7 Best Mesh Routers (2025), Tested and Reviewed

Mesh routers promise dependable Wi-Fi throughout your home, and most follow through, but finding the best mesh router for the job can be tricky. Instead of a single router to wash your home in Wi-Fi connectivity, a mesh system combines the main router with one or more nodes that appear as a unified Wi-Fi network. Your devices will automatically connect to the nearest option for the best speeds.

Most of us are stuck with placing our router in a less-than-optimal spot, depending on where the internet connection comes into our home. You can extend Wi-Fi coverage by placing a second or third node where needed. Whether you want to fix dead zones, deliver a stronger signal into the back bedroom, or have great Wi-Fi in the backyard, a mesh system could be the answer. The Asus ZenWiFi XT8 is our top pick for most people, but I have many alternatives to suit different homes and internet connections.

Before you dive into our lineup, it’s a good idea to consider whether a mesh system is right for you. Our guide on how to choose a router will help you answer that question and figure out what features you need. If you don't want to switch to a new system, I also have advice on upgrading your existing Wi-Fi and, as always, ways to secure it and protect your home network.

Updated April 2025: We've added some details to our top pick, changed our recommended Eero system, and added the Eero 7. We've also added the Asus ZenWifi BT8 mesh and an Avoid section with a few entries, including the Acer Predator Connect T7.

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The combination of speedy performance, impressive range, and lots of extra features earns the Asus ZenWiFi XT8 the top spot as the best mesh Wi-Fi system. (Even if it's a bit of a mouthful.) I tested the two-pack, and the straightforward setup through the mobile app took minutes, though you have to keep the node close by during setup and then move it. This is a tri-band Wi-Fi 6 system with one 2.4-GHz band and two 5-GHz bands (one is reserved for wireless backhaul). Available in black or white, these units are fairly large, but they're unobtrusive and look classy, with side vents to help dissipate heat. Each router offers three gigabit Ethernet ports, which is generous, as well as a 2.5 gigabit WAN port and a USB 3.1 port.

At short, medium, or long range, the XT8 was consistently one of the fastest systems I tested, and speeds never dropped. The inclusion of AiProtection Pro, which adds anti-malware and parental controls powered by Trend Micro, is very welcome, especially since it doesn’t require a subscription, unlike most competitors. Just remember that using AiProtection means sharing your data with Trend Micro, so you might want to read its privacy policy. I like the parental controls, too. You can set up and reuse profiles, schedule bedtimes, filter by age group, and review activity. The Quality of Service (QoS) option lets you prioritize activities like working from home, gaming, or streaming, and you can limit bandwidth for specific devices.

The mobile app has a wealth of options, and the web interface is even more in-depth. It’s easy to split bands or set up a guest network. I also found that the app recognized most devices correctly. (Sometimes it’s difficult to identify devices from the attributed hardware names in router apps.) There's support for AiMesh, which means you can easily add other Asus routers to expand your Wi-Fi system. The dedicated backhaul channel—the way the router speaks to its nodes and vice versa—is extremely fast, ensuring you get the full speed of your internet connection even from that node you placed near the backyard.

The major caveat with this mesh is that it can take some tinkering to get it working well for your home. If a failed firmware update is your idea of hell or you can’t face trial and error with settings, pick one of the systems below. My XT8 node initially refused to update its firmware, which took a couple of attempts to fix. I also had an issue with my Sonos speakers disappearing, which required a factory reset. Overall, using the XT8 has been a smooth experience. With a little patience and research, it’s easy for just about anyone to operate, but the depth of options will satisfy power users. You can find open source firmware if you want to go down the rabbit hole.

I also tested the slightly upgraded version of this mesh, the Asus ZenWiFi XT9 ($285). It appears identical but offers a few upgrades beneath the hood. Firstly, the 5-GHz band you can connect to has a 160-MHz channel width (theoretically double the XT8’s bandwidth), the processor is slightly more powerful, and there’s support for link aggregation. On the downside, just like with the XT8, I had some teething troubles with the XT9 that required a firmware upgrade and some tweaks to the settings. It’s slightly better than the XT8, so if you see it at a similar price, I would go for the XT9 instead.

Note: The US government is reportedly mulling a TP-Link router ban after reports that vulnerabilities in the Chinese firm’s routers were exploited in high-profile attacks linked to the Chinese government. According to The Wall Street Journal, the US Commerce, Defense, and Justice departments are investigating TP-Link, though no evidence of any deliberate wrongdoing has yet emerged. TP-Link president Jeff Barney told WIRED the company is cooperating with the investigation, has a transparent supply chain with manufacturing in Vietnam, not China, and is now headquartered in California, having split from TP-Link Technologies, which focuses on mainland China. TP-Link is not the only brand targeted by malicious actors; Cisco and Netgear devices have also been infected in suspected Chinese state-sponsored attacks. I'll monitor this situation as it develops before deciding whether I need to reconsider recommendations.

The Deco X20 is an affordable Wi-Fi 6 mesh that delivers decent coverage and performance, with optional parental controls and antivirus protection, making it ideal for an average family home. I tested the three-pack, and it was very easy to set 'em all up. The three routers are small and sport a cylinder design that blends in well. This is a dual-band system (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz). There are two gigabit Ethernet ports on each router.

Coverage and speeds are OK, falling well short of the Asus XT8 but beating systems like the entry-level Eero 6. The app is straightforward, and it’s easy to set up a guest network. Originally released with the free HomeCare software, this has since changed to a HomeShield system, and TP-Link has updated its HomeShield and parental control subscriptions. You get basic network security (router scan, guest network, QoS) and parental controls (create profiles, pause internet, block, and filter) included for free, but everything else requires a subscription.

HomeShield Security+ costs $5 a month or $36 a year and adds web and intrusion protection with notifications and reports. Total Security costs $70 a year and adds antivirus for devices, VPN service, and a password manager. Advanced Parental Controls costs $3 a month or $18 a year and adds time limits, downtime scheduling, rewards, app time limits, safe search, insights, and reports. While this granularity enables you to pick and choose what you need, it might be confusing for some, and I’m not keen on subscription creep. That said, most families will likely want the Security+ and Advanced Parental Controls, which will come in at $54 for the year ($1 cheaper than the HomeShield Pro it replaces).

The Quality of Service feature lets you prioritize activities like gaming or streaming, or set priority devices. Importantly, you can split the 2.4-GHz and 5-GHz bands to show as two separate Wi-Fi networks. This is handy, as some smart home devices only operate on the former band. Similarly, there's a mixed mode for WPA2 and WPA3 security. Some devices don't work with the newer WPA3 standard, and some routers force you to choose one or the other, which can lead to issues. This mode ensures all your gadgets are on a compatible standard.

The web interface is basic and doesn’t add much, so I preferred using the easy-to-use app. However, it’s a little slow to update, and settings are limited. It didn’t recognize many devices and listed obscure hardware manufacturer names, making it tough to know which devices to add to my kid’s profiles.

It wasn’t the speediest performer, but this system is fast and dependable enough for the average home. If you have a connection that's 500 Mbps or better, it might be worth upgrading to the Deco X55 or Deco X60.

Amazon’s Eero mesh systems are some of the easiest to set up, offer fairly wide coverage, and deliver stable connectivity. The Eero Pro 6E (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is an elegant system, available as two or three identical routers. The Eeros blend in easily on a table or shelf, sport a USB-C port for power, and two Ethernet ports rated at 2.5 Gbps and 1 Gbps. This tri-band system supports Wi-Fi 6E, offering the 6-GHz band alongside 2.4- and 5-GHz, and is designed to be a hands-off, set-and-forget mesh system.

The Eero Pro 6E was impressively fast in my tests; there were no drops, and it proved adept at sharing bandwidth. The mobile app is straightforward, giving you an overview of connected devices with the option to pause the internet and set up a guest network. I could also create profiles, group devices, set schedules, and fix bedtimes. Unfortunately, content filtering, other parental controls, advanced security, ad blocking, and activity insights require an Eero Plus subscription at $10 per month or $100 per year.

Eero is an Amazon company, and its routers come with Alexa support. Enable the Eero skill, and you can pause the internet with a voice command through your Echo device, which is handy when your child won’t get off the computer to eat dinner. The Eero Pro 6E supports Matter and Thread and can pull double duty as a ZigBee smart-home hub in the same way Echo devices can, allowing you to directly connect some smart lighting, smart locks, and other ZigBee devices.

Two other tricks make Eero systems attractive. An Echo (4th Gen), Echo Dot (4th or 5th Gen), or Echo Dot with clock (4th or 5th Gen) smart speaker can act as a Wi-Fi extender, offering an extra 1,000 square feet of coverage at speeds up to 100 Mbps for up to 10 devices. Eero also offers an Internet Backup option, so you can add multiple backup networks (Wi-Fi or hotspot) to keep you online if your main wired network goes down.

Eero’s simplicity will appeal to anyone who hates digging into settings, but there’s a cost. You won’t find any Quality of Service features for prioritizing activities, and you can’t separate bands. One final con with basic Eero systems is comparatively slow transfer speeds, though this was not an issue for the Pro 6E and other higher-end systems I tested.

A few Eero systems on the market are worth considering, offering a broadly similar experience. The first two are dual-band systems (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz). Although the basic Eero 6 ($200) was one of the slower systems I tested, particularly at longer distances, it's likely enough for folks with internet connections up to 500 Mbps and modest needs. If you have a faster connection, up to 1 Gbps, and your home is smaller than 4,500 square feet, then the Eero 6+ ($300) might suit.

If you want a Wi-Fi 7 system and have a small home or limited demand, consider the Eero 7 ($350). It’s another dual-band system, so you don’t get the faster 6-GHz band, but you get the other advantages of Wi-Fi 7, including MLO and enhanced security. The Eero 7 performed respectably in my tests, with solid 2.4- and 5-GHz band speeds, but range and throughput are limited, meaning it won’t be a good pick for everyone. It has a 2.5 Gbps port, but I'd pick something else if your connection is faster than 1 Gbps. The Eero 7 only did slightly better than the 6+ and was significantly outperformed by the Pro 6E. Considering that a three-pack of the Pro 6E frequently drops to $400, it's a better buy.

Anyone with larger properties or above-average demands (lots of devices and people simultaneously using the internet) might consider the Eero Pro 7 ($700)—I'll be testing it next. Or the top-of-the-line Eero Max 7 ($1,360) (7/10, WIRED Review), which boasts four Ethernet ports, two rated at 10 Gbps and two at 2.5 Gbps, though it will be overkill for most people. If you want a stronger signal in your backyard this summer, you can also snag an Eero 7 Outdoor ($400) to pair with any of these systems, though I have not tested it yet.

All Eero systems are compatible with each other, which makes it easy to expand your network. You can dig deeper into the differences in our Eero buying guide. But whichever model you choose, keep an eye out for frequent discounts.

Affordable and compact, the ZenWiFi XD5 is a solid alternative to our top pick for more limited needs or budgets. Refreshingly, you don’t have to create an account to set up and use this mesh network. Each of the three units features two gigabit Ethernet ports and can be wall-mounted. Basic security (AiProtection Classic) and parental controls come at no extra cost, and there is support for AiMesh, so you can mix and match other Asus routers.

Performance was smooth and reliable during my testing, with some impressively fast results for the price. I downloaded a 30-GB game in less than eight minutes. While this is a dual-band system, there is support for 160-MHz channels on the 5-GHz band. Asus says a three-pack can cover up to 5,000 square feet, but speeds drop off as you move away from a router. To squeeze the best performance from the XD5, or any mesh system, connect the main router and nodes with Ethernet for wired backhaul.

The Asus mobile app is straightforward and enables you to schedule downtime and filter content for your kids’ devices via parental controls, split bands, and set up a guest network. Access more options, including basic QoS and VPN support, via the web interface. My parents have been using this system for a couple of years now, and it has been plain sailing. Folks with 1 Gbps or slower connections who prefer not to have a subscription will find this dependable system great value.

Support for Wi-Fi 6E, which operates on the 6-GHz band, is common now, and with Wi-Fi 7 rolling out, 6E routers and mesh systems like this one are falling in price. A two-pack of this tri-band mesh system is relatively affordable and enough to cover most households, making this the best Wi-Fi 6E mesh for most people. These cylindrical routers sport the vase-like Deco family design, blending into rooms. The setup is quick and easy, and the main router automatically detected the second one when I powered it on. Each has one 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port and two gigabit ports. (Sadly, there are no USB ports.)

Performance was consistently good throughout my home, with some of the fastest speeds I have recorded close to the routers, but the range is relatively limited. My top pick, the XT8, outperformed the XE70 Pro in most scenarios. By default, the 6-GHz band is reserved for wireless backhaul, but you can open it up for devices. I joined with my Pixel 8, and after multiple speed tests at close range (up to 8 feet away), I generally got download speeds around 50 Mbps faster than on the 5-GHz band, but this dropped sharply with distance. The range of 6 GHz is significantly shorter, and just one room over, the signal strength was visibly weaker than 5 GHz. If you use the 6 GHz for wireless backhaul, you can’t have the routers too far apart or with too many obstacles, or you will have dead zones.

Disappointingly, the free tier of HomeShield offers only limited security, and Security+ costs $5 a month or $36 a year for web and intrusion protection with notifications and reports, while Total Security costs $70 a year and adds antivirus for devices, VPN service, and a password manager. Advanced Parental Controls require a second subscription costing $3 a month or $18 a year for time limits, downtime scheduling, rewards, app time limits, safe search, insights, and reports. Quality of Service allows you to prioritize specific devices and set bandwidth allowances. There is also a mixed-mode security option for WPA2 and WPA3. You can also split the 2.4-GHz and 5-GHz bands and create guest networks.

The Deco app and web interface are functional with limited options and feel clunky to navigate. The app failed to identify many of the devices on my network. I was also disappointed in the lack of an option to run a speed test on the router to see what my ISP delivers. Ultimately, the inclusion of that 6-GHz band won't make a difference for many people, but this is an affordable way to dip your toe in 6E waters.

TP-Link has too many similar mesh systems. The Deco XE70 Pro replaces the XE75 ($170 for a two-pack) in our guide, which is almost identical, but has three Gigabit ports and no multi-gig. There is also the XE75 Pro ($198 for a two-pack), which does have the 2.5-Gbps port and theoretically offers slightly more bandwidth but is far more expensive. Since TP-Link often discounts its mesh systems, I would pick whichever one is cheapest (folks with multi-gig connections should go with either Pro model). If you are prepared to spend a bit more, the Deco XE200 ($370 for a 2-pack), listed in the “Other Mesh Systems We’ve Tested” section below, is an excellent performer and one of the best Wi-Fi 6E mesh systems you can get. The MSRP is high, but keep an eye out for price drops.

If you are excited to sample the delights of Wi-Fi 7 or keen to future-proof, the Netgear Orbi 770 Series may be the best way to do so right now. More and more phones and laptops now support Wi-Fi 7, and prices for Wi-Fi 7 systems like this one are getting slightly more affordable. The Orbi 770 is backward compatible with previous Wi-Fi versions, but only devices that support Wi-Fi 7, like the iPhone 16 range, can take full advantage of this mesh.

These towering routers aren’t quite as big as the far more expensive 970 Series (7/10, WIRED Review), but they have a similar design and are relatively large. The main router has four 2.5 Gbps Ethernet ports, while the satellites make do with two 2.5 Gbps ports apiece. There’s no USB. Setup is quick and easy using the Orbi app on your phone.

It is a tri-band system, and by default, there is one SSID for the 2.4-GHz, 5-GHz, and 6-GHz bands, and it supports multi-link operation (MLO). MLO is a new Wi-Fi 7 feature that allows devices to connect on multiple bands simultaneously. While a single SSID simplifies things, MLO can cause problems for legacy devices because Wi-Fi 7 has more stringent security requirements (WPA2 or higher). Something like an iPhone 5 won’t be able to connect, though you could potentially use a guest or IoT network.

Wi-Fi 7 also enables wider channels (up to 320 MHz from the current high of 160 MHz) and a handful of other improvements. You can expect consistently fast Wi-Fi and excellent coverage from this system (Netgear says up to 8,000 square feet for a three-pack). There's potential for stable, low-latency, multi-gigabit speeds if you have Wi-Fi 7 devices connected to the main router (there was occasionally a touch of lag with the satellites).

The Orbi app is straightforward and shows connected clients, enables you to check our internet speed, and has a few other settings. You get 30-day trials of Netgear’s Armor security software (powered by Bitdefender) and Smart Parental Controls, but after that, Armor (phishing and malware protection, device and network scanning) costs $40 for the first year, then jumps to $100, and the parental controls (profiles, age-appropriate filters, scheduling, and time limits) are $8 per month. You don't need either subscription.

Unless you have a large home, a multi-gig internet connection (up to 2.5 Gbps), and at least a couple of Wi-Fi 7 devices, you could save your money and buy one of our other recommendations. But Wi-Fi 7 is rolling out more widely, and this mesh is a significant drop in price over the first wave of Wi-Fi 7 mesh systems, like the Deco BE85 ($1,000), Eero Max 7 ($1,700), and Netgear Orbi 970 Series ($2,000). In my home, the 770 was largely indistinguishable from the much pricier 970, and a two-pack will more than suffice for most folks.

This large, cylindrical router comes with fixings that enable you to wall- or pole-mount it, or you can set it on a table. It's waterproof and dustproof, with an IP65 rating, and has worked fine despite a typical wet Scottish summer without any issues. TP-Link suggests it can cover around 2,500 square feet, and it has no problem filling my backyard with speedy Wi-Fi.

The base screws open to accommodate the power cable with a rubber seal, but you will need an outdoor socket or extension within reach. Even better, this router supports Power-over-Ethernet (PoE), so you can hook it up to your network and power it with a single Ethernet cable. It has two gigabit Ethernet ports.

I tested it in conjunction with the Deco X50 4G, and it formed a mesh with no problem. It delivered decent speeds on the 2.4-GHz and 5-GHz bands, despite a large distance between it and the main router and the fact that it was relying on wireless backhaul. It offers basic security and parental controls, though you need to upgrade to Security+ at $5 a month or $36 for the year and Advanced Parental Controls at $3 a month or $18 a year to unlock all the features. There is support for Amazon Alexa and Google Home, so you can use voice commands with this router.

Whether you want to watch a movie on your phone while you sunbathe or crank the tunes up at your barbecue, this router is a great way to get a better Wi-Fi signal in your backyard.

Mesh systems are growing rapidly more popular, so you have a lot of choices. Some of these mesh systems narrowly missed out on a place above but may still be worth exploring.

Asus ZenWiFi BT8 (2-Pack) for $500: Based on its mostly stellar speed and range, the tri-band BT8 is a Wi-Fi 7 mesh that I can see myself recommending in the future. Sadly, the highs were hamstrung by inconsistent performance and perplexing intermittent lag, which made testing the BT8 a frustrating roller-coaster experience. A step down from the BT10 but still plenty fast enough for most folks with 2.5 Gbps or slower internet connections, the BT8 was a breeze to install, offered impressive speeds across all three bands, and delivered excellent range. Consider the subscription-free parental controls and security software, and the BT8 looks like a real contender. Unfortunately, as is often the case with Asus systems, the firmware is an update or two away from consistent stability. In a few months, with improved software and a lower price, this just might replace the XT8 above, but it’s not there yet.

Asus ZenWiFi BT10 (2-Pack) for $600: This Wi-Fi 7 mesh came top or near the top of the table in all my tests, with strong coverage and impressive throughput. It is a tri-band system (2.4, 5, and 6 GHz) with two 10 Gbps Ethernet ports, one Gigabit port, and a USB 3.0 port. It is highly configurable, includes security software and parental controls, and supports VPN services and 4G or 5G tethering. The reason I hesitate to fully recommend this mesh, aside from the high price, is that I have encountered several issues during testing with my Sonos system disappearing (this may be the fault of Sonos), and my Pixel 9 dropping connection repeatedly and having to be reset. The latest firmware update seems to have stabilized things, but it may make sense to wait a little longer for all the bugs to be ironed out before you consider this mesh.

Google Nest Wifi Pro (3-Pack) for $400: Mesh systems don’t come much simpler than this one. Google’s Nest Wifi Pro (7/10, WIRED recommends) is a tri-band (2.4-GHz, 5-GHz, and 6-GHz) Wi-Fi 6E system that works via Google Home, and each router sports two 1-gigabit ports. The setup is super simple, coverage and performance were solid and consistent, and my testing was refreshingly free from glitches and buffering, though WIRED editor Julian Chokkattu had issues that Google's customer support could not fix. The Nest Wifi Pro came mid-table in raw speed at short, mid, and long range, and settings in the Home app are very bare-bones. Disappointingly, it is not backward compatible with older Nest routers.

TP-Link Deco BE63 (3-Pack) for $450: TP-Link has stuck with the vase-like design that marks its Deco range for this tri-band mesh, and each has a stylized 7 on the front, lest you forget this is a Wi-Fi 7 system. Each router boasts four 2.5-Gbps auto-sensing WAN/LAN Ethernet ports and a USB 3.0 port. This mesh was a solid performer in my tests, but couldn't match the Netgear Orbi 770 above. Folks with many legacy devices may prefer it to the Orbi 770 because you can separate the SSIDs (though it also supports MLO). The UK version of this system is the BE65 (£580), but it isn't quite as strong a performer as the BE63 because of limitations on the 6-GHz band in the UK. Frequent deep discounts make this even more tempting for folks looking to try their first Wi-Fi 7 mesh.

Asus ROG Rapture GT6 (2-Pack) for $400: Gamers don't need a special gaming router. A good router is a good router. But aside from the look, Asus touts game modes that boost performance and prioritize related traffic. My 2-pack of black routers (they come in white too) was simple to set up, and each sports a 2.5-Gbps WAN port, three 1-gigabit LAN ports, and a USB 3.2 Gen 1 port. The tri-band Asus ROG Rapture GT6 finished near the top of the table in most tests. It has a single 2.4-GHz band and two 5-GHz bands (one is used for backhaul unless you connect the routers with an Ethernet cable). While the 2.4-GHz band performance was very good, the 5-GHz results were among the best I have recorded, and this system supports the wider 160-MHz channels and WPA3 for security. You also get AiProtection security software and comprehensive parental controls free for the lifetime of the product. The GT6 has VPN support, too, and you can use it as a VPN server when you are out.

TP-Link Deco BE85 (2-Pack) for $800: The BE85 (7/10, WIRED Review) was TP-Link's first Wi-Fi 7 mesh. As the flagship, it offers unrivaled performance, with double the bandwidth of the more affordable BE63 listed above. Each router boasts four auto-sensing WAN/LAN Ethernet ports, two 10-Gbps ports (one is an SFP combo), two 2.5-Gbps ports, and a USB 3.0 port. It delivered wide coverage and excellent performance in my tests, but unless you have a very fast multi-gig internet connection and loads of Wi-Fi 7 devices, it will be overkill for your home.

Asus ZenWifi ET8 (2-Pack) for $270: As the Wi-Fi 6E version of our top pick, I expected good things from the ET8 but was underwhelmed after testing. Speed and stability were solid, and Asus provides free security software and parental controls, but the range and backhaul performance were disappointing. This tri-band router trades one of the 5-GHz bands (used for wireless backhaul in its sibling) for the new 6-GHz band, so traffic and backhaul have to share, and the 6-GHz band proved to be very short-range indeed. I also had some issues updating the firmware and with Spotify casting, though I was able to resolve them. Used as a single router, the ET8 could be good, but as a mesh system, it failed to impress.

Netgear Orbi 970 (2-Pack) for $1,150: There’s no denying that the tri-band Wi-Fi 7 Netgear Orbi 970 (7/10, WIRED Review) is an impressive quad-band mesh. It proved extremely fast and reliable, offers plenty of high-speed Ethernet ports, and delivers truly expansive coverage. The accessible app includes comprehensive security (free for the first year). I did have a few teething troubles, but the astronomical price is really what prevents me from recommending this mesh. You can get similar performance for less. You must also pay extra for full parental controls, now a separate subscription from the security software. Only folks with large houses, multi-gig connections, and deep pockets should consider this mesh.

Linksys Velop Pro 6E (2-Pack) for $140: Once up and running, this tri-band (2.4-GHz, 5-GHz, and 6-GHz) Wi-Fi 6E system offers impressive range and decent speeds. It is competitively priced with quite a few dips in cost (don't pay full price), comes with basic parental controls, and offers handy features like device prioritization and a guest network. But I had a terrible time with the installation. The app continually failed partway through the process, and I had to factory reset the routers. Even then, it took multiple attempts to add the nodes. It’s also not backward compatible with older Velop “Intelligent Mesh” systems, because this is a “Cognitive Mesh” system.

TP-Link XE200 (2-Pack) for $370: This tri-band mesh system (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz) scored some of the fastest speeds I have seen, offered consistently wide coverage, and blew away all the competition at close range. I downloaded a 50-GB game in 20 minutes and didn’t encounter any issues during testing. As it uses the 6-GHz band for backhaul, you have to think about placement and try to keep routers in sight of each other and within 50 feet (or better, connect them via Ethernet cable). The app is simple and offers most of the features you will want, but there’s no internet speed test, and you need subscriptions for real-time security and proper parental controls. While the XE200 is better than the XE70 Pro above, the reason it appears down here is the price. It’s simply too expensive for most folks, though it has seen some deep discounts recently, so keep an eye out for deals.

TP-Link Deco X50 4G for £150 and Deco X50 5G for £210: These routers operate just like regular dual-band routers (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), but they also have Nano SIM card slots for folks who live in areas with fast mobile networks, want some fallback option for patchy internet service, or need Wi-Fi temporarily or somewhere they can’t put in a fixed line. Setup is simple, they feature TP-Link’s subscription services for security and parental controls, and each unit has one 2.5-Gbps WAN, two gigabit LANs, and two external antenna ports. The performance will depend on your local mobile network, and you need an external antenna to get the best speeds. Testing with a gigabit internet connection, they proved fast and reliable and can cover up to 2,500 square feet. They are only available in the UK and Europe for now.

TP-Link Deco X50 PoE (3-Pack) for $220: This inconspicuous puck-sized router can be wall- or ceiling-mounted for rooms where a mesh with wireless backhaul just won’t cut it. You must run an Ethernet cable to the router, but because it supports PoE, the cable delivers power too. This dual-band router (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) has a 2.5-Gbps WAN port and a 1-gigabit LAN port and can cover up to 2,500 square feet.

Plume SuperPods with Wi-Fi 6 (3-Pack) for $480: The Plume SuperPods (7/10, WIRED Recommends) are one of the simplest mesh systems to set up, and the HomePass app is very accessible. SuperPods deliver fast, reliable Wi-Fi, and they outperformed the Eero Pro 6 system in my testing. The essential HomePass subscription is a hefty $8 per month but provides solid security features, parental controls, ad-blocking, and motion alerts. The cloud service handles firmware updates automatically and is continually assessing your Wi-Fi and making tweaks to improve performance, without the need for any input from you.

TP-Link Deco X55 (3-Pack) for $200: The X55 is similar to the X20 system on paper, but it’s capable of significantly faster speeds for not much more money. Sadly, you must shell out for subscriptions if you want comprehensive security and parental controls (you can get basics for free). In everyday usage, I barely noticed a difference between this and the X20, beyond faster transfer and download speeds. The main router was also a bit wobbly, occasionally going red for connection issues with no obvious cause. A software update also took multiple attempts to complete.

Gryphon AX (2-Pack) for $499: After some trouble setting up this tri-band Wi-Fi 6 system, I found it performed well and coped with multiple streams and devices without complaint. The app is a little glitchy, but it boasts comprehensive parental controls. If you want enhanced security, ad blocking, and the option to route traffic through your router when you or your family are out of the home—which allows for 24/7 monitoring of your kids’ online activities—you need to purchase Gryphon’s Premium plan for an extra $8 per month or $90 per year. But unless you require that level of oversight, this system is just too expensive, and it didn’t match our top pick for speed or coverage.

Linksys Atlas Pro 6 (MX5503) (3-Pack) for $220: Slightly cheaper than the tri-band Velop series, the Atlas Pro 6 looks very similar. I found the speed mostly solid and the range good, and it scored middle-of-the-pack performance overall. But sometimes the system struggled, likely because this is only a dual-band system, and the 5-GHz band is shared between devices and wireless backhaul. The Linksys app feels bare-bones, and you need a Linksys Shield subscription ($50 a year) to unlock all the features. But if you plan to set up a wired backhaul in a large home with fewer devices, this is a system worth considering.

They can't all be winners. These are the mesh systems I had trouble with or can't recommend for one reason or another.

Acer Predator Connect T7 for $330: I had high hopes for this Acer system, as the company has considerable prowess in computing, but my excitement at a relatively new mesh player was short-lived because the half-baked Predator Connect T7 is a mess. The installation was buggy, the firmware update repeatedly failed, and even when I got it up and running, it proved to be one of the least stable systems I have ever tried. The band steering is poor and frequently dumps me onto the slowest 2.4-GHz band. The T7 also dropped my connection multiple times a day, froze video calls, and was a general pain. It was so janky that I could not complete many of my tests.

Linksys Velop Pro 7 (3-Pack) for $900: The first Wi-Fi 7 mesh from Linksys proved easy to set up, and this tri-band system (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz) delivered stable Wi-Fi throughout my home. Weirdly, the Velop Pro 7 only offers a single 2.5-Gbps Ethernet port, flanked by four gigabit LAN ports. That makes it impossible to fully enjoy multi-gig connections through Ethernet to devices or wired backhaul. Tests revealed significantly slower speeds than Wi-Fi 7 mesh systems from TP-Link and Amazon Eero (though both are more expensive). Aside from Wi-Fi 7 clients at short range, the Velop Pro 7 scored similar results to the Velop Pro 6E, which is less than half the price. The Linksys app is bare-bones, which may suit some folks, although the parental controls are limited.

Vilo 6 (2-Pack) for $155: The original Vilo system impressed with an impossibly low $60 price for a three-pack, but it did not support Wi-Fi 6. Vilo’s latest release does, and, in theory, that means better coverage, faster speeds, and connectivity for more devices. Unfortunately, in practice, it was a different story. I found the system difficult to set up. While performance was good at times, it proved inconsistent. The network dropped altogether and required a reboot several times in the first three days. File transfer speeds were slow. Each unit has three gigabit Ethernet ports, and the Vilo app offers parental controls, a guest network, and various network settings. But weighing up the price and performance, this is impossible to recommend.

Netgear Orbi RBK863 (3-Pack) for $1,100: As good as the Netgear Orbi 860 (7/10, WIRED Review) series is, the high price will repel most people. Opt for a three-pack, and the range of this system is unsurpassed. It’s also very fast (though there’s no support for Wi-Fi 6E), and it proved rock solid during my testing, with zero glitches and no downtime. These routers are among the largest in the mesh market. You get a year of comprehensive security software, Netgear Armor, with your purchase, but it costs $100 annually after, and if you want parental controls, you’re looking at another $70 a year on top. It is a dependable Wi-Fi 6 system, but there’s no need to spend this much. Even with deep discounts, this is overpriced, and why buy it now when you can snag a Wi-Fi 7 system for a similar price?

TP-Link Deco S4 (3-Pack) for $120: Our previous budget pick, the Deco S4, is a dual-band system that offers pleasingly wide coverage and stable connectivity, but I recommend Wi-Fi 6 support as a minimum now, and this is a Wi-Fi 5 mesh. It is easy to set up and use, and each router has a pair of gigabit ports. The app offers basic parental controls and QoS, but it is distinctly bare-bones. That said, this could still be a good pick if money is tight and your internet connection is below 500 Mbps.

Wyze Mesh Router (2-Pack) for $200 and Wyze Mesh Router Pro (2-Pack) for $348: More affordable mesh systems can only be a good thing, and the dual-band (2.4-GHz and 5-GHz) mesh router from budget security camera brand Wyze looks promising at first glance. Each router has two 1-gigabit ports, covers up to 1,500 square feet, and can connect more than 50 devices. Setup was a breeze through the regular Wyze app. While it mostly worked well for day-to-day video streaming and online gaming, I found that speeds were inconsistent (with fluctuations of more than 100 Mbps). I also encountered a few complete drops with my iPhone 14 Pro, where it switched to cellular. Features-wise, there is free security provided by Firedome, but not much else. The parental controls are limited (just a domain blocker), though Wyze tells me more comprehensive controls are in the works. The tri-band Wyze Mesh Router Pro adds Wi-Fi 6E support and performed far better (7/10, WIRED Review), but failed to match some of our picks above. I also have concerns about security breaches at Wyze.

Linksys Velop Wi-Fi 6 (MX4200) (3-Pack) for $159: This mesh system was easy to install and generally offered solid coverage and speeds, but the performance was inconsistent. It did well at long range but fell way behind the Asus XT8 and Netgear RBK753 at close range. All three Velop units are routers with generous 3-gigabit LAN ports and a USB port, but they’re also big and chunky. There’s a good range of features and options, but the sparse mobile app was a little glitchy and slow, and you need a Linksys Shield subscription ($50 a year) to get the handy age-range filters for parental controls.