The mobile app is simple, but usually takes a few seconds to load. Configurations are also limited; There’s no mixed mode for WPA2 and WPA3 security like on the TP-Link mentioned above, you can’t split bands, and there’s no option to prioritize traffic for specific activities or devices. This is also an expensive system that requires an additional subscription if you want the parental controls and additional security (although it is not necessary). need he).
All that said, the Orbi AX4200 offers fast and reliable Wi-Fi over a long distance, and I didn’t experience any connectivity issues or dropouts while testing it. For faster performance, you may also want to consider the Netgear Orbi RBK863 (7/10, WIRED review), or go all out with the Netgear Orbi RBKE963.
Support for Wi-Fi 6E, which operates on the 6GHz band, is becoming more common, and with the arrival of Wi-Fi 7, 6E routers and mesh systems like this one are coming down in price. A 2-pack of this tri-band mesh system is relatively affordable. These cylindrical routers sport the Deco family’s vase-shaped design and blend into rooms. Setup is quick and easy, and the main router automatically detected the second one when I turned it on. Each has three gigabit ports. (Sadly, there are no USB or multi-gig ports.)
Performance was consistently good throughout my home, with some of the fastest speeds I’ve recorded near routers, but range is relatively limited. My top pick, the XT8, outperformed the XE75 in most scenarios. By default, the 6 GHz band is reserved for wireless streaming, but you can open it up for devices. I paired it with my Pixel 6 Pro and after several short-range speed tests (up to 8 feet away) I generally got download speeds around 50Mbps faster than on the 5GHz band, but this dropped dramatically with distance. The 6 GHz range is significantly shorter and, just one room away, the signal strength was visibly weaker than 5 GHz. If you use the 6 GHz band for wireless streaming, you can’t have the routers too separated or with too many obstacles or you will have dead zones.
Unfortunately, HomeShield’s free tier only offers limited security, with Security+ costing $5 per month or $36 per year for web and intrusion protection with notifications and reporting, while Total Security costs $70 per year and adds device antivirus, VPN service, and a password manager. Advanced parental controls require a second subscription that costs $3 per month or $18 per year for time limits, scheduling downtime, rewards, app time limits, safe search, insights and reports. Quality of Service allows you to prioritize specific devices and set bandwidth allocations. There is also a mixed mode security option for WPA2 and WPA3. You can also split the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands and create guest networks.
The Deco app and web interface are functional with limited options and prove a bit tricky to navigate. The app failed to identify many of the devices on my network. I was also disappointed by the lack of an option to run a speed test on the router to see what my ISP is offering. Ultimately, the inclusion of that 6GHz band won’t make a difference to many people, but it’s an affordable way to test the 6E waters. If you’re willing to spend a bit more, the Deco XE200 ($800 for a 2-pack), which is included in other routers we’ve tested below, has excellent performance and is one of the best Wi-Fi 6E mesh systems you can get. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price is high, but you should keep an eye out for price drops.
If you’re an early adopter who’s desperate to sample the delights of Wi-Fi 7 and don’t mind paying for the privilege, the TP-Link Deco BE85 (7/10, WIRED review) is likely on your radar. There are few Wi-Fi 7 devices available today. The BE85 is fully backwards compatible with older versions of Wi-Fi, but only devices that support Wi-Fi 7, like the OnePlus 11 5G, can take full advantage of it.
TP-Link has stuck with the vase-shaped design that’s trademarked its Deco range, but these are by far the largest mesh routers it’s ever released, and each one has a stylised 7 on the front, lest you forget this is a Wi-Fi 7 system. Each router features four auto-sensing WAN/LAN Ethernet ports, two 10Gbps ports (one is a SFP combo), two 2.5Gbps ports, and a USB 3.0 port. Setup is quick and easy with the Deco app on your phone.
