
Plan to extending your wifi coverage, Mesh or Unifi?
Living in a large house? Muti-level? Even you live
in one level house but find you cannot get wifi connection when you stay in a
room far from the router? Or living in an old house and cannot installs the wire
to get the internet connection through the place you work? Weak wifi signal drive you
crazy? Thinking of starting a smart home?
Time to extending your wifi coverage for a better internet
signal and faster speed. You do research, and you will find solutions and
products talking about Mesh and Unifi for you to choose from; Both Mesh or Unifi AP is the popular options for extending your wifi coverage. But, what’s the
difference?
Mesh system
Good –
- Easy to DIY, connect to your ONT on the wall, and set login
name and password.
- No required wire to connect each access point. Plug-in power
and turn on.
- Auto-connect to the nearest access point while you walk
around.
- Lower price.
- There are many different manufactures and products to choose
from in the market.
Problem-
- The wifi signal level will cut almost in half when passing
the wifi signal from one access point (AP) to another AP. It means more AP loop,
and the wifi signal will become weaker. The reason is related to occupied
bandwidth, the frequency range for communication between two AP.
- Internet speed may not sound as you expected.
Solve-
- Using internet cable to connect each AP to avoid the loss.
- Put the main one (as a router) in the central position in the house. Arrange the AP to connect with the router.
- Don’t connect too many AP. Three is the best. Five is just right. More AP will more weak
signal. It is why the most manufacturer sells 3 in one pack in the market
Unifi
Good-
- The unlimited number of AP can be added and are suitable for
a prominent place, school, office, stores, or multi-level apartments.
- There are different types of products to fit your need. For the
ceiling, in the wall or corners.
- Less internet speed and signal loss.
- Not only for a wireless solution but also have products for
wire systems. You can use one brand to solve most of your internet requirements.
But-
- Expensive. It is not like the Mesh system, which may buy one
and get all you need for the internet connection. For Unifi, you need to purchase
different kinds of products to set-up for all your needs.
- If you plan to DIY, it would be best to learn how to use and
install it before buying it. It is hard to choose the right products for your
need if you are not familiar with the technology.
Solve-
- talk to a professional to help you plan and installation
The most important thing for choosing a Mesh or Unifi
depends on your budget and the condition of places you plan to install. It is a
good idea to talk to a professional to help before starting.
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