JUNE 2022 PCWorld 99A mesh Wi-Fi system will be the surest way to solve your Wi-Fi problems.through dead
zones if they’re
not too far away.
Standalone
routers are
generally
cheaper than
mesh systems,
and some have
features that
mesh systems
lack, such as USB
storage support
or a large number
of ethernet ports.
Ultimately,
though, there’s no way to tell for sure if a new
router will work without trying it yourself. You
can read all sorts of reviews—PCWorld
reviews both Wi-Fi mesh systems (fave.
co/3DXf5d0) and the latest Wi-Fi 6E routers
(fave.co/3lqbOfa)—but even the best advice
isn’t one-size-fits-all. Buying a new router will
always involve a leap of faith.
A NOTE ON MODEM/
ROUTER COMBOS
Finally, there’s one more complicating factor:
Although cable companies used to distribute
internet modems and routers separately—the
former bringing in the internet from outside
the house, and the latter to distributing Wi-Fi
through the home—it’s increasingly common
now to get both functions in one box. That
makes installation easier for the cable
company, but makes router replacement
trickier for you.
If you have a combo box and are paying
for it in rental fees, consider replacing it with
two devices: a new router and a separate
cable modem (fave.co/3llkTWF). But be
aware that some companies—particularly
fiber-optic internet providers such as AT&T
and Verizon—make replacing the modem
component difficult or impossible.
If replacing the modem isn’t possible or
necessary, you can just disable its Wi-Fi
features so they don’t interfere with your new
router. The instructions for doing so can vary
by provider, so expect to do some Googling
of “modem mode” or “bridge mode” plus
the name of your internet provider.