Fi in Your Backyard

You may also want to read up on how to make your Wi-Fi faster , how to buy a router , and whether you should opt for a single router or a mesh system .

Use Your Smartphone as a Hot Spot
The problem with this is that it will use up your data allowance, tie up your phone, and drain your battery fast.

But it’s a good solution in a pinch.

Switching from a single router to a mesh system is a better upgrade if you need to extend that Wi-Fi coverage.

I’m not keen on Wi-Fi extenders, but they can sometimes be the most cost-effective way to get Wi-Fi to a single trouble spot.

If you recently upgraded or already have a mesh, there are still other options.

Folks with a mesh system can often add an outdoor router or node easily.

Outdoor routers are weatherproof and generally have an IP rating determining what kind of weather they can withstand.

They often come with fixings to mount on an exterior wall, fence, or pole, but you must consider how to run a power cable to an outlet.

The right outdoor router for you depends entirely on your mesh system.

This is our current top pick as it offers dual-band Wi-Fi 7 connectivity, is easy to set up and use, and doesn’t cost too much, but it’s only suitable if you already have a TP-Link Deco mesh.

The Eero Outdoor 7 is an interesting option for Eero users.

It’s another dual-band Wi-Fi 7 router, but if you snag a pair, you can set up a point-to-point connection to deliver up to hundreds of megabits per second, up to a half-mile away.

It enables you to get Wi-Fi out to a distant barn, garage, or other outbuilding, or to the patio at the bottom of a big yard.

There are other options.

The Asus ZenWiFi BD5 Outdoor is a good pick for folks with an Asus mesh, and many of Ubiquiti’s UniFi routers can be used outdoors .

If you have a mesh from another manufacturer, do a quick Google search to see if they offer an outdoor router.

If you already have one or could use one for your travels, a travel router could also work well as a hot spot.

For a dedicated 5G router, the Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro is tough to beat, but you will need a good signal and a service plan.

Pop a 5G SIM card in, and you have a tri-band Wi-Fi 6E router with a handy 2.8-inch touch screen, and a battery that’s good for up to 13 hours of use (I got 11 hours before having to charge).

You can connect up to 32 devices via Wi-Fi and expect a range of around 1,000 square feet.

I am currently testing the newer M7, which is a Wi-Fi 7 model, but it's only dual-band.

This dual-band Wi-Fi 7 travel router supports USB tethering, and you can run it from a power bank.

It will potentially help you get more from your phone’s mobile network connection, but can also work as a range extender for your existing Wi-Fi network.