Smooth Wi-Fi is essential for video streaming, gaming, and connecting smart home devices. But, with the development of telecommuting and digital home-based learning, it’s even more important that your home network can handle productivity programs and video conferencing both upstairs and downstairs. Strong, whole-house wireless coverage is essential, yet a single router may no longer be sufficient. This is where acquiring the best Wi-Fi mesh router system comes in. Kits like these blanket your home in a vast web of Wi-Fi signal, thanks to many physical pieces of transmitting technology.

What Is a Wi-Fi Mesh System?

Mesh systems, also known by famous brand names such as Google Nest Wi-Fi Pro and TP-Link Deco, are designed to provide wireless coverage throughout your home. These systems are a hybrid of sorts, consisting of multiple networking components. A primary router connects directly to your modem, and a number of satellite modules, or nodes, are installed around your home. They are all connected to a single wireless network and use the same SSID and password. Unlike range extenders, which normally interact with the router over the 2.4GHz, 5GHz, or 6GHz radio bands, most Wi-Fi system satellites communicate with the router and one another via mesh technology.

Setting up and maintaining a typical wireless home network can be difficult, even if you are technically skilled. Wi-Fi mesh systems, on the other hand, are designed for individuals with limited or no technical knowledge and can be installed in minutes. They often include a user-friendly smartphone app that leads you through the installation procedure with simple graphical instructions. The app directs you on where to position each node for maximum coverage and selects the ideal Wi-Fi channel and radio band for optimal throughput performance, allowing you to retain a strong wireless connection as you move around the house.

Wi-Fi mesh networks are simple to extend (there is no present limit to the number of nodes you can add) and control with your smartphone. You can disable Wi-Fi access to specific devices with the push of a button in an app, or give specific devices network precedence without having to log in to a complex network administration.

Best Mesh Wifi System for Gaming

Whatever your budget and precise needs, our pick list has a mesh system that’s right for you.

1. Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8)

The Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) is a tri-band Wi-Fi 6 mesh system that achieved high throughput in testing. It’s a two-piece system that provides adequate coverage for medium to big homes (up to 5,500 square feet) and can be used with other Asus devices that have AIMesh technology. It’s simple to set up and operate owing to a user-friendly smartphone app, and it includes free lifetime parental controls and network security software.

The Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) is an excellent alternative for anyone searching for a simple solution to reduce wireless dead spots. Its powerful parental controls and anti-malware software make it an excellent solution for families looking to monitor and limit online activities while delivering safe Wi-Fi 6 coverage across their home.

It’s also an excellent choice for wired connections, as its 2.5Gbps WAN/LAN connector allows you to take advantage of high-speed internet plans while simultaneously providing fast connectivity to NAS devices. Furthermore, at $399 for a two-pack and frequently available on sale, its current pricing is lower than it was when we evaluated it three years ago, making it still expensive but potentially more appealing to consumers who seek to maximize their networking budget.

2. Vilo Mesh Wi-Fi System

The Vilo Mesh Wi-Fi System is the most reasonably priced three-piece mesh system we’ve come across. It’s currently $115.99 for a three-pack, up from $59.99 when we tested it in 2021, but it’s still a great deal even at this price. It is not a top performance, and it employs older Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) technology, but it is simple to install and manage, has a fair range, and has parental controls that allow you to set internet access hours and allow or deny internet access to any device.

If you need to fill Wi-Fi dead zones but don’t want to spend money on a mesh system that employs the most recent Wi-Fi 6 technology, the Vilo Mesh Wi-Fi system will suffice. We do not recommend this system for those that perform a lot of 4K video streaming or download significant amounts of data, but it is more than adequate for general web browsing and simple home networking tasks.

3. Asus ROG Rapture GT6 Wi-Fi 6 Gaming Mesh System

The Asus ROG Rapture GT6 is a sleek, two-piece mesh system created with gamers in mind. It includes game-enhancing settings, quick throughput, robust signal performance, and free Trend Micro network security software in an easy-to-install and manageable package. The Asus ROG Rapture GT6 kit not only performed well in our tests with high throughput and robust Wi-Fi signals, but it also includes a dedicated game port and a number of gamer-centric options. With a cool-looking design and Aura RGB lighting effects, it’s clear why this mesh system should be at the top of gamers’ wishlist.

Read Also: Understanding Wifi Speeds and Coverage

The GT6 is an obvious addition to any family with a large number of linked devices, especially if some of them are gaming PCs and consoles. If you have a smaller home with less interference from adjacent Wi-Fi networks or are on a tight budget, a cheaper non-mesh gaming router is preferable than the GT6.

4. eero Pro 6E

In our performance tests, the eero Pro 6E performed similarly to the eero 6+, with high throughput and signal strength. Both provide easy setup and control over home automation systems. However, for a slightly higher price, the eero Pro 6E includes multi-gigabit connectivity and Wi-Fi 6E capability. As more appropriate client devices become available, this mesh architecture will allow you to use the comparatively uncrowded 6GHz radio spectrum without missing a beat.

If you want a Wi-Fi 6E-powered mesh system that is simple to set up and administer, the eero Pro 6E is worth considering. It, like any high-end mesh system, supports 160MHz channel bandwidth for maximum throughput speeds. A USB port or two would be good, and it’s sad that parental controls require an optional subscription, but if simple setup and high performance are your primary concerns, the eero Pro 6E will meet your needs.

5. Wyze Wi-Fi 6E Mesh Router Pro

The Wyze Wi-Fi 6E Mesh Router Pro is reasonably priced among mesh systems, delivers fast 5GHz throughput in tests, is simple to configure, and supports multi-gigabit and USB connectivity. It also performs well on the 6GHz (Wi-Fi 6E) frequency, however not as well as on the 5GHz band. It comes with free network security software, and you can add an extra node to protect homes up to 6,000 square feet for $393.99.

The Wyze Wi-Fi 6E Mesh Router Pro two-pack is an excellent bargain and a wise pick for anyone wishing to join the 6GHz bandwagon. It’s also simple to install and administer with the Wyze mobile app.

6. eero Max 7

The Eero Max 7 is a whole-home mesh Wi-Fi system that uses Wi-Fi 7 technology and high-speed ports to achieve high throughput rates. Wi-Fi 7 is currently a draft wireless standard, with few devices other than routers supporting it. Still, if you want to make your network future-proof, the Eero Max 7 is the way to go. In testing, the three-node system we tested achieved throughput speeds of more over 2Gbps. The Max 7 also provides significant support for home automation protocols including as Zigbee, Matter, and Thread.

If you want to future-proof your Wi-Fi network, you’re presumably also interested in home automation, and the Max 7 meets both objectives admirably. Most other individuals don’t need to spend the money that Wi-Fi 7 does right now, and will be perfectly content with a far cheaper Wi-Fi 6 mesh system.

7. TP-Link Deco X4300 Pro

Any Wi-Fi mesh system worth its salt is easy to use, delivers good performance, and comes with parental control software that allows you to monitor and limit internet usage. The TP-Link Deco X4300 Pro checks all these boxes, plus it delivers up to 7,000 square feet of coverage for those who like to live large. It installed in minutes using the intuitive Deco mobile app and performed admirably on our throughput and signal strength performance tests. It also uses most of the latest Wi-Fi 6 technologies, including support for 160MHz channel bandwidth.  

If your current Wi-Fi router isn’t delivering a strong wifi signal to every room in your four- to six-bedroom home, the Deco X4300 Pro can assist. It’s a reasonably cost three-piece solution that includes free basic network security and parental control software, as well as a premium membership for enhanced parental controls and network security features.

8. Netgear Orbi RBKE963 WiFi 6E Mesh System

The Netgear Orbi RBKE963 is a three-piece mesh system that uses the most recent Wi-Fi 6E technology to connect to the comparatively uncrowded 6GHz radio band. In our performance tests, this exorbitantly priced device achieved extremely high throughput speeds while also providing outstanding signal range. It’s crammed with high-end components and simple to set up.

People with huge homes (up to 9,000 square feet) and significant bank accounts who wish to blanket their home with the latest Wi-Fi technology may consider the Orbi RBKE963. This robust mesh system has multi-gigabit WAN and LAN ports and basic parental controls, but you can upgrade to Netgear’s Smart Parental Controls for age-based site filtering, detailed browser history records, and internet time awards.

9. eero 6+

Amazon’s Eero 6+ is more than simply a sleek three-piece Wi-Fi 6 mesh setup. Sure, it provides rapid wifi throughput and strong signal propagation in homes up to 4,500 square feet, but it also has some hidden capabilities. It works as a home automation hub, controlling Zigbee devices like cameras, smart plugs, and thermostats. And, of course, it supports Alexa voice commands and routines.

The Eero 6+ is ideal for people who use Amazon Alexa to handle their smart home gadgets. It uses sleek, low-profile nodes to provide Wi-Fi 6 connectivity and home automation control to every room in the house, and it supports 160MHz channels. It includes a beautifully designed mobile app that allows you to control anything from your phone, although parental control and network security software are available for an additional fee.

10. TP-Link Deco XE75 Pro Tri-Band Mesh System

A mesh system’s nodes can communicate in one of several ways. This procedure, known as backhaul, is vital for providing strong, speedy Wi-Fi signals throughout your home. Most mesh systems employ a specialized 2.4GHz or 5GHz frequency for backhaul, however the TP-Link Deco XE75 Pro defaults to a 6GHz spectrum known as Wi-Fi 6E. This is one of the most efficient installations we’ve encountered, as few client devices now support Wi-Fi 6E, and the 6GHz band is still quite uncontested. If you have Wi-Fi 6E-capable devices or have a wired Ethernet connection for backhaul, the XE75 Pro can be set to use 6GHz for client communications instead.

If you’re looking for a cutting-edge Wi-Fi 6E mesh system but don’t have many Wi-Fi 6E-capable devices, try the XE75 Pro. It utilizes Wi-Fi 6E technology behind the scenes while remaining prepared to use the 6GHz band for client devices in the future. Furthermore, at the current MSRP of $299 for a two-pack (lower than when we tested it), it is sensibly priced.

Finally

Most Wi-Fi mesh systems do not resemble a standard configuration with a router and range extender. The router and nodes have internal antennae and are nearly often elegantly designed, allowing them to be placed out in the open rather than in a closet or beneath a desk. (Don’t expect to see a lot of flashing LED indicators; these systems are intended to blend in with your home’s decor.) They often have at least one LAN connection for connecting to devices like as televisions and gaming consoles, however USB connectivity is a rare feature at this time.