Who is this for?

Households sharing a busy connection

Several people regularly make video calls, study online, stream, game or download files at once. Ofcom advises considering the broadband service itself when choosing a connection for simultaneous use.

Households with weak Wi-Fi in particular rooms

The connection works acceptably near the router but becomes unreliable in bedrooms, upstairs rooms or other spaces people use. Ofcom distinguishes this in-home coverage problem from the speed of the broadband service.

Renters and households avoiding building work

A movable, plug-in device may suit a household seeking a less disruptive change. Before arranging new cabling or work affecting a building, check the tenancy or building arrangements and ask the provider what installation requires.

What should you check first?

Start by comparing a wired connection near the router with Wi-Fi in the affected rooms. Ofcom’s guidance separates broadband-service needs from in-home signal problems; broadband availability and achievable speeds still depend on the address.

Broadband package

Consider when: Wired performance cannot meet the household’s simultaneous needs and a suitable service is available at the address.

Trade-off: A service change will not, by itself, fix weak Wi-Fi in distant rooms.

Provider-supplied router

Consider when: The broadband connection is adequate and the provider can offer a supported replacement for its existing router.

Trade-off: The available model and its suitability for the home’s layout depend on the provider.

Retail router

Consider when: One well-placed router could serve the rooms that matter and the household is prepared to check its connection requirements.

Trade-off: Setup and fault diagnosis may fall to the household rather than the broadband provider, as Ofcom cautions.

Mesh Wi-Fi

Consider when: Wired broadband performance is adequate but several rooms or floors need better Wi-Fi coverage.

Trade-off: Nodes need suitable positions and a usable connection between them; mesh cannot increase broadband-line capacity.

Wi-Fi extender

Consider when: One limited area needs coverage and the extender can sit where it still receives a usable signal.

Trade-off: It is a targeted coverage measure, not a remedy for an inadequate broadband connection.

Concern What to check Who this matters to
Broadband capacity Repeat a wired test when problems occur, then check the provider’s service information and options for the exact address. When calls, lessons and downloads overlap, I need to know whether the incoming connection can keep up; roughly 31% of consumers put broadband capacity first.
Room-to-room coverage Compare Wi-Fi near the router with affected rooms, and identify workable positions for any additional nodes. If the connection works beside the router but falters where I study or stream, coverage matters more to me; around 31% of consumers prioritise room-to-room Wi-Fi.
Compatibility and support Confirm the provider’s equipment requirements, the new device’s operating mode and who will help diagnose faults. I want to know that a new router will work with my connection and that I can still get help with problems; about 23% of consumers place compatibility and support first.
Limited disruption Define whether the problem affects one area or several, and check what installation the proposed change requires. If only one room has weak Wi-Fi, I would rather avoid changing equipment throughout the home; approximately 15% of consumers put a limited-disruption fix first.

Common buying mistakes

  • Buying mesh to fix a slow broadband connection

    Mesh can improve Wi-Fi signal and coverage inside the home, but Ofcom’s guidance does not suggest it can add capacity to the broadband service entering the property.

    Test over Ethernet near the router first. If that connection is the limitation, examine the provider’s service information and address-specific options before choosing Wi-Fi hardware.

  • Choosing a package from an area-wide availability claim

    Ofcom notes that service availability and speeds received can differ at a particular property.

    Check the exact address and ask the provider for the speed information applicable to the intended service.

  • Putting a coverage device inside the dead zone

    An extender or mesh node needs a usable connection back towards the router; placing it where the signal has already failed can leave the weak link in place.

    Try positions between the router and the problem room, then check performance where the connection is needed. For mesh, consider a wired connection between nodes where practical and supported.

  • Assuming the provider will support a retail router

    Ofcom warns that independently purchased routers can be harder to set up and that the broadband provider may not be able to help with every resulting problem.

    Confirm compatibility and the provider’s support position before purchase; keep the provider’s equipment available for fault isolation where appropriate.

    Separating a broadband fault from a problem with self-managed network equipment may take additional time.

Brands to consider for these routes

BT

BT’s Smart Hub is an example of the provider-supplied router route for BT customers considering a supported replacement.

  • BT Help provides setup and Wi-Fi information for its Smart Hub devices.
  • The replacement model and its suitability depend on the customer’s BT service and supplied equipment; this route does not apply to other providers’ connections.

TP-Link Deco

Deco is TP-Link’s mesh range for placing multiple Wi-Fi units around a home with coverage problems.

  • TP-Link lists Deco systems with different unit counts and Wi-Fi standards, allowing the pack to be considered against the home’s layout.
  • Manufacturer coverage and device-capacity figures are not guarantees for a particular property; check the exact model and planned node positions.

eero

eero offers app-led mesh equipment for households considering Wi-Fi coverage beyond one router location.

  • eero states that its equipment works with an existing internet service provider and is set up through its app.
  • Check the exact model, pack and connection arrangement before choosing it; brand coverage and speed figures do not establish results in an individual home.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Should I upgrade my broadband or my Wi-Fi equipment?

Check both before deciding: repeat a wired test near the router when the household normally has problems, then compare Wi-Fi in the affected rooms. If the wired connection cannot meet simultaneous needs, investigate the broadband service and address-specific options; if wired performance is adequate but particular rooms struggle, focus on Wi-Fi placement or equipment.

Will mesh make my broadband connection faster?

No: mesh can improve Wi-Fi signal strength and coverage around the home, but it cannot increase the broadband capacity entering the property. Ofcom recommends distinguishing in-home Wi-Fi performance from the underlying broadband connection.

Can I use a retail router or mesh system with my broadband provider?

Possibly, depending on the provider’s connection and equipment arrangement. Confirm the required operating mode and setup before buying; Ofcom cautions that a provider may not help diagnose every problem involving an independently purchased router.

What should a renter check before changing home-network equipment?

Check what the change involves: a plug-in router, mesh node or extender is different from new cabling or work affecting the building. Before arranging installation or permanent changes, review the tenancy and building arrangements, ask the landlord or managing agent where relevant, and confirm the provider’s access requirements.