Hi, OzBargain
Can someone recommend me a good mesh budget is about $200 been looking to increase 5GHz good speed but short range , 2.4GHz enough range
but speed sometimes drop. I live in double storey townhouse running on FTTN.
Does mesh improve the speed on 2.4GHz so the speed don't drop and is it possible to have a mesh for 2.4GHz and one for 5Ghz ?
Thank you!
sosleepy
Can it connect simultaneous? And hows the speed stays the same no dip in speed
I get same speed (via speedtest) anywhere in the house, regardless of mesh or the base router. 46mpbs
Sure, I have a mix of 2.4 and 5ghz devices connected E.g. wifi bulbs, laptop etc. I'm on nbn50 fttp and get 46Mbps (also speed test) anywhere in the house.
What do you mean mix?
TP-Link Deco M5 Mesh Whole Home WiFi Router 2 Pack $188. Check your local Bunnings for stock to save more cash.
Mesh can help improve the 2.4Ghz speed. Do you want 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz under one wifi name or 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz under two wifi names like a more traditional router?
Agreed. i have this, and it's excellent
Under one wifi name would be good but how would it work?
And if you know about this can you explain to me the differences access point and router its on the setting on the m5 deco does it make any difference at all?
M5 chooses the best one to use. Turn off your modems wireless.
Yeah it makes a difference and to get the most out of the M5 use the router setting.
Router setting = M5 is being used as a router and wireless.
Access point setting = your modem is being used as a router and M5 only does the wireless.
So i just bought the deco 5 and im ap setting which brings me the right speed in 5GHz where as forthe router setting speed drops.
Sorry if im asking alot of questions seem like you have the product and know alot about it
@sosleepy: Wireless speed should be the same when using router or access point setting. What was the speed difference? Was there any other devices running in the background when you were testing speed?
@sosleepy: Check your modem settings to turn on bridge mode. That's how it works on FTTN when using the M5 as a router. If you can't figure it out just use access point settings on the M5. Are there any metal items, TV or microwave next to the M5?
@sosleepy: Makes sense. If possible move them around and see if that helps with 5Ghz or get a 3rd M5.
@Twix: Yes will do that can if i bridge will i be able to use my main router still like does the wifi still work?
If i buy a third m5 does the third one piggy off the 2nd deco to get the wifi range?
@sosleepy: If you bridge the modem all it's doing is syncing to FTTN and you turn off the modem wireless. M5 is now your router and wireless network.
@Twix: Thanks for your help! Everything is working well now. Planning to buy another one soon when its on special.
Hey is it possibe to get 2.4 and 5 under two names?
Nope the M5 chooses the best one to use.
Would i be able to use the guest network for the 2.4ghz?
Mesh seems good for full coverage over a large area, but if you are mainly interested in coverage at 2 points far apart, mesh tries to extend by making the middle area much stronger. I've tried this, and sometimes you just end up with really good wifi in a hallway, but still not where it's needed
Look into ethernet over power plus any spare or cheap wifi router you can find. Gives you a good wired connection to the far away points, and then you can add a local wifi at that spot.
Im looking for something wireless the mesh that the other comments looks promising
Yeah i got an old router but the range doesn't reach the dead spots
Yeah i got an old router but the range doesn't reach the dead spots
you realise I just described and linked an alternative, more reliable method for reaching dead spots?
it wasnt a suggestion to switch to an old router
although the link in the other comment has a way better option which combines my suggestion with a mesh network, for under $100
You link me the deco e3 what is the difference compare to the other ones? I could just buy this as this is more cheaper
@sosleepy: I'm not sure, sorry. And I realised I made a mistake about what this product is.
I thought it is powerline extender + mesh wifi, but it is the regular kind of wifi mesh you are asking for.
But I don't know why it is so cheap. It might not have a very fast/strong signal compared to the higher model. Please choose carefully
@crentist: Comparing a two pack setup.
Deco E3 AC1200.
100Mbps LAN port (1).
100Mbps WAN port (1).
220sqm wireless coverage.
2 internal antennas in each Deco E3.
Deco M5 AC1300.
1000Mbps LAN ports (3).
1000Mbps WAN port (1).
350sqm wireless coverage.
4 internal antennas in each Deco M5.
Quad core CPU.
Optional Ethernet Backhaul.
MU-MIMO.
Beamforming.
Back up to $252.25
Check out the Tenda Nova MW3 for great value and performance.
I'll see its basically between that and the deco m5
Depends how much you are going to spend. I own MW3 for 1.5 years and it still go strong
I'm also in a double storey townhouse, currently using TP-Link M5 2pack and can recommend it.
Have one on each floor, no dropouts yet. It does both 2.4 and 5ghz, 2.4 reaches the entire house fine.
Cost me around $180 in Nov 2019.
Annoying thing is you can only configure it on mobile via their app.