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For many of us, the bog-standard, default router supplied by our Internet Service Provider (ISP) at the time we signed up for broadband was once enough.

However, in the past decade, the widespread adoption of mobile technology including smartphones and tablets, Internet of Things (IoT) devices such as smart lighting and security cameras, and the popularity of streaming services -- Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Spotify, to name a few -- are now causing our old routers to creak under the strain.

Each device we connect to our router demands bandwidth. The COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to the need for speed, capacity, and reliability in the home router space now we are faced with the added burdens of working from home and teaching our kids remotely -- not to mention using the Internet for entertainment rather than venturing out of doors.

To keep our homes and remote work setups running smoothly now is the time to consider what type of router you need, for now, and in the future.

When you search for different options online, a plethora of features are available: Wi-Fi 5 / 6, mesh, voice-assistant supported, Ethernet and wired, mobile and LTE support, and more. While many features could be superfluous to your purposes, there are two main types of product to consider: a traditional router, or mesh network.

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Mesh networking is a relatively new entry into the consumer market, so you would be forgiven to think it would automatically be 'better' than a standard router. However, a mesh network is an overkill for some.

A standard router acts as a central hub for Internet connectivity. Traffic and requests from devices granted permission to connect to the router -- usually through a password -- are funneled through one access point.

The benefits:

The disadvantages:

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It is worth mentioning Wi-Fi 6, also known as 802.11ax. This is the next standard in wireless technologies and is designed to increase wireless device performance in comparison to 802.11ac. Some modern routers support this standard, and so could be considered when future-proofing your home office.

MU-MIMO (Multi-user, multiple-input, multiple-output), too, should be kept in mind. Some routers use this technology to improve the speed of data transfer when multiple devices are connected simultaneously -- but not all.

While traditional routers are singular, centralized access points, mesh networking devices are decentralized. Instead of a device connecting to a single gateway to the Internet, mesh networks are created from multiple nodes that all provide web connectivity. For example, you could have a central 'hub' in the kitchen and then have satellite nodes in the home office, kitchen, or bedroom.

When you are trying to access the web while in the kitchen, you would automatically connect to the hub, whereas you would jump on the node while you're in your home office, and so on.

The benefits:

The disadvantages:

You need to decide whether or not the outlay for a full mesh network is worth it. In larger homes with dead spots, mesh networking can provide a way to immediately improve signal strength and coverage.

However, it can be expensive to overhaul your existing router setup, and going for a full mesh may simply be described as overkill unless you consistently have multiple users and devices competing for bandwidth.

There are some mesh network systems out there, such as Google WiFi, Nest WiFi, and eero which are relatively cheap to set up -- as long as you don't need too many satellites.

Also:Best Wi-Fi router in 2021 |Working from home 101: Every remote worker's guide to the essential tools for telecommuting

Before changing your setup, you should also consider your ISP package. If you're subscribed to a low-speed offering, new equipment is not going to necessarily help. Instead, package upgrades could be a better option.

If you are a sole user and need a stable, powerful connection -- such as for resource-hungry work applications or gaming -- a traditional router may be all you need. Wired should be quicker than wireless, and so investment in a simple Ethernet cable, easily picked up for $10 to $15, could be enough.

Wi-Fi range extenders, too, could be considered as an alternative to mesh if you just need to boost coverage in some areas, and will likely be less expensive than purchasing individual mesh nodes. Some vendors also offer mesh 'bolt-ons' such as Asus' AiMesh, which can connect up existing routers to create a mesh-like coverage network without ripping everything out and starting again.

However, mesh networking is here to stay and at a time when many of us are now in the home rather than traditional home offices, a mesh setup could be a future-proof investment. It's not suitable for you if you rely on wired connectivity and speed, but if you need to make sure dead zones and drops do not impact your working day -- and you don't mind the potential expense -- mesh systems are a worthwhile upgrade to your home equipment.

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Link:
Mesh networking vs. traditional Wi-Fi routers: What is best for your home office? - ZDNet