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Wi-Fi 6E routers also promise less interference for compatible devices compared to prior models. But even these won’t be state-of-the-art for much longer with 802.11be (Wi-Fi 7) routers
coming relatively soon, which will allow for faster speeds and more simultaneous connections. A single router should cut it in a modest-size living space. If your house is somewhat larger,
you may be able to amplify the signal by plugging a less than $50 Wi-Fi extender into the wall. This solution won’t speed things up, but it may reduce dead spots. For a pricier but generally
more satisfying solution in a large home, consider a mesh router system. Such routers from Amazon-owned eero, Google, Linksys, Netgear and TP-Link, among others, intelligently distribute
Wi-Fi throughout the home. They often come in a package of three. You connect the first router or base station to your modem with an ethernet cable, then strategically place the other units
or access points around the home, perhaps one on each floor of a multistory residence. These boxes wirelessly piggyback off one another to spread the signal. Though you can spend $200 to
$400 for a mesh system, the cost is often worth it. “Nobody wants to be forced to cram multiple ‘offices’ or ‘classrooms’ wherever the router happens to be located,” says analyst Avi
Greengart of Techsponential, a technology research and advisory firm in northern New Jersey. GO FOR THE GIG If these efforts fail, now may be time to spring for gigabit internet. Its name
comes because data is transmitted at up to 1 gigabit per second or 1,000 Mbps, roughly double the fastest cable internet from your provider or from a rival. Data typically passes through
fiber optic lines, rather than traditional copper wires. In some places, wireless 5G cellular plans provide a blazing-fast in-home option as well. Be prepared to pay more, at least after
promotions run out. And keep in mind that while you're almost certain to see an improvement, the speeds you experience are unlikely to match the hype. Even the fastest internet
connection may hit bottlenecks as it funnels through your home to the router and beyond. _This story, originally published October 12, 2020, was updated with information on new router
standards and broadband nutrition labels._