Best Mesh Router (2024)

Nothing is more aggravating than spotty Wi-Fi. Okay, we exaggerate a little, but spotty Wi-Fi can cause stuttering when playing online games or buffering when streaming your favorite show, and those kinds of hiccups can be quite annoying.

If you live in a larger home and experience inconsistent Wi-Fi in certain rooms (or even completely dead zones where you can’t get any Wi-Fi at all), there may be a valid explanation for this. In this case, one of the best mesh Wi-Fi systems can be a lifesaver.

By basically introducing numerous routers—one of which is the main one connected to your internet connection—these systems function as satellites.

There are plenty of mesh system options available to meet your needs, but in our opinion, the Google Nest Wifi Pro is the best option for most people. For good reasons, not the least of which being its superior performance, Google’s service is at the top of our rankings. In fact, it’s among the greatest Wi-Fi routers available right now, hands down.

QUICK LIST

Last update on 2024-07-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.

Best Mesh Router (2024)

1.Google Nest Wifi Pro

Last update on 2024-07-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.

The most recent version of the company’s well-liked mesh Wi-Fi system, Google Nest Wifi Pro, took the place of Nest Wifi. What, therefore, is different about the “Pro” version of Google’s formula? The most noticeable change is that Wi-Fi 6 is now supported, and Wi-Fi 6E has been added to improve performance (instead of Wi-Fi 5 with the old Nest Wifi).

Furthermore, the Nest Wifi Pro features tri-band Wi-Fi, which is an improvement above dual-band and offers a 6GHz band in addition to 2.4GHz and 5GHz. This results in improved coverage and faster speeds.

The mesh router units are essentially the same other than a little redesign; they still look stylish and blend in with your decor without drawing attention to themselves. The only difference is that they are now standalone

gadgets. This implies that every unit is the same and now contains two Ethernet ports, as opposed to the satellites’ previous lack of both. On the other hand, something has been removed from the Nest Wifi, specifically its built-in smart speaker feature.

Though not everyone will miss that feature, the better news is that with Matter support added by Google in the Pro edition, smart home enthusiasts are well-catered for here.

Alright, so the Nest Wifi Pro is a little more expensive than the Nest Wifi, but generally it performs admirably in providing you with enhanced mesh Wi-Fi coverage as well as increased performance, which is always a plus. In addition, this is available in linen, fog, and lemongrass hues if you’re sick of white. This Google setup continues to be the greatest mesh Wi-Fi router available.

The Google Nest Wifi Pro is a top-tier mesh Wi-Fi system designed to provide fast, reliable, and seamless internet coverage throughout your home. As an upgrade to the original Nest Wifi, the Pro version promises improved performance, advanced features, and easier management. Here’s an in-depth review covering its features, performance, usability, and overall value.

The Google Nest Wifi Pro stands out with its support for Wi-Fi 6E, the latest and fastest Wi-Fi standard. This ensures faster speeds, better performance in congested networks, and lower latency. The system includes a router and one or more points, creating a mesh network that provides extensive coverage and eliminates dead zones in your home.

One of the significant improvements is the tri-band technology, which includes an additional 6GHz band. This band reduces congestion and provides a dedicated channel for high-bandwidth activities like 4K streaming and gaming. The Nest Wifi Pro is designed to handle up to 200 connected devices, making it suitable for smart homes with multiple gadgets.

The Nest Wifi Pro also integrates seamlessly with Google Assistant, allowing you to use voice commands to manage your network. The system includes advanced security features, such as WPA3 encryption, automatic security updates, and a built-in firewall, ensuring your network remains secure.

2.TP-Link Deco M5

Last update on 2024-07-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.

Take a look at the TP-Link Deco M5 if you’re seeking for an affordable solution to install Wi-Fi across your house. Compared to some of the other top mesh Wi-Fi systems on this list, it is not as fast. This system prioritizes coverage over throughput. It did, however, greatly increase our throughput during testing.

Furthermore, this shouldn’t be too big of a problem if you’re not too concerned about obtaining the maximum theoretical throughput, which you probably won’t be able to fully utilize anyhow. Like the other gadgets in this category, setup is simple, even for non-techies. One of the greatest wifi mesh routers for people who don’t want to get too technical. And, as it is much cheaper than the rest of the options here, it’s also the best mesh Wi-Fi system for budget-minded households.

The TP-Link Deco M5 is a popular mesh Wi-Fi system that offers a reliable and cost-effective solution for extending Wi-Fi coverage throughout your home. Known for its ease of use and robust performance, the Deco M5 is suitable for homes of various sizes, providing seamless connectivity and advanced features. Here’s an in-depth review covering its features, performance, usability, and overall value.

The TP-Link Deco M5 supports AC1300 Wi-Fi, providing speeds of up to 400 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band and 867 Mbps on the 5 GHz band. It features dual-band Wi-Fi, ensuring stable connections for various online activities, from streaming and gaming to web browsing and video calls. The Deco M5 creates a mesh network with multiple units, providing extensive coverage and eliminating dead zones in your home.

One of the standout features of the Deco M5 is its built-in antivirus and security suite, powered by Trend Micro. This includes real-time antivirus protection, content filtering, and intrusion prevention, ensuring that all devices connected to the network remain secure. The Deco M5 also supports robust parental controls, allowing parents to manage and monitor their children’s internet usage effectively.

The system is compatible with Amazon Alexa, enabling voice control for network management tasks. Additionally, the Deco M5 supports up to 100 connected devices, making it suitable for smart homes with multiple gadgets.

3.Netgear Orbi WiFi 6e (RBKE963)

The cost of the Netgear Orbi Quad-Band WiFi 6E is prohibitive for the timid. However, if you require coverage for an extremely broad area—up to 9,000 square feet—then this mesh Wi-Fi system would be ideal for you. It is not only able to cover a vast area, but it can also easily manage the busiest networks, supporting up to 200 connected devices at once. Additionally, it has Wi-Fi 6E connectivity, which allows you to access the blazingly fast 6.0Hz frequency band. The “E” stands for extended.

Our back office has bad Wi-Fi, so we set up one of the Orbi satellites there to reach our maximum speeds straight away. We were able to sustain 100Mbps for the Ookla test and 12.5MB/s.

The performance of the most recent Orbi mesh system with Wi-Fi 6E is amazing. But it’s also rather pricey, and it seems a bit cynical to have to pay extra for Netgear’s parental control and security services.

In the computer sector, there is a proverb that goes, “The good thing about standards is that there are so many of them.” Additionally, we now have to deal with the new state-of-the-art, known as Wi-Fi 6E, after only recently becoming accustomed to all the technical language surrounding the most recent Wi-Fi 6 technology. Wi-Fi 6E adds a new 6.0GHz frequency band to the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands that Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 5 already use. The “E” bit stands for “extended.”

The Orbi Quad-Band WiFi 6E is the first mesh Wi-Fi system that we’ve seen that supports the new 6E technology. Netgear was among the first firms to add Wi-Fi 6 into its line of routers and mesh networking systems. However, Wi-Fi 6 items are still somewhat pricey.

4.Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8)

Last update on 2024-07-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.

Despite being one of the more expensive options available and only supporting two router units, the Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) is a Wi-Fi 6 mesh router that offers lightning-fast speeds and a ton of setup flexibility, including the ability to set up one or two networks using the 2.4 and 5GHz bands.

It was able to push our 50Mbps internet connection to its limit throughout our tests, reaching 60Mbps at one point. Even on the slower 2.4GHz band, it maintained download speeds of 7.3 MB/s in a section of our space where connectivity problems had previously been minimal.

It’s not quite as simple to set up. But with outstanding security features as well, this is a wonderful choice if you’re looking at the best mesh Wi-Fi systems.

The new ZenWifi AX mesh networking system offers top-notch performance for streaming video, gaming, and other online activities, but it’s pricey and not everyone will need Wi-Fi 6’s speed. For parents of little children, the Asus app stands out for its robust collection of sophisticated controls, security features, and content screening.

You may not want to use the Asus ZenWifi AX (XT8) among others. However, this Asus router ought to be at the top of the list for anyone who can afford it and want a mesh network with the best performance, an equally amazing software, and some strong security measures.

For just those reasons, it comes in first in our list of the best routers. It can compete with the top six Wi-Fi routers on the market and is one of the greatest mesh router systems available. That’s no minor feat, given all the routers we’ve evaluated over the years.

Although the ZenWifi AX (XT8) cannot be purchased directly from Asus in Australia, it is available elsewhere. Furthermore, locating stock online is quite simple.

Even by the standards of the latest Wi-Fi 6 routers, the Asus ZenWiFi AX is pricey, but its remarkable feature and performance package makes it worth the money.

With a combined speed of 6600Mbps (6.6Gbps), the two routers enable tri-band Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) on the 2.4GHz and two 5.0GHz bands. That is far faster than the majority of 802.11ac routers in use today, and it is even quicker than many of the recently released Wi-Fi 6 routers.

You should have no trouble utilizing Wi-Fi 6 with your current PCs and mobile devices, though, as it is still compatible with millions of 802.11ac Wi-Fi devices.

5.Amazon Eero 6+

Last update on 2024-07-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.

Eero has always produced dependable, reasonably priced routers, and the Eero 6+, the newest model in the lineup, isn’t too far from the greatest value tree. With its quick and dependable coverage that is sufficient for larger households, it is more affordable than its predecessor and offers better value overall.

With a peak speed of 3.0Gbps, Wi-Fi 6 remains dual-band but is nearly twice as fast as its predecessor. Naturally, it works flawlessly in practice, testing at the fastest speed our office broadband connection can provide on Ookla and Steam. New features including a few extra Ethernet ports, support for the newest smart-home technologies, and compatibility for Bluetooth Low Energy 5.0 and Thread, a new low-power wireless technology, are all included in the price.

Unfortunately,A monthly subscription is required for parental controls, and the Eero app feels a little lacking in features. However, you’re getting a great deal on this.

The first Eero mesh Wi-Fi system to support Wi-Fi 6, the original Eero 6 offered consumers looking to replace an outdated Wi-Fi 5 router with an inexpensive and user-friendly update, albeit not being especially fast. That was a few years ago, though, and the Eero 6’s meek 1.8Gbps speed seems a little slow now, particularly in comparison to more modern models like the newly released Eero Pro 6E, which now supports the newest Wi-Fi 6E technology.

In light of this, Amazon owns Eero, which recently launched an improved version of Eero 6+. While it maintains dual-band Wi-Fi 6, it is nearly twice as fast as its predecessor with a peak speed of 3.0Gbps. Additionally, it includes new features, such as some additional Ethernet ports to provide wired network connections and support for the latest smart-home technologies.

The three routers in the Eero 6+ lineup are all housed in a sleek, white, small pod that is just 66 mm high, 97 mm wide, and 99.4 mm deep. This design is consistent with the rest of the Eero range. However, because of their sturdy construction and small size, you can easily set up each router on any nearby table or shelf.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST MESH WI-FI SYSTEM FOR YOU

A few key factors need to be taken into account when selecting the ideal mesh Wi-Fi system for you, starting with the size of your coverage area and the speed you need based on your normal daily needs and the number of devices that use your network frequently. You should then examine the range and performance of the mesh Wi-Fi system.

Examine the layout, simplicity of use, and setup procedure as well in case you need to modify any settings while using the product. If there are gamer members in the family, additional features like parental controls and security procedures are also crucial.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the best mesh WiFi brand?

The top mesh Wi-Fi systems come in a variety of brands, each with unique advantages of its own; which brand is right for you will depend on your individual requirements. For example, Google and Netgear offer incredibly reliable connectivity and are perfect for small business or whole-home coverage.

If you’re a big gamer, companies like Asus make the greatest mesh Wi-Fi systems because they were created with online gaming in mind. Brands such as Asus, Netgear, and TP-Link provide strong security solutions to protect you and your data.

Is mesh Wi-Fi better than a traditional router?

If you live in a larger home, the quick answer is definitely, since mesh Wi-Fi systems are more effective at covering a wide area than conventional routers.

If your house is multi-story or has a huge square footage, a mesh system can help provide consistent and dependable coverage over the entire area.

Nevertheless, homes with a lot of gaming enthusiasts might choose to install one of the top gaming routers instead, since they offer speeds that the majority of mesh Wi-Fi systems can’t match. A mesh Wi-Fi system won’t be worth the additional cost if you live in a tiny apartment or office where a standard router should provide more than enough coverage.

HOW WE TEST MESH WI-FI SYSTEM

Before we can suggest a mesh Wi-Fi router to you, we test every one that crosses our desk. Like we do with every other peripheral or item we test, we examine every aspect of it, from performance to design and features.

Naturally, we examine its style since, if you plan to place many routers across your area, they ought to complement the aesthetics of your house or place of business. We also examine its ports and any additional features it may have, such as the capacity to establish family restrictions and build up a guest network, in addition to how simple it is to set up and operate initially.

After that, we discuss its performance. We perform the Ookla speed test, range, and coverage strength checks test and our file download test, jotting down any information we collect. Naturally, we also test it against our everyday network usage to give you a glimpse on its real-world performance.