Looking for a new AI mesh node to pair with my new GT-BE98 Pro base

[stilessm]

House is 2700sq-ft across two floors. Wood frame. Detached garage with a nest cam. About 30 devices. Occasionally up to 3 streams going at once with meetings and video.

I just upgraded my old trusty GT-AX11000 with a. GT-BE98 Pro yesterday. I was nervous about the upgrade given all of the issues I've been hearing about. The GT-AX11000 was paired with a AI Mesh connected RT-AX86U. I was getting reliable 250Mb / 30mb throughout the house on a 500/40 service. If I sat very close to the router I could get 400/35-40.

With just the BE98 Pro I'm seeing near 600/45 in standard config. It was a little flaky yesterday, dropping my phone frequently and I was seeing frequent outages with my Nest Cams. I changed one thing -- turning off Wifi7 Mode -- and gave it some time and it seems far more stable today.

I also experimented with adding the RT-AX86U to the mix as the upstairs AI Mesh node because my daughter's room (farthest and upstairs) was only getting 60/20. That upgraded her to 250/30. So, cool. But, the RT-AX started taking over many of the connections and I was feeling like I wasn't getting the most of what I was paying for with the new 98 Pro. So, my question is: what would be a great modern AI Mesh node to pair with the 98 Pro? My goal is full speeds throughout the house.

Note: we have very few wifi6 devices in the house. Basically my iPhone 16 and my spare Android phone. Everything else seems to be wifi5 or downleveling to 2.4. I can only do wireless backhaul. The main reason I disconnected the AI Mesh node last night was because I couldn't figure out how (which radio) it was doing the mesh backhaul and I was suspecting it was using the already heavily used wifi5 band.

I need something "small footprint" like the AX86 U.

That got me looking at:
AX86U Pro or
RT-BE86U. This one seems to be the best match. Wifi6E and 7. I'm guessing it's going to use Wifi6 for backhaul?

I was surprised that the new 98 Pro only has one wifi5 radio and two wifi6. This is a bit of a bummer as the previous base router I had had 2 wifi5 and given wifi5 is 95% of my devices... It feels like I may have jumped the gun a bit

Any advice appreciated! Thanks!

 

[bbunge]

Well, if the AX86U works, use it! I find that when I have an AX86U as an AiMesh node with an AX86U Pro router many of my clients end up on the AX86U. I have Ethernet backhaul so it does not bother me that the AX86U in the basement grabs clients. No one complains.
Might be good to get the node on Ethernet backhaul if possible. The GT-AX11000 should also be a good mesh node as long as you have spent the money for it.
Experience has shown the best AiMesh node is one with the same technology as the router. AC with AC, AX with AX and BE with BE. Other combos work but... And, it is a good idea to not mess with the WIFI settings.

Edit: Maybe you really do not need that $600 + WIFI 7 router. A lot of money to spend with little performance increase...

 

[stilessm]

Oh you're right that I don't "need" the new router

I'm going to take a closer look to see if I could get ethernet up through the floor to the 2nd level.

But, in the meantime I am looking for any insight into how the BE98 Pro handles wireless backhaul and any insight into whether different types of wireless Ai Mesh nodes might be best optimized for the BE98. Example: would a wifi7 capable node (like the BE86U) above be best ignoring cost? Would the backhaul take advantage of the 6ghz channels that are currently pretty vacant?

Thanks!