Google Wifi - AC1200

4 Google wifi pods for a 1800sq ft house. Awesome

I had a single original Google WiFi puck in a 2 bedroom apartment and loved it. When I bought a house in 2020 i upgraded to the Nest WiFi, basically what you have in the screenshot there. I was able to use my Google WiFi puck as a mesh AP and I had 3 pucks in the whole house. I did NOT use wired backhaul setup as it was not feasible and the throughput was absolutely awful. For context, I have gigabit from my ISP. With Nest WiFi I’d hardly ever get more than 100mbps on a single device regardless of how close I was to the puck. I replaced the whole system with a single Eero 6E and made no changes to my ISP/modem etc and now get 800mbps downloads on a 5ghz or 6ghz device with no loss of coverage in my home. In conclusion, switch to Eero or anything but Google. Google gave up on this product.

100% wired backhaul with my google WiFi v1 gives me full broadband speed everywhere in the house. I keep wanting to upgrade it because it’s “old” but I’ll get zero value out of an upgrade.

Ubiquiti is also one of the more involved ones (on that list) to set up and requires a bit more knowledge than done of the others. I'm a network engineer and my home setup is the previous gen Google puck 3-packs. I bought it specifically for price and ease of use. I deal with routing and switching all day long, so at home I want it to just work. It's been months since I even checked the app.

Been using the Google AC1200 mesh system for at least 5 years now with no trouble. We have about 1700 sq ft on a 1 acre lot and I have good wifi throughout the property.

Same here and working very well.

Turn off the wifi from the Cogeco modem if that's the model you have. I personally like the Google mesh wifi simply for ease of use. Setup is super easy and if you don't control anything or have to put restrictions on the network for children the easy of use is worth it. Just my 2 cents 3 pack on Amazon is currently 260 https://a.co/d/gl8D4aP

Google. Gen 2 router and 1 Gen 2 point. And 2 Gen 1 points

I recommend a Google Wi-Fi router because you can add mesh points if you have problems with your coverage. I live in a three-bedroom apartment that was built in 1969 and because the walls were so thick, a single router will not cover everywhere. Once I picked up the Google Wi-Fi router and added a single mesh point, my signal issues were resolved.

Sometimes you get lucky and sometimes you don't.. I've set up large networks where there was no real planning and things were just placed where it was convenient. Sometimes it works flawlessly and you can roam the entire property without any hiccups or drops. Sometimes I have to go back and spend a ridiculous amount of time tweaking power levels (If it's a system you can do that with) or moving access points around in order to get it optimal. Sometimes that's not possible. Either due to construction materials or interference. Sometimes you can only get it as good as you can get it. In those cases the solution to the problem would be, a different location lol. A lot of times it depends on the device you're using while roaming and the brands of equipment you got for your network / Wi-Fi. Some networking equipment has built-in protocols to assist with handing off while roaming. Some have less and some have none. Then there's the device itself. IPhones tend to hang on to access points even after they basically lost the signal for a long time before switching over to a stronger signal. Not all Android phones are better. I've noticed a lot of the newer Android phones are starting to do the same thing. I think it's a bad hack to make the battery life last longer. I'd rather have a little less battery life and better Wi-Fi management but that's me. I'm sure the marketing departments for Apple, Google, Samsung, and so on would disagree with me lol. The best system weirdly enough, when it was working properly lol, for roaming around a property while doing a video call or even a voice call over Wi-Fi.. was the original Google Wi-Fi system. If laid out properly, and there wasn't some weird interference, and all the access points were wired, roaming was flawless. I say was, because they seem to have broken that a few firmware updates ago. There will be any more firmware updates for that system so now that it's broken, it'll stay that way. The next best brand of system I've personally tested when it comes to roaming and Wi-Fi is ubiquiti. I haven't tested everything they have but their higher end products seem to work great! Sometimes it takes tweaking a few settings and that can be a bit of a hurdle for the average person. However, I think it's worth it. I'd say about half the systems in the last 3 years I've been installed were ubiquiti and out of all of the systems I've installed, I've never really had any clients call about issues with their ubiquiti system. At most I'll occasionally get a call from a client that manages their own system and normally it's just a question regarding if they should do a software or firmware update. Not really a question about a problem. I have had a few people screw up their own system by messing with settings but that's normally pretty easy to fix, especially if they had giving me prior remote access. Plus I tend to make and keep backups of clients configurations. Good luck and for overall reliability, I would avoid systems sold in stores. That's not to say that the brands that are sold in stores are bad but it's actually very common for TP-Link and other companies to make a slightly different cheaper version of a model to ship to and sell in stores. This is normally to increase the profit of the store and without doing it the store typically would refuse to order and sell the product in the first place. Just spend the same money and either buy whatever it is on Amazon or directly from the manufacturer. Good luck! Once you get something that works you'll forget it's even there 😅👍

It’s definitely holding it back. Moving to a wifi6 setup or greater would be ideal. I swapped out our google wifi pucks for a dual asus xt8 setup and it’s night and day in throughput for us in the further locations. The problem with the google wifi was the lack of customization. I can map out the signal strengths and place the pucks correctly but not being able to pick the channels or assign devices to a specific puck really does limit your ability to manage the coverage the way you want it to be. You want to be able to force a band for the backhaul. Google was constantly swapping to 2.4ghz as a BH so that alone will gimp your 5ghz fronthaul to 2.4ghz like speeds. Having more control of your network topology is a must.

Just need a more robust and customizable mesh system. Some wifi6 deco units have the ability to dedicate a backhaul band but its only if the firmware allows it and some deco hardware revisions have it and others dont. All have the option on their wifi7 mesh. Asus aimesh has it too. Honestly the cheapest and best thing you can do first is position your google pucks in optimal locations and see how that goes. Get a laptop and use something like netspot or use a phone and wifiman to map the signal strength so you can place your first satellite puck. Then after the first 2 pucks are going go ahead and do the same for the 3rd puck. You want the pucks spread out enough but also not too far that the 5ghz connection between them breaks or else itll default back to 2.4 on the mesh backhaul. Its a fine balance to find but it’s what you gotta do.

I have a 3 pack google wifi 5 router, these ones: [https://www.amazon.com/Google-Wifi-System-Router-Replacement/dp/B08GG9CMLR?th=1](https://www.amazon.com/Google-Wifi-System-Router-Replacement/dp/B08GG9CMLR?th=1) and I have a Rogers 1.5 gbps home internet plan. When I test the speed in google home it usually gets 800 mbps, thats almost half the speed lost. Plus when the mesh actually reaches upstairs, which is where my xbox series x, pc, etc. are, they only get about like 60mbps to 130 mbps. I am thinking it's my wifi 5 router bottlenecking the potential speed but is that true? If so what should I upgrade to that isn't so expensive?

So google wifi is bad from the beginning? I believe back in 2016 is when I got these and at the time I was just using a singular rogers router in my basement, and the signal was bad on the 2nd floor. So I found the wifi 5 google home router 3 pack, and that's what I've been using till now. Back then I didn't have that 1.5 gbps plan, but now it's been like 3 years with the 1.5 gbps plan and I finally want an upgrade because I realized I wasn't using all the speed that I'm paying for. I'm planning to get the tplink deco x50 or x55 router 3 pack

Still running Google AC1200 mesh with the main point as the router and 2 points.

Glad you were able to solve the issue putting the ATT router in passthrough mode, but I would definitely recommend replacing the Google WiFi system regardless. Google hasn’t released a firmware update for the gen 1 system in years. Eero is arguably the best mesh system for the price now. I’d take a gander and see if it fits your budget.

I just scrapped mine for being flaky and useless.

I'd end up with service for the whole network dropping several minutes multiple times per day. My ISP proved stable so it means my network was the issue. Google Wi-Fi is a pretty closed system and doesn't permit much customization. I bought into Unifi. 1 week in and no drops.

I have been running Google WiFi for years without any problems. Coming from a Cisco WiFi system, I had a bad time with one... I use a Google Nest router with three Google WiFi access points connected via a LAN switch (backhaule). I have 43 devices on my network. I can walk around the house (three storey building) without any connection problems. It is important to note that there are four different Google WiFi modules available. 1st generation Google WiFi This is always a router and an access point. It also has two LAN ports, which is important if you want to connect a PC/PlayStation or use a backhaul via LAN. 2nd generation (Google) Nest WiFi You can buy a router OR an access point here! They have the better WiFi/CPU/RAM, but the access points have no 2nd LAN port, so no backhaule... However, they are compatible with the 1st gen, so I use this one as my router, but the very cheap 1 Gen as my access points. 3rd Gen Also better WiFi, generally improved version, very expensive, don't know too much about them. You can compare the ones [here](https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/6300732?hl=en).

For years, I've been using Google Fiber 1 GB service with a Google Nest Router and several first-gen Google WiFi pucks. Performance has been solid, with \~45 wifi devices, until recent weeks. So, I reached out to customer support who offered and upgrade to the GFiber Wi-Fi 6E router and two extenders. The network is 100% wireless, with no wired backhaul. My speeds are much better, but coverage on one end of the second floor is much worse. I've experimented with extender placement, but suspect that a mesh solution would be better (although, the tech who installed the equipment thought it wouldn't be as good). I'm tempted to go back to my prior system but was curious about opinions.

I was noticing video lag during videoconferencing, on a Mac getting a wireless signal from a puck in my home office (on the 2nd floor, with the Nest router on the 1st floor). With the new system, the upload/download speed with the same Mac is much, much better (700+ mbps up and down), but I've lost coverage in the bonus room (which is further from the router). In the old system, there was a puck in the bonus room, and I was getting 90-100 mbps up and down on an old iPad. Now, the iPad is having trouble staying connected in the same room.

Orbi def best in market, next best is the google mesh, then Mby Eero mesh system… saw a lot of decco recommendations… they work alright but def lower in the ranks and way cheaper

Those first gen google mesh’s are still solid af just replaced mine with Nest pro 6e’s

I use IP pass-through with a Google nest router and Google Wi-Fi points

I've had an amazing experience with some tapo c120 cameras. Have been almost flawless. Two different homes with 3 cameras each, both homes running og google wifi mesh pucks. Bonus of no monthly fees with these cameras. Free person detection, free vehicle detection also integrate well with smart home stuff. One home has 1gb down/200 mbps up and the other is 100mbps down/100 mbps up.

Still using og google wifi pucks at 2 residences. Only one puck out of 7 has a wired backhaul and they have all been rock solid. As long as they are fast enough for your use, then you should be fine. All were used and bought for 15 per puck. Have 1 year on one system and 2 years on the other with no problems. Ebay, Mercari and Facebook marketplace is where you can find them cheap. If you gotta have the Nest model, they make points and routers. Source routers only if you think you will ever want a wired backhaul.

I had the previous WiFi 5 and it worked fine, although it was just basic...but worked. I upgraded to the WiFi 6 version. I have 5 units including the one used as a router. Again, it works. But it just feels safe. Nothing spectacular. I feel like it's just way too safe. I don't know what it is, but I'd like to be able to do more either it.

I use the original Google Wi-Fi units with some wired units and some wireless. Never had any issues. I have about 40 connected devices.

Asus xd5. I’m a big fan of Wireguard vpn for sharing video services like YouTube tv and Netflix . I was a Google Wi-Fi gen 1 before this.

odd. . .i have had the Google Wifi since gen1 . . . have 4 points, been using it since 2016 and never had any issues and I have ~50 or so devices connected including 8 nest cams, unmanaged comtrend switch for a Plex server, NAS, xbox, and PC.

Wiring the backhaul of a mesh system would solve your problem fully, but if that's impractical mesh could still work for you. I got a three pack of google mesh (non pro) to solve a similar problem in my last home. Ideally, you want all of the nodes to overlap with the primary mesh router connected to your modem for best performance. If you can run ethernet from your modem to a mesh router in the center of your home, all other mesh nodes will get a better connection. Alternatively, with a 3 pack you could try connecting the primary router to your modem, place the second mesh router in the middle of your home, and then the third in your office and connect your office devices to the mesh node in your office. For each mesh hop your system makes, you loose signal/speed. By wiring your computer to the third node you eliminate one of the jumps. I was getting 300 mbps via wifi in my furthest room but it jumped to over 500 when I connected directly to the closest node wired.

I upgraded from the original Google Wifi mesh and got a 2-pack version of these after a lot of research. Placed 1 in the living room and 1 in my room upstairs, no wired back haul. I get the same 920-ish/500 odd plus in my room (connected via LAN to my dock)!! All my kids get 800+/450+ in their rooms also. My room is directly above the main one below. I am in New Zealand, so any bans anywhere else doesn’t matter. 3 months in and I have no issues whatsoever with either speed or connectivity. We are heavy internet users ( family of 5).

I use the Google Mesh devices and they are great. I got the 3 pack and one goes next to the router. One is then upstairs in the hallway and the other downstairs. Before I couldnr get coverage in the garage or front yard or backyard. Now I get it from 4 houses away.

Had a very similar experience , I had upgraded my modem to a s34, and got the orbi 870, bc my old first gen Google wifi mesh system couldn’t do my new upgraded speed of 2 gigabytes so wanted to take full advantage of the new speed. It was 3 weeks of hell, thought it was the modem, then thought it was internet provider, then thought it was the orbi mesh system. Spent countless hours with tech support from all three. I had the issue that my internet was super slow was going like 2-25 megabytes and upload was less than 1 megabit at times. Oh god I was mad spent so much money on all this new tech and was frustrated that all the tech support people were like Just restart/reboot/factory reset. After all this time I finally figured out what was wrong, it turns out on these high speed internet plans if you coax line has a splitters at all the signal depletes over time sometimes it takes a couple days for it degrade so your system goes into survival mode and you get this poor ass internet speed. Anyways I went into the attic removed the splitter and put in a good quality barrel connector and it’s been weeks and my internet is working great.

I would first recommend trying your Google WiFi system you've already purchased. Whatever SSID it is broadcasting, use that. Perhaps disable the WiFi on the ATT box, by using the Smart Home Manager app or by logging into the box directly. I looked up your units, and Google stopped putting out firmware for them in 2022, so they are a bit long in the tooth. If you are adventureous there are OpenWRT and Galeforce firmware options for them. But it won't make them perform any faster, support any newer WiFi standards. If you really want to extend the ATT WiFi network and use it instead, ATT will rent you extenders for a fee. Free if you have a 2Gbit/sec or higher package in many areas. It all depends on your use case.

I was using OG Google Wifi until it started capping to <200mbps a couple months ago. I loved TP Link but found a cheaper Linksys mesh system I decided to go with.

I just bought 3 and was disappointed in the range, added 2 more and it's better but I feel the price to performance sucks.

What exactly do you do with your internet? I stream everything and work from home. I pay Comcast for a 150Mb connection and I use the regular Nest Wi-Fi, with one Nest Wi-Fi point, and another old Google Wi-Fi puck for a three point mesh system. I have no issues with anything I do and I can't imagine upgrading my internet connection or Wi-Fi hardware in the next several years.

I didn't return it, I've had OnHub, then Google Wi-Fi, then Nest Wi-Fi. They all now sit in a big box in my office, I'll put them on eBay or something. I moved to a full Unifi setup. My stack had been needing an overhaul so I replaced a number of items so my wired network can do a minimum of 2.5Gbps. I replaced an older 48 port Dell switch with a 24 port Pro max 24. My AP's all got replaced with Nano HD's (4 in total) (not 2.5Gbps but anything that needs those speeds is wired anyway) I have an Express 7 router as my main device, that will eventually be replaced by the Cloud Gateway Fiber when it comes back in stock. When I replace it, the Express 7 will become a Wi-Fi 7 AP and replace one of the Nano's. Hope that helps.

I just retired my Google puck WiFi. I had 1Gb service and with G WiFi I got a fraction of that speed. One room isn’t too far away from main router had horrible signal despite having a puck in there. The few tests I ran the mesh didn’t seem to do much. I’m in a single floor home, around 1700 sq ft. I recently upgraded to 2GB plan (I don’t need the speed but was part of the plan I got to reduce overall cost), and bought new modem and router that can keep up. I got the Asus Rogue GT-AX6000 router and now I easily get over 120mpbs on iPhone all over the house. On a MacBook near router it actually hit 1.5GBps! The router is twice as much as the Nest but well worth it. My old router was holding me back from the service I paid for.

I am still using the OG Google WiFi as well, with 4 nodes, and gigabit symmetric service. Although there's been a number of wireless advancements, I can't bring myself to upgrade, because I can't find a good reason why. * Wired devices are achieving gigabit throughput; devices where that really matters is my main system (work, programming/db) and gaming, and (*maybe* the Google TV) * Everything else is wireless with wired backhaul, achieving \~300-600 Mbps, at which point I ask myself, "What benefit is *faster* wireless tx to the devices that are using it? Phones, tablets, chromebooks and the like don't need anything more. So here I stay, because I can't find a compelling reason to change, and everything just works, with a nice interface.

I still use the OG Google wifi and it works great for me. Initially they weren't rated to handle gigabit speeds, but they've been handling it fine. For a few years I ran them in tandem with a Comcast supplied unit to not have a data cap and they matched or beat the performance of that unit.

The mesh network also has latency issues. I removed the mesh puck and only use the pro router. My gaming, working, streaming, and wifi security cameras all work how they are supposed to, ever since I moved to router only. Unless you can wire the points together, forget about it.

Unfortunately I'm old school when it comes to gaming and have everything hardwired there. I believe that Eero does have SQM, but I doubt you have any sort of granular per device control. I will say, though, that Eero at least has a minimum of functions. I had worked with a Google Home Wifi system that you couldn't even adjust DNS settings on or disable the 5GHz band temporarily.

Recently switched from spectrum to att fiber and my previous wifi mesh system(google wifi ac1200) is acting weird and creating a second network instead of just extending the original. It seems that the issue is their outdated so i was wondering what yall could recommend me. Something that hopefully wouldn’t break the bank would be nice(250 or less) thx

I was using the older Google Wifi with 4 pucks. Finally upgrade to the Nest wifi with 2 routers +1 point as mesh. All my Google home speakers works fine on either system. Nest Wifi router on sale at Amazon.

I'll also jump on the mesh WiFi wagon. I've got old Google WiFi pucks (they're quite reasonable secondhand on eBay) and my WiFi is excellent everywhere but as they're old technology it's only WiFi 5. Google WiFi pucks super easy to set up and have all the usual Big Brother is watching functionality as well if you've got kids etc.

Google Wi-Fi is literally the worst Wi-Fi on the market. No wonder they are getting out of it.

I dumped my entire nest and google WiFi mesh network and went Ubiquiti. Best decision I ever made. Period.

Technology aside (I.e. UniFi WiFi 7 better than WiFi 6 with my old Google/nest WiFi setup) the level of network control provided by ubiquiti software is FAR superior to Google home. UniFi tells knows whether problems are with specific clients, APs, or your ISP. I can create VLANs for just cameras and security. Separate ones for business and can filter application etc

Yes it is bottlenecking your speed. all Gens of Google/Nest Wifi are 1GB wan. So \~800 is about maxing the 1GB. otherwise any number of physical reasons why your mesh isnt as strong as it could be. wiring the access points to a switch and then connecting the switch to the Main GoogleWifi router will help greatly

I have owned every version of Google/Nest WiFi and I will not get them again. There are companies out there that are fully 100% focused on this stuff and they do a better job of it than Google does who has its attention focused on other products. My Nest WiFi pro pods are very unreliable and have had connection issues daily for months now with no fix in sight.