The best mesh routers: Expert recommended

Our top pick for the best mesh Wi-Fi system of 2024 is the Amazon Eero Max 7 mesh Wi-Fi system. The speed, coverage, and signal strength are excellent, and Amazon says the router will support the upcoming Wi-Fi 7 standard.

However, if you're not sure, there are other options to consider, as listed below for three packs.

The size of your home or office building is the key factor in choosing a mesh system. The good news is that even less expensive mesh systems that still use older Wi-Fi 5 networking protocols are fast enough to cope with Zoom calls, music, video, and gaming.

However, more expensive Wi-Fi 6 systems can offer increased speed and are more efficient at streaming data to multiple connected devices simultaneously. Therefore, Wi-Fi 6 systems provide greater speed and are the best option for homes or offices with lots of computers, mobile devices, and IoT devices that are in daily use.

While you are deciding what new mesh Wi-Fi router you want to purchase, you should keep the following factors in mind:

• Speed and stability: While you are making your choice, consider the speed you want. If you don't intend to stream or play high-performance games, you might not need the best potential bandwidth on offer -- and you should also consider your ISP plan and any speed limits on your connection. 
• Coverage: What coverage do you need? Depending on your space and whether you want to expand coverage into a garden, for example, will influence your purchase decision. 
• Price points and expansion: The starting price of a mesh system might not be all you end up paying. Keep in mind that you might need to purchase extenders and satellite nodes to expand coverage over time -- and these accessories can add up. 
• Other features: You should also consider whether you want additional features beyond a stable internet connection and mesh support. You might, for example, want a VPN or inbuilt security features. 
• Customization: You should also consider how you operate your existing network, and whether you want to be able to tamper with default configurations -- or if you prefer plug-and-play solutions.

There are several key areas to focus on, starting with affordable systems providing greater range and reliability than a single, conventional Wi-Fi router. 

It is also important to consider high-end mesh systems -- primarily using the new Wi-Fi 6 standard (802.11ax) -- that provide greater performance than older Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) routers. As well as being suitable for homes and offices, these high-end systems also offer greater range and reliability for buildings such as warehouses and public venues such as restaurants and hotels.

Ultimately, we based our choices on the following features:

• Internet connectivity: Naturally, this has to be one of the top considerations. With so many of us working from home and reliant on the internet -- not to mention using online services for controlling home devices and entertainment -- we ensured that the products selected would provide the level of connectivity we now all need.
• Speed and capacity: Mesh systems were designed to solve the problems of weak coverage in large areas and bottlenecks caused by too many devices attempting to connect to one access point. Considering they are usually more expensive than traditional Wi-Fi routers, our recommendations needed to have good coverage and multiple device support.
• Additional features: Many manufacturers now implement additional controls and service support to entice consumers, including parental controls, virtual private network (VPN) support, separate network creation, guest modes, and more. 
• Budget: Not every home needs a blazingly fast, future-proof mesh system able to handle hundreds of connected devices. Sometimes, affordability is key. We have included a selection of mesh devices suitable for different budgets. 

A mesh Wi-Fi system acts similarly to Wi-Fi extenders. There is a main unit that connects to your modem and one or more satellite units that provide more consistent signals throughout your home. 

The difference between a mesh network and range extenders is that a mesh system is all part of the same network, so you don't have to worry about needing to switch networks as you move around your house. 

A mesh system does, in a way, replace your router. But think of it as more like upgrading to a new model than being able to get rid of it altogether. 

Any mesh Wi-Fi system you buy will have a base router that connects to your modem and acts like your old router, sending signals out through your home. That signal is then picked up and rebroadcast by the satellite routers, creating a larger signal range as well as stronger signals for streaming and gaming. 

A two-piece mesh should be able to cover homes or offices up to 3,000 to 5,000 square feet (check the manufacturer's specifications to see what they recommend). Buildings or outdoor venues larger than 5,000 square feet may need another satellite device.

A single, standalone router is generally adequate for smaller offices, or single-story homes with one or two bedrooms. But if you have rooms on other floors, or thick walls that can block your Wi-Fi signal, then you may experience "dead zones" that have weak Wi-Fi. A mesh system uses several devices -- usually a main router and one or more satellite nodes -- in different locations to extend the Wi-Fi signal beyond the range of a single router.

Most mesh systems are aimed at home users and marketed as easily configured solutions for "whole-home Wi-Fi," but some are particularly suitable for business users. These systems may include features such as multiple Ethernet ports or the ability to create several networks with different passwords. 

If you just have one or two rooms where the Wi-Fi is weak, then a low-cost "range extender" may be able to boost the Wi-Fi signal just in those rooms, with prices starting as low as $20. However, multi-device mesh Wi-Fi systems are designed to provide a more extensive Wi-Fi network that covers your entire home or office.

Mesh routers can be an expensive investment as you will need to purchase satellite coverage extenders as well as a central router hub. If you need to expand your coverage further, you will need to buy additional nodes, which may cost hundreds of dollars each. Furthermore, post-pandemic, we've observed an increase in price for technical components including chipsets.

The best options, as listed above, are based on pricing, purpose, and compatibility with other devices. However, if you would like more choices that are on sale, here are some others to consider: