Boost Your WiFi Range – Avoid These 5 Common Household Appliances
Struggling to get strong WiFi in your garden or patio during the sunny months? You’re not alone. Many homeowners find that their WiFi struggles to reach outdoor areas, making it difficult to stream music, take video calls, or simply stay connected while enjoying the outdoors. But according to Sam Jenkinson from Tiger Modular, there’s a simple fix: be mindful of where you place your router.
Avoid These 5 WiFi Signal Killers
Jenkinson highlights five common household appliances that can interfere with your WiFi signal:
- Microwaves
- Cordless phones
- Baby monitors
- Fridges
- TVs
These devices either emit signals on similar frequencies or physically block the signal, weakening your connection. Items like mirrors and fish tanks can also cause disruption by reflecting or absorbing the signal.
Why Placement Matters
“Think of WiFi like a light source,” Jenkinson says. “The more open and visible it is, the better it works throughout your space.” He recommends avoiding thick walls, metal surfaces, and hidden spots like cupboards or behind furniture. Instead, place your router in a central, elevated, and unobstructed location to maximize coverage.
Modern Solutions for Better Coverage
If your current setup struggles to reach parts of your home, patio, or garden, it might be time for a hardware upgrade. Older routers often lack the power and capabilities of modern models, which are better equipped to deliver faster speeds and broader coverage. Jenkinson also suggests using WiFi extenders or mesh systems (like our eero Whole-Home WiFi) to enhance signal strength.
WiFi extenders rebroadcast your router’s existing signal, expanding its reach.
Mesh systems like eero use multiple nodes that work together to create a blanket of WiFi coverage throughout your home and garden. However, he cautions that these solutions require an already decent signal to work effectively. If your patio/garden space is too far from your main house or blocked by thick walls, you may need a more robust setup or consider wiring a connection directly.
Quick Takeaways for Better WiFi:
- Keep your router away from signal-blocking appliances.
- Avoid hiding your router—place it high, central, and in the open.
- Upgrade to a modern router for improved range and speed.
- Consider extenders or mesh networks for larger or outdoor areas.
By following these tips, you can enjoy seamless connectivity both inside and outside your home—just in time for summer.