wireless router buying guide
HOW TO Buy a Wi-Fi Router
Wireless routers are everywhere. Almost all houses, apartments, shops and minivans are parked along the river. A functional wireless router allows you to easily connect your computer to a broadband Internet service to share data files and stream media between mobile / Wi-Fi devices.
Although you can opt for a wired router, we recommend a wireless model so you do not have to use the Ethernet cable at home. In addition, a wireless router is the best way to access the Internet with your smartphone or tablet. And if you ever find out that you need a wired connection, the router will have a built-in switch to manage it. Learn about the best 802.11ac routers on the market and how to protect your wireless network.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT WI-FI STANDARD
Like smartphones, router manufacturers are constantly implementing new, more powerful wireless standards (IEEE protocols) as the technology progresses. That's why we have standards like 802.11g, 802.11n, and 802.11ac; These are not just random numbers, they describe the capabilities of the router.
The latest standard is 802.11ac, which you will see on all new routers. This means that the router can support speeds up to gigabit, much faster than the previous limit of 600 Mbps. Like the previous standards, "ac" is compatible with devices manufactured to previous standards. The vast majority of routers and devices are now 802.11ac compatible, so it's time to upgrade if you have older incompatible devices.
trained routers that promote "AC" capability include Gigabit Dual Band ASUS AS17 Wireless Gigabit Dual Gigabit Dual Band Netgear Nighthawk Router AC 1900 and that provides much faster each at the expense of speed compatibility.
Plus, there's actually another standard called 802.11ax. It will take several years before it is fully adopted at the consumer level, but it should be taken into account.
INTERPRETING THE SPEED OF THE WI-FI NETWORK
Remember, you should always take the manufacturer's speed information with a grain of salt. For example, many manufacturers quote the "theoretical" maximum bandwidth in their boxes. You see 350 MBps at 3,500 MBps (megabits per second), but in realistic environments where walls, doors, devices, and other barriers separate your router from your client devices, you'll rarely see that performance. ,
DECIDE HOW MANY BANDS YOU NEED
Manufacturers have been selling dual-band routers for years, but many are starting to implement three-band routers as well.
The dual-band usually means that the router is equipped with two radios, one operating in the 2.4GHz frequency band and the other in the 5GHz frequency band, allowing you to configure two separate wireless networks, so that You can improve the speed in a congested wireless network by switching some devices to the spare frequency.
Manage WI-FI security
image: itproportal.com
Wireless networks are as insecure as they are practical; If no action is taken to protect your network, any rioters can spy on your online activity, disconnect from the Internet, access the files stored on your computers, infect your systems with viruses and all kinds of other problems.
Each router purchased must support at least WPA2 (the second implementation of the Wi-Fi Protected Access Protocol), but any device you add to your network must also be compatible with WPA2 for it to work. Your network is as secure as the least secure device it's connected to. WPA is acceptable, but not ideal. It is not a good idea to trust WEP, which is easily hacked with tools that anyone can download for free.
INTELLIGENT WIRELESS MANAGEMENT
One of the worst problems affecting the average router is interference. A router is not very good if it cannot deliver acceptable radio signals wherever you want. Fortunately, most modern routers have two more tips to solve this problem.
The solution uses "intelligent" processes that identify devices or dead zones and debug them with Wi-Fi signals, so they are always supported. For example, the monstrous D-Link AC3200 Ultra features SmartBeam technology.
On the other hand, products like Luma encourage people to buy multiple routers and connect them together to create a Wi-Fi network around their homes that eliminates dead spots. These solutions should be considered if you have had a bad experience with routers in the past.
Google Wi-Fi goes one step further by combining a rich Wi-Fi feature with an easy-to-understand smartphone application. Other manufacturers go this way, although Google remains a high point in the competition.
USB ports
You will find USB ports on many routers, but it is important to know what this port is for. For some routers, this is just one way to transfer configuration information (such as network identification and password) from a router to a client using a USB flash drive. With the best routers, you can connect a USB mass storage device to add the NAS functionality (Network Attached Storage). Connect a large USB hard drive to your router and all devices on your network will have access to this storage resource. It's like having a cheap server.
You should also pay attention to the generation of the USB port. Many routers have a combination of USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports. Some only have one or the other. At least one USB 3.0 port is a smart feature that you can buy if you want to connect accessories.
ROUTER WITH MU-MIMO
MU-MIMO is a new router technology that means multiple inputs, multiple outputs. Basically, MU-MIMO routers can simultaneously connect multiple mobile devices simultaneously (currently up to four devices). Instead of mixing the data packets very quickly between one device, the network can, therefore, maintain direct connections to the devices without changing the focus. This makes internet connections faster and more reliable.
MU-MIMO is like a dominant technology in the future, but it's not there yet. If you buy a router today and do not expect big changes, you probably do not need a MU-MIMO. Relatively few mobile devices are still compatible with the technology. But in the coming years, you can expect a slow and safe transition to the MU-MIMO features that you should think about in the future.
What happens: Price VS. ACTION
The prices of the routers vary depending on features, antennas, ports and much more. In general, the best routers available today range from $ 100 to $ 250 or more. You can find smaller routers under this area, and the big business routers above, but most fall somewhere along the line. If you have a tight budget, you can find decent routers for $ 50 or less, but they will not offer the latest features.
A cheap router with below-average performance is no blessing. Product testing will give you an idea of what to expect, but setting up your own home is the only sure way to know how the router works in your unique environment. When making a purchase, make sure that the dealer you are dealing with has a liberal right of return if you are not satisfied.
Editors' Recommendations:
image: pcmag.com
Wireless routers are everywhere. Almost all houses, apartments, shops and minivans are parked along the river. A functional wireless router allows you to easily connect your computer to a broadband Internet service to share data files and stream media between mobile / Wi-Fi devices.
Although you can opt for a wired router, we recommend a wireless model so you do not have to use the Ethernet cable at home. In addition, a wireless router is the best way to access the Internet with your smartphone or tablet. And if you ever find out that you need a wired connection, the router will have a built-in switch to manage it. Learn about the best 802.11ac routers on the market and how to protect your wireless network.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT WI-FI STANDARD
Like smartphones, router manufacturers are constantly implementing new, more powerful wireless standards (IEEE protocols) as the technology progresses. That's why we have standards like 802.11g, 802.11n, and 802.11ac; These are not just random numbers, they describe the capabilities of the router.
The latest standard is 802.11ac, which you will see on all new routers. This means that the router can support speeds up to gigabit, much faster than the previous limit of 600 Mbps. Like the previous standards, "ac" is compatible with devices manufactured to previous standards. The vast majority of routers and devices are now 802.11ac compatible, so it's time to upgrade if you have older incompatible devices.
trained routers that promote "AC" capability include Gigabit Dual Band ASUS AS17 Wireless Gigabit Dual Gigabit Dual Band Netgear Nighthawk Router AC 1900 and that provides much faster each at the expense of speed compatibility.
Plus, there's actually another standard called 802.11ax. It will take several years before it is fully adopted at the consumer level, but it should be taken into account.
INTERPRETING THE SPEED OF THE WI-FI NETWORK
Remember, you should always take the manufacturer's speed information with a grain of salt. For example, many manufacturers quote the "theoretical" maximum bandwidth in their boxes. You see 350 MBps at 3,500 MBps (megabits per second), but in realistic environments where walls, doors, devices, and other barriers separate your router from your client devices, you'll rarely see that performance. ,
DECIDE HOW MANY BANDS YOU NEED
Manufacturers have been selling dual-band routers for years, but many are starting to implement three-band routers as well.
The dual-band usually means that the router is equipped with two radios, one operating in the 2.4GHz frequency band and the other in the 5GHz frequency band, allowing you to configure two separate wireless networks, so that You can improve the speed in a congested wireless network by switching some devices to the spare frequency.
Manage WI-FI security
Wireless networks are as insecure as they are practical; If no action is taken to protect your network, any rioters can spy on your online activity, disconnect from the Internet, access the files stored on your computers, infect your systems with viruses and all kinds of other problems.
Each router purchased must support at least WPA2 (the second implementation of the Wi-Fi Protected Access Protocol), but any device you add to your network must also be compatible with WPA2 for it to work. Your network is as secure as the least secure device it's connected to. WPA is acceptable, but not ideal. It is not a good idea to trust WEP, which is easily hacked with tools that anyone can download for free.
INTELLIGENT WIRELESS MANAGEMENT
One of the worst problems affecting the average router is interference. A router is not very good if it cannot deliver acceptable radio signals wherever you want. Fortunately, most modern routers have two more tips to solve this problem.
The solution uses "intelligent" processes that identify devices or dead zones and debug them with Wi-Fi signals, so they are always supported. For example, the monstrous D-Link AC3200 Ultra features SmartBeam technology.
On the other hand, products like Luma encourage people to buy multiple routers and connect them together to create a Wi-Fi network around their homes that eliminates dead spots. These solutions should be considered if you have had a bad experience with routers in the past.
Google Wi-Fi goes one step further by combining a rich Wi-Fi feature with an easy-to-understand smartphone application. Other manufacturers go this way, although Google remains a high point in the competition.
USB ports
You will find USB ports on many routers, but it is important to know what this port is for. For some routers, this is just one way to transfer configuration information (such as network identification and password) from a router to a client using a USB flash drive. With the best routers, you can connect a USB mass storage device to add the NAS functionality (Network Attached Storage). Connect a large USB hard drive to your router and all devices on your network will have access to this storage resource. It's like having a cheap server.
You should also pay attention to the generation of the USB port. Many routers have a combination of USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports. Some only have one or the other. At least one USB 3.0 port is a smart feature that you can buy if you want to connect accessories.
ROUTER WITH MU-MIMO
MU-MIMO is a new router technology that means multiple inputs, multiple outputs. Basically, MU-MIMO routers can simultaneously connect multiple mobile devices simultaneously (currently up to four devices). Instead of mixing the data packets very quickly between one device, the network can, therefore, maintain direct connections to the devices without changing the focus. This makes internet connections faster and more reliable.
MU-MIMO is like a dominant technology in the future, but it's not there yet. If you buy a router today and do not expect big changes, you probably do not need a MU-MIMO. Relatively few mobile devices are still compatible with the technology. But in the coming years, you can expect a slow and safe transition to the MU-MIMO features that you should think about in the future.
What happens: Price VS. ACTION
The prices of the routers vary depending on features, antennas, ports and much more. In general, the best routers available today range from $ 100 to $ 250 or more. You can find smaller routers under this area, and the big business routers above, but most fall somewhere along the line. If you have a tight budget, you can find decent routers for $ 50 or less, but they will not offer the latest features.
A cheap router with below-average performance is no blessing. Product testing will give you an idea of what to expect, but setting up your own home is the only sure way to know how the router works in your unique environment. When making a purchase, make sure that the dealer you are dealing with has a liberal right of return if you are not satisfied.
Editors' Recommendations:
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