A Comprehensive Guide to Buying Wi-Fi Mesh Routers

Your Guide to buying the best Wi-Fi mesh routers

Overview

Wi-Fi mesh routers are rapidly becoming the preferred choice for home and business networks as they provide highly reliable and secure wireless coverage. This buying guide is designed to help you find the best Wi-Fi mesh router for your needs, by giving you an understanding of the main features and benefits of this technology, as well as the factors to consider when choosing a model. With this knowledge, you can make an informed decision and choose the perfect Wi-Fi mesh router for your home or business.

Key features

  1. Range: How far the router can reach and the size of the area it can cover.
  2. Speed: The maximum speed of the router, measured in megabits per second (Mbps).
  3. Frequency: The frequency of the router, measured in either 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz.
  4. Beamforming: The ability of a router to focus its signal in specific directions, allowing for more efficient connection.
  5. Security: The level of encryption and type of security protocols the router supports.
  6. Number of antennas: The number of antennas the router has, which can affect the reach and speed.
  7. Number of nodes: The number of nodes (or “hops”) that are supported by the router.
  8. Bandwidth: The amount of data that can be transferred over the router’s network.
  9. Software: The type of software the router uses to manage the network, including the interface and features.
  10. Price: The cost of the router, which usually depends on the features.

See the most popular Wi-Fi mesh routers on Amazon

Important considerations

Pros

  • Easy Setup: Wi-Fi mesh routers offer an easy setup process with intuitive user interfaces and automated installation, making it simple for anyone to get a strong and reliable wireless signal.
  • Uninterrupted Coverage: Wi-Fi mesh routers provide uninterrupted coverage by using multiple nodes throughout a residence or business, ensuring that a strong signal is always available.
  • Adaptive Networking: Wi-Fi mesh routers use an adaptive networking protocol to optimize the route of the wireless signal, based on environmental conditions, for maximum performance and reliability.
  • Centralized Management: Wi-Fi mesh routers allow for simple and centralized management of the network, providing a way to easily manage all devices on the network from a single dashboard.
  • Scalability: Wi-Fi mesh routers can be easily expanded, allowing users to easily add additional nodes to increase coverage area and throughput.
  • Security: Wi-Fi mesh routers provide a secure, encrypted connection, ensuring that your network is safe from any malicious attempts to access it.

Cons

  • Cost - Wi-Fi mesh routers can be more expensive than traditional routers due to the multiple nodes and additional features.
  • Set-up - Configuring a Wi-Fi mesh network can be a complicated process and require professional assistance for optimum performance.
  • Performance - Wi-Fi mesh routers may not provide the same level of performance as traditional routers due to the range of nodes and obstacles, such as walls and appliances.
  • Interference - Wi-Fi mesh routers may experience interference from other wireless signals in the area, leading to decreased performance.
  • Size - Wi-Fi mesh routers may require more physical space than traditional routers due to the number of nodes.

Best alternatives

  1. Powerline adapters - These plug into your wall outlet and allow you to extend your network's reach by using the electricity wiring in your home.
  2. Range extenders - These devices are placed in between your router and the area with poor Wi-Fi coverage and amplify the signal.
  3. Wireless access points - These create a point-to-point connection with your router, giving you an extra boost of power and an extended coverage range.
  4. Ethernet over power (EoP) - This technology sends an Ethernet signal through your power lines, allowing you to connect devices in distant rooms.
  5. Ubiquiti UniFi - This system uses multiple access points to create a mesh network, allowing you to extend your Wi-Fi coverage without having to set up multiple routers.

Related tools, supplies, and accessories

  • Ethernet cable - A cable used to establish a physical connection between a router and a device.
  • Wi-Fi extender - A device that boosts the range and coverage of a wireless connection.
  • Power line adapter - A device that uses the existing electrical wiring in a home or business to establish a connection.
  • Antenna - A device used to boost the signal strength and reach of a wireless connection.

Common questions

  1. What is a Wi-Fi mesh router?
    A Wi-Fi mesh router is a type of networking device that connects multiple wireless access points together, to create a single, unified wireless network. It is designed to provide better coverage for larger areas than a traditional router, providing better coverage and less signal interference in difficult areas.
  2. What are the benefits of using a mesh router?
    A Wi-Fi mesh router provides many benefits, such as easy setup, improved coverage, faster speeds, and better overall performance. It also allows for easier management of multiple devices, so you can better control your device usage. Finally, it is much more secure than traditional routers, as it is protected by several layers of encryption.
  3. What features should you look for in a mesh router?
    When shopping for a mesh router, you should look for features such as dual-band support, multiple Ethernet ports, advanced security features, and parental controls. Additionally, you should also look for a router that offers app support, so you can easily manage and monitor your network remotely.
  4. What is the difference between a router and a mesh router?
    The main difference between a router and a mesh router is the coverage. A traditional router is limited to a single area, while a mesh router is designed to cover larger areas, with multiple access points working together to create a unified network. Additionally, mesh routers are typically more secure and include features such as parental controls, making them better suited for larger households.
  5. What is the best way to set up a mesh router?
    The best way to set up a mesh router is to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Generally, this involves plugging in the router and configuring the settings via a web browser or a mobile application. Additionally, you may need to update the firmware of the router to ensure optimal performance.

Trivia

An interesting story about Wi-Fi mesh routers is that they are uniquely suited for use in large homes or businesses. The routers can be set up in a mesh network, working together to provide coverage to multiple rooms and floors. In a 2019 review, tech reviewer Tom's Guide said that mesh routers even had the ability to cover a large home over 5,000 square feet. This is perfect for people living in large homes that have had trouble getting good Wi-Fi coverage in the past. It's definitely an upgrade from traditional routers, which are ill-equipped to cover more than 2,000 square feet. Source: Tom's Guide

Disclaimer: This buying guide was not created by humans, and it is possible that some of it's content is inaccurate or incomplete. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this buying guide. Additionally, the images on this page were generated by AI and may not accurately represent the product that is being discussed. We have tried to convey useful information, but it is our subjective opinion and should not be taken as complete or factual.