ConsFirst / Mesh Wi-Fi systems

Netgear

Netgear Orbi 870 Series: the downsides first

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#2 of 8
$$$Wi-Fi 7Score 4.2/5
Amazon 1–2 star share
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The performance champ: Wirecutter found it fastest or second-fastest on every test, and Tom's Guide names it best for range. But it costs roughly $900-$1,300 for three units, security software is a paid Armor add-on, there's no USB, and Wirecutter notes a short one-year warranty.

Top complaints

  • Very expensive

    Wirecutter calls it too expensive even for upgrade-pick status at about $900. PCMag lists it at $1,299.99 for a three-pack and calls it pricey next to its Editors' Choice. Tom's Guide lists 'premium price' as its con.

    Source: Wirecutter, PCMag review, Tom's Guide
  • Security and parental controls cost extra

    PCMag says Armor costs $99.99 a year ($149.99 for Armor Plus) and some parental and security features need a subscription. Tom's Guide says to budget extra for Armor.

    Source: PCMag review, Tom's Guide
  • Short warranty and support, no USB

    Wirecutter notes a short one-year warranty, and Tom's Guide says only 90 days of technical support are included. PCMag lists the lack of USB ports.

    Source: Wirecutter, Tom's Guide, PCMag review

What owners love

  • Passes every performance test

    Wirecutter says it was fastest or second-fastest on all its speed and congestion tests and even outperformed the pricier Orbi 970.

    Source: Wirecutter
  • Best long-range speeds

    Tom's Guide measured over 600 Mbps at both 50 and 75 feet and 102.6 Mbps at 90 feet. PCMag found a strong signal throughout its test home.

    Source: Tom's Guide, PCMag best mesh picks
  • 10GbE plus four 2.5GbE ports

    PCMag and Tom's Guide highlight the 10 Gbps WAN input and multiple multi-gig LAN ports. The units come pre-paired.

    Source: PCMag best mesh picks, Tom's Guide
Good for
  • Very large homes
  • 5- to 10-gig internet plans (10GbE WAN)
  • Buyers who want top speed at long range

Scores (tap for why)

  • Speed5.0
    Why 5.0?Fastest or second-fastest on all of Wirecutter's tests. Tom's Guide measured 1.82 Gbps at 15 ft, and PCMag 822 Mbps at 30 ft.
    Source: Wirecutter, Tom's Guide, PCMag review
  • Coverage5.0
    Why 5.0?Tom's Guide's best-for-range pick (628.6 Mbps at 75 ft). PCMag tested 9,000 sq ft of rated coverage with a strong signal.
    Source: Tom's Guide, PCMag best mesh picks
  • Setup & app4.0
    Why 4.0?The router and satellites come pre-paired for easier setup (Tom's Guide). There is little other setup evidence.
    Source: Tom's Guide
  • Features without subscription3.0
    Why 3.0?10GbE WAN and four 2.5GbE LAN ports, but security and some parental controls need a paid Armor plan, and there's no USB.
    Source: PCMag review
  • Reliability4.0
    Why 4.0?'Very reliable' (Tom's Guide) and no complaints in Wirecutter's tests, but only a one-year warranty and 90 days of support.
    Source: Tom's Guide, Wirecutter

What experts say

  • Wirecutter (NYT): Recommended for deep pockets and 5-10 gig plans. It passed every performance test, but at $900 it is too expensive for upgrade-pick status and has a short one-year warranty.
  • PCMag: 4.0 Excellent and Best Premium Wi-Fi 7 Mesh. It's speedy with a strong signal, but pricey, subscription-gated security and parental controls, and no USB.
  • Tom's Guide: Best for range (updated 2026-09-07): very reliable and feature-packed, but premium-priced, and Armor costs extra.
Check price on AmazonWe don't list prices — they change daily. Paid link.

If that catch is a deal-breaker

Highly ranked mesh wi-fi systems whose biggest complaint is something else.

#1 in mesh wi-fi systemsTP-Link Deco 7 Pro (BE63)

It's Wirecutter's upgrade pick and a PCMag Editors' Choice. It's tri-band Wi-Fi 7 with all-2.5GbE ports, the fastest results among Wirecutter's picks, and free basic parental controls and security. The catches: the app is less simple than eero's, advanced HomeShield features cost extra, and Amazon owners split on reliability, with some reporting random disconnects.

Its catch: random disconnections for some owners#3 in mesh wi-fi systemsTP-Link Deco 7 (BE23)

Both Wirecutter and Tom's Guide name it the budget pick. It costs about $200 for three units, yet beat pricier kits on Wirecutter's congestion test, and Tom's Guide measured the best long-range speeds in its group. It's dual-band (no 6 GHz) with only two ports per unit, and some Amazon owners report units dying within months.

Its catch: dual-band only, few ports#4 in mesh wi-fi systemseero Pro 7

PCMag's top Wi-Fi 7 mesh pick and Tom's Guide's pick for simplicity: tri-band with 6 GHz, very fast up close and at mid-range, and as easy as other eeros. You still pay extra for parental controls and security. There are only two Ethernet ports per unit, and Tom's Guide measured just 20.8 Mbps at 90 feet.

Its catch: key software is behind a paywall

Head-to-head

See all 8 mesh wi-fi systems ranked →