Our experts recommend this equipment for providing fast home Internet

Let’s face it. We rely heavily on the Internet for all our daily tasks. It could be Work from home, Go to school, My neighbor Or games – we need the Internet. However, our Internet Not always reliable. In fact, A CNET poll It found that 51% of US adults who saw their bills increase last year say their internet is still unreliable. Many Reddit users He also seems to be frustrated by the same issue.

Securing fast internet through your service provider is only half the battle. “Once the call reaches your home, Your router It’s just as important, warns Tyler Cooper, editor-in-chief at BroadbandNow, a research and advocacy group. “A cheap, outdated router can make a gigabit plan feel slow.”

Making basic choices about the devices you use in your home can improve your online experience. Whether you’re streaming 4K Netflix on multiple TVs or need a minimal ping for this popular multiplayer game, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to ensure you get the right equipment for your family’s needs.

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Do I need a modem and router?

Getting your home online generally requires two things: a modem And a Router. The good news is that these two components are usually combined into one piece of equipment. But knowing the difference between the two is still important.

Modem

Think of a modem as the device that connects your home to the big, wide Internet. It’s your digital front door and it translates your external Internet connection into one that your computer or phone can use.

However, you may be wondering: “Do I need a modem? and Router?” The answer will depend on your home Internet connection.

cable and DSL Communications Requires modem and router. Fiber communications Usually you don’t need a modem and instead use a modem Optical network station To convert an external fiber connection into one that can be used inside your home.

Check with your Internet service provider if you’re not sure what type of connection your home has.

Router

While your modem delivers Internet from your ISP to your home, your router sends that Internet to all the devices in your home. This can be transmitted over Wi-Fi or wired Ethernet connections.

The router handles all your home’s internal network traffic. Think of it like a police officer directing traffic at a broken stop sign – he’s sending traffic where it needs to go.

What type of router do I need?

There are many types of routers on the market. While not everyone needs a modem, everyone does He does You need a router, and choosing the right one can be confusing. The right router for you depends on how you intend to use it.

For players

Some routers are designed with gaming in mind, offering super-fast wired connections and multiple external antennas for fast wireless connectivity when needed. Gaming routers Designed for Reduce latency As much as possible, ensuring a stable connection for online gaming. They often include QoS features, which help prioritize gaming traffic over other types, such as video streaming.

For large homes

For those with larger homes, where one router may not reach all rooms, a Wi-Fi network system It is a great choice. Mesh systems use a main router and additional access points to extend Wi-Fi coverage beyond what would normally be available. Mesh routers generally have one router and access point, but more can be added depending on your needs. Additional hardware components often mean it’s more expensive, but it may be worth it if you have a larger home.

Older homes with thick walls can hinder a router’s Wi-Fi access, warns Amy Simpson, product marketing manager at cybersecurity company Huntress. Sometimes, the sheer size of the property can work against this.

“In both cases, consumers can turn to mesh Wi-Fi,” Simpson says. “Wi-Fi uses many individual nodes that you place throughout the house, creating a network of different Internet hotspots that you can connect to.” The extra range can help eliminate connectivity Dead spots.

How to get the best internet performance

As technology advances and our online needs expand, the need for faster Wi-Fi technology also increases. latest standards, Wi-Fi 7is the fastest yet, achieving amazing speeds using three wireless bands simultaneously. Unlike Wi-Fi 6EIts predecessor, Wi-Fi 7, can use the 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz bands simultaneously, increasing the available bandwidth. Wi-Fi 7 also doubles the channel size of the 6GHz band from 160MHz to 320MHz, increasing the amount of data it can transfer at once.

Not all devices support Wi-Fi 7. Newer and premium smartphones, including iPhone 17 and Samsung Galaxy S25 Wi-Fi 7 is enabled. However, iPhone 16 series (or older) is not. Although the Wi-Fi 7 router will work with any device that connects to a Wi-Fi network, you’ll need a Wi-Fi 7 compatible device to make the most of its capabilities. There are still plenty of Wi-Fi 6 and 6E routers available, but most manufacturers have switched to Wi-Fi 7 for their new releases.

What equipment do I need for fast Wi-Fi?

A router is the component that provides a Wi-Fi connection, creating the network to which your phone, laptop, streaming device, and other devices will connect.

Most routers are individual pieces of hardware that all your devices connect to and are suitable for most homes. But if your home is larger, your router may have difficulty sending its signal to all rooms and across all floors. In that case, Router mode It will be the key. Although you can place your router anywhere, its location can have a significant impact on performance.

Ideally, your router should be placed in a central location to cover as much of your home as possible. You should too Avoid obstaclesSo do not put it in a cupboard or on the middle shelf whenever possible.

If you have a large or multi-story home, get a mesh routing system. A mesh Wi-Fi system uses multiple access points, which can help negate some of the effects of poor placement and obstructions.

The one-stop solution: a modem and router combo

Most people use a modem and router combination to connect to the Internet at home. If you are Rent your own router From your ISP, you probably do too. These jack-of-all-trades are fast and easy to install and maintain, which is why ISPs offer them to their customers. Set up your router It usually takes only a few minutes.

By combining a modem and a router, these devices reduce complexity. They also make troubleshooting easier – the old “turn it off and back on” trick is less hassle if you only have one device to diagnose.

However, what you gain in comfort, you often lose in performance. These integrated devices may not use the latest technology, especially if they are provided by your Internet service provider. While they’ll probably be fine for a small apartment and basic web browsing, more complex needs may be an issue.

Should you replace your Internet Service Provider (ISP) modem or router?

Choosing to replace your Internet Service Provider (ISP) modem isn’t for everyone; It is an option for people who want the best home internet equipment. The same applies to Replace your ISP’s router It’s a good idea if you’re dealing with Wi-Fi issues, like an intermittent connection in your home.

There are plenty of reasons to use your own hardware instead of your ISP, starting with the simplest: you’ll own your own hardware. This means no more rental fees, plus you can choose devices that have the features you need.

Depending on the hardware you purchase, you can also expect improved performance. But an often overlooked bonus is that you’ll have full control over your device’s settings and configuration.

“ISPs are usually more than happy to rent integrated core modules that get the job done, and that’s a good thing,” Cooper explains. “But they’re usually limited in features and performance. You get more control, stronger Wi-Fi, and better value in the long run when you own it all.” ISPs often turn off features and options, seemingly for no reason. This is a problem you don’t have to worry about if you provide your own modem or router.

But despite all the pros, there are still some cons to purchasing your own network hardware that you should consider. Maintenance and troubleshooting will be your responsibility – your ISP’s customer service team won’t be able to help you if things go wrong. The device will have its own support team but it may be easier to fix problems if the company providing your internet is also the company that provided the modem and router.

too long; Didn’t read?

I know that’s a lot of words in the name of faster internet, so let’s boil things down to the main points.

• Cable and DSL Internet require a modem and router to connect to the Internet at home. They can be separate devices or a combined device that acts as a modem and router.
• Your modem takes the Internet connection from outside your home and translates it into something your router can use.
• Your router handles all the communication within your home, whether it’s between devices or between the device and the Internet.
• You can rent a router from your Internet service provider or purchase your own.
• Choosing your own hardware gives you more control over performance and configuration at the cost of added complexity – especially if something goes wrong.
• If you purchase your own router, consider the size of your home and whether or not a mesh system would be useful.
• Wi-Fi 7 is the latest in wireless technology. The theoretical data transfer rate is 2.4 times compared to previous Wi-Fi 6/6E standards.
• No matter who owns your router or what technology it has, placement is key. Aim for a central location away from obstacles that may interfere with the signal.

Now, it’s over for you. Armed with all the information you need to make an informed decision, consider whether your setup is sufficient for your needs, and if not, consider upgrading to something new.

After all, choosing the best home internet devices isn’t just limited to today; It’s about future-proofing your connected home of tomorrow, too.