Your router is years old, but you don’t think about it because it just sits there, pumping connection to your devices. Before you upgrade, know this: You need one that’s Wi-Fi 6 ready.
Maybe your router and modem are fine until your internet gives out. Here’s the right way to reset things. Don’t just unplug, plug it back in immediately and call it good!
By now, we all know how important it is to have a strong connection for work, school, fun and life. But what happens if you move and realize, “Uh-oh, the internet here stinks”?
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Do this before you start packing
Here’s a must-do step: Check the internet before you sign that lease or fork over a down payment. There’s a decent chance the prices and speed you’re used to are vastly different in your (potentially) new neighborhood.
Most major U.S. cities have the same carriers, like Verizon, AT&T and CenturyLink. But depending on your location, you could get a drastically different internet speed than in another city … at the same price point.
The Markup created a handy map tool to check the internet speeds in 45 major cities. Here’s the lowdown on what they found and how to use the map yourself.
It’s easy to sign up and easy to cancel.
Even if you’re not moving
Markup analyzed data from over a million internet plans across 45 U.S. cities from four of the nation’s biggest internet providers: EarthLink, CenturyLink, Verizon and AT&T.
They found the worst internet deals popped up disproportionately in the poorest, most diverse and historically redlined neighborhoods in all but two investigated cities. Oof.
When you have a lot of gadgets and a larger home, you need a router that can keep up. The ASUS Wi-Fi 6 Router RT-AX3000 is an excellent option to deliver fast Wi-Fi to up to 30 devices.
ASUS says the tech behind this router provides four times greater network capacity and efficiency in homes up to 3,000 square feet with high traffic, meaning this is the choice for those of you with multiple people using several devices each day. For even stronger coverage or to bring Wi-Fi to areas further from the router, you can add optional mesh points.
Alexa-ly what you need: The Echo Show 21 ($399) has a big 21-inch 1080p display, better sound than previous models and is Wi-Fi 6E ready. If you prefer a smaller model, there’s the upgraded Echo Show 15 ($299). Both include wall-mounting equipment. If you want a countertop stand, that’s an extra $100. Both make great gifts for any Echo lover.
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According to your answers, the TP-Link AX3000 Smart Wi-Fi Router is the ideal router for your home. It’s handles dozens of devices, is Wi-Fi 6 enabled and comes with advanced security features right out of the box.
Wi-Fi 6 technology offers up to three times faster speeds, four times higher capacity and 75% lower latency compared to Wi-Fi. Tap or click here to learn more about Wi-Fi 6 routers. Along with an Intel dual-core CPU, you can expect smooth, buffer-free streaming and gaming.
Based on your answers, the NETGEAR Orbi RBK852 is the ideal router for your home. Granted, this tri-band mesh Wi-Fi system is an investment, but it’s one we think is worth making if you have a large home and many devices.
You got the NETGEAR Nighthawk AX6600. This reliable router reaches up to 2,500 square feet and supports up to 40 devices.
This router is Wi-Fi 6 compatible. While that standard hasn’t rolled out for most devices, it is a good idea to future-proof now since that technology is not far away. For context, Wi-Fi 6 offers an estimated 2.7 times the speed of Wi-Fi 5. Tap or click here to see how a Wi-Fi 6 router can benefit your household.
If internet connections are decent, most people don’t give their Wi-Fi routers a second thought. There’s no reason to worry about a working router, right?
Wrong. An old router can slow down your internet speeds or have trouble handling multiple devices. Slow internet can be extremely frustrating — especially if you’re trying to get work or schoolwork done from home. There are ways to speed up your internet signal, so you can start by trying those tricks.
You know the routine. You fire up your browser or TV and start the next episode of your favorite show on Netflix. The video starts to buffer and you think, “great, here we go again.”
The internet is strained like never before with millions of people at home and off their higher-speed office networks. You and your neighbors are competing for speed.
America’s physical infrastructure may have seen better days, but our digital infrastructure has proven resilient enough to handle a seismic shift in internet traffic.
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, working from home has become a new norm for many people. Companies who were able to make the shift have taken their entire operations online, which has put significant strain on home networks. Tap or click here to see how at-home workers could slow your internet down.
