Wi-Fi 6 is the new version of Wi-Fi, building off the older technology to offer faster speeds and better performance in congested areas. The problem is of course that with this new technology you have to have new hardware to support it — both a router and the receiving hardware such as laptop.

D-Link have announced new products overnight at CES to cover you for both of these — two mesh routers and a USB adapter.

AX1800 WiFi 6 USB 3.0 Adapter (DWA-X1850)

The DWA-X1850 is a simple plug and play USB 3.0 adapter to make any laptop or computer Wi-Fi 6 compatible. Offering reliable combined speeds up to AX1800 (574 Mbps + 1200 Mbps) it is ideal for large file transfers and online gaming.

The adapter also offers WPA3 encryption making your reliable connection safe. Available in Q2 2021 for US$99.99 it will most likely land in Australia not long after.

The D-Link AI M32 is their newest and fastest Wi-Fi 6 Mesh router with an ability to offer high speeds throughout an entire household, perfect for applications such as high quality video conferencing, VR and 8K video streaming.

The mesh technology is maintained with compatible D-Link Mesh extenders or another D-Link AI M32 unit allowing the mesh network to fill your house without any signal degradation or drop-out.

The D-Link AI M32 will be available in the US in Q3 2021 for US$249.99 and we hope to see it here in Australia not long after.

AX1800 Wi-Fi 6 Scalable Mesh Router (DIR-LX1870)

The DIR-LX1870 Wi-Fi 6 mesh router is designed to be a lot more stylish than other routers with a “uniquely modern form factor”. With each unit covering up to 3,000 square feet it can also be extended and scaled up using compatible extenders or another DIR-LX1870 unit.

The unit is also controllable using Alexa or Google Assistant using commands such as:

“Alexa turn off Johnny’s WiFi”

or

“Google, enable guest WiFi”

The DIR-LX1870 is available now in the US for US$129.99 which means it should not be far away from launching here in Australia.

Our homes are becoming more and more reliant on Wi-Fi with not just speed but also reliability gaining importance. These products from D-Link look to provide this and more — hopefully we see them in Australia sooner rather than later.

Update: D-Link Australia / New Zealand have given EFTM the following statement re availability:

“D-Link Australia / New Zealand will aim to release most of these products into our market as they become available. Pricing, specific availability and local stockists will be updated when we launch the products into the market. As a guide however, we hope to have these released (product dependent) in Q1 / Q2 this year.”

EFTM’s coverage of CES 2021 is supported by Hisense, Samsung and Powered by Telstra 5G.