11ax” – is the latest and fastest WLAN transmission standard in Germany. It is the successor to the Wifi 5 introduced in 2013 and is a significant step forward for wireless networking technology.
Also Read: What Is Wi-Fi 6 and Do I Need It Now?
What are the advantages of Wifi 6?
With theoretical data rates of 11 gigabits per second, Wifi 6 offers an increase in speed, which clearly overtakes the predecessors Wifi 5 and Wifi 4, which only achieve peak values of 1.3 gigabits per second. With newly introduced technology extensions such as MIMO-OFDMA (“Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access”), Wifi 6 also ensures that the network is even more reliable and stable – even when many different users are accessing it at the same time or many devices are in use at the same time . Connected end devices – thanks to multitasking – are no longer addressed individually one after the other, but simultaneously. This makes Wifi 6 particularly attractive not only for professional use or the home office, but also for gamers or series lovers: Delays in streaming or downloads are a thing of the past.
Wifi 6 is also convincing when it comes to security. The latest WLAN transmission standard usually uses what is known as WPA3 encryption to secure the network and thus reduce the risk of hacker attacks. Energy can also be saved with Wifi 6. Because thanks to the new technology, communication between the router and devices works in both directions. This means that the router no longer has to constantly search for requests and can therefore work much more energy-efficiently. At the same time, the batteries of end devices are spared.
What are the disadvantages of Wifi 6?
There is one catch with Wifi 6: As a user, you have to buy new hardware in order to be able to use the new WLAN standard for fast Internet. This means that you need a new router and this purchase can – depending on your requirements – become expensive. Also, an upgrade does not automatically make sense for every user, since Wifi 6 primarily develops its strength where a large number of devices and users come together.
What makes a good Wifi 6 capable router?
Extra-fast WLAN may be enough as a purchase argument for some users. But what if other aspects are relevant to your own needs? For example, whether it is possible to connect multiple end devices. In this case, a router with many interfaces can be advantageous. Whether a router with a telephony option and modem is necessary also depends on the usage behavior of the user. In addition, the look at integrated security solutions can be decisive for the purchase decision, the range and the manufacturer offers for updates of hardware and software.
The designer piece: Netgear Nighthawk AX8
This Wifi 6 router not only impresses with its external but also with its inner values: The Netgear Nighthawk AX8 is an eye-catcher that scores with fast and reliable WLAN and an enormous range. This makes it ideal for those who want better 4K UHD streaming, zero-latency gaming and faster downloads. Just as practical are the user-friendly setup of the router, which only takes a few minutes, as well as the five practical Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports, which make the router the ideal companion for the home office, for home cinema or for professional gamers.
Furnishing
advantages and disadvantages
Rating at idealo: grade 1.9 | 4 out of 5 stars
Per
- + Elegant, unusual design
- + Long range
- + Power saving
- + 5 handy Ethernet ports
cons
- – Not quite as fast as the competition
- – User interface looks old-fashioned
- – WPA3 encryption is missing
- – High price
The high-tech device: Asus RT-AX88U
The Asus RT-AX88U router doesn’t just look futuristic, it is: Its intelligent functions make the router the perfect solution for gamers and early adopters who are looking for a future-proof solution. For example, the high-tech device can be easily controlled using an Amazon Alexa voice command. But its other functions are also versatile: from integrated virus protection to the cloud to support for IFTTT, everything that tech professionals could want from a powerful router is included.
Furnishing
advantages and disadvantages
Rating at idealo: grade 1.8 | 4 out of 5 stars
Per
- + Many functions such as virus protection or cloud
- + Striking design
- + Powerful gaming router
- + External antennas for better range
- + Support for Alexa and IFTTT
- + Powerful software
- + High speed
cons
- – No modem integrated
- – Connections sometimes difficult to reach
The all-rounder: AVM Fritzbox 7590 AX
Impressive compatibility and unique equipment – these are the strongest arguments for the router AVM Fritzbox 7590 AX. The model is in the middle price category, but it also offers a decent package of functions: including mesh WLAN, telephony and DSL modem. The user-friendly handling, the light housing and the enormous performance of the device are also convincing. This makes the Wifi 6 router a practical and professional assistant that takes network quality – both at home and in the office – to the next level with ease. Another advantage: the 5-year guarantee that AVM supplies with the router.
Furnishing
advantages and disadvantages
Rating at idealo: grade 1.5 | 2.5 out of 5 stars
Per
- + Good performance
- + Long range
- + Functional
- + 5 year guarantee
- + User-friendly router firmware
- + With practical VDSL2 modem
cons
- – Relatively high power consumption
- – Antennas cannot be aligned
- – 2.5 Gigabit LAN interfaces are missing
The luxury model: Netgear Orbi Wifi 6
Capacity, speed and efficiency – the Netgear Orbi Wifi 6 router system not only promises that, but also proves it in practice: The professional solution with its tri-band mesh technology and its combination of router and satellite, which Reinforced network for a WiFi experience with maximum speeds – even in hard-to-reach places. More than 100 devices can be controlled and connected, and an area of up to 350 square meters is covered, which makes the unique but also expensive router system the ideal solution for smart home fans, high-end users and professionals.
Furnishing
advantages and disadvantages
Rating at idealo: grade 1.9 | 4 out of 5 stars
Per
- + WLAN coverage of up to 350 square meters
- + Fast transfer speeds
- + Many LAN ports
- + Simple commissioning
- + Unobtrusive optics
- + With practical child lock
cons
- – Very high purchase price
- – No USB port
- – Two devices instead of one
The gaming star: Netgear Nighthawk XR1000
With the NETGEAR Nighthawk XR1000 you can say goodbye to network overload: Because the Wifi 6 router in the ultra-modern design is consistently trimmed for gaming performance. It enables live streamers and cloud gamers to play at 40 percent faster speed, thereby significantly improving the gaming experience. Its secret is, among other things, the integrated DumaOS technology, which was specially developed for professional gamers and streamers and ensures reduced ping rates – without any delays.
Furnishing
advantages and disadvantages
Rating at idealo: grade 1.9 | 4 out of 5 stars
Per
- + High signal strength and range
- + Easy setup
- + Powerful operating system
- + Strong performance
- + 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports
- + Offers practical features such as bandwidth management
- – Antivirus software costs extra
- – Only one USB port
- – No integrated modem
Conclusion
Smart home technology, video conferences, streaming – and all of that at the same time within your own four walls? This only works with an upgrade to the latest Wifi 6 transmission standard without interruptions. As is so often the case, the user’s requirements decide which router is the right partner for upgrading: the futuristic-looking Netgear Nighthawk XR1000 and Asus RT-AX88U routers are recommended for gamers.
If the focus is on particularly high room coverage, the luxury model Netgear Orbi Wifi 6 with its additional satellite and the beautifully designed and long-range Netgear Nighthawk AX8 can score points. Do you also want to use a modem and telephony for your own needs? Then the router AVM Fritzbox 7590 AX is the right choice, which scores as a true all-rounder with the best price-performance ratio.
More articles worth reading about routers
For those who want to learn even more about how to optimize their WiFi connection, TECHBOOK offers many more articles with practical advice, product tests and trending topics related to wireless Internet.