There are a lot of reasons to upgrade to a mesh router system — and you needn’t spend a fortune to do it. Whether you find internet dead spots around your home, or maybe your ISP-provided router is just too basic, a mesh router could really help you improve your home networking experience.
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
Netgear
Netgear’s Orbi AC1200 is a more scaled-back version of its mesh networking system but it makes for a good entry-level option for a lot of folks, especially at its current discounted price. It’s Wi-Fi 5, rather than the newer Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E, and only dual-band, but we found it to be a terrific value option in our review. This pack contains a router and two satellites.
You’re receiving price alerts for Netgear Orbi (3-Pack, 2019)
TCL
TCL’s LinkHub AC1200 mesh system comes with two routers for this deal. This dual-band system can provide coverage for an area of up to 2,800 square feet and boasts impressive data transfer speeds of up to 1,167Mbps across both 2.4 and 5GHz wireless frequencies. At this price, it’s a solid upgrade for the average home.
TP-Link
The Deco S4 is another affordable Wi-Fi 5 mesh networking system, down to just $110 right now when you clip the on-page coupon. 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.
You’re receiving price alerts for TP-Link Technologies AC1200 Deco Whole Home Mesh Wi-Fi
TP-Link
The Deco X20 is TP-Link’s budget-friendly Wi-Fi 6 mesh networking system and the three-piece kit is even more affordable with this discount. The system offers up to 5,800 square feet of coverage and speeds of up to 1,200Mbps on its 5GHz band.
You’re receiving price alerts for TP-Link Deco X20 (3-pack): $160
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Meanwhile, Asus is also offering a deal on the XD6 version of the ZenWifi AX mesh router. Unlike the tri-band XT8 system listed above, it’s a dual-band system — that means you won’t get a dedicated wireless backhaul band. Even so, it performed quite well in our tests, enough for us to call it one of the best dual-band mesh systems we’ve ever tested.
Our only real complaint was that it was a bit overpriced at $380, but today’s deal brings the cost down to $235 and saves you $145. That makes it one of the top picks right now.
You’re receiving price alerts for Asus ZenWifi AX (XD6, 2-pack): $235
Ry Crist/CNET
Here’s another mesh system with full support for Wi-Fi 6E that’s on sale this week — the TP-Link Deco XE75.
We were impressed with the system’s fast, consistent performance when we tested it earlier this 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 $240, this is definitely an upgrade pick worth considering.
You’re receiving price alerts for TP-Link Deco XE75 (2-pack): $240
Asus
If you’re looking to balance top-end features and price, the Asus ZenWiFi AX is hard to beat. This two-piece system can cover up to 5,500 square feet and offers Wi-Fi 6 and MU-MIMO, as well as a tri-band configuration with a dedicated wireless backhaul for an improved connection between mesh devices.
You’re receiving price alerts for Asus ZenWiFi AX (White, 2-Pack)
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.
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