I did not count on to like a Wi-Fi 7 mesh router, however now I can not return

Like most individuals, I had by no means actually bothered upgrading my residence’s Wi-Fi for about 5 years. I moved into a brand new home in 2021 and, on the time, picked up a Wi-Fi 5 mesh router from TP-Hyperlink with a further satellite tv for pc to verify your complete home was lined.

Since then, I added two extra satellites to increase protection to lifeless zones and an higher ground, however regardless of that, I by no means felt the necessity to improve my Wi-Fi setup. It labored properly for over 5 years, dealing with Netflix streaming, on-line gaming on my Xbox Series S, connecting greater than a dozen sensible residence gadgets, and serving a whole bunch of smartphones I’ve collected over time with none actual points.

I had heard about Wi-Fi 6 and later Wi-Fi 6E after I made my first mesh buy, however the pricing, particularly for mesh techniques, put me off. Neither I nor my household ever complained about speeds or dropouts, so I caught with what I had.

That modified two months in the past after I finally upgraded from a Wi-Fi 5 mesh router to a Wi-Fi 7 setup. I switched to the Huawei WiFi Mesh X3 Professional, which affords Wi-Fi 7 mesh capabilities, and after utilizing it, my solely remorse shouldn’t be making the change sooner.

The specs look minor on paper however matter so much in actual use

The Huawei Wi-Fi Mesh X3 Professional appears to be like wildly completely different from different mesh techniques you should buy in the present day, however we’ll get to that later. However the greatest distinction right here is one thing most mesh techniques nonetheless do not supply: it is a Wi-Fi 7 mesh router, not Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 5, which remains to be frequent in lots of mesh setups even in 2026.

The X3 Professional makes use of 2×2 dual-band Wi-Fi 7 radios with Multi-Hyperlink Operation (MLO), which suggests suitable gadgets can use a number of bands collectively as a substitute of being locked to only one. In easy phrases, this implies your gadget can join with the Wi-Fi over a number of bands, leading to improved stability and higher speeds.

On the pure velocity facet of issues, the X3 Professional goes as much as ~3Gbps on the 5GHz band, whereas the two.4GHz band tops out at 688Mbps. You solely get two 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet ports on the primary router, however fortunately, Huawei features a satellite tv for pc node within the field, which suggests you’ll be able to lengthen the vary by connecting the satellite tv for pc node to the primary router wirelessly.

Just like different Wi-Fi mesh techniques, it was pretty straightforward to setup and handle via the corporate’s companion app. What’s fascinating right here is that when you setup the primary router, the satellite tv for pc node mechanically connects to it with out you having to configure something. As for the worth, the Huawei WiFi Mesh X3 Professional prices ~$300 in international markets, although it is not bought in North America.

In each day use, what stood out to me was not web velocity, however protection. With simply two items, sign energy felt noticeably higher throughout rooms, particularly on newer telephones and laptops. Speeds have been barely quicker on some newer gadgets, positive, however the actual profit confirmed up when a number of gadgets have been linked and all of them may hit excessive speeds with none throttling.

Associated

Why I use mesh Wi-Fi instead of a standalone router

You might find yourself paying extra upfront, however the one good Wi-Fi is the sort you’ll be able to truly use.

Most of our gadgets are already prepared for Wi Fi 7 upgrades

Some may argue that you don’t really want to spend on a Wi-Fi 7 router proper now (particularly a mesh system) and that Wi-Fi 6 remains to be adequate. That’s honest given the associated fee, however I nonetheless assume Wi-Fi 7 already is smart.

One cause a Wi-Fi 7 router makes extra sense in the present day is that almost all of our gadgets are already prepared for it. It could not look like a lot on older gadgets, however the actuality is that a variety of gadgets individuals are shopping for now can truly benefit from Wi-Fi 7.

Newer flagship telephones are a superb instance. Units just like the iPhone 17 with Apple’s customized modem help Wi-Fi 7, and the identical is true for telephones such because the OnePlus 15 and the Galaxy S25 Extremely. A Wi-Fi 7 mesh router lets these gadgets absolutely use the newer customary as a substitute of being pressured onto older ones.

On the similar time, there is no such thing as a draw back for older gadgets. Telephones, sensible TVs, and IoT merchandise that solely help Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 5, and even older requirements proceed to work precisely as they need to. They join usually and stay secure, and I’ve had zero points utilizing this router with my now-nearly seven-year-old Xiaomi TV field.

I genuinely love the sensible lamp-like design of this router

One of many fundamental points with Wi-Fi mesh techniques, or networking gear typically, is that almost all gadgets look too gadgety and really feel misplaced together with your current furnishings. Earlier than switching to the Huawei Wi-Fi Mesh X3 Professional, I used a TP-Hyperlink Deco mesh system, and whereas it labored properly and din’t look too dangerous with its white end, it nonetheless stood out towards the remainder of the furnishings in my front room.

That’s completely not the case with the Huawei Wi-Fi Mesh X3 Professional. One cause I can’t transfer away from this Wi-Fi mesh system, and my mother will not let me both, is its design. The X3 Professional appears to be like like a sensible lamp and a router on the similar time, and Huawei has actually nailed the aesthetics right here.

The X3 Professional includes a cylindrical clear design with snow-covered mountain-like components inside and a lamp beneath. When the router lights up, it appears to be like superb. You’ll be able to change between heat and white lighting by tapping the highest of the router or set it up mechanically via the companion app.

What makes this even higher is that Huawei has positioned the Wi-Fi antennas beneath the lighting and mountain components, which is such a intelligent use of the design. To maintain every little thing cool, particularly with the built-in lighting, the router consists of an inner fan that helps handle warmth in hotter situations.

The satellite tv for pc node additionally follows the identical design language with built-in lighting and the power to vary heat/white lighting when tapped, though it has a a lot smaller footprint than the primary router.

On the entire although, the Huawei Wi-Fi Mesh X3 Professional is in contrast to any Wi-Fi mesh system I’ve used earlier than. It may not prime the charts on uncooked Wi-Fi 7 efficiency, however it does every little thing I want whereas wanting much better than most routers you should buy in the present day.