INTHEBLACK July 2026 - Magazine - Page 57
reduces congestion and copes better
with interference — although wi-fi
7-compatible devices are needed to make
the most of it. Most wi-fi 7 base stations
support the 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz bands, with
higher frequencies supporting faster speeds
over shorter distances.
TP-LINK DECO BE65 PRO
More advanced mesh networks often feature
a “backhaul” link that relays traffic between
base stations, helping to reduce congestion
in homes with multiple devices.
LINKSYS VELOP PRO 6E
While the stations connect to each other
wirelessly by default, all models shown offer
the option to connect via ethernet cables,
which is useful in homes where internal
double-brick walls may hinder the signal
between rooms.
Here are five mesh set-ups to consider.
NETGEAR ORBI 970
This quad-band wi-fi 7 mesh (meaning it has
four separate radio bands) supports the 2.4,
5 and 6 GHz bands, along with a 6 GHz
dedicated backhaul band and more antennas
per base station than cheaper rivals. Three base
stations combined offer up to 660m2 of
coverage. The primary hub features a 10 Gigabit
WAN port for connecting to your broadband
modem, to make the most of
10 Gigabit-per-second internet plans.
The TP-Link Deco BE65 Pro is another tri-band
wi-fi 7 mesh, supporting 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz.
The primary hub features a 5 Gigabit WAN port,
and the three base stations combined offer
up to 700m2 of coverage.
This tri-band wi-fi 6E mesh supports the 2.4,
5 and 6 GHz bands, but lacks wi-fi 7’s faster
speeds or a dedicated wireless backhaul.
The primary hub features a 1 Gigabit WAN port,
and the three base stations combined offer
up to 836m2 of coverage. It also has a
“planet-friendly design” that is made from
100 per cent recyclable aluminium.
GOOGLE NEST WI-FI PRO
The Google Nest Wi-Fi Pro is another tri-band
wi-fi 6E mesh, supporting the 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz
bands, but lacking wi-fi 7’s faster speeds (and
dedicated wireless backhaul). The primary hub
features a 1 Gigabit WAN port, and the three
base stations combined offer up to 600m2
of coverage.
eero PRO 7
This tri-band wi-fi 7 mesh supports the 2.4,
5 and 6 GHz bands. The primary hub features
a 5 Gigabit WAN port for connecting to your
broadband modem, while three base stations
combined offer up to 570m2 of coverage.
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