Consultants in equipment stores rarely can provide sensible advice, and often they simply sell the most expensive models, which at the same time do not always cope with their tasks.
In order not to overpay for the brand and unnecessary characteristics, you need to have at least a minimal idea of what the operation of the device depends on. Therefore, today we’ll talk about which router is better to buy depending on your personal preferences and needs.
What do I need to find out from the provider?
Some features are highly dependent on your Internet service provider and the features of your tariff.
First of all, call your provider and find out what type of WAN port it uses. WAN is a connector that directly connects the cable to the apartment. There are only 3 types of connection:
- through a telephone line (for this you need a router with a DSL, ADSL or VDSL port);
- special Internet channel (Ethernet / FTTB);
- on a modern fiber optic network (CPON, CEPON, PON).
Also on the market are 3G routers - they are specially adapted for working with mobile Internet. If the budget allows, you can take a universal router that supports several formats (for example, Ethernet + DSL or Ethernet + 3G).
The second point is speed. Which router is better to buy, so that the Internet works faster? First, specify what tariffs the provider offers, and figure out what suits you. Already starting from this, we will choose a model with suitable characteristics.
The technical specifications of the router always indicate the maximum data rate. Remember: this number shows only the theoretical capabilities of the device, without taking into account interference and distance. In reality, the Internet will work 2.5-3 times slower.
The signal speed depends on the standard that the WiFi router supports:
- 802.11ac is the most advanced version, theoretically capable of delivering up to 1.3 Gb / s;
- 802.11n - most common, provides speeds of up to 600 Mbps;
- 802.11g is an outdated standard that limits the connection to 54 Mbps.
However, do not rush to buy the latest "sophisticated" router. After all, the capabilities of your equipment also matter. The vast majority of gadgets now work with 802.11n, and therefore simply can not handle a faster signal.
Main characteristics
We turn to the parameters, which no longer depend on the provider, but on your personal preferences and needs. It is impossible to say which Wi-Fi router is better to buy if you do not take into account how and why the device will be used. What do you need to pay attention to?
Number of LAN Ports
Usually stationary equipment that needs a stable Internet connection (computers, televisions, consoles, etc.) is connected to the router via a cable. This provides maximum speed, which is independent of interference and distance.
Most standard routers have 4 LAN connectors. But if you have a lot of equipment, it makes sense to choose a model with additional ports. For example, ASUS RT-AC88U and TP-LINK TL-R860 can connect up to 8 devices, and the new MikroTik RB2011UiAS-IN - up to 10.
Pay attention to the type of LAN ports. Fast Ethernet connectors are rated at 100 Mbit / s, and Gigabit Ethernet provides data transfer speeds up to 1 Gbit / s.
frequency range
Another important characteristic. WiFi routers can operate at a frequency of 2.4 or 5 GHz. More modern models support both channels, and can distribute data between ranges.
What to consider? First, what equipment will be connected to the router:
- 2.4 GHz is optimal for smartphones, tablets and office equipment;
- 5 GHz gives a faster and more stable connection, therefore it is recommended for devices that work with heavier content - TVs, set-top boxes, etc.
Please note that not all gadgets can receive a signal at a frequency of 5 GHz. But if there are many routers around your apartment that can interrupt the signal, this particular channel is preferred. Switching to a higher frequency will increase the speed of data exchange, but slightly reduce the coverage radius of the wireless network.
Transmitter power
Buyers rarely pay attention to this parameter, but it is much more important than the theoretical maximum speed.
In budget models, power rarely exceeds 17 dBm. And this means that the device’s signal can “break through” a maximum of two walls. But not everything is so simple: in almost all countries there are legislative restrictions on the maximum permissible power. The highest threshold for the 2.4 GHz frequency is 20 dBm - it is from these models that you should choose if you have a spacious apartment.
Radius of action
Often on the box and in the technical documentation they write the distance over which the network operates. The radius inside and outside is indicated separately. But if we talk about which WiFi router is better to buy, then this figure is very relative. A pair of thick reinforced concrete walls "kill" the signal of even the most powerful routers. At 70%, it all depends not on the device itself, but on the premises.
Type and number of antennas
A common mistake made by customers is to think that the energy from several antennas will add up. But if there are three of them, this does not mean that the network will operate 3 times further or “break through” more walls. This can only make the bond more stable and the coverage uniform.
But what is worth paying attention to? First of all, this is the type of antenna - built-in or external. As practice has shown, in a city apartment the difference between them is almost imperceptible. But if we are talking about a large room, it is advisable to choose a model with external antennas. This will provide a more stable coating, and if necessary, you can replace them with more powerful ones.
In many respects, the quality of the antenna depends on which chip it uses. Therefore, another parameter to look at is the gain. To increase the radius and quality of the signal, several types of antennas can be used:
- standard - gain up to 2 dBi;
- omnidirectional (9 dBi);
- panel (19 dBi);
- parabolic (24 dBi).
Which router is better to buy? There are models on sale with the number of antennas from 1 to 4. For a one-story house or city apartment, a router with 2-3 antennas with a gain of about 5 dBi is optimal. It is desirable to arrange the antennas vertically or at a slight angle to each other.
USB availability
Models with one or more USB ports are more expensive, but open up many additional possibilities for the user. By connecting a drive to a WiFi router, you can create a common data storage that all devices on the network can connect to. In addition, if the cable Internet stops working, it will be possible to access the network using a wireless USB modem.
Additional "chips"
Many manufacturers produce routers, which in addition to their main function - to "distribute" the Internet - have other useful functions.
3G / 4G
It is very important if you often work in different places, including outside the city. Built-in 3G-modem allows you to connect to the Internet through a network of mobile operators.
You can also find specialized routers on sale. Briefly tell you which mobile router is better to buy.
The most practical option is multi-standard models that can work with any operator. To select a different network, just change the SIM card or switch through the device’s web interface.
Pay attention to what standards the router supports. EVDO Rev.B can deliver up to 14.7 Mbit / s, while UMTS / HSDPA are considered faster and are capable of operating at speeds up to 42 Mbit / s.
If the router will be used in places with a weak signal level (for example, in rural areas), it is recommended to choose a device with the ability to connect its own antenna.
Among the popular models include Pantech MHS291L routers, Novatei MiFi 6620L Rev.B, ZTE AC30.
IPTV
Which router is better to buy? In 2014, there was a real “boom” - people began to massively switch from ordinary cable to IPTV. Digital television provides much better sound and picture quality. At the same time, you can watch any channels from around the world, and also use additional functions such as rewind and record broadcasts.
Multiple access points
A useful feature is the ability to create not one, but several wireless networks using one router. First of all, this is relevant for offices and retail premises, when there is a need to share traffic between employees and visitors. For example, you can restrict clients access to various network equipment (computers, servers, etc.).
Torrent client
If you often download high-quality movies, games and other content, it makes sense to choose a WiFi router with a built-in torrent client. In this case, the router will be able to download the necessary files to the connected drive in the background instead of loading the computer or laptop itself.