However, not all Wi-Fi routers are born equal. Once upon a time, computers needed to be wired up to one another in order to communicate. In Wi-Fi launched as a way for computers to wirelessly connect to one another and the internet. Through your internet service provider typically referred to as your ISP , a cable or DSL line finds its way into your home and connects to a modem — a small device that decodes the incoming internet signal into something your computer and other devices can read.
All that said, renting from your ISP does come with one major benefit: free tech support when something goes wrong. It's easy to get lost in all the specs and features that Wi-Fi routers list and boast.
We'll dive into what the most significant features and specs mean, in plain terms, below. To give you an idea of some of the best routers out right now, these top routers come with different price points and equip varying levels of bells and whistles, some of which are universally substantial and others of which only matter to heavy users like gamers.
TP-Link offers some of the best bang for your buck with their Archer A7. If you need more bandwidth than TP-Link's budget-focused router offers, their newer Archer Ax50 packs faster speeds with the enhanced Wi-Fi 6 for a more powerful step up. You should secure your router with a password with the latest available encryption standard, which is probably WPA2 or WPA3, depending on the age of your router. Read here for more on router security best practices. If you need more LAN ports than the router has, you can expand the number available by adding an Ethernet switch, which is sort of like a power strip that adds open Ethernet ports.
Quality of Service QoS Also called media prioritization or traffic control. For example, you can change the settings to work best for streaming videos, making Skype calls, playing games, or streaming music. App-Based Management Accompanying almost every new router are apps meant to simplify the task of setting up and making adjustments to your WiFi network. The apps make it easier than before to monitor which devices are connected to your network and adjust which devices get priority.
These apps can also alert you when an update is available for your router. We respect your privacy. All email addresses you provide will be used just for sending this story. Sign In. Become a Member. Remember Me. You may need it before your next upgrade.
Wireless routers work on two different frequency bands -- 2. The 2. The newer 5GHz band is typically less cluttered and provides a faster connection. A dual-band router offers both 2. Choosing between a single-band and dual-band router is quite simple. If you live in a crowded neighborhood or a densely populated area, you're better off with a dual-band router.
If you don't need faster wireless speeds and you don't have any nearby neighbors whose wireless network might interfere with yours, a single-band router will do the trick. The positioning of your router is extremely important. It should be in a central location, away from other gadgets or obstructions and, ideally, high up on a shelf. Still, even with great positioning, you're likely to run into dead spots inside your home, places where the wireless signal just can't reach.
Using heat map software can help you maximize your wireless coverage, and buying a more expensive router might give you better range, but it still doesn't mean the signal will reach the far corner or your basement.
In most cases, buying a more affordable router or two and a couple of power-line adapters will do the trick better than just about anything. Power-line adapters use the existing electrical wiring in the walls to extend your network. They're relatively affordable and work wonders when it comes to extending your network to hard to reach places in your house. Just take note of the speed limitations of the power-line adapters, as well, since they're not all made the same.
Speaking of extending your network, just because it may be time to upgrade your old router doesn't mean it's time for the old router to be retired. We're largely looking at using your own router in this guide and using your ISP's modem. By using your own, you can potentially save money in the long term, but you can also enjoy faster Wi-Fi, better coverage, easier configuration, and extra features like parental controls and guest Wi-Fi networks.
We will run through your router options, but whatever system you decide to go with, check compatibility with your ISP before buying. A little research before you shop can save you a big headache down the line. There are various ways to make your Wi-Fi faster , and buying a new router is one of the most obvious. To help you decide on the type of router to go for, calculate the rough square footage of your home before you begin.
The simplest solution for most people is to choose a single router or a router and modem combo. Bear in mind that this device will have to plug into your existing socket or modem via Ethernet cable, which restricts where you can place it. The Wi-Fi signal will be strongest near the router and will gradually drop off and slow down the further away you get. Powerful routers with wide coverage are often large devices with multiple external antennas, but they're usually very expensive.
If you have a larger home and want solid coverage in your garden, or 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 just like a single router, as well as additional satellites or nodes you can place around the home. 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 bear in mind that each node will need a power outlet. Mesh systems are more expensive than single-router setups though not always , but they enhance coverage and reliability, and they often boast additional features and control options. They also tend to be smaller than regular routers and are typically designed to blend in with your decor harmoniously.
If your issue is more about coverage and you have a single problem room you want to improve Wi-Fi in or a particular device that needs a faster connection, then you might not need to buy a new router.
Try one of these alternatives. They each have their own technical challenges and potential issues. You can use Wi-Fi repeaters to spread the Wi-Fi from a single router a bit 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 from your regular Wi-Fi.
Sold in pairs, power line adapters pass an internet signal through your electrical wiring. You plug one into a power outlet near your router and connect it with an Ethernet cable, while the other power line adapter plugs into a power outlet in the room where you want faster internet.
They can be a good solution if you have a console or smart TV in your living room at the back of the house, but your router is in the front hall, for example.
Unfortunately, effectiveness depends heavily on your electrical wiring. The maximum speed of your internet is determined by your ISP. Internet speeds are stated in Mbps megabits per second. Most ISPs will state up to a certain speed or give you a range—like Mbps download and 30 Mbps upload—but what you actually get is often lower than the maximum especially upload speeds , and it must be shared between all of your connected devices. You can check what download and upload speed you are getting by running a speed test in your browser.
Generally speaking, if there are multiple people in the household streaming 4K video with several gadgets connected, you'll want at least Mbps, if not more.
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