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Hardware & Equipment

Router

The device that creates your home Wi-Fi network and distributes your internet connection to all your devices. A router's capabilities often bottleneck your actual internet speed.

What It Means

A Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) router typically tops out at 400-800 Mbps real-world wireless speed, even if your internet plan is faster. Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) reaches 1-2 Gbps, and Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) supports multi-gigabit speeds. ISP combo units (modem+router) are usually lower quality than standalone routers. For accurate speed testing, test with a wired ethernet connection to determine if your router is the bottleneck. Most speed complaints can be resolved by upgrading from the ISP's combo unit to a quality standalone router.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does "Router" mean?

The device that creates your home Wi-Fi network and distributes your internet connection to all your devices. A router's capabilities often bottleneck your actual internet speed.

Why does Router matter for internet quality?

A Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) router typically tops out at 400-800 Mbps real-world wireless speed, even if your internet plan is faster. Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) reaches 1-2 Gbps, and Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) supports multi-gigabit speeds. ISP combo units (modem+router) are usually lower quality than standalone routers....

Related Terms

Modem
The device that connects your home network to your ISP's network, converting the incoming signal (cable, DSL, or fiber) into data your router can distribute.
Ethernet (Wired Connection)
A wired network connection using an ethernet cable, providing faster and more stable speeds than Wi-Fi with zero interference. The gold standard for speed testing.
ONT (Optical Network Terminal)
The device installed at your home that converts fiber optic light signals into electrical signals for your router. The fiber equivalent of a cable modem.
Range Extender vs. Access Point
Two different approaches to extending Wi-Fi coverage. Range extenders rebroadcast the signal (halving speed), while access points connect to your router via ethernet for full speed.

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About This Data

Definitions based on FCC standards, industry specifications, and federal broadband policy. Speed benchmarks reflect 2024 FCC standards. See our methodology.