Mesh Wi-Fi networks have been all the rage ever since Eero introduced its first router system last February. These Wi-Fi systems are designed for large houses or offices that would typically need to be served by multiple routers or Wi-Fi range extenders. Simply put, they use multiple "nodes" that can communicate with each other, saving you the hassle of running wires or setting up and maintaining multiple devices, while ensuring a seamless end-user experience when you move from one part of the building to another.
Another important distinction with mesh networks is that all nodes powering the network can talk to each other directly, which means you can extend your network in any direction. Rather than a "hub and spoke" model in which every satellite needs to be within the range of the "main" router, you can daisy-chain nodes to each other. This is especially helpful if you need to cover large areas indoors and outdoors or deal with walls and floors that typically block Wi-Fi signals. Of course, you still need to have a base unit that will have your Internet line connected to it so you can connect to the outside world.
If your Internet connection is in one corner of the house and you don’t get the Wi-Fi signal at the other end, mesh networks can potentially solve this problem. They are also great for seamlessly extending your network in the future – just add a node to serve an extra floor or the patio that you just added, and you are good to go.
Today, we’ll be taking a closer look at the Netgear Orbi, which is the company’s answer to mesh routers like Eero and Google Wifi[1]. Interestingly, this product wouldn't have been considered a pure mesh...