If its a standalone tri-band router, you will have two 5Ghz bands so that you can distribute devices to these two high-speed bands. The main idea to remember is that the AC naming convention doesn’t tell you the real-life speed of the wireless network that you get when buying one WiFi router or another. If you have read our article, this naming convention tells you other things like whether it is an expensive router or not and how many bands it has. How do I find the real-life speed of a router before buying it? Clients need to support 802.11k/v and may require additional setup. Performance may vary depending on the client device. The number after AC shows the maximum combined theoretical wireless speed (measured in Mbps) of the router device (i.e from client to router). Do not confuse this number with the actual ISP bandwidth speed (also measured in Mbps) of your Internet connection. The latter is much lower than the wireless speed. Easily create a profile for each family member and set custom time limits and online time allowances.

The Archer C9 supports IPv6, the next generation of Internet protocol, future-proofing the network you are setting up today. If you don’t plan to upgrade to Gigabit then it will be an overkill. A good and solid option for Xfinity Performance pro is the Netgear CM600. Great Wi-Fi - Enjoy the combined dual-band speeds of up to 1900Mbps, 3X faster than 802.11n routersThe WiFi technology has gone through multiple enhancements and updates both on the protocol standard level and on the actual devices manufactured by vendors. Regarding Google Nest, its a good option however a little overpriced. For example the TP-Link Deco WiFi 6 Mesh WiFi System is cheaper and supports the next generation WiFi6. Boosted Seamless Coverage – With advanced Deco Mesh Technology, units work together to form a unified network with a single network name. Devices automatically switch between Decos as you move through your home for the fastest possible speeds. §

I have just upgraded from my Spectrum ISP to 600 Mbps. I have 2 Smart TV’s 2 Laptops, 1 printer, 1 IPad, & 1 Extender. Sandipan, unfortunately the range of a WiFi router depends on so many factors, that is why vendors never specify a range for their routers. Parental Controls: Manage limit and monitor internet use with profiles that let you customize WiFi access for every person and device in your home.With four high-gain antennas, the Archer T9UH creates a stable Wi-Fi connection across your home, even when your router is on a different floor. Usually the modern WiFi routers supporting the AC standard work with 2 (dual-band) or 3 (Tri-band) radio bands (for example 1 band in the 2.4Ghz frequency and 2 bands in the 5Ghz frequency). Older models work with 1 band only. Different Types of AC model bands (single-band, dual-band, tri-band) Smart Connect helps your router automatically switch each device's connection to the best available Wi-Fi band while Airtime Fairness prevents older devices from slowing down your network. With both, everyone can enjoy a smoother, lag-free W-Fi experience. Numbers are based on testing conducted by the USB-IF and your computers are required to also support USB 3.0

So probably you will not be able to utilize the advantages of WiFi6 currently (unless you have these newer client gadgets). Devices from the last 6-8 years still support the 802.11ac wifi standard. Now, if they are really-really old (like 10 years and more) then its time to upgrade them I guess 🙂Regarding your question about older hardware slowing down everything else connected to the system, the answer is no. Newer WiFi systems (such as the M5 Deco) use MU-MIMO technology which allows multiple users and multiple devices to connect without slowing down the whole system. Personalized Management–Advanced features like Parental Controls, Guest Network, and Access Control provide individualized toolsfor network management. I am a little confused. I bought a used ARRIS SBG8300 dual band cable modem router ( AC2350 ). It has DOCSIS 3.1.. The newest version of the standard is the IEEE 802.11ac which utilizes the 5Ghz radio band (in addition to the original 2.4 GHz band used by the previous 802.11 standards).

Thank you for explaining complex matters so simply. Now I can buy router/modem tech components understanding what I’m buying and based on my needs. Plus I can stop renting equipment from my ISP as now I know what to look for. As shown from the points above, there are some pros and cons of both frequencies. By combining the two bands in routers (dual-band and tri-band models) you get the best of both worlds. AC2200 vs AC3000 The Archer T9UH works with a number of operating systems, including Windows XP/7/8/8.1/10, OS X (10.7–10.10), and Linux, making it the perfect choice for nearly all laptops and PCs.Three dual band antennas and high-powered amplifiers ensure continuous Wi-Fi signal to all your devices while boosting widespread coverage throughout your home.