The holiday season puts a big strain on your Internet connection, from family movie nights to long-distance video calls. If you’re seeing some slowdown, it might be time to upgrade your router or switch to a mesh network. Cutting-edge networking hardware harnesses the entire Wi-Fi spectrum for optimal throughput and balances the signal across multiple nodes for greater stability. We’ve found jolly price cuts on units of all types right now. Here are the discounted Wi-Fi router and mesh deals we found from our favorite brands for December.
The Best Router and Mesh Network Deals In December
The Best Wi-Fi Router Deals
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TP-Link AXE5400 Tri-Band WiFi 6E Router
Specs: 5,400Mbps | 2,000 sq. ft | 4 LAN ports | Wi-Fi 6E
PCMag deemed this unit “the best wireless router for most people” in its review, saying that it provided a solid-performing and future-proof nexus for your home network at a very reasonable price. Currently, Amazon has a 41% discount, making it an even better choice. With up to 2,000 square feet of coverage across multiple bands, including 5G and 6G, you’ll be able to link up a ton of devices and have them all perform well. It also comes with a suite of free HomeShield security features to keep yourself and your family safe from malevolent digital intruders.
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Motorola MQ20 WiFi 6E Router
Specs: 8,400Mbps | 3,000 sq. ft | 3 LAN ports | Wi-Fi 6
Here’s a 35% price drop on a capable and speedy router from Motorola. The MQ20 is a vertically-oriented podium with a relatively small footprint, and inside, you get eight internal antennas that deliver stable tri-band coverage (2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz) for up to 128 simultaneous connections. This is the first device to ship with Motorola’s new MotoSync+ software, which manages and optimizes router performance but also handles security settings, real-time threat updates, and parental controls.
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Asus ROG Rapture Pro WiFi 6 Gaming Router
Specs: 11,000Mbps | 3,000 sq. ft | 2 WAN/LAN ports | 4 LAN ports | Wi-Fi 6
On the market for an aggressive-looking gaming router that will deliver searing wired and wireless speeds? PCMag gave the ROG Rapture Pro gaming router an Editors’ Choice award in its review, noting that the unit unleashed “top-shelf performance, high-speed wired connectivity, and lots of gamer-friendly settings,” along with a robust suite of parental controls and security features. The eight antennas boost coverage to over 3,000 square feet, and a 2.5g and 10g WAN/LAN port let you go straight to the source for ultra-fast connections.
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Netgear Nighthawk Tri-Band WiFi 7 Router
Specs: 2,500Mbps | 2,500 sq. ft | 1 WAN port | 4 LAN ports | Wi-Fi 7
If you’re really pushing bandwidth to the max, it’s time to upgrade to Wi-Fi 7. With massive speeds up to 9,200Mbps, you can game, stream, download huge files and more without breaking a sweat. The new antenna design pushes signal farther and faster, and a quartet of wired LAN ports give you the lowest ping possible on wired connections. Netgear’s Armor security software helps harden your network against malicious actors. Right now, you can snag this one at Amazon for 32% off.
The Best Mesh Wi-Fi System Deals
If just one router isn’t doing the job, it might be time to upgrade to a mesh system. These standalone devices collaborate to provide Wi-Fi connections to numerous devices, with the load being split between them with proprietary algorithms. They’re highly effective at extending signal over a large area, and most are easy to build out with additional units.
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TP-Link Deco XE75 AXE5400 WiFi 6E Mesh System
Specs: 2,402 Mbps | 7,200 sq. ft | Wi-Fi 6E
Here’s a solid tri-band mesh system that PCMag gave an “Excellent” rating to in its review, praising the Deco XE75’s “6GHz connectivity, multi-gig Ethernet, and strong throughput and signal range performance.” It couldn’t be simpler to set up, and the three nodes provide a ton of flexibility in how you cover your home for the fastest signal. It also includes parental control and network security systems for even more peace of mind. Amazon has it on sale for $100 off right now.
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Netgear Orbi 370 WiFi 7 Mesh System
Specs: 5,000Mbps | 6,000 sq. ft | 2 LAN ports | Wi-Fi 7
Here’s a solid compromise that delivers impressive speeds over a big coverage area. With up to 70 simultaneous device connections, you can run your whole smart home off of the Orbi 370 with room to spare, and speeds up to 5Gbps mean you get swift downloads and breezy streaming. This is a dual-band system, forgoing the 6GHz band, so it’s slightly less efficient than a three-band setup, but you probably won’t notice the difference.
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Asus ROG Rapture GT6 WiFi 6 Mesh System
Specs: 10,000Mbps | 5,800 sq. ft | 3 LAN ports | 1 USB 3.2 port | Wi-Fi 6
For a smaller footprint that still delivers the goods, the Asus ROG Rapture GT6 uses a pair of nodes for gamer-friendly speeds and wide coverage. PCMag’s extensive review notes that this system “isn’t cheap, but its superior performance, robust gaming features, and anti-malware tools make it worth every penny,” earning it an Editors’ Choice award. It’s a lot easier to swallow with an 11% price drop.
The Best Wi-Fi Extender Deals
Are you not in the mood to set up an entirely new network? Don’t want to change your passwords? Adding a Wi-Fi extender might be the solution. These devices are typically inexpensive, plug into a wall power socket, and provide a stepping stone from your existing router, building network coverage in a simpler (and dumber) way. They’re great for spreading signal to areas like a garage or back patio.
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TP-Link AC1200 WiFi Extender
Specs: 1,200Mbps | 1,600 sq. ft | 1 LAN port | Wi-Fi 6
If all you need is a simple plug-and-play extender, this on-page coupon for a capable TP-Link model will hit the spot. It’s a breeze to set up, but it delivers potent performance over 1,600 square feet. Speeds of 867Mbps (5GHz) and 300Mbps (2.4GHz) are very solid, and up to 32 individual devices can connect simultaneously. There’s also a wired Ethernet port built in for low-ping devices, and seamless roaming connections are available when you pair it with any EasyMesh-capable router.
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2025 AX1800 WiFi 6 Extender
Specs: 1,200Mbps | 1,500 sq. ft | Wi-Fi 6 | 1 LAN port
For something a little more performance-oriented, this four-antenna extender delivers the goods at a 41% discount. With coverage at both the 2.4GHz/600Mbps and 5.8GHz/1200Mbps bandwidths, it’ll play nice with phones, PCs, gaming consoles, and smart devices, with up to 100 simultaneous connections. A built-in gigabit Ethernet port gives you top speed for wired devices, and WPA2 encryption keeps your home network safe and secure.
Router and Mesh Network Buying Guide
When you’re shopping for a wireless networking system, there are a few essential features to keep in mind:
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The Wi-Fi spectrum is continually increasing as new antennas can transmit along additional frequencies. The wider the range of your antenna, the more data you’ll be able to upload and download, and the more devices you’ll be able to connect simultaneously. But you’ll also spend more on that coverage, so balance your needs with your budget.
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Mesh networks are often sold in bundles, with the number of units corresponding to the square footage that needs coverage. In general, each node can cover 1,000 to 1,500 square feet. Measure your space, add a little allowance for walls and other things that create interference, and purchase the appropriate number of nodes.
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Numerous networking options are available, including routers, extenders, mesh networks, and more. You can also always run an Ethernet cable for dependable wired speeds to machines that need low ping, like your gaming PC. Explore your choices before you make a purchase.
Frequently Asked Router and Mesh Network Questions
Does a Mesh Wi-Fi System Replace a Router?
Not necessarily. Some mesh Wi-Fi systems have built-in router functionality and just need to be plugged into a phone or Ethernet line. Others do not and require a separate router to be plugged into a node to create the network. If we had to choose, we’d opt for systems like Amazon’s Eero that include a router to eliminate concerns about cross-compatibility.
How Much Speed Do You Lose With Mesh Wi-Fi?
Whenever you jump from one device to another, you lose signal strength. For mesh Wi-Fi, the rule of thumb is that you lose about 50% effectiveness with each jump. That might sound like a lot, but because you can split the load between multiple nodes, it often doesn’t reflect in your actual speeds. A well-configured network with intelligently placed hardware will result in larger coverage areas with comparable speed.
Where Is the Best Place to Put Wi-Fi Mesh?
There are a few ground rules for ensuring optimal mesh Wi-Fi coverage. In general, having them in line of sight is ideal. Placing a mesh node near the ground will result in a dampened signal. Ideally, you want your main router to be in a central location and have additional nodes no more than two rooms away from it. If you need to extend the network further, that two-room rule stays in effect. Keep the nodes away from large appliances, as electrical interference can affect the signal.