Best Wi-Fi 6 Routers of 2022 – CNET [CNET]

Every several years or so, the 802.11 standard we commonly call Wi-Fi gets a big upgrade, with new features and faster speeds. The latest, 802.11ax, arrived in 2019, and since it was the sixth major generational update for Wi-Fi, the industry dubbed it Wi-Fi 6 to make things a bit less complex for the average shopper.

Now, three years later, Wi-Fi 6 has established itself as the de facto standard for next-gen gadgets. Just about every new phone and computer release supports it, and we’re starting to see support pop up among peripheral devices, too. Did you pick up an Apple TV 4K or Amazon Fire TV 4K Max media streamer for Black Friday? Both of those support Wi-Fi 6. Did you manage to score a new PlayStation 5 console over the holidays? That’s a Wi-Fi 6 gadget, too.

The rub is that you’ll need a Wi-Fi 6 router running your network in order to unlock the full potential of devices like those at home. That was an expensive proposition back when Wi-Fi 6 first arrived, but not anymore. Shop around, and you’ll find a number of options available for less than $100, as well as mesh systems, gaming routers, range extenders and more. Some do the job better than others — but that’s where we come in, with comprehensive, hands-on tests to help identify the best upgrade picks for the money. 

Expect regular updates to this post as we continue to put Wi-Fi 6 to the test in 2022. Whenever we find a new router that merits consideration, we’ll add it to the list. For now, here are the models I’d recommend for anyone making the purchase in April 2022.

Wi-Fi 6 router FAQs

If you’ve got questions about the ins and outs of Wi-Fi 6, be sure to check out my full explainer on the standard and what makes it better than the Wi-Fi of yore. You can also reach me by looking me up on Twitter (@rycrist) or by clicking the little envelope icon on my CNET profile page to send a message straight to my inbox. In the meantime, I’ll post answers to any commonly asked questions below.