For rooms separated by thick walls, consider a mesh system that lets you place units nearer the affected rooms rather than relying on one router to transmit through every barrier. If you can cable the units, look for Ethernet backhaul support; otherwise, plan their positions so each wireless link remains usable. Decide whether you need higher-capacity Wi-Fi hardware only after considering the layout, broadband connection and devices you use.
If a room loses its connection behind brick, stone or concrete walls, reaching that room matters more than increasing speed beside the router. Ofcom advises reducing the walls and obstacles between Wi-Fi equipment and devices where possible; mesh units offer more places from which to provide coverage.
If you have Ethernet cabling between rooms or can install it, check for explicit Ethernet backhaul support and enough ports on the units you intend to connect. TP-Link lists optional Ethernet backhaul for its Deco X50, illustrating why the feature should be checked on the exact model.
If several people use video calls, streaming or other connected devices at once, you may need to consider capacity as well as coverage. Check whether the broadband service and your devices can make use of a higher-capacity system before choosing one for its headline specification.
Start by finding where the connection fails and whether moving the existing router helps. Then plan a route to the affected rooms: mesh-unit placement and the connection between units matter before advertised maximum speeds.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Reaching separated rooms | Check the number of units and whether you can add more; identify intermediate positions with a usable connection between units. | If my connection disappears beyond a thick wall, I want Wi-Fi closer to that room, not just a faster router in its original position. Around 36% of consumers put coverage and unit placement first. |
| Connecting mesh units | Confirm Ethernet backhaul support on the exact model and count the ports needed if you plan to cable the units. | When a wireless link between rooms must cross dense masonry, I would rather use an available cable route. For around 29% of consumers, a dependable connection between units is the primary need. |
| Serving devices at once | Compare band configuration and Ethernet port speeds with your broadband service and connected equipment. | With several people online at once, I need the connection to remain usable after coverage reaches each room. Extra capacity comes first for around 21% of consumers. |
| Setup and upkeep | Check how the system connects to existing broadband equipment and how software updates are delivered. | If I will manage the network myself, I want a setup I can maintain as well as install. Straightforward installation and ongoing upkeep are the leading concern for around 14% of consumers. |
The signal still has to cross the same walls to reach the weak room. Ofcom advises reducing obstacles between Wi-Fi equipment and devices where practical.
Locate the dead zones and try a better router position first. If separated rooms remain difficult to reach, plan mesh-unit positions that create a usable path to them.
Building materials, obstructions and network conditions affect the result, so a manufacturer's stated coverage area cannot promise a connection through your particular walls.
Use the figure as a starting point, then plan positions around your walls and floors. Check the retailer's applicable return policy before ordering if you may need to assess coverage at home.
A unit near the device cannot overcome a poor connection back to the rest of the mesh. Where cabling is possible, an Ethernet backhaul can avoid that wireless crossing.
Confirm support on the exact kit and check that the units have the required ports before planning a cable route.
A home router and its connected devices need ongoing attention. The UK National Cyber Security Centre advises installing software and app updates promptly to address security issues.
Check the manufacturer's update approach before purchase. During setup, use strong, unique credentials rather than retaining defaults.
The Deco range includes Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7 mesh systems. It is worth examining when Ethernet backhaul or adding units is part of your coverage plan.
The Orbi range includes higher-capacity mesh configurations for households assessing wireless capacity alongside reach.
eero offers app-led mesh setup for households that want to consider how the system will connect to their existing broadband equipment.
ZenWiFi includes hardware for households considering multi-gig wired connections and higher-capacity mesh configurations.
These three-unit mesh systems offer positions for Wi-Fi equipment around a thick-walled home. Before choosing among them, decide whether you need a confirmed wired connection between units, particular Ethernet ports or more capacity for connected devices.
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Consider this three-unit system if you need places to position Wi-Fi nearer several affected rooms. Plan a usable connection between the units rather than assuming that a unit placed in a dead zone will connect well.
Check the Ethernet port arrangement against your broadband and wired-device needs, and confirm the update support you require before purchase.
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This three-unit system is relevant if you need to position mesh equipment across several rooms and want to consider wired connectivity alongside coverage.
The product name identifies dual-band Wi-Fi 7 and 2.5Gbps Ethernet. If your plan relies on cabling the mesh units together, confirm Ethernet backhaul support for this exact model before ordering.
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Consider this three-unit configuration if you need coverage positions across rooms and are also assessing capacity for a busy network. Its tri-band Wi-Fi 7 specification is not a substitute for planning the connections between units.
If wired backhaul or particular Ethernet speeds matter to your installation, confirm the ports and supported configuration for this exact three-pack before purchase.
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This three-unit system is relevant when you need to place Wi-Fi equipment nearer rooms separated by thick walls. Check where each unit can connect reliably to the others before settling on its position.
If you need Ethernet backhaul or a particular number of wired connections at each unit, confirm those details for the BE25 three-pack before buying.
Consider mesh if the problem is reaching separated rooms: additional units give you more positions from which to provide Wi-Fi, while a single router in the same place still faces the same walls. Try improving the existing router's position first; Ofcom advises reducing obstacles between Wi-Fi equipment and devices where possible.
Yes, if you can cable the units and the exact system supports it: the connection between units need not rely solely on a wireless path through the difficult wall. Check the required ports and cable route; TP-Link lists optional Ethernet backhaul for the Deco X50, but features must be checked separately for other models.
A mesh system can connect to an existing router, as Ofcom describes, but check how the particular system and broadband service should be configured. For an Openreach full-fibre installation, Openreach specifies a CAT5e or CAT6 connection from the ONT to the router's WAN port; confirm whether your provider's router must remain in place.
No: a newer Wi-Fi generation does not remove the walls between units and devices. Decide on the number and positions of units, and whether you can use Ethernet backhaul, before weighing Wi-Fi 7 features against your broadband service and connected equipment.
Install router and app updates promptly and use strong, unique credentials. The UK National Cyber Security Centre advises keeping software and apps updated because security issues left unaddressed can put connected devices at risk.