The days of expecting all of your connected devices to work equally well from one wireless access point are officially over. The farther away you are from your router, the slower your signal is going to be. Thankfully, modern science has come up with a solution: a Wi-Fi mesh network system, which uses adaptive signal distribution to optimize speed and stability across dozens of devices and thousands of square feet. PCMag has tested hundreds of mesh network systems, routers, and range extenders, running them through a comprehensive battery of tests for signal strength, speed, ease of setup, and more.
Which mesh Wi-Fi system is best for you? Let’s gather some data points: How large is your home? The more satellites included in a system, the more square footage you’ll be able to cover. Do you have a lot of connected devices? The more devices you have, the more bandwidth, measured in Mbps, you’ll need. You can find a breakdown of which Wi-Fi mesh systems are best suited for your situation in our helpful primer, and then dig the deals below.
Asus ZenWiFiDeal
Let’s open up with a nice 16% price drop on the mesh system that we declared the best option for large homes. In our review of the ZenWiFi BQ16 Pro, we noted that it not only excelled in performance, but also packed a serious load of features and ports. With just two units, you get 8,000 square feet of coverage, which beats most three-node systems. It tested magnificently, returning speeds of 2,917Mbps in close proximity tests and 855Mbps at 30 feet, both significantly better than competing models. At retail price, this is a bit of a stretch, but with a discount it’s worth the splurge.
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Netgear Orbi Deal
For an extremely affordable way to get into mesh networking, this $150 discount on a consistently good Netgear setup is quite attractive. The Orbi 660 consists of a trio of nondescript nodes that deliver solid Wi-Fi 6 connectivity, with maximum speeds of 3.8 gigabits per second across up to 75 devices and 6,600 square feet of space. Wired connections abound as well, with seven total 1G Ethernet ports across the three nodes. Setup is a breeze, and it comes with a 30-day free trial of Netgear’s security tools. You can compare it to the other entries on our rundown of the best mesh networks to see how it stacks up.
Eero Deal
Amazon’s eero brand is one of the most consistently updated mesh networking lines on the market, pushing out new nodes as bandwidth opens up. The Pro 6E isn’t the newest model they offer, but it’s a very solid option for most needs. In our 2023 review, we gave it an “Excellent” rating, noting that the three-node set delivered multi-gig connectivity, fast throughput, and seamless integration with tons of smart home devices thanks to a built-in Zigbee radio. Each node covers around 2,000 square feet, and setup is a breeze with the mobile app. Note that advanced anti-malware and parental controls do require a separate paid subscription. Right now you can snag a 16% discount on this set.
Recommended by Our Editors
TP-Link Deal
Here’s another dual-node Editors’ Choice winner from TP-Link, and in our review we praised the BE63’s “superb throughput and signal strength,” thanks to exceptional hardware and software. It benchmarked exceptionally in all of our tests, both short and long-range, and the presence of four wired ports on each node lets you connect with the lowest possible ping. The inclusion of TP-Link’s HomeShield network security and parental control software is an added bonus at no extra cost. Support for both Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands is cool. Amazon has it on sale for 23% off.
More Mesh Network Deals
*Deals are selected by our commerce team
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Best Wi-Fi Mesh Network System Deals at Amazon
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Best Wi-Fi Mesh Network System Deals at Newegg
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Best Wi-Fi Mesh Network System Deals Walmart
What Is a Wi-Fi Mesh System?
Mesh Wi-Fi systems (or mesh Wi-Fi routers) are designed to extend the range of your wireless coverage. These systems consist of several networking components: a main router, which connects directly to your modem, and a series of satellite modules, or nodes, placed throughout your house. They are all part of a single wireless network, and they share the same SSID and password.
Which Is Better: A Wireless Mesh Router or a Range Extender?
Wi-Fi systems are user-friendly. Thanks to a companion app, they are a snap to set up and manage. Mesh systems offer whole-house coverage, and they provide seamless room-to-room roaming over a single network. On that second point, wireless extenders, in contrast, tend to require you to reconnect from network to network as you move in and out of range of the base router or the extender. For more about the differences between these two technologies, check out our explainer, Wi-Fi Range Extender vs. Mesh Network: What’s the Difference.
Do Wi-Fi Mesh Systems Support Wi-Fi 6?
Most do, and it’s the minimum Wi-Fi version you should look for on a Wi-Fi mesh system. Wi-Fi 6 (also called 802.11ax) offers fast throughput speeds (up to 9.6Gbps), low network congestion, and excellent range performance. However, if your budget allows, you should consider springing for a Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7 system. The cutting-edge Wi-Fi 7 standard promises even better performance than those that preceded it, and it’s backward-compatible, too.
What Is the Best Wi-Fi Mesh System to Buy?
That depends on your budget and individual connectivity needs. The Asus ZenWiFi BQ16 Pro is our current overall top pick for Wi-Fi mesh systems, while the TP-Link Deco BE63 is our pick for the best budget option. For even more details and options, check out our guide to the best Wi-Fi systems we’ve tested.
What Are the Best Deals on Wi-Fi Mesh Systems?
Expect to spend around $200 on a budget Wi-Fi 6 system for use in a smaller house with few devices, around $500 for a mainstream mesh kit, and $750 and up for a high-end Wi-Fi 7 option. If you find a well-rated system that’s cheaper than these guidelines, jump on it!
Do Wi-Fi Mesh Routers Go on Sale During Prime Day or Black Friday?
Yes. Mesh systems are typically frequently discounted but often receive their deepest discounts during these sales events. Plus, Amazon owns Eero, one of the leading mesh systems manufacturers. So, you should expect exceptional deals on these award-winning systems during Amazon Prime Day.
Are There Bundle Deals on Multiple-Node Systems?
Yes. Mesh systems get cheaper on a per-node basis the more nodes you buy. However, you should first determine how many nodes your house actually needs rather than buying a three-piece system because it’s a better per-node deal than a two-piece one. A good rule of thumb is to match your home’s square footage with the manufacturer’s rating for a given system, then add a node if you have thick walls, live in a dense neighborhood, have lots of small rooms, or have other similar situations.
About Our Experts
K. Thor Jensen
Contributing Writer
Experience
K. Thor Jensen is a writer and cartoonist living in the Pacific Northwest. He has contributed to dozens of prestigious outlets, including PCMag, Tested, Clickhole, and Newsweek. His second graphic novel, Cloud Stories, was released in 2017.
Tom Brant
Deputy Managing Editor
Experience
I’m the deputy managing editor of the hardware team at PCMag.com. Reading this during the day? Then you’ve caught me testing gear and editing reviews of laptops, desktop PCs, and tons of other personal tech. (Reading this at night? Then I’m probably dreaming about all those cool products.) I’ve covered the consumer tech world as an editor, reporter, and analyst since 2015.
I’ve appeared on CBS News, in USA Today, and at many other outlets to offer analysis on breaking technology news.
Before I joined the tech-journalism ranks, I wrote on topics as diverse as Borneo’s rainforests, Middle Eastern airlines, and Big Data’s role in presidential elections. A graduate of Middlebury College, I also have a master’s degree in journalism and French Studies from New York University.
Jade Chung-Lee
Merchandising Associate
Experience
When she isn’t perusing online stores for deals, Jade enjoys playing video games (mostly JRPGs and roguelikes), sorting board game components neatly into containers, and building Gundam models. Her love of electronics has persisted through her youth and has resulted in a collection of gaming peripherals including keyboards and controllers, scale figures, and art work. Jade lives in blissful harmony with her wife, cat, and two chinchillas—as well as a host of houseplants.
