Need assistance with mesh system decisions? Let me help.
Need assistance with mesh system decisions? Let me help.
I'm searching for a suitable network setup for your mother's house. Right now I use a TP-Link Powerlan, which sometimes causes connectivity issues and isn't very reliable when switching networks inside the home. The house spans four floors (including the basement) but each floor has limited space. The main cellar entrance handles DSL, while I've set up a Cat5e connection reaching the top floor. My original idea was to place the ISP router in the basement, add a mesh base station on the upper floor, and one repeater on the first and ground floors. Placing the base station underground could be problematic due to thick ceilings and floors. I need at least two Ethernet connections per floor, but only the top floor requires more bandwidth for my brother's PC. I'm considering the TP-Link M4 or P9 (3-Pack), though the latter seems less stable and more expensive. Switching to an AVM Fritzbox router and a Fritz mesh repeater would be costly, and if the ISP fails, they won't assist if the main router isn't connected. What alternatives would you suggest without overspending? Any other ideas for a better solution? Thank you in advance.
I own the Deco X20 3 pack and it performs excellently. It operates exclusively in Access Point mode, requiring a separate router. All three units are linked via cat5e cabling as the backend network. I place one on each level—basement, main floor, and upper floor. Their documentation indicates they supported backend Ethernet networks, and during testing they switched to Wi-Fi when the cat5e connection was cut. The app visualizes their connections, letting you check whether they’re using Ethernet or Wi-Fi for range extension (which was interesting). I think these models are newer than the M4/M9, so if available, I’d recommend the X20 for better performance. Considering price and capabilities, I’m very satisfied with the purchase. The X60 or X90 seemed too expensive for the benefits received. I don’t need dual+gbit Wi-Fi; 1.2Gb/5GHz is sufficient for my needs. Note: Adding a fourth AP like the X20, X60, or X90 could be useful if you want higher speeds on a specific floor.
If you're seeking something straightforward, the Eero is a great choice. I've had it set up at my parents' home and it performs well for their requirements. The older model I own works nicely because I can simply plug in the extender without needing a desk mount. The newer versions offer access point functionality and Ethernet cable support, but since I haven't personally used them, I can't confirm the quality of the connection. If you're looking to cut costs, consider checking local used stores for similar products.