Where should I put Wi-Fi for a home office?
Who this page is for
People working in lofts, garden rooms, or back bedrooms.
Steps
- Run Pulse next to the router and next to the desk.
- If the gap is huge, improve placement or run Ethernet.
- Consider mesh or an extra access point on a cable backhaul where possible.
Pulse measures download speed, latency, and jitter in your browser. It does not measure upload speed. For upload, use your provider’s tests or see our upload scope guide.
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Example scenario
Desk in the loft gets 5 Mbps Wi-Fi while the router shows 60 Mbps wired. You run Ethernet to the loft switch.
FAQ
Are powerline adapters good enough?
Sometimes. They vary by house wiring. Ethernet or fibre to the room is most predictable.
Are external antennas worth trying?
Sometimes, if your router supports them and placement rules are followed. Read manufacturer guidance.
Should I put my desk in the same room as the router?
If practical, yes. Otherwise run Ethernet or place an access point with wired backhaul.
Can metal desks block Wi-Fi?
Large metal objects can attenuate signal. Reposition equipment or add wired paths.
Do USB Wi-Fi dongles perform as well as internal cards?
Varies by model. For reliability, Ethernet remains best for critical work calls.
When is mesh justified for a home office?
When one cable cannot reach the office and you need stable coverage without long repeaters.
Related guides
- Where should I put my router for better Wi-Fi?
- Mesh, extender, or access point: what is the difference?
- Why is my video call quality poor on broadband?