Tips for setting up a new home WiFi network
Tips for setting up a new home WiFi network
Hey everyone! I’m getting ready to move into my first home I actually own and I’m planning a strong WiFi setup. The place isn’t huge, but it has several rooms and I think one router wouldn’t be enough. With a 1Gbps connection in Europe—cheap and reliable—I want to make the most of the bandwidth. We’ll have phones, tablets, laptops, workbooks, a DLNA TV player, PCs, a TV, and a PS4. There’s also smart home gear like cameras, smart lights, and outlets. A lot of devices will be online, especially since we’re adding UTP cables later for gaming stations. Right now my TP-Link Archer C1200 works fine, but a few months ago the LAN ports stopped functioning and the WiFi slowed down. The signal is weak in the kitchen too, so I won’t judge the router. I’m considering a mesh network because I need consistent coverage across rooms without losing connection while working. In short: I need a dependable router or mesh system that can handle many devices and streaming to TV. It would be tricky to switch smoothly between APs so my internet stays fast during tasks. What do you think? Thanks in advance! P.S.: Checking my notebook says it doesn’t support 802.11 k/v, which means mesh might not work for me after all. Right? P.S2: According to the specs, my Thinkpad should have Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201, which should handle roaming. But the netsh command didn’t list k/v—maybe it’s not compatible.
I could be a bit biased, but tp-link has always been reliable. The Deco X75 seems stylish and budget-friendly too.
I own two Linksys Velop AX4200 routers that cover a large two-story home with five rooms. They’re clearly the top router I’ve ever used. https://www.linksys.com/tri-band-ax4200-...X4200.html The companion app looks impressive, features a modern design, and delivers excellent performance. I haven’t experienced any network issues with these units, even when using wireless backhaul. The capabilities are extensive, and they work well with other Velop models—supporting mesh Wifi 5 and Wifi 6 nodes. The build quality is solid. The price is a bit higher, but it’s definitely justified. If you browse online, you’ll likely find discounts on buying two together.
Thanks for the feedback from @ZetZet and @DrMacintosh. Both suggestions look promising. Since your TP-Link router might have issues, consider prioritizing WiFi 6 for better performance. A standard 5GHz router works fine, but WiFi 6 offers higher speeds (1.2Gbps vs. 867Mbps). For smart home devices, definitely opt for WiFi 6 to ensure smoother connectivity.
Wi-Fi 6 brings a major upgrade. Its key advantage is handling several devices simultaneously. For IoT gadgets, it includes timed check-ins so smart lights and Alexa stay connected without overwhelming the network. You’ll need devices that support Wi-Fi 6 to get the most benefit. I’d strongly consider using Wi-Fi 6 if you can.
It seems you're frustrated about not finding WiFi 6 at the first search result. Thanks for sharing your thoughts—I'll look into a better option this time!
Mesh isn't necessary for smooth roaming. I can move between areas of my big venues using a mix of Ubiquiti APs without a mesh, and I can download large files while switching between three different APs without interrupting the download. Focus your Wi-Fi network on the devices with the highest usage. Several APs are better than one single router with built-in Wi-Fi.