Everybody hates Wi-Fi. The boxes are ugly, and it never seems to work when you need it. But just when you thought wireless internet was unfixable, the most boring and hated appliance in your house may be on the verge of actually, um, working.

Many of today’s devices are overcoming the design and technological flaws that marred the industry throughout its existence. The latest gadgets boast more effective antennas and do a better job cutting through radio interference. Some just look nicer than the hideous routers of yesteryear, with their thicket of wires, blinking lights and plastic parts akimbo.

A review of four newly released devices that employ the latest home-wireless technologies showed impressive results. In Bloomberg’s tests, the wireless routers were dramatically more reliable than their predecessors and attractive enough to earn a place on the mantle.

Looks matter more than you might think. Most people tuck routers under a desk or behind a cabinet to hide their unsightly fixtures. This would be OK, if not for the laws of physics. Every wall, desk or dresser that stands between the router and whatever gadget is trying to connect to it degrades the signal. Ideal placement is in the middle of a room, with no obstructions to allow wireless signals to move freely.

David Fuller's view

I can’t wait. 

For as long as I have had desktop computers and televisions, they have been surrounded by Sargasso Seas of ugly wires, cables, transformers and multiple relay plugin systems.  It looks like a slum.  And when something goes wrong, as it too frequently does, a tedious and lengthy process turning switches off and back on, while unplugging and plugging in again has to occur.  And if out of desperation I have to call in the local techy assistant to sort it out, I then ask what went wrong?  The usual answer is: ‘that’s just computers’.  Alternatively, something was loose because someone tripped over a wire or cats were running around behind the desk. 

Give me a break.  The end of terrible Wi-Fi will not come soon enough.