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, and although there has been a return to the office, these tools provide a crucial way for employees to work from home.
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. This is also true if you have your heart set on creating a home office or workspace in your garden.
Instead of relying on a conventional Wi-Fi router and access points or range extenders, opting for a mesh networking system is a useful alternative solution.
Also: The best Wi-Fi routers
Most mesh systems offer the Wi-Fi 6 standard (also known as IEEE 802.11ax), a reliable mesh system for businesses and homes looking to maximize the performance and flexibility of their Wi-Fi setups. With the release of Wi-Fi 7 (IEEE 802.11be), you can now get twice the speed of Wi-Fi 6 in your mesh systems.
With these factors in mind, we researched the best mesh Wi-Fi systems to help you gain the signal you need.
Our top pick for the best mesh Wi-Fi system of 2024 is ASUS ROG Rapture GT6. This tri-band router is sleek and stylish, providing stable speeds with coverage of up to 5,800 square feet for a reasonable price. Gamers will enjoy acceleration modes and customers report excellent coverage for large homes and easy setup. Free lifetime security is included. Our other favorite options are below.
Pros
- Game acceleration
- Two-pack
- Cooling system
ASUS ROG Rapture GT6 tech specs: Wi-Fi: Tri-band Wi-Fi 6 | Speed: 10 Gbps+ | Ports: WAN, LAN | CPU: 1.7 – 2.2GHz quad-core | Range: 5,800 square feet
The ASUS ROG Rapture GT6 is a stylish mesh system with features exclusively designed for gamers, but all of the bonuses can contribute to a future-proof, stable, and speedy connection. The tri-band, Wi-Fi 6 router is powerful and can cover up to 5,800 square feet at 700 Mbps.
In addition, it has a cooling system on the top and bottom, with heatsinks and vents to help dissipate heat. If you purchase this mesh system, you are entitled to a free lifetime subscription to AiProtection by Trend Micro and ASUS Instant Guard security software.
Gamers will be most interested in Triple-Level Game Acceleration. This feature optimizes gaming traffic from devices to servers, reducing game lag risk. Customers say that the GT6 provides excellent coverage for large homes and is easy to set up.
You can pick up a two-pack of the ASUS ROG Rapture GT6 at Amazon with a $50 discount, reducing the cost to $430.
Pros
- Wi-Fi 7
- Increased speed
- TrueMesh
- Smart home compatibility
Cons
- Extra units can become expensive
Amazon Eero Max 7 mesh Wi-Fi system tech specs: Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 7 | Speed: Wired up to 9.4 and wireless up to 4.3 Gbps | Ports: Two 10 GbE ports | Support for 160 MHz client devices | Built-in smart hub | 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands
Amazon’s Eero Max 7 mesh Wi-Fi system is a router, repeater, and range extender in one. With up to a 10 gigabit Ethernet connection, the Eero Max 7 was built with speed in mind. According to ZDNET’s Artie Beaty, this type of speed lets you download a 4K movie in just 10 seconds or a 50GB video game in less than a minute.
The mesh system utilizes the 240 MHz channel for additional connectivity alongside the standard 2.4GHz and 5GHz band channels. Expect up to 2,500 square feet of coverage to supply a dependable signal across your existing internet connection.
You can pick up a single Eero Max 7 for $600, with discounts applied when you purchase more than one unit. The company will also give you six months of the Eero Plus security subscription for free.
Pros
- Excellent wireless range
- Three-pack
- Affordable
Cons
- Users report annoyance with power cable length
TP-Link Deco AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 mesh system tech specs: Wi-Fi: Dual-band Wi-Fi 6 | Speed: 2×2/HE160 2402 Mbps plus 2×2 574 Mbps | Ports: 10/100/1000 Mbps | AI-assisted mesh | Range: 6,500 square feet
The TP-Link Deco X55 is an impressive mesh system suitable for larger homes or small offices. Available in a three-pack for a sale price of $180 ($100 off), this mesh system tops our list for its combination of features and affordability.
Also: Mesh routers vs. Wi-Fi routers: What’s best for your home office?
This mesh system covers up to 6,500 square feet and includes three Gigabit ports per unit, providing robust performance and coverage across the entire network. While only dual-band, the system utilizes the 5 GHz frequency and can manage up to 150 connected devices.
TP-Link Deco X55 uses AI mesh. The router will analyze your home environment and will adjust bandwidth use and connectivity based on features such as weak coverage spots, obstacles, and usage.
While Amazon has an original list price of $280 and, therefore, a discount of $100, it should be noted that in 2023, both B&H and Amazon’s original list price was $230. Therefore, B&H’s current list price and discount ($230 and $50) are the most accurate.
Pros
- Blazing fast speeds
- Fantastic coverage
Cons
- Expensive setup for larger coverage
Netgear Orbi AX5400 tech specs: 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 are 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.
Also: How to set up a VPN on your router
A year of Netgear Armor is included for free. Prices begin at $350 for a two-pack system ($150 off), and you can also buy additional satellites separately.
Cons
- Lack of satellite ports
Google Nest Wi-Fi Pro tech specs: Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6E, 2.4 GHz, 5.0 GHz, 6.0 GHz bands | Speed: 5.4 Gbps+ | Range: up to 2,200 square feet | Guest mode
The Google Nest Wi-Fi Pro has an improved capacity for speed and coverage compared to older Nest models. This bundle of three satellites is undoubtedly worth your consideration if you need blanket coverage for an average-sized home.
This mesh network is centered around a Wi-Fi 6E router capable of handling traffic on 2.4 GHz, 5.0 GHz, and 6.0 GHz bands. Furthermore, the router is easily set up within the Google ecosystem and mobile app, and you can choose to create a guest network for visitors.
You can purchase single units directly from Google for $200. Alternatively, the tech giant and Best Buy are offering a pack containing three mesh routers for $400.
Our top pick for the best mesh Wi-Fi system of 2024 is ASUS ROG Rapture GT6. This tri-band router is sleek and stylish, providing stable speeds with coverage of up to 5,800 square feet. Gamers will enjoy acceleration modes and customers report excellent coverage for large homes and easy setup. Free lifetime security is included.
However, if you’re not sure, there are other options to consider, as listed below.
| Mesh Wi-Fi system | Price | Range | Wi-Fi generation |
| ASUS ROG Rapture GT6 | $430 | 5,800 square feet | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Amazon Eero Max 7 mesh Wi-Fi system | $600 | 4,500 square feet | Wi-Fi 7 |
| TP-Link Deco X55 | $230 | 6,500 square feet | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Netgear Orbi AX5400 (RBK763) | $350 | 12,500 square feet | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Google Nest Wi-Fi Pro | $200 | 2,200 square feet | Wi-Fi 6 |
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 protocols 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 ROG Rapture GT6 | A mesh system with excellent home coverage, security, and features for gamers. The tri-band, Wi-Fi 6 router is powerful and can cover up to 5,800 square feet. Game acceleration, lifetime security, and hardware cooling is included. |
| Amazon Eero Max 7 mesh Wi-Fi system | A top-speed tri-band mesh system, future-proof for years to come. With modern Wi-Fi technologies, you can download a 50GB video game in less than a minute or a 4K movie in seconds. |
| TP-Link Deco X55 | A fast and well-rounded dual-band Wi-Fi 6 mesh system for an excellent price. As an upgrade from your ISP-issued router, it’s a great choice for brilliant coverage, an easy setup, and reliable connections for multiple devices. |
| Netgear Orbi AX5400 (RBK763) | A modern Wi-Fi system offering Gigabit speeds. While somewhat expensive, this option is best if you want a mesh network capable of high speeds and coverage. |
| Google Nest Wi-Fi Pro | A reasonably-priced mesh Wi-Fi system with tri-band features. This router will provide stable, consistent, and speedy coverage for your home. |
There are several key areas to focus on, starting with affordable systems providing greater range and reliability than a single, conventional Wi-Fi router.
It is also important to consider 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.
Ultimately, we based our choices on the following features:
- Internet connectivity: Naturally, this has to be one of the top considerations. With so many of us working from home and reliant on the internet — not to mention using online services for controlling home devices and entertainment — we ensured that the products selected would provide the level of connectivity we now all need.
- Speed and capacity: Mesh systems were designed to solve the problems of weak coverage in large areas and bottlenecks caused by too many devices attempting to connect to one access point. Considering they are usually more expensive than traditional Wi-Fi routers, our recommendations needed to have good coverage and multiple device support.
- Additional features: Many manufacturers now implement additional controls and service support to entice consumers, including parental controls, virtual private network (VPN) support, separate network creation, guest modes, and more.
- Budget: Not every home needs a blazingly fast, future-proof mesh system able to handle hundreds of connected devices. Sometimes, affordability is key. We have included a selection of mesh devices suitable for different budgets.
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.
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 signals 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 alternative for coverage
Netgear Nighthawk mesh Wi-Fi 6 system (MK63S)
Free Armor security and two satellites offer up to 4,500 square feet of coverage for over 25 connected devices for only $200 (33% off).
Best budget alternative
Linksys MR7340 Hydra mesh Wi-Fi 6 router
The $50 Linksys MR7340 Hydra mesh Wi-Fi 6 router (49% off) offers coverage of up to 1,700 square feet and speeds of up to 1.5 Gbps.
Best alternative for power
Netgear Orbi 960 quad-band Wi-Fi 6E mesh system
The Netgear Orbi 960 quad-band Wi-Fi 6E mesh system is packed with features, high specifications, and coverage of up to 9,000 square feet. It’s a premium product with a starting price of $1,500.
Best discounted alternative
TP-Link Deco W7200 tri-band Wi-Fi 6 mesh router system, two-pack
Over at Walmart, you can pick up a two-pack TP-Link Deco tri-band Wi-Fi 6 mesh router system for $150, offering up to 5,500 square feet of coverage, with a discount of $80.
