Owais Crawford
Apple's AirPort Extreme wireless routers were discontinued in 2018, leaving many users looking for replacement options. There are several alternatives available, including mesh systems like the Linksys Tri-band Mesh system and the Eero 6, or routers from brands like Asus, Ubiquiti, Synology, and Zyxel. When choosing a replacement, factors such as ease of setup, reliability, customer support, and compatibility with older devices should be considered.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ease of setup | Synology, UniFi Express, Eero, Orbi Pro |
| Reliability | Eero, Ubiquiti, UniFi by Ubiquiti |
| Customer service | Eero |
| Multiple routers | Mesh system |
| Support for Wi-Fi 6 | Eero |
| Number of inputs | Eero Pro 6 (2 inputs), Orbi AX (3 connections) |
| Number of ports | 5-port or 8-port switch |
| Number of devices | OneHub (up to 2,500 square feet) |
| Theoretical throughput | OnHub (1.9 Gbps), RT-AC5300 (3.2 Gbps), RT-AC5300 (3.1 Gbps) |
| Real-world throughput | OnHub (308 Mbps at 100 feet), RT-AC5300 (600 Mbps at 15 feet), RT-AC5300 (661.6 Mbps at 3 feet) |
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What You'll Learn
Amazon Eero Pro 6
The Amazon Eero Pro 6 is a tri-band mesh Wi-Fi 6 router that provides good wireless coverage and can be used as a home automation hub. It is easy to set up and manage, but it has few included features. The Eero Pro 6 can be purchased as a single node for $229 or as a three-pack for $599. The three-pack provides 6,000 square feet of wireless coverage, with each node covering 2,000 square feet. The nodes are equipped with two auto-sensing gigabit LAN ports and a power port, but they lack USB connectivity and multi-gig capabilities.
The Eero Pro 6 supports the latest Wi-Fi 6 technology, also known as 802.11ax, and acts as a smart home hub, allowing you to connect to and control compatible devices using Alexa. It can also be paired with an Amazon Echo device or Fire TV Stick to quickly and easily configure new devices. The Eero app allows you to manage your network from anywhere and provides access to free customer support seven days a week.
The Eero Pro 6 is a reliable and high-performance mesh Wi-Fi system that delivers fast speeds and full-home coverage. It is a good choice for those seeking a simple and reliable Wi-Fi solution, similar to the Airport Extreme. However, it may not be ideal for those who want more advanced features or the ability to tweak network settings.
Overall, the Amazon Eero Pro 6 is a strong contender for replacing the Airport Extreme, offering ease of use, good coverage, and compatibility with smart home devices.
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Linksys Tri-band Mesh system
If you're looking to replace your Airport Extreme, there are several options available in the market. One of the most popular choices is the Amazon Eero Pro 6, which offers ease of use, simplicity, reliability, and good customer service. Another option is the Eero 6, which supports the latest version of Wi-Fi, 802.11ax, or Wi-Fi 6.
Now, if you're looking for a mesh system, the Linksys Velop Tri-Band Mesh System is a highly-rated option. Linksys Velop is a whole-home mesh Wi-Fi system that provides a high-range mesh network with seamless, reliable, and secure connectivity. It is designed to work in perfect harmony, delivering 100% internet speed throughout your home and beyond. Each node increases the Wi-Fi range by 2,000 sq. ft., and you can add as many nodes as needed to expand your mesh network.
The Linksys Velop Tri-Band Mesh System offers simple app-based setup and network management through the Linksys App, keeping you informed about your network status and helping resolve any Wi-Fi interruptions. It also features a second 5 GHz radio, making it the first distributed Wi-Fi system with two 2x2 5 GHz radios. This provides a performance advantage, especially in the 5 GHz downlink.
While the Linksys Velop Mesh System generally receives positive reviews, some users have reported issues with transfer speeds, with older devices not being able to take advantage of faster Wi-Fi speeds. Additionally, some have noted that their previous Airport Extreme routers offered better signal strength. However, for those seeking a mesh system, Linksys Velop can be a viable option, providing seamless connectivity and coverage for a large number of devices.
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Asus Routers with ai-mesh
If you're looking to replace your Airport Extreme router, there are several options available on the market. One popular choice is the Amazon Eero Pro 6, which offers ease of use, simplicity, reliability, and good customer service. Another option is to go for a mesh system, which provides seamless node switching and roaming. While some users have reported issues with mesh systems, others have found them to be a reliable alternative to traditional routers.
When it comes to Asus Routers with AiMesh, this is a technology developed by ASUS to combine the advantages of traditional high-end routers and mesh Wi-Fi systems. AiMesh allows you to create a whole-home Wi-Fi system using powerful standard ASUS Wi-Fi routers, providing incredible performance and flexibility. One of the key benefits of AiMesh is its cost-effectiveness. If you already own an ASUS router, you can use it in your AiMesh network. And if you need to extend your coverage, you can simply add extra ASUS routers to your system.
ASUS AiMesh constantly monitors signal strength and automatically switches devices to the best available router, ensuring a seamless connection as you move around your home. AiMesh also provides a rock-solid data 'backbone' that connects all the AiMesh-enabled routers, intelligently choosing between a wired connection or the optimal frequency band (5GHz or 2.4GHz). With tri-band routers, AiMesh dedicates one of the two 5GHz bands to inter-router communications, ensuring efficient communication between routers.
Additionally, AiMesh offers self-healing capabilities, where if one router fails, the backbone connection self-heals by using the remaining router connections. This ensures that your network remains stable and reliable even if one of the routers encounters an issue. AiMesh also gives you the flexibility to create a single, house-wide network name, so you don't have to constantly switch between networks as you move around your home. Overall, ASUS AiMesh provides a powerful, flexible, and reliable whole-home Wi-Fi solution, making it a great choice for replacing your Airport Extreme router.
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Synology routers
If you're looking to replace your Apple AirPort Extreme router, Synology routers are a great option to consider. Synology offers a range of routers that provide enhanced features and improved performance compared to Apple's offerings.
In terms of specific models, the RT2600ac is a popular choice among Synology users. It offers decent performance and is known for its good consumer-level software. The RT2600ac also includes parental control features, although these can slow down the network connection as they require the router to read the header of every packet coming in and out. If you're looking for improved parental controls, the newer RT6600ax model is worth considering, as it should handle these features more efficiently.
Overall, Synology routers provide a good balance between consumer-friendly features and advanced capabilities. They are a reliable option for those seeking a replacement for their Apple AirPort Extreme routers, offering enhanced functionality and ease of use.
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$335.65 $399.99
UniFi by Ubiquiti
One of the main advantages of the UniFi Dream Machine is its ability to address dead zones and provide a strong, reliable WiFi signal throughout your home. This can be a significant improvement over the Airport Extreme, which some users have reported has issues with connectivity and speed, especially in larger homes or areas with many devices connected.
The UniFi Dream Machine also offers a rich management interface, which can be accessed and controlled remotely through a native iOS/iPadOS application or a web browser. This gives you greater flexibility and control over your network, even when you're not at home. Additionally, the UniFi Dream Machine provides more features and functionality than the Airport Extreme, including the ability to gather more detailed information about your internet usage.
When replacing your Airport Extreme with the UniFi Dream Machine, it is important to consider the setup and configuration process. The UniFi Dream Machine can be set up in less than fifteen minutes and associated with your Ubiquiti account, allowing for easy management and control. However, to ensure optimal performance, it is recommended to carefully plan the placement of your access points and switches, especially if you have Ethernet ports in every room.
Overall, UniFi by Ubiquiti, specifically the UniFi Dream Machine, is a reliable and feature-rich alternative to the Airport Extreme. It offers improved WiFi coverage, remote management capabilities, and a wealth of features that provide a significant upgrade to Apple's discontinued Airport Extreme routers.
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Frequently asked questions
Some alternatives to the Airport Extreme are the Eero Pro 6, the Linksys Tri-band Mesh system, the Ubiquiti UniFi gear, the Synology routers, the Asus RT-AC5300, and the OneHub.
The Eero Pro 6 is similar to the Airport Extreme in terms of ease of use, simplicity, and reliability. It also has good customer service.
The Eero Pro 6 only has two inputs.
The Linksys Tri-band Mesh system has seamless node switching and roaming.
The Linksys Tri-band Mesh system has slower transfer speeds than the Airport Extreme.
