I have Verizon FiOS 1GB service and currently the CR1000A router. I have a Verizon extender wired backhaul and speeds aren’t consistent, WiFi drops, teens whine and complain constantly.

I used to have an Asus router (old dual band model) for a 5400sqft house and, other than basement behind furnace, had decent service, range and parental controls. Been researching routers prepping for Black Friday and weeded decision down to (a) XT9 - AX7800 on sale 2-pack for $350 or (b) ET12 - AXE11000 on sale 2-pack for $700.

Question I have is (a) how much do I care about having 6E dedicated and 12 internal antenna (ET12) vs no 6E and 6 internal antenna; and (b) will either or both of these choices almost assuredly improve over Verizon’s CR1000A? So many posts about the VZ router having issues for years and I’m seeing them all.

If the XT9 has an extremely high probability of giving major speed, reliability, range and consistency improvements over the CR1000A, it’s a no brainer to pull “a trigger” - at which point I’d just need to know which trigger makes the most sense. Is the ET12 worth $350 more?

In case it matters I’d love to continue having separate 2.4, 5, 6, guest and IoT connections, but it’s not a showstopper. Thanks in advance.