Advice on which to purchase Mesh System or Top Tier Router

[Ricoscomputer]

Here is the situation I need assistance with: I have ATT Unverse and they provided the Modem/router. The WiFi connection from router provided is not dependable nor will it reach my pool area. The router keeps dropping and it is disconnecting my external cameras when it does. I was thinking that I could connect a new router to the Modem/router they provided but I am not sure what to get. My house is about 4000 square feet and I want the wifi signal to reach my pool area. Would it be better to get the top of the line router, would that help with the signal dropping? Would I need an extender with it? Should I get a mesh system? Should I just get an extender for my current Modem/router that is provided by ATT?

 

[bill001g]

The best solution is going to be to use a AP connected back the main router via ethernet or maybe powerline units.

There is no magic router that can get more coverage. Most routers transmit near the legal maximum so the signals will go more or less the same distance. The problem is it generally isn't the router that signal strength issues it is the end device that does not transmit at maximum levels to save power or reduce the physical size of the unit.

Any form or extender or mesh systems are radio repeaters. It many times is hard to get good placement because in must be able to get a good signal to retransmit it, it is going to degrade the signal anyway but if the signal is bad to start it only makes it worse. Some of the mesh sysetms are a little smarter that simple extender/repeaters but you still have multiple radio signals that can get interference.

Most the problems people have today are not actual coverage problem they are interference problems which is much harder to fix. All your neighbors are doing the same thing, putting in mulitple radio transmitters all transmitting at max power. Pretty much everyone just stomps on each other unless you live way out in the country.

 

[Ricoscomputer]

I actually have Ethernet connection throughout my house and the modem/router is connected to that switch.

 

[bill001g]

Then I would put in multiple AP to get better coverage. Even though the mesh systems claim you get roaming the roaming is controlled by the end device so all systems suffer from staying connected to the wrong device. Almost nobody really walks around their house while using internet. It is pretty easy to disconnect and quickly reconnect to get it to connect to the nearest unit.

If you want actual AP ubiquiti sell fairly inexpensive devices they also make outdoor AP units. You might just try a old router running as a AP to help determine how many AP you might need.

 

[kanewolf]

You could even put a directional WIFI access point in a window pointed at your pool. That would provide maximum coverage outside. WIFI cameras are less than optimal, IMO. BUT if you have multiple access points, you have options. Using a commercial grade AP, like a ubiquiti UniFI unit, you could create a separate SSID which is unique to each AP for the cameras and a common SSID for handheld devices. By balancing how many cameras are connected to each AP, you can maximize the bandwidth available to each camera.

 

[failboat]

You might be lucky and one unifi AP will cover your house. My wifi from my isp is terrible. One unfi AP worked for me in and outside a 2k house. If you can get cables to other areas of the house 2 or 3 will do it. unifi has outdoor ones too.
If you use more than one don't get the long range ones.

mesh and extenders are last resort. mesh is mainly used outdoors where you need wifi over a very large area. I would do a powerline to an AP before any wireless extender.