If your single Wi-Fi router struggles to deliver dependable wireless connectivity through your home, it’s time to upgrade. And the best way to ensure that you never have to deal with Wi-Fi dead spots or coverage issues is to get a mesh networking kit. Mesh routers provide better coverage and performance by using multiple nodes to create a seamless network, which is why many of them are also featured in our best Wi-Fi 6 router recommendations. Moreover, you can easily upgrade them to cover more area by adding another node.
With Wi-Fi 5 or 802.11ac quickly becoming a thing of the past, it’s best to pick a Wi-Fi 6 mesh router to be future-proof. Wi-Fi 6 offers improved performance and faster speeds, making it an ideal choice for those who need a robust network that can handle a heavy workload.
Here are our recommendations for the best Wi-Fi 6 mesh routers you can buy today.
The Asus ZenWiFi XT8 is a solid mesh router with speedy performance and an extensive range. It also packs some free features that are rare on other routers or require a paid subscription. For example, you get AiProtection Pro, which is powered by Trend Micro. It's completely free and gives you anti-malware protection and parental controls.
The ZenWiFi XT8 is easy to set up, and you can choose to have three separate networks (two on the 5GHz band and one on the 2.4GHz) or a single network that automatically switches between the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. Each ZenWiFi node comes with three Gigabit Ethernet ports for wired connectivity if you want lower latency for gaming, video conferencing, or other activities. In addition, the mesh router supports the company's AiMesh technology, so you can add any compatible router as an additional node to the mesh network to expand it further.
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Netgear's Orbi lineup is known for some of the best mesh networking systems, and the Orbi RBK852 is no exception. It's an impressive mesh router that provides super-fast connectivity, effortless setup, and parental controls. So if you have a gigabit internet connection and no budget constraints, this is the mesh router to get.
The two-pack mesh networking kit comes with a router and a satellite, each featuring four gigabit Ethernet ports for wired networking. The router also includes a 2.5 gigabit Ethernet port for the internet service input. Additionally, it's a tri-band mesh router like the Asus ZenWiFi AX XT8, so you get two 5GHz bands and one 2.4GHz band.
In other features, the router comes with built-in cybersecurity protection from Bitdefender. However, even though the RBK852 is expensive, its security software requires a paid subscription after the 30-day trial.
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You don't necessarily need to spend big bucks to get a Wi-Fi 6 mesh system, and the Netgear Nighthawk MK62 is a prime example of this. It offers reliable Wi-Fi performance and comes with a built-in security solution. However, you need to shell out for a subscription if you want to keep using the security software beyond the trial period.
You get a router and a satellite in the base two-pack kit, which is good for around 3,000 square feet. But if you need to cover a wider area, you can pick up a three-pack kit or add more satellites as required.
Netgear had to make some sacrifices to keep the costs down. One of these sacrifices is the presence of a single Ethernet port for wired connectivity on each satellite. If you need more ports, you will have to pick a network switch or another mesh router. Additionally, unlike the more expensive mesh routers, the MK62 is a dual-band router, so there is no third 5GHz band.
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Amazon's Eero 6 is another excellent option for a budget Wi-Fi 6 mesh router. It provides fast connectivity, a fantastic range, and ease of use. One thing that sets the Eero 6 apart from most other mesh routers is its ability to function as a Zigbee smart home hub. So you can easily connect and control all compatible smart home devices.
It's also a dual-band router like the Nighthawk MK62, and you get a router and a satellite in the two-pack kit. Additionally, you can opt for online threat protection, content filters, ad-blocking, and more by choosing Eero Secure or Secure+ paid subscription.
The satellite units of the Eero 6 don't come with an Ethernet port, and you only get one Ethernet port for wired connectivity on the router unit. So if you plan to connect a gaming console or smart TV directly from the mesh router satellite using Ethernet, you should look at one of our other recommendations.
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The TP-Link Deco X4300 Pro is a solid mid-range mesh router for large homes. It replaces the Deco X60 on this list, and its three-pack can cover an impressive 7,000 square feet. But the real highlight of the router is the inclusion of a 2.5Gbps Ethernet port that you can use to plug in your Gigabit internet connection and then distribute it across your home.
Apart from the multi-gig port, you get two Gigabit Ethernet ports that are great for bringing low-latency internet to your PC, gaming console, and other critical devices. Unfortunately, like the Deco X60, it's also a dual-band router, so there is no dedicated band for wireless backhaul. But you can still use a wired backhaul.
Lastly, you will be happy to know that the X4300 Pro also comes with free access to TP-Link's HomeShield solution, which includes anti-malware network protection, parental controls, and Quality of Service (QoS) options.
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Besides its ZenWiFi XT8 mesh kit, Asus offers the ZenWiFi XD5 as an affordable Wi-Fi 6 mesh router for consumers who don’t wish to spend north of $500 on their mesh purchase or have a sub-gigabit internet connection. The XD5 is a reliable mesh system, and you can get its three-pack for well under $300, which will cover up to 5,000 sq. ft.
In other highlights, each unit of this dual-band mesh router comes with two gigabit LAN ports for wired networking, and one of these doubles as a WAN port. While XD5’s feature set isn’t as expansive as the XT8, you still get more than the essentials, such as QoS support, wired backhaul, network protection, parental controls, VPN support, and guest networking. AiMesh technology is also available if you want to connect another AiMesh-enabled router to your mesh setup. Finally, it’s pretty easy to set up.
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The Linksys Atlas Pro 6 is another excellent mid-range option for anyone looking to upgrade to a mesh solution for a large home. While it's not very cheap, it's still more affordable than many other options on the market. In addition, the router delivers speedy and reliable performance, and its three-pack can cover solid 8,100 square feet of area.
The company has managed to keep costs down by opting for dual-band Wi-Fi instead of tri-band Wi-Fi on more expensive mesh routers. So both the wireless backhaul traffic and the regular internet traffic use the 5GHz band. Luckily for you, there are three LAN and one WAN port so you can have wired backhaul for better performance and plug-in devices for wired connectivity.
As each node supports up to 30 devices, you can connect up to 90 devices with its three-pack, which is sufficient for most homes. And installation is seamless thanks to an easy-to-use Linksys app.
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The Netgear Orbi RBK752 shares many features with the Orbi RBK852 but costs almost half. You get the same 5,000 square feet range for the two-pack. But it's marginally slower and supports only 40 devices, compared to RBK852's 100 devices. Still, the RBK752's Wi-Fi connection speeds will be more than enough for most people.
The Orbi RBK752 features three Gigabit Ethernet ports on the router unit and two Gigabit Ethernet ports on the satellite. So you have a decent number of ports for wired connections if you want. Moreover, the Netgear mesh router is easy to set up and comes with parental controls and paid security software.
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Although not as fast as our Editor's Choice or Premium Pick, the Linksys Velop MX8000 has a lot going for it. It offers a wide coverage area, three Gigabit Ethernet ports, tri-band Wi-Fi, and support for over 80 devices. One of the highlights of the router is its support for Apple HomeKit, which will allow you to control the activity of your smart home accessories. This can help protect your smart home devices from attacks and snooping over the internet.
The Velop MX8000 also features a USB port, which can turn a connected drive into networked storage. However, no built-in antivirus feature exists, but you get parental controls.
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Primarily known for its affordable smart home products, Wyze entered the mesh router business in late 2022, and its first mesh networking kit — the Wyze Mesh Router — is pretty good for a budget Wi-Fi 6 option. You can get it in single, two-pack, and three-pack options, with a single router capable of serving up to 1500 sq. ft. area.
Like the Asus ZenWiFi XD5, each dual-band Wyze Mesh Router unit also features two WAN/ LAN ports. Other features include parental controls, wired backhaul for faster connectivity on satellite units, and network security. Plus, you can install it pretty easily using the company’s app, which also gives you access to most of the basic router settings. Lastly, each router can support up to 50 connected devices.
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Unlike our other recommendations, the Amazon Eero Pro 6E is a Wi-Fi 6E router. So, in addition to the various benefits offered by Wi-Fi 6, it also includes a 6GHz band that can deliver ultra-fast connectivity to compatible devices but has a relatively smaller range than the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands.
The Eero Pro 6E offers excellent performance and is a great option for homes with a gigabit or faster connection. Like the Deco X4300 Pro, it packs a 2.5Gbps auto-sensing port that you can use as a WAN or LAN port, as required. In other features, its two-pack can cover up to 4,000 square feet and connect to over 100 devices. Thanks to the support for Thread and Zigbee devices with Alexa, you can also use it as a smart home hub.
Moreover, it's painless to set up and use, making it a perfect option for people who aren't savvy enough to tweak their router settings or don't want to make an effort.
While there is a lot to like in the Eero Pro 6E, it lacks a dedicated wireless backhaul band, includes only two Ethernet ports per node, and requires a paid subscription to access parental controls, network security software, and more. That said, you can still use a wired backhaul, but that'll leave you with just one port for wired connectivity.
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Although “Pro” in the name of Nest Wifi Pro may suggest a professional-grade router, it’s far from that. Instead, it’s an entry-level Wi-Fi 6E mesh router that targets consumers who don’t like or know how to tweak various router options and prefer a no-frills option. It’s also the first router in the company’s portfolio to offer faster speeds than Wi-Fi 5.
The router looks good, and you can choose from four color options to match the aesthetics of your home. In addition, Google promises a coverage area of around 2,200 sq ft per node, which aligns with what its competitors offer.
You get three wireless bands: 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz, the last of which also works as a wireless backhaul. Plus, there are two Gigabit LAN/ WAN ports per node that you can use for a wired connection to your devices or a wired backhaul. Unfortunately, as the Ethernet post is limited to gigabit speeds, the mesh router is only suitable for sub-gigabit connections.
Otherwise, the Nest Wifi Pro delivers consistent performance and reliable speeds. It’s also easy to set up, and everything is managed within the Google Home app.
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The TP-Link Deco X20 is in the same league as the Eero 6 and Nighthawk MK62. It's an affordable Wi-Fi 6 mesh router that delivers a dependable Wi-Fi experience. The X20 is easy to set up, and its base two-pack can cover up to 4,000 square feet, which is quite good. You can use a three-pack or pick up additional nodes to extend coverage.
Like the X60, the Deco X20 also has the built-in antivirus, parental controls, and traffic optimization options as a part of the HomeCare solution. Plus, it's a dual-band router, so there is no dedicated wireless backhaul. As a result, the speeds drop when you are connected to satellite units. But you can choose to plug in an Ethernet cable between the router and satellite nodes for faster speeds.
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The right Wi-Fi 6 mesh router for you
With so many excellent Wi-Fi 6 mesh routers on the market, it can be tricky to pick one. But that doesn’t mean you should just go for any mesh router. As each home is different, not every mesh router will suit you. That said, you can find the best mesh router for you by considering factors like coverage, Wi-Fi speed, Ethernet ports, and price.
A mesh kit’s coverage is one of the most important features to look for, as you are most likely purchasing the mesh router to resolve your Wi-Fi coverage issues. Remember, the coverage reported by the manufacturers doesn’t always materialize in the real world, as it’s calculated in ideal situations. Furthermore, if you aren’t entirely sure whether a mesh kit will cover your entire property, you can start conservatively and add more nodes if needed.
It’s also a good idea to keep your connection speed in mind while picking a mesh router. There is no need to shell out for a premium kit if you have a sub-gigabit connection with no immediate plans to upgrade. Something with AX1800 bandwidth is good enough for internet speeds up to 150Mbps. And you can go AX3000 or AX4000 for speeds up to 500Mbps.
In other features, mesh router nodes with built-in Ethernet ports help bring low-latency wired internet to devices like a gaming console or your work computer. You can also use these ports for a wired backhaul for consistent speeds across the home.
Our editor’s choice, the Asus ZenWiFi AX XT8, is an excellent option to start your search for a Wi-Fi 6 mesh router. It has a wide coverage area, offers fast connectivity, and is easy to set up. But if budget constraints don’t limit you, the Netgear Orbi RBK852 is the mesh router to pick. It’s among the fastest mesh routers on the market. People looking for something a little more affordable can’t go wrong with Netgear Nighthawk MK62. It delivers good performance and has a decent range.
Conclusion on Best Wi-Fi 6 mesh routers in 2023
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