If you’re not worried about specs and just need to boost your Wi-Fi, we think you should just buy the Eero Pro — it performed well in our tests and was by far the easiest to set up and use. Unlike many other mesh Wi-Fi systems, Eero also lets you mix-and-match between three different types of units. Powerful Eero Pro stations support three network for the fastest home broadband connections (i.e. more than 1Gbps), while more affordable standard Eero units will fit the bill if your ISP doesn’t have a super-charged network (less than 500Mbps). Each one also offers two Gigabit Ethernet ports for connecting network devices that need a wired connection. The system also supports Eero Beacons, small access points that plug into any wall outlet to add an extra 1,000 to 1,500 square feet of wireless coverage. While the Beacons omit any wired Ethernet ports, as an added bonus, they can double as night lights around your home. One of the best parts about Eero’s system is there’s also no practical limit to how many units you can add, and our tester Jeremy said it’s a “remarkably flexible system”. While three Eero Pro units will give you 6,000 square feet of coverage, you can get even more by just adding more Eero units as your needs grow. An optional Eero Secure feature, available for a small annual subscription fee, provides a robust set of parental and malware controls. Sadly, as great as Eero’s system is, it’s also one of the very few routers that lacks support for the PPPoE protocol used by some ISPs, which can be a dealbreaker unless you’re willing to connect it to a separate router - so check with your internet provider before buying. Wireless Spec: 802.11ac | Security: Eero Secure, WPA3 | Standard/Speed: AC2200 | Bands: Tri-band/Dual-band | MU-MIMO: Yes | Beamforming: Yes | Wired Ports: 2 Netgear promises that Orbi can deliver at least 150Mbps anywhere in your home, which was more than evident in our testing. This means you’ll be able to enjoy smooth online performance throughout your living space without worrying about buffering Netflix 4K UHD streams or stuttering Zoom calls. Orbi accomplishes this by dedicating the fastest of its three Wi-Fi bands to be used as a backhaul channel. Keep in mind that in a mesh network, data to or from your device may pass from one access point to the next multiple times before it reaches your router and moves on to the network of your Internet Service Provider. The backhaul channel provides dedicated bandwidth for this pass-through traffic, ensuring you’ll get the same great wireless performance whether your devices are closer to the main unit or one of the satellite units. This also makes the generous collection of four Gigabit Ethernet ports found on each unit even more useful, as you can plug in things like a TV and not see a drop in speed. There’s also a USB 2.0 port on each unit for sharing printers around your home, and advanced security and parental controls offered through the partnership between Netgear and Circle with Disney. Wireless Spec: 802.11ac | Security: NETGEAR Armor, WPA2, Guest Wi-Fi Secure Access, Circle with Disney | Standard/Speed: AC3000 | Bands: Tri-band | MU-MIMO: Yes | Beamforming: Yes | Wired Ports: 4 The X20 is a good choice for users who need broad coverage, with three units easily handling homes of up to 5,800 square feet. The dual-band AX1800 Wi-Fi 6 support offers a comfortable 1.8Mbps of bandwidth, although this is not quite on-par with some of the pricier alternatives in this list. But more importantly, the Deco X20 lacks the dedicated backhaul channel found on more advanced mesh Wi-Fi systems. This means it may not perform as well on busy and heavily congested home networks — those with a dozen or more devices gaming, video calling, and streaming in 4K — but it should be more than enough for the online needs of smaller families. The Deco X20 is a breeze to set up, thanks to TP-Link’s aptly named Deco app, which can help even the most inexperienced home networking users get up and running within a few minutes. It also includes TP-Link’s new HomeCare security suite, powered by Trend Micro, offering up anti-malware features and parental controls to keep your home network safe against intruders and your kids away from the darker corners of the internet. Each unit includes two Gigabit Ethernet ports to connect non-wireless devices, but sadly there aren’t any USB ports for sharing external storage devices. Wireless Spec: 802.11ax | Security: HomeCare, WPA3 | Standard/Speed: AX1800 | Bands: Dual-band | MU-MIMO: Yes | Beamforming: Yes | Wired Ports: 2 You’ll designate one of these units as the main router that hosts your broadband connection, then place the other two wherever you need the best and strongest coverage in your home. The Velop system also features a “dynamic” backhaul channel: The system intelligently decides which of the three Wi-Fi bands is best suited to move traffic between the mesh stations, and which ones should be available for your Wi-Fi clients. Each unit also includes four Gigabit Ethernet ports, letting you hardwire in non-Wi-Fi devices. And thanks to a high-speed USB 3.2 port on the back of each unit, you can also connect multiple hard drives or other storage devices for sharing files or even streaming media (check out our guide to USB for details on the benefits of USB 3.2). Linksys’ mobile app also makes the system a cinch to set up, walking you through the process of getting the first unit online and then joining the other two into a single mesh network. Although you’ll need to use the mobile app for the initial configuration, you can manage the system from the more typical web interface once the mesh has been configured. The MX12600 system offers all the basic networking features you’d expect from a modern router, including elementary Quality of Service (QoS) support (which prioritizes devices based on the type of service they’re using. There’s fairly rudimentary parental controls, but they should be enough for most typical users. Those hoping for advanced features like a built-in VPN server or online malware protection will want to look elsewhere however. Wireless Spec: 802.11ax | Security: WPA3 | Standard/Speed: AX4200 | Bands: Tri-band | MU-MIMO: Yes | Beamforming: Yes | Wired Ports: 4 Thanks to its use of Wi-Fi 6 802.11ax technology, it’s one of the fastest mesh network solutions available, even when you have a lot of devices on your network; the much higher network capacity offered by Wi-Fi 6 means it can easily handle up to 100 devices without breaking a sweat. Not only does the Orbi system offer 6Gbps of total bandwidth, but we found it’s able to maintain these impressive speeds even at the edges of its range. Since a two-unit system will give you 5,000 square feet of Wi-Fi coverage (which can be expanded by adding up to five more satellite units), you’ll be sure to see consistently fast speeds anywhere in your home. Netgear has also packed in four Gigabit Ethernet ports on each station, so you’ll have plenty of room for wiring in devices like game consoles for maximum performance. The main router on this higher-end model also offers a high-speed 2.5Gbps Wide Area Network (WAN) port to make sure you’re ready for the fastest home broadband connections. One disappointing aspect of Netgear’s newer Wi-Fi 6 solution is the omission of the USB ports found in earlier Orbi versions. Power users may also be let down by the lack of advanced configuration settings compared to other Wi-Fi 6 routers. But if you don’t want to make any compromises on getting the best performance possible, even if it means sacrificing some network management features, this is the mesh system for you. Wireless Spec: 802.11ax | Security: WPA3 | Standard/Speed: AX6000 | Bands: Tri-band | MU-MIMO: Yes | Beamforming: Yes | Wired Ports: 4 It’s also one of the most advanced and highly configurable mesh Wi-Fi systems available, making it a great pick for those who like to tinker. Don’t worry, though, as Asus’ mobile app makes it so easy to get up and running you won’t even notice how much power it packs under the hood. The ZenWifi XT8 not only offers cutting-edge 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 technology, but it also packs in many of the gaming enhancements that have become synonymous with Asus routers. The low latency means you’ll get lag-free performance in all of your favorite online games. While the ZenWiFi system lacks the full suite of game optimization features found on Asus’ ROG series of routers, it still includes the adaptive QoS feature to give your gaming traffic a nice boost. A single ZenWiFi unit can cover up to 2,750 square feet by itself, so each one you add increases that accordingly, meaning a standard two-pack is good for up to 5,500 square feet. Even better, Asus’ aforementioned AiMesh technology means you can easily add other Asus router models into the mix, or even add the ZenWiFi system to your existing wired Asus router. Wireless Spec: 802.11ax | Security: AiProtection, WPA3 | Standard/Speed: AX6600 | Bands: Tri-band | MU-MIMO: Yes | Beamforming: Yes | Wired Ports: 4 Three units—the main base station and two points—provide up to 5,400 square feet of coverage. Google’s Home and Wi-Fi apps make this one an absolute cinch to set up and manage, so you can be up and running within minutes with little to no effort. It even lets you set up a guest network for your friends and other visitors and let them get online simply by scanning a QR code. The main downside to Nest Wi-FI is that the base station includes only one Ethernet LAN port, and you won’t find any at all on the satellite points, so you’ll need to add your own network hub if you want to hardwire in some of your devices at the router. And if you need to wire in devices at the points, you’ll want to look elsewhere. Additionally, the Nest doesn’t support the newer Wi-Fi 6 standard like some of the other systems here, so if you need maximum performance or are a stickler for future-proofing your network the Nest may not be the best option. Wireless Spec: 802.11ac | Security: WPA3 | Standard/Speed: AC2200 | Bands: Tri-band | MU-MIMO: Yes | Beamforming: Yes | Wired Ports: 2 The Velop AC6600 system includes tri-band Wi-Fi, and it dedicates the second 5GHz band as a backhaul channel. This means it can keep traffic moving smoothly between all of the units for maximum performance throughout your home even if one of them is under heavy usage. The downside is that your devices won’t be able to take advantage of the extra 5GHz band, so even though each of these AC2200 routers can theoretically provide 2,134Mbps of throughput, only 1,267Mbps of that total is available to your devices. The Velop offers a fairly simplified setup process thanks to the Linksys smartphone app. However, if you like to tinker with your network settings you’ll probably want to look elsewhere since its configuration options are fairly limited. There’s also no malware protection to speak of, and parental controls are confined to blocking websites and manually disabling internet access from specific devices. Wireless Spec: 802.11ac | Security: WPA2 | Standard/Speed: AC6600 | Bands: Tri-band | MU-MIMO: Yes | Beamforming: Yes | Wired Ports: 4 On the surface, the Deco P9 looks much like most of the other mesh Wi-Fi systems you’ve seen, with two or three cylindrical units that you place around your home to blanket it with Wi-Fi coverage. Where it differs, however, is that while most mesh Wi-Fi systems use actual Wi-Fi to keep the units in contact with each other, the Deco P9 runs over the electrical wiring in your home instead, using the AV1000 HomePlug AV2 protocol as its backhaul channel. This not only ensures all of its Wi-Fi bandwidth is available for your devices but also has the advantage of letting you place satellite units in areas where their Wi-Fi connection (i.e. the “mesh” in your mesh network) wouldn’t otherwise be able to reach each other. You’ll be able to get Wi-Fi into any area of your home that has a power outlet handy. Each Deco P9 unit offers dual-band AC1200 Wi-Fi, which may seem lacking compared to other mesh Wi-Fi systems. But it’s because the communication between them is handled over your electrical wiring, which means your devices get full use of the 3.6Gbps of total available bandwidth. A pair of Gigabit Ethernet ports are also available on each station to let you wire in devices, so these can be used as traditional Powerline network adapters as well. Wireless Spec: 802.11ac | Security: WPA2 | Standard/Speed: AC1200/AV1000 | Bands: Dual-band | MU-MIMO: Yes | Beamforming: Yes | Wired Ports: 2 If your home internet connection isn’t very fast, then there really isn’t any benefit to choosing a faster mesh system over a slower one. The rule of thumb is that if you pay for a router that’s faster than your internet connection, then you’ve wasted your money. You can check your internet connection speed with any of these free speed tests if you aren’t sure what it is. Most mesh systems are designed to cover about 4,000 to 6,000 square feet, while a couple are rated to cover up to 20,000 square feet, or even have a theoretically unlimited maximum coverage. If your house isn’t that big, but you’re dealing with dead Wi-Fi zones due to issues with signals passing through floors and walls, then pretty much any mesh system will work just fine. If your house is below 2,000 square feet, you may even be able to save money with a good long-range router and a Wi-Fi extender to erase the odd dead spot. However, if you have a particularly large house, need to pass Wi-Fi signals from one building to another, or have other specific size or configuration concerns, then you should select a mesh system that provides a larger maximum range. Unlike traditional routers with wireless extenders and access points, mesh systems are designed from the ground up to work as a node-based system. Setting up a mesh Wi-Fi network system is typically a lot easier than connecting range extenders to an existing system, and they automatically pass your connection from one node to the next as you move around your home. The main drawback of mesh Wi-Fi network systems is the price, as they tend to be more expensive than traditional routers. You can typically buy a nice router and some extenders for less than a mesh Wi-Fi starter kit, but if your situation really calls for a mesh system, it’s well worth the additional investment.
Smart Home Integration: Which System Do You Use?
Most mesh Wi-Fi network systems support a single smart home integration system, and a few support more than one. Alexa is the most commonly supported, with integration from manufacturers like Eero, Linksys, Netgear, and more. Philips Hue, IFTTT, and others see less integration. If you already have some smart devices in your home, and you’re already tied into either the Alexa or Google Home ecosystem, then that should inform your decision regarding which mesh Wi-Fi network system to choose, but keep in mind that you don’t technically need your router to support your smart home assistant unless you need to be able to control its features with voice commands, such as enabling your guest network or blocking access to your kids’ devices.
Security and Parental Controls: Check For Hidden Costs
Since mesh systems are high-end equipment, they typically include robust security options and parental controls. There are a handful of systems that don’t include either, so look for those if you don’t have kids and prefer to manage security on individual devices. The most important thing to check in this area is whether or not the security and parental controls of the mesh system you’re interested in require a subscription. Basic security options are often free, but the best-advanced protections and parental controls often come at the cost of an ongoing monthly subscription, so make sure to take that into account.
About Our Trusted Experts
Jesse Hollington is a freelance writer with over 10 years of experience writing about technology and three decades of experience in information technology and networking. He’s installed, tested, and configured just about every type and brand of router, firewall, wireless access point, and network extender in places ranging from single-family dwellings to office buildings. university campuses, and even coast-to-coast wide-area network (WAN) deployments. Bill Thomas is a Denver-based freelance writer who covers technology, music, film, and gaming. They praised Netgear’s Orbi for its speed and reliability. Jeremy Laukkonen is an experienced tech journalist with a background in automotive repair that has taught him the importance of breaking down complex technical subjects in understandable ways. He is an expert in consumer technology, including mesh Wi-Fi network systems. Rebecca Isaacs is passionate about how technology can improve daily life. She works in higher education, and when she’s not checking out the latest tech gadgets or writing about them, she’s snuggling up with a good book and her beloved cat, Hobbes. Rebecca has been covering consumer tech, games, and networking devices for Lifewire since 2019, with a particular focus on Wi-Fi adapters and mesh Wi-Fi systems. Andrew Hayward is a Chicago-based writer who has been covering technology and video games since 2006. He tested the Nest Wi-Fi router on our list and appreciated its large coverage area and integration features for smart home devices. Andy Zahn began writing for Lifewire in April 2019. His areas of expertise include smart home and consumer technology, such as mesh Wi-Fi network systems.
