Skip to main content

The context you need, when you need it

When news breaks, you need to understand what actually matters — and what to do about it. At Vox, our mission to help you make sense of the world has never been more vital. But we can’t do it on our own.

We rely on readers like you to fund our journalism. Will you support our work and become a Vox Member today?

Join now

Want faster wifi? Here are 5 weirdly simple tips.

The location of your router inside your home can make a big difference for the strength of your internet connection. Watch this short video to find out the best spot to place your router for faster wifi:

You might not be able to see it, but the wifi coming from your home router is a physical signal, composed of radio waves that can be blocked or scattered by walls and other electronics. Just take a look at this wifi map that physics grad student Jason Cole made of his apartment:

wifi map by jason cole

You can see how the signal varies in different rooms and weakens while passing through walls. That means you'll want the router in the room where you actually use wifi-connected devices most often.

And though it might complicate your interior design, placing the router in a central location ensures that you're not wasting those radio waves by sending them outside your home or into a neighboring apartment.

router spin

For more easy tips, check out the video above or watch on our YouTube channel.

Related

More in Video

Video
Why Americans can’t escape credit card debtWhy Americans can’t escape credit card debt
Play
Video

Credit card APRs are now as high as 20 percent.

By Frank Posillico
Video
Why some couples are happier living apartWhy some couples are happier living apart
Play
Video

This growing relationship trend might change the way you think about living with your romantic partner.

By Gina Pollack
Video
The strange myth behind carrots and night visionThe strange myth behind carrots and night vision
Play
Video

How we fell for World War II propaganda.

By Nate Krieger
Video
Are team sports the secret to living longer?Are team sports the secret to living longer?
Play
Video

How a basketball league for “grannies” is reimagining aging.

By Benjamin Stephen
Video
How Georgia manufactured the Peach State mythHow Georgia manufactured the Peach State myth
Play
Video

It was never really about the fruit.

By Frank Posillico
Video
How smart design can benefit senior livingHow smart design can benefit senior living
Play
Video

And why it matters for retirement communities.

By Lindsey Sitz