While those are generally a few years old, they still perform quite well-and are often cheaper than their WiFi 6 counterparts. You may notice that we still have a handful of WiFi 5 wireless routers in those ratings, including prominent models made by companies like Google and Netgear. The current WiFi standard is known as WiFi 6, which is sometimes (including in our ratings) referred to by its technical name 802.11ax. These can cost as little as $20 and generally do a good job of, yes, extending your WiFi network to a hard-to-reach part of your home. On the other hand, if you’re merely trying to improve WiFi in a single room, an inexpensive WiFi extender may be a better alternative. The satellite units of a mesh router can be moved around to maximize coverage, steering the WiFi signal around obstacles such as doors, walls, and appliances. That’s especially true if you work from home, even just a few days per week nobody likes dealing with dropped video calls. The units then “talk” to one another, creating what’s known as a mesh network.Ī single router is generally fine for apartments and smaller houses, but if you live in a house larger than 2,000 square feet, a mesh router may be a better pick. Mesh routers feature one unit that plugs into the modem, plus one or two additional units, sometimes referred to as “satellites” or “beacons,” that can be stationed in other parts of your home. There are more than 100 models in our ratings, split across two categories: multi-unit mesh routers and single-unit wireless routers.Ī single-unit router plugs directly into your modem. But if you experience problems with dead spots or slow connections, Fisco says, it could be time to go shopping.

A good router can help you make sure the answer is yes.

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