Seamless wireless

A mesh can solve your connectivity woes. Here are some affordable options

Wifi has made our lives so much easier offering high-speed net connections that need little to no interaction and connect instantly. The range in some cases is still a problem, especially if you have thick concrete walls or appliances that disrupt the router’s range. The solution to this is of course WiFi extenders, which can extend your wireless Internet to cover blank patches in your house.

They do have their limitations when it comes to seamlessness and automatic switching. More often than not, your device will be hanging on to the single bar coverage from your main router, rather than switch to the nearby repeater. There isn’t much you can do, other than manually selecting the right connection. This can be especially frustrating when you are on a conference call and your video starts stuttering when you move away too far from the main router.

There is a solution that solves this completely and it is called mesh. A mesh is made up of a set of identical routers, two or more. The routers form a sort of unified blanket to cover a large footprint. Mesh, unlike extenders, don’t need to be renamed or connected to separately. Instead, devices will see the WiFi as a single connection that covers the entire house. Depending on the area you are trying to cover, you may need anywhere from two to four or even more if you have a huge place. 

Mesh has been around for a while, but it has only recently become more affordable. Here is a list of some affordable options.

Linksys WHW0102 AC 2600

The Linksys WHW0102 is a set of two dual-band AC1300 routers that can provide high-speed Internet to a space of approximately 3,000 sq ft. It can easily handle more than 15 devices at the same time and it has a three-year warranty. The router can be quickly configured with a phone app. The app will also tell you the best place to install your router for best coverage. The compact design means it can be placed anywhere in the house, however, it cannot be wall-mounted. You can even control the router using Alexa if you already own one. The biggest problem with this router is its expensive price point. 
Price: Rs 15,790
Coverage: 3,000 sq ft

Mercusys Halo S12

The Mercusys Halo S12 is the cheapest router on this list. It is a dual-band AC1200 router that can cover an area of 2,800 sq ft. The Halo S12 can support around 15 devices using the internet at the same time. The price does come at a cost, there is no mobile app and you cannot use a smart assistant to control it via voice. The mobile app could have made configuring the router super easy. Instead, you will have to connect with this router through a browser. The web app, however, has parental controls, guest access and everything you need to run the router successfully. The device cannot be wall-mounted either and needs a flat surface to sit on. The Halo S12 does come with a great three-year warranty.
Price: Rs 3,999
Coverage: 2,800 sq ft

Tenda Nova MW3

The Tenda Nova MW3 is a three pack AC1200 WiFi mesh system that can cover up to 3,500 sq ft. The device is ideal for multistorey houses as well as single-level flats. It can handle more than 15 simultaneous devices at a time. This router can be configured using Tenda’s mobile app. The app can be used to provide temporary guest access, set parental controls and block unauthorised users. While this router doesn’t support smart assistants, a newer version (MW5G) that costs twice as much can be controlled via voice and supports gigabit ethernet connections. The Nova MW3 can be wall-mounted so you can hide them away in any convenient corner. The router is covered with a three-year warranty. 
Price: Rs 7,599
Coverage: 3,500 sq ft

Netgear Orbi RBK12

The Netgear Orbi RBK12 are tiny and very cute. They are a set of two AC1200 devices that can provide high-speed dual-band Internet. It can handle up to 15 devices at a time and can be configured using the mobile phone application. The app also provides integrated smart parental controls and in-built antivirus protection for your entire network. Like some of the other routers here, this can also be controlled via voice using smart assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant. This doesn’t support wall mounting. 
Price: Rs 8,249
Coverage: 2,000 sq ft

TP-Link Deco E4

The Deco E4 is the AC1200 pair of dual-band routers that can handle an area of 2,800 sq ft and up to 100 devices. This too can link with a mobile app where you can easily configure it and even set children and guest profiles. Like Linksys, the Tp-link Deco E4 can also be controlled with Alexa using voice commands. The Deco is compact and can be placed on any flat surface, there is no wall mounting options on this one. The router is covered with a three-year warranty. While the price point of this router and the claimed coverage area are impressive, it isn’t the cheapest router on this list. 
Price: Rs 5,199
Coverage: 2,800 sq ft

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