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. Best Mesh: Netgear Orbi 770 Series (3-Pack) Best Subscription-Free Mesh: Asus ZenWiFi BT10 (2-Pack) Upgrade Pick: Asus ZenWifi BQ16 Pro (2-Pack) Best for Simplicity: Amazon Eero Pro 7 (3-Pack) Best Budget: TP-Link Deco BE63 (3-Pack) Best Wi-Fi 6 Mesh: Asus ZenWiFi XT8 (2-Pack) Best Outdoor Mesh: TP-Link Deco BE25 Outdoor (1-Pack) 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 and Eero are the only consumer mesh manufacturers to 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 August 2026: I added a separate Wired or Wireless Backhaul section to the FAQ, added a Tenda mesh to the don't recommend section, removed some unavailable systems, and updated prices.
If you're excited to upgrade to Wi-Fi 7, 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 or Pixel 11 Pro, 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 relatively large. The main router has four 2.5 Gbps Ethernet ports, while the satellites make do with two 2.5 Gbps ports apiece. 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).
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