Can Wi-Fi Travel Through Walls? CNET Experts gave me the scoop

Can Wi-Fi Travel Through Walls? CNET Experts gave me the scoop. Does Wi-Fi travel through walls? It’s a simple question, but it’s one that gets asked a lot. Yes, but not entirely. I sought advice from several experts, including a CNET lab technician, as I didn’t fully understand. Find out what they have to say by reading on.

In recent years, Wi-Fi technology has steadily improved with the introduction of Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E, and Wi-Fi 7. Many people still struggle with their home internet, despite having an adequate Wi-Fi connection. According to a recent CNET broadband survey, 42% of respondents complained about unreliable connections. 

While many factors contribute to this, there are some quick fixes for boosting your Wi-Fi connection throughout your house. To optimize your Wi-Fi connection, we need to ask: Does Wi-Fi travel through walls? The best way to answer this question is to first understand how Wi-Fi technology works.  

How Wi-Fi Works

It is helpful to understand how Wi-Fi works before trying to determine whether it can pass through walls. In Wi-Fi (short for Wireless Fidelity), radio waves are used to transmit data between your router and your internet-connected devices. Up to a point, these radio waves are part of the electromagnetic spectrum and can penetrate different surfaces.

Local area networks (LANs) are governed by IEEE 802.11 standards, which define how wireless data is transmitted. These standards have evolved over time as follows:

• Improved efficiency and faster speeds with Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax).
• For reduced interference, Wi-Fi 6E has extended its bandwidth to 6GHz.
• Wireless 7 (802.11be): A new standard designed for ultra-fast speeds and low latency.

Do Wi-Fi Signals Pass Through Walls?

We are discussing whether Wi-Fi signals can penetrate walls in this discussion. Yes, technically, but several factors affect how effective this is.

Electromagnetic waves transmit Wi-Fi signals. The energy of these waves is absorbed, reflected, or refracted when they encounter obstacles like walls. Signal attenuation refers to this process.

Factors That Affect Wi-Fi Signal Penetration

1. Wall Material: Signal penetration is more difficult in some materials than in others. The following are common culprits that degrade Wi-Fi signals:

• Concrete
• Brick
• Metal
• Plaster
• Stone
• Double-glazed glass

Denser materials obstruct radio waves more.

2. Wall Thickness: Signals are naturally blocked by thicker walls. Compared to thin drywall, thicker concrete or stone walls can significantly weaken signal strength.

3. Distance from the Router: Signal strength diminishes over distance even when there are no walls. For 2.4GHz and 5GHz, routers have a limited effective range – typically 150 feet indoors.

Wi-Fi Frequency Bands and Their Behavior Through Walls

Most modern routers operate on dual-band or tri-band frequencies: 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and with Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7, even 6GHz.

• 2.4GHz Band: Better range and wall penetration, but slower speeds. For larger homes or when devices are far from the router.
• 5GHz Band: Speeds are faster, but range is shorter and wall penetration is less. Suitable for short distances with minimal obstructions.
• 6GHz Band (Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7): The highest performance with the least interference-but very poor penetration into walls.

Wi-Fi 7 and 6E: Game-Changers or Gimmicks?

Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 both aim to satisfy the growing demand for high-speed, low-latency connections. While Wi-Fi 6E adds a third frequency band (6GHz), Wi-Fi 7 doubles the channel width and adds Multi-Link Operation (MLO) to increase throughput.

Although these high-frequency bands offer speed advantages, they are vulnerable to wall penetration, making signal optimization strategies more important than ever.

How to Optimize Your Wi-Fi Signal Through Walls

Let’s explore practical solutions for improving your home internet experience now that you know the challenges Wi-Fi signals face.

Choose the Right Router

In smaller spaces (under 1,500 square feet), a traditional router may be sufficient. Upgrades to more advanced routers-or even to mesh networks-are ideal for multistory homes or homes with thick walls.

Top-tier routers with Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 7 support offer:

• Faster speeds
• Improved range
• Better bandwidth allocation

With Wi-Fi 6 support and excellent signal strength across bands, the Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX6000, for instance, is one of the best-performing routers.

Opt for a Mesh Router System

A mesh router system is the best option if your house layout includes multiple floors or irregular shapes. Multiple nodes are placed around a house to deliver a consistent signal.

Mesh systems like Google Nest Wi-Fi or Netgear Orbi provide seamless roaming and unified SSIDs, so you stay connected no matter where you are in the house.

Use a Wi-Fi Extender

Unlike mesh routers, Wi-Fi extenders (also called Wi-Fi boosters or repeaters) expand your signal into hard-to-reach places. You can use them to extend coverage outside or eliminate dead zones in specific rooms.

Providing strong performance in larger spaces, the Linksys RE7310 supports Wi-Fi 6.

Optimize Router Placement

Signal strength is heavily influenced by router placement. For maximum performance, follow these steps:

• Ensure that the router is centrally located
• Don’t hide it behind furniture or in cabinets
• Place it on a shelf or mount it high on the wall
• Electronics and metal appliances should be kept away from it

Place your router away from these poor locations:

• Located in the basement
• The floor is covered with
• Furniture that is heavy behind
• Located inside a closed cabinet
• Strong electronic signals or near another Wi-Fi router

Configure Router Antennas

It is possible to improve coverage by strategically positioning your router’s external antennas. Make sure both vertical and horizontal antennas are perpendicular to each other to ensure better signal distribution.

Monitor Performance with Speed Tests

To evaluate signal strength throughout your home, use speed test tools like Ookla or Fast.com. Using 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, test different areas and compare performance. You should adjust your setup accordingly.

Update Firmware Regularly

Make sure your router is running the latest firmware. It is common for manufacturers to release updates that improve performance, fix security vulnerabilities, and enhance compatibility with modern devices.

FAQS: Can Wi-Fi Travel Through Walls?

Can Wi-Fi travel through walls?

It is theoretically possible for Wi-Fi signals to pass through walls and other obstacles relatively easily. Nevertheless, some walls use reinforced concrete or are thicker and may block some signals. Wireless signals can easily penetrate materials such as drywall, plywood, wood, and glass.

Is there a way to travel with Wi-Fi?

You can access the internet on your phone while away from home by using mobile data from your carrier, connecting to a trusted Wi-Fi network, or using a mobile hotspot. To avoid high roaming fees when traveling internationally, consider getting a local SIM card, an eSIM, or a travel SIM.

Which Wi-Fi frequency will best travel through objects like walls?

In comparison to 5GHz and 6GHz, 2.4GHz has the best chance of penetrating walls, but it sacrifices throughput

Conclusion

Wi-Fi signals can travel through walls, but their effectiveness depends on the material of the walls, the signal frequency, and the overall setup of the network. With the right equipment, proper router placement, and advanced wireless standards like Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E, and Wi-Fi 7, you can dramatically improve the performance of your home network.