When you have a weak WiFi connection, it might be tough to browse social media, play online games, or view your favorite movies. Are you weary of having Wi-Fi dead spots or annoyingly poor internet speeds in specific parts of your home? Have you considered switching to a mesh Wi-Fi system but are unclear about the setup procedure?

We’ll help you set up your mesh Wi-Fi system so that you have seamless connectivity across your whole living space.

What Is Mesh WiFi?

Mesh WiFi is a type of wireless networking that integrates multiple access points, also known as nodes or units, to create a single, smooth Wi-Fi network. Mesh Wi-Fi networks use many nodes strategically placed across a building or residence to improve coverage and avoid dead spots.

Single-router configurations may not provide adequate coverage in houses or companies with many stories, thick walls, or complex layouts. This is why mesh Wi-Fi networks are ideal for these locations. They are a popular choice for current wireless networking configurations since they cover more ground, are more dependable, and can be expanded more simply than traditional routers or Wi-Fi extenders.

Mesh router systems are a breakthrough advancement in home networking technology. Mesh Wi-Fi systems use several interconnected nodes, or satellites, to form a single network. These nodes connect with one another, automatically routing data to guarantee that every part of your house has a strong and stable Wi-Fi signal.

Mesh WiFi is a dependable, scalable, and adaptable method for increasing wireless coverage and ensuring that everyone in your home or business can easily connect to it, even in difficult areas with thick walls, multiple floors, or large rooms, by spreading network traffic across multiple nodes and improving signal strength and coverage.

Mesh WiFi systems offer several advantages over traditional setups, including:

• Improved coverage – Mesh Wi-Fi systems blanket your entire home with a strong Wi-Fi signal, eliminating dead zones and ensuring consistent connectivity in every room.
• Enhanced performance – These distribute network traffic across multiple nodes to deliver faster speeds and more reliable connections, even when multiple devices are in use simultaneously.
• Scalability – Need to expand your network coverage? Simply add additional nodes to your Mesh Wi-Fi system to extend coverage to new areas of your home.
• Seamless roaming – With mesh Wi-Fi, your devices can effortlessly transition between nodes as you move throughout your home, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity without the need to manually switch networks.

How to Set Up a Mesh Wi-Fi System?

Before you begin the setup procedure, you should evaluate your home’s layout and size. Consider the number of levels, the presence of strong walls or obstructions, and the extent of the outdoor regions you wish to cover with Wi-Fi. With this information, you may make an informed decision regarding the number and location of nodes needed to ensure complete coverage.

Try to investigate the numerous Mesh Wi-Fi systems on the market to choose the one that best meets your requirements. Consider network speed, coverage area, and optional features like parental controls or built-in security.

Once you’ve decided on a Mesh Wi-Fi system, assemble all of the essential equipment, including the main router, any additional nodes or satellites, Ethernet connections, and a power source for each node.

With your equipment installed, it’s time to begin the setup process. Follow these steps to set up your Mesh Wi-Fi system and enjoy uninterrupted connectivity across your home:

1. Placing the main router – Begin by positioning the main router in a central location within your home. Ideally, this location should be elevated and free from obstructions such as walls or furniture. By placing the main router in a central location, you can ensure that its Wi-Fi signal reaches every corner of your home with minimal interference.
2. Adding additional nodes or satellites – Once the main router is in place, strategically position additional nodes or satellites throughout your home to extend coverage to areas that may be out of range of the main router. Consider placing nodes in areas where you frequently use Wi-Fi-enabled devices, such as living rooms, bedrooms, or home offices. Be mindful of potential sources of interference, such as microwave ovens or cordless phones, which can degrade Wi-Fi performance.
3. Connecting to power and Internet – After positioning the nodes, connect each one to a power source using the provided power adapter. Next, use Ethernet cables to connect each node to the main router, ensuring a stable and reliable connection. Alternatively, many Mesh Wi-Fi systems offer the option to configure nodes wirelessly, simplifying the setup process.
4. Configuring settings – Once all nodes are connected, use the provided smartphone app or web interface to configure your mesh Wi-Fi system. Create a network name (SSID) and password, which you’ll use to connect your devices to the network. Adjust security settings to protect your network from unauthorized access and optimize Wi-Fi channels and bands to minimize interference and maximize performance. Many mesh Wi-Fi systems also offer advanced features such as guest networks, parental controls, and device prioritization, which you can configure to suit your specific needs.
5. Troubleshooting – If you encounter any issues during the setup process, don’t panic! Most mesh Wi-Fi systems include built-in troubleshooting tools to help diagnose and resolve common problems. If you’re unable to resolve the issue on your own, consult the manufacturer’s documentation or contact their customer support for assistance.

Example Mesh System Installations

Here are two examples of the installation processes we saw when setting up and analyzing two mesh systems.

TP-Link Deco (X55)

TP-Link’s mesh systems require you to install the TP-Link Deco app—there’s no web interface for you to use. The Deco X55 we installed is a three-piece kit, each with two Gigabit Ethernet ports, so any one unit can be the router.

Here’s the setup process:

• Step 1: Open the Deco app and sign in to your TP-Link ID account (or create one—it’s free).
• Step 2: Select the Deco kit you plan to install.
• Step 3: Follow the instructions to connect the first unit to your modem.
• Step 4: Verify that Bluetooth is enabled on your smartphone and wait for it to connect to the Deco unit.
• Step 5: Tap “Deco’s LED is pulsing blue” if all is okay.
• Step 6: Select the location of the first Deco unit. This step names the Deco unit to better identify each in the app.
• Step 7: Select the connection type (dynamic, static, PPoE, etc.) and tap Next.
• Step 8: Set the network name (SSID) and Wi-Fi password.
• Step 9: Reconnect to the Deco Wi-Fi.
• Step 10: Add more Decos.

All Deco units automatically join the network within two minutes, so there are no additional configurations on your part. You’ll still need to set their location and update the firmware at some point.

Step 11: Tap Skip or Learn More about HomeShield Pro.

The setup process is now complete. You’ll likely see a notification to update your system with the latest firmware.

NETGEAR Orbi (RBK853)

NETGEAR Orbi systems differ from TP-Link systems in that one unit is clearly marked as the router and the others as satellites.

Read Also: Best Mesh Wifi System for Gaming

For example, with the RBK850 kit we reviewed as we wrote this article, the router unit has four Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports and one 2.5GbE WAN port. The satellite units have the four LAN ports but not the WAN one.

Here’s the setup process:

• Step 1: Download and install the NETGEAR Orbi app.
• Step 2: Tap on the Get Started button and scan the QR code on the router.
• Step 3: Tap Continue to connect to Orbi’s Wi-Fi.
• Step 4: Follow the instructions to connect the router to your modem.
• Step 5: Place your satellite units and tap Next to proceed.
• Step 6: Tap Continue when the app detects the satellites.
• Step 7: Tap Next to personalize your settings.
• Step 8: Set the network name (SSID) and Wi-Fi password and tap Next.
• Step 9: Create an Orbi administration password and tap Next.
• Step 10: Set two security questions and tap Continue.
• Step 11: Update the firmware and tap Next to continue.
• Step 12: Tap Next to finish the installation.
• Step 13: Sign in to your MyNETGEAR account (or create one—it’s free).
• Step 14: Tap Maybe Later or See Plans regarding NETGEAR ProSupport.
• Step 15: Tap OK to dismiss the NETGEAR Armor popup.

Where do you Place Each Mesh Network Unit?

Mesh systems aren’t intended for lengthy distances. Each unit broadcasts in a sphere, making them ideal for extending coverage to the second floor or basement. To ensure the optimum connection, keep each unit within the bubble of the following one.

Standalone routers, on the other hand, are meant for long distances: they broadcast in an elongated oval shape in all directions, making them ideal for accessing Wi-Fi in the backyard but less so on the second story.

A good rule of thumb is to arrange each mesh unit in the following locations:

• Open spaces: Up to 50 feet from the router or satellite
• Most homes: Up to 30 feet from the router or satellite (or two rooms away)

But how you place them in conjunction with each other is a different story, so we need to take another trip down the rabbit hole to see how you can get the best speeds out of your mesh network.

Part 1: Wired or wireless backhaul—which is best?

As we mentioned earlier, mesh systems communicate privately with each other—the backhaul. Think of it as all those hidden corridors used by the staff at Disney World.

As a refresher:

• Backhaul: the communication between the router and satellite units
• Fronthaul: the communication between a router or satellite and your devices

But here’s a fact: Wi-Fi signals degrade over distance, which translates to slowing speeds. With a good standalone router, we can measure 850Mbps at two feet and 750Mbps at 30 feet using a single Wi-Fi 6 smartphone.

So, in theory, if you place a mesh satellite unit in that 30-foot spot, your starting speed should be 750Mbps, which is great. Yahoo! The next satellite should start around 650Mbps if we’re using a daisy-chain configuration. Rinse and repeat.

A shared band reduces your speeds

But here’s the kicker, and this is where the rabbit hole can get really dark. The example above only works if the mesh system uses a private, third Wi-Fi band for the backhaul. You’ll only see half the speed if it uses a single band for backhaul and fronthaul use.

In other words, if a mesh unit’s max speed for the 5 GHz band is 1,200Mbps, it’s divided between the backhaul and fronthaul. That means your maximum usable bandwidth is only 600Mbps before range and interference chew up your Wi-Fi connection.

Some mesh systems now intelligently shift the backhaul between bands to improve your fronthaul speed. For example, it may use the 2.4GHz band temporarily because no devices on your network currently use it.

Ethernet is best

To eliminate band sharing, use Ethernet as the backhaul. Now all bands have their full bandwidth, plus there’s no signal loss and degraded speeds between units because the backhaul communication has sustained speeds. The drawback is you need to drop cables along the baseboards or install cables and jacks in your walls.

Internet speed vs. backhaul

There’s no point in wiring up your home for a mesh system if you don’t have fast internet. Having Ethernet cables speeding along at 10Gbps is pointless and overkill if you only pay for 200Mbps internet. Just stick with the wireless backhaul setup.

So, what type of backhaul should you use that complements your internet plan? Here are a few suggestions:

Internet plan	Wireless	Wired	Tri-band system
1,000Mbps+	✗	✓	✗
300–1,000Mbps	✗	✓	✓
50–300Mbps	✓	✗	✗

Okay, so you’ve decided how the mesh units will communicate with each other. Now, let’s consider how you want to position your satellite units in your home.

Part 2: Daisy-chain vs. star topology—which is best?

If you use Ethernet for the backhaul, then placement doesn’t matter. The system’s topology is irrelevant because the only speed degradation you’ll see is when your wireless device moves away from the router or a satellite. Each unit’s max output speed is squarely dependent on the Ethernet port in use: around 940Mbps for Gigabit Ethernet and around 2,340Mbps for 2.5GbE, for example.

However, your home’s floor plan is a major factor if you use Wi-Fi as the backhaul. You want Wi-Fi in every corner of your house without sacrificing speed. A good rule of thumb is to have the router and satellites in eyesight of each other for the best connections, but that’s not always possible.

So, let’s look at two types of mesh network topologies.

Star topology—for the best speeds

With this setup, you want to place the satellites around the router unit. This layout is the best layout, as each satellite has a direct line to the router, so you’ll see minimal speed degradation. All units still talk to each other, but the path from your internet connection to your wireless device would look something like this:

Modem or ONT > router > satellite > you

Daisy-chain topology—for long range

This setup isn’t ideal for three or more units, but it may be unavoidable if the router unit is at one end of the house and you need Wi-Fi at the opposite end. In this scenario, you create one linear line out from the router unit, but you’ll see speed degradation with each hop toward the end. The layout would look something like this:

Modem or ONT > Router > Satellite 1 > Satellite 2 > Satellite 3

Some systems automatically choose the best path, no matter how you place each unit. For example, you may have an L-shaped three-unit configuration extending Wi-Fi from your office to the kitchen. But the system may determine that a direct path through a few walls from Router to Satellite 3 is better than taking the long route through Satellite 2.

You could mix wired and wireless backhauls to increase your speeds. For example, you may want to wire Satellite 1 to the Router for a higher Wi-Fi throughput with Satellite 2 and Satellite 3.

So many decisions

As you can see, there’s much to consider when setting up a mesh system versus placing a standalone router in a centralized location and adding Wi-Fi extenders. The good news is that mesh systems usually test the connections between each unit during installation, so you’re not using a smartphone to see if a specific spot gets a good signal from the router unit (three bars).