Which is better for my network, an extender or another router? - eviltoast

Background: I am migrating from a Gen 1 Google WiFi mesh router and pulled the trigger and bought this router on prime day. TP-Link Tri-Band BE19000 WiFi 7 Router (Archer BE800) - https://a.co/d/en9OlMz

Huge upgrade, outside a few spots in my house where it’s pretty spotty. I cannot easily move the router due to not having a basement, nor approval from the wife to break through a bunch of walls to wire it up how I want it.

So the question is… Do I get the BE11000 range extender that is currently $300

Or

TP-Link Tri-Band BE9300 WiFi 7 Router Archer BE550 - https://a.co/d/bUat5G4 which is currently $250. The speed difference isn’t a deal breaker for me on the other devices. My computers are hard-line and happy next to the router.

Or do I just say screw it and return it and go back to a mesh system.

I am currently unable to connect the second node to a wired connection, but I have a plan on getting that done this coming year once I get wife buy-in…

Any help is appreciated, thanks in advance!

  • fuckwit_mcbumcrumble@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
    4·
    4 months ago

    https://www.wi-fi.org/discover-wi-fi/wi-fi-easymesh

    Those PP link routers are both eashmesh compatible so they should provide a good experience. Yes running an ethernet cable across your house will get you better performance, but do you know just how expensive/hard that is? My friend was quoted 2.5k to run like 4 ethernet drops in his house through his attic. Trying to do it ourselves also seems like a nightmare so I’m not really sure if I’m going to have to suffer through that.

    • BeefBeeferson@toast.oooOPEnglish
      2·
      4 months ago

      My house is such a pain in that regard that I’m tempted to bury a line from my office in the front and around the house to get better coverage on the other side of the house. Not having a basement and how my attic is set up is a nightmare. A middle ground is probably doable but would require me to rip up some flooring, which is not ideal either. Thank you for the input, weighing my options of an AP, or getting one of the above and hopefully have an easier go at it for now, but lose performance.