Best Mesh WiFi Router Systems for $250 or Less
These budget-friendly models can improve your home WiFi network without straining your wallet, CR's testers say
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Bratton McGregor was tired of dealing with crummy WiFi.
A small business owner who lives just outside Mobile, Ala., he merely wanted to stream Netflix and play the occasional video game on the family iPad. But it wasnāt until he upgraded to a mesh router that he was able to do so.
āMesh has been a lifesaver for my entire house,ā he says. āI would have spent the money on it years ago if I knew about it.ā
Mesh uses several router units (often sold in packs of two or three) that wirelessly work together to spread WiFi deeper and more evenly through your home than a traditional single-unit router.
Netgear Orbi AC1200
This three-pack (one base station and two satellite units) performed well in our tests, offering speedy performance at a low price.
Youāll find smartphone app-based setup, a single built-in Ethernet port (useful for connecting a device such as a printer or game console), and automatic firmware updates, which protect you from hackers, malware, and other security vulnerabilities.
This model supports WiFi 5, which was superseded by WiFi 6 in 2020, but can still provide years of good service if youāre not the sort to fill your home with state-of-the-art gadgets designed to maximize the benefits of WiFi 6 technology.
TP-Link Deco W6000 AX3000
This two-pack (one base station and one satellite) is another smart choice if youāre looking for strong WiFi performance for less than $200.
It aced all three of our distance tests, so thereās a good chance youāll have a strong and reliable WiFi signal throughout your home, assuming there are no major structural impediments. Initial setup is handled by an easy-to-use mobile app, and once youāre up and running, automatic firmware updates will help protect you and your data from hackers and other security threats.
Add support for WiFi 6, which should ensure that your future smartphones, tablets, TVs, and the like have the fastest connection possible, and youāve got a compelling package, especially for the price.
Netgear Nighthawk AX1800
This three-pack performed well in all three throughput tests and supports many of the useful features youād expect to see in a top-rated router, including an app-based setup, and automatic firmware updating.
Itās also compatible with the WiFi 6 standard, which may be useful as you add devices that fully take advantage of the new tech to your home network.
Eero 6
Eero, which is owned by Amazon, helped popularize the very idea of mesh networking. And while the manufacturer does make a more powerful Eero Pro version, this one is a fine choice for most consumers.
As you might expect, it offers fast performance, convenient smartphone app-based setup and management, automatic firmware updates, and two built-in Ethernet ports. The model adds WiFi 6 support, which the earlier Eero Home lacked.
Google WiFi
Google currently makes two wireless routers: this model, known simply as Google WiFi, and a higher-end (and more expensive) model that carries the Nest branding. Both are good, but Google WiFi offers better value for the money.
The option we purchased is a three-pack, though Google also sells single units. That might be useful if you only want two or you wish to add more to expand the size of your network later on. The model scored well in our distance tests, and features smartphone-based setup and management and automatic firmware updates.
While there are two built-in Ethernet ports, there arenāt any built-in USB ports.