The Best Mesh Wi-Fi Systems of 2024
In an era where a reliable internet connection has become a necessity for working from home, streaming movies, or enjoying your favorite online content, mesh Wi-Fi systems are gaining popularity for their ability to provide consistent coverage throughout the entire home.
Mesh Wi-Fi Routers
The farther you move away from your Wi-Fi router, the weaker your internet connection becomes. The best mesh systems can expand your internet coverage to include every room in your house, ensuring strong and stable connectivity no matter where you are.
For most homes, the TP-Link Deco W7200 is considered the best choice. This two-piece mesh system offers excellent performance for about $200. However, there are many other high-quality mesh systems that also deserve consideration after years of testing to find the best ones available.
There are still many mesh routers and systems we're eager to test, the majority of which utilize Wi-Fi 6 technology, promising better performance and higher speeds. You'll find Wi-Fi 6E-supported devices from brands like Eero, Nest, Netgear Orbi, and Linksys, allowing access to the modern 6 GHz frequency band for even broader bandwidth.
Here are three of the best options recommended by CNET, topping our tests:
- TP-Link Deco W7200: Best Overall Mesh Router System.
For a real upgrade, look for systems with Wi-Fi 6 support and tri-band design, including both the usual 2.4 and 5 GHz bands, plus a second 5 GHz band for dedicated wireless backhaul connections between the main router and satellites. Tri-band Wi-Fi 6 systems used to be prohibitively expensive, but TP-Link has made them more affordable at less than $200 for a two-pack, offering excellent value with high speeds and easy setup.
- Eero 6 Plus: A Fantastic 3-Pack for Larger Homes.
Acquired by Amazon in 2019, Eero was one of the pioneers in mesh routing. The Eero 6 Plus offers Wi-Fi 6 support in a user-friendly, reasonably priced 3-piece set that improves over previous models, supporting 160 MHz channels for noticeably better performance, making it a great choice for large homes.
- Netgear Orbi AC1200: Best Value Mesh System.
The Netgear Orbi AC1200 is a more straightforward and affordable version of the popular mesh system. By sticking with Wi-Fi 5 and forgoing features like a built-in Alexa speaker and a tri-band design, it offers consistent performance at a lower cost. Among Wi-Fi 5 systems tested, it achieved some of the best speeds at close range and provides excellent signal strength.
Despite the areas where Netgear's app and network stability may not compare to Nest or Eero, it remains the best option at its price point and was highly rated in the American Customer Satisfaction Index for Wi-Fi equipment in 2023.
The farther you move away from your Wi-Fi router, the weaker your internet connection becomes. The best mesh systems can expand your internet coverage to include every room in your house, ensuring strong and stable connectivity no matter where you are.
For most homes, the TP-Link Deco W7200 is considered the best choice. This two-piece mesh system offers excellent performance for about $200. However, there are many other high-quality mesh systems that also deserve consideration after years of testing to find the best ones available.
There are still many mesh routers and systems we're eager to test, the majority of which utilize Wi-Fi 6 technology, promising better performance and higher speeds. You'll find Wi-Fi 6E-supported devices from brands like Eero, Nest, Netgear Orbi, and Linksys, allowing access to the modern 6 GHz frequency band for even broader bandwidth.
Here are three of the best options recommended by CNET, topping our tests:
- TP-Link Deco W7200: Best Overall Mesh Router System.
For a real upgrade, look for systems with Wi-Fi 6 support and tri-band design, including both the usual 2.4 and 5 GHz bands, plus a second 5 GHz band for dedicated wireless backhaul connections between the main router and satellites. Tri-band Wi-Fi 6 systems used to be prohibitively expensive, but TP-Link has made them more affordable at less than $200 for a two-pack, offering excellent value with high speeds and easy setup.
- Eero 6 Plus: A Fantastic 3-Pack for Larger Homes.
Acquired by Amazon in 2019, Eero was one of the pioneers in mesh routing. The Eero 6 Plus offers Wi-Fi 6 support in a user-friendly, reasonably priced 3-piece set that improves over previous models, supporting 160 MHz channels for noticeably better performance, making it a great choice for large homes.
- Netgear Orbi AC1200: Best Value Mesh System.
The Netgear Orbi AC1200 is a more straightforward and affordable version of the popular mesh system. By sticking with Wi-Fi 5 and forgoing features like a built-in Alexa speaker and a tri-band design, it offers consistent performance at a lower cost. Among Wi-Fi 5 systems tested, it achieved some of the best speeds at close range and provides excellent signal strength.
Despite the areas where Netgear's app and network stability may not compare to Nest or Eero, it remains the best option at its price point and was highly rated in the American Customer Satisfaction Index for Wi-Fi equipment in 2023.
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