6 Best Mesh WiFi For Thick Walls in 2023 [Solid Penetration]

I recently was setting up a networking system at an old house. It had thick walls and wooden beams, due to which the signals get weak and leave many dead WiFi zones. If you are stuck in a similar situation, then a mesh WiFi system should solve it. But how to decide on the right system for your use case?

Mesh systems are expensive, that’s why many people consider using a combination of WiFi routers and wireless extenders. I did use it too and they do extend the signal coverage, but it isn’t, seamless like mesh systems.

I realized finding a mesh system that penetrates WiFi through concrete walls can be challenging. I contacted router brands to determine if their system could solve the problem. And finally, here with the solutions.

6 Best Mesh WiFi Systems for Thick Walls in 2023

I spent around 171 hours testing around 11 different mesh systems to make sure that my 6,240 sqft multi-story building had no dead zones. After testing multiple mesh systems, I’ve picked the 6 best options, which left me with 0 dead zones.

Below I have shortlisted and reviewed some of the best mesh WiFi for thick walls and large houses. The below models even work for upto three-storey buildings.

Without further ado, let’s dig in!

1. Best Overall: ASUS ZenWiFi XD6

In search of a mesh system that can handle even the most network-intensive tasks? Nothing can beat the Asus ZenWiFi XD6!

If you want strong WiFi signals across your large house while streaming 4K videos, playing online games, and working on other tasks seamlessly, ASUS ZenWiFi XD6 is my go-to recommendation. Its extensive coverage and built-in security make it the best WiFi 6 based mesh system for thick walls.

Compared to its predecessor, ZenWiFi XD4, it has much better transmission power, speed, and coverage, making it a worthy upgrade.

Why is it a suitable choice?

An 802.11k/v roaming assistance provided by ZenWiFi XD6 makes it suitable for a thick-walled house and works well for all my modern devices. I could quickly switch to faster networks on my mobile when moving from one room to another. There were barely any lags in my streams, and there was greater stability on my Zoom calls.

Speeds & Throughput

When I connected my laptop to the mesh mode, I received nearly 600Mbps at 5GHz, while I got 800Mbps on my mobile. On the other hand, at 2.4GHz, I received 50Mbps and 100Mbps on mobile and laptop, respectively. And its adaptive QoS feature lets you choose from multiple profiles to get the best performance possible.

Wi-Fi Coverage

Despite being a dual-band system, ZenWiFi delivers reliable and fast performance. Thanks to the six antennas, each dedicated to a single stream, the signal were excellent throughout my house.

Security & App Support

Asus mesh system is integrated with AirProtection Pro Antivirus powered by Trendmicro. It manually scans the website you’re trying to access and blocks it if found infected or potentially dangerous. Besides, its parental control feature allows you to limit the number of browsing hours per day and restrict access to specific sites for kids.

Conclusion

With tons of customizations and features, Asus XD6 stands out taller than most mesh WiFi systems available for solid walls. It is a great mesh WiFi for gaming, streaming, and providing faster yet seamless connectivity in large homes, apartments, and offices.

For more details, check out the ASUS XD6 review.

2. Best Gigabit Mesh System: TP-Link Deco X60

If you are looking for a feature-rich WiFi mesh system that penetrates thick walls and wooden beams, TP-Link Deco X60 is an excellent pick. Wi-Fi 6 allows you to connect with most home devices with minimal or no issues. Compared to its previous version, Deco X20, this one offers double speed, and its 1GHz chipset is a major upgrade.

Why is it a suitable choice?

TP-Link Deco X60 is easily the best mesh router for gigabit internet with Wi-Fi 6 support. It offers a faster roaming option, which means you can easily connect and switch to any device kept in another room without latency. Plus, it has a 4×4 5GHz channel delivering faster speed and greater signals thru thick walls.

Speeds & Throughput

I used two units in my apartment at 5GHz and received a constant 700Mbps on my smartphone, while the speed was 600Mbps on the laptop. Whereas the speed dropped to almost one-fifth of the value when switched to the 2.4GHz band. And, with MU-MIMO and OFDMA technology’s quadruple capacity, I could connect several devices simultaneously without fluctuating speeds.

Wi-Fi Coverage

With six antennas hidden inside the system, it delivers a stronger WiFi coverage and faster internet connection. This works particularly well in any home or small business with a floor area of up to 5000 square feet to achieve zero dead spots in any corner.

Security & App Support

The Deco X60 offers WPA3 encryption for stronger protection against password guessing. And with TP-link Homeshield, your devices are safer with features like IoT and network protection. Aside from that, its parental controls are the best on the market, letting you select which devices and website categories to restrict.

Conclusion

Despite so many features, it comes with, the offered speed and coverage are much lesser than our previous option, ASUS ZenWiFi XD6. However, it works well through the thick walls, and setting up the device is much easier. It makes the device ideal for gamers, people working from home, or offices with a large floor area.

3. Best for Old House with Thick Walls: Google Nest WiFi

Google comes true to the saying that “good things can come in small packages,” and Google Nest WiFi 2nd Gen routers pack your entire place with strong WiFi signals. Compared to its 1st generation model, it offers double the RAM and CPU, along with more antennas for greater and faster connectivity.

Why is it a suitable choice?

In search of the best router for an old house with thick walls? Google Nest fits right in. Wi-Fi 5 and a node extension ensure that you receive great internet coverage, whether in the house on the second floor, in the attic, or in the basement.

With my family, more than 20 devices were connected at a time but had no trouble switching devices from the extension point to router and vice versa when roaming around the house.

Speeds & Throughput

With a conventional 2.4GHz and 5GHz dual-band system, the speeds were enough to perform multiple tasks simultaneously. It clocked the highest speed of 300Mbps and 50Mbps for 5GHz and 2.4GHz bands, respectively. Also, with MU-MIMO support, it is capable enough to handle more intensive activities like online gaming and 4K streaming.

Wi-Fi Coverage

Two devices and a point offer latency-free fast internet over 6600 sq. ft., irrespective of impediments like thick walls, router positioning, and others. And it doesn’t need any nodes to work; two routers with 4×4 radios and a 2×2 radio single point create a mesh network, ensuring that there is no drop in speeds anywhere you go.

Security & App Support

Like any other Google assistant-powered smart device, the Nest WiFi router is much easier to set up and took me around 15 minutes to complete the process. Even a less tech-savvy person like my father had no difficulty connecting to it and streaming lag-free 4K videos.

Security & App Support

The system is built with the WPA3 standard, which delivers enhanced protection and security for end users and enterprises from client to cloud. Besides, parental controls on this mesh feel like a breeze too. If you want to restrict your children from using WiFi while doing homework, just press a few buttons, and you are ready to go.

Conclusion

The only missing piece is Wi-Fi 6 support. Nevertheless, the 2nd generation Google Nest WiFi is fast enough to ensure stable Zoom calls and online gaming without latency or lags, making it a mesh router with best range through walls. It is an ideal choice for gamers, people working from home, or looking for an elegant device that goes well with their smart home.

4. Best Tri-Band Mesh: Netgear Orbi RBK23

Netgear Orbi RBK23 is designed to deliver strong, fast, and consistent internet in every part of your office or home. With effortless installation, a comprehensive web portal, an easy-to-use app, and features like beamforming, dedicated backhaul, and advanced parental controls, it is a worthwhile purchase for anyone looking for a tri-band mesh.

Why is it a suitable choice?

Netgear Orbi RBK23 uses three frequency bands and connects your device to the least crowded and fastest WiFi network. Despite connecting with 20 devices, I could carry the network-intensive tasks like online gaming and 4K streams without any lags or glitches. Although handoff between devices took a few more seconds, it’s much faster than any non-mesh system.

One of the primary features of RBK53 is that it’s a mesh that uses ethernet as a backhaul, so you get a fast and reliable connection by strategically placing the units.

Speeds & Throughput

I could achieve nearly 100Mbps in my garage and in my main rooms, where I use a laptop and mobile. The average speed was 360 Mbps, which increased to 500Mbps when I moved closer to the satellite at 5GHz.

On the other hand, when I switched to the 2.4GHz band, speeds in my garage dropped to 50Mbps, while speeds on mobile and laptop in the main room were 150Mbps and 200Mbps, respectively.

Wi-Fi Coverage

The Orbi satellite has four antennas fitted with high-powered amplifiers inside the body. With two satellites and a router, you can achieve an overall coverage of nearly 6000 sq ft. You can expect better internet coverage throughout the complex, factory, or startup office, provided the satellites are placed in optimal positions.

And with Smart MU-MIMO connect and beamforming antennas, the router becomes more suitable for video conferences, streaming, and playing intensive games.

Security & App Support

Netgear Orbi RBK23 has security features like WPA2 and DOS Firewall VPN. They restrict unauthorized access to the system and block certain services, keywords, and websites. And a pre-installed Netgear Armor provides anti-malware, anti-virus, phishing, and fraud security on an unlimited number of devices.

Besides that, with parental controls, you can control what your family members have access to on the internet.

Conclusion

Compared to previous devices, Netgear Orbi RBK23 offers a lesser speed, and switching between two devices also takes more time. Regardless, it eliminates the restrictions like thick walls, wooded pillars, and others to deliver faster speed and greater coverage, making it suitable for businesses, offices, and apartments.

5. Best for Streaming: Amazon Eero 6

Amazon Eero 6 offers robust connectivity and fast speeds at a very attractive price. This model is much easier to set up and has several handy features that make Eero 6 the best internet mesh system. Amazon takes a leap from its original Eero Mesh by offering better connectivity, faster speeds, and greater coverage.

Why is it a suitable choice?

Unlike other WiFi 6-based mesh routers suitable for thick walls that split the two 5GHz and 2.4GHz bands and let you connect whichever is suitable, Amazon Eero steers you from band to band. Switching bands while you move might take some time, but it ensures a smoother connection wherever you move in the house.

Speeds & Throughput

Amazon Eero 6 seamlessly handled our 1500 Mbps broadband connection on all my devices. At close range, it recorded upload and download speeds of 311 Mbps and 480 Mbps, respectively, on the 5GHz band. The speeds fell down a tad when I moved into the garden but were sufficient to download videos at 112 Mbps. Whereas the speeds were 100Mbps and 160Mbps at the 2.4GHz band.

Wi-Fi Coverage

This versatile Amazon device supports both wireless and wired connectivity. With two Ethernet ports, you can connect the router to two devices simultaneously and get faster and more stable connections than a wireless connection. And being a dual-band WiFi, it comes with two 2×2 internal antennas, which can cover an area of up to 5000 sq. ft.

Security & App Support

To start with, you get security features like parental controls, WPA3, VPN passthrough, and DNS, which safeguard your network and data. Besides, Amazon Eero offers a personalized two-fold network security service, Euro Secure and Secure+. Setting it up allows you to block unwanted adverts, dangerous websites, ransomware, and virus attacks.

Conclusion

The internet speed of Amazon Eero 6 is a tad lower compared to other mesh WiFi for concrete walls. Plus, switching between bands takes a minute. But, if you’re searching for a WiFi 6 router for thick walls that doesn’t cost you a fortune, this can be a viable purchase.

6. Best Budget Option: Tenda Nova MW6

Here is the most budget-friendly mesh WiFi router for going through thick walls. The simple set-up targets users who aren’t much into technology but need a reliable option. The speeds offered by Tenda Nova are sufficient to stream ultra-HD movies on 20 devices at a time or download a UHD movie in 1 minute.

Why is it a suitable choice?

Tenda Nova MW6 promises AC1200 in dual bands. It supports fast roaming and automatically selects the best channel for you to use. With features like channel bonding, two adjacent channels of similar frequency combine to enhance the throughput between two or more wireless devices and, therefore, faster connection.

Speeds & Throughput

The system supports 802.11ac wireless standard, with speeds up to 867 Mbps on the 5Ghz band while 300 Mbps on the 2.4Ghz band. In my test, on the first floor, the speed was 220 Mbps and 378Mbps for upload and downloads, respectively. While in the garden, I got a speed up to 70Mbps, which was enough to stream high-quality videos.

Wi-Fi Coverage

With beamforming and MU-MIMO technology in the router, rest assured that all your connected devices receive the best connection to ensure smooth downloading, gaming, streaming, and uninterrupted video calls. You can connect up to 90 devices spread over an area of 6000 sq. ft without dropping much speed.

Security & App Support

This secure mesh WiFi network comes with WPA2-PSK encryption, which keeps your passwords and network safe from external threats. Now you and your friends can browse the internet in an isolated network zone without fearing compromising your privacy.

You also have a parental control feature that you can use to view the number of hours they are active on the internet and monitor their online activities. But unfortunately, the feature doesn’t extend to blocking websites.

Conclusion

Although you don’t get high-end features or smoother and faster internet connection like previous options, Tenda Nova MW6 comes at a temptingly budget-friendly. So, if your workspace has just shifted to your home and your traditional router isn’t giving the right service, this is definitely an upgrade.

Choosing a Mesh WiFi For Thick, Concrete & Plaster Walls: The Checklist

• If there are too many dead zones in your large house, getting a mesh system that penetrates WiFi through concrete walls will be better than a standalone router connected with a switch or hubs.
• Check for the highest speeds a mesh WiFi model can offer and determine if it’s a viable option for what you do—for example, playing online games, streaming 4K videos, or taking lag-free video calls.
• Next, check the number of ports it has. You will get faster connectivity through Ethernet on devices like smart TVs and gaming consoles, while USB ports are beneficial to connect older storage or printers to your network.
• Also, check the security features. Particularly look for WPA3 encryption, anti-malware, and parental controls, all of which keep your network secure.
• Mesh routers are available at different prices, from $100 to $400 and even more. Price varies according to their features, but many routers offer value for money, so go for them.
• Don’t forget to look at the tech and hardware integrated into a system, especially MU-MiMO, OFDMA, QoS, and antenna. They boost the overall signal strength and allow you to stream faster.

Frequently Asked Questions

Verdict

In this review-based guide, I’ve shared some of the best routers for going through walls. Now it’s up to you to decide which one suits you the most and make the purchase accordingly. However, if you still aren’t sure, let me help you with that:

• If you want the latest specifications, high-speed capabilities, and future-proof devices, ASUS ZenWiFi XD6 would be a valid option. It has everything you expect from a high-end mesh WiFi.
• Now, if you don’t want to make extravagant spendings yet want the best mesh WiFi for concrete walls, my choice for you would be TP-Link Deco X60. Under $250, you can have one of the best mesh WiFi 6 systems in your hands.
• If you are not tech-savvy and looking for an entry-level option that doesn’t cost much, Tenda Nova MW6 would be the one for you.

So, I’d ask you to spare a few dollars and get yourself the strongest mesh WiFi for your house with thick walls. I hope you find these recommendations helpful. Let me know which one are you getting in the comments below!