Another Mesh WiFi Recommendation request

Forums › LAN (ethernet/Wifi/routers/Bluetooth) › Another Mesh WiFi Recommendation request

Paul1977

5171 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2192

#299148 15-Aug-2022 15:05

I haven't done much with mesh wifi, but I've got a friend who's moved into a multistory house and cabling wired APs just isn't a feasible option.

He's a gamer, so something that will reduce latency as much as possible is preferred. I was thinking something that had fast (and low latency) dedicated wifi backhaul and the ability to connect PC/consoles to the meshpoints via ethernet. Also want the ability to procure additional meshpoints individual if required.

Primary meshpoint/router will need to support vlan tagging on PPPoE as well as I don't want to thought an ISP sup[plied router into the mix if i can avoid it.

He doesn't might spending the money to get a good outcome.

Any advice appreciated.

michaelmurfy

meow
13579 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 10910

Moderator

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2954915 15-Aug-2022 15:40

What ISP is he with? Basically all ISP's have a mesh solution these days that perform well. Nothing beats however running a cable especially if gaming is involved.

Michael Murphy | https://murfy.nz
Referral Links: Quic Broadband (use R122101E7CV7Q for free setup)

Are you happy with what you get from Geekzone? Please consider supporting us by subscribing.
Opinions are my own and not the views of my employer.

Paul1977

5171 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2192

#2955012 15-Aug-2022 17:01

michaelmurfy:

What ISP is he with? Basically all ISP's have a mesh solution these days that perform well. Nothing beats however running a cable especially if gaming is involved.

Bundled with his power with Contact Energy, can't see anything on there website about mesh options.

I know cabled would be best, but not an option. I assumed cabled to a meshpoint with dedicated wifi backhaul to router would be better than the ISP supplied mesh setups?

MattEast

277 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 95

Trusted

#2955038 15-Aug-2022 18:56

We have a set of these and highly recommend them, we paid a lot more than what they are going for here as well.

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/NETNGR6852/NETGEAR-Orbi-RBK852-AX6000-Tri-band-WiFi-6-Mesh-Sy

Matt East

DjShadow

4222 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1322

ID Verified

Trusted

Subscriber

#2955039 15-Aug-2022 19:20

I've got the TP Link Deco X20 (2 units) which Vodafone provides from their Super Wifi promo, they work well but do note you lose speed when hooked to a satellite node unless you can hardwire it back somehow.

insane

3324 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1006

ID Verified

Trusted

2degrees

Subscriber

#2955054 15-Aug-2022 19:50

DjShadow:
I've got the TP Link Deco X20 (2 units) which Vodafone provides from their Super Wifi promo, they work well but do note you lose speed when hooked to a satellite node unless you can hardwire it back somehow.

I think the higher spec models for most brands now have dedicated channels just for backhaul to help reduce that drop-off.

But yup, just about any modern mesh option on the market is now good enough for most home use cases - Thankfully ISPs have caught on that Wifi is where the real connectivity battle ground is at - so options are aplenty.

Paul1977

5171 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2192

#2955250 16-Aug-2022 10:47

MattEast:

We have a set of these and highly recommend them, we paid a lot more than what they are going for here as well.

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/NETNGR6852/NETGEAR-Orbi-RBK852-AX6000-Tri-band-WiFi-6-Mesh-Sy

Was looking at those along with AmpliFi Alien. Was leaning towards the AmpliFi Alien as I'm more familiar with Ubiquiti products than Netgear. Pricing between the two is comparable.

HP

Shop now for HP laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

MattEast

277 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 95

Trusted

#2955271 16-Aug-2022 10:56

Paul1977:

MattEast:

We have a set of these and highly recommend them, we paid a lot more than what they are going for here as well.

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/NETNGR6852/NETGEAR-Orbi-RBK852-AX6000-Tri-band-WiFi-6-Mesh-Sy

Was looking at those along with AmpliFi Alien. Was leaning towards the AmpliFi Alien as I'm more familiar with Ubiquiti products than Netgear. Pricing between the two is comparable.

That is one fancy looking router, I like the realtime monitoring display. I think either would suit you, and it makes sense to go with the brand you are more familiar with.

Matt East

raytaylor

4076 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1296

Trusted

#2956159 18-Aug-2022 16:08

Avoid mesh. They always bite ya in the ass with problems or ongoing support.

If your not going to run a dedicated cable and second access point (or router that supports AP mode) then use a powerline kit such as the TP-Link TL-WPA8631P

I also recommend the older TL-WPA4220 Kit

Ray Taylor

There is no place like localhost

Spreadsheet for Comparing Electricity Plans Here

Dingbatt

6804 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3694

Lifetime subscriber

#2982930 15-Oct-2022 11:43

I’ll tag a question onto this thread rather than start a new one, if that’s okay?

At the moment I have my primary router (Netgear R9000) and have connected 2 older routers (D5400 + H659) via Ethernet cables as APs to provide wifi in other parts of the house. While the setup works, I have found that, due to infill housing around us, that the wifi channels have become very crowded. My Nest Hubs in particular don’t seem to like things crowded and combined with them not getting along well with Nighthawk routers, I’m looking to simplify things.

So I’m thinking of moving to a tri-band wifi 6 mesh system. Can you still connect the satellites to the main router by Ethernet cable (for speed and stability)? Or is that defeating the purpose of a mesh system? Is it better to just get a router and compatible APs?

The Netgear Orbi systems seem expensive compared to some other offerings. Is that expense justified? I’d rather do this once and do it right.

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996

allan

2073 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 899

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#2982946 15-Oct-2022 12:15

Dingbatt:

I’ll tag a question onto this thread rather than start a new one, if that’s okay?

At the moment I have my primary router (Netgear R9000) and have connected 2 older routers (D5400 + H659) via Ethernet cables as APs to provide wifi in other parts of the house. While the setup works, I have found that, due to infill housing around us, that the wifi channels have become very crowded. My Nest Hubs in particular don’t seem to like things crowded and combined with them not getting along well with Nighthawk routers, I’m looking to simplify things.

So I’m thinking of moving to a tri-band wifi 6 mesh system. Can you still connect the satellites to the main router by Ethernet cable (for speed and stability)? Or is that defeating the purpose of a mesh system? Is it better to just get a router and compatible APs?

The Netgear Orbi systems seem expensive compared to some other offerings. Is that expense justified? I’d rather do this once and do it right.

I've been using an Orbi RBK50 setup for quite a number of years now (not Wi-Fi 6 of course) and since switching to fibre several years ago, eliminated my ISP's router and am just using the Orbi to connect on a 300/100 plan. My Orbi setup covers a two story house with the main unit upstairs and the satellite downstairs. One thing that initially swung me in its favour was the fact that it had a dedicated 5GHz backhaul channel. I'd have to say the Wi-Fi setup hasn't missed beat for us and I've been very happy with it.

I note there is a For Sale listing currently here https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=77&topicid=301912 for an RBK53 system, which I believe is the same as my RBK50 except that it comes with two satellite units. Price seems very reasonable if you want to try something out before committing to a Wi-Fi 6 option.

PJ48

302 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 106

Lifetime subscriber

#2982952 15-Oct-2022 13:08

Dingbatt:

I’ll tag a question onto this thread rather than start a new one, if that’s okay?

At the moment I have my primary router (Netgear R9000) and have connected 2 older routers (D5400 + H659) via Ethernet cables as APs to provide wifi in other parts of the house. While the setup works, I have found that, due to infill housing around us, that the wifi channels have become very crowded. My Nest Hubs in particular don’t seem to like things crowded and combined with them not getting along well with Nighthawk routers, I’m looking to simplify things.

So I’m thinking of moving to a tri-band wifi 6 mesh system. Can you still connect the satellites to the main router by Ethernet cable (for speed and stability)? Or is that defeating the purpose of a mesh system? Is it better to just get a router and compatible APs?

The Netgear Orbi systems seem expensive compared to some other offerings. Is that expense justified? I’d rather do this once and do it right.

If you have an existing ethernet backbone, then there is absolutely no point in paying for a massively expensive Wifi 6 MESH system. Use your ISP issued router (most of the main ISPs will route gigabit really well), turn off the wifi and connect 2 or 3 dedicated Wifi 6 APs. I would suggest Unifi U6-lite. These will outperform any of the MESH systems.

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/NAPUBI611500/Ubiquiti-UniFi-U6-Lite-Dual-Band-AX1500-Indoor-Wi

HP

Shop now for HP laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

RunningMan

9184 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 4834

#2982957 15-Oct-2022 13:42

PJ48:[snip]

If you have an existing ethernet backbone, then there is absolutely no point in paying for a massively expensive Wifi 6 MESH system. Use your ISP issued router (most of the main ISPs will route gigabit really well), turn off the wifi and connect 2 or 3 dedicated Wifi 6 APs.

This is the best approach to take. Only difference I would suggest is consider Grandstream GWN7660 APs, not Unifi. Slightly cheaper, integrated controller rather than additional, and none of the buggy controller issues that Unifi seem to have had recently.