What mesh wifi?

WildeKarde

Currently running using homeplugs in the house but sometimes they aren't always the best to use as the electrical cabling isn't that new. Cat6 cabling the house isn't an option as the floors are concrete  and the brick solid brick.

So I had tried an old route as AP but it's not been good.

Decided to have a look at a mesh system and was considering maybe the google or the netgear orbi.

Anyone got any recommendation for either?

heskethbang

If you're in the UK, I recommend BT Whole Home. I've had it here for about a week and it's fantastic. I use the ethernet network for the backhaul which helps get the best out of it, although it works very well wirelessly too.
Before, I had the Virgin Hub 3.0 and a couple of Time Capsules doing the wifi - it was a mess.

Now I have one single SSID which gives coverage everywhere, even at the bottom of the garden. The BT app works brilliantly too - very simple to use and logical.

It even gets a Which? Best Buy recommendation.

cjed

Another vote for the BT Whole Home system. It's not got the performance of the tri-band mesh systems, but it handles the hand-over of devices between the APs well and the two installations I know of don't seem to have had any problems. It's pretty straightforward to install as well.

Bwlmog

Hi, how is the BT Whole Home working at the moment as I’ve read horror stories regarding firmware updates which affected stability of the network.

I was leaning towards Google WiFi based on these issues but happy to reconsider. Also, do you have to disable the existing router WiFi to use these as I’m concerned about this with my Synology and all it’s port forwarding etc that I’ve set up within my net hear router.

Thanks in advance.

cjed

The installations of BT Whole Home I know of haven't suffered any problems. There's no need to disable an existing router's WiFi, but bear in mind that it won't perform hand-over of WiFi connected devices to the BT APs. The installations I know of have given the BT system a different SSID so you can decide which AP(s) to connect to.

Bwlmog

Thanks Cjed, if I used the BT WiFi only, how would I connect a synology for WAN access?

Also, have you undertaken any Google installs and if so which would you regard as the better system?

Thanks in advance

cjed

Ideally you'd have it connected via wired ethernet. How is it currently connected ?

No, the BT system is the only one I have actual experience with.

Bwlmog

Just bought and installed the BT system. Works very well with excellent speeds everywhere. Only challenge I’m having is with my synology which I can’t seem to connect to and I have no idea why.

springtide

A vote for Google WiFi here.

Not much to say about the WiFi apart from it just works. Not has to touch it since installing 18 months ago

The parental controls are a very nice feature if you have kids, as are the real time data stats etc.

Toon Army

Thinking about buying the BT Whole Home. Are you still happy with the system?