WiFi 6E Routers are Coming: Should I Replace My Current Router?
You may have just become familiar with WiFi 6 routers. But, all of a sudden, tech news is all about WiFi 6E routers. What is WiFi 6E, and why does it sound so similar to WiFi 6? Yes, you are on the right track. WiFi 6 and WiFi 6E are similar. Then, should I upgrade to WiFi 6E routers and devices if they are similar? However, the “E” also introduces differences between the two wireless technologies the routers use.
Differences between WiFi 6 and WiFi 6E
Despite the similarities and shared features, WiFi 6 and WiFi 6E are indeed quite different. The additional “E” here stands for “extended.” WiFi 6E means that WiFi 6 is extended to the 6 GHz band. The extra band brings more advantages.
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Extra Spectrum
The addition of the 6 GHz band means more spectrum. Compared with other WiFi standards, WiFi 6E is the only one that operates on three bands: 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz. The extra spectrum will significantly reduce the network overlap and enhance network experience, especially in crowded environments.
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Channels with Higher Bandwidth
The full spectrum of the 6 GHz band is 1200 MHz, which is the widest frequency range among the three bands (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz). A wider band means more high-bandwidth channels are available. The 6 GHz boasts up to fourteen 80 MHz channels or seven 160 MHz channels. The high throughput provides a solid foundation for high-bandwidth-demanding activities, such as VR gaming and high-definition video conference.
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No Competing Legacy Devices
The legacy device is another buzzword when talking about WiFi 6E. Unlike WiFi 6 operating at the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, WiFi 6E and the WiFi 6E-enabled devices can exclusively use the entire 6 GHz band. When using WiFi 6E, there is no need to compete with legacy devices and slow down the speed of data transmissions.
WiFi 6E and WiFi 6 Products Recommended
TP-Link spares no effort in researching WiFi 6E technology and aims to unveil cutting-edge WiFi 6E routers and many more WiFi 6E gadgets soon. For more information, check out our news and blog:
[News] TP-Link’s Archer AXE11000 Omni Tri Band WiFi 6E Router Named as CES 2022 Innovation Awards Honoree
Archer AXE11000 Omni Tri Band WiFi 6E Router was named a CES 2022 Innovation Awards Honoree§ for its innovation, engineering, functionality, and aesthetics. With the blazing-fast 11 Gbps WiFi and Multi-Gigabit ports, the WiFi 6E router delivers robust high-speed connections for both wireless and wired devices.
[News] TP-Link Unveils New Powerful WiFi 6E Mesh System Offerings, Bringing Blazing-Fast, Ultra-Secure Broadband Experiences to Consumers
Integrating TP-Link AI-Driven Mesh technology, Deco XE75 and Deco XE200 are here for a whole home WiFi 6E Mesh system thanks to the newly opened 6 GHz band. Upgrade your whole home WiFi to 6E and experience more bandwidth, faster speeds, and lower latency.
While WiFi 6E-enabled devices are still under research and development, many WiFi 6 devices are already at your service, ready to significantly improve your WiFi experience. Check out our latest tech gadgets empowered by WiFi 6, and explore the new WiFi era.
Best Entry-Level WiFi 6 Router: Archer AX23
Archer AX23 provides super-fast dual-band wireless connections with speeds up to 1.8 Gbps—perfect for 4K streaming and short download times. Thanks to breakthroughs in efficiency, Archer AX23 delivers pure power, outperforming all other AX1800 routers that TP-Link has tested—all at a lower price point. In the lab, Archer AX23 surpasses its direct competitors from six top brands in speed and coverage performance while saving more energy.
Best WiFi 6 router for mobile devices: Archer AX55
Featuring a 160 MHz bandwidth and 1024-QAM, Archer AX55 delivers true gigabit speeds up to 3 Gbps. Drastically improved speeds enable streaming, fast downloading, and gaming—all at the same time. 5 GHz with 160 MHz channel support doubles the bandwidth, enabling 8K video without lag. 4 high-performance external antennas boost WiFi signals throughout your home.
Best Overall WiFi 6 Router: Archer AX73
Equipped with the top structure 4T4R and HE160 on the 5 GHz band, Archer AX73 enables users to enjoy the ultra-fast 5.4 Gbps WiFi that can stream multiple 8K videos without buffering. With the HomeShield service kit including Antivirus, Parental Controls, QoS, and Home Network Scanner, Archer AX73 delivers expert-level care for managing your network.
Best Gaming WiFi 6 Router: Archer AX11000
Built for victory, the CES innovation award-winning AX11000 Tri-Band Gaming Router brings WiFi speed to a revolutionary level—over 10 Gbps, demolishing network latency and interference. More than that, Archer AX11000 serves as a game accelerator to optimize gaming streams, as a game protector with the HomeCare security system, and as a game network analyzer with its finely tuned UI.
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[Blog] WiFi 6E Will Usher WiFi into a New Era
Notes:
§The CES Innovation Awards are based upon descriptive materials submitted to the judges. CTA did not verify the accuracy of any submission or claims made and did not test the item to which the award was given.