Mesh Wi-Fi vs. traditional router: Which one's best for your home?

You can go with the easy answer—or the one that’s actually best for you.

- ALAINA YEE

Nearly everyone is familiar with traditional routers—they’ve been around pretty much forever at this point. You need just one to manage the internet connection that’s provided through your modem. For some folks, this may be the combination modem and router (also known as a gateway) that you received from your internet service provider.

Mesh routers (fave.co/3DXf5d0) came on the scene around 2015, and with them came a different kind of setup that relied on multiple devices. Usually you place at least two nodes around your house, with the option to easily add more for thorough coverage. The arrangement can be repositioned and/or expanded as needed to eliminate dead zones.

Though mesh routers are newer, they don’t make their traditional counterparts obsolete. They’re just different. And because mesh routers are generally pricier when compared to traditional routers with similar features, people often wonder if they’re really worth it. So we’ve laid it all out here in a showdown, so you understand the pros and cons of each option when it comes to key features. Spoiler: A lot of what makes one better depends on your living situation.

WI-FI COVERAGE

Everyone wants a router that provides a strong, stable signal no matter your location in a home. And both mesh and traditional routers can provide that out of the box— depending on the type of home you live in.