Treating your ISP's router as the brain of your home network is the biggest mistake you can make

Using your ISP's bundled router as the centerpiece of your home network limits performance, coverage, and control. ISP-provided routers are typically budget hardware that lacks support for modern wireless standards like Wi-Fi 7 and offers minimal configuration options. As home networks grow to include smart TVs, consoles, smart speakers, and security cameras, these limitations become more apparent. Switching to a dedicated third-party router provides better hardware, more control over settings, and independence from your ISP — so your network configuration survives a provider change.