Review: Wyze Mesh Router and Router Pro 

Wyze’s mission to democratize the smart home started with a string of jaw-droppingly cheap devices that matched more expensive rivals on features. Its indoor and outdoor security cameras and video doorbell have all won our recommendations, but this is the first time Wyze has released a Wi-Fi mesh router. 

It comes in two flavors: The Wyze Mesh Router is a dual-band Wi-Fi 6 mesh system ($174 for a 2-pack), and the Wyze Mesh Router Pro steps up to tri-band Wi-Fi 6E ($274 for a 2-pack).

After spending a few weeks with both systems, I am pleased by the performance they offer for the price. But Wyze is a fledgling router manufacturer, and there are times when that shows. High speeds and solid coverage must be weighed against bare-bones software and occasional wobbles. And though both Wyze systems are relatively affordable, the brand doesn’t undercut other competitors as ruthlessly as it does with its security cameras.

The Wyze Mesh Router and Router Pro blend easily into their environment. Both are rounded squares with beveled tops and a single LED to show status, and both come in matte black or white plastic and have two Ethernet ports. The Pro units are slightly bigger. While Wyze’s cameras have some personality, its routers are plain and remind me of Eero’s systems. But I was disappointed to learn that you cannot mix and match Wyze routers the way you can with Eero.

A standard Wyze Mesh Router offers 1,500 square feet of coverage for at least 50 devices and boasts two 1-Gbps Ethernet ports. Each Pro unit covers up to 2,000 square feet, can connect 75 plus devices, and has two 2.5-Gbps Ethernet ports. The dual-band Wyze Mesh Router offers connections on the 2.4-GHz and 5-GHz bands, while the tri-band Mesh Router Pro adds the 6-GHz band (this accounts for the larger size, as it has more antennas inside). Our Wi-Fi 6E guide explains this topic in more detail, but the 6-GHz band is essentially faster and more efficient than more familiar 2.4- and 5-GHz bands while covering a shorter range.

Setup is simple and done through the existing Wyze app. For most folks, it should only take around 15 minutes. The Wyze routers should be relatively close (think of them as a Wi-Fi spine for the household). This is especially true for the Pro system, where you ideally need a line of sight to use the 6-GHz band as backhaul. I had some connectivity issues with the standard Wyze router until I moved it, which underlines the importance of placement. Because you can’t see or adjust the antennas, it is worth experimenting to find the best spots. Be careful because these routers run hot and need a clear flat surface to vent heat out of the grille on the underside.

The Pro system initially used 5 GHz for backhaul, but an Optimize option popped up in the app, and it switched to 6 GHz when I ran it. I’m not sure why it didn’t just do this automatically, especially since the software options are limited. 

My initial testing with the Wyze Mesh Router showed very inconsistent speed test results, with fluctuations of more than 100 Mbps and frequent drops, specifically with my iPhone 14 Pro. Performance improved when I moved the main router to a better location and updated the firmware. After those early jitters, the Wyze Mesh Router turned in a solid mid-table performance.

The Wyze Mesh Router Pro performed far better from the start, offering lightning-fast speeds in every test I performed. It comfortably beat Google’s Nest Wifi Pro (7/10, WIRED Recommends), bested the Motorola Q14 at range (but not close up), and broadly matched the TP-Link Deco XE75. It did not come close to the TP-Link Deco XE200, but that is a far more expensive system.

If you already use Wyze devices, you will likely appreciate being able to use the same app for your mesh system, but options are limited. You can set up a guest network; prioritize specific devices; toggle on UPnP, WPA3 encryption, or bridge mode; and review connected devices. The limited parental controls amount to a domain blocker, but Wyze tells me better controls are in the works.

You get built-in internet and network security courtesy of Firedome (which also supplies improved parental controls). Firedome’s free software blocks intrusion from the internet to your network, router, and devices and prevents devices on your network from visiting malicious services and sites. A statistics page in the app shows a history of prevented attacks, but I’m not certain whether it is working correctly (mine shows zero threats blocked). My Eero system showed several hundred blocks over a similar period (though neither offers detail about what they block).

There’s no option to split bands in the Wyze app, which can cause problems setting up smart home devices that only work with 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. There’s also no internet speed test to show what your ISP provides (this was in the Wyze app but has been removed). As for extras, like the Thread radios you’ll find in Amazon and Google routers or support for unifying smart home standard Matter or voice assistants, you won’t find any of that here.

Another issue that may give you pause is Wyze’s less-than-stellar track record with security and software updates. A major bug in its cameras went unfixed for three years, and there was a serious data breach before that. While there are indications Wyze has significantly beefed up its security since, and the routers have built-in Firedome security, you might not trust Wyze with your internet activity. 

When Wyze released its budget security cameras, the low prices were a revelation, but these mesh systems are vying for attention in a congested market. And while the prices are very reasonable, they are not irresistibly low. 

Based on my experience, the Wyze Mesh Router doesn’t yet do enough to win a recommendation. You can buy a comparable Eero 6 mesh system with far more features for about the same as the Wyze Mesh Router (although many Eero features require a pricey subscription). But most folks should pick something cheaper from TP-Link’s Deco range, maybe the Deco X20 ($160 for a 3-pack) or the Deco X55 ($185 for a 3-pack). 

As for the Wyze Mesh Router Pro, if you want Wi-Fi 6E and don’t care about enhanced smart home connectivity, parental controls, and other extras, it could be a good choice. The speeds and coverage make the Wyze Mesh Router Pro more compelling, it offers some future-proofing with Wi-Fi 6E, and the software is likely to improve. On the other hand, Google’s Nest Wifi Pro ($300 for a 2-pack) and TP-Link’s Deco XE75 ($235 for a 2-pack) are around the same price, so you do have options.