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Everyone wants confidence and fast Internet, and a good router can help. The trick is to figure out how the complicated tangle of standards, confusing acronyms, and sci-fi-sounding features translate into better Wi-Fi in your home. Join us as we lift the curtain to reveal the pertinent facts about Wi-Fi, routers, mesh systems, and other jargon. Hopefully, in the end you will be better equipped to purchase a router.
Updated November 2024: We’ve added information on alternatives to a new router, the launch of Wi-Fi 7, updated average speeds, details on how mesh systems use bands, more information on ports and speeds, and some useful links.
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Who is your Internet Service Provider?
Internet service providers (ISPs) connect your home to the Internet and usually send you a modem and a router (sometimes in a single device). The modem connects your home to the broader Internet, the router connects to the modem, and you connect all of your devices (wired or wireless) to the router to access that connectivity. ISPs typically charge a rental fee for this equipment, and their routers are typically basic in terms of performance and features. The good news is that, by law, ISPs can no longer force you to use their equipment or charge you for using it. your own hardwarealthough you may still have to return their things to avoid charges.
In this guide, we mainly discuss using your own router and your ISP’s modem. By using your own, you can potentially save money in the long run, but you can also enjoy faster Wi-Fi, better coverage, easier setup, and additional features like parental controls and guest Wi-Fi networks. We’ll review your router options, but whatever system you decide to use, check compatibility with your ISP before purchasing. You can also search your ISP’s forums to find posts where people discuss using different routers and modems. A little research before you buy can save you a big headache down the road.
What type of router do you need?
Photography: Simon Hill
There are several ways to make your Wi-Fi faster and buying a new router is one of the most obvious. To help you decide which type of router you should choose, calculate the approximate square footage of your home before you begin.
Single router
The easiest solution for most people is to choose a single router or a router and modem combination. Please note that this device will need to be connected to your existing socket or modem using an Ethernet cable, which restricts where you can place it. The Wi-Fi signal will be strongest near the router and will gradually decrease as you move further away. If you can, place your router in the center of your home and leave it outdoors.
Routers should always list square footage for coverage, but certain types of construction (thick walls, insulation, and other devices) can interfere with Wi-Fi signals, so don’t expect to enjoy high-speed Wi-Fi over distances. longer. Powerful routers with wide coverage are usually large devices with multiple external antennas, but they are usually very expensive.
Mesh systems
If you have a large house and want solid coverage in your garden, or if you have thick walls and specific dead spots with your current setup, then mesh Wi-Fi could be the answer. Mesh systems consist of a central hub, which connects as a single router, as well as additional satellites or nodes that you can place around the house.
Devices connect to the Internet through the nearest node, so you can achieve wider Wi-Fi coverage and a more reliable connection in different areas by adding a node. Just keep in mind that each node will need a power outlet. Mesh systems are typically more expensive than single router setups, but they improve coverage and reliability and often come with additional features and control options. They also tend to be smaller than regular routers and are usually designed to match your decor.
Most mesh systems are expandable, and some manufacturers allow you to link individual routers to create a mesh, so you can start with a single router and add more as needed. Just make sure you understand which devices are compatible. For example, any Asus router that supports AiMesh can work as part of a mesh system, but TP-Link’s OneMesh technology only allows you to add compatible Wi-Fi extenders; you cannot link routers together.
Alternatives to a new router
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If your problem has more to do with coverage and you have a single issue where you want to improve Wi-Fi, or a particular device that needs a faster connection, you may not need to buy a new router. Try one of these alternatives. Each has its own technical challenges and potential problems. Even when successfully implemented, they won’t come close to matching the convenience of a good mesh system, but they are all much cheaper.
Ethernet cables
Before Wi-Fi was ubiquitous, we relied on Ethernet cables to connect computers and other devices to routers. Ethernet connections are much faster, more stable, and more secure than Wi-Fi (or any other option we suggest here). The downside is that the device you want to connect must have an Ethernet port and you must run a cable from your router to the device. If you need to run Ethernet cables to multiple points, use an Ethernet switch. With a switch, you can connect one cable from your router and run multiple cables to multiple devices. Anyone looking to get the best performance from a mesh system should also consider running Ethernet cables between the main router and the nodes to create a wired backhaul that leaves the Wi-Fi bands free for your devices to connect.
Power line adapters
Sold in pairs, powerline adapters pass an Internet signal through electrical wiring. You plug one into an outlet near your router and connect it with an Ethernet cable, while the other powerline adapter plugs into an outlet in the room where you want faster Internet. They can be a good solution if you have a console or smart TV in the living room at the back of your house, but your router is in the hallway, for example. Unfortunately, effectiveness depends largely on your electrical wiring.
MoCA (Multimedia Over Coaxial Alliance)
If your home already has coaxial cables installed (perhaps for cable TV), you can use them to create a reliable wired network that offers high speeds and low latency compared to Wi-Fi. You can purchase routers, network adapters, or Wi-Fi extenders that support MoCA Standard. Like powerline adapters, this can be a great way to pass an Internet signal to a smart TV, gaming console, or desktop computer that doesn’t receive a strong Wi-Fi signal.
Wi-Fi repeaters
You can use Wi-Fi repeaters to spread a single router’s Wi-Fi a little further and potentially boost the signal in a dead spot. These devices are a good solution for some people, but they can be inefficient, prone to interference, and often create a secondary network with a different name than your regular Wi-Fi. Today, you can get better performance for a similar price by opting for mesh or adding a second router if your main router supports it, as Asus does with AiMesh.
Access points
If you don’t mind the challenge and have a spare old router lying around, you might consider setting it up as an access point or using it as a Wi-Fi extender. This can be particularly effective if you can connect it to your main router via wiring, but setup can be complicated.
What speed do you need?
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There’s a lot to consider when you’re trying to decide how fast your router should be. Your maximum Internet speed is determined by your ISP. Internet speeds are expressed in Mbps (megabits per second). The global average fixed broadband speed is 94 Mbps for downloads and 49 Mbps for uploads, according to Ookla Speed Test. Most ISPs will quote a certain speed or give you a range, such as 300Mbps download and 30Mbps upload, but what you actually get is usually less than the maximum (especially upload speeds) and needs to be shared between all your providers. connected devices.