Best Wi-Fi 6 mesh routers 2022

The best Wi-Fi 6 mesh routers take whole-home wireless speeds to the next level. Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) has allowed mesh systems to deliver full gigabit speeds quickly throughout a large house by getting even more performance out of the available spectrum. Wi-Fi 6 lets compact routers hit gigabit speeds on their own and over 500Mbps while deployed as a mesh. With more phones than ever, including Wi-Fi 6 support, and families asking more of their internet connections than ever, it’s an excellent time to upgrade to Wi-Fi 6.

What are the best Wi-Fi 6 mesh routers?

With so many ultra-fast Wi-Fi 6 routers available, it’s easy to overbuy. The fact of the matter is, most people don’t need a ton of extra speed. The TP-Link Deco X55 hits the sweet spot with its AX3000 connection and three nodes in the box. This Deco also supports 160MHz connections unlike older models so your devices can make the most of the 5GHz connection.

The second-best option is the Netgear Nighthawk MK62, designed for people who want a compact mesh system with enough speed for most people. A compact router and satellite design allow you to blanket your home in Wi-Fi for great coverage without needing to dedicate a ton of space to each unit.

The TP-Link Deco X90 is one of the fastest and most powerful mesh systems you can get with an AX6600 tri-band connection and great coverage. It’s an excellent choice if you’re looking for a mesh system that can keep up with a high-speed internet connection.

 

TP-Link Deco X55

The best Wi-Fi 6 mesh router overall

Reasons to buy

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Three Ethernet ports per node

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Solid AX3000 connection is plenty for most people

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HomeShield parental controls are a nice bonus

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Compatilbity with older Decos makes expansion cheap and easy

Reasons to avoid

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Dual-band connection means devices must share the 5GHz connecion

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A subscription is required to unlock the full HomeShield featureset

Top speeds: Dual-band AX3000, 2402Mbps @ 5GHz, 574Mbps @ 2.4GHzTop features: 6,500 sq ft. coverage, 3x Ethernet ports per node, 160MHz support, easy setup

TP-Link’s Deco mesh systems are some of the most affordable options available with solid speeds, a good app, and great coverage. The Deco X55 is a compact mesh systems that has a lot in common with the older Deco X60 with an AX3000 dual-band connection, but there are some worthwhile updates that makes the newer model a better pick. First and foremost, the Deco X55 supports 160MHz connections compared to 80MHz on the X60. This allows for a faster connection on supported devices like the high-end Galaxy S22 and PCs.

Around the back, there’s another upgrade with three gigabit Ethernet ports on each node. This makes it easier to keep wired devices online if you’re upgrading from an older network switch. It also allows you to place your node in proximity to a home office or entertainment center so you can use a more reliable wired connection to that device.

The nodes in this kit also have a nice design with a matte-white housing that’s easy to blend in with just bout any room’s décor. This allows users to place the node more optimally in a room rather than trying to hide it.

TP-Link’s mesh systems are set up with the Deco app which is easy to use and guides you through getting set up in just few minutes. You will need to use this app to get set up, so make sure to download it before disconnecting from your old router. TP-Link has included its robust HomeShield package which comes with parental controls and a basic QoS. You can also upgrade it with a subscription to add real time protection and a few extra parental control features.

Bottom line: The TP-Link Deco X55 is a dual-band AX3000 mesh kit with three nodes offering up to 6,500 square feet of coverage. The connection has plenty of speed for most families with 2,402Mbps on the 5GHz band and full access to it thanks to a 160MHz connection.

NETGEAR Nighthawk Whole Home Mesh Wi-Fi 6 System (MK62)

The best value Wi-Fi 6 mesh router

Today’s Best Deals

Reasons to buy

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Small housing

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Modern WPA3 security

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Future expansion with EasyMesh

Reasons to avoid

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AX1800 speeds aren’t much faster than Wi-Fi 5

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Only one Ethernet port for a wired device

Top speeds: Dual-band AX1800, 1200Mbps @ 5GHz, 600Mbps @ 2.4GHzTop features: 3,000 sq ft. coverage, 1 open Ethernet ports per node, easy app setup, Compact nodes

While you give up some speed compared to the larger and more expensive mesh systems, the AX1800 speeds of the Netgear Nighthawk MK62 should be more than enough for most homes. These speeds break down to 1,200Mbps on the 5GHz band, with 600Mbps on the 2.4GHz band. 4K streams should be a breeze, and if you need a few more wired connections, a network switch could connect to one of the gigabit LAN ports available on each router.

Netgear claims these routers can cover a 3,000-square-foot home, and of course, more satellite units could be added down the line. This is helped by compatibility with Wi-Fi Certified EashMesh. EasyMesh is a Wi-Fi standard developed to help ensure future compatibility with mesh products. It’s all brought together with Netgear’s robust Nighthawk app.

The Nighthawk Mesh Wi-Fi 6 System from Netgear takes on compact AC-only mesh systems with compact housing and an understated design. Measuring only 4.8 inches wide and 2.5 inches tall, each router has a smaller footprint than a CD case. This compact design makes this mesh system one of the easiest to integrate into a home.

Netgear’s Nighthawk app is used for management and setup, making it easy to monitor your network usage and add satellites. You can even manage your network remotely if you find you need to add or remove internet connectivity from devices, even when you’re away from home. You can also subscribe to Netgear Armor, which adds internet security from BitDefender and enables more in-depth device controls.

Bottom line: If you want a compact router with more than enough speed for most people, the Netgear Nighthawk MK62 is a solid choice. With a tiny housing, Wi-Fi 6 allows you to get more speed than ever without dedicating a bunch of shelf space to a large mesh node.

TP-Link Deco X90

The best Wi-Fi 6 upgrade

Today’s Best Deals

Reasons to buy

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Fast AX6600 Wi-Fi 6 speeds

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2.5Gbps Ethernet on each node

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Great coverage

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HomeShield parental controls and security

Reasons to avoid

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Large nodes

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Only two Ethernet ports per node total

Top speeds: Tri-band AX6600, 4804Mbps + 1201Mbps @ 5GHz, 574Mbps @ 2.4GHz.Top features: 6,000 sq ft. coverage, 1x Gigabit Ethernet port + 1x 2.5Gbps Ethernet per node, Easy app setup, HomeShield security and parental controls included

The TP-Link Deco X90 is a very fast mesh Wi-Fi router with an AX6600 tri-band connection. The speeds break down to 4804Mbps on one 5GHz band and 1201Mbps on the other. The 2.4GHz band offers an additional 574Mbps for older devices or those that need a little more range. Four antennas provide dedicated coverage, with two more connected to other Decos. With eight streams, each Deco X90 node has plenty of power for just about anything.

A Deco X90 set with two nodes covers up to 6,000 square feet. TP-Link’s AI-Driven Mesh uses the router’s software to provide the best coverage possible, depending on the specific challenge of your home. Still, if you find you need more coverage, the Deco X90 can be expanded with any other Deco router. This means you can use more X90 nodes, other Wi-Fi 6 Decos, or even older Wi-Fi 5 Decos.

With a matte white housing, the X90 nodes don’t stand out too much and really wouldn’t look bad if left visible. Keep in mind, each node only has two Ethernet ports. One is used for internet connection.

The Deco system is easy to set up with the Deco app and only takes a few minutes. HomeShield is included with this system and incorporates parental controls and some security features.

Bottom line: The TP-Link Deco X90 is one of the fastest mesh systems around, with great coverage and a fast mesh link thanks to a tri-band connection. It covers up to 6,000 square feet out of the box and can be expanded with any other Deco router.

Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8)

The best Wi-Fi 6 mesh router for home network security

Reasons to buy

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2.5Gbps WAN port is excellent for a fast NAS

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Fast speeds

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Tri-band setup

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Up to 5,500 square feet of coverage

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Tons of expansion with other Asus routers

Reasons to avoid

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Three LAN Ethernet ports limit wired devices

Top speeds: Tri-band, 1201Mbps + 4804Mbps @ 5Ghz, 574Mbps @ 2.4GhzTop features: 5,000 sq ft. coverage, 3x + 2x Ethernet ports, dedicated 5Ghz backhaul, easy setup

Asus has repeatedly proven its abilities with the ZenWiFi XT8, which features a sleek and reasonably compact design with incredible capabilities. The routers come in white or charcoal colors and have three available Ethernet ports on the back of each.

The ZenWiFi XT8 is capable of wireless speeds up to AX6600 with a tri-band setup.

If you want to expand your mesh, you’ll need an Asus router that supports AiMesh and will be best served by a tri-band Wi-Fi 6 capable router.

AiProtection Pro is an unmatched value in home networking. AiProtection Pro is included for the product’s life and comes with network security using Trend Micro’s official database.

Bottom line: Asus has created one of the best fast tri-band mesh systems and takes it to the next level with good compatibility and included software. AiMesh software allows any AiMesh router to expand the mesh, and free AiProtection Pro adds network security and advanced parental controls.

Amazon eero Pro 6

The best Wi-Fi 6 mesh router for easy expansion

Reasons to buy

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Tri-band Wi-Fi 6 allows for gigabit internet

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Great eero app and software

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Works with all other eeros

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Compact size

Reasons to avoid

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Only two Ethernet ports per eero

Top speeds: Tri-band AX4200, 2402Mbps + 1201Mbps @ 5GHz, 574Mbps @ 2.4GHzTop features: 2,000 sq ft. coverage, 2x Ethernet ports, Expand with any other eero, compact design, eero Secure available

More people than ever are upgrading to gigabit internet. Unfortunately, getting a mesh system fast enough to support it usually means you’ll have to find space for a reasonably large node in several rooms of your house. Eero Pro 6 goes a long way to fix this with its tri-band AX4200 speed in a compact 2.1-inch tall and 5.3-inch wide housing. The rates break down to 2,402 Mbps and 1,201 Mbps on either of the 5GHz bands, with 574 Mbps on the 2.4GHz band. With eight spatial streams, even high-end laptops should be able to make the most of the connection.

Each eero Pro 6 node can cover up to 2,000 square feet, with the three-pack covering 6,000. Like all wireless routers, this can vary greatly if your home has a lot of interference, like dense walls. If you have any older eeros, you can use them to expand your eero Pro 6 mesh, thanks to full compatibility with all eero routers. Keep in mind that in areas where you connect to the slower eeros, your speed will only be as fast as those older eeros.

Eero supports some nice features like IPv6, WPA3, and even port forwarding from the app.

Eero secure is a subscription software suite available on eero systems. The base eero Secure subscription has improved network security, parental controls with content filtering, ad blocking, and even VIP support. For a low monthly rate, this is an excellent package to have, especially if you have students on your network. Eero Secure+ adds antivirus software, a password manager, and a VPN subscription to that for a bit more.

Bottom line: Eero’s fastest router ever enables gigabit mesh speeds thanks to a quick tri-band AX4200 setup. With compact housing and compatibility with all other eeros, this is easy to upgrade an existing eero mesh or create a new one.

TP-Link Deco X20 Wi-Fi 6 Mesh Wi-Fi System

The best value Wi-Fi 6 mesh router with great coverage

Today’s Best Deals

Reasons to buy

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Dual Ethernet on each unit

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Up to 5,800 square feet of coverage

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Easy to conceal

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Modern WPA security

Reasons to avoid

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AX1800 won’t keep up with fiber

Top speeds: Dual-band AX1800, 1200Mbps @5GHz, 575Mbps @2.4GHzTop features: 5,800 sq ft. coverage, 2x Ethernet ports per router, Works with all other Deco models, easy setup

The TP-Link Deco X20 is an excellent value for a Wi-Fi 6 mesh system, especially considering you get three nodes in the box to provide coverage up to 5,800 square feet. In a white cylindrical housing, measuring 4.33 inches in diameter and 4.49 inches tall, it should be easy to find space for these in any room. Inside there are four antennas and powering its AX1800 dual-band connection.

TP-Link Deco routers are compatible with Amazon Alexa and come with TP-Link’s HomeCare software. HomeCare comes with antivirus security for your network and advanced parental controls.

Bottom line: TP-Link’s Deco series is one of the best values for covering a large area. AX1800 will keep up with most standard usage, and dual Ethernet ports on each node make it easy to get your home connected.

Ubiquiti AmpliFi Alien Router

The best Wi-Fi 6 mesh router for remote work

Reasons to buy

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Attractive design with a color display

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Fast tri-band Wi-Fi

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Easy configuration with AmpliFi app

Top speeds: Tri-band, 7685Mbps total capacity, 1148Mbps + 4804Mbps @ 5GHzTop features: 3,000 sq ft. coverage, 4x Ethernet ports, AmpliFi Teleport app, easy setup, attractive design

AmpliFi Alien is a faster router with a ton of great features. For Wi-Fi 6 clients, this breaks down into 1,148Mbps and 4,804Mbps available. You can create a mesh with multiple routers if you need the extra Ethernet ports.

AmpliFi Alien comes in a cylindrical housing measuring 9.84 inches tall with a 4.33-inch diameter. The power and WAN port are located on the bottom, allowing for a perfect wireless-only setup. The four Ethernet ports are located on the back, vertically oriented. On the front of the router is a 4.7-inch touch screen that can show your network information in real-time.

Setting up your AmpliFi mesh is simple with the AmpliFi app. You can manage connected devices and set up family profiles to enable time-managed internet access.

eero 6 dual-band mesh router

The best Wi-Fi 6 mesh router for great software

Reasons to buy

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Great eero app and software

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Compact design

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Works with all other eeros

Reasons to avoid

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Eero 6 Extenders don’t have Ethernet

Top speeds: Dual-band AX1800, 1201Mbps @ 5GHz, 574Mbps @ 2.4GHzTop features: 1,500 sq ft. coverage, 2x (1 for WAN) Ethernet ports, great software experience

Wi-Fi 6 is taking the already solid performance of the eero router up a notch. If you have a studio apartment or small home, eero 6 alone can deliver gigabit Wi-Fi speeds and cover up to 1,500 square feet.

Eero 6 comes in at just 3.91 inches wide and 3.82 inches deep.

Bottom line: Eero 6 brings excellent speed at an affordable price for connections up to 500Mbps. The great eero app lets you add this router to your existing eero mesh or start a new one.

Netgear Orbi WiFi 6 with DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem (CBK752)

The best Wi-Fi 6 mesh router with a built-in modem

Reasons to buy

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Dedicate mesh backhaul

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Fast DOCSIS 3.1 modem

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Works with Orbi RBS750 and RBS850 satellites

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Simplified network setup

Top speeds: Tri-band AX4200, 1400Mbps + 2400Mbps @ 5GHz, 600Mbps @ 2.4GHzTop features: DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem, 5,000 sq ft. coverage, 4x + 2x Ethernet ports, dedicated 5Ghz backhaul, easy setup

If you have cable internet, your ISP probably tried to get you to pay an additional monthly fee for a router that doesn’t deliver great performance. The Netgear Orbi CBK752 is a fast AX4200 Wi-Fi 6 mesh system with a DOCSIS 3.1 modem that can handle the fastest speeds a cable ISP can deliver, with a theoretical max download speed of 10Gbps. The router side offers a fast mesh connection similar to the Orbi RBK752 and even uses the same satellites. That means 600Mbps at 2.4GHz plus 1400Mbps at 5GHz for connected clients with a dedicated 2,400Mbps 5GHz backhaul.

An additional RBS750 satellite will add 2,500 square feet. The base router has four open Ethernet ports, and the satellite has two Ethernet ports. The base router comes in at 9.6 inches tall, 7.7 inches wide, and 3.5 inches deep. The Satellite is more compact, 9.1 inches tall, 7.2 inches wide, and 2.8 inches deep.

The setup uses the Orbi app, allowing easy setup and management. The modem is compatible with all major US cable service providers, and you will need to contact your ISP to activate the modem for use.

Bottom line: Combine your cable modem and router and simplify your mesh network with the Netgear Orbi CBK752. A DOCSIS 3.1 modem can keep up with any cable connection, and an AX4200 Orbi router makes sure you have plenty of coverage for any size home.

Asus ZenWiFi ET8

The best Wi-Fi 6E mesh router

Reasons to buy

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Fast tri-band AX6600 speeds

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Compact nodes

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2.5Gbps Ethernet WAN/LAN on each node

Reasons to avoid

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Not many devices support 6GHz yet

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Slower 5GHz band

Top speeds: Tri-band AXE6600, 574Mbps @ 2.4GHz, 1201Mbps @ 5GHz, and 4804Mbps @ 6GHzTop features: Single or multiple Wi-Fi names, 3x gigabit Ethernet ports, 1x 2.5Gbps Ethernet port, USB 3.1 port, easy setup

The ZenWiFi ET8 from Asus is a compact tri-band mesh Wi-Fi kit with Wi-Fi 6E support. The speeds break down to 574Mbps at 2.4GHz for legacy devices, 1201Mbps at 5GHz for most Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6 devices, plus 4804Mbps at 6GHz for newer devices. On the back are three gigabit Ethernet ports for LAN devices and a 2.5Gbps Ethernet port that can be used for WAN or LAN.

Wi-Fi 6E is an evolution of Wi-Fi 6 with faster speeds and great capacity available at 6GHz.

Asus makes setup easy with a robust app and an in-depth web interface.

Bottom line: The ZenWiFi ET8 is one of the first mesh Wi-Fi 6E routers available, and it’s an excellent fit for many people.

Bottom line

Wi-Fi 6 mesh systems bring features like MU-MIMO and better handling of multiple connections to your whole home. Thankfully, all of these routers support older versions of Wi-Fi to maintain compatibility, with the added benefit of better connections between the base router and satellite units.

Can you make your own mesh?

Something to keep in mind about mesh networks is that pretty much any router with a powerful enough CPU and enough RAM can technically act as a mesh router.

This technology is more promising with Wi-Fi 6 routers, thanks to the improved capacity and speeds over previous generations.