The mobile app has more options and the web interface is more detailed. It’s also easy to partition your bandwidth and set up guest networks. We also found that the app recognized most devices correctly (sometimes it was difficult to identify the device from the attributed hardware name in the router app). And with AiMesh support, you can easily add other Asus routers to expand your Wi-Fi system. The dedicated backhaul channel, the way the router communicates with the nodes and vice versa, is extremely fast and ensures you get the full speed of your internet connection even from nodes placed close to your backyard.
On the downside, my XT8 node initially refused the firmware update and it took several attempts to fix it. I also had an issue where my Sonos speaker would disappear, which was resolved by a factory reset. Overall, using the XT8 was smooth. It’s easy for anyone to use, but the rich options will satisfy even power users.
This affordable Wi-Fi 6 package offers decent coverage and performance while incorporating parental controls and antivirus protection, making it ideal for the average household. I tested the AX1800 3 pack and everything was very easy to set up. The three routers are very small and have a cylindrical design that blends in well. This is a dual-band system (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz). Each router has two Gigabit Ethernet ports.
Coverage and speed are OK, not quite as good as the Asus XT8, but better than the Eero 6 (below). The app is simple and setting up a guest network is easy. His HomeCare by TP-Link is free and enables antivirus protection and powerful parental controls by Trend Micro. It’s easy to set up a profile with time limits and bedtimes, there are basic filters by age, and you can see your activity both in the app and on the website.
Quality of Service features allow you to prioritize activities such as gaming and streaming, and set preferred devices. Importantly, the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands can be split and presented as two separate Wi-Fi networks. This is useful because some smart home devices only operate in the former band. Similarly, WPA2 and WPA3 security has a mixed mode. Only a few devices work with the new WPA3 standard, and some routers require you to choose between them, which can cause problems. This mode ensures that all gadgets comply with compatible standards.
The web interface is basic and doesn’t offer many extra features, so I preferred using the app as it was easy to use. However, updates are a bit slow and settings are still limited. Many devices were unrecognized and had obscure hardware manufacturer names listed, making it difficult to know which devices to add to your child’s profile.
Although it doesn’t have the fastest performance, this system is fast and reliable enough for the average home. If you have a connection of 500 Mbps or higher, Deco X60 AX3000.
Amazon’s Eero 6 mesh system is one of the easiest to set up, provides fairly wide coverage, and provides a stable connection. It’s an elegant system, available as three identical routers or (slightly cheaper) as a main router and two smaller nodes. The Eeros blends in nicely on a table or shelf, but its compact design leaves no room for ports. (The router has only two gigabit ports; the nodes have none.)
The basic Eero 6 was one of the slower systems we tested, especially over long distances, but the speeds from the nodes were close to the speeds we got from the main router. I found there were no drops and it was great for sharing limited bandwidth. The mobile app is simple and provides an overview of connected devices, along with options to pause the internet and set up a guest network. I was also able to create profiles, group devices, set schedules, and modify bedtimes. Unfortunately, content filtering, other parental controls, advanced security, ad blocking, and activity insights require an Eero Plus subscription, which costs $10 per month or $100 per year.
