Where should I put my router for better Wi-Fi?
Who this page is for
Renters and owners who can move furniture but not run cables everywhere yet.
Plain-English definitions
- Coverage
- The area where Wi-Fi signal is strong enough for usable speeds on your devices.
Quick wins
- Elevate the router and point antennas as the manufacturer suggests.
- Move it out of cupboards.
- Avoid sitting it directly behind a TV or metal panel.
Measure
Run Pulse before and after moves in the rooms that matter.
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
Moving the router from behind the TV to a shelf raises speeds in the kitchen without new kit.
FAQ
Should I use foil or DIY reflectors?
Prefer proper placement or additional access points. Gimmicks rarely beat basics.
Should routers sit vertically or horizontally?
Follow the manufacturer’s orientation advice; antenna patterns depend on design.
Does fish tank placement matter?
Large water volumes attenuate Wi-Fi. Move the router or add wired access past them.
Can I hide the router in a cupboard for aesthetics?
It usually hurts cooling and signal. Prefer open, ventilated placement.
Is high shelf placement better?
Often yes, to clear obstacles, but avoid corners behind metal objects.
When should I stop moving the router and add mesh?
When fair tests show the far side of the home cannot be served without multiple radios.
Related guides
- Should I use 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, or 6 GHz Wi-Fi?
- Can neighbours’ Wi-Fi slow mine down?
- Mesh, extender, or access point: what is the difference?