How much coverage do I really get from a 3-pack mesh?

Manufacturer coverage claims (4,500–8,000 sq ft) assume open floor plans with minimal interference. In practice, reviewers and homeowners on specialist subreddits consistently report that thick walls, multiple floors, and metal ductwork can cut effective coverage by 30–50%. For homes over 3,000 sq ft with dense construction, plan on three nodes minimum and prefer systems that support wired Ethernet backhaul.