Upstairs gamers with weak Wi-Fi
If the broadband router and gaming room are on different floors, plan where mesh units could sit before choosing a pack. Ofcom identifies floors and walls as obstacles to Wi-Fi coverage.
Who needs which connection?
Gamers who can run Ethernet
If you can cable the PC or console, or connect mesh units between floors, prioritise the wired route. Ofcom advises Ethernet for a faster, more reliable local connection.
Households with fast broadband and many devices
Check the broadband tier, wired equipment and client devices before choosing multi-gigabit ports or Wi-Fi 6E/7. Those capabilities are most relevant when the rest of the connection can use them.
What matters when choosing?
Start with the signal path to the gaming room, then decide whether you can use Ethernet. Compare higher-speed ports and newer Wi-Fi standards only after checking the broadband service and connected devices.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage across floors | Plan node positions between the broadband entry point and gaming room; choose a pack that allows those positions. | When the game downloads upstairs, I need a usable signal through the floors rather than a higher router speed rating alone. Around 33% of consumers put cross-floor coverage first. |
| A predictable local connection | Check Ethernet ports at the gaming device’s location and Ethernet-backhaul support if you intend to cable mesh units. | If I can run a cable, I want to avoid relying on a weak wireless hop for a large download. A predictable wired connection comes first for around 42% of consumers. |
| Capacity for newer equipment | Compare the broadband tier, device Wi-Fi support and WAN/LAN port speeds before choosing 6 GHz or multi-gigabit hardware. | With fast broadband or many devices in use, I want equipment that matches what the household can connect to it. Around 25% of consumers prioritise that capacity. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Replacing one poorly placed router with a faster-rated one
Floors and building materials can still weaken the signal before it reaches the gaming room, as Ofcom explains.
Map the router, gaming room and possible mesh positions before deciding whether one unit can serve the house.
If coverage remains weak, adding another unit later may be necessary.
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Choosing Wi-Fi 7 or 10GbE for the rating alone
Ofcom notes that Wi-Fi cannot outperform the broadband service. A port or wireless rating is not a promised speed for one game download.
Check the provider plan, broadband handoff and gaming device before deciding which port speeds and Wi-Fi standard you can use.
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Overlooking the connection between mesh units
A wireless backhaul must also carry data between floors. Connecting the gaming device to a satellite by Ethernet does not remove that inter-node wireless link.
If cabling between floors is practical, confirm that the exact mesh system supports Ethernet backhaul; otherwise plan positions that maintain a usable wireless link.
Adding wired backhaul later can involve cable-routing or installation work.
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Assuming optional app features are included
eero identifies several security and parental-control features as part of its optional eero Plus subscription.
Check which features come with the exact system and the terms of any optional service before choosing it for those controls.
Relevant brands to consider
TP-Link Deco
A mesh range to examine when separate floors need Wi-Fi coverage.
- TP-Link lists tri-band Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 options; the Deco BE65 specification includes 2.5Gbps ports and combined wired/wireless backhaul.
- Check the exact model and pack: features differ, and TP-Link marks the XE75 Pro product page as end of life.
ASUS ZenWiFi
An option to examine when configurable mesh roles and faster wired networking matter.
- ASUS lists tri-band Wi-Fi 7, two 10G ports and router, access-point and AiMesh-node modes for the ZenWiFi BT10.
- Those are BT10 specifications, not features of every ZenWiFi model; check whether the broadband handoff and other wired equipment can use the ports.
NETGEAR Orbi
A range that includes higher-capacity systems for larger, device-heavy homes.
- NETGEAR lists quad-band Wi-Fi 7, dedicated backhaul and 10GbE and 2.5GbE connectivity for the Orbi 970 three-pack.
- Those manufacturer specifications concern the Orbi 970, not every Orbi system. Check whether the home and broadband service call for that capacity.
eero
An app-led mesh option for households considering faster wired networking.
- eero lists two 10GbE ports and multi-gigabit backhaul for the Max 7.
- eero identifies some security and parental-control features as part of an optional eero Plus subscription; check the exact feature terms.
Three-unit mesh systems on Joybuy
These three-unit mesh systems offer places to position units across the floors. The right positions and whether you need a wired connection depend on the house, broadband setup and gaming device.
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TP-Link Deco BE65 BE9300 Wi-Fi 7, 3-pack
Consider the three-unit pack when the gaming room is separated from the broadband entry point by other floors.
TP-Link lists tri-band Wi-Fi 7, 2.5Gbps ports and combined wired/wireless backhaul for the BE65. Check the broadband setup and client devices before choosing it for those features.
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TP-Link Deco BE22 BE3600 Wi-Fi 7, 3-pack
The three-unit mesh pack offers placement options when a gaming room is on another floor.
Its product name identifies it as a BE3600 Wi-Fi 7 system. If you plan to cable a gaming device or link the units by Ethernet, check the ports and backhaul support for this exact pack.
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NETGEAR Orbi 370 RBE373 dual-band BE3600, 3-pack, white
Consider this three-unit system where coverage needs to extend between the broadband entry point and an upstairs gaming room.
The product name specifies Wi-Fi 7 and 2.5Gbps Ethernet. Confirm port placement and Ethernet-backhaul support if you intend to cable the units together.
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TP-Link Deco BE25 Wi-Fi 7, 3-pack
This three-unit mesh pack is an option for positioning Wi-Fi units on separate levels.
If a wired gaming connection or inter-node cable is part of the plan, check the number and position of Ethernet ports and whether this model supports Ethernet backhaul.
Common questions
Will a new router make game updates download faster than my broadband package?
No router can raise the speed ceiling of the broadband service. As Ofcom explains, Wi-Fi cannot outperform that service; improving the connection inside the house helps when the existing Wi-Fi path is the limiting factor.
Should I choose mesh over one router for a three-storey house?
Consider mesh when floors and walls weaken the signal between the router and gaming room. Separate units give you more placement options, but the number needed depends on the building and where the broadband connection enters.
Should I connect the gaming PC or console by Ethernet?
Yes, if cabling is practical: Ofcom recommends Ethernet for a faster, more reliable local connection. A cable to a mesh satellite removes the device’s wireless hop, though the satellite still needs a good connection to the main unit.
Can I keep my provider’s router and add mesh Wi-Fi?
Often, provided the chosen system supports the required setup. TP-Link says Deco can connect to an existing router by Ethernet; check the exact mesh model, operating mode and broadband handoff before buying.