Buying Guide
The Best B650 Motherboards With Wi-Fi 6E
We weighed four motherboards on M.2 slot count and wired network speed, and the B650M PG Lightning costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read4 products evaluated
A B650 board with Wi-Fi 6E removes the need for a separate adapter. Every pick is a B650 or B650E board with Wi-Fi 6E, ordered from the lowest price.
The order reflects M.2 slots, wired LAN and wi-Fi from maker specifications; we did not test these motherboards ourselves, and a missing M.2 slots is flagged, not filled in.
Quick Picks
Our 4 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
ASRock B650M PG Lightning WiFi
The cheapest way into this group, below the TUF B650E-PLUS.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build.
Our take Check price for ASRock B650M PG Lightning WiFi (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
ASUS TUF Gaming B650E-PLUS WiFi
80A DrMOS power stages.
Best for: Buyers who want 80A DrMOS power stages.
Our take Check price for ASUS TUF Gaming B650E-PLUS WiFi (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
MSI B650 Gaming Plus WiFi
Bluetooth 5.3 alongside Wi-Fi 6E.
Best for: Buyers who want Bluetooth 5.3 alongside Wi-Fi 6E.
Our take Check price for MSI B650 Gaming Plus WiFi (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
ASUS B650E MAX Gaming WiFi W
The top of this price range, adding a white PCB.
Best for: Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Our take Check price for ASUS B650E MAX Gaming WiFi W (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The cheapest way into this group, below the TUF B650E-PLUS. | Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build. | Check price for ASRock B650M PG Lightning WiFi (opens in a new tab) |
| 80A DrMOS power stages. | Buyers who want 80A DrMOS power stages. | Check price for ASUS TUF Gaming B650E-PLUS WiFi (opens in a new tab) |
| Bluetooth 5.3 alongside Wi-Fi 6E. | Buyers who want Bluetooth 5.3 alongside Wi-Fi 6E. | Check price for MSI B650 Gaming Plus WiFi (opens in a new tab) |
| The top of this price range, adding a white PCB. | Spending more for the fullest feature set. | Check price for ASUS B650E MAX Gaming WiFi W (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 4
ASRock B650M PG Lightning WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The B650M PG Lightning is the cheapest route onto AM5 here, a Micro-ATX board with Wi-Fi 6E, 2.5Gbps LAN and BIOS Flashback.
Best for
- Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7.
Why we like it
Its 6+2+1 layout is best kept to six- and eight-core chips. 6+2+1 power stages is unique to it among these picks, while the B650 Gaming Plus uses 12+2+1 power stages. It also offers memory support up to DDR5-7200 (OC) and the lowest price among the AM5 boards here.
It uses AMD's AM5 socket, so it takes Ryzen 7000, 8000 and 9000 chips; a board built before a CPU's launch may need a BIOS update first, so check whether it supports BIOS Flashback. As a Micro-ATX board it fits smaller cases but has fewer expansion slots than ATX; check the gap between the GPU and the lower slots. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the TUF B650E-PLUS was the next step up. Buyers who need a confirmed M.2 slot count should compare it with the TUF B650E-PLUS, which offers 3.
Key dimensions & specs
- Wired LAN: 2.5Gbps
- Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6E
- Power stages: 6+2+1
- Form factor: Micro-ATX
- Socket: AM5
- Chipset: B650
Pros
- BIOS Flashback
- Memory support up to DDR5-7200 (OC)
- The lowest price among the AM5 boards here
- 6+2+1 power stages, the only one here
Cons
- Wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7
- No published M.2 slot count
Also Consider2 of 4
ASUS TUF Gaming B650E-PLUS WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The TUF B650E-PLUS uses the B650E chipset, which adds PCIe 5.0 lanes, alongside 80A power stages and BIOS Flashback.
Best for
- Buyers who want 80A DrMOS power stages.
Skip if
- Pass on it if wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It is a sturdy pick for a 12- or 16-core Ryzen on a budget. It shares 12+2+1 power stages with the B650 Gaming Plus; the B650E MAX Gaming W goes with 8+2+1 power stages. It uses AMD's AM5 socket, so it takes Ryzen 7000, 8000 and 9000 chips; a board built before a CPU's launch may need a BIOS update first, so check whether it supports BIOS Flashback.
Check the manual for which M.2 slots share lanes with SATA ports or the second PCIe slot before filling them all. On price it sat second of 4, between the cheaper B650M PG Lightning and the pricier B650 Gaming Plus, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- M.2 slots: 3
- Wired LAN: 2.5Gbps
- Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6E
- Power stages: 12+2+1
- Form factor: ATX
- Socket: AM5
- Chipset: B650E
Pros
- 80A DrMOS power stages
- BIOS Flashback
- PCIe 5.0 support from the B650E chipset
Cons
- Wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7
- Costs more than the B650M PG Lightning at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 4
MSI B650 Gaming Plus WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The B650 Gaming Plus WiFi is a plain, low-cost ATX board with a 12+2+1 layout, Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5Gbps LAN.
Best for
- Buyers who want Bluetooth 5.3 alongside Wi-Fi 6E.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi is a problem.
Why we like it
It covers a six- or eight-core Ryzen without extras. Like the TUF B650E-PLUS, it has 12+2+1 power stages, while the B650M PG Lightning uses 6+2+1 power stages. It shares a B650 chipset with the B650M PG Lightning; the B650E MAX Gaming W goes with a B650E chipset.
It also comes with Bluetooth 5.3 alongside Wi-Fi 6E, HDMI and DisplayPort outputs and one of the lowest prices here for an ATX AM5 board. It uses AMD's AM5 socket, so it takes Ryzen 7000, 8000 and 9000 chips; a board built before a CPU's launch may need a BIOS update first, so check whether it supports BIOS Flashback. It was priced above the TUF B650E-PLUS and below the B650E MAX Gaming W at the time of writing. There is no published M.2 slot count figure, whereas the TUF B650E-PLUS offers 3.
Key dimensions & specs
- Wired LAN: 2.5Gbps
- Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6E
- Power stages: 12+2+1
- Form factor: ATX
- Socket: AM5
- Chipset: B650
Pros
- Bluetooth 5.3 alongside Wi-Fi 6E
- HDMI and DisplayPort outputs
- One of the lowest prices here for an ATX AM5 board
Cons
- Wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7
- No published M.2 slot count
- Costs more than the B650M PG Lightning at the time of writing
Premium Pick4 of 4
ASUS B650E MAX Gaming WiFi W on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The B650E MAX Gaming W stands out for a white PCB, and it adds a rear USB 10Gbps Type-C port.
Best for
- Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Skip if
- Pass on it if wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It also offers a 3 M.2 slot count and offers a 2.5Gbps wired network speed. It is the only pick here with 8+2+1 power stages; the B650 Gaming Plus has 12+2+1 power stages instead. It shares a B650E chipset with the TUF B650E-PLUS; the B650 Gaming Plus goes with a B650 chipset.
It also offers BIOS Flashback. It uses AMD's AM5 socket, so it takes Ryzen 7000, 8000 and 9000 chips; a board built before a CPU's launch may need a BIOS update first, so check whether it supports BIOS Flashback. Check the manual for which M.2 slots share lanes with SATA ports or the second PCIe slot before filling them all.
At our last price check it topped the group, with the B650 Gaming Plus the nearest cheaper option. Wired network speed is its weakest area, and the B650M PG Lightning covers it better at 2.5Gbps.
Key dimensions & specs
- M.2 slots: 3
- Wired LAN: 2.5Gbps
- Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6E
- Power stages: 8+2+1
- Form factor: ATX
- Socket: AM5
- Chipset: B650E
Pros
- White PCB
- Rear USB 10Gbps Type-C port
- BIOS Flashback
- 8+2+1 power stages, the only one here
Cons
- Wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7
- Costs more than the B650M PG Lightning at the time of writing
How We Chose These B650 Motherboards With Wi-Fi 6E
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- How these picks were ranked
- We compared four boards on M.2 slot count, wired network speed, wi-Fi and power stages as the makers state them. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 4, from the B650M PG Lightning to the B650E MAX Gaming W, state wired network speed, wi-Fi and power stages and share Wi-Fi 6E wi-Fi and AM5 socket.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The B650M PG Lightning and the B650 Gaming Plus give no M.2 slot count.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the B650M PG Lightning ($100 to $150) to the B650E MAX Gaming W ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a B650 Motherboard With Wi-Fi 6E
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Extras that separate them
The TUF B650E-PLUS: BIOS Flashback. The B650 Gaming Plus: HDMI and DisplayPort outputs. The B650E MAX Gaming W: a rear USB 10Gbps Type-C port.
How much to spend
$100 to $150 buys the B650M PG Lightning, the TUF B650E-PLUS and the B650 Gaming Plus; $150 to $250 buys the B650E MAX Gaming W at our last check.
Start from what matters most
Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build: the B650M PG Lightning. Spending more for the fullest feature set: the B650E MAX Gaming W.
Power delivery for high-end CPUs
Boards with more and stronger power stages run hot 16-core chips more comfortably. For eight-core gaming CPUs, most current boards are enough.
Count M.2 slots
Most games now install to NVMe drives. Count how many M.2 slots you need now and later, and check which ones share lanes with other ports.
How to Choose a B650 Motherboard With Wi-Fi 6E
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build | B650M PG Lightning | The cheapest way into this group, below the TUF B650E-PLUS |
| Buyers who want 80A DrMOS power stages | TUF B650E-PLUS | 80A DrMOS power stages |
| Buyers who want Bluetooth 5.3 alongside Wi-Fi 6E | B650 Gaming Plus | Bluetooth 5.3 alongside Wi-Fi 6E |
| Spending more for the fullest feature set | B650E MAX Gaming W | The top of this price range, adding a white PCB |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The B650M PG Lightning, the TUF B650E-PLUS and the rest, as their makers list them.
| Board | M.2 slots | Wired LAN | Wi-Fi | Power stages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B650M PG Lightning | Not listed | 2.5Gbps | Wi-Fi 6E | 6+2+1 |
| TUF B650E-PLUS | 3 | 2.5Gbps | Wi-Fi 6E | 12+2+1 |
| B650 Gaming Plus | Not listed | 2.5Gbps | Wi-Fi 6E | 12+2+1 |
| B650E MAX Gaming W | 3 | 2.5Gbps | Wi-Fi 6E | 8+2+1 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The B650M PG Lightning was the lowest-priced pick and the B650E MAX Gaming W the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Boards |
|---|---|
| About $100 to $150 | B650M PG Lightning, TUF B650E-PLUS, B650 Gaming Plus |
| About $150 to $250 | B650E MAX Gaming W |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the B650M PG Lightning our Lowest Price Here pick?
It earns the label for the cheapest way into this group, below the TUF B650E-PLUS. It suits anyone who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build.
Do the B650M PG Lightning and the TUF B650E-PLUS differ on power stages?
The B650M PG Lightning uses 6+2+1; the TUF B650E-PLUS and the B650 Gaming Plus use 12+2+1; the B650E MAX Gaming W uses 8+2+1.
What extras do the B650M PG Lightning and the TUF B650E-PLUS include?
The B650M PG Lightning: BIOS Flashback. The TUF B650E-PLUS: 80A DrMOS power stages. The B650 Gaming Plus: Bluetooth 5.3 alongside Wi-Fi 6E.
Should I pick the B650M PG Lightning or the B650E MAX Gaming W?
The B650M PG Lightning suits buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build; the B650E MAX Gaming W suits spending more for the fullest feature set.
What else do the B650 Gaming Plus and the B650E MAX Gaming W offer?
The B650 Gaming Plus: one of the lowest prices here for an ATX AM5 board. The B650E MAX Gaming W: BIOS Flashback.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the B650M PG Lightning, chosen for the cheapest way into this group, below the TUF B650E-PLUS. Look at the TUF B650E-PLUS for 80A DrMOS power stages, the B650 Gaming Plus for Bluetooth 5.3 alongside Wi-Fi 6E and the B650E MAX Gaming W for the top of this price range, adding a white PCB if those matter more to you.
Check the BIOS version for Ryzen 9000 support.