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Acer Predator Join W6x: One-Minute Evaluation
Like most producers, Acer has been specializing in the newest Wi-Fi 7 expertise in its best routers and mesh systems.
One benefit of Wi-Fi 7 is its use of the high-speed 6.0GHz frequency band, which supplies far larger speeds than earlier variations of Wi-Fi. Nevertheless, there are hundreds of thousands of people who find themselves nonetheless utilizing older computer systems and cell gadgets that solely assist the two.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands utilized by the earlier generations of Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6.
To supply a extra inexpensive choice for these customers, Acer has additionally launched the Predator Join W6x, which supplies fundamental dual-band Wi-Fi 6 assist utilizing the two.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands with a prime pace of 6.0Gbps (and can also be backwards-compatible with older gadgets that use Wi-Fi 5).
Acer makes use of the Predator title for its vary of gaming PCs and equipment, and whereas the Predator Join W6x definitely isn’t the quickest router round it could nonetheless present a quick, inexpensive choice for gaming, streaming and different duties at a really aggressive value.
The one downside is discovering the proper router with the proper mannequin quantity on Acer’s perpetually unhelpful web site.
Acer Predator Join W6x: Worth And Availability
- How a lot does it price? $169 / £99 / AU$299
- When is it obtainable? Now
- The place are you able to get it? Accessible within the US, UK, and Australia
Your first activity is to ensure you discover the right mannequin on Acer’s web site, as the corporate sells quite a few routers within the Predator Join vary that look virtually an identical and have very comparable mannequin numbers.
We examined the Predator Join W6x, which you’ll be able to spot by counting its array of six exterior antennae. Nevertheless, there are additionally fashions known as the Predator Join W6 (eight antenna) and W6d (4 antenna), which have very comparable designs, though they do have barely completely different technical specs.
And Acer’s Australian web site carelessly manages to consult with the W6x as being each a tri-band and dual-band router, relying on which internet web page you take a look at, so you actually do must take care when ordering on-line.
Assuming you handle to search out the right mannequin, then the Predator Join W6x is out there instantly from Acer within the US and Australia, priced at $169 / AU$299.
That’s a reasonably aggressive value when in comparison with comparable Wi-Fi 6 routers, but it surely’s prospects within the UK who appear to get the most effective deal, because the W6x prices simply £99. It’s not bought on the Acer web site within the UK, although, so that you’ll want to buy round on-line.
Acer Predator Join W6x: Design
- Low-profile design
- Eight exterior antennae
- 4 Ethernet ports for wired connections
The Acer Predator Join W6x definitely appears to be like like a gaming router, with a sombre black, low-profile design and an intimidating array of dagger-like antennae (that’s six antennae – rely ‘em, not 4 or eight).
The physique of the router stands simply 50mm excessive, 270mm extensive and 187mm deep, however the adjustable, rotating antennae are 170mm lengthy so that you’ll want loads of room while you’re setting it as much as be sure that the antennae can unfold out and zap the Wi-Fi sign far and extensive.
The inexpensive W6x doesn’t have the array of glowing lights that you simply discover on some gaming routers, however Acer hasn’t minimize too many corners with a view to hold the worth down.
The again panel of the router supplies a 2.5Gb Ethernet port for a high-speed Web connection, and there are 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports obtainable for a gaming PC or console in case you desire a lag-free wired connection to your on-line gaming classes.
There’s even a USB port for including a community storage drive as effectively. This makes use of a USB-A (3.0) connector, relatively than the quicker USB-C, however that’s hardly a criticism at this value.
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Acer Predator Join W6x: Options
- Free safety from Pattern Micro
- Free parental controls
- QoS for gaming and streaming
The Predator Join app supplies quite a few helpful options, but it surely’s not as user-friendly because it may very well be.
The apps supplied with many routers hold issues easy by robotically combining the completely different frequency bands to create a single community, whereas others desire to create a separate community for every frequency band.
The Predator app does neither of this stuff – it begins by merely filling the display with the varied community settings and leaves it as much as the person to determine which choices to decide on.
That’s effective for extra skilled customers, however house customers who aren’t conversant in phrases akin to ‘band-steering’ and ‘SSID’ could also be a bit confused at this level.
As soon as that’s accomplished, the app supplies options akin to the power to create a visitor community, or to dam Web entry for particular person gadgets. There’s additionally a QoS choice – high quality of service – that permits you to give precedence to gadgets, akin to a gaming PC or console, that require most efficiency.
Some options are made unnecessarily sophisticated, although. The app does embody quite a few safety features and parental controls, and we have been happy to search out that these are offered freed from cost, without having to pay an extra month-to-month subscription – as is the case with a few of Acer’s rivals.
However, it’s unusual that these are initially turned off throughout the Predator app, which merely tells you to depart the app and connect with the router utilizing an online browser interface with a view to activate these options.
Once more, that is one thing that can attraction to extra skilled customers, but it surely may very well be complicated for individuals who have by no means used a browser interface to hook up with their router earlier than.
Acer Predator Join W6x: Efficiency
- Twin-band Wi-Fi 6
- High pace of 6Gbps
- 2.5Gb Ethernet for broadband connection
Acer Predator Join W6x: Benchmarks
Ookla Velocity Check – 2.4GHz (obtain/add)
Inside 5ft, no obstructions: 150Mbps/150Mbps
Inside 30ft, three partition partitions: 70Mbps/70bps
20GB Steam Obtain – 2.4GHz
Inside 5ft, no obstructions: 150Mbps
Inside 30ft, three partition partitions: 70Mbps
Ookla Velocity Check – 5.0GHz (obtain/add)
Inside 5ft, no obstructions: 150Mbps/150Mbps
Inside 30ft, three partition partitions: 150Mbps/150Mbps
20GB Steam Obtain – 5.0GHz
Inside 5ft, no obstructions: 150Mbps
Inside 30ft, three partition partitions: 150Mbps
The Predator Join W6x isn’t a top-of-the-range router by any means, because it’s primarily based on older Wi-Fi 6 expertise.
Even so, its prime pace of 6Gbps needs to be greater than quick sufficient for many house broadband providers. Our regular workplace router can solely handle a prime pace of round 80Mbps on the two.4GHz band when operating the Ookla pace check with gadgets in the identical room.
That’s far in need of the utmost 150Mbps obtainable with our workplace Web connection. Steam downloads wrestle much more, at round 40Mbps. Switching to five.0GHz on our workplace router supplies some enchancment, with the Ookla check rising to 120Mbp, and 100Mbps for Steam.
However, when connecting to gadgets which are close by, the W6x breezed alongside on the most 150Mbps for each checks on each 2.4GHz and 5.0Ghz bands.
I even have an workplace behind my constructing that suffers from an annoying Wi-Fi ‘deadspot’ as my regular workplace router can’t present a dependable sign in that location in any respect.
The W6x was capable of attain that workplace, though its 2.4GHz band struggled a bit and dipped to 70Mbps for each Ookla and Steam.
Thankfully, the router’s 5.0GHz band stepped as much as the plate and shortly boosted each Steam and Ookla checks as much as the complete 150Mbps as soon as extra.
So whereas the Acer Predator Join W6x won’t be the quickest router round, it does carry out fairly effectively for an inexpensive Wi-Fi 6 router and may very well be a superb improve for house owners of older Wi-Fi 5 routers (particularly for £99 within the UK).
|
Class |
Verdict |
Rating |
|
Worth |
It’s not going to interrupt any pace data, however the W6x is an effective, inexpensive improve for people who find themselves nonetheless utilizing an previous router offered by their ISP. |
4.5/5 |
|
Design |
It doesn’t have any flashing lights for avid gamers, however the low-profile design appears to be like sensible, and the array of eight antenna supplies good Wi-Fi protection. |
4/5 |
|
Options |
The Predator app has some tough edges, however the W6x supplies good wired connectivity, together with safety features and parental controls that don’t require an additional month-to-month subscription. |
4/5 |
|
Efficiency |
The Predator app has some tough edges, however the W6x supplies good wired connectivity, together with safety features and parental controls that don’t require an additional month-to-month subscription. |
4/5 |
|
Total |
It’s definitely not state-of-the-art, however in case you simply need to change an previous Wi-Fi 5 router then the W6x does the job at a really aggressive value. |
4/5 |
Purchase it if…
Do not buy it if…
Acer Predator Join W6x: Additionally contemplate
|
Router |
Acer Predator Join W6x |
Acer Predator Join T7 |
Netgear Nighthawk RS200 |
|
Worth (as reviewed) |
$169/£99/AU$299 |
$329.99/£236.22/AU$699.00 |
$229.99/£199.99/AU$449 |
|
Wi-Fi Kind |
Twin-band Wi-Fi 6 |
Tri-band Wi-Fi 7 |
Twin-band Wi-Fi 7 |
|
Wi-Fi Velocity |
6Gbps |
11Gbps |
6.5Gbps |
|
Connectivity |
1x 2.5Gb Ethernet (WAN), 4x Gigabit Ethernet (LAN), 1x USB-A (3.0) |
1x 2.5Gb Ethernet (WAN), 2x Gigabit Ethernet (LAN), 1x USB-C (2.0) |
1x 2.5Gb Ethernet (WAN), 1x 2.5Gb Ethernet (LAN), 3x Gigabit Ethernet (LAN), 1x USB-A (3.0) |
|
Processor |
Quad-core 2.0GHz |
Quad-core 1.5GHz |
Quad-core 2.0GHz |
|
Reminiscence |
1GB RAM |
1GB RAM |
2GB RAM |
|
Storage |
256MB Flash |
512MB Flash |
512MB Flash |
|
Dimensions |
49.5 x 270 x 187mm |
212 x 109 x 109mm |
249 x 150 x 102mm |
- First reviewed: June 2025