Yes, some Wi-Fi 6 routers function well in real-world use.
Yes, some Wi-Fi 6 routers function well in real-world use.
I recently purchased an Asus AX3000 router hoping for a Wi-Fi 6 upgrade because some of my devices could use it. It’s been really frustrating. The 5GHz signal disappears frequently—every 20 to 60 seconds—and the 2.4GHz connection is extremely slow, often under 50Mbps. I searched for alternatives and found that most reviews for popular models are similar, even on pricier ones. Is Wi-Fi 6 just ineffective, or are there better options available? If not, which standard Wi-Fi 5 router would best utilize your gigabit internet in a small apartment?
WiFi 6 performs well, but your main issue seems to be the limited space in your apartment. Neighbors can easily interfere with both 2.4 and 5 GHz frequencies due to the lack of room. Upgrading to better hardware like WiFi 6E or a multi-band access point with separate high and low frequency radios would help significantly. Before investing in new gear, lock in your current 5 GHz channel to a specific frequency—ideally one that stays consistent daily. Reduce the 5 GHz bandwidth from 160 MHz to around 40 MHz and cap it at 20 MHz on the 2.4 GHz band. For top-tier solutions, consider a commercial-grade access point built for crowded areas. You don’t need to replace your router entirely; just turn off its built-in WiFi and switch to a dedicated device. Expect to spend roughly $250 for high-density 802.11ax routers (around $500 for more advanced 802.11ac models). Alternatively, use an Ethernet cable or MoCA for a quieter setup.
My Netgear AC router is functioning properly; the problem lies with the Asus device. Customer feedback on Amazon confirms this. The 5GHz band has less congestion here, while the 2.4GHz band remains stable. I’ll experiment with channel selection and width settings, as those might be affecting performance. I currently use Ethernet for all tasks, making my computer unusable otherwise. For an upgrade, consider Ubiquiti equipment. I’ve already tried setting a fixed channel and adjusted the 5GHz and 2.4GHz frequencies—changing to 80MHz on 5GHz and 20MHz on 2.4GHz helped fix the drop issues.
For those reading ahead, the signal issues you noticed point to a router having trouble in crowded environments. This causes it to switch channels rapidly and disconnect frequently. In quieter areas this would be manageable, but inside an apartment it creates major problems. Strong WAPs tend to hold their position longer, changing only every few days, which is a useful feature. Here, it seems the router can't be adjusted enough to fix the problem. Switching to static settings stops the channel hopping but may slightly reduce speed over time—a reasonable compromise. For strong performance in dense spaces, an Orbi 6E is ideal for most users due to its speed and ease of setup, though it comes at a higher cost. While Ubiquiti works reasonably well, other brands like Netgear Insight, Ruckus, Cisco, and Aruba perform better but need more technical expertise to configure.
I also like Zyxel a lot. What bothers me about Auto modes is when everyone is on auto, it can actually make things worse, especially if your neighbors' gear uses weaker channels or switches often. Having a fixed channel would "hopefully" help others avoid you since they notice the channel is consistently active. A major issue with 2.4Ghz is that many routers choose overlapping channels instead of sticking to just one, six, or eleven. Also, beginners don't understand how this works and that overlapping leads to much less stability because devices need to be on the same channel to detect if it's busy, not just perceive it as noisy.
I've only dabbled with Zyxel gear, though my experience has been limited. People often say it's not beginner-friendly and that the price doesn't always match quality. The auto channel feature is questionable—consumer routers tend to have outdated software and defaults that don’t impress. It’s tough to get a fair review since most users only test it briefly or rely on spec sheets instead of real use. Plus, with so many similar products on the market, things just feel inconsistent.
I agree with their view on the web interface—it looks too complex. I believe the cloud portal should address that issue, but I don’t want my WiFi to feel managed by the cloud. I get why a large campus might appreciate it, though. I’m just hoping OpenWRT support will come soon. Ubiquity removes the Access Points from their WebUI, which Zyxel adds, and once you rely on their controller, it becomes cluttered and hard to use. I’m focusing on Access Points instead of routers because I think it’s better to keep a router you like, disable WiFi, and place an Access Point where it covers the area best. The spot where broadband enters is usually not ideal, especially with ceiling mounting for optimal placement.