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How many mesh nodes do you really need?
Updated
The box says one kit covers 6,000 square feet or more. That figure assumes open space around each node. Walls, floors and appliances soak up signal. Use the calculator for a planning number, then read where the nodes should go.
How many mesh nodes should you plan for?
This is an estimate from our planning rule: about 1,200 sq ft per node with drywall, 900 with plaster or mixed walls, 600 with brick or concrete, and at least one node per floor. It is not a measurement of any product. Wired backhaul does not change the count. It makes each node faster.
Where the box number comes from
Amazon's single eero 7 listing is plain about it: 2,000 sq ft of coverage is "a 25 foot radius". A circle with a 25 foot radius is about 1,960 sq ft. Homes are not circles. The largest square that fits in that circle is about 35 by 35 feet, which is 1,250 sq ft. And that is before a single wall. NETGEAR's Orbi 770 listing says it outright: coverage varies with your home's layout, building materials and satellite placement.
Worked examples
| Home | Walls | Nodes to plan |
|---|---|---|
| 1,500 sq ft, 1 floor | Drywall | 2 |
| 2,500 sq ft, 2 floors | Drywall | 3 |
| 2,500 sq ft, 2 floors | Brick or concrete | 5 |
| 4,000 sq ft, 2 floors | Drywall | 4 |
| 900 sq ft townhouse, 3 floors | Drywall | 3 |
These match the calculator above. They are estimates from our planning rule, not test results.
Placement matters as much as count
- Halfway, not in the dead spot. A node can only pass on the signal it receives.
- Stack between floors. Put the upstairs node roughly above the downstairs one. Floors block more than walls do.
- Keep nodes in the open. Shelves and tabletops are good. Cabinets, closets and the floor behind a couch are bad.
- Stay away from big metal and water. Fridges, mirrors, fish tanks and water heaters all block signal.
When you need more than three
All six systems we list can take add-on units from the same brand. Do not mix brands. If the calculator says six or more, wiring the nodes together with Ethernet will help more than adding yet another wireless hop. See the setup guide.
When you need fewer
A one-floor apartment under about 1,200 sq ft with drywall may need no mesh at all. One good router in the open, near the middle, can do it. Try moving your current router before you buy anything.