Why Don't You See External Antennas On Mesh Wi-Fi Systems?

Mesh systems tend to look like minimalist decor.

shine.graphics/Shutterstock

In just about any space larger than an apartment, it's hard to deny the value of mesh Wi-Fi routers. They do have drawbacks — primarily their price-to-performance ratio — yet top speed is meaningless if coverage isn't consistent. You might liken it to owning a Porsche 911 in a place like the West Texas desert, where gas stations are so far apart that you could conceivably run dry on a high-speed drive.

Something we hadn't really thought about much until recently is the fact that most mesh routers are missing external antennas. They do have antennas, naturally — they're just under the surface. You'd think, though, that with coverage being a priority, gear makers would want every possible boost to signal strength.

As it turns out, burying antennas is not only fine, but actually a technical advantage given the goals...

Copyright of this story solely belongs to www.engadget.com. To see the full text click HERE