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The best mesh routers you can buy
Demand for fast and reliable Wi-Fi is at an all-time high as millions of people rely on Zoom and other video conferencing apps to communicate with colleagues and clients. Many organizations are also finding that video calls reduce the need for business travel and client visits.
However, increased reliance on Wi-Fi can reveal problems, especially in larger offices or homes where the Wi-Fi signal may struggle to reach more distant rooms on other floors. Instead of relying on a conventional Wi-Fi router and access points or range extenders, opting for a mesh networking system is a useful alternative solution.
Also: The best Wi-Fi routers
Most mesh systems offer the Wi-Fi 6 standard (also known as IEEE 802.11ax), a reliable mesh system for businesses and homes looking to maximize the performance and flexibility of their Wi-Fi setups. With the latest release of Wi-Fi 7 (IEEE 802.11be), you can now get twice the speed of Wi-Fi 6 in your mesh systems. With these factors in mind, we researched the best mesh Wi-Fi systems to help you gain the signal you need.
Our top pick for the best mesh Wi-Fi system of 2023 is the Amazon Eero Max 7 mesh Wi-Fi system. The design is sleek and compact, offering top-speed tri-band mesh connectivity with up to 7,500 sq. ft. of coverage. Other options are below.
The best mesh routers of 2023
- Wi-Fi 7
- Increased speed
- TrueMesh
- Smart home compatibility
- Pricey
- Connecting with older Eero devices may reduce performance
Amazon Eero Max 7 mesh Wi-Fi system tech specs: Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 7 | Speed: Wired up to 9.4 and wireless up to 4.3 Gbps | Ports: Two 10 GbEports | Support for 160 MHz client devices | Built-in smart hub | 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands
Amazon's 2023 Eero Max 7 mesh Wi-Fi system is a router, repeater, and range extender in one. With up to a 10 gigabit Ethernet connection, the Eero Max 7 was built with speed in mind. According to ZDNET's Artie Beaty, this type of speed lets you download a 4K movie in just 10 seconds or a 50GB video game in less than a minute.
Also: Everything Amazon just announced: Alexa updates, new Echo Show, Fire tablets, and more
The mesh system utilizes the 240 MHz channel for additional connectivity alongside the standard 2.4GHz and 5GHz band channels. Expect up to 2,500 square feet of coverage to supply a dependable signal across your existing internet connection.
- Excellent wireless range
- Three-pack
- Affordable
- Users report annoyance with power cable length
TP-Link Deco AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 mesh system tech specs: Wi-Fi: Dual-band Wi-Fi 6 | Speed: 2×2/HE160 2402 Mbps plus 2×2 574 Mbps | Ports: 10/100/1000 Mbps | AI-assisted mesh | Range: 6,500 square feet
The TP-Link Deco X55 is an impressive mesh system suitable for larger homes or small offices. Available in a three-pack for a sale price of $200 ($80 off), this mesh system tops our list for its combination of features and affordability.
Also: Mesh routers vs. Wi-Fi routers: What's best for your home office?
This mesh system covers up to 6,500 square feet and includes three Gigabit ports per unit, providing robust performance and coverage across the entire network. While only dual-band, the system utilizes the 5 GHz frequency and can manage up to 150 connected devices.
TP-Link Deco X55 uses AI mesh. The router will analyze your home environment and will adjust bandwidth use and connectivity based on features such as weak coverage spots, obstacles, and usage.
- Blazing fast speeds
- Fantastic coverage
- Expensive setup for larger coverage
Netgear Orbi AX5400 tech specs: Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6, 2.4GHz, 5GHz bands, MU-MIMO capable,160MHz channels | Speed: 5.4 Gbps+ | Ports: WAN, LAN, Ethernet | CPU: 1GHz dual-core | Range: up to 12,500 square feet
The Netgear Orbi AX5400 (RBK763) is a Gigabit Wi-Fi system based on mesh technologies that are best suited for homes that need a lot of coverage. You can harness the network to support up to 75 devices in around seven rooms, making dead zones a thing of the past.
Furthermore, the router system included parental app controls and support for 160MHz channels, which boosts the speed of mobile device connectivity. You can purchase packs including routers and additional satellites to increase coverage, of which starter packs begin at 5,000 square feet.
Also: How to set up a VPN on your router
A year of Netgear Armor is included for free. Prices begin at $500 for a two-pack system, and you can also buy additional satellites separately.
- Excellent coverage range
- Tri-band Wi-Fi
- Exceptional speeds
- Guest mode
- Expensive
- Dull design
Linksys Atlas Max 6E tech specs: Wi-Fi: Tri-band Wi-Fi 6E | Speed: 4.2 Gbps+ | Ports: WAN, 4 LAN, USB | CPU: 1.4 - 2.2GHz quad-core | Range: 9,000 square feet
The tall, white plastic design resembles Linksys's popular Velop mesh systems and houses no less than 12 internal antennae powered by a 2.2GHz quad-core processor. However, Linksys has decided that this new Wi-Fi 6E system deserves a mighty new name based on its high-performance credentials -- hence the Linksys Atlas Max 6E.
Also: The best VPN routers (and whether you can turn any router into one)
The Atlas Max 6E supports the 6GHz frequency band and the existing 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands. Prices start at $299 for a Wi-Fi 5 router, while the more expensive options provide tri-band Wi-Fi 6E with a top speed of 8.4Gbps (referred to as AXE8400). To match its high-end wireless speed, the Atlas also provides Gigabit Ethernet ports for devices that require a wired connection and a USB 3.0 port for connecting USB storage devices that can be shared on the network.
One Atlas router can cover an area of up to 3,000 square feet, with professional installation available for business users. At the top of the range, it can support over 195 device connections -- far more than necessary for an average home but potentially significant for SMBs.
Amazon is currently offering 20% off the typical RRP.
- Wi-Fi 6
- Stylish
- Lack of satellite ports
Google Nest Wi-Fi Pro tech specs: Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6E, 2.4 GHz, 5.0 GHz, 6.0 GHz bands | Speed: 5.4 Gbps+ | Range: up to 2,200 square feet | Guest mode
The Google Nest Wi-Fi Pro has an improved capacity for speed and coverage compared to older Nest models. This bundle of three satellites is undoubtedly worth your consideration if you need blanket coverage for an average-sized home.
This mesh network is centered around a Wi-Fi 6E router capable of handling traffic on 2.4 GHz, 5.0 GHz, and 6.0 GHz bands. Furthermore, the router is easily set up within the Google ecosystem and mobile app, and you can choose to create a guest network for visitors.
- Game acceleration
- Two-pack
- Cooling system
- Expensive
ASUS ROG Rapture GT6 tech specs: Wi-Fi: Tri-band Wi-Fi 6 | Speed: 10 Gbps+ | Ports: WAN, LAN | CPU: 1.7 - 2.2GHz quad-core | Range: 5,800 square feet
The ASUS ROG Rapture GT6 is a mesh system with features exclusively designed for gamers. The tri-band, Wi-Fi 6 router is powerful and can cover up to 5,800 square feet, but gamers will be most interested in Triple-Level Game Acceleration. This feature optimizes gaming traffic from devices to servers, thereby reducing the risk of game lag.
In addition, the system has a cooling system on the top and bottom, with heatsinks and vents to help dissipate heat.
You can pick up a two-pack of the ASUS ROG Rapture GT6 at Amazon.
What is the best Wi-Fi mesh system?
Our pick for the best mesh Wi-Fi system is the TP-Link Deco X55. It offers dual-band Wi-Fi 6 connectivity, Gigabit Ethernet ports, and an impressive range of 6,500 square feet for an extremely affordable price point.
However, if you're not sure, there are other options -- as listed below -- to consider.
Mesh Wi-Fi system | Price | Range | Wi-Fi generation |
Amazon Eero Max 7 mesh Wi-Fi system | $1700 | 4,500 square feet | Wi-Fi 7 |
TP-Link Deco X55 | $200 | 6,500 square feet | Wi-Fi 6 |
Netgear Orbi AX5400 (RBK763) | $500 | 12,500 square feet | Wi-Fi 6 |
Linksys Atlas Max 6E | $800 | 9,000 square feet | Wi-Fi 6 |
Google Nest Wi-Fi Pro | $400 | 2,200 square feet | Wi-Fi 6 |
ASUS ROG Rapture GT6 | $480 | 5,800 square feet | Wi-Fi 6 |
Which is the right mesh Wi-Fi system for you?
The size of your home or office building is the key factor in choosing a mesh system. The good news is that even less expensive mesh systems that still use older Wi-Fi 5 networking protocols are fast enough to cope with Zoom calls, music, video, and gaming.
However, more expensive Wi-Fi 6 systems can offer increased speed and are more efficient at streaming data to multiple connected devices simultaneously. Therefore, Wi-Fi 6 systems provide greater speed and are the best option for homes or offices with lots of computers, mobile devices, and IoT devices that are in daily use.
Choose this mesh Wi-Fi system... | If you need... |
Amazon Eero Max 7 mesh Wi-Fi system | A top-speed tri-band mesh system. With the new WiFi 7 technology, you can download a 50GB video game in less than a minute or a 4K movie in just 10 seconds. |
TP-Link Deco X55 | A fast and well-rounded dual-band Wi-Fi 6 mesh system for an excellent price. As an upgrade from your ISP-issued router, it's a great choice for brilliant coverage, an easy setup, and reliable connections for multiple devices. |
Netgear Orbi AX5400 (RBK763) | A modern Wi-Fi system offering Gigabit speeds. While somewhat expensive, this option is best if you want a future-proof network capable of high speeds and coverage. |
Linksys Atlas Max 6E | A high-end mesh Wi-Fi system. This choice is suitable if you don't mind investing seriously in your network, but it will be overkill for many typical households. |
Google Nest Wi-Fi Pro | A budget-friendly mesh Wi-Fi system with tri-band features. This router will provide stable, consistent, and speedy coverage for your home. |
ASUS ROG Rapture GT6 | A mesh system with features for gamers. The tri-band, Wi-Fi 6 router is powerful and can cover up to 5,800 square feet, but gamers will be most interested in the router's game acceleration features. |
How did we choose these mesh Wi-Fi systems?
There are several key areas to focus on, starting with affordable systems that simply provide greater range and reliability than a single, conventional Wi-Fi router.
It is also important to consider high-end mesh systems -- primarily using the new Wi-Fi 6 standard (802.11ax) -- that provide greater performance than older Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) routers. As well as being suitable for homes and offices, these high-end systems also offer greater range and reliability for buildings such as warehouses and public venues such as restaurants and hotels.
Ultimately, we based our choices on the following features:
- Internet connectivity: Naturally, this has to be one of the top considerations. With so many of us working from home and reliant on the internet -- not to mention using online services for controlling home devices and entertainment -- we made sure that the products selected would provide the level of connectivity we now all need.
- Speed and capacity: Mesh systems were designed to solve the problems of weak coverage in large areas and bottlenecks caused by too many devices attempting to connect to one access point. Considering they are usually more expensive than traditional Wi-Fi routers, our recommendations needed to have good coverage and multiple device support.
- Additional features: Many manufacturers now implement additional controls and service support to entice consumers, including parental controls, virtual private network (VPN) support, separate network creation, guest modes, and more.
- Budget: Not every home needs a blazingly fast, future-proof mesh system able to handle hundreds of connected devices. Sometimes, affordability is key. We have included a selection of mesh devices suitable for different budgets.
What is a mesh Wi-Fi system?
A mesh Wi-Fi system acts similarly to Wi-Fi extenders. There is a main unit that connects to your modem and one or more satellite units that provide more consistent signals throughout your home.
The difference between a mesh network and range extenders is that a mesh system is all part of the same network, so you don't have to worry about needing to switch networks as you move around your house.
Does a mesh Wi-Fi system replace my router?
A mesh system does, in a way, replace your router. But think of it as more like upgrading to a new model than being able to get rid of it altogether.
Any mesh Wi-Fi system you buy will have a base router that connects to your modem and acts like your old router, sending signals out through your home. That signal is then picked up and rebroadcasted by the satellite routers, creating a larger signal range as well as stronger signals for streaming and gaming.
How many mesh devices or nodes do I need?
A two-piece mesh should be able to cover homes or offices up to 3,000 to 5,000 square feet (check the manufacturer's specifications to see what they recommend). Buildings or outdoor venues larger than 5,000 square feet may need another satellite device.
Why should you buy a mesh system?
A single, standalone router is generally adequate for smaller offices, or single-story homes with one or two bedrooms. But if you have rooms on other floors, or thick walls that can block your Wi-Fi signal, then you may experience "dead zones" that have weak Wi-Fi. A mesh system uses several devices -- usually a main router and one or more satellite nodes -- in different locations to extend the Wi-Fi signal beyond the range of a single router.
Most mesh systems are aimed at home users and marketed as easily-configured solutions for "whole-home Wi-Fi," but some are particularly suitable for business users. These systems may include features such as multiple Ethernet ports or the ability to create several networks with different passwords.
What about range extenders?
If you just have one or two rooms where the Wi-Fi is weak, then a low-cost "range extender" may be able to boost the Wi-Fi signal just in those rooms, with prices starting as low as $20. However, multi-device mesh Wi-Fi systems are designed to provide a more extensive Wi-Fi network that covers your entire home or office.
Are there alternative mesh Wi-Fi systems to consider?
The best options, as listed above, are based on pricing, purpose, and compatibility with other devices. However, if you would like more choices that are on sale, here are some others to consider:
Best alternative for coverage
Netgear Nighthawk mesh Wi-Fi 6 system (MK63S)
Free Armor security and two satellites offer up to 4,500 square feet of coverage for over 25 connected devices.
Best tr-band alternative
Synology MR2200ac mesh Wi-Fi router
At only $144, the Synology MR2200ac mesh router is an affordable mesh option.
Best budget alternative
Linksys MR7340 Hydra mesh Wi-Fi 6 router
The $79 Linksys MR7340 Hydra mesh Wi-Fi 6 router offers coverage of up to 1,700 square feet and speeds of up to 1.5 Gbps.
Best alternative for power
Netgear Orbi 960 quad-band Wi-Fi 6E mesh system
The Netgear Orbi 960 quad-band Wi-Fi 6E mesh system is packed with features, high specifications, and coverage of up to 9,000 square feet.
Best discounted alternative
TP-Link Deco W7200 tri-band Wi-Fi 6 mesh router system, two-pack
Over at Walmart, you can pick up a two-pack TP-Link Deco tri-band Wi-Fi 6 mesh router system, offering up to 5,500 square feet of coverage, with a discount.