We currently have an optus 4g wireless router.
Model MF289D
It doesn't provide very good WiFi speed upstairs in the lounge.
Looking for recommendation on quality wifi extender. Sub 200?
Have done some googling. Given its only point I want to ads for upstairs, not sure if mesh type is still relevant?
Thanks team
The Optus MF289D has 2 ethernet ports.
You should probably a mesh router (TP-Link DECO M5 for eg.) and not a range extender, since with the latter you end up with 2 different wifi networks and have to manually switch between the networks when moving devices downstairs and upstairs.
With Mesh networks, your devices will roam between the 2 nodes seamlessly and will give you more consistent speeds overall.
So just to be clear… that mesh router, i still need my existong modem yeah?
Yes, you keep the existing modem as you'll be connecting one of the DECO's via ethernet cable.
But you use your modem only as a modem and need to switch off it's wireless router capabilities, and let the DECO handle wi-fi.
mesh system is also a router, so you can remove the optus router if you want to.
Don't use a extender…. half the speed-old generation stuff not to mention also having 2 wifi SSID that clash
is mesh still a better solution than powerline adapter, if no problem with power circuits?
@dcep: Powerline adapter only let's you to 1 ethernet connection, so you will still have no wifi upstairs
@vince088: there is powerline adapter that has in-built AP/repeater , or you could add 2nd router to powerline upstairs
i guess the downside is it won't be seamless connection then ?
but such setup is akin to running ethernet cable to upstairs for 2nd router on wired speed / stability / latency VS. wireless on mesh ?
@dcep: The biggest issue with powerline is speed, and possibly reliability. They run kinda hot and that affects their working lifespan.
While the Wifi link between your computer and the powerline WiFi AP might be 300~1200mbps (depending on the model you buy), the link between the 2 powerline adapters is much, much lower and it can be variable depending on factors like the quality of your wiring and the line distance of the copper wire.
My old TP-link Adapter (RRP $150) which was rated at AV1200 had an actual speed of just 150mbps — and this is in a townhouse with good electrical wiring. However about a year ago I stopped using it because it requires so many reboots and power recycling just to get it to work. I have to power cycle them roughly once a week just to get them to work normally.
I've gone through three different adapters (all different TP-Link models from different price ranges) and they've exhibited the same sort of issues, which I think is inherent with powerline tech in general. Mesh routers are more consistent and the cost to performance ratio is better.
@dcep: dude just buy a 2-3 point mesh, entry models like Tenda Nova $100 on sale
it will smash any extender/repeater you ever have
Wait for the flurry of MESH posts