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The best mesh routers that will extend your Wi-Fi further
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.
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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 an alternative solution.
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.
The latest mesh systems are now adopting the Wi-Fi 6 standard (aka IEEE 802.11ax), which is certainly worth considering for businesses and homes alike wanting to maximize the performance and flexibility of their Wi-Fi setups.
With these factors in mind, I researched the best mesh Wi-Fi systems to help you gain the signal you need.
Also: The best VPN services (and whether it's worth trying free VPNs)
- Tri-band Wi-Fi 6
- Excellent wireless speeds
- Two-pack
- Clunky parental controls
Asus AiMesh AX6100 Wi-Fi System tech specs: Wi-Fi: Tri-band Wi-Fi 6 | Speed: 1Gbps | Ports: RJ45 for Wan, 4 RJ45 for LAN, 2 USB | CPU: 1.8GHz, dual-core | Range: 5,500 square feet
The Asus AiMesh AX6100 is an impressive mesh system suitable for larger office buildings or public venues such as hotels or warehouses.
This two-pack provides extensive Wi-Fi coverage and is currently priced at $400. It covers areas of up to 5,500 square feet and uses one of the 5GHz bands as a 4.8Gbps "backhaul" to link the two routers, providing robust performance across the entire network.
The system is AiMesh compatible, so you can combine different Asus routers to create one blanket home Wi-Fi network. The network will also automatically select the best options and frequency bands for signal optimization.
- Great coverage wireless speeds
- Ample Ethernet ports
- Supports up to 40 devices concurrently
- VPN costs extra
Netgear Orbi Pro Wi-Fi 6 Mini tech specs: Wi-Fi: Dual-band Wi-Fi 6 | Speed: 6Gbps | Ports: 1 Gigabit Ethernet WAN, 3 Gigabit Ethernet LAN on router, 4 Gigabit Ethernet LAN on satellite | Range: 4,000 square feet
Premium Orbi Pro devices provide impressive Wi-Fi 6 performance and are well-suited for organizations that need to manage multiple networks with different groups of users. However, these devices are quite expensive, so Netgear has introduced the more affordable dual-band Orbi Pro Wi-Fi 6 Mini for small businesses and remote workers.
Like other Orbi systems, the Mini consists of a primary router with one or two additional satellites that extend the range of the mesh network. Currently available at a discount of up to 60%, prices start at $93 for a system consisting of routers and satellites, depending on the pack you pick. The devices provide dual-band Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) running at 1.8 Gbps.
The Mini stands out with additional features that cater specifically to business users. The key feature is the ability to create four separate networks, each with its password. This feature allows you to provide different levels of network access for admin and IT staff, as well as guests who may be visiting your office or other public venues. Moreover, when working from home, you can reserve one network to ensure that your Zoom calls aren't affected by family members streaming Netflix or playing games on the network.
One downside with Orbi models, in my experience, is that setup can be problematic -- the app needs some work and you might experience configuration problems. However, once you've gone past these challenges, speeds and connection reliability excel.
- Wi-Fi 6
- Decent coverage
- TrueMesh
- Limited speed
- Boring design
Amazon eero 6+ mesh Wi-Fi system tech specs: Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6 | Speed: Up to 1 Gbps | Ports: 4 Ethernet ports | Support for 160 MHz client devices | built-in smart hub | 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands
Amazon's eero 6+ mesh Wi-Fi system is designed for affordability. Although its speed is not as notable compared to other mesh networks, its price point is.
You can pick up one for only $140, a two-pack for $240, or a three-pack of the 2022 release for $300. With these mesh nodes -- of which a smart hub is built-in -- you can expect up to 4,500 square feet of coverage.
The mesh system utilizes the 160 MHz channel for additional connectivity alongside the standard 2.4GHz and 5GHz band channels. Amazon's TrueMesh technology automatically routes traffic to avoid dead zones and reduce the risk of connection drops.
- 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 looks very similar to 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 clearly decided that this new Wi-Fi 6E system deserves a powerful new name based on its high-performance credentials -- hence the Linksys Atlas Max 6E.
The Atlas Max 6E supports the 6GHz frequency band, in addition to 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 great for SMBs.
Amazon is currently offering 20% off the typical RRP.
- Blazing fast speeds
- fantastic coverage
- Expensive setup for larger spaces
Netgear Orbi AX5400 features: 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 is 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.
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.
What is the best Wi-Fi mesh system?
My pick for the best mesh Wi-Fi system is the Asus AiMesh AX6100. It offers tri-band Wi-Fi 6 connectivity, Gigabit Ethernet ports, and an impressive range of 5500 square feet.
However, if you're not sure, there are other options -- as listed below -- to consider.
Mesh Wi-Fi system | Price | Range | Wi-Fi 6? |
Asus AiMesh AX6100 | $399 | 5,500 sq.ft. | Yes |
Amazon eero 6+ mesh Wi-Fi system | $140 | 4,500 sq.ft. | Yes |
Linksys Atlas Max 6E | $800 | 9,000 sq.ft. | Yes |
Netgear Orbi AX5400 (RBK763) | $500 | 12,500 sq.ft. | Yes |
Netgear Orbi Pro Mini AX1800 | $93 | 4,000 sq.ft. | Yes |
Which is the right mesh Wi-Fi system for you?
As mentioned, 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 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... |
Asus AiMesh AX6100 | A fast and well-rounded tri-band Wi-Fi 6 mesh system. This system doesn't offer the best speeds or coverage, but as an upgrade from your ISP-issued router, it's a great choice. |
Amazon eero 6+ mesh Wi-Fi system | An affordable mesh system. You can't go wrong with mesh if you need to increase coverage, but you might sacrifice some speed as a result. |
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. |
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. |
Netgear Orbi Pro Wi-Fi 6 Mini (AX1800) | A work-friendly mesh Wi-Fi system. The network segregation and separation features are great if you want to manage your networks without breaking the bank. |
How did we choose these mesh Wi-Fi systems?
There are two key areas to focus on, starting with affordable systems that simply provide greater range and reliability than a single, conventional Wi-Fi router.
It was also important to include a number of 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.
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 signal 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.
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 PRICE
Netgear Nighthawk mesh Wi-Fi 6 system (MK63S) - 33% off
Free Armor security and two satellites, offering up to 4,500 square feet of coverage for over 25 connected devices.
BEST PRICE
Synology MR2200ac mesh Wi-Fi router - 14% off
At only $120, the Synology MR2200ac mesh router is an affordable mesh option.
BEST PRICE
Linksys Hydra 6 dual-band mesh Wi-Fi 6 router - 31% off
The Linksys Hydra 6 offers speeds of up to 3.0 Gbps.