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 an extra satellite tv for pc to verify the whole home was coated.

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 nicely for over 5 years, dealing with Netflix streaming, on-line gaming on my Xbox Series S, connecting greater than a dozen good residence gadgets, and serving a whole bunch of smartphones I’ve collected through the years 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 provides Wi-Fi 7 mesh capabilities, and after utilizing it, my solely remorse will not be making the change sooner.

The specs look minor on paper however matter rather a lot in actual use

The Huawei Wi-Fi Mesh X3 Professional appears wildly totally different from different mesh techniques you should purchase at the moment, however we’ll get to that later. However the greatest distinction right here is one thing most mesh techniques nonetheless do not provide: this can be a Wi-Fi 7 mesh router, not Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 5, which continues to be widespread 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 implies 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 pace 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 implies you possibly can prolong 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 attention-grabbing right here is that after you setup the primary router, the satellite tv for pc node robotically connects to it with out you having to configure something. As for the value, the Huawei WiFi Mesh X3 Professional prices ~$300 in world markets, although it is not offered in North America.

In day by day use, what stood out to me was not web pace, however protection. With simply two items, sign energy felt noticeably higher throughout rooms, particularly on newer telephones and laptops. Speeds had been barely quicker on some newer gadgets, certain, however the true profit confirmed up when a number of gadgets had 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 type you possibly can truly use.

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

Some would possibly argue that you don’t actually need to spend on a Wi-Fi 7 router proper now (particularly a mesh system) and that Wi-Fi 6 continues to be adequate. That’s truthful given the price, however I nonetheless suppose Wi-Fi 7 already is sensible.

One cause a Wi-Fi 7 router makes extra sense at the moment is that the majority of our gadgets are already prepared for it. It might not look like a lot on older gadgets, however the actuality is that lots of gadgets persons are shopping for now can truly reap the benefits of Wi-Fi 7.

Newer flagship telephones are an excellent instance. Gadgets just like the iPhone 17 with Apple’s customized modem assist 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 totally use the newer commonplace 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, good TVs, and IoT merchandise that solely assist 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 good lamp-like design of this router

One of many foremost points with Wi-Fi mesh techniques, or networking gear typically, is that the majority gadgets look too gadgety and really feel misplaced along 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 nicely and din’t look too dangerous with its white end, it nonetheless stood out in opposition to 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 like a wise lamp and a router on the similar time, and Huawei has actually nailed the aesthetics right here.

The X3 Professional encompasses a cylindrical clear design with snow-covered mountain-like components inside and a lamp beneath. When the router lights up, it appears superb. You possibly can change between heat and white lighting by tapping the highest of the router or set it up robotically 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 all the pieces cool, particularly with the built-in lighting, the router contains an inner fan that helps handle warmth in hotter circumstances.

The satellite tv for pc node additionally follows the identical design language with built-in lighting and the flexibility 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 not like any Wi-Fi mesh system I’ve used earlier than. It won’t prime the charts on uncooked Wi-Fi 7 efficiency, but it surely does all the pieces I want whereas wanting much better than most routers you should purchase at the moment.