Looking for Networking Recommendaiton

I am thinking of replacing my aged FIOS Actiontec and Asus Wireless access points and wanted some views of Mesh networking versus Single access point.

I am trying to improve reliability and reduce noise. In addition the devices above I have a wifi extender – so it is a noisy environment that is not great to manage. I am thinking that the mesh would be the better way to go but many here may have useful experiences.

I am leaning towards the Netgear Orbi which seems on sale @ WalMart now.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/NETGEAR-Orbi-RBK50-Home-WiFi-System-AC3000-Tri-Band-WiFi/54445769?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=1458&adid=22222222227048805279&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=146907747337&wl4=aud-450464696613:pla-257483591220&wl5=9007725&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=113137501&wl11=online&wl12=54445769&wl13=&veh=sem

Conversation 6 comments

  • slartybartmark

    12 June, 2018 - 11:55 am

    <p>I've had good luck personally, and anecdotal reports from those I've recommended it to, with Google WiFi. Easy to set up, mesh works great. If you're anti-Google, it's a non-starter, but otherwise it's at least something to consider. </p>

  • infloop

    Premium Member
    12 June, 2018 - 1:41 pm

    <p>It depends on your requirements for your wireless system. If the space you want for wireless isn't very big, a single access point should be enough. However, be aware of sources of interference such as microwaves, cordless phones, neighboring wireless networks, baby monitors, etc.</p><p><br></p><p>If you're going the multiple access point route, a system connected via wire such as an Ethernet network would perform the best. Otherwise, wireless mesh systems should be pretty good. If I recall correctly, Paul uses Google Wifi, while Brad got a Ubiquiti Amplifi system.</p>

    • Simard57

      12 June, 2018 - 2:49 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#283414"><em>In reply to infloop:</em></a></blockquote><p>the space isn't huge but I notice that the Asus doesn't show strong signal strength when I am upstairs – that is why I tried the wifi extenders but the ones I got were cheap for a reason – they are not reliable.</p><p><br></p><p>the main access point would be wired – the satellite fully wireless. The NetGear has a dedicated wireless back haul channel so it doesn't compete with the devices. a pretty nice feature but likely means it is a lockin feature but I am not worried too much about that. I will not add to the system down the road – I would more likely replace it.</p>

      • infloop

        Premium Member
        12 June, 2018 - 3:50 pm

        <blockquote><a href="#283439"><em>In reply to Simard57:</em></a></blockquote><p><br></p><p>Sounds reasonable. I mentioned connecting by wire as an option for those who might have a couple access points already if they wanted to get better performance overall, such as if they had AirPorts/Netgear/Linksys/etc.</p><p><br></p><p>Yeah, wireless can be pretty tricky to solve. I've read that some people were able to get signal strength on another floor with just one, while others needed another access point. Then there's the matter of how crowded the air space may be with neighboring networks, which can be acute for the 2.4GHz radio, so using 5GHz would be better if it is possible in addition to it allowing for higher speeds. I don't use a mesh system so I don't know how configurable they can be; I am guessing systems like Google Wifi would handle all of those settings automatically to make setup easier for the regular user.</p>

  • lvthunder

    Premium Member
    12 June, 2018 - 4:44 pm

    <p>I have three different houses setup with the Eero mesh routers and they work so much better then the single ASUS routers they replaced.</p>

  • Minke

    12 June, 2018 - 7:17 pm

    <p>I went with the Linksys EA8300 Max-Stream AC2200 Tri-Band Wi-Fi Router because the price seemed good for the features. It replaced an older Asus router that was getting flaky. My house is long and narrow–about 75 feet from front to back with heavy walls and lots of brick. It's around 150 years old. I get great coverage all over the second floor where the router is located, and the first floor too. In fact, I can pick up my router well outside my house and even in the back yard when grilling. I run a Roku on a TV in the kitchen, several thick walls and maybe 30 feet from the router. I think one of the tricks is to mount it high and central to your house. Mine is located above head height on the second floor. I've experimented a bit, and for some reason coverage and speeds are much better with it mounted up high on the second floor. Mesh routers are potentially better, but not everyone needs them.</p>

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