Fed up with flaky Wi-Fi? Treat yourself to a whole-home mesh networking system and you'll be able to enjoy a superfast connection in all corners of your home. These clever extensible kits cover a huge area, and since you can locate the nodes wherever you want – and even add extras – you can be certain of getting a strong signal where it’s needed. Performance is top notch too, leaving traditional wireless repeaters and powerline extenders in the dust.
Here's our guide to the best whole-home Wi-Fi kits on the market – the ones that provided the best range and the fastest coverage in our extensive testing. We’ve included a comprehensive buyer’s guide, too, so you’ll know just what features to look out for. Read on to find the mesh networking system that will wash away your wireless blues.
How to buy the best mesh Wi-Fi router for you
What type of mesh Wi-Fi router should I buy?
Mesh systems work on the same basic principle as wireless repeaters, but they use a private radio channel – the “backhaul” – to talk to each other. This means less contention, and better performance, on your main wireless network.
As the name suggests, mesh systems are also designed to support multiple nodes, which can be deployed in a “daisychain” configuration, rather than each one needing a direct connection to the router. This makes it easy to extend a wireless connection over a huge area by simply placing nodes at regular intervals around your home or workplace.
Will a mesh system work with my router?
Most mesh systems are designed to replace your existing router. If you’re currently using a combined modem router, you can normally switch this into modem mode, allowing the mesh system to handle router duties.
Alternatively, you can switch your mesh kit into bridge mode, and connect it to your existing router via an Ethernet cable. Just be warned that this isn’t normally the default installation procedure, so you may need to do a bit of research when getting set up. And make sure you connect your first mesh node to a Gigabit Ethernet port on your router; a slower 100Mbits/sec port will seriously bottleneck the speed of your wireless clients.
How many nodes do I need?
Most kits promise more than 400m² of wireless coverage with just two or three nodes. In practice, the coverage you actually get will depend on mundane things such as fridges and walls – but the best kits are more than capable of filling a moderately sized home with fast Wi-Fi, even with only two nodes. If you think you might want to invest in additional nodes, check your options before you buy, as not all manufacturers sell individual units.
Do I need the fastest mesh Wi-Fi system out there?
If you’re chiefly interested in extending your internet connection around your home, there’s no need to invest in the fastest, most expensive kit you can find. Almost any mesh system will be fast enough to share the full bandwidth of a typical 40Mbits/sec internet connection around your home.
That said, it makes sense to pick a kit that won’t hold you back if you upgrade to faster broadband in a couple of years. Choosing a faster system also means traffic will be able to travel around your local network faster, so (for example) you’ll be able to copy files to and from a NAS appliance more quickly; that’s how we tested the mesh systems below, to get a true picture of their maximum transfer speeds.
Are mesh Wi-Fi systems easy to set up and administer?
Most mesh Wi-Fi kits come with a smartphone app – for both Android and iOS – that walks you through the setup process. Then, you can continue to use the smartphone app to monitor and manage your mesh system. A web portal is sometimes available too, but it may not expose all available settings.
Note that while most mesh kits do basic router duties, they’re often not as configurable as a “real” router. You may not be able to change the default address range, and not all models let you join clients to the network via WPS.
What features should I look for?
Most mesh systems can present a wireless guest network alongside your normal domestic network: devices connecting to this will be able to connect to the internet, but can’t talk to other devices on your home network. This means visitors can’t snoop through your shared folders or unwittingly bring malware onto your home network.
Some systems also offer basic parental controls: for example, you might be able to block internet access for specific devices between certain hours. They don’t normally have the ability to filter out unsuitable content, though; if you want to keep a detailed eye on what your kids get up to online, you’ll probably need a software-based system.
A final feature worth looking out for is Alexa integration, which allows you to trigger various tasks by issuing a voice command to an Amazon Echo device. For example, you might be able to activate or deactivate the guest network, activate WPS or have Alexa read out your wireless passphrase. It might seem gimmicky, but it’s a nice bonus to have.
READ NEXT: The best routers
The best mesh Wi-Fi routers you can buy in 2018
1. Zyxel Multy X: The fastest mesh router
Price:£269 (twin pack) | Buy now from Amazon
Zyxel’s bulging Multy X modules aren’t exactly beautiful – and with a sizeable footprint of 236 x 178mm, they’re bulky too. But their size allows them to pack in multiple large antennae, allowing them to communicate faster, and over longer distances, than most other mesh systems. Even when positioned at opposite extremities of my home, they were able to maintain a strong, speedy connection – which translated to excellent Wi-Fi performance, with a minimum of 14MB/sec downstream all around the house. Wired clients are well served too, as each node has a generous four Gigabit Ethernet ports.
As a bonus, the Multy X works with Alexa, so if you have an Amazon Echo device you can verbally instruct it to disable the guest network, test your internet speed or temporarily suspend internet access. Our only caveat is that the Multy X doesn’t currently operate as a true mesh network – all nodes talk directly to the router. A forthcoming firmware update promises to add daisy-chaining though, so you can extend the system’s range even further by buying extra nodes.
Read our full review of the Multy X
![Image of Zyxel Multy X Tri-Band AC3000 Whole Home Wi-Fi Mesh System. Works with Amazon Alexa. Router and Satellite - Pack of 2, UK Plug [WSQ50]](http://images-eu.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41-Zz2h3ybL._SL160_.jpg "Zyxel Multy X Tri-Band AC3000 Whole Home Wi-Fi Mesh System. Works with Amazon Alexa. Router and Satellite - Pack of 2, UK Plug [WSQ50]")
Key specs –Nodes (as reviewed): 2; Claimed coverage: 460m²; Maximum nodes supported: 3; 2.4GHz speed: 400Mbits/sec; 5GHz speed: 867Mbits/sec (client) + 1733Mbits/sec (backhaul); MIMO channels: 2x2 on client bands, 4x4 on backhaul; Ethernet ports: 4 x GbE per node; Guest network: Yes; Parental controls: Yes; Works with Alexa: Yes; IPv6: Yes; Custom IP range: No; Client IP reservation: Yes; Port forwarding: Yes; 2.4GHz/5GHz band splitting: Yes; Warranty: 2yr
2. BT Whole Home Wi-Fi: Best-value mesh extender system
Price: £189 (triple pack) | Buy now from Amazon
BT’s Whole Home Wi-Fi acts as a wireless extender system for your existing router, connecting via a simple Gigabit Ethernet cable. This means it doesn’t mess with your network settings, and there’s very little to configure – although the system does offer a guest network facility, and simple group-based parental controls. The nodes look a bit odd, standing upright like mini satellite dishes, but their small footprint means it’s easy to find suitable places for them around the home.
BT claims it will cover an area of 420m², which is on the low side for a three-node network – but it certainly eradicated the not-spots in my home. No matter where I wandered, I got a rock-solid 5GHz connection, with download speeds never dipping below 11.8MB/sec.
The extender-only approach does mean that you’re stuck with your old router: if you were planning to replace it then a different mesh system might make sense. But if you just want to banish those irritating dead spots with minimal upheaval, it’s an absolute bargain.
Read our full review of BT Whole Home Wi-Fi
Key specs – Nodes (as reviewed): 3; Claimed coverage: 420m²; Maximum nodes supported: 6; 2.4GHz speed: 800Mbits/sec; 5GHz speed: 867Mbits/sec (client) + 867Mbits/sec (backhaul); MIMO channels: 4x4 on each band; Ethernet ports: 1 x GbE per node; Guest network: Yes; Parental controls: Yes; Works with Alexa: No; IPv6: Yes; Custom IP range: N/A; Client IP reservation: N/A; Port forwarding: N/A; 2.4GHz/5GHz band splitting: No; Warranty: 2yr
3. Linksys Velop: Most fully featured mesh router
Price: £380 (triple pack) | Buy now from Amazon
The Velop is an upmarket mesh system, with advanced features such as port forwarding and port range triggering. Alexa integration means that Amazon Echo owners can also turn the guest network on and off, and perform a few other tasks, with a voice command.
Linksys claims its three nodes offer a large coverage area of 560m², and setting up a daisy-chain configuration is easy. In my own home, I did see some drop-off in transfer rates towards the rear of the house, but things never dipped below 11MB/sec – so it’s more than capable of distributing the full speed of your internet connection all around a moderately sized dwelling. What’s more, you can easily split the radio bands into separate SSIDs, to ensure that compatible devices always connect to the faster 5GHz band.
The Velop is a comparatively expensive system, but the three nodes give you flexibility when it comes to positioning the nodes, and few other mesh systems can match it for features.
Read our full review of the Linksys Velop
Key specs – Nodes (as reviewed): 3; Claimed coverage: 560m²; Maximum nodes supported: 6; 2.4GHz speed: 400Mbits/sec; 5GHz speed: 867Mbits/sec (client) + 867Mbits/sec (backhaul); MIMO channels: Not stated; Ethernet ports: 2 x GbE per node; Guest network: Yes; Parental controls: Yes; Works with Alexa: Yes; IPv6: Yes; Custom IP range: No; Client IP reservation: Yes; Port forwarding: Yes; 2.4GHz/5GHz band splitting: Yes; Warranty: 3yr
4. Netgear Orbi RBK50: Best mesh router for families
Price: £300 (twin pack) | Buy now from Amazon
Netgear’s Orbi system comes in two sizes: the smaller RBK40 kits promise 370m² of dual-band coverage, while these larger units increase coverage to 460m², and have a faster backhaul for maximum performance. When I say they’re large, I mean it: the nodes stand a full 8in tall, but that means there’s room inside for some powerful antennae, and I got a good signal between the two nodes even when placed at opposite ends of the house.
In use, the Orbi system delivered strong Wi-Fi performance everywhere in my home, matching the Velop’s minimum of 11MB/sec – and it’s great for wired connections too, with four Gigabit Ethernet sockets per node. Netgear scores highly on the features front too, with an impressive range of management options, including the ability to set a custom IP range and a comprehensive Disney-branded parental control suite that puts other router-based controls to shame.
While the Orbi is more expensive than the Zyxel, it’s more configurable – and if you share your home with inquisitive kids then the excellent parental controls could well swing the deal.
Read our full review of the Netgear Orbi
Key specs – Nodes (as reviewed): 2; Claimed coverage: 460m²; Maximum nodes supported: 4; 2.4GHz speed: 400Mbits/sec; 5GHz speed: 867Mbits/sec (client) + 1733Mbits/sec (backhaul); MIMO channels: 2x2 on client bands, 4x4 on backhaul; Ethernet ports: 3 x GbE on router, 4 x GbE on satellite; Guest network: Yes; Parental controls: Yes; Works with Alexa: Yes; IPv6: Yes; Custom IP range: Yes; Client IP reservation: Yes; Port forwarding: Yes; 2.4GHz/5GHz band splitting: Unofficial; Warranty: 1yr
5. Tenda Nova MW6: Best-value mesh router
Price: £170 (triple pack) | Buy now from Amazon
Tenda’s little white cubes are undeniably tasteful, and they’re compact enough that you can easily distribute the three of them about your home. The downside is a comparatively slow backhaul speed, which means download speeds can’t match the market leaders – but I still reliably got upwards of 10MB/sec all over my home.
The feature set isn’t as generous as other mesh systems, either: there’s no band-splitting option, nor support for IPv6. You do however get a simple guest network feature, which you can activate for four hours, eight hours or permanently, and a group-based parental control function that lets you limit internet access to certain times of day for specified clients.
What really sets the Tenda Nova MW6 apart is its low price. True, the BT Whole Home kit costs a similar amount, but only functions as an extender, whereas the MW6 is a fully standalone system. That makes it a terrifically cost-effective way to replace an underperforming router and extend your Wi-Fi coverage at the same time.
Key specs – Nodes (as reviewed): 3; Claimed coverage: 560m²; Maximum nodes supported: 10; 2.4GHz speed: 300Mbits/sec; 5GHz speed: 867Mbits/sec (combined client & backhaul); MIMO channels: 2x2 on each band; Ethernet ports: 2 x GbE per node; Guest network: Yes; Parental controls: Yes; Works with Alexa: No; IPv6: No; Custom IP range: Partial; Client IP reservation: Via port forwarding; Port forwarding: Yes; 2.4GHz/5GHz band splitting: No; Warranty: 3yr
6. Google Wifi: The most straightforward mesh system
Price: £179 (twin pack) | Buy now from Currys PC World
If you've always had problems establishing a solid signal throughout your house, the elegant Google Wifi, which is now available as a three-node bundle for £329, could be the answer.
It's incredibly easy to set up via Google's excellent app: the Android version found our nodes almost instantly and connected by simply scanning a QR code on the base of the one connected to my fibre modem.
It's also straightforward to manage as, once you're set up, you can browse connected devices with a tap, monitor their bandwidth usage and optionally give them extra priority over other devices. The Google Wifi even integrates with Google’s On.Here service to let you share smart home devices – such as Philips Hue lights.
However, possibly the cleverest thing about this mesh router is that it monitors and learns from its environment, switching channels on the fly depending on the time of day and how much Wi-Fi interference is in the airwaves.
It may be a little pricey and in our testing didn't offer the fastest speeds or the greatest coverage but it's worth considering if you want a set-and-forget option.
Read our full review of Google Wifi
Key specs – Nodes (as reviewed): 2; Claimed coverage: 170m²; Maximum nodes supported: 32; 2.4GHz speed: 400Mbits/sec; 5GHz speed: 867Mbits/sec (combined client & backhaul); MIMO channels: 2x2 on each band; Ethernet ports: 2 x GbE per node; Guest network: Yes; Parental controls: Yes; Works with Alexa: No; IPv6: Yes; Custom IP range: Yes; Client IP reservation: Yes; Port forwarding: Yes; 2.4GHz/5GHz band splitting: No; Warranty: 1yr