Owning a home with smart devices and a strong Wi-Fi signal is the dream of many people today. But if your home Wi-Fi network covers parts of your home and ignores the rest, spending an afternoon by the poolside while watching Netflix becomes a nightmare. The best mesh Wi-Fi System blankets your home with fast, reliable Wi-Fi from corner to corner, to the extent of overflowing to your neighbor’s patio.
What is a Mesh Wi-Fi system?
The easiest way to send a message to the farthest end of the earth is to bounce it over messengers with similar understanding until it gets to the desired recipient.
That is the way Mesh Wi-Fi systems work.
The system consists of one or more access points; a router working alone or together with one or more satellites.
The router connects to the modem and broadcasts the Wi-Fi signal to all satellites in the system.
Satellites sit away from the router and modem in a different room in the building.
Each satellite bounces off the Wi-Fi signal received from its neighbor or the router until the whole building is covered, and the Wi-Fi-enabled devices in the home connect to the closest satellite in the system to access the internet.
The best mesh Wi-Fi system eliminates dead zones in large homes exceeding 3000 square feet with multiple stories and concrete walls that tend to degrade the Wi-Fi signal to the point of being unusable.
Wi-Fi signal in rooms that are very far from the router need not originate from it but from their neighboring satellites.
That guarantees one huge network with consistent Wi-Fi signal strength spread throughout the home, offering adequate HD streaming on multiple devices, online gaming, surfing, social media use, and emailing.
Like traditional routers, most Mesh Wi-Fi systems support Multi-User Multiple Input Multiple Output to enable simultaneous access to needed data for multiple devices instead of sequential access.
They also embrace beamforming even though most do not have external antennas.
They operate on dual or tri-bands and support the use of several data streams per band.
The finest in the market have a special band dedicated to ferrying traffic between the router and satellites; other bands address the needs of the network devices.
Below are mesh Wi-Fi systems whose specifications and performance will wow those craving for a strong, secure, and stable home Wi-Fi network for multiple devices.
Netgear Orbi RBK50 Tri-Band Mesh Wi-Fi System (White)
Orbi RBK50 is powered by Quad-core 710MHz processor with 512MB RAM and 4GB Flash to provide up to 3Gbps Wi-Fi for lag-free gaming and HD streaming without interrupting other users in the network.
The 2-pack system, Orbi router, and satellite, supports over 25 devices spread over 5,000 square feet in one seamless network without dropping the Wi-Fi signal as you move between floors and rooms.
An extra satellite adds coverage by 2,500 square feet. This is made possible by the tri-band aspect of the system.
Two bands; 2.4GHz band operating at 400Mbps and 5GHz band at 866Mbps serving all the Wi-Fi-enable devices on the network while a dedicated 5GHz band at 1733Mbps links the router and satellite.
It has MU-MIMO capability to allow simultaneous streaming of data on multiple devices, implicit and explicit beamforming to focus Wi-Fi signal in specific directions on both bands and SmartConnect ability.
It comes with four internal antennas, two for the dual-band connection between the devices and the others for the dedicated band.
Setting up the mesh Wi-Fi system is easy with Orbi App. It enables speed testing, pausing the internet, setting parental control, creating and manipulating guest network, so you don’t have to share the home Wi-Fi password with guests.
For more security, the system is based on 802.11i, 128-bit AES encryption, and uses Netgear Amor for protection against internet threats. The system works with major ISPs and modems.
Wired devices can use the available four Ethernet ports; 1 WAN and 3 LAN, on each pack.
Linksys Velop Tri-Band Home Mesh Wi-Fi System
When it comes to intelligence, Linksys Velop Tri-Band Home Mesh Wi-Fi system learns how best your home Wi-Fi network best operates and makes it even better.
No matter how busy the network is, Linksys Velop looks for the smoothest channel for each device and shifts it there.
And if one satellite goes off, it searches for a closer one to feed the Wi-Fi devices in the hood. That ensures ultra-fast full-strength mesh Wi-Fi without lags while gaming or buffering during HD streaming.
The 2-pack mesh Wi-Fi system is powered by a 716MHz quad-core processor, 512MB RAM, and 4GB Flash.
It uses Tri-band AC2200 Wi-Fi technology with 2.4GHz band operating at 400Mbps and two 5GHz bands at 867Mbps.
It is ideal for up to 5 bedroom homes of about 4,000 square feet where it creates one Wi-Fi network with one SSID and password. An additional satellite delivers up to 2,000 square feet coverage.
The Velop router connects to the existing modem and works with any ISP.
Setup and management of the mesh Wi-Fi system are made easy with Linksys App. It eases setting of parental control, device prioritization, Wi-Fi speed test and creation of the guest private network.
Further security is added through Link Shield subscription services for online security for each device on the network.
Otherwise, WPA2 encryption does the magic. It supports beamforming and works with Alexa’s assistance.
Linksys Velop comes with two WAN/LAN auto-sensing Gigabit Ethernet ports, has six internal antennas and supports 802.11a/b/g/n/ac standards.
TP-Link Deco M9 Plus Mesh Wi-Fi System
Where security and convenience are needed in a home Wi-Fi network, the best solution is implementing TP-Link Deco M9 Plus Mesh Wi-Fi System.
Upon purchase, your network is protected by TP-Link HomeCare antivirus from Trend Micro for the next three years.
Additional security comes from Wi-Fi encryption, Quality of Service and setting parental control for content filtering.
The system gives high-performance Wi-Fi throughout your home and ensures a single point of management via Deco App for ZigBee, Bluetooth, and smart home products so you won’t need extra hubs for each type of products.
It is also compatible with Alexa. Deco App makes setup and management of the network easy with simple on-screen instructions.
From Deco M9 Plus 2-pack system, expect adaptive routing; selection of the best connection for every device as you move around the home, self-healing whenever a satellite goes off in the mesh, dynamic backhaul of up to 1.5Gbps and seamless roaming from room to room without the need to login to new networks.
It also supports MU-MIMO, beamforming and band steering.
The Mesh Wi-Fi system covers up to 4,500 square feet allowing over 100 devices; wireless and wired, to access the internet over the network eliminating dead spots and buffering.
When traffic gets heavy within the home Wi-Fi network, Deco M9 Plus allows the two bands; 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands meant to serve devices with Wi-Fi signals to join the dedicated backhaul 5GHz band in delivering the much-needed traffic. The 2.4GHz band operates at 400Mbps while each 5GHz at 876Mbps.
Each Deco M9 Plus pack has two LAN/WAN Gigabit Ethernet ports and one USB 2.0 ports.
NETGEAR Nighthawk Pro Gaming XRM570 Wi-Fi Router and Mesh Wi-Fi System
XRM570 is more of the usual gaming router with a Wi-Fi range extender, only that it employs Mesh Wi-Fi system’s technology to deliver up to 2.6Gbps Wi-Fi speed powered by 1.7GHz dual-core processor.
Prioritizing online gaming, the router has the looks and specifications befitting the gaming world.
This mesh Wi-Fi system stabilizes ping to create an express lane for gaming traffic, reduces lag spikes and implements Quality of Service making your gaming experience worthwhile.
It comes with DumaOS enabling the use of geo-filters so you are connected to servers and users closer to you while gaming, and monitor the network for resource-hogging applications.
Support for wired gaming devices is provided through four LAN ports in the router and two in the extender.
The mesh Wi-Fi system employs Tri-band technology with a dedicated Wi-Fi backhaul for an ultra-fast, reliable signal while supporting MU-MIMO and beamforming on the bands serving network devices; 2.4GHz and 5GHz.
Each band supports up to four data streams to keep the speed up. With the router’s four powerful external antennas, the system is able to flood a strong Wi-Fi signal in a 5-bedroom home to full coverage.
Google Nest Wi-Fi
One thing that Google does best is assisting. That explains why in the 2-pack Google Nest Wi-Fi system, the Nest point not only expands coverage but is a smart speaker that plays music and serves as the Google Assistant device. Just ask the question!
The Nest router connects to the modem ensuring fast, reliable Wi-Fi signal covering up to 2,200 square feet when alone.
With the Nest point’s help, expect up to 3,800 square feet coverage accommodating up to 200 devices and allowing 4K video streaming on multiple devices.
Put an end to dead zones in your home and buffering in any device on the network.
Network devices enjoy proactive band steering; they are placed in the fastest Wi-Fi point, where several points are in use, fastest band and clearest channel for ultra-fast Wi-Fi experience. The system also supports self-healing and beamforming.
The system is powered by a 64-bit 1.4GHz quad-core processor. Nest router comes with 1GB RAM, 4GB Flash, and two Gigabit Ethernet ports, while Nest point has 768MB RAM and 512MB Flash.
Both pieces have built-in WPA3 encryption and enjoy regular security updates to keep the performance on top!
It uses expandable 802.11s mesh Wi-Fi standard, supporting star and daisy configurations.
TP-Link Deco Whole Home Mesh Wi-Fi System
One Deco M4 piece has the muscle to blanket 2,000 square feet with a fast and strong Wi-Fi signal to feed up to 100 devices thanks to the two internal dual-band antennas.
The same piece can work as a router or satellite hence if your home is small, one-piece does the job. Additional Decos extend coverage with ease providing seamless Wi-Fi coverage under one SSID and password.
It is powered by Qualcomm processor offering fast and steady Wi-Fi at 1167Mbps and has two Gigabit LAN/WAN with auto-sensing for devices that require wired connections like game console and TV. It works with most ISPs and modems.
Using Deco App puts control over the network at your fingertips. After downloading the App and powering both the modem and the Deco M4, proceed to set up the network through the simple dashboard.
See, prioritize traffic to certain devices, pause internet access for network devices, set parental control and view monthly data usage from the App.
The system supports band steering hence switching devices between Deco pieces for better speeds as you move around the house.
It operates on a dual-band with 2.4GHz band operating at 300Mbps and 5GHz band at 867Mbps.
Sometimes it adds an Ethernet backhaul band for faster speed with uninterrupted coverage.
While mostly used as a router, Deco M4 can also work as an access point.
Samsung SmartThings Wi-Fi Mesh Router
It takes a Samsung SmartThings Wi-Fi Mesh Router to add smartness and reliable connectivity in your home network; a Wi-Fi mesh router with the ability to control over 100 smart home devices.
Powered by Qualcomm 710MHz Quad-core processor, 512MB RAM, and 8GB Flash, the dual-band router promises up to 1.3Gbps Wi-Fi speed covering up to 1,500 square feet of your home.
Each band operates two streams and supports MU-MIMO. For further coverage, add more routers up to 32 pieces.
The intelligent router self-optimizes by learning how devices at your home behave before assigning more resources to those who need it.
This enables them to function at their best serving the users well.
It practices seamless channel hopping with adaptive routing to prevent network congestion.
Each device is switched to a faster band and channel to its comfort. Use SmartThings App to see devices on the network, create a guest network, set parental controls and sends you alerts when unexpected activities happen in the network.
Gryphon Smart Mesh Wi-Fi System
The best home Wi-Fi network for a family with kids should prioritize their security all the time. Gryphon Smart Wi-Fi Mesh System does it best.
Setting up the mesh Wi-Fi system is fast and laidback under the guidance of the Gryphon Connect App.
Once on, focus on parental controls to ensure full protection for kids to avoid exposing them to dangerous websites and unhealthy online activities.
Knowing that kids today spend over eight hours online, viewing browsing history, setting internet-off times, enforcing safe search, detecting and filtering malware comes in handy.
Gryphon further ensures 24/7/365 monitoring of all devices on the network for intrusion detection.
Hackers and malware are barred from accessing cameras, speakers, doorbells and security systems through AI intelligent intrusion detection.
Use the app to set a guest Wi-Fi network to avoid sharing SSID and password of the main network with short term users.
The tri-band mesh Wi-Fi system is powered by a powerful processor, 512MB RAM, and 4GB Flash delivering up to 3Gbps Wi-Fi speed within 3,000 square feet space.
It supports 4 x 4 MU-MIMO and antenna beamforming technology; it has six high power internal antennas.
On compatibility, devices using 802.11b/g/n/ac standards are supported by the mesh system.
Synology Mesh Router MR2200ac
This is yet another mesh router with your kids’ safety online in mind; Synology Mesh Router MR2200ac.
It uses Safe Rules to give you full protection management for your home Wi-Fi network by user profile, instead of by device.
It studies how each user uses the internet; websites, applications and even time spent online, and then guides you on areas you need to set filters and screen times for your kids’ security.
Further protection is guaranteed through DNS/IP threat detection intelligence and WPA encryption to protect the entire network against snooping and another kind of attack.
Every security-related software is updated on a regular basis to ensure 24/7/365 network protection.
MR2200ac is powered by 717MHz quad-core processor and 256MB RAM. It uses dedicated tri-band operating at 2.13Gbps with 2 x 2 MU-MIMO for blazing-fast Wi-Fi speed necessary for streaming with reduced congestion.
With one router, its Wi-Fi signal covers up to 2,000 square feet of your home. Extra coverage calls for additional routers; they expand the network without the need for a new SSID or password.
For wired connectivity, use the LAN, WAN, and USB 3.0 ports availed.
Eero Mesh Wi-Fi
Covering your home from corner to corner with a strong Wi-Fi signal is made easy by eero Mesh Wi-Fi system.
The dual-band system is powered by 700MHz quad-core processor, 512MB RAM, and 4GB Flash to provide 350Mbps Wi-Fi signal within 5,000 square feet.
The 3-pack mesh Wi-Fi system supports 2 x 2 MU-MIMO, beamforming, and 802.11a/b/g/n/ac standards.
It takes less than 10 minutes to get every device in your home well pumped with fast Wi-Fi for video streaming, online gaming, surfing and emailing.
Install eero App for Android or iOS in your smartphone, unplug the modem from any device connected to it and follow the step by step instructions on how to set up the mesh Wi-Fi system.
After setup, the app allows you to see the status of your network, participating devices, how they are using it, sharing the network with friends and pausing the internet for users you no longer want to see online.
With eero Secure services, your Wi-Fi network is protected through threat scans, content warning, and adblocking.
Further network security includes WPA2 encryption, use of Ipv6 and VPN passthrough. Expect frequent security updates.
To ensure consistent high speeds throughout the network, eero mesh Wi-Fi practices intelligent routing of traffic to avoid congestion, packet-dropping and buffering.
For wired connectivity, use the two gigabit Ethernet ports availed in the mesh router.
ASUS ZenWiFi Whole-Home Tri-Band Mesh WiFi 6E System
The latest ASUS Wi-Fi router is the latest of its kind. It is perhaps the first device that uses the 6GHz radio band. It goes beyond the conventional options of 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz.
The company claims that the ZenWiFi Whole-Home Tri-Band Mesh WiFi 6E System is an all-in-one solution for all purposes. This single device is robust enough to cover a 5500 sq. ft. area with its tri-band connectivity.
It utilizes the latest Wi-Fi 6 technology and is based on the avant-garde 802.11ax standard.
The router is easy to set up and offers an AC speed of AXE6600. Powered by a 1.5GHz quad-core processor, the device provides 4800 Mbps on 6 GHz. However, only compatible devices can use the 6 GHz radio band.
The speeds attained on the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands are 580 Mbps and 1200 Mbp,s respectively. The user can opt for any of the three compatible bands.
The device comes with two white nodes, each measuring 6.3 x 6.2 x 2.9 inches. It has 6 ports, which include 3 wired 1 Gbps LAN ports and 1 2.5Gbps WAN port. It has flash storage of 256 MB, 512 MB RAM, and 12 internal antennas.
Thanks to its latest technology, the router offers (OFDMA) data transmissions and MU-MIMO compatibility. Multiple gadgets can enjoy simultaneous direct-to-client connectivity.
The beam-forming phenomenon of the router ensures increased network efficiency and decreased latency. The WPA3 encryption and MU-MIMO guarantee that only the targeted client can decode the exchanged data.
An additional layer of security is the company’s proprietary AIProtection Pro Software. It offers a lifetime of protection against cyber-attacks and blocks intrusion attempts by malicious websites.
The dashboard of the router is accessible through its smartphone application: Asus Router. It displays information about the available channels, the connected node, and the speed. Websites, applications and content can be blocked through the application.
Vilo Mesh Wi-Fi System Dual-Band AC1200
The Vilo Mesh Wi-Fi System Dual-Band AC1200 is an affordable option for a Mesh Wi-Fi upgrade. It offers an AC speed of 1200 and is based on the 802.11ac standard.
The router with its 999MHz MIPS processor uses the Wi-Fi 5 technology.
Depending on the usage, there are multiple node configurations. Each matte-white node covers 1500 sq. ft. The maximum extent coverage is 4500 sq. ft. with the top-of-the-line mesh router.
If the major concern is spotty internet in the basement of the building, this router is the perfect option. With its 4 internal antennas, it provides excellent signal propagation without interference.
It operates on two different frequencies: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. This option allows it to utilize even the narrowest of the bandwidths and the maximum number of channels. Top speeds ranging from 300 to 900 Mbps are attained.
Three Ethernet ports allow simultaneous connectivity for up to 3 different gadgets. Unlike other mesh routers, this one doesn’t require resetting the satellite nodes for setup. It offers flash storage of 16 MB and has 128 MB RAM.
The Vilo Mesh Wi-Fi System Dual-Band AC1200 supports MU-MIMO connectivity. The feature enables beam-forming technology and multiple device connectivity without each taking turns for the bandwidth. The WPA, WPA2 encryption adds a layer of security.
The router’s insights can be accessed on the Vilo Living application. It offers complete parental control and updates the usage stats. A guest network can be set up easily and can be time to prevent excessive data usage.
Linksys MX8501 Atlas Max 6E Tri-Band Mesh Wi-Fi 6E System
The Linksys MX8501 Atlas Max is one of the most expensive Wi-Fi mesh systems. It is delivered as a 3-unit system, each delivering a robust signal to 3000 sq. ft. The entire setup can cover about 9000 sq. ft. area.
Depending upon the extent of the building, you can choose a single unit as well. It uses the latest Wi-Fi 6E technology and operates on 3 bands: 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz.
The router has an AC speed of AX8400 and is powered by a 2.2GHz quad-core processor. The maximum data speeds attained with this device were:
1150 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band
2400 Mbps on the 5 GHz band
4800 Mbps on the 6 GHz band
With its tri-band connectivity, this router is able to blanket every corner of the building and even the basement. It is programmed to smartly select the healthiest band and channel. However, the client devices should be compatible with the Wi-Fi 6 technology to benefit from the 6 GHz band.
The device has 12 internal antennas and 9 LAN ports in total. The back panel sports 4 of the LAN ports, power jack, the 3.0 USB port, and the 5GbE WAN port. The three nodes have a crisp white finish and are similar in design to the earlier models.
The Linksys MX8501 Atlas Max has flash storage of 512 MB and 1 GB RAM. It is controlled by either using the dedicated Linksys mobile app or through the website.
The dashboard contains all the insights about the connected clients and data usage. It offers parental controls that include pausing connectivity and blocking certain content.
This device lacks protection against malware and offers no age-based content restrictions. Guest networks are set up and controlled easily via the app.
The router supports MU-MIMO. This feature allows simultaneous connectivity for multiple gadgets within the same area. None of the devices needs to compromise on data speed with this technology.
The beam-formation ensures a strong signal without interference and reduced latency.
ASUS ZenWiFi AX6600 Tri-Band Mesh WiFi 6 System (XT8 2PK)
The Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) is a robust tri-band device that offers whole-home coverage.
It has two nodes, each covering roughly 2750 sq. ft. blanketing every corner of the building. There are 6 internal antennas. It uses the latest Wi-Fi 6 technology and is based on the 802.11ax standard. All of these qualities make it the best mesh WiFi for thick walls.
AC speed of AX6000 is offered and the rate of data transmission was tested to be 6600 Mbps. The front panel sports LED indicators for each of the two nodes, which in turn house 4 Wired LAN Ports.
The back panel houses the 2.5 Gigabyte LAN port, Ethernet ports, power jack, and switch, and the single 3.1 USB port. An efficient 1.5GHz quad-core processor powers the nodes and has flash storage of 256 MB.
The triple bands offered include one 2.4 GHz and two 5 GHz bands. Speeds attained on the 2.4 GHz band were 560 Mbps, 1200 Mbps on the 1st 5GHz band, and 4800 on the 2nd.
The OFDMA and MU-MIMO technology further enhance the competence of the network. The direct-to-client data transmission and beam-forming technology reduce latency manifold. Lesser interference and efficient bandwidth usage can engage multiple client devices simultaneously.
Setting up the device is easy and can be executed by anyone. The router is controlled by a web application or the dedicated ASUS mobile application. The dashboard is accessible by a smartphone that displays complete data insights.
Parental controls and security are free for a lifetime with the proprietary AIProtection Pro. Users can limit the websites accessed, interrupt connectivity, block devices and enforce age-based controls easily.
The excellent security prevents intrusion and malware attacks. Commercial-grade security makes the ASUS ZenWiFi AX6600 an ideal device even for businesses.
FAQS
Is mesh faster than extender?
The basic purpose of both of these devices is the same i.e. they aim to enhance the coverage of your WiFi. But, if we compare both of them side by side, the mesh is generally better and faster than the expander.
Extenders are more suited for small areas. On the other hand, mesh act as a blanket for a full house. If you want your office or house to have full coverage and robust signals then mesh should be your first choice.
If you only want spot improvement or need to eliminate dead zones then you should go for extenders.
To understand the difference, you need to learn the basic ideology behind these devices. For example, if you already have an amazing WiFi device in your home, but it is not providing coverage to the last room in the corner. Then, having a WiFi extender at that point will be fruitful.
But if you have a large house/ office space and your current WiFi device is not able to provide uniform coverage in the whole area. Then, having Mesh will solve your problem.
In mesh, you will have strategically placed nodes all over the house. They will provide an equal supply to all the areas. No matter where you are, your device will connect to the nearest node and it will act as a source. In this way, your signals will never be weak or too far away.
In the case of an extender, when your device is directly connected to the router, you will experience a faster speed as compared to the extender. While for mesh, the speed will be constant throughout the area.
An extender is also slower in the matter that you need to manually switch to the extender when you are out of the range of your router. While for mesh, the transfer between the nodes happens automatically, hence it is comparatively faster.
Does the mesh Wi-Fi system replace your router?
Installing mesh Wi-Fi system is an actual upgrade with the intention of getting more Wi-Fi coverage in your home, easy setup and management of the network, seamless movement from one room to another and high-level security.
The best way forward for an effective home Wi-Fi network is to get rid of your traditional router and Wi-Fi range extender and replace them with the mesh router and satellites even if the traditional router seems to work with the mesh setup.
Besides, the best mesh Wi-Fi system uses an internal antenna so as to blend with your home décor, and they are cute!
Is Mesh Wi-Fi System Different from Wi-Fi Range Extender?
Wi-Fi range extender picks the Wi-Fi signal from the traditional router, boosts and repeats it to increase coverage in a home.
In the process, it creates a separate network requiring Wi-Fi-enabled devices crossing from the original router’s network to enter that of the range extender to log in a new.
Quite a waste of time. The new signal is also halved at best, making it less effective than the original from the router.
In a mesh Wi-Fi network, the nodes closer to the router rebroadcast the Wi-Fi signal to their neighbors without stripping it of its goodness or creating a new network.
The whole system operates under the same SSID and password. They behave like one large family passing an important genetic semblance from one kid to the other.
Again, while the mesh Wi-Fi system work as one piece no matter the number of pieces the system has, Wi-Fi range extenders cannot work alone. They depend on the traditional router to feed the Wi-Fi –enabled devices in your network with the Wi-Fi signal.
In conclusion, as technology grows from height to height, the most favorable thing you can do today for your home Wi-Fi network is to conduct a major overhaul and upgrade to a system that guarantees you ultra-fast speeds, tight security, and connectivity to smart devices in your home in a simple setup. Make a wise decision!