Stiftung Warentest is testing eight three-part systems for mesh WLAN networks. The best set costs around 290 euros, Fritzbox users can get a good mesh system for less.
The WLAN of a router rarely has enough range to ensure a good Internet connection in every corner of apartments or even houses. You can then expand the network with individual WLAN repeaters or via powerline adapters, for example. However, the devices then build their own network and smartphones or other clients do not always connect to the better network.
Mesh networks with multiple nodes can do this, in which a client is automatically handed over to the transmitter with the strongest connection. Stiftung Warentest tested eight three-part mesh systems. Only three of them are good, Fritzbox users can span better networks with AVM accessories and even save money.
Data transfer speed and WiFi coverage make up 60 percent of the overall grade. The testers also checked the handling (20 percent), security (10 percent) and power consumption (10 percent) of the systems.
The test winner for the pure mesh systems is the Netgear Orbi AX1800 for around 290 euros. It received a quality rating of 2.1 and was also rated well in every category. The Asus ZenWifi AX Mini XD4 (310 euros) came second with an overall grade of 2.3. The system owes its weaker rating to its only satisfactory security, as it allows passwords with only one letter.
The third-placed TP-Link Deco X50 (335 euros) was criticized by the testers for the fact that there are no automatic updates. In addition, they found handling and power consumption only satisfactory. However, due to good data transmission, the system still achieved an overall rating of 2.4.
If you have a Fritzbox, you should ideally use a mesh network with repeaters from the manufacturer AVM. A system with two Fritz 6000 repeaters, which together cost about 480 euros, achieved the best performance. The network received a quality rating of 2.0, surpassing Netgear’s test-winning system. Warentest rated data transmission and handling as good, security as very good. However, the powerful repeaters consume quite a lot of electricity, which the testers found only satisfactory.
Two Fritz 1200 AX repeaters, which you can get as a pair for around 175 euros, do it better. Their power consumption is the lowest of all test candidates. The data transmission is almost as good as when using the more expensive Fritz repeater, handling and security was rated the same by Warentest.
