I’m looking to replace our Google Nest Wi-Fi system and I’m just starting to figure out the options. House is about 4200 sq ft. The Nest system has honestly worked better than it probably should have, considering the AP placement isn’t ideal. Right now I have one point upstairs and two downstairs. They’re sitting on walls/shelves, not ceiling mounted, but coverage has been “good enough.”
Internet is fiber from Frontier. ONT goes into the ISP Arris router, then into an Ubuntu PC I use for a few things. I also have Cat5 runs to four spots in the house, mostly used for TV/Plex stuff.
I keep seeing people recommend UniFi, Omada, etc., but a lot of the APs look like they’re meant to be ceiling mounted. That’s hard downstairs because I don’t have access between floors.
What would you do here? Wall APs? Shelf-mounted APs? Stick with mesh? I’m not really a network guy, so trying not to make this more complicated than it needs to be.
You already have Cat5 drops. That’s the important part. Use wired APs wherever those drops are useful. Even if the exact locations aren’t perfect, wired backhaul will beat wireless mesh in most houses. People get way too focused on the AP brand first. Your layout and cable locations matter more.
@CodeWizard I think I was treating the Cat5 as “TV cables” more than possible AP locations. The drops aren’t perfectly placed, but they’re probably better than relying on wireless mesh everywhere.
Before buying three or four APs, model it.Use NetSpot Planning.
If you want simple-ish but better than Nest: gateway/router, PoE switch, 2–4 wired APs, same SSID, done. UniFi or Omada both work. UniFi has nicer polish, Omada is usually cheaper. Either one is more work than Nest, but also gives you actual control. Do not keep the ISP router doing weird router things unless you know why. Either bridge it if possible or put your real router behind the ONT cleanly.
I’m fine with a little more complexity if it means fewer random Wi-Fi issues later. I don’t need enterprise-level anything. I mostly want stable coverage, good speeds, and not having to reboot pucks because the TV upstairs suddenly hates life. NetSpot Planning sounds useful because I don’t actually know if my Cat5 locations are good AP spots.