There’s a lot to weigh before deciding whether to buy a mesh system or a single router, but it’s important to note that mesh systems are not necessarily always better. If you can cover your home with a single router, that is the best option. Better coverage is the only reason to opt for a mesh. With a mesh, the system must make decisions about when to hand off connections and how to direct traffic, and this adds a layer of complexity.

Some mesh manufacturers are better than others when it comes to routing traffic and providing a stable connection. Netgear and Eero are especially good on this score. If you have smart home devices, such as a Sonos system, for example, some mesh systems don’t handle them well and may drop speakers from the network or prevent you from seeing or controlling them via a phone connected to a different node. There are potential snags that you won’t get with a single router.