Best mesh routers in 2024

Mesh Wi-Fi systems connect multiple routers or nodes to reduce the likelihood of Wi-Fi deadzones. These routers are usually identical, with the same hardware inside, so you can get solid connectivity whether you need a router for gaming or for work. They're easy to set up, too, with the other nodes automatically connecting to the main router when plugged into power.

Get whole-home coverage with the best mesh Wi-Fi routers

The ZenWiFi XT9 is a quick tri-band Wi-Fi 6 mesh router with an AX7800 connection and multi-gig Ethernet. The connection breaks down to 574Mbps at 2.4GHz, 2402Mbps at 5GHz-1, and 4804Mbps at 5GHz-2. Compared to its older brother, the XT8, you get double the speed on the lower 5GHz band. This is helpful since you'll need to use some of your 5GHz capacity to link the mesh nodes, and having two fast bands means you won't need to share those connections. You also get support for 160MHz connections, plus Asus' software allows you to pick which band is used to link your mesh.

Compared to some of the tiny mesh routers from Eero or TP-Link, the XT9 nodes are quite large but offer strong coverage and solid wired connections. There's a 2.5Gbps Ethernet port for incoming connections, so you can hook your ZenWiFi mesh into your existing high-speed wired network or connect directly to your modem. There's also a USB-A 3.2 port, which can be used for storage or with a backup internet source.

Asus includes AiProtection Pro, security software, and robust parental controls for free with this model. The parental controls allow you to create profiles, set schedules, and block content for each family member individually. With plenty of 5GHz capacity and a fast backhaul, the ZenWiFi XT9 is a powerful mesh system that will work in most homes.

The TP-Link Deco X20 has been around for a while now with a middle-of-the-road AX1800 dual-band connection, but it's still an excellent value for the amount of coverage you get. Its connection breaks down to 1201Mbps at 5GHz and 574Mbps at 2.4GHz, but keep in mind that part of that capacity needs to be used to link the mesh nodes. As a result, your real-world speeds will be around 500Mbps with this kit, which is still plenty for most applications, including 4K streaming. Naturally, it supports modern Wi-Fi tech like beamforming and MU-MIMO, which can help keep speeds high when coverage starts getting weak or there's a lot of wireless congestion in your area.

A three-node kit can cover up to 5,800 square feet, which is plenty for most homes. If you feel you need more, you can add another Deco, even a different model, to the mesh, though you should put your fastest hardware at the center of the mesh. Each node in the Deco X20 kit has two gigabit Ethernet ports on the back. One port on your primary Deco will be used for the incoming connection, and the other can be used for a wired device, or as a wired backhaul connecting one of your nodes. While the ports are gigabit speed, the connected device will still be limited by the speed of the mesh connection on the remote nodes. Still, it's nice to have the option for a wired connection, especially if you place one of the nodes in a home office that needs a reliable connection.

TP-Link includes its HomeShield software on this model, which provides security settings for free with the option to upgrade for more features like web protection, intrusion detection, and IoT device protection. Basic parental controls are also included with profiles, website blocking, and content filtering. If you want more features like time limites and rewards, you can also subscribe to Advanced Parental Controls.

The TP-Link Deco X55 with its AX3000 connection represents a big step up for Wi-Fi 6 mesh kits thanks to support for 160MHz connections. This enables 5GHz speeds up to 2402Mbps with another 574Mbps at 2.4GHz. This gives the system around double the headroom for 5GHz connections, including the connection that links the nodes, so you can get much closer to gigabit speeds on Wi-Fi. On the back, two gigabit Ethernet ports on each node make it easy to connect wired devices as well.

The mesh is set up in just a few minutes using the Deco app with step-by-step instructions, so even inexperienced users can get set up without needing to phone a friend. The app can also be used to see which devices are connected to your network, as well as parental controls to restrict the type of content certain devices can access with a set of filters. You can also see the strength of your network and add nodes to your mesh if you find you need a bit more coverage.

You can use any Deco node to expand your mesh to mix and match to save money. For example, you can use a cheaper node, like an AX1800 model where speed isn't as important, such as in a garage. TP-Link even makes an outdoor Deco, which could be perfect for someone with a big backyard.

While all Eero routers share the same software experience, the Eero 6+ offers plenty of speed for the vast majority of Wi-Fi users. Its AX3000 connection breaks down to 2402Mbps at 5GHz and 574Mbps at 2.4GHz. Since this wireless connection is used to link the mesh nodes together, the actual speed available to your device can vary, but with a full 2402Mbps on the 5GHz band, you can still get quite close to gigabit speeds with a good signal.

Eero 6+ nodes are small at under four inches wide and under three inches tall. Despite the compact size, three Eero 6+ nodes can cover up to 4,500 square feet, and will be all most people need. If you find that coverage isn't quite good enough, you can add any model Eero to the mesh for better coverage. Just keep in mind that if you add a slower Eero to the mix, devices connected to it may experience lower speeds. The same can be said of Eero built-in devices like Amazon Echo devices.

When you buy an Eero system, download and install the Eero app to your phone for setup. You can follow the on-screen instructions to set up your network with your Wi-Fi name and password. You'll also be notified of any software updates that need to be applied to your Eero nodes, so you can be sure you're running the most secure and stable software. Eero only offers basic Wi-Fi settings and doesn't allow you to split your network by bands, but you can still manage most settings average users are after.

You can also sign up for Eero Plus, which offers some security enhancements with products like Malwarebytes, ad blocking, a password manager, and even a VPN. It also comes with internet backup that allows you to use your mobile hotspot connection if your primary internet goes out, offers content filtering, and most importantly VIP support if you have any questions. Eero Plus costs $9.99 per month or $99 per year.

One of the nice things about mesh routers is that they tend to be designed to fit in with standard home decor more than a standalone router, but compact puck-like mesh nodes aren't ideal for coverage and still take up valuable shelf space. The TP-Link Archer Air R5 is a thin and flat router designed to be stuck right to your wall, and at 8mm thick, it's well out of the way. With such a low profile and a neutral matte white color, you might even forget your wall has a Wi-Fi router. This AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 router supports up to 2402Mbps at 5GHz and 574Mbps at 2.4GHz, so you should have plenty of speed for 4K streaming and large downloads.

On the bottom end of the Air R5, you'll find a USB-C port for power and two gigabit Ethernet ports. With one port used for your incoming internet connection, you've really only got one Ethernet left for wired devices. If you've got multiple wired devices, you'll need to get a switch or plug your wired devices into another EasyMesh router. Speaking of EasyMesh routers, you can expand your coverage with another EasyMesh router or pick up the Archer Air E5 extender that looks nearly identical to the R5, just without Ethernet. Naturally, you could also outfit your home with two or three Air R5s if you want Ethernet on every node.

Installation is quick and easy with 3M adhesive strips on the back of the R5 as well as a plastic bracket included in the box. TP-Link even includes a level, so you can make sure your R5 is lined up straight. One thing to keep in mind is that the Air R5 isn't compatible with TP-Link Deco routers which use a slightly different technology for their mesh functionality. Still, TP-Link has been working to update a lot of its routers with EasyMesh support, including its Wi-Fi 7 routers, like the Archer BE800.

The TP-Link Deco BE63 is one of the cheapest Wi-Fi 7 mesh kits you'll find, but unless you've got one of the fastest residential internet connections possible, this kit likely enables plenty of speed for you. The Deco BE63 has a tri-band Wi-Fi 7 connection with BE10000 speeds that break down to 5188Mbps at 6GHz, 4324Mbps at 5GHz, and 574Mbps at 2.4GHz, so there's plenty of speed for both backhaul and fronthaul connections. Even though it's on the slower end for Wi-Fi 7, it's still quick with 320MHz support, 4K-QAM, and Multi-RUs support.

It's got four 2.5Gbps Ethernet ports on the back of each node, so you don't give up much wired capacity compared to a traditional router, while also gaining some ports on your nodes. If your home is wired for Ethernet, you could even use a wired backhaul with multi-gig speeds. Even with a wireless backhaul, you should still get speeds over 1Gbps on the remote node with a decent connection. Besides the Ethernet ports on the back, there's a USB port that can be used for network storage.

Like all Deco routers, this one is quickly and easily set up using the Deco app. The Deco app lacks some of the more advanced features of Archer routers, but should still be plenty for most people. In the app, you'll also find the option for TP-Link HomeShield. This software package includes security enhancements as well as some advanced parental controls. Even if you don't want to pay to access extra features, the free version of HomeShield allows content blocking and some other basic controls, which should be enough for many people.

Netgear's latest Orbi is by far its fastest and most capable model yet, with 10Gbps wired networking on both the main router and satellite nodes. The BE27000 connection is 1,147Mbps at 2.4GHz, 8,647Mbps at 5GHz-1, 5,765Mbps at 5GHz-2, and 11,530Mbps at 6GHz. The 5GHz-1 connection is a 240MHz-wide dedicated backhaul linking the mesh nodes with extra capacity available on the 6GHz band. Having a dedicated backhaul keeps mesh performance high even under heavy load since it doesn't need to share bandwidth between the mesh connection and the connected devices.

On the back of the main Orbi 970 router is a 10Gbps Ethernet (10GbE) port for the internet connection, another 10GbE port for a device, and four 2.5Gbps Ethernet ports. The satellites each get a single 10GbE port and two 2.5Gbps ports. It would have been nice to see another 10GbE port on the satellites, like we saw on the Eero Max 7, another excellent Wi-Fi 7 mesh, but a single port still offers a lot of utility. That 10GbE port can also be used for a wired backhaul, so you can get the best speeds possible on your mesh if you've got 10Gbps-capable Ethernet in your home already. Even the wireless backhaul will be overkill for most people, but it's cool to see what's possible when Netgear doesn't hold anything back.

Mesh expansion is more limited than other brands, with only Orbi 970 satellites working with the system. At these speeds, this makes sense since using an older Orbi node could significantly impact speeds. The Orbi app makes setup a breeze with step-by-step instructions, but will ask the customer to sign up for Netgear Armor and Advanced Parental Controls. At least Netgear Armor comes with a year for free, so you can get a sense of whether you like it before renewing.

Mesh Wi-Fi systems need to reliably send information between all the nodes connected to the mesh, but many homes, especially older houses, can have thick plaster walls that block Wi-Fi signals. The TP-Link Deco PX50 system can work around limitations like this by using the wires already inside your walls carrying electricity. Using a protocol called G.hn for powerline transmission, this system can connect the nodes without using the wireless connection as a backhaul, freeing up the full AX3000 wireless capacity for device connections.

Powerline connections can be fickle if you live in an older home or homes with a lot of interference from things like electric motors. Fortunately, G.hn replaces the older HomePlus AV standard, allowing for speeds up to 1.5Gbps and more simultaneous nodes. The Deco PX50 is still compatible with all other Decos, so you can add a node with a wireless backhaul.

Like other Deco mesh systems, it is set up in the Deco app and comes with support for TP-Link HomeShield security enhancements and Advanced Parental Controls. While the free version's security and parental control features are plenty for most people, it's nice that you can subscribe to get access to more advanced security settings and parental controls. One thing to keep in mind if you want to add powerline support to an existing mesh is that one of your powerline nodes should be at the center of the mesh so the devices using the powerline backhaul have the best speeds possible.

Do you really need a mesh system?

While mesh Wi-Fi systems can be a great upgrade to your home network, they require you to buy and deploy multiple nodes. Mesh systems also need a bit of extra speed to account for the backhaul link between nodes, so the overall cost of your Wi-Fi system can be quite high. Still, using a single router means you could find yourself relying on the much slower 2.4GHz bands in some rooms of your house.

If you're using the router provided by your internet service provider, you may find the upgrade to one of the best Wi-Fi routers to be all you need. These routers have modern tech like MU-MIMO to improve connection quality to multiple devices at once. They may also have 1024-QAM and OFDMA, which allow the router to keep speeds high in areas with lots of congestion thanks to better, more precise modulation than older routers. And, of course, some of these routers, such as the models from ASUS, allow you to add mesh coverage later with compatible nodes, so you can expand as needed without giving up the advanced features more common on traditional routers.

Before purchasing, consider where your router is located. Routers use wireless signals that can penetrate multiple walls, but other things like furniture and appliances can also cause extra degradation. If you've hidden your router behind a shelf or in a corner, it's worth checking to see if your coverage improves by placing it higher and, if possible, in a more central location in your home.

Get the right coverage and speed for your home

The best mesh for your home depends on how much space you need to cover and the speed you need. If you're only interested in streaming video and browsing the web, the TP-Link Deco X20 three-piece kit is one of the cheapest AX1800 Wi-Fi 6 mesh systems.

While not strictly necessary for everyone, a tri-band mesh system is your best bet for consistently fast wireless speeds. The ZenWiFi XT9's AX7800 connection will have no trouble keeping pace with a gigabit connection. With a 2.5Gbps Ethernet port on every node, it's even ready for speeds greater than 1Gbps. With AiMesh expansion, just about any Asus router can be added as a node, making finding the right node to expand as easy as possible.