K-Tipp tests WLAN repeaters and mesh routers
4.11.2020
Translation: machine translated
While many people are working from home and struggling with a weak internet signal, K-Tipp tested four Wi-Fi amplifiers and four mesh systems to improve Wi-Fi range at home. We present the test results here.
How can I improve the reception of my home Wi-Fi? K-Tipp investigated this question in collaboration with the TV programme "Kassensturz" and sent eight products for increasing Internet range to the specialist laboratory for its issue of 14 October 2020 (no. 17/2020).
The test
Candidates
The products tested can be categorised in the lower price segment. It should be mentioned here that mesh systems consisting of two to three devices are significantly more expensive than individual repeaters, but they offer better and more stable Wi-Fi reception. The technical difference is that a repeater receives the signal from the existing router and amplifies it, while a mesh WiFi system (consisting of a router and one or two intelligent satellites) creates its own seamless wireless network. This allows end devices such as notebooks or smartphones to connect to the most suitable access point.
Procedure and criteria
In order to measure the signal strength and speed, an Internet connection is installed in the basement as the starting point, with the repeaters on the ground floor and the mesh systems on one of the four other floors. Care is taken to ensure that the mesh devices can establish the best possible connection with each other.
The mobile app, installation and website menu are evaluated according to how informative, clear and easy to use they are.
The criteria "signal strength" with 40 % and "speed" with 35 % carry the most weight in the overall assessment, while the "app" is rated at 10 %.while the "app" contributes 10% to the overall score and "installation", "website menu" and "power consumption" each account for 5%.
Result WLAN repeater
None of the repeaters stands out with an "unsatisfactory" result according to K-Tipp. However, the Swisscom WLAN Box 2, which is by far the most expensive, outperforms its competitors in all criteria except for power consumption, where the AVM FRITZ!WLAN Repeater 310 receives the top score.
1.
1st place (score 5.2)
2nd place (grade 4.8)
3rd place (grade 4.6)
4th place (grade 4.4)
Result mesh systems
The mesh systems in places 1 to 3 are close together in the overall score and all receive an overall rating of "good". The winner Telekom Airties 4920 achieves the best signal strength (score 5), while the runner-up Netgear Orbi RBK13 achieves the best score of 6 in terms of speed. The expert lab gave the D-Link Covr Tri Band Mesh Set an "unsatisfactory" rating, with the main drawbacks being speed, mobile app and installation.
1st place grade (5.2)
Unfortunately, we can no longer obtain the Telekom Airties.
2nd rank grade (4.9)
3rd rank grade (4.8)
4th place grade (3.4)
Note: Every house, every flat, every room is different in terms of its layout, construction or the density or material of the walls. It is therefore important to consider that different results may be obtained in a different test environment.
The complete article "Boosting internet reception for little money" tested by K-Tipp can be downloaded here for a fee.
Tosca Testorelli
Senior Category Business Manager
tosca.testorelli@digitecgalaxus.chPassionate about football – beer in hand after a win. Love cycling and am a dedicated dog-lover. I speak my mind, love interacting with others and am always excited to learn new things.
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