Tired of the boring name that’s assigned to your Wi-Fi network? If you have ever browsed the list of networks in your area, you’ve probably found that the majority are named after the brand of router broadcasting the wireless network.

In order to change that name, you simply have to log into your router through your Web browser. Basically, you just enter a string of numbers into the URL of your browser. You can find this by looking on the bottom of your router or simply searching the Net for your router brand. Netgear routers, for instance, use 192.168.1.1 to reach the admin screen. At this point, you just navigate through the admin to find the Wi-Fi network name, then change it. Here’s a good walkthrough on PCMag, if needed.

We’ve scoured the Internet tubes to bring you our 50 favorite alternatives to spice up your home’s wireless network.

1. Abraham Linksys (or John Wilkes Bluetooth)
2. The LAN Before Time
3. It Burns When IP
4. Troy and Abed in the Modem (for Community fans)
5. Bill Wi, the Science Fi
6. Pretty Fly for a Wi-Fi
7. FBI Surveillance Van #594 (scares away stupid criminals)
8. LAN of Milk and Honey
9. Hide Yo Kids, Hide Yo Wi-Fi!
10. Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Lan
11. Skynet Global Defense Network
12. I’m cheating on my WiFi
13. Help, I’m Trapped in a Router!
14. A Van Down By The River
15. A LANnister Always Surfs The Net (for Game of Thrones fans)
16. Series of Tubes
17. Go Go Gadget Internet
18. I am the Internet, AMA
19. The Promised LAN
20. Mom, Click Here for Internet
21. WI-FIght the inevitable?
22. Silence of the LAN
23. New England Clam Router
24. Wi believe I can Fi
25. Occam’s Router
26. Get off My LAN!
27. Click Here for Viruses
28. Router? I hardly knew her!
29. Wu-Tang LAN
30. I Can Haz Wireless?
31. Drop it like it’s Hotspot
32. Look Ma, No Wires!
33. All Your Bandwidth Belong to Us
34. Network Not Found
35. LANdo Calrissian
36. Wi-Fi Network? Why Not Zoidberg?
37. 2 Girls, 1 Router
38. One Does Not Simply Log Into Mordor (for Lord of the Rings fans)
39. Bill Clinternet
40. Winternet is Coming (for Game of Thrones fans)
41. 99 problems, but WiFi ain’t one
42. DHARMA Initiative – Station 4 (for Lost fans)
43. The Wireless-G Spot
44. Please Connect for Identity Theft
45. The Net starring Sandra Bullock
46. Y No You Get WiFi?
47. I Pronounce you Man and WiFi
48. Keep it on the Download
49. I’m Under Your Bed
50. Ermahgerd, Wi-Fi!

Enjoy! Let us know if you have any other great ideas for Wi-Fi network names in the comment below.

Need a Wi-Fi Router? Check Ben’s for the Latest Router Deals

50 funny Wi-Fi names that will make your neighbors smile

Up to this point, wireless mesh routers have trended on the expensive side. For instance, crowdfunded options like the Luma and the Eero run $399 and $499 (respectively) for the base models.

There’s definitely opportunity for competitors to compete on price, such as the Amplifi Wi-Fi Mesh Router starting at a $199 price point.

To be fair, people living in apartments and smaller houses likely don’t need Wi-Fi mesh technology. A simple 802.11ac router will do the trick and likely blanket your entire home in a strong Wi-Fi signal. You won’t need additional antennas places around a small apartment.

However, if you live in a larger home with Wi-Fi dead zones, wireless mesh tech is the solution you have been looking for. This type of setup is also ideal for anyone that lives in an older home, in which building materials could include everything from lead lining to chicken wire, ala an inadvertent Faraday cage.

The base model is rated to cover 10,000 square feet while the two more expensive models ($299 & $349) cover 20,000 square feet; the latter two ideal for small business office spaces. In addition, the mesh connection points are 802.11ac rated in the most expensive model while limited to 802.11n on the base model. (The central router is 802.11ac on all three models though.)

Setting up the router is all done on the iOS or Android app; opting for a simple mobile interface over a Web browser setup. With the app you can:

• Track all users / devices connected to the router.
• Setup a guest network that can be used for a set amount of time as well as a maximum number of users.
• Monitor download / upload speeds as well as track over time.
• Assign custom names for the two mesh points (likely the location in a home).
• Figure out connection issues with the diagnosis tool.

You can read more about Ubquiti’s Amplifi router here as well as check out more pictures of the device below:

Shut Up and Take My Money: Amplifi Wi-Fi Mesh Router

Simplifying the touchscreen router concept that was started by Securifi’s Almond series, the Starry Wi-Fi Station is a new router that lets you see the devices connected on your home’s wireless network.

On the 3.8″ LCD screen, devices that are using more data have larger blue bubbles. It also notes current usage and a red color will be used for devices with issues.

Other data that can be accessed on the screen include the current download and upload speed available on your network. The screen can also be used to limit Wi-Fi accessibility based on device and time, ideal for any parents that want to restrict their child’s Wi-Fi access to specific days of the week. That would be ideal for limiting access during school nights, just to make sure homework gets done.

The router also collects speed information over time, thus you will have hard data for your next call to your Internet provider to complain about slow speeds. Of course, the router offers 802.11ac connectivity. It’s also 802.15 ready, providing the potential for even faster speeds in the coming years.

Of course, the price of the Wi-Fi Station is the biggest problem. Starting at a price point of $349, it’s significantly more expensive than other routers on the market. Even the Almond+ touchscreen router is $100 cheaper than the Starry.

You can check out more details about the Starry Wi-Fi Station on the official site. You can also watch the video below as well as check out more product pictures.

Check Price of Starry Wi-Fi Router on Amazon

Shut Up and Take My Money: Starry Wi-Fi Station

Over the last 15 years, I’ve spent hours upon hours fiddling with routers. Resetting routers, fiddling with the software settings or simply just trying to get my router to work with my cable modem and connecting equipment, it usually ranged from frustrating to infuriating. And I knew what I was doing! I can’t imagine how long it too for someone without any technical knowledge to get a Wi-Fi system up and running.

The Securifi Almond+ seeks to change all that, forgoing the complexity of a traditional router setup process for a simple process that can be accomplished in a few minutes via the touchscreen on the router. What could have taken a non-technical person hours to figure out on their own now takes less than five minutes and doesn’t require any additional help from a tech-savvy friend.

Product Design

Creating a product that can be wall-mountable, Securifi hasn’t changed much from the original Almond design beyond shifting to a matte finish on the plastic casing. However, I did like the kickstand included with the Almond+ and prefer than over wall-mounting the device. It sits on the corner of my desk resting at an angle, ideal for easy touchscreen access. You can use your fingernail to operate the touchscreen, although the included stylus is more effective at tapping the screen since the actual touchscreen is recessed slightly.

If you do decide to wall mount, all the connection ports are easy to access on the back of the router. Facing downward, you will find four Gigabit LAN output ports, one WAN input port, the power connection port and two USB 3.0 ports for network sharing of printers / hard drives. If you are connecting multiple Enternet cables, it can get a little cramped back there. However, everything fits once it’s all connected.

On the front of the device, you will find the 3.5-inch, 320 x 240 pixel touch screen. It’s a full color display that’s very easy to read, although anyone with vision issues up close might have a problem reading some of the text. If the screen is left untouched for a period of time, it will automatically shut off rather than stay on 24/7. This design element forgoes the need for a power on/off switch on the device.

Regarding size, the router is barely larger than my Motorola cable modem, basically the size of a thick paperback book. If you do wall mount, consider choosing a central part of your home. In addition to providing Wi-Fi coverage from a central point, I’ve found that the screen is handy for checking all connected smart home devices as well as looking at data about connected users.

Setup & Performance

This is definitely where the Almond+ shines. You have the option of connecting the device to a computer to set it up, but using the touch screen for the entire process is just as simple. The downside is that it takes slightly longer when using the touchscreen, specifically because you have to slowly touch type the letters to name your 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi networks as well as the password for both. I painstakingly took the time to type out “Pretty Fly for a Wi-Fi” as well as “Keep it on the Download” for my wireless network names.

At the start of the setup, you can choose to setup the Almond+ as a router, a wireless access point or a range extender. Most folks will choose the first option, but using the router as a range extender can be helpful if you are planning to wall mount the unit. That will allow you to forgo all the wired connections, but still take advantage of the smart home features and other options the Almond+ provides.

Internally, the Almond+ is powered by a 750-MHz dual-core processor along with 512MB of RAM and 512MB of flash storage. More importantly, the three Wi-Fi antennas inside the router provide wireless access across your home. Regarding range, I was often able to stand outside of my home, roughly 150 feet away from the router (often switching to the 2.4GHz to accomplish this), and still pull a solid signal through multiple walls on both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi networks.

Regarding speed, I consistently pulled 100+ Mbps on the 802.11ac connection when walking around my home. That was using an iPhone 6 Plus or my wife’s ultrabook. Of course, that speed increased dramatically when within 10 feet of the router, usually pushing speeds up to 300+ Mbps. Regarding capacity, I haven’t had any issues running multiple two high definition streams at once while using my computer to surf the Web and handle mobile connected devices at the same time. This router seems perfect for a large family with significant capacity needs.

Home Automation

If you are into smart home features, Securifi has added some home automation features that make the Almond+ compatible with ZigBee and Z-Wave devices. For instance, it will connect to items like the the Philips Hue LED bulb and Nest thermostat. The Almond+ also comes with a Peanut Plug to get you started. That device allows you to remotely control an AC outlet, ideal for flipping a standing floor lamp on for instance. You can also setup time based commands for devices, like flipping on lights before you arrive home from work.

In addition, you can use the iOS or Android Almond app to check the status on all the sensors. If you forgot to turn off the lights before you left home, you can access the app to flip off the lights. The same goes for checking the locks on the doors or adjusting the thermostat remotely, assuming you have these types of smart home devices installed. All in all, it’s a nifty addition for anyone interested in home automation and will save you money on purchasing a smart home hub separately.

Should You Buy This?

While the $250 price tag is steep for a router, this is one of the best routers available for a home that needs speed and reliability as well as a simple-to-use router that anyone in the family can setup, not just the tech-savvy of the bunch. The home automation features are definitely a plus, although the software is not quite as proficient at smart home tasks as a dedicated smart home hub.

Regarding sales, we’ve seen the Almond+ drop from a regular “always on-sale” price of $249.99 down to a real sale price between $190 to $200. Look for sales around the holiday season on the router, specifically at Amazon and Newegg.

Check Almond+ Price on Amazon

Securifi Almond+ Router Review: Simplicity Achieved

Targeting a launch window of September 2013 in the United States, the Almond+ 802.11ac touchscreen Wi-Fi router is a follow-up to the Securifi Almond Wireless N touchscreen router.

Ranked number one on Amazon for the last nine months, the original Securifi Almond has garnered hundreds of glowing reviews due to its simple design, easy setup and fantastic range. It’s also praised as a range extender for an existing wireless network within a home, potentially boosting the signal an additional 100 to 150 feet within a home.

After the rampant success of the first Almond, the team at Securifi turned to Kickstarter backers to help fund the production of a new product, the Almond+ 802.11ac router. After raising approximately $855,000 from Kickstarter backers, the team has gone into production mode and plans to release the new router in a few months for a retail price of $99.

In addition to a new hardware design, 802.11ac tech will bring 1.17Gb/s transfer rates compared to 300 Mbps Wireless N rates. That’s approximately four times faster assuming you have 802.11ac compatible hardware in your mobile device. Of course, the hardware is also backwards compatible with Wireless N and G. The device will also include tech that’s compatible with ZigBee and Z-Wave devices as well.

At this point, you can’t become another Kickstarter backer. It’s likely that the product will also be sold on Amazon, but it’s not available for preorder yet. Look for the launch in late Q3 or early Q4. You can check out a few pics of the hardware below:

Shut Up and Take My Money: Almond+ 802.11ac Touchscreen Wi-Fi Router