Best Mesh WiFi Systems in the UK

Review & Comparison, Last Update January 30, 2024
Do you live in a home with large WiFi dead zones? If so, then the answer to fixing your WiFi dead zone problems is a Mesh WiFi network system. Read our reviews of five of the best Mesh WiFi Systems to find the best one to fix your WiFi problems. ...Read more ...Read less
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BEST 2024
PROS
CONS
OUR VERDICT
Designated Areas
Kit Contents
Ports
Network Standarts
Speed
Access and Data Protection
Power Source
Warranty
 
PROS

This network has a very simple setup process that will take you no more than 15 minutes. The latest WPA-3 security system prevents personal data leakage. The bandwidth of 4.2 gigabits per second allows you to connect 40 devices without a drop in speed.

CONS

Complex configuration of IP address ranges.

OUR VERDICT

A good option for large homes and offices. The connection will allow the whole family to stream games and watch movies in 4k all at the same time, from anywhere in a big house. With Wi-Fi 6 technology, you'll never encounter dead spots. Dedicated Tri-Band for maximum speed.

detailed parameters
Designated Areas

Large houses, Large offices (up to 700 sq.m.)

Kit Contents

3 nodes

3 power adapters

1 Ethernet cord

Ports

7 x Ethernet (RJ45) ports (3 +2 + 2)

Network Standarts

IEEE 802.11ax

Speed

2.4 GHz: Up to 600 Mbps

5 GHz fronthaul: Up to 1200 Mbps

5 GHz backhaul: Up to 2400 Mbps

LAN: Up to 2000 Mbps

Access and Data Protection

64/128-bit WEP, WPA-PSK / WPA2-PSK, WPA3-Personal

Power Source

AC (power cord)

Warranty

1 year

PROS

A powerful and very convenient system for large homes and offices. Includes a convenient remote operation app, and automatically switches between devices to find the nearest signal. The intuitive setup includes sensors that will tell you where to install the disk.

CONS

Custom settings sometimes get confused on reboot.

OUR VERDICT

Works without loss of speed even with a large number of connected devices. You can enable secure internet sessions for guests to keep personal data safe. A good choice for large houses and mini-hotels. You can even pause the Internet for the whole family to come down to talk as well as choose the access time for children through the application.

detailed parameters
Designated Areas

Large houses, Medium offices (up to 550 sq.m.)

Kit Contents

3 nodes

3 power adapters

1 Ethernet cord

Ports

6 x Ethernet (RJ45) ports (2 ports in each node)

Network Standarts

IEEE 802.11ax

Speed

2.4 GHz: Up to 400 Mbps

5 GHz: Up to 866 Mbps

5 Ghz: Up to 2400 Mbps

Access and Data Protection

64/128-bit WEP, WPA-PSK / WPA2-PSK

Power Source

AC (power cord)

Warranty

3 years

PROS

This router provides stable and working internet that is easy to manage via the Deco app. Includes easy installation and voice control via Alexa, as well as Parental controls and easy guest network setup.

CONS

Not the most modern security system.

OUR VERDICT

The Wi-Fi system will allow you to connect more than 100 devices at the same time. The app automatically connects you to the nearest device for a better connection. A good solution for offices or country houses.

detailed parameters
Designated Areas

Medium houses. Medium offices (370 sq.m.)

Kit Contents

3 nodes

3 power adapters

1 Ethernet cord

Ports

6 x Ethernet (RJ45) ports (2 ports in each node)

Network Standarts

IEEE 802.11b/g/n/ac

Speed

2.4 GHz Up to: 300 Mbps

5 GHz Up to: 867 Mbps

Access and Data Protection

64/128-bit WEP, WPA-PSK / WPA2-PSK

Power Source

AC (power cord)

Warranty

3 years

PROS

The system is capable of updating the firmware on its own, while frequent updates from Linksys make sure that the security of your data will remain top-notch.

CONS

The initial setup of the devices takes a while.

OUR VERDICT

Thanks to the unique IntelligentMesh™ Technology the power of the signal and speed are at your command. On top of that, the built-in antennas will ensure a stable connection in the range of 550 square metres no matter what.

detailed parameters
Designated Areas

Large houses, Medium offices (up to 550 sq.m.)

Kit Contents

3 nodes

3 power adapters

1 Ethernet cable

Ports

6 x Ethernet (RJ45) ports (2 ports in each node)

Network Standarts

IEEE 802.11b/g/n/ac

Speed

5GHz Radio 1: Up to 867 Mbps

5GHz Radio 2: Up to 867 Mbps

2.4GHz: Up to 400 Mbps

LAN: Up to 1000 Mbps

Access and Data Protection

64/128-bit WEP, WPA-PSK / WPA2-PSK 

Power Source

AC (power cord)

Warranty

3 years

PROS

Compatible with all ISPs and supports up to 120 devices simultaneously. The unique self-healing technology will increase productivity and keep you working even if one device fails.

CONS

Inaccuracies in instructions.

OUR VERDICT

An excellent solution for streaming and gaming. The whole family can use the Internet at the same time, because the capabilities of the Wi-Fi system allow you to connect a maximum of devices at the same time. There is also support for a multi-user set of MU-MIMO technologies.

detailed parameters
Designated Areas

Large houses, Medium offices (up to 550 sq.m.)

Kit Contents

3 nodes

3 power adapters

1 Ethernet cord

Ports

6 x Ethernet (RJ45) ports (3 ports in each node)

Network Standarts

IEEE 802.11b/g/n/ac/a

Speed

2.4 GHz: Up to 300 Mbps

5 GHz: Up to 867 Mbps

5 GHz backhaul: Up to 867 Mbps

Access and Data Protection

64/128-bit WEP, WPA-PSK / WPA2-PSK

Power Source

AC (power cord)

Warranty

3 years

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NETGEAR Orbi (RBK753)

High Bandwidth Router

Anyone who lives in a large home or who handles the wireless network in an office can tell you just how easily many wireless routers tend to get bogged down when a lot of different devices are connected at the same time. What may seem to be an extremely fast network at first can quickly slow to a crawl once more connections are made. This is one of the problems that a mesh network can help solve, thanks to the multiple access points that can help balance out of the loads, but even then not all mesh networks can handle extremely high loads. One of the big exceptions to this would be the NETGEAR Orbi AX4200 Mesh WiFi System. This mesh network kit gives you everything you need to keep a high-performing network running smoothly even with busy networking traffic.

The high bandwidth provided by this model makes it a good option both for large homes and offices. The connection will allow the whole family to use the Internet connection in any way that desire, including the ability to stream games and watch movies in 4k all at the same time, from anywhere in a big house. With the included Wi-Fi 6 technology, you'll never encounter dead spots, which will certainly be a boon for those who have had issues with this before. The dedicated Tri-Band of this mesh network allows for maximum speed, even with lots of different devices connected, so any issues you had before with networking performance should disappear once you start using this system.

Review of NETGEAR Orbi (RBK753) AX4200 Mesh WiFi System (Pack of 3)

Quick and Easy Setup

One of the issues that those who have tried setting up mesh networks before have encountered is the extreme difficulty that many of them offer. Due to the complex nature of how mesh networks work, this has often been unavoidable with earlier mesh network systems. However, Netgear seems to have solved this with their Orbi line of mesh network kits. Setting up this model requires a very simple setup process that will take you no more than 15 minutes, while still ensuring that you can configure the network to your liking. The latest WPA-3 security system prevents personal data leakage, so any threats to your network security are easily handled as well.

As mentioned before, this mesh network system gives you a high amount of bandwidth for handling multiple devices. The bandwidth of 4.2 gigabits per second allows you to connect up to 40 devices without a drop in speed, so even those who are using this in a medium-sized office won't have to worry about network issues. If there is a complaint to be had here, it would be that configuring IP addresses with this network can be a bit tricky at times, especially if you are needing to set a static IP address, but thankfully the included instructions can help you out with this. Overall, this high-performance mesh network system is the ideal choice for those who have large needs when it comes to the number of active connections.

NETGEAR Orbi (RBK753) AX4200 Mesh WiFi System (Pack of 3) in the use

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price £439.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B089NN5N8V

 

BT (AX3700)

Three Piece Network System

Do you have rather large needs when it comes to setting up a home or office network? If so, you're not alone. Those who have large families in big houses, or those in an office, or even anyone who runs a small hotel can tell you how badly many home Internet routers perform once you have more than just a couple of users on the network. Furthermore, many traditional routers are often plagued with dead spots where WiFi connectivity can be spotty at best. For anyone wanting or needing to avoid these issues, the BT AX3700 Whole Home Mesh Wi-Fi is a great way to start. This mesh network system comes in a 3 piece configuration that allows you to strategically place the components in order to best minimise the possibility of dead spots. While all this sounds great, though, there is actually much more on offer here.

This mesh network kit works without loss of speed even with a large number of connected devices, so you won't have to worry about the number of users who are on simultaneously. You can enable secure internet sessions for guests to keep personal data safe, which makes this a great choice for those who often have guests, or those running an AirBnB or even a mini-hotel. You can even pause the Internet for the whole family in order to get everyone to come down to talk as well as choose the access time for children through the network configuration.

Review of BT (AX3700) AX3700 Whole Home Mesh Wi-Fi (Pack of 3 Discs)

Automatic Network Balancing

One of the best features of this particular mesh network system is its ability to ensure that all users have access to the best connection for their devices. This is done automatically through the internal software of this device. Whenever a device tries connecting to the network, the system quickly determines which node has the strongest signal for the connecting device and automatically assigns the device to that particular node. So, for those who may need to connect from a mobile device in one part of the house and then move to the other, you won't have to worry about your mobile device trying to cling to a weak signal, giving you a great network performance wherever you are.

There is plenty else to love about this mesh network system. The setup process is fast and intuitive, and thankfully not overly complicated for those who are not networking experts, so anyone should be able to get their new mesh network up and running quickly. Configuring the network is also easy, although users should be aware that some settings may be lost when the network is rebooted, so just be prepared for this should you need to reboot it at any time. Although this is a three-piece mesh network kit, you can also expand the network easily by adding another node, letting you scale the network to your needs. If all of these features and capabilities sound like what you need, then this mesh network kit from BT should be at the top of your list.

BT (AX3700) AX3700 Whole Home Mesh Wi-Fi (Pack of 3 Discs) in the use

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price £296.87
Stock In stock
ASIN B07VQMNKRG

 

TP-LINK Deco S4

Virtually No Connection Limit

Many home users have probably never run into an issue where their router has been overloaded with too many Internet connections, but those who have an office or public space that allows for many connections can easily tell you how quickly a router can get overloaded. Many home and small business routers are pretty cheap devices and just aren't built to handle the load that can often happen when dozens of different devices are all vying for bandwidth. If you have a need for a router that can handle this kind of traffic, then you should take a look at the TP-LINK Deco S4 AC1200 Whole-Home Mesh Wi-Fi System.

This 3-piece mesh WiFi system has been made to handle even the largest loads, as it has the ability to handle more than 100 different connections at the same time. For anyone running a small business that provides broad WiFi access, this means that you can rest easy that your network won't get overwhelmed even on the busiest days. Furthermore, no user will have to worry about a port signal, as the mesh network will automatically connect any user to the nearest device for a stronger signal and a better connection. As you can see, this makes this system a good solution for offices or country houses as well as for any other location that would normally require such traffic.

Review of TP-LINK Deco S4 AC1200 Whole-Home Mesh Wi-Fi System (Pack oа 3)

No More Dead Zones

One of the biggest drawbacks with a normal Internet router is that there will inevitably be dead zones, especially when used in a large house or office. This is especially true of multi-story buildings, as having to pass through too much concrete and metal will easily kill even the strongest wireless signal. Thanks to the 3 piece setup of this mesh WiFi system, though, you can easily kill off those dead zones with strategic placement of the individual nodes. On top of that, if you for some reason require more coverage, you can purchase and easily add an additional node to help strengthen the overall network.

This router provides a stable and working WiFi network that is easy to manage via the Deco app, which can be used on almost any type of smartphone or tablet. The app not only helps with managing the network, but also makes installation extremely simple, and even allows for voice control via Alexa, as well as Parental controls and easy guest network setup. In essence, this WiFi mesh system provides you with virtually everything that you could possibly need in a WiFi network, yet removes the complexity that would creep in with ordinary wireless routers. In a word, the TP-LINK Deco S4 AC1200 Whole-Home Mesh Wi-Fi System is a great choice for those with huge networking needs.

TP-LINK Deco S4 AC1200 Whole-Home Mesh Wi-Fi System (Pack oа 3) in the use

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price £94.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B0851D6MXY

 

Linksys WHW0303

Ideal for Medium-Sized Houses

The Linksys WHW0302-UK is a tri-band mesh system that will definitely come in handy in case you are looking for a solution to remove dead spots that come with your existing network. Although the Velop system does provide you with supreme speed levels it is important to remember that it is not a router and is rather an extender of an already existing network system.

This particular model from Linksys is capable of covering areas of up to 550 square metres, and that is quite impressive for a three-node model. The packaging of the mesh system includes three nodes, three power adapters, and cords to connect each unit to the power outlets. Additionally, each node features two Ethernet ports, which will be quite convenient for those who need constant and direct access to the internet without any interruptions. Thus, with these units, you will be able to not only increase the Wi-Fi coverage area but also connect stationary devices that don’t have wireless receivers to the internet.

Review of Linksys WHW0303 AC2200 Intelligent Whole Home Mesh Wi-Fi System (Pack of 3)

Supreme Protection

As for the specifications of the gadgets, the extenders are operating in both 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz ranges to accommodate the standards of new and older hardware. While the 2.4 GHz can deliver up to 400 Mbps, the 5 GHz brings almost 866 Mbps without too much of an effort. The wired LAN connection is on par with the modern standards and offers up to 1000 Mbps at all times, which will be a huge boon for all the gamers out there.

Depending on the chosen method of Wi-Fi transmitting, the setup of the Velop may take a little longer than other consumer-grade products. With that being said, the installation process with the Linksys application preset will take around 30-40 minutes depending on the layout of the rooms inside your house or flat. The setup process itself is helped via step-by-step instructions that are presented to you via the mobile application. Thus, even if you are not a tech-savvy person you will manage the installation without too much of an effort.

Definitely technologically advanced, the Velop from Linksys is by no means a budget model and is more comparable to high-end commercial products from Linksys, and this is why. First of all, the wireless router is compatible with Bluetooth 4.0 LE that can be used to link each of the nodes to the router or modem. Moreover, a supreme WPA2 security protocol will ensure that no data transferred from and to your devices will be traced or hacked in any way.

Finally, the Linksys Velop is one of the top picks available on the market today, thanks to its versatility and ease of use.

Linksys WHW0303 AC2200 Intelligent Whole Home Mesh Wi-Fi System (Pack of 3) in the use

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price £181.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B01N5M9NNB

 

Tenda (MW12-3)

Stream and Game All You Want

The Internet is probably the single biggest factor in any home's entertainment nowadays, which means that whatever router you are using needs to be able to handle all of the network traffic. With 4K streaming and intensive online gaming, many home networks can get choked up pretty quickly when the Internet is routing through a device that just wasn't made to handle such demands. With the Tenda Whole Home Mesh Wi-Fi System, though, you won't have to worry about this issue anymore. This home mesh Wi-Fi system gives you all of the bandwidth that you need in order to get the most out of all of your connected home entertainment devices.

This mesh networking system includes many of the latest technologies that allow for maximum performance, even for the most demanding users. Although this system consists of three separate nodes, you won't have to worry about moving between one node or the other, especially with mobile devices, as all three nodes work together to create a seamless home network. What's more, the nodes allow for easy placement in virtually any corner of the home, allowing you to get the maximum amount of wireless coverage without having to worry about dead zones or weak signals causing issues with your streaming or gaming.

Review of Tenda (MW12-3) Whole Home Mesh Wi-Fi System (Pack of 3)

Maximum Compatibility

A great aspect of this particular home mesh Wi-Fi system is that it has maximum compatibility not only with all of your devices but also with a range of different Internet service providers, so you get get the best out of this system regardless of which type of Internet connection you have. Along with this, setting up the mesh network is quite easy thanks to the included app, which gives you an easy walk-through for setting up and managing your home network. This is also especially important as the included instructions do contain some inaccuracies as reported by some users. However, even this issue really isn't much of one since the setup process is so simple.

For those who may need to use this system for allowing dozens of simultaneous connections, you're in luck as well. This system is able to handle up to 120 devices all connected at once without skipping a beat, which makes it great to use for businesses such as cafes. If you happen to be using it to cover an extremely large area, you can always add more nodes to the network, up to a maximum of 12, which will extend the coverage to a huge area. In the end, those who either have high bandwidth needs or need a system that can handle dozens of simultaneous connections should take a close look at this model.

Tenda (MW12-3) Whole Home Mesh Wi-Fi System (Pack of 3) in the use

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price £145.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B08B3BBGJH

 

Infographics

Comparison of Mesh WiFi Systems

What Is a Mesh WiFi System?

Almost everyone nowadays not only has high-speed Internet access in their homes, but most people also have wireless networks setup, either through wireless Internet service or by using a wireless router. Wireless Internet access gives people the ability to access the Internet from a variety of different devices from almost anywhere in their home or office. However, one of the problems that comes with wireless networking is the fact that there always seem to be spots where the wireless signal is weak to nonexistent. This is a problem that most people have run into at some point, and one that many still deal with on a daily basis.

One of the best ways to get around this issue is to use a mesh WiFi system. This kind of wireless network works in a very similar manner to using a wireless router. However, instead of just having one wireless access point, this particular system usually gives you multiple access points all spread throughout a home or building, giving a much broader coverage area than a single wireless router. They also have a big advantage over the typical wireless router in that they can greatly simplify the process of extending your wireless network range, with all of the nodes providing the same wireless access point instead of making you choose one from multiple points. This helps make having Internet access over a wide area a much more practical option for the casual home Internet user.

If your home WiFi needs do not require a mesh WiFi setup for maximum coverage, you may be interested in reading our reviews of five best WiFi range extenders available. If you own more than a pair of notebooks we also suggest you consider purchasing a wireless adapter to connect all the input devices you may want to use.

What Features to Compare

A mesh wifi system in some respects will be similar to a standard wifi router. It will have a base station that connects directly to your Internet modem, and will provide the settings needed for maintaining Internet access throughout the network. However, they also can differ greatly, especially in that they rely on a number of nodes to provide the wireless network access throughout an area, and their internal settings may be a bit more complex than those of a standard wifi router.

Coverage Area

When looking for a mesh system, the first thing you want to check is the total size of the coverage area supported by the system. As those who are looking for a mesh wifi system are most likely needing it for a larger area, you want to make sure that the total supported area is large enough to cover your needs in wifi coverage.

Components

The total number of components of the system is another thing to check. As a mesh wifi system relies on separate nodes to provide wifi coverage throughout an area, the total number of nodes provided by the system is an important consideration. Those who need the mesh system to provide nodes in specific areas will want to make sure that the system they choose has enough of them.

Ethernet Port

Most mesh wifi systems will provide additional Ethernet ports, either included in the base of the system, or even provided by each of the separate nodes. Those who need to connect computers that are placed far away from the base of the system will want to make sure that the nodes include Ethernet ports.

Supported Speed

Another important consideration in a mesh wifi system is the total supported speed of the internal network. Obviously, systems with a higher speed will be able to provide faster communication between the different devices. These speeds will also vary depending on the network standards supported and used by the internal network. If the speed of the internal network is something that is important to you, make sure you check the total supported speeds according to the network standards that are supported by all of the devices that will connect to the network.

Security Protocols Supported

One last consideration for a mesh wifi system are the security protocols that it supports. Network security is always of the upmost importance, and using the best security protocol possible will help ensure that unwanted connections to your network are refused. You will also want to ensure that all of your devices that will connect to it will support the same network protocol that you wish to use.

Did you know?

Setting Up a Mesh WiFi Network

Mesh WiFi networks by their very nature tend to be a little more complex than a regular wireless network. That's because they usually involve more than one network component working together to create a mesh network. Instead of just the base station of the wireless router. most networks have at least 2 or three different components. However, that doesn't mean they are all that much more difficult to set up than a regular wireless router. In fact, many of the mesh WiFi systems often include a setup app that walks you through the setup process. Regardless, there are still a few things that you should know before setting up your new mesh WiFi network.

Components

Before getting into the setup of the network, it is a good idea to become familiar with the components that your network will consist of. Most networks will use a base station in conjunction with one or more separate satellite nodes. Conversely, many mesh systems may just include two or more access points, any of which can be used as the base station. Of course, in such a configuration, the base station is the node that connects directly to your Internet access point, which is usually a cable or DSL modem. For those who have different Internet connections, such as a satellite connection, the base station will connect directly with it.

The satellite nodes for the mesh network will work together with the base to create a single wireless network. In comparison, a wireless router that uses a WiFi repeater or extender will often require the use of multiple network names, which gives this network a big advantage. Instead of having to guess which network is going to provide you with the best wireless signal, a wireless network appears as just one network name, and will automatically provide you with the best possible signal.

Arranging Your Network

Now that you are familiar with the components, you will want to arrange the devices in a way that will give you the best possible coverage in your home or office. The base station of the system will always need to connect to your Internet device, so it should always be placed near enough to it to allow an easy connection. The satellite nodes will need to be placed in areas that will give it a good connection to the base station while still allowing it to provide a wide area of coverage. Ideally, it is best to place the nodes in open areas that will give it a "line of sight" to the base station. However, in many homes, this may not be possible, so it is best to place it in an area that is not covered by two or more sides by a wall or door. For homes that have two or more stories, it is also a great idea to place a node as close to the stairway as possible, giving it the ability to either broadcast to the lower or higher level, or where it can connect easily to another node on the other level. Although this might be difficult to determine at first, practising with placing the nodes in different areas will let you get the best possible coverage.

Setting Up the Network

Once all of the nodes have been placed in their ideal locations, the network will need to be set up. The actual steps to setting up the network will vary between each mesh system, but most will provide an app or setup wizard that walks you through the process. During the setup process, you will need to create a name for your network, along with a security password. The network name should be one that will be easily identifiable as your network, and a good, strong password should be chosen. Once the setup process is complete, you should now have a strong, stable, and reliable wireless network all throughout your home or office.

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Publish Date: 2018-10-22 13:15:07