It is not just square footage
Two homes of the same size can need different numbers of access points. Layout, floors and wall materials all change how far Wi-Fi reaches.
What affects coverage
These are the biggest factors:
- Brick, plaster and concrete walls
- Number of floors
- Metal ducts, mirrors and appliances
- Basements and detached garages
- Outdoor areas
- Number of devices in use at once
Wired is best
Access points connected by Ethernet keep speeds high. Wireless mesh hops can lose speed in a busy home.
Placement beats power
Ceiling-mounted access points in central locations usually beat a powerful router in a corner.
Try the planner
Our interactive Wi-Fi planner shows how placement changes coverage across an apartment, townhome and large home.