How Do Xfinity Pods Work?
xFi Pods eliminate dead spots and extend the range of an xFi Gateway system. They’re recommended by Xfinity for two-story homes and homes with more than two bedrooms.
xFi Pods work with the xFi Gateway to create a mesh network. They act like additional Wi-Fi routers to cover parts of the house thatxFi Gateway can’t reach.
In this article, we explain how Xfinity Pods work, how they’re different from Wi-Fi range extenders, and how many you need in your house. If you need more help, feel free to contact Xfinity customer service by calling 844-207-8721. Let’s get started.
How xFi Pods Work
xFi pods work by creating a mesh Wi-Fi network in your house. They seamlessly work with xFi Gateway (the primary router) to extend the range of parts of the house in their vicinity. xFi pods form a larger, more powerful single network with xFi Gateway once are set up.
When a device is closer to a pod than it is to the xFi Gateway, it automatically connects to the pod. Devices can also automatically switch when the signal from the xFi Gateway is weaker than the signal from an xFi Pod for any other reason. The mesh Wi-Fitechnology is superior to alternative methods, such as a more powerful router. Let’s see why.
xFi Pods Analogy
Wi-Fi routers and pods work using radio waves, which follow the same laws of physics as light. We can get an idea of how xFi Pods work by thinking of them as light bulbs.
Let’s say you wanted to light up an oddly shaped room with lots of furniture. You can place a single powerful light bulb in the center, but that’s not very efficient. It’ll cast shadows behind objects and some areas will always remain darker than others.
A better way is to place multiple light sources at different parts of the room. The shadows cast by one source will be covered by others and the room will be more evenly lit.
xFi Pods create a network with more even strength throughout the house. The shadows (dead spots) of the router are covered by the pods and vice versa. You get better coverage everywhere.
xFi Pods vs. Range Extenders
xFi Pods are not range extenders, although we can see why one would think that. Range extenders work by creating a new network and repeating the signal from the original Wi-Fi router. They’re like amplifiers that increase thestrength of Wi-Fi signals on their way to you.
There are two problems with this method. Range extenders add a step to your connection, signals first go to the extender and then the router. This can increase latency and lower speed. They also create a whole new network. When you’re closer to the extender than you are to the router, you have to switch to the extender manually.
The following table summarizes the differences between xFi Pods and range extenders.
| xFi Pods | Range Extenders |
| Increase range by creating a mesh network | Increase range by creating a new network that repeats existing Wi-Fi signals |
| Do not affect the delay | Can increase delay |
| Form a single network with the router with the same name and password | Create a separate network with a different name and password |
| Devices can switch to the optimal pod or router automatically | Users have to switch between router and range extender manually |
| Are recommended and supported by Xfinity | Are not recommended or supported by Xfinity |
What xFi Pods Do and Don’t Do
xFi pods can increase the range of your Wi-Fi network, hence increasing speed in areas where signal strength was previously low. The current generation of xFi pods is 2 times faster than the previous generation, capable of a maximum throughput of 500 Mbps.
However, xFi pods cannot increase your maximum internet throughput. If your Xfinity Internet plan has a top speed of 300 Mbps, it’ll remain the same after you’ve installed xFi Pods. The pods will only increase coverage, so you can expect the same speedas in the rooms close to the router in other rooms.
How Many xFi Pods Do You Need?
xFi Pods are very powerful. If you have a house with three to four bedrooms or a house with two stories, one xFi Pod will do the job. If you have more than five bedrooms, you’ll need two xFi Pods. Just make sure to place the Pods at even distances from the xFi Gateway to ensure optimal coverage.
Conclusion
Xfinity Pods or xFi Pods work by creating a mesh network with the xFi Gateway. They act as additional sources of signal to cover dark spots and other areas the primary router can’t reach. Since the mesh network is only an extension of the original network, connected devices can automatically switch to the router or pod giving off the optimal signal strength.