No matter how big your inbound pipe is, whether it be DSL, Starlink, or something else, you need a router to spread it out to all of your computers, phones, tablets, consoles, smart devices, and more. Networking technology is advancing rapidly, with new chunks of bandwidth opening up with hardware releases. If you’re still rocking a router that doesn’t hit the Wi-Fi 6 spectrum, it’s time to trade up to a system that will take advantage of it. We’ve got big price drops on routers, mesh network systems, and range extenders for every home network.
The Hottest Router and Mesh Network Deals Right Now
The Best Wi-Fi Router Deals
Netgear Nighthawk 12-Stream Wi-Fi 6E Router
Credit: Credit: Amazon
Netgear Nighthawk 12-Stream Wi-Fi 6E Router
Resembling nothing as much as a fancy Imperial shuttle from the latest Star Wars movies, the 12-stream Netgear Nighthawk is the top-of-the-line for blazing-fast wireless internet across a large area. With tri-band speeds of up to 10.8 gigabytes per second and a 1.8GHz quad-core processor, it excels at streaming, gaming, and large file transfers. Up to 60 simultaneous devices can connect to it.
TP-Link Archer AX3000 Router
Credit: Credit: Walmart
TP-Link Archer AX3000 Router
PCMag gave this budget router an Editors’ Choice award and an Excellent rating in its review, raving that the AX3000 “comes with a few features that are typically found on more expensive models, including link aggregation, lifetime parental controls and anti-malware software, and USB connectivity.” It delivers solid upload and download speed thanks to Wi-Fi 6 compatibility, and it’s simple to install and update.
Linksys Hydra 6 Router
Credit: Credit: Amazon
Linksys Hydra 6 Router
This is a solid Wi-Fi mesh router from Linksys that PCMag said “delivers fast throughput and 160MHz bandwidth” in its review. It’s simple to install and when the time comes to extend your network, adding in additional routers is a breeze. The mobile app lets you adjust performance and implement parental controls on individual devices and connections. Taking eighty bucks off is a nice deal.
ASUS RT-AX1800S Dual-Band WiFi 6 Router
Credit: Amazon
ASUS RT-AX1800S Dual-Band WiFi 6 Router
This is the best budget deal we’ve seen on routers recently, with a very nice 33% discount making it even more worth your time. The RT-AX1800S delivers solid throughput, with Wi-Fi 6(802.11ax) through a quartet of antennas. It’s a breeze to set up, with very little documentation, and you can use either ASUS’s app or a web-based interface to get it running. It also includes access to Trend Micro’s AIProtection security software for free without a subscription. One Gigabit WAN port and four Gigabit LAN ports let you set up multiple wired connections as well.
The Best Mesh Wi-Fi System Deals
If just one router isn’t doing the job for you, it might be time to upgrade to a mesh system. These stand-alone devices work together to provide Wi-Fi connections to numerous devices collaboratively, with the load being split between them with proprietary algorithms. They’re extremely effective for extending signal over a large area, and most are easy to build out with additional units.
TP-Link Deco AX3000 Mesh Wi-Fi System
Credit: Credit: Amazon
TP-Link Deco AX3000 Mesh Wi-Fi System
A hundred bucks off is a great deal on this solid mesh Wi-Fi system, which our colleagues at PCMag reviewed and said it was “a breeze to install and you can manage it with a user-friendly mobile app.” Although throughput speed isn’t as blazing as some of the more expensive models, it’s more than fast enough for media streaming and gaming, and each extender comes with three gigabit LAN ports for wired connections. It also comes with a lifetime subscription to TP-Link’s HomeShield network security suite.
Google Nest Mesh Wi-Fi System
Credit: Credit: Amazon
Google Nest Mesh Wi-Fi System
Unsurprisingly, Google has also ventured into the mesh Wi-Fi space with their Nest smart home products. This is a wildly deep 70% discount on a two-unit mesh system. PCMag reviewed it and had good things to say, giving it an Excellent rating because it offers “more powerful hardware, a softer, more living-room-friendly design, and built-in Google Assistant capabilities.” This bundle comes with a base station that plugs into your Internet connection and a single node, providing coverage of up to 4,400 square feet. It’s easily extensible by adding more nodes, and at this price, you can easily cover a massive space.
Netgear Nighthawk Mesh Wi-Fi System
Credit: Credit: Amazon
Netgear Nighthawk Mesh Wi-Fi System
While most mesh Wi-Fi systems come in white cubes or cylinders, Netgear has a reputation to maintain, so it shouldn’t surprise you that their Nighthawk is a trio of tough-looking, jet-black rectangles. Inside the casing, you’ll find extremely reliable Wi-Fi 6 connectivity with coverage of up to 4,500 square feet and 25 simultaneous connected devices. 50% off is a very solid discount.
The Best Wi-Fi Extender Deals
Not in the mood to set up an entirely new network? Don’t want to change your passwords? Adding in a Wi-Fi extender might be the solution. These devices are typically inexpensive, plug into a wall power socket, and provide a stepping stone from your existing router, building network coverage in a simpler (and dumber) way. They’re great for spreading signal to areas like a garage or back patio.
TP-Link AX300 Wi-Fi Range Extender
Credit: Amazon
TP-Link AX300 Wi-Fi Range Extender
This is a pricier extender, but it delivers performance to match. Plug it into any outlet, ideally one with not many obstacles in between it and the devices, and it’ll push relayed signal up to 3Gbps with dual-band Wi-Fi speeds courtesy of a quartet of amplifiers. It also incorporates a gigabit Ethernet port for wired connections. Setup is simple, and it’s compatible with OneMesh systems to create a distributed load-balancing network. The TP-Link Tether app makes it easy to find the optimal location using the device’s built-in LEDs.
Credit: Best Buy
Netgear AC750 Dual-Band Wi-Fi Range Extender
Here’s a nice low price on a simple but functional range extender if you want a little more juice in your network. Built around dual-band 2.4GHz and 5GHz wireless frequencies, it gives you up to 750Mbps data transfer rates. You can separate devices by band for more efficiency, set up a dedicated band for guest access, use both WPA/WPA2-PSK and WEP authentication, and more. This is a great deal on a no-frills device.
Router and Mesh Network Buying Guide
When you’re shopping for a wireless networking system, there are a few important features to keep in mind:
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The Wi-Fi spectrum is continually increasing as new antennas can transmit along additional frequencies. The wider the range of your antenna, the more data you’ll be able to upload and download, and the more devices you’ll be able to connect simultaneously. But you’ll also spend more for that coverage, so balance out your needs with your budget.
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Mesh networks are often sold in bundles, with the number of units corresponding to the square footage that needs coverage. In general, each node can cover 1,000 to 1,500 square feet. Measure your space, add a little allowance for walls and other things that create interference, and purchase the appropriate number of nodes.
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Numerous networking options are available, including routers, extenders, mesh networks, and more. You can also always run Ethernet cable for dependably wired speeds to machines that need low ping, like your gaming PC. Explore your choices before you make a purchase.
Frequently Asked Router and Mesh Network Questions
Does a Mesh Wi-Fi System Replace a Router?
Not necessarily. Some mesh Wi-Fi systems have built-in router functionality and just need to be plugged into a phone or Ethernet line. Others do not and require a separate router to be plugged into a node to create the network. If we had to choose, we’d opt for systems like Amazon’s Eero that include a router, just to eliminate concerns about cross-compatibility.
How Much Speed Do You Lose With Mesh Wi-Fi?
It’s a fact of life that whenever you jump from one device to another, you lose signal strength. For mesh Wi-Fi, the rule of thumb is that you lose about 50% effectiveness with each jump. That might sound like a lot, but because you can split the load between multiple nodes, it often doesn’t reflect in your actual speeds. A well-configured network with intelligently placed hardware will result in larger coverage areas with comparable speed.
Where Is the Best Place to Put Wi-Fi Mesh?
There are a few ground rules for ensuring optimal mesh Wi-Fi coverage. In general, having them in line of sight is ideal. Placing a mesh node near the ground will result in dampened signal. Ideally, you want your main router to be in a central location and have additional nodes no more than two rooms away from it. If you need to extend the network further, that two-room rule stays in effect. Keep the nodes away from large appliances, as electrical interference can mess with the signal.
The Hottest Router and Mesh Network Deals Right Now
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source: https://www.extremetech.com/computing/the-best-router-and-mesh-wi-fi-deals
