Router Inquiries/Choices (WiFi 6, coverage, mesh network)
Router Inquiries/Choices (WiFi 6, coverage, mesh network)
Hello everyone, I’m trying to figure out whether investing in Wi-Fi 6 is worth it or if a mesh network would suffice. I’ll share my current setup so you can understand better. My main goal is to get a fresh router. Speed is important: I currently have fiber that promises up to 100 Mbps, but I’m willing to pay extra for 900 Mbps if needed. In our household of two, with my mom, we’re fine with 100 Mbps since we mostly stream and do light gaming on PS4 and PC. My old Wi-Fi N router gives 60-70 Mbps in my room, while the ISP’s router/modem (Wi-Fi 5) can handle the maximum, and a cable connection works too. We don’t hit the limits of Wi-Fi 5, but we might see improvements later. I have a compatible card for Wi-Fi 6/ax, so that’s not an issue.
Setup-wise, the ISP modem needs to stay in the garage because of installation requirements. Inside the house, Ethernet ports are scattered in corners, so one router won’t overload the signal throughout. The problem is that my garage Wi-Fi only reaches a weak 2 out of 4 bars and isn’t strong enough for the master bedroom or downstairs. My room router also struggles to reach the hallway but covers the living area better.
My house is decently sized with thick walls, and I expect it to handle multiple devices—6 at once, TVs, phones, tablets, a PC, and some smart gadgets. I need reliable gaming without lag, but I don’t necessarily want a router that prioritizes games unless I really get competitive. Occasionally I play with friends over, so traffic handling is important, though not for large gatherings.
Budget-wise, most routers fit within my means. I won’t splurge on unnecessary features just to save money, but I do want something better than the current setup. A Wi-Fi 6 mesh system seems a bit pricey compared to what’s available, while many Wi-Fi 5 mesh and basic 6 models work well.
I know Wi-Fi 6 doesn’t expand range much, so a solid mesh network is more appealing. I’d place the hub in my room for low latency and use a satellite in the living room. Considering my old router is nearly ten years old, should I plan to upgrade it later? It seems unlikely I’ll push tech boundaries this far, but it’s worth thinking about.
My old router was affordable even back then—around 70% speed if it reaches 85% of the house. Would a supposedly stronger Wi-Fi really cover more distance? Just a reminder of what I’m considering.
Lastly, I’m not in a rush to buy anything right now; I’ll wait for sales and keep an eye on options. Thanks for your thoughts!
Avoid purchasing any devices with WiFi 6 technology just yet, as it hasn't been officially approved. WiFi operates via a two-stage system. The WiFi Alliance—representing a group of wireless manufacturers—compiles desired features and proposes implementation methods. They then formally "certify" the standard, ensuring the core set of capabilities remains consistent. At this stage, the IEEE (a coalition of engineers, academics, and government officials, including many former industry players) defines precise technical specifications for how these features function, from high-level communication to detailed timing and data handling. You can view their timeline here: http://www.ieee802.org/11/Reports/802.11_Timelines.htm. Following the 802.11ax (WiFi 6) path, the IEEE anticipates full completion by November 2020. Certain premium devices like the Ruckus R750 offer adaptable hardware that should eventually meet these standards, with vendors such as Aruba and Meraki likely to follow suit. For everyday users, current consumer chipsets remain largely unchanged at low-level operations. You might recall products labeled "Draft-N" or "Draft-AC"—these are essentially the same as the latest ratified version. I wouldn’t invest in them. In the long run, WiFi 6 promises better performance for home networks by letting devices manage sleep cycles and reconnects more efficiently, boosting both power savings and wireless throughput. It also enhances the 2.4GHz spectrum, which has seen minimal updates since WiFi 4/N even on AC Wave 2. However, these gains depend on clients supporting updated firmware. I currently have a gigabit connection and feel constrained by existing technology, but it’s sufficient for now. I’ll hold off until the standard is finalized and new chipsets are available. At that point, I plan to switch to Unifi APs, though this choice remains uncertain. For mesh networks, I suggest selecting systems with a dedicated radio for uplink—such as Netgear Orbi models featuring "Tri-Band" support. Otherwise, mesh connections using the same radio as 5GHz clients will suffer reduced speeds or increased latency due to interference. If you decide to upgrade now, opt for a Netgear Orbi unit confirmed with Tri-Band capability, or another mesh solution that clearly lists a dedicated uplink radio. If you wait until late 2020 or early 2021, consider adopting new WiFi 6 mesh systems once they’re available.
WiFi 6 is still being refined, meaning current purchases might lack some final enhancements. WiFi 6e is also under development, promising 6GHz networks for greater speed and smoother performance without the disruptions of DFS. I’d hold off a few years until fully compatible devices are available.
I also noticed that Wave 2 MU-MIMO in real-world scenarios appears to offer minimal gains. When both devices were operating at full capacity simultaneously, its performance matched what a single client would achieve independently. Although it was expected to improve things due to parallel processing, the results in practice suggested added complexity without meaningful benefit—sometimes even a slight slowdown. This isn’t about doubting other devices entirely; my setup showed solid stability. However, given its enterprise-class status versus decades of consumer hardware, I suspect any speed boost came more from reliability than actual throughput. Switching to Ubiquiti this time didn’t impress me. While it works, the support and updates seem slow, often taking years for firmware improvements after new releases. Their ecosystem is tightly controlled via Unifi Controller, which limits flexibility compared to hardware that can handle tasks independently. I also noticed their products tend to sacrifice quality for cost, evident in teardowns where components look subpar. My earlier nanoHD would have been a poor choice at launch due to missing features like DFS and higher channel bandwidth, making it less competitive against OpenWRT-based consumer units that could leverage those capabilities.
Thanks for the responses, they really helped clarify things. It makes me consider getting mesh systems now, assuming the triband/dual band works across all brands—not just Netgear. Since the Google Nests I see are marketed as dual band, I’m probably skipping them now. The fact that WiFi 6 is still a solid choice feels important to me. I was skeptical at first, thinking it was just marketing fluff, but the specs matter. On one side, if I stick with WiFi 6 for another decade, the final standard could become crucial. On the other hand, starting with WiFi 5 seems like a smart move because it’s significantly cheaper and could be upgraded to WiFi 6 later if needed. Given that WiFi 6 might still be evolving, waiting a few years before upgrading seems reasonable.
The current WiFi 6 devices may face compatibility challenges with future clients you buy in the next few years. It’s best to steer clear of this approach. I prefer stable, proven solutions over cutting-edge tech. I think it’s feasible to combine mesh units through Orbi, allowing you to use a WiFi 5 router now and upgrade to a WiFi 6 router later—improving performance for nearby clients. Still, I’m uncertain about this and lack experience with Orbi. The Google system doesn’t offer a dedicated uplink radio, unlike Eero Pro, which has one. I haven’t explored other brands since there’s no particular interest.
I've experienced excellent results with the Ubiquiti USG and UAP-AC-Pro. These devices can handle a substantial home independently. Since they're commercial-grade, they should remain reliable for a long time. I've also had great success using the TP-Link Switch. AP - https://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-Networks...174&sr=8-2 Switch - https://www.amazon.com/Ethernet-Splitter...ref=sr_1_5? crid=2BILNA7QXLHKJ&keywords=tp+link+switch&qid=1584581565&sprefix=tp+link%2Ccap%2C182&sr=8-5