- Best Router For Mac Asus Chromebook
- Best Wifi Router For Mac
- Best Router For Mac Computers
- Linksys Router
- Best Router For Mac 2018
Again, this router is overkill for the average consumer, but for those who want the best there is out there, then you can’t go wrong with the Asus GT-AC5300, especially if you prioritize gaming. Keep all of your gadgets cruising along with a top-notch Wi-Fi router. Here's what you need to know to optimize your network, along with the best wireless routers for all budgets. These Wi-Fi router (or Wi-Fi base station) settings are for all Mac computers and iOS devices. They provide the best performance, security, and reliability when using Wi-Fi. This article is for network administrators and others who manage their own network.
Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.
The Rundown
- Best Overall:Google Wi-Fi at Amazon, “If you want a simple, fast set-up and a 'set it and forget it' router, this is the one to get.”
- Best for Full Home Coverage:Netgear Orbi at Amazon, “The Netgear Orbi can cover up to 6,000 square feet and can handle speeds of up to 2.2 Gbps.”
- Best for Larger Homes:Linksys AC1900 at Amazon, “An affordable router that is great for handling lots of devices.”
- Best Under $50:TP-Link AC1200 at Amazon, “A great little router for an extremely reasonable price.”
- Best for Smart Homes:Samsung SmartThings Wi-Fi + Hub at Amazon, “SmartThings makes you the master of your domain, with total control over all your devices.”
- Best for Gaming:Netgear Nighthawk XR500 at Amazon, “The ultimate router for top-notch performance and lag-free gaming.”
- Best for Streaming:ASUS AC5300 at Amazon, “If you’re a serious gamer, you need a powerful router, and the AC5300 is it.”
- Best for Speed:NETGEAR Nighthawk X10 at Amazon, “The Nighthawk is a phenomenal router that will last you a very long time.”
- Best for Busy Homes:ASUS Blue Cave AC2600 at Amazon, “A great looking option for busy homes that need a simple and easy router to fit their lives.”
- Best Technology:NETGEAR Nighthawk AX8 at Amazon, “For the most up to date tech you can find in a router, the AX8 is where to look first.”
Our Top Picks
Best Overall: Google Wi-Fi
4.7
What We Like
- Attractive and simple design Android 5.1.2 update download for dell venue 8.
- A reliable 500 Mbps speed per unit
- Easy installation and set-up
- Covers up to 4,500 square feet
What We Don't Like
- Network settings are lacking
- Setup can be a clunky (you'll need a phone)
Google Wi-Fi uses satellites that communicate with each other to eliminate dead zones in your home and offer a reliable wireless network for high performance. Each unit gets 500 Megabits per second, which just indicates how fast your Internet can be while performing tasks like downloading. With 3 Google units together, you get 1.5 Gbps, which equates to fast and reliable Internet. It can cover up to 4,500 square feet of blanketed coverage by utilizing its quad-core CPU, 512 MB of RAM, 4GB of flash memory, and combining 2.4GHz and 5GHz into a single band. Simply download their app for Android and iOS and get going. If you want a simple, fast set-up and a “set it and forget it” router, this is the one to get.
Best for Full Home Coverage: Netgear Orbi
4.5
What We Like
- Covers up to 6,000 square feet
- One of the best Tri-band routers
- It stands vertically unlike most routers
What We Don't Like
- Very pricey
- Tech support costs extra
The Netgear Orbi can cover up to 6,000 square feet, which is excellent, and can handle speeds of up to 2.2 Gbps over that range. Each Orbi unit is 8.9 x 6.7 x 3.1 inches and small enough to fit just about anywhere or be tucked away near your modem. It also stands up vertically, which adds to its already great specs and doesn’t need antennas or any adjustment. As for the hardware, you’ll find both 2.4GHz and 5GHz radio connections in a tri-band, 802.11ac support, four Ethernet ports and a great mobile app for all your needs.
Best for Larger Homes: Linksys AC1900 Dual Band Wireless Router
4.5
What We Like
- Simple and intuitive router
- Excellent for streaming with multiple devices
- Great price for the specs you get
- Hits speeds up to 1.9 Gbps
What We Don't Like
- Speeds can fluctuate wildly
- Software is not robust
If you have a large home, you might have a lot of people with a lot of different devices: Tablets, Alexa, TVs, gaming consoles, phones, and VR rigs all compete for the Internet. So thankfully the Linksys AC1900 can let you connect 12 or more devices at once. It sports both USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports, four gigabit Ethernet ports, speeds of up to 1.9 Gbps and unobtrusive design. You don’t get much in the way of software, and if you stretch the router too thin with way more devices than is normal you’ll get inconsistent downloads, but otherwise this will perform just fine for everyday means.
Best Under $50: TP-Link AC1200
3.5
What We Like
- Affordable and reliable router
- Can get over a Gigabit per second of speed
- Set-up is easy and hassle free
What We Don't Like
- The range is lacking
- Missing some features like Alexa voice support
If you are on a budget, check out the TP-Link AC1200. It can get up to speeds of up to 1.2 Gbps, has a two-year warranty, a USB port, and even has detachable antennas. This is a simple to use, easy to install dual-band router that is tiny (9.05 x 5.68 x 1.45 inches) and lightweight (about a pound). The AC1200 also has MU-MIMO (multi-user, multiple input and output) technology powering it, which essentially means more than one device can be on the Internet simultaneously without sacrificing speed.
Want to take a look at some other options? See our guide to the best routers under $50.
Best for Smart Homes: Samsung SmartThings Wi-Fi + Hub
4.6
What We Like
- Covers up to 1,500 square feet
- Great app to control all devices
- Sleek, elegant design
What We Don't Like
- Not the easiest to install
- Lackluster tech support
- Not the fastest (866 Mbps)
If you want to create a Smart Home, you need a smart router, and that means a Wi-Fi mesh router that extends throughout your home and connects all of your devices together to function in harmony. Therefore, we highly recommend the Samsung SmartThings line of products. This is the all-in-one solution for controlling over 100 devices, and if you buy a pack of three routers you can cover up to 4,500 square feet. Once you get everything installed, the app allows total control over your smart home.
Best for Gaming: Netgear Nighthawk XR500
4.8
Best Router For Mac Asus Chromebook
What We Like
- Great bandwidth allocation
- Lots of ports for PCs and consoles
- Best outdoor security systems for mac. Low lag latency for gaming sessions
What We Don't Like
- Big and bulky
- Antennas aren't flexible for repositioning
Sure, the Nighthawk XR500 is pricey, but it also has beefy specs. Namely, it can achieve speeds of 2.6 Gbps thanks to its dedicated 1.7 GHz processor and four external high-performance antennas (you can’t really position them around, but you might not need to). The XR500 can even designate express lanes of traffic to avoid network congestion and reduce lag spikes. Finally, there are four Gigabit Ethernet ports for gaming and streaming, so you can connect your PC, console, surround sound system, and more.
Best for Streaming: ASUS AC5300
What We Like
- 8 LAN ports for any smart devices
- Great 5.3 Gbps speed
- Award winning security built-in
What We Don't Like
- Expensive
- Inconsistent at longer ranges
The AC5300 is well worth the hefty price tag. It’s what’s on the inside that counts here, and Asus provides it in spades. With up to 5.3 Gbps, 512 MB of memory, a tri-band 1.4 GHz dual-core processor, and 802.11ac 4x4 tech, you’re getting the goods where it counts. On top of all of that, the AC5300 has up to 5,000 square feet of coverage and four gigabit Ethernet ports for all your gaming needs. The only thing we noticed was some inconsistency at longer ranges, but if you’re gaming you want a wired connection with fiber optics anyways.
Best for Speed: NETGEAR Nighthawk X10 AD7200
What We Like
- Git gui client for mac. Blazing fast three-band speeds of 7.2 Gbps
- Versatile and durable
- Easy to install and use
What We Don't Like
- Very expensive
- Signal can’t penetrate walls well
Netgear’s Nighthawk X10 AD7200 is powered by a 802.11ac quad stream Wave2 along with a 60GHz 802.11ac Wi-Fi, which gives you up to 7.2 Gbps of throughput. It also includes a 1.7 GHz quad-core processor, media server with two external USB 3.0 ports and six Gigabit Ethernet ports. This router can absolutely handle whatever you throw at it: 4K streaming, VR gaming, and instant downloads, all lag free. If you can stomach the entry price, this router will be with you for long haul.
Interested in reading more reviews? Take a look at our selection of the best Netgear routers.
Best for Busy Homes: Asus Blue Cave AC2600
What We Like
- Great user interface and security features
- Voice controls with Amazon Alexa and Echo
- Sleek, unconventional design Best free djvu reader for mac.
What We Don't Like
- No Mesh networking
- Customer service is lacking
The Asus Blue Cave AC2600 dual-band router comes with the latest 802.11ac 4x4 technology, advanced parental and scheduling controls usable from any mobile device to manage your family’s usage, and a free year-long subscription to Trend Micro Security. In addition to featuring cool LED lighting, other specs include four LAN ports for home theater set-ups or people with multiple game consoles, and Wi-Fi speeds of up to 2.6 Gbps.
Need some more help finding what you're looking for? Read through our best ASUS routers article.
Best Technology: NETGEAR Nighthawk AX8
What We Like
- Up to 6 Gbps of wireless speeds
- Can pair with up to 50 devices
- 8K streaming
What We Don't Like
- Will take a big bite out of your wallet Best video recording for mac.
The NETGEAR Nighthawk AX8 is the cutting edge in router technology. It boasts a staggering ability to handle 30 to 50 devices at once and can output both 4K and 8K video streaming. But with its Wi-Fi 6 technology, can absolutely handle 20 devices at high volume with blazing fast speeds. The AX8 sports a quad-core 1.8 GHz processor, a full gigabyte of RAM, 512 MB of flash memory, and supports backward compatibility for all existing Wi-Fi devices. And having up to 6 Gbps is well above average for router speeds, so you won’t be having a problem streaming, playing games, or downloading big files.
Tested by
How We Tested
We bought and tested seven top-rated wireless routers. Our reviewers spent 370 hours connecting multiple devices, browsing the Web, streaming video, playing games, and more. We asked our testers to consider the most important features when using these routers, from range to connection speed. We’ve outlined the key takeaways here so that you, too, know what to look for when shopping. Best wireless controller for mac.
What to Look for in a Wireless Router
Compatibility - As wireless standards change fairly frequently, a router more than a few years old is likely out of date. Even if your devices aren’t yet using 802.11ac standards, we recommend a router that supports it as a means of future-proofing.
Single- and dual-band -Dual band routers have both a 2.6GHz band and a 5GHz band, which ultimately increases your connection speeds. If you live in a densely populated area, you probably want a dual-band router to avoid too much interference, but if you’re in a more rural area, and single-band solution will likely suit you just fine.
Range - The ability of your router to deliver a strong signal to all corners of your home is important, but its positioning will likely make just as much of an impact. Higher end routers will offer up better range, but a Wi-Fi extender can also work wonders if dead spots are an issue.
Test Results: Google Wi-Fi (Best Overall)
4.7
What We Like
- Attractive design
- Fast
- Easy installation
- Great range
What We Don't Like
- No customizable network settings
- Phone is required for setup
Behind speed, the majority of our testers listed the system’s sleek design as one of the top selling points. The system consists of three hockey-puck-like satellites that you can place in unobtrusive locations around your house to extend your Wi-Fi network. Our reviewers could barely find a negative thing to say about Google Wi-Fi and told us that it definitely increased the speed and range of their home connections.
Test Results: Netgear Orbi (Best for Full Home Coverage)
4.5
What We Like
- Fast speeds
- Simple setup process
- Configurable options
Our testers loved Netgear’s Orbi High-Performance AC3000. (Did you see the perfect 5-star rating?) This mesh network Wi-Fi system noticeably increased our reviewers’ wireless speeds and extended the network’s range to surprising places. “I get a very good connection even working out in the yard,” one person said. One of our testers said the system “provided seamless connectivity” throughout his entire home, which is something he had never experienced before.
Test Results: Linksys AC1900 Dual Band Wireless Router (Best for Larger Homes)
4.5
What We Like
- Easy setup
- Unobtrusive design
- Great value
What We Don't Like
- Inconsistent download speeds
- Not the fastest model
- Software is a bit barren
One of our testers felt that, for a reasonably priced router, the Linksys AC1900 really delivered: 'The router does what it sets out to do,' he said. 'It provides an excellent streaming experience at a mid-range price.' Our reviewers also liked that it was easy to set up and that its design made it blend in with its surroundings. On the other hand, one tester acknowledged that it wasn't the fastest router out there, that its download speeds were inconsistent, and that its software was 'limited but effective.'
Test Results: Samsung SmartThings Wi-Fi Network & Hub (Best for Smart Homes)
4.6
What We Like
- Super fast
- Seamlessly connects smart home devices
- Good range
“This product changed the way that I interact with my home,” one of our testers raved of this router system. In addition to being able to connect a variety of smart home devices, our reviewers were also impressed with the range and speed. One of our testers noted, “I was able to completely eliminate dead spots in my apartment — and didn't realize that my home Wi-Fi could be so fast.” While one of our reviewers said setup was time-consuming, he also revealed, “After I set up the app and the first router, setting up additional routers and smart appliances was a breeze.” Overall, our testers were thrilled with how seamless the product worked in their homes. “I didn't have to do much, if any, tinkering with settings or resetting the router,” reported one of our reviewers.
Test Results: Netgear Nighthawk XR500 (Best for Gaming)
4.8
What We Like
- Allows for bandwidth allocation
- Easy to connect devices
- Geo-filter reduces lag
What We Don't Like
- Big
- Antenna placement restricts placement
The Netgear Nighthawk XR500 performed well among all of our testers who game frequently. One person thought this router is best suited for users who are “very particular about their Internet connection” since it allows for device prioritization and offers detailed connection monitoring. You’ll pay a bit more than a traditional router to take advantage of these features, so it’s up to you to decide what you need. One tester noted that his game lagged once but said, “It was very slight and fixed itself quickly. If I used my own router it may have taken a few seconds longer to reconnect.”
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Best Budget Router | Best Router for Gamers |
How We Found the Best Wireless Router
27 Independent tests evaluated
The Best Wireless Router
Whether you’re dealing with slow speeds or Wi-Fi dead zones, a new router can significantly improve your internet experience. We spoke with networking experts and Wi-Fi geeks to get to the root of what matters. Our top picks come with the latest protocols and recommended frequencies, have been independently tested for speed and range, and boast an excellent track record with users.
The 4 Best Wireless Routers
- NETGEAR Nighthawk AC1900 Dual-Band Wi-Fi Router -Best Router for High-Traffic Homes
- TP-LINK Archer C7 AC1750 Wireless-AC Dual-Band Router -Best Budget Router
- Google Wi-Fi AC1200 Dual-Band Whole Home Wi-Fi System (3-Pack) -Best Router for Large Homes
- Asus AC88U -Best Router for Gamers
The Best Wireless Router: Summed Up
The Best | ||||
Price | ||||
Dual-Band Frequency | ||||
Quality of Service | ||||
Parent Controls | ||||
Number of Ports |
NETGEAR Nighthawk AC1900 Dual-Band Wi-Fi Router
NETGEAR Nighthawk AC1900 Dual-Band Wi-Fi Router
A powerful router with easy customization.
Pros
Best-in-class performance
Simple setup
Detailed parental controls
Best-in-class performance
Simple setup
Detailed parental controls
Why we chose it
Best-in-class performance
CNET found that on the crowded 2.4 Ghz band at 100 feet, the Nighthawk delivered 64 Mbps. That’s a lot better than most routers did at that distance, although admittedly not as impressive as the 102 Mbps that our other top pick, the ASUS AC88U, tested at that range. By switching to the 5Ghz band, however, it delivered a whopping 295 Mbps at the same distance. Put simply, you’ll never have to worry about slow internet from this router.
Simple setup
User reviews praise NetGear’s Setup Wizard tool, that guides you through the 10-minute install step by step. You will need some tech intuition for advanced customizations, like enabling a guest network or metering your internet traffic. Don’t worry; this isn’t coding-level knowledge, more like fiddling with your Myspace HTML. There’s also a dedicated mobile app to control the basics: monitor connected devices, track your internet usage, or adjust parental controls.
Detailed parental controls
There’s also a separate Disney-sponsored app for parental controls, called Circle with Disney. You can manage content, pause the internet, limit time online, specify destinations, and set a “bedtime” for each family member. What elevates this from standard parental controls is that these options are all conveniently designated to a separate app. You won’t have to open your laptop and log onto your router’s web portal just to pause internet access before dinner time.
Points to consider
Lackluster technical support
Complaints on Best Buy and Amazon mention poor technical support from Netgear; customers have struggled to get a hold of Netgear representatives and experience phone tag and long email chains. Some customers report that they’ve had to pay to ship the device back and go router-less while it was repaired. If you don’t feel confident in your own troubleshooting abilities, it's best to purchase from a retailer that offers additional tech support, like Best Buy.
TP-LINK Archer C7 AC1750 Wireless-AC Dual-Band Router
TP-LINK Archer C7 AC1750 Wireless-AC Dual-Band Router
A serious speed upgrade, but customization gets complicated.
Cons
Not intended for more than 10 devices
Harder to customize
Not intended for more than 10 devices
Harder to customize
Why we chose it
Great value
If you’re not quite ready to dabble in advanced features, but are looking for seamless streaming or faster browsing, the TP-Link Archer C7 has you covered. At $65, it rivals the speeds of routers double its price. Though you can purchase a router for much cheaper, even as low as $20, it won’t perform with the reliability that the TP-Link Archer promises.
Impressive performance
PCMag’s testing revealed the Archer C7 delivered speeds higher than most other routers in its price range, and even rivaled power picks, like the Asus AC88U. On the more crowded 2.4GHz frequency and 30 feet from the router, speeds still tested at 62.8 Mbps. Jumping over to 5GHz boosted that speed up to 250Mbps. Both speeds are more than enough for streaming, web browsing, and some file downloads across a few different devices.
Simple setup
The Archer C7 has everything you’ll need to optimize your internet in a smaller home, without some of the expensive features of our more advanced picks. Amazon reviews say the initial installation process is straightforward, and there’s also a standard Quick Setup option too. You’ll be plugged in and ready to connect within 15 minutes. If all you want to do with your router is plug it in, the Archer C7 won’t need anything else.
Points to consider
Won’t support as many devices
While this router tested well for speed, don’t expect that same result if you’re connecting closer to 10 devices. The Archer C7’s lack of beamforming and slower bandwidth speeds will clog up the network. It’s a cheaper router, so its firmware isn’t designed to handle high traffic, but if you’re living in a smaller home or apartment with fewer than 10 devices, this router will meet your needs.
Harder to customize
Best Wifi Router For Mac
Customer reviews pointed out that customization is difficult due to an overly text-based setup portal and a distinct lack of novice-friendly graphic elements. So while the Archer C7 does have some advanced features, like Quality of Service (to prioritize specific devices or apps) and parental controls, they’re difficult to access, making this router a better choice for the “plug and play” user or someone who’s willing to tinker. There’s also a TP-Link tether app, but its uses are limited beyond changing network passwords and blocking users.
Google Wi-Fi AC1200 Dual-Band Whole Home Wi-Fi System (3-Pack)
Google Wi-Fi AC1200 Dual-Band Whole Home Wi-Fi System (3-Pack)
A mesh network to blanket your whole home in Wi-Fi.
Pros
Sprawling connectivity
Auto-steering speeds
Intuitive interface
Sprawling connectivity
Auto-steering speeds
Intuitive interface
Cons
Excessive for smaller homes
Limited customization
Excessive for smaller homes
Limited customization
Why we chose it
Sprawling connectivity
If your current router-extender combo isn’t enough to cover your whole home, a mesh network is an easy, unified way to upgrade. Mesh systems are made up of multiple router-pods placed around your home to provide a blanket of connection. The pods ping off of each other to reach dead zones and hidden corners. You can even purchase wall mounts to discreetly install the pods in central hallways.
Auto-steering makes it fast
Google Wi-Fi uniquely runs auto-steering for band frequencies. So, rather than manually switching from 2.4GHz to 5GHz when your internet is bogging down, the system will switch to whichever is faster in the moment. As a result, PCMag found it outperformed the Eero and Luma mesh systems by around 100 Mbps, delivering 175 Mbps at a 30-foot distance.
Intuitive interface
The Google Wi-Fi System has mastered simple networking. Setup is incredibly intuitive; Amazon reviews report it takes about 15 minutes. Just plug the system in and follow a few steps in the mobile app. Granted, initializing on any mesh network is fairly easy, but Google Wi-Fi makes advanced features, like Quality of Service and beamforming, accessible for any user to enable through the app.
Points to consider
Excessive for smaller homes
Mesh systems tend to be expensive, starting at around $270. If you have a few dead spots but live in a smaller, single-story home, you probably won’t need to invest in a mesh system. They’re designed for large homes with dense construction and a history of poor connectivity in rooms farther from the router. If your home is under 2,000 square feet, you’ll be better off with the NetGear Nighthawk.
Limited customization
Google Wi-Fi is suited for “plug and play” users, not power users. Those looking for more advanced customization may feel limited by the app’s simplicity. The parental controls, for example, aren’t as comprehensive as the NetGear Nighthawk’s. For example, you can “pause” the internet, but you can’t set limitations on hours or sites.
Best Router For Mac Computers
For those with a big home who want to customize internet access for specific profiles (like block social media but allow homework-related sites on weeknights), you’ll want to consider pairing the detailed parental controls of the NetGear Nighthawk with a Wi-Fi extender to get broader coverage with more options.
Asus AC88U
Asus AC88U
The ultimate router: speed, customization, and definitely no lag.
Pros
Advanced settings
Double the antennas, double the speed
WTFast Game Accelerator
Advanced settings
Double the antennas, double the speed
WTFast Game Accelerator
Why we chose it
Advanced settings
For the network nerds who like to hack their router to do things like host their own VPN or enable link aggregation, the Asus AC88U is a solid choice. With eight ports, you can integrate several ethernet wired connections into one. The result is the ability to transmit separate data packets down separate links, which improves performance and adds a layer of reliability. If one connection fails, that data can hop onto another.
Double the antennas, double the speed
The Asus has four antennas for optimal MU-MIMO functionality, compared to the two or three of most competitors. This means it beams data directly to your devices (plus, it looks like a spaceship). CNET found the Asus’s>
Guide to Wireless Routers
How to find the right router for you
There are a lot of wireless routers out there — we’re talking 10,000+ — and in truth, there’s no perfect one. Router performance is going to depend on your home’s design, your internet usage, and your internet provider. But there are a few ways to help narrow your search.
Consider how your household uses the internet
You’ll want to keep in mind how many people are using the internet, and the kind of activity they’re doing. The internet bandwidth can get crowded and slow down as it connects to more devices. If you’re streaming Black Mirror in the living room, the kids are upstairs playing Overwatch, and Grandma is downloading a new ebook, your internet network may get overloaded and slow down. Use that information to determine how powerful you’ll need your router to be.
Know your home’s layout
When it comes to the design of your home, the bigger and denser-walled your house, the more difficult it is for your wireless router to send signals to devices. According to home networking consultant Ryan Hunt, “Anytime the Wi-Fi has to get around obstacles, like walls and furniture, you’ll see a speed reduction on your device.” If you’ve historically had dead zones or difficulty connecting throughout your house, you may want to consider a mesh network or a Wi-Fi extender.
Check that your internet plan is fast enough
If your internet speed is struggling, you may want to review your plan before purchasing a new router. The internet you pay for from an internet service provider (ISP), like Comcast or AT&T, will inevitably have an effect on your internet’s performance — if you only pay for 30 Mbps, your ISP is only responsible for delivering 30 Mbps, no matter how fancy your router is.
To help you find the right speed for your household, we gathered recommendations from a variety of internet service provider websites, as well as HighSpeedInternet.com, a site dedicated to providing information and tools to understand high-speed internet. Then, we consulted with the team at BroadbandNow to find the ideal speed ranges for most households.
Ideal Speeds | Number of People/Devices | Typical Use |
---|---|---|
Think about the features you’ll actually use
Advanced features can be expensive, and they take work both to set up and optimize. Whitson Gordon, editor in chief at How-To Geek warned us that they’re not for everyone: “Unless you already know what the feature is and how to use it, chances are you don't need to be spending money on it.”
For more advanced users, however, these features may be worth the investment. Being able to optimize beamforming, toggle parental controls, enable link aggregation, and connect a VPN are advanced features that will cost you, but they’re a great way to customize your internet experience.
Wireless Router FAQs
The short answer — nothing. Seriously, it’s just a catchy name. You may have heard it stands for wireless fidelity, but that longer name came later. According to founding member of the Wi-Fi Alliance, Phil Belanger, “The Standard for Wireless Fidelity” is a made-up tagline; colleagues were worried about marketing with a name that didn’t mean anything. They’ve since dropped the tagline, as it actually caused more confusion.
Should I rent a router from my internet service provider?
We’re in favor of purchasing your own router. Not only will it save you money in the long run, but it can increase your internet speed. Let’s do the math: Renting a router can cost anywhere between $5 to $15 per month — up to $300 per year. And remember, they’re not particularly high-tech. There’s also a good chance all your neighbors are using the same router, increasing spacial traffic that can slow your internet down (especially during high-traffic internet hours). Alternatively, our favorite routers are just a one-time investment between $60 and $250.
Place your router where your devices are. It should be out in the open, unobstructed, and as central to your most used devices as possible. If your router has antennas, play around with those and try positioning them vertically or horizontally based on where you tend to have the weakest signal.
Home networking consultant Ryan Hunt explains why: “Signal is released in a roughly spherical shape, so imagine you’re positioning the ‘bubble’ to reach as many rooms as possible. Putting it in a cupboard, closet, corner, behind a desk, and in other claustrophobic placements will decrease the signal quality and slow down performance.”
Probably not. After an unraveling of traditional WPA2 security in 2017, some are worried their devices are at risk. Since then, all major operating systems have rolled out updates to combat the recent vulnerabilities. You’re only truly vulnerable if the hacker is on your network, which means they’d need to be in your home or near your device and have your password. In other words, it’s nothing to sweat over.