Overview
The best mesh router promises reliable Wi-Fi throughout your home, and the majority of them deliver, so it's no surprise that they're becoming increasingly popular. Instead of relying on a single router to provide Wi-Fi coverage across your home, a mesh router integrates the main router with one or more nodes to create a unified Wi-Fi network. To get the best speeds, your devices will automatically connect to the closest option.
Depending on where the internet connection enters the home, most of us are forced to place a router in an inconvenient location. You can increase Wi-Fi coverage where you need it by adding a second or third node. The best mesh routers could be the answer if you want to fix a dead spot, offer a stronger signal into the rear bedroom, or have great Wi-Fi in the garden.
1. Best Mesh Wi-Fi 6 System – Amazon eero 6 dual-band
2. Best for Large Homes – NETGEAR Orbi
3. Best with Google Assistant – Google Wifi – AC1200
4. Best for Small Homes – Meshforce M7 Tri-Band
5. Best for Extra Access Points – Whole Home WiFi System
What To Consider Before Buying The Best Mesh Router?
When selecting the best mesh router, there are various criteria to consider; the following are the important ones that we examined while compiling this list.
1. Area
A mesh wifi system should span at least 2,000 square feet, while some systems cover even more which can cover up to 3,000 square feet. You'll need to calculate how much space you'll need to cover, considering any external areas you want to link, such as balconies or gardens.
2. Number of Access Points
For most models, you can get anything from one to three nodes. The number you'll need is determined by where your wifi hub is located in your home.
If your hub is on the ground level and you wish to extend the wifi to a garden or one or two adjacent rooms, you'll need a two-unit setup. However, you'll need three devices to boost the wifi signal in a room (or rooms) on the first level or higher.
3. Dual vs. Tri-band
Modern routers transmit wifi networks on two separate bands: 2.4GHz, which is suitable for long distances but slow, and 5GHz, which is faster but only covers shorter distances. All mesh wifi networks have dual-band (2.4GHz and 5GHz) capabilities, although some have two 5GHz channels in addition to a 2.4GHz band (known as tri-band).
This implies that the access points can share information about the wifi network over one band, freeing up the other two to maintain a steady internet connection.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How does a mesh router work?
The problem of dead spots and weak signals at the margins of a network coverage region has long plagued home Wi-Fi. Mesh Wi-Fi is the next step after a network extender in terms of covering dead spots and boosting the signal at the coverage area's edges.
Mesh WiFi relies on at least two, and possibly multiple, router nodes. The nodes communicate with one another, allowing a single network to cover a larger region. They're less complicated to set up than a network extender, and they don't necessitate the creation of different networks.
2. What is the fastest mesh router?
The latest WiFi 6E technology is available in the fastest mesh Wi-Fi networks. The 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands have been the only radio channels open to household devices — including the expanding number of smart gadgets — for years. In 2021, the FCC approved the use of the 6 GHz band. 6E technology allows routers to add the 6 GHz band to their multi-band systems. This band is currently used by very few devices, but those that do see less interference and traffic from other devices, making it the fastest internet available for home usage.
3. How much does a mesh router system cost?
The cheapest mesh Wi-Fi networks start at slightly over $100, while the most expensive systems can cost over $500. The price of the system is influenced by the number of nodes, Wi-Fi technology, bands, ports, and security measures.
Final Thought
The Amazon eero 6 dual-band may also be used as an automation hub, allowing you to control smart devices while still providing smooth Wi-Fi. It is, however, on the more expensive side. With the Meshforce M7 Tri-Band, you can obtain amazing speed and coverage on a more constrained budget.