Best Wi-Fi 6 mesh routers in 2023

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

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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 the top Wi-Fi 6 mesh routers you can upgrade to in 2023

The Asus ZenWiFi XT8 is a solid mesh router with speedy performance and an extensive range. It also packs a lot of free features with AiProtection Pro (powered by Trend Micro) that are rare on other routers or require a paid subscription. The service is 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

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, so you can add any compatible router as an additional node to the mesh network to expand it further.

For the best-in-class experience, the Netgear Orbi RBKE960 series gets you everything that you can ask for from a mesh router kit. Its range is some of the greatest we’ve seen on mesh systems, with each unit covering up to 3,000 sq. ft. of area. All your connectivity woes can be easily addressed with its two-pack variant, but you can always add more units to expand the coverage to all the floors and even your lawn. But the greatest benefit of this model is its support for Wi-Fi 6E’s third 6GHz band, which helps decongest the network for supported client devices.

The Orbi RBKE963 comes with a dedicated band for wireless backhaul, allowing the main three bands to stay available for your use. But there is a 2.5GbE Ethernet port on the back as well that you can use for wired backhaul or connecting your devices. And if that isn’t enough, the router can take an internet connection of up to 10Gbps, making it the most future-proof mesh system out there. We just wish Netgear didn’t require you to pay extra for its paywalled features considering the hardware already comes with a hefty price tag.

If you are looking for something on a budget to fill your home with reliable Wi-Fi signals, the Deco X55 could be a perfect fit. With a two-pack, you can cover an area of about 4500 square feet, making the mesh system suitable even for two-storied houses. A good thing is that each node comes with three gigabit LAN ports, and you can use them for wired backhaul for an even more solid connection between each router point. This will come in handy if you want to make the most of your speedy internet connection and improve any latency issues.

The TP-Link Deco X55 is also a great addition to your smart home, considering it can easily work with dozens of connected devices. And this router comes with plenty of smart features, ranging from the support for Alexa for quick voice controls to the bundled HomeShield conveniences, like security scans and basic parental controls. You can pay $6 per month for the Pro subscription to unlock even more advanced options for extra network protection or give your children time rewards.

You can finally use the Amazon Eero 6+ with your gigabit connection, which is double what its predecessor supported. So, you don’t need to spend a lot of money on a high-end mesh system to work with your high-speed home internet. Much like most Eero routers, this model also comes with Zigbee built in, saving you from setting up a dedicated hub for your smart home devices. And since it comes from the house of Amazon, it integrates well with Alexa.

In our review, we found the wireless performance of this mesh system to be impressive across the house. You can get a three-node system to cover an average-sized home with solid reception. The Eero 6+ improves the movie streaming performance by reducing the delay, but there was some latency when streaming an online game. Amazon makes up for it with a clean phone app that is easy to use without needing to mess with complicated web interfaces.

These tower-shaped mesh routers from TP-Link don’t cost a bomb but still give you access to the latest mainstream tech in-home Wi-Fi. With the Deco XE75, you can add a third 6GHz band to your home network for devices with critical workloads, like your office laptop — or even your gaming console because game time is as important! The 6GHz band is typically way less congested than the traditional 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. And if you have multiple mesh router units spread strategically across your entire house, you will get a better range with this new band as well.

TP-Link has included three gigabit ports on each node, so you have plenty of LAN ports accessible for home use, though you can always hook a switch to add more Ethernet ports. The router cannot handle anything above a gigabit connection, which is acceptable for a product of this class. But the company could’ve still included a 2.5GbE port for offline wired connections, like for a network storage unit. Being a Deco-branded router, there is a separate Deco app for setting up and managing the system. In addition, you have access to TP-Link’s HomeShield features with the paid Pro upgrade.

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 using the companion app or the web interface.

If you have a high-speed connection in your apartment, you can upgrade to the Netgear Nighthawk MK72 to make the best of your gigabit internet. You will appreciate upgrading to this router when you have an important Zoom call to take while someone is streaming a 4K movie on Netflix in the living room. The Nighthawk MK72 will give a seamless experience to both users. In fact, handling a lot of connected devices is a breeze for this router, given homes are now filled with tons of smart lights, outlets, curtains, and whatnot.

Since the Nighthawk MK72 is available only in a two-pack, it is suitable for an area of 3,000 square feet, enough for average size homes and apartments. And it helps that the router has a discreet design and won’t be an eyesore on a living room shelf. However, we wish Netgear had included more LAN ports on all units and opened up more parental and QoS controls to the users who aren’t paying for Netgear Armor.

Although “Pro” may suggest a professional-grade router, the Nest Wifi Pro is far from that. Instead, it’s an entry-level Wi-Fi 6E mesh router for users who don’t want to deal with complicated router settings 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 competitor offers.

You get three wireless bands: 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz. 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 port 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.

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. 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 an ideal 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.

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 1,500 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.

Should you consider a wired backhaul?

Mesh router nodes typically rely on a wireless backhaul network to “talk” to each other and seamlessly hand off your client devices from one node to another as you move around the house. But as with everything wireless, the backhaul connection may not always be dependable, especially when two units are too far apart or if there is no dedicated band for backhaul.

By connecting your mesh system’s nodes with a high-speed Ethernet cable, you can make the backhaul more reliable with theoretically zero latency. At the same time, you will free up the 5GHz band (if a dedicated backhaul band isn’t available) for your own use.

You can lay a high-speed Ethernet cable across your house to connect the nodes and say goodbye to your network issues caused by an iffy wireless backhaul connection. To ensure your wired connection is future-proof, you should go for a Cat 6 or higher Ethernet cable, preferably one that supports up to 10Gbps transmission speed, so you don’t have to upgrade it for a good few years.

Additionally, make sure the mesh router of your choice has enough LAN ports on each unit. There should be spare ports even after accounting for wired backhaul for connecting devices like your gaming console or a NAS over a LAN cable.

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 AX5400 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 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. It is a complete package and will fit the bill for most users. But if you need more, you can always go with the Netgear Orbi RBKE963 or save some cash with the TP-Link Deco X55.