Which router to choose. Local network speed. Seamless Wi-Fi roaming

Wi-Fi routers today are actively used to create a wireless network at home when the user has a large number of devices that need to be connected to the World Wide Web. Compared to a local connection, a wireless connection is much easier to organize and, in addition, you do not need to lay many cables to connect each device to the Internet.

Today, on the computer device market there is a huge selection of a wide variety of wi-fi routers. What technical parameters need to be taken into account when choosing it, which Wi-Fi router is better to buy for your home and what you should pay attention to when buying this device - this is discussed in our article.

A Wi-Fi router (from English route) is a small device that provides wireless data transfer between the Internet and various devices (Wi-Fi).
Today, most computer communication devices already have built-in Wi-Fi receivers, which gives them greater mobility and ease of use.

At home, using a home router, you can both connect to the global wireless network from various devices (laptop, smartphone, tablet, etc.) and organize internal wireless communication between home devices (for example, you can connect a home computer or laptop to a wireless printer or play an exciting shooter game with the whole family).
Using a wi-fi router for your home, you can forget about “cable tethering”, place certain devices anywhere in the apartment and connect a large number of gadgets to one access point.
Before choosing a wireless access point for your home, you should understand its technical characteristics.

The most important characteristics of routers

When choosing a wireless router, you should pay attention to its characteristics. Any Wi-Fi router is designed to combine certain computer communication devices into a single network, as well as provide shared access of devices to the Internet channel.
One of the most important characteristics of wireless access points is the speed of data transmission over the network (from 8 – 35 Mbit/s for cheap models, up to 1 Gbit/s for expensive devices).
When choosing a Wi-Fi router, you should also understand the wireless connection standards. So, today there are several such standards that affect the maximum data transfer speed of the device. For example, the IEEE 802.11b standard is already outdated and provides data transfer at a maximum speed of up to 11 Mb/sec. New computer devices also have new standards - 802.11g with an Internet connection speed of 54 Mb/sec and 802.11n with a maximum speed of up to 300 Mb/sec. High data transfer speed allows you to transmit and receive information from the Internet much faster.

When choosing a wifi router for your home, pay attention to the amount of RAM. It is recommended to buy wireless access points with at least 64 MB of RAM and a processor power of at least 240 MHz. Flash memory in the device should not be less than 16 MB.
If you have a large apartment, it is advisable to purchase a router with 2 or 3 antennas and high power. The most powerful router allows you to “pierce” a building at 50 - 70 meters.
Well, of course, it is advisable to buy products only from well-known brands. Thus, among the best manufacturers of wireless access points are: Linksys, TP – Link, Asus, ZyXEL.

The main criteria for choosing a router for your home

When choosing a router for your home, you should pay attention to the following important characteristics: maximum data transfer speed, stability of operation, radiation power of the data transmitter, availability of additional connectors
The maximum data transfer rate is measured in Mbit/s. So, for example, when purchasing a device with a speed of 150 Mbps, you should take into account that this is approximately 10 Mb/s. This speed is quite enough to comfortably work on the network from several devices. It is not necessary to take into account the speed of LAN ports (cable connectors). Typically, on cheap models the speed does not exceed 100 Mbit/s, and on expensive ones 1000 Mbit/s. Such characteristics are important if you connect several devices via cable and “drive” gigabytes of data between them.

When choosing a router, pay attention to how many meters it can transmit the signal. If you have a large apartment or house, take a look at powerful routers with multiple antennas.

As for the stability of the device, it depends on the firmware of the device, as well as on the reliability of the chip. In this case, again, it is best to pay attention to well-known brands and purchase a device in a specialized store rather than buying a Chinese-assembled device “hand-made”. And, of course, require a warranty for all purchased products.

If, in addition to wireless access, you need to connect additional devices to Wi-Fi (printer, local computer, IPTV receiver), purchase a device with additional connectors (USB, connectors for local cables, etc.).

Portable and mobile wifi routers

For travelers or businessmen who need to be constantly connected and have access to the Internet, it is best to purchase a portable router. The advantages of such gadgets include: small size, battery power, support for all cellular communication standards, and automatic connection setup. Such routers have a built-in router and are quite reliably protected from network attacks. They can be used when connecting several users and for organizing network storage with medical content, as well as to create wireless communication in a car, on a boat, on a yacht.

The disadvantages of mobile routers include the low power of the Wi-Fi transmitter, as well as the short operating time of the device. When choosing a portable router, you should pay attention to what is more valuable to you: the dimensions of the device or its autonomy. For short tourist trips, you can purchase a compact mobile router. For long journeys, it is worth choosing a larger router, with a capacious battery and the ability to organize a local network. Among the portable routers we can highlight: AsusWL-3300NUL, ASUSWL-330N3G, LexandLBP - 52C and LBP - 78W.

Scam by sellers or which routers are better not to buy

When choosing a router, you should not chase the most sophisticated and expensive device, especially if you live in a small apartment. Never buy routers or other devices second-hand, but only in specialized stores. Ask the seller to show you a license from the manufacturer, as well as a warranty for the device.

Attention: The most common scam from sellers is an additional guarantee. You will be offered to purchase an additional warranty in addition to the standard one. Don’t buy an additional guarantee, it’s often just a money grab. Routers rarely break down, and those that have worked normally for a whole year will work for a second and third year.

When choosing a router, try to get as much information as possible about it, watch video reviews, read text reviews about it on the Internet.
Which router is better to buy for your home? So, we present to your attention the top 3 Wi-Fi routers for the home!

Top 3 best home wifi routers (their advantages and disadvantages)

In third place in our hit parade of routers is a beautiful and stylish wireless router from NETGEAR - NETGEARWNDR4500.
Its big advantage is the data transfer speed – up to 900 Mbit/s! Indeed, with such a device you can freely download gigabytes of information from the Internet or play computer games over the network. The device has 6 internal antennas with separate transceivers that provide excellent signal reception.

LED indicators on the front of the device indicate port status, device activation, and operation. The big advantage of this router is also the Wi-Fi on/off button. It allows you to save energy or turn off the device if there is a threat of computer hacking.
The router is powered by a BroadcomBCM4706 processor at 600 MHz, it has 128 MB of RAM and 128 MB of flash memory. The NETGEARWNDR4500 router is a great purchase. Beautiful appearance, excellent data transfer speed and convenient control buttons - all this allows us to include this company’s router in the top three for the home user.
Among the disadvantages, it should be noted: the lack of wall mounting, the inability to adjust the transmitter power and the high cost of the router.

In second place is the device of the Chinese company “TP-Link” - TP-Link TL-WR2543ND.
A distinctive feature of this device is the ability to operate in 2 frequency ranges (up to 450 Mbit/s) in each. The device has smooth body lines. Three external antennas, which can be rotated 360 degrees, ensure reliable reception of the device anywhere in the apartment or house.
The router has indicators for operating modes, wireless network, power, Ethernet ports, and a USB port. There are also holes for wall mounting the device. The router has an “AtherosAR7242” processor on board, which operates at a frequency of 400 MHz, as well as 64 MB of RAM and 8 MB of flash memory.
The advantages of the device include: the ability to operate in 2 ranges, low cost, low energy consumption. The downsides are the small amount of flash memory and a not very user-friendly interface.

Well, and finally, the first place is deservedly occupied by the products of the famous brand “ZyXEL” - “ZyXEL KeeneticGiga 2”!
This device has an updated software platform and excellent technical characteristics, as well as an elegant appearance. Externally, “ZyXEL” looks very stylish - a black lacquered body with rounded edges and matte sides.

Two external antennas provide stable signal reception at speeds up to 300 Mbit/s. There is also a universal button that allows you to reprogram various functions of the device.
The “motor” of the router is the MediatekRT6586 processor, which operates at a frequency of 700 MHz and provides a stable and stable connection signal in any room of the house. 256 MB of RAM allows the user not to think about the performance of the device, but only enjoy reliable and stable work on the network. The Russified interface of the device is very convenient. The hardware of the device works flawlessly, as does the software. Among the advantages of “ZyXELKeeneticGiga 2” we can note excellent communication quality, reliable, stable signal reception even in conditions of interference, a beautiful case, a Russified interface and a high data transfer speed - a well-deserved first place!

Good Wifi routers with a long range

If you have a large house or apartment or you need access to the Internet over a considerable distance, you need to think about purchasing powerful equipment. Moreover, if a computer or laptop has a low receiver power, then you should buy a more powerful adapter.

When choosing a powerful router, you should consider purchasing a good device with high Wi-Fi data transfer speeds (11g - up to 54 Mbit/s or even 11n - 600 Mbit/s) - this will ensure a fast connection and the ability to quickly download a large amount of information from the network.

A powerful router also requires a large number of antennas for stable communication, so you should opt for gadgets with the maximum number of antennas.

It is advisable to buy a wireless access point with two bands. In this case, its throughput increases. As for the company, there is only one answer - the undisputed leader among powerful and super-powerful Wi-Fi routers with a long range is and remains the ZyXEL company.

Important! The best place to locate a wireless access point is as close to the center of the house as possible on a shelf or wall above furniture level. If you live in a large private house, then the ideal option is the first floor in the center of the house. To ensure the best signal, the router antenna should be pointed straight up. You should not place the Wi-Fi router next to steel beams, reinforcement, or various electronic devices. These factors can affect signal strength or make it intermittent.

Well, and finally, a few tips to ensure that your router can transmit a signal over a long distance:

• Install powerful external antennas in the device;
• Place the router in the place in the building where the signal will be most stable;
• Buy another router, or buy special amplifiers.

A Wi-Fi router is needed to distribute the Internet to several devices (smartphones, tablets, laptops, computers, TVs) via a wired LAN connection or Wi-Fi. Your choice determines the coverage area of ​​the wireless Internet in the apartment, the speed, stability of operation and the availability of additional functions: network storage, IPTV connection, creating a home media server, print server, network distribution with a 3G modem.
WiFi router operation diagram
In this article we will only consider Wi-Fi routers that operate from a standard Ethernet cable. The choice of devices running from ADSL (via telephone), fiber optic network or 3G is more specific. They are often issued by the providers themselves.

Router speed

• 99% of modern routers use the Wi-Fi 802.11n standard. The theoretical data transfer speed reaches 600 Mbit/s (one antenna up to 150 Mbit/s).
• The 802.11g standard limits the theoretical maximum speed to 54 Mbps.
• The newest standard is 802.11ac, which provides theoretical speeds of up to 1.3 Gbps.

The technical specifications for each router indicate the maximum data transfer speed. If 300 Mbit/s is specified, in practice expect speeds 3 times lower - 100 Mbit/s. In megabytes, this is a speed of 12.5 MB/s. It is enough for surfing the Internet, watching 1080p online videos, listening to music, multiplayer games, downloading Full HD movies. This will not be enough for downloading torrents in multiple streams or copying files within the network. To work with fast Wi-Fi, the laptop must support the 802.11n or 802.11ac wireless standard.


The specifications indicate the speed of the wired LAN connection. The standard figure is 100 Mbit/s. Expensive routers can work 10 times faster - at a speed of 1 Gbit/s. This speed is needed for fast file exchange within a local network.

How much the router cuts down the Internet can only be learned from real users. This is a subjective parameter, these numbers will be different for each provider. If you are connected to a 100 Mbit/s tariff, at best there will be 95 Mbit/s. The maximum speed will be only when connected directly to the computer’s network card.
Ask a technical support specialist (a technician, not an operator), he should know what equipment is compatible with their network.

Network frequency range

Routers operate in the 2.4 GHz frequency range. There are models that can simultaneously or alternately operate in the 2.4 and 5 GHz range. The 5 GHz channel is useful if there are many routers around your apartment that create interference and slow down the Internet speed. Therefore, moving to 5 GHz may increase speed, but will reduce network range. Not all devices support this operating mode.

Operation stability

You will waste a lot of nerves if the router freezes 2-3 times every day. And until you reboot it, the Internet will not return. You can only learn about the stability of a router from reviews.

To reduce the risk of purchasing a low-quality router, choose from well-known manufacturers: ZyXEL, D-link, TP-LINK. They update their firmware regularly. It is also not recommended to buy new models - in the first year after release there are many glitches.

On the Internet you can find alternative firmware such as DD-WRT or OpenWRT to increase stability, speed and add new functions. But when installing them, there is a possibility of permanently breaking the router.

Wi-Fi coverage radius

The actual range can only be determined in practice in your apartment. Almost any router, including D-link DIR 300, is enough for an apartment of 60–70 m².

If you want to get network coverage over a large area, buy a router with 2 or 3 antennas. They must support MIMO technology - multiple input-output. This allows you to increase the network coverage radius up to 400 meters in open space, reduce dead zones and increase Internet speed.

Routers with a built-in antenna have low gain - up to 2 dBi. The best option is an external removable antenna. An antenna of 2-4 dBi is enough for an apartment or office. If desired, it can be replaced with a more powerful or directional one, or an extension cord can be installed.

Other features

Some routers have a USB port. It is used to connect flash drives or external hard drives for use over a network. You can download torrent files on them when the computer is turned off, create a home media server, and conveniently watch movies on smart TV.


This port is also designed (not on all models) for connecting a 3G/4G modem. A convenient feature if you want to get a backup Internet channel. Many people take such routers to their dachas. Some models have an autonomous power source for distributing mobile Internet without electricity.


The presence of Yandex DNS in the router interface will allow you to install a family filter with one click. Sites with illegal content, viruses, porn and bots will be blocked.
Devices differ in the size of RAM. The higher the number, the better the overall performance of the router. If you don’t know which of the two models to choose, look at the RAM size.

Price

The cheapest router can be bought for 600–1500 rubles. It is enough for undemanding users: 2-3 devices with low connection speed and range. If the tariff does not exceed 30–50 Mbit/s and you don’t want to overpay for unnecessary functions, you can take the economy option. But it makes no sense to overpay for useless functions. The maximum adequate cost for a router for an apartment is 3–4 thousand rubles.

Design

In addition to a beautiful appearance, the design should be thoughtful and convenient.

The best Wi-Fi routers

The summary table compares the 21 best home router models that can now be found on sale.

Perhaps one of the most popular devices for all Internet users today is a home wifi router. There is a wide selection of models from different manufacturers on the market. But it is often difficult for the average user to understand such diversity. We will not make the choice for you: a wifi router for the home, each user chooses based on the criteria he needs. In the review, we will talk in detail about these criteria, and consider several models that, in our opinion, deserve attention when choosing.

Basic selection rules

A router is a combined device with which your PCs, laptops, tablets and other devices are combined into a wireless network with Internet access. Choosing an inexpensive but high-quality “device” of this kind is not easy. A number of criteria need to be taken into account. Let's look at them:

Price. At the moment, it is often advised to choose from the “cheapest” devices. It would seem that ultra-budget and expensive models are no different, since they support the same set of functions, etc. It seems there is no need to pay more. Which router is better for home – the most budget-friendly or more expensive?

In fact, we can say: good assembly, plus high performance, an ideal degree of reliability - all this is rarely present in cheap devices. Budget routers (from most companies, although not all) break down more often than expensive ones. Here the choice, as a rule, is obvious: if there is an opportunity, then it is purchased “more expensive”.

Brand. That is, a company offering products. You can choose a wifi router for your home based on this criterion based on your personal preferences. Regarding this class of devices, reviews are divided as follows:

D-Link is considered a leading manufacturer, but only of devices belonging to the “budget” class. According to reviews, the products are not highly reliable. Let's be more precise: the complaints do not apply to the hardware. The same cannot be said about proprietary software (that is, “firmware”). However, in older models (like dir-300), no shortcomings were noticed.

In the “budget” segment, professionals and users name several manufacturers whose products are the best: Linksys (their routers are quite expensive, but at the same time reliable), Asus (positive reviews, including on routers), Zyxel ( any models - no complaints), and TP-Link (budget but reliable equipment).

What else is important when choosing?

The main criterion is technical characteristics. More precisely, the functionality provided in your router. First of all, this is, of course, the Internet access protocol. Different providers may use different protocols (often used is DHCP, there is also PPPoE). And if the provider uses a VPN, the choice will be more difficult.

The presence of a USB port provides additional options: you can use the router as an FTP server, or connect a printer, or a USB modem. Make no mistake: all three functions are not found very often (especially on “factory” firmware). One of the listed functions can be implemented (for example, an Internet connection via a 3G modem).

Therefore, the best router for home includes a set of functions, at a minimum, necessary for the user. And the conditions, most often, differ - hence the choice of model (in each case, it will be different).

About the availability of functions for setting up IPTV, or IP television. As a rule, in the characteristics of each model, this is stated as the presence or absence of “Multicast”. If necessary, seek advice (or, better yet, read reviews from real users). If you know the basic characteristics you require, then choosing a router for your home will not be difficult.

Another general rule

In principle, a router is the same computer. Only, there is less memory (and more ports). Choose devices with good hardware - RAM, let it be from 32 Megabytes, flash memory - 8, and a processor with a frequency of 240 MHz (preferably 300). The rule is very good, but there are exceptions: some manufacturers manage to make firmware that works perfectly on 16 Megabytes (and takes up less than 4). An example is some routers from Linksys.

Top rating of the best

It must be said right away that a home wi-fi router or a professional one, no matter how good it is, will not be able to increase the speed of your Internet connection. The tasks of the router include: reliable operation in any of the declared modes, and if there is a real reduction in speed, let it be as low as possible.

Zyxel Keenetic

The best wifi router for home, in the case of 100-Mbit Internet (that is, if there is no “Gigabit WAN” - who has it?).

Interfaces: 5 LAN-WAN connectors; USB 2.0 connector; 2 removable antennas.

Protocols: DHCP, PPTP (VPN), L2TP and PPPoE, plus IPTV support. USB port supports all necessary options (including 3G connections). Other options: Link Duo - combined access to the Internet (PPTP/L2TP/PPPoE) and resources of the provider's local network (via DHCP).

Pros: ideal stability; there are only positive reviews about the “factory” firmware.

Minuses: hmm... that's the price. Indeed, it remains too high: at least 2 thousand rubles. in retail.

TP-Link TL-WR841ND

This Wi-Fi router for home is suitable for those who use a PPPoE connection (provider: Rostelecom, and some others).

Two removable antennas, correct support for VPN tunnels, plus reliability in operation, these are the main characteristics of this model. With the latest firmware (7th) – IPTV works. Protocol: PPPoE (up to 100 Mbit/s). There is no USB port.

The price is now from 1 thousand rubles. - one of the advantages.

ASUS RT-N56U

Reliable "Gigabit" at an average price.

The most modern of the models considered in the review. Supports any connection protocols with the provider (including VPN tunnels), two USB ports (support for FTP server and printer connection), antennas (of which there are 3) - removable. By the way, wi-fi here also works in the 5 GHz range.

Huawei HG231f

Pros: reliable operation (including with factory firmware), support for various provider protocols (without VPN).

May not like: wi-fi access point - limited to 150 Mbit/s, no USB, no IPTV support.

A budget wi-fi router for the home, with a slightly “truncated” 802/11 n wireless protocol, a minimal set of functions, and positive reviews. At the same time, the design is “unusual” (which we also rate as a “minus”).

Now you can choose a router for your home from our “rating” (the choice, of course, depends on the functions that are actually required). Or – “add” to this list.

Let's sum it up

An unsuitable, or rather, low-quality router is the one that causes problems. Reduced Internet speed (for example, with a provider it is 10 Mbit/s, and with a router it is 2-3 times lower) is a common phenomenon, but the most “harmless”. A low-quality or simply low-power router may regularly freeze, reboot, or drop the connection. Of course, a router for the home should not have any of these shortcomings.

All of the above models have support for wi-fi standard 802.11 n (the “fastest”, in theory allowing connections of up to 300 Mbit/s). There are many “older” models that work just as reliably, but, alas, only support 802.11 b/g. When choosing the best router for the home in 2012, we excluded such models from consideration.

Also, we did not consider devices in the more expensive segment (from 150 USD). Let's leave the choice to the user.

When answering the question of which router to choose for your home, we considered one of the main criteria. These are real user reviews.

Choosing a Wi-Fi router

Today, perhaps, you will no longer meet a person who does not use a computer or does not have a PC at home. In addition, more and more services and programs necessary for work and leisure work when connected to the Internet.

Also, recently the situation has become increasingly popular when an apartment, house or office has not one device, but several (PCs, tablets, communicators, smartphones, etc.), each of which requires its own separate connection to the network.

The ability to connect several devices to the internet, while having one input signal point from the provider, is currently achieved using a router or router.

Photo – Networking with multiple paired devices

The router itself is a network device, the purpose of which is to transmit packet data between devices paired with it and the access point - the service provider. In addition, more expensive routers are equipped with a number of additional features, including:

• the ability to set restrictions on access to sites that are potentially dangerous for software;
• ability to connect a firewall;
• the ability to encrypt network access and traffic distribution;
• ordered distribution of traffic across access points, etc.

A standard router, which can often be found both in a private home and in a company office, public places, is a small-sized equipment consisting of a hardware unit, an antenna for transmitting a Wi-Fi signal, a power supply for connecting to the mains, patch cords (patch cords).

Photo – Equipment and connection of the router

A standard router is capable of organizing a network by connecting 4 PCs via a wired connection, as well as 5-10 devices for which Wi-Fi signal channels will be allocated. However, experts do not recommend completely loading the router, especially if it is not an expensive model of this device. Otherwise, the router may freeze and cannot withstand heavy loads.

Some router models may be equipped with USB ports for connecting a flash drive or hard drive. This feature will allow you to use the equipment as a file server, print server, etc. In addition, some models also boast support for 3G modems.

What you should pay attention to

When choosing a router, you should consider the following features and operating parameters of this equipment:

• to organize a home connection or a network for a small office, a regular (non-professional) router from the mid-price range will be sufficient;
• device support for IEEE 802.11g and IEEE 802.11n standards is required will provide data transfer speeds via Wi-Fi up to 600 Mbit/s;
• installation must support PPTP or L2TP, which will provide access to Internet communications from almost any provider.

How a wireless Wi-Fi router works

The principle of operation of the equipment is based on receiving and converting the recipient's address, which is “written” in the header of the information packet for its transmission, then the path along which the information is addressed is determined using the routing table. If the routing table does not provide any address, the information is not accepted and discarded.

Photo - Example of a user network working with a router

In practice, there are some other systems for transmitting data to devices paired with the router. For example, the use of the sender address or upper-level header protocols. There are also cases when the router’s operation is based on the transmission of addresses of both the sender and the recipient, as well as filtering the transit stream of transmitted data.

How to install a Wi-Fi router: step-by-step instructions

In order to connect and configure the router yourself, you need to do the following:

1. The first thing they do to install the equipment is to connect all communications from the router to the PC and to the Internet signal transmission unit from the provider. To do this, insert an Internet cable into the connector called WAN, and insert the cable that comes with the router into one of the remaining ports; its other end is intended for the Ethernet connector on the back panel of the PC. After this, turn on the power to the device.
2. Next, move on to setting up the router software. The equipment setup is not standard and may differ depending on the router model and connection settings from the provider. Configuration can be done through any browser installed on your computer (Google Chrome, Opera, Internet Explorer, etc.). To do this, you need to go to the administrative interface of the device by entering the combination of numbers in the address bar of the browser: 192.168.1.1. After pressing the “Enter” key, the equipment administration window should pop up. If this does not happen, then you should check the cable connection, make sure that the connection is running, and then try again.
3. The next step is to directly configure the Wi-Fi connection. If the router is equipped with a quick setup function, then you need to start the “Quick Setup” service and follow the prompts of the installation wizard. Among the setup steps there will be a selection of the following parameters: - type of preferred connection;

   — type of Internet connection;

4. Next, you need to connect the Wi-Fi module itself directly. To do this, the installation wizard offers the following menu.

Photo - Wi-Fi signal connection module

After these steps, the Internet connection should already be working. However, if the Internet speed is low or constant signal loss occurs, experts recommend choosing a specific channel (from 1 to 13), saving the settings. It is also worth taking care of the access password to the signal of the router you are connecting. Otherwise, unauthorized connections are possible, which will also reduce traffic and make the router work slower.

After the router is connected and configured, all that remains is to connect the network card to your PC or laptop and use the device’s internet connection. On a laptop, you need to make sure that the special key that turns on Wi-Fi mode is pressed. If this operation is completed, you must connect the device to the network.

Photo – Network indicator

To do this, right-click on the network icon on the desktop toolbar, select the name of the installed network from the menu that opens, and click the “Connect” button.

Photo – Context menu with installed Internet networks on the device

The connection is made in a similar way for Windows 8; for other systems, the device is turned on in a similar way.

How much does a router for a computer cost?

Today, the electronics and computer equipment market offers its customers a wide selection of routers, which differ from each other both in the manufacturer and in some of the functional features of the device. These could be routers for a home network with a few connected devices or industrial equipment to provide access to the Internet for public places and large offices. Accordingly, taking into account the functionality of the device, the cost of the devices will vary significantly. By visiting a store or online store of electrical goods, the client can choose the appropriate equipment that will meet the requirements for it. At the same time, he will need to deposit an amount of money ranging from 1 thousand rubles. for a standard model up to more than 25 thousand rubles. for professional multifunctional devices.

Consultants in hardware stores can rarely give sensible advice, and often simply sell the most expensive models, which do not always cope with their tasks.

In order not to overpay for a brand and unnecessary characteristics, you need to have at least a minimal understanding of what the operation of the device depends on. Therefore, today we’ll talk about which router is better to buy depending on your needs.

What do you need to ask your provider?

Some characteristics strictly depend 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 they use. WAN is a connector to which the cable routed into the apartment is directly connected. There are only 3 types of connection:

• via a telephone line (for this you need a router with a port or VDSL);
• special Internet channel (Ethernet/FTTB);
• over a modern fiber optic network (CPON, CEPON, PON).

There are also 3G routers on the market - they are specially adapted for working with mobile Internet. If your 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 one should I buy to make the Internet work faster? First, check what tariffs the provider itself offers and figure out what suits you. Based on this, we will choose a model with suitable characteristics.

The technical specifications of a router always indicate the maximum data transfer speed. 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 modern option, theoretically capable of delivering up to 1.3 Gbit/s;
• 802.11n - most common, provides speeds up to 600 Mbit/s;
• 802.11g is a legacy standard that limits connections to 54 Mbps.

However, don’t rush to buy the latest fancy router. After all, the capabilities of your technology also matter. The vast majority of gadgets now work with 802.11n, and therefore simply will not be able to process a faster signal.

Main characteristics

Let's move on to the parameters that no longer depend on the provider, but on your personal preferences and needs. It is impossible to say which Wi-Fi router is best to buy if you do not take into account how and for what the device will be used. What should you pay attention to?

Number of LAN ports

Typically, stationary equipment that needs a stable Internet connection (computers, TVs, consoles, etc.) is connected to the router via a cable. This ensures maximum speed that is unaffected by 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 allow you to 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 Mbps, and Gigabit Ethernet provides data transfer at speeds up to 1 Gbps.

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 bands.

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 provides a faster and more stable connection, so 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 channel is preferable. Switching to a higher frequency will increase data transfer speeds, but will slightly reduce the range 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, the power rarely exceeds 17 dBm. 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 legal restrictions on the maximum permissible power. The upper threshold for the 2.4 GHz frequency is considered to be 20 dBm - these are the models you should choose from if you have a spacious apartment.

Radius of action

Often the distance covered by the network is written on the box and in the technical documentation. The radius indoors and outdoors is indicated separately. But if we talk about which WiFi router is better to buy, then this indicator is very relative. A couple of thick reinforced concrete walls “kill” the signal of even the most powerful routers. 70% of everything depends not on the device itself, but on the room.

Type and number of antennas

A common mistake buyers make is to think that the energy from multiple 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 connection more stable and the coverage even.

But what should you pay attention to? First of all, antennas - built-in or external. As practice has shown, in a city apartment the difference between them is almost invisible. 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 ways, the quality of an antenna's performance depends on what chip it uses. Therefore, another parameter that is worth looking at is the gain. To increase the range 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 advisable to place the antennas vertically or at a slight angle to each other.

Availability of USB

Models with one or more USB ports are more expensive, but open up many additional possibilities for the user. By connecting a storage device to your WiFi router, you can create a shared data storage to which all devices on the network can connect. In addition, if the cable Internet stops working, you can access the network using

Additional "chips"

Many manufacturers produce routers that, in addition to their main function - “distributing” the Internet - have other useful functions.

This is very important if you often work in different places, including outside the city. The built-in 3G modem allows you to connect to the Internet through the networks of cellular operators.

You can also find specialized routers on sale. Let's briefly talk about which mobile router is best 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 which standards the router supports. EVDO Rev.B can deliver up to 14.7 Mbps, while UMTS/HSDPA are considered faster and are capable of speeds up to 42 Mbps.

If the router will be used in places with weak signal levels (for example, in rural areas), it is recommended to choose a device with the ability to connect its own antenna.

Among the popular models are the routers Pantech MHS291L, Novatei MiFi 6620L Rev.B, ZTE AC30.

Which router is better to buy? In 2014, there was a real “boom” - people began to switch en masse from regular cable to IPTV. Digital television provides much better sound and picture. At the same time, you can watch any channels from all over the world, as well as use additional functions such as rewinding and recording a program.

Multiple access points

A useful feature is the ability to create not one, but several wireless networks using one router. This is primarily relevant for offices and retail premises, when there is a need to divide 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.