Tired of dealing with spotty Wi-Fi, problems connecting multiple devices, and annoying latency issues? The problem could just be poor Wi-Fi coverage. Wi-Fi 6E mesh networking kits help you get more from your Wi-Fi connection with reliable coverage throughout your home, even on multiple levels. While these are usually easy to set up, picking out the right one is the hard part. We’ve rounded up the best Wi-Fi 6E mesh networking kits and compared them.
Also helpful: if you notice devices you don’t recognize on your network, learn how to kick them off your Wi-Fi.
1. Best Coverage Area: Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi 6E Mesh System
Price: $1,500
The Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi 6E Mesh System is one of the best premium Wi-Fi 6E mesh networking kits for larger spaces. Don’t let the price put you off. Just three nodes give you coverage for up to 9,000 sq. ft. It’s considered a premium system, so it may be far more potent than you need.
Specs and Features
Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi 6E Mesh System comes with some impressive features, which it should for the price.
Some of the most notable specs and features include:
- Speeds up to 10.8 Gbps
- Quad-band technology to connect up to 200 devices
- 6 GHz band to offer higher speeds to Wi-Fi 6E capable devices
- AES 128-bit and WPA-PSK encryption options
- One 2.5 GB and three 1 GB Ethernet ports on each satellite
- Internal antennas for improved coverage
The prominent standout feature of the Netgear Orbi system is its coverage range. For most users, this covers your entire home and your front and back yards. The system’s also expandable to up to six nodes, giving you coverage for up to 21,000 sq. ft.
Additionally, you can manage every node with the Orbi app, which walks you through the entire installation. The process only takes around 10 to 15 minutes. Once everything is set up, you can monitor your Wi-Fi network from anywhere, set parental controls, and more.
Just need a router? Consult our list of best Wi-Fi 6 routers.
2. Best Kit With Extra Features: Amazon eero Pro 6E Wi-Fi Mesh System
Price: $550
If you already love using Amazon smart home devices, then the Amazon eero Pro 6E Wi-Fi Mesh System is the best option for your home. It offers everything you could want, and it’s easy to set up. You can even use Echo devices as Wi-Fi mesh extenders if you need more range.
Specs and Features
Amazon’s eero Pro 6E system comes in a kit of three nodes, one of which replaces your router. When placed, you get coverage for up to 6,000 sq. ft. Some of the other notable features include:
- Coverage area of up to 6,000 sq. ft.
- Supports over 100 connected devices
- 6 GHz band
- Supports speeds up to 2.3 Gbps for wired and 1.6 Gbps for wireless
- TrueMesh technology to better reroute traffic to eliminate dead spots
- Works as a smart home hub
- Works as a tri-band system (2.4, 5, and 6 GHz bands)
- Two Ethernet ports per node (2.5 GbE and 1 Gb ports)
- Compatible with Alexa
- WPA2 and WPA3 encryption
The eero Pro 6E is compatible with the latest Wi-Fi standards, but that’s not what makes it unique. Instead, it’s the built-in smart home hub that’s compatible with Thread and Zigbee devices. It’s a good all-in-one solution for improving Wi-Fi coverage and controlling smart home devices.
A common complaint, though, is there isn’t a Web-based interface to manage your network as you would have with a standard Wi-Fi router. But, if you want to make customizations, there are workarounds using various settings in the app and your devices.
Good to know: there’s a difference between “access point” and “repeater” modes on routers.
3. Best Premium Kit: ASUS ZenWiFi Pro ET 12
Price: $785
The ASUS ZenWiFi Pro ET 12 is one of the top Wi-Fi 6E mesh networking kits, and likely one you won’t need to worry about upgrading any time soon. It’s easy to set up and manage this system. It also works with older technology and the latest Wi-Fi devices.
Specs and Features
While speed does stand out, that’s not the only feature that make the ASUS ZenWiFi Pro ET 12 a premium kit. The more notable specs and features include:
- Coverage for up to 6,000 sq. ft. and over six rooms
- Four Ethernet ports per node (3 LAN and 1 WAN)
- RangeBoost tech to improve range by up to 38%
- Easily add extra nodes via the app
- Stream up to 12 devices at once (combined speed up to 11 Gbps)
- 6 GHz band to reduce traffic on 2.4 and 5.0 GHz bands
- Support for WPA2-PSK, WPA-PSK, WPA-Ent, WPA2-Ent, WPA2-Personal, and WPA3-Personal
Speed is front and center with this Wi-Fi 6E mesh networking kit. It features two 2.5 Gbps LAN ports to give you ultra-fast speeds for wired connections. On top of that, the tri-band system gives you speeds up to 11 Gbps. And with the 6 GHz band, you get an additional seven 160 MHz channels for higher performance devices.
The kit comes with two nodes, one of which will serve as your router. You can use the app to manage your router and node, or login through the more traditional Web interface.
4. Best Budget-Friendly Option: TP-Link Deco XE75 Pro
Price: $500
If spending upwards of $1,000 just isn’t worth it for faster speeds and broader coverage, TP-Link Deco XE75 Pro may be the perfect option. It’s the best budget-friendly option that doesn’t skimp on features. It doesn’t offer as much coverage as other three-node Wi-Fi 6E mesh networking kits, but it’s more than ample for most homes.
Specs and Features
The TP-Link Deco XE75 Pro isn’t the fastest kit available, but it offers everything needed for most homes. Unless you have a large family and more smart gadgets than you can count, some of the previous options on this list could be overkill.
Some of the features and specs you’ll enjoy with this kit include:
- Coverage up to 7,200 sq. ft. when using all three nodes
- 6E tri-band to separate traffic based on the type of device
- 6 GHz band
- Three Ethernet ports (one 2.5 Gbps and two gigabit)
- Combined speeds of all three bands up to 5,400 Mbps
- AI-driven mesh technology
- WPA3-Personal, WPA2-Personal, and WPA-Personal
While the price is appealing, the AI tech behind this kit genuinely stands out. As you use your Wi-Fi, the system learns more about your network, how you use it, and which devices need priority. For instance, during peak periods when everyone’s Internet speeds may be lower, the Deco XE75 Pro learns to automatically distribute your connection to better support high-priority devices.
The Deco app uses a visual guide to help you set up your system. There are three nodes to use. One serves as the router. Once you have the other two connected, you can move them based on the recommended distance listed in the app.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Wi-Fi 6E mesh networking kits?
Unlike traditional Wi-Fi routers and extenders, mesh networks aren’t based on a central point. Instead, there are two or more devices, also called nodes, that act as routers. The signal is just as strong with the second device as the first one connected to your modem.
The term “mesh” comes from the way the nodes connect, much like loops in a mesh net. Also, even though the network name stays the same, each node creates its network.
What's the difference between Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E?
Wi-Fi 6 introduced the 6 GHz band, which allows compatible devices to use that band versus crowding the already overcrowded 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz bands.
With Wi-Fi 6E (which stands for “extended”), there are seven channels in the 6 GHz band, so even more devices can connect and enjoy faster speeds and lower latency. It’s made for gaming, 8K streaming, AR/VR devices, and more.
For a better explanation, see our comparison of Wi-Fi 5, Wi-Fi 6, and Wi-Fi 6E.
Are there more affordable options?
Every option on this list has a comparable Wi-Fi 6 mesh kit, usually anywhere from $100-$200 cheaper. If you don’t have many Wi-Fi 6 or 6E devices, you’ll be fine with just a Wi-Fi 6 kit.
If you live in a smaller home or apartment, you’ll save money by investing in a Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E router and an extender (if necessary). Mesh networking kits are designed for larger homes or those needing connectivity in their garages, backyards, etc.
Will a Wi-Fi mesh networking kit speed up my Internet connection?
No matter what your router or mesh kit is capable of, you’ll still be limited by your ISP’s max speeds. If a gigabit connection isn’t available from your provider or current plan, a mesh kit won’t be able to help.
However, if you’re using an older router that isn’t capable of handling higher speeds, then upgrading will boost your speeds. Plus, it’ll likely help you support more devices with more reliable connections. Before you upgrade, learn why your Wi-Fi is currently slow.
Image credit: DepositPhotos
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