We all want a good, strong Wi-Fi signal throughout our homes, but figuring out how to achieve it without going overboard can be tricky. Even when you’ve decided to replace your router from your ISP, should you get a new Wi-Fi router or invest in a mesh system? I covered this briefly in my router buying guide, but I’ll dive into it a bit more in depth here.
I’ve been testing all kinds of home networking equipment for years, so I’ll break down your options, weigh the pros and cons, and help you decide.
What is a single Wi-Fi router?
A router is the central hub and gateway where the internet enters your home. It connects to your home network devices and directs traffic. You typically connect your modem to your router using an Ethernet cable (some routers double as modems). While you can connect other devices to your router using Ethernet cables (if they have spare ports), most gadgets connect wirelessly using Wi-Fi.
Read our guide to the best Wi-Fi routers for our top recommendations. That’s usually enough for most homes. You might fancy a shiny new one, but if you have a modern construction home with wood framing and drywall and a modest square footage (2,500 square feet or less), a single router should be enough to keep you online.
Pros
- Cheaper
- Easier to install
- Only one device to configure
- Fast and stable
Cons
- Limited range
- Difficult to place in the right place
- Dead spots are probably
- Unable to connect remote devices via Ethernet (without running long cables)
How to get the most out of your router
A Wi-Fi signal will always be strongest near the router and gradually drop off and slow down as you get further away. You should try to place your router centrally in your home and leave it exposed to the elements to get the best performance. This can be tricky because you have to plug in your modem and you need a power supply, but Ethernet cable is cheap and you can always get an extension cord. Central placement is worth the hassle if you want solid coverage throughout your home.
It’s also better to have your router high up, on top of a bookcase or mounted on a wall near the ceiling on your first floor. The precise orientation of your router and its antenna (if they’re adjustable) can make a surprising difference, so try different positions to find what works best with your most important devices around your home.
Top routers
What is a mesh wi-fi system?
A mesh system consists of a main router that acts as a gateway or hub, just like a single router, with a modem connected via Ethernet. But mesh systems also have satellites or nodes that you can place around your home to extend Wi-Fi coverage. Mesh systems act as a single network and decide when to hand off connections to devices as they move around your home.
Read our guide to the best mesh Wi-Fi systems for our top recommendations. These models can provide strong Wi-Fi throughout large, busy homes. If you have a home with thick walls or building materials that interfere with Wi-Fi and a relatively large footprint (3,000 square feet or more), a mesh system is probably your best bet. Mesh systems can also be great for adding coverage to dead spots or extending Wi-Fi into your yard.
Pros
- Wider coverage
- You can prevent dead spots
- You can connect remote devices via Ethernet
- Easily scalable
Cons
- More expensive
- Not suitable for smaller homes
- Multiple power outlets required
- May cause problems with some devices
How to get the most out of your eye
For best performance, the mesh nodes should be connected to the main mesh router with Ethernet cables (wired backhaul), but this isn’t always possible, so they can also connect via Wi-Fi (wireless backhaul). The main mesh router and nodes should be placed outdoors; don’t put them in closets or behind TVs.
When placing mesh nodes, think of your system as the backbone of your home’s Wi-Fi. Instead of placing the nodes in a dead spot, place them halfway between your main router and the area you want to cover. If they’re too close together, you could run into interference issues, but if they’re too far apart, the connection between your router and the nodes will be slow or spotty. The manufacturer’s app will likely help you with good placement.
Top Mesh Wi-Fi Systems
Should you choose a router or a mesh system?
There are many things to consider before deciding whether to buy a mesh system or a single router, but it’s important to note that mesh systems aren’t necessarily better. If you can cover your entire home with a single router, that’s the best option. Better coverage is the only reason to choose mesh. With mesh, the system has to make decisions about when to hand off connections and how to route traffic, and that adds a layer of complexity.
Some mesh manufacturers are better than others when it comes to routing traffic and ensuring a stable connection. Netgear and Eero are particularly good at this. If you have smart home devices like a Sonos system, some mesh systems don’t handle them well and may drop your speakers from the network or prevent you from seeing or controlling them using a phone connected to another node. There are potential snags that you won’t get with a single router.
Also consider that the speeds from the nodes are always much slower than from the main mesh router unless they are connected via cables. Node routers in wireless mode with nodes must use some of the available bandwidth for traffic between the main router and the node. This can effectively halve the bandwidth available to your connected devices.
