Wi-⁠Fi in a big flat: where the router goes and when you need mesh

Where the terminal goes

• Near the middle of the flat, on an open shelf, 1–2 metres above the floor.
• Not inside a cupboard, behind the TV, in a metal box or next to a mirror.
• Ask the installer to put the terminal near the rooms rather than at the front door: choosing the spot at the first visit costs nothing.

2.4 and 5 GHz

The terminal sends out two networks. 5 GHz is fast but fades quickly through walls. 2.4 GHz reaches further but is slower, and in a block of flats it shares channels with the neighbours’ routers. Keep the TV and laptop near the terminal on 5 GHz and the devices in far rooms on 2.4 GHz.

When you need mesh

Makers measure coverage in open space: TP-Link gives up to 232 m² for one Deco X50. In a flat with concrete walls our installers count differently: a Wi-⁠Fi 6 terminal covers about 90 m², and each Deco X50 adds 70 m². A two-floor flat always gets one unit upstairs.

• 75 m² at 500 Mbit/s: the terminal is enough.
• 140 m², four rooms: the terminal and 1 Deco X50.
• 220 m² on two floors: the terminal and 2 units.

Link the units by cable

The Deco X50 has three gigabit ports. If the flat has network cable in the walls, connect the unit by cable: the link between units then takes none of the radio, and all of the Wi-⁠Fi is left for your devices.