What is Mesh WiFi and Why is It Crucial for a Smart Home?
In a previous article, we discussed the concept of infrastructure and why you should first prepare your home before incorporating smart devices. Among the essential elements of smart home infrastructure is ensuring the WiFi network and local network connection reach all areas of the home. This ensures that all devices can connect seamlessly for optimal performance. Using a simple router might not be the best idea—instead, consider utilizing a Mesh WiFi system.
Why Using a Router is a Bad Idea for Smart Homes
Routers are the gateway that connects your smart home devices to the internet via a wireless WiFi network or a wired Ethernet connection. However, relying solely on a router in a smart home can be problematic for several reasons:
- Limited Device Support: Every router has a limit on the number of devices it can support, and smart homes typically include dozens of devices. Eventually, the router won’t accept new device connections.
- Weak Processing Power: Routers have a CPU to handle data processing and commands. A large number of connected devices can overwhelm the processor, causing it to freeze and reboot frequently.
- Weak Coverage Area: WiFi coverage might be insufficient, especially in large homes, where some devices receive strong connections, while others struggle to stay connected.
These are just a few reasons why relying solely on a router is not the ideal solution for managing your smart home.
You Need a Mesh WiFi System
Mesh WiFi, also known as Whole Home WiFi, is a system that provides widespread WiFi coverage. It consists of a powerful central router supported by additional devices to distribute WiFi signals across larger areas.
The goal of Mesh WiFi is to ensure strong WiFi coverage for all devices in your home, allowing for high performance. Poor connectivity, especially for devices far from the router, can lead to delays in smart command responses and overall performance issues. A Mesh WiFi system maximizes WiFi coverage, enabling all devices in the home to benefit from a robust local connection.
What Does a Mesh WiFi System Include?
A Mesh WiFi system is built from three key components:
- Router: This is the brain behind the network connection. While it may have limited WiFi capabilities, it serves as the link between your devices and the internet provider.
- Hub/Switch: Since routers have limited device support, a smart hub or switch can accommodate hundreds of devices simultaneously and connects to the router as a secondary point of contact.
- Nodes: Nodes are additional devices placed throughout the home to extend the network’s reach, ensuring WiFi access in every corner of the house.
In some cases, the hub or switch may not be necessary if the nodes come with advanced features that allow them to directly connect with other smart devices.
Best Mesh WiFi Devices to Consider
You can either build the system yourself by purchasing a router and nodes separately, or opt for pre-packaged Mesh WiFi systems. Here are some of the best options:
- Asus ZenWiFi AX: This device is easy to install and offers great performance, especially since it comes from Asus. It supports various features such as USB device connections, multi-gig LAN ports, and high performance for multiple devices. It’s available for $539 on Amazon.
- Netgear Orbi RBKE963: Netgear devices are known for their expertise in networking. This system supports 6Hz frequency, is easy to set up, and offers strong multi-device support. Although it’s a bit pricey at $2329, it’s a powerful option for smart homes and can be found on Amazon.
- TP-Link Deco W7200: TP-Link, a well-known name in networking, offers this Mesh system with excellent WiFi performance. It comes with an internal security system called HomeShield Security System. It’s available for $470 on Amazon.
Using any of these integrated devices will provide fast, reliable connectivity for all devices in your home. Connecting your smart home devices through the recommended Mesh WiFi will enhance their performance and responsiveness to commands across the local network.