The Zyxel Multy X ($399.99) is a pricey two-piece Wi-Fi system designed to bring strong wireless networking to all corners of your home. It uses three radio bands, one of which is used for node-to-node communications (backhaul). Plus, each node is equipped with three LAN ports for wired connectivity with clients like desktop PCs, video streaming devices, and gaming consoles. Although it offers respectable throughput speeds, it can't match the performance and features that you get with our Editors' Choice, the TP-Link Deco M9 Plus.
Stylish in White
The Multy X comes with two identical nodes, one of which is the main router and the other that serves as a satellite. Together they provide coverage of up to 5,000 square feet, which is 500 square feet larger than you'll get with the Deco M9 Plus. At 2.0 by 9.2 by 7.0 inches (HWD) the matte white nodes are similar in size to a regular router, but since there are no unsightly antennas jutting out in different directions, they can be placed out in the open and will fit in with any room décor. That said, they are notably larger than the components used with the Eero, the Amped Ally, and the Samsung Connect Home Wi-Fi systems.
The top of the node has an X-shaped pattern of ventilation holes and more on the base that help keep interior components cool. Also on top are a series of LEDs that tell you what's going on with the system. They blink blue when Bluetooth is enabled for setup, are solid red when the internet connection is lost, and are solid white when the node is connected to the internet. Each Multy X node has three gigabit LAN ports, a WAN port, and a USB 2.0 port that is reserved for future use. They are joined by a reset button and a power jack. The system comes with both nodes, two power adapters, and two LAN cables.
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TP-Link Deco M9 Plus Mesh Wi-Fi System
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Mercku M2 Swarm System
Under the hood is a quad-core CPU, 512MB of RAM, and 4GB of flash memory. There are also nine antennas: six for the 5GHz band, two for the 2.4GHz band, and one for Bluetooth. The Multy X is an AC3000 tri-band system capable of speeds of up to 400Mbps on the 2.4GHz band, 866Mbps on one of the 5GHz bands, and 1,733Mbps on the second 5GHz band, which is dedicated to backhaul. This system supports wired backhaul as well as MU-MIMO simultaneous data streaming, direct-to-client beamforming, and automatic band steering (you can also separate the bands if you prefer).
The Multy X system is installed and managed using the Multy iOS or Android mobile app. It opens to the My Home screen which displays buttons for each node and tells you how many devices are connected to the system. You can add a picture of your home as wallpaper for this screen. Tap either of the node icons to see information such as WAN and LAN IP addresses, MAC Address, and firmware version. Here you can also turn the LEDs on or off, restart the node, and delete the node from the system.
At the bottom of the screen are four buttons: one returns you to My Home, the Speedtest button lets you measure your internet upload and download speeds, the Wi-Fi button lets you edit Wi-Fi names and passwords for the regular network and the guest network, and a Parental Controls button lets you see the IP address for each client, set internet block timers, and create internet access schedules for each client.
Missing are the age-appropriate parental controls that you get with the TP-Link Deco M9 Plus and Gryphon Mesh systems, which will automatically filter out websites that offer gambling, social media, porn, shopping, and more. Also missing is anti-malware and dedicated QoS settings. However, you do get access to advanced settings such as Port Forwarding, DMZ, UpnP, and NAT.
The Multy X supports Alexa voice commands that let you enable/disable guest networking, turn the LED indicator lights on or off, and pause the internet, but you'll have to create and log in to a MyZyxelCloud account to do so.
Respectable Performance
I had the Multy X system up and running in just a few minutes. I started by downloading the app, tapped Start Installation, and chose Multy X as my device. I connected the Multy X router to my modem, powered it up, and waited about two minutes for the LED to go from blinking white to blinking blue. I selected a name for the router and waited another 40 seconds for it to connect to the internet. I tapped Next, created a network SSID and password, and tapped Next to install the secondary node. I placed the node in another room about 30 feet from the router and followed the same routine.
It took a little more than a minute for the node to sync with the router, at which point I was prompted to perform a location check to make sure the two components were not interfering with one another. I gave the node a name and setup was complete.
I tested the Multy X's throughput performance with automatic band steering enabled and it delivered good results. The main router's score of 501Mbps on the close-proximity (same-room) test beat the Mercku M2 Swarm, but was a bit slower (24Mbps) than the Gryphon system. The TP-Link Deco M9 Plus led with a score of 546Mbps. On the 30-foot test, the Multy X router managed 226Mbps, beating both the Mercku M2 Swarm and the Gryphon routers, but not the TP-Link Deco M9 Plus.
The Multy X satellite node also turned in solid scores. It outperformed the Merku M2 Swarm and Gryphon satellites on the close-proximity test, but couldn't keep pace with the TP-Link Deco M9 Plus. Similarly, the Multy X satellite beat the Merku M2 Swarm and the Gryphon satellites on the 30-foot test, but the TP-link was a bit faster, besting the Multy X satellite by just 20Mbps.
Good Coverage, But Missing Some Features
If you're looking to eliminate Wi-Fi dead zones in your home, the Zyxel Multy X AC3000 Tri-Band Wi-Fi System is definitely worth a look. It provides fast throughput performance, and like any good Wi-Fi system, it's a snap to install. It uses a mobile app that lets you do things like block internet access for specific clients and set access schedules, but doesn't offer any age-appropriate controls that restrict access to sites that should be off limits to kids. It also lacks protection against viruses and other malware, and there are no QoS settings. For those types of features, consider our Editors' Choice, the TP-Link Deco M9 Plus, which costs $100 less. Its coverage area might be slightly smaller, but it's one of the fastest mesh systems out there and you can use it to control lots of home automation devices.
The Zyxel Multy X is a sleek-looking mesh Wi-Fi system that delivers solid throughput performance. But you can get better performance and features for a lower price with our Editors' Choice.
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