Modern routers are represented in large numbers on the market. The question of how to choose a router is becoming more common among users. It should be understood that each model has a number of characteristics, which in most cases are incomprehensible to the buyer.
The article will provide not only a detailed answer to the question of how to choose a router with a purchase guide, but also an explanation of obscure terms and definitions. They will allow customers to orient in the models and choose the device suitable for themselves.
Device types
When considering how to choose a router, you should start with the type of gadget itself. It is important to know its basic definition. Simply put, a router is a device that connects to an entire network gateway. He is responsible for the correct transmission of data on the Internet and connecting several devices.
The main types of routers:
- Wired Routers. The wired router works like a standard router, but without wireless connectivity. These are devices that connect to the network through a wire. Nothing in a wired router costs direct contact. Gadgets come with Ethernet ports that provide faster data transfer. A wired connection to a router through Ethernet ports is much faster than a wireless connection. Therefore, the choice for a wired router, especially when you want better performance, is a safer option for many users. Some say it is economical and easy to set up.
- Wireless routers. A wireless router does not require connections to a “direct line” between it and connected devices to access the Internet. The router comes with a cable modem that is connected to the network via cable. The antenna transmits a wireless connection to several devices. Gadgets are quite complicated compared to wired ones.
There is another type of router. Often, when considering how to choose a router, a virtual type is also noted. However, it is mainly used for servers.
Speed model selection
How to choose a router based on its connection speed is an interesting question. Many users believe that when choosing this is the only significant indicator. Throughput in devices is measured in megabits per second or Mbps. The first models of routers on the market offered speed ratings of 11 Mbps, and shortly thereafter, performance increased to 54 Mbps, 150 Mbps, 600 Mbps. Some models also offer speeds of up to 1000 Mbps, which is 1 Gbit / s.
How to choose a router based on these parameters, the question is relevant. However, do not forget that this is not his only characteristic. The best way to determine the fastest gadget is to search for routers with 802.11. For example, studies show that 802.11g routers offer speeds of up to 54 Mbps, 802.11n routers offer speeds of 150 to 600 Mbps, and 802.11ac routers offer speeds of up to 1 Gbit / s.
It is not always desirable to aim for a higher Mbps rate rating. It is possible that you can achieve better performance and uninterrupted connectivity at a minimum speed than in a more powerful router. But it depends on the package of your home network.
However, due to the growing demand in the market, there are high-speed devices that increase the speed of the Internet network for faster downloads and transfers. Setting a budget for a high-speed Internet connection is the first thing you should consider when evaluating speed. Other important signs that you need a high-speed router is the amount of space that you need to cover with the network, and the number of devices connected to the equipment.
The choice of the number of network bands
Many users often wonder which router to choose for their home. The area of such construction is much larger than apartments. As a result, more coverage is required. You need to know how the router communicates with your network through a single or dual band connection. Some router models are compatible only with the ability to connect in one radio band, and some with two.
As a rule, single-band routers use a frequency of 2.4 GHz. They are considered the least expensive models on the market. The devices are quite simple, so using them for universal wireless connections can be a problem. For such purposes as web surfing, normal downloading and viewing social networks, a single-band device will be enough. In this case, in answer to the question which router to choose for the home, you should opt for a simple device. You should not purchase expensive equipment if the coverage area is small.
Dual-band routers are good for streaming and online games. One band connects to the 2.4 GHz frequency, and the other connects to the 5 GHz frequency, providing faster Internet speeds and smooth multimedia transmission. Using the 5 GHz band means fewer pauses and interruptions in the connection than usual. It is more advanced, accurate and faster than the 2.4 GHz standard.
However, choosing a single or dual band router is easy. If you have only a few devices to connect to and live in an area with good network coverage, you need a single-band router. But if you live in a crowded and dense area and you need a faster Internet connection, then you need a dual-band model.
Which router is better based on these characteristics is a moot point. It is important to always consider the area of coverage. The best thing about using a dual-band router is that it allows you to configure various clients and applications on it. This helps ease the load on the network in both bands. If you reach a point where even a dual-band router is not enough, there are many powerful tri-band routers on the market. They have one 2.4 GHz frequency band and two 5 GHz frequency bands, giving you twice the efficiency and speed.
Number of WLAN Ports
In addition, when considering which router to choose, you need to consider the ports on the device. This is especially important when using multiple gadgets or networks. Stable operation requires WLAN ports or access points for better wireless performance and connectivity. This helps you connect to multiple devices while supporting continuous broadband. The most convenient way to buy a router is to select various AP WLAN technologies.
This provides access to multiple networks, both wired and wireless, for convenient streaming. A standard WLAN router consists of 4 Ethernet ports, an 802.11 access point, and one parallel port for connecting devices such as printers. In this case, when answering the question of which wifi router to choose, it is necessary to consider similar characteristics of the model.
This allows wireless users to have the same network access as wired users. While the use of contactless devices is growing, more and more are choosing alternative Ethernet cable support for universal access to the network.
This factor also includes USB ports, which are needed to improve performance. You can connect the router to a USB device, such as a printer, a flash drive for better multimedia transmission. The ability to physically connect your USB drive to the port will improve connectivity and support. Typically, routers come with USB 3.0 ports for an ultra-fast and seamless connection. But this exit is not always required. In the question of which wifi router to choose, it is worth mentioning that the number of ports is not a very important parameter, if you use a direct connection of one device, for example, a PC or laptop.
Make sure your gadget has Ethernet LAN ports and a USB 3.0 port. This will help you access the network through the incoming signal processing center to any mobile device, printer or flash drive.
Wifi range
Which wifi router to choose for home is a popular question. The nuance in the answer is that in addition to the quality of the signal, its coverage area is also taken into account. The router has the ability to offer the maximum speed of your local Internet connection. Therefore, searching for the fastest wireless or wired device without understanding its Wi-Fi range is unacceptable. There are many important factors involved in determining the range. This includes how its hardware is built, Wi-Fi range power, and its speed settings.
You must determine the distance to the access point. Answering the question of which wifi router to choose for the home, experts often talk about the need to know the exact coverage distance to the desired device. This allows you to get a powerful and stable signal during operation.
The maximum range of your router determines the actual distance of your signal strength. Thus, you will know how far you can get a signal from your router and at the same time an uninterrupted Internet connection. If you live in a larger room, a router with a strong signal and range is ideal.
Over the past few years, gadgets have experienced impressive technological progress. The antenna power of any router and its material determine how well your gadget works.
Before you complete the purchase, it is very important to consider the range of operating frequencies. You can increase the range of your router by increasing the number of antennas on it, if technology and the model itself allow it. You can also replace antennas on certain devices to switch to an even wider frequency range. The question of users how to choose the channel of the TP Link router relates to this topic. It is this manufacturer that offers several ranges and channels in the produced models. Information about this is always indicated on the front of the box.
Price category
In the end, you will buy a router depending on its overall performance and quality. If your router is easy to configure, has a wide range of Wi-Fi and supports a constant and smooth speed, the high cost will be justified.
How to choose a wireless router for your home, if you rely on its cost, is an issue that also interests many buyers. Prices may vary significantly. On average, a single-band router with 802.11n configuration costs up to 8 thousand rubles. While a dual-band router can exceed the cost of 10 thousand rubles. If you want to invest in a tri-band router for faster operation, you should be prepared to invest more than 15 thousand rubles in high quality and stability.
Recently, modern devices of expensive configurations, whether single, dual or tri-band, offer incredible range and speed. You can buy a reliable and high-quality gadget with functional support at a higher price, depending on what you prefer to use. A router that goes beyond your budget, but with advanced features, would be a good choice if you live in a larger, densely populated area.
How to choose a wifi router for your home based on its cost, the issue is no less relevant when choosing expensive equipment. It’s important to understand what is required of the gadget. On the other hand, many router manufacturers offer bargain prices from the actual retail price. Such discounts and promotions are possible only if you want to use the main functions.
Device security system
Choosing a router security backup can eliminate threats and hacks. You can also avoid getting personal information on the Internet using a reliable firewall and firmware. Which Wi-Fi router to choose at the same time, it will be clear after familiarizing yourself with its exact characteristics. Manufacturers do not always indicate the latest information about the availability of system software for the device.
To get full control over the router, you need to make sure that it has advanced firmware installed. It includes a firewall and any other additional security feature that provides better navigation and access to your device.
If you are a novice user, you may need to install additional firmware for your router in order to provide better Internet access, including access to the guest network. Any third-party advanced firmware, such as the DD-WRT security configuration, can help avoid connection failures. In response to the question of which router to choose for a private home, experts often point out that it is necessary to take devices that have full support for system software.
If you have children using the Internet, as never before, it is important that your router is protected from unwanted information. Some modern routers come with parental controls that allow you to record time intervals for your children. While guest network access allows you to use a secure Wi-Fi password, which is different from your primary Wi-Fi access. These technologies are described in more detail below.
Another way to secure your router is to choose WPA2 encryption. WPA2 Encryption is the latest and most secure security configuration that your router can support. Look for the “AC” label on your router to know that it supports WPA2 encryption for 100% security. This will be the most correct answer to the question of how to choose a good router in case the user is interested in device security.
In case you complete the configuration of the router without WPA2 encryption, you can contact support to find out about the current firmware. If it is WEP or WPA, both are obsolete versions of security that should be completely avoided.
Guest Network
How to choose a wireless router not only for yourself, but also for guests, is a question that is gaining popularity more and more. Many decide to give separate access to visitors so that the encryption code is not stolen.
Purchasing a secure router with WPA2 encryption is not enough for your home, especially when you have guests. Your router is the only device that connects to several gadgets, including your phone, laptop, tablet. Thus, the device becomes an easy target for potential hackers, if it is not protected.
Securing your router with a guest network and a strong password can make a big difference. A guest wireless network allows visitors to use a completely isolated network rather than your home network. This reduces the risk of malware threats. Based on this, in answering the question of which router is better to choose for an apartment, it is worth considering gadgets that support this technology.
Having two networks in your home has many advantages, including the main network to which you and your family are connected, and the network of the guest router. You can install standard protocols on a guest network, such as bandwidth limits. It is important to maintain a strong guest network password. If you do not want unauthorized persons to use your network, keeping a simple password is ideal.
Some modern routers come with network monitoring tools that provide additional protection against potential threats and hacks. This is useful when you do not fully trust your visitors. The network monitoring tool works without a password, so access to the guest network is completely open.
Setting parental controls
How to choose the right router, not only for yourself, but for the entire network, is an interesting question. Many parents want to control incoming traffic from the Internet. Having parental controls is the only way to keep your kids safe while surfing the web. , -, , .
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The number of devices connected simultaneously to the router can further determine its durability and use. Some modern routers allow you to configure an intelligent thermostat, lighting, and home system. Thus, the purchase of a reliable network device for a smart home is important.
If you used a standard single-band router for many devices and you find it difficult to maintain, you may need updated firmware. It is then that you should buy a new upgraded router, preferably two or tri-band, to connect to multiple devices. It also helps protect your connected devices in the future when you are not around.
Warranty Selection
Buying a router for the first time is difficult. And one of the things that makes it harder to find is the right guarantee for a network gadget. Most router manufacturers offer a solid warranty package along with their device.
Finding the right warranty for you means finding a high-quality product that can withstand constant wear. The router works around the clock and seven days a week, so it is important to find what works stably and efficiently to ensure an uninterrupted connection.
The price of the router also plays a role in determining the right kind of guarantee. If you want to be future-oriented, a good idea would be to look for a top-class router with an extended network guarantee. This type of gadget is less susceptible to damage, its network equipment is durable, and it is able to protect your home or office network in the future longer.
Internet speed
Managing the speed of the Internet on your network is not easy. There are many things you need to know before you choose the right router for quick access.
Simply put, the maximum router speed is the theoretical connection speed. It is not affected by factors that may affect the data transfer speed of the connection.
Thus, if your router’s maximum speed is 1000 megabits per second, it means that it can transfer data faster in less time. But distance, signal loss, and device compatibility can potentially affect data transfer rates.
The advertised speed of your router is a marketing scheme. It should be understood that the company does not deceive the consumer when buying a particular router. But this is not the speed that you need to trust when purchasing a gadget.
The announced speed is inaccurate when it comes to using a wireless connection across multiple devices. Relying on such values should not be. However, you can distinguish between the maximum speed of the router and the actual speed to learn more about the performance of the router.
The actual speed of the device is always lower than the maximum and declared. And this is a sign of a good router. Experts point out that the real speed of the router always ranges from a third to half of its maximum speed.
How many devices can a model support
A more complicated advice, when answering the question of how to choose a router for an apartment, is to select a device with the necessary number of simultaneous connections. It is important to know how many devices your router can support. Most modern gadgets support up to 30 concurrently running clients or devices. This figure is for those routers that are cheaper than most on the market.
AC class routers offer support for at least 100 concurrent clients. For a home network, buying a router with support for 30 devices is ideal. However, if you have a large number of devices, a high-end router that supports 100 clients is best. This will provide you with better access, software support and protection against potential threats.
Before you go buy a router, it is worth writing down all the indicators of the provider that will be used to access the Internet. This will help you quickly determine the size and bandwidth of a particular model. In addition, you should also consider network compatibility on each device. For example, printers come with more stringent network compatibility settings, so they can take up more bandwidth than any other mobile device. On the other hand, buying a router for games, downloading, or streaming to a network requires a more powerful connection than transferring files on different channels.
Conclusion
In the end, you need to monitor the acquired router with which you will work. Factors such as router limitations, security, parental controls, and speed play an important role in deciding which device is best for you.
Now you can buy a router that is suitable for your small apartment with higher bandwidth, your office or for your huge house with many remote areas. Finding the right router that offers a wireless or wired network is easy when you know what to look for. Otherwise, your investment will be lost.
A router can be a costly investment for long-term performance, but it is not necessary. You do not need to spend exorbitant amounts on a good gadget. There are many valuable devices that are cheaper and offer incredible support.
Low-cost routers also offer the latest technology that works for home networks with fast data ranges. However, for large homes and offices, finding advanced models that work with the package is a good way to improve the data channel.
In conclusion, choosing a good router brand that you can trust depends on many factors. You should consider a solid guarantee and efficient customer service to find your best router. In addition, you need to make sure that all your devices are fully compatible with your new router network.