The Problem: My Old Router Was Choking
I have 42 devices on my home network. Phones, laptops, smart lights, security cameras, TVs, smart speakers, robot vacuum, 3D printer, NAS… the list goes on.
My old Netgear Nighthawk R7000 (WiFi 5, 2017 model) was buckling. Symptoms:
- Buffering on 4K YouTube videos
- Stuttering on video calls (Zoom would drop to 480p)
- Slow file transfers (350 Mbps max on gigabit fiber)
- Constant disconnects on IoT devices
I thought my ISP was the problem. Nope. Speedtest at the modem: 940 Mbps down. Speedtest on WiFi: 280 Mbps.
My router was the bottleneck.
Before vs After: Router upgrade tripled WiFi speeds from 280 Mbps to 1,100+ Mbps
Why WiFi 6E, Not WiFi 6 or WiFi 7?
WiFi 6E vs WiFi 6
WiFi 6 uses 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Both are congested. My apartment building has 30+ visible networks.
WiFi 6E adds the 6 GHz band. It’s virtually empty. No legacy devices, no microwave interference, no neighbors.
| Band | Frequency | Channels | Congestion | Speed Potential |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 GHz | 2.4-2.5 GHz | 11 channels | Extremely high | 600 Mbps max |
| 5 GHz | 5.15-5.85 GHz | 25 channels | High | 2.4 Gbps max |
| 6 GHz | 5.925-7.125 GHz | 59 channels | Near zero | 2.4 Gbps+ |
6 GHz is the wild west. No one’s there yet. My laptop gets full signal with zero interference.
WiFi 6E vs WiFi 7
WiFi 7 routers cost $500-700. Features include:
- MLO (Multi-Link Operation): Use 5 GHz + 6 GHz simultaneously
- 4096-QAM: Higher data density
- 320 MHz channels: Double the width of WiFi 6E
Sounds great. But:
- No WiFi 7 devices yet. My laptop, phone, and tablet are WiFi 6E max.
- Diminishing returns. WiFi 6E already saturates my gigabit fiber.
- Overkill. Unless you have 10 Gbps internet, WiFi 7 is wasted.
I went with the ASUS RT-AXE7800 WiFi 6E router for $300. Perfect price/performance.
Router Choice: ASUS RT-AXE7800
Why this router over competitors?
| Feature | ASUS RT-AXE7800 | TP-Link AXE75 | Netgear RAXE300 |
|---|---|---|---|
| WiFi 6E support | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Tri-band | ✅ (2.4/5/6 GHz) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Max speed | 7800 Mbps | 5400 Mbps | 7800 Mbps |
| Ethernet ports | 1x 2.5G WAN + 4x 1G LAN | 1x 2.5G WAN + 4x 1G LAN | 1x 2.5G WAN + 5x 1G LAN |
| RAM | 512 MB | 256 MB | 512 MB |
| USB ports | 1x USB 3.0 | None | 2x USB 3.0 |
| QoS | Adaptive QoS | Basic | Dynamic QoS |
| Price | $300 | $230 | $380 |
ASUS wins on features. The Adaptive QoS prioritizes video calls and gaming. The 512 MB RAM handles 50+ devices without lag.
TP-Link is cheaper but weaker CPU and less RAM. Netgear is overpriced for marginal improvements.
Setup: Easier Than Expected
Physical Installation (10 minutes)
- Unbox and position: Placed router centrally in my apartment (living room shelf)
- Connect modem: Ethernet from fiber modem to router’s WAN port
- Power on: Blue LED, 90-second boot
No issues. Router detected gigabit connection immediately.
Configuration (20 minutes)
ASUS uses a web interface (192.168.1.1) and mobile app. I used the web interface.
Steps:
- Set SSID and password: Same SSID for all bands (seamless roaming)
- Enable 6 GHz band: On by default, confirmed active
- Disable Smart Connect: I want manual band control
- Set QoS priorities: Video calls = highest, IoT = lowest
- Update firmware: Router auto-downloaded latest (v3.0.0.4.386)
Network names:
GrimNet(2.4 GHz) → IoT devicesGrimNet-5G(5 GHz) → Older devicesGrimNet-6G(6 GHz) → Laptops, phones, gaming
Separate SSIDs let me choose which band devices use. IoT devices don’t need 6 GHz speed.
ASUS web interface: 42 devices across three bands, 6 GHz has zero congestion
Performance Testing: The Results
Test Setup
- ISP: AT&T Fiber 1 Gbps (940 Mbps actual)
- Client: Framework Laptop 16 with Intel AX210 WiFi 6E card
- Distance: 15 feet from router, one wall between
- Tool: Speedtest.net + iperf3 for LAN testing
Speed Test: Before and After
| Connection | Download | Upload | Latency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old router (WiFi 5, 5 GHz) | 280 Mbps | 220 Mbps | 18 ms |
| New router (WiFi 6E, 5 GHz) | 610 Mbps | 480 Mbps | 12 ms |
| New router (WiFi 6E, 6 GHz) | 1,100 Mbps | 890 Mbps | 8 ms |
6 GHz band is nearly 4x faster than my old router.
Even 5 GHz improved significantly. The ASUS router has better antennas and a stronger CPU.
Real-World Performance
1. 4K Streaming (YouTube)
Before: Occasional buffering, drops to 1080p during peak hours After: Instant load, 4K60 with zero buffering, even with 3 devices streaming simultaneously
YouTube reports connection speed: 85 Mbps (before) → 210 Mbps (after)
2. Video Calls (Zoom)
Before: 720p max, occasional pixelation, audio drops during screen sharing After: 1080p locked, crystal clear, zero lag on screen share
Zoom’s connection quality indicator: 3 bars (before) → 5 bars (after)
3. File Transfers (NAS)
My Synology NAS is hardwired via gigabit Ethernet. Transferring large video files:
Before: 35 MB/s (280 Mbps) WiFi → NAS After: 130 MB/s (1,040 Mbps) WiFi → NAS
Copying a 50 GB 4K video project:
- Old router: 24 minutes
- New router: 6.5 minutes
4. Gaming Latency
Tested Valorant competitive ranked:
Before: 28 ms ping to game servers, occasional lag spikes to 85 ms After: 18 ms ping, zero spikes, rock-solid connection
Latency improvements came from:
- QoS prioritizing gaming traffic
- Less interference on 6 GHz band
- Better router CPU handling multiple connections
Ping monitoring over 2 hours: Old router had frequent spikes; new router is flat
WiFi Coverage: Every Room Now Gets Full Speed
My apartment is 1,200 sq ft. Old router had dead zones in the bedroom (25 feet away, two walls).
Coverage Map (Speedtest Results)
| Location | Old Router (5 GHz) | New Router (6 GHz) |
|---|---|---|
| Living room (10 ft) | 280 Mbps | 1,100 Mbps |
| Kitchen (15 ft, 1 wall) | 210 Mbps | 920 Mbps |
| Bedroom (25 ft, 2 walls) | 95 Mbps | 580 Mbps |
| Bathroom (30 ft, 3 walls) | 45 Mbps | 310 Mbps |
Even in the worst case (bathroom), I’m getting 310 Mbps. That’s faster than my old router in the same room.
6 GHz has slightly worse wall penetration than 5 GHz (physics: higher frequency = shorter wavelength). But the ASUS router compensates with better antenna design and beamforming.
Device Compatibility: What Works with 6 GHz?
Not all devices support WiFi 6E. Here’s what I own:
✅ WiFi 6E Compatible (Uses 6 GHz)
- Framework Laptop 16 (Intel AX210 card)
- Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
- iPad Pro 11” (2024)
- Steam Deck OLED
⚠️ WiFi 6 Compatible (Uses 5 GHz)
- iPhone 14 Pro (no 6E support until iPhone 15 Pro)
- MacBook Air M2 (Apple skipped 6E until M3 models)
- PS5 (WiFi 6, not 6E)
❌ WiFi 5 or Older (Uses 2.4/5 GHz)
- Smart lights (Philips Hue, 2.4 GHz only)
- Security cameras (Wyze, 2.4 GHz only)
- Smart speakers (Echo Dot, WiFi 5)
Key insight: Only 4 of my 42 devices support 6 GHz. But those 4 are my most bandwidth-heavy devices (laptop, phone, tablet, gaming handheld). Offloading them to 6 GHz freed up 5 GHz bandwidth for everything else.
Advanced Features I Actually Use
1. Adaptive QoS (Quality of Service)
Prioritizes traffic by type:
- Gaming: Highest priority
- Streaming: High priority
- Web browsing: Medium priority
- File downloads: Low priority
Without QoS, a Steam download (100 Mbps) would choke Zoom calls. With QoS, Zoom gets priority and stays buttery smooth.
2. AiMesh (Future Mesh Expansion)
If I move to a bigger house, I can add another ASUS WiFi 6E router as a mesh node. They communicate over a dedicated backhaul, preventing speed loss.
I don’t need this yet, but it’s nice to have.
3. Guest Network (Isolated)
My guest network is isolated from my main network. Visitors can’t see my NAS, smart home devices, or printers.
Security win.
4. USB 3.0 Port for Network Storage
The router has a USB 3.0 port. I plugged in a 2 TB external SSD and enabled SMB sharing.
Now I have a poor man’s NAS accessible from any device on the network. Transfer speeds: 90 MB/s over WiFi.
Not as fast as my real NAS (130 MB/s) but convenient for backups.
Power Consumption: Surprisingly Efficient
Old router: 18W idle, 24W under load New router: 22W idle, 28W under load
The new router uses slightly more power (better CPU, more antennas), but the difference is negligible.
Cost per year:
- Old: 18W × 24h × 365d ÷ 1000 × $0.12/kWh = $18.90/year
- New: 22W × 24h × 365d ÷ 1000 × $0.12/kWh = $23.10/year
$4.20/year extra. Irrelevant compared to the performance gain.
Issues and Limitations
1. 6 GHz Range Is Shorter
6 GHz has worse wall penetration than 5 GHz. In my bedroom (25 feet, two walls), I get 580 Mbps on 6 GHz vs 920 Mbps in the living room.
For larger homes, you’ll need mesh nodes or wired access points.
2. Limited 6 GHz Device Support
Only newer devices support WiFi 6E. iPhones prior to 15 Pro don’t have it. Older laptops need a WiFi card upgrade.
But WiFi 6E routers are backward compatible. Older devices still work on 2.4/5 GHz.
3. Heat
This router runs warm. Not hot enough to worry, but noticeably warmer than my old router.
I placed it on an open shelf with airflow. No issues.
Cost Analysis: Worth $300?
| Router | Price | Performance (6 GHz) | Ports | RAM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASUS RT-AXE7800 | $300 | 1,100 Mbps+ | 2.5G WAN + 4x 1G LAN | 512 MB |
| TP-Link AXE75 | $230 | 950 Mbps | 2.5G WAN + 4x 1G LAN | 256 MB |
| Netgear RAXE300 | $380 | 1,100 Mbps+ | 2.5G WAN + 5x 1G LAN | 512 MB |
| TP-Link BE19000 (WiFi 7) | $600 | 1,500 Mbps | 10G WAN + 4x 2.5G LAN | 1 GB |
For gigabit internet, the ASUS RT-AXE7800 is the sweet spot. TP-Link AXE75 saves $70 but weaker specs. Netgear RAXE300 is overpriced. WiFi 7 routers are overkill unless you have multi-gig internet.
My use case: 42 devices, gigabit fiber, 1,200 sq ft apartment. Result: Perfect fit. Speeds maxed out, coverage excellent, QoS keeps everything smooth.
Should You Upgrade?
✅ Upgrade if:
- You have gigabit (or faster) internet and aren’t getting full speed on WiFi
- You live in a dense area with WiFi congestion (apartments, condos)
- You have 20+ devices on your network
- You own WiFi 6E devices (newer laptops, phones, tablets)
- Your current router is 5+ years old
❌ Stick with WiFi 6 or wait if:
- You have internet slower than 500 Mbps (won’t see benefit)
- You live in a rural area with zero WiFi congestion
- You have fewer than 10 devices
- None of your devices support WiFi 6E (though router is future-proof)
Verdict: Best Upgrade I’ve Made in Years
The ASUS RT-AXE7800 transformed my home network.
Before: Buffering, stuttering, slow transfers, frustration. After: Instant 4K loads, flawless video calls, 1.1 Gbps speeds, zero issues.
$300 for a router sounds expensive. But for a device I use 16 hours a day, every day, for the next 5+ years? It’s $0.16/day.
Worth every penny.
Rating: 5/5
Recommended? If you have gigabit internet and WiFi 6E devices, buy this router immediately.
Next Steps: Optimizing Further
Now that my WiFi is dialed in, I’m exploring:
- Wired backhaul for smart home hub (eliminate any WiFi latency)
- VLAN segmentation (isolate IoT devices for security)
- 10 Gbps Ethernet upgrade (if/when I upgrade to multi-gig internet)
The rabbit hole continues.
Setup time: 30 minutes total Last updated: May 22, 2025