Recently, mesh routers have recently become very popular because they provide solid Wi-Fi service throughout the house. Mesh systems use a main router and other points to make a single network, while standard routers depend on a single device to send messages throughout your area. These nodes connect your devices directly to the nearest source, which gives you faster speeds and a more stable signal.

If your router isn’t in a better place or there are dead spots in some rooms, adding more nodes can make coverage much better. If you want to improve the Wi-Fi in your bedroom upstairs, basement, or garden, a mesh system could help.

However, before jumping into our list of best mesh router, it’s essential to determine if a best mesh network is the right fit for you.Â

 

List of Top Mesh Routers:

1. Best Overall: Asus ZenWiFi XT8 (2-Pack)

The Asus ZenWiFi XT8 (2-Pack) is the best mesh Wi-Fi system generally because it has fast performance, a great range, and a lot of advanced features. This tri-band Wi-Fi 6 system costs around $400 and has one 2.4-GHz band, two 5-GHz bands, and one band that is set aside for wireless backup to make sure your home has fast, continuous internet. The units come in black or white and are big but stylish. They have side vents to keep them cool. For more ways to connect, each router has a USB 3.1 port, three gigabit Ethernet ports, and a 2.5-gigabit WAN port.

Setting up with the mobile app is easy, but the node needs to be close for the first setup. The XT8 always has fast speeds at short, middle, and long ranges. Trend Micro’s AiProtection Pro protects against malware and lets parents control their kids’ online activities without having to pay for a separate service. Keep in mind, though, that if you use AiProtection, you will have to share info with Trend Micro.

Even though the software has some problems sometimes, the XT8 is still a top choice because it is reliable and has a lot of features.

 

2. Best Budget Mesh Router: TP-Link Deco X20 (3-pack)

The TP-Link Deco X20 (3-pack) is one of the best cheap Wi-Fi 6 best mesh router you can find. It works well and covers a lot of space for a low price. This setup, which costs about $180, is great for the average family house. The Deco X20 has two gigabit Ethernet ports per router and supports both 2.4-GHz and 5GHz bands. It has good speeds, but not as fast as the Asus XT8. But it works better than cheaper choices like the Eero 6.

The Deco X20 is easy to set up, and its small, circular shape makes it look good in any room. Free of charge, the system comes with basic security features like router scans, guest networks, and parental settings. For extra safety, TP-Link gives HomeShield Security+, which costs $5 a month or $36 a year, and Advanced Parental Controls, which costs $3 a month or $18 a year.

The web interface is pretty simple, but the app makes it easy to control your network, which makes this system a good choice for most homes.

 

3. Best for Smart Homes: Eero 6 Mesh System (3-Pack)

The Eero 6 Mesh System (3-Pack) is a great choice for smart homes because it is easy to set up, has stable connectivity, and covers a lot of space. You can get this setup with just one main router and two smaller nodes, or you can get three similar routers. Its sleek design makes it look good in any room, but some people might not like that it only has two gigabit ports on the router and none on the nodes.

There are some slow spots in the basic Eero 6 system ($200), but its nodes offer speeds that are about the same as the main router, so there are no signal drops. The Eero mobile app makes control easy; it lets you stop the internet, set up a friend network, and give each device its own profile with plans. But to get extra tools like parental controls and improved security, you have to pay $10 a month or $100 a year for Eero Plus.

The Eero 6 can be controlled by speech with Alexa and is also a ZigBee hub, which makes it great for connecting smart home devices. You can also add an extra 1,000 square feet of coverage with Echo devices that work with it.

 

4. Best Value: Asus ZenWiFi XD5 (3-Pack)

During tests, the performance was very smooth for the price, and download speeds were fast—a 30-GB game downloaded in less than eight minutes, for example. The system works on the 5GHz band and has 160-MHz channels. It covers up to 5,000 square feet, and wired backup connections between the units will help keep speeds high.

For the price, the performance was very smooth during tests, and the download speeds were very fast—a 30-GB game downloaded in less than eight minutes and more. The system works on the 5GHz band and has 160-MHz channels. It covers up to 5,000 square feet, and wired backup connections between the units will help keep speeds high.

The Asus mobile app is simple to use and lets you set up a guest network and manage parental controls. For more advanced features, like basic QoS and VPN support, you can access the app through the web interface.

 

5. A Wi-Fi 6E Mesh: TP-Link Deco XE70 Pro

This is the TP-Link Deco XE70 Pro, a Wi-Fi 6E best mesh router that works well and doesn’t cost too much. The price of Wi-Fi 6E routers like this one is going down as more people use Wi-Fi 7. This three-band device comes in two packs, and each one costs about $350. This is enough for most homes. The XE70 Pro has a sleek, circular shape that looks good in any room. It’s also easy to set up because the second node is automatically found when the device is turned on.

There are no USB ports on this unit, but it does have two gigabit ports and a 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port. Some of the fastest speeds were found close to the routers. However, the 6-GHz band has a short range, so performance drops in places that are far away. You can either use the 6GHz band for wifi connection or let devices like my Pixel 8 use it. It was faster than the 5GHz band.

You’ll have to pay for membership to get extra services, parenting settings, and more advanced protection features. The XE70 Pro is a cheap way to try out Wi-Fi 6E technology, even though it has some problems.

 

6. A Wi-Fi 7 Mesh: TP-Link Deco BE63

The TP-Link Deco BE63 is a cheap way to get into Wi-Fi 7 mesh systems. It’s great for people who want to make sure their home network will work in the future. Devices like the iPhone 16 range and newer computers are slowly moving to Wi-Fi 7. This mesh system offers a solution that works with older devices and can fully utilize the speed and features of the most recent Wi-Fi standard.

The BE63 is part of TP-Link’s Deco line. It has the brand’s signature bottle shape and a sleek “7” logo to show that it has Wi-Fi 7 features. It has a USB 3.0 port and four 2.5 Gbps Ethernet ports for a variety of connections. TP-Link says that this three-band system can cover up to 7,600 square feet, which is a lot of space. The three-unit pack starts at $1,000, which is a lot less than other Wi-Fi 7 systems like the Netgear Orbi 970 ($2,300), the Deco BE85 ($1,500), and the Eero Max 7 ($1,700).

You can pay for membership to get better protection and family controls, but you don’t have to for simple use.

 

7. Best Outdoor Mesh Router: TP-Link Deco X50 Outdoor

If you want to extend your Wi-Fi outside, the TP-Link Deco X50 Outdoor is a great pick. This big, round cutter is made to be used outside. It can be mounted on a wall or a pole, or it can just sit on a table. It can easily handle the weather, even when it’s wet, thanks to its IP65 grade, which means it is waterproof and dustproof. TP-Link says it can cover up to 2,500 square feet, and when we tested it, it had no trouble providing fast, stable Wi-Fi in the garden.

Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) support is one of its best features. This means you can connect and power it with just one Ethernet wire. You can connect two gigabit Ethernet cables to it, and when you pair it with the Deco X50 4G, you get fast speeds on both the 2.4-GHz and 5GHz bands.

The Deco X50 Outdoor costs about $169.99 and comes with basic security and parental controls. However, you can get full functions by switching to Security+ ($5/month or $36/year) and Advanced Parental Controls ($3/month or $18/year).

 

Things to Consider When Buying a Mesh Wi-Fi System

• Wi-Fi Standards: Many devices now support Wi-Fi 6E, with Wi-Fi 7 gaining traction. Most recommended best mesh router support at least Wi-Fi 6 and is backward compatible. Consider Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7 if you have newer devices.
• Internet Speed Limits:Your internet speed is capped by your ISP. A router can’t exceed the maximum speed provided by your modem.
• Router Speed Claims: The top speed advertised often combines all bands. You’ll connect to one band at a time, so real speeds may be lower.
• Performance Factors:Coverage and speed can vary based on your home’s construction, nearby networks, device types, and router placement.
• Backhaul Channels:Fast backhaul channels are crucial for maintaining high speeds across your network and for tasks like NAS access and remote gaming.
• Quality of Service (QoS): QoS prioritizes activities like gaming or streaming, which is useful for managing limited bandwidth.
• Ports and Cables:Essential for connecting smart home hubs, NAS devices, and can enhance performance when connecting streaming devices or game consoles.
• Single Router vs. Mesh System: In some cases, a well-placed single router may perform as well as or better than a mesh system.
• Optional Subscriptions:Some routers offer additional features like security and parental controls through subscriptions. Consider these extras based on your needs and budget.