All modern devices (cell phones, smartphones, computers, TVs, decoders and TV boxes) require Internet connection in order to expand their functionality; for devices closer to the modem we can use an Ethernet cable without problems, but for mobile devices and for devices located in other rooms of the house we will have to create an effective wireless network in order to carry the Internet signal wherever there is a need. If we are new to the world of the Internet and technology, it is easy to make mistakes in creating a home Wi-Fi network: too cheap modems that do not cover all rooms or slow or insecure connections, which can negatively affect our browsing experience.
For these reasons we have created a complete guide on how to create a wireless network in the home, showing you how to choose a router (to be used alongside the home modem) or a new modem-router, to completely replace the solution offered by the operator.
For larger and more distant houses, we will also provide you with some indications on how to use the Wi-Fi repeaters, the new Wifi Mesh devices and the Wi-Fi Powerline.
READ ALSO -> Great Guide on computer, internet and wifi LAN networks
We remind you that, if the device is close enough to the modem with which we connect to the Internet (within 6-7 meters), it is always preferable to use an Ethernet network cable to make the connection; the latter still remains the most stable and fastest method for accessing the Internet, in particular for connecting fixed PCs and Smart TVs.
In this case we can use an Ethernet cable of the right size, hiding it behind the furniture or passing it over the baseboard, so that it can be camouflaged from view.
For all other distant or portable devices, we follow the following tips to create a powerful home Wi-Fi network that can cover every corner of the house.
1) Configurations of the wifi router
In order to function well and spread the wifi signal to all computers or cell phones, so that they navigate quickly, the router must be considered as a normal radio, more sensitive to noise.
Basically it must stay away from electrical appliances such as microwave ovens or cordless telephones and placed in an airy, uninsulated or closed area.
To start, it is better to put the computer from which you want to connect to the internet, near the router and then, going on attempts, to find the best area of the house so that the devices see the signal wherever they are.
In general, if you had a very large house with a garden, the signal doesn't necessarily go to every corner of every room.
Unfortunately, the range is always a bit limited so, in the case of large apartments, a more powerful and more expensive router is probably recommended.
I have already written about how to configure a wifi router ; the setting of modern routers is really simple and within everyone's reach also because there is always an installation CD with a guided procedure that you just need to follow to connect to the internet.
In another article, then, the 10 main Options to be configured on the Wifi Router
Most routers are set to have 192.168.1.1 as the internal network IP address, which is a default value valid for the whole world.
In any particular case surely during the installation from CD you should be guided to the exact address.
This IP is to be understood as the address of a website so, typing it in the browser as it is, you access the configuration panel of the router where you can change the various settings.
As mentioned above, the most important thing to check is that internet access is protected so that neighbors don't take advantage of it to connect to the latch.
By default there will be no security protection to access the network and, in most cases, not even to enter the router settings.
As seen on another page, the default passwords for each Router model are known however, if you protect the network, knowing this login becomes irrelevant.
Two modems may have two Wi-Fi networks to configure: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz .
To get the most out of wireless connections, we recommend activating both and also choosing two different but similar names, so as to recognize them quickly; for the password we can also use the same for both networks, as long as it is sufficiently secure and difficult to guess .
If we do not know how correctly to the settings panel, we refer you to reading the dedicated guide present here -> Enter the router to access the settings easily .
1) How to choose a Wi-Fi router
If we already have a modem for Internet access (for example the one provided by the operator), in the vast majority of cases we will have wireless connectivity, since all modern modems also provide Wi-Fi connectivity.
If instead we want to get the most out of Wi-Fi connections, we can choose a new Wi-Fi router to be connected in cascade to the modem provided by the operator, so as to personally choose the characteristics of the home wireless network (we will get more settings and more control over the connections ).
The best routers that we can use for the purpose are present in the list below:
- TP-Link Archer C60 (€ 41)
- Netgear WiFi Router R6220 (49 €)
- D-Link DIR-842 (€ 50)
- TP-Link Archer C7 (€ 72)
- Netgear WiFi Router Nighthawk (202 €)
All these routers are suitable for home use in any scenario, offering superior features to any modem provided by operators such as Dual Band Wi-Fi, Gigabit LAN ports and other advanced features.
Connecting them is very simple: we choose our Wi-Fi router, connect it via Ethernet to the main modem (possibly using the WAN-LAN connection) and configure the wireless networks from the configuration menu of the new router.
After configuration we go to the panel of the modem and disable its Wi-Fi, so as not to have further problems and interference.
To learn more about the cascade connections, we invite you to read our dedicated guide available here -> Connect a new router to the modem without changing the network .
2) How to choose a Wi-Fi modem-router
If we do not want to use two separate devices for network access (as seen in the previous chapter), we can replace the modem in our possession with a more performing one and with a higher quality Wi-Fi.
Given the new developments from the legislative point of view, we can use any new modem to connect to the Internet without being tied to a device provided on loan for use or paid in installments, often inadequate to our needs.
The best Wi-Fi modem routers we can buy are listed below:
- D-Link DSL-3682 (42 €)
- D-Link DSL-3782 (53 €)
- AVM FRITZ! Box 7530 (€ 125)
- Asus DSL-AC68U (€ 128)
- Netgear Nighthawk X4S (€ 227)
All the modem routers we have indicated are compatible with the ADSL and FTTC (VDSL) connections offered by Italian operators; to use them, simply remove the old modem, place the new one and proceed with the guided configuration from the settings panel, where it will be possible to configure the parameters of access to the Internet based on the operator in use.
At the end of this step we will only have to configure the Wi-Fi connections, choosing a secure password and a different name for the two Wi-Fi networks generated (2.4 and 5 GHz).
If we are lucky owners of FTTH connections (i.e. fiber optics up to home), we refer you to reading our guide -> Change modem with fiber even if bound by the operator .
If, on the other hand, we do not know what the words FTTH, VDSL and FTTC mean, we can deepen the topic by reading the following guide -> Fiber VDSL, FTTC and FTTH: what differences and which is better?
3) How to expand the wireless network: Wi-Fi repeaters
Do we have devices too far away to be reached by the signal of our modem or Wi-Fi router?
Instead of spending a lot of money, we can quickly fix it by purchasing Wi-Fi repeaters, to be placed halfway between the device or distant devices and the modem from which we have access to the Internet.
The best wifi repeaters we can buy at the moment are:
- Netgear Wireless WiFi Repeater (24 €)
- D-Link DAP-1330 (€ 26)
- TP-Link RE200 WiFi Repeater (28 €)
- AVM FRITZ! WLAN Repeater (29 €)
- Netgear WiFi Extender EX6120 (37 €)
Using these devices is very simple: place them in an electrical outlet where the modem's Wi-Fi signal is still available (possibly at least 3 out of 4 notches), we use a laptop connected via Ethernet to the repeater and access the configuration panel; from this panel we will have to choose the network to be expanded from those available and provide the access password to it.
At the end of the configuration, a new Wi-Fi network will be generated with a name very similar to the original (it will be recognized by the presence of the suffix EXT) and the same access password used for the wireless network of the modem.
Now we can easily connect even the most distant devices in the house or placed on different floors.
To deepen the discussion we can read the guide dedicated to the repeaters that we have linked here -> How does the wifi repeater or "Range Extender" work and which one to buy .
4) How to expand the wireless network: Powerline Wi-Fi
As an alternative to simple repeaters we can also use Wi-Fi Powerlines, which combine Powerline technology with repeaters, so as to be able to bring the Internet signal even to very distant points of the house (where even the repeater cannot cover).
The best Wi-Fi Powerline models are available below:
- Ph5 Powerline Wifi Extender tent (48 €)
- TP-Link TL-WPA4220 (54 €)
- TP-Link TL-WPA7510 (69 €)
- Netgear PLW1000-100PES (74 €)
These Powerlines allow you to carry the Internet signal through your home's electrical outlets and, via the output terminal, also provide the Wi-Fi repeater functionality.
The advantage compared to normal repeaters or compared to simple Powerlines is that we can cover greater distances (even more floors of the house or houses over 150 square meters) without losing too much speed: a part of the signal passes between the electrical wires present in the house and, arrived in the "target" room, it can provide wireless connectivity as if it were a simple repeater.
If we don't know how Powerline works, we can read our dedicated guide present here -> How the Powerline works, secrets and limits .
5) How to expand the wireless network: Wi-Fi Mesh
A new technology that has been gaining ground in recent years is the Wi-Fi Mesh, which combines a series of small interconnected wireless routers that can always provide excellent coverage, even for larger homes.
Being a new technology, it is also very expensive (it may take 2 or 3 Mesh mini routers to obtain a large and powerful Wi-Fi network) but if we don't mind the price, it is the best solution to expand the wireless capabilities of a simple modem .
Currently the best Wi-Fi Mesh solutions are:
- Nova MW3 tent (93 €)
- TP-Link Deco P7 Hybrid Wifi Mesh (199 €)
- D-Link COVR-C1203 Wi-Fi Mesh System (201 €)
- Google Wifi (€ 279)
- NETGEAR Orbi Wifi Mesh (€ 300)
To use them, simply connect the main mini router to the home modem, then configure the access of all the other mini-routers, placed at the right distance.
At the end of the configuration we can connect any type of wireless device to one of the mini-routers, sure to always have the maximum connection speed.
To learn more about the Wi-Fi Mesh, we invite you to read our guide -> Google Wifi Router: how it works and where to buy it .
6) Other useful tips
To conclude we have collected in this chapter all the useful tips to create a high quality Wi-Fi network in any type of home, so as to never have slowdowns or signal losses:
- We connect as many devices as possible to the 5 GHz network (if it is within range)
- We use the IEEE 802.11n (Wi-Fi 4) and IEEE 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) protocols for best performance
- We change the transmission channel for the 2.4 GHz network, choosing an interference-free channel
- We orient and move the modem or router to be as close to the center of the house as possible
If we have connection or configuration problems for the Wi-Fi network, we can read the solutions provided in the guide below.
READ ALSO -> Solutions for wifi and router connection problems
