As our homes become increasingly connected with more and more devices fighting for bandwidth, a traditional standalone router often struggles to keep up. Spotty coverage, Wi-Fi dead zones, and frustrating dips in performance are an all too common occurrence in many households. If any of that sounds familiar, it may be time to upgrade to a mesh Wi-Fi system.
Unlike standalone routers that broadcast Wi-Fi from a single point, mesh systems use multiple units spread throughout your home to create a seamless Wi-Fi network with extensive coverage. Mesh Wi-Fi eliminates the signal degradation you get with a traditional router as you move further away from it.
The result is strong, reliable Wi-Fi in every corner of your home – even those tricky spots like the basement, attic or backyard. With a mesh system, the days of losing your connection as you move to a different room will be a distant memory.
Beyond stellar coverage, mesh systems offer a host of other advantages compared to traditional routers. Sleek designs allow the units to blend in with your home decor. Setup is a breeze thanks to intuitive smartphone apps with guided installation. And advanced features like device prioritization, guest networks, and parental controls provide a ton of flexibility.
All of this makes mesh Wi-Fi an incredibly appealing option, especially for larger homes or anyone who wants to guarantee a strong, steady signal for their many connected devices. But with a growing number of mesh systems on the market, choosing the best one for your needs can feel overwhelming.
While any mesh system will be a major upgrade over a standalone router, there are some key factors to keep in mind as you shop. The size of your home will determine how much coverage you need. Smaller homes of 3,000-4,000 square feet can usually get away with a 2-pack system, while larger spaces of 5,000+ will want a 3-pack or more.
In terms of specs, you‘ll want to look for a system that offers top speeds to keep up with your internet plan and number of connected devices. Wi-Fi 6 has become the standard at this point and is definitely worth getting to futureproof your network.
Other features to consider include ethernet ports for wired connections, extra security options like a VPN or built-in antivirus, and smart home integration. And of course, price is always a factor, with mesh systems ranging from around $150 up to $500 or more.
So with those factors in mind, let‘s dive into our picks for the best mesh Wi-Fi systems you can buy in 2022:
Best Overall: ASUS ZenWiFi XT8
The ZenWiFi XT8 from ASUS has everything we look for in a mesh system and then some. This sleek black system comes with two nodes to cover homes up to 5,500 square feet with strong, reliable Wi-Fi 6 – and it‘s expandable if you need even more coverage.
Each node is a tri-band router, dedicating one band to network traffic between the units to maintain peak performance throughout your home. With a combined speed of 6,600 Mbps, this system has more than enough muscle to handle all your devices and traffic without breaking a sweat.
Other standout features include four ethernet ports plus a 2.5G port on each node for wired devices, a USB 3.1 port for network storage, and AiProtection Pro powered by Trend Micro for advanced network security. The ASUS Router app makes setup and management a snap.
Perhaps most impressive, the ZenWiFi XT8 manages to pack in all these features while maintaining a very reasonable price tag compared to other high-end systems. All things considered, it‘s simply the best mesh system for most people at the moment.
Best Budget: TP-Link Deco X20
You don‘t need to spend a fortune to get an excellent mesh Wi-Fi experience. The TP-Link Deco X20 offers top-notch performance and features at a wallet-friendly price.
A 3-pack of this dual-band Wi-Fi 6 mesh kit covers up to 5,800 square feet. It won‘t be quite as fast as more expensive tri-band kits, but it still delivers more than enough speed for the average household at AX1800.
It‘s equipped with all the essential features you‘d expect like guest Wi-Fi, parental controls, and basic Quality of Service options to prioritize certain devices or applications. Setup is quick and easy with the Deco app.
The nodes themselves are small and unobtrusive, with two ethernet ports each to hardwire nearby devices. TP-Link also includes a lifetime subscription to its HomeCare security suite powered by Trend Micro.
Considering its robust feature set, excellent performance and generous coverage at this price point, the Deco X20 is an unbeatable value and our top budget pick.
Best Coverage: Netgear Orbi RBK853
Need maximum coverage for a sprawling home? Look no further than the Netgear Orbi RBK853. This high-powered mesh kit comes with a router and two satellites to blanket homes up to a whopping 7,500 square feet with speedy Wi-Fi 6 connectivity.
As a tri-band system, the RBK853 dedicates one of its three bands to inter-router communication for optimal performance and minimal signal loss. It also boasts an impressive combined speed of 6Gbps to satisfy even the most bandwidth-hungry households.
Other notable features include 4 ethernet ports on each unit, a 2.5Gbps WAN port for multi-gig internet plans, a USB port for network storage, and support for Netgear‘s Armor cybersecurity subscription service. The Orbi app guides you through an easy setup process and provides access to a host of advanced settings.
Performance and range are top-notch as expected, though you‘ll definitely pay a premium for it. But if you need the absolute max amount of coverage and have the budget to match, this system won‘t disappoint.
Best Wi-Fi 6E: Linksys Atlas Max 6E
Wi-Fi 6E is a brand new standard that adds a 6GHz band to the existing 2.4 and 5GHz bands of Wi-Fi 6. It‘s the cutting edge of wireless technology and offers even faster speeds, lower latency, and less interference compared to Wi-Fi 6.
The Linksys Atlas Max 6E is one of the first mesh systems to support this new standard. A 3-pack covers homes up to 9,000 square feet with blistering fast 6E speeds up to 8.4Gbps.
Beyond the groundbreaking speed, Atlas Max is loaded with high-end features like 5Gbps ethernet ports, a 10Gbps WAN port, four antennas in each node for maximum range, and a robust mobile app. It‘s certified for Linksys Aware, which uses Wi-Fi to sense motion in your home.
This level of performance and features doesn‘t come cheap, but if you want the absolute bleeding edge of mesh Wi-Fi technology, this system is the one to beat. Early adopters with gigabit or multi-gig plans will be especially well-served by it.
Best for Smart Homes: Amazon eero Pro 6
Have an Alexa-powered smart home? The Amazon eero Pro 6 is designed to be the ultimate foundation for it. This dual-band Wi-Fi 6 mesh system covers up to 6,000 square feet with a 3-pack and delivers speeds up to a gigabit.
Where it really shines is smart home integration. It has a built-in Zigbee smart home hub to connect compatible devices, as well as smooth integration with Alexa for voice control of your network. You can enable Alexa skills for guest Wi-Fi, speed tests and more.
Setup is quick and easy thanks to the excellent eero app. It walks you through optimal placement and also includes powerful security and parental control options, ad blocking, and DDNS support for remote access to your network.
For Alexa households with lots of connected smart devices, the eero Pro 6 with its built-in hub will help create a fast, secure and easily-managed network. Pricing is also very competitive compared to other Wi-Fi 6 mesh kits.
Final Thoughts
Mesh Wi-Fi systems have quickly become the gold standard for home networking. If you‘re still limping along with an outdated standalone router, it‘s absolutely worth making the upgrade, especially if you have a larger home or lots of connected devices.
The systems spotlighted here represent the best of the best options for a variety of needs and budgets. You really can‘t go wrong with any of them, but the ASUS ZenWiFi XT8 is our overall top pick for its fantastic performance and features at a reasonable price.
The TP-Link Deco X20 is a great option for budget shoppers, while the Netgear Orbi RBK853 is the one to get for maximum coverage. Those with gigabit or multi-gig internet plans should consider the blazing fast Wi-Fi 6E Linksys Atlas Max 6E. And the Amazon eero Pro 6 is our favorite for Alexa smart homes.
Whichever system you choose, you‘ll be enjoying fast, reliable Wi-Fi for years to come. Say goodbye to dead zones and spotty coverage, and say hello to a better home networking experience.
