I just don’t like TP-Link churning out so many different hardware versions for each routers and a lot of them have only 1 year of firmware updates and then it’s basically EoL.
I am currently using an old Asus RT-AC86U WiFi 5 which is EoL already on stock firmware. Third party firmware Asuswrt-Merlin may potentially push out one last update before 2026 so I need to be looking for a new router as well.
I have been looking into more and more OpenWrt. Asus’ TUF-AX4200 / TUF-AX6000, and GL.iNet GL-MT6000 are well regarded since it is using Mediatek’s Filogic 830 (they are more open source friendly compared to Qualcomm’s IPQ807*) and they can push 1 Gbps speed with WireGuard. If things get too complicated, I can always fall back on stock firmware too.
I also heard good reviews on Ubiquiti’s Cloud Gateways. You get those and just add access points.
I would love to get a Wi-Fi 7 router, but WiFi 6e is at a more comfortable price. As a former tech, I know you should get the latest but do I need the latest?
As someone who has had both WiFi 6e, and WiFi 7, I can comfortably say that most people will not notice any difference at all between the 2.
You might start to notice if you have internet bandwidth of like 10gbps or higher, and if you have a lot of heavy bandwidth devices such as several 4K TVs streaming constantly, gaming, VR setups all running at the same time. Then it might help a little with congestions/latency.
But as long as you are not pushing the limits, you won’t notice any difference.
To be honest, most people with 6e won’t notice any difference between 6 and 6e. And Sometimes 6e gives a worse experience than 6 because the 6GHz band is really only good for stationary devices. I hate it when my mobile devices connect to 6GHz (tried on multiple routers). I hate it so much I actually created a dedicated 5GHz SSID to make sure they just connect to that and never use 6GHz because it’s annoying.
6e is totally fine. I would stick with 6e and then upgrade to WiFi 8 later. You won’t notice any downside to skipping over WiFi 7 unless you’re a HEAVY bandwidth user of lots of devices and use critical latency applications.
I was watching a YouTube video, one of the advantages of 7 is how it connects to multiple bands, so it will look as if your phone, for example, is on 2 bands at once. This actually increases performance.
The multiple bands is intriguing but the 7 price points are outside my discretionary income.
I’ve had 6e for over a year now and love it, mainly because my 4 year old s21 ultra is the only device on my network that is 6e compatible. I get the whole 6gHz band to myself.
A year ago when I upgraded I was nervous about range, as the pundits seemed to agree the high band had very limited range. I found in practice that this was untrue. I have my phone set only connect to the 5 band or the 6 band. As I go between the living room (router) and office (3 drywalls away) the phone typically stays on the 6 band. Yes, speed is diminished a bit.
I’m watching the TP-Link story closely as I have about 20 TP-Link plugs, a couple of extenders, a couple of motion light switches. I don’t want to replace them if I don’t have to.
As far as the wifi 6, 6e, 7 debate I’m staying with 6e until wifi 8 is further defined or wifi 7 routers come down from the pricing stratosphere.
I don’t usually stay on the bleeding edge of technology and my Eero 6 has been good so far. I don’t see replacing them for at least another year. Also, most of my computing is done on a desktop computer with a gigabit ethernet, so WiFi 6e, 7 or 8 won’t make any difference.
Makes total sense. I got the 7 for my son during Black Friday and had additional discounts as well. The one I got was not the 1400 dollar one, it was the cheaper one that support matter / thread. Curious about that also.
I have a 6E as well, very impressed with it. Curious if you added the security package as a service?
I have to confess that I’ve had the same ISP for at least 30 years. Every year they up my speed and every 2-3 years they upgrade my router. All for no charge! I won’t say their name on this forum as I would be ostracized .
Are you referring to wpa3. If so then I only have 3 devices on wpa3. My phone and maybe my 2 v4’s.
BTW - I had an XB7 for 2-3 years. Never had a problem with Wyze cameras. Opps, did I give out the name of my ISP?
After being involved with everyone elses switches, firewalls, modems and routers for 30 years the last thing I wanted to do when I got home was to work on networking equipment. And my better half appreciates it because it always worked. And now that I’m retired what do I do—I work on everyones switches, firewalls, routers and modems.
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