The mobile app is simple, but often takes several seconds to load, and the settings are limited. There’s no mixed mode for WPA2 and WPA3 security like the TP-Link above, you can’t split bands, and there’s no option to prioritize traffic for certain activities or devices. And it’s a pricey system that requires a subscription if you want parental controls and extra security (although it’s not free). need that).
That said, the Orbi AX4200 delivers fast, reliable Wi-Fi even over long distances, and we didn’t experience any connection issues or drops during testing. If you’re looking for faster performance, you might 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 in the 6GHz band, is becoming increasingly common, and with the advent of Wi-Fi 7, prices for these 6E routers and mesh systems are dropping. This two-pack of tri-band mesh systems is relatively affordable. These cylindrical routers blend in with the room with their vase-like Deco Family design. Setup is quick and easy; the second one is automatically detected when you power on the main router. Each router has three gigabit ports (unfortunately, there are no multi-gig or USB ports).
Performance was consistently good throughout the house, recording some of the fastest speeds I’ve ever recorded near the router, although the range is relatively limited. The XT8, my top pick, performed better than the XE75 in most scenarios. By default, the 6GHz band is reserved for wireless backhaul, but you can free it up for your device. I joined with my Pixel 6 Pro, and after multiple speed tests at close range (up to 8 feet), download speeds were generally about 50Mbps faster than the 5GHz band, but the speeds dropped off sharply as the distance increased. The 6GHz range was significantly shorter, and just one room away, the signal strength was noticeably weaker than the 5GHz. If you use 6GHz for wireless backhaul, you’ll want to space your router too far away or have too many obstructions, resulting in dead zones.
Unfortunately, HomeShield’s free level offers limited security, and Security+ costs $5/month or $36/year for web and intrusion protection with notifications and reports. Total Security costs $70/year and adds device antivirus, VPN service, and a password manager. Advanced Parental Controls requires a second subscription ($3/month or $18/year) for time limits, downtime schedules, rewards, app time limits, safe search, insights, and reports. Quality of Service lets you prioritize certain devices and set bandwidth allowances. There’s also a mixed-mode security option for WPA2 and WPA3. You can also split the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands to create a guest network.
The Deco app and web interface are functional, but the options are limited and it feels a bit clunky to navigate. The app couldn’t identify many devices on the network, and I was disappointed that there was no option to run a speed test on the router to see how fast it is with your ISP. Ultimately, the inclusion of the 6GHz band won’t make a difference for many, but this is an affordable way to dip your toe into the world of 6E. If you have a bit more money to spend, the Deco XE200 ($800 for a two-pack), which is listed below among the other routers we tested, is a great performer and one of the best Wi-Fi 6E mesh systems you can get. It has a high MSRP, but keep an eye out for price drops.
If you’re an early adopter eager to try out the wonders of Wi-Fi 7 and are willing to pay for the privilege, the TP-Link Deco BE85 (7/10, WIRED review) is probably on your radar. There are very few Wi-Fi 7 devices available today, and while the BE85 is fully backwards compatible with previous Wi-Fi versions, only devices that support Wi-Fi 7, such as the OnePlus 11 5G, will be able to take full advantage of the system.
TP-Link has stuck with the vase-like design that’s characteristic of the Deco series, but this is by far the largest mesh router the company has released, and it has a 7 on the front as a reminder that this is a Wi-Fi 7 system. Each router has four auto-sensing WAN/LAN Ethernet ports, two 10 Gbps ports (one is an SFP combo), two 2.5 Gbps ports, and a USB 3.0 port. Setup is quick and easy with the Deco app on your smartphone.
