WOW! Whole Home WiFi vs. Traditional Routers: Which Is Better?

Reliable and efficient WiFi has become a necessity for both homes and businesses, as connectivity needs continue to grow. Traditional routers have been a common solution for many years. But they often face limitations in providing seamless coverage, managing multiple devices, and maintaining strong security. 

WOW! Whole Home WiFi offers a modern alternative with advanced features designed to overcome these challenges. This comparison examines the differences between traditional routers and WOW! Whole Home WiFi showcases how the latter delivers better performance and a more seamless connectivity experience.

What Is a Traditional Router?

Routers have become essential in today's connected world. The market growth reflects the demand. The global market for routers was valued at approximately USD 50.50 billion in 2022. Grand View Research projects that the market will reach USD 84.12 billion by 2030. This reflects a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.3% due to rising demand for network connectivity.

A traditional router connects directly to your modem, acting as a central hub that distributes WiFi signals to your devices. You can think of it like a lighthouse. It emits a strong signal, but the connection weakens as you move farther away. Many people place their routers in common areas like the living room or home office. This can lead to slower speeds or even dead zones in more distant rooms.

These routers typically operate on two frequency bands - 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. Slower speeds but a wider service area are provided by the 2.4 GHz frequency. Meanwhile, the 5 GHz band delivers faster speeds but has a limited range.

Advantages of Traditional Routers

• Lower Upfront Cost: Traditional routers typically require only a one-time purchase, making them an affordable option.

• Simplicity: For small apartments or homes under 1,500 sq. ft., a single router can effectively manage all your connectivity needs.

• Compatibility: These routers are compatible with nearly all internet service providers and devices, ensuring broad usability.

What is WOW! Whole Home WiFi?

WOW! Whole-Home WiFi utilizes mesh network technology. It consists of multiple WiFi access points (or nodes) working together to create a single, seamless network. Unlike a traditional setup that relies on one central router, each node communicates with the others. This helps distribute the signal evenly throughout your home.

USA Today states that WOW! Internet has been delivering internet services since 1996. With fiber network speeds ranging from 100 Mbps to 5,000 Mbps, they specialize in cable and fiber-optic plans. Additionally, WOW! provides a range of home Wi-Fi plans with no contracts and price locking.

To illustrate, think of a traditional router as a party where only one person has a microphone. In contrast, WOW! Whole Home WiFi is like a party where everyone has a microphone connected to the same sound system. This setup ensures consistent signal strength no matter where you are in your home.

Benefits of WOW! Whole Home WiFi

WOW! Whole Home WiFi offers several advantages that enhance your internet experience. Seamless coverage is crucial. The global wireless connectivity market is projected to see substantial growth in the coming years. 

Precedence Research estimates it to rise from $103.87 billion in 2024 to approximately $373 billion by 2034. This is with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.64% between 2025 and 2034. The growing demand highlights the importance of eliminating dead zones and ensuring strong connectivity throughout every corner of your home.

In addition to wide coverage, WOW! Whole Home WiFi provides stronger performance for multiple devices, making it ideal for smart homes filled with various gadgets. The system is designed to handle numerous connections simultaneously without compromising speed or reliability.

Another significant benefit is the self-optimizing network capability, which automatically finds the best path for data. This feature improves stability and enhances overall performance throughout your home. 

Comparing Traditional Router and WOW! Whole Home WiFi

Here's a comparison of Traditional Routers and WOW! Whole Home WiFi based on key aspects:

Speed and Performance

Traditional routers often provide strong speeds when you're close to them. However, these speeds can drop significantly as you move further away. This can be particularly frustrating when streaming in the bedroom or gaming in the basement. 

The number of internet users worldwide increased from 5.3 billion in 2023 to 5.5 billion in 2024, as per Statista. This accounted for 68 percent of the world's population. Easier access to computers, global modernization, and increased smartphone usage have made internet access more common and convenient.

In such a scenario, speed cannot be compromised. WOW! Whole Home WiFi addresses this issue by distributing speed more evenly across your home, ensuring consistent performance regardless of your location. 

For homes over 2,000 sq. ft. or those with multiple floors, traditional routers often struggle. This necessitates the use of extenders that create separate networks and can be cumbersome to manage. WOW!’s mesh system eliminates these challenges by connecting all nodes under one network name.

Ease of Setup and Management

Setting up a traditional router is generally straightforward but can be intimidating for those who aren't tech-savvy. The typical process involves connecting the router to your modem with an Ethernet cable and plugging it into a power outlet. 

You then configure it through a web browser interface. This may seem simple. But the settings page can often be overwhelming, filled with technical terms that may confuse the average user.

WOW! simplifies this experience with its Whole Home WiFi system. Instead of dealing with a complicated setup screen, users can follow self-installation guides that walk them step by step through the installation process. 

The guided setup is designed for everyone, including those who have never installed a router before. Additionally, WOW! offers the option of professional support, allowing you to have a technician set everything up for you. 

FAQs

How much is WOW! Wi-Fi a month?

WOW! offers flexible internet plans starting at $30 per month for 300 Mbps. Customers can also choose 600 Mbps for $45, or 1,000 Mbps for $60. For households needing faster uploads, a symmetrical 1,000 Mbps plan is also available at $60 per month.

Who needs Whole-Home WiFi?

Whole-Home WiFi is ideal for larger or multi-story homes where a single router may not provide adequate coverage. It helps eliminate dead zones in walled rooms, ensuring a strong and consistent internet connection across the entire home. This makes it perfect for streaming, gaming, and remote work.

Do I need a router for WOW! Internet?

Yes, a router is required for WOW! Internet. Customers can either use their own compatible router or lease a WOW! modem or Whole-Home WiFi system for a monthly fee. Using WOW!-approved equipment ensures better performance and reliable speeds for your chosen internet plan.

When comparing traditional routers to WOW! Whole Home WiFi, the differences are clear. While traditional routers may work for small spaces with minimal connectivity needs, they often fall short in larger homes. Such environments require seamless coverage and support for multiple devices. WOW! Whole Home WiFi, with its mesh network technology, eliminates dead zones, ensures consistent speeds, and offers user-friendly management tools.