Can Two Routers Be Used on the Same Home Network?

If you have a large home network, you may encounter difficulties connecting to that network wirelessly from specific points in your home. A second router can improve network performance and help you stay connected from anywhere in your home. 

Can Two Routers Be Used on the Same Home Network?

Yes, using two (or even more than two) routers on the same home network is possible. The benefits of a two-router network include:

• Improved reach: Adding a second wireless router to an existing Wi-Fi network can extend its reach to accommodate far-away devices.
• Support for more wired devices: If the first router is wired Ethernet, it supports a limited number of connected devices (typically only four or five). A second router provides more open Ethernet ports, allowing additional computers to join the network.
• Support for mixed wired and wireless network setups: If you have a wired home network and want to connect Wi-Fi devices to it, installing a wireless router as the second router allows those devices to communicate while allowing the rest of the network to remain on Ethernet. Conversely, a second router also helps when most clients in the home are wireless, but a few Ethernet devices in one room (like game consoles and file-sharing servers) could benefit from a wired setup.
• Network isolation: If you heavily utilize the network connection between specific computers (such as frequent large file transfers or LAN gaming), installing those computers to run from one router keeps that network traffic from affecting the other router and its attached devices.

How to Choose a Router

There are many types of routers available. From routers that cost less than $50 to long-range routers, here are some of the top choices on the market, and all are available on Amazon.com:

• TP-Link AX1800: This is a Wi-Fi 6 router that supports speeds of up to 1.8 Gbps, VPN connectivity, and Amazon Alexa.
• ASUS AC1300: This ASUS router includes four external antennas for great coverage, easy setup via the web interface, and USB 3.0 ports to simplify file sharing over the network.
• NETGEAR AX5400: This gigabit router supports Wi-Fi 6 and has four Ethernet ports. It ships with a free trial of NETGEAR Armor, an "automatic shield" of protection for your devices.
  
• Linksys EA9300: If you need extreme coverage, this Alexa-compatible router not only has five gigabit Ethernet ports, but it can handle spaces as large as 3,500 sq ft with its six antennas.

How to Use Two Routers in One House

Installing a router to work as the second on a home network requires a special configuration. Setup involves choosing a good location, ensuring the right physical connections, and configuring IP address settings (including DHCP).

Alternatives to a Second Home Router

Instead of adding a second wired router to an existing network, use a network switch. A switch accomplishes the same goal of extending the size of a network, but it does not require any IP address or DHCP configuration, greatly simplifying the setup.

If you want to add another router to your network for coverage purposes, a mesh network or Wi-Fi extender could be an easier solution.