Best Mesh Router 2021
The Google Nest WiFi is the best mesh WiFi kit. Google proves that good things come in small packages with the Nest WiFi family of mesh routers. It’s the best mesh WiFi router you can get because it offers superb performance, a dead-simple setup process, and delivers WiFi coverage that can expand to handle everything from a small home to a large estate.
The Google WiFi system is a mesh WiFi system that offers a powerful and easy set up to extend your current WiFi coverage. The new devices feature a pair of routers that look good and deliver performance. Supporting the new WiFi 6 standard with a newly designed app makes configuring the system a breeze.
Google WiFi App
Google Nest WiFi is easy to set up thanks to the new mobile app that guides you through configuration. Install the router and follow the app’s instructions. It’ll quickly find what you need (password, SSID, etc.) to get your system working.
Features
Google Nest WiFi kicks out a strong WiFi signal across both WiFi bands. It shines when it comes to connectivity on the 5GHz band, prime on congested networks where more devices jump on the 5GHz band to avoid interference from other devices on the 2.4GHz band.
However, the Nest WiFi has something no other mesh router system does: a built-in Google Home smart speaker. Built-in a way to let you control your router, every other connected device in your house, and your smart-lights with voice commands.
Adding additional Nest extensions adds more Google Home units to your home, seamlessly giving you a voice assistant in any room of the house. And if you still have some old Google WiFi routers gathering dust, you can add those to extend the mesh network coverage too. If you want the best and simplest mesh WiFi solution for your home, this is it.
The Nest WiFi device fits into any home decor design to better suit any home’s style. The router is available in white only, but the extensions come in three colours: Mist (light blue), Sand (tan) or white.
Small and easy to hide, Google Nest WiFi devices look like a fat plastic puffball. They can easily fit on a bookshelf or coffee table. The router is 4.3 inches in diameter and 3.6 inches in height. There are more compact extensions called Points, about 4 inches in diameter and 3.4 inches in height.
The Nest WiFi product has Bluetooth and 802.15.4 Thread mesh networking built-in, perfect for efficiently connecting with low-power home-automation devices, but the gear lacks WiFi-6 technology.
The device has a built-in microphone array, a high-powered amplifier, and a well-built speaker. It can pick up voice commands from 15 feet away and can be used as a Sound Bar to play music or a surround sound system. It’s the perfect solution for any home looking for a low-cost sound system upgrade.
Okay, so this speaker is ideal for a smaller area. However, it will likely get lost in a big room or party. There is no audio-out jack to patch into an external speaker. However, I wirelessly link the extension with a wireless Bluetooth speaker in about 2 minutes. Alternatively, you can pair one of them with a Google Mini speaker as the right or left stereo channel for a richer sound.
Google’s smart router uses a digital security tool called TPM to authenticate its automatic firmware updates. It ensures that only the digitally signed firmware gets installed. The system has WiFi Protected Access 3 (WPA 3) built-in, but there aren’t many routers that support this new standard yet. You can still use the more common WPA 2.
Nest WiFi and some final notes
Google’s Nest WiFi mesh networking system is an excellent way to keep your house ablaze with WiFi. Mesh WiFi networking is the latest tech on the market, and Nest does it well. The product itself is easy to set up and use, and it’s a crucial product for the price — CAD$ 169 for the router alone. I recommend going for the three-pack for $349 on Google’s store.
