Backhaul is a term for the communication performed between a mesh WiFi system's router and its satellites. Unlike conventional WiFi routers, which have limited WiFi coverage because they have only one broadcast device, mesh WiFi systems broadcast from the main router and the satellites. However, because your Internet service is only physically connected to the mesh router, backhaul is required to extend that connection to the satellite units, which in turn allows them to broadcast a WiFi signal like the mesh router. For more information about mesh WiFi systems, see What's a mesh WiFi system?
The highest performing mesh systems use a dedicated backhaul WiFi band so that the backhaul connection doesn't compete with client devices for network bandwidth. Budget-oriented mesh systems perform backhaul and client device communication on the same WiFi band, which can reduce WiFi performance. Some systems also have the ability to physically connect Ethernet cables from the mesh router to each satellite, known as Ethernet backhaul. While this setup can improve backhaul performance, particularly for budget systems without dedicated WiFi backhaul, it's inconvenient to set up. Overall, dedicated WiFi backhaul offers the best of both worlds with easy setup and great performance.
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For the best mesh WiFi performance, consider Orbi mesh systems with dedicated WiFi backhaul. Orbi WiFi 7 mesh systems provide whole home coverage and ultra-fast speeds for cutting-edge 6 GHz WiFi devices with access to a new 6 GHz wireless band, while Orbi WiFi 6E mesh systems deliver the same excellent coverage with optimal performance for new and old devices at a lower price point. Orbi Cable mesh systems combine your mesh router and cable modem into a single unit for even easier setup, but still provide Orbi's excellent WiFi performance with dedicated WiFi backhaul.
For a great mesh WiFi experience at a lower price point, NETGEAR Nighthawk mesh systems sacrifice the dedicated WiFi backhaul to provide WiFi 6 features with a low cost of entry.
For more information:
- What's a router?
- What is Ethernet?
- What is WiFi 6 (AX WiFi) technology?
- What are the benefits of 6 GHz WiFi?
- What are the major enhancements delivered in WiFi 7 (IEEE 802.11be)?
- What are WiFi bands and how many do I need for my network?
- What is the difference between 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz wireless frequencies?