The Internet of Things is pretty great, but that also means that more and more devices are trying to connect to older Wi-Fi 4 and 5 routers that struggle to keep up. On top of that, there’s always an issue with range because most folks can’t install a router in the center of their home. As such, mesh routers are an excellent option if your current setup is struggling with the number of devices or areas it needs to cover.
If it’s been more than five years since you last bought a router, it’s definitely time for an upgrade. By making the switch to a mesh router system, you can help eliminate dead spots throughout your home. Plus, most of the latest mesh router models support blazing-fast speeds for smooth browsing, streaming, and gaming. To help you find the right router for your home and your budget, we’ve rounded up some of the best bargains you can take advantage of right now below.
By placing mesh routers around your home, your wireless connection can be extended over a much larger area than a single router can offer, so even the outer reaches of your property can get a signal. Each mesh router relays your wireless traffic back to your modem, and your devices will seamlessly switch between different mesh routers in your home as you move around for the best connection.
If you’re on the hunt for a good deal on a great mesh router, check out our regularly updated list below and score yourself some savings.
Best mesh router deals
The Deco S4 is another affordable Wi-Fi 5 mesh networking system, down to just $130 right now. The three-piece kit on sale offers up to 5,500 square feet of coverage and AC1200 speeds. Each Deco S4 unit has two gigabit Ethernet ports with support for wired Ethernet backhaul for improved speeds. If you don’t have an abundance of Wi-Fi 6 devices in your home, it’s a good option for those looking to spend as little as possible for whole-home coverage.
The Linksys Atlas is a solid budget option if you have a lot of devices that need to connect to Wi-Fi 6 since it can support 50+. It also has a 4,000-square-foot coverage, can hit a maximum of 3,000 Mbps combined, and is perfect if you don’t have a lot of space for a 3-pack of mesh routers.
The Deco X55 is a great budget Wi-Fi 6 mesh system that can cover a whopping 6500 square feet. That’s probably more than you really need, but having some overlap can be useful, so it’s a great option even for a smaller home. It can hit a maximum of 3,000 Mbps across its antenna, and each unit has 3 gigabit ethernet ports for more flexibility.
Here’s another mesh system with full support for Wi-Fi 6E that’s on sale right now — the TP-Link Deco XE75.
We were impressed with the system’s fast, consistent performance when we tested it last year, and we love the way the extenders automatically pair with the mesh as soon as you plug them in, which makes setup an absolute breeze. At $220, this is definitely an upgrade pick worth considering.
This three-piece tri-band mesh system from Netgear comes with one base router and two satellites and provides a strong signal for an area of up to 6,750 square feet. It boasts impressive speeds of up to 3.6Gbps and Wi-Fi 6 support, as well as backward compatibility with Wi-Fi 5 devices. It also takes just minutes to set up, and you can add even more satellites if you need wider coverage.
The TP-Link Deco XE75 can cover a whopping 7,200 square feet, so it’s perfect for larger homes, especially if you need to have a lot of devices connected. It can also hit 5,400 Mbps top speed across its various bands and antennae, so it’s pretty fast. Don’t forget to grab the $50 coupon before checking out to get the full discount.
How do I know if I need a mesh network?
The main benefit of upgrading to a mesh network is to rid your home of dead zones. Since mesh systems offer a greater coverage area than a stand-alone router, they’re well-suited to medium or large homes. If your home is spread across over 1,500 square feet, you likely have some harder-to-reach spots for a traditional router.
Smaller properties may be serviced just fine by a regular router. Still, if you find internet speeds plummeting in the rooms farthest from your router, it might make sense to upgrade to a mesh system.
Will a mesh network replace my existing router?
Yes, your new mesh network will replace your current router. A mesh router will connect directly to your modem via Ethernet, like your existing router does, with any other mesh devices being connected to power at other spots in your home.
Importantly, you’ll see just one network in your home and phones, tablets and other devices will automatically switch between the various mesh devices in the background as you move around so you’re always connected to the optimum mesh device.
Source: CNET
