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Together with 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E, and especially the sorta-upcoming Wi-Fi 7, is the new area of faster-than-Gigabit connections, the Multi-Gigabit, which is similar but not to be confused with Multi-Gig.
While for the most part, we don’t need this type of network throughput, if you want to enjoy true Gigabit (or faster) Internet, Multi-Gig is a must.
So this roundup helps you get (well) ahead of the curve.
You’ll find here some two dozen multi-Gigabit-capable Wi-Fi 6 routers I’ve reviewed — including a few 10Gbps-capable (10GbE) routers for home and pro consumers, including almost all (*) you can find in the US right now.
(*) Except for the eero Pro 6E and the TP-Link Deco XE75. I purposely decided not to review the former due to online privacy and the latter is basically the XE75 plus a 2.5Gbps WAN port.
Any of these can deliver at least one Multi-Gig wired connection when you have another similarly capable party, such as your super-fast broadband connection.
While all these are Wi-Fi routers, it’s wired networking we’re talking about here, so run network cables in your home first. If you don’t know what Multi-Gig means, check out the post on the subject in the box below.
Dong’s note: I first published this post on December 13, 2020, and last updated it on September 14, 2022, to include more qualified broadcasters.
Table of Contents
Wi-Fi 6/6E routers with Multi-Gigabit capability: The lists
There are two lists. One is of routers with more than one Multi-Gig port, and the other is of those with a single port.
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 the multi-Gigabit capability is not the end-all-be-all of a router.
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 — more in this list of best mini NAS routers.
The point is, just because a router is multi-Gig-capable doesn’t mean it’s all good in all applications that can take advantage of the high-speed network connection.
A. Wi-Fi 6/6E routers with TWO or more Multi-Gigabit ports
Generally, this list includes routers with two Multi-Gig ports, with the exception of the Asus GT-AXE16000 that have three.
Extra: 10Gbps Ethernet on home routers
To deliver (close to) true 10Gbps, a router needs more than just a couple of 10Gbps Ethernet network ports. Among other things, it also needs high processing power (and good firmware) to handle this type of traffic.
Most home routers, including top-tier ones, so far, generally do not meet all the requirements for true 10Gbps (10,000Mbps) throughputs. Consequently, after “overhead” they sustain at 6,000Mbps, give or take, on a good day. (The same thing can be said about most 10Gbps switches.)
That’s partially why more home Wi-Fi routers support the lowest tier of Multi-Gig, which is with 2.5Gbps, than those with 10Gbps ports. In this case, you can expect them to deliver close to 2,500Mbps in real-world speeds.
In any case, with any of these, you can use one Multi-Gig port as a WAN and the other as a LAN. Generally, out of the box, these routers can host at least two Multi-Gig connections. Add a Multi-Gig switch if you need more.
8. Asus ZenWiFi Pro XT12: Two WAN/LAN 2.5Gbps Multi-Gig ports
(If you didn’t read the intro, this is the latest member on this list — the number is only numerical, not the ranking.)
The ZenWiFi Pro XT12 is the traditional Tri-band version of the Wi-Fi 6E XT12 below.
It comes with two 2.5Gbps ports. One is a permanent WAN port and the other can work either as a LAN or a second WAN.
The hardware is available as a standalone router or a 2-pack mesh system and works well as either. In the latter case, it supports Multi-Gig wired backhauling — you can daisy-chain the units via a network cable.
Asus ZenWiFi Pro XT12's Rating
Pros
Excellent Wi-Fi performance and coverage, UNII-4 support
Dual Multi-Gig pots with Multi-Gig wired backhaul, flexible port configurations
Tons of useful features and settings, flexible Wi-Fi customization
AiMesh 2.0 full support, helpful mobile app, no login account required
Cool design with pretty lighting
Cros
No 5Gbps or 10Gbps Multi-Gig, bulky, no USB, only four network ports
Buggy Dual-WAN, not wall-mountable
7. Asus GT-AXE16000: One 2.5Gbps WAN/LAN and two 10Gbps LAN/WAN ports
The Asus GT-AXE16000 is the only home Wi-Fi router with three Multi-Gig ports, including two 10Gbps and one 2.5Gbps. You can use any of them as WAN or LAN based on your need.
Asus ROG Rapture GT-AXE16000's Rating
Pros
Powerful hardware, Quad-band with Wi-Fi 6E support, three Multi-Gig ports (one 2.5Gbps and two 10Gbps)
Stellar performance throughout
Excellent set of game-related, online protection and monitoring features, full AiMesh 2.0 support
Unmatched port flexibility, including interchangeable WAN, Dual-WAN, and LAN/WAN Link Aggregations
Beautiful ROG Aura lighting
Cros
Expensive, NAS performance (when hosting a storage device) could be better
Awkward backhaul band design in a wireless AiMesh setup, no UNII4 (5.9GHz) support, no SFP+
Bulky design, not wall-mountable
6. Asus ZenWiFi Pro ET12: Two WAN/LAN 2.5Gbps Multi-Gig ports
The ZenWiFi Pro ET12 is the latest Wi-Fi 6E mesh system from Asus. It comes in a 2-pack of two identical routers. You can use any as a standalone device.
The most remarkable thing about the ET12 is its two flexible 2.5Gbps ports. Consequently, you can use it out of the box with Multi-Gig wired backhauling. You can even daisy-chain multiple satellites that way, without a switch.
Asus ZenWiFi Pro ET12's Rating
Pros
Wi-Fi 6E-ready, extensive Wi-Fi coverage with top performance in specific setups with possible fas Wi-Fi performance in certain setups
Dual Multi-Gig pots with Multi-Gig wired backhaul, flexible port configurations
Excellent performance and coverage as a standalone router
Tons of useful features and settings, flexible Wi-Fi customization
AiMesh 2.0 full support, helpful mobile app, no login account required
Cool design
Cros
Bulky, no USB, only four network ports
Fluctuating performance as a fully wireless mesh due to the lack of a dedicated backhaul band
Short 6GHz range
Expensive, not wall-mountable
5. Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX6000: Two WAN/LAN 2.5Gbps Multi-Gig ports
The Asus GT-AX6000 is the latest gaming router from Asus, replacing the RT-AX86U below.
The new router has everything to be the best Dual-band Wi-Fi 6 router. The included two flexible Multi-Gig 2.5Gbps ports — one WAN and one LAN by default — are just a small part of its appeal.
Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX6000's Rating
Pros
Fast, reliable Wi-Fi with excellent coverage
Dual Multi-Gig ports with Dual-WAN, Link Aggregations, and more
Tons of helpful networking features and settings, including AiMesh 2.0 and gaming-related applications
Robust web UI, well-designed mobile app, no login account required
Multi-Gig, WAN/LAN Link Aggregation support
Excellent NAS performance when hosting a portable drive
Bold-looking design, no fan, runs cool
Cros
Lowest Multi-Gig grade (2.5Gbps), there could be more ports considering the router's massive physical size
A bit pricey
Impractical antenna design, bulky, not practically wall-mountable
4. Netgear Orbi RBKE960 Series: 10Gbps Multi-Gig WAN + 2.5Gbps Multi-Gig LAN
Available as a 3-pack — RBKE963 (white) or RBKE963B (black) — this insanely expensive mesh system comes with Multi-Gig on its router and satellite.
The former has a 10Gbps WAN port and a 2.5Gbps LAN port. The latter has one 2.5Gbps LAN.
Consequently, you can use the hardware in a Multi-Gig wired backhaul for one satellite right out of the box. You’d need a Multi-Gig switch if you want to use more satellites via this type of super-fast wired backhaul.
Netgear Orbi RBKE960 Series' Rating
Pros
Powerful hardware with Quad-band Wi-Fi and Multi-Gig wired backhaul support
Excellent Wi-Fi coverage, fast performance
Multiple Multi-Gig ports
More Wi-Fi networks than previous Orbis, including two additional virtual SSIDs
Easy to use
Cros
Expensive
No web-based Remote Management, few free features; mobile app (with a login account and even subscriptions) is required to be useful
Rigid Multi-Gig ports' roles, few Multi-Gig ports
The 2nd 5GHz band is unavailable to clients even with wired backhauls, no 160MHz channel width on 5GHz
Limited Wi-Fi customization, bulky design
3. QNAP QHora-301W: Two 10Gbps Multi-Gig ports
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.
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
Cros
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 Multi-Gig WAN + 1x 10Gbps Multi-Gig 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
Cros
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: Two LAN/WAN 10Gbps (Multi-Gig 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 with two different 10Gbps ports. One is a traditional BASE-T (RJ45), and the other is an SFP+ port. And like all Asus routers, you can use them flexibly in the WAN or LAN role
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
Cros
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 6/6E routers with ONE Multi-Gigabit port
These are routers with just one Muti-Gig port. Chances 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 6/6E routers with a single FLEXIBLE 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.
12. Netgear Nighthawk RAXE300: Single 2.5 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 Netgear RAXE300 Nighthawk is the latest Wi-Fi 6E router from Netgear and supposedly the lesser version of the RAXE500 (below). In real-world testing though, it proves to be a much better deal, thanks to the excellent Wi-Fi performance and significantly lower cost.
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE300's Rating
Pros
Wi-Fi 6E-ready with excellent performance
Flexible 2.5Gbps LAN/WAN port, USB-C
Robust web interface, helpful (optional) mobile app
Cool fanless, wall-mountable design
Cros
Middling 6GHz specs, no standard Remote Management via Dynamic DNS
No 10Gbps port, only one 2.5Gbps port; not-well-thought-out Wi-Fi on/off button
Limited Wi-Fi settings and online protection/Parental Controls require a mobile app and subscription
Mediocre NAS performance when hosting a portable SSD; 100-120V power adapter
11. Synology RT6600ax: Single 2.5Gbps LAN/WAN port
The RT6600ax is the first Wi-Fi 6 router from Synology and it’s one of the best among its peers. IN terms of Multi-Gig, though, it has just one 2.5Gbps port (LAN1).
While this port can work as a WAN port, that’s only the case in a Dual-WAN setup. Consequently, when you use this router with a Multi-Gig WAN connection, its original Gigabit WAN port is redundant — it can’t work as a LAN port.
In the case of all routers below, when the Multi-Gig port is working as a WAN, the default WAN port functions as another LAN.
Synology RT6600ax's Rating
Pros
Fast and reliable Wi-Fi with the support for 5.9GHz UNII-4 spectrum, mesh-ready
Robust, comprehensive yet user-friendly SRM 1.3 firmware with excellent web interface and DS Router app
Lots of useful built-in settings and networking features, helpful add-on packages with accompanying mobile apps
Can work as a full-featured NAS server
Practical design, wall-mountable
Cros
Only one 2.5Gbps port
No Link Aggregation, awkward Multi-Gig WAN, rigid default WAN port
Only client-based QoS, 5.9GHz clients are scarce
10. TP-Link Archer GX90: Single 2.5Gbps Multi-Gig LAN/WAN port
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 as a LAN, but you can reverse the order if you want to host a Multi-Gig local client.
TP-Link Archer GX90's 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
Cros
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 Multi-Gig 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
Cros
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 Multi-Gig 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
Cros
Slow 5GHz-1 band
Mobile app, login account, and a monthly subscription are required for advanced features
Relatively slow NAS performance when hosting a portable drive
7: Asus GT-AXE11000: Single 2.5Gbps Multi-Gig 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 ROG Rapture 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
Cros
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 Multi-Gig 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
Cros
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 Multi-Gig 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.
Before the GT-AX6000 above, the RT-AX86U was considered the best Dual-band Wi-Fi 6 router. It still is among the best today.
By the way, if you have the RT-AX89X or the GT-AX6000 above, the RT-AX86U makes an excellent satellite node in a Multi-Gig wired backhaul AiMesh setup.
Asus RT-AX86U'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
Cros
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 Multi-Gig 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.
3. Netgear RAX120: Single 5Gbps Multi-Gig 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
Cros
Expensive
No online protection, gaming, or mesh features
A bit bulky
2. Netgear RAX200: Single 2.5Gbps Multi-Gig 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)
Cros
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 Multi-Gig 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
Cros
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
Wi-Fi 6 routers with a RIGID WAN-only Multi-Gig port
A 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 Multi-Gig 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
Cros
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 AXE8400 Atlas Max 6E: Single 5Gbps Multi-Gig 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
Cros
Expensive
Comparatively slow mesWi-FiFi 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 Multi-Gig 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
Cros
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 ports
160 MHz channel bandwidth support
Excellent QoS and Parental Control features
Robust full web user interface, helpful mobile app
USB-C ready, wall-mountable
Cros
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 Multi-Gig 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
Cros
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, especially via wired backhaul
Storage performance (when hosting an external drive) could be better
2. Netgear Orbi RBR850: Single 2.5Gbps Multi-Gig 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 850 Series Wi-Fi 6 System's Rating
Pros
Fast, reliablWiFiFi 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
Cros
High cost
No 160MHz channel support, limiteWiFiFi 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 Multi-Gig 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
Cros
Misleading gaming veneer, no actual gaming-specific features
No multi-gig LAN port, bulky design
Not mesh-ready (at launch)
Artificial" "Game" items make the interface unnecessarily confusing
Mobile app requires a login account
The takeaway
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.
Multi-Gig vs Link Aggregation
Link Aggregation, also known as bonding, is where multiple network ports of a router aggregate into a single fast combined connection.
Typically, you can have two Gigabit ports working in tandem to provide a 2 Gbps connection. In this case, Link Aggregation is a “cheat” way to get Multi-Gig out of two non-Multi-Gig ports. However, you can also bond two 10Gbps ports into a 20Gbps connection.
That said, Multi-Gig is a new standard that gives you a fast connection out of a single port and Link Aggregation is a technique to artificially increase the bandwidth when you have a lot of ports to spare.
While Link Aggregation works, it’s quite awkward since you will have multiple cables for a single connection.
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 a 6100 sq ft home and 5gb/5gb Fiber internet I am currently using the orbi 960 and 3 satelites that are are wired with cat 6a. I have two computers that have 10gb cards and I am able to get wired speeds of 2.4/2.4. Since the 960 only has a 10gb port and then 2.5gb out port( which in my case runs to a switch) I am looking for recommendations for a mesh system that can support 10gb and which switch would you recommend?
Check out this post, Don. I talked about this topic in detail.
Thank you. I just read that. I am getting about 2300/2300 now on my other house which has fiber 2gb/2gb. Your price for 10gb is amazing. For 5gb here is $180 a month and 2gb is 110. In north Texas. I think for me I am going to wait until the orbi has at least 2 10gbe ports. It gets a little complicated because I am running Video IP and also need POE for my cameras. This is a new house that is closing sept 8th so I am trying to figure out the right switches. I asked the HT guy but my guess is he is not very familair with 10gbe switches and setups. I said all of that to ask this. Do you think I should get different switches for different things ( IE one for my internet/networking, one for my Video/Audio and one for my Cameras with POE? or should I try and find an all in one?
The one I mentioned in the post is a PoE one, Don. And it’s been great! But you can use any others, here are those I’ve reviewed — there are not many options yet. And you can use as many switches as you want, you can use a main Multi-Gig switch and a Gigabit PoE for devices if that works better cost-wise.
I heard utility costs are very high in Texas. But housing is a lot more affordable so there’s that. 🙂
Want to know if it’s right device to get GT-AX6000 to replace RT-AC68U ( use this old router as AiMesh Node via ethernet backhaul)
As I’m on giga fiber broadband as on AC68U on speedtest getting around 600 Mbps, when I remove router and connect direct to GPON media converter, getting around 950 Mbps.
So AC68U can’t get higher speed as just drops speed, using on LAN.
Will AX6000 can do higher speed?
Even better wifi as all walls are solid blocks.
Even in future to connect to 2.5 Giga broadband..
I’ve been using AC68U for 8 years, only difference is speed on 1 Giga fiber connected last year.
Now that the ET12 can be purchased as a single unit for $480 on Amazon is this generally the best single router solution / best value for a multi-gigabit network?
Only $130 more than GT-AX6000 for tri-band & 6E ($350 vs $480).
That depends, Aaron. Read the reviews for more, but the ET12 only outdoes the GT-AX6000 in the 6GHz band.
Your reviews were extremely helpful in making a purchasing decision and I went with the ET12. Only notable downside of ET12 that annoys me is no Merlin support (yet).
So outside of 6E do you consider the ET12 / GT-AX6000 to be roughly equivalent (same 2x 2.5gbps, same new 16nm quad core CPU etc.)?
My original question was primarily related to how you think the ET12 being available as a single unit for $480 changes it’s value proposition relative to others multigigabit options. Sorry if that wasn’t clear.
Thanks for the amazing site!
Hi Dong, thank you for all of the great info you provide. I have a question about multi-gig routers I was hoping to ask you about. My home is not wired, unfortunately, but I have an Asus RT-A86U that provides decent wifi coverage across the home. However, one thing I’d like to improve is my computer’s connectivity. The computer doesn’t have built-in wifi, and so I’ve been using a USB wifi adapter which hasn’t been that great. As an alternative, I’ve been looking for a second router that I could use as a wifi to ethernet bridge. My computer has a 2.5gbe ethernet port, and so I’d like to get a Wifi 6 router that has a 2.5gbe LAN port, and that can be used as a wifi to ethernet bridge. I suppose I could get another Asus RT-86U, but I was wondering if you knew of a less expensive router? I was looking at a one-pack of the TP-Link Deco X90 or X5700 since those have 2.5gbe LAN ports, but I couldn’t tell from those products’ manuals if they can be used as a wifi to ethernet bridge.
You’d waste your money in that case, Eugene, because chances are the wireless connection will not be as fast as the speed of the wired port — you’d be lucky to get 1Gbps of sustained speed in most cases. If your computer is a desktop, get a PCIe adapter instead. Don’t bother with Multi-Gig until you get the place WIRED.
I have a 2,5g internet connection and would like to maximise my wifi Network. I have a orbi 752 (limited to 1gb). I have a 1000ft2 flat, what is the best choice for multi gig router: asus xt8, orbi 852, netgear raxe500, others ?
Thanks for your help!! Best regards
You *can’t* get 2.5Gbps out of a wireless connection, E. So, generally any of these routers will do on the wireless front. But if you want to really enjoy a real 2.5Gbps, then you need one with *two* 2.5Gbps (or better yet 10Gbps) Multi-Gig ports. Make sure you read the intro part of this post. Also, check out this post on how hard it is when it comes to getting *real* Multi-Gig Internet.
In fact my ISP router as a 2,5gb lan port, so i would like to find The best router with a 2,5 GB port. Thanks
It’s one the list. 🙂
I would like to setup the 2.5Gbe LAN network as I purchased Asustor 5304t with 2.5Gbe ports.
My current setup are as follows:
Internet: Exetel HFC
Modem from NBN: Arrius CM8200
Modem router from Exetel: ZTE H268A using 2 VOIP service (4 x 1 Gbe ports and 1 1Gbe WAN port)
Mesh Router from ASUS: ASUS Xt8 mesh (1 2.5 GBE port and 3 x 1 Gbe) and 1 mesh satellite
Current connection is from NBN modem port to Exetel HFC wan port and then Exetel HFC lan port to ASUS XT8 WAN port. 3 rooms with wired LAN (1 downstairs and 2 upstairs cat6 wiring) are currently connected to ZTE H268A modem. 2 VOIP phones are connected to the ZTE H268A modem router. The ASUS XT8 satellite is connected to the ASUS Xt8 router wirelessly.
I just obtained the Internet and VOIP settings from Exetel so I thought I can remove the modem router and using asus xt8 router and buying 2.5 switch and VOIP phone adapter (grandstream?)
Also if I setup the network using ASUS XT8 in wired backhaul, I think I have some issue which causes no internet (when the cat 6 wiring connects to the asus router and then the lan wiring upstairs connected to the asus mesh satellite upstairs using wired backhaul)
Q1. What is the best setup in my scenario?
Q2. What sort of extra equipment should I get?
Q3. Should I get a 8 port managed switch (e.g. QNAP) or unmanaged switch (QNAP)? Does a managed switch help to solve the asus wired backhaul issue?
Q4. Is it a way to solve the wired backhaul issue?
You should start this with this post, Johnny, and follow related posts. Set aside some time and you’ll figure it out.
I have three Zyxel 2.5 GB switches in my network – thanks for the recommendation, by the way! Is maintaining a consistent 2.5 GB wired LAN connection from the router to the switches sufficient justification to buy a router with a 2.5 GB LAN port? I subscribe to my ISP’s 1 GB Internet plan.
Yes, Ron. 2.5Gbps Multi-Gig hardware is the sure way to get full 1Gbps Internet. You need a router that has the same speed grade (or faster) on both the WAN and LAN sides, too, by the way.
I appreciate the time and advice, Dong I have enjoyed your work for a long time, even before you went solo, and I will find a way to support it!
Thanks for the support, Ron! ❤️
Can you tell me which has better range the GT-AX11000 or the new GT-AX6000?
I’d say the AX6000’s is slightly better, Eric.
I am here in the multi gig (LAN) world thanks to the posts on your website, I am running a full GT-AX6000 mesh and all nodes are wired and running at 2.5 GB.
I do have an oddity though. I have a QNAP 2104-2T multi-gig switch to connect to the satellite nodes and the satellite speed is at full throttle (930 Mb) for a 1GB WAN .
When I connect my Imac 24 (1GB) to the router I get the full speed (930 Mb) but when I go thru the QNAP switch (either the 2.5 or 10GB port) the speed drops to about 600 Mb. Same cable etc.
n
Source OOKLA speed test. Very consistent result. Any suggestions?
Something to do with the switch, Mario, in case it’s not obvious to you. 🙂 That or because you connected the switch to a Gigabit port on the router.
Dong
Can you recommend mesh system, with at least 2gig wan and 2 gig lan on each unit. My fiber connection is 2gig so obviously need the wan at least 2, but also want a 2 gig lan .
thanks
joe
Your only option, for now, is this AiMesh combo, Joe. And you’ll need a Multi-Gig switch, too.