Compared to WiFi 6, the WiFi 6E standard comes with additional 160 MHz channels and a 6 GHz band. That’s why it is best for network-congested places. If you’re living in a large 2-3 story house with many dead WiFi zones or congestion, you should consider getting a mesh WiFi 6E system. But which one?
Based on my research, here are the top 5 WiFi 6e mesh systems of 2024:
- Best Overall: Netgear Orbi RBKE963
- Best Runner Up: Linksys MX8502
- Best for Streaming: ASUS ZenWiFi ET8
- Best Under $400: TP-Link Deco XE75
- Best for Alexa Ecosystem: Eero Pro 6E
But how do they make a difference? Well, it’s not just a band upgrade but offers you limitless possibilities to explore when it comes to speed, range, or future-proofing. The 6 GHz band being a comparatively new one, doesn’t interfere with other frequencies. So, communication between systems and devices is much faster.
WiFi 6E mesh routers are, therefore, suitable for modern households/offices with the latest gadgets and seamless, high-throughput requirements. While not many options are available, finding an ideal WiFi 6e router that fits perfectly with your needs might still be confusing. Don’t worry, I will help you locate one!
5 Best WiFi 6E Mesh Systems in 2024
To increase credibility in my research, I have tested 9 WiFi 6E mesh systems with Gigabit plans of various ISPs in my 3-story house. I put the devices through several scenarios to ensure they deliver reliable performance throughout the day, and finally, here with my top recommendations.
Overview of Products Covered in This Article:
The list starts with the most premium and feature-packed devices, making way for mid-tier picks, and ends with a budget option. This way, I’ve ensured you get enough choices that suit your requirements and budget.
1. Best Overall: Netgear Orbi RBKE963
- Wireless Standard: Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)
- 2.4GHz Speeds: 1200 Mbps
- 5GHz Speeds: 2400 + 2400 Mbps
- 6GHz Speeds: 4800 Mbps
- WiFi Range: Up to 9,000 Sq Ft
- Number of Devices Supported: 200
- Ports: 1 x 2.5 Gig Ethernet + 3 x 1 Gig Ethernet
- Processor: 2.2GHz Quad-Core
- RAM & Flash Memory: 1GB + 512MB
- App Support: Yes
If you’re in the market for a top WiFi 6E mesh, irrespective of how much it costs, look no further than Netgear Orbi RBKE963. It comes with the industry’s first quad-band support to deliver lightning-fast speeds, massive coverage, and device support.
And it has taken a massive leap compared to its predecessor, Orbi 850 series, which has Wi-Fi 6 support, thereby lesser speed and range.
Why is it a suitable choice?
I paired Orbi RBKE963 with the top-tier plan of Comcast Xfinity, and, unsurprisingly, it got scores the highest I’ve seen from a mesh setup. I used the network with a WiFi 6E radio-equipped Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra smartphone to test the combined throughput speeds.
In close proximity, Orbi’s score of 940 Mbps while its score of 650 Mbps on the 30 feet test was much higher than any other mesh WiFi 6E system. Besides, the device’s performance with its 6GHz band was also exceptional. At closer range, the speeds were recorded at 970 Mbps, whereas the score was 700 Mbps in the 30-foot test.
Plus, OFDMA allows the device to manage traffic much better. In layman’s terms, they eliminate potential interferences to route strong signals across a large house and handle multiple devices simultaneously. It makes the device suitable for activities like 4K streaming, online gaming, and others.
Wireless Coverage
Netgear WiFi 6E mesh delivers a staggering range of 6,500-7,000 Sq Ft thanks to 8 high-performance antennas with high-powered amplifiers. I used it in my 3,700 Sq Ft mansion-style apartment resulting in no dead zones or network gaps. And with MU-MIMO, you simultaneously get reliable and similar internet speeds in 90-100 devices.
Aside from wireless backhaul, you can create a multi-gig Ethernet backhaul with a 2.5 Gbps WAN port and 4 LAN Gigabit Ethernet ports. For example, I hardwired my smart TV, Xbox 360, and PC to get the best possible connection and internet speeds at around 1 Gbps.
Ease of Setup & Control
Nothing gets easier than using your phone to follow instructions and get it done. Install the Orbi app, plug in your satellites and router, and create an account. The app automatically detects the router and satellites and asks you to enter a new username, password, and viola! It’s done. It took merely 10-12 minutes to go through the entire process.
Besides that, the app is super user-friendly and integrates several options to let you control the mesh system completely. You can customize and configure the satellites and add or remove connected devices if required.
Security Features
Netgear offers a 30-day free trial to its premium Netgear Armor security software. With this, you get superior protection against viruses or ransomware and unlimited device licenses for the software. It costs $99 yearly, which might sound costly, but you can’t put a price on your security, right?
Besides, with smart parental controls, you can block any explicit or unwanted websites, monitor your kids’ online time, set up a schedule, and pause the network anytime.
Conclusion
Given its asking price of around $1500, get ready to dig deep into your pockets to afford this feature-packed mesh WiFi 6e. But if you are pursuing a system with such power and coverage area, then look no further. It delivers an unmatched performance every time and definitely a winner for the best WiFi 6E mesh router.
To learn more about this premium offering, check out the Orbi RBKE963 review.
Pros
- Quad-band support
- Blazing fast performance
- Excellent coverage
- Easy to install and manage
- Multi-gig connectivity
Cons
- Very expensive
- Paid security
2. Best Runner Up: Linksys MX8502
- Wireless Standard: Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)
- 2.4GHz Speeds: 1147 Mbps
- 5GHz Speeds: 2402 Mbps
- 6GHz Speeds: 4804 Mbps
- WiFi Range: Up to 6,000 Sq Ft
- Number of Devices Supported: 100+
- Ports: 5 x 1 Gig Ethernet + 1 x USB 3.1
- Processor: 2.2 GHz Quad-Core
- RAM & Flash Memory: 1GB + 512MB
- App Support: Yes
Linksys MX8502 is a feature-packed 6e mesh router that proves its worth with a $600 lesser price than the above-reviewed model. Linksys provides long coverage, easy setup, and more I/O ports. And it’s a major upgrade over its older model, Linksys MX12600.
Why is it a suitable choice?
Paired with Cox’s Gigablast plan, I tested this device with my Samsung Ultra S21, and for the most part, the results were impressive. On its main router, over 2.4GHz band speeds clocked at an impressive value of 121 Mbps on close range, while 72 Mbps on the 30-foot test.
On 5GHz, speed scores were recorded at a maximum of 792 Mbps and 510 Mbps at 5 feet and 30 feet, respectively. Besides, at a higher frequency band, i.e., 6GHz, respective scores for close proximity and 30-foot test were 920 Mbps and 610 Mbps. This was significantly higher than most WiFi 6E routers I’ve tested far.
So, you can use this device to work from home, video conferencing, play AR and VR games, remote learning, and stream high-quality videos.
Wireless Coverage
Coverage is a unique forte of this 6E mesh system. It integrates 12 high-performance beamforming antennas, more than what we get in the Netgear Orbi model. They combine with its patented Linksys Velop Intelligent Mesh technology to route the signals through a less congested band, potentially streamlining the data flow.
It can accommodate up to 195 clients at a time, and thanks to 4×4 MU-MIMO transmissions, all the connected devices receive the best possible internet connectivity. Besides, the system also allocates 7 separate 160MHz channels making it a suitable mesh WiFi for gaming and streaming.
Ease of Setup & Control
The device comes with Linksys app support that provides tailored step-by-step instructions to configure the device hassle-free. The setup takes a few minutes, and you won’t need to be a technical nerd like me to get this done. Besides, this app has numerous other features to help you take control of the mesh system.
Security Features
The latest WPA3 security standard and VPN-passthrough keep your data and user credentials in an encrypted form. But it lacks an additional set of security, as we saw in Netgear Orbi RBKE963. It is the same with parental controls, where you can monitor and pause the connection. I expected a bit more in this respect at such a price point.
Conclusion
The Linksys MX8502 is nothing short of the best mesh with WiFi 6E support I’ve tested until now. With high-performance and amplified antennas, it delivers strong through concrete walls, several stories, and across numerous devices. But the lack of security features pushed the mesh system to the second position.
Pros
- Transmit strong signals across a large area
- Great overall performance
- Easy to install
- Future-proof
- 3-year warranty
Cons
- No added security protection
- Expensive
3. Best for Streaming: ASUS ZenWiFi ET8
- Wireless Standard: Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)
- 2.4GHz Speeds: 574 Mbps
- 5GHz Speeds: 1201 Mbps
- 6GHz Speeds: 4804 Mbps
- WiFi Range: Up to 5,500 Sq Ft
- Number of Devices Supported: 70+
- Ports: 3 x 1 Gig Ethernet
- Processor: 1.5GHz Quad-Core
- RAM & Flash Memory: 512MB + 256MB
- App Support: Yes
Next on my list is a whole-home WiFi 6E mesh that combines lighting-fast speeds with coverage up to 5,500 Sq Ft and its elegant design. With an additional 6GHz band, it takes a step forward in technological innovation concerning its older model, Asus ZenWiFi Pro XT12, which boasts tri-band Wi-Fi 6 support. (Differences between tri-band and dual-band)
Why is it a suitable choice?
To measure its performance, I paired it with Cox’s Gigablast plan on my Samsung Galaxy Book pro, and it tore apart most WiFi 6E mesh setups. At close vicinity, the combined band speeds were recorded at 867 Mbps, while speeds dropped by 25%, i.e., 650 Mbps at 40 feet. At 120 feet distance, the network was still online with speeds around 50 Mbps.
Other than that, the highest 6GHz band delivers unmatched speeds to the WiFi 6E mesh network. The respective speeds clocked at 915 Mbps, 685 Mbps, and 75 Mbps at various distances. So it’s safe to say that Asus ET8 did pretty well in my performance test.
As I listened to the live newsfeed of BBC world service on my iPad Pro, a 4K video ran on Samsung Ultrabook, and my Dell laptop played UHD videos. Besides, my cousins completed several chapters of Red dead redemption 2 on PS4 without any lags or hiccups.
Wireless Coverage
This WiFi 6E mesh router is a winner when filling my 100-year-old 3-story, 3,700 Sq Ft apartment. I connected nearly 25 data-hungry devices, and thanks to its 6 high-gain antennas, there were network dropouts in none of them.
Besides, the integration of MU-MIMO technology allows the mesh system to deliver seamless and reliable internet connection throughout the connected devices.
Ease of Setup & Control
Unlike most mesh networking kits, setting up this WiFi 6E mesh system can get tricky. Although guided instructions are available, you must configure the mesh unit and nodes separately. Once it’s done, scan the QR code on the mesh system to get logged into the app and access the controls.
Security Features
The aspect that makes this device standalone amongst others is its lifetime free commercial-grade Network security, ASUS AiProtection Pro, powered by Trend Micro. This software safeguards your network from external hazards and ensures that the dangers of viruses, hackers, and attackers aren’t inflicted on the device.
Besides, there’re advanced parental controls to protect your kids from exposure to explicit or inappropriate content and pause the Wi-Fi to let them concentrate on their studies.
Conclusion
In the era of ever-evolving Wi-Fi 6E mesh systems, Asus ZenWiFi ET8 is a top dog to beat. Priced below $600, the offered speed throughput, coverage, and other features make it a highly suitable mesh for Verizon FiOS and AT&T Fiber connections. However, my top two recommendations were much more futuristic, taking this mesh system down to the third position.
For more information, check out the ASUS ZenWiFi ET8 review.
Pros
- Excellent overall performance
- Lifetime free commercial-grade security
- Great range
- Inexpensive
Cons
- 3 downstream LAN ports
4. Best Under $400: TP-Link Deco XE75
- 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
- Ports: 3 x 1 Gig Ethernet
- Processor: 1.7GHz Quad-Core
- RAM & Flash Memory: 512MB + N/A
- App Support: Yes
This TP-Link WiFi 6e is a bargain product for those who want to upgrade their home network to the 6GHz band. The Deco XE75 boasts several upgrades over TP-Link’s flagship Deco X90 in terms of coverage and suitability. The signals in the former are much clearer than in the latter.
Note: There’s also a slightly upgraded model, Deco XE75 Pro, which you may consider.
Why is it a suitable choice?
Unlike cable modems, compatibility with internet providers isn’t a concern, as you can pair with any major provider of your choice. So, to determine the full potential of this mesh system, I subscribed to the high-speed AT&T fiber Gigabit plan, only to be mesmerized by the output.
Its performance is on par with some of the best mesh systems around. At 5 feet, download speeds at the 6GHz band clocked at 800 Mbps, while the upload speeds ranged between 45-60 Mbps. Taking my iPhone 13 a tad far away from the system, the speeds dipped by 30% to 560 Mbps and 35 Mbps for downloads and uploads, respectively.
On the other hand, download speeds for the lower frequency bands, i.e., 5GHz and 2.4GHz, dropped considerably, with values reading at 600 Mbps and 150 Mbps in close vicinity. With such high speeds, you will surely never miss anything, entertainment, gaming, or work.
Wireless Coverage
The TP-Link WiFi 6E mesh performed quite well in my old 3,700 Sq Ft apartment. Despite the thick concrete walls and metal doors, its 4 high-performance antennas simultaneously dissipated strong signals to as many as 35 devices.
Besides, the standalone feature of this mesh router is its roaming capability. Thanks to its 802.11k/v/r fast roaming technology and AI-driven algorithm, the device switches and routes the network faster than any other device.
Despite connecting 35 network-hungry devices, the videos on my iPhone 13 ran smoothly without any dropouts as I roamed across the apartment.
Ease of Setup & Control
Deco XE75 puts most WiFi 6E mesh routers to shame with its easiness of installation. It comes with a compatible app that takes a step ahead by providing video-based instructions for setup. It took me exactly 9 minutes and 40 seconds to get the device configured. Even my friend’s grandma could do it without any assistance.
Aside from that, the app shows some usual things like network status for every connected device and respective network speeds. Other advanced features include static IP lease, VLAN IPTV, DDNS, port forwarding, and more.
Security Features
Talking about its security, you won’t get much for free, as we saw in ZenWiFi ET8. However, features like WPA3 and VPN passthrough are more than enough for a residential setting.
Nevertheless, if the device is set up in a commercial setting, you can enroll in its premium Homeshield Pro monthly/yearly subscription. Powered by Bitdefender, it adds an extra layer of protection to your network and prohibits unwanted external threats. Besides, you get smart parental controls with features like usage limitation and content filtering.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it’s one of the most feature-packed gigabit mesh systems in this budget. With the latest wireless standard and several high-performance antennas, you get lightning-fast speeds and decent coverage. However, its only downside is the lack of multi-gig Ethernet ports, which makes it the penultimate choice and the cheapest WiFi 6e router on the list.
For more information, check out my complete review of the Deco XE75.
Pros
- High-speed mesh performance
- Great coverage
- The user-friendly app makes it easy to install
- 3 Gigabit LAN/WAN on each unit
- Minimalistic design
Cons
- Lack of multi-gig Ethernet ports
- Paid security features
5. Best for Alexa Ecosystem: Eero Pro 6E
- Wireless Standard: Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)
- 2.4GHz Speeds: 574 Mbps
- 5GHz Speeds: 2402 Mbps
- 6GHz Speeds: 2402 Mbps
- WiFi Range: Up to 2,000 Sq Ft
- Number of Devices Supported: 100+
- Ports: 1 x 2.5 Gig Ethernet
- Processor: 1GHz Dual-Core
- RAM & Flash Memory: 1GB + 4GB
- App Support: Yes
Eero Pro 6E marks a new chapter for Amazon-owned mesh routers. With WiFi 6E support, its resulting signals are much strong, and its additional 6GHz band and WAN port make it capable of delivering speeds up to 2.5 Gbps. This makes the mesh system an automatic upgrade over Amazon’s Eero 6 Plus and other options.
Why is it a suitable choice?
I have used a Gigabit Comcast cable connection with a Motorola MB8611 cable modem to get the highest throughput possible and tested the speeds on my iPhone 13 and Dell laptop. Unsurprisingly, all 3 devices saw massive speed bumps.
Connected to the 6GHz band, respective speeds on both my devices stayed at a maximum of 650 Mbps and 719 Mbps. On the 5GHz band, I received speeds of 475 Mbps and 600 Mbps, respectively, on my devices. The speed output is less than my previous recommendations but fast enough to handle most of your bandwidth-intensive activities.
Wireless Coverage
The device performs decently well on my tests in my friend’s 1,300 Sq Ft apartment. Thanks to 4 high-speed antennas, there were no network gaps or dead zones, and he continued to get a consistent throughput across all his connected devices. We continued to play Destiny 2 on our PS4 and Xbox at 60fps without any latencies or lags.
Ease of Setup & Control
Like most of my recommendations, the entire setup process of Eero Pro 6E is doable with the Eero app. Once you plug in your devices, install the app and tap through the instructions to get your mesh system configured. Yes, it’s that easy.
Furthermore, the app shows all the connected devices and allows you to manually assign a device type, toggle the security features and add or remove devices if needed.
Security Features
Security-wise, you won’t get much for free. With a $10 monthly subscription to Eero Secure, you get commercial-grade security features like Encrypt.me VPN, DDNS remote network access, and others to keep your home network safe. Besides, its premium parental controls allow you to take control of your kids’ online activities.
Conclusion
In summary, with multiple upgrades over its flagship model, customers can experience high-speed internet on their connected devices spread over a large area. But it’s not as high-tech as my previous recommendations, hence at the bottom of my list.
For more information, check out:
Pros
- Impressive speeds
- Easy to install and network management
- Excellent coverage
- Great parental controls and security features
Cons
- Paid security features
- Limited range
Frequently Asked Questions
With an additional 6GHz backhaul band, the WiFi 6E mesh network creates a fast lane for compatible devices and applications. As a result, you’ll get lower latency and faster wireless speeds.
Although WiFi 7 has been announced, Wi-Fi 6E mesh systems are future-proof and can deliver speeds up to 10 Gbps, provided you have compatible IP. Besides, it delivers more effective and reliable network performance and supports more devices simultaneously, even in congested and dense environments.
Although it’s a comparatively new technology, several reputed networking companies have developed Wi-Fi 6E-compatible mesh systems in most price brackets. So you can choose whichever fits your needs and budget.
Here are a few ways to select an ideal WiFi 6E mesh:
– Determine your needs and where you are installing your mesh system
– Check for the maximum speeds it delivers and determine how much you would need
– Similarly, coverage of the mesh system will depend on the overall area of your space
– Whether it can penetrate thick walls
– Security features
Verdict
That’s all about the reviews of WiFi 6E mesh setups. I hope you find it informative, and with this in hand, you can select a device suitably aligned with your needs. But if you still can’t decide, let me tell you some of my top favorites:
- If budget isn’t a constraint and you’re looking for high-end features, look no further than Netgear Orbi RBKE963. With quad-band support, it delivers speeds up to 10.8 Gbps and coverage up to 9,000 Sq Ft.
- If you are looking for a reliable and future-proof 6E mesh router that doesn’t dig a hole in your wallet, go for ASUS ZenWiFi ET8. With a price tag of less than $600, the speed throughput, coverage, and other features make it the value king.
- And, if you want the cheapest WiFi 6E router with decent features and great speed, go for TP-Link Deco XE75. Costing less than $400, it delivers speeds up to 900 Mbps with Gigabit plans, which is on par with many high-end options.
It’s great to invest in a future-proof unit that pairs well with high-speed plans.
