• Physical distance, for obvious technical and safety reasons, Wi-Fi routers don’t have the same transmitting power as cell towers. Cheaper routers may even struggle to cover a relatively small apartment with a strong Wi-Fi signal, let alone an entire house. You can determine the reach of your Wi-Fi router using a Wi-Fi analyzer app like Net Spot.

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• Obstructions, Wi-Fi signals can be partially absorbed or even completely blocked by various obstacles and objects, including walls, ductwork, furniture, home appliances, and even people. These Wi-Fi blockers have an especially negative effect on 5 GHz Wi-Fi networks because higher frequency signals don’t penetrate solid objects nearly as well as lower frequency signals.

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• Interference, Wi-Fi signals occupy the same radio frequency band of the electromagnetic spectrum actual radios, cell phones, microwave ovens, walkie-talkies, baby monitors, and many other devices, all of which can interfere with Wi-Fi signals. Of course, Wi-Fi networks can also interfere with one another, a problem that’s especially common in apartment buildings and other densely populated areas.

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• Router capacity, Just like some computers can barely handle casual web browsing and some can render complex 3D objects, not all routers are equally powerful. You can’t reasonably expect a low-end router to provide reliable wireless access to the internet to a busy office with more than a dozen of employees and several fax machines, Wi-Fi-connected printers, and wireless security cameras.

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• Bandwidth huggers, sometimes, the problem isn’t with the strength of your Wi-Fi signal but with the capacity of your internet connection. Video chatting or streaming on multiple devices can bring even a strong Wi-Fi network to a crawl. For the best experience, it’s important to manage bandwidth huggers and prevent them from stealing bandwidth from everyone else.

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Which Router Is Best for You?

These days, you’ll find two types of wireless routers: traditional models and mesh network models. You’re probably familiar with the former. They’re single-unit devices that plug into a modem. They can be plenty fast, supporting even the data-hungry activities of families with dozens of internet-connected devices. But they don’t always have the range to effectively blanket a whole home in Wi-Fi, especially if you have a large or obstacle-laden layout. Mesh routers are typically packaged in a set with multiple units—a hub and one or more satellites—that work together to spread Wi-Fi into the far-flung corners of a home. If you place the hub, which plugs into your modem, near the center of your dwelling, you can shift around the satellites, which help relay the Wi-Fi signal, until you find a configuration that helps you eliminate any dead spots. So why doesn’t everyone simply choose a mesh router? They’re pricey, for one thing. The top-rated models in our ratings cost $400 to $500. By contrast, our top-rated single-unit model sells for $200, followed by one that goes for about $160. There’s also an argument to be made for simplicity. With a mesh system, you have several devices strewn about your home vs. just one with a traditional router. If you don’t need mesh routers, there’s no reason to invest in them.

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What Does 'Wi-Fi 6' Mean?

Once you start shopping for a router, you’re likely to hear a lot of buzz about Wi-Fi 6, a new technology standard that promises faster speeds, a longer range, and better support for the ever-expanding fleet of connected devices in modern homes. Also known as 802.11ax, Wi-Fi 6 replaces the Wi-Fi 5 standard formerly known as 802.11ac, which debuted in 2013, and Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), which dates back to 2009. The consortium that sets these standards announced a Wi-Fi 6 certification program in September 2019, and several routers that support the standard are now available, including three models in our ratings. But only a few internet-connected devices are currently Wi-Fi 6- 6-compatible. (The latest Apple iPhone and Samsung Galaxy Note smartphones are examples.) Wi-Fi 4 and 5 devices can connect to a Wi-Fi 6-compatible router, but they get none of the technology’s speed benefits. Many consumers simply accept the model provided by their ISP. But internet companies usually charge a $10 to $12 monthly rental fee for the privilege, which can eclipse the price of a new router within two years. In addition to providing potential savings, buying your router gives you far more say in the operation and security of your home Wi-Fi network. Using a simple mobile app, you can set up your router to receive automatic firmware updates. If you have a large family or frequent houseguests, our experts suggest a model that offers robust settings that let you establish parental controls and a guest network to ward folks off from certain websites and private information. 

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Why Buy When You Can Rent?

Many consumers simply accept the model provided by their ISP. But internet companies usually charge a $10 to $12 monthly rental fee for the privilege, which can eclipse the price of a new router within two years. In addition to providing potential savings, buying your router gives you far more say in the operation and security of your home Wi-Fi network. Using a simple mobile app, you can set up your router to receive automatic firmware updates. If you have a large family or frequent houseguests, our experts suggest a model that offers robust settings that let you establish parental controls and a guest network to ward folks off from certain websites and private information. 

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Best Practices and Rules of Thumb

 

• When a network connection requires maximum speed and stability, that connection should be wired. Examples are security cameras, gaming PCs, gaming consoles, and devices used for high-quality entertainment like 4K video streaming.

• When the network connection requires low latency (lag), it should always be wired.

• If there is no feasible way of wiring the connection, then locate your Wi-Fi router and device as close to each other as possible.

• Wi-Fi signals need to be secured properly. There are many websites dedicated to this topic, providing sound advice. 

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Let Us Help

We can come to your house and evaluate your network. This means,

• Inspect equipment

• Inspect House Structure

• Your Wi-fi needs

• Network needs

• Current Mistakes

• Help Restructure your ISP's bill