topic Re: Buy a better router or add an access point? in Broadband & Landline

Buy a better router or add an access point?

Poodle_man — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 13:56:27 GMT

Just moved to EE from Plusnet (they don't offer landlines now). Low tech household - two laptops, wireless printer, one smart TV. Everything works OK but because my EE router is in a more remote location my signal strength in the living room is down around 70 - 75 dBm. I'm getting between 260 and 300 Mbps on WiFi LAN which is fine, but I'd like a stronger signal. Access point would be cheaper but Ethernet cable run would be tricky (solid floors and limited loft access). Any recemmendations for a better router which would not break the bank? I know that the routers supplied by ISPs are never as good as they'd have you believe, and although my EE router is doing an OK job I know from what I have read here that it's not as good as EE would like you to believe. (it's a Smart Hub 6 plus I think? It's showing as 802.11be on my laptop, which is WiFi 6 I believe)

Re: Buy a better router or add an access point?

XRaySpeX — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 14:04:27 GMT

Or get an EE Smart Wifi 6 Plus extender from EE to go with the router. I think it might be £7 pm.

Re: Buy a better router or add an access point?

JimM11 — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 14:50:05 GMT

@Poodle_man The EE Hub's linked below, 802.11be is wifi7 if showing in your laptop not wifi6.

https://ee.co.uk/help/broadband/getting-started/compare-our-range-of-broadband-hubs

Re: Buy a better router or add an access point?

Poodle_man — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 10:55:29 GMT

I have sorted it - I had tried a cheap extender but could not seem to get it working. Gave it one more go this morning and it works! Now have 400+ Mbps at my laptop and around -50 dBm signal strength!

Re: Buy a better router or add an access point?

JimM11 — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 10:58:44 GMT

@Poodle_man Just keep the eye on it, more than likely the extender has the issue connecting on the wireless wifi side off the network to the EE Hub.