D–Link Covr C1203
Overcome those Wi–Fi signal woes
$249.99 (3 nodes) From D–Link, covr.dlink.com Features Dual–band AC1200, MU–MIMO, 2x3 antennas, and 2x Gigabit Ethernet ports per node
D–Link’s most affordable mesh router, sitting alongside its larger, more hardcore AC2200 variety, the Covr’s individual nodes are small, neat, and unassuming. The name isn’t just a reference to Wi–Fi coverage, either; Covr features detachable top covers which can be switched to suit your style.
Those nodes, then. They’re USB–C powered, and feature a status light which glows through the top cover to indicate how strong their connection is to the backbone of the network. They’re easy to set up, with a three–step process found in D–Link’s unspectacular but functional app getting the job done. Coverage is decent; tested over a three–floor home, we noticed no dropouts, and little to no degradation in signal when connecting to the furthest nodes. Even with as many as 16+ connected devices, MU– MIMO support means speeds always manage to stay consistently good and reliable.
Covr’s AC1200 radios are strong enough. They noticeably can’t muster the same reach into the street as Netgear’s more expensive Orbi, for example, but internal coverage is great. If you do want to temporarily cover an extra area — the garden, perhaps — the individual nodes reconnect to the main network quickly, and the USB-C AC input means you could conceivably run a node from a battery pack if you can convince one to throw out 3 amps of 5V power.
the bottom line. It may not have the same flashy specs as some of its peers, but specs aren’t everything. Covr is strong enough to blanket the average home with signal, its nodes are small and convenient, and it’s easy to set up.