Router placement, channel selection, and the upgrades worth making in 2026.
Rowan Pike
Center of the home, off the floor, away from walls and metal. Wi-Fi signal weakens dramatically with distance and obstacles.
Avoid placing in cabinets or closets. Open positioning improves signal range and speed dramatically.
Many routers default to crowded channels. Use the router app or web interface to switch to 5GHz band (faster, shorter range) for nearby devices.
WiFi 6/7 routers can use both 2.4 and 5GHz bands intelligently. Auto-selection works for most homes.
If your router is 5+ years old, it's likely outdated. WiFi 6/7 routers are significantly better than older models.
Mesh systems (Eero, Google Nest WiFi, Amazon Eero) eliminate dead zones in larger homes.
Internal Wi-Fi often slower than ISP plan. ISP plan applies wired; Wi-Fi adds friction. Test wired speed to verify ISP delivery.
No — older devices still need it. Modern routers handle both bands automatically.
For homes >2,500 sq ft or multi-story, yes. Smaller homes can get by with single high-quality router.
