There are many benefits to mesh WiFi. Take a look at your current setup. Most people have areas in their homes where they cannot receive a signal or worse, do not receive a signal at all.
A wireless mesh setup can really help with these problems, but there is a higher cost associated with mesh systems.
You could get great results with an inexpensive Plusnet Broadband WiFi booster if you aren’t quite ready for a mesh WiFi setup.
Table of Contents
- Why do you need a mesh router for Plusnet Broadband?
- What are the benefits of Mesh WiFi?
- Best Wifi Mesh Network for Plusnet Broadband
- What have we learned about MeshWiFi for Plusnet Broadband?
- FAQ
We have already covered the topic of inexpensive WiFi internet boosters in detail for our Virgin Broadband users in a recent blog post that you can find here. If you’d like to learn more about your ISP, take a look at the points we covered.
Mesh setups, on the other hand, eliminate blackspots, dead zones, and disconnects, making this problem irrelevant.
There are multiple WiFi transmitters in a mesh WiFi network. With many WiFi units spread throughout your home, you can establish strong connections in every corner of the house. However, there is the issue of all those cables, right?
Nope, not at all. The great news is that there are no network cables to connect, apart from the power cables from the new units, and an Ethernet cable into your ISP provided router.
Each unit communicates via a wireless mesh network, in which all the units are connected to each other to provide redundancy and improved performance.
Our guide will help you to find the right device for your setup and budget, so let’s get started!
Why do you need a mesh router for Plusnet Broadband?
Your current internet may be suffering from blackouts and dead zones throughout your house, so you might want to install a mesh WiFi router setup. You really want one of these units if:
- You have weak signal around your house
- Your internet is very slow around the house
- Your internet is cutting out randomly
Traditional wireless devices, like the router that you received with your Plusnet broadband installation, hog what bandwidth they can and when they can, instead of sharing it and allocating it efficiently.
We’ve scoured Amazon for some great products for you to check out. All links after this point are affiliate links, so if you click on any of them and purchase, I may receive a commission, so thanks for taking a look!
These devices can either replace your existing third party Plusnet Broadband Access point, or they can work in tandem with your router while it is set in modem operation mode.
Google Wifi Mesh is probably one of the ‘OG’ units that started using this technology a few years back, and it is still such a popular choice because they just work. No fiddling needed.
The setup is performed in typical Google fashion, meaning that it is very easy and intuitive with a simple app.
Another popular choice in 2021 is the Tenda Mesh Nova MW6. This is a 3 unit pack that shares many similarities with the Google system that we mentioned above.
A better internet experience is the result when you have multiple units throughout your home, which means that everyone is far more happy!
What are the benefits of Mesh WiFi?
Let’s cover some basic benefits of getting a Mesh WiFi setup for your home and family.
Enhanced Signal Coverage
There are a few different types of mesh networks, but one of the most common types is an internet hub group.
Instead of using a single access point, these systems use multiple nodes that act as repeaters to cover more areas within your home, meaning you will have fewer points where WiFi coverage is absent.
You will immediately notice a far better internet experience with your Plusnet connection thanks to the enhanced WiFi performance and coverage of a mesh WiFi kit.
Get rid of dead zones
The farther away you are from a traditional router, the weaker the wireless signal becomes. This problem is eliminated by using a mesh network.
Each station relays information to and from one another, which is why you can use them continuously throughout your home as they use each unit as a stepping stone back to your internet router.
Control everything from your smartphone!
A smartphone app is usually included with mesh systems. You can get to know your system better with this app.
Now you can manage your system yourself and do not need a large company to do it for you. All the controls are available conveniently on your phone.
Spread your internet around
The majority of people at home connect to Wi-Fi with their smartphones and handheld devices. In the past, the computer room with one desktop was a stagnant place. Now that isn’t the case.
Many other internet-enabled devices have appeared in recent years. The smart speaker, television, watch, and even bathroom scales are becoming more and more ubiquitous. Our home is filled with various devices scattered around the rooms.
There is less chance of internet interruption if mesh networks cover all of those devices, regardless of where they are located.
Customize Your Own Network Size
There is no need to worry about the size of your mesh network since an entire network consists of multiple hubs that communicate with one another, provided they are within range of one another. Picture these hubs as links in a WiFi chain.
In addition to the modules already in place, if you want to add another one for any reason, then you can do it easily!
You can remove people from the list if you no longer want them to have access to your internet, so people will have to be nice to you if they want access to social media!
The bottom line in terms of configuration is that it is easy peasy, it’s quick and easy to add and remove hubs as you need to.
Really easy to configure
As we have already mentioned, mesh networks are incredibly easy to set up. Many nodes are involved in mesh networks which is why it seems like a daunting task to configure them all, but that couldn’t be further from the truth..
The satellite hubs do not have to be configured manually. In most cases, they are able to do it themselves. (check out each manufacturer’s stats before you jump in)
Reliability
A mesh WiFi network has an extremely high level of reliability, resilience, and range. It’s continually ‘discovering’ new changes to the network environment whenever there’s a path change or rerouting. Hence the term “smart network device.”.
All of the data is passed through each of the nodes that are in range, and then relayed to others on their way back to your router. That’s thousands of operations every day, and these don’t even break a sweat.
A device failure is not necessarily going to lead to down time either- instead, a clever reroute will be instituted right away, making you not even realize that there is an issue.
The smart app that we spoke about earlier will often notify you of any issues, so you are never the last person to know.
We recommend (Amazon Affiliate Links)
- Netgear Orbi WiFi 6 (Powerful WiFi 6 and excellent speeds)
- Amazon eero 6 (This has built in Zigbee for smart home devices and WiFi 6)
- TP-Link Deco P9 (These devices have AV1000 Gigabit ports for power lines as well)
Best Wifi Mesh Network for Plusnet Broadband
By now you have probably started to realize that there is no single ‘best’ mesh network for Plusnet Broadband. Instead, there is a ‘best’ mesh network for you.
This will depend on your requirements, the size of your home, and the amount of devices that you wish to connect to your internet.
I personally have used TP-Link devices scattered around my various living spaces and offices, mainly due to the cost and performance, and not for any endorsement – they just seemed to work for me. I used an TP-Link Archer MR600 as my primary internet device as we didn’t have fibre or 5G where we lived at the time.
This is a 4G+ device, so my LTE connection is blazing fast and rock solid. It is mesh compatible, which is why I bring it up and it works incredibly well with the TP-Link Deco X60 devices.
If WiFi 6 is something that you would like to try and future proof towards then you can also check out this mesh enabled beast, the TP-Link WiFi 6 Mesh WiFi. You have plenty of options when it comes to selecting both budget friendly and high performance models from different manufacturers.
What have we learned about MeshWiFi for Plusnet Broadband?
There is a ton of information out there telling you about how you need to have the best and most expensive networking equipment, but that simply isn’t so.
There is no need to spend too much on features you do not need. You can find the right device for your needs and budget. When analyzing the technical factor, you must determine if you plan to use WiFi 6 in the near to mid term.
Your home network can easily be enhanced with a network device that has been around for a year or two and doesn’t pose any problems. You will still reap the rewards of having super reliable internet with great speeds and fantastic reliability.
If you simply have to have the latest and greatest gadgets, then check out some of my suggestions above and find out which device will be right for you.
We hope that this has been helpful, and we’ll see you next time.
Thanks for reading!
FAQ
What are the benefits of a Plusnet Broadband mesh router?
As an alternative to conventional routers, Plusnet Broadband mesh Wi-Fi can provide greater wireless coverage, higher speeds, and better reliability than a conventional router. They're also quick to install and scalable.
Why is mesh WiFi better on Plusnet Broadband?
A wireless mesh network works much like a regular router, but it is much smarter and more efficient than a regular router. In addition, they are much more attractive than traditional routers and extenders, so you may be more inclined to keep them out in the open rather than in a closet, where signals are blocked and disrupted.
What are the disadvantages of a Plusnet Broadband mesh network?
A star topology is more expensive than a bus topology, or a point to point topology. Due to the shared load and constant activity of all nodes, power consumption is higher. Mesh has a higher cost than other options. Further utility costs must be considered for each node.
What are the advantages of a Plusnet Broadband mesh WiFi network?
High security and privacy are provided. Failures don't disrupt data transmission, so it is more consistent. Data transmission won't be disrupted by adding new devices. Topologies like this one are robust enough to deal with any situation. There is no centralized authority in a mesh.
What are the pros and cons of a Plusnet Broadband mesh WiFi network?
Pros: Easy Scalability, Easy to Add Range, Better Coverage, Faster Speeds, Easy to install Cons: Mesh WiFi can be expensive, Not suitable for all houses, Advanced features not everyone needs
