I have been eyeing 3-packs for a little while and was considering the recent $190 Netgear and the classic $175 Deco M5
These MW6 have been frequently compared to the Deco M5 so at this price plus the FREE MW6 making it a 4-pack, it's a no-brainer for me.
Hope someone else here can enjoy too
that is MW3
Thanks
No, this is the MW6 which supports gigabit LAN / wired backhaul. The other deal is for the MW3 with is 100Mbit only.
Thanks
Rep, any MW3 on sale?
Would buy again.
No JV that was the Tenga egg
You mean a Tinder egg.
I DID IT Again assonated with eBay Australia av-mart
I wondered what your association meant!
Can it be removed if you're not actually associated with av-mart?
Removed your association with AV Mart.
Thanks for that
thanks OP bought it
I have used both the MW6 and Deco M5. M6 was good, coverage per unit was excellent, probably very similar to Deco M5. I can't imagine why one might need 4 units, unless you live in a really big mansion. 3 is probably the most you will need for most Australian homes, unless you want to split it with a friend and use 2 each.
With the MW6, I still need to power cycle the units from time to time as sometimes the internet connectivity drops completely from the unit you are connected to. A quick power cycle fixes it. By default, the units has a schedule to reset itself daily, probably for this reason.
However, one of the MW6 units died and I had to be refunded because Amazon didn't have stock. So, I got the Deco M5 after tossing between it and the Xiaomi AX1800 router. While both can do mesh, I couldn't find anything reviewing the mesh reliability for the Xiaomi, so the Deco M5 won because there are quite a few people who said the connection was rock solid. Also based on my own anedoctal experience, Xiaomi things are better quality than most Chinese junk, but probably only works well 90% of the time.
Compared to the MW6, the Deco M5 so far is pretty much set and forget, I haven't had any connection issues. I also needed IP address reservation feature on the Deco M5, which was missing on the MW6. But for most users, I think this doesn't matter.
Would I buy the MW6 again? Probably if I needed all 4 units. My home is only big enough that I needed 2 units, maybe 3, if I wanted good wifi coverage out in the backyard.
Do you know if you can split the units? thinking of giving 2 to my brother for his house and 2 for mine.
I think so. Probably 99% sure. As far as I can tell, the units are all exactly the same, and are not differentiated into router vs satellite units.
Anyone has experience with this vs MW3? Thanks. Just speed difference?
I use these and my folks use the MW3. Don't notice any differences between the two.
Have you experienced any of the issues concerned in the review I linked to just below?
I'll provide here for convenience:
https://www.digitalcitizen.life/tenda-nova-mw6-review/
Summarised:
-Updating the firmware can be a frustrating experience
-The Tenda WiFi mobile app requests access to personal data it should not have access to
-High variability when transferring data through WiFi
-Low-quality bandwidth management which leads to network clients getting disconnected temporarily
-It cannot reach more than 700 Mbps on Ethernet connections
I've found quite a few bad reviews with important concerns for me anyway:
https://www.digitalcitizen.life/tenda-nova-mw6-review/
Anyone using can make a personal recommendation/review?
I just want to say that the MW6 is probably lower end compared to other mesh systems and the price reflects that. But I have also had a single wifi router, wifi router+repeater and powerline adapters. The MW6 is still a noticeably better solution than any of those options if you want to cover a large-ish area. The impression I get is that it is no-frills. Don't expect top speeds, but the performance is not bad and it is reliable for what you pay. I didn't notice any unstable connection problems when I had it, we went through 2 lockdowns with MW6 where everyone is at home watching Youtube/Netflix.I reckon a vast majority of non-power users on 100mbps internet connections and under will be happy with it.
That's what I wanted to read.
I didn't know power cycling routers were a thing, so I've only power cycled my routers once a week thus far.
What I usually do is connect to one modem, and if that one goes down, connect to the other, and rinse repeat.
Your reply suggests that I don't have to do this anymore?
I still need to power cycle my modem sometimes. I suspect it is a problem at my ISP end, where they kick me off once in a while if I have been connected for too long. Power cycling my modem usually fixes the problem. These instances are where I am connected to the wifi but has no internet access.
But it sounds like your problem is with your wifi router rather than your internet connection since the "other" router works? If you are happy with your wifi coverage, then maybe save some money and get a timer switch maybe to turn your router off and turn it on again automatically in the middle of the night?
@geek001: Well, I think I explained too briefly. It's "the non-connected router" that's fast. So if I noticed a speed lag on the router 1, I connect with router 2 and the speed goes back to normal. Then when router 2 lags, I connect to router 1 which would then be the faster one.
But yeah, I'll probably get a timer/wireless switch, and just do the scheduling as suggested.
I'm on a 250mpbs plan, and before doing this (only using the one router the ISP provided), I was getting maximum 50mpbs regardless of time of day.
@sh4hp: Are these routers placed in different areas in your house? Could it be that you have moved too far away from router 1 and into the area coverage of router 2 but your device is still connected to router 1? If this is the case then yes, these mesh routers will roam to the node with the best signal automatically without needing you to manually change routers.
@geek001: It is placed at different points, with one being in the garage and one in the common area. The distance between the two isn't too far though, maybe ~5m?
Would best signal = the best connection?
@sh4hp: How are your wifi routers connecting to the internet? Do you have a network port in both your garage and common area to connect each wifi router?
In general, yes, best signal = best connection.
FYI, I used to have 2 wifi routers in different areas of my house. When I move around my house, I would need to "change" routers depending on where I am and which router had the stronger signal. Is that your scenario?
@geek001: Yeah, so I'm on OptiComm, so the ISP provided router is connected to the OptiComm box in the garage, and a lan connection is made from the ISP router to the 2nd router (due to PPOE login being in the ISP router).
Yup, I use the same two router concept, they are named differently too.
I'm noticing even at my sister's place, with NBN and two router practise (like mine), the same thing happens where the internet is super fast when first connected, but slowly goes down the longer I am connected to the same network.
@sh4hp: Unless there is a different underlying speed slowdown issue with your ISP(which I am guessing is unlikely, I could be wrong though :)), I think the mesh system will help.
One node in the garage, and another node where your 2nd router is. It should provide seamless coverage under the same wifi name. When you move around your house, it will switch nodes automatically depending on whichever one has a stronger signal.
So you haven't experienced any of the issues mentioned in the above review:
https://www.digitalcitizen.life/tenda-nova-mw6-review/
Summarised:
-Updating the firmware can be a frustrating experience
-The Tenda WiFi mobile app requests access to personal data it should not have access to
-High variability when transferring data through WiFi
-Low-quality bandwidth management which leads to network clients getting disconnected temporarily
-It cannot reach more than 700 Mbps on Ethernet connections
1) I have 1Gbs internet so wondering if speed (max 700 Mbs)/disconnects (Low-quality bandwidth management) could be a problem for me?
2) High variabilty for data transfer over wifi sounds really bad on the review especially if you look at the graphs. Do you transfer much data over your wifi network?
3) What personal data does the mobile app request that it shouldn't have access to referred to in the review?
Thanks in advance
-Updating the firmware can be a frustrating experience
In my experience, firmware updates are pretty straightforward, just press the update button and it will do its thing.
-High variability when transferring data through WiFi
Nope, seemed fine to me.
-Low-quality bandwidth management which leads to network clients getting disconnected temporarily
I didn't use the QOS feature.
-It cannot reach more than 700 Mbps on Ethernet connections
I never tried copying large files from one PC to another. So can't comment on that.
Some of us can only dream of 1Gbps internet, :P . I suggest you buy something more expensive to take full advantage of your 1Gbps connection. To me 700Mbps is pretty awesome. I can't remember the last time I needed a 700Mbps internet connection to do something. Lol.
To be honest, I only use my internet, I am not the graphing type. I have never tried to graph my internet connection, I only know if my internet is up or down, responsive or slow. The whole time I had the MW6, it was up all the time(aside from the few times one of the units needed to be power cycled to come back online) and it was quite responsive. My phone was also quick to pick up a different node as I move around my house.
I have an Android phone. If I recall correctly, the Tenda Wifi Android app did ask for a lot of permissions. I am not sure how this compares with other apps. I am using Deco M5 now, and the app also required a long list of permissions as well. You can check the list of permissions required on Google Play store.
Hope that helps.
ps. The review was written in 2018, I would imagine newer firmwares would have fixed a lot of issues the author experienced, for example, the security issue that everyone keeps pointing out was patched in a recent firmware.
@geek001: Thanks I did point out that the review was from 2018 and was wondering if firmware issues had fixed them elseware in this post.
Especially the disconnects happening at high bandwidth utilisation.
Didn't really need to buy something much more expensive as I managed to get the nighthawk for $190 so am comparing against the MW6 especially because you get 4 units with redemption and I could pay $143.75 for the MW6 package with discounted eBay gift cards.
The nighthawk has the option for configuration from a local web interface so no privacy issues there.
I do copy a lot of large files across the local network so that is a consideration for me as well
I was hoping your reply would make it easier for me to choose between the two units but since you haven't had any of the issues it is actually harder now!!
Thank you most kindly for responding to my questions.
Now I need to go away and think about what to do haha.
Regards
@prxy: Something else to note, these mesh systems can be setup to either connect the nodes via a network cable or wirelessly connect to each other. In the second case, your wifi throughput will halve if you do not have a dedicated wireless backhaul band, which both MW6 and Deco M5 both do not have.
Because you have a 1Gbps connection, I probably will not go for the MW6 if I were to connect the mesh nodes wirelessly, maybe get a tri-band mesh system to fully utilise your internet connection.
@geek001: I have a multi-gig ethernet backbone that I will be connecting all wireless routers/satellites to. That is why i am looking at dual band and not tri-band routers with dedicated backhaul.
Also why I'm having so much trouble as there are quite a few good deals at the moment each with its advantages and disadvantages.
Thanks for all your assistance and advice
@prxy: Ok, makes sense. You sound like a person who is quite tech-savvy and is after performance. My gut feeling is that MW6 may not be good enough for you. For average surfing covering a large area, it would be perfectly fine, but I would be hesitant to recommend the MW6 to you, just my 2c. :)
Firmware update was quick and easy for me. WIFI download speed seems to be consisten for me (eg STEAM game download was at max speed).
Add to this that wired backhaul when using mesh doesnt work with these.
To get it to "work". I had to set up each node as a standalone AP, which isnt mesh. It worked ok for me like that but I guess it depends on your desired topology.
@stumo: Oh wow that is a severe disadvantage for my use case and extremely glad you brought it up.
Haven't seen this mentioned anyware?
Very much appreciated.
@prxy: Oh yea, this reminded me, I have read somewhere someone had trouble setting these up with wired backhaul. The units somehow prioritised the wireless backhaul over the wired backhaul. Not sure if this issue was ever fixed, but my use case was setting these up as wirelessly, so I didn't encounter this issue. Apparently, some tin foil over the primary unit sort of fixed the problem. But may avoid if you are planning to use a wired backhaul.
This or Netgear Nighthawk MK63 AX1800 4 Stream Mesh Wi-Fi 6 System (https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/634045)
This is the one I mentioned in my description but for me, it's all sold out so I guess YMMV
There seemed to be a few negatives in that Netgear one which was enough to have me looking elsewhere, but might be suitable for you
I'm wondering the same!
Managed to get the nighthawk from that deal at $190 but haven't opened yet.
Just wondering if MW6 issues have been fixed with firmware upgrades etc. The review article I've posted above is from 2018.
Also you get four units with bonus redemption compared to three with the nighthawk.
this TP-Link, to my view is a much better alternative unless you really need 4 units of the Tenda
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/634597
It's cheaper, has a better interface (phone and web browser), it can be mixed with all other TP-Link products if required
I dunno about this one, I have read nothing about it.
However I've seen quite a few Deco M5 deals and read lots about it, which is "closest" to this MW6
The deal you linked to is closest to Deco M4 so I guess that's one rung down, but like you said better interface might be enough to go that option instead
Can this unit be used individually? 2 for myself and 2 for my friend? (sorry not super tech-savvy)
I just watched a youtube video that says yes
thanks that's awesome!
Another dumb question - will that support 2.4g appliance?
Q15: What are the network priorities if a nova mesh network system is connected to another network via an Ethernet cable?
A15: Wired network > 5 GHz network > 2.4 GHz network.
Are you sure?
Usually in these mult-packs one unit is the main unit/router/controller with others being satellites.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPTCDrmgCgY
That review the guy seems sure
I have not received the item yet so I don't know for sure
They are all the same. I got 2 MW6 and I can use them separately (for testing purpose).
Whichever one you plug into the router becomes the boss. I transferred my used MW6 system to another house, randomly selected one from the box and plugged it in, then plugged the other two in and off it all went with the network settings from the first location without a hitch.
I just received mine! So quick!
Question I hope can be answered quick too…
I have Vodafone NBN (FTTC) with the 4G failover.
What is the best way to connect the Tenda Nova Mesh so that I WILL KEEP THE 4G FAILOVER…I would really like to keep that.
Please correct me if I'm wrong…but I think I'm supposed to keep the Vodafone Wifi/4G modem "as is", then connect the first Tenda node to this, set it up as bridge, and then connect the other 2 nodes wirelessly?
Yes that's the way I do it for my MW3 setup with my NBN provider's router.
![[Afterpay] Tenda Nova MW6 3-Pack (+1 Bonus MW6 by Redemption) $159.72 Delivered @ Av-Mart eBay](https://files.ozbargain.com.au/n/70/634570.jpg?h=7c34c227)
it is same which was on sale for $86 on Sunday ?