If you’re using the Wi-Fi router your Internet Service Provider (ISP) gave you, consider something better instead. ISPs commonly include hardware like a modem and router when you sign up for service, be it through a “rental” fee or as an outright cost. There are distinctions here you’ll want to know if you feel something’s not right about your connection.
Are you noticing slower speeds at certain times? Maybe spotty connectivity, or even dead zones in some areas at home? While not always the case, the culprit is usually the very device that’s pushing out the Wi-Fi signal and it’s easy to find a solution.
Third-party routers and Wi-Fi mesh systems are better options because they serve a specific purpose: to connect more of your devices at the optimal speeds you’re paying for. Let’s go over how you can get there.
Why ISP routers fall short
ISPs tend to use devices that serve a dual purpose, which is that they run as both a modem and router. That means splitting resources on one hand, and reducing amplification on the other. A modem’s job is to take in the ISP’s connection coming from cables outside but it doesn’t have any wireless capabilities apart from that. That’s where the router comes in as the Wi-Fi distributor.
When your devices connect to your Wi-Fi home network, they are connecting to the router. It’s the router’s job to handle the bandwidth necessary to keep all those devices connected and accessing online information or content. That may be okay if you only have one or two devices connected but traffic congestion becomes a problem as that number increases.
Consider just how much that can be these days. Computers, smartphones, tablets, TVs, streaming boxes, smart speakers, game consoles, home security cameras, smart home products, smart appliances, and many more. Some will demand more bandwidth than others but the point is they all need stable connections to ensure everything runs smoothly.
These dual modem/router devices aren’t equipped with the latest antenna technology, which is why they won’t match the signal strength of a third-party model. Same with a Wi-Fi mesh system that uses two or more identical units to propagate a signal by sharing it between them, thus creating a redundancy that’s hard for an ISP modem/router to match. A modem’s ability to bring in the general speed and bandwidth you’ve signed up for needs the means to push it out. A dedicated router can do that so much more efficiently.
Benefits of a third-party router
For starters, a third-party router has one main job to do, and that’s maintaining a strong signal to keep everything connected. Behind the scenes, though, routers do a lot to keep things in order, and that’s where much of the underlying technology continues to evolve.
Routers generally run dual-band setups, which means the 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency bands operate concurrently. Tri-band routers basically split the 5GHz band to create two distinct options. Think of it like lanes on a highway. If there are more lanes to accommodate more cars, there’s usually less gridlock. Adding a 6GHz band increases that further for devices that support Wi-Fi 6. Not all ISP routers support Wi-Fi 6, even if your phone or computer do.
Features like beamforming are there to ensure the router concentrates signal strength toward a device that needs it. Since routers spread out a signal 360-degrees, this is one of those background features that just works. It also helps to have stronger antennas capable of boosting the signal further on top of that—a weakness often associated with ISP routers. Multi-story homes or those with building materials that make it tough to penetrate can prove challenging for routers that can’t spread a stronger signal far enough.
A third-party router incurs an upfront cost but it may also save you money in the long run. For one, having your own means you don’t have to “rent” one from your ISP. Second, ISPs don’t have access to routers they don’t operate or own, meaning you don’t have potential prying eyes in your home network. Third, it’s up to you as to how you manage your network, which is easier through a more user-friendly app.
Benefits of a Wi-Fi mesh system
Mesh systems are also third-party routers but differ significantly beyond that because they’re made up of at least two units instead of one. A mesh router uses two or more units, pods, or nodes to effectively operate as routers that not only distribute the Wi-Fi signal but also communicate directly with each other in a loop.
Doing this means your home’s connected devices don’t all look for one central beacon (i.e. the main router), they connect to whichever one is closest. Since the units or nodes maintain a channel between themselves, the Wi-Fi network doesn’t suffer from the same kind of congestion. That’s primarily because the underlying software is smart enough to recognize when devices need to move from one unit to another. It happens seamlessly without you realizing it’s going on.
Granted, like any router, if your internet service is on a lower bandwidth tier and you’re trying to stream from five or six devices simultaneously, you’re going to experience bottlenecks. Mesh networks are simply more efficient ways to spread out a consistently good signal in wider spaces. With higher bandwidth plans from your ISP in tandem with more robust Wi-Fi, you’re less likely to notice any buffering or connection drops.
It’s also important to remember that mesh systems aren’t the same as Wi-Fi extenders. They are two distinctly different products even though they try to achieve the same goal. Extenders take the existing signal from the router and attempt to push it further. The key difference, however, is that the extender can only “extend” or amplify the signal it’s getting. If that’s already poor or limited, then it can’t do much better, especially in larger spaces. Mesh systems have a broader reach the central point, helping satellite pods or nodes propagate a more reliable signal further away.
App control
Another major benefit in going with your own router or mesh system is that you control it. If an issue pops up with a connection, you can investigate that on your own by using the dedicated app. Router manufacturers routinely enable their routers and mesh systems to operate with apps, so much so that you probably have to set it up through an app to begin with.
These apps let you see what devices are connected, how much bandwidth they’re receiving, and how well the overall network is running. You might be able to find the offending device hogging all the bandwidth in the house or realize that the router itself isn’t pushing out a strong signal. A simple reboot might be enough to fix that but if it doesn’t, then at least you’ve done some homework before calling your ISP for a resolution.
Parental controls are even easier to handle this way. These apps will include special features for parents to restrict access to the internet or inappropriate sites—or even cut off the internet entirely—for the devices they use. As the network administrator, your kids can’t change the settings to get around those restrictions.
You can also use the app to prioritize certain devices. If, for example, you need all the bandwidth you can get for online gaming or to download a large file, you can set the router to handle that. While not impossible to do on an ISP router, the process isn’t as user-friendly for novices and experienced users alike.
Upgrade your Wi-Fi, upgrade your life
Bear in mind that if you live in a smaller home and only have a few devices connected, you probably don’t need to go either route here. Getting your own router or mesh system is more effective when you have issues with poor reception or have a greater number of devices.
Otherwise, you could do yourself (and loved ones at home) a favour by upgrading. Third-party routers stay more in line with advancing technologies. For instance, Wi-Fi 7 has very little in the way of compatibility right now from devices but that will change in the next few years. Firmware and software updates also keep routers current with improved features and performance. If you’re going to keep a router for years, it should stay as current as possible while handling the extra load from the devices connecting to it.
It’s also important to note that your own router or mesh system is better for faster internet connections. If you’re paying for a certain speed, you should get as close to it as you can.
Check out the latest Wi-Fi routers and networking devices available now.
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