Last Updated on June 19, 2023 by Rental Recon
Almost any vacationer these days will expect lightning-fast internet connections upon checking into an Airbnb. For that reason, every host needs to make choosing the right router a priority. Here are the best wifi routers for Airbnb:
So What Are the Best Wifi Routers for Airbnb?
- TP-Link AC1750 Smart Wifi Router
- Synology MR2200ac Mesh Wifi Router
- TP-Link Wifi 6 Gaming Router
- Asus AX1800 Wifi 6 Router
Why You Need a Reliable WiFi Router for Your Airbnb
Whether a guest wants to curl up and binge a Netflix show, get a little remote working done, or FaceTime with left-behind children, fast and reliable Wi-Fi is a must. In this day and age, noe one can go completely unconnected for long, so it’s up to you to make sure that your guests can stay plugged in while on the go.
Best Practices for WiFi Safety for Airbnb and Vacation Rentals
Firstly, you’ll want to ensure that your guests have access. Definitely use password protection, but don’t make the password unnecessarily difficult to use.
Secondly, make sure the Wi-Fi network and password are readily available. Leave instructions and prominently display the password.
Lastly, you might not feel the need to change passwords between guests, but it might be good practice to make a change every few months, just to ensure security.
Speaking of security, consider whether the router you buy has a Safe Access or similarly safeguarded mode. This can prevent your guests from being compromised while using your WiFi.
Factors to Consider When Buying a WiFi Router for Your Airbnb
In our time as Airbnb superhosts, we’ve found that there are several factors you need to consider when selecting a WiFi router for your Airbnb. Specifically, connection speed, reach, reliability, ease of installation, price, and ease of management are key.
Connection Speed
There are few things worse than a movie, tv show, or video chat buffering in the middle of viewing. Connection speed is crucial to ensuring that your guests have the kind of access needed to make the WiFi worthwhile.
Fast internet is especially important for guests who may be working remotely. Every minute they spend connecting, buffering, or reloading is a minute they aren’t able to spend enjoying their vacation.
Reach
Depending upon the size of your property, reach may be a significant issue. You don’t want your guests to have to stand on a chair in the corner of the attic to get good WiFi reception. By the same token, you want guests to be able to make calls, send emails, and even stream viral content from all of the scenic locations in your rental.
Consider whether or not you might need a WiFi extender or hotspot addition to ensure there is a good reach throughout your Airbnb.
Reliability
Particularly for Airbnbs in more remote locations, reliability is a must. Not just for convenience, but for safety.
Most cellphones operate more efficiently when connected to WiFi. Moreover, not all homes still use landline telephones. As a host, you want to be sure that your guests can feel safe, comfortable, and reachable.
Installation
While many WiFi routers come with free installation, not all of them do. For those that don’t, consider how tech savvy you are, how difficult installation is, and make adjsutments accordingly.
Some routers require very little hands-on setup. Others might require more tech know-how. Depending on how competent you are with technology, installation may be a make or break factor.
Price
Unfortunately, faster and more reliable internet will almost always mean a higher price tag. Depending on the type of property you have, you might be more or less willing to pay a premium price.
While intimate, remote properties might mean that guests are looking for an excuse to unplug, it’s also important they can reach the outside world for safety reasons. On the other hand, high occupancy properties will mean that more guests will be connecting to the WiFi.
Ultimately, you’ll have to balance price against utility. It’s up to individual hosts to determine if this is an amenity that it will be worth sinking a bit more money into in the long run.
Luckily, we have found high quality options that are simultaneously reliable and affordable.
Remote Management
Being able to provide remote assistance is a benefit to both hosts and guests alike.
On one hand, hosts don’t want to drop everything to go reset a router. Meanwhile, guests don’t necessarily want to have a stranger suddenly joining them on vacation.
Remote management can help you quickly resolve any guest issues, while still maintaining your own space.
Our Top Pick: TP-Link AC1750 Smart Wifi Router
Finding the best value without skimping on performance could potentially be a challenge for budget-conscious Airbnb hosts – that is, until they discover this one. It was awarded for its customer satisfaction by JD Power and it’s clear to see why.
23 used from $37.26
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- OneMesh Compatible Router- Form a seamless WiFi when work with TP-Link OneMesh WiFi Extenders.Processor : Qualcomm CPU.
- Router for wireless internet, works with Alexa, compatible with all Wi-Fi devices, 802.11ac and older
- Dual band router upgrades to 1750 Mbps high speed internet(450mbps for 2.4GHz, 1300Mbps for 5GHz), reducing buffering and ideal for 4K streaming
- 3 external antennas for long range Wi-Fi. System Requirements-Internet Explorer 11, Firefox 12.0, Chrome 20.0, Safari 4.0, or other JavaScript-enabled browser. Cable or DSL Modem (if needed)
It is fully compatible with all sorts of old and new devices. Its dual-band accessibility means speeds that will allow guests to stream content, surf the web, and use their smart devices without any frustrating lag time. This product also includes a USB port that offers another way to link and share saved information. We use these routers in most of our properties.
Synology MR 2200ac Mesh Wifi Router
A reliable router doesn’t have to cost a fortune, as evidenced by this quality Synology product. We’ve found that its bandwidth is enough to cover the needs of just about any home. Additionally, it gives hosts the option of managing its technology remotely via the web or a smartphone app.
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- Dedicated Tri-band 2.13 Gbps (400+867+867 Mbps) bandwidth optimized for performance and reliability
- Easy setup and remote management from web client or mobile app
- Comprehensive parental management and easy-to-use inter face with Safe Access
- Single Wi-Fi name and seamless roaming with 802.11 k/v/r support
- Create advanced VPNs with WebVPN, Synology SSL VPN, and SSTP VPN capability
- US version
There’s also a Safe Access mode that provides an extra layer of protection when a large number of guests are operating the system. It is compatible with a wide range of products, programs, and providers, so it’s a great choice in many different situations.
TP-Link Wifi 6 Gaming Router
While this router is touted as one that is beloved by gamers, its fast connection speed and powerful performance can make it a crowd-pleaser for anybody expecting a reliable internet connection.
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- Ultra-Fast Wi-Fi for Extreme Gaming – AX10000 speed machine that delivers Wi-Fi Speeds to 10 Gbps: 4804 Mbps (5 GHz Gaming) plus 4804 Mbps (5 GHz) plus 918 Mbps (2.4 GHz)¹
- Game Accelerator – Detect and optimize gaming streams, to ensure your gaming stays immersive
- Ultra Connectivity - 2.5 Gbps WAN port and 8 Gigabit LAN ports, 2 USB 3.0 in Type A and Type C provide extensive connectivity²
- More Devices with Less Lag: OFDMA and MU-MIMO technology deliver data to multiple devices, simultaneously³
Not only does it provide all the power even a houseful of guests would need, it is also a very versatile system. This router seamlessly connects with all of the major internet service providers and can easily link with various connected devices. If your Airbnb property includes online games or if you regularly rent to gamers, this impressive router is sure to be a key selling point.
Asus AX1800 Wifi 6 Router
It might not be the flashiest option on the market, but this is a router that will get the job done time after time. There’s a reason this product routinely lands on bestseller lists and hosts will appreciate the simplicity of its connectivity.
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- Maximum Range : 3000 Sq Ft.Processor : 1.5GHz quad-core processor.
- Next-Gen WiFi Standard - Supporting the latest WiFi standard 802.11AX (WiFi 6) and 80MHz bandwidth for better capacity and efficiency.
- Ultra-fast WiFi Speed - RT-AX55 supports 80MHz bandwidth and 1024-QAM for dramatically faster wireless connections. With a total networking speed of about 1800Mbps — 574 Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and 1201 Mbps on the 5GHz band.
Plus, it leads the way in terms of security. In addition to blocking possible threats, Asus also includes lifetime access to Trend Micro’s AiProtection that adds an extra safeguard against possible risks. Regardless of what connects to the internet at your Airbnb, you can rest assured that this device will keep it operating as intended.
What Is a Good Wifi Speed on Airbnb?
There isn’t one answer for every Airbnb host. In fact, average Wifi speeds can vary greatly from city to city and even in different neighborhoods within a community. It is more important for each individual host to set clear expectations for their guests.
Wifi speed tests like the one offered at Ookla.com give renters some general idea about what the speeds will be. Of course, it is not a good idea to make promises that might be difficult to keep. Some hosts have advised that the variables at play in measuring Wifi speed can make any forecast somewhat unreliable.
If guests do not receive the promised speed, they can request a refund and will likely receive it. Instead of making big promises, simply do your best to provide reliably quick connectivity and most renters will be satisfied.
Another alternative is this highly-rated free Redmango Wifi speed app here.
How Can I Make My Airbnb Wifi Better?
Although it is not necessary to always provide the fastest Wifi possible, you want to avoid guest complaints. It starts with finding the best Wifi routers for Airbnb. From there, ensure that the internet provider is reputable and provides great service.
Instead of overloading your system with a ton of devices, consider paring down the amount of tech in your home to allow what is there a reliable opportunity to connect quickly.
Choosing the Right Airbnb Wifi Names
Most internet providers allow customers to determine their Wifi names. This can be an opportunity to set yourself apart by creating a memorable moniker. It might be connected to your name, the location of your home, or just something fun to give your guests a laugh.
Picking a name that will be easy for you and your guests to enter is the most important thing. At the same time, it should also be complex enough to stand out from the other Wifi accounts that might pop up when renters are selecting a network.
Make sure to check out our comprehensive list of Airbnb living room essentials here…>>
Setting Your Home’s Wifi Rules
When dealing with something like internet connections, Airbnb hosts should be upfront about their expectations and house rules. Whether it is part of a welcome package or in the form of a sign posted prominently in the home, it should always be clear what guests should know upon checking in on the first day.
Leave clear instructions about how to log into the system as well as what behavior is prohibited when using the network provided. In addition to important information, be sure to include a phone number guests can call with any questions about how to get connected to the web.
Airbnb Wifi Security Tips
With any internet-connected system, there is a risk of exposing sensitive data to bad actors or hackers. However, Airbnb hosts can use several tricks to reduce such threats.
Again, using a top-notch router can provide some helpful protections. While that might be enough for a typical user, remember that Airbnb properties will have many users logging on and off the system. Consider adding another layer of security with something like this Ubiquiti Unifi Security Gateway or the WatchGuard Firebox T80 Security Appliance, which comes with three years of support.
You should lock your modem and router up so guests can’t disable Wifi or connected devices like a Ring doorbell.
Airbnb Wifi Password Ideas
When it comes to creating the perfect Wifi password, it should be something that is sufficiently complicated to avoid unauthorized users from guessing it. Of course, it should also be something that you will not have difficulty recovering. Change it regularly to avoid compromising the data and always leave it somewhere that guests will not have any problem finding it.
Leave an Airbnb Wifi Sign for Your Guests
These days, Wifi connectivity is a must-have Airbnb feature, so be sure your renters have a simple place to reference all the relevant information. Here’s the Wifi signage we use for all of our rentals:
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- Package Contains: you will receive 1 piece of password sign for home printed with words; At the same time, you will also get a refill blackboard erasable pen, and this combination can meet your daily needs, people can connect network with no confusion or ambiguity
- Quality Material: the table sign is made of quality wooden material, which is reliable and not easy to fade, and not easy to broke, in addition, the base makes it not easy to remove, so you can use the table sign for a long time
After your router is set up, you may want to consider a video doorbell to monitor your guests via an app on your smart phone. Check out our in-depth Ring Doorbell review here….>>
