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Wi-Fi has a limited range, and walls, floors, and ceilings can further limit its reach. If you have a large house and your router cannot reach every corner, you have two choices: a Wi-Fi repeater or a mesh system. Here’s why I chose the latter.
1Works Like a Cellular Network
The biggest advantage of a mesh router system is that it turns multiple access points (called nodes) into one contiguous network. This makes Wi-Fi connections inside your home more convenient, as you do not need to change networks once 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 over to another, so your network will remain uninterrupted.
This solves the problem with Wi-Fi repeaters, where your phone sometimes remains connected to a distant Wi-Fi router even if there is one with a much stronger signal. That means you’ll have to manually switch over to the closer one, which can be a problem if you move to a different room while playing an online multiplayer game.
2Easier Setup and Better Reliability
Another reason why I chose a mesh router when I moved to a bigger house and needed more coverage because it’s much simpler to set up. When I finally 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 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 typically 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. This is pretty inconvenient if I wanted a clean install with the Ethernet cable remaining hidden since I’d need to run it through the attic.
While it might be much easier to set up a Wi-Fi extender today (the Mi Wi-Fi Range Extender Pro setupis a good example), and internet connection reliability has improved, you still have to contend with manually switching networks.On the other hand, ease of installation and setup is one of thethings you should look for when buying a mesh Wi-Fi system, and my TP-Link system did not fail me. All I needed to do was plug in one router, wait for it to boot properly, plug in the other router, press the sync button, and it was good to go—no apps or Bluetooth necessary.
3Looks Better Than Wi-Fi Repeaters
This might not be a priority for most people, especially if you keep your access point or node hidden, but another advantage of mesh routers is that they often look much better than Wi-Fi extenders. Wi-Fi extenders are typically plugged directly into an outlet, with the status lights and antennas sticking out of their bodies.
On the other hand, most mesh routers have a minimalist vibe and can be placed pretty much anywhere. Some are even designed to be installed on the ceiling to make them look like part of the décor. And if you’re after the gamer aesthetic, some manufacturers even offer mesh systems that would go well with your gaming PC build.
4Easier to Scale
One more advantage of mesh Wi-Fi systems is that they’re easier to scale. For example, let’s say you bought two mesh routers to cover your house, but then you realize that they don’t have the reach to place a wireless security camera like theBaseus Security N1to protect your shed.
If that’s the case, you can purchase an additional mesh router of the same model to extend your Wi-Fi coverage. It’s also easy to set up, just requiring a couple of button presses, and your network reach will go further.
The main downside of a mesh router is that it can get pricey versus a Wi-Fi router extender. But if you’re trying to save money, you’re able to try theseways to boost your Wi-Fi signalbefore buying an extender or mesh system. In the end, purchasing a mesh system might be the better choice in the long run if you want ease of setup and convenience.
