The short answer
Run a wired speed test first to separate the connection from the wifi. If wired is fine, move the router central and high, switch to the 5GHz band, and change the channel. Mesh only if the house is large.
Half of "slow internet" is actually slow wifi, and the fix costs nothing. Diagnose before you buy anything.
Step by step
- Run a speed test on a device plugged in by ethernet. Compare to your plan speed.
- If wired is slow too, the problem is the line or the plan — call the provider.
- If wired is fine, move the router to a central, elevated, open position.
- Connect devices to the 5GHz band for speed, 2.4GHz for range.
- Change the wifi channel to a less crowded one via the router admin page.
- Update the router firmware.
- Only then consider a mesh system or a wired access point.
What it costs
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Repositioning the router | $0 |
| Ethernet cable run | $10–$30 |
| Powerline adapters | $45–$90 |
| Two-node mesh system | $120–$300 |
Common questions
Does a wifi extender help?
It extends range but usually halves throughput. A wired access point is better.
Do walls matter?
A lot — especially brick, concrete and anything with foil insulation.
Is the ISP router bad?
Usually adequate for small homes. Replace it for large homes or many devices.