Presented by Axxess

Cudy Mesh vs Range Extenders, which one solves your dead zones?

 ·18 Mar 2026

Almost every household experiences a WiFi dead zone, especially in South African homes with concrete and/or brick walls. Reliable home internet is no longer a luxury but rather a home essential.

The good news? Two popular solutions available from Axxess are the Cudy M1300 mesh system and the TP-Link EX511 Fibre router/range extender.

The TP-Link EX511 has Easy mesh and supports WiFi 6 on both the 2.4 GHz and 5GHz bands for speeds up to theoretical 1.8Gbps.

The Cudy M1300 supports WiFi 6 on both 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz bands with full backwards compatibility for older devices (802.11 b/g/n/ac), giving it access to less congested channels for better connectivity.

 Both fix your WiFi problems, but they work differently. Let’s break down exactly what each product does, who it’s for, and how to choose the right one for your home.

So, what’s the difference between the two?

The Cudy Mesh System has multiple nodes that create one unified network. Easily add extra nodes to the mesh system by purchasing single nodes when needed.

While the TP-Link Router/ Extender rebroadcasts existing signals (make sure to place it in an elevated spot that broadcasts a good signal to a dead zone).

The Cudy Mesh System has whole home coverage for seamless user movement between nodes, and the TP-Link router/extender is best for fixing one specific dead spot.

Which one is for you?

Choose Cudy M1300 if:

  • You’re starting fresh or have multiple dead zones
  • Your home is over 150m² or has thick walls
  • You game, stream 4K, or work from home. The Cudy M1300 nodes include 2-3 gigabit Ethernet ports each, use them to connect gaming consoles, smart TVs, directly for maximum speed, or create a wired backhaul by connecting nodes via Ethernet for uncompromised performance throughout your home.
  • You want future-proof coverage. Coverage estimates (may vary based on home construction):

Cudy M1300 (2-pack): Up to 350-400 m²

Cudy M1300 (3-pack): Up to 500-550 m²

Choose TP-Link EX511 if:

  • You have one frustrating dead spot
  • Your current router works fine everywhere else
  • You’re on a budget
  • You have an EasyMesh router (bonus: you get mesh benefits!)
  • Supports WiFi 6 multi-device efficiency. Can handle 20-30 devices
  • The TP-Link EX511 in standard extender mode uses a shared wireless backhaul-it uses the same radio to talk to the router and your devices. This can cut bandwidth by up to 50%. However, if paired with an EasyMesh router, it can manage this more efficiently.
  • The TP-Link EX511 includes a single gigabit Ethernet port, letting you wire one device directly to the extender for better performance.

Bottom line

Both are excellent products that solve Wi-Fi problems. The right choice depends entirely on your specific situation.

Cudy M1300 = Whole-home coverage, built for performance
TP-Link EX511 = Smart, affordable fix for one problem area

Ready to eliminate dead spots? Explore both in the Axxess website

Choose Cudy M1300 or Choose TP-Link EX511

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