• Technology

Battle of WiFi Boosters: The Difference Between WiFi Mesh and WiFi Extender

Sep 14, 2022 by

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by Gracey Maala

3 min read

AB_Battle of Internet Boosters_ The Difference Between WiFi Mesh and WiFi Extender

Dealing with dead spots at home is frustrating, especially now that we are heavily reliant on reliable Internet as we use it for work and leisure. Various factors affect this, such as the size or layout of the house and the equipment or the WiFi band you’re using. Unfortunately, a poor connection may also lead to poor productivity, so your network might be in need of a hardware upgrade to boost your WiFi coverage.

Which hardware upgrade is perfect for amplifying your connection at home?

Enter devices that extend a WiFi signal—collectively known as WiFi boosters. WiFi Mesh and WiFi repeaters are devices that improve a WiFi network’s connectivity. A WiFi repeater (also known as a WiFi range extender) is an accessory that can help expand your WiFi network when your primary router can’t cover your entire house. WiFi Mesh works pretty much the same as that, but how exactly are they different, and which one is better? Let’s find out.

What is WiFi Mesh ?

TP-Link Deco M5

From TP-Link Official Website

WiFi Mesh is perfect for larger homes to help eliminate dead zones for whole-home coverage. This system is simple to set up and offers easy central management. Rather than broadcasting WiFi signals from a single point, WiFi Mesh has multiple access points around your home that create one extensive and seamless network. Each hub, also known as a “node,” acts more like a separate router or range-extending satellite device rather than repeating the signal. Moreover, one node usually connects to your home router via Ethernet cable, while the rest of the nodes are placed around your home to where you need to extend your WiFi coverage.

TP-Link Mesh WiFi

From TP-Link Official Website

Other than a steady stream of WiFi, mesh systems also allow your device to experience higher speed and coverage at a stable rate. Nonetheless, since it requires several devices around the house, mesh networks tend to be much more expensive than extenders or repeaters.

What is a WiFi Extender?

TP-Link RE105 300Mbps Wi-Fi Range Extender

From TP-Link Official Website

WiFi range extenders are the more affordable option to fix dead zones in smaller spaces. A WiFi extender is one simple device that extends your WiFi signal by rebroadcasting it further into your home. The purpose of WiFi extenders, also known as WiFi “boosters” or “repeaters,” is the same: they increase the area covered by your WiFi signal.

TP-Link WiFi Range Extender

From TP-Link Official Website

The distinction between the two is that WiFi extenders are used to rebroadcast the WiFi signal from your home network. One of the major drawbacks, however, is that you have to manually switch over to the extender’s network since you’ll have two networks: your home router’s WiFi network and the extender’s WiFi network.

Which WiFi booster should you choose?

Go for WiFi Mesh if…

  • You live in a larger home and want to spread uninterrupted WiFi coverage throughout your home.
  • You want to remove all dead spots at home.
  • You move around at home and want to stay connected to your WiFi.
  • You are willing to spend more.

Go for a WiFi extender if…

  • You are looking for a simple solution to extend your home WiFi signal to a room or area.
  • You live in a smaller home.
  • You are looking for a more affordable option to WiFi mesh.

What’s the verdict?

WiFi repeaters are typically best in smaller homes for increasing the range of small networks. WiFi Mesh, on the other hand, is best suited for larger homes that require a high-performance network to spread coverage more evenly. The answer to which is better boils down to your home’s area, your budget, and your home network preferences.

TP-Link Deco M5

PLDT Home offers Fiber Plus Plans with a WiFi mesh system — a combination that will let you achieve that much-desired high-performing connection. What’s more, PLDT Home also has a variety of WiFi mesh systems for you to choose from. Head over to PLDT Home to learn more!

 

Know the Product Better

TP Link Deco M5

  • Wi-Fi 5
  • IEEE 802.11ac/n/a 5 GHz
  • IEEE 802.11n/b/g 2.4 GHz
  • WiFi Speeds:
    • AC 1300 Dual Band
    • 5 GHz: 867 Mbps (802.11ac)
    • 4 GHz: 400 Mbps (802.11n)
  • Processor: Qualcomm 717 MHz Quad-core CPU
  • Ports: 2x Gigabit Ethernet Ports (Can handle speed up to 1 Gbps)

TP Link Deco M4

  • Wi-Fi 5
  • IEEE 802.11ac/n/a 5 GHz
  • IEEE 802.11n/b/g 2.4 GHz
  • WiFi Speeds:
    • AC 1200 Dual Band
    • 5 GHz: 867 Mbps (802.11ac)
    • 4 GHz: 300 Mbps (802.11n)
  • Processor: Qualcomm CPU
  • Ports: 2x Gigabit Ethernet Ports (Can handle speed up to 1 Gbps)
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AUTHOR

Gracey Maala

Gracey is the lead content writer for Next Upgrade’s Technology and Gaming sections. She loves to explore and learn new stuff for work, while she enjoys telling stories, watching TV series, and bonding with her mom and dogs in her free time.

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