Why don't you see external antennas on mesh Wi-Fi systems?
Mesh systems tend to look like minimalist decor.
The Mechanics of Mesh Wi-Fi
In just about any space larger than an apartment, it's hard to deny the value of mesh Wi-Fi routers. They do have drawbacks, primarily regarding their price-to-performance ratio, yet top speed is meaningless if coverage isn't consistent.
Something we hadn't really thought about much until recently is the fact that most mesh routers are missing external antennas. They do have antennas naturally, but they are tucked under the surface. You might think that with coverage being a priority, gear makers would want every possible boost to signal strength.
As it turns out, burying antennas is not only fine, but actually a technical advantage given the goals of mesh systems. There are also additional business factors, and companies aren't cutting corners.
Advantages of Internal Antennas
Although external antennas maximize range, that is less of a priority with mesh systems because a mesh network is already designed to repeat signals and fill in gaps. The most distant devices a mesh router has to talk to are usually its sibling units, establishing a backhaul connection, while all other devices are a room or two away at most.
Internal antennas are often omnidirectional rather than focused, which aids in seamless connection and handover. With a wide net, routers can quickly detect nearby devices and switch connection duties while maintaining relatively consistent bandwidth.
External antennas introduce more potential points of failure. If they are adjustable, misaligning them can reduce connection strength. Furthermore, external antennas are long and vulnerable to physical damage during a move or if knocked off a surface.
Better mesh routers may actually need more antennas to provide a dedicated backhaul instead of splitting bandwidth with connected devices. A forest of external antennas would become fragile, unsightly, and complex to manufacture.
There are downsides to internal antennas, such as a slight sacrifice in range and the potential for interference from nearby components, though manufacturers have successfully minimized these impacts.
Manufacturing and Design
Manufacturing costs also incentivize moving components inside. External antennas require more parts and materials. While the price increase for an individual unit is negligible, the cost adds up across thousands or millions of manufactured devices.
Internal antennas permit minimalist designs that shoppers find appealing, which is important when placing two or three units around a home. Because routers need to sit out in plain sight for optimal performance, decorative designs are much easier to integrate into living spaces.
