Can Mesh Wi-Fi Signals Be Harmful?

Glasses sitting on computer with blurry code screen behind itGlasses sitting on computer with blurry code screen behind it

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When it comes to technology, especially Wi-Fi, there is a concern of it being harmful to those who are exposed to its signals daily.

Can mesh Wi-Fi signals be harmful? No, mesh Wi-Fi signals are not harmful, even though there are extra Wi-Fi nodes in your home. Most electronic technology uses radio frequencies, and this is not enough energy to become harmful to you and your family.

There is a level of different reasons as to why mesh Wi-Fi can actually be better for you rather than traditional Wi-Fi. Although, you should take a closer look into why mesh Wi-Fi signals emit radiation energy?

Do Mesh Wi-Fi Signals Emit Radiation?

Compared to the workings of traditional Wi-Fi, which allows for one central location of a router to be connected to all of your homes different wireless technology, mesh Wi-Fi is the opposite (Example, see the Eero Mesh Router on Amazon).

While there is a centralized router, there are other nodes that can be dispersed throughout your home. This allows for a small number of wireless devices to attach to one node, instead of crowding the main router.

Now, you would think that with a number of mesh Wi-Fi signals around your property that it would then start to become more harmful for everyone. Yet, with radio frequency energy, which is another form of electromagnetic energy, it does little harm.

Radio frequency is used in lots of electronic technology, from your electric stove to your wireless video game system. Radio frequency is on the bottom end of the energy spectrum. Gamma Rays and Ultraviolet frequencies are on the more harmful side.

Some of you may be considering setting up your own mesh Wi-Fi or you could be wondering how mesh Wi-Fi is better than traditional Wi-Fi. There are a few things to understand when it comes to mesh Wi-Fi.

Why Mesh Wi-Fi Is Better for You

Almost every home is guilty of having many devices draw connections from one router. This puts a damper on speed times because all of those devices in your home are trying to get enough of a signal to operate properly at one time.

Eero WiFi Mesh Router
Eero WiFi Mesh Router

With a Wi-Fi node, if you are in the bedroom and someone is in the office on the other side of the house, your respective devices will pick up one of the closer Wi-Fi nodes. Mesh Wi-Fi signals help to break up that jam and lighten the load on the central router.

Pros To Mesh Wi-Fi Routers

Here are a few reasons why you should be thinking about using a mesh Wi-Fi router:

  • Coverage: The better quality in nodes that you purchase, the fewer you have to place around your property. Each node should be able to take on the nearest devices easily.
  • Speed: With the nodes helping to push the connectivity of the wireless devices around, this helps to speed the Wi-Fi signals. You can now game at intense levels without worrying about clogging up the signals.
  • Failure Proof: While there is a central router to make a home for the nodes, each node transfers the same information. Should one of your nodes need to be replaced, the rest can still function.
  • Adaptability: Mesh Wi-Fi routers are capable of finding solutions to a problem. If a pathway starts to receive a lot of traffic, the nodes will find other ways to get the connection to you.

You should begin looking into mesh networks if your current router does not work well for you anymore. With a better access point, the coverage from each end of your property expands to cover all of your devices.

Cons To Mesh Wi-Fi Routers

Now, mesh Wi-Fi routers are great when you have multiple people living in your home. However, there are a few downsides when it comes to mesh Wi-Fi networks:

  • Increased Productivity: Since these nodes are doing most of the work be transferring data to each other, be conscious of how hard they work. Continuously adding a new node, may cause the system to slow down.
  • Setup: Setting up your own mesh system is complex. If you experience a problem in one node then there is a problem with another. The locations matter deeply for nodes to receive data.
  • Slow Speeds: This con may seem contradictory, but if you are using a low power, wide-area network, it will slow down everything. This network does not have the power to transfer data quickly.
  • Pulling for Power: Simply put, the more nodes you require, the more power they will conjure. Be wary of battery-powered nodes, as they will not last as long as plugins.

Mesh networks are hard to figure out. If you do not have an understanding of how to set up your network, it is recommended that you seek help. If there is a sign of weakness in your system, it could leave your entire network open for security failures.

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