Five routers with ultra-fast Wi-Fi

The advent of the Wi-Fi 6 standard has revolutionized the world of wireless communication, offering advanced technology and high performance. But with the high price of such devices, not every consumer could afford the upgrade. Mercusys MR80X seems to solve this problem by offering a balance between price, quality and functionality.

Core Wi-Fi 6 technologies such as MU-MIMO, Beamforming and OFDMA ensure fast and stable performance even in dense radio environments. And the Smart Connect and BSS color features make connecting devices to the network easier and more efficient. Cloud access, parental controls, and VPN setup tools make this router a pretty flexible tool for the average user.

However, the Mercusys MR80X, for all its functionality, is not designed for large home networks or high-load scenarios. Limitations such as the lack of mesh and USB support, as well as a not particularly powerful processor, make it the best choice for smaller apartments or houses with a limited number of devices.

Overall, the Mercusys MR80X is an excellent compromise between value and quality, providing consumers with high-quality Wi-Fi 6 connectivity without the need to invest in more expensive and powerful models. This device is ideal for those who want to enjoy the benefits of the latest Wi-Fi standard without parting with a lot of money.

In the shelf of household routers of the AX3200 class, the wireless router model of the same name from the Chinese company Xiaomi is very attractive in terms of price and functionality. It is simply called Router AX3200.

The device is assembled in a rectangular case with a “striped” back, in the center of which a small Xiaomi logo proudly flaunts. Six antennas protrude from the rear and side ends of the router case to create the widest possible area of high-quality coverage. The router distributes the Internet in two bands: 2.4 GHz with a throughput of up to 800 Mbit/s and 5 GHz with a speed of up to 2402 Mbit/s. A trio of gigabit LAN ports are also available to the user. Total theoretical speeds of up to 3200 Mbps are made possible by 1024-QAM modulation and MU-MIMO 4x4 multi-channel data transmission.

OFDMA technology improves the efficiency of transmitting information to multiple connected devices. Another useful feature in the model’s assets is Beamforming technology, which determines the position of client devices within the deployed network. If the power of the router is not enough to cover the entire serviced perimeter, you can use the router to scale the coverage area as one of the links in seamless MESH networks.

In total, up to 128 client devices can work in the Wi-Fi network of the router. The model copes well with the assigned tasks both in a relaxed home atmosphere and in a relatively small office. The wireless router impresses with its increased data exchange speeds, Wi-Fi 6 support, easy setup and stable coverage.

Technology with the coveted Wi-Fi 6 sticker is slowly penetrating our lives, but as is the case with any promising and untested technology, it costs more than we would like. However, there are exceptions like the hero of this review - Huawei AX3 Quad Core, which combines almost all the functions necessary for the home with an adequate price and an elegant flat body, vaguely reminiscent of Apple technology. Seriously, this is one of the few routers that you want to place in the most visible place on your desk. At the same time, the plastic does not collect fingerprints at all and is scratch-resistant.

But let's return to the capabilities of the AX3 Quad Core. The router is equipped with three Gigabit LAN ports, and its total throughput reaches almost 3000 Mbps (574 Mbps in the 2.4 GHz band and 2402 Mbps in the 5 GHz band), which in itself is impressive. Thanks to 4 external antennas, a powerful 4-core processor and support for the Dynamic Narrow Bandwidth feature, which amplifies the signal in a narrowband 2 MHz mode, this baby provides high-quality and damn-fast coverage in an ordinary three-room apartment. The router is also compatible with MU-MIMO and Beamforming, like any self-respecting middle-class model.

If the coverage area is not enough, support for MESH networks will come to the rescuewhen several identical routers create seamless coverage indoors without dividing into master and slave routers. Well, the icing on the cake is Wi-Fi 6, with goodies like a dedicated 160Hz bandwidth and OFDMA technology, which provides high bandwidth and more efficient networking. We recently had a long text about all the benefits of Wi-Fi.

TP-LINK Archer AX53 is a typical mid-range router, but already with support for the newfangled Wi-Fi 6 protocol, which is increasingly spreading to the masses.

The model provides a total wireless connection speed up to 3 Gb / s. True, only in two ranges in total and under ideal signal transmission conditions. At a frequency of 2.4 GHz, you can squeeze data exchange rates up to 574 Mbps from the router, with a carrier of 5 GHz - up to 2402 Mbps. To ensure maximum Wi-Fi throughput, the model allows you to use a 160 MHz channel.

The device was equipped with a gigabit WAN port and four gigabit LAN connectors. You can get the most out of the router when using devices with Wi-Fi 6 and related technologies MU-MIMO, OFDMA and 1024-QAM. At the same time, the signal from the router is directed towards the connected clients due to the implementation of Beamforming technology. TP-LINK Archer AX53 guarantees stable coverage in an apartment or country house.

An important advantage of the model is the support of OneMesh technology, tailored for the creation of single seamless wireless access networks from several compatible routers. The technology is aimed at uninterrupted maintenance of large households. The router is configured through the Tether mobile application (available for iOS Android) or through the classic web interface. As a bonus, the device owner receives a pre-installed set of HomeShield security tools, which includes protection against network threats, parental controls and advanced traffic consumption statistics.

Asus, known primarily for its products for gamers and professional users, is making a significant breakthrough in the home networking sector. The RT-AX57 demonstrates that the company not only listens to consumer needs, but also provides products that meet modern requirements, even at a more affordable price level.

The RT-AX57's specifications, especially its quad-core processor and amount of RAM, make it quite a powerful device in its price range. Gigabit ports and high bandwidth emphasize the focus on high-speed connections. Support for Wi-Fi 6 with the latest traffic optimization technologies confirms its readiness to cope with multiple devices working simultaneously.

AiMesh is a big plus for those with large living spaces. This allows you to create a seamless Wi-Fi network, reducing dead spots and providing a more stable and faster connection over long distances.

Software add-ons like Trend Micro's AiProtection enhance router security, making it more reliable and safer for home users. Combined with intuitive setup tools like NetEase UU software, the RT-AX57 is a truly great solution for those who want a modern, reliable and powerful router without the hassle and high costs.

Overall, the Asus RT-AX57 is an outstanding model in the mid-price segment, ideal for those looking for a reliable, powerful and feature-rich home networking solution.