Mesh routers are a great way to save on your broadband bill, but they can be a little confusing to use. In this article, we’ll explain how mesh routers work and help you choose the best one for your needs. A mesh router is a type of router that uses multiple antennas to create a network. This network can be used to connect devices in your home or office, which means you can save on your broadband bill by using a mesh router instead of a single router. How Mesh Routers Work A mesh router works by creating a network of connected devices. This network can be used to connect devices in your home or office, which means you can save on your broadband bill by using a mesh router instead of a single router. To use a mesh router, first make sure that all the devices you want to connect are compatible with mesh networking. Most modern routers have support for mesh networking built-in, but if not check the manufacturer’s website or contact customer service for assistance. Once all the devices are compatible, configure each device according to its specific needs: For example, if you have an Xbox One and want to use it as part of your home network, configure the Xbox One accordingly. If you have two routers in your home and want them both to access the same internet connection through the Mesh Networking feature on either one of them (for example if one is acting as an access point), then both routers must be configured with the same SSID (network name) and password so they can communicate with each other. Finally, plug each device into an outlet and turn on the power! You’re ready to start networking! Now that we’ve explained how mesh routers work and what needs to be done before setting them up, let’s take a look at some popular models available on the market today: The Netgear Orbi is one popular model available ..
You might be surprised to find that you can, with ease even. Although they are usually sold as bundles—which certainly implies that the collection of mesh nodes you get in the box is intended to be used together—you don’t actually have to use all of them. In fact, you could simply plug in one of them and stop there or not purchase a bundle in the first place and pick up a single unit instead.
While both the marketing and very design of the product are centered around you using mesh nodes together, the base unit will always function independently as a stand-alone unit.
Sure, you need at least two nodes to make a mesh network, but as long as you have one node plugged into your modem, that single node will act exactly as if you had plugged in a traditional stand-alone router.
Because, after all, that’s what a mesh network system is: a node that functions as a router with all the associated functions like DHCP assignments, Quality of Service rules, and so on, and a set of additional nodes, linked by either a wireless or wired backhaul, that function as sophisticated and interlinked Wi-Fi extenders.
So for folks with small homes who want the features that many mesh network platforms offer—like polished smart apps, automatic updates, and easy-to-use parental controls—there’s no reason they can’t pick up, say, a single eero 6 or a Google Nest Wifi router to enjoy all those features.
And hey, better yet, should you find you need more coverage, or you move to a bigger home, you can skip buying a third-party Wi-Fi extender (and putting up with their shortcomings) and just buy another node for your mesh platform. That’s a much smoother upgrade path (with a healthy dose of future-proofing) than buying a similar price stand-alone router.
