The Asus Lyra Trio offers good mid-range performance
and an easy-to-use app with handy scheduling controls.DECEMBER 2019 | MACFORMAT | 87‘dual-band’ transmission on the 2.4GHz and
5GHz bandwidths, there are more expensive
models that use ‘tri-band’ networking – with
an additional 5GHz band – to improve speeds.More to consider
Speed and range aren’t the only things to
consider, though. Ease of use and well-designed
apps are important, especially for parents who
may want to keep an eye on their children’s
online adventures – or just turn off the Wi-Fi
to get them to come to the dinner table in the
evening. Other features to look out for include
Ethernet ports for wired connections – some
devices, such as games consoles work better
with a wired connection – or a USB port
on the router that will allow you to share a
printer with other people on your network.... or lower?
Tenda Nova MW6
From £117.99
tendacn.com/uk
The plastic design is a
bit cheap and cheerful,
but the MW6 mesh kit
is available in two- or
three-pack options at
affordable prices.3
Parent power
As well as good speed and range for your
Wi-Fi, it’s important that the apps provided by
the router manufacturer provide quick and easy
set-up. Parents may also require additional
features that allow them to control their
children’s use of the internet, such as content
filters and scheduling options for school nights.4
Socket to me
Dual-band routers that transmit on the
2.4GHz and 5GHz bandwidths have a max
speed of around 2Gbps, which is fine for general
web browsing and streaming video. However, a
tri-band router adds a third frequency band that
can boost speeds to as much as 3Gbps for
high-speed gaming or 4K video on Netflix.Mesh routers APPLE CHOICE
How we
tested
The first mesh router
from each system was
connected to an
existing broadband
router in the lounge.
The second router was
then placed in a back
office that normally
suffers from poor Wi-Fi
reception because of
three partition walls.
Some kits included a
third router, so this was
placed in a hall, roughly
halfway between the
other two routers.Higher...
Netgear Orbi Wifi 6
£749
netgear.co.uk
If you want the latest
state-of-the-art Wi-Fi,
Netgear’s forthcoming
Orbi system supports
the new WiFi 6 standard
(802.11ax) for super-high
speed and range.1
Who needs it?
As the saying goes, size isn’t everything.
It’s true that mesh networking systems are
generally recommended for larger homes that
need to extend the range of their Wi-Fi signal.
However, mesh routers can also be useful for
many smaller homes that have thick walls or
ceilings that can block the Wi-Fi signal.2
How many?
Most manufacturers sell mesh
networking kits that contain either two or three
routers. As a rule of thumb, two routers will be
fine for homes between 2,500-4,000 square feet,
while larger homes may need a kit with three
routers (but always check the specifications on
the manufacturer’s website too).M
esh networking has certainly been
one of the hot technologies of
recent years, with dozens of mesh
routers and kits claiming to boost your
home Wi-Fi with higher speeds and greater
range than the cheap-and-cheerful router
provided by your broadband supplier.
Instead of relying on a single router, mesh
networking systems typically include two or
three identical routers – sometimes called
nodes – that you can place in different locations
throughout your home. These nodes then link
together to create a mesh network that can reach
further than a single router on its own, so they’re
a good option for larger homes with several
bedrooms, or which may have rooms spread
across upper or lower floors.
You don’t have to live in a massive mansion,
either, as many smaller homes may have thick
walls or ceilings between floors that can block
your Wi-Fi signal. There are two key features to
look out for here. A feature called MU-MIMO
(multiple users, multiple input/multiple output)
can improve reliability in buildings where lots of
devices are connected to the network at the same
time. And while less expensive routers just useMesh modes link together to
create a network that can reach
further than a single routermacformat.com @macformatThings to consider...
Everything you need to know before getting started