A Wi-Fi mesh system is made up of a main router and one or more additional nodes that all transmit a Wi-Fi signal to create a continuous “mesh” network that covers a larger area. It’s a convenient solution that can save you from relying on uneven extension cords or running Ethernet cables throughout your home. But is mesh Wi-Fi really better? There are several reasons why mesh Wi-Fi is better than a traditional router, mainly because each node in a mesh system can act as an access point or router on its own. You simply get more coverage and better multi-device management than with a standalone Wi-Fi router.
However, a mesh network is not a magic solution that can solve all problems. Mesh Wi-Fi has drawbacks that will make you seriously consider the wire-intensive Ethernet method after all. User reviews highlight the most reliable Wi-Fi mesh systems, which may be a little more effective at mitigating the issues listed below, but it’s impossible to completely predict how Wi-Fi signals will behave in your home’s unique setup. Before investing in an expensive mesh system, ask yourself if you are willing to live with these possible drawbacks.
Mesh networks are susceptible to interference
You will experience some degree of latency with each “hop” between nodes in the mesh. This is because wireless signals must travel from the node to the main router before reaching the Internet. Not only is this travel time a factor, but your home likely has walls, furniture, various other wireless signals, and countless other items that cause Wi-Fi interference.
Depending on your network configuration, you may notice very inconsistent download and upload speeds from node to node within your home. In extreme cases, Reddit users have reported frequent and random disconnections or drops between nodes. This can happen due to node location, outdated firmware on the respective nodes, or network channel traffic – all problems that are fixable, but they are certainly more frustrating than the plug-and-play simplicity of an Ethernet cable. If you already have a mesh system and are considering purchasing a new node to resolve interference, try these items that can speed up your Internet connection without replacing the router.
You May Lose Speed With Mesh Wi-Fi
Even if your network environment has thin walls and few sources of interference, you still risk losing speed with mesh Wi-Fi. This is because all nodes in most dual-band mesh Wi-Fi systems have shared link bandwidth. Backhaul is the communication of signals between a Wi-Fi router and its satellite nodes, and it can only handle a limited number of activities at a time. This means that if one family member is connected to the node in the kitchen and streaming a movie while another family member plays online video games in the bedroom via a separate node, they are actually consuming the same link bandwidth.
If they performed their activities one at a time, nearby nodes would provide them with fast speeds even if they were far from the main router. But as they use bandwidth at the same time, they may experience slower connection speeds, which negates the benefits of being on a mesh network in the first place. When purchasing a mesh Wi-Fi system, it’s important to determine if it has enough links to handle all the activities in your home or office.
You can also configure wired access points instead of wireless mesh nodes. Although not as convenient, you can directly connect an access point to your main router via an Ethernet cable. This gives each satellite its own dedicated link, and because it’s wired, its base speed will generally be faster than a wireless connection.
Having too many nodes is a problem
There’s a reason why most mesh systems only have two or three nodes. While it’s usually possible to add as many nodes as you want to your mesh network, you don’t want to overdo it. A good rule of thumb is to limit your mesh to no more than four nodes. This is enough to cover any multi-level home, most places of business and even some office complexes. However, each node you add will increase the number of hops a signal must make before reaching the Internet, and the overall increase in network traffic will make interference a more pronounced problem.
So, what should you do if you find yourself in a situation where you need more nodes in your mesh system? At this point, it becomes practically mandatory to start wiring some of these nodes to the router. Even if it’s only possible to connect one or two of your nodes via Ethernet, it will go a long way toward conserving link bandwidth and minimizing wireless traffic in your network.
Wi-Fi mesh systems are expensive
This may seem obvious, but it’s worth pointing out that many situations simply don’t require purchasing a mesh Wi-Fi system. What do you actually get when you pay for one? It’s a transparent Wi-Fi network that covers a very large area, but you often sacrifice granular control over advanced network configurations like VLAN tagging or custom DNS options.
You’re also paying for much more network coverage than you could reasonably need; If you just want the Wi-Fi signal to reach a room farther away, it’s overkill to invest in a mesh system that could double or even triple the signal range. In these situations, a Wi-Fi repeater is often the most practical solution. While it’s true that Wi-Fi extenders simply aren’t necessary anymore, it also doesn’t make sense to overpay to fix a problem that a cheap solution can solve.
Even some of the best Wi-Fi extenders you can buy on Amazon cost as little as $25 during sales periods. With minimal setup, these gadgets plug directly into an electrical outlet and repeat your network’s signal for an additional range of 100 feet or more under ideal conditions. If you’re simply experiencing a small network dead zone, a repeater can be an elegant way to get around some of the drawbacks you might experience with a mesh Wi-Fi router system.
