If you want your mesh system to deliver even faster speeds, try this router upgrade.
By Roger Fingas Oct. 25, 2026 2:00 pm EST Ekaterina Chizhevskaya/Getty Images Add Engadget on Google: Google DiscoverOnce you've switched to mesh Wi-Fi, it's tough to go back. Standalone routers can get the job done and may actually be superior in some circumstances, namely if you want to shove all your smart home accessories over to the slower but far-reaching 2.4GHz band. A mesh system eliminates dead zones, however, and keeps speeds more consistent, which is often more important on a daily basis. A state-of-the-art smart home doesn't count for much if your phone or laptop can't get a decent signal in the basement.
