By contrast, our top-rated single-unit model sells for $200, followed by one that goes for about $160. The top-rated models in our ratings cost $400 to $500. So why doesn’t everyone simply choose a mesh router? They’re pricey, for one thing. 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 WiFi signal, until you find a configuration that helps you eliminate any dead spots. Mesh routers are typically packaged in a set with multiple units-a hub and one or more satellites-that work together to spread WiFi into the far-flung corners of a home. But they don’t always have the range to effectively blanket a whole home in WiFi, especially if you have a large or obstacle-laden layout. They can be plenty fast, supporting even the data-hungry activities of families with dozens of internet-connected devices. They’re single-unit devices that plug into a modem. You’re probably familiar with the former. These days, you’ll find two types of wireless routers: traditional models and mesh network models. If those tweaks don’t help, it may be time to find a model better suited to your needs, especially if you’ve been using a single-unit router in a multi-story home. (See “ 5 Common WiFi Roadblocks & How to Fix Them,” below.) You can try moving the router around a room to address such problems. If your router is already in a central location, the slow connection might be due to obstacles in the house that can impede a WiFi signal. If you’re planning to change providers, Fisco says, you may be able to get the job done free, so ask while you’re negotiating the switch. Or you can ask your ISP to help you relocate the modem, though the company may charge you depending on the labor involved. One way is to buy a long Ethernet cable (keep it under 300 feet), plug it into the modem and the router, and move the router yourself. If your router is in a suboptimal spot (the basement, for example), try moving it. A router tucked away in a corner may not have the range to travel to the other side of the house, or from the second floor to the basement, because the signal degrades the farther it gets from the source. They tend to do best when set up in the center of a home, allowing the signal to reach out in every direction. Next, you’ll want to assess the placement of your router. You can then move around with your laptop to different areas of your home to see how fast WiFi is at different locations. First, run it with your laptop plugged into your router to check your speed in the best-case scenario. You may want to run this test a few times.

You can easily run a speed test using a service like to see what you’re really getting.

If you’re not paying for that, or if you don’t have access to that kind of speed where you live, a brand-new router won’t help you. You’ll need a connection of at least 25 megabits per second to stream Netflix video for 4K TV, for example. But don’t be too hasty-there may be other factors at play.įirst, take a look at a bill from your ISP to see what level of broadband you’re paying for. If you do PM me, then please add a link in there to this thread, so as I can find it easily.If your WiFi connection is noticeably sluggish, you may be tempted to write off your current router as a dud. If they are too small, I will not be able to read them & although I can enlarge them, this just puts the text out of focus. Please ensure that the analyser window is maximised (if Windows) before taking the screenshots & upload them via the 'Insert Photos' button (in a mobile browser it's the picture icon) on the post editor's toolbar as large images. Please post the screenshots that I have requested in my guide (no photos please they can be difficult to read as text can get out of focus when zoomed), from the analyser you are using (also in my attached guide). Do not worry about interpreting the results, I will do that for you. However, I have no way of testing the Apple product. This section includes full details of Wi-Fi analysers that I recommend for Windows, Windows phone, Android and Apple operating systems. I will PM you a link for a guide of mine on Wi-Fi interference & initially look at the section called 'Are you suffering from interference – prove it first'. With just the power line ones turned on, please refer to the following.

Low wifi signal in my room