Currently, there are four Eero systems on the market worth considering, offering a broadly similar experience. The first two are dual-band systems (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz). People with internet connections up to 500 Mbps can go with the regular Eero 6. If you have a faster connection, up to 1 Gbps, and your home is smaller than 4,500 square feet, the Eero 6+ ($300 ) the system choose. People with larger properties or above-average needs (multiple devices and people using the internet at the same time) should consider the Eero Pro 6E ($550) (7/10, WIRED Recommends), a tri -band system that supports 2.4-GHz, 5-GHz, and 6-GHz bands. The Eero Pro 6 has been discontinued.
The Eero Max 7 ($1,700) (7/10, WIRED Review) is its top-of-the-line, Wi-Fi 7 option, boasting four Ethernet ports, two rated at 10 Gbps and two at 2.5 Gbps, but this would be overkill for most people today. You can dig deeper into the differences in our Eero buying guide. But whichever model you choose, keep an eye out for frequent discounts. All Eero systems are compatible with each other, making it easy to expand your network.
Best Value
Affordable and compact, the ZenWifi XD5 is a solid alternative to our top pick for more limited needs or budgets. Innovatively, you don’t need to create an account to set up and use this mesh network. Each of the three units features two gigabit Ethernet ports and can be wall-mounted. Basic security (AiProtection Classic) and parental controls come at no extra cost, and there’s support for AiMesh, so you can mix and match other Asus routers.
Performance was smooth and reliable during my testing, with some impressively fast results for the price. I downloaded a 30-GB game in less than eight minutes. Although it is a dual-band system, there is support for 160-MHz channels in the 5-GHz band. Asus says a 3-pack can cover up to 5,000 square feet, but speeds drop the farther you get from a router. To squeeze the best performance out of the XD5, or any mesh system, connect the main router and nodes using Ethernet for wired backhaul.
The Asus mobile app is straightforward and lets you schedule downtime and filter content for your child’s devices through parental controls, split bands, and set up a guest network. Access more options, including basic QoS and VPN support, through the web interface. My parents have been using this system for over a year and it has been plain sailing. People with 1 Gbps or slower connections who prefer not to have a subscription will find this reliable system a great value.
A Wi-Fi 6E Mesh
Support for Wi-Fi 6E, which operates in the 6-GHz band, is now commonplace, and with the launch of Wi-Fi 7, the price of 6E routers and mesh systems like it is dropping. A 2-pack of this tri-band mesh system is quite affordable and enough to cover most households. These cylindrical routers sport the vase-like design of the Deco family, combined with rooms. Setup was quick and easy, and the primary router automatically detected the secondary when I enabled it. Each has one 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port and two gigabit ports. (Sadly, no USB ports.)
Performance is consistently good in my home, with some of the fastest speeds I’ve recorded near routers, but range is somewhat limited. My top pick, the XT8, outperformed the XE70 Pro in most situations. By default, the 6-GHz band is reserved for wireless backhaul, but you can open it for devices. I joined with my Pixel 8, and after multiple speed tests up close (up to 8 feet away), I generally got download speeds of about 50 Mbps faster than the 5- GHz band, but it drops dramatically with distance. The range of 6 GHz is significantly shorter, and only a quarter, the signal strength is obviously weaker than 5 GHz. If you use 6 GHz for wireless backhaul, you can’t have routers too far apart or have too many obstacles or you’ll have dead zones.
