Having smooth Wi-Fi is critical for video streaming, gaming, and linking up smart home devices. But with the rise of telecommuting and digital home-based learning, it matters even more that your home network can ace productivity applications and video conferencing, too—upstairs and down. Strong, whole-house wireless coverage is a must, and a solo router may no longer suffice. That's where getting the best Wi-Fi mesh router system comes in: Kits like these blanket your home in a wide web of Wi-Fi signal, with the help of multiple physical pieces of transmitting hardware. In our tests of today's best Wi-Fi mesh systems, our top overall pick is the eero Pro 7. We stand behind it and our other recommendations below. All are drawn from reviews backed by our rigorous testing and decades of expertise. Whatever your budget and precise needs, our pick list has a mesh system that's right for you.
Overview
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![eero Pro 7]()
Best Wi-Fi 7 Mesh Systemeero Pro 7
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![TP-Link Deco 7 Pro BE63 BE10000 Whole Home Mesh Wi-Fi 7 System]()
Best Budget Wi-Fi 7 Mesh SystemTP-Link Deco 7 Pro BE63 BE10000 Whole Home Mesh Wi-Fi 7 System
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![Netgear Orbi 870 Series Tri-Band Wi-Fi 7 Mesh System]()
Best Premium Wi-Fi 7 Mesh SystemNetgear Orbi 870 Series Tri-Band Wi-Fi 7 Mesh System
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![Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8)]()
Best Wi-Fi 6 Mesh SystemAsus ZenWiFi AX (XT8)
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![eero 6+]()
Best Budget Wi-Fi 6 Mesh Systemeero 6+
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![eero Pro 6E]()
Best Wi-Fi 6E Mesh Systemeero Pro 6E
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![Wyze Wi-Fi 6E Mesh Router Pro]()
Best Budget Wi-Fi 6E Mesh SystemWyze Wi-Fi 6E Mesh Router Pro
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![Asus ROG Rapture GT6 Wi-Fi 6 Gaming Mesh System]()
Best Wi-Fi Mesh System for GamingAsus ROG Rapture GT6 Wi-Fi 6 Gaming Mesh System
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![Asus ZenWiFi BQ16 Pro]()
Best Wi-Fi 7 Mesh System for Large HomesAsus ZenWiFi BQ16 Pro
You Can Trust Our Reviews
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
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![eero Pro 7]()
Best Wi-Fi 7 Mesh Systemeero Pro 7
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
The eero Pro 7 rounds out the company’s Wi-Fi 7 mesh family, sitting firmly between the entry-level eero 7 and the four-figure eero Max 7. Unlike its little sibling, the eero Pro 7 is a tri-band mesh system that offers 6GHz connectivity and support for 320MHz channels. You’ll have to pay extra for parental control and network security, and you don’t get any USB ports for connecting to external storage devices, but this system supports Thread networking, works as a Matter controller, and has a Zigbee radio for controlling smart home devices such as cameras, door locks, and more. Throw in stellar performance, and you’ve got our top recommendation for mainstream Wi-Fi 7 mesh systems.
Who It's For
Anyone who needs to improve their Wi-Fi coverage: If you're looking for a whole-home mesh solution that offers impressive Wi-Fi 7 performance and supports the latest home automation tech, look no further than the eero Pro 7.
Smart home enthusiasts: Embedded circuitry offers support for Thread, Matter, and Zigbee wireless technologies that allow the system to serve as a home automation hub. It also supports Alexa voice commands.
People who want a system that looks good and just works: As with all eero systems, the eero Pro 7 uses aesthetically pleasing nodes that are easy to configure and manage.
Specs & Configurations
Anti-Malware Tools Coverage Area for Hardware as Tested 6000 IPv6 Compatible MU-MIMO Number of Antennas 5 Number of Bands 3 Number of Nodes 3 Number of Wired LAN Ports (Excluding WAN Port) 1 on router, 2 on node Parental Controls Quality of Service (QoS) Security WPA2 Security WPA3 Wi-Fi Speed (Total Rated Throughput) BE10800 Wired Backhaul Wireless Specification 802.11be Learn More eero Pro 7 Review -
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![TP-Link Deco 7 Pro BE63 BE10000 Whole Home Mesh Wi-Fi 7 System]()
Best Budget Wi-Fi 7 Mesh SystemTP-Link Deco 7 Pro BE63 BE10000 Whole Home Mesh Wi-Fi 7 System
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
At $549.99 for a two-pack, the BE63 is not cheap, but it's more affordable than many of the Wi-Fi 7 mesh kits we've reviewed and an easy Editors' Choice winner for the category. It brings the latest 6GHz Wi-Fi 7 technology to your home—every inch of your home—with superb throughput and signal strength.
Who It's For
People who need reliable Wi-Fi throughout their entire home: Strong throughput performance and wide signal coverage are compelling reasons to consider the BE63 mesh kit for your whole-home networking needs.
People who need to connect hard drives or printers: The BE63 is a great choice for connecting hard drives, printers, and other non-Wi-Fi-enabled devices to your network, since it's one of the few mesh systems that includes USB ports on each node.
Specs & Configurations
Anti-Malware Tools Beamforming Coverage Area for Hardware as Tested 5800 Guest Networking IPv6 Compatible Link Aggregation MU-MIMO Number of Antennas 4 Number of Bands 4 Number of Nodes 2 Number of USB ports 1 Number of Wired LAN Ports (Excluding WAN Port) 3 on router, 4 on node Parental Controls Quality of Service Quality of Service (QoS) Security WPA2 Security WPA3 Separate Bands Wi-Fi Speed (Total Rated Throughput) BE1000 Wired Backhaul Wireless Networking Security WPA2 Wireless Networking Security WPA3 Wireless Parental Controls Wireless Specification 802.11be -
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![Netgear Orbi 870 Series Tri-Band Wi-Fi 7 Mesh System]()
Best Premium Wi-Fi 7 Mesh SystemNetgear Orbi 870 Series Tri-Band Wi-Fi 7 Mesh System
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
The Netgear Orbi 870 Series is a pricey tri-band mesh system that uses high-end components and multi-gig ports to deliver strong Wi-Fi 7 throughout your home. It keeps up the standard for strong performance that Netgear's known for, and adds on more multi-gig networking ports, including a 10GbE WAN connection. At $1,299.99 for a three-pack, it’s a significant investment, but if you need multiple high-speed LAN connections and 10GbE WAN, it’s a solid choice.
Who It's For
People who need multiple wired connections: If you need multiple high-speed LAN connections and 10GbE WAN, it’s a solid choice. Each node has four LAN ports. If you can get by with fewer high-speed networking ports, though, you can save a bundle with some of the other systems on this list.
People who want a color choice: We tested the black system, but you can also get the 870 Series in a white finish.
People who want extensive software customization options: For $7.99 a month, you can use Parental Control to create user profiles, monitor internet activity, block access to specific websites, and schedule internet downtime. For $99.99 per year, meanwhile, the Armor network-security software protects all your connected devices and up to 50 mobile devices from virus infections and other malware attacks. For $149.99 per year, the Armor Plus plan adds unlimited VPN, ad blocking, and anti-tracking tools.
Specs & Configurations
Anti-Malware Tools Coverage Area for Hardware as Tested 9000 IPv6 Compatible MU-MIMO Number of Antennas 8 Number of Nodes 3 Number of Wired LAN Ports (Excluding WAN Port) 3 on router, 4 on node Parental Controls Quality of Service (QoS) Security WPA2 Security WPA3 Separate Bands Wi-Fi Speed (Total Rated Throughput) BE21000 Wired Backhaul Wireless Specification 802.11be -
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![Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8)]()
Best Wi-Fi 6 Mesh SystemAsus ZenWiFi AX (XT8)
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
The Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) is a tri-band Wi-Fi 6 mesh system that delivered 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.
Who It’s For
People who need to eliminate dead spots: The Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) is a solid choice for anyone looking for an easy way to eliminate wireless dead spots, thanks to its ability to provide secure Wi-Fi 6 coverage to all corners of a home.
Families: Its robust parental controls and anti-malware software make it an ideal choice for families that want to monitor and limit online activities.
People with gigabit internet plans: It’s also a great choice if you plan on making wired connections, as its 2.5Gbps WAN/LAN port allows you to take advantage of high-speed internet plans and provides speedy connectivity to NAS devices.
Budget-minded buyers: At $399 for a two-pack and frequently available on sale, its current pricing is less than it was when we tested it, making it still expensive but potentially more attractive to people who want to maximize their networking budget.
Specs & Configurations
Anti-Malware Tools Coverage Area for Hardware as Tested 5500 IPv6 Compatible MU-MIMO Number of Antennas 6 Number of Bands 3 Number of Nodes 2 Number of USB ports 1 Number of Wired LAN Ports (Excluding WAN Port) 3 on router, 4 on node Parental Controls Quality of Service (QoS) Security WPA Security WPA2 Security WPA3 Separate Bands Wi-Fi Speed (Total Rated Throughput) AX6000 Wired Backhaul Wireless Specification 802.11ax Learn More Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) Review -
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![eero 6+]()
Best Budget Wi-Fi 6 Mesh Systemeero 6+
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
Amazon’s eero 6+ is more than just a stylish three-piece Wi-Fi 6 mesh system. Sure, it delivers fast wireless throughput and strong signal transmissions in homes of up to 4,500 square feet, but it also has hidden talents. It functions as a home automation hub that controls Zigbee devices such as cameras, smart plugs, and thermostats. And, of course, it works with Alexa voice commands and routines. It does all this for a reasonable price ($239.99 for a two-pack; $299.99 for a three-pack) that is frequently discounted.
Who It’s For
Amazon Alexa users: The eero 6+ is a good fit for those who use Amazon Alexa to control their smart home devices, since it has built-in support for the popular voice assistant.
People who like sleek devices that blend in with their decor: It uses sleek, low-profile nodes to bring Wi-Fi 6 connectivity and home automation control to every room in the house.
People who use apps for everything: The eero 6+ comes with a thoughtfully designed mobile app that lets you control everything from your phone, but you’ll need to pay a bit more for an eero Plus subscription to access parental control and network security software.
Specs & Configurations
Anti-Malware Tools Beamforming Coverage Area for Hardware as Tested 4500 Guest Networking IPv6 Compatible Link Aggregation MU-MIMO Number of Bands 2 Number of Nodes 3 Number of Wired LAN Ports (Excluding WAN Port) 1 on router, 2 on satellites Parental Controls Security WPA2 Security WPA3 Wi-Fi Speed (Total Rated Throughput) AX3000 Wired Backhaul Wireless Networking Security WPA2 Wireless Networking Security WPA3 Wireless Parental Controls Wireless Specification 802.11ax Learn More eero 6+ Review -
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![eero Pro 6E]()
Best Wi-Fi 6E Mesh Systemeero Pro 6E
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
As with the eero 6+, the eero Pro 6E delivered fast throughput scores and strong signal strength in our performance tests. Both also offer the ability to control home automation devices and an easy setup procedure. However, in return for a slightly higher price, the eero Pro 6E offers multi-gigabit connectivity and support for Wi-Fi 6E. As more and more compatible client devices become available, this mesh system will enable you to take advantage of the relatively uncrowded 6GHz radio band without missing a beat.
Who It’s For
Newbies who need easy setup: If you're looking for a Wi-Fi 6E-powered mesh system that is easy to set up and manage, the eero Pro 6E is worth considering.
People with congested networks and lots of devices: Like every high-end mesh system should, this eero kit supports 160MHz channel bandwidth for optimal throughput speeds, even during periods of congestion.
Specs & Configurations
Anti-Malware Tools Beamforming Coverage Area for Hardware as Tested 6000 Guest Networking IPv6 Compatible Link Aggregation MU-MIMO Number of Antennas 7 Number of Bands 3 Number of Nodes 2 Number of Wired LAN Ports (Excluding WAN Port) 1 on router, 2 on satellites Parental Controls Security WPA2 Security WPA3 Wi-Fi Speed (Total Rated Throughput) AXE5400 Wired Backhaul Wireless Networking Security WPA2 Wireless Networking Security WPA3 Wireless Parental Controls Wireless Specification 802.11ax Learn More Eero Pro 6E Review -
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![Wyze Wi-Fi 6E Mesh Router Pro]()
Best Budget Wi-Fi 6E Mesh SystemWyze Wi-Fi 6E Mesh Router Pro
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
Reasonably priced among mesh systems, the Wyze Wi-Fi 6E Mesh Router Pro delivered speedy 5GHz throughput in testing, is easy to manage, and offers multi-gigabit and USB connectivity. Its performance on the 6GHz (Wi-Fi 6E) band is also good, though not quite as good as its 5GHz performance. It comes with free network security software, and you can add an extra node to cover homes up to 6,000 square feet for a total price of $393.99.
Who It's For
Value seekers: The Wyze Wi-Fi 6E Mesh Router Pro two-pack is a great value and a smart choice for anyone looking to join the 6GHz bandwagon.
Newbies who appreciate app control: It’s also a breeze to install and manage using the Wyze mobile app.
Specs & Configurations
Anti-Malware Tools Beamforming Coverage Area for Hardware as Tested 4000 Guest Networking IPv6 Compatible MU-MIMO Number of Antennas 6 Number of Bands 3 Number of Nodes 2 Number of USB ports 1 Number of Wired LAN Ports (Excluding WAN Port) 1 on main router, 2 on node Parental Controls Quality of Service Quality of Service (QoS) Security WPA2 Security WPA3 Separate Bands Wi-Fi Speed (Total Rated Throughput) AX5400 Wired Backhaul Wireless Networking Security WPA2 Wireless Networking Security WPA3 Wireless Parental Controls Wireless Specification 802.11ax with 6E Learn More Wyze Wi-Fi 6E Mesh Router Pro Review -
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![Asus ROG Rapture GT6 Wi-Fi 6 Gaming Mesh System]()
Best Wi-Fi Mesh System for GamingAsus ROG Rapture GT6 Wi-Fi 6 Gaming Mesh System
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
Asus' ROG Rapture GT6 is a sleek-looking, two-piece mesh system designed with gamers in mind. It combines game-enhancing settings, fast throughput, strong signal performance, and free Trend Micro network security software in a package that's a snap to set up and manage. The Asus ROG Rapture GT6 kit not only delivered superior throughput and strong Wi-Fi signals in our tests, but it also offers numerous features designed to enhance your online gaming experience, including a dedicated game port and a variety of gamer-centric settings. Throw in a cool-looking design with Aura RGB lighting effects, and it's obvious why this mesh system should be at the top of gamers' lists.
Who It's For
Gamers with lots of connected devices: The GT6 is a no-brainer addition to any household with many connected devices, especially if several of those are gaming PCs and consoles.
Gamers with big homes and bigger budgets: The two reasons to opt for a cheaper non-mesh gaming router over the GT6 are if you've got a smaller home with less interference from neighboring Wi-Fi networks, or you're on a strict budget. Otherwise, the GT6 should be at the top of your list.
Specs & Configurations
Anti-Malware Tools Beamforming Coverage Area for Hardware as Tested 5800 Guest Networking IPv6 Compatible MU-MIMO Number of Antennas 9 Number of Bands 3 Number of Nodes 2 Number of USB ports 1 Number of Wired LAN Ports (Excluding WAN Port) 3 Parental Controls Quality of Service Quality of Service (QoS) Security WPA2 Security WPA3 Separate Bands Wi-Fi Speed (Total Rated Throughput) AX10000 Wired Backhaul Wireless Networking Security WPA2 Wireless Networking Security WPA3 Wireless Parental Controls Wireless Specification 802.11ax -
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![Asus ZenWiFi BQ16 Pro]()
Best Wi-Fi 7 Mesh System for Large HomesAsus ZenWiFi BQ16 Pro
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
The Asus ZenWiFi BQ16 Pro is a pricey but powerful mesh system that's brimming with high-end features, including two 10GbE networking ports. This mesh system uses Wi-Fi 7 technology and 6GHz transmissions to bring speedy wireless networking to all corners of your home. As with other mesh systems, it is a breeze to install and manage, and it comes with network security and parental control software. It performed wonderfully in our extensive testing and provides not only four multi-gig wired networking ports per node, but also USB connectivity, which is rare in mesh routers.
Who It's For
People who want cutting-edge specs and performance: Blazing throughput, wide signal coverage, and two 6GHz radio bands are all good reasons to choose the Asus ZenWiFi BQ16 Pro for your next whole-home Wi-Fi network.
People with large homes and substantial budgets: It's pricey, so this ZenWiFi kit is best suited for homes that truly demand its exceptional coverage. A two-pack offers 8,000 square feet of coverage, which is more than you'll get from a three-pack of many competing systems.
Specs & Configurations
Anti-Malware Tools Coverage Area for Hardware as Tested 8000 IPv6 Compatible MU-MIMO Number of Antennas 12 Number of Bands 4 Number of Nodes 2 Number of USB ports 1 Number of Wired LAN Ports (Excluding WAN Port) 4 on router, 5 on node Parental Controls Quality of Service (QoS) Security WPA2 Security WPA3 Separate Bands Wi-Fi Speed (Total Rated Throughput) BE3000 Wired Backhaul Wireless Specification 802.11be Learn More Asus ZenWiFi BQ16 Pro Review -
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Best For | Best Wi-Fi 7 Mesh System | Best Budget Wi-Fi 7 Mesh System | Best Premium Wi-Fi 7 Mesh System | Best Wi-Fi 6 Mesh System | Best Budget Wi-Fi 6 Mesh System | Best Wi-Fi 6E Mesh System | Best Budget Wi-Fi 6E Mesh System | Best Wi-Fi Mesh System for Gaming | Best Wi-Fi 7 Mesh System for Large Homes | Best Wi-Fi 7 Mesh System | Best Budget Wi-Fi 7 Mesh System | Best Premium Wi-Fi 7 Mesh System |
Wireless Specification | 802.11be | 802.11be | 802.11be | 802.11ax | 802.11ax | 802.11ax | 802.11ax with 6E | 802.11ax | 802.11be | 802.11be | 802.11be | 802.11be |
Number of Bands | 3 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | ||
Wi-Fi Speed (Total Rated Throughput) | BE10800 | BE1000 | BE21000 | AX6000 | AX3000 | AXE5400 | AX5400 | AX10000 | BE3000 | BE10800 | BE1000 | BE21000 |
Number of Antennas | 5 | 4 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 5 | 4 | 8 | |
Number of Wired LAN Ports (Excluding WAN Port) | 1 on router, 2 on node | 3 on router, 4 on node | 3 on router, 4 on node | 3 on router, 4 on node | 1 on router, 2 on satellites | 1 on router, 2 on satellites | 1 on main router, 2 on node | 3 | 4 on router, 5 on node | 1 on router, 2 on node | 3 on router, 4 on node | 3 on router, 4 on node |
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Security | WPA2, WPA3 | WPA2, WPA3 | WPA2, WPA3 | WPA, WPA2, WPA3 | WPA2, WPA3 | WPA2, WPA3 | WPA2, WPA3 | WPA2, WPA3 | WPA2, WPA3 | WPA2, WPA3 | WPA2, WPA3 | WPA2, WPA3 |
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Coverage Area for Hardware as Tested | 6000 | 5800 | 9000 | 5500 | 4500 | 6000 | 4000 | 5800 | 8000 | 6000 | 5800 | 9000 |
Number of Nodes | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
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Number of USB ports | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||||
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DD-WRT / Tomato-Compatible |
Buying Guide: The Best Wi-Fi Mesh Network Systems for 2026
Many late-model wireless routers can project strong signal to most rooms of a typical medium-size house. But larger homes and dwellings with dense walls, multiple floors, metal and concrete substructures, and other material impediments may require additional components to bring Wi-Fi to areas that a single router can't reach. Range extenders can help fill dead zones, but most provide only half the bandwidth that you get from your main router. Access points, meanwhile, offer more bandwidth than range extenders, but they require a wired connection to the main router. And both solutions typically create a new network SSID that you have to log in to as you move from one area of the house to another.
If you're new to networking, you might be worrying that all of the above will leave you sitting on the floor surrounded by a lot of router documentation and questioning your life choices. Fortunately, there's another alternative: a mesh Wi-Fi system.
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, 5GHz, or 6GHz 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.
(Credit: John Burek)Wi-Fi mesh systems are easy to expand (with no current limit on the number of nodes you can add) and manage using your smartphone. From an app, you can disable Wi-Fi access to specific devices with the press of a button, or give certain devices network priority without having to log in to a complicated network console.
What Should I Look for in Wi-Fi Mesh Router Design and Features?
Most Wi-Fi mesh systems look nothing like a traditional setup with a router and range extender. The router and nodes use internal antennas and are almost always tastefully designed so you can place them out in the open rather than in a closet or under a desk. (Don't expect to find a lot of flashing LED indicators—these systems are designed to blend in with your home's décor.) They usually have at least one LAN port for connecting to devices like TVs and gaming consoles, but USB connectivity is a rare feature at this point.
Similar to modern standalone routers, mesh systems are multi-band networking devices that operate on the 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz radio bands. Some models offer support for Multi-User Multiple Input Multiple Output (MU-MIMO) technology, which streams data to multiple compatible wireless clients simultaneously rather than sequentially. Most Wi-Fi systems use band steering to automatically select the least-crowded radio band for the best performance and offer easy-to-use parental controls, guest networking, and device-prioritization options. While designed for ease of use, they usually let you configure port forwarding and wireless security settings but lack the advanced network-management options such as individual band control, firewall settings, and wireless transmission rate settings that you get with a traditional router. Nor can you use third-party WRT firmware to customize the system for enhanced performance and network monitoring.
What Are the Disadvantages of a Mesh Network?
The only significant disadvantage of mesh networking systems is their pricing, which is almost always higher than a standalone router's. Most manufacturers sell mesh systems in flexible configurations, where you choose the number of nodes that match the coverage needed for the amount of square feet your house contains. A system with three nodes is typically pricier than a system with two nodes, which in turn is pricier than either a single node (which is available with some mesh systems) or an alternative standalone router. And if you need to spread signals throughout a house that's 4,000 square feet or more, you're typically going to need a three-node system, which means upgrading to a mesh system from your existing standalone router will be a significant hit to your wallet.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)However, in return for the higher cash outlay, you get all the advantages described here—consistent Wi-Fi coverage throughout your house, easy installation, and much more. And in some cases, you might actually save money by buying a multiple-node mesh system instead of trying to improve your existing router's coverage by adding boosters or extenders. We'll take a look at the advantages mesh offers over this scenario below.
Do You Lose Speed With Wi-Fi Mesh Networking?
Speed problems are a secondary potential disadvantage of mesh systems. Concerned that using a mesh system to spread consistent Wi-Fi signals throughout your home will reduce your internet speed overall, or take away the peak speeds you experience on devices that currently have a wired connection to your existing router? It's possible, at least in theory, but only if you have a large number of Wi-Fi devices and a relatively slow plan from your internet service provider. For example, if your connection offers 100Mbps download speeds and 5Mbps upload speeds, a common scenario for entry-level broadband plans in many areas of the country, you could easily max them out with just two or three connected devices, like a phone, TV, and a computer. If you've got a dozen or so additional devices spread throughout your home—the average American household has 21, a number that's actually decreasing over time—that can suddenly access that full speed thanks to your new mesh system, you could inadvertently create a bottleneck.
Recommended by Our Editors
It's an easy problem to solve if you do run into it, though. Thanks to the ease with which most mesh systems can be configured, you can often group devices together into high-priority categories that get allocated bandwidth first (like your work PC you use for videoconferencing) and relegate other devices like thermostats and alarm clocks to a lower tier. And if that doesn't work, you could consider upgrading the speed of your internet plan.
Do Wi-Fi Mesh Systems Support Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7?
The latest mesh systems support the cutting-edge Wi-Fi 7 standard, but most of these are expensive and overkill for people who don't already have Wi-Fi 7-capable devices they're looking to connect. Wi-Fi 6 support is more common on mainstream and budget mesh systems, and it's the minimum standard you should insist on in a new mesh system.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)Whereas Wi-Fi 6 offers merely incremental speed increases over Wi-Fi 5, Wi-Fi 7 is all about lightning-fast connections. Wi-Fi 7 is more than four times faster than Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E, which can hit maximum data rates of 9.6Gbps, and close to six times faster than Wi-Fi 5, which maxes out at 6.9Gbps. In addition to offering previously unattainable data rates, Wi-Fi 7 employs new technologies to reduce latency, increase network capacity, and boost efficiency.
Some Wi-Fi 6 devices can also communicate on the less-crowded 6GHz band; they are known as Wi-Fi 6E-compatible. (Wi-Fi 7 devices also use the 6GHz band.)
Wi-Fi 7 and Wi-Fi 6 are both backward-compatible with the older Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) and Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n). But as with previous Wi-Fi versions, your client devices will require support for the spec (here, 802.11be) in their circuitry to unlock the full potential of Wi-Fi 7.
Which Is Better: A Wireless Mesh Router, or a Range Extender?
Aside from a few pricey contenders, most mesh systems are only slightly more expensive than a router/range extender combination. Wi-Fi systems range in price from less than $100 for a single-node system to at least $300 for a setup that can cover a 3,000-square-foot house with three or more nodes.
The pricing looks higher with these systems because, in most cases, you're paying for at least two devices, the router and a router node that forms the mesh. Most systems, in fact, come with two nodes, so you're buying three devices in total. If you break it down per device, you'll most often find that they cost only a little more than you'd pay for a similarly powered router and range extender solution. That's especially true now that we're seeing prices coming down on mesh systems in general, even the newer models compatible with Wi-Fi 6E.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)Also remember: Wi-Fi systems are all about ease of use. They are a snap to set up and manage, offer whole-house coverage via a series of attractive nodes, and provide seamless room-to-room roaming over a single network. If you want total control over your network and require the best possible throughput performance and connectivity options, stick with a traditional router solution. If you don't want to deal with things like assigning radio bands and logging in to different networks as you move throughout your home, however, a Wi-Fi system makes sense. (For more about the differences between these two technologies, check out our explainer Wi-Fi Range Extender vs. Mesh Network: What's the Difference?)
Ready to Buy the Right Wi-Fi Mesh System for You?
We've laid out our top mesh picks in the detailed spec breakout that accompanies this guide. For even more detail, click through to our full reviews of the best Wi-Fi systems we've tested. Need some more help getting all your devices up and running their fastest? Check out our tips for troubleshooting your internet connection. And once you've picked out the best mesh system for your home, read our primer on how to set up a mesh Wi-Fi router.