How to Select a Mesh Network - a Look at Six Popular Brands

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. How to Select a Mesh Network

With so many brands on the market, it can be tough to know which mesh system is the best fit for your home. To make the task less daunting, we highlighted some top brands and sorted them based on performance, security, and price. Below are six products to consider if you are thinking of a mesh network.

Netgear Orbi WiFi System

Netgear Orbi WiFi System is ideal for larger homes and offices. The system is sophisticated and guarantees strong connectivity throughout your home or office. It can support high-speed connections at 3Gbps. It’s easy to set up; all you need to do is plug the router into your existing WiFi modem and you’ll be up and running in a few minutes. Netgear Orbi costs around $159.

Google WiFi

If walls, electronic devices or other household items are interfering or blocking out your signals, Google WiFi is for you. The system comes with three routers that can work with any modem or ISP to expand WiFi coverage throughout a living space. You can utilize the system’s app to control your network settings and monitor your browsing history. Google WiFi costs around $259.00.

TP-Link WiFi System

TP-Link Deco M5 can help you cut costs without sacrificing quality. After setting up the system, you should be able to get up to 3,000 square foot of WiFi coverage, enough to cover a medium sized home or office in WiFi. You can connect more than 80 devices at a time within the coverage area.

From the system’s app, you can set parental controls and prevent your kids from spending too much time online or block off websites that are not age appropriate. At around $131, TP-Link Deco M5 offers a lot for its price.

Samsung SmartThings WiFi and Hub

Using a mesh system is incredibly powerful, especially if you own smart home products like air conditioners, thermostats, and lights. Samsung SmartThings WiFi is great because it can be used as both a mesh system and a hub for all your smart devices. The system allows you to connect and control up to 90 smart devices at a time. Starts around $24.

Asus Lyra System

Asus Lyra is one of the simplest and easiest to use mesh systems out there. Like many other mesh systems, Asus Lyra consists of three routers that work with your existing WiFi modem to expand the network coverage in your home or office.

The system automatically switches between routers. When you move out of the range of one router, another nearby router picks up from there, ensuring seamless and fast internet connectivity. At $388, the device is one of the most expensive on this list but if you require high-speed internet access this is a perfect system for you.

Gryphon Mesh System

If online security is a concern for you, then Gryphon Smart Mesh WiFi system is for you. With more and more smart home devices connecting to the Internet, the security risks that come with it abound. Gryphon Mesh System is specifically designed to prevent a data breach from happening.

The system provides enterprise-grade security to prevent your data from being leaked and infected devices from infiltrating your network. If a device poses a threat, it’ll be flagged and prevented from accessing your network until it’s cleared by the administrator.

With the Gryphon app, you can view and control connected devices as well as your history. You can also set and modify parental controls for kids of all ages to protect their online privacy and safety. At $210, the system is worth every penny for security-conscious users.

Final Thought

If you reside in a one-bedroom apartment, for example, you’ll probably be fine with a single WiFi router. However, with what’s happening in the world of IT today, a mesh system is a better fit for how we communicate and use technology. From smartphones to laptops to Internet-connected devices like smart televisions and cameras, we own lots of gadgets scattered across our home that can benefit greatly from a mesh network.