If that’s you, it might be waiting for the Nokia X20 to hit the sales, though, so it hits that value-for-money proposition a little more. Also consider Now all you have to do is power up the remaining two nodes and they will be automatically added to the network. Use the app to give each node a custom name (if you want) and the installation will be complete. Charging is far less impressive though, at a measly 18W, which guarantees a several-hour charge time. That’s slow even for a phone at this price, where at least 30W is the norm and some phones go up to 50W or even 65W. Acutual 4G downlink speeds vary between households. Factors affecting 4G speeds include the internet service level, real-time network capacity, equipment and client limitations, environmental factors.

Key specs – Nodes (as reviewed): 2; Claimed coverage: 372m²; Maximum nodes supported: Not stated; 2.4GHz speed: 600Mbits/sec; 5GHz speed: 1,200Mbits/sec; MIMO channels: 2×2; Ethernet ports: 3 x GbE (router), 2 x GbE (satellite); Guest network: Yes; Parental controls: No; Works with Alexa: Yes; IPv6: Not stated; Custom IP range: Not stated; Client IP reservation: Not stated; Port forwarding: Not stated; 2.4GHz/5GHz band splitting: No; Warranty: 1yr Depending on your needs, you may not need to invest in the fastest, most expensive kit you can find. Even a low-cost Wi-Fi 5 mesh system should be fast enough to deliver a connection of 40Mbits/sec or more around your home, which is plenty for working, browsing the web and even streaming 4K video. Clients need to support 802.11k/v/r and may require additional set up. Performance may vary depending on the client's device. So this isn’t quite a phone for mobile gamers, or people who’ll need lots of power for anything. But it’s not ideal for other users either, as scrolling through menus feels just a bit slower than on many other phones, thanks to irregular stutters and freezes.

4G+ Speed for Consummate Entertainment

We test mesh Wi-Fi systems by setting them up just as you would in a regular home. The primary unit is connected directly to an incoming fibre broadband line, while the second is located according to the manufacturer’s recommendations – normally one or two rooms away. If there’s a third node, this will be placed in another room, creating either a star or daisy-chain topology.

You can pay a huge amount for a Wi-Fi 6E mesh, but TP-Link’s Deco XE75 brings you 6GHz wireless networking for little more than many regular Wi-Fi 6 systems.Most mesh systems can present a wireless guest network alongside your normal domestic network. Devices connecting to this will be able to connect to the internet, but can’t talk to other devices on your home network. This means visitors can’t snoop through your shared folders or unwittingly bring malware onto your home network. The system acts as a wireless extender system for your existing router, connecting via a simple Gigabit Ethernet cable. This means it doesn’t mess with your network settings, and there’s very little to configure – although the system does offer a guest network facility and simple group-based parental controls. The nodes look a bit odd, standing upright like mini-satellite dishes, but their small footprint means it’s easy to find suitable places for them around the home.

The good news, however, is that the screen is bright enough in sunny conditions, with a measured peak luminance of 635cd/m² with the adaptive brightness setting engaged. The phone’s contrast of 1,241:1 isn’t bad, either. Nokia X20 review: Performance and battery life There’s no denying that you’ll get higher speeds and a more expansive feature set from Netgear’s Orbi RBKE963 system but that’s a phenomenally expensive mesh. The Deco XE75 provides a satisfying high-end experience for a much more sensible price. When it comes to video, the Nokia X20 tops out at 1080p, with a choice of either 30fps or 60fps recording. The footage looked crisp and stable with the EIS setting engaged, but cheaper phones such as the Redmi Note 9T and Moto G 5G Plus can record at up to 4K resolution. Nokia X20 review: Verdict The Nokia X20 would be a fine phone for its price, if it wasn’t for how competitive the premium-mid-range market segment has become - as it stands, the phone doesn’t have the features or specs to really compete with its rivals.Most mesh Wi-Fi kits come with a smartphone app – for both Android and iOS – that walks you through the setup process. You can then continue to use the smartphone app to monitor and manage your mesh system. A web portal is sometimes available too, but it may not expose all of the available settings. It ultimately runs the risk of being a halfway house between truly affordable Wi-Fi 5 systems and the full performance of a top-range Wi-Fi 6 mesh, but if you’re looking for a budget-conscious Wi-Fi 6 system, you will find the Netgear Orbi RBK352 to be a solid choice.