Do Wi-Fi Routers Have Batteries?
Your Wi-Fi router is the powerhouse for your network connections. That said, you can only surf the web for the duration of time your Wi-Fi router is on.
In this article, you will discover whether all Wi-Fi routers have batteries, how long Wi-Fi router batteries last, and the steps you can take to extend their lifespan.
Here is the short answer to whether Wi-Fi routers have batteries:
Most Wi-Fi routers have in-built batteries, especially if they are designed for use on the go. Besides their original battery, Wi-Fi routers allow the use of battery backups if their in-built batteries have low battery life.
How Long Does a Wi-Fi Router Battery Last?
The average battery life of your Wi-Fi router is 9 hours. Also, the type of connection your device works with determines how long your Wi-Fi router battery will last.
If, for instance, you are connected to the internet via a 4G network, your Wi-Fi router may last only 9 hours. With a 3G network connection, your battery may last even longer.
Best Wi-Fi Router with Battery Backup
Before you purchase a battery backup, you must ensure it is compatible with your router.
We have listed the best Wi-Fi routers in the market and the battery backups that are most suitable for them:
- Google Nest Wi-Fi Router (2200 Mbps): This Wi-Fi router is compatible with the following battery backups:
- APC Battery Backup Pro B×1350M
- APC Backup 3 Pro Gaming
- Linksys Ea8300 MAX-Stream Router (2200 Mbps): It is compatible with:
- Cyber Power CP1500PFCLCD SineWave UPS
- APC 650 8 Outlet Surge Protector and Battery Backup 120V.
- C7100V Netgear Nighthawk Cable Modem Wi-Fi Router (1900 Mbps): This Wi-Fi router is compatible with:
- APC UPS 600VA UPS Battery Backup & Surge Protector
- BE600M1 Backup Battery Power Supply
- TP-Link Archer 5 Wi-Fi Router (1200 Mbps): This router is compatible with Resonate CRU9V Router Backup.
- Archer C5400X AC5400 MU-MIMO Tri-band Gaming Router (1000mbps): This router is compatible with:
- APC Back-UPS Pro BR 1000VA Battery Backup & Surge Protector
- APC Smart UPS Battery Backup & Surge Protector with Smart Connect
- Cyberpower Intelligent LCD CP1500 AURLCD Uninterrupted Power Supply.
Do Wi-Fi Routers Have Inbuilt Batteries?
Most Wi-Fi routers, especially mobile versions, have in-built batteries. So, you need to recharge the batteries regularly for the device to work optimally.
Users who cannot charge their Wi-Fi router battery regularly can purchase a battery backup or UPS for extra power supply.
Is It Alright to Use a Wi-Fi Router While Charging?
Avoid using your Wi-Fi router while charging it. Charging your router while it is running can shorten the lifespan of the battery.
Moreover, your battery may overheat and become damaged if you use your router while charging the battery.
You may have noticed that your router temperature rises if you use it for a long time. Likewise, charging your battery often increases the temperature of the Wi-Fi router.
It is only natural that carrying out both actions simultaneously would cause an abnormal rise in battery temperature.
Also check out our article about how long Verizon Backup Batteries last.
Why Is My Wi-Fi Router Battery Draining Fast?
Your W-Fi router battery only lasts for a few hours. You should know that several factors determine how long a Wi-Fi router battery lasts. These factors include:
- The type of connection: Strong network connections like 5G and 4G connections tend to use a lot of power. As a result, your Wi-Fi battery life falls fast. Your Wi-Fi router battery will last longer if your device runs on a relatively weaker connection, like a 3G connection.
- The amount of data you consume: The amount of data you consume while browsing the internet also affects your Wi-Fi router battery life. For instance, your battery is likely to die much faster if you stream videos on Netflix than if you chat.
When Should You Replace Your Wi-Fi Router Battery?
Your Wi-Fi router will develop faults before it finally loses its function. Since a defective battery can affect the router itself, it’s best that you change your router immediately you notice any of these faults.
Here are some of the signs:
- Your battery is swollen.
- Your router doesn’t start charging immediately you plug it into a charger.
- Your router only comes up when you insert the charger.
Does Battery Power Impact Wi-Fi Connection Strength?
When your Wi-Fi router battery is low, your router will transmit signals to your device at a slower pace than usual.
So, low battery life often translates to poor Wi-Fi connection strength.
In contrast, your videos, chats, and online games will load faster if your Wi-Fi router is fully charged.
Can I Use a Power Bank to Provide Power Supply to My Wi-Fi Router?
If you often use your Wi-Fi router on the go, it might be difficult to charge the battery.
In such situations, you can use a power bank to supply power to your Wi-Fi router.
Just plug in the power bank to a USB port on your Wi-Fi router, and you are good to go.
As an alternative, you may purchase a battery backup or UPS to supply power to your router when your battery is flat.
Final Words
Your Wi-Fi router is your primary source of connection. That is why it is essential to understand how their batteries work.
We hope this article has answered the questions you have about Wi-Fi router batteries.
Once new information about Wi-Fi router batteries becomes available, we will update this article’s content to reflect the changes.