Best Mesh Wi-Fi Systems: You have two alternatives if you want to improve or expand your Wi-Fi coverage. The first is a mesh router, while the second is an extender. An extender, also known as a repeater, retransmits the data stream of your Wi-Fi network. A mesh router serves as a Wi-Fi hub in the room in which it is installed.
Both approaches will improve a poor connection over a wide region, but mesh routers are preferable for a complete replacement and are generally faster to set up. There are numerous low-cost mesh network solutions available, as well as Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E variants for tech aficionados. Starting with Nest’s superb app-managed mesh routers, here’s a list of the best on the market today.
Netgear Nighthawk MK62: best mesh Wi-Fi systems
The Nighthawk range also includes a highly competent mesh router, and if you’ve used a Nighthawk router previously, you’ll know that the app is really capable when it comes to monitoring your system, changing settings, and allowing greater protection. The AX1800 router can offer up to 3,000 square feet of coverage with its attached satellite and can handle more than 25 devices.
The dual-band router can provide up to 1.8Gbps across four Wi-Fi streams, as well as two Gigabit Ethernet ports (one per device) for wired connections that may require faster speeds or greater stability.
The Netgear Nighthawk MK62 router is also Wi-Fi 6 ready, so if you have compatible Wi-Fi 6 devices, you can take advantage of the significant bandwidth increase. Even if you don’t, beamforming and MU-MIMO are still supported by the router for older devices.
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Google Nest WiFi
The Nest Wi-Fi system is a mesh Wi-Fi solution with aC2200 speeds designed for big settings — two models can cover up to 4,400 feet when joined together, and the system can be made larger or smaller depending on the number of units purchased. We loved Google’s previous try at mesh Wi-Fi because it was simple to set up and administer, but Nest Wi-Fi makes it even simpler, especially if you’ve used the Google Home app before.
They’re also astute. They include speakers and Google Assistant, so you can use them throughout the day by giving them voice instructions (as opposed to most routers, which just sit there). The speakers aren’t quite large enough to play loud music, but they’re perfect for adjusting your schedule or getting updates and answers to your inquiries. If you have other Nest or Google Assistant gadgets around the house, you can control them through these routers as well. More information can be found in our entire review. It’s worth noting that you can buy one to three Nest WiFi units depending on how much space you wish to cover.
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Best Wi-Fi 6E mesh network: Linksys Atlas Max 6E
Linksys Atlas Max 6E unleashes the biggest upgrade to WiFi in a decade, bringing the ultra-fast, latency-free 6GHz band to every corner of your home. It can be used as a backhaul between nodes or connect directly for seamless video conferencing, working from home, remote learning, and even the latest AR and VR. Velop Intelligent Mesh technology offers whole-home coverage that’s easily expandable by adding additional nodes. With easy setup, advanced security, and parental controls, Linksys Atlas Max 6E is an essential upgrade to any home that needs the most reliable, highest-speed WiFi.
Linksys unnecessarily complicated their mesh Wi-Fi lineup, with several sub-brands that appear identical and all fulfill the same purpose: to blanket your house or business with consistent Wi-Fi coverage. Despite the confusing name, the Atlas Max 6E incorporates the most recent Wi-Fi 6E technology in a form factor similar to the company’s Velop mesh systems, which were among the first whole-home mesh devices on the market. The Atlas Max, unlike some other models in Linksys’ inventory, does not include HomeKit support, but it does include support for the new 6GHz band as part of the unit’s tri-band antenna design for even faster speeds. The Atlas Max keeps the Velop’s clean and straightforward style, allowing it to fit into any home.
Linksys claims that the 4×4 radio with MU-MIMO radio can cover residences as large as 9,000 square feet with speeds up to 8.4Gbps, making this a long-term investment for customers that require the best in Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E technology today. The Atlas Max 6E is available from Linksys in a variety of configurations, and owners of bigger homes may want to consider a three-pack device for optimum coverage. Unlike competing manufacturers, which ship their mesh system with a dedicated base router unit and purpose-built nodes or satellites, the Atlas Max 6E’s strongest feature is that any of the units in the multi-pack can function as the base or the node, making configuration simple and straightforward. The companion app will provide you with access to a wealth of features, security settings, and the ability to set up guest networks without being overwhelming to first-time users.
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Best affordable mesh network: Vilo Mesh Wi-Fi
Vilo’s mesh network may not sound as impressive as some of its more modern contemporaries on this list – the system only supports Wi-Fi 5 and does not support WPA3 security protocols – but at $20 for a single node or $60 for a complete multipack mesh system that can blanket home as large as 4,500 square feet, it’s the most cost-effective option. At that price, Vilo’s mesh network is an excellent choice for those dipping their toes into the mesh ecosystem, and given that most electronics, save for the most recent smartphones and laptops, aren’t Wi-Fi 6 ready yet, being limited to Wi-Fi 5 may not be so bad if it means saving a few hundred dollars.
Vilo’s system, like its more expensive competitors, has an easy-to-use app for configuring the network, establishing parental controls, and creating a guest network. Vilo’s software appears to be more advanced than some of the others on the list; for example, the guest network can expire after a predetermined number of hours. Firmware updates are downloaded in the background to ensure that everything runs smoothly, and the compact size of the router keeps it out of sight if you don’t want unsightly tech in your living space.
Netgear Orbi RBKE963
Netgear’s latest Orbi RBKE963 whole-home mesh networking solution is possibly the most costly on our list, but it packs enough punch to justify its high price. The Wi-Fi 6E model replaces the company’s previous Wi-Fi 6 Orbi model on our list, and the update includes a lot of technology not seen in cheaper options, such as a quad-band antenna system that delivers up to 10.8Gbps of speed throughout your home. Although it is not the most discreet or tiny mesh design on the market, the company’s engineers believe that the larger design allows for larger, better antennae to assist give reliable Wi-Fi coverage. The three-pack system, which includes a base station and two satellites, can cover up to a 9,000-square-foot home, making it an effective complement to bigger living rooms and workplaces.
Netgear claims that the Orbi RBKE963 can deliver up to 16 simultaneous Wi-Fi streams for buffer-free video and lag-free gaming, assuming that your home internet connection is robust enough to support this system’s full capability. With this solution, you can set up various Wi-Fi networks to manage and safeguard your traffic. According to Netgear, you may have the main home network, a guest network, a dedicated network for IoT devices, and a separate Wi-Fi 6E network for high bandwidth applications. The Orbi, like most other mesh systems, is controlled via a smartphone app that provides access to a variety of settings and functionalities as well as the ability to purchase Netgear’s subscription services. Netgear has released an optional game optimization service, making the Orbi a multipurpose router for home and productivity use, video streaming, and gaming.
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Best affordable Wi-Fi 6E mesh system: Eero Pro 6E
Amazon’s flagship Eero Pro 6E is the company’s newest addition to its Eero family of mesh networking routers, bringing Wi-Fi 6E capability into the home at a relatively lower price. While previous high-end mesh systems with Wi-Fi 6E compatibility cost more than $1,000 for a multi-pack setup, the Eero Pro 6E offers Wi-Fi 6E for a more affordable $700 for a three-pack. Smaller houses might save money by choosing a two-pack or single-pack arrangement.
Amazon offers multi-gigabit speeds with the Eero Pro 6E. Wired, you’ll find a multi-gig Ethernet connector, which is great for gaming, high-bandwidth streaming, and virtual reality apps, while wireless Wi-Fi connections will peak out at gigabit speeds. With the Eero Pro 6E, the business has basically addressed all of our concerns regarding its Wi-Fi 6-powered Eero 6 and Eero 6 Pro, and we have nothing but positive things to say about Amazon’s latest mesh router in our review. If you want to upgrade to a Wi-Fi 6E mesh system without breaking the bank, the Eero Pro 6E should be at the top of your choice due to its basic design, ease of use, and simple setup using the free smartphone app.
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Best speedy Wi-Fi 6 mesh network: Asus ZenWiFi XT8
Asus supports AiMesh software to make its ZenWiFi routers easy to use and compatible with any additional routers that also have AiMesh, which means an older router may be able to serve as a satellite device without much effort, expanding coverage beyond the powerful router pack’s already impressive 5,500-square-foot coverage. For additional management choices, the router includes free parental controls and security software.
The router system is Wi-Fi 6 compliant and ready to give all of the latest capabilities for compatible devices, such as MU-MIMO direct connections, OFDMA data compression, and other benefits from faster Wi-Fi generations. Its three bands may deliver a total throughput of 6,600Mbps.
The Asus ZenWiFi XT8 is yet another expensive model in comparison to a standard router, but it is a fantastic alternative if you want a particularly strong system that is equipped with Wi-Fi 6 features.
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