One of the first things guests do when they come to a vacation rental is ask for a WiFi code so they can message their family and friends or look up the best local restaurants. In fact, Airbnb guests list WiFi as one of the top amenities they want—so if you don’t deliver a fast and reliable internet connection, you need to be ready to face complaints and bad reviews.
Don’t fret if your internet isn’t as fast as you want it to be; what you might not know is that a WiFi router plays an important role when it comes to serving up lightning-fast internet. The New York Times explains that you should get a new router every three to four years, so it might be about time that you upgrade yours.
Investing in the most expensive router doesn’t guarantee you the best service, so we’ve reviewed the routers with the strongest ratings and recommendations from tech experts to find the best WiFi router for Airbnb. After a diligent search, the TP-Link AC1750 Smart WiFi Router stands out as the most reliable choice.
Why You Need a Reliable WiFi Router for Your Airbnb
The majority of guests narrow down their search by filtering rentals based on the amenities they want. Based on Airbnb’s survey, most guests want internet access—and you don’t want to lose them by not checking the ‘WiFi’ box on the amenities list..
However, providing poor internet connectivity is just as bad as (or worse than!) not providing it at all. If your guests have to deal with dropped connections, reboots, or hovering next to the router to get a decent speed, you might as well not provide internet.
That’s why investing in a good WiFi router matters. It will ensure better range, a more stable internet connection, and fast speed, regardless of whether the guests are lounging on the couch or preparing a meal in the kitchen.
A WiFi router can even help you upscale your Airbnb business with handy gadgets such as StayFi. This little device plugs into the router and collects guest data so you can engage with them through email or text messages to increase direct bookings. On top of that, if you have several units close by, you can monitor their routers through StayFi, so you’ll instantly know when there’s a problem with a network.
Best Practices for WiFi Safety for Airbnb and Vacation Rentals
Security breaches are quite common in the world of the internet, and when you add to that a bunch of unknown people accessing your network, it’s wise to establish some ground rules from the start.
You can make the whole internet access process safer and hassle-free for both you and your guests if you follow these helpful internet safety practices:
- Set clear instructions about how your guests should connect to the router
- Pick a name for the router that your guests will easily recognize; for example, the name of your Airbnb apartment or a quirky name that will make the guest laugh
- Create a strong password that will prevent unauthorized users from accessing the network
- Change the password from time to time
- Share the password with the guests only after they’ve confirmed their reservation
- Put the router and modem in a safe location where guests won’t be able to damage it
- Regularly check whether there are new router or modem software updates
- Use WPA2 encryption for better security
- Make it clear what the guests should and shouldn’t use the internet for (e.g. explain that using the internet for prohibited activities such as illegal downloading isn’t permitted)
Factors to Consider When Buying a WiFi Router for Your Airbnb
Picking the best router for your short-term rental will be much less daunting once you clarify your needs regarding these crucial factors:
Connection Speed – The speed refers to how fast the router can transfer data. Speed is measured in megabits per second (Mbps). Logically, the faster the download and upload speed is, the faster the internet is. However, the speed doesn’t depend only on the router, but also on the location of your rental. Ask your internet provider what the maximum speed is that you can expect at your location so you have reasonable expectations. To check the speed of the internet, you can use an online speed test such as this speed test by Ookla.
Reach – If you’re renting a studio apartment or a one-bedroom home, you don’t need a wide reach. Routers that can deliver greater range are usually more expensive, so short-term rental owners with smaller homes can allot a lower budget for a router.
Reliability – For a better signal and more reliable network, you’ll want a dual-band router. A dual-band router receives and transmits signals on two different frequencies (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), and since it relies on two independent networks, it allows for more bandwidth, more reliability, and stronger connection in all rooms.
Installation – Choose a router that offers a quick and easy installation process with a simple setup on the web or in an app. If you get to select the encryption protocol for your wireless network, pick Wi-Fi Protected Access II (WPA2) protection (if offered) over Skip Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP), since it’s more secure.
Price – A more expensive router doesn’t guarantee better internet connectivity. There’s also the fact that you should change your router every few years. Bear this in mind when you’re setting the budget for your router.
Remote Management – If you want to be able to turn on and off the router remotely and manage your guests’ access to the network from the comfort of your home (no matter how geographically distant from your rental property), you should look for a router that can be accessed through an app.
The Best WiFi Router for Airbnb and Vacation Rentals
If you want a router that can handle a large number of devices and continually serve speedy and reliable WiFi, we recommend the TP-Link AC1750 Smart WiFi Router as the best choice. It is Amazon’s best seller (which already says a lot), it comes at a reasonable price, and it has countless rave reviews.
TP-Link AC1750 Smart WiFi Router
Here are a few characteristics that justify why TP-Link’s AC1750 Smart WiFi router is the best choice for Airbnb owners:
Exceptional WiFi Coverage – The range of this router goes up to 2,500 square feet, so your guests can watch a Netflix show or play music without interruptions in the bedroom, kitchen, or backyard.
Great Performance – You can connect over 50 devices to this router and it will still deliver fast and stable connectivity. Thanks to a dual-band WiFi network, the number of devices won’t cause any disruptions.
Fast Internet Speed – Even if your guests play online games or stream 4K videos, TP-Link’s router won’t let you down. This router can deliver 1750 Mbps of high-speed internet which will reduce buffering.
Easy Installation Process – You can install this router in no time using either the web or TP-Link’s Tether app.
High Security – The advanced WPA/WPA2 wireless encryption will keep your network safe, and there are even parental controls and guest access options for additional security.
Remote Access – Through the Tether app, you can manage the WiFi through the cloud, and you can connect it with Alexa if you want to use voice control.
Affordable Price – Even if you’re on a budget, you’ll be able to afford this top-notch router.
Other Airbnb WiFi Router Alternatives
We want to address the different needs of Airbnb hosts, so we’ve picked out a few alternatives that can also provide a satisfactory service.
If you have a party house, a huge mansion, or a big home that is suited for family gatherings, the Google Nest Wifi with two router units can handle the task of delivering a super-speedy network in large rental properties. The compact design comes in handy when you want to store the router out of the guests’ sight.
This little tech monster can handle up to 200 connected devices across 4400 square feet. It is a pricey device, but the price is justified by the wide range of coverage, great performance and speed, and built-in Google Assistant smart speaker so you control it throughout the home and integrate it with other smart home devices.
NETGEAR 4-Stream WiFi 6 Router
For those who don’t need wide coverage, but do want a speed-of-lightning type of connectivity, we suggest the NETGEAR 4-Stream WiFi 6 Router. It can deliver an unbelievable 1.8 Gigabit speed so your guests can stream high-quality videos, play HD video games, or have a web conference without glitches. The downside of this router is that it only covers up to 1,500 square feet and supports just 20 devices.
TP-Link AC1900 Smart WiFi Router
Owners who have smaller homes or studio apartments that accommodate a few guests can get great use out of TP-Link AC1900 Smart WiFi Router. It is an inexpensive device that managed to catch the attention of the New York Times and earn the title of one of the best WiFi routers.
This router can deliver great speed (up to 1.9 Gbps), a reliable connection, and dual-band frequency for uninterrupted enjoyment. However, this device does its best work at a close distance, so if you have a two-story home or several rooms in the apartment, the connection may be disappointing.
Final Thoughts
Internet access has become one of the essentials of rental properties, so investing in a router that provides a stable network is practically a necessity. If you want a router that delivers high speed, has great coverage, allows connectivity with many devices, and comes at an affordable price, the TP-Link AC1750 Smart WiFi Router fits the job description. However, if you have more unique requirements, our alternatives are here to conform to different needs.
