Wi-Fi Guide

This page is a guide to everything I've written about Wi-Fi. The blue titles and all images are links to the full post.

Table of Contents

Intro and Overviews

How Wi-Fi Works: From Electricity Into Information

How does Wi-Fi work? Wi-Fi lets devices communicate by sending and receiving radio waves.

Q&A: Wi-Fi Edition

Answering some of the common questions I get about Wi-Fi, and mesh systems like Eero, Linksys Velop, Aruba Instant On, and TP-Link Deco.

Defining Common Network Terms

Trying to define common network terms, devices, and the OSI Model. Briefly covers routers vs. switchs and LANs vs. subnets. This post is a work in progress, and feedback is welcomed.

Wi-Fi 6E, Wi-Fi 6 and 802.11ax Explained

Wi-Fi 6, aka 802.11ax, is the latest generation of Wi-Fi. It improves on Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) in a few major ways — speed, efficiency and security. Wi-Fi 6E is Wi-Fi 6 extended into the 6 GHz spectrum.

Networking 101: VLANs and Network Layers

Explaining VLANs, Subnets, and how they come together in a normal small home network.

UniFi AP Buyer’s Guide

This compares all the available UniFi AP models, and recommends which ones you should consider for your home network. It also includes some background information about Wi-Fi in general, with the goal of helping you decide which model is right for you.

UniFi 6 Lite and U6-LR Review and Speed Comparison

My in-depth review of Ubiquiti’s first two Wi-Fi 6 access points, the U6-Lite and U6-LR. It includes speed tests and a comparison to the AC-HD, UniFi Dream Machine, BeaconHD and some Wi-Fi 6 mesh access points.

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Wi-Fi 101

All of the posts in my Wi-Fi 101 series.

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Understanding Wi-Fi Speed and How 6 GHz Compares
Understanding Wi-Fi Speed and How 6 GHz Compares

The Nighthawk RARXE500 claims 10,800 Mbps of throughput, but where does that number come from? Why don’t I get 10,800 Mbps on my speed tests, dang it!?

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Wi-Fi 101 — Wi-Fi 6E Progress and Reality
Wi-Fi 101 — Wi-Fi 6E Progress and Reality

A summary of everything I’ve been able to find about the current status of Wi-Fi 6E, including availability, device details, and some early speed tests.

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Wi-Fi 101 — Wi-Fi 6E In-Depth
Wi-Fi 101 — Wi-Fi 6E In-Depth

The addition of the 6 GHz spectrum is the biggest change to Wi-Fi since Wi-Fi. This post explains Wi-Fi 6E in depth.

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Wi-Fi 101 — Wi-Fi Origins and History
Wi-Fi 101 — Wi-Fi Origins and History

Wireless networking has a long, complicated, and interesting history.

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How Wi-Fi Works: From Electricity to Information
How Wi-Fi Works: From Electricity to Information

How does Wi-Fi work? Wi-Fi lets devices communicate by sending and receiving radio waves.

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Wi-Fi 6E

All of my posts about Wi-Fi 6E.

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eero Pro 6E and eero 6+ Review: Fast and Easy
eero Pro 6E and eero 6+ Review: Fast and Easy

My in-depth review of the eero 6+ and eero Pro 6E. They’re very fast, and this review is very long.

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U6-Enterprise Preview: UniFi's First Wi-Fi 6E AP
U6-Enterprise Preview: UniFi's First Wi-Fi 6E AP

A preview of the U6-Enterprise, Ubiquiti’s first Wi-Fi 6E AP.

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Understanding Wi-Fi Speed and How 6 GHz Compares
Understanding Wi-Fi Speed and How 6 GHz Compares

The Nighthawk RARXE500 claims 10,800 Mbps of throughput, but where does that number come from? Why don’t I get 10,800 Mbps on my speed tests, dang it!?

Read More →
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 Review: Wi-Fi 6E Has Landed
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 Review: Wi-Fi 6E Has Landed

My review of the Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500. Wi-Fi 6E has landed. Is it worth the hype?

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eero

All of my posts about eero.

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eero Comparison Charts
eero Comparison Charts

Comparison charts for eero mesh Wi-Fi gateways and extenders, including the new eero PoE 6, PoE Gateway, eero 6+, eero Pro 6E, and the Ring Alarm Pro.

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eero PoE Gateway and PoE 6: Overview and Product Story
eero PoE Gateway and PoE 6: Overview and Product Story

My overview of the eero PoE Gateway and eero PoE 6, covering the hardware specs and core software features. It also covers eero for Business, Pro Installers, and Service Providers, and who these products are for.

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eero Pro 6E and eero 6+ Review: Fast and Easy
eero Pro 6E and eero 6+ Review: Fast and Easy

My in-depth review of the eero 6+ and eero Pro 6E. They’re very fast, and this review is very long.

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Q&A: Wi-Fi Edition
Q&A: Wi-Fi Edition

Answering some of the common questions I get about Wi-Fi, and mesh systems like Eero, Linksys Velop, Aruba Instant On, and TP-Link Deco.

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eero 6 vs. eero Pro 6: Wi-Fi 6 Model Comparison
eero 6 vs. eero Pro 6: Wi-Fi 6 Model Comparison

Comparing the Eero 6 and Eero 6 Pro. Discussing dual-band vs. tri-band, Wi-Fi 6 performance, and my general Eero recommendations.

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Wi-Fi 6 Mesh Comparison: Deco vs. eero vs. Velop
Wi-Fi 6 Mesh Comparison: Deco vs. eero vs. Velop

My comparison of the Deco X60, Eero 6, Eero 6 Pro, and Velop AX5300. Includes hardware, software, and a deep dive into the performance differences of these common dual-band and tri-band Wi-Fi 6 mesh kits.

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eero 6 and eero Pro 6 Review and Speed Tests
eero 6 and eero Pro 6 Review and Speed Tests

My review of the Eero 6 and Eero 6 Pro, including Wi-Fi 6 speed tests.

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Ubiquiti

All of my posts about Ubiquiti that relate to Wi-Fi. For everything else about Ubiquiti, see my Ubiquiti Guide.

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UniFi's Advanced Wi-Fi Settings Explained
UniFi's Advanced Wi-Fi Settings Explained

UniFi’s advanced Wi-Fi settings, what they mean, and how you should use them. Freshly updated for UniFi Network version 8.4.59, including Radio Manager, PPSK, and other recent changes.

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UniFi Network Comparison Charts
UniFi Network Comparison Charts

All my charts for comparing Ubiquiti’s models of UniFi Gateways, Consoles, Wireless Access Points, and Switches. Last updated in August 2024 for the Enterprise Fortress Gateway, UXG-Enterprise, and Wi-Fi 7 access points.

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More UniFi Wi-Fi 7: U7 Pro Max, Pro Wall, and Outdoor Preview
More UniFi Wi-Fi 7: U7 Pro Max, Pro Wall, and Outdoor Preview

This preview covers the specs and my initial impressions of Ubiquiti’s latest batch of Wi-Fi 7 UniFi access points: the U7 Pro Max, U7 Pro Wall, and U7 Outdoor.

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Home Network Update: Goodnight, UniFi Dream Machine
Home Network Update: Goodnight, UniFi Dream Machine

A little update on my home network. I retired my UniFi Dream Machine and replaced it with the Cloud Gateway Ultra, Enterprise 8 PoE switch, and U7 Pro access point.

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UniFi Express Preview: Flexible and Mesh-able
UniFi Express Preview: Flexible and Mesh-able

A preview of the UniFi Express (UX), a flexible new Cloud Gateway and access point from Ubiquiti. This covers the specs, it’s place in the lineup, and a comparison to other UniFi Cloud Gateways and mesh Wi-Fi options.

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UniFi Wi-Fi Access Point Buyers Guide
UniFi Wi-Fi Access Point Buyers Guide

This guide compares all UniFi access point models, including the new U6+ and Wi-Fi 6E Enterprise models. It also covers some Wi-Fi network basics and offers advice on how to pick the right model.

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UniFi U6-Pro and U6-Mesh Review and Speed Comparisons
UniFi U6-Pro and U6-Mesh Review and Speed Comparisons

My review of the UniFi U6-Pro and U6-Mesh. It includes spec comparisons and speed test results for UniFi, TP-Link Omada, and Aruba Instant On access points.

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U6-Enterprise Preview: UniFi's First Wi-Fi 6E AP
U6-Enterprise Preview: UniFi's First Wi-Fi 6E AP

A preview of the U6-Enterprise, Ubiquiti’s first Wi-Fi 6E AP.

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Q&A: Wi-Fi Edition
Q&A: Wi-Fi Edition

Answering some of the common questions I get about Wi-Fi, and mesh systems like Eero, Linksys Velop, Aruba Instant On, and TP-Link Deco.

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Q&A: Ubiquiti Edition
Q&A: Ubiquiti Edition

Answering some of the common questions I get about Ubiquiti and UniFi.

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Zen and the Art of Home Networking
Zen and the Art of Home Networking

Explaining my home network, my recent upgrades, and why I compromised with Mesh Wi-Fi for so long.

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Wi-Fi Speed Tests — 11 UniFi APs Compared
Wi-Fi Speed Tests — 11 UniFi APs Compared

My comparison of UniFi access points, including speed tests and comparison charts.

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All of my posts about TP-Link Omada and Deco.

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TP-Link Omada Comparison Charts
TP-Link Omada Comparison Charts

All my charts for comparing TP-Links’s models of Omada Wireless Access Points, Routers, Switches, and Controllers.

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UniFi U6-Pro and U6-Mesh Review and Speed Comparisons
UniFi U6-Pro and U6-Mesh Review and Speed Comparisons

My review of the UniFi U6-Pro and U6-Mesh. It includes spec comparisons and speed test results for UniFi, TP-Link Omada, and Aruba Instant On access points.

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TP-Link Omada In-Depth Overview
TP-Link Omada In-Depth Overview

My in-depth overview of TP-Link Omada. This overview covers Omada controllers, routers, access points and switches, and compares Omada with Aruba’s Instant On and Ubiquiti’s UniFi.

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Wi-Fi 6 Mesh Comparison: Deco vs. eero vs. Velop
Wi-Fi 6 Mesh Comparison: Deco vs. eero vs. Velop

My comparison of the Deco X60, Eero 6, Eero 6 Pro, and Velop AX5300. Includes hardware, software, and a deep dive into the performance differences of these common dual-band and tri-band Wi-Fi 6 mesh kits.

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Deco X60 Review and Wi-Fi 6 Mesh Performance
Deco X60 Review and Wi-Fi 6 Mesh Performance

My review of the TP-Link Deco X60, including tests of it’s Wi-Fi 6 mesh performance, Deco Setup, Management and Features.

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Deco M5 Review: Mesh Wi-Fi on a Budget
Deco M5 Review: Mesh Wi-Fi on a Budget

Cheap doesn’t always mean bad.

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Linksys Velop

All of my posts about Linksys Velop.

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Wi-Fi 6 Mesh Comparison: Deco vs. eero vs. Velop
Wi-Fi 6 Mesh Comparison: Deco vs. eero vs. Velop

My comparison of the Deco X60, Eero 6, Eero 6 Pro, and Velop AX5300. Includes hardware, software, and a deep dive into the performance differences of these common dual-band and tri-band Wi-Fi 6 mesh kits.

Linksys Velop MX10 Review: Fast and Dumb
Linksys Velop MX10 Review: Fast and Dumb

The Linksys Velop MX10 is a high-end tri-band mesh Wi-Fi system. In this review I test out the performance and compare it to the Deco X60, Eero 6, and Eero 6 Pro Mesh Wi-Fi Systems.

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Aruba Instant On

All of my posts about Aruba Instant On.

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Aruba Instant On Comparison Charts
Aruba Instant On Comparison Charts

Comparison charts for all Aruba Instant On switches and wireless access points, as of March 2024. These show spec comparisons for all devices, including their new Wi-Fi 6 and 6E APs, and their 1430, 1830, 1860, and 1960 series switches.

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UniFi U6-Pro and U6-Mesh Review and Speed Comparisons
UniFi U6-Pro and U6-Mesh Review and Speed Comparisons

My review of the UniFi U6-Pro and U6-Mesh. It includes spec comparisons and speed test results for UniFi, TP-Link Omada, and Aruba Instant On access points.

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Q&A: Wi-Fi Edition
Q&A: Wi-Fi Edition

Answering some of the common questions I get about Wi-Fi, and mesh systems like Eero, Linksys Velop, Aruba Instant On, and TP-Link Deco.

Read More →
Wi-Fi Speed Tests — Aruba Instant On vs. UniFi
Wi-Fi Speed Tests — Aruba Instant On vs. UniFi

My comparison of Aruba Instant On and UniFi access points, including speed tests and comparison charts.

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Aruba Instant On AP22 Review and Speed Comparison
Aruba Instant On AP22 Review and Speed Comparison

My in-depth review of the Aruba AP11, AP11D and AP22, the first Instant On Wi-Fi 6 access point. It includes speed tests and a comparison to the U6-Lite, U6-LR, AC-Pro, and AC-HD.

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Aruba Instant On Overview
Aruba Instant On Overview

Covering the basics of Aruba Instant On switches and wireless access points.

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Netgear Orbi and Nighthawk

All of my posts about Netgear Orbi and Nighthawk.

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Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 Review: Wi-Fi 6E Has Landed
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 Review: Wi-Fi 6E Has Landed

My review of the Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500. Wi-Fi 6E has landed. Is it worth the hype?

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Orbi RBK852 Review: Primitive Power
Orbi RBK852 Review: Primitive Power

The Orbi RBK852 impressed me with it’s Wi-Fi speed and range, scoring the highest of any system I’ve tested so far. Unfortunately, I found myself frustrated with everything else.

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