Are you tired of weak Wi-Fi signals that can’t seem to penetrate the walls of your home or office? Concrete and brick walls usually absorb part of the wireless signals, making it difficult for electromagnetic waves to travel through.
In this article, we discuss the best wireless router for penetrating walls, so you can enjoy fast internet speeds without any interruptions or dead zones.
With advanced technology and powerful antennas, these routers are designed to deliver fast and reliable internet coverage throughout your home, even through the thickest walls.
Here is a quick snippet of the best routers to buy:
- NETGEAR Nighthawk R7000-Editor’s Pick
- Linksys EA9500 Max-Stream AC5400-Best Value
Best Wireless Router for Penetrating Walls
If concrete walls are blocking your wireless signals, you need a robust router with optimal penetrating power. Here are some of the top picks.
NETGEAR Nighthawk R7000 Dual-Band Wi-Fi Router
Overview
The Nighthawk R7000 router comes in a horizontal shape with three external antennas. You can direct its high-gain antennas in various directions for optimal coverage.
This router has a USB 3.0 port and USB 2.0 port. Its four LAN and one WAN Gigabit Ethernet ports allow use in large home networks. Use the downloadable Nighthawk App to set up your network from the palm of your hand in just minutes.
Performance
With a 1 GHz dual-core processor, the NETGEAR Nighthawk R7000 Wi-Fi router offers impressive performance. Its robust processor provides enough power to push signals through thick walls.
Also, the router has high-powered amplifiers and three external antennas for an expanded range. It features ultra-fast speeds of up to 1.9 Gbps to enable uninterrupted streaming, video conferencing, or gaming.
The Nighthawk R7000 router can support up to 30 devices, ensuring peak performance under heavy workloads. Through simultaneous dual-band Wi-Fi, it reduces interference for reliable connection to many devices. This router features Beamforming+ technology, which boosts power to the antennas.
Linksys EA9500 Max-Stream AC5400 Wi-Fi Router
Overview
Linksys’ EA9500 is a bulky router with eight external antennas. Its antennas are flexible so that you can point them in any direction. However, they take up quite some space.
This router has eight Gigabit Ethernet ports that facilitate connectivity to multiple devices. Connect shared storage devices or printers to the EA9500 Max-Stream via two built-in USB 3.0 interfaces. Note that it requires no drivers during installation, making it easy to set up.
Performance
The Linksys EA9500 Max-Stream Wi-Fi router is a dual-purpose router for the home or office. Embedded with MU-MIMO technology, it treats all connected devices as if they each have a dedicated router.
Next-Gen AC router features a 1.8 GHz dual-core processor that easily tackles complex tasks. It can handle simultaneous multiple high-speed data streams for fast downloads and lag-free streaming.
This router features proprietary Seamless Roaming technology, which improves network range and coverage. Pair it with a Max-Stream range extender for a stronger signal throughout your home.
Designed with three independent Wi-Fi bands, the Max-Stream AC5400 Tri-Band router provides combined speeds of up to 5.3 Gbps. It has high-performance antennas for optimal network coverage.
This router uses Beamforming to direct Wi-Fi signals to connected mobile devices. Download the free Linksys Smart Wi-Fi App on your Apple or Android device for remote network customization and management.
Gryphon AC3000 Tower Wi-Fi Router
Overview
Is your home large and in need of long-range coverage? Then consider getting the Gryphon Tower AC3000 router.
Unlike most routers that sit horizontally and have a black casing, this network device is tall and white. Its unique design ensures that this device blends seamlessly with your decor.
The Gryphon tower features six internal antennas, making it compact.
It comes with an intuitive smartphone app for simple network management. Use the app to set parental controls and manage network access for guests.
Performance
With coverage of up to 3,000 square feet, the Gryphon Tower 1-pack router delivers impressive performance. It can be used in mesh systems, where you can add routers to your network and boost coverage.
This tri-band AC3000 router has a data throughput of up to 1.3 Gbps. It supports 4×4 MU-MIMO technology and antenna Beamforming, enhancing network coverage and reliability.
Factors to Consider When Buying a Wireless Router
Whether creating a new home network or upgrading your network, the wireless router is the most crucial component of your network. The various brands and models to choose from can make buying a new router, an overwhelming task.
Below are the most essential to consider when choosing a Wi-Fi router:
- Wi-Fi standards
- Compatibility with your broadband service provider
- Security
- Wi-Fi bands
- Multi-User, Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output (MU-MIMMO) technology
- Router antennas
- Beam-forming technology
Go for routers with higher bandwidth, stronger signals, and longer ranges for improved coverage.
Router Placement in Homes with Concrete or Brick Walls
Router location greatly influences network coverage. Walls made from concrete and bricks usually absorb more Wi-Fi signals than wood.
The best location to install your router is in a centralized location away from walls. This placement ensures that signals have the space to travel. Placing your router next to a wall can weaken the signal.
If your house has multiple stories, install your router in the most central room, on the most central floor for the best signal output.
Final Thoughts
Wireless routers are key parts of any network. They enable you to connect your devices to the internet and offer security for your network. If the network covered is affected by the concrete walls, you should get a router with better penetration capability.
From the list of routers, the NETGEAR Nighthawk R7000 Dual-Band Wi-Fi Router stands out as the best wireless router for penetrating walls. Its strong signals and extended range provide outstanding performance.
FAQs
Can Wi-Fi pass through concrete walls?
Yes. However, the Wi-Fi signals weaken as they pass through multiple walls.
Is 5 GHz Wi-Fi good for a home with thick walls?
No. 5 GHz networks are poor at penetrating walls and solid objects. If your home has thick walls or many obstacles, use the 2.4 GHz band networks.