# How we test

> Our testing method for routers, mesh systems, and home internet gear, and how we turn results into a score.

- URL: https://wifiweekly.com/how-we-test/
- Last updated: 2026-10-02
- Publisher: WiFi Weekly (https://wifiweekly.com/)

We test in real US homes, not empty labs, because walls, floors, neighbors' networks, and the devices you own are what decide how good your WiFi feels. Every review shows the date we tested, and we retest when firmware or prices change enough to matter.

## What we measure

**1. A wired baseline.** Before testing WiFi, we plug a laptop into the router with Ethernet and run several speed tests. That tells us what the internet connection itself can deliver, so we never blame a router for a slow plan.

**2. Speed by room, not just by distance.** We measure download and upload speed from the same set of rooms each time: next to the router, one wall away, one floor away, and the farthest room people actually use. Results are reported with the distance and the number of walls or floors in between.

**3. Latency under load.** Fast downloads don't help if a video call stutters. We measure ping while the connection is busy to see how a router handles bufferbloat, which matters most for gaming and calls. See our [bufferbloat guide](https://wifiweekly.com/guides/fix-bufferbloat-gaming-lag/).

**4. Many devices at once.** We run phones, laptops, streaming boxes, and smart-home gear at the same time to see whether performance holds up in a busy household.

**5. Mesh backhaul.** For mesh systems, we test with wireless backhaul and, where the system supports it, wired backhaul, and report both.

**6. Setup and the app.** We time setup from unboxing to a working network, and note how easy it is to find settings like guest networks, parental controls, QoS, and firmware updates.

**7. Security and updates.** We check the default security settings, WPA3 support, automatic updates, and which features need a paid subscription.

## How we score

Scores run from 0 to 10. They weigh performance in a real home most heavily, then features, ease of use, and value at the price on the test date. A score is a snapshot of that date. When we retest, we update the score and the "Tested" date together.

The "Best for" tag on each review tells you who the product suits, such as large homes, gamers, or tight budgets, because the best router for one home isn't the best for every home.

## When we haven't tested something

Sometimes a guide includes products we haven't tested ourselves. When that happens, we say so near the top of the article and name the independent source for any performance figures. We never present someone else's test results as our own.

## Prices and deals

Prices in reviews are US street prices on the test date. Deal posts show the date we last checked the price, and we compare against the price history so a "sale" isn't just a raised list price.

## Independence

Manufacturers don't approve or preview our reviews, and affiliate commissions never change a score. Read our [editorial policy](https://wifiweekly.com/editorial-policy/) and [affiliate disclosure](https://wifiweekly.com/affiliate-disclosure/).