The 5 Best Routers For A Large House (2022) – Reviewed and Ranked

Banish the Wi-Fi dead spots in your large house with mesh Wi-Fi routers.

A large home presents challenges in creating a speedy and harmonized Wi-Fi network. If you have struggled to achieve adequate coverage upstairs or on the other side of your property to a solitary router, you’ll be well aware that they just aren’t up to the job. But thankfully, Wi-Fi networking technology has moved on, and now mesh Wi-Fi systems are the solution you need to enjoy high-speed connectivity throughout your home. 

The best routers for a large house are mesh systems that have multiple connected routers or access points you can set up all over your home. The effect is equivalent to having an individual router in each area, but a primary router manages the access points as a unified system with data moving through a single internet connection into and out of the network.

So if you agree that mesh Wi-Fi routers are the solution you need for your large house, we’ve searched high and low to bring you 5 of the best ones for the job, with coverage of over 21,000 square feet. 

Here are our top picks: 

• Best overall: NETGEAR Orbi Quad-Band WiFi 6E Mesh System (RBKE963)
• Best budget option: Amazon eero mesh WiFi system
• Best for performance: Google Wifi - AC1200 - Mesh WiFi System
• Most durable: NETGEAR Nighthawk Advanced Whole Home Mesh WiFi 6 System (MK72)
• Best for coverage: NETGEAR Orbi Quad-Band WiFi 6E Mesh System (RBKE963)

Best Overall Access Point: NETGEAR Orbi Quad-Band WiFi 6E Mesh System (RBKE963)

NETGEAR Orbi Quad-Band WiFi 6E Mesh System (RBKE963), Router with 2 Satellite Extenders, Coverage up to 9,000 sq. ft, 200 Devices, 10 Gig Internet Port, AXE11000 802.11 Axe (Up to 10.8Gbps)

$1,499.00

• Our most powerful whole-home WiFi system with speeds up to 10.8Gbps and coverage up to 9,000 sq. ft., including front & back yards
• Exclusive Quad-band technology & Dedicated Backhaul WiFi ensures max speeds for up to 200 connected devices
• WiFi 6E opens up a new 6GHz band, delivering dedicated top speeds to the latest WiFi 6E-ready laptops, phones, & tablets
• 10 Gig internet port unleashes the fastest download speeds of today and tomorrow. Connect to the latest cable or fiber internet service up to 10Gbps
• Patented antenna design boosts WiFi coverage & delivers high-performance WiFi across your entire home

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03/03/2023 09:15 am GMT

Quick specs

NETGEAR’s Orbi range of Wi-Fi routers has gone from strength to strength and this WiFi 6E Mesh System is the ideal investment for future-proof internet connectivity throughout your large home. Orbi is a whole home (yes including your backyard) mesh Wi-Fi solution, which features the most advanced wireless networking technologies to provide high-speed intuitive coverage that can support even the most bandwidth-consuming use cases and hundreds of participating devices. 

These routers are Wi-Fi 6E quad-band routers that can use the 2.4, 5, and 6 GHz frequency bands for high-throughput multi-gigabit data transfer. The 6 GHz frequency band has only been available since 2020, so this really is the latest Wi-Fi technology. 

Setup is easy with harmonized mesh network names and passwords. Onboard as many individual routers as you need to cover your entire property using the sync button on the back of each router. The Orbi mesh routers use the latest WPA3 security to keep your data secure and hacker-proof.

Check out NETGEAR Orbi Quad-Band WiFi 6E Mesh System (RBKE963) on Amazon.

Best Budget Option: Amazon eero mesh WiFi system

Amazon eero mesh WiFi system – router replacement for whole-home coverage (3-pack)

$169.99

• WHOLE-HOME COVERAGE - The eero mesh WiFi system brings up to 4,500 sq. ft. of fast, reliable WiFi to your home.
• WORKS WITH ALEXA- With eero and an Alexa device (not included), you can easily manage wifi access for network profiles to take focus away from screens and back to what’s important.
• WORKS WITH YOUR INTERENT SERVICE PROVIDER- eero replaces your wifi router and works with most major internet service providers.
• SET UP IN MINUTES - The eero app guides you through setup and allows you to manage your network from anywhere.
• DON'T LET WIFI SLOW YOU DOWN- Get the most from your WiFi by streaming, gaming, and working across your home.

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03/03/2023 02:26 pm GMT

Quick specs

If you’re fed up with dead spots from your ISP’s hired router, but don’t want to blow your budget on an expensive alternative, Amazon’s budget range of wireless networking gear includes a handy mesh WiFi system with a router and two satellites for up to 4,500 square feet of coverage.

Despite being a value buy, the eero mesh system is high capacity with amazing functionality. Setup is quick and intuitive with the eero system working with most ISPs, Apple HomeKit, and, of course, Alexa. If you have a lot of devices, you’ll be pleased to know that each eero can support over 128 devices.

However, if speed’s a priority, the eero may fall short. This router can only achieve a maximum speed of 300 Mbps, more than enough for most activities but not the gigahertz speeds of premium routers. 

Check out Amazon eero mesh WiFi system on Amazon.

Best For Performance: Google Wifi - AC1200 - Mesh WiFi System

Very Reliable

Google Wifi – AC1200 – Mesh WiFi System – Wifi Router – 4500 Sq Ft Coverage – 3 pack

$168.43

• Scalable flexible mesh Wi-Fi system
• 1 Google Wi-Fi point replaces your router and additional points expand your network to keep the connection fast
• 1 Pack covers up to 1,500 square feet and 3 Pack covers up to 4,500 square feet; points work together to create more coverage
• Simple setup in a few steps; use the Google Home app to create your network and get online in minutes
• Parental controls let you manage screen time, restrict certain kinds of adult content, and pause Wi-Fi to specific devices on your mesh network whenever you want

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03/13/2023 07:54 pm GMT

Quick specs

Google Mesh WiFi System is a great router solution for a large house where the occupants need speed and bandwidth for a range of demanding use cases. The three cylindrical nodes look unassuming but provide powerful Wi-Fi 5 connectivity, with speeds of up to 1.2 Gbps. This router solution is a great buy if you need connectivity for activities like:

• Streaming
• Telecommuting 
• Gaming 
• Virtualization

…and more!

Each node provides 1,500 square feet of coverage and can support up to 1000 devices. Users praise the simple setup and consistent performance, especially as it is not so expensive. If you need to expand your network with additional routers, you can purchase another set and connect the access points to your existing network.

Check out Google Wifi - AC1200 - Mesh WiFi System on Amazon.

Most Durable: NETGEAR Nighthawk Advanced Whole Home Mesh WiFi 6 System (MK72)

NETGEAR Nighthawk Advanced Whole Home Mesh WiFi 6 System (MK72)– AX3000 Router with 1 Satellite Extender, Coverage up to 3,000 sq. ft. and 35+ Devices

$169.59

• Coverage up to 3,000 sq. ft. and 35+ devices
• Fast AX3000 Gigabit speed with WiFi 6 technology for uninterrupted streaming, HD video gaming, and web conferencing
• Connects to your existing cable modem and replaces your WiFi router. Compatible with any internet service provider up to 1Gbps including cable, satellite, fiber, and DSL
• Plug in computers, game consoles, streaming players, and more with 2 (1+1) Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports in the router and satellite
• Sets up in minutes with the Nighthawk App; easily manage WiFi settings, test internet speed, and monitor data usage

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03/03/2023 09:14 am GMT

Quick specs

This rugged-looking router and satellite pair by NETGEAR is primarily for gaming, but actually provides over 3,000 sq feet of coverage, more than enough to keep a large home covered. TheNETGEAR Nighthawk Advanced Whole Home Mesh WiFi 6 System features the latest Wi-Fi 6 networking technology and delivers speeds of up to 3 Gbps depending on your internet connection. 

The cuboidal router and satellite are stable and durable. Users of this router love the fast installation and simple management via a smartphone app. The only limitation of this router is the limited number of devices it supports – you’ll be maxing out your network at just 35 devices. So if your household gamer hogs the network, you’ll be continuing the status quo!

Check out NETGEAR Nighthawk Advanced Whole Home Mesh WiFi 6 System (MK72) on Amazon.

Best For Coverage: NETGEAR Orbi Quad-Band WiFi 6E Mesh System (RBKE963)

NETGEAR Orbi Quad-Band WiFi 6E Mesh System (RBKE963), Router with 2 Satellite Extenders, Coverage up to 9,000 sq. ft, 200 Devices, 10 Gig Internet Port, AXE11000 802.11 Axe (Up to 10.8Gbps)

$1,499.00

• Our most powerful whole-home WiFi system with speeds up to 10.8Gbps and coverage up to 9,000 sq. ft., including front & back yards
• Exclusive Quad-band technology & Dedicated Backhaul WiFi ensures max speeds for up to 200 connected devices
• WiFi 6E opens up a new 6GHz band, delivering dedicated top speeds to the latest WiFi 6E-ready laptops, phones, & tablets
• 10 Gig internet port unleashes the fastest download speeds of today and tomorrow. Connect to the latest cable or fiber internet service up to 10Gbps
• Patented antenna design boosts WiFi coverage & delivers high-performance WiFi across your entire home

Buy on Amazon

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

03/03/2023 09:15 am GMT

Quick specs

If you have an extremely large property and want to maximize coverage, our recommendation would be the NETGEAR Orbi Quad-Band WiFi 6E Mesh System. It is the market leader for scalability and coverage, featuring powerful routers and access points that scale easily and reliably while maintaining a unified and responsive network. 

With this router, you only need 6 additional satellites to achieve coverage of over 21,000 square feet. Better still, the network access points connect wirelessly, so you won’t need to be fumbling with an Ethernet cable. If you want your backyard to have Wi-Fi, you can also add the NETGEAR Orbi Outdoor satellite Wi-Fi extender for a completely synchronized network wherever you are in your mansion! 

Check out NETGEAR Orbi Quad-Band WiFi 6E Mesh System (RBKE963) on Amazon.

How To Pick The Best Routers For A Large House: Key Considerations

Large houses, particularly older large houses present a challenge for Wi-Fi networking. This is because the wireless signal has to pass through many rooms and layers of dense building materials to get to the areas that are far away from the network router. As the signal passes through materials like wood, concrete, or insulation, it becomes attenuated (weakened). This means that the Wi-Fi signal in certain areas of your home will be poor or even absent, leading to dead zones that do not have coverage. 

Over the years there has been a range of methods used to improve wireless network coverage in large properties. Before you buy here are the key considerations when evaluating your router solution: 

• Mesh networking 
• Network extenders/repeaters 
• Frequency bands
• Antennas 
• Wi-Fi versions
• Price 

Let’s look at each one in more detail.

Mesh networking 

Mesh networking is the leading solution for achieving excellent Wi-Fi coverage in a property. A mesh network is comprised of multiple mini-routers, known as nodes or access points, that you can place exactly where you want in the building. 

Each node can exchange data just like your router, either via a wired connection or wirelessly depending on the system you choose. In a mesh network, one node will be the primary router or controller. The controller manages the flow of data through the other nodes and keeps the network harmonized. The controller connects to the internet.

Network extenders/repeaters

Network repeaters are an earlier and more primitive method of extending Wi-Fi network coverage in a large property. They are very simple devices that have antennas that can receive and transmit an existing Wi-Fi signal, relaying it to distant areas of a property. 

Wi-Fi repeaters like the TP-Link AC1900 WiFi Extender (RE550) simply plug into a power outlet in the room where you want coverage. Though you can distribute these extenders throughout your home they are different from the access points of a mesh network as devices cannot connect to them directly.   

Frequency bands

Wi-Fi networks exchange their data using radio frequency signals in one of three frequency bands on the radio spectrum. The frequency band used are: 

• 2.4 GHz
• 5 GHz
• 6 GHz (only in Wi-Fi 6E devices)

These frequency bands have differences in the way their signals propagate and the coverage they can achieve. The 2.4 GHz signal, which has the longest wavelength has greater penetration of materials and can achieve significantly greater coverage than 5 GHz and 6 GHz signals. 

Though the 5 and 6 GHz frequency bands have speed and capacity, walls and other building structures easily absorb these shorter wavelength signals. This means that coverage at 5 and 6 GHz is best when limited to a single room. To take advantage of 5 GHz and 6 GHz Wi-Fi networking, a mesh system is the best solution as the access point is in the immediate vicinity of the devices that use it. 

Antennas

For some large homes, poor coverage from an existing router may simply be a matter of an inadequate antenna. The transmitting or receiving power of an antenna is known as gain, and is measured in decibels (dBi). Many conventional Wi-Fi routers are shipped with cheap low gain (2-3 dBi) antennas, but depending on the router model, you can remove these antennas and replace them with external antennas that have higher gain (5dBi) and can achieve greater coverage. 

Check if you can unscrew the antennas on your router and replace them with an external antenna. The antenna connector used is called an RP-SMA connector and can even connect an extension cable with the external antenna for enhanced coverage. 

Wi-Fi versions

Another important feature to check before you buy a new router is the version of Wi-Fi that it uses. Originally, Wi-Fi only used the 2.4 GHz frequency band, but the most recent versions of Wi-Fi provide access to the 5 GHz and 6 GHz frequency bands. Wi-Fi versions also vary in the level of security and encryption they provide, with Wi-Fi 6 and 6E having the most robust WPA3 security protocol. 

All devices can connect to the 2.4 GHz frequency, but some devices cannot use the 5 GHz and 6 GHz frequency bands. The 6 GHz frequency band has only just become available, so it is unlikely that many certified devices are available to use it right now. 

Price

Mesh networks are generally more expensive than a single router, but as you can see above, there is a wide range in price point and performance. Amazon and Google products are relatively cheap (under $150), but deliver reliable performance.

What To Know Before Buying The Best Routers For A Large House

Wi-Fi is all about convenience and the network you create should work for you. An overhaul of your home network isn’t always necessary in a large house. Before you shop, here are a few quick pointers: 

1. Your ISP may provide a mesh networking solution

Many internet service providers (ISPs) have offered mesh networking router systems for their customers. You can hire them for a monthly fee, just like a regular router, and install the access points in the areas of your home that require a boost in coverage. 

2. You may not need Wi-Fi coverage throughout your home

Unless you are running a centrally controlled smart home, you may not need Wi-Fi coverage in every nook and cranny of your house. One advantage of using a mesh network is that you can control the areas of the property where coverage is available. Some households prefer to limit Wi-Fi coverage to areas like the home office for family areas. If you have teens hogging the Wi-Fi, it may be useful for their rooms to be dead zones. 

3. MIMO enhances signal strength and quality 

The most advanced versions of Wi-Fi use a special antenna technology called Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO). These routers generate a stronger and more resilient signal by multiplying a transmitted signal between multiple pairs of transmitting and receiving antennas. Look for routers that have MIMO or the more recent MU-MIMO for improved performance. 

Using The Best Routers For A Large House: What it’s Like? 

Upgrading your router in a large home is primarily about increasing coverage. If you have selected the right solution for your property, you should enjoy consistent coverage and speeds wherever you are in your home. 

This is a great time to buy a new router because there have been noteworthy advances in Wi-Fi technology. The latest versions of Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E are a great investment for long-term use because they have the latest security standards and enhanced speed and performance. 

Final thoughts 

With mesh Wi-Fi, a large house is no longer an excuse for poor connectivity. There is a decent mesh networking solution for every price point and as these systems are scalable, you can buy as many satellites as you need to maximize the Wi-Fi coverage in your home.