Google WIFI 4-Pack Whole Home Mesh Wifi System

[DJW]

The kid have been complaining about the wifi coverage in their house and are talking about getting the Google WiFi Whole Home Mesh Wifi System 4-Pack at Costco for $299 I think.  I have never heard of it but 872 folks out of 1045 have given it a 5 star ratting.  Has anyone any experience with this unit.  I guess it really takes the place of a extenders on a regular router?

Dennis

[jpcoll01]

It is an amazing product, can’t go wrong with it. Our house isn’t huge but had dead areas even with a high end single router. Moved to google Wifi and have blazing fast service in every square inch of the house. 

[lenp]

A $90 range extender might do just as well

Lenp

[RV_]

I bought the two piece version of the Linksys Velop mesh network system for our new multi story house in Colorado. My old Linksys ac 1900 is still working fine. I tried a range extender but had no luck as it kept dropping and starting interfering with everything. I agree the mesh networks play best with each other. The Velop systems can be expanded as much as you want. Two should do for us.

[DJW]

Thanks guys I appreciate it.  I will pass it along to the kids in VA

 

Dennis

[Bill Joyce]

Another option is to use a powerline internet adapter and a second router.  That solved the problem for a friend.

[RV_]

I've had good luck with Powerline adapters too as Bill suggested. However I just plugged one into the original router and then plugged it in, then plugged in a second Powerline in the room we wanted better reception of WiFi. The house circuits need to be current not turn of the last century, and all on the same breaker box. https://www.trendnet.com/products/powerline-1200/TPL-420E

Here is a video:

You can add as many as you like throughout the house.

[Carlos]

On 2/21/2019 at 9:18 PM, lenp said:

A $90 range extender might do just as well

Lenp

 

No, they cannot ever do as well as a proper mesh system or a powerline/wired extender to another access point.  Every extender you add cuts the network speed in half for the entire network.  Basically each one doubles the amount of traffic on the same frequency.  Latency goes up also.  One extender cuts speed in half, two cuts it to 1/4, etc.

The Google system is an excellent choice.

 

[lenp]

Carlos,

You are 100% correct but that still doesn't mean a range extender wouldn't work for the OP.  I use one and don't even notice  difference in speed or latency.  

Lenp

[RV_]

Len,

The mesh networks from good name brands are much easier to set up and run. I bought the ac 4400 Linksys Velop system and I'm sure the Google mesh is as good. I already used the four ethernet ports on the old style router and added an unmanaged four port switch. I've had five years of service from the Trendnet switch with the metal case. I just might order their eight port switch since the mesh components each only have two ports. On the one connected to the modem that leaves only one port which I'll connect to the eight port switch. I use a non WiFi network printer connected via ethernet cable to the modem for house wide wireless printing. I diagrammed using only the four port switch and that will do fine.

My ac1900 Linksys router is getting long in the tooth and needs to be reset a couple of times a year. I was going to use a nighthawk but it actually cost the same as this mesh network in ac 4400. They have ac 1300 & ac2200 Velops for much less than my ac 4400 two piece network.

Here's one review: https://www.pcmag.com/review/350691/linksys-velop

To expand all I have to do is add a module should I find a dead spot in my new house we haven't moved into yet. It is a split level 4 level with three levels above ground and a basement. I may need another or not. We've never had a basement in our homes so we'll see.

I am not a Google fan because their soft and hardware phones home more than others. But they and several others are less expensive, but not ac4400 and triple band that I've seen. The Netgear Orbi are also out there, among others.

The ac1300 Velop mesh two pack is $99.99 at the moment so a mesh network does not have to cost as much as my ac 4400. https://www.officedepot.com/a/products/5712725/Linksys-Velop-Intelligent-Mesh-2-Port/?cm_mmc=PLA-_-Bing-_-Networking_Cables-_-5712725&msclkid=580f934796b91ddbff1ccf31b4241e0d&gclid=CI_bv82Z2-ACFYuJxQIdNsILGA&gclsrc=ds

They are set up and configured from my phone by their app. Simple.