Ideal Mesh Router Configuration?

Greetings,

For starters, it's nice to be asking for advice instead of problem solutions for a change. I hope you can help me sort this out.

I'm in the process of upgrading my router to a mesh solution. Since I already have Ethernet cable routed, would it be better to connect the satellites to the main unit via Ethernet, or just let the mesh do it's thing? I feel like hard wire would be better so I don't "waste" signal on mesh hardware connectivity, but I haven't been able to find any good info either way so I'm not sure how much of a factor that is. If Ethernet cable is the better choice, should I go series or parallel off the primary, or does it matter?

I plan to get the Netgear Orbi mesh in either the 2 or 3 pack if that matters. If there's an article already posted on this topic I missed, or if I'm posting this in the wrong place please set me straight.

Thank you,
QB

 

Since you already have Ethernet wired, I say use that. In parallel would be better for your LAN (everything on your side of your gateway device - typically the modem) but once you leave the gateway device and access the Internet, it does not matter if your LAN connected devices are in parallel or series. And to be sure, for the LAN side, series would not matter either unless you have a house full of teenagers all streaming at once.