Check the broadband connection near the router and try a better router position before buying coverage equipment: Wi-Fi cannot outperform the broadband service feeding it. For one weak room, consider an extender or, if the home’s wiring suits it, a powerline link; for several rooms or floors, consider mesh. If the main router is ageing or disconnects frequently, ask about a provider replacement or check whether a third-party router is compatible with your connection.
When work, study, streaming or gaming happens in different parts of the home, the question is whether several areas need coverage rather than just one dead spot. Which? distinguishes mesh systems for broader coverage from extenders aimed at a particular area.
If most rooms work well, start with router placement and the location of the weak spot. An extender targets one area; a powerline link is another possibility when running an Ethernet cable is impractical, provided the home’s wiring suits it.
If calls, streaming or gaming slow down even close to the router, test the broadband service before assuming distant-room coverage is the cause. Ofcom advises distinguishing problems with the service from problems with Wi-Fi inside the home.
Check the broadband service first, then decide whether the problem calls for one-room coverage, a wider network or a change to the main router.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Broadband or Wi-Fi? | Compare performance near the router and in the weak room; test at different times. | When calls and streaming slow down even near the router, I want to establish whether the broadband service is the limit. Around 31% of consumers put service diagnosis first. |
| Several weak rooms | Map the rooms and floors needing coverage, then check where mesh nodes could be placed. | If people use connected devices across several floors, I need coverage beyond one targeted spot. Roughly 31% of consumers prioritise wider, coordinated coverage. |
| One weak area | Check whether an extender can receive a usable router signal; consider whether the wiring suits a powerline link. | One distant room is my main problem, so I want to address that room rather than change the network throughout the home. About 19% of consumers put a targeted-room fix first. |
| Router replacement | Confirm compatibility with the broadband connection and check the stated security-update period. | If my main router disconnects frequently, I need a replacement that works with my connection and has clear update support. Approximately 19% of consumers prioritise the router and its support. |
Better Wi-Fi coverage cannot make the connection faster than the broadband service feeding the router, as Ofcom explains.
Test near the router at different times. If the service is below the level promised by your provider, raise that with the provider before buying coverage equipment.
Which? describes extenders as a targeted option, while mesh systems are designed for broader, coordinated coverage. An extender can also affect speed and responsiveness.
Identify whether the weak signal affects one area or several rooms and floors before choosing between them.
Ofcom notes that materials including brick, metal, water and glass, as well as nearby electrical equipment, can interfere with Wi-Fi.
Try placing the router centrally and off the floor, away from likely obstructions, before adding equipment.
The stated minimum period for important security updates helps you assess support for a connected device over time.
Check the manufacturer’s update period and security contact before choosing a new networking device. Ofcom also advises keeping routers and Wi-Fi boosters powered on so they can receive automatic updates.
Which? includes TP-Link in its coverage of extenders, mesh systems and third-party routers.
Which? includes Netgear among brands it tests for extenders and mesh systems.
Which? includes Amazon eero in its third-party router testing coverage.
Which? includes ASUS among third-party router manufacturers it tests.
Compare the connection near the main router with the weak room. If it is poor even near the router, test at different times and investigate the broadband service with your provider; if it works well nearby but poorly farther away, router placement or in-home coverage is more likely to matter.
Yes, especially if it is low down, at the edge of the home or near obstructions. Ofcom advises a central position off the floor and away from materials and electrical equipment that can interfere with Wi-Fi.
Consider mesh when several rooms or floors need coordinated coverage; an extender is aimed at one targeted weak area. Which? notes that an extender can affect speed and responsiveness, so check whether its simpler approach fits the area you need to reach.
Check the manufacturer’s stated minimum period for important security updates and how updates are delivered. The UK National Cyber Security Centre highlights that period as information to look for when choosing a connected product.
Keep them powered on to allow automatic updates to arrive. Ofcom gives the same advice for broadband routers, Wi-Fi boosters and mesh devices.