Best Wi-Fi 6 Access Points Of 2023: Here’s Why You Should Upgrade Now
Whether at home or in the office, you’ll need a reliable access point to provide robust internet in the area. If you’re sick of slow internet speeds, upgrading your wireless access point is a game changer.
Older AP models have been well-established over the years. But with the latest Wi-Fi 6, APs have more advanced technologies. They’re faster, more reliable, and more stable.
We know you’ve been looking for the best Wi-Fi access points. So, we’ve weeded out the best APs for your home and office needs.
Ready? Let’s go!
Table of Contents
- What’s a Wireless Access Point?
- Best Overall: Netgear WAX620 WiFi 6 Access Point
- Best Budget: Netgear WAX214 WiFi 6 PoE Wireless Access Point
- Best Feature: TP-Link EAP660 HD WiFi 6 Access Point
- Best for Office: Ubiquiti U6-LR Wi-Fi 6 Access Point
- Honorable Mention: Zyxel WAX650S WiFi 6 Access Point
- What to look for in a Wireless Access Point
- The Bottomline
What’s a Wireless Access Point?
A wireless access point (WAP) is a device that allows people to connect to a wired network using Wi-Fi. These devices connect to a wired device like a router, switch, or hub and then broadcast the Wi-Fi within its range.
For example, you want to extend your Wi-Fi signal at the office’s entrance. But your main router is placed at one end far away from the reception desk.
It would be better to install an access point near where most employees likely spend their time. So you can install an AP near the entryway or reception desk – so they can stay connected while working!
Instead of just putting wireless routers around the office, you could install access points. They can handle over 60 simultaneous connections. This will allow improved network reliability by providing robust connectivity throughout your entire office wherever you go.
Wi-Fi 6 routers can handle access points with ease. That’s a difference between Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6. It can handle more bandwidth.
Best Overall: Netgear WAX620 WiFi 6 Access Point
The Netgear WAX620 is a power-house, high-performance processor wireless access point. On top of that, it comes with advanced technologies like OFDMA and MU-MIMO.
The MU-MIMO and OFDMA allow the WAP to manage many wireless devices. This includes gaming consoles, mobile devices, and smart home devices.
It’s ideal for offices and homes with a lot of internet users. The WAX620 stands out for its ability to deliver up to 40% more throughput to all connected devices.
What we love about this access point is its high and greater throughput of 2.5 GbE. The transmission speeds are faster and more reliable than other WAPs.
In addition, the dual-band supports up to 3.6 Gbps maximum speeds. The 2.4 GHz channel supports up to 1,200 Mbps. Then, the 5GHz band supports up to 2,400 Mbps.
The WAP’s flexible installation lets you install it up to 100 meters or 328 feet. Pretty broad, right? So whether you’re in a large room or office, you can rely on a fast and reliable internet connection.
If you ask us, the WAX620 is a very sound investment. Though it’s a bit expensive, the AP’s specs and performance make it all worth it.
Best Budget: Netgear WAX214 WiFi 6 PoE Wireless Access Point
The Netgear WAX214 is a WiFi 6 wireless access point aimed at the business technology audience.
The Netgear WAX214 is a budget-friendly AP for offices and homes. It has a maximum throughput of 573.5 Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and 1201 Mbps on the 5GHz band.
The WAX214’s Ethernet port supports PoE (Power over Ethernet). So you can easily set the WAX214 up anywhere around your home. You just need to plug it into an Ethernet switch.
This is a great, space-saving solution. Especially if you want to place or mount the WAX214 where power sockets or cables aren’t available.
This affordable piece of kit costs around $90. It’s perfect for those on a budget who need something flexible to adapt as their needs change over time.
Read: 5 Best Mesh Wi-Fi Systems in 2023: How to Choose the Best Mesh Router For You
Best Feature: TP-Link EAP660 HD WiFi 6 Access Point
Regarding security features and advanced built-in technologies, the TP-Link EAP660 is a game-changer. First off, the dual-band channels offer a maximum speed of 3.550 Mbps. The 2.4 GHz band goes up to 1148 Mbps, and the 5GHz band goes up to 2402 Mbps.
The TP-Link EAP660HD supports OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access). OFDMA routes data between multiple Wi-Fi clients and routers across separate channels. This allows more connected devices to achieve higher throughput speeds.
Additionally, the MU-MIMO gives the AP a higher capacity. The EAP660 can handle up to 100+ devices simultaneously. So, you’ll enjoy stable Wi-Fi signals while gaming or generating reports.
What we absolutely love about this access point are the wireless functions and security features.
- Omada Mesh
- Band Steering
- Load Balance
- Airtime Fairness
- Beamforming
- Captive Portal Authentication
- Transmit Power Control
- Cloud access
It might seem a lot to manage, but it’s actually very easy to use and set up. All these features and other personalization settings can be accessed on the Omada app.
Best for Office: Ubiquiti U6-LR Wi-Fi 6 Access Point
The Ubiquiti U6-LR is a long-range and highly powerful access point that supports 4 streams and WiFi 6. The 2.4 GHz channel provides a fast throughput of 600 Mbps, while the 5GHz band goes up to 2400 Mbps.
We recommend the U6-LR for its performance and capacity. The 5GHz channel supports 4×4 MU-MIMO and OFDMA. As for the 2.4 GHz channel, it supports 4X4 MU-MIMO. These built-in technologies allow the AP to manage multiple devices simultaneously.
On top of its impressive array of specs, the U6-LR is water and dust-resistant. This means you can install it indoors or outdoors! You can set it up and customize it on the website or the app.
Honorable Mention: Zyxel WAX650S WiFi 6 Access Point
The Zyxel WAX650S is one of the best WiFi 6 access points in the market. The 2.4 GHz and 5GHz throughput go up to 3550 Mbps. The 2.4 GHz channel goes up to 1150 Mbps, and the 5 GHz band goes up to 2400 Mbps.
It has 2 ethernet ports. One of the ports supports 1 GbE while the other supports 2.5 GbE and PoE. This allows the access point to have a faster transmission rate. So you’d get to enjoy fast, uninterrupted internet speeds.
Additionally, since it’s part of the Unified Pro series, you can use the WAX650S as a stand-alone wireless access point. You can use a local management system, the NXC controller, or the Nebula Could Center.
What we love about this is its fully compact design. It’s perfect for crowded office spaces and classrooms. On top of that, its ZON utility features make everything more accessible and convenient.
- IP configuration
- IP renew
- Device factory reset
- Device reboot
- Device locating
- Web GUI access
- Firmware upgrade
- Password configuration
So if you’re looking for an efficient AP in the office, it’s an excellent option for you.
What to look for in a Wireless Access Point
When choosing a Wireless Access Point (WAP), you should keep a few things in mind. A sound investment always comes from making the best decision for your needs.
- WiFi technology
Don’t forget to choose access points with the best technological advances, like WiFi 6 and MU-MIMO. These will keep everyone’s downloads, uploads, streams, gaming, and all other Wi-Fi activities snappy.
Make sure the AP(s) you choose can handle OFDMA as well, so everyone on your network works together.
The same goes for Power over Ethernet (PoE). It’s vital to check that any access point you choose comes equipped with this feature. It helps provide easy installation and less expensive wiring costs.
- Speed
Speed is of the essence when it comes to having a good internet connection. So make sure you choose an access point optimized for high throughput to get fast download and upload speeds.
- Price
It can be tempting to purchase the most expensive, ‘best of the best’ APs from your favorite vendor. It can be frustrating to lose money because you’ve purchased something that doesn’t offer desirable results.
Quality doesn’t always come with a price tag. So always research and seek out the information that will help you find great prices on top-notch wireless equipment!
These factors are essential to consider when choosing a WAP, as each will impact your overall experience with the device. If you take the time to consider your needs and compare different WAPs carefully, you’ll find the perfect one for you.
The Bottomline
If you ask us, the best WiFi 6 access points in 2023 are Netgear WAX620, Netgear WAX214, TP-Link EAP660, Ubiquiti U6-LR, and Zyxel WAX650S.
They tick all the boxes we’re looking for in a high-performing, excellent wireless access point. From WifI technology, speed, and price, these WAPs are a sound investment.
We hope our list helps you make the best decision for your home and office needs. Just take all your needs into careful consideration. We’re sure there’s an AP that’s just right for you!
1. Why are so many people expanding their network range by adding an additional wireless router when it seems more appropriate to install a extender device or wireless access point device?
2. Mesh systems are becoming popular but if you have a common L shaped home structure, where is the functionality?
Hi Roger,
1. Extenders are not as great as you’d think. Think about someone yelling down the street to you. You have to try to understand what was said and yell down the same road what you think you hear. There is signal loss per distance away from the AP. If you place an extender, you are only amplifying the original data + garbage. Simply installing multiple APs, you are always broadcasting clean data.
2. Mesh is handy for most people. For some, may not be so. For example, if you only use wifi on your pc and it stays in the same spot, you wouldn’t notice if you are on a mesh net or not. But if you use your phone and are using the wifi while walking around your home, you don’t need to get disconnected for a few seconds during the transfer. To each their own and of course, whatever suits you.