
Shop Black Friday deals on portable SSDs as well as laptop and desktop memory. We've pictured the Crucial X10 4TB Portable SSD for $229.99 ($166 off). Shop Now at Amazon

Get deals on select desktop models as part of Amazon's Black Friday Sale. Discounted brands include Lenovo, Dell, and HP. Shop Now at Amazon

Save on flash memory cards, flash drives, portable SSDs, and more. We've pictured the SanDisk 2TB Extreme Portable SSD for $170 ($30 off). Shop Now at Amazon

Get deals on Logitech mice, webcams, keyboards, and more as part of Amazon's Black Friday Sale. Shop Now at Amazon

There's some great deals here, including some all-time price lows. Including on the pictured Samsung Odyssey G9 G91F 49" Dual 1440p HDR Curved 144Hz Gaming Monitor for $699.99 Shop Now at Amazon

Now improved - shop memory cards, internal and external solid state drives, and flash drives. We've pictured this Samsung T7 1TB USB 3.2 Portable External SSD for $98.99 ($11 off.) Shop Now at Amazon

Brands include Samsung, Epson, Vankyo, Hisense, and more. Buy Now at Best Buy

As one of the Black Friday Deals at Best Buy, get over half off this chromebook. Buy Now at Best Buy

Get in on Black Friday deals early at Best Buy with a selection of PC gaming deals. We found monitors from $110, laptops from $550, and desktops from $880. Shop Now at Best Buy

Save on over 600 monitors this Black Friday week, with huge savings from brands like Samsung, Acer, HP, LG, Dell, and more. We've pictured the Samsung 32" 1440p HDR 180Hz FreeSync LED Gaming Monitor for $229.99 ($350 direct from the brand). Shop Now at Best Buy

As one of its daily deals, AntOnline via Best Buy has this ASUS Vivobook for $509.99, making it one of the lowest prices we've seen for this build. This deal ends today. Buy Now at Best Buy
- 16" 1920 x 1200 display
- Intel 13th Generation Core i7-1355U CPU
- 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD
- Windows 11 Home

Save on over 70 models, some at all-time lows. We've pictured the Apple MacBook Air M2 13.6" Laptop (2022) for $649 (all-time low, $150 savings). Buy Now at Best Buy

Gaming laptops start from $780, and desktops from $1,125, in Lenovo's Black Friday sale. With RAM prices notoriously skyrocketing, this is a great way to avoid overpaying right now. Each PC features an Nvidia RTX 5000-series GPU. (PCs with 8GB GPUs start from $780, and ones with 16GB GPUs start from $1,650.) Shop Now at Lenovo

Lenovo's Black Friday sale takes up to 70% off laptops, desktops, monitors, peripherals, and more — doorbuster laptops start from $229, doorbuster desktops from $879, and doorbuster monitors from $80. (Note that many deals require promo codes to get their listed price, as noted on the sale and product pages.)
Plus, for any items not specifically marked as doorbusters, Black Friday deals, or clearance, you can use promo code "LENOVOHOLIDEAL" to get an extra $150 off orders of $500 to $750, an extra $25 off $750 to $1,000, an extra $40 off $1,000 to $2,000, or an extra $100 off $2,000 or more. Shop Now at Lenovo

Apply promo code "EARLYHOLIDEAL" to get an extra $150 off orders of $500 to $750, an extra $25 off $750 to $1,000, an extra $40 off $1,000 to $2,000, or an extra $100 off $2,000 or more. (It stacks with the promo codes that are already required on many of these laptops and desktops.) Some exclusions apply. Shop Now at Lenovo

Apply promo code "EARLYHOLIDEAL" to get an extra $150 off orders of $500 to $750, an extra $25 off $750 to $1,000, an extra $40 off $1,000 to $2,000, or an extra $100 off $2,000 or more. Deals start from $300. Some exclusions apply. Shop Now at Lenovo

Apply promo code "EARLYHOLIDEAL" to get an extra $150 off orders of $500 to $750, an extra $25 off $750 to $1,000, an extra $40 off $1,000 to $2,000, or an extra $100 off $2,000 or more. (It'll stack with any coupons listed on the sale and product pages.) That drops starting prices on these desktops to $494.15. Some exclusions apply. Shop Now at Lenovo

Nearly 70 items are discounted in Lenovo's Black Friday sale, ranging from laptops and tablets to laptop bags and keyboards. Shop Now at Lenovo

Dell's Black Friday sale is in full swing with savings on laptops from $250. We've pictured the Dell 14 Ultra 7 255H 14" Laptop w/ 16GB RAM & 512GB SSD for $1,000 ($550 off). Shop Now at Dell Technologies

We've pictured the Dell Alienware Aurora Ultra 7 Gaming Desktop w/ NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 for $1,200 ($250 drop from last week and the lowest price we've seen). Shop Now at Dell Technologies

Shop Black Friday deals on headphones docks, mice, keyboards, gaming chairs, and more. We've pictured the Alienware Tri-Mode Wireless Gaming Mouse for $100 ($30 off). Shop Now at Dell Technologies

Shop over two dozen monitors in this sale with prices starting at $80. We've pictured the Alienware AW2725DF 25" 1080p HDR 320Hz Gaming Monitor for $200 (low by $50). Shop Now at Dell Technologies

That's $200 below the original price. Buy Now at Dell Technologies
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265 20-Core 1.8GHz to 5.3GHz CPU
- 16GB RAM & 512GB SSD
- Windows 11 Home
- Model: EBT2250

That's a $200 savings on this Black Friday deal. Buy Now at Dell Technologies
- Intel Core 7 150U 1.8GHz / 1.2GHz 10-Core CPU
- 14" 1920x1200 IPS display
- 16GB RAM; 1TB SSD
- Windows 11 Home
- Model: DC16250

Nearly 50 builds are discounted in HP's Black Friday desktop sale. Deals start from $370. Everything ships for free too. Shop Now at HP

Save on over 50 builds, with prices starting from $170. Several of the laptops are priced at $500 or less. Plus, all orders ship for free. Shop Now at HP

Take up to 77% off doorbusters, including gaming desktops, laptops, printers, docks, and more. PC care packs are up to 30% off. Shop Now at HP

Save on gaming desktops, monitors, and accessories in HP's Black Friday sale. Shop gaming monitors from $180, and gaming desktops from $450. Plus, all orders get free shipping. Shop Now at HP

Nearly 40 builds are discounted in HP's Black Friday desktop sale. Deals start from $450. Everything ships for free too. Shop Now at HP

Shop Black Friday prices on over 50 laptop models for gaming, home, and business. We've pictured the HP Pavilion Core 5 120U 16" Laptop w/ 512GB SSD for $429.99 ($590 off). Shop Now at HP

Shop these refurbished Apple Mac Mini early Black Friday deals. These November 2025 price drops are ongoing deals. Warranty info will vary by item. Buy Now at Walmart

Save on refurbished Apple MacBook Pro laptops at Walmart in these early Black Friday deals. These November 2025 price drops are ongoing deals. Warranty information varies by item. Buy Now at Walmart

With these early Black Friday deals, you can save on new and refurbished Apple iPads across multiple generations. These November 2025 price drops are ongoing deals. Shop Now at Walmart

Save on everything Apple at Walmart in these early Black Friday deals. These November 2025 price drops are ongoing deals. We saw up to 50% off Apple items on Black Friday itself last year. Shop Now at Walmart

Save on refurb and used Apple iMacs at Walmart in these early Black Friday deals. These November 2025 price drops are ongoing deals. Save on iMacs as recent as the M4-equipped models, and going back as far as 2013. Buy Now at Walmart

Save on mostly refurbished Apple MacBook Air laptops in these early Black Friday deals. These November 2025 price drops are ongoing deals. Warranty information will vary by item. Buy Now at Walmart

Using promo code "AFDNEARLYBF" here gets 45% off these 26 refurb Precision 5570 laptops — prices start from $422.95 after it's applied. These laptops feature 12th-gen. i7 CPUs, 1080p or 4K displays, 16GB or 32GB RAM, and up to 1TB SSDs. They also come with a 100-day Dell warranty. Shop Now at Dell Refurbished Store

Use promo code "AFDNEARLYBF200" to get $200 off over 20 convertible builds, equipped with 11th-generation i7 CPUs — deals start from $489 after it's applied. These laptops also feature 16GB or 32GB RAM, and up to a 1TB SSD. All systems also come with a 100-day Dell warranty. Shop Now at Dell Refurbished Store

Use promo code "AFDNEARLYBF200" to get $200 off any refurbished Dell 2-in-1 laptop — deals start from just $209 after it's applied. You'll also get free shipping. All refurb Dell systems get a 100-day Dell warranty. Shop Now at Dell Refurbished Store

Use our promo code "AFDNEARLYBF" to get this discount on nearly 200 workstations. After it's applied, deals start from $318.45. Plus, all orders ship for free, and come with a 100-day Dell warranty. Shop Now at Dell Refurbished Store

Get $200 off any 2-in-1 laptop via promo code "EARLYBF200" or take 45% off precision workstations via coupon code "EARLYBF". They all ship for free though you must enter your ZIP code before the coupon to get this. A 100-day Dell warranty applies to all builds. Shop Now at Dell Refurbished Store

The promo code "EARLYBF" cuts an extra 45% off the price of all of these refurbished Dell Precision laptops today, as part of the store's Early Black Friday Sale. All orders get free shipping (you'll need to enter your ZIP before the coupon code to see it). These refurbished systems get a 100-day Dell warranty, too. Shop Now at Dell Refurbished Store

With storage and RAM prices expected to rise for the foreseeable future, Newegg's Black Friday sale offers an ideal time to stock up — along with savings on GPUs, CPUs, and more. Deals include major brands such as Seagate, Samsung, Corsair, MSI, AMD, and others. Shop Now at Newegg

Score deals on over 275 gaming desktop and laptops from brands like MSI, Acer, HP, and more. We've pictured the VTG Gaming Ryzen 5 Gaming Desktop PC w/ RX 6750 XT Graphics for $949 ($1,150 off). Shop Now at Newegg

That's $500 off and the best price we could find. Buy Now at Newegg
- 12th generation Intel Core i5 12400F 2.5GHz 6-Core CPU
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 graphics
- 16GB RAM; 1TB NVMe SSD
- Windows 11 Home

Score deals on RAM from $22, SSDs from $9, and flash memory cards and sticks from $3. We've pictured the Corsair Vengeance RGB 32GB DDR5 Desktop Memory Kit for $94.99 via coupon code "BFEDY2A75" - a $15 low. Shipping starts at $2.99, but most items ship for free. Shop Now at Newegg

Score big savings on memory cards and hard drives, cameras and their accessories, laptops and monitors, and more, from brands including SanDisk, Apple, Nikon, Canon, Samsung. Many items get free 2-day shipping. Shop Now at B&H Photo Video

Save on MacBooks, AirPods, iPads, and much more. We've pictured the Apple Mac Studio M2 Max Desktop w/ 32GB RAM & 1TB SSD (2023) for $1,999 ($200 less than Apple charges). Shop Now at B&H Photo Video

That's $600 off and the best price we could find. (And a very good price for a build with these specs in general.) Plus, you'll score Indiana Jones and the Great Circle for PC for free. Buy Now at B&H Photo Video
- 14th generation Intel Core i7-14700F 2.1GHz / 1.5GHz 20-Core CPU
- 32GB RAM; 1TB SSD
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Super 16GB GPU
- WiFi 6
- Windows 11 Home
- Model: 90UT001SUS

Save on iPad, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, AirPod, and more. We've pictured the recently-released Apple MacBook Pro M3 Pro 14" Laptop which is already down to $1,799 (from $1,999). Shop Now at B&H Photo Video

Deals include as much as $900 off MacBooks, up to $150 off iPads, and up to $80 off AirPods. Shop Now at B&H Photo Video

If you're looking to upgrade or build a new PC, this is a solid pick and $100 off list. It's ideal for heavy computing, high resolution graphics ,and PC gaming. (It can also be used in a PlayStation 5.) Get it sooner with in-store pickup at your local Best Buy. Buy Now at Samsung

Find Black Friday pricing on solid state drives, USB flash drives, and memory cards. We've pictured the Samsung T9 Portable 1TB SSD for $135 ($70 off). Shop Now at Samsung

There are six options on sale. We've pictured the Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 49" Curved Monitor for $1,200 ($600 off) Shop Now at Samsung

Shop a variety of laptop deals well before Black Friday 2025 actually starts. You'll save up to $550 off select machines, with something for nearly every budget. Shop big brands like Dell, Apple, LG, Lenovo, and more. Shop Now at Costco

Shop for a shiny new desktop for less with these Black Friday 2025 deals. You'll find machines suitable for gaming, work, and more, from big brands including Dell, Acer, and Apple, among others. Shop Now at Costco

Shop deals on computers, accessories, tablets, storage, and more at Adorama as part of its Black Friday sale. Shop Now at Adorama

That's 25% off and a great price low for a core i7 with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD. Buy Now at Adorama
- FHD 1920x1080 resolution
- 11th Gen Intel Core i7-1165G7 CPU
- 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD
- Windows 11 Home
- Model: NX.ADDAA.00M

This Doorbuster sale has everything from Lenovo small form factors to iMacs. These Woot desktop sales tend to sell out fast, so act quick. These deals end December 16, 2025. Buy Now at Woot! An Amazon Company

Best Buy via eBay has over 100 new and refurbished laptops and desktops discounted up to 50% off (many prices drop in-cart). This sale includes Apple, HP, ASUS, CyberPower, and more. Shop Now at eBay

Save on solid state drives, gaming memory, and more. We've pictured the Crucial T700 2TB PCIe Gen5 NVMe M.2 SSD for $179.99 ($123 off). Buy Now at Crucial

Save on Apple iPads in Target's early Black Friday deals. We saw up to 38% off last Black Friday. These November 2025 price drops are ongoing deals. Shop Now at Target

Starting November 29, you'll get an Apple gift card worth up to $200 with select purchases. Some highlights include:
- Up to $200 Apple Gift Card w/ MacBook Air M3 13" or 15", or M2 13"
- Up to $100 Apple Gift Card w/ 10th Gen. iPad, iPad Air, or iPad Pro
- Up to $75 Apple Gift Card w/ iPhone 15, 14, or SE
- Up to $75 Apple Gift Card w/ Airpods 4, Pro 2, or Max
But there are lots more ways to get a gift card. This offer is available online, at Apple Stores, and in the Apple App. Shop Now at Apple

Epson's Black Friday sale sees printers starting at $60 and scanners at $90. Shop Now at Epson

New users who activate and install a Verizon Fios 1 Gig or 2 Gig Home Internet plan can score this TV for free - a $400 value. Some exclusions and terms apply. Shop Now at Verizon Home Internet

SanDisk has released some early Black Friday deals on storage drives and memory cards, discounted up to 40% off. Also, check out some of the bundle offers to stack extra savings. Shipping is free on orders over $50. Shop Now at SanDisk
Everything Else (2)

The Stacksocial Early Black Friday Sale 2025 is now live with big price drops on best sellers and doorbusters and discounts of up to 94%. It includes Microsoft software, AI programs, and VPNs, as well as MacBooks and headphones at price lows. Shop Now at StackSocial

Save on laptops, desktops, and monitors. We've pictured the Acer Nitro 16 Ryzen 9 Gaming Laptop w/ 16GB, 1TB, and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 for $1,400 ($400 off). Shop Now at Acer
Computers: The Basics
Shopping for computers doesn’t have to drain your savings — if you know how to find the best prices. Our team of experts review the sales and publish the best computer deals so you don’t have to work half as hard.
How to Save on Streaming Services
Computers: The Basics
Shopping for computers doesn’t have to drain your savings — if you know how to find the best prices. Our team of experts review the sales and publish the best computer deals so you don’t have to work half as hard.
Basic Computer Terminology
You don’t have to be a tech wiz to buy your next computer. Make note of these common terms to help you when you’re shopping computer sales!
- Operating System (OS): This is the system that controls how your computer performs basic functions. The most common operating systems you’ll see right now are Windows 10 and Mac OS X. They perform comparably, so picking one relies on personal preference.
- Random-access memory (RAM): The short-term memory of your computer. Your RAM controls how quickly and efficiently your computer is able to switch between tasks. The higher the RAM, generally, the better the performance.
- Processor (CPU): The powerhouse or “brain” of the computer, your processor handles your computer’s basic instructions, such as using your mouse and keyboard, or running applications. The two most popular CPU manufacturers are AMD and Intel. You can read about which processor is right for you in this article from Digital Trends.
- Storage: There are two types of physical computer storage, hard drives (HD) and solid state drives (SSD). SSD storage is more common these days because they are more stable and faster. While it’s ideal to aim for greater storage space, a bigger drive will cost more money. Determine your storage needs based on how you plan to use your computer. Abt recommends starting with at least 500 GB of storage space.
Additionally, some providers, like Verizon, offer streaming perks with select plans, giving you months of access to services like Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ at no extra cost. Annual payment options can also help you save, as they often come with a discount equivalent to getting one or two months free. For those on a budget, ad-supported plans provide the same great content at a fraction of the cost. Visit our Disney+ Subscription Cost page to explore pricing and options.
What Deals Are Available on Disney+ Bundles?
Disney+ bundle deals provide significant savings when combining services. For example, the Verizon Disney Bundle offered six months of Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ for free with select Unlimited plans. Bundles like the Disney+ Premium annual plan ($159.99) save you the cost of two months compared to monthly payments. Bundle options like the ad-supported Duo Basic plan (Disney+ and Hulu) start at $10.99 per month, while ad-free Duo Premium is $19.99. Learn more on the Disney+ Bundle Deals page.
You can also explore seasonal and promotional deals during events like Black Friday to maximize your savings. Check out the Best Disney+ Deals page for current offers.
How Much Is a Disney+ Subscription?
Disney+ subscriptions currently start at $8 per month for the ad-supported Basic plan, while the Premium ad-free plan is priced at $13.99 per month or $139.99 annually. Prices will increase beginning October 17, 2024, with the Premium plan rising to $15.99 per month or $159.99 annually. Explore all pricing options on the Disney+ Subscription Costs page.
Best Disney+ Deals
Disney+ offers value-packed streaming bundles, such as the Disney+, Hulu, and Max bundle starting at $17 per month with ads or $30 per month ad-free. Disney+ also supports paid sharing, allowing you to add one extra member for $6.99 per month with Basic or $9.99 per month with Premium. Prices are increasing on October 17, 2024, so finding deals like these is more important than ever. For more information, visit our Best Disney+ Deals page.
Best Disney+ Deals
Disney+ offers value-packed streaming bundles, such as the Disney+, Hulu, and Max bundle starting at $17 per month with ads or $30 per month ad-free. Disney+ also supports paid sharing, allowing you to add one extra member for $6.99 per month with Basic or $9.99 per month with Premium. Prices are increasing on October 17, 2024, so finding deals like these is more important than ever. For more information, visit our Best Disney+ Deals page.
Annual Disney+ Subscription Costs
Disney+ Premium annual plans cost $139.99 but will rise to $159.99 on October 17, 2024. Opting for the annual plan saves you the equivalent of two months compared to monthly billing. Note that annual payments are only available for standalone Disney+ Premium plans and not for bundles. Customize your subscription to include ad-supported or ad-free options with Hulu, ESPN+, or Max. See all pricing details on the Disney+ Subscription Cost page.
Basic Computer Terminology
You don’t have to be a tech wiz to buy your next computer. Make note of these common terms to help you when you’re shopping computer sales!
- Operating System (OS): This is the system that controls how your computer performs basic functions. The most common operating systems you’ll see right now are Windows 10 and Mac OS X. They perform comparably, so picking one relies on personal preference.
- Random-access memory (RAM): The short-term memory of your computer. Your RAM controls how quickly and efficiently your computer is able to switch between tasks. The higher the RAM, generally, the better the performance.
- Processor (CPU) : The powerhouse or “brain” of the computer, your processor handles your computer’s basic instructions, such as using your mouse and keyboard, or running applications. The two most popular CPU manufacturers are AMD and Intel. You can read about which processor is right for you in this article from Digital Trends.
- Storage: There are two types of physical computer storage, hard drives (HD) and solid state drives (SSD). SSD storage is more common these days because they are more stable and faster. While it’s ideal to aim for greater storage space, a bigger drive will cost more money. Determine your storage needs based on how you plan to use your computer. Abt recommends starting with at least 500 GB of storage space.
Basic Software for Your PC
When you start using your new computer, you’ll want to install some basic software to get going. Most pre-built computers come with a suite of software pre-installed with the OS.
Productivity Tools
Whether you opt for a package like Microsoft Office or iWork, opt for freeware like Open Office, or choose an online software pack like G Suite, it’s always a good idea to install a productivity software to help you with tasks like making spreadsheets, word processing, and viewing PDFs.
Internet Browser
Microsoft Edge and Safari are the standard browsers that come with a new computer, but many shoppers rely on browsers like Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox.
Cloud Storage
Not only does cloud storage give you more space than the limited physical storage on your PC, but it also gives you access to your files anywhere. Many companies like Google or Dropbox offer a limited amount of free cloud storage.
Antivirus Software
Antivirus tools do more than simply keep viruses at bay; they also protect against malware, phishing, adware, spyware, and more. Windows 10 comes with Microsoft Security Essentials as a default, and security options are built into Mac OS X (as opposed to a standalone program). That said, antivirus suites like Norton, McAfee, and Bitdefender may offer you more protection.
Media Player
Many laptops and desktops no longer include a physical media drive. If you plan on watching any videos locally (not streamed online), it’s useful to have a media player. Typically, this software is built in, but check out this list for some info on the best media players for Windows 10 and this one for Mac.
Music Player
Not to be confused with a media player, a good music application is worth installing on your computer. Spotify, iTunes, and Pandora are some common favorites that give you access to a practically limitless selection. The desktop versions make it easier to browse and build playlists.
Computer Deal Subcategories
DealNews offers the best deals on computers and computing accessories. You can browse our deals in different categories including, but not limited to:
Whether you’re looking for a new work laptop, or want to find a quality gaming system, check out our selection of the best laptop deals here.
Did you know you should replace your computer every 4 to 5 years to keep up with the latest performance and security updates? Check out the best computer deals for your next desktop here.
Did you know that DealNews first launched as a deal website for Apple Macintosh products? While we’ve grown significantly since then, we still know how to find the best Apple computer deals!
Maybe you’re in the market for a larger streaming device for your kids, or maybe you’d like a device to serve as your e-reader (with a few extra perks). Whatever you’re searching for, check out the best tablet and iPad deals here.
- Peripherals
Routers , monitors , input devices , and more! These devices make using your computer more comfortable and practical. Be sure you search our site to save big!
When shopping computer sales, check out DealNews before going anywhere else, so you know you’ll always find the best deals!
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I purchase a laptop or desktop?
It’s important to review your needs before buying a laptop or desktop computer.
- What’s your budget? Because they’re bigger and more modular, desktop computers tend to outperform laptops. A desktop’s customizability means your budget can go a lot further. However, laptops have other advantages over desktops.
- Do you need portability? High-end laptops are generally more expensive, but a laptop will always win the portability debate.
- How much power do you need? Desktops have more room to work with, so you can add more RAM, more storage, a bigger graphics card, and other performance improvements. But if you don’t need all that, then a mid-tier laptop may be the cheaper choice.
- Are you a gamer? Laptops that are built for gaming are among the most expensive on the market. That said, if you’re not comfortable selecting individual pieces to build a gaming desktop, you may be willing to pay a premium to get that performance.
- Don’t forget the repairs. If you’re handy, you can often repair or replace parts in a desktop computer with the help of online guides. Most laptops require specialized tools and skills to repair, so desktop fixes tend to be cheaper.
Overall, desktop computers have a lot of advantages, but the lack of portability can be a deal breaker. No matter what you decide, be sure to check out specs and buying guides from the DealNews Blog and other reputable sources like CNET or PCMag. Then shop DealNews for the best computer deals!
How do I get my external hard drive to show up?
Once you’ve ensured that your external drive is plugged in and powered on, check out these steps from PCMag:
- Try a different USB port.
- Try a different PC.
- Update your drivers.
- Format the drive.
What is a VPN?
VPN stands for “virtual private network.” A VPN protects your internet usage by routing your internet connection through a private server. Using a VPN keeps your online browsing more private and also grants you access to websites and content that may not be available in your country.
For more information about VPNs, visit our NordVPN Free Trial Guide and our NordVPN Subscription Cost Page.
How can I boost my WiFi signal?
When your internet connection seems impossibly slow, the cause isn’t your provider, but your WiFi signal strength. Check out these options to boost your WiFi signal:
- Update your router firmware. Each router is different, but you can typically use the steps found here to run updates.
- Place your router in the most optimal space. You want to place your wireless router away from walls or obstructions. If possible, put it in the most central place in your home.
- Pick a different frequency. If you have a dual-band router, try using the 5GHz band. This band offers higher speeds and may get an additional boost if fewer devices are connected to it.
- Change the channel. While most routers will automatically choose the channel with the least congestion, some cheaper routers may require you to manually update it.
- Upgrade your router. How old is your current router? If it's a previous-generation 802.11b model, upgrading could improve your wireless signal. If you already have a newer 802.11n or Wi-Fi 6 router, you're in good shape.
- Replace the antenna. You may boost your signal by adding or replacing an external antenna. PCMag recommends purchasing one marked “high-gain” and opting for a directional antenna rather than an omnidirectional one.
- Add a wireless range extender. If you only want to boost coverage in one or two rooms, a WiFi extender can help you eliminate dead spots. Check out this guide from the DealNews Blog.
Switch to a mesh WiFi system. Wireless mesh networking is becoming more popular because it can provide more complete coverage throughout the home. Mesh systems replace your router and work seamlessly to eliminate coverage gaps.
A Georgia girl with three years of experience in IP Law and grounded in understanding marketing and consumer motives. When she's not working with the fabulous staff of DealNews, you can find her whining at rowing practice and browsing the Hot Deals on the site.