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Fios Gb. - Best Router/Mesh

5,141 196 July 14, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Currently have a Fios hub with OG Google 3 puck mesh.
My question is: What's the best mesh to get to properly utilize my Fios Gb. I was gonna upgrade the google but I haven't read a good thing about it. This place has never done me wrong…So?
Tnx in advance ✌🏽
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Joined Jun 2005
Let Sleeping Dogs Lie
> bubble2 8,646 Posts
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komondor
07-14-2025 at 02:20 PM.
07-14-2025 at 02:20 PM.
Not sure of your question

What do you have now with model #s please
How large an are are you trying to cover.
What challenges do you have now.
What protocol do your current devices support Wifi 6 6E
What is your budget?
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Joined May 2004
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> bubble2 5,141 Posts
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Original Poster
The Foundation
07-14-2025 at 03:39 PM.
07-14-2025 at 03:39 PM.
I have first generation google mesh. 3 pucks currently cover a 3500 sq ft - footprint.
When all televisions are on and streaming, I get random stutters.
My friend told me to upgrade the mesh.
I looked at the new google product and was close to purchasing; problem is, I haven't seen one good review.
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Joined Dec 2008
L10: Grand Master
> bubble2 7,372 Posts
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jkee
07-14-2025 at 07:10 PM.
07-14-2025 at 07:10 PM.
Quote from The Foundation :
Currently have a Fios hub with OG Google 3 puck mesh.
My question is: What's the best mesh to get to properly utilize my Fios Gb. I was gonna upgrade the google but I haven't read a good thing about it. This place has never done me wrong…So?
Tnx in advance ✌🏽
You probably would benefit from upgrading your current mesh wifi system as the first gen google wifi came out in 2016 and is only 2x2 AC1200. The type of wifi your devices like TVs and streaming devices support limits their speeds and can slow down your network. In some cases, you'll actually get better performance out of older routers that are a better match for the older wifi found in your client devices.

Alternatively, you could work to move some of your TVs off of wifi (or even just a wired connection from the tv to a tri-band mesh node) and/or provide wired backhaul between the mesh APs (you could still consider this even if you upgrade the wifi). You'd do this by running ethernet cables or using moca or g.hn adapters that use your existing coax wiring.

I've often looked at smallnetbuilder when evaluating wifi routers, but it appears this site hasn't been getting too many updates lately. There's still useful info.

Note that WiFi 6E adds a new 6GHz band, also supported by WiFi 7 (some WiFi 7 devices may not use 6GHz, not sure). Unfortunately, thanks in large part to Ted Cruz, they snuck a provision into the government funding bill allowing this important wifi band to be sold likely to cell carriers (this frequency band is far more useful for wifi). Long term you may not be able to get the full benefits of these WiFi 6E/7 devices because of the idiots we've elected.

There may be other mesh wifi systems that are a better value than Nest Wifi Pro. Historically, tri-band mesh systems have worked better than dual band, but that may not always be true with wifi 7 routers. Tri-band means there's a wifi channel dedicated to the link between the satellite nodes. I haven't looked too hard at any of these and don't own any of them, but here's a sampling of of some products on amazon, in no particular order:

$249 TP-Link Deco XE75 Pro tri-band wifi 6e [amazon.com]
$143 TP-Link AX3000 3-pack wifi 6 dual band [amazon.com]
$269 TP-Link BE5000 3-pack Wifi 7 dual band [amazon.com]
$279 eero 7 dual band wifi 7 without eero plus 2-pack [amazon.com]
$398 Asus ZenWifi BT6 Tri-Band wifi 7 2 pack [amazon.com]
$299 Asus ZenWiFi BD4 3 pack wifi 7 dual band [amazon.com]
$200 (if you clip $60 coupon) ASUS ZenWiFi AX Whole-Home Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 System (XT8) - 2 pack [amazon.com]
$249 ASUS ZenWiFi BD5 Dual-Band WiFi 7 [amazon.com]
$128 NETGEAR Nighthawk Tri-Band Whole Home Mesh WiFi 6 System (MK73S) [less confident in this one, research carefully; the more expensive orbi models are better if a bit overpriced]
$85 Linksys MX8000/MX8400 Mesh WiFi Router - AX4200 WiFi 6 Router - Velop Tri-Band WiFi Mesh Router 2-pack
[amazon.com] (2020 model)
$450 Linksys Velop Pro 7 WiFi Mesh System | Two Cognitive Mesh Tri-Band 2-pack [amazon.com]
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Last edited by jkee July 17, 2025 at 02:42 PM.
Joined May 2004
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> bubble2 5,141 Posts
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Original Poster
The Foundation
07-15-2025 at 05:53 PM.
07-15-2025 at 05:53 PM.
Tremendous response. Thanks so much!
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Joined Jun 2005
Let Sleeping Dogs Lie
> bubble2 8,646 Posts
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komondor
07-15-2025 at 08:42 PM.
07-15-2025 at 08:42 PM.
My added 2 cents, I have an Orbi RBE 871 which is crazy stupid expensive at over 1 K
https://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-Or...r=1-2&th=1

I received this from netgear for testing, it works well, but I still prefer my RBR 750
https://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-Wh...r=1-3&th=1

Which is 300 bucks, you need to look to see where you are going to place the unit you want a Y or an X not 3 dots with the middle router getting the data from one and sendng it to another..

I also received the Orbi triband for testing so I have had it for quite a while. The Wifi 7 works OK but the range is reduced. If you have a lot of TVs do they have Ethernet ports if so you may want to put a mesh unit near the TV and hardwire it to to router.. I also have a
Linksys Hydra Pro Mesh WiFi 6E Router MR7500 Tri-Band WiFi Mesh Router AXE 6600 For Wireless Internet For The Home, Work, And Guest House - Connect 55+...

It works really well, now for my TPLink it is just OK not the range of the other units. I received all 3 for testing and I have all 3 and a Nighthawk router all running at my house. The Linksys mesh I had for testing I did not keep as it just did not work that well.

So budget is going to be a consideration..
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Joined Dec 2008
L10: Grand Master
> bubble2 7,372 Posts
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jkee
07-15-2025 at 09:11 PM.
07-15-2025 at 09:11 PM.
Quote from komondor :
now for my TPLink it is just OK not the range of the other units.
Historically, the older tri-band models like the TP-Link Deco M5 and M9 mesh routers were pretty well rated. What TP-Link model were you using?

Last time I looked at mesh routers for myself they all irked me one way or another, so I just wired up 2 APs.
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Joined Jun 2005
Let Sleeping Dogs Lie
> bubble2 8,646 Posts
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komondor
07-17-2025 at 02:01 PM.
07-17-2025 at 02:01 PM.
I am pretty sure it is this one it just did not have the range or stability of my other systems.

This is the one that I tested



Deco XE75 Hot Buys
AXE5400 Tri-Band Mesh Wi-Fi 6E System


There has also been concerns about TP Link selling at a loss to gain market share and help the Chinese government

https://www.google.com/search?q=t...e&ie=UTF-8
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Joined Dec 2008
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> bubble2 7,372 Posts
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jkee
07-17-2025 at 02:51 PM.
07-17-2025 at 02:51 PM.
Another option is to buy multiple larger/uglier routers from a manufacture like Asus with their AiMesh option:
https://www.amazon.com/ASUS-RT-BE...0DHWBS9G6/
https://www.amazon.com/ASUS-RT-BE...0D48GS6KB/
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Joined Dec 2008
L10: Grand Master
> bubble2 7,372 Posts
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jkee
07-17-2025 at 02:53 PM.
07-17-2025 at 02:53 PM.
Quote from komondor :
I am pretty sure it is this one it just did not have the range or stability of my other systems.
Do any of these mesh system still have a web interface for config or do they all force you to use an app these days?
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Joined Jun 2005
Let Sleeping Dogs Lie
> bubble2 8,646 Posts
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komondor
07-18-2025 at 08:21 AM.
07-18-2025 at 08:21 AM.
The Orbi does and I believe the others Linksys does I prefer the web interface the mfg want you to use the app so they can gather more information from you and your phone.
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