Gear Up Tough testing, trusted ratings
MESH NETWORK DEVICES
GROUP TEST
Extend your Wi–Fi network to all corners of your home
REVIEWED BY NICK PEERS
ON TEST...
> ASUS ZenWiFi XT9
> Devolo Magic WiFi 6
> eero Pro 6E
> Google Nest WiFi
> Linksys Atlas 6
> Netgear Orbi 750 series
EVER STRUGGLED TO get decent Wi–Fi coverage throughout your home? If you have dead spots in key areas, or your network is overwhelmed with too many devices trying to stream at once, you need a mesh network. This utilizes two or more devices — routers and satellites — to blanket your home in a strong, stable wireless system. Traditionally prices have been prohibitively expensive, but as the technology matures and new options come to market, investing in a mesh network has become increasingly affordable.
In this roundup we’ve taken a selection of systems spanning various budgets and technologies, from older Wi–Fi 5 (or 802.11ac in “old speak”) to newer Wi–Fi 6 and 6E technologies that can deliver blistering speeds at greater ranges than before. We’ve deliberately focused on systems that comprise two devices: a core router and one satellite, designed to boost the signal to a specific dead spot in a regular–sized home.
Read on to discover if mesh is the Wi–Fi network your home has been missing.
How we tested
We tested each system in a three– bedroomed duplex with a 70–yard backyard. We set up each router, explored its features (including security settings) and then installed the free Wi–Fi SweetSpots app on an iPhone to benchmark its performance and range in various areas of the house. We then installed one satellite in two separate locations and benchmarked performance in the same areas as before to see what effect they had on the signal.