To mesh, or not to mesh?

[Allen121]

I'm moving to a larger space with ~1,600 sq ft (which isn't all that big), but it has three levels. The first level isn't really a factor though since it's the garage.

I'm using this move as an excuse to upgrade my modem and router combo and deciding whether I need a mesh system or not. Here's some context:

• It's only me and my roommate that live there.
• She will stream video and audio content here and there, but not very frequently. She also takes calls via her phone and Zoom throughout the day.
• I stream 4K HDR content through my Apple TV 4K and MacBook Pro 16-inch, make calls via my phone and Zoom, and may game here and there on my Nintendo Switch. Bottom line, nothing too crazy but would like stable and fast speeds/connection.
• I will switch between my living room (second level) and bedroom (third level) fairly often. With my current setup (Netgear Nighthawk X4S), I struggle to get decent speeds to my room, which could be due to our [not so great] ISP (AT&T) and older modem.

Having said that, I'm debating whether I need a mesh system like the Netgear Orbi AX6000, ASUS ZenWiFi AX, etc. or stick with a single router with better specs like the Netgear RAX120 or ASUS RT-AX88U. Or go all out with the ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 or Netgear RAX200 for future-proofing. Another option is two ASUS routers and meshing them together using their AiMesh tech (ASUS RT-AX88U + RT-AX3000).

Thoughts?

 

[OzarkEdge]

I'm moving to a larger space with ~1,600 sq ft (which isn't all that big), but it has three levels. The first level isn't really a factor though since it's the garage.

I'm using this move as an excuse to upgrade my modem and router combo and deciding whether I need a mesh system or not. Here's some context:

• It's only me and my roommate that live there.
• She will stream video and audio content here and there, but not very frequently. She also takes calls via her phone and Zoom throughout the day.
• I stream 4K HDR content through my Apple TV 4K and MacBook Pro 16-inch, make calls via my phone and Zoom, and may game here and there on my Nintendo Switch. Bottom line, nothing too crazy but would like stable and fast speeds/connection.
• I will switch between my living room (second level) and bedroom (third level) fairly often. With my current setup (Netgear Nighthawk X4S), I struggle to get decent speeds to my room, which could be due to our [not so great] ISP (AT&T) and older modem.

Having said that, I'm debating whether I need a mesh system like the Netgear Orbi AX6000, ASUS ZenWiFi AX, etc. or stick with a single router with better specs like the Netgear RAX120 or ASUS RT-AX88U. Or go all out with the ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 or Netgear RAX200 for future-proofing. Another option is two ASUS routers and meshing them together using their AiMesh tech (ASUS RT-AX88U + RT-AX3000).

Thoughts?

One router may suffice, if you can locate it to cover your stacked areas... high and near the ISP connection.

Asus AiMesh would allow you to add a wireless node later to solve a coverage problem.

One approach could be to deploy an RT-AC86U now. That may do it. If not and/or later, add an AX WiFi 6e router after they have been released and vetted.

Another approach is to start with an AX WiFi 6 router now, but that won't be future proof. Future proofing would be tri-band AX WiFi 6e for a dedicated wireless backhaul, if meshing, but it is too soon for that so I would settle for a single vetted AC86U to start and probably finish for now.

OE