First things first: If you aren't having issues with your wifi, you don't need to upgrade your router. But if your connection is poorit frequently cuts out or is slow even when you're nearbyand troubleshooting your device hasn't fixed it, it may be time for a replacement. With several wifi standards currently in use, choosing the right router for your needs can be confusing. Here's a guide to the best Wi-Fi 6 routers on the market now.

　　What is Wi-Fi 6? Wi-Fi 6 is a Wi-Fi standard released in 2019 with several major upgrades over the older Wi-Fi 5. It increased bandwidth access with dual-band support on 2GHz and 5GHz networks and expanded the maximum effective range for routers. This resulted in significantly faster internet speeds, including for streaming 4K videos.

　　Why you should choose a Wi-Fi 6 routerSince the introduction of Wi-Fi 6, the Wi-Fi Alliance has rolled out two newer standards. Wi-Fi 6e, made available in 2020, expanded access to the 6GHz network band to reach speeds up to 16Gbps, which is useful in crowded areas that see a lot of wireless traffic. The upcoming Wi-Fi 7 uses the same bands as Wi-Fi 6e but increases the width for even faster speeds, among other upgrades.

　　If you're in the market for a new router, you're probably wondering, why not go with the newest standard? Wifi is certainly improving with every evolution, but Wi-Fi 6 is still the most ubiquitous, reliable, widely compatible, and fast enough for most home networks for nowplus, Wi-Fi 6 devices are likely more affordable than those built for Wi-Fi 6e and Wi-Fi 7.

　　The best Wi-Fi 6 routers to buy nowThese are five of the best Wi-Fi 6 routers out there right now.

　　TP-Link Archer AX55The TP-Link Archer AX55 ($129.99) gets high marks for its balance of price and performance, making it one of the best overall Wi-Fi 6 routers available. It's reliable with relatively fast speeds and very little lag, easy to set up, and has a solid warrantyand it's affordable compared to many other devices on the market.

　　Synology WRX560The Synology WRX560 ($219.99) is another top pick for overall performance in small- or medium-sized homes, especially for users who pay for gigabit internet service and those who want to run multiple networks simultaneously (one for guests and one for smart home devices, for example). Check out its "excellent" review from PCMag. It also works well as part of a mesh network with other Synology routers.

　　TP-Link Archer AX21You don't need to splurge on the most expensive router, nor should you go for the cheapestand the TP-Link Archer AX21 (currently $70.31) is a budget-friendly, high-value Wi-Fi 6 choice with consistently fast speeds for small homes. There aren't any fancy features, and it's not the best option for gigabit plans, but like other TP-Link Archer models, it's easy to set up and use.

　　Reyee RG-E5 The Reyee RG-E5 ($105.99) is another affordable yet fully featured choice for Wi-Fi 6. It has excellent range and solid performance and can easily integrate into a mesh network. While it does allow basic parental controls and the creation of separate networks, it lacks some security features like WPA3 encryption. It also received an "excellent" rating from PCMag.

　　Asus RT-AX86UIf you're a gamer, Asus routers should get strong consideration. The Asus RT-AX86U ($299.99) has fast, consistent speeds, low latency, and gaming-specific features like a dedicated gaming port and the ability to prioritize mobile gaming traffic. The Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX6000 ($229.99) is another top choice for gaming.