Are you using or considering a mesh WiFi system?

[Renegade]

Even if you are living in a small apartment it is inevitable that you would end up with dead zones hidden behind couple of layers of walls or beams. With connected devices sprouting all over our houses, one alternative is to go for a range extender, like I have done. Another expensive but user friendly solution is Mesh WiFi, esp if you like seamless roaming.

So what are your top considerations while going for a Mesh WiFi? What according to you are the advantages and disadvantages of using a mesh WiFi system, if you are already using one? Which ones would you recommend in the value for money category and premium category and why?

 

[kiranrss]

Using Deco M5 for a decent sized apartment. Would recommend uing mesh primarily avoid drop in signals when on a call. Mesh should be backed with a mini UPS.

Disadvantages
1) Power consumption increases especailly when you use a power backup for the Mesh Router not high but still impactful.
2) You need to understand how the mesh will broadcast, interference from other devices. number of devices needed based on the size of your place. cost will shoot up if you need blanket coverage
3) Managing the mesh connections needs some effort. i link my meshes in a daisy chain since i have aesthetic considerations on where i place the units and the distances

Advantages
1) Seamless across the location
2) No drops when you move around the place espcecially during calls
3) Ability to hardwire a couple of devices (usually they come with 2 ports) so you can connect two devices to the mesh wherever its located
4) Easy to manage devices across the mesh, you can limit the number of devices connection to any mesh or restrict certain devices to a particular mesh.

I would recommend Netgear or TP Link , have experience with both devices.

 

[lged821]

Using x60 from about 6 months. 2 pairs (total 4 deco's).

Mesh is good and seamless switching to deco's is cool.

But my biggest complain is tp-link don't give us full access of the deco's. Yes that's correct, if you want to make changes or let's say you want customized channels acc to your pref, YOU CANNOT DO IT. Tplink has limited the access of mostly everything. I have about 30+Iot devices and there's just too my channel interferance, so much so that my wireless mouse starts stuttering/lagging. If I turn few deco's off which are near, then it get's better coz mouse use prolly the same channel as them, even though tplink claims that deco's will use the best channel possible automatically, but it doesn't.

Also for ex, my Qubo pro doorbell also doesn't work and keep dropping the network. Appearantly it is not the prob of qubo but it's mesh network that isn't compatible with with that. Same problem is with "ring" devices in the US too. I can't use qubo pro doorbell with deco so i use it with my ONU's(provided by ISP) SSID and it works fine then.

Btter option if money isn't a prob for you I would suggest is buy multiple mesh compatible routers and connect them manually via mesh tech rather than buying deco's. In router's you will get full access to admin, in deco's you won't as it is by default limited by tplink.

 

[kiranrss]

Using x60 from about 6 months. 2 pairs (total 4 deco's).

Mesh is good and seamless switching to deco's is cool.

But my biggest complain is tp-link don't give us full access of the deco's. Yes that's correct, if you want to make changes or let's say you want customized channels acc to your pref, YOU CANNOT DO IT. Tplink has limited the access of mostly everything. I have about 30+Iot devices and there's just too my channel interferance, so much so that my wireless mouse starts stuttering/lagging. If I turn few deco's off which are near, then it get's better coz mouse use prolly the same channel as them, even though tplink claims that deco's will use the best channel possible automatically, but it doesn't.

Also for ex, my Qubo pro doorbell also doesn't work and keep dropping the network. Appearantly it is not the prob of qubo but it's mesh network that isn't compatible with with that. Same problem is with "ring" devices in the US too. I can't use qubo pro doorbell with deco so i use it with my ONU's(provided by ISP) SSID and it works fine then.

Btter option if money isn't a prob for you I would suggest is buy multiple mesh compatible routers and connect them manually via mesh tech rather than buying deco's. In router's you will get full access to admin, in deco's you won't as it is by default limited by tplink.

agreed on the minimal interface, TPlink had comitted for more features but never got around to it.i have a mesh right next to my wireless keyboard and dongle but havent seens the lag issue. maybe just lucky. i use 3 qubo products on my mesh, doorbell, camera and lock none of these have shown issues for yet but based on your feedback will switch them to the ISP router to be safe. dont want to locked out !

 

[lged821]

agreed on the minimal interface, TPlink had comitted for more features but never got around to it.i have a mesh right next to my wireless keyboard and dongle but havent seens the lag issue. maybe just lucky. i use 3 qubo products on my mesh, doorbell, camera and lock none of these have shown issues for yet but based on your feedback will switch them to the ISP router to be safe. dont want to locked out !

The lag prolly comes when you have lots of devices and deco doesn't get the channel right. In my case I have like 30 Iot devices(bulb's/rgb lightening) + 3 tv's, 3 ac's(all wifi), fridge, 4 deco's, 2 onu's, doorbell, laptop, 10+phones and idk if i forgot to count others, prolly in ottal 50-60 devices sending signals to get connected or to be connected.

Which specific doorbell u use? I have the qubo "pro" doorbell which supports 5ghz band too(which is useless anywyas) as it keeps dropping connection. Normal non-pro doorbell works. Camera I have of tplink tapo and it works along with lock.

You might wanna google to see how many qubo/ring customers having issue with deco's. normal tplink router works, issue is with mesh/deco devices only afaik.

 

[Dushie]

Just upgraded to a mesh system on wired backhaul, couple of weeks back and its been working great, had looked at Tp link but got a better deal with Linksys Mx4200 ,coverage has increased alot and speeds are pretty goo. Currently running around 28 odd devices connected in the entire house and they work great. Need to get an outdoor security camera, so searching and contemplating which one to go for.

 

[lockhrt999]

Using x60 from about 6 months. 2 pairs (total 4 deco's).

Mesh is good and seamless switching to deco's is cool.

My x60 isn't seamless. I don't know what's wrong. But I have to manually reconnect my mobile when I move in my house. So mesh isn't working. I haven't gotten time to figure out what's wrong.

Tplink has limited the access of mostly everything. I have about 30+Iot devices and there's just too my channel interferance

Why don't you create a separate Wi-Fi network for IOTs? Shouldn't that fix the issue? My IOTs don't use the main network.

x60 can add one guest Wi-Fi plus another Wi-Fi for IOTs. So 3 in total.

Have you had any success in adding any Matter enabled IOT in your x60? It's one of the few routers that has built in Matter support. I was not able to to.

 

[kiranrss]

The lag prolly comes when you have lots of devices and deco doesn't get the channel right. In my case I have like 30 Iot devices(bulb's/rgb lightening) + 3 tv's, 3 ac's(all wifi), fridge, 4 deco's, 2 onu's, doorbell, laptop, 10+phones and idk if i forgot to count others, prolly in ottal 50-60 devices sending signals to get connected or to be connected.

Which specific doorbell u use? I have the qubo "pro" doorbell which supports 5ghz band too(which is useless anywyas) as it keeps dropping connection. Normal non-pro doorbell works. Camera I have of tplink tapo and it works along with lock.

You might wanna google to see how many qubo/ring customers having issue with deco's. normal tplink router works, issue is with mesh/deco devices only afaik.

I have the Pro too , plus five smart cams , a door lock. couple of non qubo cameras. Devices wise, i think around 40 plus (TV, mobile, Laptops, Tabs, smart devices, desktops, NAS, Gaming, etc) but yea been lucky till now. i think time has come to segregate some to a 2.4device from ISP and leave the rest on Qubo. I have 5 decos across the house.

 

[Silent47Assassin]

How's the bandwidth performance of a mesh without wired backhaul, especially in a multi-floor environment?

 

[guest_999]

and lock

What kind of digital lock you use?

Why don't you create a separate Wi-Fi network for IOTs? Shouldn't that fix the issue? My IOTs don't use the main network.

The issue seems to be channel interference so unless you mean create a separate wifi network using a different router with a fixed channel I don't see how simply creating/connecting to a new guest/separate network on same device will solve this. Most IoTs are compatible with 2.4GHz band/wpa2 only so not much choice.

 

[kiranrss]

What kind of digital lock you use?

https://www.quboworld.com/smart-locks, i have two qubo locks, one for main door and another for bedroom

The issue seems to be channel interference so unless you mean create a separate wifi network using a different router with a fixed channel I don't see how simply creating/connecting to a new guest/separate network on same device will solve this. Most IoTs are compatible with 2.4GHz band/wpa2 only so not much choice.

WIll be a new network i guess

 

[lged821]

My x60 isn't seamless. I don't know what's wrong. But I have to manually reconnect my mobile when I move in my house. So mesh isn't working. I haven't gotten time to figure out what's wrong.

I have it seamless, I hardly think I ever got seamless issue, may be factory reset and then upgrade firmware? May be a problematic deco you received, get in touch with tplink and get replaced?

Why don't you create a separate Wi-Fi network for IOTs? Shouldn't that fix the issue? My IOTs don't use the main network.

x60 can add one guest Wi-Fi plus another Wi-Fi for IOTs. So 3 in total.

Have you had any success in adding any Matter enabled IOT in your x60? It's one of the few routers that has built in Matter support. I was not able to to.

I have 3 separate SSID's, guest is temp and one is for IoT network in which all small devices are connected and one SSID is the main one which I have kept both 2.4/5ghz. I have most of my devices on IOT isolated. But changing/making new SSID doesn't help in channel interference.

I have the Pro too , plus five smart cams , a door lock. couple of non qubo cameras. Devices wise, i think around 40 plus (TV, mobile, Laptops, Tabs, smart devices, desktops, NAS, Gaming, etc) but yea been lucky till now. i think time has come to segregate some to a 2.4device from ISP and leave the rest on Qubo. I have 5 decos across the house.

Really? You have the VDB pro? and it's working in mesh? Can't believe coz I actually got in touch with Qubo and they sent me 3, yes 3 replacements of Qubo pro under warranty and all dropped connections. One connection to the other router(non deco) and it works fine.

 

[guest_999]

I have 3 separate SSID's, guest is temp and one is for IoT network in which all small devices are connected and one SSID is the main one which I have kept both 2.4/5ghz.

Try to minimize the usage of 2.4GHz devices on main network as much as possible or better disable 2.4GHz on main network. For older laptops get 5Ghz usb wifi adapters, any decent phone in last 3 years should have 5GHz connectivity but if not then time to upgrade them.

 

[lged821]

Try to minimize the usage of 2.4GHz devices on main network as much as possible or better disable 2.4GHz on main network. For older laptops get 5Ghz usb wifi adapters, any decent phone in last 3 years should have 5GHz connectivity but if not then time to upgrade them.

Idk how that will help but I remember when I setup my connection, I specifically set it up for a reason in main network both options 2.4/5. It's been many months now and i don't rem why I set it up for both 2/5 but I know for sure there was a reason. When I get time I will evaluate and see if I can keep it only 5ghz so it doesn't affect my environment for so many devices.

 

[kiranrss]

I have it seamless, I hardly think I ever got seamless issue, may be factory reset and then upgrade firmware? May be a problematic deco you received, get in touch with tplink and get replaced?


I have 3 separate SSID's, guest is temp and one is for IoT network in which all small devices are connected and one SSID is the main one which I have kept both 2.4/5ghz. I have most of my devices on IOT isolated. But changing/making new SSID doesn't help in channel interference.


Really? You have the VDB pro? and it's working in mesh? Can't believe coz I actually got in touch with Qubo and they sent me 3, yes 3 replacements of Qubo pro under warranty and all dropped connections. One connection to the other router(non deco) and it works fine.

Yea, I got this last year, works properly with my mesh. havent had any instances of doorbell not ringing till now.

 

[lockhrt999]

The issue seems to be channel interference so unless you mean create a separate wifi network using a different router with a fixed channel I don't see how simply creating/connecting to a new guest/separate network on same device will solve this. Most IoTs are compatible with 2.4GHz band/wpa2 only so not much choice.

I have 3 separate SSID's, guest is temp and one is for IoT network in which all small devices are connected and one SSID is the main one which I have kept both 2.4/5ghz. I have most of my devices on IOT isolated. But changing/making new SSID doesn't help in channel interference.

You guys are right. All 3 SSIDs that my deco has created have the same channel ID on 2.5. LOL.

 

[superczar]

Even if you are living in a small apartment it is inevitable that you would end up with dead zones hidden behind couple of layers of walls or beams. With connected devices sprouting all over our houses, one alternative is to go for a range extender, like I have done. Another expensive but user friendly solution is Mesh WiFi, esp if you like seamless roaming.

So what are your top considerations while going for a Mesh WiFi? What according to you are the advantages and disadvantages of using a mesh WiFi system, if you are already using one? Which ones would you recommend in the value for money category and premium category and why?

I moved from standalone APs/routers to a Orbi mesh (wireless backhaul) sometime in the late 2010s.
It was a huge improvement over standalone APs sharing same SSID

Later i switched to a SDN setup (TPL Omada .. Ubiquiti is another option but its overpriced in India) with wired backhaul.
i wont ever switch back to standalone/repeaters - The performance/ usability different is stark...
Especially considering its a one time moderate expense that will last for many years .. that too for something that gets used all the time by everyone in the household

The advantage over consumer mesh is that it allows for far more flexibility for a minor increase in cost. Also the roaming controller is separate (can either be hardware controller or you can use a VM/Always-on PC as a software controller) so there are no processing power constraints

 

[lged821]

Yea, I got this last year, works properly with my mesh. havent had any instances of doorbell not ringing till now.

it's not abt ringing. It works like with my mesh and it rings but it keeps on dropping wifi connection and goes offline. Now offline doesn't mean it goes off, just i can't see it on app, it shows offline but when it's offline if someone pressing the ring, i do hear it and my chime does work.

 

[HonestLiar]

Even if you are living in a small apartment it is inevitable that you would end up with dead zones hidden behind couple of layers of walls or beams. With connected devices sprouting all over our houses, one alternative is to go for a range extender, like I have done. Another expensive but user friendly solution is Mesh WiFi, esp if you like seamless roaming.

So what are your top considerations while going for a Mesh WiFi? What according to you are the advantages and disadvantages of using a mesh WiFi system, if you are already using one? Which ones would you recommend in the value for money category and premium category and why?

i have been using the tplink deco x20 mesh for over 2 years now and the same is in use with a friend of mine too. Yes in order to kill all the dead zones, the mesh system is the best option but there are a few key things that you should know before you buy.
-Always go with the wired backhaul if possible and by that i mean dont use wireless connectivity between different mesh routers. Wired backhaul will give you the best performance.
-There are very expensive mesh systems out there, chose wisely according to your need, overspending is very common when buying mesh router.
-You will need to use a gigabit switch in order to setup wired backhaul and i would highly recommend wired backhaul over the wireless backhaul.

 

[d5aqoep]

I am using Ubiquiti U7 Pro Mesh system and it’s working as per my needs. Asus mesh system comes a close 2nd.