Tech

Slow Wi-Fi? Here’s the fix

The heart of your digital home isn’t your phone, tablet or computer — it’s your wireless router. Your Wi-Fi router is your mainline to the internet and all its delights, spreading access among the many wireless devices that you use to watch videos, read the news, listen to music, and then watch more videos.

If you’re suffering from weak signals or slow speeds, it may be time for an upgrade. With dozens of devices in your home tapping into the internet — not to mention all the competing signals from your neighbors — you may find that you’re not getting the signal strength you used to get. And if you’re paying for superfast broadband speeds, like 1 gigabit service that’s now available in many areas, the bottleneck could very well be your router, not the speed coming into your home. If your current router isn’t using the latest wireless standard, 802.11AC, you can do better.

You’ll have to pay up to get the latest technology, but the benefit is worth it. The cheapest AC routers start at about $70, while the high-end models top $300.

Almost everyone considering a new router should get an AC router. 802.11N routers, the previous best standard, are cheaper, but you’ll miss out on some useful improvements. AC routers take advantage of dual bands — both 2.4GHz and 5GHz, whereas previous routers were generally single-band models. (The 5GHz band is less congested than 2.4GHz and capable of higher speeds — up to three times more than an N router. You’ll see better speed even at a distance. For example, at 75 feet from the router, you can experience twice the speed of an N model with an AC router.

Find your match

Most AC routers are big boxes with multiple antennas sticking out — definitely favoring function over form. But what they lack in aesthetics they make up for in capabilities. The right AC router for you depends on the size of your home, your speed needs and your budget.

Under $100

TP-Link’s AC1200 Archer 5 ($79.95)

The least expensive AC routers still deliver significant improvements over wireless N models. TP-Link’s AC1200 Archer C5 sells for $79.95 (as of Aug. 23) and includes two USB ports so you can share your printer or an external drive with other devices on your network. If you want more control over your network setup, Netgear’s AC1200 R6220 sells for about $99 (as of Aug. 23) and has advanced options like a VPN feature so you can connect securely when you’re not at home.

Who should buy it: People in an apartment or smaller home

Under $200

Linksys WRT1900ACS ($180)

If you’re willing to spend between $100 and $200, you can get faster speeds and more advanced features. Netgear’s $129 AC1750 R6400, for example, includes a USB 3.0 port for faster data transfers from an external drive. It also has three antennas instead of the two found on the R6220 for better range. Linksys’s $180 WRT1900ACS ups the speed capacity and includes an eSATA port for even faster external hard drive connection.

Who should buy it: People in larger homes who use the network for several computers, tablets and phones, all simultaneously streaming video and music

Over $200

Asus AC3100 RT-AC88U ($279)

Most people won’t need to spend more than $200 on a router. But if you find yourself limited by the speed or range of lesser models, you can opt for the Asus AC3100 RT-AC88U; it’s rated for 2167 Mbps on the 5GHz band and 1000 Mbps on 2.4GHz. It also has eight wired gigabit LAN ports.

It’s a beast in every way — and will cost about $279.

Who should buy it:
Extreme bandwidth hogs. Probably not you.

Simply for a premium
Apple Airport Extreme ($199)

If you’d rather gouge your eyes out than mess with settings on a router, and you’re willing to pay more for a simpler experience, there’s Apple’s $199 Airport Extreme or Google’s OnHub, which ranges from $159 to $199.

The Airport Extreme is especially useful if you’re an all-Apple house. You can connect an external drive to enable Time Machine backups of your Macs, and the iOS app makes it easy to update the firmware and check connection status.

Google’s OnHub similarly simplifies router tasks and includes 13 antennas for improved coverage. It also promises to act as a center for smart home devices like Nest thermostats and Chromecast streaming devices.

Mesh networks
The eero ($500)

The latest trend in routers breaks out of the single-box mold, opting for multiple router nodes throughout a home to create what’s called a mesh network. Available from eero and Luma, these systems link the units together to spread the wireless signal more uniformly across a large area and promise to eliminate “dead zones” in your wireless network.

But the technology isn’t cheap: The eero costs $500 for three units (or $196 for one unit), and the Luma is $399 for three units (or $149.99 for a single unit).

The Luma ($399)

For most people, a regular AC router with extenders will likely be more affordable — though not as easy to set up.

With options for most budgets and needs, an AC router makes sense for most people. Next time your Wi-Fi slows down, make the upgrade to get back up to speed.