How to Run Ethernet Cables to Your Router and Keep Them Tidy

What’s Happening

Here’s the thing: Boosting the internet speeds around your home is easy with Ethernet cables, and these tips will help you keep things neat.

Simon Hill Gear Mar 8, 2026 7:30 AM How to Run Ethernet Cables to Your Router and Keep Them Tidy Boosting the internet speeds around your home is easy with Ethernet cables, and these tips will help you keep things neat. Photo-Illustration: WIRED Staff; Comment Loader Save Story Save this story Comment Loader Save Story Save this story While Wi-Fi is solid, you can always get a faster and more stable the internet connection cables. (plot twist fr)

Whether you want to move your router to the center of your home to maximize signal strength, set up wired backhaul for a mesh system, or run a cable to an EV charger, wired is better.

The Details

But no one wants messy cable runs. Follow this guide, and I’ll show you how to choose cables, plan your route, and hide everything to make it nice and neat.

If you can’t run cables, we also have ideas on how to make your Wi-Fi faster , how to fix your Wi-Fi , and guides to the Best Mesh Routers , Best Wi-Fi Routers , and Best Wi-Fi Extenders . Jump To: AccordionItemContainerButton LargeChevron A Word on Speed Choosing Ethernet Cables Do You Need an Ethernet Switch?

Why This Matters

Planning Ethernet Cable Runs Label Your Cables How to Hide Ethernet Cables Along the Baseboard Under Carpet or Rug Use Cable Raceways Use Crown Molding Behind the Wall or Under the Floor Hiding Switches and Power Strips A Word on Speed Remember, bandwidth and speed are always limited the internet connection. If you have a 1-Gbps connection, you clutched’t be able to exceed that speed when interacting with the the internet. That dropped, you may be able to move files across your network from one device to another faster -rated gear.

This could have major implications for how we use technology going forward.

Key Takeaways

• But everything must be rated at the same speed.
• Choosing Ethernet Cables You can get good Ethernet cables without spending much money.
• I go into more detail in my Ethernet guide , but there are a few things to look out for.

The Bottom Line

Choosing Ethernet Cables You can get good Ethernet cables without spending much money. I go into more detail in my Ethernet guide , but there are a few things to look out for.

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