Wi-Fi has a limited range, and walls, floors, and ceilings can further limit its reach. If your home is large and your router can’t reach every corner, you have two options: a Wi-Fi repeater or a mesh system. Here’s why I chose the latter.
Works like a cellular network
The biggest advantage of a mesh router system is that it turns multiple access points (called nodes) into one continuous network. This makes your Wi-Fi connection inside your home more convenient, because you don’t have to switch networks when you’re out of range of the access point you’re connected to. This is similar to how cellular networks work – when your smartphone is out of range of a cellular tower, it will automatically switch to another one, so your network will continue running without interruption.
This solves the problem with Wi-Fi repeaters where your phone sometimes stays connected to a distant Wi-Fi router even if there’s a much stronger signal. This means you have to manually switch to the closer one, which can be a problem if you move to another room while playing an online multiplayer game.
Easier setup and better reliability
When I moved to a bigger house and needed more coverage, I chose a mesh router because it’s much easier to setup. When I got an internet connection in my childhood home, I realized that my room was out of reach of the Wi-Fi router. However, there were no mesh routers back then, so I had to settle for a Wi-Fi repeater.
Unfortunately, the Wi-Fi repeater wasn’t reliable, and even though I had some wireless connection in my room, the internet was usually slow and useless for gaming. So, if I wanted reliable internet, I needed to run an Ethernet cable from the original router to the Wi-Fi repeater. If I wanted to do a clean install with the Ethernet cable hidden, it was very inconvenient because I would have to run it through the attic.
Although Wi-Fi extenders can be very easy to set up today (the Mi Wi-Fi Range Extender Pro setup is a good example of this), and internet connection reliability has improved, you still have to deal with switching networks manually. On the other hand, ease of installation and setup is one of the things you should look for when buying a mesh Wi-Fi system, and my TP-Link system did not disappoint me. All I had to do was plug in one router, wait for it to boot up properly, plug in the other router, press the sync button, and it was ready to go – no app or Bluetooth needed.
Looks better than Wi-Fi repeaters
This may not be a priority for most people, especially if you keep your access points or nodes hidden, but another advantage of mesh routers is that they often look better than Wi-Fi extenders. Wi-Fi extenders are usually plugged directly into an outlet, with status lights and antennas sticking out of their bodies.
Most mesh routers, on the other hand, have a minimalist vibe and can be placed almost anywhere. Some are even designed to be mounted on the ceiling so they look like part of the decor. And if you’re looking for a gamer aesthetic, some manufacturers even offer mesh systems that will go well with your gaming PC build.
Easy to scale
Another advantage of mesh Wi-Fi systems is that they’re easy to scale. For example, let’s say you bought two mesh routers to cover your home, but then you realize they don’t have the reach to install a wireless security camera like the Baseus Security N1 to protect your shed.
If that’s the case, you can buy an additional mesh router of the same model to extend your Wi-Fi coverage. It’s also easy to set up, just a few button presses, and your network reach will extend further.
The main disadvantage of a mesh router is that it can be more expensive than a Wi-Fi router extender. But if you are trying to save money, you can try these methods to boost your Wi-Fi signal before buying an extender or mesh system. Ultimately, buying a mesh system may be the better option in the long run if you want ease and convenience of installation.