WIRED's testing roundup, updated in August 2026, names the Netgear Orbi 770 Series the best mesh Wi-Fi system for most people, with picks including the Asus ZenWiFi BT10 (best subscription-free), Amazon Eero Pro 7 (best for simplicity) and TP-Link Deco BE63 (best budget). The guide notes that an FCC ban on foreign-made routers announced in March could stop companies without an exemption from selling new mesh systems in the US, with Netgear and Eero so far the only consumer mesh makers to have secured a Conditional Approval.
π The Backstory
Mesh systems fix home dead zones by placing multiple nodes that appear as one unified Wi-Fi network, and the category has shifted rapidly toward Wi-Fi 7 hardware. WIRED's testing has tracked the category for years, including how security, subscription models and regulatory changes factor into recommendations.
π― Why It Matters
For anyone with a spotty home network, the roundup distills months of testing into clear buying guidance across budgets and priorities. The FCC ban context is worth noting for shoppers, since the regulatory landscape is changing which brands can sell new systems in the US.
WIRED's testing roundup, updated in August 2026, names the Netgear Orbi 770 Series the best mesh Wi-Fi system for most people, with picks including the Asus ZenWiFi BT10 (best subscription-free), Amazon Eero Pro 7 (best for simplicity) and TP-Link Deco BE63 (best budget). The guide notes that an FCC ban on foreign-made routers announced in March could stop companies without an exemption from selling new mesh systems in the US, with Netgear and Eero so far the only consumer mesh makers to have secured a Conditional Approval.
Mesh systems fix home dead zones by placing multiple nodes that appear as one unified Wi-Fi network, and the category has shifted rapidly toward Wi-Fi 7 hardware. WIRED's testing has tracked the category for years, including how security, subscription models and regulatory changes factor into recommendations.
For anyone with a spotty home network, the roundup distills months of testing into clear buying guidance across budgets and priorities. The FCC ban context is worth noting for shoppers, since the regulatory landscape is changing which brands can sell new systems in the US.