I am looking for a wifi mesh system to improve the coverage in my home. I looked around and found a cheap solution with decent reviews, the Halo 50G by Mercusys (TP Link). I am not a fan of super cheap, super easy to use “magical” solutions, and within minutes of connecting just the access point I was seeing calls to the likes of google, facebook, amazon, etc in my network coming from the device. Not ideal.
I also found that Ubiquiti and Netgear may be the best options out there, but the prices I found are north of 600€ and I can not afford to pay that much right now.
So, my question is: Is there any wifi mesh system that is not using my network against me and does not empty my wallet? I am based in Europe and would like something under 200€ if possible, and ready to buy from the shelf.
Thank you for reading and for any recommendation.
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If you are willing to do your homework:
https://openwrt.org/docs/guide-user/network/wifi/mesh/startThis is what I did. Flashed OpenWRT on all devices and enabled the 802.11r stuff. My “mesh” is just multiple APs connected by ethernet and fast BSSID handover.
802.11s is a mesh where it’s all done over Wifi. 802.11r uses ethernet for comms between APs.
I considered OpenWRT at first, but right now I do not have the time, or the will, to start learning about the project. It sure looks like something I will probably do in the future, but as of now I just need a commercially available solution.
GL. Inet is a commercial product running OpenWRT in the background
considered OpenWRT […] now I just need a commercially available solution.
FWIW you can buy OpenWRT based hardware, no tinkering, e.g. https://www.turris.com/en/products/omnia/
Maybe https://www.gl-inet.com/
As I understand their stuff runs a custom OpenWRT, so you can use them as-is, or if you want vanilla OpenWRT it’s very easy to flash them.
As far as Mesh goes I’m not sure how they would do, for mesh to perform well you need a system that has dedicated mesh radios in the 5/6ghz bands, and only the more expensive mesh systems typically have that.
I ditched Netgear due to poor performance and went with Ubiquiti. I’m fortunate that I could afford to buy a console for management but if you’re willing to self-host then there is no cost there. You could then get several APs (they have some as low as $99) and you’re all set.
FYI all ubiquity aps I ever bought broke within 5 years. Ymml
I’m also looking for a good WiFi mesh, preferably one that can be used with IoT devices (aka. Even without an internet connection).
I tried TP-Link Deca, but the mesh refuses LAN communication if the router doesn’t have a constant and stable connection to the internet - A feature I previously believed to be given - making it unusable for IoT and for providing WiFi at remote locations.
I tried TP-Link Deca, but the mesh refuses LAN communication if the router doesn’t have a constant and stable connection to the internet
that’s ridiculous
Yeah, I even wrote TP-Link an E-mail about this, but they wrote back that that was just how the device worked, that they could not recommend any of their mesh solutions which could provide a stable WiFi connection even without internet, and that they obviously couldn’t recommend any devices from competitors.
My image of TP-Link might have taken a hit as result as I believed this to be a fundamental and implied feature.
If you can handle steep learning curve with less proven stability, Mikrotik.
You can just setup an extender where you need it. That is what I have. No real need for mesh unless your place is really big.
It is probably Chinese junk, but I’m using a set of cudy m3000 WiFi6 mesh devices that run openwrt. Could be worth looking into. They are about as cheap as I’ve seen. There should be WiFi7 versions out nowish /soon.
It might be helpful to specify your network needs. The system you linked is a WiFi 5 system. That’s 10+ year old technology.
What kind of speeds are you looking for? Will your access points be wired or wireless?
The system you linked is a WiFi 5 system. That’s 10+ year old technology.
I feel old… First adopted in 2013
My wifi 5 APs from unity get 450-500mbps. The wifi 6 APs get between 300 and 600. Only the expensive 7 pro max get noticeably more, 2.3Gbps, but the wifi 5 is more than enough for 95% of people out there.
Interesting. When I upgraded from WiFi 5 to WiFi 6 it was a significant upgrade but there are a ton of other factors that play into what actual speeds a user may get.
I was more just interested in getting more details about OPs needs as OP basically only provided a budget, which makes it a bit difficult to give advice.
Do you have requirements for the WiFi Standard?
Do you want to build up a new system or adding to your current setup?
For the price point you could look into the AVM Fritz Ecosystem. Their Mesh solution is quite hassle free and for 200€ you could get WiFi 5 capable devices on the used market.
Not sure how well they work with other brands, so you might want to invest in a FritzBox and FritzRepeater (should be in the budget used).
Anything above WiFi 5 could be out of your price range, especially new.
Ubiquity APs with WiFi 5 could be in your budget, even new. Look into the AP HD. You will need a controller installation though, weither on your desktop or on a NAS, Server. You do NOT need to buy an appliance from them for management. They do not make it clear on their website.
Does it have to be new? I can consistently find used ac lites from unifi on Kleinanzeigen.de for 50€, I got two of those and later a 6 lite for another 50€, that’s half my network. They are old and out of warranty, but use very low power and have really decent speeds (~500mbps).
