For a three-storey home, start with a mesh kit whose nodes can be placed from the broadband gateway towards the upper floors while maintaining a usable connection between them. Use Ethernet between nodes where cabling is practical; otherwise, consider wireless-backhaul capacity, but check the broadband connection and the devices used for family videos before paying for faster Wi-Fi specifications.
If broadband works near the gateway but video playback or sharing becomes unreliable upstairs, extending Wi-Fi coverage through the house is the immediate priority. Ofcom advises that two or three well-placed mesh units may help Wi-Fi reach more rooms.
When family-video activity overlaps with streaming, gaming or other data-heavy use, consider how the mesh nodes connect to one another. An Ethernet connection between nodes is worth considering if the house has a practical cable route.
If you have compatible Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7 devices, faster broadband, a network-attached storage device or wired media equipment, check client compatibility and Ethernet ports before choosing a kit for longer-term use.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage across three floors | Plan locations from the gateway towards the upper floors, keeping each node within reach of the mesh rather than placing it only in a dead zone. | I can use video near the router, but it drops out upstairs, so coverage and workable node positions come first. Around 46% of consumers put this need first. |
| Several people sharing or watching video | Check whether Ethernet can connect the nodes; if it cannot, compare the wireless-backhaul arrangements of the models you are considering. | When other household members are streaming or gaming, I want family-video sharing to remain usable. For around 36% of consumers, simultaneous use is the primary concern. |
| Useful capacity, not just headline speed | Check broadband speed, the Wi-Fi capabilities of key devices and whether any wired equipment can use faster Ethernet ports. | I do not want to choose newer Wi-Fi features that my phones, TVs or broadband connection cannot use. That is the main consideration for around 18% of consumers. |
A mesh node needs a workable connection to the rest of the system. TP-Link advises keeping Deco units out of enclosed spaces such as cupboards and TV cabinets.
Try open locations between the gateway and the rooms that need coverage, then test video playback and transfers on each floor before settling on permanent positions.
An advertised wireless rate does not tell you the speed available through several floors or whether the broadband connection is the bottleneck. Ofcom recommends an Ethernet-connected device when testing broadband speed as accurately as possible.
Check the connection at the gateway, then compare results around the home. Match faster ports and newer Wi-Fi features to the broadband service and equipment you actually use.
An extender aimed at one room may not address several weak areas on different floors. Ofcom notes that larger homes may need multiple mesh units to improve coverage.
Compare an extender for an isolated weak spot with a multi-node mesh plan when coverage repeatedly fails across floors.
eero states that access to the 6 GHz band on its Pro 6E system requires a compatible Wi-Fi 6E device. Older video-viewing devices continue to use the bands they support.
Check the Wi-Fi capabilities of the phones, tablets and computers used for family videos before treating Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7 as a reason to upgrade.
The Deco line includes the three-pack BE65, a tri-band Wi-Fi 7 option for a multi-node plan.
Pro 6E is a Wi-Fi 6E mesh option for households considering 6 GHz access and Ethernet-connected nodes.
NETGEAR positions Orbi 970 for large homes and fast broadband plans.
These three-pack Wi-Fi 7 mesh kits provide multiple nodes to position through a three-storey home. Compare their stated bands and ports alongside the placement and backhaul arrangement your home allows.
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Consider this kit if you need three placement points and want the option of wired or wireless connections between nodes.
TP-Link specifies tri-band Wi-Fi 7, combined wired and wireless backhaul, and 2.5GbE connectivity for Deco BE65. Check where the nodes can sit and which devices can use the newer Wi-Fi features.
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Consider the three-pack if you need several node locations for video use across the house.
The product is identified as a BE3600 whole-home Wi-Fi 7 mesh system. Check its Ethernet ports and backhaul options against any planned cable runs.
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This three-pack is worth considering if you need several node positions and are also checking options for faster wired equipment.
Its product name specifies dual-band Wi-Fi 7 and 2.5Gbps Ethernet. Confirm that its node-connection options suit your intended layout, particularly if you plan to run Ethernet between floors.
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The three-pack offers multiple placement points to consider when planning coverage through the house.
It is identified as a whole-home Wi-Fi 7 mesh system. If Ethernet between floors is part of your plan, confirm the model’s backhaul arrangement and ports before buying.
Not automatically: the gateway position, building materials and connection between nodes all affect coverage. Ofcom says larger homes may need more mesh units, so assess a three-pack if video use needs reliable Wi-Fi on every floor.
Use an Ethernet connection between nodes where cabling is practical and the chosen system supports it, so that part of the mesh path does not rely on a wireless link. eero confirms that its nodes can be connected through a switch or in a daisy chain; check the connection options for the exact kit you choose.
No: newer Wi-Fi features depend on compatible devices, and they cannot increase the speed of the broadband service itself. eero specifies that its Pro 6E offers 6 GHz access to compatible Wi-Fi 6E devices; when diagnosing slow internet, Ofcom recommends testing the broadband connection with an Ethernet-connected device where possible.