Shut Up and Take My Money: Amplifi Wi-Fi Mesh Router
Up to this point, wireless mesh routers have trended on the expensive side. For instance, crowdfunded options like the Luma and the Eero run $399 and $499 (respectively) for the base models.
There’s definitely opportunity for competitors to compete on price, such as the Amplifi Wi-Fi Mesh Router starting at a $199 price point.
To be fair, people living in apartments and smaller houses likely don’t need Wi-Fi mesh technology. A simple 802.11ac router will do the trick and likely blanket your entire home in a strong Wi-Fi signal. You won’t need additional antennas places around a small apartment.
However, if you live in a larger home with Wi-Fi dead zones, wireless mesh tech is the solution you have been looking for. This type of setup is also ideal for anyone that lives in an older home, in which building materials could include everything from lead lining to chicken wire, ala an inadvertent Faraday cage.
The base model is rated to cover 10,000 square feet while the two more expensive models ($299 & $349) cover 20,000 square feet; the latter two ideal for small business office spaces. In addition, the mesh connection points are 802.11ac rated in the most expensive model while limited to 802.11n on the base model. (The central router is 802.11ac on all three models though.)
Setting up the router is all done on the iOS or Android app; opting for a simple mobile interface over a Web browser setup. With the app you can:
- Track all users / devices connected to the router.
- Setup a guest network that can be used for a set amount of time as well as a maximum number of users.
- Monitor download / upload speeds as well as track over time.
- Assign custom names for the two mesh points (likely the location in a home).
- Figure out connection issues with the diagnosis tool.
You can read more about Ubquiti’s Amplifi router here as well as check out more pictures of the device below: