Mesh-what? If you are interested in the new wifi routers of the Google subsidiary Nest, you do not need to know how a so-called mesh network works. Suffice it to understand that this can increase the range of a Wi-Fi network by adding more access points to the system. The rest is done automatically by the software.
Something very similar Google has offered two years ago with the Google Wifi. In our test at the time, the system performed well, partly because it takes care of itself once it's been set up. Updates are automatically installed and the best available WLAN frequencies are also selected by the system.
Now Google is launching a follow-up product, this time under the umbrella of the smart home-specialized subsidiary Nest - and accordingly under the name Nest Wifi. In addition, the design was changed and the technology divided into two technically different units, a router and an access point. In the predecessor system was still every device router and access point at the same time.
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Nest Wifi in Test: Google's New Mesh Wi-FiThe core element is the new router, which is very modest compared to many other wireless routers. It has a socket for the power supply connector and two LAN sockets: one for the Internet connection, a second to connect to wired devices. Who has such devices - and who has not? - So it's not about, in addition a so-called switch, quasi a multiple socket for the network to connect to the nest router to get such devices into the network.
The installation of the system is as simple as the Google Wifi and takes only a few minutes: Plug the Nest router to its Internet modem or Internet router, wait a few seconds for it to start, and then do the actual setup via a smartphone app , Unlike its predecessor system, it now uses the Google Home app instead of the Google Wifi app.
Double-app
That would not be remarkable if the home app had the full functionality of the Wifi app. Because this is not the case, you will be redirected to the old wifi app when selecting the "advanced network settings". That can confuse you.
Google has already announced that it will no longer want to develop the Wifi app in the future. But until their functions have been completely transferred to the home app, you will probably have to live with this double system.
So far, the integration of Nest Wifi in Google's home app makes an unfinished impression anyway. For example, when testing the internet connection or the performance of the mesh network, only a white screen appears. Unlike the old software, so you get no visual feedback, whether the test is actually running.
The access point
The Wi-Fi expansion modules refer to Google as Nest Wifi access points. Your reach is Google's 90 square meters. Adding such an access point to the router's Wi-Fi is easy: Plug into the wall outlet, wait a moment, tap the Plus icon in the Home app, follow the instructions, and you're done. It only takes a few minutes.
In addition to its core function of expanding the WLAN, the access point is also a smart speaker with Google Assistant. So you can use it like a Google Home to ask questions about knowledge, retrieve messages or listen to music. Sonically he is on the level of a kitchen radio. If you do not want to use the voice control or are feeling bugged, you can switch off the microphones with a switch on the back.
Matthias Kremp / THE MIRROR
In my view, it is unfortunate that the access point has no LAN ports. In order to integrate my 20-year-old laser printer into the WLAN, I therefore had to integrate a Google Wifi hotspot, which has two such connections, into the network. After all, this action brought the realization that you can easily mix Google's old and new wireless hardware.
The range
Ultimately, a mesh Wi-Fi is about being able to use the full power of the Internet anywhere in the house. With the router alone that does not succeed in my house, because the hangs directly on my Fritzbox, which in turn is with some other network hardware directly to the cable connection in the basement.
The ground floor, the Nest Wifi router still very well with Wi-Fi supply. In my office on the first floor, but only just under a third of the 100 megabits per second, which provides my connection.
On the other hand, with the nest-wifi access point placed in the living room, I can also call up full power on the upper floor and in the attic. The above additionally placed Google Wifi does not provide even faster Wi-Fi, but is just there for the laser printer.
Conclusion
advantages and disadvantages
Very simple operation
Good range
Automatic updates
Access point without LAN sockets
Google's Nest Wifi is not cheap. The router costs 159 euros individually, an additional access point 139 euros. Who wants to build a mesh Wi-Fi anyway, should therefore prefer to grab the bundle, in which the two devices together cost 259 euros.
If you already own one or more old Google Wifi routers, you can alternatively just buy the new router and continue to use the old devices to build a mesh WLAN. For users who want to connect wired devices to the access points, this is the only option anyway - apart from the choice of another mesh system with access points that have such ports.
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