Wi-Fi routers and extenders buying guide

For Wi-Fi, placement and coverage matter more than the speed printed on the box.

1. Put the router in a central, open spot, not in a cupboard, and avoid thick walls between it and your devices.
2. Mesh systems cover larger or multi-storey homes better than a single router or a plug-in extender.
3. Wi-Fi 6 or newer helps in homes with many devices; older devices will still connect.
4. Wired backhaul between mesh nodes is faster if you can run Ethernet cable.
5. Extenders halve the speed of the link they repeat; a mesh or a wired access point is usually better.

Common mistake: Buying a faster router when the real problem is a weak signal at the far end of the house.