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WiFi Mesh: An Overview
Mesh WiFi systems are wireless networks that combine a WiFi router with one or more mesh satellites to expand the coverage area of a single WiFi network. In a Mesh WiFi system, connected devices are seamlessly handed off to the router or satellite with the strongest WiFi signal in a given area.
This makes mesh WiFi a great solution for large homes and businesses where a single router will not provide adequate coverage. Mesh WiFi systems give users great flexibility to place satellites in different areas for optimal WiFi coverage, preventing WiFi “dead spots” throughout the space.
What is Mesh WiFi?
Curious about mesh WiFi? Learn how to get the best WiFi coverage and fastest WiFi speeds throughout your whole home by using multiple devices to create a seamless mesh network.
What is a Mesh Network?
A mesh network is a type of local area network (LAN) composed of multiple nodes that work together to broadcast a WiFi signal over a large area. In contrast to WiFi extenders, these nodes (mesh routers and mesh satellites) combine to form a single network with a single login.
Each wireless node communicates with connected devices directly (phones, smart TVs, tablets etc.), but also talks to any other wireless node that is within range and part of the network, allowing seamless handoff between nodes and optimal performance.
What is a Mesh WiFi System?
A mesh WiFi system typically includes a mesh router, which connects to the modem (converting a wired internet connection from the modem to WiFi), and mesh satellites, to extend the WiFi signal deeper into the home.
The router and satellites are strategically spaced throughout a home or business to create an overlapping wireless coverage area, allowing strong, continuous WiFi coverage throughout. The best mesh WiFi systems on the market today provide up to 2,750 sq. ft. of coverage per satellite
How does Mesh WiFi work?
Mesh networks are a type of network where each node (either the mesh router or mesh satellite) can relay data to other nodes in the network, passing it along until it reaches its destination. This is in contrast to traditional wireless networks, where each device is connected to a single, central router.
For a typical user connected to a mesh network, this forwarding of data between nodes is completely seamless; they have the same experience as being connected to a single super-powerful wireless router, with a strong, reliable WiFi signal in every corner of the home.
Mesh satellites are wired or wirelessly connected to the mesh router via a “backhaul”. The quality and speed of the backhaul connection dictates the maximum speed that satellites can supply to connected devices (phones, laptops, etc.).
Did you know?
NETGEAR’s Orbi Mesh WiFi Systems feature a dedicated WiFi band for the network backhaul. Known as Tri-Band or Quad-Band technology, the unique technology ensures ultra-fast performance from Orbi Mesh Systems, even with hundreds of devices connected.
What is a Mesh Router?
Mesh routers are the heart of a mesh WiFi system. Working in tandem with a modem, the WiFi mesh router directly creates a single, unified network throughout a home by managing and connecting to one or more mesh satellites.
Mesh satellites cannot be used without a connection to the main mesh router, but if desired, a mesh router can be used without any satellites.
What are the Benefits of Mesh WiFi?
Mesh WiFi is becoming more and more popular because it offers a few key benefits that traditional routers don’t. These include:
• Mesh WiFi networks automatically configure themselves, so there’s no need to manually set up each individual node. This makes the setup process incredibly easy and seamless for the user.
• Mesh WiFi networks can be much faster than traditional routers. In fact, they can be up to ten times faster! This is because data is distributed evenly across all of the nodes in the network, rather than concentrating all traffic to a single wireless router.
• Mesh WiFi networks are far more reliable than traditional routers. If one experiences a weak signal, a closer satellite will automatically take over and the network will still function seamlessly.
Mesh Network: Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages:
Mesh WiFi Systems have significant performance advantages over traditional WiFi routers and wireless extenders.
• Mesh Systems can provide the fastest and easiest to use WiFi possible for consumers.
• Mesh WiFi is also one of the only ways to take full advantage of a 1 Gig or faster internet plans performance.
• More powerful hardware can also unlock advanced Mesh Router features like cybersecurity and internet filtering with parental controls.
• Mesh WiFi Systems are often expandable with additional mesh satellites eliminating slow WiFi on the edge of the coverage area.
Disadvantages:
Mesh networks have very few disadvantages but there are a few considerations when shopping for a mesh system.
• WiFi devices may experience imperceptible increased latency when data is transmitted between satellite nodes. This is because data has to pass through more nodes to reach the internet, and each node adds a small delay as data is read and retransmitted. Often this small amount of latency is counterbalanced by the reduced device load on each individual mesh satellite compared to a traditional wireless router setup.
• Mesh WiFi Systems are sometimes more expensive than single wireless routers of the same performance class. However, these cost considerations can lead to time and cost-saving vs buying multiple premium extenders and configuring your own network from scratch.
Mesh WiFi vs Extender: What’s the difference?
Mesh WiFi systems are preconfigured out of the box, meaning that once you have the main mesh router unit set up, you can easily add additional mesh satellites and they will all work together. Mesh networks also have a more powerful backhaul than a traditional WiFi Extender. This means that the signal from the main unit to satellites is stronger and can reach further away with less chance of interference and slow-down.
Mesh systems allow for the use of a single SSID (service set identifier) meaning the same WiFi name is always seamlessly available and you don’t have to worry about which network your device is connected to – it will always connect to the strongest signal. With a traditional WiFi extender, you have to configure each one separately, which can be complicated and error-prone.
How to set up Mesh WiFi
The setup procedures for different mesh WiFi systems may vary. NETGEAR’s Orbi Mesh WiFi Systems for Home and Orbi Pro for Business offer a hassle-free setup:
1. Connect your Orbi Mesh Router to your modem and place the satellites in the desired locations. The Mesh Router should be placed in the middle of your home (if possible) and the satellites should be placed around the edge of your property in order to provide optimal coverage. Get more Mesh Setup help.
2. Once devices are placed, use the Orbi app or browser login page to configure the router and check which satellite provides the best signal in each room.
For more on mesh satellite placement tips visit – Where should I place my Orbi Mesh Satellites?
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FAQ's
Can I add mesh WiFi to an existing router?
Mesh WiFi systems are specifically designed to replace your existing router and work with mesh satellites. However, you can use mesh with your current router if you need to, but you won’t get all the features that mesh has to offer. When to use a traditional router: • If you live in a smaller home or flat. • If your living arrangements are temporary. When to use a mesh router: • You have a large home with a lot of indoor and outdoor space. • You prefer to manage your home WiFi network using a mobile app. • Your living arrangements are permanent.
What is the range of mesh WiFi?
A typical WiFi router generally has a range of 150-160 feet indoors. This range can be improved with a WiFi range extender. The range is limited by things like frequency, transmission power, antenna type, the location the router is in, and the environment. That’s where Mesh WiFi comes into the picture. A Mesh WiFi network can provide a signal covering from 2,000 to 5,500 square feet.
How do I install mesh WiFi?
Most mesh routers come with easy setup instructions so you can have internet access throughout the house in no time. Connect the WiFi router device to your modem ethernet port with an ethernet cable, plug it in, and then follow the instructions in the system's app. You will then need to choose WiFi connection spots for your satellite extenders. The location of the satellites will have a significant impact on the system’s overall performance.
Choosing the best smart home mesh WiFi system
There are a few things to consider when choosing a mesh WiFi system. Firstly, you will need to start with a whole-home WiFi budget. You will probably want a system with the highest possible WiFi specifications for your budget. Ideally, you will want a system that supports WiFi 6 and is backward compatible with WiFi 5.
Is your household fully wireless?
If you have ethernet or coax wires in your home, consider a system that supports ethernet or ethernet over coax backhaul. If yours is a fully wireless connection and you don’t need a wired connection for gaming or other high-powered activities, a fully wireless mesh system is a great choice. For fully wireless mesh, make sure to pick a system with WiFi 6 or WiFi 6E for delivering high Mbps streaming.
How important are security features?
Security features are becoming an increasingly important component of connected devices, so you should find out the security features on offer before choosing a home mesh WiFi setup. It’s worth paying a little extra for a high level of security that will keep yourself and guests on your network protected from malware and cybercrime.
How important are app control features?
Almost all mesh systems can be controlled using a smart device app. Easily control and configure a smart home device system from wherever you are. Explore different app features and controls before making a choice. Mesh systems have many advantages, but at the end of the day, you should choose a system that checks the boxes for your budget and WiFi needs. The best WiFi routers for 2023 are all available under one roof at NETGEAR.
