nodes should be close enough to pick up a solid signal
but far enough to extend coverage to your dead zones.
The traditional downside to Wi-Fi mesh systems has
been that they’re generally more expensive than simply
adding a range extender to your existing router. We
expect to see that change in 2021, spurred by Amazon’s
Eero 6 and Eero Pro 6, announced in late 2020. These
new mesh entries are coming in around $100 to $200
less than much of their mesh competition while offering
not only Wi-Fi 6 compatibility but also a Zigbee smart
home device hub built into the main router.
Even with a mesh system, you may still incur some
performance loss in the far ends of your house,
especially if your Wi-Fi has to make multiple “hops.”
Again, placing the main unit in the center of your house
is best, and connecting the nodes with Ethernet will
SURGXFHWKHEHVWUHVXOWV7UXVWPH ,I\RXWUXO\ZDQW
problem-free Wi-Fi, it’s worth having an electrician run
a couple of Ethernet cables to each mesh unit, In my
experience, anything else is a compromise that may not
measure up to your standards.
Even with a
mesh system,
you may still
incur some
performance
loss in the far
ends of
your house.PC MAGAZINE DIGITAL EDITION (^) I SUBSCRIBE (^) I MARCH 2021