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NordVPN has many great features that help you stay safe when doing anything online. NordVPN is one of the most recommended VPNs. It has a unique feature known as Meshnet, which allows you to create your own local mesh network. This allows you to safely transfer files across your selected devices or route your network traffic using a shared IP address. There are benefits to doing this with your NordVPN account. We cover everything you need to know in the guide below.
Google's idiot-proof Nest Wifi Pro mesh routers are basically buy-two-get-one-free for Prime Day
Pick up three of these powerful routers for just $300
It's nothing short of impressive, the extent to which modern technology is able to absolutely streamline even the most complicated tasks. Just think about how computationally intensive something as simple as snapping a picture with your phone really is, processing millions upon millions of pixels in response to a tap on the screen. With the Nest Wifi Pro, Google brings that same kind of idiot-proof simplicity to network management.
Asus ZenWiFi ET8 review: Wi-Fi 6E might not be an upgrade
Amazing performance spoiled by frequent bugs
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I ask a lot of my Wi-Fi network. At any given time, I have between 40 and 60 devices connected, some of which are constantly streaming video, pinging remote servers, and syncing data. I also live in a suburban US house that was built without any regard for wireless signal propagation. My wife and I both work from home and need reliable connectivity, and this has set me on a quest to find the best home Wi-Fi solution possible. Some Wi-Fi 6 mesh routers can deliver, and others can't.
Fix your slow and spotty home network with this solid deal on a mesh router 3-pack
TP-Link's refurbished kit is a great way to boost your internet
Do the Wi-Fi blues got you down? Are you tired of constantly having Netflix cut out right at the best part, or dealing with loss after loss in Apex Legends because your connection keeps lagging? Mesh networking can really improve your Wi-Fi experience, but it comes at a cost — or at least, it usually does. You can grab a refurbished TP-Link mesh router kit with three units to build out your entire network for nearly half off its regular price.
Amazon will share your home Wi-Fi with strangers' devices — this is how to opt out
Amazon Sidewalk launches in the US on June 8th
Amazon has one of the largest ecosystems of smart home gadgets on the market today. From Echo speakers to Ring's lineup of security cameras and doorbells, millions of users rely on Alexa-compatible gear to stay connected and protected. With a massive IoT presence, Amazon is no stranger to privacy concerns, and it seems like the company is once again facing some public scrutiny. Next week, a low-bandwidth mesh network will be activated across its gadgets in the US, leaving users only a few days left to opt out.Since 2019, Amazon has been testing a protocol called Sidewalk to extend the range of its gear. Originally announced alongside the Ring Fetch, Sidewalk operates as a mesh network over the 900MHz band, allowing gadgets to streamline the setup of new gear and keep devices online outside of your home's Wi-Fi connection. Most of Amazon's products since 2018 support the feature, with Echo speakers and Ring cameras acting as bridges. These hubs can cast a signal up to a mile in range, but up until now, it's been limited to test areas in the United States.On June 8th, Amazon is enabling Sidewalk on every compatible device in the US, so if you own an Echo, you and your network will automatically be enrolled. Although its maximum bandwidth is limited to 80Kbps with a monthly data cap of 500MB, it's still a shared connection to miscellaneous gadgets in your neighborhood.There are some real benefits to staying enrolled in Sidewalk, like Ring cameras continuing to send motion notifications even without a consistent Wi-Fi connection. It also offers a tracking network, similar to Samsung's SmartThings or Apple's Find My, for any of Amazon's partner devices. For example, Tile trackers will sync over Sidewalk starting on June 14th.
Upgrade your Wi-Fi with this Linksys Velop 3-pack mesh system for $250 ($150 off)
Go mesh so your internet isn't a mess
Most of the gadgets you own probably depend on a reliable Wi-Fi connection to unlock their full potential. Having a speedy home internet system is especially important with all the time we're spending at home these days. Luckily, Linksys has a 3-pack of Velop mesh routers that cover up to 6,000 square feet of space — and it's $249.99, a savings of $150 off the MSRP.These Velop routers utilize dynamic tri-band technology that can work at both 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz frequencies to improve range while getting rid of drops and dead zones. There are plenty of smart features included, like Linksys SHIELD network protection and built-in parental controls. Guest networks can also be easily created and restricted to certain users.
Omni's crowdfunding campaign for its giant $2,099 battery is now live
The Omni power station is also an off-grid communications hub
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Even the most sophisticated technology is rendered useless without power. In a roundup of our favorite USB-C charging banks, Omni's 20+ portable power bank made the top 5. Now Omnicharge is back with the Omni Off-Grid. It's being billed as the world's first power station with integrated off-grid connectivity — and it costs over $2,099, though interested buyers can save some money by backing the crowdfunding campaign.
Google Nest Wifi routers now available in 10 new markets across Europe
Reliable mesh WiFi just in time for Stadia's wider rollout
With so many people having to stay at home these days, it's important to have reliable home internet. Google's first mesh router system offered a powerful, easy-to-set-up home network, and the second-gen Nest Wifi model is even better. Now Google has announced it will be expanding the product sales to new European markets.
After using a Netgear Orbi mesh router for a year, I can wholeheartedly recommend it
It optimized my slow and congested network for all of my devices
Frequent readers of Android Police may have noticed me mention a few times how slow and limited my home internet connection is. In ideal circumstances, it maxes out at 16Mbps; on regular days, it's half of that, and that's considered good for Lebanon. There are places where you can barely get 2Mbps. One single gadget has made that speed tolerable in 2020: the Netgear Orbi mesh router.Let's back up a bit. My husband and I moved into our apartment mid-2017. Knowing my love for all things connected and smart, and given that he's an IT product manager, we quickly concluded that a robust internet connection was a must in our house. Fiber wasn't an option (it won't reach our area until 2021) and ADSL was the only choice, so we got our internet setup and started looking for a capable replacement to our provider's no-name modem+router. We landed on the TP-Link Archer VR2600, one of the most powerful ADSL-compatible modem-and-router in one.For a while at first, everything worked more or less fine. Our 1600 sqft (150 sqm) apartment has a long rectangular layout, and even though we placed the Archer in the middle, it failed to reach the extremities reliably. The biggest issue was a dead spot in our master bedroom's bathroom — I think we can all agree that's a major inconvenience. I tested the AmpliFi Mesh Point HD as a repeater and it did the trick of extending the connection's range. However, other issues slowly started arising with the main Archer router.
We're in day two of Prime "Day" and the deals keep coming — here's a particularly interesting one on a mesh router. Netgear's Orbi line of Wi-Fi routers are known for their reliability and range and are arguably the best mesh Wi-Fi system on the market. Two variants, RKB23 and RKB33, are on sale right now for under $200, with the price dropping another $10 if you use today's “Buy More, Get More” promotion.
The Orbi RKB33 consists of one router and two Satellite Extenders, which can be directly plugged into wall sockets. Rated for a coverage area of 5000 square feet, this AC2200 (meaning 802.11 AC with 2.2Gbps of bandwidth) router can also connect up to four wired devices to your network via Ethernet ports in the main router. This router, dubbed the "Wall-Plug Performance Wi-Fi", is currently on sale for $195.
The latest tech trade show, MWC Shanghai, is just getting started and one of the first exhibitors is Chinese tech manufacturer Oppo. It didn't talk about a phone at its keynote — its Reno phones are getting some extended spotlight here — but it did bring us closer to the supposed holy grail of a full-body smartphone display by demonstrating an under-display selfie camera.
Making sure that your entire house is blanketed in the ever-so-important waves of Wi-Fi is a huge pain sometimes. Though routers nowadays are much, much better than ever before, their range of coverage is not always sufficient. That's why mesh networks have risen in popularity. And B&H has a deal for you to get started on keeping everyone and everything in your home connected — right now, you can pick up a two-pack of Linksys's Velop AC2600 mesh routers in white for just $99.99, half off the $199.99 asking price.
If you've been curious about switching your home network setup over to a mesh router system, this deal might be worth a look. The Linksys Velop Tri-Band Whole Home Wi-Fi System is on sale at Costco now for $150 off the retail price of $499.99. That makes it just $349.99 for a setup with four nodes, thanks to instant manufacturer's savings.
My family lives in a somewhat large house, and Xfinity's 'Wireless Gateway' router has never done a great job at coverage. Several rooms had poor reception or dead spots, particularly in the upstairs area. I bought a basic Netgear range extender as a band-aid solution, but for whatever reason, some of my devices (including my Google Pixel) still refuse to connect to it.Last year at CES, Linksys announced its first mesh Wi-Fi system, called 'Velop.' The tri-band 2x2 802.11ac connectivity was a major selling point, but it was rather expensive — a 3-pack would set you back $500. The company launched a new dual-band Velop lineup last month, created to directly compete with the Google Wifi and other consumer mesh network systems. It has roughly the same design, and you can even use the new dual-band units with an existing tri-band network (and vice versa).Needless to say, when Linksys offered to send a review unit of the new dual-band Velop system, I jumped at the opportunity. I received the three-pack version (AC3900), which costs $299. After about a month of testing, I'm very pleased with the system for what it costs.
Last year at CES, Linksys announced its first mesh Wi-Fi system, called 'Velop.' The main selling point was tri-band 2x2 802.11ac connectivity, resulting in no latency loss between the main router and the other nodes. However, the system was rather expensive; a 3-pack would cost you $500. Linksys has now released a cheaper dual-band version, designed to directly compete with the Google Wifi and other consumer mesh systems.
Anyone who's lived in anything larger than a mid-sized apartment knows how annoying it is to deal with Wi-Fi dead zones. It may essentially be the definition of a first world problem to complain about how long YouTube takes to buffer on a multi-hundred-dollar supercomputer that fits in the palm of your hand while you're sitting on the toilet, but we humans do have a tendency to complain. Fortunately, mesh Wi-Fi router systems like Luma, eero, and Google Wifi have become increasingly more commonplace over the past couple of years and are a great way to blanket your entire home with a strong and reliable Wi-Fi signal.
Mesh routers make it easier to cover large areas with great Wi-Fi. Think of each mesh station as a cell phone tower, where your devices automatically switch to whichever one has the best signal. No more upstairs-only networks, or $30 janky repeaters that interfere with other signals. If you've been itching to try one, Netgear's Orbi system is on sale again.This particular model is the router + wall satellite combo, which means you get one base station and one 'satellite' (basically just a less-powerful station that plugs directly into an outlet). The base station should cover 2,500 square feet, and the satellite can cover 1,500 square feet. The system with one station and two satellites went on sale earlier this month, but it was still $300.There are some other nice features too, like an app for setup and management, support for creating a guest network, content filters for young children, Alexa compatibility, and more. You can buy the Orbi system for $194.97 ($55 off) from Amazon at the link below. Best Buy also has it for $199 ($50 off), with in-store pickup options available.Source: Amazon, Best Buy
Perhaps you've been frustrated by dead spots in your home WiFi situation, lamenting those rooms that, for you, might as well no longer exist. Instead of shaking your fist, maybe it's time to look at a mesh WiFi system. Amazon has a deal on the NETGEAR Orbi AC2200 3-pack, which has dropped to 9.99.For your three Benjamins you get a WiFi router and two satellite units, which offers up to 5000 square feet of coverage. It all gets configured through the Orbi app, and once it's all set up, you can control it with Alexa.At $299.99, this is $50 off its regular price of $349.99 and even $20 less than when it was a Deal of the Day earlier this summer at $319.99. So grab one of these and rediscover the parts of your home you've probably forgotten about by now. I'm sure they need dusting.Source: Amazon
At CES 2018, Huawei announced its new home network/router solution, the WiFi Q2. Although similar to other products on the market, like Google's or Netgear's offerings, the WiFi Q2 differs slightly in that it's "the world's first" hybrid system for blanketing your home in wireless signal.
Mesh Wi-Fi networks are pretty great. You don't have to worry about where your primary router is placed, and you don't have to create two (or more) Wi-Fi networks to cover your home. Google Wi-Fi and Ubiquiti are probably the best-known in this field, but Netgear's Orbi is fairly popular as well. Now you can get the AC3000 mesh router with one 'satellite' station (RBK50) for $279.99 - a $120 saving over the MSRP.If you're not familiar with mesh routers, they are similar in principle to having one Wi-Fi router with several repeaters. However, mesh network units can all communicate with each other, whereas repeaters can only talk to the main router, and they won't create separate Wi-Fi networks that you have to manually switch between. Just like cell phone towers, your devices should switch to the best connection automatically.This Orbi system has one main router and one 'satellite,' but you can easily buy additional ones if this doesn't cover your home adequately. You can buy it at the source links below.