Typically, I advise my friends and anyone who will listen to save money and invest in a good router of their own: even if you don’t know anything about Wi-Fi or routers, buying your own equipment instead of renting from your ISP is an easy way to improve overall network reliability, save money over time, and have more control over your data privacy.

While a traditional router can get you online just fine, a mesh Wi-Fi system offers blanket, whole-home coverage that your Wi-Fi will struggle to attain on its own. Of course, the most straightforward way to boost coverage in your home is to use an Ethernet connection where it makes sense, but mesh routers are a much easier and straightforward way to eliminate dead spots and take full advantage of the internet speeds you’re paying for. When it comes to routers, I’d choose a mesh router every time.

Better home coverage

Dead zones beware

Dead spots are inevitable if you’re connecting to the internet wirelessly, and you can get them even if you live in a smaller space. Unlike Wi-Fi extenders, which simply rebroadcast your router’s Wi-Fi signal as a secondary network and must be placed relatively close to your router, mesh nodes create a seamless Wi-Fi network. While a Wi-Fi extender may be a more affordable solution for boosting coverage in a single room, your devices will have to switch between networks, and you’ll likely still have dead spots in other areas of the house. Mesh systems, on the other hand, can be more expensive upfront, but they become more cost-effective when expanded. Additionally, Wi-Fi extenders can’t increase the speeds they’re repeating from your router and often offer slightly slower speeds.

A mesh system uses the same SSID as your main router, allowing your devices to switch between access points seamlessly and provide coverage in areas otherwise blocked by walls or other barriers. Most mesh systems support dual-band or tri-band steering, allowing you to easily switch bands and position nodes around the house for maximum coverage.

Easy to install

Installing your internet equipment shouldn't take more than a few minutes of your life

Mesh networks are typically controlled via mobile apps, making it easy to configure and install nodes from your phone, no expertise required.

That said, to set up a mesh network, you’ll need to connect your main router node to a modem using a LAN cable. Typically, the app on your phone will guide you through the rest of the setup — and it tends to make it as foolproof as possible. Set up a few nodes around the house (don’t go overboard, though; you can do more harm than good by setting up more nodes than you need), and you’ll create a broad network of Wi-Fi coverage that you can monitor from your phone.

Makes backhauling easier

Because Wi-Fi is incredibly fallible

Some newer Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7 mesh systems feature a dedicated backhaul Wi-Fi band, ensuring that your devices won’t compete with each other for network bandwidth and maintain a smooth network operation, even in the face of potential interference.

Plus, you can easily use a wired backhaul with your mesh nodes without compromising network performance. Even a mesh Wi-Fi system isn’t as fast as an Ethernet connection, and whether you’re trying to ensure ultra-low latency at your gaming rig or build an efficient smart home, you’ll need some wired backhaul.

Mesh routers have LAN ports that make it easy to set up an Ethernet backhaul, which I highly recommend doing to get the most out of your internet connection. Just be aware that you may encounter physical limitations when running Ethernet cables throughout your home.

Scalable to your needs

Mesh systems are easy to expand (or shrink)

Mesh networks make it easier to adjust your Wi-Fi network over time, as you move into different spaces or add devices. There’s no need to invest in a different router or add Wi-Fi extensions; if you have a mesh network in place, it’s as simple as adding another node to your network.

Additionally, thanks to EasyMesh certifications, if your mesh node is EasyMesh certified, it can work together with other EasyMesh-certified nodes regardless of brand, making it easy to replace modes if you decide to experiment with different products down the line. Our bandwidth needs may change over time, and a mesh network is scalable enough to expand (and shrink) to keep up with those needs.

Future-proofed

Future you doesn't want slow internet

Let’s face it: everything is increasingly online these days, and whether you’re collecting PCs, servers, gaming, or building a smart home, you’ll need a failsafe internet network to keep everything operating smoothly. A mesh system is the easiest way to ensure all your devices stay connected to the internet with minimal interruption.

If you figure out how to wire some of those devices with an Ethernet backhaul, you can get online with minimal interference or lag. After all, the best internet plan is one you never notice. If you’d like to take full advantage of your 1-gig or multi-gig plans, a mesh system (with a wired backhaul) is the way to go.

Invest in the internet equipment that makes sense for you.

A mesh system works well enough that you don’t have to be tech-savvy to set it up and reap the benefits, but it’s also scalable and adjustable for those who’d like to customize their internet system to fit their needs. Still, there are plenty of high-functioning routers available that offer excellent coverage, speed, and reliability.

When it comes to spending money on technology and equipment, I tend to be fairly frugal and cautious about what I’m buying. That said, I would easily choose a mesh system over a traditional router every time. As my internet demands and my smart device arsenal grow, so does my need for reliable coverage—and a mesh system can deliver that time and time again.