- The number of devices you connect to your network can affect its speed. Even with unlimited data plans, there’s still a limit as to the number of devices you can connect to your router and still enjoy a seamless connection.
- Most wireless routers available in the market today claim that they can support around 250 devices all at once including cellular phones, computers, cameras, smart appliances and other WiFi-enabled devices.
- In a home setting, a single wireless access point can accommodate several devices, but the amount of load it can handle is not limitless. Thus, it can cause some issues to the user.
These days, every home requires a reliable WiFi internet connection. It is primarily because as the age of technology grows, people have become more interested in learning and broadening their knowledge and getting connected to their friends and family who live not nearby. Or to get in touch with their staff, colleagues, or partners for an important business update.
But, as you’re at home and sharing it, will your WiFi connection have the capacity to accommodate all the multiple devices within your household? It’s vital to cite that even with the promise of unlimited data allowance, there could be a specific device usage limitation for connecting to the router.
With this, how would you know precisely how many is considered too many? Discover the truth on the matter below.
How Many Devices Can a Router Handle?
It’s a given that most home networks do have a single wireless access point from a broadband router. Theoretically, WiFi routers and access points can support up to 250 connected devices.
However, if you access it from a wired point of view, the router can only have room for a few numbers, which are between one and four, using the wired Ethernet. And for the other devices may connect via wireless.
It’s critical to note the representation of the access points’ speed rating. The typical theoretical maximum network bandwidth supporting the WiFi router is mostly 300Mbps. And this is when there are 100 devices connected to it. So, the speed rating’s average would be 3Mbps each.
Most of the time, many people occasionally use the network connection. This triggers the router to shift the extra available bandwidth to the other devices that have connected and require it. The shifting system is pretty impressive. Although there’s no problem with the computer being connected to the router, laptops and smartphones may encounter some loading issues.
If you are still not 100% certain of the numbers your router can support, searching for the model’s number on the web may provide you with better details.
The Limits of WiFi Network Scaling
As many have noticed that wireless networks have helped so much with making our lives in the internet world more mobile, faster, convenient, accessible, and well-connected, it’s crucial to consider that it has its limitations. It would be because of its design, specific ranges, and other vulnerabilities.
For instance, devices that rely on a wireless network may transfer files with a slower and specific capacity. The speed is often decreased because they’re far from the WiFi source or the router. The signal’s strength weakens or won’t be receivable because of data interruptions and distance from the router.
Household appliances and some interiors may also limit or obstruct the wireless system’s signal. As a result, the WiFi’s performance will deteriorate, and only devices connected or peripheral to the router may receive an agreeable signal.
Resolving the problem is attainable by limiting the devices connected to the router where it’s best for 10 to 20 gadgets only. It’ll offer a better signal. Installing an additional router or a home network access point can support every device in the household.
Increasing the bandwidth may improve the network’s overall performance and potential in distributing the data and speed demands.
Finding the Right Internet Plans for Heavy Users
2.4GHz is a router’s band while providing 500Mbps speed. Theoretically, the band’s maximum speed will be divided among the connected devices in the network. So, if ten devices are linked to the router, the full potential speed is 50Mbps.
But the truth remains that routers cannot fully accomplish 500Mbps speed. With this, expect the rate shared among the linked gadgets will decrease. How can the problem be resolved? Thus, limiting the devices connected to the router or getting an upgraded internet plan works well.
Do you find yourself still in need of assistance finding the ideal internet plan for your home? If so, you’re taking a good start. The Compare Broadband’s commitment to helping businesses and households with the best deals on internet plans has been incomparable for many years. Compare Broadband knows precisely how to assist their customer with every internet plan needed. Call us today for your prompt and free consultation via our hotline.