Router vs mesh Wi-Fi for an Australian home

01

Map the home before choosing hardware

Floor area is only a rough guide. Brick, concrete, metal, mirrors, floor levels and router location can matter more than the advertised coverage number. Mark current weak spots and where Ethernet is available.

• Count levels and major walls
• Locate the NBN connection
• Test where nodes could receive a strong signal

02

One router is simplest when it can be central

A capable router can be the best value for a smaller or open home when the internet connection is near the centre. Moving the existing router can sometimes solve more than buying a faster model.

03

Mesh helps distribute coverage

Mesh nodes create one managed network across multiple positions. Wireless nodes still need a strong link to another node. Placing a satellite inside the dead zone can repeat a weak connection instead of fixing it.

• Compare pack size
• Check dedicated or shared backhaul
• Count Ethernet ports on every node

04

Wired backhaul is usually more predictable

Ethernet between nodes or access points avoids using wireless capacity for backhaul and can improve consistency. Existing cabling, suitable power points and a switch may make a wired design practical.

05

Buy for the bottleneck you actually have

A new wireless standard cannot fix a slow internet plan, damaged cabling, poor node placement or a client device with an older radio. Measure those limits before paying for higher aggregate speed figures.