We all have struggles with our Wi-Fi. There are all sorts of hacks and best practices to help you get the best signal out of your router, but at a certain point a home can just be too big for a single router to handle. You'll end up with rooms that get awful signal because there's too great a distance and are too many walls between devices and the router. Even worse, devices with poor connections on your network can negatively impact the other gadgets on the Wi-Fi. If this is your predicament, a mesh Wi-Fi system can help you get out of it.
In many cases, a Wi-Fi range extender may be simpler to turn to if most of your house is covered and you're just struggling to get that last little bit of coverage to a corner of your house. But, if you've got a lot of space and many obstacles in the way of signal, a Wi-Fi mesh system is probably a better bet. These systems spread out around your house, creating an even network. They also take a lot less fuss to get set up, since they generally configure the network themselves. And, despite being composed of multiple nodes, they can create a single network, so your devices will easily switch to whichever node is delivering the strongest signal without you needing to lift a finger.
Here is a wide selection of mesh routers to choose from, so you can pick the model that'll work best for your home setup, whether the priority is a wide coverage area or a boost to online gaming speeds – and click here to find them in the UK. If you're hoping to find a deal, you should head over to check out all the certified refurbished routers on eBay.
TL;DR – Here are the Best Mesh Router
- Eero Pro 6
- TP-Link Deco X20
- Google Wifi
- Netgear Orbi
- Linksys Atlas Max 6E
- TP-Link Deco X60
- ARRIS SURFboard mAX
- Nighthawk Mesh WiFi 6 System (MK83)
- Google Nest Wifi
- Asus ZenWiFi ET8
1. Eero Pro 6
Best Mesh Router
The eero Pro 6 mesh router system can get your whole home up to speed for streaming and gaming alike. These classy little units fly under the radar thanks to a small design and omission of protruding antenna arrays, but they mean business when it comes to providing extensive coverage and fast speeds.
With the eero Pro 6 mesh system, you’re getting nodes that support tri-band Wi-Fi, combining a 2.4Ghz band and dual 5GHz bands. This provides tons of bandwidth to support all the connected electronics in your home as well as to maintain stable, high-speed communications between each node in the system. They’re also supporting Wi-Fi 6 to improve the speeds available to compatible devices. And, if you want to wire anything up or run a wired backhaul between nodes, each unit has dual Ethernet ports on the back. If you’re setting up a smart home, you can also take advantage of the Zigbee hub built into each node.
2. TP-Link Deco X20
Best Budget Mesh Router
The biggest barrier to getting set up with a powerful mesh network is the added cost of the multiple nodes, but the TP-Link Deco X20 makes it much more attainable. You can get a 2-pack for between $150 and $175, or you can go for three units for around $220. That’s cheaper than some mesh system’s prices for a single node.
By spreading out several TP-Link Deco X20 nodes around your house, you can get broad coverage so you don’t have a bunch of Wi-Fi dead spots. Best of all, TP-Link’s units are providing capable Wi-Fi 6. This not only lets them communicate with your computers, phones, and smart home devices faster and more dependably, but it also allows for better communication between each node in the mesh setup. The units also include LAN and WAN ports, so you can connect wired devices or use an Ethernet backhaul between nodes for wider spacing if you have a lot of area to cover.
3. Google Wifi
Best Mid-Range Mesh Router
A lot of mesh setups cost a serious sum, but you don't have to go in for one of the most premium platforms if you just need a system that covers some extra distance and a lot of devices with fairly standard Wi-Fi. The Google Wifi system is a straightforward system, and it gets bonus points for its minimalistic and compact design.
With Google Wifi, you can get a three-pack for just $200, which is enough to cover up to 4,500 square feet and up to 300 connected devices. The Google Wifi nodes use dual-band Wi-Fi 5, giving you a 2.4GHz band for connecting most devices and a 5GHz band that can deliver faster speeds for needier devices like TVs and computers. You can also take advantage of the Ethernet ports on the nodes to connect certain devices if you have a node positioned near a device that would benefit from a wired connection. The Google Wifi system is also interoperable with the Nest Wifi system, so you can add it to an existing Nest Wifi setup or add Nest devices to your Google Wifi later if find them at a lower price later on.
4. Netgear Orbi
The Best Non-Cloud Mesh Router
While Netgear’s Orbi system had some growing pains in the beginning, but several software updates have brought it up near the top of the pack, offering stellar performance at a competitive price. Orbi comes in many varieties, but the $300 Orbi Ultra-Performance kit is probably the one you’ll want to go with. You’ll get two full-featured units, each of which boast tri-band Wi-Fi with one band dedicated to backhaul between nodes.
Each unit also has four Ethernet ports so you can wire up any stationary devices, and doesn’t rely on a cloud service like most mesh systems, which is becoming rarer and rarer these days. Netgear even makes an Orbi satellite with Alexa built-in, which is a cool accessory (though its speeds match Orbi’s slower units, not the Ultra-Performance kit linked above).
Finally, Orbi also comes with the ability to subscribe to Disney’s Circle service, which is chock full of fine-grained parental controls like time limits, bedtime, rewards, and more. If you have kids, this can be a valuable addition for $5 per month.
Netgear’s track record with the Orbi is a bit spottier than Eero’s, though, and despite a few more features, a seemingly higher-than-normal number of customer complaints makes us hesitant to recommend it as the go-to for everyone. Netgear has improved their system a lot, though, and time will tell if they’ve gotten better at releasing new features without glitches.
Ultimately, both systems have their advantages—Orbi with its higher number of Ethernet ports and parental controls, Eero with its security features and smaller design—and which one you choose will depend a lot on what you need.
5. Linksys Atlas Max 6E
Best Wi-Fi 6E Mesh Router
The Linksys Atlas Max 6E is built for some of the most demanding home Wi-Fi setups, and its speeds won’t leave you hanging. This three-node mesh Wi-Fi system has heaps of bandwidth, allowing it to communicate with all of your client devices and transmit data between nodes even under heavy loads. How heavy are we talking? Well, the 2.4GHz band alone can handle over 1,000Mbps, and with all three bands combined, each node offers up a signal rate of 8,400Mbps.
Showing its commitment to performance, the Linksys Atlas Max 6E includes 4x4 MU-MIMO on not just the 6GHz band but also on the 5GHz and 2.4GHz bands. That not only makes the connections to client devices more capable but also helps with communication between nodes. And, since this kit is built for speed, you’ll even find a 5Gb WAN port on each unit to ensure you’ve got a ton of bandwidth for even the best home internet connection.
6. TP-Link Deco X60
Best Secure Mesh Router
You want your Wi-Fi to go fast, but you also want it to be secure, and the TP-Link Deco X60 mesh system does both. On the speed side of the fence, the Deco X60 system runs dual-band Wi-Fi 6 with a 5GHz network that has 2,402Mbps of throughput. That might be more than your internet provider can put to use, but some of that will help each Deco X60 unit communicate with one another. Meanwhile, MU-MIMO, OFDMA, and beamforming will keep the connections to your phone, computer, and other devices stable and speedy.
When it comes to security, you’ll be able to set up your network with the latest WPA3 encryption. The TP-Link Deco X60 can also run its HomeCare Antivirus network security tool, which includes a Malicious Site Checker, Port Intrusion Prevention, and Infected Device Isolation, and can provide notifications and logs. You can also keep your kids safe with a suite of parental controls.
7. ARRIS SURFboard mAX
Best Budget Wi-Fi 6 Mesh Router
Wi-Fi 6 routers don't come cheap, and neither do mesh Wi-Fi systems. But, for a hardware setup that combines both Wi-Fi 6 and mesh capabilities, the ARRIS SURFboard mAX comes at a reasonable price, especially when considering it has some high-end features that will make for a strong home internet experience. You can get two units for $400.
Many affordable mesh options will stick to dual-band technology and often only feature Wi-Fi 5. These units, by contrast, have a 2.4GHz band and two 5GHz bands. One of those 5GHz bands serves as a dedicated backhaul between the routers with 4x4 MIMO, allowing them to pass data back and forth at up to 4,800MBps. Meanwhile, you'll get an extensive 5GHz network with speeds up to 1,200Mbps to really let you take advantage of whatever speeds your ISP provides, while Wi-Fi 6 lets even the 2.4GHz connection offer high speeds up to 600Mbps. And, if you need any devices wired, each unit has a Gigabit Ethernet port.
8. Nighthawk Mesh WiFi 6 System (MK83)
Best Wi-Fi 6 Mesh Router
Netgear has spruced up its Nighthawk mesh Wi-Fi system with the new Nighthawk Mesh WiFi 6 MK83 platform. While the predecessor to this mesh setup ran dual Wi-Fi bands, this latest model bumps that up to tri-band Wi-Fi to include an additional 5GHz signal. Between the three bands, the system is able to max out at 3,600Mbps of bandwidth, which can help keep speeds between your devices and the nodes uncongested. You'll also get the option to set up your network with a wired backhaul for more consistent performance.
For its functionality, this Nighthawk system is actually surprisingly affordable, coming in at just $400 for a three unit setup that includes a base station and two satellites. The base station and nodes all feature multiple ethernet ports, so you have the option to wire up select devices. And, keep in mind that this is a Wi-Fi 6 system, so client devices that use Wi-Fi 6 can take full advantage of the speeds available.
9. Google Nest Wifi
Best Wi-Fi Mesh Router for Smart Homes
Google's Nest Wifi mesh network system is ready to make your smart home that little bit smarter. Aside from offering the benefits of a powerful mesh network, each Nest Wifi point also doubles as a Google Assistant smart speaker. That means you'll not just be expanding your network as you add Nest devices, but you'll also be ensuring easier control over your smarthome.
This system is designed with smart homes in mind, and is aiming to support the 802.15.4 Thread on the 2.4GHz band for future smart home connectivity, and each point in the system can support up to 100 connected devices.
10. Asus ZenWiFi ET8
Fastest Mesh Router
A lot of mesh Wi-Fi setups may be focused on coverage of the number of devices you’ll be able to support, but the Asus ZenWiFi ET8 system is focused on speed, and it delivers. This mesh system combines identical base stations, so you can use nodes interchangeably. And, the system doesn’t settle for just Wi-Fi 6 but actually steps it up to Wi-Fi 6E. That upgrade brings you a 6GHz band on top of the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands that’ll support more of your legacy devices.
With Wi-Fi 6E, you’ll be looking at some extreme bandwidth. The 5GHz band is capable of Gigabit speeds, and the 6GHz band can hit 4,804Mbps. The link between the nodes in the mesh system will also stay strong thanks to these available speeds. Topping it off, the system includes 2.5GbE ports for the WAN connection, so these are ready for extremely fast internet connections. And, they have USB ports on them, so you can easily set them up for fast network storage.
What to Look for in a Mesh Router
The first thing you should consider when getting a Wi-Fi Mesh system is whether you need one in the first place. Wi-Fi mesh systems are mostly useful for large houses, apartments, or just homes with a lot of walls—all situations where a single wireless router would have trouble providing a strong signal everywhere.
If you live in a studio or one-bedroom apartment, you're going to be better off with just buy a single router and the same goes for single floor houses. However, if you start encountering odd Wi-Fi dead spots in your home this is exactly what Wi-Fi Extenders and Wi-Fi Mesh systems are designed to combat. Wi-Fi Extenders are a good solution if you already own a router and just need to strengthen your wireless signal in part of your living space, but they require you to manually switch networks. Wi-Fi Mesh systems on the other hand automatically switch you between the base unit and satellites to ensure you're getting the best signal at all times.
Where to Get the Best Mesh Wi-Fi in the UK
How to make the most of your Wi-Fi Mesh System
Mesh Wi-Fi is an impressive technology, but each unit in the system is still a wireless access point at the end of the day. That means you need to consider many of the same home network best practices with each node as you would with a standard wireless router.
To ensure each node is able to perform it's very best, you should carefully consider positioning. You'll want to keep nodes out in the open (don't stuff them in closet), ideally high up, and away from any barriers that can block the signal, especially metal barriers.
Some systems may automatically try to optimize the network, but if you live in an area with a dense population, this can be difficult. If you really want to get the most out of your network, you should try to see how many networks you can already detect in your home, and consider setting up your home network on different channels than the ones you see all your neighbors using.
Another smart step you can take to get the most out of your Wi-Fi is actually to use Ethernet connections wherever you can. If you have a smart TV right next to a node, you should plug it directly into the node. This will give the TV a more stable connection, will cut down on the signal clutter in the area, and will improve the wireless connections for other devices that don't have a wired connection as a backup.
You also need to treat your mesh Wi-Fi like any other wireless network and give strong consideration to its security. You'll want to give it a strong password and disable unnecessary extra features like WPS, which could let people get around your password with the press of a button. You might also consider whether you want to create an additional guest network you can let visitors access that is walled away from the main network and can have more frequent password changes.
Whitson Gordon is a writer, gamer, and tech nerd who has been building PCs for 10 years. He eats potato chips with chopsticks so he doesn't get grease on his mechanical keyboard.
Mark Knapp is a regular contributor to IGN and an irregular Tweeter on Twitter @Techn0Mark
