WiFi Mesh vs Extender: Which One is Better?
The mesh system and extenders both use to expand the WiFi signal in your apartment. But both have different setup and hardware requirements. Mesh system contains a router, satellite, connected through the Ethernet cable, and you have to supply power to the router by power cord.
But on the other hand, WiFi repeaters are networking devices that are small in size, connected to the routers and you don’t need any power cord to supply power to it. You just have to plug the repeater to the wall socket. There are more differences in between the mesh systems and WiFi repeater.
Here we will discuss all the differences between both the networking devices. Let’s start this WiFI Mesh vs extender related blog.
WiFi Mesh vs Extender
We make each section separate according to the mesh and extender differentiation below. First, you will see the definition and working of both the networking devices and then we provide a WiFi mesh vs extender section to satisfy you which one is better.
What is WiFi Extender?
The extender use to extend the router’s limited WiFi signal range. With the help of the extender, you can use the internet services in your computer, laptop, or phone in any corner of your house. The setup is easy and simple of the extender. You just have to connect it with your router with the help of the Ethernet and turn it one by plugging it into a wall socket.
The extender’s also provides user a web interface utility, which helps them to configure its settings and networks. Take the Wireless-N extender as an example; you can use the web interface of Wireless-N to complete the Wireless-N WiFi repeater Setup. You can also activate various features from the Interface utility.
Usually, the extenders have different modes that include repeat mode, access point mode. There are different brands that distributes WiFi repeater. Some of them are; Linksys, Netgear, Wireless-N, and more others.
What is WiFi Mesh System?
On the other hand, WiFi mesh system can be two different things; first is only a WiFi router or gateway that supports mesh networking, second is, one unit of mesh system that contains two or more serving as primary access points or routers.
A standalone mesh WiFi router allows you to pair multiple routers together to create a home WiFi mesh network. TP-link archer, Synology RT2600ac are couple of the examples of standalone mesh WiFi routers.
Mesh system which contains 3 or 2 pack router units are designed to make a mesh network in your home. One of the units in these models works as the router by connecting to the modem and other ones works to expand the signals strength throughout your house. The main unit is called the primary router and other ones called the child nodes in the mesh network. Google nest WiFi is an example of the mesh WiFi system.
So, these are the definitions of WiFi extender and mesh system. Now, look over the comparison between the WiFI mesh and WiFi repeater.
WiFi Mesh vs Extender
Mesh System
- Mesh system has includes 3 or more units.
- Mesh routers connected to the modems through the Ethernet cable.
- Powers by a power cord or adaptor.
- It is not compactable, so you can’t take it anywhere with you.
- One unit of the mesh act as WiFi and other works as child nodes that help to expand area of signals.
WiFi Extender
- The WiFi extender is a single and small in size unit.
- It is connected to the routers through Ethernet cable.
- You can plug the extender into a wall socket.
- It is compactable; you can take it with you anywhere you want.
- Extender just use to extend the network, which comer from the WiFi router.
Final Thoughts
Above in the paragraphs which are filled with the information, we have discussed which one is better; WiFi mesh systems or extenders. The blog contained different sections that included what are extender, WiFi mesh system, and WiFi mesh vs extender. We also share some of the examples of different WiFi extender and mesh router model. We hope that you have found out which one is better.