Best WiFi 6 Mesh Systems in 2021 (Reviews and Guide)
Cast your wireless internet net wide at home and get rid of dead zones with these WiFi 6 mesh systems.
With work from home arrangements becoming the norm all around, and just as important as gaming or streaming, you need to invest in the best wireless internet solution that beats dead zones, which is where WiFi 6 mesh systems come in.
So, if you have had enough of the dead spot and poor internet access in some parts of your big home, it might be time to replace your conventional router with a mesh system designed to offer the best wireless internet access throughout your home at blazingly high speeds. The mesh systems feature a multi-node system that allows for high-speed internet access from all the mesh units in your home. All the nodes deliver the same high-speed internet, meaning you don’t have to worry about the secondary nodes running at a slower speed.
The WiFi 6 mesh system offers the best wireless speeds, and they boast a high capability, allowing you to stream in HD, game online, and hold countless video conferences seamlessly.
Note that the high speeds of these mesh systems, specifically the WiFi 6 systems, stems from the fact that this wireless network is a replacement of the older wireless standard, WiFi 5, or the 802.11ac wireless standard. WiFi 6 or the 802.11ax wireless standard is, expected faster, and the best part is that the mesh systems based on this standard boast some of the most advanced technologies. And as newer devices are developed based on this standard, you can now look forward to the fastest internet connections across most of your devices. WiFi 6 wireless systems are also backward compatible, and this means that you can enjoy the blazing high speeds with older devices.
So, which are the best WiFi 6 mesh routers?
Table of Contents
Best WiFi 6 Mesh Systems – Comparison Table
Best WiFi 6 Mesh Systems |
Best for |
Price |
Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) |
Best Overall WiFi 6 Mesh System |
|
NetgearOrbi RBK852 WiFi 6 |
Best Mesh System offering Excellent Range |
|
Netgear Nighthawk MK63 |
Best WiFi 6 Mesh System for Streaming |
|
NETGEAR Nighthawk Whole Home Mesh WiFi 6 System (MK62)– |
Best Gaming WiFi 6 Mesh System |
|
Linksys Velop AX MX10 |
Best High-Speed Mesh System |
Reviews of the Best WiFi 6 Mesh Systems
-
Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) – Best Overall WiFi 6 Mesh System
- Maximum Range : 5500 Sq Ft
- Banish WiFi Dead Zone—Tri-band mesh WiFi system with unique antenna placement delivers strong WiFi to...
This tri-band WiFi 6 mesh system is one of the best mesh systems on the market for anyone looking for the fastest internet connections. This mesh system offers cutting edge technological features allowing you to experience blazing fast internet speed, hence the best next-level internet performance.
It is a robust whole-home mesh WiFi system delivering speedy maximum throughputs, along with some of the best anti-malware firmware, the toughest parental controls, and a high-performance 2.5G LAN port. The tri-band system allows you to enjoy the best streaming performance, and if you are a gamer, you will enjoy fast gaming speeds.
Some of the features behind the impressive performance of this mesh system include the 1024QAM feature, OFDMA for multiple device connectivity, 802.11ax technology for fast connectivity, MU-MIMO for simultaneous streaming across devices, as well as beamforming that ensure optimal device connectivity. All these features, along with the tri-band network setup, allow you to enjoy high speeds of up to 6600Mbps, with one of the 5GHz bands delivering speeds of upto4804Mbps, the other 5GHz band running at 1201Mbps, and the 2.4GHz band running at 574Mbps.
The overall performance of this mesh system is also enhanced by the 1.5GHz quad-core processor, along with the fact that each node comes with six internal antennas that boost its performance. The processor features 512MB RAM and 256MB memory.
By combining the latest WiFi plus mesh network technologies, you get to eliminate dead zones in your home. It is also easy to install, and thanks to Trend Micro that powers the Asus mesh system, you will enjoy the best network security, as well as parental controls.
This mesh system boasts a large coverage for spaces up to 5,500sq/ft, with each node covering an area of 2750sq/ft.
Pros
- Advanced security features
- Excellent performance
- MU-MIMO for multiple device usage
- Gigabit WAN
- Adaptive QoS
- Traffic analyzer for traffic prioritization
- High-speed performance
- 5G WAN
Cons
- Pricey
-
NetgearOrbi RBK852 WiFi 6 – Best Mesh System offering Excellent Range
- Coverage up to 5,000 sq. ft. and for up to 100 devices. Extend coverage up to 2,500 sq. ft. with each...
- Ultrafast AX6000 gigabit speed with WiFi 6 technology for uninterrupted streaming, HD video gaming, and...
Netgear is one of the biggest brands of home mesh and wireless router systems, and this Orbi mesh system offers the best range, which makes it an excellent option if you need a whole home network system. Speaking of range, this whole home network boasts coverage of up to 5000sq/ft.
It promises super high speeds, and it comes with a number of features all there to ensure the best connectivity. It offers support for at least 60 devices, and the 802.11ax wireless protocol means that you will enjoy speeds of up to 6bps. It is an ultra-performance 2-pack mesh system with one primary mesh system and a single satellite node for the best performance. The high-speed connectivity of this mesh system means that you can use this mesh system for intensive activities like streaming and gaming.
Unlike other tri-band mesh systems with two dedicated 5GHz bands, this mesh system features a tri-band backhaul that is dedicated to creating a channel between the Orbi main router and the satellite node. This backhaul frees up the two other bands, allowing you to enjoy even higher connection speeds for your devices. The mesh system allows you to enjoy 2.5Gbps speeds, hence the best performance.
It is easy to set up, use, and manage, and you can easily manage your WiFi settings from the network and the device level.
The wired Ethernet ports ensure wired connections to your gaming console and computers, and gamers can stream with ease. The 5 gigabit Ethernet ports and the 1 Gigabit port will ensure more reliable connections.
Other features that enhance the performance of this mesh system include MU-MIMO, beamforming technologies, WPA2 security protocols, as well as advanced protection from cyber threats.
Pros
- Simple setup and management
- Excellent range
- High-speed connectivity
- 5Gbps WAN for the best connectivity
- Tri-band system with backhaul dedicated to higher speeds
- 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports
- Beamforming technology for excellent performance
Cons
- Expensive
-
Netgear Nighthawk MK63 – Best WiFi 6 Mesh System for Streaming
Promising a large coverage of up to 4500sq/ft. and with a uniquely designed cubed design, this mesh system offers impressive performance, and it’s an ideal fit for anyone looking for a WiFi 6 mesh system. It comes as a three-pack and easily connects to a maximum of 25 devices for gaming, streaming, and surfing.
It features a single network system and a total of three Gigabit Ethernet ports on the main router and the satellite modules.
You might also like this mesh system because it offers streaming and gaming speeds of up to 1.8Gbps. The performance of this mesh system is enhanced by the new and advanced OFDMA technology, which means that you enjoy the best shared bandwidth at a high level of efficiency.
Pros
- Excellent performance
- 1 Gigabit Ethernet ports
- WiFi 6 wireless technology for the best performance, reduced congestion, and reliable performance
- Remote management made possible by the Nighthawk app
- 11ax dual band system
- Large coverage
- Neat features incorporated, including a guest network
Cons
- Only works for smaller homes up to 2000 sq/ft.
- No parental controls
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NETGEAR Nighthawk Whole Home Mesh WiFi 6 System (MK62)– Best Gaming WiFi 6 Mesh System
- Coverage up to 3,000 sq. ft. and 25+ devices
- Fast AX1800 Gigabit speed with WiFi 6 technology for uninterrupted streaming, HD video gaming, and web...
This Netgear Nighthawk MK62 is a dual-band WiFi 6 router promising the best gaming performance along with a wireless coverage of up to 3000sq/ft. It offers really high connection speeds allowing you to easily collect multiple devices at the same time. It boasts 4 powerful network streams and connections with at least 5 devices for the most reliable performance and HD video gaming.
To ensure that you enjoy seamless gaming performance throughout, this mesh system offers speeds of up to 8Gbps. At these high speeds, you can easily download and stream multiplayer games. It also works well with all internet providers, including satellite fiber DSL. The wired Ethernet ports ensure reliable Gigabit connections. There are two Ethernet Gigabit ports, and these will further enhance the performance of the gaming mesh system. It also allows seamless roaming, and there’s also access to a guest WiFi network for fast internet access.
The other features that stand out from this mesh system include the advanced MU-MIMO technology and the Smart Connect technology, which further boosts the multi-device use of this mesh system and easy device connectivity. There is also the beamforming technology that transmits wireless signals throughout your home. There is also the advanced cyber threat protection feature from Netgear Armor that is powered by BitDefender, which ensures protection from fraud, malware, viruses, ransomware, and phishing.
Pros
- Comes with malware apps as well
- High gaming performance
- Excellent configuration options
- Maximum throughput of about 8Gbps
- 2 Gigabit ports
- Dual-band system
- Supports at least 25 devices
- 4 data streams
- Guest WiFi network
- MU-MIMO and Beamforming technologies
- Allows for seamless streaming
- No dead spots
Cons
- The setup is not the easiest
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Linksys Velop AX MX10 –Best High-Speed Mesh System
- Mesh Wi-Fi router provides next-gen Wi-Fi 6 speeds and whole-home mesh coverage
- Bandwidth for 50plus wireless devices and coverage for homes up to 6000 square feet
If you are looking for a high-speed mesh network system that offers excellent coverage throughout your home, then this Linksys mesh system might be the best option for you.
It is an 802.11ax whole-home mesh system that will ensure zero dead spots/ zones throughout your home. It is a tri-band mesh system that comes with two massive nodes, and one of the bands is the dynamic backhaul system that ensures independent and seamless communication between the nodes, which means that neither of the nodes relies on communication from the primary mesh system. Thanks to the backhaul system and the advanced connections between the nodes, the device offers maximum coverage throughout the house for up to 6000sq/ft.
The mesh system also sports 4 LAN gigabit ports, as well as a USB port, and thanks to all these features, you can enjoy a maximum throughput of up to 5.3Gbps. The ultra-fast coverage and its reliable bandwidth mean that you can use this mesh system for 4K streaming and gaming. You can use this mesh system to connect to at least 50 devices wirelessly, and the tri-band system ensures the best overall performance of the wireless system.
Pros
- 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports for wired connectivity
- Easy installation
- Features USB connectivity
- Excellent overall performance
Cons
- The components are a little too bulky
- No tools for malware protection or parental controls
- Expensive
How to Choose the Best WiFi 6 Mesh Systems
As mentioned above, the best mesh router systems on the market are designed to offer more robust and reliable performance and connectivity to every little corner in your space. These devices have been set up in a way that allows for the 360-degrees broadcast of the wireless signals, which means that you won’t have to worry about dead spots anymore.
But just like wired routers and other electronic devices on the market, the WiFi 6 mesh systems are not created equal, meaning that you need to know what to look for in a mesh router for you to make a perfect choice.
Below, we look at everything you need to know about mesh routers and what you should look for when shopping for a mesh system based on WiFi 6.
What is a mesh router/ network system?
To understand what a mesh network system is and how it works, it’s important to first note that the mesh system is designed to work better than the conventional routers. And unlike the wireless routers, which are designed as single devices that beam the wireless signals, the mesh routers feature a multi-node setup, meaning that you have a number of nodes placed strategically throughout your home to ensure a full and uninterrupted internet coverage. The nodes will cover all the areas previously inaccessible by the wireless router, and this expansive coverage makes the mesh systems ideal for large and busy spaces, as well as homes with multiple devices that need to be connected to stable and uninterrupted internet.
The mesh WiFi system is, therefore, more of a hybrid kind of a network, where there is a main router that connects to the modem, along with a series of satellite nodes/ modules placed throughout the house. In this mesh network setup, each of the satellite nodes serves as the hop point for the other nodes within the network system, allowing the nodes places farthest e from the primary routing system not to rely on the primary node for communications.
Why choose the mesh system?
Besides the high-speed and uninterrupted internet connectivity, the mesh network boasts the easiest setups along with app-based systems for network management. So, you don’t need to be tech-savvy to set up and use these mesh networking system.
What features make the best WiFi 6 mesh systems?
To have a better understanding of these mesh networks, it’s worth noting that the WiFi 6 wireless protocol is the latest wireless protocol on the market, and it is known for the delivery of blazing high internet speeds. Network systems and devices based on this protocol offer excellent performance, especially in crowded areas, they are faster, and they allow for the connection of a larger number of devices. Thanks to the power, speed, and overall performance of these networks, you can use the WiFi 6 networks for intensive activities like gaming and 4K HD streaming.
So, what should you look for in a WiFi 6 mesh system?
Note that with the nodes and routers in mesh systems designed tastefully and internally, you shouldn’t expect the flashing LED indicators from these mesh systems. These mesh network devices will often feature one or two LAN ports to connect to gaming consoles or TVs, and the bulk of the features of these systems are intangible and more of firmware functions.
WiFi 6 mesh systems and routers are also regarded as the best wireless internet devices on the market today because they are capable of delivering high theoretical speeds of up to 5.4Gbps, and others can reach as high as 9.6Gbps.
Overall, the WiFi 6 options give you faster internet speeds, a larger client/device capacity, greater performance, reduced power consumption, and less network congestion.
Features
Radio bands
The best of these mesh systems are multi-band devices that operate on the 2.4GHz and the 5GHz radio bands, and it’s now commonplace to find most of these systems fitted with an additional 5GHz band. The dual or triple-band setup means that you will have a high-speed 5GHz band (s) that offers stronger signals with minimal interference, hence faster higher performance.
MU-MIMO Technology
MU-MIMO technology, also called the multi-user Multiple Input Multiple Output technology is the technology in wireless systems that allows for the simultaneous streaming of data into multiple devices, rather than the traditional sequential streaming.
Band Steering
This is the other unique feature of mesh systems, and it’s set up so that the device selects the least-crowded radio band, automatically, hence the best performance.
OFDMA
(Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access) – this is a technology unique to the WiFi 6 mesh wireless systems, and it is a function that improves the overall throughput of your wireless network by breaking down the existing WiFi channels into many sub-channels, which means that you will have more users on your network, and you don’t have to worry about slower/curtailed performance.
Target Wake Time or TWT
This is the device that allows for a reduction in power usage for your devices.
FAQs
Should I buy a mesh system or a range extender?
If you are looking for a whole-home WiFi solution, especially if you have been struggling dead zones and poor internet access in some parts of your home, you might be looking at WiFi range extenders and mesh systems as your best alternative for extending your signal range. In your search, the first thing that you will notice is that the range extenders are cheaper than the mesh networks. But before you choose the range extender over the mesh system, you need to know that the mesh system, though expensive, promises better performance than the range extenders, they are easier to use, and you are guaranteed coverage throughout the space.
So, with these considerations in mind, it might be a good idea to invest in the WiFi mesh system rather than the WiFi range extender.
Should you trust the stated speeds for the mesh systems?
Well, while the top speeds are a good guide on the performance of the mesh system, it’s important to know that there is a difference between the theoretical and the actual top speeds.
Can I use a WiFi 6 Mesh System for gaming?
Yes. These mesh systems promise the best multi-device performance, and with the reduction in interference, you won’t have to worry about lag time, even as you enjoy even more advanced custom controls.
Conclusion
Mesh networks might be the most expensive home network systems, but they are also some of the best wireless systems for your while home connections. They are easy to use, offer excellent and seamless connections, and most importantly, they are versatile, high-performance, and also the most powerful gadgets for wireless internet access.