Key points
- Don’t overpay for unnecessary grid energy
- Check the router software restrictions before purchasing
- Optimal router placement for maximum signal
Setting up a home network isn’t exactly rocket science, but there are some mistakes you can easily make that can detract from your experience. Whether you’re a tech-savvy user or setting up a network for the first time, you want to make sure you’re setting up your network with the right hardware for your needs and the right settings to get the most out of it. If you’re upgrading your equipment or just want to make sure it’s set up correctly, it’s a good idea to double-check your network settings.
4 Going overboard with a leotard
Just one more node
Mesh Wi-Fi systems are a highly publicized and expensive way to solve your coverage problem. While mesh Wi-Fi can be very effective at covering a large area with consistent internet speed, it can often be deployed as a brute force solution with more nodes than you actually need. With each additional node, the price of your network increases, and pretty soon you’ll be looking at prices similar to much higher-end networking equipment.
The challenge with a mesh system is that each node needs a strong connection to the main router, meaning that an overlap is being deliberately created in the network. That means that doubling the number of nodes you have doesn’t double your coverage area, and the cost of building a reliable mesh can be quite high.
Mesh systems can also have other drawbacks that people don’t expect, such as limited wired connectivity. While some mesh routers, like the TP-Link Deco BE85, have quite a few wired Ethernet ports, many cheaper mesh nodes have only a couple of wired ports or even none at all. This simple design is what some people prefer, but you may want a few more options to get the most out of your network, starting with the software.
Related
Do you need a mesh network? Don’t waste your money if you don’t need one.
Get the right Wi-Fi, not the expensive Wi-Fi
3 Get restricted software
Do you want to change your settings? Sorry!
Router software has become very user-friendly in recent years, with most companies offering an app for easy setup or even a simple setup with step-by-step instructions in a web browser. While this is great for less tech-savvy users looking to get their internet up and running as quickly as possible, it may not offer the customization some are looking for.
To make matters worse, some routers have started restricting access to more advanced settings, and mesh systems have seen most features removed. There are exceptions, such as Asus’ ZenWiFi series, but popular brands like Nest Wifi, Eero, TP-Link Deco, and Netgear Orbi have created very simple user interfaces with only basic settings available to the consumer. For most people, the default settings are ideal, but if you were hoping to customize your network, you’ll likely find these systems frustrating.
Fortunately, when it comes to standalone routers, most have kept their more advanced settings accessible if you’re willing to connect through a web browser rather than an app. Asus routers, TP-Link Archers, Netgear Nighthawks, and others still allow reasonably deep access to settings that should satisfy the remaining majority of users.
If that’s not enough for you, there are also plenty of models available with software like OpenWRT, such as routers made by Gl.iNet, which allow you to dig deep into the settings. While you won’t have as many settings as with a custom router, for most people, these options will be enough.
2 Getting more power than you need
Most people don’t need Wi-Fi 7 yet
I don’t blame anyone for wanting to buy a powerful router today that they won’t have to think about for a few years, but since Wi-Fi 7 routers are still pretty expensive, you might find yourself spending way more than necessary on a high-end router with speeds you won’t be able to take advantage of even a couple of years from now. For example, the Eero Max 7 is an excellent piece of mesh kit, but at over $1000 for a two-pack at suggested retail price, its 10Gbps Ethernet connection and BE20800 aren’t worth the money for most people.
While internet speeds above 1Gbps are starting to trickle into homes, the truth is that most of us don’t need all that speed. However, if you want to get the most out of your gigabit connection, a standalone router with AX3000 speeds, like the Asus RT-AX57, should be enough for a couple of people, but if you have a larger family, something with AX5400 speeds or higher might be better for multiple devices.
In general, a slower AX1800 router will be fast enough for almost everything you want to do online, including watching 4K streams, but it will struggle to hit full gigabit speeds, especially if there’s any interference.
1 Placing the router in the wrong place
Reduce interference
Perhaps one of the easiest mistakes to make is simply placing your router in the wrong place. Most routers can look a little industrial and don’t exactly fit in with your living room decor, but you should still avoid hiding them behind too many things. Every wall and piece of furniture between the router and the device that connects to it can degrade the signal, so for the best signal and speed in your home, your router should be up high and out in the open as much as possible. Even the LCD panel on a TV can block your signal, so the fairly common act of placing your router behind or under your TV could affect your speed.
The router should also be located in the center of the house. Wi-Fi sends its signal in a 360-degree pattern, so if you have the router attached to an outside wall, it will send much of the signal outside your house. If you can, ask your internet installer to run the cable closer to the center of your house, and if that’s not possible, consider getting a longer cable that runs from the wall where the connection comes in to a more central part of the house.
Don’t forget to visit us again
Once you set up your router the way you like it, you shouldn’t have to tweak it too much, if at all. That said, it’s a good idea to check on it from time to time to make sure it’s working as it should. First, if you haven’t enabled automatic updates or your router doesn’t support that feature, check to see if there’s an update for your firmware. Not only can firmware updates improve performance and add features, they can also fix security vulnerabilities discovered after release, so keep an eye out for that to protect your privacy.
