Do you want to establish a wired mesh network at your home/office to accommodate a couple of ethernet connections? Are you wondering if WiFi mesh systems support ethernet backhaul? Yes, most models available today allow you to create an Ethernet backhaul.
While most mesh systems are known to deliver lighting speeds and seamless coverage, they lack adequate ports for people to create a wired backhaul. Or is it even true in 2024?
Whether you want to connect printers, scanners, speakers, or gaming consoles to experience low-ping gaming or perform a super secure data transfer, mesh WiFi with ethernet ports shall suffice your needs. But then, locating an ideal option is not that easy, and that’s when I step in!
6 Best Mesh WiFi Systems with Ethernet Ports in 2024
To find the perfect ethernet backhaul mesh WiFi systems, I selected 15 popular mesh setups and tested them under various scenarios for 35 days. I observed their speed, ethernet backhaul capacity, security, etc., and finally came up with the 6 best options.
The qualified models listed in this review-based guide are in order of their decreasing price and the features they present. So, I’ve ensured you get enough choices to suit your budget and requirements.
1. Best Overall: Netgear Orbi RBK852
- Ethernet Ports: 8 (4 on Each Unit)
- Wireless Standard: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
- 2.4GHz Speeds: 600 Mbps
- 5GHz Speeds: 1200 + 2400 Mbps
- WiFi Range: Up to 3,750 Sq Ft
- Number of Devices Supported: 40
- Chipset: 1.4GHz Quad-Core
- RAM & Flash Memory: 1 GB + 512 MB
- App Support: Yes
Netgear Orbi RBK752 is a top-rated ethernet backhaul mesh WiFi available right now that dissipates strong signals throughout your house and adds an extra layer of security. It remains one of the most expensive products, but considering its features, it’s worth every penny. Besides, it’s a massive upgrade over its predecessor, Orbi RBS750, in terms of coverage and bands.
Why is it suited for Ethernet Backhaul?
RBK752 boasts a single 2.5 Gbps WAN port for connecting with high-speed cable modems. Besides, there are 4 Ethernet ports on each unit, totaling up to 8 overall, that supports super-fast internet speeds from your provider.
The appealing aspect of RBK852 is it supports WAN Aggregation and Link Aggregation. In both cases, the ethernet ports are linked together with two different IPs to access high-speed internet on your devices. However, the only difference between WAN and Link Aggregation is in the former; the speeds are doubled, while extra bandwidth is used to balance increasing demands in the latter.
You can use these ports to connect things like NAS storage, printer, scanner, and others, but not a USB port. Besides that, you can connect your devices, including mobiles, laptops, gaming consoles, and others, to experience speeds up to 1 Gbps.
Speeds & Suitability
With Wi-Fi 6 tri-band support, this Orbi mesh system promises to deliver speeds of 1-1.5 Gbps. The real-time speeds on testing with Xfinity’s Gigabit plan weren’t as high as promised but weren’t much less. With a distance of about 20 feet from the router, the speeds reached a maximum of 950 Mbps on the 5GHz backhaul band and 600 and 300 Mbps on the other two.
Other than that, it further encases MU-MIMO technology which makes the mesh capable of delivering data on several devices at similar rates. In layman’s terms, all your devices would take almost the same time to download a UHD movie.
WiFi Coverage & Connections Capacity
Orbi RBK752 excels in terms of coverage with 6 antennas capable of beamforming. The wireless signals are transmitted in a single line over 3,750 Sq Ft rather than spreading in all directions. So, the connections you receive on your devices are much faster than traditional routers. Besides, I streamed 4K movies on nearly 35 devices at once without any buffering.
Ease of Setup & Control
Orbi RBK752 uses an Orbi app. If you’re new to these devices, this app has illustrated steps that are easy to follow. You can follow these to get your mesh system configured in seconds. Besides, this app has many handy features to offer you full control over the mesh system. You can change the network settings, add or remove devices, and check internet speeds.
Security Features
Security is the prime forte of this Orbi system. With features like Netgear Armor, your home network is safe from unknown threats and attacks. It establishes a firewall to oppose the entry of viruses, ransomware, or hackers. Besides, there’s Netgear parental control, with which you can control and regulate how your kids use the internet.
Conclusion
Netgear Orbi is a premium mesh router with 4 ethernet ports on each unit, totaling 8. It has everything you need from a WiFi system. Be it establishing a wired or a wireless mesh network, you can always be sure of getting fast internet in every nook of your house.
If you want to learn more about this device, check out the full review of the Orbi RBK852.
Pros
- Easy installation
- Dedicated wireless backhaul
- Link and WAN aggregation
- Faster speeds
- Greater coverage
Cons
- Premium-priced
2. Best WiFi 6E Mesh: TP-Link Deco AXE5300
Do you want a WiFi 6E mesh to future-proof your home with high throughput? TP-Link Deco AXE5300 is your best bet!
- Ethernet Ports: 9 (3 on Each Unit)
- Wireless Standard: Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)
- 2.4GHz Speeds: 574 Mbps
- 5GHz Speeds: 2402 Mbps
- 6GHz Speeds: 2402 Mbps
- WiFi Range: Up to 7,200 Sq Ft
- Number of Devices Supported: 200
- Chipset: 1.7GHz Quad-Core CPU
- RAM & Flash Memory: N/A
- App Support: Yes
TP-Link has been on a hot streak over the past few years with a string of feature-packed and high-performance networking devices. Its newest offering, Deco AXE5300, besides speed and performance, takes a leap concerning connectivity options, security features, and others over its predecessor, TP-Link Deco X90.
Why is it suited for Ethernet Backhaul?
Compared to its predecessor, it has 9 Ethernet ports (3 in each unit) to which you can wire the units together with an Ethernet cable. And AXE5300 transmits data through an Ethernet connection, which is much faster and more stable than WiFi. With so many ports in place, you can connect most of your devices to them and experience gigabits of speeds.
Speeds & Suitability
The wireless speeds of this mesh unit are no further than wired connections. With Wi-Fi 6E support and an additional 6GHz band, this device pairs well with any Gigablast plan to deliver the fastest connections. Testing with Xfinity Gigablast, maximum speeds on my laptop clocked up to 900 Mbps for the 6GHz band, while 600 Mbps and 300 Mbps for the other two.
Such high wireless and wired speeds offer versatility in connecting my devices and performing intensive activities like online gaming, 4K streaming, and video conferencing. Besides, technologies like OFDMA and 2×2 MU-MIMO allow the device to communicate with multiple devices simultaneously, thereby decreasing signal wait time on each device.
WiFi Coverage & Connections Capacity
AXE5300 encompasses 8 high-performance antennas that boost its overall signal strength to cover areas up to 7,200 Sq Ft. This makes it a viable mesh system for large homes. Also, these antennas can beamform to coalesce several signals into one and potentially deliver a stable, high-speed wireless output over several devices at once.
I connected to over 75 devices in my workspace to work without lags or latencies.
Ease of Setup & Control
You will find a regular mix of features in this multi-platform Deco app, which does a great job of guiding you through the setup process, which is already simple. Connect any Deco unit with the modem, pair it with your app, log in using your credentials, and viola! You are connected to high-speed internet.
Besides, the app has multiple helpful features like getting a quick overview of connected devices, access to network settings, and toggling the security features.
Security Features
Like all its mesh systems, this unit has basic security features like WPA3 encryption, weekly reports, a home network scanner, and manually pausing the Wi-Fi. However, subscribe to its $55 yearly Homeshield pro subscription if you need more advanced security protection. It offers a greater shield from malware or viruses and conducts device-specific security scans and detailed network reports.
Aside from that, it includes many advanced parental controls like manually blocking a website, restricting viewing time for kids, and creating profiles for different members.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Deco AXE5300 is a versatile mesh system to create an Ethernet backhaul with 9 LAN ports and Wi-Fi 6E support to deliver faster wired and wireless connections. Besides that, there’s an option to stay secure every time without needing to pay much. However, the lack of features like link aggregation pushed this mesh to the second position.
Pros
- More Gig-E Ports
- Faster speeds
- Consistent throughput
- Wide coverage
- OFDMA and 2×2 MU-MIMO
Cons
- Lack of features like link aggregation
3. Best for Gaming: Linksys MX8000
- Ethernet Ports: 6 (3 on Each Unit)
- Wireless Standard: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
- 2.4GHz Speeds: 600 Mbps
- 5GHz Speeds: 1200 + 1200 Mbps
- Wi-Fi Range: Up to 5,400 Sq Ft
- Number of Supported Devices: 80+
- Chipset: 1.4GHz Quad-Core
- RAM & Flash Memory: 512MB + 512MB
- App Support: Yes
Linksys MX8000, the successor of Linksys AX2200, is a versatile mesh that delivers next-level gaming and streaming performance to multiple connected devices. And it ticks most of what’s needed from an Ethernet backhaul mesh WiFi, be it multiple Ethernet ports, tri-band support, or advanced security features.
Why is it suited for Ethernet Backhaul?
Turning the MX8000 mesh system upside down, we can see each device having 3 Gig-E ports, making a total of 6. With the available ports, you can connect your peripheral devices like printers, scanners, and others while network-using devices like laptops, gaming consoles, and others.
Besides, you can use these ports to connect Velop nodes to create a wired backhaul rather than a wireless backhaul for a lightning-speed Wi-Fi experience.
Speeds & Suitability
Concerning wireless speeds, this tri-band Wi-Fi 6 mesh system is one of the fastest I’ve ever tested. Paired with Cox’s Gigabit plan at my friends’ house, the recorded speeds reached up to 800 Mbps for the highest frequency bands. Conversely, for the 2.4GHz band, the speeds reached up to 250 Mbps.
It makes the mesh system viable for playing bandwidth-intensive online games at high fps for hours. Also, simultaneous activities like 4K streaming, video conferencing, downloading, and others were carried out on multiple devices without any network hiccups or drop-offs.
WiFi Coverage & Connections Capacity
MX8000 encases 6 high-performance antennas with beamforming support that delivers strong signals to an area up to 5,400 Sq Ft. The antennas combine with Intelligent Mesh technology to ensure most of your connected devices get linear speeds throughout. Despite connecting up to 25 devices, we had no struggle playing Destiny 2 on our gaming consoles.
Ease of Setup & Control
Setting up and controlling the Linksys mesh system is much easier with the Linksys app, which is free to download on Android and iOS. The video-based step-by-step instructions on the app let you install the app much easier, even if you’re a stranger to these networking devices. Aside from that, you can get an overview of connected devices and block any of them on the app.
Security Features
Despite being a feature-packed mesh router with ethernet ports, the only area it lacks is its security features. Your home network and devices aren’t encrusted to any firewall or protection from unknown attackers or viruses, requiring you to purchase third-party antivirus protection.
Nevertheless, features like WPA2 encryption and weekly scans add a basic layer of protection to your home network. Besides, you won’t find any smart parental controls apart from pausing the Wi-Fi at any time.
Conclusion
Linksys MX8000 is a serious contender to become the top mesh system for Ethernet backhaul. Its 6 Ethernet ports let you connect and access Gigabits of speed on multiple devices, plus its beamforming high-performance antennas sheaths your house with high-speed internet.
However, it’s ranked third with a lack of security features and fewer ports than my previous recommendations.
Pros
- 6 Ethernet ports
- User-friendly app
- Large coverage
- Consistent throughput
- Supports 80+ devices
Cons
- Lack of parental controls
Alternative Product Suggestion:
For a multi-gig Ethernet backhaul, TP-Link AX6600 can be a valuable option. Although it encases inferior Wi-Fi standards and a 5GHz band instead of a 6GHz, it’s a worthwhile investment if your main priority is getting an Ethernet backhaul.
4. Best Gigabit Mesh: TP-Link Deco X55
- Ethernet Ports: 9 (3 on Each Unit)
- Wireless Standard: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
- 2.4GHz Speeds: 574 Mbps
- 5GHz Speeds: 2402 Mbps
- WiFi Range: Up to 6,500 Sq Ft
- Number of Devices Supported: 150
- Chipset: 1GHz Dual-Core CPU
- RAM & Flash Memory: N/A
- App Support: Yes
Deco X55 is a popular contender for mesh networks with ethernet ports. It boasts a minimalistic yet stylish design that blends well with any internal decor. Price under $250, this is a reliable option at a reasonable price. And it’s an upgrade of Deco X20 concerning its speeds and coverage.
Why is it suited for Ethernet Backhaul?
With 9 Ethernet ports in 3 units combined, you can connect each of them using an Ethernet cable and create a high-speed wired mesh throughout your devices. Ethernet backhaul and wireless connections go hand-in-hand to connect Deco units properly, thus offering excellent speeds and seamless coverage.
Besides, it allows connecting multiple devices like laptops, printers, gaming consoles, and others.
Speeds & Suitability
Deco X55 offers decent speeds for the money and is recommended mesh for Gigabit internet. Testing with Cox’s gigabit plan, its 5GHz band offers speeds up to 600 Mbps at 75 feet from the mesh system. On the other hand, speeds clocked at 200 Mbps for the 2.4GHz band. It’s a tad less than my previous recommendations, but downloading a UHD movie happened to like the smack of a finger.
WiFi Coverage & Connections Capacity
The X55 delivers a broader WiFi coverage with clearer and strong signals enhanced by BSS color and beamforming. Its signals spread over an area of up to 6,500 Sq Ft and don’t lose their strength even after connecting with 40-50 devices at once. So, X55 is quite a suitable mesh WiFi for homes with thick walls.
Ease of Setup & Control
The Deco app that comes with it makes your life much easier. Just download and install the app, follow the on-screen instructions and you’re all set. Setting up the device and running your network takes a few minutes. Besides, other options let you have control over the system.
Security Features
Like all TP-Link devices, a premium HomeShield technology asks for almost $50 a year and promises to keep your home network and connected devices safe in return. Subscribed to it, your computer and other devices stay safe from unknown agents, attackers, viruses, or ransomware. Plus, its parental controls allow you to regulate online time for your kids.
Conclusion
To wrap up, the Deco X55 whole home mesh system is a great product, especially at its price. With nine Ethernet ports and powerful Wi-Fi 6 support, you have a great device that delivers faster internet in wired and wireless connections. However, it lacks substantial free security features and lesser speed offerings than my previous recommendations.
Suggested Read: Deco X55 whole home mesh WiFi review
Pros
- Simple setup with Deco app
- Super fast Wi-Fi 6
- Plenty of LAN ports
- Decent coverage and speeds
Cons
- Premium security features
5. Best Value for Money: Amazon Eero 6+
- Ethernet Ports: 4 (2 on Each Unit)
- Wireless Standard: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
- 2.4GHz Speeds: 574 Mbps
- 5GHz Speeds: 2401 Mbps
- Wi-Fi Range: Up to 3,000 Sq Ft
- Number of Supported Devices: 75+
- Chipset: 1GHz Dual-Core
- RAM & Flash Memory: 512MB + 4GB
- App Support: Yes
With its newest launch in Eero 6+, Google has brought many upgrades over its previous model, Amazon Eero 6, like better radios and wider channels. It, in turn, has resulted in more reliable and faster speeds than its preceding model but doesn’t cost you a fortune. Let’s find out more about this mesh system.
Why is it suited for Ethernet Backhaul?
Suitability for Ethernet backhaul depends on the number of Ethernet ports the mesh system has. Eero 6+ might not have many options with 4 GigE ports, but it does the job for you. Connect the main unit with its node to establish a wired backhaul and receive the fastest internet connections on your devices.
The Ethernet ports are “auto-sensing,” enabling them to recognize the local network’s speed and adjust accordingly automatically. You can connect some of your devices to the ports and send data from and to your modem faster via Ethernet than Wi-Fi bands.
Speeds & Suitability
Amazon Eero 6+ is an excellent choice for anyone subscribed to 500 Mbps internet. Testing with Spectrum Internet Ultra, the maximum speeds clocked up to 450 Mbps for the 5GHz band and 200 Mbps for the other. The speeds are fine for gaming, UHD streaming, and video conferencing. Still, the issue I had with this was occasional drop-offs, which somewhat disrupted the network usage experience.
Note: I also tested this while making a list of recommended mesh systems for Xfinity and have ranked it at the #3 position.
WiFi Coverage & Connections Capacity
Coverage might not be the forte of Eero 6+, but with 2×2 2.4GHz and 2×2 5GHz internal antennas, it boosts its signal strength up to 1,200 Sq Ft. Besides, the mesh system is further integrated with its Truemesh technology to route the signals across the space intelligently. So, there will be no network dead zones in your home or small office.
Ease of Setup & Control
The simple setup of this Eero 6+ is a huge advantage in my book, probably to an extent where I wouldn’t have to guide my technologically-illiterate grandpa through the process. Hook up your mesh system with the modem, connect it to the Eero app and follow the guided process to get it started. Using the app, you can toggle network settings and security features.
Security Features
Eero 6+ has integrated two-fold security to secure your devices: Eero Secure and Secure+. Switching the features on, the device blocks access to malicious websites and prevents unknown ransomware attacks or viruses. Plus, its smart parental controls let you monitor the number of hours someone is online and pause it anytime.
Conclusion
With a two-pack coming at less than $200, there’s plenty of value here, particularly with 4 high-speed GigE ports; you have the versatility to establish both wired and wireless backhaul. It’s compatible with plans up to 500 Mbps, and its premium security features you can rely on to keep your device safe from external threats.
You may also read my detailed review of the Amazon Eero 6+.
Pros
- 4 Ethernet ports
- Steady network
- Decent speeds
- Secured network
Cons
- Occasional lags
6. Cheapest Option: Linksys Velop WHW0103
- Ethernet Ports: 3 (1 on Each Unit)
- Wireless Standard: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
- 2.4GHz Speeds: 400 Mbps
- 5GHz Speeds: 867 Mbps
- WiFi Range: Up to 4,500 Sq Ft
- Number of Devices Supported: 25
- Chipset: 716MHz Quad-Core
- RAM & Flash Memory: 256MB + 256Mb
- App Support: Yes
Mesh network with ethernet ports can be expensive, but Linksys has launched its new model with entry-level features to make it affordable. This dual-band mesh isn’t the most feature-packed model out there, but with Wi-Fi 5 support, 3 antennas, MU-MIMO, and others, it’s definitely a significant upgrade over any ISP gateway.
Why is it suited for Ethernet Backhaul?
Linksys Velop has 3 usable Ethernet ports, one in the parent node and two in the child node. You can use these ports to connect multiple devices to access fast speeds than wireless connections.
IMPORTANT NOTE
This system doesn’t officially support Ethernet backhaul, you need to make a few tweaks, and it works just fine. Set up your system wirelessly first, and then connect your Ethernet cables. The system will switch to using the wired mesh for backhaul traffic. Well, for a budget choice, the process isn’t complex and is doable.
Speeds & Suitability
Upon testing with Xfinity’s Blast!, things started pretty well. In the living room, speeds reached up to 250 Mbps for the 5GHz band, while 50-75 Mbps on 2.4GHz at 15 feet from the mesh. But, the network started slowing as I moved further away from the system, reaching up to 90 Mbps at 80 feet apart.
Despite that, speeds were enough to carry on with my video conferencing without any lags.
WiFi Coverage & Connections Capacity
Although the manufacturer claims coverage of 4,500 Sq Ft, the truth was far away from that. Its 3-antenna system pans out powerful signals to an area of up to 2,000 Sq Ft, the size of a small office room or an apartment. Although the speed output on the outskirts wasn’t that high, I could easily connect 15 devices at once without dropping speeds.
Ease of Setup & Control
Like my previous recommendations, setting up this mesh system wouldn’t break a leg. Its app-guided setup system is completed within minutes, and you can use the internet. Using the app, you can further check the connected devices’ overview and the internet’s status and toggle the device prioritization feature.
Security Features
The security of Linksys Velop isn’t as advanced as you get in most devices on my list, but some features sheaths your home network with basic levels of security. These include monthly network scans, WPA3 encryption, and others. Besides, parental controls let you monitor your kids’ network usage and shut it down anytime.
Conclusion
The mesh WiFi with 3 LAN ports makes it simple to handle your ethernet connections and cover your medium home. Its thoughtfully designed mobile app lets you quickly and easily configure and control the device. But, its inconsistent throughput, slow speed, and other drawbacks pushed it to the bottom of the list.
To learn more, check out the in-depth Linksys WHW0103 review.
Pros
- Easy to install
- User-friendly mobile app
- MU-MIMO-enabled
- Stylish design
Cons
- Mixed performance
Frequently Asked Questions
Backhaul refers to the backbone of the network formed between nodes of a mesh system through direct wireless connections. These are generally available for tri-band mesh WiFi systems.
With mesh WiFi backhaul, the most significant impact is that download speeds are much faster, nearly double those without it. Besides, uploads are much faster.
Well, it depends. As long as your mesh system has more than 3 ports, you are good. But you will probably need more if you have more devices to connect directly and access faster speeds. The highest I have seen in any mesh system is nine.
Yes, you can use an Ethernet backhaul to connect your router to another satellite or router to create a wired backhaul connection.
Yes Linksys Velop support Ethernet backhaul. Like Orbi mesh systems, you can connect multiple routers or nodes to create a backhaul using an Ethernet cable.
Yes, the Google Nest WiFi supports Ethernet backhaul.
Verdict
That’s all from my side. Now it’s up to you to decide your requirements, your budget, which features would be helpful, and finally, select a setup that works for you. But, if you’re still confused, let me mention which ones appealed the most.
- My top choice would be Netgear Orbi RBK852, which comes with 8 Ethernet ports for you to create a multi-gig ethernet mesh network. Plus, features like Link & WAN Aggregation add a cherry to the top. It might be a bit pricy, but it’s worth every penny.
- My top budget pick would be Linksys MX8000. Priced under $300 for a two-pack, it ticks almost every box, which makes it the best mesh WiFi with ethernet backhaul.
- And finally, if you’re looking for a cheaper yet value-delivering WiFi 6 mesh with Ethernet backhaul, I’d recommend going for Amazon Eero 6 Plus.
With that, I’ll wrap up this review-based guide. Thanks for reading!
