What’s the difference between a mesh Wi-Fi system and a Wi-Fi extender?

Mesh Wi-Fi systems and Wi-Fi extenders extend the reach of your wireless signal beyond your main router’s range. Mesh Wi-Fi systems are more tightly integrated, with the main and satellite devices expressly designed to work in concert.

Are mesh Wi-Fi systems faster?

Technically speaking, a mesh Wi-Fi system won’t offer better performance than an equivalent standalone router when you’re sitting right beside it. Since speed always falls off due to a weaker signal as you move farther away from your router, mesh systems can make a difference in larger homes.

Do you need to replace your existing router?

In most cases, the answer is yes. Although some mesh Wi-Fi systems can work with existing routers, you’ll generally get better performance and a much better user experience if you use a full mesh Wi-Fi system. If you’re a cable internet subscriber, you’ll still need to hang onto your cable modem.

How fast is a mesh Wi-Fi system?

Since mesh Wi-Fi network systems are uniformly high-end, they are also pretty fast. If your home internet connection isn’t very fast, then there isn’t any benefit to choosing a speedier mesh system over a slower one. You can check your internet connection speed with free speed tests if you aren’t sure what it is.

The Best Mesh Wi-Fi Network Systems

Netgear Orbi Whole Home Wi-Fi System — Photo:
Lifewire / Jordan Provost

The best mesh Wi-Fi network systems provide high-speed internet connections across larger spaces, are easy to set up and use, and offer expandability.

We researched top models that excel in these areas; here are our recommendations.

Note: Prices are subject to change.

Our Top Picks

Just Buy This:

Asus ZenWiFi XT8 at Amazon $330

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Also Great:

Netgear Orbi 970 at Amazon $2,000

Jump to Review

Easiest on the Budget:

TP-Link Deco X20 at Amazon $180

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Just Buy This

Asus ZenWiFi XT8

PHOTO: Amazon

$330 at Amazon $350 at B&H Photo Video $330 at Newegg.com

TL;DR: Not the newest, but it provides over 5,000 feet of speedy Wi-Fi 6 tri-band coverage, simple setup, and affordable expandability too.

Why We Recommend It

Though the Asus ZenWiFi XT8 isn’t the latest mesh system from the brand, it more than holds its own.

This fast Wi-Fi 6 router has three bands and can support all the devices in a busy household of up to 5,500 square feet or across six rooms.

Pros

Fast Wi-Fi 6 performance
Up to 5,500 square feet of coverage
Expand with additional satellites
User-friendly

Cons

Lacks Wi-Fi 6E and 7 support
Three-packs are less cost effective

While it lacks Wi-Fi 6E and 7 speeds, it should ably support most smartphones, laptops, and streaming devices in your home. It's also backward compatible with Wi-Fi 5 devices too.

It's available as a two-pack (or a single configuration), and AIMesh support allows you to expand your system with compatible routers.

One standout feature of this mesh router system is its simple setup process and user-friendly app, which includes detailed parental controls.

And the privacy and network security tools provided by Trend Micro come built in to the device without requiring additional subscription fees.

Who else recommends it? Publications including PCMag, CNET, and Tom's Guide commend the XT8's performance and user-friendliness.
What do buyers say? Over 60% of Amazon purchasers give the XT8 5 out of 5 stars.

Also Great

Netgear Orbi 970

PHOTO: Amazon

$2,000 $1,999 at Amazon

TL;DR: A pricey but premium Wi-Fi 7 system with a long list of top-tier features.

Why We Recommend It

If cost isn't an issue, the Netgear Orbi 970 offers just about everything you might want in a mesh Wi-Fi system.

Depending on the option you choose, the setup includes one main router and up to two satellites for a potential 10,000 square feet of Wi-Fi 7 coverage for as many as 200 devices at once, and multi-gigabit speeds.

Pros

Outstanding Wi-Fi 7 performance
Supports up to 200 devices simultaneously
Quad-band design reduces congestion issues
Supports the latest security standards

Cons

Cost prohibitive
Some features require subscription

The quad-band configuration provides fends off congestion with a dedicated 5GHz backhaul channel and multi-link operation, which means a device can connect to more than one band to free up space.

The Netgear Orbi 970 system also offer useful security and parental controls, including VPN and other tools through a one-year Netgear Armor subscription.

If you want to maintain this protection, you'll have to re-up the subscription, which adds to the hefty initial cost.

However, if you have the budget, this system is hart to beat for its effectiveness and feature set.

Who else recommends it? Wired and PCMag commend the Orbi 970's coverage and performance but also note the cost could be too prohibitive for many.
What do buyers say? Among the over 4,800 Amazon reviews, over 70% of purchasers give this system 5 out of 5 stars.

Easiest on the Budget

TP-Link Deco X20

PHOTO: Amazon

$180 $160 at Amazon $160 at B&H Photo Video $188 at Newegg.com

TL;DR: Great range at an affordable price, but not a lot of extras.

Why We Recommend It

The TP-Link Deco X20 is an attractive option for folks who want whole-home Wi-Fi for less than $200.

This Wi-Fi 6 system includes three routers and satellites and offers 5,800 square feet of coverage for up to 150 simultaneous devices.

While it lacks a dedicated backhaul channel, it offers 2.4GHz and 5GHz channels to relieve channel congestion.

Pros

Wi-Fi 6 speeds
Budget-friendly
Up to 5,800 square feet of coverage
Easy setup

Cons

Lacks newer Wi-Fi support
No backhaul channels

Like our other favorites, setup is straightforward and the smartphone app is convenient to use. This system also offers detailed parental controls without a subscription fee.

If you want extra protection, though, you could opt for TP-Link Premium HomeShield security system.

Another great perk? These routers are small and understated, making them easy to place throughout your home.

Who else recommends it? Tom's Guide and PCMag also appreciate the Deco X20's value for money, user-friendly app, and impressive range.

What do buyers say? The Deco X20 has over 15,000 ratings on Amazon, garnering an average 4.5-star overall rating. Buyers think it's a great bargain and performer.

How We Chose

When considering the best mesh Wi-Fi network systems, we evaluated the latest releases from top names in the space and our real-life experience with the best mesh routers.

We also considered recommendations from other publications and scoured buyer reviews for user favorites.

We weighed this extensive research against our hands-on use and aimed to bring picks that appeal to various budgets and provide the best overall value.

What to Look For

The first thing to consider when shopping for a mesh Wi-Fi system is to ensure it supports the Wi-Fi standard that matches your devices—and is a little future-proof too.

Specifically, while your devices might not support Wi-Fi 6E right now, your next (or future) smartphone upgrade will.

Along with the Wi-Fi generation, make sure that the system you choose offers the bandwidth and channels that meet your needs.

If you use a lot of devices or do heavy streaming, higher numbers in both categories will offer better support.

Last but not least, look for a system that matches your budget. If you can't splurge for the most feature-rich system, going with a model from a respected brand is a safe bet.

Mesh Wi-Fi Brands We Considered

We looked at models from all the top mesh router brands, including:

Amazon
Asus
Google
Linksys
Netgear
TP-Link
Wyze

FAQ

What’s the difference between a mesh Wi-Fi system and a Wi-Fi extender?

Mesh Wi-Fi systems and Wi-Fi extenders extend the reach of your wireless signal beyond your main router’s range. Mesh Wi-Fi systems are more tightly integrated, with the main and satellite devices expressly designed to work in concert.
Are mesh Wi-Fi systems faster?

Technically speaking, a mesh Wi-Fi system won’t offer better performance than an equivalent standalone router when you’re sitting right beside it. Since speed always falls off due to a weaker signal as you move farther away from your router, mesh systems can make a difference in larger homes.
Do you need to replace your existing router?

In most cases, the answer is yes. Although some mesh Wi-Fi systems can work with existing routers, you’ll generally get better performance and a much better user experience if you use a full mesh Wi-Fi system. If you’re a cable internet subscriber, you’ll still need to hang onto your cable modem.
How fast is a mesh Wi-Fi system?

Since mesh Wi-Fi network systems are uniformly high-end, they are also pretty fast. If your home internet connection isn’t very fast, then there isn’t any benefit to choosing a speedier mesh system over a slower one. You can check your internet connection speed with free speed tests if you aren’t sure what it is.