# The Best Way to Install Multiple Wi-Fi Access Points | Wired is King! 👑📡

If you’ve ever battled **dead spots**, **slow Wi-Fi**, or **devices randomly disconnecting**, you’ve probably thought: *“Maybe I should add another Wi-Fi access point.”* Great idea! But **how** you install it makes all the difference.

There’s a **right way** and a **wrong way** to expand your Wi-Fi. And let’s be clear—**the best way** is to wire up each access point (AP) directly via **Ethernet to a central router**. Here’s why.

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## **🚀 The Gold Standard | Wired Access Points**

If you want **fast, reliable** Wi-Fi, you need to **wire up your APs with Ethernet**. This means:

✔️ **Each AP gets full bandwidth** – No interference or congestion from wireless backhaul  
✔️ **Lower latency** – Ideal for gaming, video calls, and real-time applications 🎮📹  
✔️ **Consistent performance** – No signal degradation across multiple APs  
✔️ **Better roaming** – Devices switch seamlessly between APs

This is **how enterprise Wi-Fi networks work**. If you want **rock-solid** Wi-Fi at home or in your business, **copy what the pros do**.

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## **⚠️ The Problem with Wireless Extenders & Mesh Systems**

Many people **go the lazy route** and install wireless range extenders or mesh Wi-Fi. Sounds easy, right? **Yes—but at a cost.**

### **1️⃣ Wireless Extenders = Cut Your Speed in Half ⏳**

Wireless extenders **receive Wi-Fi, then retransmit it**, which means:  
🚩 **You lose at least 50% of your bandwidth** (half goes to receiving, half to transmitting)  
🚩 **Higher latency** – More hops = more lag  
🚩 **More interference** – Too many APs on the same frequency cause congestion

Extenders are **band-aid fixes**. If you want **full speed everywhere**, you need **wired APs**.

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### **2️⃣ Mesh Wi-Fi | Convenient, But Not Always the Best**

Mesh Wi-Fi is a step up from extenders but still **not as good as wired APs**.

🔸 **Good Mesh:** Uses a **dedicated wireless backhaul** (e.g., a separate 5GHz or 6GHz band for AP-to-AP communication)  
🔸 **Bad Mesh:** Uses the **same Wi-Fi bands for both backhaul and clients**, creating congestion

Even the best **mesh systems introduce extra latency** and **aren’t as fast as wired APs**. If you can run Ethernet, **run Ethernet**.

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## **🎯 The Ideal Setup | Wired APs + A Dedicated Router**

### **Step 1: Use a Dedicated Router (Not a Router/AP Combo)**

Most home routers are **router + access point combos**. That’s fine for small spaces, but if you need **multiple APs**, you should:

✅ **Use a separate router** for managing your network  
✅ **Turn off Wi-Fi on the router** (so it doesn’t interfere with your APs)  
✅ **Use dedicated APs for Wi-Fi coverage**

**Why?**

* Many routers aren’t designed to handle multiple APs effectively.
    
* Router placement is often suboptimal (e.g., stuck in a cupboard).
    
* A dedicated router ensures **better performance and stability**.
    

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### **Step 2: Wire Each Access Point via Ethernet**

Once you’ve got your router sorted, it’s time to **place your APs strategically**:

✅ **Run Ethernet cables** from the router (or a switch) to each AP  
✅ **Use ceiling or wall-mounted APs** for best coverage 📡  
✅ **Disable DHCP on APs** so only the router handles IP assignments  
✅ **Set all APs to the same SSID** so devices can roam seamlessly

This setup **maximises performance, eliminates interference**, and ensures your Wi-Fi is as **fast and reliable as possible**.

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## **🔧 Need Recommendations?**

If you’re serious about **good Wi-Fi** and want **OpenWrt-compatible** devices, here are **top access points** you should consider:

🔹 **GL.iNet GL-AX1800** – Affordable and OpenWrt-friendly Wi-Fi 6 AP  
🔹 **Cudy AX300** – Powerful Mediatek-based AP, OpenWrt support  
🔹 **Linksys E8450 (aka Belkin RT3200)** – Excellent Wi-Fi 6 performance with OpenWrt  
🔹 **Reyee RG-EW3200GX PRO** – Budget-friendly, OpenWrt-capable, Wi-Fi 6  
🔹 **MikroTik hAP AC2 or AC3** – Rock-solid, OpenWrt-supported

Pair them with a **good wired router** (e.g., a MikroTik RouterBOARD, x86-based OpenWrt router, or a NanoPi R4S), and you’ll have **flawless** Wi-Fi.

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## **💡 Wrap | Wire It Up & Forget About Wi-Fi Problems!**

If you want **the best possible Wi-Fi**, **run Ethernet to each AP**. Yes, it takes more effort, but the benefits are **huge**:

✔️ **Full-speed, zero-compromise Wi-Fi**  
✔️ **No interference or congestion**  
✔️ **Seamless roaming and low latency**  
✔️ **Better performance than any mesh or extender setup**

It’s **a one-time effort** for a **lifetime of perfect Wi-Fi**. So do it right! 🚀