


These are simpler because you're staying on the same network right through your home, rather than jumping from the EXT network back to router one, but they tend to cost more.

Others work more like a mesh network, boosting the router network without creating an extra one. These are perfectly fine and are usually the cheapest option, but you'll need to manually reconnect to your router's network when you're back in range of it. Sometimes it will create an extra network, which appears in the list of available networks on your devices (often it mirrors the name of your normal network with 'EXT' at the end). It does this in one of two ways, depending on the model you buy. In this case an extender is a suitable cheaper alternative to mesh, particularly if it's not a room where you need the swiftest connection.Īn extender plugs into the wall and boosts the signal from your router. Mesh systems are expensive, and might not be the best option if you only have a room or two where the internet is slow or drops out. See our top five router mesh systems to find one that fits your needs and learn more about how they work I have one room where the internet drops out

We test routers, extenders and mesh systems. Each node acts an extra transmitter, creating a daisy chain of signals from the base router right through your home. These work like a router, but instead of just having one, you have two, three or sometimes more dotted around your home. In this instance, a new router will help to a degree, but the best way to get the internet into every corner of your home is to invest in a mesh system. But whatever the reason, having wi-fi dead spots is a serious issue for many households. Sometimes it's the size of the house that's the problem, or your router might struggle to get the signal through thick walls and floors. Several rooms in my house don't have any wi-fi signal You'll get other benefits, too, such as more control over which devices get more internet bandwidth, parental controls and more. A new router isn't going to make your 20Mbps package feel like 100Mbps, but it will help you to get similar speeds throughout the house, whether you're close to the router or further away. Regardless of the router you buy, you're still at the mercy of your own contract. A Best Buy router will help.Ī top-rated router will typically be better at pushing stronger right through your home. I don't get quick wi-fi throughout the houseĬoverage is a common complaint, and it's no good having a wi-fi connection when you're far away from your router if it's not strong enough to actually load a webpage or video. We've laid out a few scenarios to help you narrow down what sort of router you need. But if you're experiencing issues, or the performance just isn't up to scratch, then there are several options to help you get better wi-fi, including extenders and mesh systems. For many people, the router than comes with their broadband contract, such as a BT or Virgin Hub, will give them quick enough internet and good enough coverage that they never need to consider anything else.
