Mesh WiFi systems have become increasingly popular in recent years as a way to provide fast, reliable WiFi coverage throughout the home. But with different mesh systems offering varying numbers of nodes, how do you know how many you actually need? The answer depends on the size and layout of your home.
What is a mesh WiFi system?
A mesh WiFi system consists of multiple wireless access points that work together to blanket your home in WiFi coverage. Unlike a traditional router which broadcasts from a single location, mesh nodes communicate with each other to form a unified network. This allows you to move seamlessly between access points without dropping your connection.
Mesh systems come in kits containing a main router and a number of satellites or nodes. These simply plug into power outlets around your home. The more nodes in the system, the larger area you can cover with uninterrupted WiFi.
Benefits of a mesh WiFi system
There are several benefits to using a mesh network over a traditional router:
- Whole home coverage – Mesh blankets your home in strong WiFi rather than creating dead zones. No more hunting for signals.
- Robust signal – Multiple access points mean fewer weak spots and faster speeds, even for distant devices.
- Easy setup – Mesh systems are simple plug-and-play. No need to run ethernet cables.
- Self-managing – Nodes automatically change channels to avoid congestion and find the fastest routes between devices and the internet.
Factors that determine how many nodes you need
The ideal number of mesh nodes for your home depends on several factors:
1. House size
The larger your home, the more mesh nodes you’ll need to achieve full WiFi coverage:
- Small – Up to 1500 sq ft: 1-2 nodes
- Medium – 1500 to 2500 sq ft: 2-3 nodes
- Large – 2500 to 3500+ sq ft: 3-4+ nodes
In a small apartment or bungalow, a single router node may provide sufficient coverage. Larger homes will need several nodes placed throughout.
2. Construction materials
WiFi signals can pass through most interior walls and floors. However, some materials will block or degrade signals:
- Drywall, plywood, and glass have little effect on WiFi.
- Brick, concrete, stone, and ceramic tile can hamper signals.
- Metal studs or foil-backed insulation severely block wireless transmission.
Homes built using WiFi-unfriendly materials will need more mesh nodes to compensate.
3. Device density
The number of connected devices you have impacts performance. Nodes share bandwidth. More nodes provide more total bandwidth:
- Light use (2-5 devices): Get by with fewer nodes
- Moderate use (5-15 devices): Aim for 2-3 well-placed nodes
- Heavy use (15+ devices): Install more nodes for optimal speeds
4. Obstacles and interference
Your layout and belongings affect WiFi:
- Solid obstacles like walls and appliances can create dead zones between nodes if too far apart.
- Interference from other wireless networks, Bluetooth, microwaves etc. can congest WiFi channels and slow speeds. More nodes provide more transmission options.
Carefully consider your home’s layout when deciding how many nodes to get. Place them strategically to route around obstacles.
Placement tips for optimal coverage
Where you place your mesh nodes significantly impacts performance. Follow these tips:
- Centrally locate the router node for widest coverage.
- Distribute satellite nodes evenly to expand your network.
- Keep nodes in the open – away from metal objects and thick walls.
- Elevate nodes in the room for better dispersion.
- Place a node in problem areas prone to dead zones.
- Make sure nodes are within range of one another.
- Maximize the number of wireless backhaul links between nodes.
- Set up nodes first without devices to optimize placement.
Experiment with node locations to determine ideal placement before permanently installing your mesh system.
Mesh system options
Popular mesh systems offer kits with different numbers of nodes:
- Google WiFi – 1, 2, or 3 node options. Covers up to 4500 sq ft.
- Linksys Velop – 1, 2, or 3 node kits. Up to 6000 sq ft coverage.
- Netgear Orbi – 1 router + 1 satellite up to 5 nodes. Covers up to 5000 sq ft.
- Eero Pro – 1, 2, or 3 nodes. Handles up to 6000 sq ft.
- Asus Zen WIFI – 2 or 3 node kits. Covers up to 5500 sq ft.
Choosing the right kit depends on your needs. Measure your home and consider problem areas to estimate nodes required. Start with fewer and add more later if needed.
When do you need more nodes?
Signs you need additional mesh nodes:
- Dead zones – Areas with slow speeds or no signal. Check for gaps in coverage between nodes.
- Slow speeds – More devices sharing bandwidth can tax your network. Adding nodes increases capacity.
- New large obstruction – Major renovations like a fireplace or interior wall can block signals.
- Network lag – Video calls or gaming stuttering can indicate congestion. More nodes mean less interference.
- New construction – Building an addition may take your home outside your current mesh network range.
If your mesh isn’t covering your expanded needs, buy add-on nodes to fill gaps in your system.
Too many nodes causes issues too
Adding more mesh nodes doesn’t always equal better performance. In some cases, too many nodes can cause problems:
- Signal interference – Excess nodes in close proximity can interfere with each other’s transmission on the same WiFi channel.
- Backhaul congestion – Too many nodes contending for bandwidth on the backhaul links between them can slow speeds.
- Configuration hassles – Each node needs power. More means more setup and software management.
Start with fewer nodes and only add more where you have dead zones or speed issues. Resist oversaturating your home unless absolutely necessary.
Alternatives to adding more nodes
If your mesh is struggling, there are some steps you can try before resorting to buying more nodes:
- Reposition nodes for clearer transmission pathways.
- Upgrade internet speed if slow internet is the bottleneck, not WiFi range.
- Enable wireless backhaul so nodes cooperation better.
- Change WiFi channel to reduce interference from neighboring networks.
- Reduce WiFi strain by connecting devices via ethernet whenever possible.
- Upgrade your mesh to a newer generation system with better range.
Evaluate whether more nodes are truly the solution before spending on extras.
Key takeaways:
- The number of mesh nodes needed depends on house size and construction materials. Larger homes require more nodes.
- Dense device use and wireless obstacles also increase how many nodes you need for great coverage.
- Mesh systems are available in kits with varying numbers of nodes. Pick one that matches your space.
- Carefully position nodes centrally and distributed throughout your home for optimal coverage.
- Add more nodes only if you have dead zones or speed issues. Too many nodes causes interference.
- Consider repositioning and upgrading before adding more nodes to improve mesh performance.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: How do I know if I need more mesh nodes?
A: Signs you need more nodes include WiFi dead zones in parts of your home, slow internet speeds, new large obstructions blocking signal, network lag when gaming or streaming video, and additions to your home taking it out of range of current coverage.
Q: Where is the best place to put my mesh nodes?
A: Centrally locate the router node, evenly distribute satellite nodes throughout your home, keep nodes in open areas not surrounded by metal or thick walls, elevate nodes if possible, place a node in known dead zones, make sure nodes are within range of each other, and maximize wireless backhaul links between nodes.
Q: Does the number of mesh nodes affect speed?
A: Yes, more nodes means faster speeds. Each node provides additional bandwidth and capacity. But adding too many nodes in close proximity can cause interference and slow things down.
Q: What is the range of a single mesh node?
A: It depends on the model, but many nodes can cover 1000 – 1500 sq ft individually. But combined in a mesh system their range is extended.
Q: Can I reuse my old router if I get a mesh system?
A: You can, but it is not recommended. Disable the WiFi signal on your old router and connect wired devices to it if you wish to reuse it. The mesh nodes provide the wireless access.
Q: Do walls block mesh signals?
A: Drywall and wood have minimal impact on WiFi but brick, concrete, tile and metal studs can degrade signal strength and require more mesh nodes to compensate.
Q: Can I expand my mesh network?
A: Yes, most mesh systems allow you to add more nodes at any time to expand your coverage as needed. Place new nodes in problem spots.
Q: Will my mesh system improve my internet speed?
A: No, a mesh provides better WiFi coverage, not faster internet. To increase speeds, you need to upgrade your internet service plan bandwidth with your ISP.
Q: Do mesh networks have security risks?
A: Like all WiFi networks, mesh systems should be protected with strong passwords to prevent unauthorized access. Make sure to change default admin passwords. Update firmware regularly.
Q: Do all mesh nodes need to be plugged into power outlets?
A: Yes, each mesh node will need to be connected to power. Consider conveniently located outlets when positioning your nodes.
Q: Can I mix and match mesh node brands?
A: No, you cannot combine nodes from different mesh systems. All nodes and router must be from the same manufacturer for correct configuration.
Q: Should I get a tri-band or dual-band mesh system?
A: Tri-band is better for eliminating congestion between nodes but dual-band is often sufficient unless you have 100+ devices. Tri-band costs more.
Q: Where is the best place to locate my main router node?
A: Centrally locate the router node for widest coverage. The optimal spot is typically on the main or top floor of your home, away from exterior walls and interference.
Q: Do smart home devices affect mesh performance?
A: Yes, each device connected to your mesh is using bandwidth. Large numbers of IoT devices can strain your network. Add nodes or upgrade internet speed if needed.
Q: Can I use a mesh network outside?
A: Most mesh systems are intended for indoor use only. You can add outdoor access points to your mesh to extend signal to patios, yards or outbuildings if needed.
Q: Do wired mesh nodes work as well as wireless?
A: Yes, wired backhaul between some or all nodes provides faster throughput. But wireless backhaul is often adequate unless you have 100+ devices.
Q: Is mesh better than range extenders?
A: Yes, mesh systems are much more reliable and efficient than traditional range extenders. The distributed mesh architecture provides better performance.
Q: Can I run ethernet from my mesh nodes to devices?
A: Yes, you can connect devices like computers, TVs and games consoles via ethernet to your nodes for faster wired backhaul and to reduce wireless congestion.
Conclusion
Choosing the ideal number of mesh nodes requires understanding your home’s specific needs. Start with enough to create a stable mesh network covering the entirety of the space. Monitor performance and add additional nodes only where poor coverage exists. With robust mesh WiFi, you can eliminate dead zones and get strong wireless in every corner of your home.