Question Mesh or strong high-end router? Still using silly stock router/modem combo

[unknown00]

To begin with, i'm a techie, just don't know much about routers. I have gbit home connection but obviously not getting that speed around the house. Currently use the default modem/router combo (I know it sucks laugh at me) but it's been livable. I live in a ~3600sqft house and frankly not many dead spots.

I'm debating between a mesh router or just a super strong single individual router (like one of those beastly gaming Asus)

My priorities are 1. maximizing speed and 2. stable connections (I often get drop offs via mobile, computers are fine). Again not a lot of dead spots in my house. I don't mind spending ~$200 if it's good and can last years

 

[VirtualLarry]

You could buy that TP-Link $69.99 "AX" (wifi 6) router from Walmart and try that one out, it seems to be highly-rated on a budget. If that doesn't work, return it, and try out a Mesh system, like a Velop or something.

 

[razel]

I'd just try to improve what you already have. You don't have much dead spots, but regardless, if you can get your WiFi router off the ground and elevate it up above the home clutter. Treat it like a light where metal objects (appliances, mirrors) will reflect the signal and electronics (like TVs) will reflect and interfere.

2nd get areas where TVs and streaming devices are wired up. WiFi communicates like a walkie talkie and the router can only talk to devices one at a time. Yes, MIMO helps in that department, but realistically very few vendors get that algorithm right. The fewer radios the better.

 

[aigomorla]

MESH and speed are is like water and oil.
Dedicated wire access points to keep signal strength at maxmium with hand off ability if your a speed demon.
200 dollars will not be enough if you want speed.... 3600 sqft house i would asssume at least 3-4 ap's wired and each of those ap's can cost 150-200 each. And thats not including a switch or a controller... in short, you want speed, you have to pay for it... but lucky for you, speed is also quality in the tech world, so getting good equipment can last a while.

Also the installation level is not "techie" but more network specialist level as you will probably go down a deep hole called ubiquiti that most of us fell in and cant get out, because their stuff is just that good.

 

[EXCellR8]

I both love and hate Ubiquiti appliances/UAP... but I do agree, aim for either speed or coverage.

 

[Harry_Wild]

To begin with, i'm a techie, just don't know much about routers. I have gbit home connection but obviously not getting that speed around the house. Currently use the default modem/router combo (I know it sucks laugh at me) but it's been livable. I live in a ~3600sqft house and frankly not many dead spots.

I'm debating between a mesh router or just a super strong single individual router (like one of those beastly gaming Asus)

My priorities are 1. maximizing speed and 2. stable connections (I often get drop offs via mobile, computers are fine). Again not a lot of dead spots in my house. I don't mind spending ~$200 if it's good and can last years

Mesh. Watch all these YouTube! videos that all ready test this dilemma out! They test it against even the Netgear’s Nighthawk AX11000 router with 12 streams!