Boost your smart home with better internet
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Key takeaways
- Smart home devices use Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to automate or make everyday household tasks more convenient, saving time and mental energy.
- A reliable Wi-Fi connection is the foundation for an effective smart home, especially if you plan to expand your smart home network over time.
- The internet speed your smart home needs depends on how many smart devices you have, plus the number of everyday gadgets like tablets and cell phones you connect to Wi-Fi.
Smart home technology
A fully functional smart home network has become vital for managing many households.
Nearly half of all households were using at least one smart home device two years ago, and that number is expected to increase to over 80% by 2028, according to Statista.com.
Smart TVs are the most common smart devices, found in 76% of connected homes. This number is expected to grow as streaming services continue to replace traditional cable TV.
After smart TVs, voice assistants (or smart speakers) were the most popular, found in 32% of smart homes. Smart bulbs, streaming devices, security cameras, smart plugs, smart thermostats and smart locks each have between 15% and 25% usage.
Given the prevalence of smart home products, choosing a future-proof internet service provider (ISP) capable of supporting a smart home network is wise if you plan to invest in automated home conveniences for the long term.
How to set up your smart home network
Equipment req’s: The first step in setting up internet service for smart homes is to ensure your equipment is up to date and compatible with your internet connection and speed (if you’re using equipment supplied by your ISP, this shouldn’t be an issue).
- Up-to-date firmware and security settings are also essential, especially for home networks with multiple smart devices.
- Check your current settings by logging in to your router.
Wi-Fi 5 vs. Wi-Fi 6 vs. Wi-Fi 7: While choosing the best router has benefits, you don’t necessarily need the latest or most expensive technology — though it’s helpful to understand the core differences in router technology.
- Routers with Wi-Fi 5 provide better range but support fewer devices, while Wi-Fi 6 (or 6E) allows more devices to connect but has a shorter range.
- Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7 may not be backward compatible with all your existing devices.
- Wi-Fi 7 can support multi-gig speeds of over 10 GB, though this is largely irrelevant since most residences don’t reach these speeds.
Wi-Fi bands: Routers have multiple bands to organize and manage competing Wi-Fi signals in your home.
- 5 GHz bands provide faster speeds but have a shorter range, making these more suitable for high-bandwidth activities like streaming or gaming.
- Smart home devices typically connect to the 2.4 GHz network because it offers a longer range.
- Devices that automate lights, cameras or thermostats don’t require high speeds.
Smart home troubleshooting: While many routers automatically detect IoT (Internet of Things) devices and connect them to the appropriate band, sometimes things don’t go as planned.
- Start by turning both your device and router off and back on to eliminate any general syncing issues.
- If your smart device isn’t automatically connecting, try moving it closer to the router or placing your router in a more central location.
- Your smart home device could be trying to connect to the 5 GHz band. Fix this issue by restarting your router or manually selecting the 2.4 GHz network in your router or device settings (Wi-Fi bands can also be easily managed in many ISP apps).
Internet speed requirements for smart homes
Fiber and cable internet are typically best for supporting smart homes, as these technologies offer higher speeds to handle multiple devices.
- Fiber internet: Symmetrical upload and download speeds make fiber particularly beneficial for optimizing devices like security cameras that upload data to cloud storage.
- Cable internet: Fast download speeds up to 1 GB (1,000 Mbps) perform well with smart home networks.
- 5G internet: 5G internet can be sufficient for smart home networks, as long as the speed is adequate to support the number of devices in use.
How to optimize your internet for your smart home
A Wi-Fi network with ample coverage and signal strength is crucial for optimizing your smart home.
Ideally, you want your home Wi-Fi to reach every corner of your residence, from outdoor smart doorbells to interior smart assistants. If you are dealing with a slow connection or “dead zones” where Wi-Fi doesn’t reach, try these smart home internet solutions.
- Wi-Fi range: Wi-Fi extenders can significantly assist with coverage, especially in larger homes, unusual floor plans or homes with thick walls. Extenders and boosters amplify/rebroadcast your Wi-Fi signal, ensuring it reaches farther and covers more areas.
- Router placement: Setting your router in a central location, away from interference, is a simple way to instantly improve your Wi-Fi signal.
- Increase security: Strong passwords on your smart devices/Wi-Fi network and using VPNs when possible protects against viruses that slow down your network and prevents hackers from accessing your Wi-Fi.
- Updated devices: Updating your modem and router and ensuring your smart devices are running the latest software will create a more efficient smart home.
What internet speed do you need for a smart home?
The best internet for your smart home is largely determined by how many devices your network will be supporting.
Speed and reliability are the most significant factors when searching for smart-home-friendly internet — but your budget for internet, your preferred internet connection type and provider availability are also key considerations.
The best internet plans for smart homes offer unlimited data, as “always-on” smart devices are connected to Wi-Fi even when not in use.
Best internet for the most connected smart homes (20 devices or more)
| Provider* | Speed | Tech type |
|---|---|---|
| AT&T | 300–5,000 Mbps♱ | Fiber |
| Verizon Fios | 300–2,000 Mbps | Fiber |
| Google Fiber | 1,000–8,000 Mbps | Fiber |
†Speeds based on wired connection. Actual speeds may vary. For 5GIG, single device wired speed maximum 4.7Gbps. For more info, go to www.att.com/speed101. As of 03/20/25.
The best ISPs for home automation use fiber-optic networks. Quantum Fiber, Frontier Fiber and Kinetic by Windstream are other fiber internet options with regional availability.
Best internet for average smart home setup (approx. 20 devices)
| Provider* | Speed | Tech type |
|---|---|---|
| Xfinity | 50–6,000 Mbps | Cable |
| Spectrum | 500–1,000 Mbps | Cable |
| Cox | 100–2,000 Mbps | Cable |
Best internet for a growing smart home (10 devices or less)
| Provider* | Speed | Tech type |
|---|---|---|
| T-Mobile 5G Home | 87–415 Mbps | 5G |
| Verizon 5G Home | 300–1,000 Mbps | 5G |
Our review process: Allconnect’s picks for top internet providers for smart homes are based on a balance of speed, cost, technology type and availability. If these providers aren’t accessible in your area, compare options from nearby internet providers based on these factors. Explore our other internet reviews for more insights on top recommendations.
Our expert’s final take on seamless smart home connectivity
Internet reliability for smart home integration depends on the number of devices, the size of your home, the available internet providers in your area and the budget you’re working with.
- If you’re moving to a new location and smart home integration is a priority, ensure that a high-speed internet provider is available, as fiber and cable are not always accessible in newly built homes, especially in rural areas.
- Optimize your current internet service for your smart home network by using Wi-Fi boosters, relocating your gateway or disconnecting idle Wi-Fi devices.
- If your smart home integration isn’t working well due to slow internet, consider upgrading your speed or switching to a new provider.
This content is produced through an alliance between USA TODAY and Allconnect.com. Under the alliance, Allconnect publishes articles about broadband-related topics upholding strict editorial integrity standards in line with USA TODAY’s Principles of Ethical Conduct. The opinions, analyses, reviews and recommendations expressed are those of the Allconnect editorial staff alone. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information. Read more about our Allconnect Advertising Disclosure.
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