We test lots of routers at CNET HQ -- mesh and otherwise -- so we're constantly updating our rundowns of the top systems on the market. I'll note any new mesh systems we test here as we go, along with a quick summary of my takeaways. Please note that this list includes several systems that were tested at my home instead of our latest test setup.
Arris Surfboard Max AX6600: Another high-powered Wi-Fi 6 system with an upright, cylindrical design, the Surfboard Max Pro was able to deliver fast speeds to other Wi-Fi 6 devices in my tests, but the performance was inconsistent with earlier-gen Wi-Fi 5 devices. I also didn't like the Ethernet jacks on the bottom of the device, which force you to bend your cables to the extreme in order to plug the router in.
Asus ZenWifi XD5: The ZenWifi XD6 is close to the Eero 6 Plus in both specs and price and at $263 for a three-pack, it's one of the more affordable Wi-Fi 6 devices you'll find. Its performance was less consistent across the home. In the garage, I only got 284Mbps upload speeds with the XD5 compared to 494Mbps in the living room, while the Eero 6 Plus returned 706 and 486Mbps for the same price.
Asus ZenWifi XD6: The middle child from the Asus family of Wi-Fi 6 mesh routers, the ZenWifi XD6 is a dual-band mesh system. It won't give you the tri-band build of the ZenWifi XT8, nor will you get that system's multi-gig Ethernet jack. Still, the system performed as well as any dual-band mesh router I had ever tested when I first reviewed it, so it isn't a bad pick by any stretch. Available for around $250, it's a reasonable price for a high-performance system.
Asus ZenWifi XT8: One of the most powerful ZenWifi systems, the tri-band XT8 performed well in our speed tests, and was among the first mesh routers to include multi-gig Ethernet WAN ports on each device. Available in a two-pack for $330, the former CNET Innovation Award winner is a reasonable upgrade pick, but it isn't quite as good a value as the TP-Link Deco W7200 or the Eero 6 Plus.
The Asus ZenWifi AX Mini costs less than other ZenWifi systems that support Wi-Fi 6, but performance was scattered in our speed tests. Ry Crist/CNET
Asus ZenWifi AX Mini: Also known as the ZenWifi XD4, the ZenWifi AX Mini is a pint-sized smaller sibling to the larger and more powerful ZenWifi XD6 and XT8 systems recommended above. Performance was scattered in my tests, with annoying speed drop-offs whenever I'd connect at a distance, so it isn't as recommendable as other ZenWifi offerings.
Eero 6: Amazon's first Wi-Fi 6 mesh router, the Eero 6 hit the market back in 2020, but it didn't blow us away during our tests. Eero systems that followed it did a lot better in my speed tests and they offer the same smart home perks, like built-in radios for Zigbee and Thread.
The Eero Pro 6E is a great pick for gigabit networks, but most homes would be just fine sticking with the less expensive Eero 6 Plus. Ry Crist/CNET
Eero Pro 6E: The Eero Pro 6E did an excellent job in our speed tests, finishing toward the top in just about every category while also delivering a noticeable speed bump to Wi-Fi 6E devices that can connect over the 6GHz band. The smaller-sized Eero 6 Plus is the better value for most households, but if you're a Wi-Fi 6E power user with gigabit speeds at home, then upgrading to the Eero Pro 6E merits strong consideration.
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