Standalone Router vs. a Mesh System Single Node

[drrich2]

For a couple of reasons I've been digging into home networking options lately, and ran across some info. on routers. In a nutshell, if you happen to have a standalone router that's got an add-on de facto mesh support option, you can buy an additional piece of gear (e.g.: another router) and connect them (ideally by ethernet cable) and sort of craft a DIY mesh network after-the-fact, even though your router wasn't really intended to be a mesh node.

The example I ran across involved TP-Link, very well explained by this helpful article by Dong Ngo at Dong Knows Tech. - EasyMesh Explained (vs. OneMesh): Untangling TP-Link’s Confusing DIY Wi-Fi Systems From what I understand, TP-Link offered a OneMesh system for their stand-alone Archer router series. Then the Wi-Fi Alliance put out an EasyMesh open standard, which was mainly adopted by TP-Link to replace OneMesh (Netgear used it a bit in product not meant for standalone function, and efforts to combine TP-Link and Netgear equipment in an EasyLink mesh network didn't work). Ngo points out EasyMesh isn't something a person would choose in advance if they knew they were going to need a mesh network; rather they'd buy a dedicated mesh product up front. It's more of a way to make use of old equipment and/or add-on when you discover a dead spot in your home, I guess?

I don't know if there is anything analogous to that for Eero, ASUS or Netgear.

I hear of Ubiquiti offering equipment to which one can connect wireless access points, which can add wireless capability to a network where your other equipment (e.g.: router) doesn't have that. I don't yet know if that's Ubiquiti's approach to mesh networking, or just one option. Networking is quite the rabbit hole to go down, trying to get an overview-level understanding.

All that is context for this question. Let's say you live in an apartment or single story home under 2,000 square feet where a single standalone router will probably give you good colerage. This is the scenario where most people just buy a standalone router (or use what their ISP provides). Such routers often look like big alien tarantula robots, quite an eyesore.

But...

Mesh routers often look like a white Mac Mini or cylinder, are often white, and basically blend in better with typical living room decor. And you often have the option to buy a single unit. It's made to be part of a mesh network, but you can just buy the one!

So my question...when a single stand-alone router will do fine, what are the pro.s and con.s of instead buying a single unit (from a mesh product like the Eero Pro) and using it as a stand-alone product? It looks nicer and if at some point you wish to 'go mesh,' it's much more straightforward to do. Yet people buy lots of standalone routers? Why is that? Or is a Ubiquiti Dream Router 7 with option to add access points compelling?

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

Mesh devices are essential just repeaters/access points. The further you go away from the main router, the reduced throughput is a real thing, unless hardwired obviously.

Troubleshooting is typically harder with a mesh unit and quality ones are very expensive compared to one router. Really just whatever suits you best so if one router doesn’t work then try to add another or go with mesh.

 

[drrich2]

Let's take some examples. Say a guy has a single story 2,000 square foot house and one WiFi router will probably handle his needs. So he looks at this:

Option 1: TP-Link BE9700 Wifi (Archer BE600) - roughly $250 list, on sale right now roughly 190. A standalone 'dead black tarantula lying on its back' looking router, WiFi 7, has a 10 Gbps WAN port, covers up to 2,600 square feet.

Option 2: TP-Link Tri-Band BE9300 WiFi 7 Router (Archer BE550) - roughly $250 list, on sale right now roughly $150. A standalone the doesn't look like a big black tarantula (more like an upright rectangular speaker - an aesthetic improvement). WiFi7, all ports are 2.5 Gbps, covers up to 2,000 square feet. So not all stand-alone have the 'spider look.'

Option 3: TP-Link - Deco 7 Pro BE11000 Tri-Band Wi-Fi 7 Whole Home Mesh Router System - Deco BE65 Pro (1-pack) - White. Lists roughly $250, on sale for roughly $170 right now at Best Buy online. Covers 3,000 square feet. All 2.5 Gbps ports (Edit Correction: has 2 5 Gbps ports!), and not as many of them as some 'spider routers.'

Option 4: Ubiquiti Dream Router 7. Lists around $294 on Amazon now; I don't see a sale there. Can stand alone, but you can add 'access points' which act like mesh nodes, from what I understand. A while cylinder; cute enough for the living room, so aesthetically a lot like competitor mesh units. Has a 10G SFP+ and a 2.5 GbE RJ45 WAN port (I like that; the former could be used for a fast NAS connection, though a transceiver to adapt the SFP+ port for an ethernet cable would add some cost. Covers 1,750 square feet.

I may not've chosen the most equivalent WiFi 7 routers that include 6 GHz band coverage, but a little quick online shopping suggests it's a reasonable opening list.

We're in Amazon Prime Days as I post this, so sale prices aren't all typical.

So, to rephrase my question from earlier, why do so many people buy the 'spider' looking Option 1.), when they could buy 3.) or 4.) (albeit less coverage) and get a nicer looking unit with a smoother option to expand into mesh like function if they ever need to?

 

[BigBlur]

I think the average person doesn't really know any better, and there's probably several factors involved.

• They may think more antennas = better signal. While that may be true, it's not going to be significantly better in a 2,000 square feet home.
• Perhaps they prefer the looks of a traditional one; it looks more techy.
• They may know they don't want or need mesh, so they go with a traditional router.
• Mesh routers are typically more expensive than traditional routers.
• Their router may be hidden out of sight, so they go with a cheaper traditional router since looks don't matter to them.

"Mesh" is more of a marketing buzzword. At the end of the day, it's just a network with multiple access points. The same could be done with traditional routers before "mesh" came along. Put a secondary router in bridge mode, connect it to the main router via Ethernet, set the SSID to be the same as the main router...and there you go, now you have two APs. Mesh routers just simplify that process.

Also, just an FYI in case you're considering the Dream Router 7... Ubiquiti doesn't sell on Amazon, and I don't think Amazon has ever sold their products themselves either. They will be sold by third parties. Ubiquiti sells it for $279 on their site. Black Friday is about the only time they have sales. I got my UDR7 for $230 last year.