Where should I install mesh Wi-Fi?
Positioning a mesh Wi-Fi unit can be an art depending on the properties being “meshed”. Obviously the aim is to eliminate dead spots in his Wi-Fi network at home, but I think this is already well known. These can be entire floors, gardens or parts of the premises thanks to inconveniently placed supporting walls.
It’s wise to have a rough idea of these problem areas before you start using mesh, as well as a rough idea of the total square meters you want to cover. Most systems have a coverage area listed, which provides a rough rule of thumb and highlights if there are any issues. For example, even with optimal placement of units, problems can occur in very long gardens.
That said, the first node typically needs to be relatively close to the ISP’s router, and one or two satellites in a standard two or three pack are different to provide maximum coverage. Best placed on the floor. Keep in mind that for maximum connectivity within a building, it is theoretically best to place the unit in the middle of the floor.
But reporting outdoors, such as in a garden for a summer work-from-home conference, will require a unit near a window or the edge of a building (and may require a little planning).
In reality, every property has slightly different characteristics, so be prepared to shuffle your satellite units around a bit to smooth out flat spots, especially if you have a cheap dual-band system.
Will mesh Wi-Fi increase my speed?
The simple answer to this is yes and no. A mesh Wi-Fi system ensures that the internet speeds your router can provide are (or should be) fast enough to reach your laptop, phone, or other devices throughout your home. This is usually not the case. The further you get from your router, the worse your Wi-Fi signal will be, and other factors like walls and floors will get in the way. This loss of signal reduces speed.
However, if your ISP has a poor connection (or you have a cheaper, more restrictive package), the mesh system won’t cover this and will magically increase your connection speed.
What is the difference between a mesh Wi-Fi network and a Wi-Fi extender?
You may also have heard of Wi-Fi range extenders (also known as Wi-Fi repeaters), which connect to your power socket and extend the range your main router can provide to the internet. The biggest difference between mesh Wi-Fi networks and Wi-Fi extenders is ease of use.
Mesh Wi-Fi systems are designed to be easy to set up, replacing your existing Wi-Fi network with a Wi-Fi “bubble” that eliminates dead zones and flat spots throughout your home and yard.
The extender simply relays your existing network connection into one area, defaulting to another Wi-Fi network and forcing your device to switch between the two.
It is possible to configure the extender to mirror your existing network, but this will require some tweaking to get right, and may require tweaking in case of a power outage, etc. .
So if you’re looking for a holistic solution to variable Wi-Fi quality in a large home, or if you have a lot of devices around your home, a mesh Wi-Fi system can help you solve problems without the hassle. solve.
How do I choose the best mesh Wi-Fi system?
Before you buy, it’s worth knowing that mesh Wi-Fi systems can be a little more intimidating than the traditional Wi-Fi routers you’re used to. It’s also more complex, so it takes a little more time to set up and fiddle with settings within the app.
However, it can feel like a big upgrade, so it’s worth paying attention to the following key factors to find the best mesh Wi-Fi system for your needs.
coverage
Mesh Wi-Fi systems should cover an area of at least 2,000 square feet, but some can cover larger areas. You’ll need to figure out how much space you need to cover, including any outdoor areas you’d like to connect to, such as balconies or gardens.
Number of node units
Most models allow you to get anywhere between 1 and 3 nodes. The number you need depends on several factors, including where the Wi-Fi hub is located in your home.
Coverage is a useful indicator of potential performance, but building-to-building variation can have a significant impact on these. Overall, you will need 2 units for a large apartment or apartment, and 3 units for a small house. Most systems allow you to connect more units if needed, so if your mansion proves to be particularly Wi-Fi tolerant, adding more units will solve the problem.
speed
As explained above, the speeds provided by mesh Wi-Fi systems are theoretical and are divided across the band. Currently, the maximum speeds that the best mesh Wi-Fi systems can achieve typically range from 1,000 Mbps to 3,000 Mbps, but some can reach speeds as fast as 5.4 Gbps. For most of us, the maximum speed offered by our line won’t be close to this, but devices with higher aggregate speeds are better for increasing overall speed.
dual or tri band
Modern routers broadcast their Wi-Fi networks on at least two different bands. 2.4 GHz is good for long distances but can be slow, while 5 GHz is faster but only covers short distances.
All mesh Wi-Fi networks come with both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz (called dual-band), but some have two 5 GHz bands and a 2.4 GHz band (called tri-band) There are also things. This means that access points can use their one band to exchange information about Wi-Fi networks with each other and free up their other two bands to keep the internet consistent. Masu.
Confusingly, newer mesh systems with Wi-Fi 6E (more on that later) also offer coverage in the 6 GHz band, sometimes referred to as “tri-band.” It’s worth checking exactly which of these options you’re dealing with.
Wi-Fi 6 support
What is Wi-Fi6? This new Internet connectivity standard uses a variety of technologies to ensure the fastest and most efficient connection possible. Only newer devices support this standard (older devices use Wi-Fi 5). However, if you’re future-proofing your Wi-Fi network and plan to upgrade your laptop or smartphone soon, it might be worth getting a mesh Wi-Fi system that supports Wi-Fi 6. not. .
We recommend purchasing at least a Wi-Fi 6 compliant network (though we also recommend the more affordable Wi-Fi 5 models). The latest release upgrades this to Wi-Fi 6E, which can be up to twice as fast as Wi-Fi 6.
Wi-Fi 6E support
Are you interested in Wi-Fi 6E? It’s the latest wireless standard that can increase speeds by opening up 6GHz channels (which eliminates interference from devices connected to 5GHz and 2.4GHz channels). ). However, the downside is that many devices (such as the iPhone 14, PlayStation 5, and even the internet) are not available. router) supported at this stage. While they are still expensive, they may become more affordable over time.
Regular purchase
A key factor in choosing the best mesh Wi-Fi system is whether there is an ongoing cost. Many manufacturers build in ongoing costs, especially for supposedly essential features such as parental controls.
We specifically highlighted these, especially since more expensive subscriptions also bundle other online security tools that you may already be paying for through other providers.
parental controls
As mentioned above, most mesh Wi-Fi systems have tools built into their smartphone apps to manage the network, so you can adjust settings. This includes parental controls that allow you to pause the internet. Perfect if you don’t want your phone to interrupt your family time. Mesh systems also give you the option of setting up a guest network, so you don’t have to tell your visitors their main password.
voice integration
Most mesh Wi-Fi networks work with Google Assistant or Amazon’s Alexa, allowing you to turn on the guest network or pause the internet just by speaking to your smart speaker. Some mesh systems have voice assistants built into the access point, so a separate smart speaker is not required.
Choose a mesh network that’s compatible with the voice assistant you’re currently using. You can also find mesh systems that work with HomeKit, like this Linksys model, but they’re fewer in number..
