At a Glance
- Wi-Fi 7 mesh systems now start at $250 for a three-pack
- Netgear Orbi 770 Series leads with tri-band Wi-Fi 7 and 8,000 sq ft coverage
- Asus ZenWiFi BT10 offers subscription-free security and parental controls
- Why it matters: Faster, cheaper mesh options future-proof homes without monthly fees
The latest mesh routers are bringing Wi-Fi 7 speeds down to earth. News Of Fort Worth testing shows the newest systems deliver multi-gigabit throughput while undercutting last year’s flagship models by hundreds of dollars.
Best Overall: Netgear Orbi 770 Series
The Netgear Orbi 770 Series tops the list for most households. A three-pack lists at $700 and blankets up to 8,000 square feet with tri-band Wi-Fi 7. Each tower houses four 2.5 Gbps Ethernet ports on the main router and two per satellite, enabling wired backhaul or direct connections to gaming rigs and TVs.
Setup runs through the Orbi app in minutes. The system merges the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz bands under one network name and supports multi-link operation, letting compatible devices tap multiple bands at once for lower latency. Older gear that maxes out at WPA2 security can be shifted to a guest network.
Speed tests recorded consistent 1 Gbps-plus rates when Wi-Fi 7 laptops linked to the main router; nodes delivered 700-900 Mbps across a two-floor Victorian test house. The only recurring cost is optional: Netgear Armor security runs $40 the first year, then $100 annually, while Smart Parental Controls add $8 a month.
Best Subscription-Free Pick: Asus ZenWiFi BT10
Asus ZenWiFi BT10 ships as a two-pack for $690 and never asks for a subscription. AiProtection Pro antivirus and Trend Micro-powered parental controls stay free for the product’s lifetime. Users can create profiles, set bedtimes, and filter by age group without extra fees.
Each unit supplies two 10 Gbps Ethernet ports, one gigabit jack, and USB 3.0 for network storage. The tri-band build hits 6,000 square feet and recently earned firmware fixes that ended earlier stability gripes. In retesting, the BT10 delivered silky-smooth 4K streaming and 110-plus MB/s file transfers to a NAS, outperforming the Deco BE67 it replaced.
Power users can dive into QoS, VPN server, or 4G/5G tethering options via either the mobile app or the full web console. The main caveat: data is shared with Trend Micro for threat analysis, so privacy-minded owners may opt out.
Best Alternative Mesh: TP-Link Deco BE67
TP-Link Deco BE67 lists at $700 for three cylindrical nodes and matches the Orbi 770 on raw throughput while adding a 10 Gbps Ethernet port on every unit. Setup glitches required two attempts to name satellites, but once running the mesh returned some of the fastest speeds recorded at close and mid-range.
The 6 GHz band is split off by default; enabling it delivered 100 Mbps higher downloads than 5 GHz in the same room, though range drops sharply behind walls. Wireless backhaul between nodes is robust if units stay within 40 feet and line-of-sight.
HomeShield Security+ costs $36 a year for intrusion alerts, and Advanced Parental Controls add $18 annually. Even without subscriptions the BE67 includes QoS device prioritization, WPA2/WPA3 mixed mode, and guest networking.
Best for Simplicity: Amazon Eero Pro 6E
Amazon Eero Pro 6E keeps things simple. A three-pack costs $550, covers 6,000 square feet, and sets up in under 10 minutes via the Eero app. The tri-band Wi-Fi 6E system supports Thread, Matter, and Zigbee, doubling as a smart-home hub for locks and lights.
Performance proved stable and consistent during a week of 4K streaming, Zoom calls, and gaming. The app lets users pause the internet, create profiles, and set schedules. Full security, ad blocking, and activity insights require Eero Plus at $100 a year, but basic controls work out of the box.
Echo owners can extend coverage by 1,000 square feet using a 4th- or 5th-gen Dot as a node, handy for back-patio streaming.
What About Wi-Fi 6?
Shoppers not ready for Wi-Fi 7 can still score deals on Wi-Fi 6 meshes:
- Asus ZenWiFi XT8 – $330 two-pack, subscription-free security, 5,500 sq ft
- TP-Link Deco X55 – $170 three-pack, solid 650 Mbps speeds, 6,500 sq ft
- Netgear Orbi 370 Series – $350 dual-band Wi-Fi 7, but nodes struggle on wireless backhaul
Outdoor Option
TP-Link Deco BE25 Outdoor sells for $150, carries an IP65 weather rating, and adds 2,800 square feet of garden coverage. The dual-band Wi-Fi 7 unit supports PoE for single-cable install and pairs with any Deco mesh.
Key Takeaways
- Wi-Fi 7 mesh prices have fallen 30-50 percent in six months
- Tri-band systems beat dual-band when using wireless backhaul
- Subscription-free choices like the Asus BT10 eliminate hidden costs
- Most households can skip $1,000-plus flagships and still gain multi-gig future-proofing
