Best mesh Wi‑Fi systems for 2025: what to buy and what to skip

Mesh Wi‑Fi systems are one of the most effective upgrades for homes that struggle with dead zones, buffering or dropped calls. Instead of relying on a single router, a mesh network uses multiple nodes to blanket your home with a single seamless network name, improving reliability and roaming between rooms.

Our 2025 guide highlights why Wi‑Fi 6E is currently the best choice for most households: it adds the uncluttered 6GHz band for higher throughput and lower interference. Wi‑Fi 7 exists, but it
nd supported hardware
re still early and expensive for the average home.

Key buying criteria

• Wi‑Fi standard: Prefer Wi‑Fi 6E for future‑proofing and better real‑world speeds; only consider Wi‑Fi 7 if you need bleeding‑edge features and can afford the cost.
• Backhaul: Look for dedicated wireless backhaul or the option to use wired Ethernet backhaul for node‑to‑node links — this preserves performance across multiple nodes.
• Scalability: Choose systems that let you add nodes easily and handle many simultaneous devices.
• Wired ports: Extra Ethernet ports on nodes let you connect TVs, game consoles or switches for stable, low‑latency links.
• App & features: Simple setup, firmware auto‑updates, parental controls and security features matter — but be aware some vendors lock advanced features behind subscriptions.

Practical tips for placement & setup

Place nodes about two rooms apart, at waist height in open areas, and avoid hiding them behind TVs or inside cabinets. If possible, wire at least one node to the router or use Ethernet backhaul to reduce wireless contention. Test different locations: a small shift can dramatically improve coverage.

Who should buy a mesh system?

Mesh is ideal for multi‑story homes, properties with thick walls, or households with many simultaneous users (4K streaming, video calls, gaming). If you live in a small apartment with little Wi‑Fi interference, a single high‑quality router may still be sufficient.

Models we tested and recommended

• Amazon Eero Pro 7 / Eero 6E: Very easy setup and solid day‑to‑day performance; note that some advanced controls are part of EeroPlus subscriptions.
• Netgear Orbi (RBKE963): Top‑end Wi‑Fi 6E performance and features, but very expensive — a luxury pick if you need maximum range and throughput.
• ASUS AiMesh systems: Great for flexibility — mix and match routers and nodes to scale or cover tricky layouts.
• Other considerations: Many vendors offer capable Wi‑Fi 6E kits; balance price, feature set and whether the vendor charges for basic management tools.

How we test

We evaluate systems for ease of setup, coverage, reliability, speed and companion app usability. Tests include walking between rooms to measure handoff consistency, streaming multiple 4K videos simultaneously and checking for dead zones in demanding home layouts.

For further reading and detailed model comparisons, see the full guide (opens in a new tab): Engadget — Best mesh Wi‑Fi systems for 2025.

Discussion: Are you planning a mesh upgrade — or waiting for Wi‑Fi 7? Which room or device gives you the most grief from poor Wi‑Fi?