Short answer: usually no. Mesh units work with their own maker’s system, and often only with their own series. ASUS says other brands of routers can’t join its AiMesh system, and NETGEAR’s Wi-Fi 7 Orbi routers each accept only satellites from the same series. The cross-brand exception is Wi-Fi EasyMesh, a Wi-Fi Alliance standard, which only works if both devices support it. If they don’t, an old router can still extend your Wi-Fi as a wired access point.

Same maker, and often the same series

Each mesh system uses its maker’s own software to coordinate the units, so compatibility is decided brand by brand. Two documented examples:

  • ASUS AiMesh. ASUS says other brands of routers and ASUS routers can’t build AiMesh systems together. Within an AiMesh system, ASUS advises using the highest-specification router as the main one.
  • NETGEAR Orbi. NETGEAR says not all Orbi routers and satellites are compatible. In its Wi-Fi 7 table, each router works only with satellites from its own series: an Orbi 970 router with Orbi 970 satellites, an Orbi 770 router with Orbi 770 satellites, and so on. Some older combinations only work in a slower extender mode.

The cross-brand exception: Wi-Fi EasyMesh

The Wi-Fi Alliance describes EasyMesh as a standards-based approach to networks with several access points, which work together as one network and can steer devices to the best one, with more freedom in choosing devices. In principle that lets different brands cooperate. In practice, both the main router and the added unit must support EasyMesh, so check both spec sheets for the EasyMesh name before counting on it.

Reusing an old router: make it an access point

An old router that can’t join your mesh can still help. Connect it to your network with an Ethernet cable and switch it to access point mode: it then adds Wi-Fi coverage without trying to be a second router. It won’t hand devices over as smoothly as a true mesh node, but giving it the same network name and password as your main Wi-Fi helps; Apple recommends one network name across all access points. Router vs access point explains how to set one up, and why devices stay on a weak node covers getting devices to switch.

Before you buy another unit

  1. Find the model numbers of your main router and existing units.
  2. Check the maker’s compatibility list for the unit you want to add.
  3. Make sure the new unit can be placed where it gets a good signal from the system, or wired: how many mesh nodes you need and mesh backhaul cover placement and links.

If your current system is several generations old, replacing it may make more sense than extending it: see the best mesh Wi-Fi systems.