Everyone wants to count on him And fast internet, and a good router can help. The trick is knowing how to translate the convoluted mess of standards, confusing acronyms, and sci-fi sound features into better Wi-Fi in your home. Join us as we tear down the curtain to reveal facts about Wi-Fi networks, routers, mesh systems, and other jargon. Hopefully, you’ll be better equipped to buy a router by the end.
Updated April 2023: We’ve added information about Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6E, and Wi-Fi 7, updated the latest broadband speeds, upgraded our minimum recommendations, and added an explanation of the SSID.
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Who is your internet service provider?
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) connect your home to the Internet, and they usually send you a modem and router (sometimes all in one). The modem connects your home to the broader internet, the router is connected to the modem, and you connect all of your gadgets – wired or wireless – to the router to access that connection. ISPs will often charge you rental fees for this equipment, and their routers are usually pretty basic in terms of performance and features. The good news is that by law ISPs are no longer allowed to force you to use their devices or charge you to use your own, although you may still have to return their stuff to avoid fees.
We look pretty much at using your router in this guide and using your ISP’s modem. With your own, you can save money in the long run, but you can also enjoy faster Wi-Fi, better coverage, easier configuration, and additional features like parental controls and guest Wi-Fi networks. We’ll run through your router options, but no matter which system you decide to use, check compatibility with your ISP before purchasing. You can also search ISP forums to find posts where people discuss using different routers and modems. A little research before you shop can save you a huge headache in the future.
What kind of router do you need?
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There are various ways to make Wi-Fi faster, and buying a new router is one of the most obvious. To help you decide what kind of router you want, calculate the approximate footprint of your home before you begin.
one router
The simplest solution for most people is to choose a single router or a router and modem. Keep in mind that this device will have to be plugged into your existing jack or modem via an Ethernet cable, which restricts where you can put it. The Wi-Fi signal will be strongest near the router and will gradually decrease and slow down the farther away you are. If you’re able to, put your router in the middle of your house and leave it out in the open.
Routers should always mention square footage of coverage, but certain types of construction—thick walls, insulation, and other devices—can interfere with Wi-Fi signals, so don’t expect to enjoy full-speed Wi-Fi over longer distances. Powerful routers with wide coverage are often large devices with multiple external antennas, but they are usually very expensive.
network systems
If you have a large home and want solid coverage in your lawn, or have thick walls and specific dead spots with your existing setup, Wi-Fi may be the answer. Mesh systems consist of a central hub that connects just like a single router, plus 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 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 usually (although not always) more expensive than single router setups, but they boost coverage and reliability, and often feature additional features and control options. They also tend to be smaller than regular routers and are usually designed to blend in with your decor.
Most mesh systems are expandable, and some manufacturers allow you to link individual routers to create a network, 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 function as part of a mesh system, but TP-Link’s OneMesh technology only allows you to add compatible Wi-Fi extenders—you can’t link routers together.
Replacements for a new router
Photo: Eskay Lim/Getty Images
If your issue is more about coverage and you have one problem room where you want better Wi-Fi, or a specific device that needs a faster connection, you may not need to buy a new router. Try one of these alternatives. They each have their own technical challenges and potential issues. Even when deployed successfully, 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 became so 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 disadvantage is that the device you want to connect needs an Ethernet port, and you have to run the 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 several cables to different devices. Anyone looking to get the best performance out of a mesh system should also consider running Ethernet cables between the main router and nodes to create a wired backhaul that leaves Wi-Fi bands free for your devices to connect to.
power line transformers
Powerline adapters are sold in pairs, and pass the Internet signal through your electrical wires. You plug one into a power outlet near your router and plug it into an Ethernet cable, while the other powerline 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 greatly on your electrical wiring.
MoCA (Multimedia on Coax 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 fast speeds and low latency compared to Wi-Fi. You can buy routers, network adapters, or Wi-Fi extenders that support the MoCA standard. Much like power line adapters, this can be a great way to pass your internet signal to a smart TV, game console, or desktop that isn’t getting a strong Wi-Fi signal.
Wi-Fi repeaters
You can use Wi-Fi repeaters to spread the Wi-Fi out of one router a bit further and possibly boost the signal at 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 regular Wi-Fi.
access point
If you don’t mind the challenge and have a spare old router, you can look into configuring it as an access point or using it as a Wi-Fi extender. This can be especially effective if you are able to connect it to your main router via cables, but it can be tricky to configure.
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There is a lot to consider when trying to decide what speed your router should be. The maximum internet speed is determined by your internet service provider. Internet speeds are specified in megabits per second (Mbps). The global average fixed broadband speed is 79 Mbps for download and 34 Mbps for upload, according to Ookla’s Speedtest. Most ISPs will limit you to a specific speed or give you a range – like 300Mbps download and 30Mbps upload – but what you get is often less than the maximum (especially upload speeds), and has to be shared among all connected devices.