Best mesh routers 2024

The best mesh routers for 2024, ranked

1. Amazon Eero 6 Pro
2. D-Link COVR-X1873
3. Google Nest Wi-Fi
4. Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi 6 AX6000
5. Netgear Orbi RBK13

You can have a super-fast broadband plan piped into your home, only to hit a brick wall of weak Wi-Fi signals, robbing you of the very speeds you crave or leaving you with "dead zones" around your home or business where there's just no Wi-Fi coverage to be found.

It's feasible to make up some of this shortfall with simple Wi-Fi range extenders, but that typically involves splitting signals to get more range at the cost of speed.

The way to get around these kinds of problems without losing speed or coverage is to install a mesh network system.

Mesh networks use a number of "node" devices – at least 2, but most mesh systems can expand out to multiple units if you've got bigger areas to cover – creating an intelligent Wi-Fi network where each node doesn't shift just data, but also network status information to every other node.

It's like Wi-Fi, but with an AI underpinning that can dynamically optimise Wi-Fi coverage based on current conditions and needs. You don't have to be a networking genius to get it set up, and once it's installed, all you need to do is work out what you're going to do with all that extra speed and coverage.

We test mesh network systems in an identical way to provide the best comparative coverage of consumer mesh network systems in Australia, noting not only their baseline network performance but also how easy they are to set up and use.

Mesh networks are the gold standard, but that also means that they demand premium prices, so it's worth knowing if they're good value.

All choices are independently made based on our combined 60+ years of reviewing experience and are not based on commercial relationships. You can read more detail on our methodology below.

Amazon's Eero brand has long had a prime position in the mesh space, and the Eero Pro 6 is the current gold standard for what we can get locally from the massive global retailer. It's the complete package when it comes to mesh network set-up, stability and performance at all distances within our test labs, and that's why it takes the gong when it comes to mesh networks. Amazon also improved on prior models by adding dual Ethernet to all nodes, so you can easily create a fast and stable mixed wired and wireless network to cover all your bases.

The catch here is primarily one of price because Amazon charges a serious premium for the Eero Pro 6. Then again, it's Amazon, and sales are relatively frequent occurrences for its own-brand technology. If you are the network tinkering type, then you may find some of the Eero Pro 6's interface limitations annoying, but for everyday users, this is a very solid choice.

Read our full Amazon Eero Pro 6 review here.

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D-Link's COVR-X1873 runs neck and neck with the Eero Pro 6 mesh in most of our network tests, and even faster in some situations, so why isn't it our top pick? It's a highly flexible system too, with 4 Ethernet ports sitting on each node allowing for a lot of configuration trickery if you're so inclined.

The reason why it's sitting second fiddle to the Eero is largely down to the fact that its configurability also invites complexity. Setting up the COVR-X1873 can be a touch on the tricky side compared to the ease of use of Amazon or Google's offerings. While having additional ports can be a boon for those who need wired connections, their existence also means that the COVR-X1873 has very large and obvious nodes, which also won't suit some home décor. But if you do want speed and a highly configurable mesh system, it's a great option.

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Google's Nest brand is more closely associated with smart displays, speakers, doorbells and even floodlight cameras, but it's also the branding that the company uses for its mesh systems.

There's actually a newer Google Nest Wi-Fi system that the search giant sells with Wi-Fi 6E baked in, but that model drops one of the best features in our view from the regular system. That's the fact that each Google Nest Wi-Fi node is also a Google Assistant smart speaker, so while you're making the most of your home or office broadband connection, you can also use Google Assistant for smart-home activities or do simple voice searches.

Like most Nest products, there's also a strong focus on ease of use and set-up, with everything set up through the Google Home app. If you want a no-fuss, easy-to-set-up mesh system, the Google Nest Wi-Fi is the system to buy.

Read our full Google Nest Wi-Fi review

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Netgear's Orbi Wi-Fi 6 AX6000 managed the best throughput scores we've ever seen for a simple 2-node mesh system in our test environment. Typically, 2 node systems in this configuration struggle a lot, and what the AX6000 could manage was impressive… for a price. It's typically priced at a point where other systems will offer you triple nodes, and that's a problem. We also found its set-up routine a little more work than we'd like, and the larger nodes don't half stand out, which might be a problem if you'd rather have a more subtle, less tech-gadget look in your home or office.

The Orbi Wi-Fi 5 AX6000 is a good system, and it is possible to buy it with more nodes – but again, that will up the price.

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Netgear has faster and newer mesh systems to sell, but those all attract the typical price premium you'll find for most mesh networking gear.

This is the sole reason we'd suggest you buy the Orbi RBK13; while it's not the fastest system, and it entirely eschews Ethernet connectivity for a pure Wi-Fi play, it does so at a price point that will make your credit card cry a whole lot less.

That makes the Orbi RBK13 best suited for those on a budget with only moderate networking needs; if you're trying to push the Wi-Fi in your home or office further, you may need to consider upping your budget to a stronger mesh solution.

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Amazon prices last updated on 20 December, 2024 at 08:00 pmeBay prices last updated on 20 December, 2024 at 07:20 pm

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What you need to know about mesh routers

Mesh network systems work via connecting your home internet connection – typically NBN, but you could connect up any broadband solution that terminates in a standard Ethernet plug to a mesh system if you wished to do so – to a system of interconnected nodes that become your home or office's new Wi-Fi network.

While there have been a number of technology solutions to poor Wi-Fi range in the market to date – devices like Wi-Fi extenders or HomePlug style systems – they try to boost the output of your home modem-router rather than acting as their own network entirely.

The big advantage that mesh systems have is that they can combine the antenna throughput of multiple nodes – think of it as having multiple radios chattering to each other throughout your premises – with intelligent network monitoring between each node.

For some systems, this involves a primary "internet" node and then satellite nodes that you place where needed, but most systems do work on a fallback provisioning basis, so even if you do have 1 node knocked out or struggling with heavy use, the others can pick up the slack and communicate to balance the network.

Here's what we considered when choosing the best mesh network systems, and what you should use as a buying guide:

• Cost: Mesh networking isn't cheap by consumer networking standards, and it's important to make sure that you're getting good value for money. If you live in a smaller apartment, mesh might be overkill, but if you've got a larger space to blanket in Wi-Fi, or have known Wi-Fi dead zones, there's little that can touch it – for a price. Bear in mind that "cheaper" mesh Wi-Fi systems might be old stock that retailers are trying to shift, which means that they might not support the newest Wi-Fi standards and, as a result, could be markedly slower.
• Speed: This is quite a primary consideration because that's why you buy a mesh system in the first place. All mesh systems we've reviewed have been tested in the same location to ensure consistency not only in node placement but also in interference factors, so we could properly and comprehensively stress test each system and assess how well it can really push data around its own network. One feature to look for here is whether each system provides access to dual 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz networks or presents a single network to your devices. It's also worth checking if your mesh system of choice supports its own back-channel for communication between nodes or relies on the open traffic networks for balancing. Systems that can talk quietly among themselves typically manage network loads more efficiently.
• Design: Old-school routers were ugly beasts, and even now, a lot of the blinking boxes that ISPs hand out aren't much to look at. That's perhaps OK if there's only one of them in the house, but when you're placing 3 or more nodes around your property, you probably don't want lots of blinking lights or annoying antennae to blight your décor.
• Extra features: Mesh networking isn't new, and we're seeing a range of extra features bolted onto mesh gear, such as integration with voice assistants, extra Ethernet ports to provide compatibility with tethered devices and included software packages for firewall or internet filtering purposes. Some mesh systems work on the premise of being very easy to configure, but the flip side there is that compared to a traditional router they may lack some features favoured by the more technically savvy, such as network prioritisation, or easy access to features, such as port forwarding. There's also a new standard, EasyMesh, that promises interoperability between mesh systems sold by different manufacturers, although to date, actual take-up has been fairly slow.

Frequently asked questions

• Can I use mesh networking with my ISP's modem-router?

  In most cases, the answer is yes, you should be able to. At worst, you could set up a mesh network system as its own Wi-Fi network, simply using your modem-router as a direct router.

  If you're on an FTTP, FTTC or HFC connection, you shouldn't even need your ISP's modem-router at all, as most mesh networking gear can talk directly to the NBN box in your home or office, although it's worth checking with your ISP beforehand.

  If you're on an FTTN connection, you'll still need a modem of some sort between your mesh network gear and the wider internet.

  Some ISPs will offer limited support for connecting up mesh networking systems but may ask that you revert to your supplied modem-router if there are wider connectivity issues, so it's worth keeping it stored safely nearby if you do encounter problems.

• Will a mesh network make my NBN connection faster?

  Strictly speaking no… but sort of yes, maybe.

  The raw speed of your NBN connection will be determined by the speed plan you're on, and then the actual network conditions at the time of connection, including both physical line quality and the service being provided by your specific ISP. No mesh system is going to turbo-charge that, so you can't buy a mesh kit to turn an NBN 50 service into an NBN 250 service. That isn't going to happen.

  However, if you're using Wi-Fi predominantly as your connection method, where mesh networking equipment can produce an apparent speed boost is by more efficiently sharing around the connection you have throughout your home. If you think about it like a road, it's the equivalent of switching from a small congested road where speeds aren't optimal to having a freeway of data flowing through your house. The speed limit is still going to be 100kph, but it's much easier to get up to full speed on the freeway.

• Will mesh networks work with all my Wi-Fi gadgets?

  Yes, there's no technical reason why any device with any Wi-Fi variant shouldn't work smoothly with a mesh networking system. However, bear in mind that for much older Wi-Fi-capable devices, you may still be speed or coverage limited by the technology within the Wi-Fi antennas in your gadgets.

  This is why you might see better coverage on a newer smartphone with Wi-Fi 6 support than on an older gaming console that might only support an older, slower standard.

• Can I use mesh networking gear from different manufacturers in one network?

  Wi-Fi is Wi-Fi and everything just works together under one standard, right?

  It's not quite that simple when it comes to mesh networking equipment, and you can't always grab a mesh router from one maker and match it up with a mesh node from another. To date, the vast majority of mesh networking systems sold have been effectively closed networks, meaning that if you do need to add another node to your network, you need to buy one of the same brand.

  There is an open standard for mesh networks to talk to each other called EasyMesh. Any EasyMesh-certified mesh router or node should be able to talk to and be added to any EasyMesh network regardless of the underlying brand. There are a number of brands that have signed up to EasyMesh, including most of Telstra's own-brand routers and extenders, D-Link, TP-Link and others. You can find a full list of the currently certified EasyMesh systems here.

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