Routers & hardware
The hardware often matters more than the provider
A better router or a correctly aimed antenna frequently improves a connection more than switching supplier. Everything here has been set up, measured and lived with.
Labs bench
How we test hardware
Each device runs in the same three-floor test house and, where relevant, at a rural weak-signal site. We measure throughput at fixed distances, thermal behaviour under sustained load, failover time and how much of the useful configuration is locked away.
Wi-Fi mesh
Axis 7 Mesh (3-pack)
Even coverage across three floors, simple app, no advertised feature you have to pay extra for.
£249
Antenna
Northface Outdoor Antenna
Directional MIMO antenna that lifted our rural test site from one bar to a stable connection.
£119
5G router
Relay 5G Cube
External antenna ports make the difference between usable and unusable in weak-signal homes.
£179
Router
Cadence Wi-Fi 7 Router
Fast on paper and in practice, though most homes will not saturate it for a few years.
£299
Travel router
Pathfinder Travel Router
Runs from 12V, handles SIM and tethered connections, sensible failover between them.
£89
Test tool
Beacon Signal Meter
Cheap way to find the best antenna position before you drill any holes.
£65
Placeholder dataProduct names, prices and scores are illustrative pending published test runs.