The Eeros blend in on a table or shelf, though the compact design leaves no room for any ports. It’s an elegant system, available as three identical routers or (a bit cheaper) as a main router and two small nodes. It didn’t recognize many devices and listed obscure hardware manufacturer names, making it tough to figure out which devices to add to my kid’s profiles.Īmazon’s Eero 6 mesh system is one of the easiest to set up, offers fairly wide coverage, and delivers stable connectivity. However, it’s a little slow to update, and settings are still limited. The web interface is basic and doesn’t add much, so I preferred using the easy-to-use app. This mode ensures all your gadgets are on a compatible standard. Only a few devices work with the newer WPA3 standard, and some routers force you to choose one or the other, which can lead to issues. Similarly, there's a mixed mode for WPA2 and WPA3 security. This is handy, as some smart home devices only operate on the former band. Importantly, you can split 2.4-GHz and 5-GHz bands to show as two separate Wi-Fi networks.
The Quality of Service feature lets you prioritize activities like gaming or streaming or set priority devices. It’s a breeze to set up profiles with time limits and scheduled bedtimes, there are basic filters by age, and you can review activity on both the app and website. TP-Link’s HomeCare is free, and it enables the antivirus protection powered by Trend Micro and robust parental controls.
The app is straightforward, and it’s easy to set up a guest network. There are two gigabit Ethernet ports on each.Ĭoverage and speeds are OK, falling well short of the Asus XT8 but beating the Eero 6 (below). The three routers are quite small and sport a cylinder design that blends in well. I tested the AX1800 three-pack, and it was very easy to set 'em all up. This affordable package folds in parental controls and antivirus protection while delivering decent coverage and performance, making it ideal for an average family home.
BEST CABLE MODEM AND ROUTER COMBO HOW TO
If you don't want to switch to a new system, we also have advice on how to upgrade your existing Wi-Fi and, as always, ways to secure it and protect your home network. Our guide on how to choose a router will help you answer that question and figure out what features you need. Whether you want to fix a dead spot, deliver a stronger signal into the back bedroom, or have great Wi-Fi in the backyard, a mesh system could be the answer.īefore you dive into our line-up, it’s a good idea to consider whether a mesh system is right for you. By placing a second or third node, you can extend Wi-Fi coverage where you need it.
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Most of us are stuck with placing a router in a less than optimal spot, depending on where the internet connection comes into the home. Your devices will connect to the nearest option automatically to get the best speeds. Instead of a single router to wash your home in Wi-Fi connectivity, a mesh system combines the main router with one or more nodes that appear as a unified Wi-Fi network. Mesh routers promise dependable Wi-Fi throughout your home, and most of them follow through, so it's not surprising to see them growing popular.
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