I currently have ATT tv/internet. I am contemplating switching to xfinity (had them a while back at another house and had no problems). Right now I have ATT router/modem on floor one, one of their Airties mesh things on floor two and another Airties on floor 3. I can say their internet is pretty good and I get great coverage inside and even most of my front and back yard.
So, if I switch to xfinity I need very good coverage. Speeds will go from 300 mbps to 200 mbps anyway. I'm not sure that I will notice that but that is more reason to at least keep good connectivity.
So, do I do mesh and what kind? I did try netgear orbi's when I first moved into this house and they were terrible. Never got great connectivity with them, so they are out.
I do have Cat5e on all floors so I would want it wired from the modem/router on first floor to second and third. From there it would broadcast wifi.
Xfinity has some "pods" but they say I don't qualify at the 200mbps and I've heard they aren't that great.
I have also heard of Asus routers and creating a mesh. Would that be a good option?
Just wanting some suggestions. And hoping to keep it less than $200.
Xfinity pods are relabeled plume mesh , and I have never seen plume rate high on any wifi mesh comparison, your mileage may vary. They are not the plume SUPERPODS, they are the original product, they are aesthetically more pleasing than other devices but require you put
at least one in every room of the house to work.
Depending on your house, and where you put the modem and initial router, you may or may not need a mesh network. Comcast's modem will cover the average <1000 Ft^2 single level square shaped wood and drywall house, anything different my need some help. Problem points for all wifi are going through a furnace, kitchen appliance, washer, dryer [any sheet of metal that connects to a ground or power] and most chimneys [not such a big deal if on outside wall, huge deal if in middle of house]. Metal roofs and or metal siding also suck for wifi if your house/multiple dwelling unit has that.
Comcast will need to be installed where a COAX outlet that is not used for other providers [dish, directtv, fios, uverse TV, OTA, etc...]. are using the outlet for services. You qualify for pods, you just have to PAY for them, and you can add unlimited data on for I think $15/month through some monitoring service that will get you free pods if you need them but THAT starts at 300 Mbps, at 200 Mbps you can only get unlimited with no monitoring for $50/month, its usually worth the upsell to go to $15 for the unlimited BTW if you need that, otherwise you have a 1TB cap. Check your usage if you leave netflix playing all night, etc... I believe the pods cost $100 for 3 if you really want them after reading this.
The pods are bad for a few reasons plume sucks being the main one, they only work with COMCAST rented modem for another, where as you can buy any third party and use them whomever you use and where ever you move instead of it being a waste of money, and if you get your own modem the third party will work. Comcast says you should consider them part of the house as if you bought and installed access points but you buy a mesh network so you do not have to go through all involved with Ethernet wiring in permanent access points, so that's just stupid sales talk. Same with the AT&T mesh I have seen. Only works with their system.
Asus does not do a mesh on the routers last I knew they do repeaters. Whats the difference? a mesh network provides 100-200 Mbps across a house, while extenders half bandwidth half goes to talking to previous device [other router] half goes to talking to connected devices [ipod, tablet, smart tv, next extender, etc..], not such a big deal if you just need 1, but 2 or 3 and that ads up quick half, then half, then half, then oops. But you said you have Ethernet to run to them so you'd just have one be the router and Ethernet the others as access points which eliminates that issue anyway. Honestly, I'd go with a good mesh network and Ethernet one device on each floor just because that's cheaper than buying 3 routers to be access points. You may need a switch in the central panel for the Ethernet though if they all don't come to where the combo unit is. Make sure you get a mesh you CAN Ethernet though, not all can work that way.