As we promised, here is our new article in which we will tell you what is the most powerful home router in 2015. You probably already know that the price of such devices is from 3,000 rubles. and higher depending on the brand and characteristics. All information is current as of June 2015.
Before you decide to go shopping, think again: do you really need a powerful wifi router? According to our observations, people do not use 90% of the functions embedded in these devices. It's just a waste of money on something you don't need.
We hope you have already read our other article where we looked at the best and cheapest home routers in 2015. Perhaps one of them suits you and you want to buy it.
And since we already promised, then:
Overview of the most powerful home routers in 2015
ZYXEL KEENETIC GIGA II. Price ~ 3.700 r.
It would probably be more correct not to include this wifi router, because it cannot be classified as the most powerful router. But on the other hand, it cannot be attributed to the budget ones either - after all, its price is not small.
Of noteworthy characteristics, it should be noted the presence of gigabit Ethernet ports and two multifunctional USB port ov. We also note that this model very stable in operation.
Of the obvious shortcomings, it is necessary to mention the support wireless network just 802.11n 300Mbps and one 2.4GHz band.
Today, you can’t go anywhere without the Internet, everywhere you already have 3G or 4G in your mobile, but it’s not yet fast enough to download games or watch movies in good quality. Help comes home Internet with a Wi-Fi router that distributes the Internet to the whole house or apartment. That's just the choice of routers has become huge from inexpensive to powerful and expensive, so we decided to make a rating of the best Wi-Fi routers in 2019.
The best Wi-Fi routers for an apartment
At home, the dynamic range of the receiver is not so important. For a small one or two-room apartment, a 2.4 GHz router will be enough. Such devices are much cheaper than 5 GHz models, and their power is more than enough to cover the area of a small apartment.
Budget router with data transfer speed up to 300 Mb / s. Despite the apparent simplicity, the device perfectly manifests itself at home. Its power is enough to solve everyday tasks. The model has a button responsible for quick setup network protection, and it is possible to change the channel width. The router works stably, the Internet connection is almost never interrupted. It operates using the 802.1Q TAG VLAN protocol. Only non-removable antennas can upset.
Pros:
- Modest dimensions;
- Price.
Minuses:
- Antennas are non-separable.
The presented model can also be called inexpensive and affordable. This router has almost no drawbacks, because it has an attractive appearance and is easy to use. It has a high antenna gain, which positively affects the connection speed. Wi-Fi is transmitted according to the 802.11N standard, and powerful processor together with 64 MB random access memory allows you to enjoy high data download speed even in a large apartment. In addition, the router is well protected from hacking, and its disadvantage is the lack of a standard plug.
Pros:
- Stylish design;
- Easy setup;
- Low cost;
Minuses:
- There is no European plug.
A model that can simultaneously operate both at a frequency of 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. There is support for 802.11 a / b / g / n / ac standards, and the data transfer rate reaches 430 Mb / s. All thanks to a fast processor coupled with 64 MB of RAM. This compact router, among other things, has five LAN ports (unfortunately, none of the gigabit) and one USB output. That is, you can connect even a wired way a large number of devices. Plus, the operating system of the router allows you to forcibly limit the speed and block access to certain sites, which will certainly come in handy for parents.
Pros:
- Beautiful design in a compact body;
- Fast connection;
- High build quality;
Minuses:
- There are no gigabit ports.
This small router is capable of overclocking the Internet in the house up to 867 Mb / s. It supports two frequency ranges at once, and setting up the device will not take much time. The router is easy to manage, so anyone can handle it. Plus, you can connect an external drive to it, thanks to which the device plays the role of an FTP server. With all the indicated advantages, the lack of a power button is surprising, but over time you can get used to it.
Pros:
- 1 GB ports;
- Easy to handle;
- Works in two ranges;
- High connection speed;
Minuses:
- The power button is missing.
Xiaomi Mi WiFi Router 4
Here is the best Wi-Fi router for an apartment in 2019. Yes, it costs about a little more than 2,500 rubles, but it offers wide customization options and high connection speeds. You can connect several devices to the router at the same time that need an Internet connection. You won’t have to configure the router for a long time, since any action with it takes place instantly, thanks to an advanced operating system. So the power and almost unlimited connection speed in the apartment will be guaranteed.
Pros:
- Interesting design;
- Easy to set up;
- Powerful processor;
- Convenient operating system;
Minuses:
- Higher cost compared to competitors.
The best Wi-Fi routers for home
Apartments are usually small. In turn, a private house has a much more impressive space. Therefore, for such premises it is necessary to really powerful wifi router for high-speed internet connection. Below are the best router models for 2019 that are ideal for this task.
An extremely futuristic router in terms of design supports work with different protocols. It operates on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. In the second case, the connection speed reaches 867 Mb / s. The transmit and receive amplifier ensures the high performance of the router, thanks to which it works flawlessly. The router also has a good security system. With its help, all personal data will remain safe. The only thing that can disappoint is the lack of a connection indicator.
Pros:
- Unique design;
- Easy setup;
- Good connection speed;
Minuses:
- There is no network connection indicator.
Can't get around good router from Xiaomi. The presented router is used both in private homes and in offices. It has 4 antennas that direct the signal over long distances. The cores of the built-in processor operate at a frequency of up to 880 MHz, so the stability of operation does not raise any questions. In addition, the connection speed with this router reaches 1700 Mbps when using the 5 GHz band. So the cost of the device is fully justified, although you will have to try hard to set it up, since the instructions are presented only in Chinese.
Pros:
- Stable work;
- Powerful processor;
- Incredible data transfer speed;
- Decent signal reception range;
Minuses:
- The instruction is in Chinese only.
Another router from D-link with an attractive design. The router, as expected, provides a good data transfer rate. It runs on a 2-core processor and has a large number of USB 3.0 and SFP ports. High connection speed is provided by four communication amplifiers and antennas directed in different directions. The router can be controlled directly from the smartphone screen, and for a large family there is parental control. True, this router model is very massive, so you have to carefully find a place for it.
Pros:
- A large number of ports and connectors;
- Excellent connection speed;
- Convenient control with a smartphone;
- Parental control function;
Minuses:
- Impressive dimensions.
An incredibly stylish device that does not look like a router in the usual sense. The router has a laconic design that can complement any interior. The connection speed is at a low level, but the connection status can be assessed by referring to the indicators on the front panel. The router simultaneously works with dozens of devices within a radius of 15 meters. His important feature- the presence of a slot for MicroSD cards, as well as a robust housing design that guarantees a long service life.
Pros:
- Stylish body design;
- Good build;
- Convenient management;
- MicroSD card slot;
Minuses:
- Not the highest speed.
Picking up a router from Asus, you can be sure of the use of advanced technologies and unique design. What about speed? It develops up to 1267 Mbps, which allows you to comfortably surf the web on a large number of devices at the same time. The router is powered by 2-core MediaTek chip with clock frequency up to 880 MHz. This guarantees high performance as well as stable operation. The router is equipped with various ports and connectors, and the main disadvantage is the high cost.
Pros:
- Cool design;
- Powerful processor;
- Stable work;
- High connection speed;
Minuses:
- Price.
What to look for when buying?
There are a wide variety of different Wi-Fi routers on store shelves today, and it is important to pay attention to some points when choosing a device, which will be discussed below.
- Questions to the provider. If the provider did not provide you with his device, you need to find out the type of LAN connector that he uses to distribute the Internet, as well as the connection protocol, and in the future look for a Wi-Fi router with the same parameters.
- Transfer rate. If the provider's service package includes a data transfer rate of more than 100 Mbps, it is necessary to select a router with Gigabit Ethernet LAN connectors that support 1 Gbps. For Internet speeds less than this, you can get by with a device with Fast Ethernet ports operating at speeds up to 100 Mbps.
- Frequency range- if you intend to use several wireless gadgets, download large amounts of information, play online games and watch high-definition streaming video, you must choose a Wi-Fi router with two frequency bands and multiple antennas, operating on the IEEE 802.11 ac wireless LAN standard - and for working with documents, Internet surfing and communication in social. networks, a model with a single antenna supporting an 802.11 n class LAN is sufficient.
- Wi-Fi range in the instructions does not match the real one, since it is prescribed for ideal conditions. There are a lot of walls in any room, and the signal level drops significantly because of this, so the 100 meters of Wi-Fi coverage diameter indicated in the specifications may actually be no more than 20 meters. Do not buy a router with an antenna hidden inside the case - such devices distribute Wi-Fi weaker.
- Number of antennas directly affects the speed of the local network devices. If the router has only one antenna, it is forced to divide its power between receiving and transmitting data, and two antennas already distribute information flows among themselves: one antenna works for transmission, and the second for reception. Maximum amount antennas in a Wi-Fi router - 6, respectively, the quality of Wi-Fi distribution in such a model is very high. And yet, if the antennas of the router are removable, you can install more powerful or directional antennas instead.
- USB ports in a Wi-Fi router, they make it possible to connect a flash drive to it, HDD, a printer and a 3G / 4G modem for securing the Internet - if this is provided for by the functionality of the model.
- WEB interface in the router will allow you to quickly configure it thanks to a program that looks like a website.
- Upgradability of WEB-firmware allows in every new version operating system WiFi router fix flaws, improve its performance, and it's good if these updates occur regularly.
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. From his choice depends on the area of coverage of wireless Internet in the apartment, the speed, stability of work and the availability of additional functions: network storage, IPTV connection, creating a home media server, server print, network distribution with 3G modem.
Scheme of work wifi router A
In this article, we will only consider Wi-Fi routers that work with a standard Ethernet cable. The choice of devices powered by ADSL (via telephone), fiber optic network or 3G is more specific. They are often issued by providers themselves.
Router speed
- 99% of modern routers use the Wi-Fi 802.11n standard. The theoretical data transfer rate reaches 600 Mbps (one antenna up to 150 Mbps).
- The 802.11g standard limits the theoretical maximum speed to 54 Mbps.
- The newest standard, 802.11ac, delivers theoretical speeds up to 1.3Gbps.
The technical specifications for each router indicate maximum speed data transmission. If 300 Mbps is indicated, in practice, expect a speed of 3 times less - 100 Mbps. In megabytes, this is a speed of 12.5 MB / s. It is enough for surfing the net, watching online 1080p video, listening to music, multiplayer games, downloading Full HD movies. For downloading torrents in several streams or copying files within the network, this will not be enough. To work with fast wifi laptop should support the standard wireless communication 802.11n or 802.11ac. 
The specifications indicate the speed of the wired LAN connection. The standard figure is 100 Mbps. Expensive routers can work 10 times faster - at a speed of 1 Gb / s. This speed is needed for fast file exchange within the local network.
How much the router cuts the Internet can only be learned from real users. This is a subjective parameter, each provider will have different numbers. If a 100 Mbps tariff is connected, at best it will be 95 Mbps. The maximum speed will be only when connected directly to the computer's network card.
Ask a question to a specialist technical support(technician, not operator), he must know what equipment is compatible with their network.
Network frequency range
Routers operate in the 2.4 GHz frequency band. There are models that can simultaneously or alternately operate in the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands. The 5 GHz channel is useful if there are a lot of routers around your apartment that interfere and slow down the Internet speed. Therefore, switching to 5 GHz may increase speed, but will reduce the range of the network. Not all devices support this mode of operation.
Work stability
You will spend a lot of nerves if every day the router freezes 2-3 times. And until you reboot it, the Internet will not return. You will learn about the stability of the router only from the reviews.
To reduce the risk of buying 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.
You can find alternative firmware like DD-WRT or OpenWRT on the net to increase stability, speed and add new features. But when installing them, there is a chance to break the router forever.
Wi-Fi coverage radius
The real range can only be determined in practice in your apartment. Almost any router is enough for an apartment of 60–70 m², the same D-link DIR 300.
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.
For routers with a built-in antenna, low gain - up to 2 dBi. The best option- external detachable antenna. Antenna 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 network use. You can download torrent files on them when your computer is turned off, create a home media server, and conveniently watch movies on smart TV. 
Also, this port is intended (not on all models) for connecting a 3G / 4G modem. A handy feature if you want to get a backup Internet channel. Many take such routers to the country. Some models have an independent power supply for dispensing mobile internet without electricity. 
The presence of Yandex DNS in the router interface will allow you to put family filter. Sites with illegal content, viruses, porn and bots will be blocked.
Devices differ in the amount of RAM. The larger it is, the better the overall performance of the router. If you don't know which of the two models to choose - look at the size of the RAM.
Price
The cheapest router can be bought for 600-1500 rubles. It is enough for undemanding users: 2-3 devices with a low connection speed and range. If the tariff does not exceed 30–50 Mbps and you do not want to overpay for unnecessary features- you can take the economy option. But overpaying for useless features does not make sense. The maximum adequate cost for a router in an apartment is 3-4 thousand rubles.
Design
Beyond the beautiful appearance, the design should be thoughtful and convenient.
The best Wi-Fi routers
IN pivot table comparison made 21 best models routers for the home, which can now be found on sale.
| Model | USB | 3G/4G | WiFi standard | WiFi speed | Port speed | Antenna | average price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZyXEL Keenetic Start | 802.11n | 150 | 100 | 1 non-removable 2 dBi | 1397 | ||
| ZyXEL Keenetic Lite III | 802.11n | 300 | 100 | 2 non-removable 3 dBi | 1754 | ||
| ZyXEL Keenetic 4G III | 1 | + | 802.11n | 300 | 100 | 2 non-removable 3 dBi | 2187 |
| ZyXEL Keenetic Lite II | 802.11n | 300 | 100 | 2 non-removable 3.5 dBi | 2760 | ||
| ZyXEL Keenetic Viva | 1 | + | 802.11n | 300 | 1000 | 2 non-removable 3 dBi | 3060 |
| ZyXEL Keenetic Extra | 1 | + | 802.11n | 600 | 1000 | 2 fixed 4 dBi | 4000 |
| ZyXEL Keenetic II | 2 | + | 802.11n | 300 | 100 | 2 removable 5 dBi | 4107 |
| ZyXEL Keenetic Giga II | 2 | + | 802.11n | 300 | 1000 | 2 removable 5 dBi | 4862 |
| TP-LINK TL-WR740N | 802.11n | 150 | 100 | 1 fixed 5 dBi | 1151 | ||
| TP-LINK TL-WR841N | 802.11n | 300 | 100 | 2 fixed 5 dBi | 1390 | ||
| TP-LINK TL-WR841ND | 802.11n | 300 | 100 | 2 removable 5 dBi | 1551 | ||
| TP-LINK TL-MR3420 | 1 | + | 802.11n | 300 | 100 | 2 removable 3 dBi | 1890 |
| TP-LINK TL-WR842ND | 1 | 802.11n | 300 | 100 | 2 removable 5 dBi | 1990 | |
| TP-LINK TL-WR941ND | 802.11n | 300 | 100 | 3 removable 3 dBi | 2190 | ||
| ASUS RT-N11P | 802.11n | 300 | 100 | 2 fixed 5 dBi | 1705 | ||
| ASUS RT-N12VP | 802.11n | 300 | 100 | 2 fixed 5 dBi | 1853 | ||
| ASUS RT-N12 | 802.11n | 300 | 100 | 2 removable 5 dBi | 2085 | ||
| D-link DIR-300 | 802.11g | 54 | 100 | 1 removable 2 dBi | 1194 | ||
| D-link DIR-620 | 1 | 3G | 802.11n | 300 | 100 | 2 non-removable 3 dBi | 1680 |
| D-link DIR-615 | 802.11n | 300 | 100 | 2 removable 2 dBi | 1794 | ||
| NETGEAR JWNR2000 | 802.11n | 300 | 100 | 2 internal antennas | 1333 |
A router is a very complex device with many technical characteristics. We will focus on those that play an important role for the buyer.
WAN port type and connection protocols
The WAN (or Internet) connector is used to connect an Internet cable to the router. This is the first detail that you should pay attention to when buying a device. It depends on it whether the router will work with the provider.
A typical router has a WAN port in one of two formats:
- DSL(ADSL, VDSL and other subtypes) - for connecting to the Internet via a telephone line.
- ethernet- to connect through a special provider channel.
There are also universal devices that support several formats, including DSL and Ethernet. But they are much less common.
In fiber-optic networks that are now quite popular, access to the Internet is carried out through a GPON terminal, to which the router is connected. Some routers have a corresponding connector for connecting the provider's fiber optic cable directly. This allows you to get rid of the terminal, which often suffer from power surges and remove the extra link in the chain.
ISP Compatibility
ISPs use various technologies to connect subscribers. Some of them are massive and are supported by default in all routers, others are less common and not available everywhere.
For example, many service providers use the L2TP protocol, which does not work in every router. Therefore, before buying, it is advisable to check with the provider's support service whether their networks support the router you are interested in.
If instead of DSL and Ethernet, the provider uses specific connection technologies, which rarely happens, then it is better to trust the choice of equipment to specialists.
Number and type of LAN ports
Computers, consoles, TVs and other stationary equipment that needs stable wired access to the Web are connected to the LAN ports of the router. This connection always guarantees maximum speed, which is independent of distance and interference.
And the more such connectors in the router, the more devices can be connected to it via a wire. Typically, routers are equipped with four LAN ports. But if this is not enough for you, choose a model with additional connectors.
The type of LAN ports determines the maximum speed of data exchange between the router and other devices connected to it via a wire.
There are two such types:
- fast ethernet provides speeds up to 100 Mbps.
- gigabit ethernet- up to 1 Gbps.
If your ISP offers Internet access at speeds greater than 100 Mbps, choose a router model with Gigabit Ethernet ports. So you will use your channel to the fullest.
WiFi standards
The maximum possible data exchange rate between the router and the fleet of devices connected to it wirelessly depends on the Wi-Fi standard. There are currently two standards in use:
- 802.11n- a common, but already outdated version, which is supported by the vast majority of gadgets. Possible speed - up to 600 Mbps.
- 802.11ac- the current standard, provides the highest speed - up to 6.77 Gbps.
But don't let the specs fool you: the values shown are only theoretically possible within the technology. Actual speeds are much lower.
The speed indicated by the manufacturer is also most often unattainable in practice. This is only a possible value without taking into account distance and interference.
Thanks to backward compatibility, you can connect any gadgets via WI-Fi to a router with the 802.11ac standard. Even if they only support 802.11n and older versions. But to unlock the full potential of 802.11ac, both your router and every other device on your wireless network must support this standard.
Number of Wi-Fi bands
Some routers can operate simultaneously in different frequency bands. In this mode, the router is able to support not one, but several independent Wi-Fi networks at once.
Many popular models are able to distribute data transmission between two ranges. Thus, they create two networks at frequencies of 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, respectively.
- Frequency 2.4 GHz ideal for connecting smartphones and office equipment.
- Frequency 5 GHz provides a more stable and faster connection, and therefore is better suited for multimedia devices that work with video and other heavy content. So, if you do not want to connect a TV or set-top box through wires, you can use Wi-Fi at a frequency of 5 GHz.
These networks can operate in parallel without limiting each other. But again, their total speed will not exceed the limit set by the Internet provider.
In addition, not all gadgets support a 5 GHz network.
Number and type of antennas
Beyond standard and frequency wifi work, the wireless network speed depends on the number of antennas in the router. The more of them, the faster the data exchange between the connected devices and the router.
The 802.11n Wi-Fi speed limit for the single antenna model is 150 Mbps. With two - 300 Mbps, with three - 450 Mbps. That is, with each antenna, the maximum possible speed increases by 150 Mbps. And in the 802.11ac standard - at 433 Mbps.
Recall that we are talking about the theoretical possible speeds under ideal conditions. In reality, these figures are much lower. In addition, do not forget that the total speed of Internet access via Wi-Fi cannot exceed the provider's limit.
Antennas can be built-in or external. As practice shows, in a typical city apartment, the type of antennas is not so important. Contrary to popular myth, the difference is barely noticeable.
But for large rooms, it’s still worth choosing a router with external antennas so as not to have. In addition, if external antennas are removable, if necessary, they can be replaced with more powerful ones.
Availability of a USB port
By choosing a router with one or a pair of USB connectors, you can connect additional devices to it. For example, a USB stick will provide remote access to the shared storage of files through any device in WiFi networks. A wireless USB modem will be yours in a backup way Internet access if cable Internet stops working.
Brief selection guide
Let's go over the key points of the article again. This checklist will help you choose a good router.
- Find out the provider's requirements for the router: WAN connector type and connection protocols. Only then choose a model.
- For Internet speeds above 100 Mbps, buy a device with Gigabit Ethernet (1 Gbps) LAN ports. If the speed is lower, Fast Ethernet connectors (100 Mbps) will suffice.
- If you need access to the Web only for browsing sites and working with documents, you can limit yourself to a router with one antenna and support wireless standard 802.11n.
- But if you watch streaming video, play online games, use a lot of wireless devices, often upload large files and are not used to denying yourself, then choose a dual-band router with multiple antennas and support for 802.11ac.
- If you wish, you can buy a model with a USB port to connect a drive or a wireless modem to it.
Development information technologies forces people to have electronic gadgets at their disposal: from smartphones to laptops, tablets. However, by and large, they are useless without going online.
If the apartment or private house has an Internet cable, each device can be connected to the World Wide Web. Based on this, the question arises of how to choose a router that provides high data transfer rates and stable operation over a long period of time?
What should you pay attention to when choosing a router?
You can purchase the most expensive router (router) with maximum performance and stylish design, but it will not be able to work because the type of WAN port (connection of the Internet cable to the router) was not taken into account. The most popular connection types include:
- ADSL - is carried out on the basis of a telephone cable and provides access to the network through communication with the subscriber's telephone line.
- FTTB is the most popular internet login. A twisted-pair fiber optic cable is connected to a private house or apartment. At the end of the line is a standard RJ-45 connector.
- Docsis is not the most common connection type. It is characterized by the presence of a coaxial cable with a low conductivity coefficient. Such Internet is not very fast.
Thus, when answering the question "how to choose a router for an apartment", you should take into account the type of Internet connection. Not right choice type of WAN port will cause the router to not be able to function, as a result of which you will have to purchase new equipment.
Additional technical characteristics of the router
If the port has been chosen correctly, it is necessary to determine the maximum speed that the equipment can provide. All routers have a different price, which depends not only on the manufacturer, but also on the maximum speed of receiving and transmitting data. If there is an Internet connection with gigabit speed characteristics (that is, downloading huge files from the network occurs almost instantly), then by purchasing a router with a WAN port, you can easily lose the declared speed (it will be cut 10 times).
Not the last role is played by the presence of a Wi-Fi module. In fact, this is the main function for which the router is purchased. When answering the question "which WiFi router to choose", you should take into account the range in which the equipment operates. On this moment almost all models operate in two modes: 802.11 g (maximum speed - 54 Mb / s) and 802.11 n (modern high-speed format that allows data transfer in the range from 400 to 450 Mb / s).
Why are USB ports needed?
It should also be noted the presence of several LAN ports, i.e. the possibility of simultaneously connecting several Internet connections to one router. The USB port also plays an important role. All mid-priced models have such connectors. Their presence makes it possible to connect additional devices.
It concerns network printers, 3G modems, flesh devices. If detachable antennas are included in the kit, then the range of the router can be significantly expanded (for example, to several rooms at once). In any case, the question of which router to choose for the home cannot be given an unambiguous answer. It all depends on where the equipment will be located (with concrete walls, the radius of the Internet coverage will be much smaller than with drywall), what are its speed characteristics and brand.
Choosing a home router by manufacturer
Your home router may not have the maximum specifications. It is enough that it has an optimal range of data reception, and the transmission speed contributes to a comfortable stay on the Internet.
Now you can find a huge number of companies specializing specifically in the production of routers. Most popular: D-Link, Asus, ZyxeL, Tp-Link. Each model has its drawbacks. For example, D-Link routers work with connection breaks, despite the fact that this company is very popular among users of the CIS countries. As for Asus, these manufacturers have not yet solved the problem of digital television - it refuses to be played via Wi-FI.
However, despite all these disadvantages, each of the presented companies has its own service centers on the territory of most cities of the Russian Federation. This means that in the event of a breakdown, you can always file a claim and deal with the problem. What can not be said about Chinese models: it is unlikely that you will be able to find a suitable repair center. Thus, when wondering which router is better to choose, one should give preference to models of well-known companies. The overpayment will be insignificant, but there will be much less problems with their work and finding a repair center.
The internal stuffing of the router
Technical specifications digital equipment are of particular importance. In this case, we are not talking about data transfer speed, but about the size of RAM and the type of processor. The router is a high-performance equipment with digital filling. Therefore, it needs a certain amount of RAM to process data.
For optimal network performance without delays, the size internal storage must be between 64 and 128 MB. As for the processor, with a frequency of 300 MHz, there should be no problems with the data transfer rate. The presence of antennas will increase the range (relevant for rooms with concrete walls) of the router, which will allow several devices to connect to it. This also applies to non-traditional gadgets. So, when answering the question of how to choose a router for a TV, you should consider the type of USB input. Digital television, as a rule, transmits information in two ways: through a WI-Fi network or by directly connecting the TV to the router.
Router with multilink connection: how much will it cost?
Support for all types of Internet connections is an important characteristic of the router. Each model has its own type of network connection. Simply put, not every cable can be connected to a WAN port. If there is no desire to deal with connection types, then it is better to purchase an average-priced model (from 1500 to 2000 rubles). They work with any internet connection.
Thus, figuring out how to choose the right router, you need to decide on the optimal technical characteristics of the equipment. Not only the speed of Internet data transfer depends on this, but also the cost of the router, the presence of additional ports and functions in its composition.
How to set up a router?
After buying a router, it becomes necessary to configure it. Most models have corresponding instructions and installation disk. However, if there is no disk and time to understand the documentation, you can configure the router according to the diagram.
So, first you need to connect an Internet cable to the router through the WAN port. If everything is done correctly, you should check the operability of the equipment. The 2 LEDs on the control panel will flash to confirm the connection. Then you should directly connect the router to the computer.
To do this, a wire must be included with the router. One end must be inserted into any socket of the router (if there are several), the other end must be connected directly to network card personal computer. After that, the router settings will have a standard look. This means that the password and login to enter the router management menu will look like admin.
To enhance your network security, it is recommended that you set your own 8-digit alphanumeric password. To do this, you need to go to any browser. Enter 192.168.0.1 in the search bar, after which the router menu should open. There you should select the System category and go to the Password Settings tab. After changing the password, click the "Apply" button.
How to choose a cheap router?
After choosing the optimal specifications, price should be determined. The question arises of how to choose a router that will be stable and provide high data transfer speeds for reasonable money?
Among cheap routers, models should be distinguished, the price range for which is from 500 to 1500 rubles. Such models have a Wi-Fi connection speed from 150 to 300 Mb / s. No additional USB ports preclude connectivity network equipment(printer, flash cards). In most cases, such routers will need to be rebooted several times.
This is due to the fact that the filling installed in them is not stable and does not provide high conductivity of the network signal. Such routers are recommended for those who have an Internet speed of no higher than 15 Mb / s. Otherwise, it will be “cut” by the router due to the weakness of the internal filling. Router examples: Asus RT-N12, D-Link-620.
What are the features of budget routers?
The best option for home use routers should be considered models, prices for which range from 1500 to 3000 rubles. The routers of this series are distinguished by stable operation on the Internet due to high-quality internal characteristics. Moreover, these models allow you to transmit a Wi-Fi signal, the speed of which exceeds 600 Mb / s. The router's processor ensures smooth operation. In addition, there is no need to reboot it.
In most cases, these models have one USB input. This makes it possible to use additional functions router (network drive, torrent client). When answering the question of which router to choose for the home, it should be noted that the models of this price category will best meet such characteristics as the ratio of speed and quality of equipment operation, with minimal costs for its acquisition. Such devices include Zyxel Keenetic Lite, Netgear 3210.
Does it make sense to buy expensive routers?
This topic is relevant for owners of high-speed connections, data transfer in which is measured in gigabytes. Prices for these types of routers start at 3000 rubles. Routers of this category allow you to transmit a Wi-Fi connection signal at speeds up to 750 Mb / s. High-quality internal filling almost completely eliminates breakdowns, freezes, and malfunctions of such equipment. Declared and actual data transfer rate will be almost the same. This suggests that the router does not “cut” it.
In addition, the presence of 4 or more USB ports allows you to use all the additional functions of the router. These models make it possible to open own servers on the Internet or separate “rooms” within local networks. Thus, when considering how to choose a router, you should take into account the speed of the Internet connection and the purpose of using the equipment. If it is needed solely for the creation wifi hotspots connections, then it makes no sense to overpay for additional features that you are unlikely to use.
The main misconceptions of router buyers
So, after you have received information about what a router is, you can start searching for the desired model in the store. This is where the main problems arise. They are related to typical consumer misconceptions about the quality of digital equipment, which have nothing to do with the real state of affairs.
The first misconception is that good model advise a consultant. Actually it is not. He is interested in selling an expensive and branded item. In the event that he sincerely wants to help you, he will not be able to do this for one simple reason: he will not know all the technical parameters of your Internet connection. It is this indicator that has a decisive effect on the router. Which one to choose is up to you.
The second misconception is that all routers are the same. This is also not true. Some routers have characteristics that differ from devices in the same range. Therefore, choosing the right model can play a key role in network performance. The best option can be found by examining reviews about different models and making their own conclusions about the positive and negative characteristics of routers based on them.
It should be borne in mind that the advice of friends or colleagues should not be regarded as the truth in the first instance. For example, you were advised a router of a certain manufacturer and with clear characteristics. For some, it will work just fine: high speed, no problems and failures under high loads. And for others, this is not a suitable option. Since the data transfer rate is higher, and, consequently, the router cannot cope with the loads, which leads to its constant reboots and overheating.
Thus, when wondering how to choose a router, you should remember that you can make the right choice only by focusing on several components: work goals, Internet connection speed, Wi-FI coverage range, availability of additional functions.
Conclusion
The purchase of the optimal model of a network router depends on the specific purpose of its use. When thinking about how to choose a router for a tablet or laptop, it should be noted that speed will be the defining characteristic for these gadgets. WiFi connections. For home purposes, models at a price of 1,500 to 3,000 rubles are suitable. Firstly, they are distinguished by relative stability of work, and secondly, they have optimal conductivity sufficient to connect a smartphone, laptop and tablet at the same time. In any case, the choice is up to you.
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