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Wi-FI 6, also known as IEEE 802.11ax, hit the market in 2022. It has been a game-changer for wireless networking and is still going strong with newly released Wi-Fi 6 devices still hitting the market. Though the first Wi-Fi 7 mesh routers are now here, Wi-Fi 6 is still a great buy. This high-efficiency Wi-Fi version delivers ample bandwidth, with firmware that is designed to optimize channel use and minimize collisions and interference. And the updated version, Wi-Fi 6E, utilizes the 6 GHz frequency band to offer incredible tri-band (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz) networking with gigabit speeds.
The generational upgrade to Wi-Fi 6 brought along some significant upgrades to throughput over the same pair of 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. It also made the multi-device handling a tad more efficient both on the router’s and the client devices’ ends. If you are in the market right now, chances are high that you will come across many routers that meet the Wi-Fi 6 standard — it’s becoming ubiquitous these days, so it makes little sense to settle for an older Wi-Fi 5 router in 2024, and newer Wi-Fi 7 routers are still expensive. For now, Wi-Fi 6 is the sweet spot.
Wyze Mesh Router Pro review: Strong speeds with underwhelming software
The Wyze Mesh Router Pro is a solid mesh system with support for fast internet speeds around the house.
There’s nothing really special about the Wyze Mesh Router Pro — from its compact, Eero-like physical design to its run-of-the-mill AXE5400 Wi-Fi 6E connection. This mesh Wi-Fi kit is roughly equivalent in speed and coverage to several other mesh Wi-Fi kits like the Eero Pro 6E, TP-Link Deco XE75 Pro, or the Nest Wifi Pro, which isn’t a bad thing at all. The tri-band AXE5400 wireless connection is balanced to deliver strong performance on older 5GHz-only devices and 6GHz devices alike.
Fix your spotty Wi-Fi with Netgear Orbi mesh router deals during Amazon's Prime event
Get up to $100 off on Netgear Orbi mesh systems
When it comes to getting proper Wi-Fi coverage in every corner of your home, only a mesh system can give you peace of mind. And among mesh routers, Netgear Orbi takes the crown by offering the best coverage in large areas without losing the speed on the far ends. Some top-rated Netgear Orbi mesh systems are discounted by up to $100 for this Prime Early Access Sale. So, grab one immediately and give your home Wi-Fi a new life.
Asus ZenWiFi ET8 review: Wi-Fi 6E might not be an upgrade
Amazing performance spoiled by frequent bugs
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I ask a lot of my Wi-Fi network. At any given time, I have between 40 and 60 devices connected, some of which are constantly streaming video, pinging remote servers, and syncing data. I also live in a suburban US house that was built without any regard for wireless signal propagation. My wife and I both work from home and need reliable connectivity, and this has set me on a quest to find the best home Wi-Fi solution possible. Some Wi-Fi 6 mesh routers can deliver, and others can't.
Vilo mesh Wi-Fi review: Blanket your home in Wi-Fi for less than a night at Applebees
A $20 per node mesh system that's easy to recommend — and to set up
The era of ugly, insect-looking routers festooned with antennas may not be over, but you don’t need a plastic Wi-Fi cactus planted in the middle of your home to get a good signal. In fact, you are better off without one. Wi-Fi 6 Mesh systems can swaddle your home in a warm blanket of Wi-Fi much better, but they are usually expensive — a “cheap” system might cost $150 on sale. So you can imagine how incredulous we were when Vilo announced a $20-per-node mesh Wi-Fi solution. And, after over four months of testing, I can't help but recommend it.
Mix and match the perfect mesh Wi-Fi 6 setup with these Eero 6 deals
Pick the perfect configuration for your home
Nothing's more frustrating than a spotty Wi-Fi connection, especially if you're trying to stream Netflix or play some games online. Mesh routers help make up for inconsistent connections throughout your house, but upgrading your internet can be a costly proposition. If you've had your eye on some new Wi-Fi gear for your home, today's the day to do it. Eero's latest mesh router set is on sale at Amazon and Best Buy today, and you can choose from two distinct configurations right now.If you just need a single router for an apartment or a smaller home, you can scoop up a single Eero 6 for just $90 today — that's $39 off MSRP. That's perfect for getting the benefits of Wi-Fi 6 without having to shell out for an entire mesh network you won't need. You'll still get all of the usual benefits of Eero's excellent hardware, including its quick-and-painless setup process and more than 75 devices capable of connecting at once.
Spread Wi-Fi 6 across your room or your entire house with Eero deals starting at $83
These deals are from Best Buy... on eBay
And you may find yourself in a beautiful house... without beautiful Wi-Fi. And you may ask yourself, "How do I get out of here?" The answer is with your feet. Or, if you own the darn thing, get a better Wi-Fi solution. You can pick up a three-station Eero 6 mesh network right now at a record-matching price.
This new Wi-Fi mesh router costs $20, and that's not a typo
It may not be Wi-Fi 6 or support gigabit wireless speeds, but does it need to at that price?
You may not have heard of Vilo before, but barring any major issues, I think it's a name you'll be familiar with going forward. The company has just announced a new mesh Wi-Fi system — a boring subject, save one detail: The Vilo Mesh Wi-Fi System is a mere $20 per node (plus shipping) and $60 for a three-pack. It may not support the very latest Wi-Fi specifications, but that's a crazy price.
A lot of homes have bred makeshift offices within the last year and the need for good internet coverage has never been felt more strongly. If you were looking for a good mesh Wi-Fi network to invest in, the Google Wi-Fi router might just be the one for you now — it's not only getting cheaper but also being made available in Canada and Europe.The availability expansion brings the product to 17 new countries:
Eero Pro 6 review, one month later: The solution to all your Wi-Fi problems
Amazon's latest high-end mesh system is a force to be reckoned with
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Millions of people transitioning to working from home this year has led to more than a few problems. Products like webcams and laptops have been in short supply, and home Wi-Fi networks are pushed to their breaking point with dozens of connected devices, Zoom calls, Netflix sessions, and email threads. In most cases, a mesh router is the best way to build a home network that deals with these new demands.Amazon just released its latest mesh Wi-Fi routers: the dual-band Eero 6, and the tri-band Eero Pro 6. Both systems support Wi-Fi 6, WPA-3, and other recent innovations in networking, complete with a simple management application. I received the Pro 6 for review, and it's an incredible system if you can afford it.
There are plenty of reasons to need a solid wireless internet setup: knocking back gigabytes of bandwidth playing Stadia, surfing the web for the best Black Friday / Cyber Monday deals, and binging your favorite movies and TV shows, just to name a few. If your network isn't up to par, it'll certainly let you know with dropped frames, sluggish video buffering, and endless loading screens. Give your Wi-Fi the boost it deserves with this Netgear Orbi Tri-Band Whole Home Mesh Wi-Fi System or Orbi Voice Wi-Fi Satellite Extender, up to 40% off today on Amazon.The three-pack Netgear Orbi Tri-Band Whole Home Mesh Wi-Fi System comes with one main router and two wall plug satellites that promise to provide up to 5,000 square feet of Wi-Fi coverage within a single home or business. Its tri-band setup utilizes one band for communication between the mesh system while the other two bands are free to support up to 20 devices. You can also plug into the wired ethernet port to deliver up to 2.2 Gbps of HD streaming to your wired device. Pair your system with a Netgear Orbi Voice Whole Home Mesh WiFi Satellite Extender for Amazon Alexa voice command support and audio playback via a Harman Kardon speaker.
Amazon has made a busy day for the consuming public: we've just parsed our way through the Echo speakers, the smart oven, other smart ephemera, and a raft of booster shots to Alexa. Now, we're covering the Amazon subsidiaries that have products coming out this fall. For eero, it has revamped its mesh Wi-Fi base station while Ring has a pair of cameras and a bridge between its Alarm hub and older alarm systems. Both are putting price pressure on their respective marketplaces.
Prime Day is coming into the homestretch, but we would be remiss not to point out some awesome deals on some products from a company that Amazon only recently acquired. Eero has been making mesh Wi-Fi routers and beacons for years now, but today may be the best time to spruce up that old local area network of yours — various Eero Pro router and beacon packages are half-off for the remainder of today.The Eero Pro router has two Ethernet ports with gigabit throughput potential and can put out Wi-Fi on three frequency bands — 2.4GHz, 5.2GHz, and 5.8GHz — at up to 1,500 sq. ft. of coverage. It also can handle smart home appliance commands through Bluetooth 4.2. To extend that same network, you can pick up an Eero Beacon and literally plug it into a wall outlet for another 1,000 sq. ft, perhaps good for an extra room. You can use the Eero app to control Beacons and Pros to great effect, such as limiting internet time for the beacon close to your kids' bedroom.
Is a price war brewing in the field of mesh Wi-Fi routers? If so, TP-Link may have fired the first cannon. The company debuted a new base station design this year, selling three-packs under the name of the Deco M4 for $180. Now, it has decided to go for Google Wifi's jugular, selling two-packs of those new stations exclusively at Walmart for $100.
As Amazon continues to flesh out its smart home division (and put Alexa in nearly everything), the company has announced a new acquisition that will significantly bolster its offerings: the Seattle-based tech giant is buying mesh Wi-Fi company Eero for an undisclosed sum. The savvy deal follows Amazon's acquisition of smart security company Ring last year and allows the company to broaden its already large connected footprint within customers' homes.Eero was one of the first companies to usher in mesh Wi-Fi for consumers and is among the chief competitors to Google Wifi. The main benefits of a smart mesh system (which employs multiple physical nodes placed around the home) are better coverage and reliability. Mesh Wi-Fi systems also let owners use a connected app for easy setup and troubleshooting.In the spring of 2017, The Information reported that Google was working on a version of its Google Home intelligent speaker that has built-in mesh Wi-Fi networking. The functions seem well-suited to co-exist, and this acquisition leaves little doubt that Amazon is also investigating this path with its Echo devices.Amazon notes that the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions. From the wording of the press release it seems the Eero brand name will live on for the time being. However, while the branding may live on, Eero fans will no doubt have (well-founded) fears that future products will be confined to the Amazon Alexa ecosystem, limiting their use. Some Eero customers will also no doubt lament the fact that this move will put more personal data in the hands of one the world's largest tech companies.
The wireless connectivity veterans at Asus announced a new mesh WiFi system today called Lyra Trio. The white-and-blue devices are pretty functionally similar to last year's Lyra system: Lyra Trio comes as a three-pack (obviously), the three individual routers working in concert to blanket a large area in WiFi coverage. This year's model is cheaper, though: the Lyra Trio will retail for $299.99, as opposed to the 2017 model, which went for $399.99 at launch.
Anyone who's lived in anything larger than a mid-sized apartment knows how annoying it is to deal with Wi-Fi dead zones. It may essentially be the definition of a first world problem to complain about how long YouTube takes to buffer on a multi-hundred-dollar supercomputer that fits in the palm of your hand while you're sitting on the toilet, but we humans do have a tendency to complain. Fortunately, mesh Wi-Fi router systems like Luma, eero, and Google Wifi have become increasingly more commonplace over the past couple of years and are a great way to blanket your entire home with a strong and reliable Wi-Fi signal.
Having a single router in your home is so 2015. Everyone is doing this mesh router thing now, which means you have two or more access points in order to provide better coverage. Netgear is looking to take its mesh router beyond the confines of your indoor space with the new Orbi outdoor satellite. While it's not supposed to be "official" until CES next week, Netgear has made all the details available.The outdoor satellite (RBS50Y) pairs with your existing Orbi system, which includes between two and four individual APs. It's IP56 rated, so it can be left outside in the pouring rain. Taking it for a quick dip in the pool would be a bad idea, though. It can also operate in "subzero" temperatures, but Netgear doesn't offer specifics here.
If you're not familiar with Samsung's SmartThings Hub, it essentially acts as a bridge between all your smart home products (the supported ones, anyway) and whatever device you want to control them with. If you've been wanting a SmartThings Hub and a mesh Wi-Fi network, you can do both with the new Samsung Connect Home.