Wireless broadband deals

Compare and find a great deal on wireless broadband packages now and enjoy a whole year of Meerkat Meals & Meerkat Movies*

Compare wireless broadband deals

Home broadband providers offer wireless internet through a wireless router – and the good news is that there are plenty of cheap broadband deals available out there.

Let’s take a look at how wireless broadband works in your home, how to position your wireless router and what you need to look out for when comparing broadband deals.

How does a wireless router work?

Without getting too technical, a wireless router takes the internet data that comes into your home, turns it into radio waves and ‘beams’ your internet connection to any wireless-enabled devices in your home.

These waves are then picked up by your wireless devices and converted back into data that your computers, laptops, phones, tablets, games consoles and smart TVs can make sense of. Almost all computers and smart devices have an inbuilt receiver that can connect to the internet without the need for wires.

If there are areas of your home that struggle to get a decent WiFi signal, you may need a WiFi extender or booster. This is an additional device that you can plug in somewhere else in your home to amplify the signal.

What type of WiFi deals are available?

Wireless broadband can vary in speed and reliability, depending on which type you go for. When you’re comparing WiFi deals, these are the main options to think about:

Standard ADSL broadband – the most basic type of broadband, this works over the standard copper wires that carry your home telephone line. It offers average speeds of around 10Mbps (megabits per second), which are the slowest on the market.
Superfast fibre broadband – also known as ‘fibre-to-the-cabinet’ (FTTC) broadband, this delivers broadband via clusters of fibre optic cables. It offers faster speeds than standard broadband and is available to more than 96% of UK homes.
Cable broadband – this uses coaxial and fibre optic cables to deliver broadband to your home, and the main provider is Virgin Media. It can offer speeds of over 1Gbps (gigabits per second) but isn’t available everywhere
Full fibre broadband – while most fibre packages still use cables from the nearest street cabinet to connect to your home, full fibre or ‘fibre-to-the-premises’ (FTTP) goes straight to your home. It's not yet widely available in the UK but can deliver lightning-fast speeds of well over 1Gbps.

Whichever way it comes into your home, your wireless router will convert the data into a wireless internet signal via the phone or cable line.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of wireless routers?

Wireless routers have revolutionised the way we use the internet, and come with many benefits. But they can have their downsides too.

Advantages

Portability - using wireless routers helps avoid having to plug in cables every time you want to use your laptop or tablet. You can take your device from room to room, and maybe even into the garden, and still get a signal.
Accessibility - wireless allows several people to be online at the same time, so it’s convenient for busy households.
Smart device compatibility - wireless broadband can connect all your smart home devices, not just phones and tablets. Fridges, lights, speakers and heating can all be linked, too.
Simple set-up - in most cases, setting up your wireless broadband is straightforward and you won’t need an engineer to install it for you. Simply plug and go!

Disadvantages

Signal strength - if you have a large home or thick walls, you might find that the signal is poor in some rooms.
Security - wireless networks are more susceptible to cyber-attacks, so you need to make sure your router password is secure.
Router quality - not all routers are the same. The newest routers use the 'AX' standard, which helps maintain a fast speed when more than one device is connected – but these don't come as standard. The type of router you’re given may depend on the type of package you choose.

Where’s the best place to put a wireless router?

Where you put your router can make a big difference to the strength of signal you get. Follow our tips on how to position your wireless router, to help maximise coverage throughout your home:

Place the router in the middle of your home as walls and other solid surfaces can slow speeds. You’ll get a better result the fewer walls the signal has to go through.
Avoid putting the router on the floor - put it on a shelf or table and you’ll reduce the wastage of signal going through the floor.
Don't put the router by a window as you'll get a leakage of signal outside.
Don't position it by the TV as metal objects can reflect and scatter your signal. If you have open-plan living spaces, don't put it by the fridge or microwave either.
Put the router somewhere you can see it - if you put it in a cupboard, the signal has to travel through more obstacles before it reaches your device.

If you still get a poor signal, you may need to consider broadband extenders.

How secure is wireless broadband?

You’ll need to make sure your wireless router is secure because it links to other devices in your home. You might want to change the default password as hackers have been known to target these. But make sure you choose a strong password and keep it safe.

Don't share your password with others. If your router offers the option, create a guest wireless network and allow visitors and friends to use it. This helps keep your network safe from any of their devices that might be infected with malware. You can also use the guest network for any of your own less-secure connected smart devices, making it harder for hackers to access the rest of your network.

Most newer routers come with an automatic update to keep the security protection current. If you have an older model, you should keep an eye on the manufacturer’s website to see if you need to manually update it and how to do it.

How can I compare broadband services in my area?

Simply enter your postcode and we’ll help you find great-value deals from leading internet providers. Start comparing today and see if you can save.

Frequently asked questions

Are wireless routers included in broadband deals?

Yes. Wireless routers are usually included in broadband packages. But you can also buy higher-spec versions or WiFi extenders, if you’re keen to boost coverage and performance.

Which providers offer the best wireless router?

All major broadband providers offer WiFi hubs that are fast, secure and well-designed to look good in your home. These include:

BT Smart Hub 2
Virgin Media Hub 5
TalkTalk Wi-Fi Hub
Sky Q Hub
EE Smart Hub.

If your existing router is old, upgrading it to a newer model could benefit your household.

How do I set up my wireless router?

Thankfully, you won’t have to be a technical whiz to set up your new WiFi hub. Most routers have the correct settings already preinstalled, so it should be as simple as plugging it into a power socket and your main phone socket.

In some instances, you may need an engineer to visit your home to install some hardware if you’re having a different type of broadband fitted, but you can arrange this when you sign up to a service.

How do I connect to wireless broadband?

To connect devices like your laptop and smartphone to your wireless network, you’ll need the name of your network and password information. You’ll usually find this printed on the back or bottom of your router. You can also find this information on your WiFi security card if you’re given one of these as part of your broadband package.

How do I check the wireless broadband speed in my area?

If you want to compare how fast your current broadband is to speeds that are available where you live, try our broadband speed checker. Simply enter your postcode, choose your current provider from the dropdown menu and hit the ‘test my broadband’ button. You might find that faster speeds are available in your area. If so, we’ll give you some options to switch provider if you want.

What should I look for when buying a wireless router?

Look for routers that use AC (WiFi 5) or AX (WiFi 6) technology as these will give you the fastest WiFi speeds. The best routers will also offer at least two radio bands, and the more antennae it has the better as this will give you the biggest signal range throughout your home. If you want to manage how your WiFi network is being used, make sure your router has parental controls, Quality of Service options and a guest network feature.

What do I need to find a broadband deal?

All you’ll need to compare wireless broadband with us is:

Your postcode
Details of the type of wireless broadband you’re looking for
Your current provider (if applicable).

You’ll then be able to scroll down a results page with a list of deals. We can also show you bundled packages, including broadband and TV deals or broadband, TV and phone deals.

Find a wireless broadband deal now

What our expert says...

“Broadband providers regularly upgrade their networks and routers using the latest wireless tech. So, it’s always worth checking to see what deals are available when you’re nearing the end of your contract or if you find you’re not getting the service you expected.”

- Sofia Hutson, Digital expert

About Compare the Market

We know comparing insurance and utilities isn’t much fun. So at Compare the Market it’s all about keeping it simple. We help you find the right product at the right price. And you can trust us to be impartial – we only make money when you switch or take out a new product, so it’s in our interests to help you make the right choice. Comparing with us is about the enjoyable stuff too – we love to reward you with Meerkat Meals and Meerkat Movies when you take out selected products with us.*

Good things happen when you Meerkat

Search for the right insurance for you, at the right price, with our comparison service. Plus, we could help you save on broadband, mobile phones, credit cards, mortgages, loans and more.

See if you can save time and money when you use our helpful tools
Feel organised when you manage all of your quotes in one place

Get rewarded with Meerkat Meals and Meerkat Movies when you compare and take out qualifying products*

Helping you is the heart of our business
We make money when we’ve helped you switch or take out a new product. When you’ve found your new supplier or provider through us, we get a fee or commission from them. The amount we receive doesn’t change the price you pay.

Find out more on our About us page.

Got a question? Contact us.