A mesh network is often considered a silver bullet for all kinds of Wi-Fi problems. The most common mesh setup consists of a primary node connected to one or more satellite nodes to create an uninterrupted Wi-Fi net around the home. While a mesh network is designed to overcome the limitations of a standard router by eliminating dead zones and extending Wi-Fi coverage without major downsides, you might not need it (yet) in your home network. Before spending $200–$400 on mesh Wi-Fi, you should inspect and fix the existing deficiencies in your current network. Optimal router settings and position are free fixes that could make an expensive mesh setup redundant. And a better router will still be cheaper than mesh while solving your range issues. Lastly, repurposing an old router into a wired access point could be the only fix your network needs.