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EE’s Smart Hub 6 Plus is a WiFi 6 router with app-based device and parental controls, plus support for EE’s WiFi Extender 6 Plus. EE’s current support material uses the name “Smart Hub 6 Plus”; “Smart Hub Plus” refers to this product family. The published specifications look capable on paper, but they do not establish the WiFi speed or coverage you will get at home. This review assesses EE’s specifications and controls, not hands-on performance.

What is the EE Smart Hub 6 Plus?

EE’s current support pages call the router the Smart Hub 6 Plus. Its comparison material groups models SH31B, SH32B and SH30A under that family, with some features dependent on model or software. Check the model number on your hub before relying on a particular socket or compatibility claim.

EE lists WiFi 6, dual-band radios, four Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports and a 2.5Gbps WAN connection for the product. These are manufacturer-published specifications, not independent speed or range results. A broadband package’s advertised speed does not guarantee that speed over WiFi in every room: results also depend on router placement, walls and floors, the connected device’s capabilities and how any additional access points are connected.

What are its specifications and broadband compatibility?

EE’s product information and comparison page describe the hub as follows. Features marked as model- or software-dependent should not be assumed to apply to every unit.

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#1 Best Overall
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Like-New Amazon eero Pro 6 tri-band mesh Wi-Fi 6 router with built-in Zigbee smart home hub
  • Like-New eero Pro 6 is refurbished, tested, and certified to look and work like new and comes with the same limited warranty as a new device. Like-New Amazon devices may be packaged in generic Amazon-branded boxes.
  • Premium Wi-Fi 6 performance - eero Pro 6 covers up to 2,000 sq. ft. with support for wifi speeds up to a gigabit.
  • Say goodbye to dead spots and buffering - eero’s mesh wifi technology adapts to your space—so you can confidently stream 4K video, game, and video conference across your home.
  • More wifi for more devices - Wi-Fi 6 supports faster wifi than prior standards and permits 75+ connected devices
  • Set up in minutes - The eero app walks you through setup and allows you to manage your network from anywhere. Plus, free customer support is available 7 days a week.
Feature EE-published detail
Wireless standard and bands WiFi 6; dual-band 2.4GHz 3×3 and 5GHz 4×4.
Processor and antennas Broadcom BCM63146 dual-core 2GHz processor and seven antennas, according to EE’s comparison page.
Ethernet Four 1Gbps LAN ports.
WAN 2.5Gbps WAN, listed for selected models/software.
Broadband technologies EE’s product page lists Full Fibre and selected Part Fibre compatibility. Its comparison page also lists FTTP, FTTC and ADSL for the model family; check your exact hub and service rather than treating this as a guarantee for every variant.
Coverage accessory EE names the WiFi Extender 6 Plus as a supported option.
Phone and other sockets The rear-panel description includes a phone port for Digital Phone service, USB, power and reset. A broadband socket for non-Full Fibre may be present; EE notes it may be absent on Full Fibre hardware.

EE’s Smart Hub 6 Plus product information and hub comparison are the references for these specifications. Because the published compatibility details vary by page and model, check the label on your router and confirm the service with EE if you are unsure.

How does it compare with EE’s other hubs?

EE’s published comparison places the Smart Hub 6 Plus between its older WiFi 5 Smart Hub and its WiFi 7 Smart Hub 7 models. The figures below are manufacturer-listed differences, not evidence that a newer router will be faster in every home.

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NETGEAR Nighthawk WiFi 6 Router R6700AX, Up to 1,500 sq ft, 1.8 Gbps
  • NIGHTHAWK WIFI 6 ROUTER FOR YOUR WHOLE HOME: Delivers fast, reliable WiFi across every room of your apartment or small home for streaming, gaming, video calls, and smart home devices, all running at the same time without slowing each other down.
  • WORKS WITH YOUR EXISTING INTERNET SERVICE: Pairs with your existing modem or gateway via ethernet. Compatible with most cable, fiber, DSL, and satellite providers. Some gateways and modem router combos may require bridge mode. No coax needed.
  • SET UP AND MANAGE YOUR NETWORK WITH THE NIGHTHAWK APP: Download the free Nighthawk app on iOS or Android for guided setup. Manage WiFi, run speed tests, pause devices, and set up guest networks from anywhere. Active internet required.
  • READY FOR THE DEVICES YOU ALREADY OWN: Your phones, laptops, and TVs work right out of the box. WiFi 6 delivers speeds up to 1.8 Gbps across 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Backward compatible with WiFi 5 and earlier.
  • COVERAGE IN EVERY ROOM: Covers up to 1,500 sq. ft. for up to 20 connected devices. Walls, floors, and interference can reduce range. Larger or multi-story homes may benefit from a NETGEAR Orbi mesh WiFi system.
EE hub WiFi generation Wired ports listed by EE Compatibility and controls
Smart Hub (older model) WiFi 5 Not stated in the comparison details summarized here. Basic controls.
Smart Hub 6 Plus WiFi 6 Four 1Gbps LAN; 2.5Gbps WAN on selected models/software. Fibre and some older connection types across the family, subject to model; advanced app-based parental controls; WiFi Extender 6 Plus support.
Smart Hub 7 Plus WiFi 7 One 2.5Gbps LAN and a 2.5Gbps WAN. Advanced app-based parental controls.
Smart Hub 7 Pro WiFi 7 Four 2.5Gbps LAN and a 2.5Gbps WAN. Listed for Full Fibre only; advanced app-based parental controls.

WiFi 6 is a meaningful step up in wireless generation from WiFi 5, but the practical difference depends on whether your devices support the newer standard and on your broadband, home layout and network setup. The 7 Pro’s Full Fibre-only listing also makes it a different fit from the 6 Plus family, which spans more connection types subject to variant.

What can you manage in the EE app?

EE describes the Smart Hub 6 Plus parental controls and security as “Advanced.” Its broadband terms say app controls for the Smart Hub 6 Plus and newer listed hubs can apply across the network or to selected device groups. Depending on the control, you can use content filters, allow or block websites, and pause WiFi temporarily or on a schedule. Multiple SSIDs are listed only for select models or software.

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Rank #3
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TP-Link Smart WiFi 6 Dual Band Router 4 Gigabit LAN Ports
  • OneMesh Compatible Router - Form a seamless WiFi when work with TP-Link OneMesh WiFi Extenders
  • Next-Gen Wi-Fi 6 Technology – The Archer AX10 leverages advanced Wi-Fi 6 features like OFDMA and 1024-QAM to deliver improved efficiency across your entire network. Perfect for high-bandwidth activities like streaming, gaming, and smart home connectivity.
  • Next-gen Dual Band router - 300 Mbps on 2. 4 GHz (802. 11n) plus 1201 Mbps on 5 GHz (802. 11ax)
  • Connect more devices than ever before - Wi-Fi 6 technology simultaneously communicates more data to more devices using OFDMA and MU-MIMO while reducing lag dramatically
  • Powerful Dual-Core 900MHz Processor – Handles multiple data streams simultaneously for reliable performance across your devices. Ensures smooth streaming, online gaming, and video conferencing without buffering or lag.
  • Device and group controls: Apply settings to the whole home network or selected groups, as supported by the app and hub.
  • Content and website settings: Set content filters and website allow/block controls. These do not filter content inside a site that has been allowed.
  • Scheduled or temporary pauses: Pause a device’s WiFi connection rather than its mobile-data service. EE says some third-party services can take a few minutes to pause.

These controls are useful for managing access on the home WiFi, but they are not complete device supervision. EE’s terms say restrictions apply only while a device is connected to that WiFi. A VPN or encrypted browser traffic, including Apple Private Relay, may prevent website restrictions from working; devices using Private Relay may also appear as unknown in the device list. Pausing home WiFi does not disable a phone’s mobile data.

How do you set up the hub?

EE says the quickest setup route is through the EE app. Its manual instructions below apply to a part-fibre/copper setup, so do not assume the same cable arrangement applies to every Full Fibre installation.

Rank #4
YEELIGHT E1 Smart Home Hub, Matter Controller and Thread Border Router, Wi-Fi and Ethernet Gateway, Works with Apple Home, Alexa, Google Home and SmartThings, Support YEELIGHT Matter Device Only
  • 【Matter Control for Multi-Platform Homes】Connect and manage Matter devices across Apple Home, Alexa, Google Home, and SmartThings from one central hub. Built for smoother cross-platform control and easier smart home expansion. The E1 gateway currently supports Matter-enabled devices from Yeelight. As for other brands, it currently supports only color-capable and adjustable color temperature lights.
  • 【Local Automation with Reliable Offline Response】Run key automations over your local network for faster response and added privacy. Even if your internet connection is interrupted, essential routines can keep working without depending entirely on the cloud.
  • 【Built for Larger Smart Home Setups】Supports up to 150 sub-devices for whole-home automation. Create room-by-room routines, group controls, and multi-device scenes with stable connectivity over Ethernet or Wi-Fi.
  • 【Thread Border Router with LAN API Support】Add Thread-based Matter devices with a built-in Thread Border Router. LAN API support and Home Assistant compatibility give advanced users more flexibility for custom automation and local control.
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  1. Connect the broadband line: For the part-fibre/copper route, connect the broadband cable through the supplied filter to the phone socket, following EE’s setup guide.
  2. Power on the hub: Connect the power supply and switch the hub on.
  3. Wait for the connection: In that setup guide, EE says the status light should become solid aqua after 5–10 minutes. This is guidance for that setup, not a timing guarantee for every installation or fault.
  4. Connect your devices: Join using the hub’s QR code, the printed WiFi credentials, or WPS.

See EE’s Smart Hub 6 Plus setup guide.

How can you improve WiFi coverage?

EE identifies the WiFi Extender 6 Plus as compatible with the Smart Hub 6 Plus. If the router does not cover the rooms you need, that is EE’s named accessory to investigate. Compatibility does not establish how much extra range it will provide in a particular home, and EE’s published material does not establish seamless roaming performance or compatibility with every third-party mesh system.

  • Place the hub where its signal is not unnecessarily obstructed, rather than hiding it behind furniture or inside a cabinet.
  • If you use an extender or mesh system, check that the exact device is compatible with your hub and service before buying or configuring it.
  • Where possible, a wired connection between network access points can avoid relying on a wireless link through walls or floors; the benefit depends on the home’s wiring and equipment.
  • Check coverage using the devices and rooms that matter to your household. A router specification alone cannot predict room-by-room results.
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Is the EE Smart Hub 6 Plus any good?

On published features, it is a well-equipped ISP-supplied router for households that want WiFi 6, Gigabit wired connections, app-based controls and an EE-supported extender option. Its main qualifications are that compatibility and some port details vary by model, and its published specifications do not demonstrate real-world throughput or coverage. If you need measured range, performance under load or a specific third-party mesh guarantee, EE’s specifications alone cannot answer that question.

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Best Value
NETGEAR Nighthawk WiFi 6 Router (RAX36) – Router Only, AX3000 3 Gbps Wireless Speed – Dual-Band Gigabit Internet – Covers 2,000 sq. ft., 25 Devices – Built-in VPN, USB 3.0, Gaming
  • Coverage up to 2,000 sq. ft. for up to 25 devices
  • Ultrafast AX3000 speeds up to 3Gbps with WiFi 6 technology for uninterrupted streaming, HD video gaming, and web conferencing
  • This router does not include a built-in cable modem. A separate cable modem (with coax inputs) is required for internet service.
  • Connects to your existing cable modem and replaces your WiFi router. Compatible with any internet service provider up to 1Gbps including cable, satellite, fiber, and DSL
  • Plug in computers, game consoles, streaming players, and more with 4 x 1G Ethernet ports

EE’s product information describes plastic-free packaging and a recycled casing. A 2023 EE launch announcement used the more specific historical wording “up to 95% recycled plastic” for outer casings in the then-new range; that figure should not be assumed for every current Smart Hub 6 Plus variant. The same announcement discussed a planned 1.6Gbps Full Fibre service, not the router’s WiFi throughput.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.