Look for the following features in a mesh router upgrade to truly feel like an upgrade: Wi-Fi 6 capability, as well as a tri-band design with the standard 2.4 and 5GHz channels, as well as a second 5GHz band that may be used as a dedicated backhaul link for wireless transfers between the main router and the satellites. The issue is that tri-band Wi-Fi 6 mesh routers are often somewhat pricey. Not long ago, I praised Asus and Eero for lowering the price of a two-piece system like that to roughly $400.
TP-Link is now doing even better, selling the Deco W7200 mesh router, a tri-band Wi-Fi 6 system for $229 in a two-pack. That could be the best mesh router value I’ve ever seen — and the best thing is that it works like a champ, with fast, steady speeds, decent range, and a setup process that’s about as simple as it gets, with satellite extenders that join the mesh as soon as you put them in. In fact, the only mesh system that outperformed the Deco W7200 in my at-home speed tests was the Netgear Orbi AX6000, which costs $700 for a two-pack.
All of this adds up to the Deco W7200 being an excellent value and the first mesh router I’d recommend to everyone. Just keep in mind that it has been in and out of supply on Walmart’s website this year, so it may not be instantly accessible in your area. If it isn’t, you could choose the TP-Link Deco XE75, a comparable system that adds Wi-Fi 6E capability for $300 for a pair. The TP-Link Deco X90, a Wi-Fi 6 mesh system that outscored the W7200 in my tests and includes a multi-gig Ethernet connection for high-speed internet plans, is another option.
Netgear Orbi AX6000
