Mesh Wi-Fi routers are the newest addition to your smart home technology products cabinet! Mesh networks differ from our regular routers in that they are created by connecting two or more routers to increase the area covered by a Wi-Fi signal in your home. However, you may not need them at all?
How to decide? Here are some of the key points you need to consider and you will know yourself!
#1. Wi-Fi Coverage
Everyone wants a router that sends out a strong, consistent signal regardless of where they are in the house. Depending on the type of home you live in, both mesh and traditional routers can provide this right out of the box.
Because a mesh network relies on multiple nodes, it’s a good option for homes with multiple stories or a wide, spread-out floorplan. Traditional routers, on the other hand, act as a single point of data transmission and reception.
You can’t go wrong with a mesh router when it comes to Wi-Fi coverage. Even if you live in a tiny apartment or home, your walls may include elements that weaken wireless signals, making a standard router ineffective. Mesh wins this category for these reasons, although coverage isn’t the only thing to consider when purchasing a router.
#2. Wi-Fi Connection
Traditional routers beat mesh routers when it comes to Wi-Fi speed based on supported specifications. Traditional routers would win this round if you went entirely on that basis.
However, speed refers to how quick the connection seems while you’re using it. My internet seems sluggish at times, although my service provider claims my connection is fine! This is because the further a signal has to travel, the worse it becomes. This might result in poor Wi-Fi signals in some areas of your house, making your connection seem slow.
A mesh router can easily solve signal problems. No matter where you are in your house, the wireless signal never has to go as far. That’s not saying that you absolutely should buy mesh routers for speed. They do, however, address the fundamental source of “speed” issues for most!
#3. Cost
Mesh routers really make you pay for what you receive on this front. A set of two to three nodes costs between $130 and $350, depending on speed and functionality. A lower-end model will set you back roughly $170, while a higher-end one would set you back around $300.
You may start with a single node, but the cost is still more than a regular router. Traditional routers vary in price from $60 to $350 when comparing versions with comparable specifications. If you have a classic router that works properly in your house, you should just save money by using it.
#4. Controls & Setup
Setup and control of today’s mesh and conventional routers is done using a companion app or a browser-based interface. The app is easier and quicker, but the browser-based interface is superior for more sophisticated administrative duties.
As a result, the two router types are tied to this point. Instead, look into the interfaces of the specific models you’re interested in to discover how excellent they are since quality differs across manufacturers.
Final Verdict
Mesh routers aren’t better than regular routers or anything. Everyone’s house, budget, feature needs, and number of active users and devices are unique. The winning router type is the one that is most suited to your needs just like other smart home technology products. Yeah, you may not like the conclusion, but it is what it is!
