Range Extenders / Mesh Systems

[sifurich]

I have a Night Hawk X8 AC5300 Router with the AC1900 Range Extender. I have pretty good coverage but want to improve on same. What are my options to extend coverage with the existing setup? Can I keep the Router and add additional pods such as are included in Mesh Systems? Can I add an additional range extender?  What might be the best option? 

R

[plemans]

A couple things. 

1. AC1900, AC5300 are speeds, not models. The label will have the model number on it

2. what size is your home and what are the interior walls made of? 

3. I usually recommend moving away from using extenders if you're needing more than 1. It can be made to work with them but you need to be sure the extenders aren't in range of each other if you plan on using the mesh/one wifi function. I usually advise moving to an actual mesh system like orbi or the MK nighthawk where theres a router controlling the setup. 

[sifurich]

I stand corrected. Thanks

Router model is R8500. 

Extender model is EX7000.

I will look further into a mesh system.  House is 100 years old. Board / Batton / Plaster & Stucco. 3000 SF with Basement flat. Also office/shop area about 80 to 100 feet from modem / router. 

Current setup is working well but want to fill any gaps. 

[plemans]

that plaster/stucco is whats going to give you the gaps. 

Not only does the material block wifi well, it tends to have metal wire in it that also blocks wifi. 

Any chance you have coax or ethernet ran throughout the home? 

Reason I mention this is extenders and even wireless mesh systems still need a solid wireless signal to communicate back to the router. 

Sometimes its better to invest a little money/time to hardwire in satellites for better backhaul connections. 

Especially when the home isn't that accommodating to wireless signals.