Improve Home Wi-Fi: Easy Steps to Setting Up a Mesh Network
There are a lot of options when it comes to home networking, and it can get overwhelming. Thankfully, however, the right answer for most people is simple. If you want the best wireless performance for your home or home office, you need mesh Wi-Fi.

NETGEAR Nighthawk WiFi 6 Ethernet Wireless Router and Two Satellite Mesh System. Photo: Jacob Bobo
If that all sounds simple, it is — kind of. As with anything in wireless connectivity, there can still be some issues with mesh networks as a result of poor node placement, home construction and layout, issues with settings, and more. While initial set up is easy, making a mesh network the best it can be will take some work and know-how.
Picking the right number of nodes
There’s a bit of math required to know how many nodes you need for your home.
Depending on the mesh network system, it's possible to get whole-home coverage with just two nodes.. However, that’s not always the case. Bigger homes can use three, four, or even five nodes for full coverage.

eero 6 Wireless Dual-Band Gigabit Mesh AX1800 Wi-Fi 6 Router. Photo: Micro Center
Finding the right spot
Unlike a standard wireless router that is largely plug and play, mesh networks take a bit more work to optimally set up.
Of course, the placement on the first node is easy — it needs to be connected to the modem. So wherever the modem is, the first node will be nearby.
From there, things get a little tricky. In most cases, wireless network operators suggest that nodes are kept about 20 to 25 feet from each other, so they have a strong enough signal to communicate with each other while covering the maximum area possible. Any further and you might start noticing dead zones where the Wi-Fi just won’t quite reach. One small exception: If the modem is downstairs and a node needs to be placed upstairs, the vertical range can be extended to about 30 feet.
Once nodes have been placed, many router providers offer in-app signal testing for easy checking to see if the nodes are optimally located. Personal testing should also be done to see if there are any areas with slow connections throughout the home. If so, try moving the node closer to the main node to see if things improve.
Be mindful of the materials around the nodes. Try to keep them away from metal, as it can impact signal strength. If there are plaster walls in the building, additional nodes may be needed to maintain a strong signal throughout the home.
What about Wi-Fi 7?
When choosing a mesh router, there are a host of technology options, including wireless-AC, WiFi 6, WiFi 6E, and WiFi 7. But, which is right for your needs?
For the budget-conscious shopper who doesn’t have many WiFi 7-compatible devices in the home, a WiFi 5 or WiFi 6 router offers great signal strength without breaking the bank. They’ll still work well and give you solid performance.

TP-LINK Deco - BE16000 WiFi7 Quad-Band Whole Home Mesh Whole Home Wireless System. Photo: Micro Center
3 great mesh network options
Looking for some outstanding mesh network systems? Micro Center has a range of options for any budget. Here are three great systems that will set up your home Wi-Fi for success.
- Best WiFi 7: TP-Link Deco BE16000
- Best WiFi 6E: Netgear Orbi AXE11000
- Best Budget Option: Eero 6 Wireless Dual-Band Gigabit Mesh AX1800
Finding a Wi-Fi system that works for your needs is tricky. If you have any questions or need more personalized recommendations, stop by your local Micro Center. Our associates are knowledgeable and ready to help you find the perfect Wi-Fi system for you.