A router isn't like a TV, a smartphone, or even an ageing laptop, in that it's not something that most people really think about upgrading regularly. Plenty will stick with whatever their ISP ships out to them, and it's only when something goes wrong, like dropped video calls or slow downloads, that thoughts about replacing the router start to creep in.

Slow Wi-Fi alone isn't the only tell that you need a router upgrade, though. If a router is due for retirement, you'll probably want to consider a few key things first. It's also worth checking if it's outdated enough that it's actually a security issue that could be putting all of the devices on your network at risk. There's also the question of whether new features and better Wi-Fi standards would make a big difference to the devices you own.

Every internet-connected device should get security updates. For a router, regular firmware updates will help keep the software on your router up-to-date. These are really important for any device you own, but for a router, acting as a gateway to your internet connection and to all of the other devices on your network, it's pretty essential.

Once support for your router ends, then any future vulnerabilities that have been discovered won't receive fixes. You'll still be able to connect to it and access the internet, but there could be a big hole in your security that can't be patched.

It won't always be clear if your router isn't getting firmware updates and reached end-of-life (EOL) status.

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