Slow Wi-Fi can be incredibly frustratingPete Gavan Senior Editor, Max Parry and Indigo Jones
15:59, 11 Aug 2025Updated 17:06, 11 Aug 2025
Certain household items can impact wifi speeds(Image: Issarawat Tattong via Getty Images)
Wifi users have been urged to move their routers away from a certain household item to boost their internet speeds. Slow Wi-Fi can be incredibly frustrating, especially when it interrupts streaming or disrupts a day of working from home.
Whilst many people may not fully understand how wifi works, knowing where to position your router for the best internet speeds and performance is key. Experts have pinpointed certain devices that could interfere with your Wi-Fi router’s performance, and one of them might be sitting right next to yours.
The placement of your router can significantly impact wifi performance, so knowing where to put it for uninterrupted film and TV show watching, as well as lag-free work and browsing, is crucial, according to hyperoptic.com. For money-saving tips, sign up to our Money newsletter here.
Any device that uses Bluetooth, such as a Bluetooth speaker, can greatly affect your wifi’s performance at home, the experts warned, reports Wales Online.
Bluetooth gadgets and wifi routers function on comparable radio frequencies. When these devices are placed too near each other in your household, they can interfere with your wifi speeds by using the same frequency, according to home technology specialists at hyperoptic.com..
The Institute of Physics defines Bluetooth as a “wireless system for connecting devices together such as computers and mobile phones when they are close to each other”.
Usually, one device, such as a phone, functions as the “main unit” whilst another device, like a Bluetooth speaker or wireless headphones, acts as the “peripheral”. These contraptions link using ultra-high frequency (UHF) radio waves.
Wifi works in a similar fashion, employing frequencies to provide a wireless internet connection for your mobile phone, computer, or smart TV.
Appliances such as microwaves also employ these frequencies and can hamper your Wi-Fi’s effectiveness, so it’s recommended to place your router away from this kitchen device to secure the best internet speeds.