The 4 best mesh WiFi router systems to upgrade your home internet
If you’re maxing out your ISP’s data limit or have dead spots in your home, a mesh WiFi router might be the upgrade you need. It’s also a good purchase if you need even faster, more reliable internet for work, online gaming, or streaming. You don’t need a lot of options, as they all perform essentially the same function, just to varying degrees.
So, without any bullshit, here are the four mesh routers that are worth the money. Anything from any of these four brands is probably an acceptable alternative, but these picks are our editor-approved selections. The point of mesh routers is to set up two or more that communicate with each other to achieve coverage throughout your home. That’s why we’ve listed them as packs of two or three, because that’s what you need if you want to take full advantage of mesh Wi-Fi.
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Amazon
Best mesh WiFi router overall
ASUS ZenWiFi AX (XT8) – 2-pack
First, ASUS. There’s a reason this reliable gaming laptop brand is consistently ranked among the best: quality products. When it comes to their mesh Wi-Fi systems, Asus has hit the jackpot with ZenWiFi. The AX model comes in a sexy black that would look great next to any Marshall turntable or Sony soundbar.
In terms of performance, this is a Wi-Fi 6 router that is backwards compatible with any Wi-Fi device. It also has more security features (free and subscription-free) to keep your data and personal information safer than most router brands. Setup takes less than 10 minutes via the Asus website or mobile app.
Bandwidth
160MHz
Maximum speed
6600 megabits per second
cover
up to 5500 square meters
Mass
6.3 x 2.95 x 6.36 inches
Best Smart Home Mesh Router
eero 6+ Mesh – 3-Pack
Per
Supports Gigabit Internet
Compatible with Thread and Zigbee devices
Small and easy to store
Disadvantages
Safety and child safety have their price
If you already have Amazon devices installed in your smart home, an eero mesh Wi-Fi router is for you. The eero 6+ isn’t the absolute top-of-the-line model in this Amazon line—that honor goes to the Pro 6E—but it’s everything most people need. It supports high speeds (up to a gigabit over Ethernet) and can connect not only to other eero mesh routers, but also to Thread and Zigbee edge routers.
Of all the routers we’ve tried, eero’s are the smallest and most unobtrusive. Even if you have three of them installed in your home, they barely take up any space.
The biggest downside to using eero is that to get the most out of these routers (i.e., features comparable to our favorite Asus), you have to pay a subscription fee.
Bandwidth
160MHz
Maximum speed
1 gigabit per second
cover
up to 4,500 m²
Mass
3.94 x 3.82 x 2.6 inches
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Best mesh router for gamers
ASUS ROG Rapture GT6 – 2-pack
Asus’ Republic of Gamers brand is known for its laptops and portable PC gaming devices, but the offerings don’t end there. Say hello to the ROG Rapture GT6, the premium mesh router for online gaming.
For maximum optimization (and to really get some bang for your buck), you’ll want to plug in. With Ethernet supporting speeds of up to two and a half gigabytes, this is where the real payoff starts. There’s even a built-in game acceleration mode that lets you get even more into the details of your games’ performance. If you already have the ultimate gaming PC, this mesh router set is the perfect addition.
Bandwidth
160MHz
Maximum speed
2.5 gigabits per second
cover
up to 5,800 square meters.
Mass
6.93 x 3.07 x 6.77 inches
What to look for when buying mesh WiFi routers
Mesh routers are a newer technology, so we understand you may feel a bit lost. Here are some key insights and tips to keep the criteria simple.
WiFi 6 – This is the latest and fastest generation of wireless internet. While speeds are improving, Wi-Fi 6 is mostly about being able to use high-speed internet on a ton of devices at once. To take full advantage of Wi-Fi 6, you’ll need to make sure your devices are new enough to be Wi-Fi 6 capable. And don’t worry, if you don’t have any Wi-Fi 6 devices, a Wi-Fi 6 router will still work with all your old stuff.
Coverage area – Of all the numbers, this is perhaps the most important. It gives an estimate of how large the area a mesh network will cover. Generally speaking, the more routers you distribute, the larger the coverage area can be. However, keep in mind that some mesh routers have different coverage areas. Always check the specifications.
Check your internet speed before purchasing – Different routers support higher speeds, but it’s important to know what you’re working with. Unless you have very fast internet, you don’t need the fanciest, most powerful mesh router on the market.
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