The best mesh Wi-Fi routers for VoIP and video calls

VoIP calls and video conferencing are sensitive to network quality in ways that streaming and web browsing are not. A dropped packet during a Netflix stream is invisible. The same dropped packet during a Zoom call sounds like someone cutting out mid-sentence. A router that delivers perfectly acceptable performance for everything else can be the source of consistent VoIP problems.

We tested six mesh systems in a three-story home and a 2,500-square-foot office over four months, running VoIP calls and video conferences deliberately in the areas furthest from the main router node.

What matters for VoIP and video

Two things matter more than raw speed for voice and video traffic: latency (how long it takes a packet to travel from your device to the internet) and packet loss (whether packets arrive at all). A mesh system with 200 Mbps throughput and stable low latency will support VoIP better than one with 1 Gbps throughput and variable performance.

Quality of Service (QoS) settings let a router prioritize voice and video traffic over bulk transfers like file downloads. Not all mesh systems expose this control. For offices where someone might be running a large file transfer during a sales call, QoS configuration matters.

Our picks

Best for most homes and small offices: Amazon eero Pro 6E

The eero Pro 6E ($599 for a three-pack) was the most consistent performer across our test environments. Latency in rooms at the edge of coverage - the furthest corners from the router node - stayed low under simultaneous VoIP and data load. Setup is the easiest we have tested: the app walks you through placement and configuration in under 15 minutes, and the automatic QoS handles traffic prioritization without manual configuration.

Flaws but not dealbreakers: advanced configuration options are limited compared to enterprise-grade systems. eero Plus, the subscription that adds some security features, is an optional $10 per month - the base system functions fully without it.

Best for larger offices: Netgear Orbi RBK863S

The Orbi RBK863S ($599 for a two-pack) supports Wi-Fi 6E and has a dedicated backhaul band that keeps the connection between nodes fast, even in congested RF environments. It supports VLAN configuration, which lets an IT administrator separate guest traffic, VoIP devices, and employee devices onto separate network segments. In our office test, VoIP performance under heavy network load was the most stable we measured across all systems tested.

Setup is more involved than eero and assumes some familiarity with network configuration. For homes or offices with a competent IT person, the additional control is worth having. For someone who wants to plug it in and forget it, eero is easier.

Budget option: Google Nest Wifi Pro

The Google Nest Wifi Pro ($299 for a two-pack) is the most affordable Wi-Fi 6E mesh option we tested that delivered reliable VoIP performance. It lacks the advanced configuration options of the Orbi and the consistency of the eero Pro 6E at coverage extremes, but for a small apartment or a single-floor office under 1,500 square feet, it handled VoIP calls without issues in our testing.

Placement matters as much as hardware

The most expensive mesh system performs poorly if the nodes are placed in closets or behind large appliances. Place nodes in the open, elevated off the floor, and positioned to create overlapping coverage without being too close together. For VoIP-heavy offices, positioning a node near the room where most calls happen is worth doing explicitly.