Mesh Wi-Fi on the cheap

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If you are having trouble with Wi-Fi dead spots in your home, you might have taken a look at wireless repeaters as a potential solution to your problem. You might have heard about mesh networking, but have been either intimidated by the setup process and/or the starting prices of the more popular mesh network systems.

Last year I decided that I have had enough of messing with Wireless Repeaters. In years past I used old wireless routers configured to serve as a Wi-Fi extender. I even tried some of those Linksys repeaters you plug in throughout the house. Nothing really worked. I almost dropped some serious coin on some of those wireless mesh systems you probably heard advertised on podcasts until I found this guy.

Tenda Nova MW3

Tenda Nova MW3The Tenda Nova MW3 is a mesh networking system that is on sale through Amazon for just $65.20! Compare that with comparable systems that sell for $150-$500 boasting similar coverage area.

The Tenda Nova MW3 3-Pack offers 802.11ac Wi-Fi coverage for up to 4,500 square feet and supports up to 60 devices simultaneously.

The installation is simple.

You choose one of the nodes as your base station and connect that to your modem via Ethernet. Once that has been completed, plug in the other nodes into a power outlet and the network has been set up.

Download the Tenda app onto your mobile device. The app will automatically recognize the network. You can customize your options through the application.

Who is the Tenda Nova MW3 for?

The Tenda Nova MW3 is for anyone who wants a simple, inexpensive mesh Wi-Fi system. The Tenda mobile app offers basic parental controls including creating groups for specific devices and setting time frames for those devices.

Who is the Tenda Nova MW3 not for?

The Tenda Nova MW3 is not for those with a gigabit connection. The system has a max 300 Mbits per second on 2.4 GHz and a max 867 Mbits per second on 5 GHz. The mobile app does not offer as much control over your network as some, so those who want or need more parental and security controls should go elsewhere. I have yet to find a way to block specific websites, so take that into account.

All in all, I think the Tenda Nova MW3 is a solid buy for anyone looking to upgrade from their internet provider router/modem combo or is tired of dealing with Wi-Fi dead spots and is looking to dip their toes into the wonderful world of mesh networking.