Just another plastic puck with some blinking lights, a mesh wifi station may not look that different from the traditionally cumbersome models. It’s so unassuming, you may wonder if it’s worth the extra investment. You’ll quickly find, however, that mesh wifi can solve many of the most common problems. Using multiple nodes, wireless mesh networks let you space access points throughout your house (and yard, if you like), but they don’t act independently. Your devices will switch from station to station seamlessly, without the need to save and manually select multiple network names and passwords, and all devices can be configured through cleanly designed smartphone apps.
How we picked the best mesh WiFi Routers
For this story, we surveyed the top brands and models of mesh WiFi routers on the market. While you can’t truly test a mesh WiFi system until you’ve lived with it for an extended period of time, we consulted tons of online research, editorial reviews, and hands-on experience to choose models that best fit people’s homes and lifestyles. The mesh WiFi landscape changes regularly, and new technology hits all the time. We’re just firmly getting into the world of WiFi 6 and WiFi 6E is coming quickly on its heals. For now, though, you can feel comfortable trusting these models for their proven performance over time. WiFi version: WiFi routers used to be categorized by a series of letters (N, AC, AX), but that’s been simplified to a number, which makes it easier to determine what the latest standard is. The most up-to-date WiFi version is 6E. WiFi is a universal wireless standard, which means devices don’t need to have a WiFi 6E-compatible chip inside to connect to a cutting-edge router. Range: One of the big advantages of using a set of mesh WiFi routers instead of a single-point router is increased range. You’ll want to get a rough measurement of your home (including the porch and backyard if applicable) to determine which mesh WiFi router system will work best for you. Our general rule is to have one WiFi router on every floor of your home to have the best chance of even coverage. Speed: A mesh WiFi router’s speed is typically calculated in Mbps (Megabits per second), though WiFi 6E systems operate in Gbps (Gigabits per second). This factor matters less than you may think because the Internet speed you actually get will be determined by the plan you’ve signed up for through your ISP (Internet Service Provider). Bands: Most mesh WiFi routers have two bands, which allows them to send a signal at two frequencies: 2.4GHz and 5GHz. The 5GHz frequency band offers higher speeds and will be less susceptible to interference from legacy wireless electronics like landline telephones. That said, there are some smart home accessories that can only connect to the internet using a 2.4GHz frequency.
Best mesh WiFi: Reviews and Recommendations
Best overall: eero Pro 6e
Why it made the cut: This tried-and-true system covers large swaths of area with fast connections and lots of bandwidth. Specs:
Coverage: Up to 4,000 square feetSpeed: Up to 2.3 GbpsTri-band
Pros:
Supports WiFi 6ePowerful signalFast data
Cons:
Pricy
Eero was the company that popularized mesh WiFi routers and made them approachable and accessible to the average consumer. The company has since refined and expanded its line to include mesh Wifi systems that cost as little as $139. But, if you want the best of the best you’ll have to pony up for its Pre 6E mesh WiFi system, which hits the sweet spot between incredibly proficient performance, ease of use, and price. We’ve had the chance to test several mesh WiFi systems, but Eero’s continues to be the easiest to set up and manage. If you’re completely new to mesh WiFi routers, the onboarding process is streamlined to the point that you’ll be up and running within a half hour. A majority of your setup time will be devoted to creating an account and figuring out the best place to put the system’s second router for maximum coverage. If you’re upgrading from a previous Eero WiFi system, you’ll be able to add the routers to your existing network before taking the old ones offline. Eero’s Pro 6E mesh WiFi System supports the WiFi 6E standard, which is currently the most up-to-date WiFi protocol available. WiFi 6E allows the routers to achieve wireless data transfer speeds up to 1.3Gbps. Nobody needs that much bandwidth (few people even have an internet plan that supports Gigabit speeds), but it does help with network congestion. If multiple people are trying to download large files at once, the router will be able to provide a solid, fast connection to both rather than severely throttling one of the requests until the other is finished. The routers in this mesh WiFi system also benefit from the fact that they have three bands, which means they send out a signal at three frequencies instead of two. Devices will automatically connect to the one that offers the best performance based on their WiFi chip, which leaves more space for other ones. Thankfully, all of this networking wizardry happens behind the scenes, so you don’t end up with multiple networks: Network Name and Network Name 5GHz and the like. Our experience with Eero’s routers goes back to the very first generation released over half a decade ago, but somehow its networking gear continues to impress. In our tests, Eero’s Pro 6E routers created a fast, rock-solid connection that maxed out our internet connection and provided enough coverage for a three-floor condo. While our experience was universally positive, we noticed gadgets that support WiFi 6 (the latest iPhone, for instance) could take full advantage of the speeds on offer. Eero has had to make its routers a little larger to accommodate additional networking hardware, but they’re still the best-looking option too. Aesthetics don’t matter nearly as much as performance, but WiFi routers are among the few gadgets that need to be out in the open to work properly. Anyone who comes into your home likely won’t notice the routers at all, which is kind of the point. Eero’s Pro 6E mesh WiFi routers are the best choice if you’re looking to create a fast, far-reaching network that can handle dozens of connections without skipping a beat. The company’s easy-to-use app and focus on aesthetics are also welcome, and complement the routers’ performance wonderfully.
Best for homes: Google Nest WiFi
Why it made the cut: A reliable connection with tight ties to Google Home make this an attractive and easily expandable solution. Specs:
Coverage: 4,400 square feetSpeed: Up to 1 GbpsDual-band
Pros:
Easy setupTies nicely into Google HomeSmall and unobtrusive
Cons:
No WiFi 6 in this model
Google’s WiFi system, which was recently brought under the “Nest” umbrella, is one of the fastest home mesh WiFi systems on the market, and one of the most handsome. It’s also incredibly easy to use: just pop open the app and you’ll be able to do simple tasks without any trouble, whether that’s creating a guest network, sharing your password with a friend, or instituting parental controls. It’s on the pricey side—but lets you pick an initial, appropriately priced pack of one, two, or three units—and it’s backward compatible with previous versions of Google WiFi, which can help you save a little money on satellite beacons you already have or come across on closeout sale.
Best WiFi 6 mesh router: TP-Link Deco 6
Why we picked it: WiFi 6 routers are starting to emerge and this advanced system is ahead of the curve when it comes to features and comptibility. Specs:
Coverage: 5,800 square feetSpeed: 1.8 GbpsTri-band
Pros:
WiFi 6 supportAffordableSupports up to 150 connected devices
Cons:
Not the prettiest design
Best mesh WiFi extender: eero 6 WiFi Extender
Why it made the cut: This is an easy, relatively cheap way to get more internet in the remote areas of your home. Specs:
Coverage: 1,500 square feetSpeed: 500 MbpsDual-band
Pros:
SmallFastLots of range for a small box
Cons:
Requires compatible system
One of the best things about mesh network systems is that if you ever move, or find that your current setup doesn’t cover the entire area you need, you can always just buy an extra station. That said, you need to buy an additional router made by the same company as your mesh WiFi system, there’s no option to mix and match. If you only need your network to reach just a little further you may be able to get away with using a basic WiFi range extender or booster, which are interoperable with any mesh WiFi system, but isn’t as powerful as a router, and will require you to use two apps to manage your network. Because we’ve chosen Eero’s Pro 6e as the top mesh WiFi system, we’ve elected to show you how to extend an Eero network using the company’s WiFi 6 Extender. This standalone station works with any existing eero system, adds 1,500 square feet of coverage, and gets continual firmware updates to ensure it’s always securely patched and up to date. The simple accessory is the easiest way to stretch your Eero network. If you have mesh WiFi routers from a different company, be sure to search for a compatible extender from the same brand.
Fastest: Netgear Orbi WiFi 6
Why we picked it: If you’re looking for super-fast speeds, this system has the bandwidth to spare that it can share across a ton of devices. Specs:
Coverage: 5,000 square feetSpeed: 2.5 GbpsTri-band
Pros:
Fast connectionGood securityAttractive device
Cons:
Software can be buggy
Far be it from us to discourage you from finding the absolute fastest WiFi 6 mesh router system on the market. And the Netgear Orbi WiFi 6 is certainly that. It supports the newest WiFi standard, provides up to 2.5Gbps service and supports over 100 different gadgets at a time. It even gives you plenty of Ethernet ports on the satellite stations if you want to hardwire (well, part-hardwire, since there’s still wireless involved) any gaming systems, Smart TVs, etc. If you have a house full of demanding Full HD/4K devices, you want to make sure no one will have to buffer or suffer. The biggest downside? Price. This baby isn’t cheap, but you get a lot for your money, and reviews are glowing.
Best budget: Vilo Mesh Wi-Fi System
Why it made the cut: It’s not the bleeding edge technology, but not everyone needs that. You get fast, reliable connectivity in an attractive package without much hassle. Specs:
Coverage: 4,500 square feetSpeed: 867MbpsDual-band
Pros:
AffordableSupports up to 120 devicesBuilt-in parental controls
Cons:
No WiFi 6
If you want a whole-home WiFi solution, but don’t want to spend a lot of money, Vilo’s Mesh Wi-Fi System is the obvious choice. It may cost $100, but Vilo managed to cut down the price of its networking gear without compromising many features. This mesh WiFi system’s marquee feature is its impressive 4,500 square foot range, which is on par with what you’d come to expect from more expensive hardware. Granted, some higher-end systems can achieve that coverage area with two routers instead of three, but that’s not a huge deal. Setting up and using Vilo’s Wifi System is managed using an app, which also gives you granular control over which sites certain devices can visit. This per-device version of parental controls can be very helpful in homes with both adults and children. Vilo says its routers can be connected to 120 devices simultaneously, which is impressive and makes them a solid choice if you’ve built up a sizable smart home, or plan to in the near future. While Vilo didn’t have to cut any big corners to achieve their price point, something did have to give. The routers don’t support WiFi 6, which would have been nice but isn’t a deal breaker. Additionally, the mesh WiFi routers only have two bands instead of three. The reduction in speed from these two technical decisions isn’t gigantic, but may be noticeable when your home network is taxed. Under normal circumstances — one person streaming a show on one TV while another person plays video games on a console, and third person streams music, for example, there shouldn’t be an issue. If you’ve held of on adopting a mesh WiFi system because of cost, Vilo’s routers give you no excuse.
The final word on the best mesh WiFi
Look, we get it: It’s hard to get excited about a router. But the best mesh WiFi systems are a way to get the absolute most out of your home network—a way to think about your internet connection as little as possible and have it just work. And that’s what we want out of our internet, right?
