A Router is one of the most important tools for WiFi Streaming
A WiFi Router may not get all the attention the latest streaming hardware from Roku, Nvidia, or Apple does
Although a solid well performing WiFi Router is probably the most important thing you can buy when cutting the cord. While a Gigabit Ethernet network is still the most solid and reliable network of all. Not everyone can install a hard-wired home network where they live. So a high-quality WiFi Router is very important to make your cord-cutting experience more enjoyable.
But if you can wire with Ethernet, it is very much worth the effort. You can't beat Ethernet for reliability, speed, and user satisfaction. And if you choose to go with Gigabit Ethernet, your router, media streamer, switches, wiring and any other equipment on your Network must also all be Gigabit compatible to take full advantage of faster speeds.
WiFi Routers Come in Many Shapes and Sizes
If you look on BestBuy, Amazon, or eBay there are many WiFi Routers from different vendors listed. You can choose from WiFi Routers made in China that are very inexpensive. Or you can spend $500 or more to deck out your local home network with access points and repeaters to cover every square inch of your house with a powerful WiFi signal.
Skimping on price when it comes to Routers is not a good idea. Because a poor wireless signal can cause all kinds of streaming headaches. Such as slow menus, buffering, and even dropped connections. This can make the cord-cutting experience so awful that some cord-cutters may even choose to go back to cable and pay their outrageously expensive monthly subscription fees.
It's easy to get caught up in the moment when buying a media streaamer. Because well, they really are the stars of the show. But a Router is like the support staff in a movie. They never seem to get enough credit and without them, most movies would never even have been made or even worth watching.
Best WiFi Routers For Streaming
When it comes to streaming you will want to find a Router that at the minimum offers 2 bands. Current routers now come with Dual-band, Tri-band, or Quad-band tech.
If you are thinking about buying a new router, a quad-band like the Netgear Orbi, Asus Rog Rapture, or a TP-Link AXE300 because their cutting-edge technology will be the most future-proof. Since they all use the latest technology including Wi-Fi 6E. Which is WiFi operating in the less populated 6GHz band.
The more bands you have gives you even more options to get off high-traffic bands, and onto a more exclusive band which most of your neighbors don't yet have access to. This means less congestion and traffic which should give you the best gaming and streaming TV experience possible.
Your Other Streaming TV Hardware Needs to Be Compatible With The Router Bands You Want to Use
Just because you buy the newest Quad-band Router does not mean you will be on your way to exclusive high end streaming. Your media player also has to be compatible with the latest Router technology.
Router Bands that Roku, Apple TV, Nvidia SHIELD, and Fire TV Use
Roku Streaming Stick 4K+ - 802.11ac MIMO dual-band Wi-Fi.
Roku Ultra - 802.11ac dual-band MIMO Wi-Fi and Ethernet
2021 Fire TV Stick 4K Max - Supports WiFi 6 802.11ax standard.
Nvidia SHIELD - 802.11ac 2×2 MIMO 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi and Ethernet. Not WiFi 6 compatible.
Apple TV 4K 2021 Model - Supports 802.11ax Wi‑Fi 6 with MIMO; simultaneous Dual-band (2.4GHz and 5GHz) And Ethernet.
While not all models support the latest WiFi tech, any new Router you buy today is backward compatible and will work fine with any of the media streamers listed above.
The Cost Factor
Older Dual-band Routers are a lot less expensive than the latest WiFi 6 hardware. Expect to pay a premium, but can you really put a price on stress-free streaming?
There is nothing worse than a movie buffering every few minutes due to a spotty or weak WiFi signal. So you can either pay the price for WiFi 6 now, or pay more again later when your equipment is obsolete.
Router Placement Tips
Distance and barriers like walls and furniture can sometimes cause issues and add to poor WiFi performance. The latest Tri-band and Quad-band Routers are less sensitive than previous models. But these thing can still have an effect.
Placing your Router as high as possible or as close as possible to your primary streaming devices can help make a big difference. This will ensure your devices receive the strongest WiFi signal possible.
In Conclusion
No matter if you want to get your game on to the next level, or just want to experience flawless streaming. A WiFi Router with the latest tech on board can make all the difference between mediocre, and eXtreme.
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Use of third-party trademarks on this site is not intended to imply endorsement nor affiliation with respective trademark owners.
We are Not Affiliated with or Endorsed by Roku®, Apple, Google or Other Companies we may write about.
