A Guide to Buy Wi-Fi 6 Routers

Wi-Fi 6 is the latest standard, also known as 802.11ax Wi-Fi or AX Wi-Fi. It builds and enhances the current 802.11ac Wi-Fi standard. Initially, Wi-Fi 6 was developed in response to the increasing number of smart devices and changing user behaviors.

Buy Wi-Fi 6 Routers

A Guide to Buy Wi-Fi 6 Routers

Wi-Fi 6 routers are a perfect choice if you have multiple smart devices, appliances, and a VR set. Wi-Fi 6 is not only faster, but it is much more than that.

How Fast Is the Wi-Fi 6?

Though the actual speed of your internet will still rely on the speed of your broadband connection, Wi-Fi 6 can manage up to 10 Gbps in the end. This new figure opens up so many possibilities in Wi-Fi technology.

The internet speeds could not reach 1 Gbps primarily because Wi-Fi 5 can manage up to 4 Gbps. Since the Wi-Fi 6 is out now, broadband capabilities can be pushed a little further to get faster internet speeds.

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Simultaneous Multi-User Wi-Fi Access

With Wi-Fi 6, you can experience simultaneous multi-user access. It has Multi-user orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA), which is the most attractive feature of Wi-Fi 6.

OFDMA subdivides a channel into tinier frequency allocations, which are known as resource units (rus). Hence, they allow an access point (AP) to sync communication (uplink and downlink) with numerous individual clients assigned to the rus.

Which Routers to Buy for Wi-Fi 6?

Amidst the many Wi-Fi 6 routers available on the market, some stand out as they offer better performance, rates, and functionality. Here are things you should consider when looking for this router.

Router Should Be Minimum Dual-band 

Single-band routers are no longer a good choice, and hence, you should buy a router with a minimum dual-band. It will broadcast the wireless signal on two frequencies. Similarly, your router will broadcast wireless signals on more frequencies, if it is tri-band or more.

One such frequency is the 2.4 GHz band, and it works with old wireless standards such as Wi-Fi 4 or new ones such as Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax).

Similarly, dual-band or tri-band routers release their wireless signal on the 5GHz frequency.  This is extremely faster than 2.4 GHz and benefits from using the latest standards, like Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) and Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac).

If you want to design a smart home with a speedy wireless network for full HD or 4K streaming, you must buy a dual-band or tri-band wireless router.

The Range of the Router

There is no specific method to determine the Wi-Fi router’s range because it depends on several factors. However, before you buy it, consider the environment in which you live.

Furthermore, the architecture of your space also plays a main role in the range of a particular router. Hence, look at the dBi ratings of the shortlisted router’s antenna, which is included in the specifications.

Suppose you have various obstacles in your space like walls, electronic appliances like the fridge or microwave between where you sit and use Wi-Fi, and your router’s position. In that case, you may need a router with higher dBi ratings. But in a small to medium-sized space, 2-4 dBi is enough.

Finally, Wi-Fi 6 routers have many improvements over their predecessor, both in terms of speed and functionality. If you keep the above points in mind, you can buy the best Wi-Fi router for your home or office.