We thought we’d actually start with an important fact before launching into our review – BT and EE have merged. The EE brand is becoming the primary consumer brand and BT broadband will eventually be just for business customers. It won't mean that much to customers apart from the fact they may start to see the EE brand on devices and online. This includes routers.
When you now renew your contract or sign up for a BT deal, you'll probably be offered EE packages and products, rather than BT. Regardless of this, we’re carrying on with our run down of BT’s supplied router as it’s still a relevant and popular option.
Anyone signing up to BT broadband this year will get the Smart Hub 2 router.
Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) ready network: This router is part of the fifth generation (not Wi-Fi 6) in networking standards that supports higher data rates, allowing for quicker downloads, smoother streaming, and more responsive online gaming.
Free with any BT contract: Whether you are signing up for the most basic ADSL package or full fibre, this router will be provided and comes at no extra charges.
7 antennas: These multiple built-in aerials (more than any previous BT routers) are uniquely positioned to make sure you get the best all-round performance.
4 gigabit ports, 1 USB port: The gigabit ports are 10 times faster than Ethernet ports, perfect for plugging devices directly in and gaming. The USB port is there to help with charging phones or tablets.
Dual band: This router can transmit on two different frequency bands, 2.4GHz and 5GHz. Both bands offer different benefits and having these options means a more versatile and efficient network than a single-band router.
Wi-Fi extender add-on: The Smart 2 hub comes available with the option to get Complete Wi-Fi for an extra £10 a month (or £100 standalone fee). These are extra discs that get you guaranteed speeds in every room, or £100 money-back.
The Smart Hub 2 is a really decent bit of kit that offers fast and reliable Wi-Fi. Coverage is good and it can cope with lots of demanding digital devices at once. It’s easy to set up and you have to log in properly before making any security changes, making it more secure than some standard routers. It also comes with a higher than average number of ports, perfect for anyone wanting direct more high-speed connections.
No matter how decent this router is, there’s no ignoring the fact that this is a Wi-Fi 5 router. For those really wanting to future-proof and get the best performance out of high-bandwidth activities like 4K streaming or online gaming, a Wi-Fi 6 router would be a better choice.
You’ve probably got an older version. There’s also the: BT Smart Hub, BT Home Hub 3, BT Home Hub 4 and BT Home Hub 5. Find out more about these different types of BT Hub and also how to upgrade if needed.
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