ASUS - RT-AX92U

I use aimesh without issue. 2 x rt-be92u. I also have an ax92u which was also a node. I removed that one as found didn't need 2 nodes. One router and one node. 10gb and 2.5gb ports. Use NAS with it. Also has dual WAN which was useful recently when ISP went off and used my iPhone 5g.

You can connect mesh nodes through Ethernet. OP has an Asus router, so they can buy more WiFi6 Asus Routers and connect them through Ethernet to set them up as AiMesh Nodes. My house network is set up like that, and I only have issues when streaming to my phone when going downstairs because it changes nodes, so it lags for like two seconds, and then goes back to normal. Other than that, it's a great experience all around.

It's called a wired backhaul mesh. Look it up. The point of using mesh nodes connected through ethernet is to keep the "seamless" transition between nodes without having any network degradation between them.

After trying Google Nest and multiple Tp-Link Deco devices, I always fondly look back at one Apple’s two devices - the AirPort Extreme and AirPort Time Capsule, which continues to work fine at my home. The only devices that appear to work without a hitch are the Asus ones. I’d recommend looking at Asus mesh systems like the RT-AX92U or ZenWiFi series. They work beautifully with wired backhaul, which you can now take full advantage of. What you’ll find good: actual web interface (no more phone-only nonsense), robust VLAN support for segregating IoT devices, proper MAC filtering, and ethernet ports on every node. Given your 2200 sq ft layout with that fireplace, keeping a similar node placement with Asus units should give you solid coverage.

I have a half wired half mesh home setup with external buildings that have a wired connections I have RT-AX92U mesh routers where they are all wired into the main router except for one RT-AX92U as that is in mesh wifi6 mode (the only mesh on its own dedicated back haul connection) which is also the router connected to the moonlight client device that is streaming a 4k120 stream with no issues The advantage of RT-AX92U is they do come in twin packs but I wouldn’t know what the CAD price tag would be You just need a good wifi6 or above for wifi mesh network and if you are going from house to garage I would recommend a good external grade cat6 or above cable connection for Canadian weather but a wifi6 mesh would cross that distance fine as long as there isn’t to much dense obstruction

my asus tri-band does really well. i get hardwired speeds on 5G using the dedicated 6G backhaul but the 6G band does not penetrate well, so it's important to not put too much distance or material between the main router and the mesh units

Asus with Ethernet back haul. Router + 2 APs. Works great, gigabit access all over the house!

I had Netgear (with an external firewall and generic access points) before they acquired Orbi, then tried Orbi which did not have enough info/options. Then went to at least 4 different types of AX Asus units for the longest time (10+ years with plenty of options and info but started to become unstable), then recently switched to Gryphon AX due to the need for parental controls for kids. I am thinking of going to Unifi next in a year or 2, as I miss the options/info that Asus provided, and get more with Unifi.

I have a few ASUS mesh units, they are great. Easy to get set up. Easy to manage and extend. I just got an ET12 pair and added my older 92U units, covers a large 3 story concrete building just fine.

I have an Asus ROG AX11000, two AX86Us, and one AX92U. 4000Sq home, seems to work fine. I will be replacing them with Ubiquity equipment once I decide to upgrade.