D-Link has a slightly different approach to mesh Wi-Fi systems. Their new Covr-3902 Wi-Fi system, launched in Singapore two months ago, comprises a primary AC600 router, paired with a smaller AC1300 extender device, to deliver up to 6,000 square feet of seamless Wi-Fi coverage.
While other mesh Wi-Fi systems, such as those from Eero or Google, are made up of small identical hardware devices designed to blend into your home deco, D-Link’s Covr-3902 setup resembles more of a traditional broadband router supplemented by a Wi-Fi range extender device. That’s how it may look, but the Covr-3902 creates a seamless network with a single network SSID, so users can move throughout the home while maintaining a continuous network connection.
The primary AC2600 router, COVR-2600R, looks entirely like conventional broadband routers, complete with bold external antennas. This primary device connects to the Internet, and it is meant to provide the strongest Wi-Fi signal for what D-Link calls a “PowrZone”, with 4×4 MU-MIMO capabilities offering 1733 Mbps on the 5 GHz band and 800 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band.
The PowrZone is used to support your most demanding activities, such as 4K streaming and lag-free gaming on multiple devices.
The primary COVR-2600R unit has a WAN port and four Gigabit-Ethernet LAN ports on the back. There are the usual buttons for power, WPS pairing and reset, as well as a dedicated button to turn on or off the Wi-Fi on the router.
The smaller extender device, the COVR-1300E, incorporates 2×2 internal antennas, and is petite enough to hideaway somewhere less conspicuous. It delivers up to 867 Mbps on the 5 GHz band and 400 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band.
The COVR-1300E has two Gigabit-Ethernet LAN ports on the back, convenient for connecting wired devices at the satellite location. Like the main COVR-2600R, there are buttons for power, reset, and the dedicated Wi-Fi on/off control.
Setting up the Covr-3902 system is really easy. You can either do so the conventional way, using your web browser from a notebook or desktop computer, or using the D-Link Wi-Fi app available for both Android and iOS.
The on-screen instructions are easy to follow. The COVR-1300E extender device comes pre-paired with the primary router, simplifying the setup.
The Covr-3902 supports the typical features you’d expect from other broadband routers, including features such as guest network, QoS, and port-forwarding. More tech-savvy users will probably like using the familiar web management interface, which looks pretty similar to any other recent D-Link broadband router.
D-Link refers to the Covr-3902 as AC3900. This is an aggregate of all the bandwidth available from both the primary router and the extender device. There is, notably, no dedicated backhaul. Communication between the primary router and extender device, thus, shares the bandwidth used by client devices.
Additional COVR-1300E extender devices can be added to the system to expand the mesh coverage.
The D-Link Covr-3902 mesh Wi-Fi system retails for S$369 from Challenger as well as other authorised resellers.
Conclusion
D-Link has you covered with the Covr-3902 Wi-Fi system which comprises a primary router and an extender device that work together to provide seamless Wi-Fi network coverage.
Pros:
- Easy to setup
- Good performance on primary router
Cons:
- No dedicated backhaul