The “two fiddy” will secure you the AX1800 router plus 2 satellite extenders, which translates into Wi-Fi 6 coverage for up to 4500 square feet and more than 25 devices connected at the same time. It’s already sounding impressive, isn’t it?

Speaking of impressive specs, the MK63S is 1.5 faster than Wi-Fi 5, with speeds up to 1.8 GB/s, which translate into improved gaming, smooth UHD streaming and zero lag/waiting for content on your laptop, smartphone, gaming console, what have you.

Before we proceed with the actual review, we suggest you read our article about Mesh vs Wi-Fi routers, to get up to date with all the details before you go on a shopping spree, just to make sure you don’t spend your money on something that’s not actually required. The same goes for Mesh network vs Wi-Fi extender by the way.

Specs

WiFi Coverage: 4,500 sq.ft
Uplink & Downlink OFDMA: Improved capacity and efficiency
Simultaneous Dual-band: WiFi 6 AX1800 (1200 + 600Mbps)†
Explicit Beamforming: 2.4GHz & 5GHz bands
MU-MIMO capable: for simultaneous data streaming
CPU: Qual-Code 1.5GHz processor
Ports: One (1) WAN 10/100/1000Mbps Gigabit Ethernet port & One (1) LAN 10/100/1000Mbps Gigabit Ethernet port
Memory: 128MB Flash and 256MB RAM
Security:

• NETGEAR Armor – Advanced cyber threat protection for your home and your connected devices*.
• Standards-based WiFi Security (802.11i, 128-bit AES encryption with PSK).
• Guest WiFi Network is easy to set up separate & secure Internet access for guests.
• WPA3-Personal provides more robust password-based authentication even when your password it not very strong.
• Secure Boot ensures only trusted firmware can be used on the hardware and blocks unauthorized firmware tampering.
• Push Button WPS/SYNC support.

Design

If you have a big house and you’re shopping for the best router for gaming, the Nighthawk MK63 mesh system will definitely fit the bill, both in terms of design and performance. This 3-piece mesh router system consists of a primary router and two extra satellites for amazing long-range, and the kit is designed to deliver outstanding Wi-Fi 6 coverage and lightning-fast transfer speeds.

Design-wise, the MK63 looks like that black alien artifact from 2001 A Space Odyssey, i.e. it’s basically three tiny black cubes with some fancy Nighthawk branding and blue LEDs. The compact design of both the router and the satellites makes it easy to “camouflage”, i.e. you can basically drop them anywhere, even on a shelf or a window ledge, and forget about it.

Another cool design feature is that both the Ethernet cable and the power cable are very long, 2 meters each, so you can move them around easily while setting your gear up. We must mention the fact that all three units (the router and the satellites) are well built and feel sturdy, and there are no annoying antennas breaking the reflective black mesas (the plastic body for our millennial readers), as everything is well hidden inside the 122 x 122 x 64mm chassis.

The only visible difference between the satellites and the router itself is that the latter comes with 2 gigabit Ethernet ports, one to connect it to your modem, and the other for other devices. Each mesh unit weighs 287 grams.

What it is

To put it simply, the MK63 mesh system is aimed at hardcore users, which means Nighthawk focused on gaming and UHD streaming. More precisely, this high-tech router features the newest Wi-Fi 6 standard, aka 802.11ax, with dual-band Wi-Fi on the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, for a grand total of 1800 megabits per second (Mbps), as well as orthogonal frequency division multiple access or OFDMA, for reliable and fast Wi-Fi on numerous devices (up to 25) at the same time.

Be advised that in order to use the OFDMA feature, all the devices connected must support Wi-Fi 6; it’s also worth mentioning that the Wi-Fi 6 protocol is fully compatible with older mobile devices and computers that use 802.11ac Wi-Fi, it’s just you won’t be able to benefit from all the cool features and blazing fast transfer speeds.

The main router comes with 2 Ethernet ports, as we already told you, and that means it’s highly probable you’ll have to invest in a network switch if you own a ton of devices with Ethernet ports.

Set-up, Features, Performance

The good news is that the MK63 system is easy to set up via Nighthawk’s app, which works “out of the box” and detects automatically the primary router/the satellites, then gives you the option to scan a QR code so you can connect to your new network. In terms of ease of use, the MK63 really shines, and the only task for you is to create a secure password plus a couple of security questions, in order to log into the app itself.

The only downside of the app is that it’s, let’s say, very basic; in order to keep things as simple as possible, the app will create automatically a single network that puts together the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands, and this “simplicity” may annoy advanced users looking for the option to make separate networks for each band.

If you can get over the simpleton thing, the app has good features, including a built-in speed test, the option to create a guest network, plus a network map if you want to keep a close eye on all of the devices connected to your network. Parental controls are also here, but they’re basically an on/off switch to control network access for individual devices, nothing fancy about it.

Performance-wise, the MK63 is a champ, and if this is your first experience with a high-end Wi-Fi 6 capable router, you’ll be impressed by the router’s speed and connection quality.

Final word

You should definitely buy the MK63 if you’re a gamer looking for the speediest and lowest-latency Wi-Fi connection possible, as this router is everything about long-range coverage and high performance; also buy it if you have a big home with lots of gadgets, as the MK63 is pretty much future-proof and has the ability to provide reliable and smooth Wi-Fi to literally dozens of devices at the same time.

However, this new Wi-Fi 6 technology is basically an overkill for most home broadband devices, even if it’s super-fast and reliable; as in, if you just need a good router to get Wi-Fi into your bedroom upstairs, there are cheaper solutions.

As in, for something like $450, give or take, depending on where you source your product, you’ll get one hell of a tri-band Wi-Fi 6 mesh system which can replace regular routers and extenders setups and can cover over 6000 square feet or real estate, which is nothing short of impressive.

Before we proceed with the actual review, we suggest you read our article about Mesh network vs Wi-Fi extender.

Specs

• Connectivity Technology: Wi-Fi, Ethernet
• Brand: TP-Link
• Control Method: App
• Frequency Band Class: Tri-Band
• Wireless Communication Standard: 802.11n, 802.11b, 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11g
• Security Protocol: WPA2, WPA3, WPA
• Number of Ports: 4
• Data Transfer Rate: 6600 Megabits Per Second
• Antenna Type: Internal
• Controller Type: Amazon Alexa

What it is

To make a long story short, the TP-Link Deco X90 is arguably one of the fastest Wi-Fi 6 mesh systems we’ve ever reviewed, featuring an attractive design and a relatively high price, but after all’s said and done, this baby is definitely worth it, especially if you’re hunting for the best router for gaming money can buy.

For serious gamers, the quality of a given router is just as important as the gaming gear itself, and that includes long-range routers, a department in which the Deco X90 really shines.

Design

Design-wise, this TP-Link machine will look awesome in just about any environment, featuring interlocking curves that look pretty much like Art Deco (hence its name) or expressionist architecture. Moreover, the system is quite compact considering their power level, which means you’ll have zero issues with “product placement”.

Who’s it for

Considering the fact that you’ll get 6000 square feet of coverage from the dual-unit system, the Deco X90 is clearly aimed at covering a large house or a property with detached buildings. Moreover, the AI-driven technology makes things even better, as the router literally learns about your connected devices moving between nodes, and the same goes for neighboring connections.

Basically, the router understands what information is stored locally and doesn’t require upload into the cloud.

Performance and Features

The Deco X90 is the successor of the TP-Link Archer AX90, and it was designed to deliver the same amount of “brute force” (performance) in a more attractive and compact form factor. On top of that, you’ll get more consistent coverage, which makes it even better than the AX90.

Hardware-wise, the Deco X90 makes for an AX6600 tri-band Wi-Fi 6 router, which means it will split the 6.6Gbps of available wireless bandwidth into 574Mbps at 2.4GHz, 1201Mbps on the 5GHz band, and 4804Mbps on the 5GHz band.

Considering the fact that there are relatively few high-end machines capable of 2402 Mbps, your Wi-Fi 6 devices will max out at 1201Mbps, which is more than enough for professional gaming or UHD video streaming.

If this is all gibberish to you, the lesson to be taken home is that the Deco X90 is not a bottleneck for your system, regardless of your gear quality.

Speaking about performance and 6000 square feet coverage, if your property has a lot of interference, like brick or concrete walls, you must expect for significantly less coverage from this router, and that’s absolutely normal

Just so you know, even HVAC system may interfere with the quality of the coverage, and if that’s a big issue to you, you can always add more Deco nodes to your setup, at extra cost obviously.

Each of the two nodes supplied in the retail package comes with 2 Ethernet ports. One of these is capable of 2.5 Gbps, and both ports can be used as LAN or WLAN, and they’ll switch automatically. Ethernet can also be used as a mesh backhaul if you’re encountering problems with your wireless link.

However, most users will stick to a wireless mesh link, and considering TP Link’s cutting-edge AI-drive technology, this would make for the sensible (and best in terms of performance) option in the Deco X90. The AI technology works by constantly retrieving and collecting data about signal strength in your connected devices and neighboring signals, and uses the respective data to optimize connections on the fly if something that interferes with the mesh-link (like an HVAC or microwave oven).

The AI-driven technology is also capable of reacting to changes in the environment, for example your neighbors upgrading their routers, and improve switching by determining when it makes the most sense to move your connection to the next node.

Basically, the router helps connected devices (smartphones, gaming consoles, you name it) to find their way to the closest node, and since the AI data is stored locally, there’s no security issue with uploading sensitive data on random servers owned by chicoms or whomever.

Everything pertaining to your private data is stored and processed on your router, and that’s a great feature in our book. The TP-Link app can be downloaded and installed on Android and iOS devices and will make your life easier if you want to set up your mesh system like a pro due to its clear and user-friendly interface.

Once you’ll figure it out, you’ll be able to change basic settings, see your connected devices and which node they’re on, and even use the parental controls with content filtering feature. Speaking of the latter, you’ll get custom profiles, so you can change settings quickly.

What’s weird about such a high-tech router is the total lack of advanced settings. If you’re looking to customize settings, just like with an old-school router, you may be disappointed. Other people will definitely appreciate the simplicity of the Deco X90, so the jury is still out on this issue.

However, you’ll still get the important stuff, like DHCP settings, port forwarding, operation modes and IPV6, so all is not lost with this TP-Link gizmo. One cool thing about this system is that both modules can function as master and/or slave, since the master and slave units aren’t designated by default.

The only thing that we didn’t like, except from the high price tag, is the strange fact that TP-Link failed to add USB ports to this mesh system. As in, you cannot connect to external storage devices, such as a printer, NAS (short for Network Attached Storage), or hard drive, and to some, this may be a deal-breaker.

Final word

You should buy the Deco X90 if money is no object, you want to show that you have exquisite, taste, and, joke aside, you already have Wi-Fi 6 devices, need coverage for your huge real estate with multi-gig speeds, and can appreciate free parental controls. If you have a lot of gear that run on 2.4 Ghz, look for something cheaper.

Retailing for significantly less than two hundred bucks, the Archer A20 AC4000 comes with a ton of features, and solid performance for congested networks, which means it offers very fast file transfer performance and solid throughput, not to mention a rich suite of built-in network security tools and comprehensive parental controls. But let’s not anticipate.

Before we proceed with the tech-specs, keep in mind that the 6 (!) antennae are designed to literally obliterate Wi-Fi dead spots, and while we’re at it, check out this article on the best Wi-Fi router for long-range, especially if you’re on a tight budget.

Also, before you go on a shopping spree, make sure you know the difference between 2.4 ghz and 5 ghz Wi-Fi.

Let’s begin with the tech specs.

Performance
AC4000
(750 Mbps + 1,650 Mbps + 1,650 Mbps)
Frequency
Tri-band
2.4 GHz, 5 GHz-1, 5 GHz-2
Processor
1.8 GHz 64-bit quad-core CPU
Three co-processors
Memory
512 MB RAM
Wireless standards
802.11a/b/g/n/ac
Antennas
Six external
Ports
One USB-A 3.0
One USB-A 2.0
Ethernet
Four LAN
One WAN
Additional features
MU-MIMO, Smart Connect, RangeBoost, Link Aggregation, Quality of Service, Antivirus, Parental Controls

What is it

To make a long and boring story short and sweet, the TP-Link Archer A20 is the last router you’ll ever have to buy for your smart home. The thing is, home networks are becoming increasingly congested, due to the proliferation of smart stuff (appliances, speakers, appliances, sex dolls, you name it), and the TP-Link Archer A20 is the final solution to any congestion problem.

Speaking of congestion, if you add into the mix smartphones, gaming consoles, streaming players, tablets, laptops etc. you’ll start to understand why TP-Link put 6 antennae on this router. So, this is basically a tri-band router that offers robust parental controls, solid throughput and no less than 3 years of free network security courtesy of Trend Micro.

The router is fairly easy to setup and install via its mobile app or using a web console, and it’s an excellent choice for both fast file transfer performance and downloading stuff/moving large blocks of data.

Design and Features

In terms of design, TP-Link didn’t try very hard to convince you that this is not a router but something from outer space. As in, the Archer A20 looks very much like its siblings, sharing the same design TP-Link used in several previous routers.

Everything is shrouded in black plastic, and the outer shell of the router features several breathing holes across the top and bottom, designed to dissipate heat.

Design-wise, the router looks unassuming and pretty much unremarkable, but you’ll definitely notice the six antennas, 3 on each side, which would make it pretty hard to miss. Also, the router is relatively compact, measuring 7.9 x 7.9 x 1.5 inches (200 x 200 x 39 mm), except from the antennas, which measure 4.5 inches (114 mm) when extended.

The front of the router is home to the regular batch of system lights, which indicate the status of each Wi-Fi band, connected USB devices and your internet connection. You’ll also discover a WPS button that will help you with connecting wireless devices nice and easy, a button to put the router in “sleep” (night) mode (lights off), and a toggle for killing the Wi-Fi signal (on/off).

As usual with high-performance routers, the Archer A20 sports 4 Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports around the rear, 1 USB-A 3.0 port, plus 1 USB-A 2.0 port, as well as a power switch and a reset button. We’re glad to discover the USB 3.0 port, which is great for connecting media drives for easy access across your home network from all devices, and truth be told, this is something you don’t always find on affordable routers.

Hardware Stuff

If you’re a technology fiend, you’ll definitely love this section, because here you will understand what your money will buy you, and if it’s worth the trouble: the Archer A20 runs on a Broadcom 1.8GHz quad-core CPU and 512MB of RAM.

Since this is an AC4000 router, it means it can reach maximum signal rates of 750Mbps on the 2.4GHz radio band and 1,625Mbps on each of the two 5GHz radio bands (tri-band baby!). The router uses Wave 2 802.11ac tech, which means MU-MIMO simultaneous data streaming, direct-to-client signal beamforming, and SmartConnect (automatic band steering) support.

Needless to say, we have zero complaints in terms of “value for money”, i.e. this is an impressive router considering the price asked.

Setup and Management

Most importantly, this advanced router is fairly easy to set up, even for non tech-savvy users. Setting it up is a simple process, especially if you download and install TP-Link’s Tether app for iOS and Android smartphones. You can also use the web interface if you’re an advanced user.

The app makes the installation process a child’s play, being one of the most user-friendly ways to sort things up. All you have to do is to plug all your devices/cables into your router, turn it on, download and open the app and get things started. The app will guide you through the process step by step, and you’ll have to pick your network name, assign a password, and choose which WiFi bands you want to use.

With the setup process taken care of, the app will allow you to tinker with various settings, as it acts as a more simplified and user-friendly version of the web interface. The app also allows you to quickly check for firmware updates, see a list of devices connected to your router, reset the router by remote, and see which bands are in use.

Moreover, the Tether app becomes very useful when it comes to turning on guest networks and connecting your router to cool services like Amazon’s Alexa and IFTTT (If This Then That) for voice control and automation.

However, the web interface offers a more robust set of customization options, including turning on and adjusting the built-in Antivirus powered by Trend Micro, Quality of Service (QoS) to prioritize traffic and parental controls.

Basically, the web interface allows you an “in-depth” immersion into your router’s settings, but for most people, this is esoteric stuff, as in you’ll never have to touch things like granular DNS and MAC settings in the web interface.

But, if you’re trying to enable features like Smart Connect, which dynamically switches your devices between 5GHz and 2.4GHz to maintain the best connection and combines the 3 WiFi bands under one SSID, the only way to go is via web interface.

Performance

Due to its solid hardware, the router will meet and exceed basically anyone’s expectations for home use. The TP-Link Archer A20 has a total output of 4,000 Mbps, which is split between 750 Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and 1,650 Mbps on each of the 2x 5GHz bands.

Basically, these speeds are overkill compared to what you’re likely to encounter in virtually any real-life scenario, that if you’re a typical home-user and not a hacker, crypto-bug or whatever.

Final word

If you’re looking for a solid AC4000 MU-MIMO Tri-Band WiFi Router, the Archer A20 comes highly recommended.

This is definitely not an affordable router, but it comes loaded with all the technological bells and whistles one can dream of in the current year, features like Dual Band Gigabit Wireless which basically obliterates Wi-Fi dead spots, strong Wi-Fi 6 performance for long-range and so on and so forth.

And while we’re at it, check out this article on the best Wi-Fi router for long-range, especially if you’re on a tight budget and you don’t require all the fancy gaming features. Also, before you go on a shopping spree, make sure you know the difference between 2.4 ghz and 5 ghz Wi-Fi.

Let’s begin with tech specs.

Specs:

• Processor: 1.5 GHz tri-core processor
• Memory: 256 MB Flash, 512 MB RAM
• Ports: RJ45 for 10/100/1000 BaseT for WAN x 1, RJ45 for 10/100/1000 BaseT for LAN x 4 USB 3.2 Gen 1 x 1
• Encryption: WPA3-Personal, WPA2-Personal, WPA-Personal, WPA-Enterprise , WPA2-Enterprise , WPS support
• Wi-Fi Technology: OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access), Beamforming: standard-based and universal, 1024-QAM high data rate, 20/40/80/160 MHz bandwidth
• Dimensions: 275.5 x 184.4 x 165 mm (WxDxH) with antenna, 275.5 x 184.4 x 65 mm (WxDxH) without antenna
• Weight: 740 g

What it is

The ASUS AX5400 ticks off a lot of boxes for gaming aficionados, making for an ideal router for both gaming and streaming, due to its impressive Wi-Fi 6 performance.

However, this machine does not cost a fortune compared to other brands, and the Asus proprietary app is great for newcomers, and also provides solid security features and parental controls. Moreover, Asus offers a strong web browser interface for advanced users and gamers.

Keep in mind that this is not a ROG product, which means there are better and more expensive Asus gaming routers out there. Even if the RT-AX82U doesn’t’ really play in the same league as ROG routers, you’ll still receive a lot of gaming router for the money asked.

Basically, this router is crafted for casual gaming and video streaming, being significantly faster compared to conventional 802.11ac routers, while providing a comprehensive set of features for smart homes that require fast and reliable Wi-Fi.

Design and features

Even if the router doesn’t wear the ROG logo, it definitely looks like a gaming router, due to its sharply angular design, low profile and the aggressive 4 large antennae that look like they want to stab your enemies, both foreign and domestic. The front panel features a pair of alien eyes, or, to be more precise, 2 small LED panels that can glow in a variety of colors, and you can use the Asus app to choose between plethoras of auras that strobe through different color sequences.

Design-wise, this router looks spectacular, especially if you’re young at heart, but gaming gimmickry aside, the Asus RT-AX82U really means business, featuring dual-band Wi-Fi 6 (aka 802.11ax) with a top speed of 5400Mbps (5.4Gbps).

Before you complain, we know, there are faster gaming routers out there, for example the Asus RoG Capture, which offers 11 Gbps transfer speeds, but we’re not talking about the same price range, i.e. the latter is way more expensive. Now, since the ASUS AX5400 doesn’t come with a modem, it takes care of things via a dedicated Gigabit Ethernet port for connecting to your existing modem or router, so there are zero issues with using your broadband connection.

The router also has 4 extra Gigabit Ethernet ports, which means you can connect your smart TV and your gaming console hassle-free for a lag-free gaming experience. One of the ports is designated as the “gaming port”, which means it has priority over the other devices connected; finally, there’s a “solitary” USB 3.1 port that comes handy for sharing a USB storage device like an external hard disk on your home network, plus a power switch that’s useful for router reboots.

Set-up and performance

The router walks the golden path in regard to striking the perfect balance between ease of use for tech noobs and advanced features for “gosu” gamers. Basically, even if you’re a greenhorn buying his first gaming router, you’ll have zero issues with setting this bad boy up. The retail package even includes a printed manual, but who reads instruction manuals these days, amirite?

You have basically 2 options to set up your router, but the quick and easy way is to go for the app, more precisely the Asus router app for Android and iOS smartphones. The advanced web browser interface is for tech geeks only, but it also offers a more comprehensive way to tinker with your Wi-Fi and network settings.

The Asus Router app starts by offering you the option to set up distinct networks on the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands, or, if one so inclined, to merge the 2 bands together into a single network. This is a nice touch from Asus, and the only complaint we have is that the router’s default network is not password protected for whatever reason.

The Asus Router app has all the features required for a normal user, including setting up a guest network and solid parental controls. There’s even a security feature available, called AiProtection, that protects your home network from hacking attempts via malicious websites or malware, while being absolutely free of charge.

The app also features a Mobile Gaming mode, for prioritizing mobile devices in order to provide maximum performance, as well as specific tasks, like video streaming. The web browser interface is even better in this regard, as it allows you to select other devices for gaming priority, and even use that USB port to set up a hard drive for Time Machine back-ups on a Mac.

Performance-wise, the router really shines considering the price asked, as in we have zero complaints at this price point in terms of data transfer speed, both on the 5 Ghz and the 2.4 Ghz band. Also, the app and the web interface are providing versatile controls and features that are suitable for both non gamers and gamers alike, making the router an excellent option for anyone looking for fast and affordable Wi-Fi.

Firmware Upgrades

It’s a known fact that older firmware may be plagued by security issues, and companies regularly update their devices to stay in touch with the latest security threats. In this regard, Asus did a great job with their router, as the RT-AX82U offers a step in the setup process to upgrade the firmware to the latest version, which is a nice touch.

This cool feature makes sure that all the latest security updates are applied, along with bug fixes.

Final word

The RT-AX82U makes for a solid upper mid-range gaming-focused router, and offers amazing value for money performance-wise, as well as integrated security and ease of use. Buy it if you’re a casual gamer/video streamer, and especially if you’ve got kids, as the router provides solid control features for protecting your kids from unsuited material and things of that nature.

Don’t buy it if you’re on a tight budget and especially if you’re not a gamer, as this router is overkill for “normie” use.