Can A New Router Speed Up My Internet?

Your Router is responsible for fairly distributing the internet bandwidth to different devices. When it is incompatible with your ISP, has outdated firmware, or is otherwise damaged, it can fail to deliver the maximum internet speed currently available with your internet plan. Let’s look at the different types of routers and how they can help your internet deliver its full potential.

Ways A New Router Can Speed Up Internet
Upgrading your Router can indeed speed up your internet— given that the slow internet is not due to your plan limitations, a damaged cable, or other network disruptions.

It’s important to remember that a router can’t help you go beyond the maximum internet speed allowed by your plan. If you have signed up for a 100 Mbps plan, a new router may help you utilize all of that bandwidth, but nothing beyond that.

Some common ways a router may help the speed are explained below.

Improved Compatibility
Incompatibility is a huge concern for most internet service providers and can lead to an unnecessary lag between connections.

While ISPs don’t have any compatibility requirements for most routers, incompatibility with modems is a real thing. Your current Router may be unsuitable for pairing with your modem.

Fortunately, most Modem companies offer a comprehensive list of Routers they are compatible with. However, before making the switch, ensure this is indeed the problem your internet is facing.

To confirm that your Router is the problem, connect your computer directly to the modem with an Ethernet cable. If your speed goes back to normal, you likely need a new compatible Router.

Updated Firmware
A router’s firmware is its main software responsible for prioritizing different types of internet traffic received from each device.

It calculates the different usage needs of each connected device based on the activity and transmits internet bandwidth accordingly.

For example, a device streaming 4K content will get 5-10 times more internet bandwidth than the device being used for messaging apps like Whatsapp.

Some outdated firmware is not strong enough to handle modern heights of traffic signals and fail to route enough internet to each device.

A new Router may help your internet speed if your current one has outdated or damaged firmware.

More Powerful Signals
Your current Router may have a limited range of signals. Some new Routers now come with a signal range of up to 300 meters.

If your internet is only slow when farther from the Router, your speed will greatly improve with a more powerful Router. However, this won’t help with more deeply-rooted internet problems such as a damaged cable wire, a fault by the ISP, or bandwidth throttling.

How Different Router Types Improve Internet Speed

Wired Router
Wired Routers are the most common type and often come integrated within the modem. They connect with the modem and convert the internet signals from the initial binary code to digital signals.

This allows the signals to be transmitted wirelessly throughout different devices. A new wired router can help you speed up your internet by enabling an equal wireless connection throughout your house.

Virtual Router
As the name suggests, virtual routers are not physical devices. These software applications can perform the same signal breakdown and distribution activities as other routers.

They can help you speed up your internet in multiple ways, including improved compatibility, better routing protocols, and more flexible locations. As they are placed on your device, they can be easily moved for a better connection. Moreover, you will get the most powerful signal on the device running the virtual Router.

Mesh Routers
Mesh Routers are the newest in connectivity tech and offer longer signal ranges than ever before. Compared to other routers, they come with smaller pieces of satellite nodes that can be placed throughout your home.

This removes the need for your device to be placed within proximity to the Router to enjoy the highest internet speed. The smaller nodes allow even the farther places to receive a powerful signal, equal to the one possible nearby the main Router.

Dual-Band Routers
If you’re not interested in most tech-related jargon, you probably have a hard time understanding the different types of routers.

One such Router is the dual-band one. In the simplest terms, dual-band routers are like wider highways with more room for a lot of cars to pass at each instance. Because internet signals need to travel from the Router and reach the different devices, a smaller (single-band) path can’t accommodate a lot of signal traffic.

There are two types of Dual-band routers; Selectable and Simultaneous. Simultaneous allows you to transfer signals at two different internet frequencies— 2.4GHz and 5GHz at once.

By upgrading to a simultaneous Dual-Band Router, you can enable a faster flow of internet signals, resulting in much better internet speeds.

Limitations to Router-Related Improvements
While it’s possible that a Router Upgrade may solve all of your internet problems, it still comes with strict conditions. Your Router can only help you reach the maximum allowed internet speed of your internet plan.

Moreover, it will only lead to an improvement if the speed issue results from a faulty router in the first place. Many other reasons can cause slower internet speed.

Some of these include a weak internet bandwidth, bandwidth throttling, faulty modem, weather disruption, or a fault from the ISP. In such cases, you don’t need to invest in a new router but contact your ISP.

Is A Router Upgrade Worth it?
Even with all the benefits, a new Router will come with; it’s a good idea to assess your cost-to-benefit ratio.

Remember that Routers cost a lot, with prices starting at $50-90, depending on the quality and brand. Moreover, compatibility should also be taken into consideration.

You may have a great experience with your new Router, only for it to be short-lived. If you change your ISP, it may also require a new modem.

This can, in turn, affect the compatibility of your new Router. Before upgrading your Router, make sure you plan on sticking with the same ISP for at least 6-8 months.