Mesh Network vs Wi-Fi Router: Which Setup Is Best for You?
A Wi-Fi router is better than a mesh network for most people, but mesh networks take the edge in specific situations. Wi-Fi routers are less expensive, easier to set up and deliver great performance in most homes. Mesh networks are an upgrade for large homes or homes with tricky Wi-Fi dead spots. A Wi-Fi router directs internet and network traffic from devices in your home. The Wi-Fi router must be connected to a modem to access the internet, though some have a built-in modem. Our guide to modems provides more detail. The same is true of mesh networks, but mesh networks have additional wireless nodes—devices on a mesh network switch between nodes depending on the best signal strength. A Wi-Fi router is easier to set up than a mesh network. Modern routers and mesh networks have an app-based setup process used via your smartphone, but mesh networks have additional nodes which must be positioned, connected to power, and set up. A mesh network is better for large homes and homes lacking a central location to place a Wi-Fi router. Wi-Fi routers emit a signal in a roughly spherical pattern around the router, so they work best when set up in the middle of your home. That’s not always possible, which is where a mesh network becomes useful. Wi-Fi routers are better if you need wired ethernet connections in addition to Wi-Fi. A typical mesh network router or node will have one or two ethernet ports, while Wi-Fi routers have between four and eight ethernet ports. Mesh networks are more expensive than Wi-Fi routers. Pricing for Wi-Fi routers starts at around $50; mesh networks at about $100.
Why You Should Buy a Mesh Network
A mesh network is best for large homes and homes with difficult Wi-Fi dead spots or an unusual layout. Older homes might also have lath and plaster walls of which is more challenging for Wi-Fi to pass through. Wi-Fi routers emit a signal in a roughly spherical pattern. This signal can be blocked or redirected by objects, including walls, furniture, and appliances. Most obstacles won’t wholly block a Wi-Fi signal, but some can. A bathroom or kitchen wall with several pipes, for example, can become a barrier. These scenarios are where a mesh network shines. A mesh network has additional nodes which communicate wirelessly with the primary router. Each node will emit a signal in a roughly spherical pattern, just like a router. This pattern creates a broader, more reliable Wi-Fi network that can get around obstacles between the primary router and Wi-Fi devices in your home.
Does a Mesh Network Replace a Router?
Yes, a mesh network will replace a Wi-Fi router. Most mesh networks have a router you connect to the modem usually supplied by your Internet Service Provider. This router connects wirelessly to the mesh network’s nodes. It may also offer wired Ethernet ports for connecting nearby wired devices. Some high-end mesh networks are designed to let every node function as a router. You will still set up one node as a router, but the node you choose doesn’t matter. Mesh networks with this feature will have wired Ethernet ports on every node.
Is Mesh Wi-Fi Better Than a Router?
A mesh network’s Wi-Fi performance is typically slower but more reliable than a price-competitive Wi-Fi router. The maximum Wi-Fi speed of the router will be higher, but the mesh network will provide a more robust signal across your entire home. High-end mesh networks win on both performance reliability. The best mesh networks can blanket a 5,000 square foot home in high-speed, reliable Wi-Fi. Pricing for a high-end mesh network can exceed $1,000, however, putting them out of reach for many people.
Can I Use Mesh Wi-Fi With an Existing Router?
You can use a mesh network with an existing router in several ways, though not all are recommended. It’s possible to use a Wi-Fi router and mesh network as separate Wi-Fi networks in the same home. However, it might be counterproductive as the signal from each network could cause interference. Alternatively, you can turn off the Wi-Fi feature on an older Wi-Fi router and connect a mesh network to it over an Ethernet cable. You can continue to use the router’s wired Ethernet ports. However, this can make network setup more complex. Some Wi-Fi routers are advertised as mesh capable or mesh ready. You can use routers with this feature, purchasing additional nodes individually, though the results often fall behind mesh networks sold as a bundle.
