WiFi So Fly

Connect Everything Without Worry

Your home network transports all the information, do it in first class

Latest Update 1/1/21

Topics covered
  • Single vs Mesh
  • WiFi 6
  • Wire Everything Possible
Things to consider
  • Major overhaul or incremental step
  • Complete Control vs Ease of Setup
  • HomeKit Secure Router
  • Should you try to future proof
overview
The basis of any good smart home is good WiFi. If you think you have poor WiFi performance right now or you get some smart devices but they aren’t working perfectly, you might want to consider upgrading your WiFi. Here are some basics to help you understand and make the right buying choice. 

If you aren’t familiar with the technology, WiFi has different generations and generation 6 (AX) recently came out. It also has what are called bands, or the frequency of the radio signal - commonly 2.4ghz and 5ghz. Most routers sold these days are either WiFi 4 (N) or 5 (AC), but as time moves forward, more and more devices will use WiFi 6. As of right now, most smart devices that don’t use their own communication protocol like Zigbee or Bluetooth, rely on your WiFi network, and almost always only on the 2.4ghz band. This means that having multiple access points and getting traffic off of the 2.4ghz band will enable your smart home to have better responsiveness and functionality. 

WiFi 6 is an exciting iteration because it doesn’t just make things faster, it has taken a page out of the cell phone book and will be able to handle more devices a lot better. If you're interested in learning more about this jump, you can read a great article here. But as of right now, there are very few cell phones or even computers that use WiFi 6, including smart devices. This means that while WiFi 6 is great, there are very few routers and devices that can use it, so that expense might not be worth it at this time. However, we have tested some WiFi 6 routers and recommend one in the honorable mentions if you would like to go down that route. 

Mesh WiFi is likely something you have seen or come across in your search and it makes a compelling offer - a little puck to help extend the WiFi further. We are really excited about these because it makes multiple access points (a great way to balance the load of smart home devices) accessible to the everyday person. We recommend wiring each of your access points if at all possible, including using ethernet over a power line if you can because even that will drastically improve WiFi performance. 

Let’s briefly mention some of the marketing misnomers 1) the number associated with routers (like AC2300) and 2) the number of bands. The numbers with the routers are the theoretical speed when you combine everything together. No single device will be able to take advantage of these speeds, but generally, a higher number is better. We like to test our routers in the real world and find the ones that work best. Very popular right now are tri-band routers, but again, no single device will use all three bands for increased speed. Take a look at tri-band vs. dual band here. We really only recommend going tri-band on a mesh system (like the Eero Pro) if you cannot run wire or use powerline adapters to where you want your additional access points. 

HomeKit Routers are in alignment with Apple’s security-focused philosophy and therefore are a great option for people who have chosen Apple’s ecosystem. They help manage your smart devices and make sure that if something ever happens to one, it doesn’t take down the rest of your network. The good news is just because a router is HomeKit compatible doesn’t mean it can’t be used by other devices or smart home systems.

Lastly we want to mention that Ubiquiti is a great offering for those who want professional-grade equipment and control at near-consumer prices. Their PoE (different from EoP) solution is great for neatly wiring cameras and access points, but requires running ethernet to anywhere you need it. In the past, their setup had a high entry price point because of the multiple devices you needed, but now if you're just getting started or need a new core for your network, the Dream Machine makes a heck of a compelling offer. 
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Top Mesh system

Orbi AX6000

The Orbi WiFi 6 provides great range and future technology that can be expanded with mesh capabilities should you need it down the road. The best part is that it works with all other components of the Orbi ecosystem. It also integrates with Google and Alexa voice assistants.

BUY NoW on amazon
detailed review - eero
Netgear has been a home name in networking for a long time and they really set a gold standard with the latest WiFi iteration. A single unit is more than enough to cover most homes with the ability to expand to more units as your usage and devices increase. This router includes multi-gigabit ethernet connectivity and default encryption on all of its connections. With one of the highest throughputs of any networking devices we tested I the real world, this really sets the standard.

While the devices themselves can be difficult to hide due to their size, and the price can be inhibitive - this is the best home system money can buy. One of these Orbi's can rival most standalone WiFi 6 devices, and two work flawlessly together. The Orbi ecosystem is all compatible with one another, so if you have some older extenders or outdoor access points, they will seamlessly integrate with this as your main unit. The integration with Google and Alexa and the Orbi Smart Speaker unit can provide some additional control with your smart home automations.
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top single router

Ubiquiti Dream Machine

Ubiquiti makes professional grade equipment (the kind that runs sports stadiums) and makes it affordable for everyone. This all-in-one product can help you get started plus can expand to support a robust security camera system, as well as WiFi for a small apartment, or a multi-building mansion.

buy now on amazon
ubiquiti dream machine thumbnail
detailed review - ubiquiti
Ubiquiti is becoming more of a home brand. Gaining headlines with its incredible security gateway and seemingly limitless expandability, Ubiquiti is making it into more and more homes. Their product offering of security, control, customization, and clean lines, makes it a compelling option. The Dream Machine is the best consumer router (that is not WiFi 6),  if you want to expand into the Ubiquiti ecosystem. Combining the raved-about Cloud Key and Unified Security Gateway into one unit and adding a WiFi access point makes this the best time to jump in to Ubiquiti.

Ubiquiti's expandable access points and security cameras  are all powered by ethernet (a single cable for power and data) which offers a great expandable solution, and the only one would make for a large home or multi-building dwelling. Of the clients we have had jump on board with Ubiquiti, none of them regret the decision. Some are more interested in the control and traffic, where as some set it up and forget it. That's a great thing - Ubiquiti just works, and the Dream Machine makes it even easier to get going than ever before.
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Honorable Mentions

Eero pro wifi
Eero / Eero Pro
Eero and Eero Pro have come out as one of the best mesh systems on the market, giving gigabit ethernet performance and lots of security control. If you choose HomeKit, it helps keep your smart home even more secure (although not on it's latest WiFi 6 models). If you have the ability to hardwire each unit, the Eero Pro might be overkill.
Works with
buy now on amazon
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Google WiFi
Google WiFi and Nest WiFi work together, so if you want the smart speaker, get the Nest. If you want ethernet ports (recommended), get Google... or maybe a little bit of both.
Works with
buy now on amazon
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TP-Link Ethernet Over Powerline
We highly recommend you run ethernet through to where you want additional access points, but if you have no choice, the TP-Link Ethernet Over Powerline is the best option to get a "wire" through to other parts of your home. While this router has its own WiFi built in, the performance is not what it could be by connecting a mesh point.
buy now on amazon