Router upgrade, Dual band worth it?

Hi Guys,

I have a basic Plusnet wireless router and struggle to get a decent connection upstairs, its only a small house so presume its the router.

Its at the bottom of the stairs as this is where the phone point is and so cant really move it.

I have got 2 electrical plug socket internet thingys Sorry cant remeber the technical name!

Is it worth putting an access point upstairs off one of the sockets, or is it worth getting a new/better router?

Are dual band routers the way to go?

Only 2 adults in the house, 2 laptops & 2 smartphones so not heavy users

Thanks

Phil

HomePlugs - and how good depends on which spec they are, for FTTC type speeds you need the Home 500AV system.

Putting a wireless access point closer to where you need the wireless will help, dual band - the 5GHz is likely to have less range, so its actual bits of building in the way it may not help, but those with multiple antenna may show an improvement.

It depends if your devices support the 5.0GHz band, the 5GHz gives better performance but decreased range. The standard 2.4GHz is the opposite. I would purchase a dedicated wireless router that would give you a much better coverage anyway and would give you dual band as this generally is a standard function.
Do you currently have 2 bits of kit or do you have a combined modem/router.
If you have the latter you should be able to put the modem/router into modem only mode and add your own wireless router

Get a second access point installed.

However, if you try using homeplugs they will be on a different ring (downstairs and up) and that can cause them not to communicate or run at low speeds. I personally do not like them and will almost always recommend and alternative.

Is there any way you can run a long Ethernet cable between the two locations? If you have carpets it is normally possible to squeeze the cable into the gap at the edge of the carpet and under the skirting boards. so will be hidden for most of the run. Or even get a couloured one to blend in with your paint work and clip that to the staircase string.