Mesh vs. traditional Wi-Fi router: I tested both options for months, and here's my advice

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ZDNET's key takeaways

• Routers are cheaper, faster, and easier to set up.
• Mesh systems fix dead zones with wider coverage.
• Choose based on budget, home size, and connection needs.

In the era of flexible work, a rock-solid home Wi-Fi setup is a must. Between your laptop, the kids' tablets, and a house full of smart gadgets, your bandwidth demands are higher than ever. That raises a classic tech dilemma: stick with a traditional high-powered router, or upgrade to a multi-node mesh system?

The right choice really comes down to your floor plan and where you actually get your work done. Modern routers have become impressively powerful, and for many, a single well-placed unit is all you'll ever need. However, if you're dealing with dead zones in a larger house or trying to join a ...