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The Benefits of Wireless Home Networking
How a wireless home network can help you work and have fun
By Bradley Mitchell Bradley Mitchell Writer Massachusetts Institute of Technology University of Illinois An MIT graduate who brings years of technical experience to articles on SEO, computers, and wireless networking. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on June 30, 2021 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email In This Article
Expand Jump to a Section Network File Sharing Internet Connection Sharing Peripheral Sharing Online Gaming Telephone Home Entertainment Smart Devices More Benefits A wireless home network, also known as Wi-Fi, lets you share files, an internet connection, computer peripherals, and other devices more conveniently than a wired network. Here are some of the useful features that a home Wi-Fi network offers. Network File Sharing
Network file sharing among computers provides more flexibility than using portable disk drives. You can share photos, music files, and documents, plus you can save copies of important data on a different computer. Backups are a critical yet overlooked capability of home networking. Internet Connection Sharing
With a home network, multiple household members on various devices, including smartphones and tablets, can access the internet simultaneously without having to pay an ISP for multiple accounts. The internet connection may slow down when too many devices share it, but broadband internet services can handle a high load with little trouble. Printer and Other Peripheral Sharing
Once a home network is in place, setting up the computers to share a single printer is simple. You won't need to run from one system or another to print a file. Other electronics such as speakers, scanners, and webcams can be shared across networks, too. Online Gaming
Many popular home computer games support LAN (local area network) and online (internet-connected) modes so friends and family can play together. Telephone
Voice over IP (VoIP) services make and receive phone calls using an internet connection and a cellphone or landline. Home Entertainment
Home entertainment products such as digital video recorders (DVRs) and video game consoles support Wi-Fi. Integrating these products into your network enables online internet gaming, video sharing, and other advanced features. Wi-Fi also lets you use streaming media devices such as Roku, Amazon Firestick, and Chromecast anywhere in your home. With a subscription to a live video streaming service such as Sling TV, DirecTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV, and others, you can cut your cable TV connection. Likewise, services such as Netflix and Hulu provide access to a variety of movies and other prerecorded programming. Connecting your phone to the internet through Wi-Fi means that you won't use your plan's data allowance while you're home. Smart Devices
Among the newest entries in the world of Wi-Fi are smart devices such as thermostats, light bulbs, security systems, appliances, smoke detectors, TVs, and more. These use your home Wi-Fi network to enable control from connected smartphones, tablets, computers, speakers, and home assistants such as Google Home and Amazon Echo. Amazon.com Still More Benefits of Wi-Fi
Although you can realize most of the same benefits with a wired home network, consider building a wireless home (Wi-Fi) network instead for the following reasons: Device mobility: Wi-Fi frees notebook computers, tablets, and other portable devices from network cables. Use your device on the couch, on your porch, or wherever in the house is most convenient. Freedom from unsightly wires: No one has the time or inclination to fuss with outdated, inconvenient cables. Save substantial time and energy avoiding the cabling mess and going wireless. Modern convention: Wi-Fi has become the default networking technology for homes and businesses, and most products that can be networked are optimized for wireless connections. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire Connecting a PC to a Wireless Home Network One Home Network Sharing Two Internet Connections Can Two Routers Be Used on the Same Home Network? How to Connect Two Routers on a Home Network Can I Share Dial Up Internet Service Over a Wireless Network? How to Connect Chromecast to Hotel Wi-Fi How to Connect Two Home Computers Through a Network What Is a LAN (Local Area Network)? Share an Internet Connection in Windows How to Join a Wireless Network From Any Device 5 Things to Consider Before Buying a Wireless Router How to Build and Maintain the Best Home Network Wired vs. Wireless Networking How to Set Up Networks for Digital Devices What Is Wireless Home Theater? An Overview of Wireless Networking Technologies Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies