Could Upgrading Your WiFi Be the Key to a Stress-Free Holiday Season?

The festive season is a time for connecting with friends and family—not wrestling with WiFi issues. With the rise in streaming, gaming, video calls, and online shopping over the holidays, a strong and reliable network is more essential than ever.

WRITTEN BY

NETGEAR Team

Here are 10 essential tips to make sure your WiFi is up to the task for a safe, seamless, and connected holiday experience:

1. Set Up a Guest Network for Security and Convenience

During the holidays, extra guests often mean more devices connecting to your network. To handle this demand securely, set up a guest WiFi network. With NETGEAR Nighthawk and Orbi WiFi 7 routers, you can create separate networks for guests and smart home devices, keeping your primary network secure while providing easy access for visitors. This way, guests can connect hassle-free, and your main network remains protected.

2. Avoid Network Overload During Gatherings

Large gatherings often lead to network overload on older routers, resulting in lag, dropped signals, and sluggish connections—hardly ideal during festive celebrations. WiFi 7 routers from NETGEAR can handle up to 200 devices at once, providing high speeds without interruptions. For extra guidance, try NETGEAR’s WiFi Device Calculator to find the right router to match your needs. For a smooth experience, consider pairing a multi-gigabit internet plan with a high-performance router or mesh system.

Bonus Tip: Your internet speeds are capped by your ISP plan, so opting for a 500 Mbps or 1 Gbps plan will ensure you can make the most of your WiFi network.

3. Ensure Whole-Home WiFi Coverage

Modern UK homes often have more than 20 connected devices across multiple rooms. WiFi dead zones in areas like upstairs bedrooms or the conservatory can disrupt the holiday experience. A whole-home WiFi mesh system, such as NETGEAR Orbi, eliminates weak signals, delivering consistent, high-speed WiFi throughout your home. Orbi’s mesh technology blankets every room with WiFi, so there’s no need to worry about where your guests can connect.

Bonus Tip: Don’t hide your router in a cupboard or behind holiday decorations. This can weaken the WiFi signal and slow down your internet connection.

4. Stream Holiday Movies from Across the Globe

Watching festive films together is a time-honoured tradition, but why stick to the usual? Using a VPN with a robust WiFi network, you can access holiday films from around the world. NETGEAR’s WiFi 7 routers support both wired and wireless connections for smooth, high-definition streaming without interruptions. Get the popcorn ready and settle in for an international holiday movie marathon.

5. Enjoy Crystal Clear Video Calls with Loved Ones

Distance doesn’t have to mean separation. With advanced routers from NETGEAR, upgrading to WiFi 7 can dramatically improve video call quality, ensuring that everyone feels like they’re in the same room. Setting up a cosy “chat corner” with festive lighting and a ring light can add to the atmosphere, creating a special space for holiday catch-ups with loved ones.

6. Instantly Share Holiday Moments on Social Media

Uploading photos and videos of your holiday festivities is simple when you have a strong WiFi connection. NETGEAR Nighthawk and Orbi systems provide superfast upload speeds, so you can share those festive moments instantly. A powerful WiFi setup allows everyone to join in on the celebration, bringing family and friends closer, even if they’re miles away.

7. Effortlessly Manage Smart Home Devices

From smart thermostats to security cameras, smart home devices can take holiday hosting to the next level. With NETGEAR’s Nighthawk and Orbi WiFi 7 routers, you can enjoy seamless control of all smart home gadgets, giving you complete command over lighting, heating, and even festive music. The NETGEAR app allows you to manage your entire network from your phone, so you can keep everything running smoothly even while busy with holiday preparations.

8. Keep Kids’ Screen Time in Check with Parental Controls

During the holidays, children may get more screen time than usual. With NETGEAR’s Smart Parental Controls, you can set age-appropriate access on your network, giving you peace of mind while allowing the kids to enjoy their online time. Keep them engaged and connected while managing their access to suit the family’s holiday routine.

9. Protect Your Network with Advanced Security Features

With so many devices connecting to your WiFi network, security becomes even more important. NETGEAR WiFi 7 routers come equipped with WPA3 encryption and NETGEAR Armor, providing a secure environment against potential online threats. Set up a secure guest network and enjoy peace of mind knowing your home network is protected, so you can focus on celebrating.

10. Stay Connected While Travelling with a Mobile Hotspot

If you’re travelling this holiday season, a reliable mobile hotspot keeps you connected on the go. NETGEAR’s Nighthawk M6 Pro Mobile Hotspot Router offers a secure, fast WiFi connection for up to 32 devices at once, making it perfect for sharing your travels in real time. Unlike public WiFi, which can be slow and insecure, a mobile hotspot offers a safe and private connection, wherever your adventures take you.

Could Upgrading Your WiFi Be the Secret to a Stress-Free Holiday?

Upgrading to a new WiFi system can enhance your festive season, providing stronger signals, increased speed, and the ability to handle more devices. Say goodbye to WiFi dead zones, lag, and buffering, and hello to a seamless holiday with NETGEAR’s latest WiFi solutions.
Make this season the best yet with the gift of reliable, high-performance WiFi from NETGEAR. Whether you’re hosting friends and family or sharing holiday moments across the miles, a strong network keeps you connected, safe, and stress-free.
Explore NETGEAR’s advanced WiFi options for a connected and enjoyable holiday season.

Explore NETGEAR’s advanced WiFi options for a connected and enjoyable holiday season.