I'm looking for advice on how to boost my WiFi connection in my home office. I have AT&T Fiber 300 with download speeds over 300 Mbps downstairs, but when I'm upstairs in my office, the speed drops significantly. On my phone, I get around 81 Mbps download and 100 Mbps upload, but my work device barely reaches 20 Mbps down and 5 Mbps up, especially when using a VPN. My house isn't very large (about 1900 sq ft) and there are only two walls between my office and the router. I'm considering a few options like getting a WiFi extender, installing a mesh system, or even hardwiring my work computer directly to the router via LAN if possible. Any suggestions on the best way to improve my internet upstairs?
3 Answers
TP-Link Deco mesh units have been fantastic for many people. If you want stable coverage throughout the house, they might be a good fit. Just make sure to set them up properly so they don't slow things down!
ISP routers often struggle with WiFi coverage. Sometimes just adjusting the placement of your router can make a significant difference—try raising it or turning it 90 degrees. While extenders, AT&T's extended coverage, and mesh systems may seem similar, they aren’t scams. A good placement for an extender halfway between the router and your office could boost your speed pretty well, but nothing beats a wired connection. If you have the option to run Ethernet, that's definitely the best way to go—consider hard wiring your computer or a wired extender. Alternatively, using your gateway in passthrough mode with a better router placed centrally could work wonders!
For a desktop or laptop, running a LAN cable could be your best option. Check if you have any LAN ports on the router. If not, a powerline LAN adapter setup can provide a wired connection without needing to run new cables through your house, which is a great way to ensure a faster and more secure connection. If you're only looking for a single wired connection, this could save you some money!
Totally agree on the powerline adapters—super cost-effective and they worked well for me for years!