// WIRED US/UK — MOBILE & WEB
Best Mesh Wi-Fi Systems (2026): I Tested Them All
Routers are rarely placed in an ideal spot. Whether they’re tucked into a closet or stuffed under your bed, the location is likely less-than-optimal for spreading reliable and fast internet across your entire house. Mesh routers promise to extend Wi-Fi coverage by enabling you to place a second or third node wherever you need, and they appear as a unified Wi-Fi network. Your devices will automatically connect to the nearest option for the best speeds.
Whether you want to fix dead zones, stop the buffering in the back bedroom, or get decent Wi-Fi in the backyard, a mesh Wi-Fi system could be the answer. The Netgear Orbi 770 Series is the best mesh Wi-Fi system for most people, but I have many alternatives to suit different homes and internet connections.
Note: The FCC’s foreign-made router ban announced in March may stop any company that doesn’t secure an exemption (Conditional Approval) from selling new mesh systems in the US, however, existing systems can continue to be sold (everything listed here). They can also be updated with new firmware, at least until January 1, 2029. So far, Netgear, Eero, and Asus, among others (here’s the full list), have secured a Conditional Approval.
Before you dive deeper into my lineup, it’s a good idea to consider whether a mesh system is right for you. My guide on how to choose a router will help you answer that question and determine the features you need. If you don’t want to switch to a new Wi-Fi mesh system, I also have advice on upgrading your existing Wi-Fi, the best Wi-Fi extenders, the best routers overall, and ways to secure and protect your home network.
Updated September 2026: I added more news about FCC Conditional Approvals for Asus and other manufacturers. I also updated my Asus picks with the NordVPN subscription offer, refreshed the FAQ with recent events, and added a section on access points.
If you’re excited to upgrade to the latest Wi-Fi 7 connectivity, the Netgear Orbi 770 Series may be the best way to do so. This is the perfect mesh for the average family home. The Orbi 770 is backward compatible with older devices, but you need some Wi-Fi 7 devices, like an iPhone 17, Pixel 11 Pro, or M5 MacBook Air, to take full advantage of the benefits.
These towering routers aren’t quite as big as the far more expensive Orbi 970 Series, but they have a similar design and are still relatively large compared to most other mesh systems, like the Asus BT10 or Eero Pro 7 below. The main router has four 2.5 Gbps Ethernet ports, while the satellites make do with two 2.5 Gbps ports apiece. There’s no USB. Setup is quick and easy using the Orbi app on your phone.
It is a tri-band system, and by default, there is one network name (SSID) for the 2.4-GHz, 5-GHz, and 6-GHz bands, and it supports multi-link operation (MLO). MLO is a new Wi-Fi 7 feature that allows devices to connect on multiple bands simultaneously. While a single SSID simplifies things, MLO can cause problems for legacy devices because Wi-Fi 7 has more stringent security requirements (WPA2 or higher). Something like an iPhone 5 won’t be able to connect, though you could potentially use a guest or IoT network.
Wi-Fi 7 also enables wider channels (up to 320 MHz from the current high of 160 MHz) and a handful of other improvements. You can expect consistently fast Wi-Fi and excellent coverage from this system (Netgear optimistically suggests up to 8,000 square feet for a three-pack). I found it fast and stable, and it had no issues covering my home. While it is slower than some other systems I tested, you are unlikely to notice the difference in everyday use unless you are constantly transferring large files.
The Orbi 770 offers more than enough bandwidth for multiple people in the household to be streaming and gaming simultaneously. There’s potential for stable, low-latency, multi-gigabit speeds if you have Wi-Fi 7 devices connected to the main router, but I occasionally encountered a touch of lag with the satellites. If