Best mesh system??

StevieP

StevieP

StevieP

Soldato
Joined
2 Jan 2004
Posts
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Location
Chesterfield
I'm looking to improve the quality of my WiFi and since hard wiring is out of the question I'm wondering which of the available mesh network systems are the best in terms of quality and price?

My understanding is that you can basically turn off the WiFi on your router (in my case a BT Hub 2 I believe) and simply rename the mesh network to the same SSID with the same password and away you go? (to avoid the need to go round every device and applying the new network credentials?)

If this is the case, does anyone know whether Sky Q will still work the same since I understand that it works on its own dedicated network?
 
I have a Netgear Orbi mesh system (RBK50). I have a strong signal throughout my house and it’s been flawless. You can indeed just use your exiting WiFi SSID and password and all devices will just connect. I’m with Virgin Media and their router has a ‘modem mode’ which I just enabled prior to connecting to the Orbi router. There are more advanced WiFi solutions, I just wanted something simple that didn’t involve plumbing cables around the house.
 
I went with a TPLink Deco M5s. Mostly due to the relatively good writeup, but also the small size. I've got mine neatly mounted to the plug sockets so no messy wires hanging around.

Sky Q should work the same. Although you want to make sure your mesh network is operating on a different channel. The Deco app has a 'Optimize Network' feature to handle this. I'm sure other brands do something similar.
 
Thanks for the replies guys - I've been looking at the TP Link Deco S4 kit but having done some reading it appears as though they aren't a proper "mesh" setup due to the fact that as opposed to "daisy-chaining" between all of the nodes, they all have to connect directly to the master node that is plugged into the router!?!?

Surely this isn't any better than having your standard WiFi extenders dotted around??
 
Not sure about the S4, but the M5 doesn't. It'll connect to whatever it determines is most efficient. I have my master up on the 2nd floor which connects to my living room deco via ethernet. The other downstairs decos connect to the living room, not the top floor.

What you can't do, is override which one you want it to connect to. So, say I've got 3 decos and daisy chaining would mean that all 3 have strong signals, but it determines that the 3rd deco would be more efficient with a weaker signal from the main deco - you can't override that situation.

Not that it's been a problem. It's generally right.
 
Hmmm, the M5 does look very appealing - I'm wondering though whether it's also worth looking at the BT Whole Home system as it's similarly priced by the looks of it?
 
M5s here - I really like them. Appreciate a standalone AP many would argue is technically "better", but I plugged these in, and 15 mins later had Wifi accross the house that I'd never experienced. I have my Main PC a room up and accross from the router in a victorian terrace and have it wired into the M5, and get >150 mbps. The most I've ever had near the router is ~190 mbps so I'm super happy with it. Fit & forget.
 
Yeah, very tempted to pull the trigger on the M5 system - just trying to persuade myself that the M5 is worth the extra £50 over the S4 system.
 
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