Router

What It Means

A router is the device that creates your home Wi-Fi network, distributes the internet connection to all your wired and wireless devices, and runs the first firewall between your home and the internet. Router quality is the single most common cause of perceived "slow internet" that is actually a home network problem rather than an ISP problem. A Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) router typically tops out at 400 to 800 Mbps real-world wireless throughput, even if your internet plan is 1 Gbps or faster. Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) reaches 1 to 2 Gbps real-world throughput at close range, Wi-Fi 6E extends Wi-Fi 6 to the 6 GHz band for less congestion, and Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) supports multi-gigabit throughput with Multi-Link Operation. ISP-provided combo units (modem + router in one box) are universally lower quality than equivalent-priced standalone routers from Asus, Netgear, TP-Link, or Eero, ISPs optimize for low hardware cost and predictable support rather than peak performance. For most consumers on gigabit or faster plans, upgrading from the ISP's combo unit to a standalone Wi-Fi 6 router in the $150 to $300 range resolves most speed complaints. Mesh Wi-Fi systems (Eero, Google Nest Wifi, Netgear Orbi, TP-Link Deco) are appropriate for homes over 2,000 square feet or with challenging layouts. For speed testing on the Broadband Grade speed test tool, always test wired ethernet first to isolate the router from the measurement, if wired speed meets expectations but Wi-Fi is slow, the router or Wi-Fi environment is the bottleneck, not the ISP.

Frequently Asked Questions