Best wifi mesh system to plug directly into ont

[#1]

Can anyone advise on the best mesh system that I can plug into ont without using plusnet router.

I'm looking at orbi 970 or RBKE963 and also net gear et12.

[#2]

Moderator's note:
Thread moved from Full Fibre to My Router.

[#3]

Without making any recommendations, things to consider include whether the router has enough ethernets for your needs, and whether you intend to use ethernet cabling to connect to the remote APS.

In my case, I have 3 Ethernet cables connected to my main router, so something like an Eero would be ruled out. 

Using an ethernet cable to your remote APs is preferred, you will get better performance (as it won't be trying to share the wifi with users) A lot depends on your house layout and your technical abilities.

[#4]

Hey Paul thank you. 

I cant use cable to connect remote access points for various reasons. Regards sockets I have a ethernet hub connected to the router that removes the need for me to worry to much about that side of things

Have you used either of the models I mention?

[#5]

I too am considering installing a mesh: I currently have a Hub2 downstairs, and my old Hub1 upstairs, acting as both an AP and a switch! It all "works", even though I have 3 SSIDs!...so upgrading for me is a low priority.

[#6]

I currently have google nest wifi pro mesh . But there are some things I don't like about it.

Plus we have been getting intermittent drop outs and sloe downs . I personally think they are plusnet supply issues causing packet loss but despite telling them I'm ethernet connected when experiencing this and it sometimes happens regardless of router they are oscillating between telling me it is wifi prob and telling me the router must be faulty 

I've seen today others on here experiencing this same packet loss and unable to take work vid calls etc. So clearly not just us either.

Anyway out if desperation to improve things I have ended up thinking I should try new mesh in case it at least helps ( though I know it won't if the issue is coming from plusnet) tbh not sure what else to do

[#7]

I have an older Orbi Mesh system RBR350 plugged directly into the ONT.  Was simple to set up & have never needed to connect the hub 2.  Is very, very stable & like being able to use the Ethernet on the 2 satellites, especially for the Sky Q main box which was flaky on WiFi. 

[#8]

OK so I made the leap and got the orbi 970. 

Any idea what the best dns settings to use are and if there's anything in the router I should change to optimise it?

Also I seem to have several new wifi networks appearing now:

One with the same name as the existing wifi but which says no Internet available and one called ntgr something or other. 

Anyone got any ideas what these are / what they're for? See screenshot

[#9]

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@Mejisan wrote:

Also I seem to have several new wifi networks appearing now:

One with the same name as the existing wifi but which says no Internet available and one called ntgr something or other. 

Anyone got any ideas what these are / what they're for? See screenshot

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Both of the SSIDs in the 'Available networks' list are WiFi 6E broadcasts. This means that they are operating in the 6GHz band. 6GHz requires explicit use of WPA3 and it looks like the Orbi might be using a completely separate Wi-Fi network (albeit with the same name) for 6GHz devices. Interesting choice as I imagine some Apple devices will grumble about that. The alternative would have been to implement a single Wi-Fi network and use WPA3-Transition. 

The  NTGRBH network will be the backhaul SSID, presumably used for the mesh Wi-Fi link between satellites/mesh nodes.

For DNS, my personal view would be - if it ain't broke, don't fix it