As we traverse the new normal, most of us rely on internet connectivity in our homes and home offices. The D-Link COVR-1100 AC1200 mesh Wi-Fi system is a promising wireless topology that allows us to optimize our internet connectivity in the entirety of our homes. That's on top of giving us a secure network and plenty of value-adding features that's quite convincing in managing our home Wi-Fi system.
D-Link COVR-1100 AC1200 Mesh Wi-Fi System Review
Join us in this D-Link COVR-1100 dual-band Home Mesh WiFi System review. And let's see if it's worth the space in your homes and your money.
What's a Wi-Fi Mesh Network?
First of all, let's first try to define what is a mesh network and how does it work. Basically, it's a localized network topology in which "nodes" or group of networking devices such as switches, bridges or other similar devices, connect to each other to efficiently route data to and from the client. The more "nodes" in the topology means the more efficient the data being routed to the client(s). The client could be your smartphone, tablet or any other devices that uses data.
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In the application of home network, mesh networking simply means spreading the wireless internet connectivity in your home or home office. We do this by connecting the primary node in our existing router or modem, and distribute the other nodes in locations where we think we need the extended coverage.
Just in the case of the D-Link COVR 1100 AC1200 mesh Wi-Fi system, we have to link the main base station to our router, and put the other one in a different location. Once the whole system is set-up. All you have to do is log-in to the mesh system network, and it will intelligently connect your device to the node(s) with the best possible internet connectivity.
Unboxing and Design
Unboxing the D-Link COVR-1100 AC1200, we will be greeted by two nodes in a white and boxy design. We also have a power adapter for each nodes and a LAN cable. The nodes come with a slick and minimalist appeal which could instantly fit in your household or home office.
Each of these nodes come with a power button, an internet port, an ethernet port, and a power connector. These interfaces sits on the opposite side of the COVR logo. There's also a reset slot at the bottom of the node; while the top houses the LED for status notification.
Set-up
Setting up the D-Link COVR-1100 is such a walk in the park. You can either do it with the official app called the D-Link Wi-Fi or a web browser. I used the former, and I did not experience any hiccups along the way.
After you've downloaded the app, all you have to do is install a new device and follow all the on-screen instructions in the app. To summarize, the set-up would want you to connect the primary node to your existing modem or router using a LAN cable. And once the primary node has been configured, you will then be prompted to add the secondary node in the network.
It's also worth-noting that the D-Link COVR-1100 makes a different network from your existing home network. So once you have completed the set-up, you need to connect your devices to the D-Link network for you to enjoy the benefits of having a safe and fast wireless connectivity. You will be prompted to customize the name and password while setting up the mesh network.
Performance
The D-Link COVR-1100 boasts some sought-after features like the Smart Roaming which connects you to the strongest signal while you move to different areas in your house. This eliminates the need to disconnect to your existing node and reconnect to another.
This home mesh Wi-Fi system also packs the Smart Steering feature which automatically "steers" your devices to the optimal wireless band. This ensures you are always connected to fast and reliable wireless band at home. Moreover, the COVR-1100 supports MU-MIMO technology for high-performance connectivity even with greater number of connected devices.
We tested this mesh Wi-Fi system on our home office's ground floor which is divided by brick walls into three rooms. The Smart Roaming feature seems to be consistent at maximum ISP's prescribed speed as I move from one room to another. In our case, we got a 25 mbps plan. The download speed definitely hits that gauge wherever I am in the house, even in the farthest corner of the house.
Even with the upload speed, it's consistently the same all throughout the house. The D-Link COVR-1100 could serve up to 325 sqm of area. If you want a wider range, you can opt to get the three-node variant.
COVR-1100 also supports WPA3 which is tougher in terms of network security as compared to the most common WPA2. This Wireless Encryption is very hard to crack. Thus, you're assured that you're pretty much safe from hackers. This wireless system works in dual band but there's no way for you to check which specific band you're connected. Most of us prefer the 5GHz band for consistent speeds but COVR-1100 does not allow you to force your devices to connect to a specific band.
On top of that, you can also use the parental control feature to manage devices, restrict access, and schedule time of usage. This is a pretty nifty feature especially now that most kids are at home doing e-learning.
Verdict: Should You Buy D-Link COVR-1100 AC1200 Mesh Wi-Fi?
The D-Link COVR-1100 AC1200 is a convincing Wi-Fi mesh system. If you're starting to convert a small area in your home into a working hub, this should be in your list. For starters, its design is very minimalist and could easily fit in your office corner or on your table. The set-up process is also a no-brainer.
There are a bucket-full of features that you would want to take advantage e.g. the Smart Roaming, Smart Steering, and Parental Controls. But what I like the most about the D-Link COVR-1100 is its consistency in giving you seamless mobility at home while maintaining your ISP's maximum internet speeds. You can get the D-Link COVR-1100 AC1200 Mesh Wi-Fi System (2 packs) for ₱5,513 in Shopee.
