ASUS - ZenWiFi BT6

FYI , all of our current routers and mesh product all have extensive on router functionality including Open, Wireguard and much more. As such you could pick BT6, 8, 10, 16 our any of the routers. Also all of the units have our Gaming QoS option for prioritizing game packets and or specific systems, if you want a more streamlined experience our gaming models ( ROG, ROG STRIX, TUF GAMING ) also have dedicated Gaming Ports which are pre configured should you connect your device to that port. You can also do this manually through our firmware/app. Also note unless you need the coverage specific to a kit ( which can be done via AiMesh ) on the router side you have the benefit of no backhual use maximizing throughput if you are within the coverage area of a router.

You'll want one with dedicated backhauls. Asus makes good stuff https://a.co/d/1LRzCsv If you can physically wire with Ethernet to access points then go ubiquiti.

For a quick, easy and uncomplicated setup TP-Link mesh systems are a good option. You didn't specify your internet speed, so I'll assume 1gbps max. If it's faster than that you'll want to get a mesh system that can match it. For example if you have 2gbps service you'll want a mesh system with 2.5gbps WAN and LAN ports. Let me know if you have faster internet speed and I could provide additional recommendations. I'm listing 3 unit sets since you'll have one mesh unit per floor, and all will be connected via ethernet (wired backhaul), per your post (you are running ethernet to each floor). WiFi 6 is still a great technology, offering 2.4ghz and 5ghz band support. WiFi 6E adds 6ghz band support. WiFi 7 is the newest technology, also has 6ghz band plus other upgrades. WiFi 7 is still new, can have bugs and you could encounter quirks. Not trying to scare you away from WiFi 7, but if you want something rock-solid I'd recommend WiFi 6 or WiFi 6E. I myself am using WiFi 6 and don't plan to upgrade to WiFi 7 for at least 2 years. All prices below are for units I found at amazon.com. TP-Link recommendations - Deco X55 ($130, AX3000, WiFi 6 dual band (2.4/5ghz), 3 pack, 3 gigabit ports per unit); Deco XE70 Pro ($240, AXE4900, WiFi 6E tri-band (2.4/5/6ghz), 3 pack, 2.5gigabit WAN & 2 gigabit ports per unit); Deco BE63 ($420, BE1000, WiFi 7 tri-band (2.4/5/6ghz), 3 pack, 4 2.5gigabit WAN/LAN ports per unit). A side note:, TP-Link charges extra for some security features; it's a subscription service, so you'll pay it as long as you want those features. [https://www.tp-link.com/us/support/faq/4319/](https://www.tp-link.com/us/support/faq/4319/) Most people might be interested in adding Security+ ($35.99/year). Families with children using the internet might also want to add Advanced Parental Controls ($17.99/year). So about $54 extra is paid every year, for these increased security features. But TP-Link is the easiest to setup and use, not complicated, so perhaps the ease of setup is worth it to you. Or if you don't want the additional security features (summarized at [https://www.tp-link.com/us/homeshield/](https://www.tp-link.com/us/homeshield/) ) then you don't need to pay for it. Eero and Netgear ("Orbi" product) sell some mesh systems as well. Both of those also require subscription sign-ups for additional security features. If you are curious about these I can post some thoughts on them. ASUS includes Ai Protection Pro (security scanning/protection via Trend Micro) with their products for free. ASUS products cost more for initial purchase, but if you keep a mesh system for 4 years, then you've saved $216 by not paying for the security features (assuming TP-Link's $54/yr fee). However ASUS products can sometimes be a bit problematic to setup and use. You would probably have no issues but just warning you. I use an ASUS mesh system and it works well for me (XT8). I won't recommend it to you though, as it's an older system. Below are some newer recommendations. ASUS recommendations: ET8 ($259 w/coupon, AXE6600, WiFi 6E tri-band (2/5/6ghz), 3 pack, 2.5gigabit WAN & 3 gigabit LAN ports per unit); BT6 ($591, BE9400, WiFi 7 tri-band (2/5/6ghz), 3 pack, 2.5gigabit WAN & 3 gigabit LAN ports per unit). Hope that helps with your decision. Good luck and advise us if you have any questions.

If you want an easy setup, nice user interface and ability to tweak options/configurations down the road, ASUS ZenWiFi is a good option. Another bonus with ASUS is you can use a mobile phone app \*or\* a web interface on a laptop/computer to manage the system. Many other mesh systems from TP-Link, Netgear, Eero only let you manage them with a mobile phone app. That is fine if you have basic needs but if you want to get more control over settings, often not an option. For example TP-Link may not let you select WiFi channels for its wireless networks. With ASUS you have control over a multitude of settings. Or just leave it on the defaults and if you ever wish to dive into the config, it will be ready and waiting for you. I asked Google Gemini for some thoughts too (another poster used Ai so I gave it a try too). I see ASUS ZenWiFi is in the list along with others. Since your needs don't seem very complex any of these should work pretty well. Unfamiliar with Eero, but you stated they are "difficult" to move into AP mode, no idea why but if you know that to be true then I suppose you could remove Eero from your consideration list. Have fun! Click below image to make it larger... https://preview.redd.it/q9mu50skxxrf1.png?width=925&format=png&auto=webp&s=1fb6721ce7d5fb1ded5fee09f45ed12ce365b752

Have been researching WiFi 7 Routers now for months in an attempt to replace my Deco W7200 (which is starting to struggle with the number of devices I have running). I have watched 1,000 you tube videos, read 3,000 reviews, studied about 4,000 posts on reddit, etc., etc. and after extensive research this is what I have learned: When it comes to affordable mesh systems the Deco BE63 sucks or is awesome, the Orbi 770 sucks or is awesome, and the Asus BT6/BT8 either sucks or are awesome. Then we have stand alone routers: the TP-Link BE800 and BE805 both suck or are both awesome, the Asus RT-BE92U sucks or is awesome, and the Netgear RS600/RS700 either sucks or is awesome. All of them seem to suck more unless they are awesome, then they seem to suck less. All their firmware sucks or is just fine and all of them have constant drops or they don't. You have to have triband or they will suck, unless you go dual band in which case they will suck. Or it's possible to have awesome triband or awesome dual band, albeit unlikely. There is also Eero 7, pro, or max, or super max, which are all awesome but also all suck because they don't have MAC cloning which is a must with my ISP. Of course they may also suck in generally depending on who you ask. Or I could sell a kidney and stop paying my bills for 3 months and turn my house into some kind of Ubiquity super network which will definitely either suck or be awesome. Starting to think I should just throw a dart in Best Buy or Costco and buy whatever it hits. Or just keep the W7200 and start throwing away IOT devices.

Thanks. Right now I am leaning toward the Asus BT6 or BT8 due to cost, brand reputation, and lifetime security/parent controls without a subscription. I only have 1gbps fiber. I don't see my ISP moving up to 2.5 anytime soon and 5 won't happen for decades. I have had TP-Link Decos for years with average results but recent issues and concerns about their security has me looking elsewhere. I will post about whatever I end up with for sure.

20 devices is nothing; I have 80+ devices running effortlessly on my Asus wifi 7 mesh

Asus ZenWiFi mesh system (2pk)... Thread closed... 😉

I bought an Asus zenwifi system but eventually hardwired the satellites to a switch plugged into the main unit. Works great.

asus zen wifi. with a house you should have it wired for ethernet anyway. the zen wifi can handle both and 2.5gb in the wifi 7 model.

Hello! I have an asus zen WiFi mesh net with two of the three nodes set up. I have Ethernet over coax and have the downstairs node connected via Ethernet. I should (based on the range of these routers) have excellent coverage in the house. I have noticed however my devices sometimes get confused which node it should connect to, resulting in sub par speeds. The nodes are very far apart. When I did add the third node I felt I was getting crazy interference. Any suggestions?

Yeah, extenders don't work in big houses. For 3500 sq ft, get a mesh system like TP-Link Deco or ASUS ZenWiFi.Covers everything, no dead zones, no 5G or 2.4GHz.