Having a fast and reliable wireless network at home is more crucial than ever, with the rise of remote work, 4K streaming, online gaming, and smart homes filled with connected devices. An outdated or low-end router can cause frustrating lag, buffering, drop-outs and dead spots in parts of your house. Upgrading your wifi router to a newer model with the latest features ensures robust Wi-Fi coverage across every room.
One big development is support for WiFi 6 (802.11ax), the newest wireless standard that succeeds 802.11ac. WiFi 6 routers have higher maximum speeds, increased capacity, better efficiency, and reduced latency compared to WiFi 5. This allows them to handle more devices simultaneously, with less congestion and buffering. Brand new phones, laptops and other gadgets are starting to support WiFi 6.
Leading router manufacturers like Asus, Netgear, TP-Link and Linksys offer high-performing WiFi 6 routers packed with cutting-edge hardware. For example, the Asus RT-AX86U is a fast AX5700 dual band router with WiFi speeds up to 5700 Mbps using 1024 QAM and OFDMA modulation. It has a 1.8 Ghz quad-core CPU and 1GB of RAM to manage all that traffic.
Dual band is another key wireless feature that reduces interference and maximizes speeds. Dual band routers have two separate radio bands - 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. Slower devices like security cameras and smart home gadgets can connect to the 2.4 GHz band, while phones, laptops and gaming devices use the faster 5 GHz frequency. This prevents congestion and allows newer devices to achieve higher throughput.
Gaming routers like the Netgear Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR500 optimize connectivity by prioritizing gaming devices and traffic. Features like Active Antennae forming a high-powered signal beam, and intelligent QoS management reduce lag and latency for smoother online multiplayer. Some gaming routers even have geo-filtering to connect you to nearby servers for lower ping.
Mesh wifi routers are also gaining popularity for their ability to blanket a whole home with high-speed coverage. Mesh systems like Google Wifi or Linksys Velop include multiple wireless access points that spread WiFi everywhere, eliminating dead zones. Models with WiFi 6 support even faster wireless connections. Expand your network simply by adding more mesh nodes.
Placement of your router is also key - centrally locating it avoids dead spots in far-off rooms. External antennas can be positioned to spread signals in particular directions as needed. Keep the router out in the open rather than hidden in a closet for best performance. Connecting wired access points or WiFi range extenders in weaker areas can also help fill in coverage gaps.
When choosing a new router for home use, determine your coverage needs, internet speeds, and number of devices that will connect both wired and wireless. Opt for a dual band or WiFi 6 model from a top manufacturer that delivers fast speeds throughout your living space. Investing in a high-quality router tailored for whole home coverage ensures you can enjoy uninterrupted streaming, gaming and connectivity across your smart devices.
