E4, M4 and S7 are pretty much the same, they are different generation models with new ones being slim and shorter than the old ones. These 3 are the basic ones and should be more than enough.
X series gives you extra security feature (most of them require their paid monthly plan) and x50 that I use allows you to plugin your vpn config and supports wifi 6. If you don't use vpn you are better off grabbing M4 or S7 whichever is cheaper. For my upstairs where I usually work from I have M4.
I had a similar issue with wifi in the garage and 3 floors in a townhouse.
I bought some of these and they are amazing "AC1200 Whole Home Mesh System TP-Link Deco E4" highly recommend them and cost effective.
Some models only support 100Mbps so OP needs to be aware of this. I have recently got E4 and it's great for whatsapp calls and youtube etc but won't be enough for gaming or heavy downloads/4K streaming.
I have a tp link deco mesh network, initially it was 3 nodes. I’m up to think 6 nodes now across probably 10k square feet over 2 levels. For the most part, it’s been perfect.
I moved into a new place a year ago and ran.limited Ethernet cable. Using a tp-link deci mesh system to cover 3200 sqft (two floors). Great coverage throughout. I was surprised as I took the approach you are describing with my old house. Honestly, both perform the same. General use is streaming and remote work. No gaming. So, depending on your use, you might be overthinking. I saw the cat8 comment - you have a house not a colo, no need for cat 8.
I have a TP-Link Deco mesh system running to cover my 3200sqft two story house. I have no issues whatsoever. And mesh systems are not simply extenders. As you move about your house you will have seamless coverage with mesh.
1000 sqft does not need a mesh network. Get a solid AP or wireless router. I have the TP-link Deco network and it covers my 3200 sqft two story 4 bedroom house nicely. Anymore than one AP or wireless router will be overkill and unnecessary.
In my old house I had PoE unifi APs all with the same network name and it generally worked as a mesh network. When I moved I switched to a TP-Link Deco Mesh network with three APs. I was going to backhaul all of them, but after using it for a few months I found the speed and coverage was fine and the backhaul wasn't needed. They are not PoE units, so each one would need to be plugged in. But they are unobtrusive in the house. The first month the system seemed to learn as it was spotty. But then I found great coverage. The biggest difference I have found is that the Unifi APs tended to hang on to the connection vs handing it off to the next AP like the Deco does. I was very reluctant and skeptical of mesh after reading reviews, but I really could not be happier and the set up was a heck of a lot easier than running new Ethernet lines.
Top Mesh Wifi Systems on Reddit
1
eero
Pro 6 Series
82% positive of 175 users
Easy, reliable, smart home ready; but paid features.
Emile_Largo
