Sure, maintaining consistent Wi-Fi performance and throughput for video streaming, gaming, and connecting smart home devices is critical. However, with so many people working from home, you should also examine how important work programs and various kinds of communication (particularly video conferencing) perform over your home network. If your job or your children’s education depends on reliable connectivity, powerful, whole-house wireless coverage becomes a must-have.
This is where Wi-Fi mesh routers come in. These kits cover your entire home in a constant web of Wi-Fi signal, using many actual pieces of transmitting technology to help spread the signal.
What Is a Wi-Fi Mesh System?
Also known by popular brand names like Google Nest Wi-Fi Pro, or TP-Link Deco, mesh systems (or mesh Wi-Fi routers) are designed to blanket your home with wireless coverage. These systems are a hybrid of sorts, made up of several networking components. A main router connects directly to your modem, and a series of satellite modules, or nodes, get placed throughout your house. They are all part of a single wireless network, and they share the same SSID and password. Unlike range extenders, which typically communicate with the router via the 2.4GHz or 5GHz radio bands, most Wi-Fi system satellites use mesh technology to talk to the router and to each other.
Setting up and maintaining a traditional wireless home network can be daunting, even if you’re tech-savvy. Wi-Fi mesh systems, on the other hand, are geared toward users with little or no technical knowledge and can be installed in minutes. They typically come with a user-friendly mobile app that walks you through the installation process with easy-to-follow illustrated instructions. The app tells you where to place each node for maximum coverage and chooses the best Wi-Fi channel and radio band for optimal throughput performance, so you can maintain a strong wireless connection as you move about the house.
Let’s look at the best Wi-Fi mesh routers we’ve tested, followed by some recommendations for knowing the features to look for before purchasing one.
1. Amazon 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.
2. Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8)
The Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) is a tri-band Wi-Fi 6 mesh system that delivers speedy throughput scores in testing. It’s a two-piece system that offers plenty of coverage for medium to large homes (up to 5,500 square feet) and can be paired with other Asus devices that support AIMesh technology. It’s a snap to install and manage thanks to a user-friendly mobile app, and it comes with free lifetime parental controls and network security software.
The Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) is a solid choice for anyone looking for an easy way to eliminate wireless dead spots. Its robust parental controls and anti-malware software make it an ideal choice for families that want to monitor and limit online activities while providing secure Wi-Fi 6 coverage to all corners of their home.
It’s also a great choice if you plan on making wired connections, as its 2.5Gbps WAN/LAN port lets you take advantage of high-speed internet plans and provides speedy connectivity to NAS devices. Plus, at $399 for a two-pack and frequently available on sale, its current pricing is less than it was when we tested it three years ago, making it still expensive but potentially more attractive to people who want to maximize their networking budget.
3. 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.
Read Also: How to Secure Your Mesh Wi-fi Network
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 who 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.
Specs:
— Wireless Specification: WiFi 6
— Parental Controls: Yes
— Coverage Area: 4,500 sq. feet
Pros:
— Small size
— Free parental controls
— Inexpensive add-ons
Cons:
— Cheap feeling
4. 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 provides multi-gig WAN and LAN connections and comes with basic parental controls, but you can subscribe to Netgear’s Smart Parental Controls if you prefer age-based site filters, full browser history records, and internet time rewards.
Specs:
— Wireless Specification: 6E
— Parental Controls: Yes
— Coverage Area: 9,000 sq. feet
Pros:
— Simple installation
— Exceptional range
— Unparalleled speeds
Cons:
— Price
5. Asus ZenWiFi AXE6600 ET8 Mesh
The ZenWiFi ET8 won our Editors’ Choice award for Wi-Fi mesh systems due to its high throughput performance, excellent signal strength, and ability to access the 6GHz radio spectrum. It is pricey, but it includes multi-gigabit ethernet and USB ports, as well as the most recent Wi-Fi 6E technology. It also includes Asus’ AiProtection software, which offers free lifetime parental controls and network security measures.
There may not be many 6GHz clients available right now, but they will arrive. If you want to future-proof your network, the ET8 mesh technology allows you to take advantage of all that available capacity. It’s also a fantastic solution for people who don’t mind paying a premium for a system that is expandable and simple to operate.
Specs:
— Wireless Specification: WiFi 6E
— Parental Controls: Yes
— Coverage Area: 5,500 sq. feet
Pros:
— Powerful parental and malware controls
— Strong signal, even at the edges of the coverage area
— Simple installation
— Fast speeds
— Ready for the next wave of technology
Cons:
— Expensive
— Some settings can only be accessed through web console
6. Google Nest Wi-Fi System
The Google Nest WiFi is a two-piece Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) mesh system that also functions as a Google Assistant smart speaker and is intended for outdoor use. It produced great throughput numbers in our tests and was simple to deploy. It may be expanded with up to five nodes for bigger homes and includes simple parental controls that allow you to suspend internet access, set access schedules for family members, and block access to websites with adult material.
The Google Nest WiFi mesh system provides amazing Wi-Fi 5 performance and three attractive nodes that also function as Google Assistant smart speakers. This makes it an excellent alternative for those who want a router and smart home hub in one device to listen to music, conduct hands-free calls, and manage certain smart gadgets like lights and cameras.
7. TP-Link Deco XE75
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.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Mesh WiFi System
Setup
No one wants a complicated router setup that requires several calls to customer service. Thankfully, most mesh systems are designed for those who aren’t tech-savvy. They usually have a downloadable app to walk you through the setup process. That process often includes illustrated step-by-step instructions and suggestions on where to place each node. Mesh WiFi systems may also assign devices to the best radio bands and WiFi channels for you, streamlining internet traffic.
Plus, if you need more nodes later on, you can always add them. Right now, there isn’t a limit on how many nodes you can add. Using the app, you can monitor who is using which node and, in some cases, prioritize certain devices.
Design Aesthetics
Mesh routers are placed throughout the home, so they’re designed to be less conspicuous than a traditional router. Their antennas are usually internal, hiding them from view. The nodes are relatively small, white or black in color, and unobtrusive. They’re meant to blend in and prevent your home from looking like an electronics store.
Wireless Mesh vs. Range Extender
Mesh WiFi systems cost more than a traditional router or a router with an extender. However, you’re paying for a bare minimum of two devices and possibly several more that are capable of monitoring and running your home network. That kind of control and coverage is where the extra cost comes in.
A router with an extender typically provides more control over performance and connectivity, including assigning radio bands to specific devices or switching networks when using different areas of the house. For ease of use, a mesh WiFi system wins almost every time. Mesh systems have similar speed and better coverage than a traditional router and less time managing it.
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 décor.) 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.
Mesh systems, like modern standalone routers, are multi-band networking devices that use both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz radio bands. Some models support Multi-User several Input Multiple Output (MU-MIMO) technology, which delivers data to several compatible wireless clients concurrently rather than sequentially. Most Wi-Fi systems use band steering to automatically select the least-crowded radio frequency for optimal performance, and often provide simple parental controls, guest networking, and device prioritizing choices.
While they are intended for ease of use, they often allow you to establish port forwarding and wireless security settings but do not provide complex network-management features such as specific band control, firewall settings, and wireless transmission rate settings that a regular router does. You also cannot use third-party WRT firmware to tweak the system for better performance and network monitoring.
