Choosing between a mesh Wi-Fi system and a more traditional router setup can be tricky if you're not familiar with the differences. Although mesh technology has been around for a while, it's still relatively new to most people. So deciding whether or not to upgrade requires a bit of research.
That said, mesh Wi-Fi has started to become more common, with some manufacturers, notably Google, focusing specifically on mesh systems. And since these router systems are state-of-the-art, you'll find that they incorporate the latest technologies, such as support for Wi-Fi 6 and smart home features. The Google Nest Wifi, for example, actually comes with built-in smart speakers.
But mesh systems work a little differently than traditional routers. And if you're new to them, you probably have a lot of questions about how they work, what the differences are, and which network solution might be best for your home or office. After all, a case can be made for anyone depending on the situation.
To help you determine if you should buy a mesh Wi-Fi system, we'll dive into mesh routers and compare them to traditional routers to help you determine which one is best for your network.
What is mesh Wi-Fi and how does it work?
Mesh Wi-Fi offers a way to provide wireless coverage in your home (or office) using multiple devices that are seamlessly connected to each other, something even the best routers can't do.
A mesh Wi-Fi system will have a device that acts as a central unit and is connected to your cable or DSL modem, acting like a standard router. The other units are then satellites that connect wirelessly to the central unit, but provide their own Wi-Fi signal, thus reinforcing coverage in the different parts of the house where they are positioned. When joined together, all of these units form a "mesh network" (which is the same network).
You'll need to purchase a mesh Wi-Fi plan with enough units to cover the entire square footage of your home, and manufacturers provide square footage guidelines to let you know how many devices will be needed.
Why would you want a mesh Wi-Fi system?
As we've just seen, the point of mesh Wi-Fi is to extend the coverage of your wireless network throughout your home. So it doesn't make much sense, well it doesn't make much sense, to invest in mesh networking technology if you have a small house (or apartment) where Wi-Fi coverage is good in every room when you're using a network. common. the factory router.
The primary use case for a mesh Wi-Fi system is in large homes, which may have what are known as wireless "dead spots," or rooms where Wi-Fi coverage drops, so you get nothing (or barely usable space). intermittently). sign). With mesh Wi-Fi, you can have the central router unit in the living room (or wherever you prefer) and then place the satellites to extend coverage to other rooms that might not otherwise receive a Wi-Fi signal, that allows other users to connect throughout the home and helps provide better coverage and support the use of more devices on your home network.
Another point to note is that mesh Wi-Fi is generally quite beginner-friendly, as these systems are invariably easy to set up via a simple smartphone app. Ease of use never hurts, of course, although some standard routers (or even traditional Wi-Fi extenders) can be pretty easy to use too. The aforementioned apps usually make it easy to manage your mesh Wi-Fi network after it goes live.
For those with a larger home, therefore, mesh Wi-Fi could be a huge benefit. Even with an average-sized property, there could be an argument for a mesh Wi-Fi system if the wireless signal isn't as good at the edge of your home. There may be rooms where the speeds aren't as great, although they're still usable, and whether you need to fix those will depend on your own tolerance for any possible slight slowdowns and how much time you spend in those areas. In such borderline cases, it will be a matter of balancing the benefits against the cost of a mesh Wi-Fi system.
Why you might ditch mesh Wi-Fi
Speaking of the cost of getting a mesh network up and running, one of the main downsides here is cost. As you might guess, since you are dealing with multiple devices, the typical pack of two or three units that includes a Wi-Fi mesh system is not usually cheap.
That said, the price isn't exactly out of line compared to higher-end routers, which is effectively what a mesh Wi-Fi product is, when you think about it, it provides high-quality Wi-Fi coverage for a premium, and Sales prices have come down a bit over time. It's also worth noting that we've noticed that when it comes to Black Friday or Prime Day etc, mesh networking technology often gets significant price cuts, making it a much-needed and more tempting proposition. . If one of those big sales events is just around the corner, it might be worth staying with your horses a little longer before making a purchase.
Avid gamers may also want to avoid a mesh Wi-Fi system, as the included main router will never be able to match the impact of any of the better gaming routers, nor give you gaming-related features and things like traffic prioritization. . (or features like the ability to connect to the game server faster). Premium routers generally give you more precise and in-depth controls than a mesh Wi-Fi product.
Another potential drawback is that not everyone is happy with having visible pieces of hardware around the house. These people may think that it's bad enough to have to put a router somewhere, without having to put several different devices scattered around the house. On the other hand, the good news is that most mesh Wi-Fi hardware is designed to be very compact and generally blend in with your home decor, and these units are nothing like the kind of pointy antennas that You will see with some standards. router designs.
In short, the design of these units can actually be an advantage rather than a disadvantage, especially if you also want a smart speaker, because as we mentioned at the beginning, Google's Nest Wifi offers a 2-in-1 mesh router combo that saves space plus speaker.
Should you buy a mesh Wi-Fi system?
Obviously, the answer to this question depends on your personal needs and situation. As we've already explained, a mesh Wi-Fi system is primarily for those with a larger home, and doesn't make sense for someone who lives on a small property that is easily covered by Wi-Fi coverage. router anyway.
We've covered the most common downsides, and hardcore gamers aside, who will likely want a dedicated gaming router with all the associated bells and whistles, the main bone of contention is the cost of a mesh Wi-Fi product. . You may be able to get around this by finding products on sale during Black Friday week, but if the asking prices for mesh netting seem too high for your blood, then you might as well consider a repeater. (which isn't quite as perfect a solution, but could still work as a more wallet-friendly proposition).
However, many people with larger homes will easily get their money's worth with a mesh Wi-Fi setup, especially families with children, whose parents may complain about connection speeds in upstairs bedrooms, for example. Also to guarantee a robust inalámbrica cover in all cases, the Wi-Fi systems of any function without problems, its easy to configure and administer, and its easy to expand aggregating another device if necessary.
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You can also check out the Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) review (opens in a new tab)