Meet the 6th Generation of WiFi
Wi-Fi 6 is designed to improve speed, increase efficiency and reduce congestion in heavy bandwidth usage scenarios
What is Wi-Fi 6? (as known as AX WiFi)
Wi-Fi 6 is the next generation standard in WiFi technology. Wi-Fi 6 also known as “AX WiFi" or "802.11ax WiFi” builds and improves on the current 802.11ac WiFi standard. Wi-Fi 6 was originally built in response to the growing number of devices in the world. If you own a VR device, multiple smart home devices, or simply have a large number of devices in your household, then a Wi-Fi 6 router might just be the best WiFi router for you. In this guide, we’ll go over Wi-Fi 6 routers and break down how they’re faster, increase efficiency, and are better at transferring data than previous generations.
Explosively Fast WiFi up to 9.6 Gbps
Ultra-Smooth Streaming
Wi-Fi 6 uses both 1024-QAM to provide a signal packed with more data (giving you more efficiency) and a 160 MHz Channel to provide a wider channel to make your WiFi faster. Experience stutter-free VR or enjoy stunningly vivid 4K and even 8K streaming.
4x More Capacity for More Devices
Ideal for Crowded Networks
Wi-Fi 6 uses 8x8 uplink/downlink, MU-MIMO, OFDMA, and BSS Color to provide up to 4x larger capacity and to handle more devices. Come home to a virtually flawless smart home experience or throw house parties with a network built to handle all your guests and their devices.
PHY | Number of data subcarriers |
Coding rate | Bits/symbol | Time per OFDM symbol (0.4μs GI) |
1SS | 4SS | 8SS | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
802.11ac | 234 (80 MHz) | × 5/6 | × log2(256) | ÷ 3.6 µs | = | 433.3 Mbps | 1.74 Gbps | NA |
802.11ax | 1960 (160 MHz) | × 5/6 | × log2(1024) | ÷ 13.6 µs | = | 1.2 Gbps | 4.8 Gbps | 9.6 Gbps |
Pack More Data
with 1024-QAM
25% faster than 256-QAM
With 1024-QAM, each symbol carries 10 bits rather than 8 bits, improving raw speeds by 25% compared to 802.11ac 256-QAM. Watch Netflix at home or live stream Twitch Broadcasts from your home computer – with 1024-QAM, streaming just got that much better.
802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) | 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) | |
---|---|---|
Number of Data Subcarriers | 234 | 980 |
Symbol Duration(μs) | 3.6 (3.2 symbol + 0.4 GI) | 13.6 (12.8 symbol + 0.8 GI) |
Valid Data Subcarriers Rate | 65 | 72.05882 |
Improvement | 1.108597 |
More Speed and
Greater Stability
4x Longer OFDM Symbol
OFDM is a symbol that transmits data. It divides its data among smaller sub carriers for more stability and wider coverage. AX WiFi uses a 4x longer OFDM symbol to create 4x more sub carriers. Because of this, Wi-Fi 6’s longer OFDM symbol provides increased coverage and makes it 11% faster. Enjoy rock solid coverage from your garage to the second story and get ultra-fast connections for all your smart home, mobile, gaming and desktop devices in between.
More Bandwidth on a Wider Channel
160 MHz Channel Width
Wi-Fi 6 expands the WiFi band from 80 MHz to 160 MHz, doubling the channel width and creating a faster connection from your router to the device. With Wi-Fi 6, you can enjoy 8K movies, large file downloads and uploads, and responsive smart home devices – all without buffering.
Increased Efficiency with OFDMA
Make Latency A Thing of The Past
The Wi-Fi 6 standard uses OFDMA for increased efficiency. Imagine your WiFi connection as a series of delivery trucks delivering data packets to your devices. With 802.11ac WiFi, each delivery truck or “packet” could only deliver one parcel to one device at a time. But with OFDMA, each truck can deliver multiple parcels to multiple devices simultaneously. This vast improvement in efficiency works for both uploads and downloads.
-
WaitingClient 2WaitingData Transmitted
802.11ac | without OFDMA
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Client 1Client 2Client 3Data Transmitted
802.11ax | OFDMA
Connect to
More Devices Simultaneously
With 8 x 8 MU-MIMO
With traditional MU-MIMO, multiple users can access the router simultaneously without any noticeable decreases in bandwidth quality– up to a point. However, with 8 x 8 MU-MIMO, more than 8 streams are available for users to choose from. And whereas 802.11ac MU-MIMO only works for downloads, 8 x 8 MU-MIMO works with both uploads and downloads. This means that whether you’re streaming, downloading, torrenting, playing VR/AR, MMO’s or RPG’s; with Wi-Fi 6’s 8 streams, there’s more than enough bandwidth for everyone.
Minimize WiFi Conflicts with Your Neighbor
With Wi-Fi 6’s BSS Color
Interference from your neighbors' wireless networks can cause issues with your wireless signal. BSS (Base Service Station) Color, marks frames from neighboring networks so that your router can ignore them. If you’ve ever lived in an apartment or close to your neighbors, this means that your router just became that much more efficient – no extra work required.
Reduce Power Consumption
With Target Wake Time
Target Wake Time (TWT) allows devices to negotiate when and how often they will wake up to send or receive data, increasing device sleep time and substantially improving battery life for mobile and IoT devices.
Delivering Wi-Fi 6 to All
An Overview of Wi-Fi 6
The Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) was introduced in 2018 and built on the Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac). It is designed to improve speed, increase efficiency and reduce bandwidth congestion.
Features to Lookout in Wi-Fi 6
With the advanced innovation in Wi-Fi technology, Wi-Fi 6 has better speed and scalability compared to Wi-Fi 5. These include:
- Wi-Fi speeds up to 9.6 Gbps. Wi-Fi 6 uses 1024-QAM signals with more data, a 160 MHz channel, for faster wireless internet—experience stutter-free VR with 4K and 8K streaming.
- 4× more capacity. WiFi 6 uses 8×8 uplink/downlink to provide up to 4× capacity. Come to an ideal smart home or throw parties with a network handling all your guests’ devices!
- Reduced power consumption. Devices can negotiate when and how they wake up to send or receive data, increasing device sleep time and improving battery life.
- Backward compatibility. Wi-Fi 6 takes your Wi-Fi to the next level while backward compatible with previous Wi-Fi standards.
Everyone’s Connection: Wi-Fi 6
TP-Link is the number one brand for Wi-Fi solutions for over ten years. The brand provides next-generation AX line of routers, mesh Wi-Fi systems, and range extenders. TP-Link is committed to serving the latest technology, featuring products and prices from entry-level to high-end.
Archer AX11000
The CES award-winning AX11000 Tri-band Gaming Router brings Wi-Fi to a superior level with over 10 Gbps, demolishing interference. It is an accelerator that optimizes streams with a HomeCare security system and a network analyzer with its finely tuned UI. The Archer AX11000 includes many connectivity options, including a WAN port, eight Gigabit LAN ports, and two USB 3.0 in Type A and Type C.
Archer AX72
Combining Wi-Fi 6, the Archer AX72 provides six data streams to open bandwidth and operate devices at full speed. It boasts up to 5,378 Mbps, perfect for 8K streaming. Six high-gain antennas deliver boosted Wi-Fi signals in network-safe Homeshield. The Archer AX72 also contains improved vents to lessen heat during usage.
Archer AX6000
As the first Wi-Fi 6 router launched by TP-Link, Archer AX6000 is equipped with a 2.5 Gigabit WAN port and 8× Gigabit LAN ports. It achieves up to 1,148 Mbps while providing up to 4× higher capacity to handle traffic-dense environments.
Archer AX23
Archer AX23 provides dual-band connections up to 1.8 Gbps. It is perfect for 4K streaming and short download times. The router outperforms all other AX1800 routers that TP-Link has tested at a lower price. It surpasses competitors while saving energy.
Archer AX10
The Archer AX10 may be a good choice if you have a limited budget. It is the first product to offer Wi-Fi 6 at a cost similar to a Wi-Fi 5 router and speeds of 1,500 Mbps. The router features a 1.5GHz Triple-Core CPU that gives an instant response to your network.
Whole Home Mesh Wi-Fi 6 System Deco X50
With Wi-Fi 6 technology, the Mesh Wi-Fi 6 system Deco X50 is designed to boost seamless coverage. It can connect up to 150 devices without dragging, featuring 3× Gigabit ports for sufficient connectivity. The Whole Home Mesh Wi-Fi 6 System Deco X50 is available in 1-pack, 2-pack, and 3-pack variants.
AX Ranger Extender RE605X
With speeds up to 1,800 Mbps, RE605X extends Wi-Fi 6 to smart devices, computers, and gaming consoles. It works with the TP-Link AX line to upgrade your network so that it can provide you with the best Internet experience possible.
TP-Link Wi-Fi 6 Products
Range Extenders
Adapters
Wi-Fi Routers
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TL-WR1502X
AX1500 Wi-Fi 6 Travel Router
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Archer Air R5
AX3000 Dual-Band Wi-Fi 6 Air Router
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Archer AX12
AX1500 Wi-Fi 6 Router
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Archer AX53
AX3000 Dual Band Gigabit Wi-Fi 6 Router
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Archer AX80
AX6000 8-Stream Wi-Fi 6 Router with 2.5G Port
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Archer AX95
AX7800 Tri-Band 8-Stream Wi-Fi 6 Router
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Archer AX72
AX5400 Dual-Band Gigabit Wi-Fi 6 Router
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Archer AX10
AX1500 Wi-Fi 6 Router
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Archer AX23
AX1800 Dual-Band Wi-Fi 6 Router
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Archer AX11000
AX11000 Tri-Band Wi-Fi 6 Gaming Router
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Archer GX90
AX6600 Tri-Band Wi-Fi 6 Gaming Router
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Archer AX55
AX3000 Dual Band Gigabit Wi-Fi 6 Router
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Archer AX55 Pro
AX3000 Multi-Gigabit Wi-Fi 6 Router with Two 2.5G Ports
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Archer AX1500
AX1500 Wi-Fi 6 Router
Deco
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Deco X20
AX1800 Whole Home Mesh Wi-Fi 6 System
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Deco X50
AX3000 Whole Home Mesh WiFi 6 System
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Deco X50-PoE
AX3000 Whole Home Mesh WiFi 6 System with PoE
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Deco X20-4G
4G+ AX1800 Whole Home Mesh WiFi 6 Gateway (Availability based on region)
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Deco X50-5G
5G AX3000 Whole Home Mesh WiFi 6 Gateway (Availability based on regions)
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Deco X80
AX6000 Dual-Band Mesh WiFi 6 System
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Deco X50-4G
4G+ AX3000 Whole Home Mesh WiFi 6 Gateway (Availability based on region)
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Deco X80-5G
5G Whole Home Wi-Fi 6 Gateway (Availability based on regions)
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Deco X55
AX3000 Whole Home Mesh WiFi 6 Unit
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Deco X60
AX5400 Whole Home Mesh Wi-Fi 6 System
Ceiling Mount
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EAP683 UR
AX6000 Ceiling Mount WiFi 6 Access Point
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EAP650
AX3000 Ceiling Mount WiFi 6 Access Point
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EAP610
AX1800 Ceiling Mount WiFi 6 Access Point
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EAP613
AX1800 Ceiling Mount WiFi 6 Access Point
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EAP653
AX3000 Ceiling Mount WiFi 6 Access Point
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EAP673
AX5400 Ceiling Mount WiFi 6 Access Point
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EAP670
AX5400 Ceiling Mount WiFi 6 Access Point
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EAP680
AX6000 Ceiling Mount WiFi 6 Access Point
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EAP660 HD
AX3600 Wireless Dual Band Multi-Gigabit Ceiling Mount Access Point
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EAP620 HD
AX1800 Wireless Dual Band Ceiling Mount Access Point
Wall Plate