“Mesh Router vs Traditional Router: Which one is the best for your home or office?”

Wireless Router Mesh systems and traditional WiFi routers (or modem router combos) are both popular options when it comes to setting up a home or office network, but they have some key differences.

A Wireless Mesh system offers several benefits over traditional routers or those with ISP provided modems with routers built-in. One of the biggest benefits is the coverage. Mesh systems consist of multiple “nodes” or satellite units that work together to create a single, seamless network. This allows for a wider coverage area and eliminates dead zones, a common problem with traditional routers. This makes Mesh systems ideal for larger homes or buildings with multiple levels or walls that can interfere with wireless signals.

An simple example of a Mesh network you’ve likely connected to are networks in schools, universities, hospitals, libraries, and even large office buildings. Think of how your cell phone works, hopping between your providers network (such as AT&T or Verizon) without your call dropping as drive up the highway. You only have to connect to one network, with one password, and can move freely as long as there is signal from a nearby node or satellite unit. Gone are the days of setting up network extenders, which were advertised as ways to kill dead spots, while leaving out the fact that you’re often setting up a seperate network. Extenders usually required setting up a separate SSID (network name) to avoid connectivity issues with the main router. You would also need to connect to the separate extender from your WiFi settings to reconnect once you’re out of range of your main router. You’d also lose about half your main routers bandwidth, leading to slower file transfer speeds, and some buffering if you have a lot of wireless devices connected at once.

Another advantage of Mesh systems is that they can handle more devices and more bandwidth-intensive activities; such as gaming and streaming on multiple devices. Because there are multiple nodes working together, each node can handle a smaller number of devices and activities, making it less likely for the network to become overwhelmed and slow down. This is especially useful for households with many streaming devices, next generation gaming consoles with cloud gaming, or for businesses that need to support multiple employees working from home or remotely.

On the other hand, traditional WiFi routers or modem router combos are less expensive and easier to set up. You often only need to plug them in, and manufacturers have even gone the extra step of giving you a password out of the box. They are also a good option for smaller homes or apartments where a single router can cover the entire space, with no dead spots. They are also more suitable for people with less demanding needs, in terms of number of devices and bandwidth-intensive activities. While these are often plug and plug, they do often lack the convenience and speed of companion mesh system apps. This has made Mesh network setups quick, only requiring you to create a network name or password. If you’re replacing your traditional router, you can even name the WiFi network the same name and use the same password. This allows your existing devices to reconnect, often only requiring a power cycle (unplug from power or turn off/on); avoiding the need to reconfigure the entire devices on your network.

A traditional router or modem router combo also has a more limited feature set compared to a mesh system, and may not be able to handle as many devices or support as many features. Let’s also demystify “modem/router combos” when discussing router options. Your ISP likely offers the option to have a modem with a router built in. This means it acts as the modem to receive the signal & provide internet service, with the added functionality of a basic wireless router to provide WiFi to your home or office. These are usually offered at a monthly fee, with many ISPs offering them free of charge. The downside, is they are often older generation WiFi routers (WiFi 5 or earlier) and can’t be expanded to cover more range without the use of an Extender; which has it’s own limitations.

To sum up, Wireless Router Mesh systems are the perfect solution for those who need a wider coverage area, better handling of multiple devices and bandwidth-intensive activities (such as gamers or content creators) and are better suited for larger homes or buildings and for businesses with multiple employees working from home or remotely. While traditional wifi routers or modem router combos are more affordable, easy to set up, and a good option for smaller homes or apartments and for people with less demanding needs.

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