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Mesh system versus TP Powerlink Adapters

Navrig — Fri, 29 Aug 2025 16:32:02 GMT

I have BT900 full fibre. The cable enters the corner of one leg of an L shaped house. This is a downstairs sitting room and a Speedtest in that room shows downloads of 400+MBPS and uploads of 55MBPS.

We have another TV room in the other leg of the house. It is at mezzanine level (not fully upstairs). The direct radio signal route from the BT router would be through two external (brick) walls and one internal stud partition. Direct distance is probably 20m or so.

To help with internet speeds in that room I use TP Powerlink adapters (600MPS model). I connect a Firestick to the upper Powerlink with ethernet. A wifi speedtest in that room shows downloads 14-50MBPS depending on time of day.

Some video services struggle in that room so I get a lot of buffering at times.

Running a cable is feasible but would be a real pain to do.

How much better, than Powerlink adapters, would a mesh system be? Which one would be the better option?

The house is circa 2000, timber framed, brick clad.

Re: Mesh system versus TP Powerlink Adapters

Navrig — Fri, 29 Aug 2025 17:35:14 GMT

The incomer is the circle and the Firestick is the square. The Firestick is half a floor above the groundfloor. The groundfloor is a concrete slab so running a cable would mean taking it outside along a gutter an back in through a facia board.

Re: Mesh system versus TP Powerlink Adapters

gg30340 — Fri, 29 Aug 2025 20:24:58 GMT

Unfortunately any wifi systems including MESH systems come without guarantees as regards what speed they will deliver. There are to many variables such as insulation materials used, the type of plaster board used ect etc. It is basically a try it and see option.

The best option which you have already alluded to is to hard wire with Ethernet Cable and if need be attach a Wireless Access Point (WAP) to the termination end in the rooms with the problem or at the least hard wire Ethernet to a central location of the area you want covered then use a WAP to spread the coverage to the area.

Re: Mesh system versus TP Powerlink Adapters

Anonymous — Fri, 29 Aug 2025 20:53:56 GMT

@Navrig

Your pic isn't yet showing, maybe awaiting moderation. But you could try running ethernet to the middle of the L & relocate the router there, so it's more central. The router can be up to 100m from the ONT using Cat 5e cable or better. You could buy a long cable to test & then look at getting a cable nicely installed if it works.

Re: Mesh system versus TP Powerlink Adapters

Navrig — Fri, 29 Aug 2025 21:33:51 GMT

Running a cable internally just won't happen. Concrete floor and door thresholds just make it impossible.

The only way would be to pin it to the top of skirting along the walls and all around door frames. The Wive Police will stop that. Or I could start to raggle the ceiling and replaster. That's just not going to happen.

So back to my question. Is a mesh system likely to be better than power link adapters?

Re: Mesh system versus TP Powerlink Adapters

gg30340 — Fri, 29 Aug 2025 22:27:39 GMT

@Navrigwrote:

So back to my question. Is a mesh system likely to be better than power link adapters?

Maybe aye maybe no for the reasons I have already given. Wireless signals can be subject to interference as a result it is impossible to say.

Buy a MESH from a dealer such as Amazon and if it isn't better than what you have you can return it. Might not be very ethical doing that but it is practical.

Re: Mesh system versus TP Powerlink Adapters

Navrig — Fri, 29 Aug 2025 22:31:32 GMT

Fair enough. Ta.

Re: Mesh system versus TP Powerlink Adapters

Anonymous — Sat, 30 Aug 2025 06:16:02 GMT

Do you have a telephone service? If not, I'd maybe start by replacing the router with an Asus RT-AX82U. That's a much better router & should improve WiFi coverage. But if it isn't enough you can add other Asus mesh nodes, as it has their AiMesh built in. I run the DSL version with a single XD5 node for full coverage in a '70s three bed semi.

From you're description, you'll possibly need three units, one by the router, (or the router itself if you change it), one at the point where the two sections meet & another at the problem location.

But as @gg30340 says, there's no option other than to try it & see.

Re: Mesh system versus TP Powerlink Adapters

Navrig — Sat, 30 Aug 2025 18:15:26 GMT

Thanks for the suggestion.

I ditched our landline for calls a few years ago so this could be an option.

I'll have an explore.

Re: Mesh system versus TP Powerlink Adapters

TimCurtis — Sun, 31 Aug 2025 14:13:21 GMT

I run an Asus RT-AX5400 which is essentially the same , I think, as the RT-AX82U and the wifi coverage from that is way,way better than any BT SmartHub and far better than my previous DSL-AC68U which was also better than any BT device.

The Wifi 6 capability is partly the reason why it's better.