MSI’s New Mesh System Targets Affordable Wi-Fi 7 Connectivity
Sep 26, 2024 | Share 
Equipment Guides, News
Gaming hardware manufacturer MSI added a new Wi-Fi 7 mesh system to its family of networking products. The Roamii BE Lite is the company’s first mesh system and its third router product, following the RadiX GRAX66 and RadiX GRAXE66 standalone routers. It’s an affordable whole-home solution for anyone wanting to upgrade their home network from older routers and mesh systems.
“As homes increasingly adopt WiFi 7-enabled devices, MSI’s Roamii BE Lite Mesh System ensures fast, reliable connectivity no matter where users are in their homes,” said Vincent Hou, Assistant Vice President of GNP BU at MSI. “The integrated Roamii app and FortiSecu security suite make network management and protection as seamless as the Wi-Fi experience itself.”
You don’t need Wi-Fi 7 devices to see improvements
You need Wi-Fi 7 devices to see all the benefits of the new spec. However, in testing, Wi-Fi 7 has shown it can improve wireless speeds for Wi-Fi 6E devices and older. That’s due to how Wi-Fi 7 handles interference, which is especially important if 160 MHz channels on the 5 GHz band currently don’t produce usable connections on older routers and mesh systems.
MSI’s Roamii BE Lite mesh system, in a nutshell
| # of units: | 2 |
|---|---|
| Throughput: | 5Gbps (5,000Mbps) |
| Radios: | 2.4 GHz 5 GHz |
| Streams: | 4 + 4 |
| Internet port: | 2.5Gbps |
| LAN ports: | 2 x 1Gbps |
| Wi-Fi coverage: | 5,800 sq. ft. |
| Price: | $299.99 |
According to MSI’s product page, the new mesh system uses a 2.5Gbps port for the internet, so the fastest it can support is roughly 2.3Gbps (2,300Mbps). It’s not ideal for any internet connection over 3Gbps.
Secondly, each unit includes two gigabit Ethernet ports for wired devices or as a wired backhaul. The backhaul is the private network between Roamii units, which you don’t want to invade the bandwidth your devices use, called the fronthaul. Some mesh systems include a third band dedicated to a wireless backhaul, while others choose the best radio or wired connection for router-to-satellite communication. The less fronthaul bandwidth the backhaul uses, the better.
Unfortunately, the system doesn’t include a third 6 GHz band. This new spectrum is where untapped speed resides, allowing for even wider channels and some of the fastest speeds in Wi-Fi to date. Plus, it’s devoid of the congestion currently filling the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands—for now.
But that’s okay. As previously stated, Wi-Fi 7 handles interference better than previous Wi-Fi specs, enabling better connections and faster speeds on Wi-Fi 6E devices and older based on our tests. However, the improvements you’ll see squarely depend on your location.
Want a faster plan to complement MSI's new system?
The fastest plan the Roamii BE Lite supports is 2Gbps. Enter your zip code to see what’s available to you.
A new system with a new app
The RadiX standalone routers use the MSI Router app (App Store, Google Play). With the Roamii system, MSI introduces the new MSI Roamii app (App Store, Google Play). It simplifies network management by splitting everything you need into four tabs: Dashboard, Security, Parental, and Advance Setting.
“Powered by Trend Micro, MSI FortiSecu provides 24/7 protection for all connected devices, including smartphones, laptops, and smart home appliances,” says MSI in a press release supplied to HighSpeedInternet.com. “Whether through remote attacks or local malware infections, cybersecurity threats such as data breaches and identity theft pose serious risks.”
Currently, it’s unclear if security and parental controls are subscription-based features. We reached out to MSI for further information.
Author - Kevin Parrish
Kevin Parrish has more than a decade of experience working as a writer, editor, and product tester. He began writing about computer hardware and soon branched out to other devices and services such as networking equipment, phones and tablets, game consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom’s Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authority, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others. At HighSpeedInternet.com, he focuses on network equipment testing and review.
Editor - Jessica Brooksby
Jessica loves bringing her passion for the written word and her love of tech into one space at HighSpeedInternet.com. She works with the team’s writers to revise strong, user-focused content so every reader can find the tech that works for them. Jessica has a bachelor’s degree in English from Utah Valley University and seven years of creative and editorial experience. Outside of work, she spends her time gaming, reading, painting, and buying an excessive amount of Legend of Zelda merchandise.
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