Wireless internet has become an integral part of our lives. Whether for personal or professional purposes, having good Wi-Fi is essential to keeping you connected and your life flowing smoothly. This is especially true when you need good wireless capabilities.
As you are probably aware, wireless signals, do not pass through walls and ceilings very well. In fact, the further you are from your router, the weaker the signal is going to be. This often poses a problem in large homes.
What is mesh Wi-Fi?
Mesh systems use two, three or more access points (also called nodes) that are placed throughout your home or office. The central, master node communicates with your internet service provider (ISP’s) router and shares the internet with the other nodes, turning them into individual routers.
Think of it like placing multiple Wi-Fi hubs around your house or office and then being able to connect to any one of them to give you better coverage.
Do I need mesh Wi-Fi?
Many Wi-Fi issues can be solved with an extender that pushes the boundaries of your internet range but they can be thwarted by larger, older houses that have many walls or multiple floors in the way, and so you’re only other option will be a mesh system.
Therefore, if you’re living in some grand, four-floor house with a large family, this could be a good pick-up to keep you connected. It’s also an excellent way to keep young professionals and students working together in a house-share.
It’s worth noting that these devices won’t make your internet any faster, as it can only download or upload data at the speed your area gets, so if you have been quoted by your ISP as being able to see up to 30 megabytes per second (Mps), then that’s all you’ll get.
How to choose a mesh Wi-Fi system?
Nodes: Generally speaking, two nodes should be sufficient to reach every room on the same floor as your ISP router. The more floors, walls and doors that the signal has to pass through, the more nodes you will need to buy.
Bands: Just like modern routers, many mesh Wi-Fi systems are ‘dual-band’, meaning they come with both 2.4GHz (long-range but can restrict speeds) and 5GHz (faster downloads but only covers shorter distances).
Others, known as tri-band, have two 5GHz bands and a 2.4GHz band. This means that the nodes can exchange Wi-Fi information between each other on a separate band, freeing up the other bands to focus on giving you a better connection.
Tools: Many mesh Wi-Fi systems include tools to manage your network using an app you can download from your smartphone or tablet. These include parental controls and the ability to activate guest networks for friends and family without the need to divulge your master password.
Some systems let you prioritise certain internet activities, such as movie streaming, to end your buffering pain or allow you to set a shutdown period so your kids cannot keep streaming into the night without your knowledge.
What is the difference between Mesh Wi-Fi and a Range Extender?
While mesh Wi-Fi and Range extenders might appear to have the same functionality, there are some key differences.
Mesh technology is meant to cast the strongest Wi-Fi as you are roaming room to room.
Range extenders require you to sign on to a new network manually in order to maintain a strong connection once you are far enough away from your router.
Mesh Wi-Fi is faster and more efficient at delivering a Wi-Fi signal than a range extender. This technology has grown quickly and been the go-to for Wi-Fi routers for its long-range signal, ease of use, and quick setup.
If the last year of lockdown has taught you anything, it is that a solid Wi-Fi is crucial for staying connected to the outside world. You might have had to transform your living room into a makeshift workspace, or maybe you have balanced a desk set-up in your bedroom, and now your internet does not stretch far enough to cover you.
What is the solution? Well, you might need to give your connection a bit of a boost with a whole-house mesh system that helps you log on all around your home.
Things to Consider
Not all wireless mesh systems are made equal. They all have different abilities, and some are more powerful than others are. Here are some things to consider before you invest in one model over another.
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Coverage
Coverage is perhaps the single most important thing to consider when you are buying a Wi-Fi mesh system. The main draw in purchasing wireless mesh is the improved coverage, after all. Although coverage area is critical, it should not be your only basis for comparison, however.
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Modem and Router
One thing that is important to remember is that Wi-Fi mesh systems come with their own router. This is because mesh systems distribute wireless signals differently than standard routers. They still require a modem, however, so modem/router combos will not work well with Wi-Fi mesh systems.
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LAN ports
One of the benefits of mesh systems is that mesh hubs typically come with LAN ports for direct internet connections. As you may know, Ethernet connections provide a better internet connection, which is ideal for online gaming. Because of this, you can easily set up a gaming system in a room and still plug it in directly to your cable internet.
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Number of Units
The number of units in your mesh system has a lot to do with coverage, but it is a separate consideration, as different brands offer different areas of coverage. What is important to note is that you only need one unit for the mesh to work, but there is no limit to how many you can implement in your home or office.
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Price
Just like modems and wireless routers, the price of Wi-Fi mesh systems can vary dramatically. When it comes to price, it is important to see how many hubs are included in your purchase.
