Looking for advice mesh vs router+AP

[cabshank]

I have a 2300 sq ft split level home with a half basement that I am looking to setup a mesh Wi-Fi network for. I have internal and external Wi-Fi cameras (ring stick up cams outside and amcrest cameras inside).

I currently have 3x Asus RT-AC68U routers running in Aimesh mode, but when the ring cameras detect motion and 2 or 3 of them jump on the Wi-Fi the routers seem to have trouble keeping up a quality connection so both audio and video is delivered. This happens to a lesser extent with the Amcrest cameras (delayed feeds when connecting to the cameras).

I was considering switching to Omada or Unifi APs and keeping a single ASUS as a main router (with its Wi-Fi off), but wanted to see what others thought of my plan and see if any other alternatives for a budget setup exist.

Thanks.

 

[cabshank]

Forgot to mention, I have the routers connected to each other with wired gbps backhaul

 

[Tech Junky]

APs will perform better as they're designed for a single purpose. My Zyxel covers 1300ft just fine at full speed. In my normal position paired with an ax411 wifi card it hits 1.5gbps. they run $150 and work well. The model I'm using is the nwa210ax. There's a newer model out the 220axe which gives you the option of running 6ghz but disables 5ghz to use it. There's a higher end model though that has all 3 bands but runs about $280.

 

[Nas.CloudBusinessPortal]

APs will perform better as they're designed for a single purpose. My Zyxel covers 1300ft just fine at full speed. In my normal position paired with an ax411 wifi card it hits 1.5gbps. they run $150 and work well. The model I'm using is the nwa210ax. There's a newer model out the 220axe which gives you the option of running 6ghz but disables 5ghz to use it. There's a higher end model though that has all 3 bands but runs about $280.

I concur, use access points mode.

 

[Tech9]

I was considering switching to Omada or Unifi APs and keeping a single ASUS as a main router

You can do that, but with home routers you lose some VLAN options, unless the new Pro series routers can integrate better.

For good TP-Link Omada setup you need JetStream series PoE switch like TL-SG2210MP, PoE APs like EAP620 HD or better (wireless mesh options), OC200 Omada SDN Controller (or software on something running 24/7). For complete Omada setup the matching SafeStream routers are ER605, ER7206.

Demo of what you get here:

Omada Controller

emulator.tp-link.com

 

[coxhaus]

You might take a look at the Cisco 150ax wireless APs. They are $102 each. They are fast with Windows 11. I have no issues using Apple devices. You don't need a controller as it is built-in and I can confirm it auto switches when the primary goes down. The controller passes to the next AP automatically in software.