Instead of buying an Eero mesh router, check out these alternatives
Eero is one of the biggest names for consumer mesh routers, but some of the best eero mesh alternatives offer many great features. The company's routers are easy to set up, connect, and maintain, but Eero is far from the only brand in this space. So if you know you need a mesh system and you're looking for an alternative to the Eero craze, these are your best bets.
So easy to use
Google Nest Wifi - Mesh WiFi System
Staff Pick
As far as we're concerned, the best Eero alternative comes from Google. With its Nest Wifi system, Google's made setting up a mesh network incredibly easy without sacrificing speed or features. Setup is handled through the fantastic Google Home app, and this bundle gives you a primary router and mesh point for up to 3,800 square feet of coverage. You'll get speeds up to 2.2Gbps, both 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies are supported, and the mesh point even doubles as a Google Assistant speaker.
$269 at Dell$269 at Best Buy$269 at Walmart
Budget pick
TP-Link Deco M5 - Mesh WiFi System
The TP-Link Deco M5 is one of the most affordable mesh systems on the list, and while it may not be the most potent mesh router system around, it still gets a lot of things right. The Deco delivers coverage up to 5,500 square feet and can support more than 100 devices at once. You'll also find enhanced network security features, parental controls, content filtering, and more. The design isn't the most flattering out there, but the Deco soars in regards to functionality.
$180 at Dell$150 at Amazon$150 at B&H
Entry Wi-Fi 6
Netgear Nighthawk MK62 - Mesh WiFi System
If you're looking to get a little more speed out of your mesh system without increasing the nodes' size, Netgear's Nighthawk MK62 is a great option with compact nodes and AX1800 Wi-Fi 6 speeds. A router and satellite together can cover up to 3,000 square feet. This is a great option for those that want to upgrade to Wi-Fi 6 but don't need a ton of speed. Set up your mesh with the robust Nighthawk app, which allows you to manage connected devices, position your nodes, or add more nodes down the line to increase coverage.
$230 at Dell $196 at Amazon$196 at B&H
Easy to use
Google Wifi - Mesh WiFi System
Google Wifi is an easy recommendation for someone that doesn't need a ton of speed and wants a simple mesh Wi-FI experience. Google Wifi is a compact mesh router with an AC1200 Wi-Fi 5 connection that will be good enough for just about any usage from browsing to HD streaming. It's set up quickly and easily with the Google Home app and gets frequent security updates from Google to keep things running smoothly. You also get parental controls based on Google's Safe Search database.
$199 at Amazon$199 at Best Buy$199 at B&H
Tri-band Wi-Fi 6
TP-Link Deco X68
If you want the most consistent mesh performance possible, a tri-band WI-Fi 6 system like the TP-Link Deco X68 is the way to go. With an extra 5GHz band dedicated to the mesh connection, this mesh system can keep up with the majority of Wi-FI 6 devices at full speed, even when they're connected to a node. The Deco X68 is also one of the most compact tri-band Wi-Fi 6 systems making optimal node placement as easy as possible. You can even expand it with any other Deco router if you need more coverage.
$250 at Dell$250 at B&H$250 at Newegg
Great for larger homes
Linksys Velop tri-band
The Velop tri-band is one of the best Wi-Fi 5 routers you can get with its huge coverage and consistent AC2200 speeds. It's ideal for large households (three or more bedrooms) and comes with a range of up to 6,000 square feet if you get the three-pack. Setup is handled through the Linksys mobile app, which provides controls for parental controls, guest access, and more.
$400 at Dell$300 at Best Buy$300 at B&H
Upgrade Wi-Fi 6
Asus ZenWiFi AX
Take your mesh to the next level with the Asus ZenWiFi AX XT8 system. With AX6600 speeds and a 2.5G WAN port, this system is fast enough to keep up with nearly any internet connection. It covers up to 5,500 square feet with a router and mesh point. You also get access to free internet security and parental controls with AiProtection. If you're looking for a mesh system with enough speed for years, ZenWifi AX is a great choice.
$443 at Amazon$450 at Best Buy$450 at B&H
All in one
Netgear Orbi WiFi 6 DOCSIS 3.1
If you're thinking about upgrading to gigabit speeds on your cable connection, you're going to need a modem and router that can keep up. The Orbi CBK752 comes with an Orbi and modem combination as well as a satellite. With Wi-Fi 6 tri-band speeds of AX4200, you'll keep up your internet speeds all over your home. It can also save room since you won't need a standalone modem and reduce your home network's complexity.
$600 at Dell$500 at Amazon$600 at Best Buy
Powerline backhaul
TP-Link Deco P9 - Mesh WiFi System
Depending on your home's age and how it was constructed, you may find that your walls block out all or most of your Wi-FI signal with even a strong router. Instead, you can create a mesh with TP-Link's Deco P9 and use your home's power lines to act as a wired backhaul. You won't need any additional hardware, and TP-Link's Deco software will automatically choose the strongest path between your device and your internet connection without needing to register a new Wi-Fi name.
If we're making some suggestions
Of all the mesh routers listed here, we think most people will be pleased with Nest Wifi. It's relatively affordable, offers incredible speeds/coverage, and is ridiculously easy to set up in just about any home. Simplicity and routers rarely go hand-in-hand, so we greatly appreciate just how straightforward Nest Wifi is. There's a reason why it's one of the best wireless mesh routers you can buy. Not to mention, the Nest Wifi point can also act as a Google Assistant speaker, which is just icing on the cake.
If you're on a budget, it's hard to beat TP-Link's Deco M5. It comes with enough coverage for most homes and plenty of speed for HD streaming and browsing. The Deco M5 also comes with a few tricks up its sleeve like HomeCare that includes antivirus protection as well as advanced parental controls. With HomeCare, it's easy to see how people on your network are using the internet, and it's quick to set up boundaries and even schedule some offline time.
If you've wanted to try out a WI-Fi 6 router but don't want to break the bank, Netgear's Nighthawk MK62 is a great pick with its AX1800 speeds delivering enough performance 4K streaming and video conferencing even while connected to the node. The MK62 is also compact at only 4.8 inches across and 2.5 inches tall. You also get an open Ethernet port on both the base router and satellite for older wired devices.
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Eero 3-pack
Still a great option
As we said, Eero is still a great pick. It offers a sleek, minimalist design, and it can be had in several configurations. Three eeros offer maximum performance and wired backhaul. eeros are compatible with the Eero Pro units and Eero beacons, and previous generation eeros, making expansion a piece of cake. Beamforming improves reception, MU-MIMO, and dual-band Wi-Fi serve your modern devices, and you get real-world speeds up to 240Mbps on the 2.4GHz radio and 600Mbps on the 5GHz radio.
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