You "split the line". What exactly do you mean? you can't just split the line. you actually need a switch to do something like that. Is that what you did?
What is your current system/setup?
You can use an orbi system. It supports both wired and wireless backhauls
You'll find in this post the purpose-built Wi-Fi 6 mesh systems to bring home with confidence—those I consider the best among the many I've reviewed. I picked five out of two categories—Dual-band vs. Tri-band—and will include similar alternatives.
As the world is moving to newer Wi-Fi 7 standards, chances are there won't be any noticeable Wi-Fi 6 mesh options on the horizon. Those listed here are likely the final best mesh systems of Wi-Fi 6.
Unless you want to get the latest and greatest—a losing game in buying tech—these mesh systems won't become irrelevant for the foreseeable future. I'd even say it's the best time to invest in a Wi-Fi 6 mesh. The standard is mature, and its price has been lowered to a sensible level.
Dong's note: I first published this frequently revised post on May 13, 2020, when Wi-Fi 6 was a novelty, and last updated it on March 26, 2024, with likely the final best-five lists.
The Asus ZenWiFi Pro XT12 is one of the most comprehensive purpose-built Wi-Fi 6 mesh systems. Best Wi-Fi 6 mesh Wi-Fi systems: The top five listsThere are two top-five lists, one of Dual-band hardware and the other, Tri-band, listed in the rating order starting with the most recommended. The numbers are the ranking.
Best Five Dual-band Wi-Fi 6 mesh systems: Excellent for a wired home (or one with modest broadband)These mesh systems have only a single broadcaster with one band per frequency (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz.) As a result, in a wireless setup, the speed of the satellite unit's 5 GHz band is generally only half that of the router unit due to signal loss.
However, in a wired configuration, a Dual-band mesh system will give you consistent performance throughout. So, in a wired home, mesh type delivers the best bang for your buck.
A Dual-band mesh system with wired backhauling makes more sense than a Tri-band alternative.
Still, if you have modest broadband—one with a download speed of 200Mbps or slower—a dual-band system will work out well, no matter how you plan to use it.
1. ZenWiFi XD6: A sensible system that has (almost) everything Best Five Dual-band Wi-Fi 6 mesh systems: The Asus ZenWiFi XD6 comes in two identical routers, and neither has a Multi-Gig port.If you have a wired home and Gigabit-class Internet, the Dual-band Asus ZenWiFi XD6 is an excellent buy. This mesh system has no Multi-Gig port, and that's the only thing disappointing about it.
Note: There are many more Dual-band options with Asus's AiMesh. Find your best combo in this post.
Alternatively, you can also consider the following:
Performance
9 out of 10
Features
9.5 out of 10
Design and Setup
9 out of 10
Value
8 out of 10
Fast and reliable Wi-Fi performance
Lots of network settings and useful features, including free real-time online protection for life
Compact design
Presynced hardware, 160Mhz support
No Multi-Gig or Link aggregation
No USB port
2. TP-Link Deco X55 Pro: A low-cost real Multi-Gig experience (for a wired home) Best Five Dual-band Wi-Fi 6 mesh systems: The TP-Link Deco X55 Pro is the first mid-tier Wi-Fi 6 canned mesh that goes full Multi-Gig.The TP-Link Deco X55 Pro is the latest Wi-Fi 6 canned mesh system released at a time when the Wi-Fi standard is being phased out. However, it's also the first low-cost entry-level system equipped to deliver a real Multi-Gig experience, making it an excellent buy for a wired home.
Performance
8.5 out of 10
Features
7.5 out of 10
Design and Setup
8 out of 10
Value
9 out of 10
Reliable Wi-Fi coverage; top mid-tier performer via wired backhauling; dual 2.5GBASE-T ports
Ease to use; helpful mobile app with a standard set of network settings and features
Simple, practical design
Middling Wi-Fi specs with modest performance via wireless backhauling
Requires an account with TP-Link to work; limited Wi-Fi and network customization
No USB; not wall-mountable
Released in 2024, the Linksys Velop Micro 6 Mesh came out when the world was slowly moving to Wi-Fi 7, so it's a dated mesh system. However, it's also a completely fresh one as it represents Linksys's new consumer-first hardware approach.
Performance
8 out of 10
Design Features
9 out of 10
Ease of Use
8 out of 10
Value
7 out of 10
Aesthetically pleasant design; 2.5Gbps WAN port
Reliable and fast-to-specs performance with a decent set of networking and features
Pain-free plug-n-play approach; optional web user interface and mobile app can work without linking to Linksys's optional vendor-assisted management
Run cool and quiet; low power consumption
No 6GHz band; modest specs; only one Multi-Gig port on the router
No network port on the satellite, no USB port; different power adapters for the router and satellite; no WPA support for legacy clients
No setting backup and restore; the firmware is a bit buggy (at launch)
4. TP-Link Deco X4300 Pro: A sensible Dual-band mesh for a (wired) home. Best Five Dual-band Wi-Fi 6 mesh systems: The TP-Link Deco X4300 Pro includes three identical routers.The Deco X4300 Pro replaces the Deco X60. While there's nothing "pro" about it—this is a simple canned system with limited customizability—it is an early upgrade to the previous Deco. In testing, the new system proved reliable and fast enough for Gigabit broadband—thanks to its 2.5Gbps Multi-Gig port—and its affordable pricing didn't hurt.
Alternatives:
Performance
8.5 out of 10
Features
6.5 out of 10
Design and Setup
8.5 out of 10
Value
8.5 out of 10
Reliable and fast Wi-Fi performance, excellent coverage
User-friendly with pre-synced hardware, competitively priced
Wired backhaul support; can work in AP mode as a system
Eye-catching design
Requires an account with TP-Link to work
Only one Multi-Gig port
Zero Wi-Fi customization, limited network customizations, Parental Controls, and online protection require add-on subscriptions
Limited web interface, no USB port;
5. Netgear SXK30 Orbi Pro Mini: A reliable business mesh for the home Best Five Dual-band Wi-Fi 6 mesh systems: The Netgear SXK30 Orbi Pro Mini has plenty of ports on each hardware unit.The SXK30 Orbi Pro Mini is designed for an office, but it'll work fine with a wired home. That's because its local web interface resembles Netgear's Nighthawk home routers. This mesh doesn't have top-notch specs, but it is a viable and reliable option for a wired home (or office).
Alternatives:
Performance
6.5 out of 10
Features
9 out of 10
Ease of Use
8.5 out of 10
Value
7.5 out of 10
Reliable Wi-Fi at comparatively affordable pricing
Lots of Wi-Fi settings, responsive web user interface
Esthetically pleasing
Mounting accessories included
Wired backhaul support
No 160MHz bandwidth, modest specs
Slow throughput speeds on the Satellite unit
The insight subscription trial starts without user consent
Could be more affordable
No USB port
Best Five Tri-band Wi-Fi 6 mesh systems: For homes without wiringThese are mesh systems that include three internal Wi-Fi frequency bands within each of its hardware units. Specifically, they all have one 2.4GHz and two 5GHz bands. In a wireless setup, one of the latter can work as the dedicated backhaul, enabling the system to reduce signal loss.
A Tri-band system is necessary for a large home or even a medium one with thick walls where you can't run network cables. Still, all hardware mentioned below performs best via wired backhauling.
1. Asus ZenWiFi Pro XT12: The ultimate Wi-Fi 6 purpose-built mesh system Best Five Tri-band Wi-Fi 6 mesh systems: The Asus ZenWiFi Pro XT12 is available as a 2-pack that includes two identical mesh routers.The ZenWiFi Pro XT12 is the souped-up version of the XT8 below. As the latest in Asus's ZenWiFi family, it has everything to deliver top performance in a fully wireless or wired setup. In the former, the support for UNII-4 guarantees the top wireless backhaul speed thanks to the new 5.9GHz portion. And in the latter, you can daisy-chain the units via a 2.5Gbps wired backhaul.
Without this 5.9GHz portion, existing 160MHz channels on the 5GHz frequency band need to include at least one of the DFS sub-channels.
DFS shares airspace with radar signals, which have priority. Using DFS for Wi-Fi, therefore, can cause intermittent disconnections.
If you live in a large home with Gigabit or faster Internet, the ZenWiFi Pro XT12 is a sure bet.
Alternative: The ZenWifi Pro XT12 represents a lot of Tri-band Asus hardware. Basically, you can pick any combo of Tri-band Asus Wi-Fi 6 routers and have similar mesh systems. However, among Asus's canned mesh option, you can also consider the following alternatives:
Performance
9 out of 10
Features
10 out of 10
Ease of Use
8 out of 10
Value
9 out of 10
Excellent Wi-Fi performance and coverage, UNII-4 support
Dual Multi-Gig ports with multi-Gigabit wired backhaul, flexible port configurations
Tons of useful features and settings, flexible Wi-Fi customization
AiMesh 2.0 full support, helpful mobile app, no login account required
Cool design with pretty lighting
No 5Gbps or 10Gbps Multi-Gig, bulky, no USB, only four network ports
Buggy Dual-WAN, not wall-mountable
2. Ubiquiti AmpliFi Alien Mesh Kit: An excellent pair of Wi-Fi 6 tango Best Five Tri-band Wi-Fi 6 mesh systems: The Alien Kit is quite unique.The AmpliFi Alien Kit includes an Alien router and an Alien MeshPoint, which are permanently synced. Consequently, this kit is excellent for a home that needs a 2-pack system. You'll have to get another Alien router if you need more than that. Despite that odd hardware configuration, the high price, and other oddities, this mesh system has enough to make almost anyone happy, whether they go entirely wireless or wired backhaul.
Alternative:
Performance
8.5 out of 10
Features
8 out of 10
Design and Setup
9.5 out of 10
Value
8 out of 10
Dead-easy to set up and manage
Excellent Wi-Fi coverage
Fast performance, wired backhaul supported
Users can manage the backhaul link and virtual Wi-Fi networks
Useful VPN and ad-blocking features
Cool hardware design
MeshPoint has only one LAN port and only works with one router of the same Alien Kit
No dedicated backhaul band
Expensive
Best Five Tri-band Wi-Fi 6 mesh systems: The Netgear Orbi AX4200 is possibly even more rounded than how its hardware looks.You can think of the Orbi RBK752 as a modest Wi-Fi 6 Orbi, and it indeed has modest hardware specs. But in real-world usage, it's basically as good as any other higher-end Wi-Fi 6 Orbi set. So the affordable pricing only makes sense.
Keep in mind, though, that all Netgear Orbi mesh variants are made to work wirelessly. Even though you can use wired backhaul with them, the second 5GHz band is permanently the dedicated backhaul band and is never available for clients to connect to.
Alternatives:
Performance
8.5 out of 10
Features
8 out of 10
Ease of Use
8.5 out of 10
Value
9 out of 10
Reliable Wi-Fi with extensive coverage
Relatively affordable
Practical, well-designed mobile app
Support WAN 2Gbps Link Aggregation
Full web interface with all standard settings and features
No 160MHz channel support, limited Wi-Fi customization
Incompatible with Wi-Fi 5 Orbi hardware
Few LAN ports; No Multi-Gig, Dual-WAN, LAN Link Aggregation, or USB port
The fast 5GHz band only works as backhaul, even in a wired setup
Best Five Tri-band Wi-Fi 6 mesh systems: The Linksys Velop AX4200 includes three identical mesh routers.Similar to the Orbi RBK750 series above, the Linksys Velop AX4200 is not the top-tier Wi-Fi 6 system. Still, it will deliver a similar experience to that of more expensive Linksys hardware.
Alternative:
Performance
8 out of 10
Features
8 out of 10
Ease of Use
8.5 out of 10
Value
8.5 out of 10
Reliable Wi-Fi with excellent coverage
Helpful mobile app, full web interface
Fast NAS speeds when hosting external drives
Comparatively affordable
No support for 160MHz channel bandwidth
Mobile app (and login account) required for initial mesh setup
Spartan Wi-Fi settings, modest feature set
No multi-gig network ports, Dual-WAN, or Link Aggregation
No setting backup/restore
Best Five Tri-band Wi-Fi 6 mesh systems: The TP-Link Deco X5700 is available in a 2-pack.The TP-Link Deco X5700 has almost everything to be an excellent wireless mesh system. Among other things, it's the only one in this list that supports the venerable 160MHz channel bandwidth and has a multi-gig port. It's fast!
Though far from perfect, this new Deco is an easy recommendation for those needing a plug-and-play Wi-Fi solution that delivers performance. You'll like the speed no matter how you plan to use it, wirelessly or via a wired backhaul.
Alternatives:
Performance
8 out of 10
Features
7 out of 10
Design and Setup
8.5 out of 10
Value
8.5 out of 10
Excellent Wi-Fi performance and coverage
Tri-band with multi-gig port and 160MHz channel width support
User-friendly, comparatively affordable
Good-looking
Spartan Wi-Fi customization, network settings, and features
Only one Multi-Gig port per hardware unit
App and login account required -- privacy risks
HomeShield Pro requires a monthly subscription, a limited web interface, an impractical design
No USB or additional Gigabit network ports
Quick tips on getting a meshIf you want to learn more about how to pick the best Wi-Fi system, check out this comprehensive post on the topic. But here are a few quick tips:
Like a router, a mesh system is the foundation of your home network. Even the fanciest gadget is useless if your Wi-Fi network is not doing well. So invest where it matters.