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If you are looking for a way to improve your Wi-Fi coverage and performance in your home or office, you might want to consider getting a Wi-Fi mesh system. A Wi-Fi mesh system consists of a main router and one or more satellite nodes that work together to create a unified wireless network that covers every corner of your space. Unlike traditional routers and extenders, Wi-Fi mesh systems use the same network name and password, so you don’t have to switch between different networks as you move around. They also use smart algorithms to optimize the connection between the router and the nodes, as well as between your devices and the closest node.
There are many Wi-Fi mesh systems available in the market, each with different features, specifications, and prices. To help you choose the best one for your needs, we have reviewed five of the most popular and highly rated Wi-Fi mesh systems based on various sources, such as Forbes, TechRadar, PCMag, T3, and The New York Times. Here are our top picks:
Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8)
The Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) is one of the best Wi-Fi mesh systems for most people, according to PCMag and TechRadar. It supports the latest Wi-Fi 6 standard, which offers faster speeds, lower latency, and higher capacity than previous generations. It also has a sleek design, easy setup, and comprehensive features, such as Gigabit Ethernet ports, parental controls, anti-malware software, and Alexa integration.
The Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) comes with two identical units that can cover up to 5,500 square feet of space. Each unit has four Gigabit Ethernet ports (one WAN and three LAN), a USB 3.1 port, a power button, a reset button, and a WPS button. You can use the Asus Router app or the web interface to configure the system and customize various settings, such as network name, password, security mode, guest network, QoS, VPN, firewall, and more. You can also use the app to monitor the network status, manage connected devices, set parental controls, enable AiProtection Pro (which provides anti-virus and anti-malware protection), and integrate with Amazon Alexa for voice control.
The Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) delivers impressive performance in both speed and range tests. It can handle multiple devices streaming 4K videos, gaming online, or working from home without any lag or buffering. It also supports seamless roaming between the router and the node, so you don’t have to worry about losing connection as you move around. The only drawbacks of this system are its high price tag and its lack of a dedicated backhaul band (which means it uses one of its two 5 GHz bands for communication between the router and the node).
Pros
- Supports Wi-Fi 6
- Sleek design
- Easy setup
- Comprehensive features
- Impressive performance
Cons
- Expensive
- No dedicated backhaul band
Eero 6
The Eero 6 is another great Wi-Fi mesh system that supports Wi-Fi 6 and offers a lot of coverage at an affordable price. It is also very easy to set up and use, thanks to its intuitive app and simple design. It is recommended by Forbes and The New York Times as one of the best Wi-Fi mesh systems.
The Eero 6 comes with three units: one router and two extenders. The router has two Gigabit Ethernet ports (one WAN and one LAN), while the extenders have none. The router can cover up to 1,500 square feet of space, while each extender can add another 1,500 square feet. You can use the Eero app to set up the system in minutes by scanning a QR code on each unit and following the instructions on your phone. You can also use the app to manage your network settings, such as network name, password, guest network, security mode, device priority, and more. You can also enable Eero Secure (which provides advanced security features like ad blocking, safe browsing, and threat scans) or Eero Secure+ (which adds VPN, password manager, and antivirus services) for an extra monthly fee.
The Eero 6 delivers decent performance in both speed and range tests. It can handle multiple devices browsing, streaming, or working from home without any major issues. It also supports seamless roaming between the router and the extenders, so you don’t have to worry about switching networks as you move around. The main drawbacks of this system are its lack of Ethernet ports on the extenders, its limited customization options, and its dependence on cloud services for some features.
Pros
- Supports Wi-Fi 6
- Affordable price
- Easy setup and use
- Decent performance
Cons
- No Ethernet ports on extenders
- Limited customization options
- Dependent on cloud services
Netgear Orbi RBKE963 WiFi 6E Mesh System
The Netgear Orbi RBKE963 WiFi 6E Mesh System is one of the best Wi-Fi mesh systems for very large homes, according to PCMag. It supports the latest Wi-Fi 6E standard, which adds a new 6 GHz band for faster speeds, lower interference, and more capacity than previous generations. It also has a robust design, powerful hardware, and advanced features, such as Gigabit Ethernet ports, tri-band backhaul, smart speaker integration, parental controls, and anti-malware software.
The Netgear Orbi RBKE963 WiFi 6E Mesh System comes with three units: one router and two satellites. Each unit has four Gigabit Ethernet ports (one WAN and three LAN on the router, and four LAN on the satellites), a USB 3.0 port, a power button, a reset button, and a sync button. The router can cover up to 2,500 square feet of space, while each satellite can add another 2,500 square feet. You can use the Orbi app or the web interface to configure the system and customize various settings, such as network name, password, security mode, guest network, QoS, VPN, firewall, and more. You can also use the app to monitor the network status, manage connected devices, set parental controls, enable Netgear Armor (which provides anti-virus and anti-malware protection), and integrate with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant for voice control.
The Netgear Orbi RBKE963 WiFi 6E Mesh System delivers outstanding performance in both speed and range tests. It can handle multiple devices streaming 8K videos, gaming online, or working from home without any lag or buffering. It also supports seamless roaming between the router and the satellites, so you don’t have to worry about losing connection as you move around. The only drawbacks of this system are its very high price tag and its bulky size.
Pros
- Supports Wi-Fi 6E
- Robust design
- Powerful hardware
- Advanced features
- Outstanding performance
Cons
- Very expensive
- Bulky size
TP-Link Deco S4
The TP-Link Deco S4 is one of the best budget Wi-Fi mesh systems that offers good performance and coverage for a low price. It supports the Wi-Fi 5 standard, which is still fast enough for most users. It also has a simple design, easy setup, and basic features, such as Gigabit Ethernet ports and parental controls.
The TP-Link Deco S4 comes with three units that can cover up to 5,500 square feet of space. Each unit has two Gigabit Ethernet ports (one WAN and one LAN), a power port, a reset button, and an LED indicator. You can use the Deco app to set up the system in minutes by scanning a QR code on each unit and following the instructions on your phone. You can also use the app to manage your network settings, such as network name, password, guest network, security mode, device priority, and more. You can also enable TP-Link HomeCare (which provides basic security features like antivirus, firewall, and intrusion prevention) for free for three years.
The TP-Link Deco S4 delivers good performance in both speed and range tests. It can handle multiple devices browsing, streaming, or working from home without any major issues. It also supports seamless roaming between the units, so you don’t have to worry about switching networks as you move around. The main drawbacks of this system are its lack of Wi-Fi 6 support, its limited customization options, and its occasional connection drops.
Pros
- Low price
- Simple design
- Easy setup
- Good performance
Cons
- No Wi-Fi 6 support
- Limited customization options
- Occasional connection drops
Google Nest Wifi
The Google Nest Wifi is one of the best-looking Wi-Fi mesh systems that offers a sleek design and smart speaker integration. It supports the Wi-Fi 5 standard, which is still fast enough for most users. It also has an easy setup, a user-friendly app, and basic features, such as Gigabit Ethernet ports and parental controls.
The Google Nest Wifi comes with two units: one router and one point. The router has two Gigabit Ethernet ports (one WAN and one LAN), while the point has none. The router can cover up to 2,200 square feet of space, while the point can add another 1,600 square feet. You can use the Google Home app to set up the system in minutes by scanning a QR code on each unit and following the instructions on your phone. You can also use the app to manage your network settings, such as network name, password, guest network, security mode, device priority, and more. You can also enable Google Wifi Care (which provides basic security features like safe browsing and threat scans) for free.
The Google Nest Wifi delivers decent performance in both speed and range tests. It can handle multiple devices browsing, streaming, or working from home without any major issues. It also supports seamless roaming between the router and the point, so you don’t have to worry about switching networks as you move around. The main drawbacks of this system are its lack of Wi-Fi 6 support, its lack of Ethernet ports on the point, and its limited compatibility with other Google devices.
Pros
- Sleek design
- Smart speaker integration
- Easy setup
- User-friendly app
- Decent performance
Cons
- No Wi-Fi 6 support
- No Ethernet ports on the point
- Limited compatibility with other Google devices
Conclusion
Wi-Fi mesh systems are a great way to improve your Wi-Fi coverage and performance in your home or office. They offer a unified wireless network that covers every corner of your space and optimizes the connection between your devices and the closest node. They also come with various features, such as Gigabit Ethernet ports, parental controls, anti-malware software, and smart speaker integration.
Depending on your needs and preferences, you can choose from different Wi-Fi mesh systems that support different Wi-Fi standards, offer different coverage areas, and have different prices. We have reviewed five of the best Wi-Fi mesh systems based on various sources and criteria. Here is a summary of our top picks:
- Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8): Best Wi-Fi mesh system for most people
- Eero 6: Best affordable Wi-Fi mesh system
- Netgear Orbi RBKE963 WiFi 6E Mesh System: Best Wi-Fi mesh system for very large homes
- TP-Link Deco S4: Best budget Wi-Fi mesh system
- Google Nest Wifi: Best-looking Wi-Fi mesh system
We hope this article helps you find the best Wi-Fi mesh system for your needs. Happy surfing!
