You might have a standalone equipment or acombo router and modem.
It might belong to yourinternet service provider, or maybe you decided tobuy a router.
How Long Do Routers Really Last?
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At the current pace of change, the average lifespan for a router is probably about five years.
Upgrading every five years ensures that you’ll always have the best features and performance without unnecessary side-grades.
Age is another strong indicator as to when it’s time to replace a router.
If your router has reached a tipping point in all of those categories, it’s time to upgrade.
Features like longer ranges andmesh compatibilityare important if you have a lot of space to cover.
USB ports and the ability to connectnetwork-attached storage(NAS) are important across the board.
If you determine that the router is at fault, then it’s time for a replacement.
If the router’s in a confined space, it probably has dust-clogged vents.
Wear and tear, damage due to heat, and outdated technology are critical factors to consider.
The other significant factor that plays into replacing a router due to time is outdated hardware.
The most important indicator of whether a router is ready to be replaced is its wireless standard.
If you have a Wi-Fi 5 router, it’s more complicated.
For example, today’sbest long-range routersare far beyond the capabilities of the best options just a few years ago.
Another vital router feature is how many bands are supported.
If your router only supports a single 2.4GHz band, then it’s probably time to upgrade.
