Traditional routers connect directly to your modem with an ethernet cable in order to access your internet connection and broadcast a wireless connection within your home. For many homes, this is all you need. However, if you have a larger property or a configuration that disrupts the Wi-Fi signal in certain areas of your home, you may need other options.

If you need a Wi-Fi booster to reach a specific area of your home, consider a Wi-Fi extender. And for properties that experience multiple Wi-Fi dead zones, mesh Wi-Fi routers, which consist of multiple routers working together, is often the best option. Solid home-wide Wi-Fi is particularly important if you use smart home technology, such as a smart speaker or display and smart lighting.

Some Wi-Fi routers also offer other features you may want. For example, if you work from home or need an extra layer of security in your networking system, you might choose a router with data encryption capabilities. These Wi-Fi routers convert information into a code to prevent unauthorized access, leaving your connected devices safe and secure.

When choosing your Wi-Fi router, it is important to consider the number of devices using your Wi-Fi and to have an idea of the amount of data that is regularly downloaded or uploaded. The more devices you have online, the more bandwidth you will want. Dual-band Wi-Fi router technology was the leading industry standard for many years, but now you can also choose tri Wi-Fi routers and quad Wi-Fi routers.

In addition to choosing bandwidth and deciding between a Wi-Fi extender and mesh Wi-Fi, other factors to think about include features that relate to specific usage. For instance, do you want a router with parental controls so that you can monitor what kids in the house might access? Or, perhaps you want to reduce your energy consumption and would rather have an eco-friendly ENERGY STAR certified Wi-Fi router. There are plenty of options to choose from that fulfill a wide variety of needs.

If you want help or advice when looking into how to set up your home network, ask a reliable professional at Best Buy. In addition to the helpful Wi-Fi installation service, our experts are also able to recommend methods for maximizing your internet performance so that you can get the most out of your internet service, your router and your modem.