🛒
This post includes the top five best Wi-Fi 7 mesh systems you can confidently bring home today.
If you're new to Wi-Fi 7, it's the latest and most encompassing revision of the popular wireless alternative to network cables—the first that features all three popular Wi-Fi bands, including 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz. It's a game-changer from Wi-Fi 6E and previous standards, though not necessarily a replacement.
All Wi-Fi 7 solutions will work well with existing clients of older standards—as long as they are not too old. That said, if you have some cash burning in your wallet and an aging mesh Wi-Fi system that's been struggling, I'd say give one of these Wi-Fi 7 alternatives a go today. The experience could be gratifying. Only need a single router? Pick the router unit of any system below, or check out this list of the top five best Wi-Fi 7 routers instead.
Dong's note: I first published this post on February 24, 2024, and last updated it on September 17, 2024, to keep the list current.
Top five best Wi-Fi 7 mesh systems of 2024: The battle-tested list
You need a support client and a broadcaster to enjoy the new Wi-Fi standard.
On the client side, most flagship phones released in the second part of 2023 and newer, such as the One Plus 11 5G or the Pixel 8 Pro, support the new standard. Most new computers in 2024 and later will likely include a built-in Wi-Fi 7 adapter. For those that don't, there are hardware upgrade options where you can buy the chip and install it yourself.
On the broadcasting side, for those living in a large home, the list of the top five best Wi-Fi 7 mesh systems comes into play. This list is sorted in recommendation order, with the most recommended on top—the numbers are the ranking.
Top 5 best Wi-Fi 7 mesh systems
 |  |  |  |  | |
| Name | Asus ZenWiFi BQ16 Pro's Rating | Netgear Orbi 770 Series (RBE773)'s Rating | TP-Link Deco BE85's Rating | Linksys Velop Pro 7's Rating | TP-Link Deco BE95's Rating |
| Price | - | - | - | - | - |
| Rating | |||||
| Description | |||||
| Statistics | |||||
| Buy this product |
1. Asus ZenWiF BQ16 Pro
Released over half a year after the TP-Link Deco BE85 below, the Asus ZenWiFi BQ16 Pro is the first canned system that has all the flavors of Wi-Fi 7 right out of the box. As a result, it's the most potent hardware with excellent coverage and bandwdith.
Asus ZenWiFi BQ16 Pro's Rating
Pros
Top quad-band Wi-Fi 7 specs with all features (including AFC and MLO) to deliver best-to-date real-world performance both in throughputs and coverage; two 10Gbps Multi-Gig ports
The latest AsusWRT 5.0 has lots of customizations and free-for-life high-end features (VPN, Parental Controls, Online Protection, Dual-WAN, Link Aggregation, Smart Home Master, etc.).
Robust web user interface and helpful optional mobile app; easy-to-blend-in design
Comparatively compact with no internal fan
Cons
Comparatively expensive; numerous settings require a lengthy restart to apply
Only two Multi-Gig ports
Not wall-mount-ready
2. Netgear Orbi 770 series
The Orbi 770 series is Netgear's latest and most special Orbi set today, thanks to the fact it no longer has a dedicated backhaul band like the rest of Netgear's tri-band and quad-band hardware. Addtionally, at less than $1000 for a 3-pack, it costs less than half the 970 series while delivering a similar experience in real-world usage.
Netgear Orbi 770 Series (RBE773)'s Rating
Pros
Straightforward tri-band without permanent dedicated backhaul; excellent performance for the specs; all Multi-Gig ports
Multi-Gigigabit wired backhauling support; fast wireless backhaul link
Aesthetically pleasant design; runs cool and quiet; comparatively low power consumption
Cons
No 10Gbps ports; limited Wi-Fi options; 6GHz band not user-customizable; no AFC
No web-based Remote Management,
Thin on free networking features; advanced features require the Orbi mobile app and subscriptions; no USB port
3. TP-Link Deco BE85
The TP-Link Deco BE85 is the first Wi-Fi 7 canned mesh system. It has a ton of Multi-Gig ports plus the support for SFP+. While on paper, the tri-band Deco BE85 seems inferior to the quad-band Deco BE95 below, in real-life usage, it's a more sensible solution.
TP-Link Deco BE85's Rating
Pros
Four Multi-Gig ports, including two 10Gbps, one of which supports RJ45/SFP+ combo; multi-Gigabit wired backhauling out of the box
Wi-Fi 7 support, backward compatible with existing clients; excellent overall real-world performances;
Easy to use
Cons
The performances of the 2.4GHz band and 10Gbps ports could be better
Vendor-connected mobile app required; HomeShield Pro costs extra
Internal fan; runs a bit hot
4. Linksys Velop Pro 7
The Linksys Velop Pro 7 is somewhat subdued. It has the lowest hardware specs and minimum support for Multi-Gig. In return, it's among the best-looking Wi-Fi 7 solutions and will easily pass that often painful "spouse approval" requirement.
Linksys Velop Pro 7's Rating
Pros
Aesthetically pleasant design; Wi-Fi 7-ready
Reliable performance
Both the web user interface and mobile app can work without linking to Linksys; optional vendor-assisted management
Run cool and quiet; low power consumption
Cons
Expensive (at launch) for the modest hardware
Comparatively slow performance; limited range; mobile app coercion
Only one Multi-Gig port per hardware unit; no USB port; no multi-Gigabit wired backhauling, Dual-WAN, or Link Aggregation
No setting backup and restore
5. TP-Link Deco BE95
The Deco BE95 is very similar to the BE85 above, if not identical, despite being the first quad-band mesh system with its 6GHz band split in two.
In real-world testing, it delivered a similar performance as the supposedly lesser BE85 cousin, making its higher price a bit unjustified, though the street price will vary. Still, it's a sound mesh system for a large home.
TP-Link Deco BE95's Rating
Pros
Dual 6GHz bands, four Multi-Gig ports with multi-Gigabit wired backhauling, including two 10Gbps with one being an RJ45/SFP+ combo
Wi-Fi 7 support; backward compatible with existing clients; excellent overall real-world performances;
Easy to use
Cons
6GHz-2 is not available to clients, even with wired backhauling, and didn't help with performance
Can't be fully managed via the limited local web user interface; vendor-connected mobile app required; HomeShield Pro costs extra
Almost constant internal fan; runs a bit hot
The final thoughts
Ratified on the first working day of 2024, Wi-Fi 7 is still in its early stages. Likely, it'll take the new standard until mid-2025 to have all of its specs hashed out and ratified around the world.
Of the five above, the Asus ZenWiFi BQ16 Pro is the only one that has all of its features, including the impactful AFC. The rest is rumored to have been turned on via firmware updates, though that remains to be seen.
Thanks to significantly increased bandwidth, Wi-Fi 7 is excellent even when a system needs to be used in a fully wireless setup. Still, wiring is a must if you want to get the maximum coverage and enjoy the standard's true multi-Gigabit capability.
Dong,
Thanks for the great work you are doing here. This is an invaluable site for information.
Eero owner looking to go with TP-LINK
Though you rate the TP-LINK BE85 slightly higher than the BE95, has the latter overcome its limitations via firmware updates since your initial review? I am in the mindset that if I buy the BE95, I am paying more and getting a better, more powerful mesh system. I did read some Amazon reviews where Ring cameras were not working with the BE85 which is another reason I am looking at the BE95.
I have a rather large multi-level home and square foot coverage is essential. I am already running it with 5 second-gen Eero units (5G) and there are dead spots. So, I am hoping the more powerful 3-pack of the BE95 covers the entire home.
Ronald,
The issue with backward compatibility is true in all Wi-Fi 7 broadcasters—more here. Those that work well out of the box without you having to tinker generally function *not* as a Wi-Fi 7 harware, like the case of the eero 7 Max. If you truely care about both coverage *and* compatiblity *and* can’t run network cables to link the broadcaters (which seems like your cacase,) go with a Tri-band Wi-Fi 6 system with UNII4, you’ll see the list in this post on the 5.9GHz band.
The BE95 is not better than the BE85 and the two are similar. Until Wi-Fi 7 is fully hashed out, likely by late 2025, if you want things to just work, it’s best to get Wi-Fi 6.
Asus, TP-Link, and Netgear are all taking an average of 4+ months between firmware updates; some of the. Netgear models you’ve recommended haven’t had updates in more than a 9 months.
Why don’t you include frequency of firmware updates in your reviews? For those of us who are security minded, the long periods between updates mean months with potentially vulnerable networks.
That’s because frequent security updates often mean it’s a “bad” product, Richard. Security updates are like recalls in cars. Would you pick a car brand because it has frequent recalls? Don’t buy the information provided by security clickbait and misinformation out there. More here.
Security updates aren’t the only things included in firmware updates; bug fixes are arguably just as, if not more, important than security updates. When any networking company goes 5+ months without even basic bug patching, then I have questions about their product quality and support.
Why should anyone get a router whose manufacturer doesn’t try to make it work properly? That’s why mentioning which vendors even do basic firmware bug fixing should be part of the product review.
Consumer Reports and other reviewers include it.
I believe I’m the only one who includes the firmware version in each Wi-Fi review, Richard, at least most of them. I also wrote about firmware of different vendor in great details, such as this post on Asus’s firmware or this one on Netgear Orbi, or this one on Linksys‘s.
Your point taken but the low frequency of firmware updates doesn’t necessarily means the vendor doesn’t try to make the hardware work properly (since it could be that it’s already so well-thought-out from the beginning that there’s no update needed) but the high frequency often (though not always) means it’s a bad product (because it’s not well made to begin with.) I would be very concerned using a router that *requires* firm updates regularly. At the very least, the updates themselves are a nuisance.
In case you haven’t noticed, I don’t model my work after CR or any other “review” website. And I believe using firmware update frequency, which should be case by case, as a barometer for quality is misleading and foolish. If a vendor makes you believe it’s good simply because it provides frequent firmware updates, you’ve been gaslighted.
Love all the Reviews and good explanations.
I want to replace my old Ruckus R310 system for a new house.
So WiFi 7 will be a must and it must be quiet so no fan.
For what i can get out off all the reviews the Netgear Orbi 970/3 is the only fanless design that keeps quiet and cool.
I am going to use it for IOT, HomeUse ( lots of ipads and iphones ) and Work WiFi network.
2 of 3 units are getting cable ( Cat7 ) to it and one must go over the backhaul.
Do u have any advice for me.?
The ZenWiFi BQ16 Pro or the upcoming BT10 is your best option, Michel. Make sure you actually read the reviews. Good luck!
Thank Dong Ngo, Will read the spec’s of the ZenWifi BT16 and BQ10. What would you choose from the 2 ?
They are BQ16 and BT10—I might have made the same typos. I haven’t tested the latter (it’s not yet available) but the former is great. There’s no rush though, you might want to wait for the firmware to get better. In any case, I have them all. 🙂
Hi,
I’ve been reading about the new Xiaomi BE7000 wifi 7 router, and its incredible price of less than 150$ USD. I see it sold on aliexpress and have considered it on my next trip to China. Granted it lacks the 6ghz band due to China not allowing that bandwidth, but it may open that up later. I would love to see how you review it, it has a few very interesting features like NFC setup and etc. If it performs better than all Wifi 6 and say bottom of the barrel Wifi 7 competitor, it’ll still be a steal. Appreciate if you would test one.
Thanks
Adrian
I only review hardware available in the US where the brand you mentioned is banned, likely for good reasons. Don’t buy something just because it’s cheap.
Hello,
What about Asus ZenWiFi BT10?
It seems it’s a new product the Tri-band version of BQ16?
https://www.asus.com/networking-iot-servers/whole-home-mesh-wifi-system/zenwifi-wifi-systems/asus-zenwifi-bt10/
Yeap, Paul, it’s a less expensive variant.
Hi, in this group, is the TP-Link Deco BE85 the best just in wifi or wired? Thanks
Yes, all things considered, for now. 🙂