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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 June 2, 2024, to keep the list current.
Top five best Wi-Fi 7 mesh systems of 2024: The real-world 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
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| Name | Asus ZenWiFi BQ16 Pro's Rating | TP-Link Deco BE85's Rating | Linksys Velop Pro 7's Rating | TP-Link Deco BE95's Rating | Netgear Orbi 970 Series (RBE973S)'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 powerful 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. 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
3. 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 the best-looking Wi-Fi 7 solution and will easily pass that often painful "wife 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
4. 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 more expensive price unjustified. 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
5. Netgear Orbi 970 Series
The 970 series is an all-new option in Netgear's popular Orbi family. The support for Wi-Fi 7 aside, it's the first Orbi that goes full Multi-Gig and comes with a brand-new naming convention.
One thing remains the same: The quad-band system still uses one of its two 5GHz bands as the permanent backhaul. That, plus the support for the new Wi-Fi standard with its MLO feature, can make things complicated, and the system proved a bit unreliable in my testing, at least initially.
All that makes its $2300 price tag (for a 3-pack) only a little short of outrageous.
Netgear Orbi 970 Series (RBE973S)'s Rating
Pros
Powerful hardware with quad-band Wi-Fi 7 with all-Multi-Gig ports
Fast performance, extensive coverage, with excellent wireless backhaul bandwidth
Multi-Gigigabit wired backhauling support; easy to use; runs cool and quiet
Cons
Unreasonably expensive; the permanent 5GHz backhaul band is unavailable to clients in wired backhaul setup
No web-based Remote Management, limited Wi-Fi and network settings, few free features; mobile app (with a login account and even subscriptions) is required to be useful
No 2nd 10Gbps port on the satellite; unreliable (at launch); no USB port; lots of upselling pop-ups
The final thoughts
Ratified on the first working day of 2024, Wi-Fi 7 is still in its early stages. Of the five above, the Asus ZenWiFi BQ16 Pro is the only one that has all of its features, including the impactful MLO and AFC. The rest is rumored to have them 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.
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. 🙂