However, increased reliance on Wi-Fi can reveal problems, especially in larger offices or homes where the Wi-Fi signal may struggle to reach more distant rooms on other floors. Instead of relying on a conventional Wi-Fi router and access points or range extenders, opting for a mesh networking system is an alternative solution. Most mesh systems are aimed at home users and marketed as easily-configured solutions for “whole-home Wi-Fi,” but some are particularly suitable for business users. These systems may include features such as multiple Ethernet ports or the ability to create several networks with different passwords. The latest mesh systems are now adopting the Wi-Fi 6 standard (aka IEEE 802.11ax), which is certainly worth considering for businesses wanting to maximize the performance and flexibility of their Wi-Fi setups. With these factors in mind, I researched the best mesh Wi-Fi systems to help you gain the signal you need. Also: The best VPN services (and whether it’s worth trying free VPNs)
The Asus AiMesh AX6100 is an impressive mesh system that is suitable for larger office buildings or public venues such as hotels or warehouses. This two-pack provides extensive Wi-Fi coverage and is currently priced at $400. It covers areas of up to 5,500 square feet and uses one of the 5GHz bands as a 4.8Gbps “backhaul” to link the two routers, providing robust performance across the entire network. The system is AiMesh compatible, which means that you can combine different Asus routers to create one blanket home Wi-Fi network. The network will also automatically select the best options and frequency bands for signal optimization. Premium Orbi Pro devices provide impressive Wi-Fi 6 performance and are well-suited for organizations that need to manage multiple networks with different groups of users. However, these devices are quite expensive, so Netgear has introduced the more affordable dual-band Orbi Pro Wi-Fi 6 Mini for small businesses and remote workers. Like other Orbi systems, the Mini consists of a primary router with one or two additional satellites that extend the range of the mesh network. Prices start at $120 for a system consisting of a router and one satellite. Both devices provide dual-band Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) running at 1.8 Gbps. The Mini stands out with additional features that cater specifically to business users. The key feature is the ability to create four separate networks, each with its password. This feature allows you to provide different levels of network access for admin and IT staff, as well as guests who may be visiting your office or other public venues. Moreover, when working from home, you can reserve one network to ensure that your Zoom calls aren’t affected by family members streaming Netflix or playing games on the network. You can pick up a three-pack of the 2022 release for only $240, a discount of 20%. With these mesh nodes – of which a smart hub is built-in – you can expect up to 4,500 sq. ft. of coverage. The tall, white plastic design looks very similar to Linksys’s popular Velop mesh systems and houses no less than 12 internal antennae, powered by a 2.2GHz quad-core processor. However, Linksys has clearly decided that this new Wi-Fi 6E system deserves a powerful new name befitting its high-performance credentials – hence the Linksys Atlas Max 6E. The Atlas Max 6E supports the 6GHz frequency band, in addition to the existing 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands. Prices start at $299 for a Wi-Fi 5 router, while the more expensive options provide tri-band Wi-Fi 6E with a top speed of 8.4Gbps (referred to as AXE8400). To match its high-end wireless speed, the Atlas also provides Gigabit Ethernet ports for devices that require a wired connection and a USB 3.0 port for connecting USB storage devices that can be shared on the network. One Atlas router can cover an area of up to 3,000 square feet, with professional installation available for business users. At the top of the range, it can support over 195 device connections – far more than necessary for an average home, but potentially great for SMBs. The Orbi Wi-Fi 6 System AX6000 is a top-of-the-range mesh system, starting at $543 for a two-piece system comprised of a primary router and a secondary satellite. It offers impressive performance, though, with tri-band Wi-Fi capable of a combined top speed of 6 Gbps. It’s fast when it comes to wired connections too, with the primary router including a 2.5Gbps WAN port for a high-speed internet connection for office networks, along with four Gigabit Ethernet ports on both the router and satellite for wired connections. The two-piece system is designed to cover buildings of up to 5,000 square feet. There’s also a three-piece system that covers up to 7,500 square feet, but it’s an investment of over $1000. You can buy additional satellites separately. However, more expensive Wi-Fi 6 systems can offer increased speed and are more efficient at streaming data to multiple connected devices simultaneously. Therefore, Wi-Fi 6 systems provide greater speed and are the best option for homes or offices with lots of computers, mobile devices, and IoT devices that are in daily use. It was also important to include a number of high-end mesh systems – primarily using the new Wi-Fi 6 standard (802.11ax) – that provide greater performance than older Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) routers. As well as being suitable for homes and offices, these high-end systems also offer greater range and reliability for buildings such as warehouses and public venues such as restaurants and hotels. The difference between a mesh network and range extenders is that a mesh system is all part of the same network, so you don’t have to worry about needing to switch networks as you move around your house. Any mesh Wi-Fi system you buy will have a base router that connects to your modem and acts like your old router, sending signal out through your home. That signal is then picked up and rebroadcasted by the satellite routers, creating a larger signal range as well as stronger signals for streaming and gaming.
