This article explains how to direct your research to decide which model and type of wireless router to install in your home.
Steps
Step 1. Find out the maximum speed of your internet connection
To do this, contact your internet service provider (ISP) or consult your contract information. Internet speed, which is normally measured in megabits per second (Mbps), will indicate the minimum speed your router should have.
For example: if the maximum speed of your internet connection is 100 Mbps, you will need a router that can handle at least 100 Mbps
Step 2. Find out about local internet service providers
There may be better alternatives than the connection you are using, and your ISP may mind using a certain type of router.
Some ISPs offer the option to rent or directly purchase a combined router / modem device that is compatible with their services. Renting will cost more in the long run, but it's a good choice for those who can't afford to replace or upgrade a hundred-dollar router after a few years
Step 3. Find out if you already have a modem
If you are starting from scratch, you will need to purchase both a modem and a router. The modem communicates with the internet access point (for example the physical cable), while the router pairs with the modem to transmit the Wi-Fi signal.
- If you already have a modem from another provider, be sure to ask your current ISP if the device is compatible with the new service.
- You can buy devices that act as modems and routers for a low price, but repairs and replacements are usually not cheap.
Step 4. Establish your budget
It's easy to overpay for a router and modem. Knowing how much you are willing to spend (and what amount you absolutely do not want to exceed), you will be able to eliminate some of the higher-end models from your search.
- All inclusive, you can usually expect to spend around $ 200 for a good quality modem and router.
- Keep in mind that your budget should be slightly flexible, because a router that costs slightly more than you are willing to spend may be worth its price, in terms of reliability and performance.
Step 5. Determine the breadth of environments the router needs to cover
The best way to do this is to determine where you will install it (for example near the telephone cable), and then walk from that point to any room or zone you want to reach with the Wi-Fi signal.
- Walls and floors interfere with wireless signals, so you'll need a stronger router for a multi-story or multi-room home than a modest space (like a studio or classroom).
- If you need to reach multiple floors or a very large area, you will probably need to buy more than one router and connect them all to the same network.
Step 6. Make a note of all devices to be supported by your router
Writing the list of devices that will be connected to the router (for example phones, computers, consoles, etc.) will help you determine the model you need, because it will have to be able to manage that number of active devices on the network.
- Typically, a small, medium-power router can handle a bunch of normal computers running low-bandwidth operations, while you'll need a more powerful one to handle high-bandwidth operations and other devices (like printers).
- Also, consider how you will use the internet, because browsing the web or doing light work requires far fewer resources than playing games or continuous file transfers (like uploads and downloads).
Step 7. Learn what is meant by the speed and range of a router
You may be tempted to buy the fastest device you can afford; however, remember that a router can only guarantee you the maximum speed of your internet connection (for example, 100 Mbps). Other elements to consider are:
- Speed advertised, i.e. the rounded sum of the speeds of all the router bands. This is the number you will see advertised in the model description. Since many devices cannot connect to multiple bands at the same time, this is technically misleading information.
- Full speed, that is the value that determines the maximum speed of data transfer via the internet of the connected devices. For example, a router that supports speeds of 800 Mbps will not allow a device with a maximum speed of 400 Mbps to browse faster.
- Range of the router, i.e. the distance from which an acceptable signal can be received. For larger rooms, you will need to purchase a model with a stronger signal or a mesh network system, which uses multiple devices to cover the entire area.
Step 8. Limit your search for routers to those that fall into the "N" and "AC" categories
All devices of this type have the numerical classification "802.11", the international Wi-Fi standard. However, the letter (or pair of letters) in front of the model number refers to the version and, consequently, to the maximum speed.
- To get a very good performance and highly compatible model, buy an "AC" router.
- Categories A, B and G are considered obsolete.
Step 9. Make sure your router supports WPA2 encryption
There are many types of security protocols, but WPA2 is the newest and, consequently, the most secure. All devices in the "AC" category should support WPA2 encryption.
- Avoid the WEP and WPA protocols as they are obsolete since 2006.
- If you can't find the WPA2 certification on the router's packaging or description, contact the manufacturer or customer service and ask about that model's security protocols.
Step 10. Do research on a specific router
Once you've narrowed down your search and are starting to consider specific models, learn more about reviews, user feedback, and usage data. This way, you will have a good idea of the performance of the device in the circumstances in which you intend to use it.
- This is also a great time to call your ISP and ask which routers are recommended.
- When reading reviews from other users, pay special attention to negative ones. Usually, they are the ones that best illustrate the obvious flaws of the router, especially if you find the same testimony repeated several times.
- If the router model you are evaluating has great reviews and is being bought by a large number of users, this is probably a good choice.
Step 11. Talk to customer service
If you plan to buy the router in a physical store, you can ask for the opinion of the technical department staff. They might help you find more information about the device's performance and maybe share personal experiences with that model.
- Ask specifically if the model you have chosen is rendered often. The lower the return rate, the more reliable the router is.
- If you have decided to buy a router on Amazon or eBay, you can find an appliance store that sells the same model and ask customer service for more information on the performance of the device.
Advice
- You can also ask customer service for more information on encryption if it is critical to your business.
- Although it is not necessary, using a router of the same brand as your computer (eg Samsung) can improve the quality of the connection.
- Possibly, buy a high-quality device, more expensive than cheap and poor models, if you don't find reviews that advise against it. It's better to spend $ 300 on a router and modem that you'll be able to use for years, instead of wasting $ 100 on a lower quality device that breaks down every year or doesn't guarantee a good internet connection.
