Editor's Note: We aren't recommending customers purchase TP-Link routers at this time. The Wall Street Journal reports that the Commerce, Defense, and Justice Departments are investigating TP-Link routers, citing security concerns. This investigation may lead to their ban in the US. We'll keep you updated on this developing story. Read CNET's overview of the TP-Link situation for more information.
Whether you work in a shared office or remotely, having fast internet is vital. Many of us rely heavily on the internet for work, school and personal use like streaming and gaming. That's why more people are investing in mesh router setups to strengthen their Wi-Fi connections and gain significantly broader and better coverage. Most notably, mesh routers can help with those awkward dead zones around the house that tend to offer shaky internet -- or even no service at all -- spring to life.
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If it's been more than five years since you last bought a router, it's probably time for an upgrade, more so if you have only one router in your home or business. 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 home can get a signal boost, eliminating those pesky dead spots.
Each mesh router relays wireless traffic back to your modem, and your devices will seamlessly switch between different mesh routers as you move around for the best possible connection. Plus, most of the latest mesh router models support super-fast speeds for seamless browsing, streaming and gaming.
Below we've rounded up some of the best online deals on mesh systems to help you find the perfect setup for your home and budget. 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
TP-Link Deco X55 (3-pack): $170
The Deco X55 is a great budget Wi-Fi 6 mesh system that can cover an impressive 6500 square feet. That's probably more than you 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.
TP-Link Deco XE75 (2-pack): $190
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 $190, this is definitely an upgrade worth considering.
Eero AX1800 dual-band mesh Wi-Fi 6 system (3-pack): $150
This three-pack system is great for those looking to cover a large amount of space. This system has a range of a whopping 5,000 square feet. It has dual-band technology that separates your devices by band for better traffic management. It has a frequency of 5.2 GHz, which is great for things like video calls and gaming.
Netgear Orbi AX6000 (2-pack): $399
This tri-band mesh Wi-Fi 6 system includes a router and one satellite extender. The system reaches speeds of up to 6Gbps and can handle up to 100 connected devices. Plus, it provides up to 5,000 square feet of coverage. You can add additional satellites to extend coverage by up to 2,500 square feet per satellite, but those are sold separately.
Only $10 away from its lowest-ever price, this budget mesh router from TP-Link offers up to 5,500 square feet of coverage and comes in a pack of three. This is a limited-time discount that takes the price down to $110.
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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