Wi-Fi 7 Mesh: Is It Time to Upgrade?
Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) brings multi-link operation (MLO), 320MHz channels, and up to 46Gbps theoretical speeds. Here is how the best mesh systems perform in real homes.
TP-Link Deco BE85 (3-pack) — Best Overall
Tri-band Wi-Fi 7 with dedicated 6GHz backhaul. In our 3,000 sqft test home, it delivered 1.8Gbps within 10 feet of a node and 650Mbps at the furthest corner. Handles 200+ devices without slowdown.
ASUS ZenWiFi BT10 — Best for Power Users
Quad-band with 10Gbps WAN port. Advanced features include VPN server, ad blocking, and detailed traffic analysis. Coverage is excellent with AiMesh technology.
Netgear Orbi 970 — Best Premium
Quad-band, 33,000 sqft coverage claim (we tested ~5,000 sqft successfully). The dedicated backhaul uses 6GHz Wi-Fi 7 for near-wired speeds between nodes.
Speed Test Results
- Same room: TP-Link 1.8Gbps, ASUS 1.9Gbps, Netgear 2.1Gbps
- Two walls away: TP-Link 850Mbps, ASUS 900Mbps, Netgear 950Mbps
- Outdoor (30ft): TP-Link 400Mbps, ASUS 420Mbps, Netgear 380Mbps
Bottom Line
TP-Link Deco BE85 offers the best value. Power users should consider ASUS. Budget is not a concern? Netgear Orbi 970.