![]() One last point: It's important to understand that your router doesn't generate speed or bandwidth - it takes whatever bandwidth you're paying for from your internet service provider and sends it out into your home so that wireless devices can connect. Editors' Choice-winning systems like the Asus ZenWiFi AX and the Eero Pro 6 both get you there for hundreds less than those top-of-the-line options, but you can read more about all of your options in my full rundown of the best mesh systems on the market right now. You should expect to pay at least $400 for a multidevice mesh system that takes that sort of tri-band, Wi-Fi 6 approach. Tri-band design, which adds in a second 5GHz band to serve as a dedicated backhaul channel for transmissions between the main router and its satellites, has been the biggest difference-maker in my tests, and it's worth paying a little extra at this point for Wi-Fi 6, as well. Now, in 2021, you've got plenty of systems to choose from, with prices ranging from entry-level starter kits that cost as little as $150 or less to top-of-the-line mesh systems that cost as much as $700.įor my money, the best strategy for that spectrum of mesh options is to aim for the middle ground. Mesh routers have been around for several years now, but it's only in the last year or two that we've seen decent options available for less than $300. Is your connection strong in some places throughout your home, but weak or nonexistent in others? If so, upgrading to a mesh router, which uses multiple devices to extend the range of your network and spread a steadier signal throughout your entire home, might be one of the most meaningful tech upgrades you can buy into. ![]() The Asus ZenWiFi AX is one of our top mesh router recommendations. "The 14 or 15 billion Wi-Fi devices out there across the world right now, they will never connect to that 6GHz Wi-Fi 6E radio." "Wi-Fi 6E is going to be awesome once it gets wide adoption, but wide adoption is going to be slow simply because everything that you own right now operates on either the 2.4 or the 5GHz band," Coleman explains. ![]() That said, you'll want to temper your expectations for Wi-Fi 6E, a new designation for special Wi-Fi 6 devices that are equipped with an additional radio that can send signals through a super-wide mass of spectrum in the 6GHz band, which the FCC opened for unlicensed use last year. Upgrading to Wi-Fi 6, a new generation of Wi-Fi that's better suited for dense, crowded environments where you have lots of devices competing for bandwidth, is definitely one way to give your network a boost - and with lots of new Wi-Fi 6 routers and client devices available on the market right now, 2021 seems like a particularly good year to buy in. None of that worked and your internet still stinks? Yeah, you probably need a new router. ![]() It's also a good idea to blast the ports in the back and the airflow vents with a can of compressed air to break through dust build-up - gunk like that can cause your router to overheat and its performance to dip. While you're at it, adjusting the angle of the antennas might help boost the signal to specific spots around the house. Try repositioning the router to a spot that's more open and central within your home, preferably in a location that's as high as possible. With the numbers giving you a better understanding of the status quo, make some quick tweaks and see if things improve. Whatever devices you use, those results should give you a clearer sense of whether the problem is tied to a specific client device or location in your home, or whether it's a bigger issue affecting everything. I like the Ookla speed test, which is fast, free, reliable and easy to use - you can run it in your browser by clicking here, or you can download Ookla's speed-testing app to your Android or iOS device, or even to an Apple TV. If problems like those persist, try running some speed tests in various spots around your home using a few different devices - both your phone and your laptop, for instance.
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