Most internet service providers (ISPs) in the UK include a free Wi-Fi router with their broadband deals. While these are convenient, they may not always provide the best performance or features for your home.
Buying your own router can improve speeds, increase security, and offer greater control over your home network.
Can I use any router for my internet?
In most cases, you can use your own router, but you must check the contract terms of your broadband provider first. You may have to get in contact with your provider’s technical help to receive log-in details.
Some make a point of telling customers they must use the router supplied. For example, those on Vodafone Pro Broadband plans or any Vodafone plan with Digital Voice must use the supplied device.
What about Virgin Media?
For Virgin Media users, you'll need to set your Virgin Media Hub to 'modem mode' before connecting your own router.
And Openreach providers?
For BT Openreach and most fibre broadband providers, you'll require a router with a VDSL modem, or you may need to use the ISP router as a modem-only device with your new router handling networking.
The routers you get bundled in with a deal are designed to be all things to all people. Like a rental car, it fits the majority of people and can do the majority of things you might want to do with it. It’s not the fastest, the coolest, the most customisable, or tuned to do one particular thing very well.
If your requirements fall outside the norm, using your own router is a way to address them.
Why use your own home broadband router?
The advantages of using your own router are:
- Better control: Hardware supplied by providers are designed to be easy to set up and maintain. You can get your internet connection up and running quickly, and the provider can help when there’s a problem. But this means they’re sometimes limited when it comes to set-up.
For example, using ISP hardware means you can be limited to a specific IP address range and a couple of network cable connections. You may also be limited in what Wi-Fi channels you can use, and it might not provide useful features such as QoS. Using your own router leaves you free to set up your network the way you want it.
- Improved security: Routers supplied by providers often come with standard security settings that are locked down.
Every hacker on the planet knows that “admin” is typically the default username for routers. Not being able to change that means you’ll have to be extra careful when setting a password. Third-party routers may receive faster security updates and offer advanced firewall options.
Providers can have remote access to your router. They may only ever log in to help reset a password or perform other support duties, but the potential for abuse or tracking is there.
- Faster Wi-Fi speeds: Dedicated routers often deliver faster speeds and better performance than ISP-provided devices.
- Enhanced Wi-Fi coverage: Upgrading to a better router can improve signal strength, especially in larger homes. You may even be able to improve the signal even further with an open-source firmware upgrade. That’s something you often can’t do with a free router.
- Advanced features: Options like Quality of Service (QoS) allow you to prioritise gaming, streaming, or video calls for smoother performance.
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Using open-source firmware
Ever heard of Tomato or DD-WRT? These are free open-source firmware upgrades that can deliver a wealth of new features for your router. And if you don’t like either of those, then there are plenty of other options that open up when you buy your own router.
This free software can turn a £100 router into something more like a £1000 router.
They replace the factory software on the router and bring some powerful toys to the table. You can boost Wi-Fi signal strength, use built-in DNS, VLANs, router-based VPN clients, and enjoy comprehensive QoS or Quality of Service controls, among many other features.
How to buy your own router
If your provider has confirmed you can use your own Wi-Fi router, you need to select the correct type for your connection.
What type of router should I buy?
ADSL Broadband: Look for a router with an integrated ADSL modem.
Fibre broadband via BT Openreach: You will need a router with a VDSL moden, or a separate modem connected to your new router.
Virgin Media Broadband: Set your Virgin Media Hub to 'modem mode' and connect your chosen router for improved network management.
Key features to look for in a Wi-Fi router
To ensure you get the best performance, consider these features:
- Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) or Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax): for faster speeds and better device handling.
- Gigabit ethernet ports: having support for gigabit wired connection networking will let you enjoy the fastest internet speeds when using ethernet cables.
- Dual-band and tri-band: to reduce network congestion
- USB ports: to provide access to connected devices such as printers or external drives.
- Open-source firmware support: for enhanced customisation: check the list of supported hardware on the firmware’s website.
- Quality of Service (QoS): for prioritising internet traffic. E.g, limit the speed of web browsing to allow more bandwidth for streaming Netflix.
- Guest Wi-Fi networks: allows you to provide visitors with internet access, while protecting the rest of your network. Read our guide to guest Wi-Fi to learn more.
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What are the advantages of dual-band and tri-band routers?
Most Wi-Fi operates on two different frequencies: 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz. The 5Ghz band is fast but has a shorter range, while 2.4Ghz is longer range but slower and more susceptible to interference.
Dual-band routers or tri-band routers let you use both at the same time by hosting multiple Wi-Fi networks. This will usually be 1x 2.4Ghz and 1x 5Ghz for dual-band, or 1x 2.4GHz and 2x 5Ghz for tri-band.
This is helpful if there are lots of other Wi-Fi networks nearby as you can minimise conflicts and interference.
You can also configure the network so devices that don’t need the very best performance, such as printers, connect to 2.4Ghz. While games consoles, streaming TV, and other demanding hardware utilise the quicker 5Ghz signal.
Where to buy your Wi-Fi router
Routers can be bought anywhere you’d usually purchase tech goods. Big shops like Currys and Amazon will sell them, and you should find reviews from other users there too. But smaller computing and tech shops will stock them too.
There’s not a particular place that it’s good to buy routers from, as they aren’t technically considered a specialist product. A lot of well-known tech companies like Netgear and Asus do make routers as well. Just do a little research, check out the reviews, and find the router that works best for what you need it for.
Are there any downsides?
There are two main downsides to replacing the ISP router with your own: the expense and the responsibility.
- Additional cost: Quality routers often cost upwards of £100.
- Configuration required: Unlike plug-and-play ISP routers, you'll need to set up and troubleshoot your new router.
- Limited ISP support: Providers may not be able to help if you have problems with your third-party wireless router.
Expert Summary
The free router from your ISP works well for most people and is the best option if you're just concerned about getting broadband with home Wi-Fi and aren't interested in the technical details.
But if you want to better protect your broadband, improve Wi-Fi speeds, or just learn more about networking, then buying your own router is a great idea. If you mostly use Wi-Fi to access the internet, a new router can definitely improve your speeds and the reach of your broadband. It also gives you the opportunity to do things like create a guest network for visitors.
If you’re a tech-savvy person who is eager to improve their broadband or just to play with your router, provided your ISP allows it, getting a new router is a great idea. It’s not as simple as an ISP router to set up, but the extra speeds, features, and security are worth it.