5 Best Mesh WiFi for Apple Ecosystem in 2021 (Reviews and Guide)

 Say goodbye to dead zones and poor network connections with one of the mesh WiFi systems below for Apple Ecosystems.

You know that your home’s best mesh WiFi network boasts extensive coverage and high speeds, but knowing this doesn’t necessarily make the search of the best Mesh WiFi network easy.

You can easily make mistakes in your purchase, and no one wants to get home only to realize that the home mesh network purchased doesn’t work with the smart home setup you have going or your Apple devices.

In a bid to make sure that you have the best mesh network for your Apple Ecosystem, we’ve put together a list of top-recommended mesh home networks that work with all Apple ecosystems seamlessly.

Keep reading to learn more about your best options.


Comparison Table: 5 Best Mesh WiFi for Apple Ecosystem

5 Best Mesh WiFi for Apple Ecosystem
Best For
Speed/ Coverage
WiFi Protocol
Price
NETGEAR Orbi RBK50 Tri-band Whole-Home Mesh WiFi System
Best Overall Mesh System
3Gbps

5000sq/ft

802.11ac

Tri-band

NETGEAR Orbi CBK40 Built-in-Modem Whole Home Mesh WiFi System
Best Built-in Home Mesh Network
2.2Mbps

4000sq/ft

802.11ac

Tri-band

eero Pro Mesh WiFi Router (3-Pack)
Best Splurge
550Mbps

6000sq/ft

 

802.11ac

Tri-band

NETGEAR Orbi RBK23 Whole-Home Tri-Band Mesh WiFi System (3-Pack)
Largest Coverage
2.2Gbps

6000sq/ft

802.11ac

Tri-band

Linksys Velop Mesh Router (Tri-Band Home Mesh WiFi System
Easy Setup with Apple Homekit
2.2Gbps

4000sq/ft

802.11ac

Tri-band

 


5 Best Mesh WiFi for Apple Ecosystem

  1. NETGEAR Orbi RBK50 Tri-band Whole-Home Mesh WiFi System – Best Overall Mesh System

NETGEAR Orbi Tri-band Whole Home Mesh WiFi System with 3Gbps Speed (RBK50) – Router & Extender Replacement Covers Up to 5,000 sq. ft., 2-Pack Includes 1 Router & 1 Satellite White
  • Ultra-performance Mesh WiFi network blankets every inch of your home in super fast and seamless WiFi...
  • Eliminates WiFi dead zones and buffering - 5,000 square feet of consistent coverage - with speeds up to...

A smart home connected via a stable WiFi system that offers excellent coverage with absolutely no dead zones is everyone’s biggest dream, especially if you have been struggling to find the best internet access for your 5000Sq/ft. home.

This Orbi whole-home mesh system is one of the best mesh systems on the market, and if your smart home runs on the Apple ecosystem, you will be happy to know that this mesh system will offer the best coverage for the system at all times. It boasts large device connectivity for at least 25 devices, and if you need extra coverage, the mesh system is expandable with an additional Orbi mesh system.

The performance of this mesh system is also unmatched, thanks to the maximum 3Gbps design that’s enhanced by the tri-band backhaul system, which ensures optimal connectivity between the Orbi router and the satellite nodes. The backhaul frees up the two other bands, hence maximum device speeds, because the other two bands are freed up.

It also works with all ISPs, and it promises excellent speeds and performance. Beamforming, Smart Connect, and MU-MIMO technologies further enhance the performance of this router.

You might also like the advanced cyber threat protection features like the Netgear Armor that’s powered by BitDefender. The other security features include Guest Access, Firewalls, VPN, and DoS.

Pros

  • Easy setup
  • Stylish mesh system
  • High 3Gbps speeds
  • MU-MIMO and beamforming technologies
  • It integrates well with the Apple ecosystem
  • 4 Gigabit Ethernet Ports

Cons

  • Not 100% future-proof

View Price on Amazon

  1. NETGEAR Orbi CBK40 Built-in-Modem Whole Home Mesh WiFi System – Best Built-in Home Mesh Network

NETGEAR Orbi Built-in-Modem Whole Home Mesh WiFi System with all-in-one cable modem and WiFi router and single satellite extender with speeds up to 2.2 Gbps over 4,000 sq. feet, AC2200 (CBK40)
  • Delivers seamless internet connectivity and creates a Mesh Wi-Fi network that blankets your home in super...
  • Eliminates Wi-Fi dead zones and buffering — 4,000 square feet of consistent coverage — at speeds up...

This built-in mesh system is designed to work with the Apple ecosystem with ease, and it comes with an all-in-one cable modem/ Ethernet along with the base router and the satellite node for the best connection.

Once connected, the two-pack system works seamlessly and provides remarkable coverage for spaces up to 4000sq/ft. Note that you could use the one-pack system if you live in a 2000sq.ft. space.

Thanks to the cable connection of the mesh system, you enjoy high speeds up to 32X higher than what you’d get from wired systems. The cable connections also mean the highest maximum download speeds. It features a 32×8 channel bonding and DOCSIS 3.0 systems to make this possible.

The performance of this mesh system is further enhanced by the high-speed tri-band design and the fact that it’s based on the 802.11ac protocol, offering high speeds of 2200Mbps. At these speeds from each pack, you get to enjoy exceptional gaming and streaming performance from any spot in your home.

Then you have the 710MHz quad-core processor, which maintains the mesh system’s speeds. There are 4 Gigabit Ethernet speeds for the best wired systems and optimum performance.

Pros

  • Two-in-One cable-modem-router system
  • Impressive high speeds at 2.2Gbps
  • Uses FastLane3 technology for best performance
  • Easy setup
  • Solid performance
  • Saves you money in the long run
  • Extensive, reliable coverage
  • Expandable mesh system
  • Works with Apple systems
  • Flexible connectivity

Cons

  • Expensive

View Price on Amazon

  1. eero Pro Mesh WiFi Router (3-Pack) – Best Splurge

Amazon eero Pro mesh WiFi system - 3-Pack
  • Whole-home WiFi system - The Amazon eero Pro mesh WiFi system (3 eero Pros) replaces the traditional WiFi...
  • eero 2nd generation - With the most intelligent mesh WiFi technology and powerful hardware, the eero 2nd...

Designed for compatibility with Apple HomeKit, this mesh system by Amazon is one of the best mesh networks for most homes. It’s a dual-band mesh system that comes in a set of 3 to replace your traditional router, WiFi booster/ extender, and it’s ideal for use in large homes with five or more bedrooms.

It makes use of the most advanced intelligent mesh technology, hence the mesh system’s top performance and the delivery of two times the speed offered by the original eero mesh systems. It’s a cutting-edge home mesh system that is automatically updated each month, allowing you to enjoy an optimal performance at all times.

TrueMesh technology is the other winning feature of this mesh system as it is designed to leverage the power of multiple wireless points of access, leaving you with the most reliable home access system and the best gaming/ streaming performance.

You might also like this mesh system because of its quick and easy setup, thanks to the intuitive app with a user-friendly interface.

Pros

  • Eero Pro boasts excellent performance
  • Two auto-detecting Gigabit Ethernet ports for connection to the modem and other devices like gaming consoles
  • Reliable tri-band system
  • Apple Homekit-enabled system
  • Best security functions
  • Simple setup

Cons

  • Rather expensive
  • The speeds could be better

View Price on Amazon

  1. NETGEAR Orbi RBK23 Whole-Home Tri-Band Mesh WiFi System (3-Pack) – Largest Coverage

NETGEAR Orbi Tri-band Whole Home Mesh WiFi System with 2.2Gbps speed (RBK23) Router & Extender replacement covers up to 6,000 sq. ft., 3-pack includes 1 router & 2 satellites
  • Tri-band backhaul a dedicated band between your Orbi router and satellite frees up the other two bands...
  • Works with all internet providers replace your existing wi-fi router and extender separate modem or...

If you are looking for a whole-home mesh system that not only works with your Apple ecosystem but also delivers high wireless signals at speeds of 2.2Gbps and extra-large coverage of 6000sq/ft., this Tri-Band three-pack mesh system by NetGear might be what you need.

Its features high-performance features like a tri-band haul, Ethernet ports, parental control, elegant cybersecurity features, and parental controls. And you can use it for HD streaming or gaming.

Pros

  • Parental controls
  • High speeds
  • Reliable performance
  • Largest coverage
  • Ease of use
  • MU-MIMO, Beamforming, and Smart Connect technologies incorporated
  • High-performance tri-band backhaul system

Cons

  • Pricey

View Price on Amazon

  1. Linksys Velop Mesh Router (Tri-Band Home Mesh WiFi System – Easy Setup with Apple Homekit

Linksys Velop Mesh Home WiFi System, 6,000 Sq. ft Coverage, 60+ Devices, Speeds up to (AC2200) 2.2Gbps - WHW0303
  • Apple HomeKit-Enabled
  • Ideal for large, 5plus bedroom multi-story homes (up to 6,000 square feet)

Linksys is the other big brand in the world of mesh network systems, and this 2-pack system might be exactly what you need for the best wireless internet connection throughout your house.

With its Apple HomeKit Compatibility in the works, this system boasts an extensive coverage of 4000sq.ft., which means stable and high-performance internet access for 3 or 5 story homes.

You might like it because of its simple setup, fast and reliable internet connection, and because it connects to all existing home networks effortlessly.

Thanks to its tri-band design, it offers high speeds of 2.2Gbps, broken down into two 5GHz bands at 867Mbps each and one 2.4GHz band at 400Mbps.

Pros

  • Modular mesh system
  • Easily expandable
  • Easy setup
  • Seamless WiFi connectivity
  • Whole-house coverage
  • The Velop nodes work seamlessly
  • Intelligent mesh technology
  • Fast and reliable speeds

Cons

  • Apple HomeKit compatibility, not 100% setup

View Price on Amazon


Ultimate buying guide for best mesh WiFi for Apple Ecosystem

It’s one thing to buy the best mesh network for your home and an entirely different thing for you to invest in the best Mesh WiFi network for Apple Ecosystems. In this section, we’ll look at the latter by considering the features of the best home mesh systems. Device/ network integration and compatibility are essential in the search for elegant home mesh networks, and in this section, we look at everything you need to know about these ecosystems.

But first, the basics.

What is a mesh network?

A mesh WiFi network/ system refers to a wireless home system designed to offer an integrated set of devices or smart home ecosystem a seamless integration at high speeds, and total coverage to the hard-to-reach corners. As long as it is set up well, this network is the ultimate end of dead zones and the highest internet speeds throughout your home.

This network will have a base router and one, two, or even three beacons or satellite connection points that work on a node-based system. This node-based system is also the reason for the device’s ability to provide high, stable, and solid WiFi speeds throughout the house.

The mesh network blankets all the rooms in your home, hence the best connectivity and the subsequent end of buffering or lags when gaming.

Note that these mesh network systems could also be thought of as hybrids because they are made of numerous components for the best networking.

Mesh WiFi Network System – How does it work?

As mentioned above, the mesh system features the main router that will connect to your modem directly plus a series of satellite nodes or modules for maximum throughput. They all share a similar SSID plus password, and unlike WiFi extenders, the mesh systems communicate with the main router via the 5GHz and 2.4GHz bands. The satellite nodes communicate with each other using Mesh Technology.

Note that each node on the mesh network will serve as a hot-point for the other nodes within that mesh system, a function that makes it possible for the nodes positioned farthest from the main router to deliver super-high and strong WiFi signals. The nodes don’t have to rely on one-on-one communications between them and the router.


Considerations before purchase

Design

These mesh WiFi systems look nothing like the traditional router systems, as they come as tastefully designed router and nodes which make use of internal antennas for the best performance.

The design of the mesh networks means that you can place them anywhere in your house without worrying about a bulky and ugly mesh system design or cables running around the house.

 Setup

You want home mesh WiFi systems that boast easy setup procedures and simple app-based management of the network. The good news is that the mesh WiFi networks for the Apple Ecosystem boast easy setup processes and great app management.

The mesh systems come with user-friendly apps that will take you through the installation and the management steps. Once set up, the app will advise you on the positioning of the nodes for the best coverage.

The app further allows you to choose the best WiFi channels and the radio bands for maximum throughput and device performance. And on top of all that, the mesh systems are expandable, and the app will allow for simple expansion.

Speed

This is an important factor for you to bear in mind, especially if you anticipate heavy internet usage via streaming or gaming.

Generally, the best mesh WiFi networks boast high speeds ranging from 3Gbps and 6Gbps. And in most cases, these speeds are the combined maximum speeds from each unit. But working together, they deliver high internet speeds.

Coverage

The best mesh networks boast excellent coverage depending on your needs, and the best part is that you get to expand the system by adding beacons/ satellite nodes. Most of these systems offer coverage ranging from 4000sq/ft. to 6000sq/ft. Although, you can actually expand the coverage to reach areas up to 20,000sq/ft.

Other Features

There are several features incorporated into the best mesh systems, and knowing these features will help you make the best decision regarding the mesh system for use in your home.

Backhaul

This is the side of the mesh network designed to carry data packets back to the base router and out to the internet. Tri-band mesh systems have this feature, and they allow for the dedication of entire wireless networks for backhauling.

The mesh networks also make it easy for the setup of wired backhauls through the connection of the access points to the main router via Ethernet cables. The only catch is that this would call for drilling of holes into your walls and for you to pull the cables through.

Band Steering

Thanks to the app setup of the mesh systems, you can choose the radio band to connect to/ ride-on for good performance. For example, pushing the dual-band system to connect to the less congested 5GHz band would mean faster speeds and better performance.

LAN Ports – these Gigabit Ethernet ports are common in the mesh systems, and they are designed for high-speed wired connections for HD streaming or gaming. Most of these systems lack USB systems.

Multi-band networks and Wireless protocols – there are no single-band mesh systems, and the best mesh WiFi systems operate on the dual-band radio system on the 2.4GHz and the 5GHz bands. These WiFi signals are often transmitted via the 802.11ac wireless protocol, although there are a few that run on the 802.11ax WiFi protocol (WiFi 6).

Technologies – some of the top-rated mesh network system modes boast the best support for MU-MIMO (Multi-User Multiple Input Multiple Output) technologies. This feature enhances data streaming over a large number of wireless clients simultaneously.

The other features you might want to look out for include parental controls, guest networking, as well as options for device prioritization. Look out for firewall settings and the wireless transmission rates too.


FAQs

Are Wireless Mesh Systems Better than Range Extenders for Whole Home WiFi?

If you have a small space, say 2500sq/ft. investing in the best mesh system might not be the best option because most cheap WiFi extenders are capable of providing this coverage. However, if you don’t mind splurging and are in search of the best whole house mesh systems, then you might need the best mesh network. Keep in mind that the best of these mesh systems offer coverage upwards of 5500sq/ft. especially when paired with extra beacons/ nodes.

What is Beamforming?

This feature is present in some mesh networks running on the 802.11ac wireless protocol. The role of beamforming is the improvement of the maximum bandwidth throughput and the utilization of radio signals for higher coverage.

What are Spatial Streams?

Spatial streams refer to the multiplexed signals made possible by MU-MIMO. The number depends on the supported spatial streams, and the method used to determine these streams is used for encoding data, as well as the determination of the channels’ bandwidth, plus the data that could fit in each spatial stream. In this case, a 4×4 WiFi system offers higher bandwidth than a 2×2 bandwidth.


Conclusion

The mesh networks reviewed above are some of the best mesh WiFi systems for the Apple Ecosystem. They are feature-packed, and the best bit is that they are made with some of the best technologies to ensure whole-home WiFi coverage with ease and with no dead zones.

Unlike traditional routers, home mesh networks are expensive. However, the higher price tag promises the best wireless connections with no dead zones or areas with poor connections because the routers and the associated nodes all communicate on the same level and intelligently to ensure the best connectivity and performance.

If you are shopping, the options above are a good place for you to start. Just make sure to take into account features like coverage, speeds, multi-band systems, security, technological features, Ethernet ports, Apple HomeKit compatibility.

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