The Best Wi-Fi Router Buying Guide

Introduction

Wi-Fi router has become a great supporter to many people who have been carrying out their works from home. As the pandemic season is still going on, the work from home is an inevitable option for many of the employees who mainly rely on computers for their jobs. This device can even transfer the data from the cellular network to the Wi-Fi, and helps to save the more exclusive cellular data submission. Thus, the requirement for Home Wi-Fi Routers has turned out to be absolutely common nowadays. However, choosing a suitable Wi-Fi router is not at all as easy as we think. By understanding certain preliminary factors regarding the features of Wi-Fi routers, everybody can easily pick out a reasonably priced Wi-Fi that meets their requirements.

Factors to be considered

Wi-Fi Standards

One of the foremost factors to be considered while purchasing the best Wi-Fi router is about the wireless standard. Earlier, routers were used IEEE802.11a or 802.11b, but subsequently, things have changed extensively. Frequently they are found to be well-matched with a lot of the newest versions. However, if you want to use the router for so many years, it is ideal to ensure that it is well-suited with the latest standard version.

In this manner, the router can be made available to provide the best performance. As they are well-matched for older versions, they can also be used to provide connections to some older devices. At present, the prevalent standard is 802.11ac, and the same can be seen on all the most modern routers. So, currently, a router has been transformed, and become capable to offer up to Gigabit speeds, which is much faster than the earlier best 600Mbps limit. Moreover, you can also connect your mobile devices with the Wi-Fi router having the most modern standard, and enjoy the utmost benefits.

Wi-Fi Speed

All manufacturers will mention the maximum speed offered by the latest standard version of Wi-Fi supported by the router. In actual condition, these mentioned speeds are seldom seen. Such speeds are only available in a laboratory environment under ideal conditions. Manifold usage, obstruction, signal dropping, and all other general issues will cause the speed to get reduced. However, the speeds mentioned are usually higher than what is actually needed. A speed of 50 Mbps to 100 Mbps is reasonably good for homes consisting of three or four people. If it is a family circle that often uses 4K videos, and carries out a lot of online games, a speed closer to 100 Mbps is required. Nevertheless, almost all routers available nowadays are capable to support high definition videos.

Wired interfaces

There are different types of Wi-Fi routers. Some of them are designed to connect with broadband, whereas other types are meant only for Ethernet, or other probable connections. Normally, household orientated routers will have a broadband service connection as well as Ethernet, and probably USB. During the purchase of a router you have to make sure that it meets the connectivity requirements with broadband, Ethernet, USB or or any other combination you might require.

Routers with USB ports are currently used for cheap network storage. It is doable to plug a hard disk drive or flash storage drive into the rear side of the router and share the data with any other device on the network. Like this, it is feasible to create a network media hub for music, television, local movies etc. When thinking about the wired connections, it is better to check its speed. Economical routers may have Ethernet switches with pace at only 100Mbps. So to choose the best router, it is desirable to ensure that the Ethernet connection is with a speed of 1Gbps (1,000Mbps). Also test out the working condition of any USB connections since USB3 / USB3.1 is inestimably faster than the older USB 2.

Consistency of Broadband connection

In general, Wi-Fi routers are required to be connected to the broadband supply unit. Test out whether the router you consider is well-matched with the respective broadband service supplier. It is also important to note whether both the broadband service providers and the Internet service providers have mentioned the maximum speed available to their supply unit. Apart from this, many people are willing to use fiber connections in these days. So, find out how to connect the router to the fiber setup. If you want this connection, an additional modem may be supplied by the broadband provider. Make sure that your broadband supplier can provide data at the pace you actually require. If a lot of users are got onto their networks, speed will naturally come down.

Security

One of the vital issues to be considered while planning to buy a Wi-Fi router is security. Normally, a wireless network can be very much apprehensive. It is said that they are insecure as well as they are convenient. Lack of proper security arrangement to the network, will allow others within the range of the signal from the router to listen to what is going on, and grab secured information such as bank and card details. When selecting the best router, make sure that the broadband service provider at least uses WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access-2 Protocol). However, it is also mandatory to confirm that every device linked with the network must also support WPA2 for the existing security system to workout properly.

All major trustworthy router manufacturers are well aware of the need of the better security arrangement on their device, and hence they have designed their devices with sophisticated family security in mind. These devices are available with so many extra features, including the facility to block unwanted users from the network, monitor devices, extra encryption, and also with arrangements to see what people are browsing. Check out the facilities available and see whether they are acceptable to fulfill your requirement.

Wi-Fi Bands

The two main Wi-Fi bands are 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. In these days, most of the routers have the option to use either of the bands. Such Wi-Fi routers are called the dual band Wi-Fi routers. Sometimes, Wi-Fi routers may have two separate radios in them, meant to set up two separate wireless networks. This arrangement helps to improve the speed when there are so many users on the same router. Hence, to obtain the best performance from the router, domestic users must make sure that the router they have been using is a dual band.

Routers with MU-MIMO

Many innovative routers are launched with the facility called MU-MIMO. Routers having this facility will be able to deliver high-speed data. If a lot of people are being connected to video services, then MU-MIMO is certainly an added advantage.

Antennas

Antenna is very important as far as any wireless system is concerned. This factor is true for Wi-Fi routers too, and hence, the same should be considered with utmost significance while buying a Wi-Fi router. Some routers can be seen with antennas projecting from the top side of the device. Certain other routers have internal antennas, and hence, they have an elegant look. Routers having antennal antennas are without a position adjustment facility. This will be helpful while getting the best coverage.

Beam-forming

Most of the modern routers possess a capability called beam-forming. This is a better option by which the speed, and signal strength of the router can be considerably improved. Beam-forming enables the router to spotlights the signal towards precise devices instead of covering the complete area with the same signal force. The router with a beam-forming ability is likely to offer added performance.

Conclusion

There are so many points to be considered when you buy a new Wi-Fi router. Anyway, majority of them will perform well in almost all situations. Before buying a Wi-Fi router, it is worth to consider the features actually required. This will help you understand the type of Wi-Fi router you have to buy.