Since my 11/30/2023 thread was locked, I am continuing the thread here. I have 1Gbps service via fiber. Main node measures close to 1Gbps, I just tested it with Ookla this morning. Upstairs there is another node, whose back haul is connected via wireless. My office is upstairs and my laptop is 16 feet away from the node. I ran Speedtest by Ookla and got
Speedtest by Ookla
Server: Comcast - Boston, MA (id: 1774)
ISP: Consolidated Communications
Idle Latency: 20.33 ms (jitter: 1.11ms, low: 19.01ms, high: 21.89ms)
Download: 203.75 Mbps (data used: 255.1 MB)
211.00 ms (jitter: 62.39ms, low: 22.05ms, high: 475.43ms)
Upload: 17.74 Mbps (data used: 14.8 MB)
1954.07 ms (jitter: 138.63ms, low: 25.99ms, high: 2896.10ms)
Packet Loss: Not available.
Result URL: https://www.speedtest.net/result/c/44c3b74f-414e-4294-8572-aea50061f3b0
Speedtest by Ookla
Server: Hub66 - Manchester, NH (id: 56849)
ISP: Consolidated Communications
Idle Latency: 23.21 ms (jitter: 0.65ms, low: 22.11ms, high: 24.71ms)
Download: 175.23 Mbps (data used: 126.1 MB)
302.15 ms (jitter: 73.67ms, low: 24.55ms, high: 633.18ms)
Upload: 17.59 Mbps (data used: 15.7 MB)
2355.01 ms (jitter: 140.98ms, low: 41.97ms, high: 4461.16ms)
Packet Loss: 88.9%
Result URL: https://www.speedtest.net/result/c/6c969fec-c558-4914-9dca-4cfc02f138fd
Installing a wired back haul improves things, but not by much. I think this mesh router is more hype than performance. And no, I don't want to have to have an ethernet cable running up my stairs permanently.
Speedtest by Ookla - wired back haul
Server: Comcast - Boston, MA (id: 1774)
ISP: Consolidated Communications
Idle Latency: 17.30 ms (jitter: 58.83ms, low: 16.49ms, high: 133.19ms)
Download: 94.14 Mbps (data used: 84.5 MB)
254.91 ms (jitter: 49.97ms, low: 18.94ms, high: 427.00ms)
Upload: 93.66 Mbps (data used: 82.1 MB)
173.28 ms (jitter: 55.71ms, low: 19.71ms, high: 325.72ms)
Packet Loss: Not available.
Result URL: https://www.speedtest.net/result/c/079cb905-bad7-427c-a0d7-83279b006d8c
Speedtest by Ookla - wired back haul
Server: Hub66 - Manchester, NH (id: 56849)
ISP: Consolidated Communications
Idle Latency: 20.27 ms (jitter: 68.24ms, low: 17.50ms, high: 154.08ms)
Download: 193.90 Mbps (data used: 267.6 MB)
100.04 ms (jitter: 39.84ms, low: 16.83ms, high: 844.99ms)
Upload: 94.49 Mbps (data used: 103.0 MB)
242.25 ms (jitter: 61.77ms, low: 18.25ms, high: 793.23ms)
Packet Loss: 1.6%
Result URL: https://www.speedtest.net/result/c/c0e64628-4c5d-4f54-a4f6-6117a31088e6
Even given test site variability, these mesh routers are performing worse than simple much lower cost repeaters.
What is infuriating is there are no consumer visible quantitative metrics on the mesh quality. Google Home always reports things are great, and they are not. This Google Nest WiFi pro mesh router does not live up to either it's hype or my modest expectations for a 2200 sq foot home (built with wood and plaster in 1853). This router has been a waste of money. I would never recommend it, simply due to the poor value proposition. It does not work well enough to justify the cost. The ISP's "mesh" router at least provided 500Mbps upstairs, but admin on the router was terrible. It also was no better than a repeater, as far as bandwidth is concerned.
If someone knows of a way to improve my situation, I'm all ears. As it stands, I'm disappointed in this product's performance.
19 feet from main node to stairway. Right angle up stairs one flight. Five feet from top of stairs, the second node sits on a little wooden stand. My office is 16 feet away. I am doing all the speed tests on an M3 Max MacBookPro with WiFi6e, not an Android phone.
