CEE 2019 highlights

Networking

ASUS

If you are looking for the latest and greatest in networking, then you need to check out the ASUS GT-AX11000 router. This is a tri-band Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) router that is capable of delivering speeds of up to 1,148Mbps on its single 2.4GHz network and 4,804Mbps on each of its two 5GHz network. To take advantage of its high wireless speeds, it features a 2.5Gbps WAN port. It is priced at $639 (U.P $699).

The ASUS Lyra Voice is one of the most versatile smart speakers available. Apart from playing music, it also doubles up as tri-band AC2200 mesh router. Therefore, not only can it play music and control your smart devices using Alexa, it can also help expand your home wireless network. It is priced at $369 (U.P $399).

The ASUS RT-AX92U is one of the few mesh networking systems to support the new Wi-Fi 6 standard. It uses a superfast 5GHz Wi-Fi 6 band capable of delivering up to 4,804Mbps for backhaul communications, while broadcasting two Wi-Fi 5 networks (one 2.4GHz, another 5GHz) for regular transmission to your wireless devices. It is priced at $739 (U.P $769) and each pack contains two routers so you can start expanding your home network.

D-Link

The D-Link Covr-2202 was our winner of Best Mesh Networking System at our 2019 Tech Awards. It is a tri-band system that supports speeds of up to 400Mbps on its 2.4GHz network and 867Mbps each on its two 5GHz networks. And since it is a tri-band system, it can allocate a single network to backhaul transmissions for better performance. D-Link claims a two-pack system can cover up to 550sqm or 6,000 sq ft - good enough for most apartments in Singapore. It is going for $259 (U.P $379).

Read our review of the D-Link Covr-2202 here.

Strictly speaking, the D-Link Covr-3902 isn't a mesh networking system since it relies on a Wi-Fi range extender to expand coverage. Nonetheless, it is an affordable way to expand wireless coverage in your home. The main router is AC2600-class router that supports speeds of up to 1,733Mbps on its 5GHz network and 800Mbps on its 2.4GHz network. The range extender supports speeds of up to 867Mbps on its 5GHz network and 400Mbps on its 2.4GHz network. It is going for just $99.

The D-Link DIR-895L is one of the best AC5300-class tri-band router buys at the show. It supports speeds of up to 1000Mbps on its 2.4GHz network and 2,166Mbps each on two of its 5GHz network. Best of all, it is going for just $198.

Read our review of the D-Link here.

Linksys

The Linksys Velop is one of the mesh networking systems that has a dedicated network for backhaul communications. The Velop is a tri-band system that supports speeds of up to 400Mbps on its 2.4GHz network and 867Mbps on its 5GHz network. One of its 5GHz network is set aside for backhaul communications. A 3-pack set is going for $449 (U.P $599) and comes with a free $50 shopping voucher and mystery gift. The 2-pack set is $299 (U.P $449). Finally, the single Velop pack is $159 (U.P $249).

Read our review of the Linksys Velop here.

New to the Velop family is the dual-band series. Each node is an AC1300-class router that supports speeds of up to 400Mbps on its 2.4GHz network and 867Mbps on its 5GHz network. A 3-pack set is going for $289 (U.P $399) and comes with a free $50 shopping voucher. The 2-pack set is $199 (U.P $269). Finally, the single Velop pack is $69 (U.P $139).

Netgear

The Netgear Orbi Voice combines a mesh networking system with smart speaker that supports Alexa in one chic little package. The speaker system was tuned by Harmon Kardon and the Orbi Voice itself is a tri-band AC2200-class mesh router. That means speeds of up to 400MBps on its 2.4GHz network and speeds of up to 867Mbps each on its two 5GHz networks. It is going for $399 (U.P $599), which is a whopping $200 off.

The Netgear RAX120 is a dual-band AX6000-class Wi-Fi 6 router that supports speeds of up to 1,200Mbps on its 2.4GHz network and 4,800Mbps on its 5GHz network. It also has a single 'Multi-Gig' Ethernet LAN port that can support either 5Gbps, 2.5Gbps, or 1Gbps link rates. It is going for $799.

The Netgear XR300 is the company's entry-level gaming router. Nonetheless, it still has decent specifications, supports speeds of up to 450Mbps on its 2.4GHz network and 1,300Mbps on its 5GHz network. It also features DumaOS, a router OS designed just for gaming. Using DumaOS, players can use the Geo-Filter map to configure the XR300 router to block servers and gamers that are far away. It is going for $399.

TP-Link

The Deco M9 Plus is a tri-band mesh networking system and it also has built-in smart home hub functions supporting Bluetooth 4.2 and ZigBee. It features a minimalist design which means it should blend well into most homes regardless of your decor. A 2-pack is going for $269 ($309) while a 3-pack will cost $399 (U.P $479).

Check out our review of the TP-Link Deco M9 Plus here.

The TP-Link AX6000 is one of the more affordable Wi-Fi 6 routers available. It offers speeds of up to 1,148Mbps on its 2.4GHz network and 4,804Mbps on its 5GHz network. It also has 8 Gigabit Ethernet ports. It is going for $389 (U.P $499).