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The routers worth buying in 2021

With new, affordable mesh systems and the arrival of faster Wi-Fi 6 speeds, now’s a great time to upgrade your router. Here are our top picks. You can see the products featured in this video here 👇 TP-Link Archer AX21: NETGEAR Orbi RBK13: Asus RT-AX86U: TP-Link Deco W7200: Linksys Hydra Pro 6E: Netgear Orbi AX6000:…

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With new, affordable mesh systems and the arrival of faster Wi-Fi 6 speeds, now’s a great time to upgrade your router. Here are our top picks.

You can see the products featured in this video here 👇
TP-Link Archer AX21:
NETGEAR Orbi RBK13:
Asus RT-AX86U:
TP-Link Deco W7200:
Linksys Hydra Pro 6E:
Netgear Orbi AX6000:
*CNET may get a commission from these offers.

0:00 Intro
0:28 Wi-Fi 6 Basics
1:59 Mesh Routers
5:24 Gaming Routers?
6:17 Wi-Fi 6e
8:04 Early Adopters

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48 Comments

48 Comments

  1. Papa Bell

    November 16, 2021 at 2:25 pm

    Thank you

  2. Kevin Sewell

    November 16, 2021 at 2:31 pm

    This video was beyond helpful. Thank you!

  3. NextNate03

    November 16, 2021 at 2:36 pm

    There is at least 1 thing that nobody ever mentions about WiFi routers.

    You can buy the best WiFi router money can buy, it does not mean anything if you have bad internet.

    • Amir Moradi

      November 16, 2021 at 3:55 pm

      Well even if your home internet sucks it can still be meaningful for your home network if you move data across devices. For example if you use a computer as a home media hub to stream videos to other devices

  4. Brandon Watkins

    November 16, 2021 at 2:44 pm

    I went on an amazon return spree and found out Wi-Fi 6E vs 6 is a game changer if you’re living in a highly populated area. Night and day difference, had to upgrade my wireless card on my desktop but worth it by far.

  5. Bryant A

    November 16, 2021 at 2:45 pm

    If you’re not talking about 6E, you’re misleading everyone. 6E has the 6ghz spectrum and wifi 6 does not.

  6. jimmyjohnn19

    November 16, 2021 at 2:49 pm

    foil covers the top of can, when it is removed, the glue from the foil is left over the mouth area of can. Glue should not be at lip of where I drink product.

  7. Walter Rivera

    November 16, 2021 at 3:09 pm

    Great video. I live in an apartment. I’ve never had issues with range. But I suspect I have bad Internet because of the amount of devices I have on my network. Anywhere from 15 to 20 devices. I have one computer hooked up through ethernet and it always has a solid connection. I’ve been told to get a mesh system but I figured those were just for people who needed more range. Any recommendations on routers? For my specific need?

    • Jav C

      November 16, 2021 at 7:32 pm

      i am pretty much wondering the very same but i don’t have anywhere near the number of devices you have hooked up. my internet cable is 1200 MBPS, which I believe is the top plan they offer.

  8. Bob

    November 16, 2021 at 3:25 pm

    I get really annoyed that modern routers (mesh especially) don’t list what features they have. Same goes for this video. Basic features like static IP leasing, viewing connected hosts, traffic monitor, enabling/disabling NAT, DHCP, or UPnP, adjusting wireless channels, signal strength, and viewing a system log. I see these as basic features yet they are so frequently ignored. It seems that speed is the only thing marketed. But good luck setting up a network printer.

  9. Rooftop923

    November 16, 2021 at 3:29 pm

    As always great videos and I like it when you said router are getting friendly but costumer assistance suck’s once your warranty expires,because they ask for your credit card upfront.

  10. Seascape Feedback

    November 16, 2021 at 3:34 pm

    great video, good job

  11. S M

    November 16, 2021 at 3:45 pm

    Of those routers do any of them have built in VPN systems?

  12. Jferrari427

    November 16, 2021 at 4:03 pm

    Routers….the only tech product you forget exists until it stops working.

  13. YouTube Ed

    November 16, 2021 at 4:16 pm

    Bad signal when I’m inside toilet taking a dump

  14. Scientifish

    November 16, 2021 at 4:18 pm

    Another awsome Cnet video for us tech-interested noobs 😄👍

  15. SolarizeYourLife

    November 16, 2021 at 4:55 pm

    Don’t buy 6e, way overpriced…but buy any wifi 6 router

  16. Nyankana

    November 16, 2021 at 4:59 pm

    The best router is pretty much useless if it’s not supported by any custom firmware. The retail softwares are often piece of crap, and often rarely gets updated.

    • Syarif Airlangga

      November 17, 2021 at 2:15 pm

      True …
      Original firmware mostly a joke.
      Too many limitation.

  17. Jav C

    November 16, 2021 at 5:39 pm

    This video could not show up at a better time for me. I have been wanting to purchase my own router finally but I have no idea which one to get. My Wi-Fi is at the top tier as far as speed and I’m tired of “renting” my router from my cable provider 🙁
    I am a newbie to this topic so please understand that-Who here can recommend a router for my small home with a few laptops and a few iPhones used daily? Thank you!

    • B Ella69

      November 17, 2021 at 3:57 pm

      You’re most likely renting a gateway rn. If you want to buy your own, you’ll need to find a modem as well as a router, as a gateway provides both functions. You can buy whatever router you want, but you’ll probably have to buy a modem that’s ok’d (they call it provisioning) by your internet service provider.

  18. Giuseppe Bistecca

    November 16, 2021 at 6:06 pm

    Video about routers; fucuses exclusively on ap functionality instead of routing

  19. Dominic Laurent

    November 16, 2021 at 6:35 pm

    Good video, but I still miss Dong Ngo!

  20. shamar white

    November 16, 2021 at 8:01 pm

    Good video fr

  21. buddhanecklace

    November 16, 2021 at 8:04 pm

    Any recommendations for Router/Modem combos?

    • EvanSquared

      November 16, 2021 at 10:05 pm

      They’ve fallen out of favor because if you have one and either the router or the modem part fail you have to replace the whole thing. Plus it’s easier and cheaper to keep both devices up to date separately. I used to have a combo, but ditching it has turned out to be a good choice.

    • B Ella69

      November 17, 2021 at 3:58 pm

      @EvanSquared Same.

  22. Lawrence Brennan

    November 16, 2021 at 8:57 pm

    I came to learn about routers, but ended up just admiring your home. Nice digs!

  23. EvanSquared

    November 16, 2021 at 10:01 pm

    Be sure to check Black Friday sales – I got an Orbi tri-band a few years ago November, which would have been too expensive for my budget but it was $150 off during Black Friday. Made a huge difference in my internet and local file sharing speeds; the old router still worked, but was way overdue for replacement.

  24. Santiago Fontana

    November 16, 2021 at 11:18 pm

    Why not mention Ubiquiti? Or google wifi?

    • lolboy -

      November 17, 2021 at 8:21 am

      they didnt live up to the ones mentioned

    • LoboSolo_Video

      November 17, 2021 at 1:28 pm

      My guess is because Ubiquiti is more for the enthusiast. The ones mention here are more “consumer” friendly regarding setup and configuration.
      Google mesh is meh. I would go Amplifi Alien instead.

    • B Ella69

      November 17, 2021 at 3:59 pm

      @LoboSolo_Video I bought the Google Nest mesh system and your description is dead on…meh.

  25. NILVOU

    November 17, 2021 at 2:08 am

    Anyone know the song of the intro?!?

  26. Jinhao Lucas

    November 17, 2021 at 2:12 am

    If you’re not talking about 6E, you’re misleading everyone. Any recommendations for a Router?but now I am using the dynalink wifi 6 router

  27. timtampa

    November 17, 2021 at 6:27 am

    Very nice video, with a good breakdown of which router is best for your situation. Right up there with the old Dong Ngo router videos, with a nice flow.
    I’m in IT, 20+ years experience. Your video is my new go to video for anyone wanting a WiFi 6 router.
    My only nitpick is the video is a little long at 9 minutes, but informative so it’s worth it.

  28. lolboy -

    November 17, 2021 at 7:52 am

    perfect timing of this video drop

  29. lolboy -

    November 17, 2021 at 8:15 am

    why is the new deco named W7200 instead of their x-line like x20 x90??

  30. philip dias

    November 17, 2021 at 2:16 pm

    Went xaiomi ax3600 wifi 6 in 2020. Love it

  31. Just this guy Beeblbrox

    November 17, 2021 at 3:55 pm

    Where is Dong Ngo?

  32. Hossain Mohammad Arsalan

    November 17, 2021 at 4:03 pm

    Make it a 2022
    I don’t wanna make an expensive purchase after few months 😂

  33. Jim Ratliff

    November 17, 2021 at 4:41 pm

    A stellarly useful and well-organized review!

  34. William Orozco

    November 17, 2021 at 5:37 pm

    Google ftw

  35. Felix Hernandez

    November 17, 2021 at 5:43 pm

    I purchased the Eero Pro 6 3-pack. This works great, my only issue is for me to take advantage of all the features, I could not use my MicroTik hEX router. Also I have to use an app there is no web interface.

  36. Cherish God

    November 17, 2021 at 7:51 pm

    Appreciate this detailed info.. Thank you.

  37. Rineesh

    November 17, 2021 at 8:33 pm

    Will informative

  38. Ken T

    November 17, 2021 at 8:52 pm

    Eero is the best by far for me.

  39. nari ackley

    November 17, 2021 at 11:36 pm

    UNIFI UNIFI UNIFI !!!

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