Together with 5G, Wi-Fi 6, and especially the latest Wi-Fi 6E, is the new area of faster-than-Gigabit connections, the Multi-Gigabit (or Multi-Gig for short.)
While it’ll be a long while before you need this type of network throughput, this roundup helps you get (well) ahead of the curve.
You’ll find here more than a dozen multi-Gigabit-capable Wi-Fi 6 routers I’ve reviewed — they are about all you can find on the market right now.
Any of these can deliver at least one Multi-Gig wired connection when you have another similarly capable party — you need a Multi-Gig switch to add more on the LAN side. And get your home wired first.
By the way, if you don’t know what Multi-Gig really means, I talked about that in this post.
Dong’s note: I first published this post on December 13, 2020, and last updated it on September 28, 2021, to include more qualified broadcasters.
📑 Table of Contents
Wi-Fi 6 routers with Multi-Gigabit capability: The lists
There are two lists — one of the routers with more than one Multi-Gig port and those with a single port.
The latter includes two sub-lists of those of which the port can work only as WAN (to host a Gig+ or faster broadband connection) and those with one that can also work as a LAN port to host a local client.
I put these lists in the reviewed order with the latest on top. The number in front of a product’s name is just numerical and doesn’t mean the ranking.
You need to check each’s full review to see how they are as a Wi-Fi router. This list only takes the Multi-Gig notion into account. In other words, having multi-Gigabit capacity is not the end all be all of a router.
Note: Generally, a router with a USB port and a Multi-Gig LAN port is excellent for NAS applications when hosting a storage device. However, that’s not always the case, and I will touch on that notion, too, when applicable. The point is, just because a router is multi-Gig-capable doesn’t mean it’s all good in all related applications.
A. Wi-Fi 6 routers with two (Dual) Multi-Gigabit ports
Generally, these are those with two Multi-Gig ports. You can use at least one as a WAN and the other as a LAN. In some cases, you can use both either as WANs or LANs.
Generally, out of the box, these routers can host two Multi-Gig connections. Add a Multi-Gig switch if you need more.
3. QNAP QHora-301W: Dual 10Gbps ports
(In case you didn’t read the intro: This is the latest member on this list — the number is only numerical, not necessarily the ranking.)
The QNAP QHora-301W is one of a few Wi-Fi 6 routers on the market with two 10Gbps ports, and both are BASE-T (RJ45). On top of that, it’s the only one that supports SD-WAN.
For this reason, it has the most flexible configuration in terms of network port functions. Among other things, it can host a local of multi-Gigabit speed on both WAN and LAN sides.
The router also comes with two USB 3.0 ports. Unfortunately, it has dismal support for external storage devices.
QNAP QHora-301W's Rating
Pros
Reliable Wi-Fi performance
SD-WAN and other enterprise-class features
Responsive web interface
Two 10Gbps network ports
Cons
Expensive for the modest Wi-Fi coverage
Some common settings are missing
No real Dynamic DNS, QoS, and Parental Controls
Useless USB-related features
2. Zyxel Armor G5: 1x 2.5Gbps WAN + 1x 10Gbps LAN ports
The Zyxel Armor G5 comes with two Multi-Gig ports with rigid designations. One is a 2.5Gbps WAN port, and the other is a 10Gbps LAN.
The Armor G5 also has quite terrible support for external storage devices, making its Multi-Gig LAN port a bit less useful.
Zyxel Armor G5's Rating
Pros
Fast Wi-Fi speeds
Two Multi-Gig network ports
Nice design
Cons
Overall buggy, especially the USB-related features
Severely lacking in features: Not mesh-ready, no Dual-WAN, no Link Aggregation, no QoS
Parental Control is a joke
Runs hot
1. Asus RT-AX89X: Dual LAN/WAN 10Gbps (Base-T and SFP+) ports
(In case you didn’t read the intro: This is the first member on this list — the number is only numerical, not necessarily the ranking.)
The Asus RT-AX89X is quite a particular router. It’s the only one on this list that comes with two different 10Gbps ports. One is a traditional BASE-T (RJ45), and the other is an SFP+ port.
The use of these ports is flexible, however. Specifically, you can use them:
- Both as LAN ports (default). In this case, they don’t support LAN Link Aggregation — you can’t combine them into a single 20Gbps connection.
- Both as WAN ports. In this case, they don’t support WAN Link Aggregation but can work as Dual-WAN, where each connects to a different service provider.
- One as a WAN port, and the other as a LAN port.
Asus RT-AX89X's Rating
Pros
Excellent Wi-Fi performance
Uniquely cool design with two 10Gbps network ports
Eight Gigabit network ports with Dual-WAN and Link Aggregation
Super-fast network-attached storage speed when coupled with an external drive
Tons of useful features, including free-for-life real-time online protection and AiMesh
Cons
A bit buggy at launch, relatively expensive
Bulky physical size with an internal fan — potential heat issue in hot environments
Web interface needs work
Not wall-mountable, no universal backup restoration
B. Wi-Fi 6 routers with a single Multi-Gigabit port
These are routers with just one Muti-Gig port. Changes are these port is the WAN port as default, but with some, you can also use it as a LAN if you have a Gigabit or slower broadband connection. Below are the two sub-lists of each.
Wi-Fi 6 routers with a WAN-only Multi-Gig port
Router with a WAN-only Multi-Gig is suitable for those with a Gig+ or faster broadband connection. If you have a Gigabit or slower Internet, this port is only as good as a regular 1Gbps WAN port.
7. Asus ZenWiFi ET8: Single 2.5Gbps WAN port
(In case you didn’t read the intro: This is the latest member on this list — the number is only numerical, not necessarily the ranking.)
The ZenWiFi ET8 is somewhat the Wi-Fi 6E version of the ZenWiFi XT8 below. It comes in a 2-pack of identical routers; each has a 2.5Gbps WAN port.
In a mesh setup, though, the WAN port of the satellite can work as a LAN port, unless you want to use it for the wired backhaul.
Asus ZenWiFi ET8's Rating
Pros
Reliable and extensive coverage with possible fast Wi-Fi performance in certain setups
Wi-Fi 6E ready, Multi-Gig WAN, and Dual-WAN support
Excellent as a standalone router
Tons of useful features and settings, flexible Wi-Fi customization
AiMesh 2.0 support
Competitive pricing
Cons
Comparatively slow performance in most use cases
Modest 5GHz band specs
Short 6GHz range
No Link Aggregation or Multi-Gig LAN port
Only four network ports on each hardware unit
6. Linksys MX8500: Single 5Gbps WAN port (and more as a mesh)
The MX8500 is an interesting case. It’s part of the Linksys AXE8400 Wi-Fi 6E mesh system — the very first on the market.
For this reason, if you get a single unit, then it has just the single 5Gbps WAN port. However, in a mesh setup, the satellite unit’s WAN port now works as a LAN — a 3-pack system will give you two 5Gbps LAN ports.
Linksys AXE8400 Atlas Max's Rating
Pros
Wi-Fi 6E-ready
Reliable performance, extensive coverage
5Gbps WAN port
Excellent NAS performance when hosting external storage device(s)
Separate SSID for each band
Cons
Expensive
Comparatively slow mesh Wi-Fi speeds in homes with walls
Limited Wi-Fi settings and features, mobile app coercion
No Multi-Gig LAN port (main router), Dual-WAN or Link Aggregation
No setting backup and restore
5. Linksys MR7500: Single 5Gbps WAN port
The Linksys MR7500 is the third Wi-Fi 6E router on the market, joining the ranks of the Asus GT-AXE11000 and Netgear RAXE500 below.
It’s pretty different from the other two, though, and among other things, its 5Gbps port can only work as its WAN.
Linksys MR7500 AXE6600 Hydra Pro's Rating
Pros
Wi-Fi 6E-ready
Simple design with 5Gbps WAN port
Robust web interface, helpful (optional) mobile app
Wall-mountable
Cons
Hugely overpriced
6GHz band requires Gig+ or faster Internet to be useful
Slow 5GHz and 2.4GHz bands
Limited Wi-Fi settings, mobile app coercion
No Multi-Gig LAN port, Dual-WAN or Link Aggregation
Buggy and slow NAS performance when hosting a storage device
4. TP-Link Archer AX6000: Single 2.5Gbps WAN port
The TP-Link AX6000 has one 2.5Gbps port that works as the WAN port. As a result, you won’t get faster than 1Gbps on the LAN side in a network hosted by this router.
TP-Link Archer AX6000's Rating
Pros
Fast and reliable Wi-Fi performance
2.5 Gbps WAN port with eight Gigabit LAN port
160 MHz channel bandwidth support
Excellent QoS and Parental Control features
Robust full web user interface, helpful mobile app
USB-C ready, wall-mountable
Cons
No multi-gig LAN port
Bulky design
Not mesh-ready
Certain functions of the interface could use some improvement
Mobile app requires a login account
3. Asus ZenWiFi XT8: Single 2.5Gbps WAN (and kind of LAN) port
The ZenWiFi AX (XT8) has a single WAN-only 2.5Gbps port. However, in a wireless mesh configuration (when you buy a 2-pack), this port on the satellite unit can function as a LAN port.
Asus ZenWiFi XT8's Rating
Pros
Fast Wi-Fi performance and large coverage at a comparatively affordable cost
Improved and flexible AiMesh
Lots of network settings and useful features, including free real-time online protection for life
Full 4×4 dedicated backhaul band with optional wired backhaul support
Multi-gig WAN port with Dual-WAN and WAN link aggregation
Cons
No 160MHz 4×4 support for Wi-Fi 6 clients, in a dedicated wireless backhaul setup
No multi-gig LAN port or LAN link aggregation
Only four network ports on each hardware unit
Firmware can be buggy
Storage performance (when hosting an external drive) could be better
2. Netgear Orbi RBR850: Single 2.5Gpbs WAN port
The Orbi RBR850, the router unit of an Orbi RBK852 mesh system, comes with a 2.5Gbps WAN port. As a result, it can host a Multi-Gig broadband connection.
Orbi Wi-Fi 6 System AX6000 (RBK852) 's Rating
Pros
Fast, reliable Wi-Fi with large coverage
Full web interface with all common settings and features
Useful, well designed mobile app
2.5Gbps multi-gig WAN ports
Support WAN 2Gbps Link Aggregation
Cons
High cost
No 160MHz channel support, limited Wi-Fi customization
Not compatible with Wi-Fi Orbi hardware
No multi-gig LAN port, intermittent lags
Bulky design
1. TP-Link Archer AX11000: Single 2.5Gbps WAN port
(In case you didn’t read the intro: This is the first member on this list — the number is only numerical, not necessarily the ranking.)
Like many routers above, the TP-Link Archer AX11000 also comes with a 2.5Gbps WAN port to host a super-fast broadband connection.
TP-Link Archer AX11000's Rating
Pros
Fast and reliable Wi-Fi performance
2.5 Gbps WAN port with eight Gigabit LAN ports
160 MHz channel bandwidth support
Excellent, Antivirus, QoS, and Parental Control features
Robust full web user interface, helpful mobile app
Eye-catching and convenient hardware design
USB-C ready, wall-mountable
Cons
Misleading gaming veneer, no actual gaming-specific features
No multi-gig LAN port, bulky design
Not mesh-ready (at launch)
Artificia" "Game" items make the interface unnecessarily confusing
Mobile app requires a login account
Wi-Fi 6 routers with a WAN/LAN Multi-Gig port
These are routers with a single Multi-Gig port that can work either as a WAN or a LAN. They are more flexible than those above since they are suitable for both homes with an ultra-fast broadband connection and a sub-Gigabit one.
In the latter case, you can add a Multi-Gig switch to expand your Multi-Gig wired network.
10. TP-Link Archer GX90: Single 2.5Gbps LAN/WAN port
(In case you didn’t read the intro: This is the latest member on this list — the number is only numerical, not necessarily the ranking.)
The Archer GX90 is TP-Link’s latest “gaming” router. It sort of replaces the Archer AX11000 above.
The router comes with a 2.5Gbps WAN/LAN port and also another Gbps LAN/WAN port. By default, the former works as the WAN and the latter a LAN, but you can reverse the order if you want to host a Multi-Gig local client.
TP-Link Archer GX90: Rating
Pros
Fast and reliable Wi-Fi performance
2.5 Gbps WAN/LAN
Excellent feature set and network settings
Robust full web user interface
Nice design and comparatively affordable
Cons
Thin on gaming
Single Multi-Gig port; no Dual-WAN or Link Aggregation
USB-based storage performance could be better
9. Netgear RAXE500: Single 2.5Gbps LAN/WAN port
The Netgear RAXE500 is the rival of the Asus GT-AXE11000 below. And similarly, it’s the Wi-Fi 6E variant of the RAX200.
It comes with a single 2.5Gbps LAN/WAN port.
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500's Rating
Pros
Wi-Fi 6E-ready
Collectively excellent Wi-Fi speeds and range
2.5Gbps LAN/WAN port, Dual-WAN, and LAN/WAN Link Aggregations
Robust web interface, helpful (optional) mobile app
Beautiful design
Fast network-attached storage when hosting a storage device
Cons
Expensive
Wi-Fi 6E is still in the early stage
No 10Gbps port, only one 2.5Gbps port
Limited Wi-Fi settings, no built-in QoS or Parental Controls
Online protection requires a subscription
Internal fan, a bit buggy (at launch)
8: TP-Link Archer AX90: Single 2.5Gbps WAN/LAN port
The TP-Link Archer AX90 is the souped-up version of the Archer AX3200 below, but it’s the same port-wise. It comes with a 2.5Gbps WAN/LAN port, a 1Gbps WAN/LAN port, and three Gigabit LAN ports.
TP-Link Archer AX90's Rating
Pros
Reliable and fast Wi-Fi performance, excellent range.
Tri-band, 160MHz, and a 2.5Gbps Multi-Gig port.
Comparatively affordable.
Standard web interface with optional mobile app.
Wall-mountable.
Cons
Slow 5GHz-1 band.
Mobile app, login account, and a monthly subscription required for advanced features.
Relatively slow NAS performance when hosting a portable drive.
7: Asus GT-AXE11000: Single 2.5Gbps LAN/WAN port
The Asus GT-AXE11000 is the very first Wi-Fi 6E router on the market. In many ways, especially port-wise, it’s a variant of the GT-AX11000 below.
It includes one 2.5Gbps port that can work either as a WAN or a LAN.
Asus GT-AXE11000's Rating
Pros
Tri-band with Wi-Fi 6E support
Excellent 5GHz and 2.4GHz performance
Excellent set of game-related, online protection and monitoring features, full AiMesh 2.0 support
2.5Gbps LAN/WAN port, Dual-WAN, and LAN/WAN Link Aggregations
Cons
Expensive
Wi-Fi 6E is not fully available
Only one 2.5Gbps port, no 10Gbps port
Bulky design, not wall-mountable, buggy firmware (at launch)
6. TP-Link Deco X5700: Single 2.5Gbps WAN/LAN port
The Deco X5700 is the sensible version of the Deco X90. It’s a mesh router that includes two autosensing network ports, of which one is a 2.5Gbps port.
TP-Link Deco X5700's Rating
Pros
Excellent Wi-Fi performance and coverage
Tri-band with multi-gig port and 160MHz channel width support
User-friendly, comparatively affordable
Good-looking
Cons
Spartan Wi-Fi customization, network settings, and features
Only one Multi-Gig port per hardware unit
App and login account required — privacy risks
HomeShield Pro requires a monthly subscription, limited web interface, impractical design
No USB or additional Gigabit network ports
5. Asus RT-AX86U: Single 2.5Gbps LAN/WAN port
The RT-AX86U has just one 2.5Gbps port that can work either as a LAN (default) or a WAN port. For this reason, you can either host a multi-Gigabit WAN connection or a fast local client.
ASUS RT-AX86's Rating
Pros
Fast performance, excellent range, reliable
Tons of helpful networking features and settings
Useful settings for online gaming
Robust web UI, well-designed mobile app
Multi-Gig, WAN/LAN Link Aggregation support
Excellent NAS performance and features when hosting a storage device
Comparatively affordable
Cons
Single, low-speed (2.5Gbps) Multi-Gig port
Not wall-mountable
Gaming features turn Adaptive QoS off
No support for WTFast Gamer VPN
4. TP-Link Archer AX3200: Single 2.5Gbps WAN/LAN port
The Archer AX3200’s 2.5Gbps port can work as a WAN (default) or LAN port. It also has a USB 3.0 port (on its side). This port didn’t perform well in my testing when hosting a storage device, so the multi-gig port didn’t improve anything on the NAS front.
TP-Link Archer AX3200's Rating
Pros
Reliable Wi-Fi performance, with decent throughput speeds
Tri-band with 2.5Gbps network port
Affordable
Standard web interface
Cons
Modest hardware specs
No Antivirus
No 160MHz channel width
Slow NAS performance when hosting a portable drive
Simple QoS and Parental Control
3. Netgear RAX120: Single 5Gbps LAN/WAN port
The RAX120 comes with a single 5Gbps port that works as a LAN out of the box. You can use the web interface to change its function into that of a WAN port, however.
Netgear Nighthawk RAX120's Rating
Pros
Powerful hardware, fast performance
Beautiful design
Multi-Gig network port (5Gbps)
Well organized web user interface
Ultra-fast network storage performance
Cons
Expensive
No online protection, gaming, or mesh features
A bit bulky
2. Netgear RAX200: Single 2.5Gbps LAN/WAN port
Despite being a higher-end (and more expensive) than the RAX120 above, the Netgear RAX200 comes with a 2.5Gbps port and not a 5Gbps.
This port works either as a LAN (default) or a WAN.
Netgear Nighthawk RAX200's Rating
Pros
Reliable and fast performance
Eye-catching design
Helpful mobile app, robust web UI
Multi-Gig support (2.5Gbps)
Cons
Comparatively super-expensive with nothing extra
Shallow Wi-Fi customization, spartan feature set
Comparatively low CPU clock speed
No 5Gbps or 10Gbps LAN port, not wall-mountable
1. Asus GT-AX11000: Single 2.5Gbps LAN/WAN port
(In case you didn’t read the intro: This is the first member on this list — the number is only numerical, not necessarily the ranking.)
The Asus GT-AX11000 is the first Wi-Fi 6 router on the market that comes with a 2.5Gbps Multi-Gig port. Asus routers are pretty flexible in port use, and you can use this port as a LAN (default) or WAN.
Asus GT-AX11000's Rating
Pros
Fast and reliable Wi-Fi performance with an excellent range
Lots of useful features for home users
Unique and effective settings for online gaming
Multi-Gig network port, Dual-WAN, Link Aggregation
Mesh ready
Cons
Expensive
Bulky design, loose antennas, non-wall-mountable
Fewer LAN ports than the previous model
Long boot-up time, buggy (at launch), fluctuating Wi-Fi throughputs
Going Multi-Gigabit: The final thoughts
There you go. You’ve got about all of the current home Multi-Gig options in one place in this post.
Note that some routers can still deliver 2Gbps speed without having a Multi-Gig port by combining two 1Gbps ports in a Link Aggregation setup.
In most cases, for now, any of these routers can be a bit overkill. They are previews of a near future when 10Gbps is the new norm, just like Gigabit today.
And we’ll get there when we truly need this type of ultra-fast connection speed — for virtually all home applications, Gigabit is more than fast enough. It’s a matter of demand and supply.
I have read your article on Multi-Gig Wi-Fi 6 Routers. I am looking to purchase an Asus ZenWiFi AX XT8 AX6600 to use as a wifi access point or AIMesh point with an existing ASUS GT-AX11000. The question is, can hooking up the 2.5gb ethernet ports on the 2 devices work to establish a 2.5 gb connection or is the port on the X8 an unusable WAN only port.
That’s how you’re supposed to use the XT8 as APs or AiMesh node, Ronald. More in this post. By the way, in your case, you need a Multi-Gig switch since the GT-AX11000 has just one Multi-Gig port.
Hi Dong
Love your site and advice.
Can I ask about a new setup of the Orbi Pro SXR80 with extra satellites, the use of CAT6 cabling as backhaul and the use of the single 2.5G port (port 1) vs using the 1GB port (port 2) for WAN. I have a 2.5G D-link switch available.
My Internet via NBN is maximally at 1,000Mbps.
I was going to change the default on the SXR80 to use Port 2 for the WAN, and use Port 1 (2.5G) to connect to the 2.5G switch and then use that to backhaul to the satellities via Ethernet.
Is that the most best methodology to get the best speed all around?
Using the WiFi backhaul on the Router sounds enticing but my place is big with solid concrete walls – thus the Ethernet backhaul consideration.
Appreciate your advice.
Thanks
Andrew
I haven’t tested the SXK80, Andrew, so I can’t say for sure, but you can try that. Generally, though, you don’t want to use the Orbi if you have wired backhauls. Also, the option for Multi-Gig backhauls are limited.
I haven’t tested the SXK80, Andrew, so I can’t say for sure, but you can try that. Generally, though, you don’t want to use the Orbi if you have wired backhauls. Also, the options for Multi-Gig backhauls are limited.
Multi gig is a non thing to me. I have xfinity 1200 with a netgear cm 2050v and am never able to get any multi gig because of weak links in the chain-under 1 gig
1.2Gbps is Gig+, Thomas. That’s not Multi-Gig yet. But you’re right, often the Gigabit is the bottleneck.
Hello Dong,
Can I “soup-up” the performance of my WiFi 5 TV by streaming with a WiFi 6 router and WiFi 6 streaming device like the Fire TV 4K Max?
Yes, RJ. You basically have a new Smart TV — the Smart portion is new — in this case.
There comes a point where the selection of wifi routers with more than one multigig port is so slim that it makes sense to start looking at separate wired/wireless setups. For example, the MikroTik RB5009UG+S+IN, a $219 wired router that has an SFP+ 10G port, 1×2.5G port, and 7x1G ports. With this, you can use one of the multigig ports for the WAN, one of the multigig ports for connecting to a multigig switch or wifi access point (and since many of the wifi routers on your list have just a single multigig port, they can be used for this), and connect 1G devices directly to the router.
There is also the $379 Ubiquiti UDM Pro, which is kind of overkill and large, but for a router with two 10G SFP+ ports and a 3.5″ HDD bay, the price isn’t that bad.
The downside would be that these sorts of routers is much less user friendly than typical consumer fare. But then, I think we’re still at the point where people who are paying for Internet connections faster than 1 gigabit are probably still more technically savvy people.
Hey Dong, do you have a multi-gig router suggestion that is not super expensive for my setup (wifi is not important)
– 2-port WAN link aggregation
– Multi-gig LAN port (1 or more)
The RT-AX89X is your only option, Marc.
Thanks but unfortunately this AX89X is far beyond budget. Guess I’ll have to keep waiting
Hi Dong,
I’ve looked around and see that the AX86U has WAN Link aggregation AND a 2.5Gbe port. Can this 2.5Gbe port be used for LAN?
I might just get a AX86U if this fulfils my requirements.
Hi Dong,
I have a single mode G.657.B3 fiber to my unit, with a 1.5Gbps service.
What router I could use?
I have 2 computers that are pretty far and I want to use fiber to them with SFP+, so I need at least 3 SFP+ ports, one for WAN and 2 for the other computers.
Other ports can be 1Gb and wi-fi 6 should do it.
Thanks for the article, this is a new issue with home networking.
You’ll need a Multi-Gig switch, Dan. As for the router, the RT-AX89X is about the only one right now. Use its SFP+ for WAN and the 10Gbps BaseT to connect to the switch.
Thanks Dong,
I’m not sure the Asus is enough or I need a modem also.
I could use the WAN SFP+ from the termination point, but this is single mode, I’m not sure if it works, Asus says multi mode SFP+.
As a switch, I could use a Mikrotik with 4 SFP+ ports between the router and my computers.
Dan
That depends on the ISP, Dan.
I finally pulled the trigger on an RT-AX89X, ver. A2 and updated to the latest firmware. Using the SFP+ port as WAN (SMF) with the 10GBase-T port hooked up to a 10Gbe switch. That in turn is linked to my PC via a 10G SFP+ to Thunderbolt 3 adapter. Got close to advertised ISP speeds measured on Ookla initially. Testing the next day saw speeds drop to a tenth of what the ISP provides. I unplugged the router and hooked up the ethernet link directly to the PC from the 10Gbe switch and got back nearly full advertised speeds. I tried turning off Ai Protection, which hurts performance, but no dice. Ended up doing a hard reset of the router and apparently that worked. Going to monitor it for the rest of the week to see if the LAN speeds drop off again like before. The transceiver in the SFP+ port runs uncomfortably hot even with a fibre optic one plugged in. I’m concerned that will shorten the lifespan of the router even with the built-in fan and will monitor closely. Like everyone else, I got this for the 10G ports so wifi wasn’t really a priority, if only there was a function to disable the radios. The wifi is spotty at best with the 5Ghz band sporadically disappearing and dropping my AC/AX devices down to 2.4Ghz. Hence, the family uses a separate wireless home network. Looking forward to the Wifi 6E version of the router if there is going to be one. I’ve also set my sights on TP Link’s Archer AX206 as well but there’ve been no new updates since it was announced at CES 2021 in January.
Archer AX206 | AX11000 Tri-Band 10G WiFi 6E Router | TP-Linkhttps://www.tp-link.com › home-networking › archer-a…
Oh the global chip shortage…
Hi Dong
I have an Asus AX89X and I have created two different bands because I was having issue with the dual band smart connect options- the homepods kept disconnecting from the Apple TVs for some strange reason. Seperating the bands seem to be working much better for me. A few questions-
1. Do you recommend keeping the bands seperate?
2. How many devices can the AX89X support on the 5G band? With most of my devices 5Ghz and Wifi 6 capable is one band enough or would you recommend a triband router?
3. I love the ASUS router because it allows me to connect to the internet directly by plugging the ethernet cable into the RJ45 port and get rid of the ISP router from BT. Is the ASUS the only device capable of doing that?
Sorry of I sound like a bit of an amateur, networking is not my thing and I cant think of anyone better to ask these questions.
Thanks in advance.
1. Yes.
2. It’s a matter of bandwidth. More in this post about routers. And this post will talk in lenght about dual-band vs. tri-band.
3. All routers can do that.
Thank you. Love the article, it’s made things a lot clearer and answered a lot of questions.
I wasn’t aware that all routers could do that? I was under the impression that most routers needed the isp modem to be active and an Ethernet cable to connect the modem to the router. Just to be clear what you’re saying is that all Wi-fi 6 routers can connect to the internet directly, bypassing the need for a separate modem?
No, Nipun, all routers need a terminal device, be it a modem or an ONT. The 89X has an SPF+ port so it might be able to handle a special ONT. So it’s more of a port issue than a router issue.
Thank you 😊
Great decision separating the bands anyway. I thought toggling the dual band smart connect would make things easier, things have been super smooth since disabling it.
Hi Dong,
Loving your reviews! Been busy reading to make sure the choice of my new routers meets my expectations and needs.
I have one question that I’m not 100% sure on though. I am considering getting two RT-AX86U’s to cover my house in Wifi using AiMesh. I have a Cat6 wired backhaul already installed.
With those two RT-AX86U’s can I use the 2.5Gbps multi-gig ports to connect them through the wired backhaul? I gather once you set up AiMesh you lose many configuration options on a node, so I’m not sure I’d be able to set up the multi-gig port as the WAN (LAN is default).
Thanks again for your amazing content!
That will work out well, Jeri. AS for the Multi-Gig backhaul, that’s a no, at least for now — the port won’t as backhaul work on the node. It might change via firmware update though.
Thanks mate. Any other node you can recommend that would work with multi-gig backhaul?
whats the point of having a 2.5Gb WAN when (for a wired setup) all of the ethernet LAN ports are gigabit … ?
Suppose you can get full gig Internet on at least two 1Gbps devices, Jimmy.
Thank you for this article.
I’m looking to upgrade to my ISP’s 5 gigabit plan (an extra $50/month). So I’m needing a multi-gig router.
I want to keep connect my existing ethernet wall jacks into a 10 gigabit network. (got a WiFi 5 AP in one room, and a switch with a desktop and a couple servers in another room)
None of the options here seem to support multiple wired multi-gig LAN connections. Do you know of any router than does?
Your best bet is the RT-AX89X, Benjamin, and then get a Multi-Gig switch. You’re SO ahead of the world. 🙂
Hi Dong,
This is certainly a great article, I have a quick question. I live in an apartment (full concrete walls, floor and ceiling) wiring is not an option even though is a small area (800 sqft), and I need a strong backhaul mainly for streaming from my gaming pc to my 2 tvs, which router would you recommend for this situation?
One of these Ray. I’d recommend an Asus.
Thanks a lot! One last question would you recommend a mesh system to keep both tvs and desktop wired to the satellite/router and rely on the backhaul to transfer data between them? if so any recommendation on a mesh device? streaming will be 4K HDR if that is possible.
I came across another idea, but am not certain if it would work as I think it could.
I am waiting on the AX86U to arrive, driven by your review. Thank you.
the question is as follows,
I have NAS that supports LAN Aggregation.
AX86U supports LAN Aggregation.
So the question is – If I buy a USB-C 2.5G RJ45 Ethernet dongle and connect it to the LAN configured 2.5G port on the router will I be able to use the 2G connectivity option between the NAS, Router and My Mac?
I am still looking for the answers online and I could not find anything conclusive enough.
Cheers,
Martin
Yes, Martin. Try it. Note though, that even if you don’t have a multi-gig device, the LA from the NAS still helps when you have multiple devices accessing it.
I may give it a shot and move some things around to make it happen.
Thank you,
Martin
Ok. To make it short it does not work as I thought it would. There is a technical limitation within the router and it does not allow speeds to be exchanged between the 2.5G port and LAN Aggregated ports 1 and 2.
uGREEN USB-C 2.5G adapter to 2.5G port on Router works fine but the maximum speed of transfer is 1G aka 110MB/s on average.
The transfer speed from my MBP16 to the NAS over wifi is still averaging 75-85MB/s over wifi, only it seems this router leaves the old AC88U in the dust. Internet speeds and coverage across the apartment have been improved considerably.
In order for my 2.5G idea to work I need the following:
1x uGREEN USB-C dongle for Mac (199RMB)
1x uGreen USB-A dongle for Synology(189RMB)
1x 2.5G enabled switch TP-Link TL-SH-1008(549RMB)
on top of the 1450RMB router.
so for now I have decided to stay with the 1G wired link until a more options hit the market. Or until it becomes financially more reasonable for investing into setting up the 2.5G network at home. I can do the current work on 1G.
In case anyone has a similar question on the fringe situation, this may help them find the answer.
Hello, I really enjoy your reviews. I am thinking of upgrading my current fios router (g1100) and extender. I currently have fios gigabit. Would it be better to use the Verizon 3100 router and their 3200 extender (connected to moca / coax) or use a mesh network like asus xt8?
Thanks,
John
I’d go with the XT8, John. But that depends on how big your home is and how you set things up. More here.
Thank you – I really appreciate it!!
For Wi-Fi some use ~60% figure for effective throughput. Does USB 3.0+ go as bad as that?
(reply button is missing, so starting a new thread)
Possiblily worse. But don’t quote me on that. Let’s conclude here. I don’t have answers to all of your questions, especially you just want me to confirm your belief, instead of reading and learning yourself. Take care. 🙂
So I’m under my own beliefs and I can’t study to learn by myself. Where did all that hostility come from? Yeah, take care.
It’s really not my business what you’re under or what you can or can’t do, Davi. But just because I’m open to answering your questions doesn’t mean you should waste my time. If you do a search, you’ll see that I have written about the said issues in multiple posts. (Examples: USB, Wi-Fi.) Also including a link to your own stuff in a comment is spamming. (I removed that from your original comment). Don’t do that! So, no hostility at all, just real hard truth.
You are *assuming* that that link was my own stuff. Which is not. The link was a legitimate source for my comment (it was just a MCS table). I only bothered to make that comment because I enjoyed your article but unfortunately you chose to be hostile towards a reader based on your own assumptions. Your assumptions simply didn’t meet reality. Hard truth. Funny because you blamed *me* for being under beliefs.
Well, it must have been some misunderstanding. I had lots and lots of comments and emails daily, things might get mixed up. Again, no hostility, I was just being blunt. And I don’t blame anyone for anything. Appreciate the fact you enjoyed my articles. Check out those I linked in previous comments, too.
Both my Netgear Orbi RBK853 and RAX20 have a setting that allows “WAN aggregation (2.5 Gbps + 1 Gbps, LACP-IEEE802.3ad)” using the WAN port and the first LAN port. Quoted text copied from RBK853 Internet Setup page.
Many routers come with WAN LG, Bob. But that only works if your modem also supports that feature.
For me to use Nighthawk RAX120 WAN Aggregation, I need to find out if my FiOS routers support LAG, if not then either replace my RAX120 with an Asus unit.
@DongNgo – on the RAX120 I cannot seem to get the WAN aggregation (1gb + 1 gb) to work. I have two Fios connection, so I should be able to link the to connection to the RAX120. I get “error: unable to setup Wan Aggregation”. Is Wan Aggregation the same as Dual-Wan support?
Let me know your thoughts, or should replace the RAX120 to the Asus GT-AX11000?
No, Dual-WAN is different from WAN Link Aggregation, John. The former is when you use TWO separate broadband plans, like cable AND fiber, for faster speed or higher availability. The latter is to combine two ports into a single connection.
@DongNgo – I have TWO separate FiOS broadband plans, so I need to purchase a router that supports Dual-Wan and then connect the RAX120? Can you make recommendation on Dual-Wan solution; Linksys LRT224, Cisco RV, QNAP, or Ubiquiti?
I’d go with an Asus router in this case, John. Most (if not all) of them support Dual-WAN.
Thank you for all the assistance. Most likely will replace my RAX120 with the Asus GT-AX11000.
Quick comparison across different technologies:
Wi-Fi 6* ————> ~1 Gbps (“real life”, per article)
SATA 3.0 ————> 6 Gbps
USB 3.0** ———–> 5 Gbps
USB 3.1 Gen 2*** —-> 10 Gbps
10GBASE-T**** ——-> 10 Gbps
PCI Express 3.0 —–> 128 Gbps (x16 lanes)
PCI Express 4.0 —–> 256 Gbps (x16 lanes)
Also known as:
* 802.11ax
** USB 3.1 Gen 1; USB 3.2 Gen 1×1; SuperSpeed USB
*** USB 3.2 Gen 2×1; SuperSpeed+ USB
**** 802.3an-2006
~
Wi-Fi data rates (“theoretical”):
Wi-Fi 5* ————> 3.5 Gbps (160MHz; 4SS; 256QAM)
Wi-Fi 6** ———–> 9.6 Gbps (160MHz; 8SS; 1024QAM)
aka:
* 802.11ac-2013
** 802.11ax (final approval est. Feb 2021)
Not sure what you’re trying to get at but thanks for the input, Davi.
The other throughput figures can help when you want to tell whether your piece of equipment (say a USB 3.0 drive) can handle the throughput of a given technology (say a file transfer over 802.11ax). In this case, yes, if it’s connected to functional USB 3.0 port from Wi-Fi 6 ready system.
Or maybe you are designing a PC for a given application and you want to be able to tell if there is some nasty bottleneck in your system data flow (you strive for a overall well balanced system).
Thanks for the article, by the way.
Feelthhis
Sure, Davi. Your numbers are all theoretical so they are not really applicable when it comes to picking a piece of equipment. 🙂
If I can’t rely on the standards themselves, I have no idea of what to rely on that would serve as an initial foundation for picking a compatible equipment or for building a system without obvious bottlenecks. What would you suggest?
Pick the lowest denominator. USB and Wi-Fi have crazy overheads.