9 Best Mesh WiFi Systems [Updated For May 2023]

Mesh WiFi systems are great for seamless connectivity in a large house or workplace. If your normal router is dropping signals or isn’t able to pass strong WiFi signals to some spots at your place, then you should consider getting a mesh router. But which one?

Earlier, I was testing a TP-Link Archer A20 router with a Motorola MB8600 modem on Xfinity’s Xtreme Pro plan. The performance was good for my home office, but now I have many more devices in my new 3,700 Sq Ft house. This is when I needed the best available WiFi mesh system to upgrade my setup.

After two months of research and testing 16 different systems, I finally got my hands on top-rated mesh WiFi systems of 2023. This review-based guide will act as a propeller to direct your ship in the course of finding an ideal mesh. Without further ado, let’s begin!

9 Best Mesh WiFi Systems in 2023

Apart from speed and coverage, I have ensured the qualified models encase advanced technologies, great security, easy installation, and App-based network control.

Plus, I have covered different models catering to different users, budgets, and requirements to ensure you get the best-suited mesh router for your needs.

Are you new to mesh networks? Learn how to choose the right mesh system.

1. Best Overall: TP-Link Deco X90

Do you need the best WiFi 6 mesh system to complement your modern home with a lot of smart-home gadgets? I recommend the Deco X90! It’s ranked #1 in my list of Gigabit mesh systems.

TP-Link AX6600 standouts currently in the retail space with its tri-band Wi-Fi 6 support. An additional band ensures a sufficient bandwidth between the backhaul of the mesh node and the main unit.

So, whenever you’re connected to the mesh node, there’s a potential speed boost owing to the greatly enhanced system capacity. It is a significant upgrade over the Deco X60 in terms of speed, coverage, and much more.

Why is it a suitable choice?

Performance and speed are definitely the USPs of X90. While testing it with Xfinity’s Gigabit plan, I could get download speeds slightly higher than 920 Mbps and 600 Mbps for both 5GHz on my laptop. While on a lower 2.4 frequency band, the speed was around 200-250 Mbps.

So, you can allocate 5GHz bands for graphics-intensive tasks like playing online games, streaming 4K videos, video conferencing, and others. While keeping the 2.4GHz for activities like sending mail, surfing, etc., which don’t require high-speed data.

The area where AX6600 shines is roaming. It’s inbuilt with an AI self-learning roaming algorithm that automatically detects any movement of the connected device and makes an instant decision. My phone automatically switches to the fastest network as I roam around my house.

Moreover, features like 1024 QAM, OFDMA, and 4×4 MU-MIMO support further boosting the systems’ overall networking performance by clearing out network congestion and faster data transfer.

Wi-Fi Coverage

A total of six internal antennas work together to dissipate strong signals over an area up to 6000 Sq Ft. Consistency is also a plus point of this system, as it delivers high-speed internet to 200 devices connected simultaneously.

I also tested the system by connecting it to a Smart light installed in my garage. The light never went out, thanks to the system’s constant throughput over a considerable distance.

Ease of Setup & Control

TP-Link Deco AX6600 is easily controllable by a Deco app with a simple user interface and minimal learning curve. With just a few taps, I could set up and configure the device to start using the high-speed internet. Plus, you can see all devices connected to each unit, with an option to disable the mesh system.

Security Features

TP-Link’s premium security feature, Homeshield Pro, keeps your network and connected devices safe from unknown attackers, malware, and ransomware. It’s a subscription-based service requiring you to pay $56 monthly. However, if you don’t want to spend anything, there are some basic features like network security scan, QoS, and basic parental controls.

Conclusion

To sum up, Deco X90 is the fastest mesh WiFi with features like tri-band, MU-MIMO, OFDMA, and others that boost the system’s overall performance and keep it well above all the units I’ve tested so far. Despite a premium offering, its value makes it an ideal mesh WiFi for large homes, gaming studios, workplaces, and more.

For more details, check my dedicated review of the Deco X90.

2. Best Runner-Up: ASUS ZenWiFi XD6

ZenWiFi XD6 is an excellent choice for those who have high speeds and consistent throughput across a large area. With dual-band Wi-Fi 6, more ports, greater coverage, and many others, it’s quite an upgrade over its previous model, Asus ZenWifi XD4. So, let’s get into details about what this mesh system offers.

Why is it a suitable choice?

To start with, XD6 performs exceedingly well despite being a dual-band system. Thanks to the powerful radio, each mesh unit delivers an extremely stable operation and excellent coverage. And the company believes that its high-performing mesh system offers faster speeds than most units.

To test that, I connected the device to my laptop, pairing it with the Xfinity Gigabit plan, and to my surprise, I didn’t disappoint. I could easily get 800 Mbps over the 5GHz frequency band on my laptop and 300 Mbps on 2.4GHz.

While on my iPhone 12, the maximum speeds clocked at 950 Mbps, and most importantly, there were no visible lags.

Furthermore, it encases 802.11k/v to provide roaming assistance for devices that moves from one place to another. So with that, I am connected to a faster connection despite roaming very often. There’s also an integrated QoS that makes sure idle workloads don’t interfere with ongoing tasks.

Wi-Fi coverage

Six internal antennas can potentially cover an area of up to 5400 Sq Ft, connecting up to 50 devices simultaneously. There won’t be a network lag or fluctuation if you multitask by playing games and streaming 4K videos side-by-side.

Besides, speeds were fine in areas like the garage and garden. And even if you have an old house, ASUS XD6 is one of the best mesh WiFi systems for thick walls.

Ease of Setup & Control

ASUS router app presents a user-friendly interface, with most configurations apart from a few niches. So, installing and configuring the mesh system has gotten much easier with this app. A remote management feature also allows you to view, access, or change router settings.

Security Features

ASUS commits to the overall security of its devices, and with the AiProtection Pro Antivirus feature, which protects your connected devices from potentially dangerous websites. Also, the app performs an automatic scan periodically, prompting a warning message when low security is.

Besides, its advanced parental control lets you take control of your child’s internet and ensure he isn’t spending much time online or not visiting any potentially harmful website.

Conclusion

ZenWiFi XD6 is a reliable and efficient mesh system owing to its fast Wi-Fi speed and strong Wi-Fi coverage. I connected it to my Xbox 360 to play online games with my friends for hours without lags or latencies. However, it lacks advanced technologies like MU-MIMO and OFDMA, which takes it down the list.

For more details, check out the in-depth Asus XD6 review.

3. Best for Large Buildings: Netgear Orbi RBK753S

Netgear Orbi RBK753S boasts impressive technical specifications and security features, making it one of the best whole home WiFi systems in the retail space. It supports the latest Wi-Fi 6, so you can pair it to any internet plan with speeds up to 2 Gbps. And with its massive coverage, it’s easily the best WiFi mesh system for large homes.

Why is it a suitable choice?

Say goodbye to your choppy and laggy networks with this feature-packed mesh system by Netgear. This tri-band Wi-Fi 6 router works with any high-speed plan to deliver a consistent throughput, so you can enjoy your Netflix shows hour after hour without stuttering video quality.

Plus, a dedicated 5GHz backhaul band eliminates potential network congestion and faster data transfer.

Testing with the Cox Gigablast plan, speeds for respective 5GHz bands were 950 Mbps and 650 Mbps, while the values clocked at 250 Mbps for 2.4GHz. So you can allocate your high bandwidth tasks like playing online games, streaming videos, and others to high-frequency, i.e., 5GHz band.

While you can browse the internet, send emails, and attend online classes with a lower 2.4GHz band.

Furthermore, sheathing an MU-MIMO technology further allows the mesh system to communicate simultaneously with multiple devices. As a result, it dramatically reduces the wait time for a device to switch between networks.

Wi-Fi coverage

With six high-performance antennas, Netgear Orbi RBK753S can transmit signals up to 5000 Sq Ft. These antennas have built-in high-power amplifiers, allowing you to work on 25 devices simultaneously. We ran many devices like Smart TVs, laptops, gaming consoles, and mobile devices without any network drops.

Furthermore, the mesh system entails three GigE LAN ports and one GigE WAN port, so there’s an option to plug in your devices directly to the router.  This way, you might lose mobility with your devices, but the speeds are much more significant.

Ease of Setup & Control

Setting up the mesh system is much simpler through an Orbi app. Just plug in the router with the modem, install the app on your device, and configure the router with the user name and password imprinted on it. You can access several features on the app, like adding or removing any device, changing the settings, and much more.

Security Features

There’s comprehensive data theft and anti-virus protection for your devices with Netgear Armor and standard Wi-Fi network security like 128-bit AES encryption. So, rest assured that your devices and network is safe from external threats and attackers.

Also, smart parental controls let you limit the network use of your children and block any explicit or malicious content.

Conclusion

Overall, Orbi RBK753S is a suitable companion to your high-speed internet. With this device, you can stream or download gigabit movies on multiple devices keeping a distance from your router. However, the speeds are a tad low compared to my preceding recommendation, but enough for carrying your bandwidth-intensive tasks.

If you’re interested in learning more, check out the Netgear Orbi AX4200 review.

4. Best for Gaming: Linksys MX8000

Next, bringing you an affordable whole home mesh system, Linksys MX8000, with an additional 5GHz band, takes your gaming and streaming experience to a whole new level. It takes a leap ahead of its older product, Linksys AX2200, by integrating state-of-the-art technologies like Intelligent mesh coverage, mesh technology, and others.

Why is it a suitable choice?

Overall, MX8000 did quite a stupendous task in my tests with Comcast Xfinity’s gigabit plan. To determine its capability, I divided the test into two parts. In one, I placed ten network-hungry devices 15 feet away from the router, while five others were kept 75 feet farther.

For nearby devices, speeds clocked at a maximum of 900 and 700 Mbps for two 5GHz bands and 300 Mbps for a 2.4GHz band. And for the devices kept far away, the speeds fell a tad but were enough to easily perform most of your graphics-intensive tasks.

The additional 5GHz band is dedicated primarily for backhaul communication, which allocates network bandwidth according to what’s required from a task. It, in turn, eliminates network congestion and results in faster data transfer.

Furthermore, the device incorporates Next-Gen OFDMA technology, which creates independent modulating subcarriers with distinct frequency ranges. In other words, data isn’t stalled within the network; instead, it is transmitted to a specific receiver, thereby eliminating network congestion.

Wi-Fi coverage

Intelligent Mesh technology, combined with Wi-Fi 6 delivers gigabits of speeds to an area to an area up to 3500 Sq Ft. Plus, it sends and receives multiple data streams to provide up to four times the transmission capacity to smart home and gaming devices. You can work with up to 50 devices connected simultaneously without network drops.

Besides that, the device has six beamforming antennas that help boost your connected devices’ overall speed.

Ease of Setup & Control

Configuring and setting up this mesh hasn’t been much easier. Just install the Linksys app and tap your way through the instructions, put in the imprinted username and password, and viola! You are ready to go. Other than that, it displays all devices connected to your network and lets you block any unknown devices.

Security Features

Unlike other best-rated WiFi mesh systems listed here, you won’t find those advanced security settings which protect your network and connected devices from unknown attackers, viruses, or ransomware. Also, its parental control prevents you from blocking any potentially malicious or explicit websites.

Conclusion

Linksys MX8000 is a WiFi 6 mesh with Ethernet backhaul, which might not present you with the fastest network but can deliver constant throughput across a big house. Also, you won’t find many security features as with the abovementioned mesh router options.

5. Best for HD Streaming: Amazon Eero 6+

For under $300, snug yourself a pack of two Eero 6+ mesh routers to expand your internet connection throughout your space without compromising a tad on your connection speed. This dual-band Wi-Fi 6 mesh comes with wider channels and better radios to deliver more reliable and faster speeds than its preceding system, Eero 6.

Why is it a suitable choice?

At this price point, Eero 6+ delivers an excellent mesh network but has minor speed inconsistencies and hiccups. The issue seems device-dependent too, which seems odd, as my ROG 5 phone struggles to attain the speeds of 500 Mbps, which wasn’t the case with my laptop.

Also, buffering is much less on my Smart TV when streaming UHD movies on Netflix.

To determine the speed variations in different devices, I conducted a speed test on individual devices, including a laptop, gaming console, and mobile, for separate bands. My laptop and gaming console speeds were almost similar, ranging from 550 Mbps-800 Mbps for 5GHz, and 150-300 Mbps for the 2GHz band.

However, on mobile, speeds dropped by almost 200 Mbps.

However, the most appealing feature of Eero 6+ is its Amazon-patented Truemesh technology, which works harmoniously with the network to send signals throughout your space. It also intelligently routes the signals to eliminate potential network drop-offs or dead zones.

Wi-Fi coverage

It’s quite an upgrade over its predecessor, bolstering 2×2 2.4GHz and 2×2 5GHz internal antennas. These accumulated signal strengths of these antennas cover a space of up to 3000 Sq Ft and enable you to connect 75+ devices without any potential drop-offs.

On the other hand, 2 GigE ports potentially deliver speeds up to 900 Mbps on your devices. The underlying reason is the lack of interference and the shorter distance data covers from sender to receiver.

Ease of Setup & Control

Amazon Eero 6+ is operable with the Eero app. With it, you have several options, like setting up the device, changing its settings, and monitoring the mesh system. You don’t have to be a technical geek to get the device configured. Just set up a username and password, update the latest firmware, and start browsing!

It also features a voice-command feature, with which you can operate the device in any way you wish to.

Security Features

In terms of security, this mesh Wi-Fi packs many security features to keep your network secure and safe. These include VPN pass-through and WPA3 to keep your login credentials and other data in encrypted form. Also, you can invest a few dollars every month to upgrade your system into an advanced, two-fold network, Euro Secure, and Secure+.

With this in place, your database and network are safe from unwanted and external threats.

Conclusion

Despite a lower speed output than my previous recommendations, it’s one of the most reliable and versatile devices to have in your home. It’s compatible with most modems in retail space, and its premium security is much more advanced and keeps your network safe from any external threats.

Also featured in:

• Best Mesh WiFi for Xfinity
• Best Mesh WiFi for Starlink

6. Best WiFi System for Outdoor: Google Nest

The Google Nest 2nd Gen is a cheaper and most elegant-looking router available. With features like compatibility with Gigabit ISPs, decent speeds, ease of use, and great coverage, it’s a massive upgrade over any outdated ISP gateway or router. But, is it worth upgrading over its previous version, i.e., 1st Gen? You bet it is.

Why is it a suitable choice?

Google holds true to the phrase “good things come in small packages” with this latest addition to the family of Nesh Wi-Fi. This 2nd gen mesh router has enough power to fill your home with a strong Gigabit signal and ensures you receive decent internet speeds even in the outskirts. With 802.11ac Wi-Fi 5 support, it attains maximum theoretical speeds of 800-900 Mbps.

So, I tested this mesh system with Xfinity’s Gigabit plan, and the speeds for respective 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency bands were 600 Mbps and 200 Mbps.

Although it’s not what the manufacturer promises, it sure is enough to handle most of your bandwidth-intensive tasks like online gaming, streaming 4K videos, video conferencing, and others.

And further support of MU-MIMO technology adds a cherry to the top and eliminates possible network congestion to provide users with access to better speed and coverage.

Wi-Fi coverage

Each unit of Nest Wi-Fi acts as a satellite to boost your network coverage to an area up to 1200 Sq Ft, a decent-sized home. You might expand it a bit further by positioning the satellites strategically at a distance apart from each. This way, you can eliminate potential buffering in any corner and experience a stronger and faster connection.

You can connect up to 80 devices simultaneously with this network; any further addition might affect the throughput value.

Ease of Setup & Control

You can set this beautiful-looking system using a dedicated Nest WiFi app. You will also get periodic firmware updates from the app that lets you secure your data.

Security Features

Like all its devices, Google has prioritized security in this device with an advanced security chip that secures your network along with your connected devices from external threats. Apart from that, a parental control feature lets you manage your kids’ online time, block explicit content, and pause the device anytime.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the device is a practical upgrade to your home network, especially if you suffer from network dead zones. It’s much cheaper than most models compatible with your Gigabit plan, but speeds are a tad lower than my previous recommended models, hence the position.

For more details, check out the Google Nest review.

7. Best for Home Use: Netgear MK63S

Another addition to the mighty Nighthawk family, Netgear MK63S is a reliable and high-performing mesh router to have in any setting. Boasting the newest and fastest version of Wi-Fi, i.e., Wi-Fi 6, and priced just under $250, it’s one of the most affordable mesh routers available.

And it brings a lot to the table compared to its predecessor, Netgear MK63S, regarding the number of satellites, coverage, and speed.

Why is it a suitable choice?

The suitability of a mesh router depends on its capacity to eliminate network dead zones, connect over a large area, and offer consistent speeds to all connected devices. And MK63S excelled in all respect by delivering speeds up to 500 Mbps and 200 Mbps for respective bands paired with Xfinity Blast.

While in the garden, my smart light was connected to 250 Mbps speed, much faster than my previously-owned router. The only issue I had was the time it took to switch nodes. So, I had to wait for the network to connect when roaming around my home. However, with MU-MIMO support, the signal strength is much high when steady, and I experience no potential hiccups or clunkiness.

Wi-Fi coverage

This 3-pack Wi-Fi 6 system with two satellites can cover an area of 4,500 Sq Ft, and you can connect at least 25 devices at once with consistent speed output. However, placing the satellites closer to the router won’t work, so check for an ideal placement spot and experience high-speed internet throughout your home.

Ease of Setup & Control

Setting up this device seems like a walk in the park, even for people who aren’t technically profound like me. Install the Netgear app on your mobile, and tap the instructions to configure the device. Yes, it’s that easy!

Security Features

The app further comes with features like changing network settings, displaying the number of connected devices, and the number of hours people are online.

Conclusion

To conclude, Netgear is a budget-friendly mesh system that offers reliable speeds and coverage, which makes it pretty tempting. However, stability was an issue with this unit and ranked below my list.

8. Best Budget Mesh: TP-Link Deco M5

Next on my list, TP-Link Deco M5 is a budget mesh system with reliable and effective network connectivity. Besides these, major highlights of this system include advanced security, easy installation, robust parental controls, and an intuitive QoS option. These features significantly upgrade the device over its older model, TP-Link Deco M4.

Why is it a suitable choice?

I tested the Deco M5 for over a week with the two most popular internet plans: Xfinity Blast and Cox’s Ultimate 500 Plan, and the speed outputs were pretty decent. Over the 5GHz frequency band, the speed clocked at a maximum value of 350 Mbps on most devices, whereas the value was 100 Mbps for the inferior 2.4GHz band.

Despite delivering decent speeds, the connection felt patchy sometimes, but once the devices were connected for a while, there was a significant improvement. I completed the entire season of Dark on Netflix in UHD quality and played through all the episodes of Red Dead Redemption 2 without any network drops and with minimum latency.

However, its most exciting feature is the QoS presets that let you choose the best bandwidth for your tasks. For example, allocate the high-frequency band for tasks like gaming and streaming 4K videos, while the low band is for basic tasks like web browsing or sending emails.

Wi-Fi coverage

With a 3000 Sq Ft coverage, this is one of the best mesh systems out there in that respect. Despite connecting over 15 devices, you can experience maximum speeds of 250 Mbps, making it an ideal device in any workplace setting.

Ease of Setup & Control

Deco M5 is secured by Trend antivirus and available for a minimal one-time subscription fee. It safeguards your network and connected devices from viruses, malware, ransomware, and third-party attackers. And with that, you don’t need to install a separate antivirus on your devices.

Security Features

There are advanced parental controls for you to ensure your kids aren’t spending their entire day browsing social media or playing games. Plus, you can block age-inappropriate or explicit websites and pause the internet whenever required.

Conclusion

The ease of use and price bracket makes it a tempting choice for those looking for upgrades over their outdated and slow routers. Although a choppy throughput can be an issue, once connected, rest assured you’ll get faster internet speeds. Besides, its inferior Wi-Fi support makes it a penultimate product on my list.

For more details, read my detailed TP-Link Deco M5 review.

9. Cheapest Option: Tenda Nova MW6

Are you looking for a reliable mesh system but don’t have enough budget to spend? Then I’ve just the device for you. Costing under $150, it’s one of the cheapest routers out there that doesn’t compromise a tad on performance and speed. Moreover, its simple setup and better coverage make it an upgrade over Tenda Nova MW5c.

Why is it a suitable choice?

As far as mesh systems go, the compact MW6 cubes deliver an aesthetic look, and I was particularly impressed by its close-range connection speed, which was head and shoulders ahead of most models in this price bracket.

However, the device relies on a single 867 Mbps connection for both backhaul duties and clients, so connecting with one node might slow the other down.

Overall, download speeds are still better than a single standalone router, clocking up to 150 Mbps for the 5GHz frequency band and 20 Mbps for the 2.4GHz band. Regarding the knowledge I share, I think this speed should be on par with what most people might need in their homes.

Wi-Fi coverage

The massive plus point of this device is its coverage. It boasts two beamforming-enabled antennas which don’t dissipate the signals but instead make them travel in a straight line over an area up to 2500 Sq Ft. Besides, the device is powered by Wave 2.0 MU-MIMO technology, so you can communicate with multiple devices at once, surpassing the capability of a router.

So, using this device, all your network-intensive tasks like gaming, 4K streaming, and others are carried out without any visible lags or latency. However, as the limit stands at 25, make sure not to connect any more devices, as it interferes with the bandwidth and, therefore, slower connectivity and speeds.

Ease of Setup & Control

To protect your network and databases from unknown attackers, this low-cost mesh WiFi employs a WPA2-PSK encryption system. Although upgraded versions of the encryptions are available, this unit will not compromise your data.

Security Features

Tenda has parental control feature that lets you monitor your kids’ online activities and the number of hours they’re online and pause the Wi-Fi anytime. However, the feature doesn’t extend to blocking websites.

Conclusion

Finally, the Tenda Mesh MW6 mesh router is inexpensive and simple to set up. Installation couldn’t be easier with this device; even my grandmother could do it without my help. However, because of the limited speed and features, performing network-intensive activities may be out of the question.

Frequently Asked Questions

Verdict

That’s all for my recommended Wi-Fi mesh systems for 2023. I hope this review-based guide acts like a compass to complete your quest to find the best option. However, if you still can’t make up your mind, here are a few of my recommendations:

• If you want a future-proof mesh system with high-end features and functionality, I recommend the TP-Link AX6600. Despite being one of the most expensive options, it provides good value.
• Next, if you don’t want to make an extravagant purchase yet need a reliable and versatile mesh system, then ASUS ZenWiFi XD6 should be worthwhile. Despite featuring a dual-band, it’s one of the fastest routers I have encountered.
• And finally, if you want an inexpensive and reliable upgrade over your standalone router, go for Tenda MW6. It’s one of the cheapest options available as of now.

With that, I’d wrap up this guide. Mention in the comments below which option you’ve gone for.