By using multiple devices to create a single, seamless Wi-Fi network across your entire home, the best mesh Wi-Fi systems eliminate dead spots in the rooms farthest away from your router and even out in your backyard. Regardless of whether you have a multi-story home or brick walls that dampen your internet signal, a mesh system goes beyond a traditional router by pushing a strong Wi-Fi connection to every part of your home or small business. Although, before you buy one, there is one problem with mesh routers that you need to read about. At Tom’s Guide, we’ve tested and reviewed all of the most popular mesh Wi-Fi systems on the market today from older Wi-Fi 6 models to the best Wi-Fi 6E mesh kits to determine their performance, range and usability to help you determine the best system for your needs.
The best mesh Wi-Fi systems right now
Netgear’s Orbi WiFi 6E is easily one of the fastest mesh routers on the planet — and also the most expensive. But if you have a fat wallet, a very fast broadband connection and a very big house, then this is probably the mesh system for you. The Orbi WiFi 6E, model number RBKE963, can cover up to 9,000 square feet. Add a third satellite and you can go to 12,000 square feet. At a distance of 15 feet, the router’s 6-Ghz channel delivered throughput of more than a gigabit, the first mesh router to do so in our tests. Each unit has 12 antennas and four Ethernet ports (one rated at 2.5 Gbps), and the system creates channels on the 2.5, 5 and 6-Ghz bands, plus a fourth 5-Ghz one for backhaul between units. Netgear offers trial subscriptions to its Armor security software, which includes Bitdefender antivirus, and parental controls. You’ll also have to pay for tech support after 90 days. But if you can afford to pay for this mesh system, you won’t mind. If not, the Wi-Fi 6-based Orbi RBK852 just below makes for a worthy alternative. Read our full Netgear Orbi WiFi 6E (RBKE963) review. The Linksys Atlas Max 6E was the first mesh Wi-Fi router we tested that beat the Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi 6E (RBKE963) in terms of overall throughput. At 15 feet, the Atlas 6E had a throughput of 1.189 Gbps of data, which stayed strong at 25 feet (1.008 Gbps), before dropping to 382.2 Mbps at 50 feet. Each Atlas Max 6E device has 12 amplified antennas, one 5Gbps WAN input port, four downstream gigabit LAN ports and a USB 3.0 port for attaching a storage device. Just as significantly, each can be configured as the host router or satellite during setup. We also like the fact that it comes with a three-year warranty and lifetime support, which blows away the competition. Read our full Linksys Atlas Max 6E review. The Deco XE75 from TP-Link is available in either two-packs or three-packs and this mesh router system provides an inexpensive way to create a Wi-Fi 6E network that can fill your whole home with Wi-Fi. Each of the two (or three) nodes can act as either a satellite or a router and they all have three Ethernet ports that can be used to hardwire devices or as a wired access point. In our testing, the Deco XE75 had excellent data flow through walls, clause up and at middle distances with a throughput of 1.220 Gbps at 15 feet. While you can use the 6GHz band to connect newer computers and phones, you can also use it for wireless backhaul between the unit designated as the router and the satellites. One downside to the XE75 is that its Ethernet ports only support 1Gbps which is why TP-Link just released the Deco XE75 Pro which features a 2.5G Ethernet port for multi-gig connections. Read our full TP-Link Deco XE75 review The Eero Pro 6E combines tri-band Wi-Fi 6E networking with a mesh setup that is quicker and easier than many of the other mesh systems we’ve reviewed, making it the best way to get great performance throughout your home with little hassle. With a single unit covering 2,000 square feet with fast Wi-Fi, the three-pack Eero Pro 6E will blanket up to 6,000 square feet with ease – and we set up the three-piece system in about 10 minutes. Read our full Eero Pro 6E review. If you want the best mesh Wi-Fi solution available, Google’s Nest WiFi is the best you can get. It offers superb performance, a dead-simple setup process and it delivers Wi-Fi coverage that can expand coverage to handle everything from a small home to large estate. But the Nest WiFi has something no other mesh kit does, with a Google Home smart speaker built into every mesh extension. The compact units let you control the router with voice commands, along with every other connected device in your house, from smart lights to your smart TV. Adding additional Nest extensions adds new Google Home units in other rooms, seamlessly giving you a voice assistant in any room of the house. And if you still have an old Google WiFi system gathering dust, you can add those to extend the mesh coverage, too. If you want the best and simplest mesh Wi-Fi solution for your home, this is it. However, if you want a mesh Wi-Fi system from Google with Wi-Fi 6E support, the Nest Wifi Pro is now available and stay tuned for our full review. Read our full Nest WiFi review. The Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) puts Wi-Fi 6 mesh networking into an easy-to-use package that’s excellent for all sorts of mid-range homes. With its tri-band design and Wi-Fi 6 performance, the Asus ZenWiFi AX comes through with the ability to fill a moderate-sized home with wireless data. It may not be the fastest mesh kit, but the ZenWiFi AX’s two-year warranty and built-in security can give a family network “administrator” the peace of mind that the data will get through. The sleek-looking design isn’t festooned with antennas, nor is it blinking with an array of lights. Instead the ZenWiFi keeps things sedate with a design that could be used as bookend on a shelf, and a size that makes competing mesh systems look downright bulky. If you already have an Asus router at home, chances are pretty good that you can add it to the ZenWiFi’s mesh network for even more coverage area, making it a great way to expand the coverage without giving up current hardware that you love. Read our full Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) review. The Netgear Orbi WiFi 6 (RBK852) combines everything we love about Netgear’s premier mesh Wi-Fi solution with the futureproof capabilities and fast speeds of Wi-Fi 6. Easy setup and a great performance are the hallmarks of the Orbi model line, and the Orbi WiFi 6 model doesn’t disappoint. The RBK852 has a strong signal that punched through ceilings, floors and walls with ease in our tests. Its built-in security blankets your home with a layer of online protection along with the zippy Wi-Fi. If you’re looking for the easiest and fastest mesh networking kit on the market, the Netgear Orbi WiFi 6 (RBK852) does the trick with excellent performance, particularly for those in older homes with lots of walls. When it comes to mesh Wi-Fi 6 (as opposed to 6e) devices, the Netgear Orbi WiFi 6 (RBK852) is the one to beat. Read our full Netgear Orbi WiFi 6 (RBK852) review.
Other mesh Wi-Fi systems to consider
The Netgear Orbi RBK752 is the smaller and cheaper alternative to one of the best Wi-Fi 6 mesh systems on the market, the highly ranked Netgear Orbi RBK852. Selling in a two-pack that can cover up to 5,000 square feet, the cheaper Orbi RBK752 has fewer internal antennas and a less powerful processor, which translate into reduced throughput and range. That makes it well-suited to mid-sized homes, but you’ll want to step up to the 3- or 4-packs for larger coverage areas. They may be more expensive, but buying them as a package will be cheaper than adding single satellite units. The cheaper Wi-Fi 6 Orbi doesn’t place as much emphasis on raw performance, but does manage to include an impressive array of customization options, and offers a way to get the ease of Netgear’s excellent mesh networking gear and decent speeds throughout your home for less than the more expensive version. Read our full Netgear Orbi RBK752 review. If you want a simple Wi-Fi solution that won’t leave dead spots in your home, the 2019 Eero mesh router is one of the best bargains in mesh networking today. The Eero three-pack of mesh devices is affordable, and each unit is easy to hide away, thanks to its compact design. While the range and performance aren’t groundbreaking, it’s easy to fill a home with capable Wi-Fi signal without spending an arm and a leg. Set up is easily handled with a smartphone, and configuration is designed for anyone to use. There’s even an option for robust network security, though it comes with a monthly subscription fee. You can also connect the Eero system to an Alexa smart speaker if you want to add voice controls to your home network. Read our full Eero mesh router review. Inexpensive, small and easy to set up, TP-Link’s Deco X20 mesh networking kit is a cheap thrill that can help fill a home with Wi-Fi 6 data while protecting a family’s identities with an extra layer of online security. If you want mesh capability and Wi-Fi 6, the TP-Link Deco X20 is the best budget option for covering larger homes with better speed and capability than any older 802.11ac system can match. Selling in a 3-pack of matching units, the Deco X20 covers up to 5,800 square feet, and can manage up to 150 separate connected devices. With dual-band connectivity and two gigabit wired connections on each node, the Deco X20 offers great coverage and connectivity with easy setup and management. TP-Link gives you all the tools you need in the accompanying Deco app, which lets you set up your network quickly and control the individual features of the network with illustrated, easy-to-navigate menus. It also protects, with WPA3 encryption and a lifetime subscription to TP-Link HomeCare security and antivirus included with the set. Read our full TP-Link Deco X20 review. The Linksys Velop AX4200 mesh kit offers tri-band Wi-Fi 6 that can cover a large home in Wi-Fi signal without the higher prices of many Wi-Fi 6 mesh systems. With decent throughput and great range — the three-pack we reviewed can fill 8,000 square feet, and is easily expanded with additional units — this affordable mesh system offers simple configuration tools and a generous three-year warranty. It also has USB connectivity, a small touch, but one that some users will hugely appreciate. But it’s not the fastest mesh kit on the block, lagging behind more expensive competitors and offering none of the extra security and customization options you’d get from other manufacturers. That said, the three-pack Linksys Velop AX4200 is one of the best bargains in mesh networking at the moment, offering a relatively cheap way to set up a wide-ranging Wi-Fi network in a big house. Read our full Linksys Velop AX4200 review. In addition to being easy to set up and configure, the Motorola Q11 is one of the cheapest Wi-Fi 6 mesh router kits available today. Coming in at half the cost of other devices on this list, the Q11 is perfect for those on a budget that don’t need all-out performance. Even at a cheaper price, Motorola includes built-in security software with the Q11 that can scan for malware, block ads and filter content. This mesh system also sets itself apart due to the fact that there is a direct link to the company’s support staff right within the app. Each unit only has two Ethernet ports and there’s no USB port for network-wide data storage but in our tests, the Motorola Q11 was able to deliver excellent close-up performance with a max speed of 1.146 Gbps at 15 feet, but speeds dropped off the farther we got from the router. Read our full Motorola Q11 review. The Amplifi Alien immediately sets itself apart from other mesh routers with its 4.7-inch info screen. With a resolution of 1268 x 274 pixels, it shows a lot of data about your Wi-Fi network from the number of devices connected to the name of your ISP and the device’s temperature. Besides showing you this data, you can also make changes on the fly thanks to its touchscreen. Available in two packs containing one router and one satellite, you can also purchase additional satellites if you need to fill a house larger than 6,000 square feet with Wi-Fi. Under the hood, the Amplifi Alien has 1GB of RAM and 256MB of flash storage space for firmware and network settings. While the satellites have one WAN and one LAN port each, the router features four gigabit per second Ethernet ports. During our testing, we found that the Amplifi Alien is close up with speeds of 636.2 Mbps at 15 feet. However, as we moved our test system further from the router, throughput fell off fast. The Amplifi Alien may not be the fast mesh router around but it’s certainly the coolest looking one. Read our full Amplifi Alien review. The Linksys Max Stream MR9600 is a dual-band Wi-Fi 6 router that is among the smallest and least obtrusive Wi-Fi 6 routers, but promises huge coverage when you need it. Able to work either as a standalone router or to create a mesh network by linking it with other Linksys networking gear, the MR9600 offers the choice of a single unit for smaller homes and apartments, or it can be incorporated into a mesh setup with other Linksys networking devices, giving you the unique ability to expand coverage for larger homes. The small size makes it easy to fit onto a shelf or desk, but the streamlined design does leave little room for ports — with only a WAN port, four LAN ports and two USB 3.0 connectors, the rear panel of the Linksys Max Stream MR9600 is uncluttered, but we wish it offered the two-line aggregation seen on many competing Wi-Fi 6 models. Read our full Linksys Max Stream MR9600 review. If you want to switch to a mesh network without ditching your current router, there’s no better option than the Netgear AX1800 Mesh Extender (model EAX20), a desktop Wi-Fi extender that can create a mesh network with just about any Wi-Fi router or ISP gateway. With Wi-Fi 6 speeds and even mesh capability built right in, the Netgear EAX20 is one of the best Wi-Fi extenders you can get, and the only choice for adding mesh coverage to a standalone Wi-Fi 6 router. While not everyone will be excited about it’s large desktop design — without a plug-in design, there’s no hiding this extender behind the couch or in the corner — and a price that’s more expensive than some routers, the proof is in the performance. And boy, does the Netgear EAX20 deliver, with category-leading speeds and an awesome 95-foot range. Read our full Netgear AX1800 Mesh Extender (EAX20) review.
How to choose the best mesh Wi-Fi system for you
Coverage: If you have a larger home with 3,000 square feet or more, a regular router just won’t cut it. The same is true for multistory homes and oddly laid out houses, which don’t necessarily match the range pattern of coverage most standalone routers deliver. Even if your home looks like it may be well-served by one of the best Wi-Fi routers, there are plenty of obstacles and signal-disruptions that can make it difficult to get strong wireless coverage in every part of your home. In this case, the usual steps to make your Wi-Fi faster may not work. The basic guideline is this: If your router leaves you with dead spots in your home or even in your yard, you’re likely better off with a mesh Wi-Fi system instead. Speed: Picking the right mesh Wi-Fi system is much like any other Wi-Fi device. Our reviews examine the design, range and throughput performance, setup process and which settings you can adjust. We also look at each device’s built-in security features and parental controls. We even look at whether a mesh extension is easy to add to your home décor or whether it’s something you’ll want to tuck away out of sight. All of our reviews dig into these aspects of a product while also highlighting any unique features worth considering in your decision making, like whether you want voice integration or how well a mesh system pairs with other smart home devices. Ports: Though improved wireless connectivity is the main thing you want from a mesh Wi-Fi system, you’ll also want to think about wired connections. Ethernet offers faster connectivity for devices like game consoles and smart TVs that use more bandwidth and USB ports are useful for attaching older printers or storage to your network. However, not every mesh system has physical ports, so make sure you get a system that will meet your needs. Keep in mind though, you can always use an Ethernet switch to easily add more ports to your mesh router. Price: For many shoppers, it all comes down to value – which mesh Wi-Fi system provides the most bang for your buck. So we also consider what you really get for your money, weighting which features are worthwhile and how any given product compares with other devices from competing manufacturers. Mesh routers range in price from $120 to $400 or more. As mesh systems use multiple devices, you can generally buy a complete mesh Wi-Fi system as a two or three-unit package. However, you can also buy individual satellite units to extend a mesh network to cover a larger area. Individual units often sell for $100 to $200, though specialized units offering additional functions may cost more. The products on this list are our top picks as they are the best mesh Wi-Fi systems you can buy right now. Whether it’s a question of performance, value or features, we call out the products that deliver the best value and explain why they might be the perfect fit for your home.
How we test the best mesh Wi-Fi systems
We test every mesh Wi-Fi system to measure performance and range, using Ixia’s IxChariot software. Testing is done in a multi-story home with brick walls. As with standard routers, we test performance at a distance to provide real-world information about coverage and speeds. In addition to lab testing, we evaluate the ease-of-setup and features of each device. We measure performance at a 5-foot distance without obstructions, so that we can gauge the maximum amount of data that the router can move. Higher throughput will serve you better in data-heavy uses, like streaming video, gaming, or connecting multiple users at once. Range measures the furthest usable distance for the router. Longer ranges are better for larger homes, where rooms are spread out at a distance. We measure how much data a router can move at 5, 50, 75 and 100 feet, as well as what the maximum coverage area of a mesh Wi-Fi system. We also test how well each mesh Wi-Fi system transmits and receives signals through drywall, brick, concrete and even metal walls; and how each handles coverage of a two- or three-story home. They also get additional testing to see how well each system does when sending a signal through the main router and through the included satellite units. For more information, check out our how we test page for Tom’s Guide. Check out all of our home networking coverage: Best Wi-Fi routers | Best Wi-Fi 6 routers | Best gaming routers | Best Wi-Fi extenders | Best powerline extenders
title: “Best Mesh Wi Fi Systems Of 2023” ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-26” author: “Stephen Nelson”
By using multiple devices to create a single, seamless Wi-Fi network across your entire home, the best mesh Wi-Fi systems eliminate dead spots in the rooms farthest away from your router and even out in your backyard. Regardless of whether you have a multi-story home or brick walls that dampen your internet signal, a mesh system goes beyond a traditional router by pushing a strong Wi-Fi connection to every part of your home or small business. Although, before you buy one, there is one problem with mesh routers that you need to read about. At Tom’s Guide, we’ve tested and reviewed all of the most popular mesh Wi-Fi systems on the market today from older Wi-Fi 6 models to the best Wi-Fi 6E mesh kits to determine their performance, range and usability to help you determine the best system for your needs.
The best mesh Wi-Fi systems right now
Netgear’s Orbi WiFi 6E is easily one of the fastest mesh routers on the planet — and also the most expensive. But if you have a fat wallet, a very fast broadband connection and a very big house, then this is probably the mesh system for you. The Orbi WiFi 6E, model number RBKE963, can cover up to 9,000 square feet. Add a third satellite and you can go to 12,000 square feet. At a distance of 15 feet, the router’s 6-Ghz channel delivered throughput of more than a gigabit, the first mesh router to do so in our tests. Each unit has 12 antennas and four Ethernet ports (one rated at 2.5 Gbps), and the system creates channels on the 2.5, 5 and 6-Ghz bands, plus a fourth 5-Ghz one for backhaul between units. Netgear offers trial subscriptions to its Armor security software, which includes Bitdefender antivirus, and parental controls. You’ll also have to pay for tech support after 90 days. But if you can afford to pay for this mesh system, you won’t mind. If not, the Wi-Fi 6-based Orbi RBK852 just below makes for a worthy alternative. Read our full Netgear Orbi WiFi 6E (RBKE963) review. The Linksys Atlas Max 6E was the first mesh Wi-Fi router we tested that beat the Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi 6E (RBKE963) in terms of overall throughput. At 15 feet, the Atlas 6E had a throughput of 1.189 Gbps of data, which stayed strong at 25 feet (1.008 Gbps), before dropping to 382.2 Mbps at 50 feet. Each Atlas Max 6E device has 12 amplified antennas, one 5Gbps WAN input port, four downstream gigabit LAN ports and a USB 3.0 port for attaching a storage device. Just as significantly, each can be configured as the host router or satellite during setup. We also like the fact that it comes with a three-year warranty and lifetime support, which blows away the competition. Read our full Linksys Atlas Max 6E review. The Deco XE75 from TP-Link is available in either two-packs or three-packs and this mesh router system provides an inexpensive way to create a Wi-Fi 6E network that can fill your whole home with Wi-Fi. Each of the two (or three) nodes can act as either a satellite or a router and they all have three Ethernet ports that can be used to hardwire devices or as a wired access point. In our testing, the Deco XE75 had excellent data flow through walls, clause up and at middle distances with a throughput of 1.220 Gbps at 15 feet. While you can use the 6GHz band to connect newer computers and phones, you can also use it for wireless backhaul between the unit designated as the router and the satellites. One downside to the XE75 is that its Ethernet ports only support 1Gbps which is why TP-Link just released the Deco XE75 Pro which features a 2.5G Ethernet port for multi-gig connections. Read our full TP-Link Deco XE75 review The Eero Pro 6E combines tri-band Wi-Fi 6E networking with a mesh setup that is quicker and easier than many of the other mesh systems we’ve reviewed, making it the best way to get great performance throughout your home with little hassle. With a single unit covering 2,000 square feet with fast Wi-Fi, the three-pack Eero Pro 6E will blanket up to 6,000 square feet with ease – and we set up the three-piece system in about 10 minutes. Read our full Eero Pro 6E review. If you want the best mesh Wi-Fi solution available, Google’s Nest WiFi is the best you can get. It offers superb performance, a dead-simple setup process and it delivers Wi-Fi coverage that can expand coverage to handle everything from a small home to large estate. But the Nest WiFi has something no other mesh kit does, with a Google Home smart speaker built into every mesh extension. The compact units let you control the router with voice commands, along with every other connected device in your house, from smart lights to your smart TV. Adding additional Nest extensions adds new Google Home units in other rooms, seamlessly giving you a voice assistant in any room of the house. And if you still have an old Google WiFi system gathering dust, you can add those to extend the mesh coverage, too. If you want the best and simplest mesh Wi-Fi solution for your home, this is it. However, if you want a mesh Wi-Fi system from Google with Wi-Fi 6E support, the Nest Wifi Pro is now available and stay tuned for our full review. Read our full Nest WiFi review. The Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) puts Wi-Fi 6 mesh networking into an easy-to-use package that’s excellent for all sorts of mid-range homes. With its tri-band design and Wi-Fi 6 performance, the Asus ZenWiFi AX comes through with the ability to fill a moderate-sized home with wireless data. It may not be the fastest mesh kit, but the ZenWiFi AX’s two-year warranty and built-in security can give a family network “administrator” the peace of mind that the data will get through. The sleek-looking design isn’t festooned with antennas, nor is it blinking with an array of lights. Instead the ZenWiFi keeps things sedate with a design that could be used as bookend on a shelf, and a size that makes competing mesh systems look downright bulky. If you already have an Asus router at home, chances are pretty good that you can add it to the ZenWiFi’s mesh network for even more coverage area, making it a great way to expand the coverage without giving up current hardware that you love. Read our full Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) review. The Netgear Orbi WiFi 6 (RBK852) combines everything we love about Netgear’s premier mesh Wi-Fi solution with the futureproof capabilities and fast speeds of Wi-Fi 6. Easy setup and a great performance are the hallmarks of the Orbi model line, and the Orbi WiFi 6 model doesn’t disappoint. The RBK852 has a strong signal that punched through ceilings, floors and walls with ease in our tests. Its built-in security blankets your home with a layer of online protection along with the zippy Wi-Fi. If you’re looking for the easiest and fastest mesh networking kit on the market, the Netgear Orbi WiFi 6 (RBK852) does the trick with excellent performance, particularly for those in older homes with lots of walls. When it comes to mesh Wi-Fi 6 (as opposed to 6e) devices, the Netgear Orbi WiFi 6 (RBK852) is the one to beat. Read our full Netgear Orbi WiFi 6 (RBK852) review.
Other mesh Wi-Fi systems to consider
The Netgear Orbi RBK752 is the smaller and cheaper alternative to one of the best Wi-Fi 6 mesh systems on the market, the highly ranked Netgear Orbi RBK852. Selling in a two-pack that can cover up to 5,000 square feet, the cheaper Orbi RBK752 has fewer internal antennas and a less powerful processor, which translate into reduced throughput and range. That makes it well-suited to mid-sized homes, but you’ll want to step up to the 3- or 4-packs for larger coverage areas. They may be more expensive, but buying them as a package will be cheaper than adding single satellite units. The cheaper Wi-Fi 6 Orbi doesn’t place as much emphasis on raw performance, but does manage to include an impressive array of customization options, and offers a way to get the ease of Netgear’s excellent mesh networking gear and decent speeds throughout your home for less than the more expensive version. Read our full Netgear Orbi RBK752 review. If you want a simple Wi-Fi solution that won’t leave dead spots in your home, the 2019 Eero mesh router is one of the best bargains in mesh networking today. The Eero three-pack of mesh devices is affordable, and each unit is easy to hide away, thanks to its compact design. While the range and performance aren’t groundbreaking, it’s easy to fill a home with capable Wi-Fi signal without spending an arm and a leg. Set up is easily handled with a smartphone, and configuration is designed for anyone to use. There’s even an option for robust network security, though it comes with a monthly subscription fee. You can also connect the Eero system to an Alexa smart speaker if you want to add voice controls to your home network. Read our full Eero mesh router review. Inexpensive, small and easy to set up, TP-Link’s Deco X20 mesh networking kit is a cheap thrill that can help fill a home with Wi-Fi 6 data while protecting a family’s identities with an extra layer of online security. If you want mesh capability and Wi-Fi 6, the TP-Link Deco X20 is the best budget option for covering larger homes with better speed and capability than any older 802.11ac system can match. Selling in a 3-pack of matching units, the Deco X20 covers up to 5,800 square feet, and can manage up to 150 separate connected devices. With dual-band connectivity and two gigabit wired connections on each node, the Deco X20 offers great coverage and connectivity with easy setup and management. TP-Link gives you all the tools you need in the accompanying Deco app, which lets you set up your network quickly and control the individual features of the network with illustrated, easy-to-navigate menus. It also protects, with WPA3 encryption and a lifetime subscription to TP-Link HomeCare security and antivirus included with the set. Read our full TP-Link Deco X20 review. The Linksys Velop AX4200 mesh kit offers tri-band Wi-Fi 6 that can cover a large home in Wi-Fi signal without the higher prices of many Wi-Fi 6 mesh systems. With decent throughput and great range — the three-pack we reviewed can fill 8,000 square feet, and is easily expanded with additional units — this affordable mesh system offers simple configuration tools and a generous three-year warranty. It also has USB connectivity, a small touch, but one that some users will hugely appreciate. But it’s not the fastest mesh kit on the block, lagging behind more expensive competitors and offering none of the extra security and customization options you’d get from other manufacturers. That said, the three-pack Linksys Velop AX4200 is one of the best bargains in mesh networking at the moment, offering a relatively cheap way to set up a wide-ranging Wi-Fi network in a big house. Read our full Linksys Velop AX4200 review. In addition to being easy to set up and configure, the Motorola Q11 is one of the cheapest Wi-Fi 6 mesh router kits available today. Coming in at half the cost of other devices on this list, the Q11 is perfect for those on a budget that don’t need all-out performance. Even at a cheaper price, Motorola includes built-in security software with the Q11 that can scan for malware, block ads and filter content. This mesh system also sets itself apart due to the fact that there is a direct link to the company’s support staff right within the app. Each unit only has two Ethernet ports and there’s no USB port for network-wide data storage but in our tests, the Motorola Q11 was able to deliver excellent close-up performance with a max speed of 1.146 Gbps at 15 feet, but speeds dropped off the farther we got from the router. Read our full Motorola Q11 review. The Amplifi Alien immediately sets itself apart from other mesh routers with its 4.7-inch info screen. With a resolution of 1268 x 274 pixels, it shows a lot of data about your Wi-Fi network from the number of devices connected to the name of your ISP and the device’s temperature. Besides showing you this data, you can also make changes on the fly thanks to its touchscreen. Available in two packs containing one router and one satellite, you can also purchase additional satellites if you need to fill a house larger than 6,000 square feet with Wi-Fi. Under the hood, the Amplifi Alien has 1GB of RAM and 256MB of flash storage space for firmware and network settings. While the satellites have one WAN and one LAN port each, the router features four gigabit per second Ethernet ports. During our testing, we found that the Amplifi Alien is close up with speeds of 636.2 Mbps at 15 feet. However, as we moved our test system further from the router, throughput fell off fast. The Amplifi Alien may not be the fast mesh router around but it’s certainly the coolest looking one. Read our full Amplifi Alien review. The Linksys Max Stream MR9600 is a dual-band Wi-Fi 6 router that is among the smallest and least obtrusive Wi-Fi 6 routers, but promises huge coverage when you need it. Able to work either as a standalone router or to create a mesh network by linking it with other Linksys networking gear, the MR9600 offers the choice of a single unit for smaller homes and apartments, or it can be incorporated into a mesh setup with other Linksys networking devices, giving you the unique ability to expand coverage for larger homes. The small size makes it easy to fit onto a shelf or desk, but the streamlined design does leave little room for ports — with only a WAN port, four LAN ports and two USB 3.0 connectors, the rear panel of the Linksys Max Stream MR9600 is uncluttered, but we wish it offered the two-line aggregation seen on many competing Wi-Fi 6 models. Read our full Linksys Max Stream MR9600 review. If you want to switch to a mesh network without ditching your current router, there’s no better option than the Netgear AX1800 Mesh Extender (model EAX20), a desktop Wi-Fi extender that can create a mesh network with just about any Wi-Fi router or ISP gateway. With Wi-Fi 6 speeds and even mesh capability built right in, the Netgear EAX20 is one of the best Wi-Fi extenders you can get, and the only choice for adding mesh coverage to a standalone Wi-Fi 6 router. While not everyone will be excited about it’s large desktop design — without a plug-in design, there’s no hiding this extender behind the couch or in the corner — and a price that’s more expensive than some routers, the proof is in the performance. And boy, does the Netgear EAX20 deliver, with category-leading speeds and an awesome 95-foot range. Read our full Netgear AX1800 Mesh Extender (EAX20) review.
How to choose the best mesh Wi-Fi system for you
Coverage: If you have a larger home with 3,000 square feet or more, a regular router just won’t cut it. The same is true for multistory homes and oddly laid out houses, which don’t necessarily match the range pattern of coverage most standalone routers deliver. Even if your home looks like it may be well-served by one of the best Wi-Fi routers, there are plenty of obstacles and signal-disruptions that can make it difficult to get strong wireless coverage in every part of your home. In this case, the usual steps to make your Wi-Fi faster may not work. The basic guideline is this: If your router leaves you with dead spots in your home or even in your yard, you’re likely better off with a mesh Wi-Fi system instead. Speed: Picking the right mesh Wi-Fi system is much like any other Wi-Fi device. Our reviews examine the design, range and throughput performance, setup process and which settings you can adjust. We also look at each device’s built-in security features and parental controls. We even look at whether a mesh extension is easy to add to your home décor or whether it’s something you’ll want to tuck away out of sight. All of our reviews dig into these aspects of a product while also highlighting any unique features worth considering in your decision making, like whether you want voice integration or how well a mesh system pairs with other smart home devices. Ports: Though improved wireless connectivity is the main thing you want from a mesh Wi-Fi system, you’ll also want to think about wired connections. Ethernet offers faster connectivity for devices like game consoles and smart TVs that use more bandwidth and USB ports are useful for attaching older printers or storage to your network. However, not every mesh system has physical ports, so make sure you get a system that will meet your needs. Keep in mind though, you can always use an Ethernet switch to easily add more ports to your mesh router. Price: For many shoppers, it all comes down to value – which mesh Wi-Fi system provides the most bang for your buck. So we also consider what you really get for your money, weighting which features are worthwhile and how any given product compares with other devices from competing manufacturers. Mesh routers range in price from $120 to $400 or more. As mesh systems use multiple devices, you can generally buy a complete mesh Wi-Fi system as a two or three-unit package. However, you can also buy individual satellite units to extend a mesh network to cover a larger area. Individual units often sell for $100 to $200, though specialized units offering additional functions may cost more. The products on this list are our top picks as they are the best mesh Wi-Fi systems you can buy right now. Whether it’s a question of performance, value or features, we call out the products that deliver the best value and explain why they might be the perfect fit for your home.
How we test the best mesh Wi-Fi systems
We test every mesh Wi-Fi system to measure performance and range, using Ixia’s IxChariot software. Testing is done in a multi-story home with brick walls. As with standard routers, we test performance at a distance to provide real-world information about coverage and speeds. In addition to lab testing, we evaluate the ease-of-setup and features of each device. We measure performance at a 5-foot distance without obstructions, so that we can gauge the maximum amount of data that the router can move. Higher throughput will serve you better in data-heavy uses, like streaming video, gaming, or connecting multiple users at once. Range measures the furthest usable distance for the router. Longer ranges are better for larger homes, where rooms are spread out at a distance. We measure how much data a router can move at 5, 50, 75 and 100 feet, as well as what the maximum coverage area of a mesh Wi-Fi system. We also test how well each mesh Wi-Fi system transmits and receives signals through drywall, brick, concrete and even metal walls; and how each handles coverage of a two- or three-story home. They also get additional testing to see how well each system does when sending a signal through the main router and through the included satellite units. For more information, check out our how we test page for Tom’s Guide. Check out all of our home networking coverage: Best Wi-Fi routers | Best Wi-Fi 6 routers | Best gaming routers | Best Wi-Fi extenders | Best powerline extenders
