If you want to use the WiFi or internet in your house, you need a few things. One of the most important is a router.
A router connects the various devices in your house to the internet by receiving internet data from a modem and wirelessly sending it to electronics throughout your home.
While there are several different routers out there, not all are created equally. They have different features, and different options, and come in various price ranges.
In particular, this guide will take a quick look at a few important factors that you should take into account when shopping for a router.
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Factors to Consider When Choosing a Home Router
When buying a router, here are a few things to keep in mind to ensure that you get a router that meets your needs.
1. Security
Data security and privacy is more important than ever before. As a result, you need to ensure your router is able to successfully protect your network.
It should come with WPA/WPA2 encryption, the ability to set a password, and a firewall. All of those features will help keep your devices safe from hackers and protect your network from unauthorized access.
2. Range
Your router’s range is also important. The range of a router refers to the distance over which the router can transmit a signal.
You want to choose one that can provide an adequate connection to your entire home.
If your home is large, or the router is low-quality, certain parts of your home may have a weaker connection than others. Be sure to choose one with enough range for your needs.
3. Speed
Look for the maximum speed that the router can support.
In general, most routers on the market today support wireless speeds of up to AC1900 or AC3000, which translates to maximum theoretical speeds of up to 600Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and up to 1,300Mbps on the 5GHz band.
This means that the router can transfer data at a maximum of 1,900Mbps in total (1,300Mbps + 600Mbps).
A higher speed means that data can be transmitted faster and that multiple devices or users can access the internet at the same time without experiencing a significant drop in performance.
4. Band
Most routers come in single-band, dual-band, or tri-band. Dual and tri-band routers use additional signals and frequencies to provide increases in performance.
They essentially give you more networks, which allow more devices to use the internet without hurting things like speed and performance.
If you have a lot of devices that will be connecting to the router, you may want to look for a dual-band router, which supports both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands.
5. Price and Brand
Routers come at a wide range of prices, from budget-friendly models to high-end devices, and from from different brands. You should decide how much you’re willing to spend, and look for a router that offers the features you need within your budget.
Also, try to look for a reputable brand as you’ll get a lot of extra benefit such as quality customer support Some reputable brands today include: Cisco, D-Link, Netgear, ASUS, TP-Link, and Linksys.
How to Set up a WiFi Router at Home
When setting up the router, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, it should be kept in a safe place away from where any children could get to it or where it could accidentally be dropped or spilled on.
If your home is quite large, consider setting the router up in a relatively central location. That ensures a strong connection no matter where you are. Each router has a different range, and you need to make sure the one you choose is accurate.
Of course, simply having the router won’t do you any good if you don’t know how to set it up. There are plenty of online guides and videos, that can help if you’re struggling.
Take your time to make sure it is set up correctly. Also, be sure to ensure all security features are set up to protect your home network from unwanted visitors.
FAQs
Here are some other questions about home routers that you might be interested in checking out.
Can I just buy a router and get internet?
Not really. A router does not provide the internet connection itself, instead it is just a device that allows multiple devices to connect to the internet. In order to access the internet, you will need to pay for an internet service provider (ISP) and a service plan that provides a connection to the internet.
How much should I pay for a good router?
Entry-level home routers cost around $50 to $100. Mid-range routers for more demanding home use cost around $100 to $200. High-end routers for large households with many connected devices can cost $200 and above.
What are the 4 types of routers?
They are wired routers, wireless routers, Mesh routers, and VPN routers. You can learn more about the differences of these routers from this Cisco article.
Final Words
A router plays an incredibly important role in getting your various devices connected to the internet. If you want to connect to wireless internet in your home, you will need a router.
Anyone who plans on using the internet at home should invest in one. It allows you to browse the internet, use smart home devices, play video games, and do dozens of other things that require an internet connection.
If you don’t utilize wireless internet in your home, or already have a router, you likely will not need another. Hopefully, this guide has made your decision an easier one.
Do you know any high-quality routers that cost $100 or less that you felt deserved to be mentioned in this guide? If so, let us know about it in the comments section below.
