Top Five Best Wi-Fi 6E Routers: Straightforward Options to Enjoy the New 6GHz Band

81 thoughts on “Top Five Best Wi-Fi 6E Routers: Straightforward Options to Enjoy the New 6GHz Band”

1. Hi Dong, what do you think about the acer predator connect w6 router?

   • I don’t think about it at all, Jason. It has never occurred to me.

     • I’m wanting to upgrade my router to a wifi 6e one. Can I have your opinion on which one of these should I purchase: Asus axe7800, Msi axe6600, and acer predator w6 axe7800? I appreciate it.

2. Hi Dong!

   I’m moving to single-floor 2-bedroom apartment and will be using Ziply gig fiber.

   I was planning on using a single unit Asus RT-AX92U for my own router, but figured I’d ask if you would recommend anything newer or generally better that is in the same price range ($150-$200) ? Thanks!

   • For the price, nope.

3. Greetings Dong,

   I have been looking for such information without any luck… until I tried reddit which pointed me to your website 🙂

   I live in Spain where my ISP provided me with a MitraStar GPT-2741GNAC. That’s a wifi router than can accept the fiber optic cable coming from an ONT.

   I am looking for a mesh wifi kit (Asus, Netgear, etc) that can accept the fibre optic cable directly, but it doesn’t seem to be possible.

   Would you have any recommendation?

   Regards

   • Your device is a gateway — it has a built-in ONT. You can’t replace a gateway with a router, you need a standalone ONT first. For your case, you might want check out this post. Make sure you read.

4. Hey Dong!

   I’m in the market for a new router – I have a gigabit connection and am using the default router from my ISP. It’s been pretty good but I’ve noticed (not sure if it’s buffer bloat) occasional lagging/non-loading of certain websites (yahoo mail, reddit, etc.). Even my aunt complains that the videos she watches on fb occasionally “just stop” lol. I’ve tried updating firmware on my router, updating my PC/aunt’s phone, deleting the cache, etc.

   As the resident IT at home, I’m surrendering to you, an expert. I live in a small 2-br apartment – the router is in the living room and I’m a room/wall/door away from it. The route is: router > ethernet to switch > ethernet to PC. Everything else in my room is connected via wifi.

   What router would you suggest? Should I be looking at devices with fleshed-out QoS? I’m working through all your links but it’s slow-going. I’m just wondering since I saw the new MSI RadiX AXE6600 is $100 off.

   Thanks in advance, man!

   • Most good retail routers will do you a solid in this case, Felix. Your diagram looks fine. I’d recommend you start with this post on routers in general. After that, here are the best Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E routers.

     You might also consider this post on how to handle that ISP-provided gateway in case you can’t replace it.

   • Perhaps consider further fault isolation before investing in new wifi? e.g. sometimes route-flap or other issues in your last-mile ISP (or their transit providers) can lead to the conditions you note. Running CONCURRENT tests from your PC when problems are observed would help you to determine if the fault is external, or in your wifi.
     In a similar vein, you could use an app on phone to PING your hardwired PC when problems are observed. ALSO you could run and iperf3 server on your PC and use an app on the phone to verify that your existing wifi is (or is not) delivering adequate throughput to the phone at its given location.

5. Hello Dong !

   Your website is packed with a good deal of helpful information.

   I was hoping for some quick advice.

   My Asus router is showing it’s age, thus looking for some advice to upgrade.

   My house is pretty large (5500 sq feet and 3 levels). It does have, however, cat5 to most rooms. I was looking to use the cat5 cables to “backhaul” as you describe.

   I would like to stay with Asus in my upgrade.

   I was looking at the Asus ROG Rapture GT-AXE16000
   And two
   ASUS AX1800 Dual Band WiFi 6 (802.11ax) Repeater & Range Extender (RP-AX56)

   The main router on main floor, 1 access point on the floor above and one for the floor below main. Access point connected to cat5 cable for hardwired “backhaul” connection.
   Is this a sound plan ?

   • That will do, Maurice. Follow this post on the setup process, if you need more help.

     • Hello Again,

       With further reading here, I am getting the feeling that I may short changing the hardware choice on the non main Router in a AiMesh set up with the above ASUS AX1800 Dual Band WiFi 6 (802.11ax) Repeater & Range Extender (RP-AX56).
       1. If I went with an Asus 6E router, is there an appropriate choice on the additional “nodes” to match the $$$ placed in the main router ? (for example going with a Asus ET Pro 12 )

       2. Same question, if I went with 6 and not 6E on the main router ?

       Again, my house is large and 3 levels but the previous owners put cat5 cable in the house. So with my reading here, I was planning using the cat5 cable to backhaul back to the main router.

       Thanks in advance.
       Maurice

       • Maurice:
         Running with 160mhz channels may buy you more than 6E (6Ghz band).
         Cat-5e will limit you to 1Gbps backhaul speed (unless the runs between your APs and central router are very short). Avoid wireless backhaul whenever possible. (GigE is your friend; and if you had 6A or 7, 10GigE even better.)

         Even if you place multiple APs (routers in AP mode) around the house, you may not be out of the woods. Clients often do a terrible job of switching from one AP to another. (Many clients, notably android cellphones will remain associated to the previous AP even when its signal is poor and you’re sitting right under a close-by AP. Some APs allow you to FORCE-dissociate clients with low signal levels. You may need to resort to this, in order to get clients to attach to nearby APs when the clients move around the house.

         FWIW, I hardwire everything I can (even TV sets and Roku Ultra). Only the two cellphones use Wifi. I manage to get them to run about 1.4Gbps on 160Mhz channels. The hardwired PCs achieve 5Gbps, which is the ISP provisioned FTTH speed.

         To get 1.4Gbps on the wifi clients, the signal level has to be PERFECT. Direct line-of-sight, 6 to 10 feet max radius from the AP. If you walk into another room, your speed falls like a rock (even on the 5Ghz band). All the claims of super speed are bogus, unless you are in the same room as the AP. So, consider placing the APs in the places you will use your clients the most. (And hardwire all the clients that you can.)

         [As you construct your network, may I caution you to Watch for Ethernet topology loops! Even the uber-expensive ASUS gear does not implement spanning-tree/rstp protocol to guard against loops. I have an old Netgear R7800 in the living room. It is the only network device in the house that supports spanning-tree. Neither the RT-AX89X nor GT-AXE16000 pay any attention. And embarrassingly, neither does the Trendnet TEG-7080ES 10GBase-T switch. Consumer gear lives in the dark ages.]

       • Check out this post on the toppic, Maurice. And follow others in the series, too.

         • With my reading here, I have a 2 more questions:

           1. My current set up does use a switch.
           Router main level of house -> basement switch -> cat5 cables to all 3 levels of house

           Does the switch have any bearing on my Asus Mesh hardware choices ?

           2. My ISP is Charter/Spectrum cable internet.
           I have the max speed available at my address which is 1 gig. The discussion regarding of a “multi” gig capable mesh network setup would not apply to be due to the limitations of my ISP right?

         • 1. All about AiMesh setup in this post.
           2. More on Gigabit Internet in this post.

           If you actually give *any* of the posts here a serious read — meaning paying attention from top to bottom and following the related links — you’ll get *all* your questions answered, Maurice. Give it a try!

           If you don’t have time or don’t want to read, get help from a local professional, or follow your gut and hope for the best. Please respect the comment rules.

6. Hey Dong,

   Here is a new one for you! I love your reviews and was all set to get an Netgear Nighthawk RAXE300 for my mid size house with gigabit fibre. However my wife insists on it being white!! Do you have a recommendation on the best router that comes in white? I was thinking about. TP-Link XE75 Pro but just buying a single unit not the mesh?

   • That’s a tough one Matt. The only 6E white router you can get is the Orbi RBRE960. Or you can check those 2-pack meshesBest Wi-Fi 6E Mesh Systems for 2023: The Best Options for a Wired Home to see if you can get just a single unit.

7. Are any wifi 6e routers available using maxlinear chipsets?

   • Not that I know of, at least in the US.

   • I am interested in finding a wifi 6e or wifi 7 router using maxlinear / the former Intel Home Wi-Fi chipset. It seems like no one is producing wifi routers for the consumer market using these chipsets.

     • You already have the answer to your question, it seems. 🙂

8. Hi Dong,

   I’ve been reading your reviews and I know something like the RAXE300 is a good deal because of the price. However, RAXE500 is around $460 and AXE11000 is $447, while RAXE300 is around $380-400. Given the small price premium, what would you recommend?

   • Sorry, JA, but I can’t comment on how you spend your dough. Check the review of each said router for more. 🙂

9. Hello Dong,

   Thanks for all of your work. I’m sure it’s a lot of time and effort so it’s appreciated. I’m installing a new system.

   [] 2 story home, open home design.
   [] The cable port comes into the office downstairs.
   [] Comcast dsl cable. Currently 650 down/20up, about 8ms latency, on the desktop connected via ethernet.
   [] Currently using 3 Deco x20’s. They work good, but not great. Lots of latency.
   [] New modem: Arris S33.
   [] Currently do not have a router. I’m interested in the Synology 6600ax router (with the possibility to add a satellite) but not sure if the 1gb outbound port is a deal breaker.
   [] Internet use: day trading, YT videos, connecting to Dish DVR to watch on my desktop, Zoom, online research, and the usual internet world. Plus, we’re adding a T Mobile cell extender.

   As you know, I’m concerned not having a router’s firewall in place. I attempted to use the Deco as a temporary router but it adds to the latency.

   I’m not craving to have wifi 6E but at a minimum want 6. I don’t want to pay $$$ for products like the Orbi and such. I value practicality, reliability, quality, and “easy to adjust” when it comes to techie things.

   Should I allow the 1gb max outbound on the 6600ax be a deal breaker? Is there a better setup without spending more money? Your posts have steered me to Synology but it’s not a done deal.

   Thank you sir.

   • Among other things, Comcast is not a DSL service Glenn. Please start with this post. Generally, I don’t comment on a specific situation. But this post will help.

     • Yes, I realize Comcast is not dsl. Tks for catching that. I read the post after you provided the link. I read it earlier in the day but clearly I needed to read it again today. At this time I’m going to order the Synology 6600ax router. As you said, I want to invest into the best quality router I can afford. It’s comforting knowing I can add the 6600ax mesh router later if there’s a need. For the near future I doubt I will need more than 1gb on a router’s LAN port – especially due to Comcast’s current 1+ gb plans are not financially justifiable. They changed their plans/pricing this week and it’s mho it’ll be another 12-24 months before they change it again in my area because they are the only provider next to more expensive Century Link’s dsl (got it correct!). Plus, I can always sell the Synology which I’m about to do for my TP Link 1750 and Deco x20 routers.

       Thanks again for sharing your research and wisdom!

     • Thank you for always sharing your wealth of network understanding! This article is definitely no exception. I do have a comment on the Zen WiFi PRO ET12. ASUS specifically sells a 1 piece unit (for $479 if I’m not mistaken). Maybe you’d want to include it as a standalone in this article in the future? (Just a thought as it’s officially sold as both standalone and 2 pack)….

       • And I said so in the list of 6E mesh, Jesse.

10. Hey Dong,

    I’ve been reading a lot of your articles trying to wrap my mind around it all – thanks for putting all this info out there!

    I’m trying to figure out the best setup for a house that has to have a wireless backhaul. It doesn’t have to be a kit sold together – it could be a combo of devices like you talk about in other articles.

    The GT-AXE16000 is attractive as a main router, and I liked the ET12 AXE11000s – but I saw you point out somewhere that config is great for wired but but not the best for wireless due to having to use one of the ET12s 5Ghz as a front haul (if I understood correctly).

    I saw you say somewhere that multiple GT-AXE16000s was also a bad idea, and you seemed to suggest a traditional 3 band satellite over a Wi-Fi-6 3 band for a wireless back haul setup since you could use one of the 5Ghz as a dedicated back haul, but I like the idea of having 6Ghz available through the house for future proofing things. Am I asking too much from a wireless back haul setup?

    I have a pretty big house, and a large yard, I’d like as much coverage as I can get without putting devices outside. I currently have 1.2Gbps internet connection and would like to be able to provide close to that over my Wi-Fi if possible.

    I guess what I’m asking is if you had to pick a combo of devices from what is available on the market right now designed specifically with wireless back haul in mind (I know you say I should wire my house instead 😛 – but I can’t) – what would that setup look like?

    Thanks!
    David

    • I’d go with a 2-pack, 3-pack, or 4-pack (you can get the packs or put together separate units) of the XT12 or XT8, David. If you really want 6E, the Netgear RBKE960 is the only viable option but its performance just not worth it for the cost. In any case, chances are you only see between 300Mbps to 800Mbps on the client, but that’s about how fast most clients are.

      • Hi,

        Thanks for getting back so quick!

        I don’t like the Netgear option because of all the feature paywalls – that just rubs me the wrong way.

        Last question – would I be better off with an GT-AX11000 for my main router since it also supports 5.9Ghz/UNII-4; utilizing 2 or 3 XT12s as the satellites or just XT12s all the way around?

        I think I read on snbforums where someone was saying the NAT speeds on the GT-AX11000 were faster. What are your thoughts?

        I also plan to try WAN Aggregation from my modem (Motorola MB8600) to my router so I can maximize my 1,200 – 1,400 Mbps connection – All of these routers we are talking about should be able to support that – right?

        Thanks again!
        David

        • Considering you’re using wireless backhaul, there’s no need to use the GT-AX11000 — you need wiring to see its benefits. I’d go full XT8 or XT12 (mixing those two might work, but I haven’t tried). I haven’t tried WAN LG — it’s very clunky. It’s better to get a Multi-Gig modem instead. More in this post

11. My WAN modem (ATT) connects to a switch for my home. Should I connect a (new) mesh router to the modem or the switch?

    • You should know what is what first, Peter. So, check out this post.

12. Hi
    Great job with the reviews and thoughts on these networking solutions.
    My question is the idea of security updates. My last few routers from asus, tplink and linksys have been slow to get security updates if any at all. More often they make the pride “end of life”.
    People have suggested that if privacy is not an issue, the eero and google routers will have better and more rapid security vulnerability updates.

    Is this true or just hype? There’s nothing worse than buying a 3 to 400 piece of equipment and have it not get security updates. Do any of these mesh systems Provide longer updates when he comes to patches and vulnerabilities?

    Thank you for all your help

    • Slow patches could mean the hardware is more secure, Raul. More here.

13. Dong- the what is your opinion on the best dumb Wi-Fi 6E mesh network? I really like my Firewalla as the main router and would love to place 3-4 APs around the house that support 2.4, 5 and 6GHz. Can mesh solutions be set up in bridge modes?

    • Then just use APs, Abbas. It can be a real mesh if you use a certain type of hardware from the same vendor. More in this post.

14. Dong:
    When the ET12 units are operated in MESH MODE, the “NODE” (slave) unit seems to be programmed to operate on the same RF channels as the “router” (primary/control) ET12.
    Assuming we’re using all wired backhaul, this practice seems counter-productive. Isn’t it more desirable to have the radios in each unit (main and each slave node) operate on its own independent Wifi channel? (with multiple base stations and clients on the same RF channel, they will defer to one another and/or raise the noise-floor, causing operation to shift to lower MCS tiers).
    Why doesn’t the supposedly “AI” central control figure out what wifi channels are not being used by neighbors, and then program each client on its own dedicated RF channel?
    For $900usd, the ET12 doesn’t seem to be very “AI” (ie not as intelligent as it should be).

    • That’s generally how a mesh system work, Robert, and it’s more constrained a relationship than you’d imagine if you compare it to a relationship between humans, which itself has no real standard. No matter how much they cost, that’s how they’re gonna be unless you want to use each broadcaster as a standalone access point, but then it’s no longer a “mesh”. The notion of “AI” in this case is mostly BS — there’s no such thing. Don’t buy into marketing and think of it as a standard. 🙂

      • Thank you, Dong.
        Bob

        • 👍

    • Mesh works on handing off from one node to the next. I’m not sure how you’d implement a transfer from one frequency to another. If you can figure out how to implement that I’m sure one of these companies will hire you on the spot….

15. @Dong

    I only need a WAP to upgrade my current wifi 5 Asus RT-AC66U to either wifi 6 or wifi 6E. I’ll also upgrade my phone to an S22 which means it supports 6E. I live in a small condo that’s only around 55 sqm so a single WAP is enough. Here are my questions:

    1. At this point, is 6E the way to to go or just stay at 6? 6E is just too expensive right now and I don’t even know if it’s worth it since I’m still at a sub-Gig Internet subscription.

    2. Will I get more bang for my buck if I go with a dedicated WAP or just go with the Asus RT routers and run them in AP mode (like what I’m doing now). I don’t need routing capabilities because I have pfsense for that.

    • 1) I see a lot of other AP (and wireless video bridge) units on 5G. There are few channels left unoccupied. No 160 mhz channel is available. If you want the big BW then go to the unspoiled 6ghz. BUT
      2) To actually get the big BW that is promised in all the adverts, you need to run at the top of the MCS ladder. That in turn demands PRISTINE RF CONDITIONS. Your client needs to be line of sight to the AP, and even then probably no further than 20 feet away. Failing that you’ll drop to a lower rung on the MCS and get reduced speed.
      3) If you opt for multiple AP, perhaps try to pick ones that can force brain-dead-stupid clients to roam to the closest AP. Many clients are totally worthless and will stay associated with an undesirable, topographically remote AP, even if they are sitting next to an optimal AP. The smartphone companies assume consumers are uneducated cretins, so they sell us phones with cretinous WIFI client behavior.

    • Those are subjective questions, Kevin. You need to answer them yourself. Read the reviews for more. 🙂

16. Thanks very much for this list- very helpful. Is it possible to use the ASUS AXE-16000 as the primary router and the ET8s as mesh nodes?

    • Sorry, I meant ET12s as mesh nodes.

      • Yes, it totally possible, Abbas. More in this post — I’ll update it soon.

17. Awesome site.

    I have a 5 bedroom house, I have a asus-rt-ax92u mesh setup. It’s been great but struggles with dropped Wi-Fi every few days and it’s not fast enough to stream 4K video from my Synology NAS.

    Which mesh setup would you recommend? I was looking at the Orbi 963 but am I just wasting my money when a lesser setup would work perfectly. I can’t do a wired back haul due to the house setup.

    • Assuming you use wireless backhaul, Carl, a couple of things:

      1. Separate the bands of the RT-AX92U and make sure your streamers connect to one of a 5GHz band — this post will help with other issues.
      2. Set the hardware to restart itself every a few days — you can do that in the System area of the web interface.
      3. Get your home wired!

      If the RT-AX92U is not working out, the Orbi BRKE 960 might not improve things much. Don’t believe in the hype. 🙂

18. Hi Dong,
    I need an advice: I have a asus rt-ax82u router and I need a new router for a nod aimesh. Should I buy a new asus rt ax82u or asus rt ax86s. (money differences between them is 35 eur more for ax86S).
    thanks for all,
    Virgil

    • I haven’t tested the RT-AX86S, Virgil, but I’d say it’s very similar to the RT-AX86U. That said, you can get either, more in this post.

19. Dong,

    I’m laboring over my situation. I have the wiring for a wired backhaul mesh setup throughout the house. But the walls are thin, and the ports are the rooms with the ports are all on top of each other (basement/office/bedroom). I think the nodes would just be too close.

    Here’s the kicker: There is a special spot in my kitchen where every device could receive a signal only needing to pass through a single wall/floor/ceiling. What if I just purchased one rockstar router and put it there?

    And if so, is the Asus RT-AX89X your pick for the one router to rule them all?

    • Sorry, that first sentence should read: “But the walls are thin, and the rooms with the ports are all on top of each other (basement/office/bedroom).”

    • The RT-AX89X is an excellent router to pick as the main AiMesh router, Kyle. You can try reduce one node instead of stacking them up to see how that pans out.

20. Dong,
    First I wanted to thank you for your excellent insight and helpful comments for those of use hoping to learn more about setting up our systems. In your opinion, is there any advantages to the Orbi RBKE963 over the Asus GT-AXE11000 (router) + ZenWiFi ET8 (satellite) combo that you outlined in your awesome “Multigig wired backhaul combo” article?

    I live in a fairly large fully wired home, and have two 6E clients (at the moment) with fiber gig service. From reading your various articles, I have deduced that the Orbi system would be a couple hundred dollars more than the 6E AiMesh combo with similar performance given the wired backhaul would eliminate the need for the Orbis additional 5GHz channel. Any additional thoughts would be appreciated.

    Thanks again
    Mike

    • After a month I decided to move from the former to the latter and I’ve been much happier since, Mike. If you can handle a bit of hassle during the initial setup, the GT-AXE11000 + ET8 combo is the best for now.

21. What is your ‘4×4 5GHz AC client’?
    it can use 160MHz Bandwidth?

    • It’s a 4×4 Wi-Fi 5 client, Hunter. And generally, Wi-Fi 5 only uses 80MHz at most.

22. Anything good coming from AmpliFi ?
    Stanley

    • They’re probably coming with a prettier screen, but their products never been good.

    • Not that I know of yet, Stanley. The company just kind of released its first UniFi Wi-Fi 6 router.

23. We plan to implement a mesh WiFi system to solve the dead spot problem at the ends of our our recently purchased 3500 sq. ft. “E shaped” brick ranch style home. Our XFinity cable modem router is in the middle “wing”, and I think it’s the brick exterior walls that are attenuating the signal. I was thinking of going with 6E (either the Linksys AXE8400 or the Asus ET8) to try to future proof things. After reading your reviews, it seems as if that neither of these may be ideal. Our home is not wired yet, but it could be. Do you think a viable fully wireless solution will be available any time soon?

    • No, Kevin. There’s no fully wireless solution that works well for your home, period. Get your home wired!

24. Dong:
    Is anyone going to release an 8×8 6E ap or router?
    Operating at top of MCS ladder requires very high signal. Directional gain from an 8-antenna array “should” offer some benefit?
    Any word on 8×8 6ghz units coming out soon?
    (Also, units with socketed antennas, so we can customize antennas to the given deployment???)

    • Not that I know of, Bob. That will be a while if ever happens at all. 🙂

25. Thanks for all the reviews and useful information. Still reading my way through it all. Thinking about pulling the trigger on the GT-AXE11000 since I am upgrading to 10g service. Sorry if I missed it somewhere, but something that I can’t get my head around is how can a router have speeds like 11000 Mbps (GT-AXE11000) if the router only has a 2.5G WAN. Wouldn’t the maximum theoretical speed be 2500 Mbps?

    • That’s correct, Robert. You can’t get more than 2.5Gbps of Internet speed from this router. For faster, you’d need a router with 10Gbps WAN, like the RT-AX89X or the QNAP Qhora 301w. But, honestly, I don’t know how they will work out in real life for your situation since my Internet is slower than 1Gbps. 🙂

26. I’m surprised that the speeds aren’t much faster at 6 GHz than at 5 GHz. Do these routers (and your client) support 160 MHz channels? Am I wrong to expect better performance at 6 GHz?

    • 6ghz speeds are faster than 5ghz. But you cant tell on high 160mhz channels, unless you have more than 1gb+ internet connection. For my tests on 80mhz channels, 6ghz is about 250mbps faster than 5ghz.

      • That’s not how I test Wi-Fi, Pi, nor should you. More in this post. But you have a point there. 🙂

        • What I meant is that with the existing internet connections available, you can’t tell what’s faster, because thanks to the wider 160mhz channels, both 5 and 6ghz bands can easily achieve the current offered speeds.
          So literally, no one can say today that 5hz or 6ghz are faster while using a high 160mhz channel, because again both will achieve any speed anyone has at home. On the other hand you can test the speeds in narrower channels and see that 6ghz is truly faster. In the future we’ll be able to see 6ghz is always faster, once we have 1.5gb+ internet connections at home.

        • I have 1.2gb connection at home. Both 5 and 6ghz are able to achieve the top speeds of over 1.4gb comcast decided to allocate. So yeah we know 6ghz is faster, but we can’t prove it yet unless you have more speed at home to test it.

    • The two has the same speed ceiling, Joe. https://dongknows.com/wi-fi-6e-explained/

27. I remember the cnet YouTube times, and I liked it. I can imagine that not everyone have the time to dedicate to a YouTube channel, but the way you explain stuff I think you’ll be successful at it if you go alone with it.

    • Thanks. I honestly have no resources for a YouTube channel for now. We have no space for a studio. Recording and editing take time, too. It’s not easy doing these things on my own, have a day job and a bunch of mouths to feed. 🙂

28. Have you raised the rate for the gtaxe and lowered the raxe?
    If that’s the case I would agree.
    After all these six months of router “horrors” I now can say I love this gtaxe.
    And remember people, buy and trade a cheap $5 craigslist modem/router and get the gtaxe for about $500 after tax on Best Buy.

    • Good catch! Yes, I did after official testing with a couple of “real” 6GHz clients. 🙂

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