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Basic parameters for choosing a Wi-Fi router. What are the parameters to choose a WiFi router? Which router is best for home


Today it is difficult to imagine your life without wireless Internet, or, as it is called in colloquial slang, "Wi-Fi" (Wi-Fi). Special routers are responsible for the possibility of its functioning. When choosing them, you should pay attention to the following parameters:

  • RAM and processor. It is optimal if the model has at least 32 MB of RAM and a calculator frequency of 240 MHz. This will allow the router to work without slowdowns and always provide sufficient access speed.
  • Operating modes and connected interfaces. These characteristics determine the purpose of the router. Most devices provide for the installation of an access point, the creation of a bridge, a repeater or a client - these modes allow you to connect a router and make it a source of Wi-Fi signal.
  • Signal frequency. In most cases, this is 2.4 GHz, but due to the widespread use of these devices in homes, almost all sub-channels are occupied, which negatively affects the stability and speed. It is better to choose a dual-band model, where the second channel emits a signal at a frequency of 5 GHz.
  • A security protocol that encrypts data and prevents third parties from connecting to Wi-Fi. Most devices support WPA and WPA2, which are the most secure protocols.
  • Antenna power, which is measured in dBi. The higher this parameter, the greater the range of the device. For the home, it is advisable to choose routers with a strong signal.
  • Supported protocols. The most common is IPv4, which has an IP address length of 32 bits. But some models are already equipped with TCP IPv6 - the most advanced data transfer protocol.
  • Availability of up-to-date software on the official website. It is not a fact that the latest firmware will be installed on the router during the sale, while the existing software may contain errors that prevent the device from working normally.

Our rating presents some of the best Wi-Fi routers that you can buy in online stores. All models were selected taking into account the above characteristics and parameters. In addition, the choice of devices was carried out taking into account:

  1. Customer reviews
  2. The cost of the device (correspondence of price and quality)
  3. Expert opinions

The best inexpensive Wi-Fi routers for home: budget up to 1500 rubles.

4 Tenda N301

Best price
Country: China
Average price: 878 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.6

Let's start with the most budget Wi-Fi router. The average price tag for this miniature miracle is only 890 rubles. For this money, the user gets a nice, high-quality snow-white case with two antennas with a power of 5 dBi each. It does not take up much space - the dimensions of the case are 127x90x26 mm. But there are no slots for wall mounting - a minus for this.

The insides are unaffected. The cable speed reaches 100 Mbps. Connect viaLAN can be up to three devices. Wireless Internet complies with the standard WiFi 802.11 n with theoretical speeds up to 300 Mbps. In reality, judging by the reviews, the speed reaches 70-75 Mbps.

Separately, we note the software part. First of all, the ease of setup pleases - as they say, even a housewife can handle it. From the interesting: it is possible to remotely administer, backup settings, restrict access by MAC and URL, speed limits.Of course, small problems happen, but they are easy to solve by installing a more recent firmware from the official site - the process will not cause difficulties even for beginners.

3 TP-LINK TL-MR3020

Budget router with 3G/4G LTE support
Country: China
Average price: 1,412 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.7

TL-MR3020 at first glance is an extremely simple device. Just one LAN port, USB 2.0, miniUSB for power, a couple of switches and indicators. The characteristics are also missing from the sky: the Wi-Fi 802.11n standard, which will be enough for tariff plans with a speed of 100 Mbps, but no more. But the ability to install third-party firmware and ensure the distribution of mobile Internet makes this router very versatile. See what use cases users have shared in their reviews:

1) An ordinary router for a house or apartment

2) Backup source of Internet (mobile) in case of disconnection of the main provider

3) Access point on a hike - the device can work from a simple power bank!

4) Internet in the car: connected to the cigarette lighter, hid the router in the glove compartment, and you can share the Internet with all passengers

And this is just a small list. Installing the OpenWRT firmware, a USB hub, and user curiosity allow you to use the router in a huge number of situations.

2 Mikrotik hAP lite

Great software features. Router OS
Country: Latvia
Average price: 1,360 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.6

The second line of the rating is occupied by a model from MikroTik, a little-known company in wide circles. First of all, hAP ​​lite stands out for its unusual appearance. This is a compact white and blue box with stylish ventilation slots. But more attention is drawn to the absence of external antennas - here they are internal, in the amount of two pieces. The power is low - only 1.5 dBi, but for a small apartment it will be enough. On the other hand, it allows you to place the device almost anywhere. It is also worth considering that the silver medalist of the rating is only capable of delivering speeds of about 150 Mbps.

There are also some unique features. First, using Router OS. This system has simply incredible capabilities that even much more expensive devices cannot provide the user. Seamless transition between multiple access points, bridge mode, VPN, tunnels - all this and much more, understanding people will find in the router settings. Secondly, hAP ​​lite supports connection to several providers at once. The WAN port can be any of the four located on the case.

1 TP-LINK TL-WR841N

The optimal ratio of cost, functionality and simplicity
Country: China
Average price: 1,290 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.8

The first place in the ranking of the best budget Wi-Fi routers for the home is TP-LINK TL-WR841N. The device can be used as an access point and simultaneously "distribute" a signal to 6 receivers. Among all inexpensive routers, it has the highest potential speed of 300 Mbps. The router is equipped with a modern WPA2 data encryption system, which ensures high reliability of transmitted data. The model supports PPTP, L2TP and IPSec tunnel protocols, which are the most common among most providers.

The advantages of this router in the reviews, users include low cost, ease of setup and a good stable signal. The latter is provided thanks to two antennas operating in the 2.4 GHz frequency band. The transmitter power is 20 dBM, which allows the signal to "break through" even the thick walls of the apartment. As weaknesses, they note the poor material of the case and a poor-quality power adapter, which makes unnecessary sounds during operation.

The best Wi-Fi routers in the middle price segment: budget up to 7000 rubles.

3 ASUS RT-N66U

Popular Wi-Fi router. Speed ​​up to 900 Mbps
Country: Taiwan (China)
Average price: 6 105 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.7

The high-speed model ASUS RT-N66U is in third place in the ranking of the best Wi-Fi routers for the home in the middle price segment. This model is more expensive than its neighbors in the TOP, but the functionality fully justifies such a cost. The device has as many as 3 antennas, and emits a signal in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, which can significantly improve the quality of communication and use it over large areas. The router includes 4 switch ports, so you can connect 3 devices to it and organize their work using wired Internet.

In numerous positive reviews, buyers talk about fast operation, ease of setup and excellent synchronization with USB modems. Moreover, this model provides data transfer up to 900 Mbps simultaneously, which allows you to use it to "distribute" Wi-Fi to several devices at once. If necessary, this router is able to download files without using a computer. Among the shortcomings, strong heating during operation and problems with some firmware versions are distinguished.

2 TP-LINK Archer C7

Best Wireless Network Speed
Country: China
Average price: 6 650 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.7

The second line of the rating is occupied by the already respected Archer C7. Externally, the model is distinguished by the presence of three antennas with a power of 5 dBi each and an impractical glossy surface. It looks good - it's not a shame to leave the router in a conspicuous place. The set of ports is standard for this class: power supply, a pair of USB ports for connecting a printer or an external drive, and five Ethernet ports.

The router is dual-band - 2.4 / 5 GHz. The maximum speed "over the air", as stated by the manufacturer, is 1750 Mbps. The indicator is rather theoretical, because the providers present on our market are unlikely to be able to provide such a speed. This will only be useful when creating a home LAN. Of the pleasant features, it is worth noting the ability to work in two bands at once, support for LTE modems, a file server, a guest service, a firewall, and much more.

1 Mikrotik RB951G-2HnD

The most reliable Wi-Fi router
Country: Latvia
Average price: 4 650 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.8

In the first place in the ranking of the best Wi-Fi routers of the middle price category is the MikroTik RB951G-2HnD model. This device is a strong average in terms of reliability, performance and cost. It is used as an access point and can simultaneously “distribute” wireless Internet to 5 devices. Provides maximum speed up to 300 Mbps. As a nice addition, the router has MIMO support, which allows it to transmit data over several independent channels at once. Bridge mode is used to connect wired networks to wireless networks.

In reviews, buyers talk about high-quality assembly, smooth operation and wide customization options as the strengths of the model. At the same time, the router boasts 128 MB of RAM. Thanks to Telnet support, remote control of the device and its settings is possible. The transmitter power is 30 dBM, and the internal antenna amplifies 2.5 dBi, which has a positive effect on the range. The disadvantages of this model are the difficulty of playing 4G networks and incompatibility with some USB hubs.

The best Wi-Fi routers of the premium segment: budget from 8000 rubles.

3HUAWEI B525

LTE support
Country: China
Average price: 8650 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.7

The third line is occupied by a router with a somewhat non-standard design. B525 is designed for vertical installation. The front panel is made in black and gold colors, Wi-Fi antennas are built-in. The set of connectors is standard, except for two SMA ports for connecting external 3G/4G LTE antennas. There is also a slot for a SIM card. Signal reception is more than confident. In the reviews, users claim that the router “sees 3 divisions” where the smartphone does not find the network at all. The speeds are excellent.

You can distribute mobile or cable Internet through three gigabit LAN ports or dual-band Wi-Fi. Unfortunately, simultaneous operation at frequencies of 2.4 and 5 GHz is not declared. The theoretical wireless network speed can reach 1300Mbps.

The B525 can also be used as a home file server: connect an external hard drive and you can make backups or send movies to your TV.

2 Keenetic Giga (KN-1010)

Extensive customization and modification options
Country: Taiwan
Average price: 8,190 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.8

Keenetic network equipment is little known to the general public, but is popular with enthusiasts. The Giga model is not the top one, but its capabilities will be enough even for the most demanding users. The case is not only pretty, but also functional. On the back side there are 4 gigabit LAN ports, one WAN and SFP for connection via fiber optic cable. The latter can be offered by very few competitors. On the side of the USB 2.0 and USB 3.0. The distance between them is large, which allows you to freely use even bulky mobile Internet modems. There are also two physical buttons, each of which can be configured up to three functions.

The router supports the 802.11ac standard and can operate simultaneously in two bands. The maximum theoretical speed reaches 1267 Mbps. Real tests showed results of about 600 Mbps, which is enough for the vast majority of users.

Thanks to the set of ports and excellent software, the router can be used in a wide variety of scenarios.

1 ASUS RT-AC88U

3167 Mbps
Country: Taiwan (China)
Average price: 18,568 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.8

The leader in the ranking of the best Wi-Fi routers in the premium segment is the ASUS RT-AC88U model. The main feature of this device is the ability to ensure the simultaneous operation of several dozen devices, thanks to a maximum data transfer rate of up to 3167 Mbps. Wide coverage and a good signal level are provided by four antennas operating in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands.

As the strengths of the device in the reviews, buyers note smart work, a pleasant appearance and a clear Web interface. In addition, the model has 512 MB of RAM, which allows it to quickly process data from different receivers. The router is equipped with one USB port version 2.0 and one version 3.0, which allows you to connect third-party devices to it. The disadvantages include insufficiently developed software and the average signal level at a frequency of 5 GHz.

The best mobile (pocket) Wi-Fi routers

3 Huawei E8372

Connection via USB port. The most compact Wi-Fi router
Country: China
Average price: 2,843 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.4

The portable model Huawei E8372 takes the third place in the ranking of the best mobile Wi-Fi routers. This device, with a fairly small size, can provide full Internet access to any smartphone or computer. The device is powered from any USB port. With Huawei E8372, you can organize effective LTE Internet in your car, apartment or house. The router operates in the 2.4 GHz band, which allows you to use its wireless network in an area of ​​up to 50 square meters. The device has built-in support for 3G and LTE, that is, access can be carried out using a SIM card.

Among the strengths of the device in the reviews, users note the work without connecting to a computer (via a USB cable), confident communication and no freezes. The device has a slot for microSD memory cards and two connectors for external antennas, which potentially allows you to significantly increase the range of the router. Among the weaknesses of this model are uninformative instructions and poor case materials.

Video review

2 Alcatel Link Zone

The most budget standalone router
Country: USA-France
Average price: 3,291 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.7

The next device is more versatile and autonomous than the previous one. Inside the compact and pleasant to the touch case there is a 1800 mAh battery, which provides 7 hours of active Internet distribution and about 35 hours of standby time. The battery compartment also hides slots for SIM and SD (up to 32 GB) cards and a pair of connectors for connecting external antennas. I am glad that a dead battery will not be a reason to interrupt Internet surfing - just connect the included charger to the MicroUSB connector and use the device further.

Wireless Internet standards are not the most modern - only 802.11n. In practice, users have a speed of 70-80 Mbps. Not all providers can boast of such results even on cable! The signal level is also good: it will even break through a couple of solid walls. The only drawback is the ill-conceived mobile application. But the problem is solved programmatically, which means there is hope for a speedy correction of shortcomings.

1 TP-LINK M7350

Best functionality
Country: China
Average price: 4745 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.8

The leader of the rating is the most expensive and functional device in the category. Appearance is simple: a box with rounded corners and a combination of matte and glossy plastic. The only detail that catches the eye is the 1.4' TFT display, which displays information about the operator, signal level, transmission speed, etc. Also, the screen allows you to carry out elementary settings. For more advanced settings, you will have to climb into the web interface. In most cases, you only need to change the name of the wireless network - the router will do the rest itself, you just need to install the SIM card.

Like the previous participant, M7350 has a removable battery. The capacity is noticeably higher - 2550 mAh. There is a slot for a Micro SDHC card up to 32 GB. Thanks to the support of SMB and FTP protocols, any connected device can use files from a USB flash drive. Such a solution can be useful, for example, when traveling with the whole family - everyone can take photos and videos and upload them for general access.

The best Wi-Fi routers with built-in file storage

1 Xiaomi Mi WiFi Router HD

Router with built-in 1TB hard drive
Country: China
Average price: 14,440 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.8

The only representative of the final category is the device of the popular Chinese company Xiaomi. Of course, Mi Router HD has competitors, but they are sold in single copies at exorbitant prices, and therefore we cannot recommend them for purchase.

The design of the router is in line with other Xiaomi products - a minimalist metal case with four antennas looks harmoniously in almost any interior. This is important, because such a large “box” (195x146x96mm) is difficult to hide from the eyes. Inside is a fairly powerful Qualcomm processor, 512 MB of RAM and, most importantly, a 1 TB hard drive. On the back cover there are 3 LAN and 1 WAN ports, as well as USB. Wireless Internet complies with the 802.11ac standard and can work in two bands at once: 2.4 and 5 GHz, there is MIMO support. The maximum speed "over the air" is up to 2533 Mbps.

Thanks to the built-in HDD, the router can be used not only for its intended purpose, but also as file storage for easy backup from all home devices, storing movies for further playback on TV, downloading torrents without a PC, and much more. The only drawback is that you will have to be patient and time to set everything up correctly.

New technologies are becoming more and more dense in our lives, and few people are able to do even one day without a computer and the Internet. There are more and more devices with access to the World Wide Web in every home, and there is usually only one access point. This problem is solved by organizing a local (partly wired, partly wireless) home network, to which all available equipment will be connected. For these tasks, routers are used, which are also called "routers".

All establishments that sell computer hardware have a fairly large number of various models of this device, so there are often problems of choice. All routers of the latest models imply the possibility of organizing a WI-FI connection, but differ in price by several times, have different capabilities and functionality. So the question of how to choose is very tough. There are many subtleties and nuances that need to be taken into account.

How to choose a WI-FI router

The most important thing is to know It can be obtained from the provider. Connection can be:

  • ADSL - using a telephone line;
  • Ethernet - via local networks;
  • 3G, 4G - wireless connection via mobile networks of the latest generations.

When choosing a specific router model, pay attention to the fact that there is an input port that supports your connection type. There are models that have multiple inputs, and you can connect the Internet from two providers. This is convenient if you need to organize a stable connection, regardless of whether one of them has problems.

When answering the question of how to choose a WI-FI router, we further advise you to pay attention to the standard with which the device works. The transmission with which your local network will work depends on it:

  • 802.11b - provides a speed of no more than 11 Mbps.
  • 802.11g - provides a speed of no more than 54 Mbps.
  • 802.11n - theoretically provides speeds up to 600 Mbps.

for home

Most modern devices with Internet access support

802.11n standard. So it is logical to choose a router with such characteristics. If one of your devices has a lower standard, then it will work with a higher-ranking router, but at the speed that is available to it. If your router has a lower speed, then, of course, all devices will work at the speed that it can provide. One more point: you should not overpay for the 802.11n standard if the maximum speed of your connection is not higher than 50 Mbps.

When wondering which router to choose for your home, find out at what frequency all devices in the house that have Internet access operate. For most computers and other equipment, this figure is 2.4 GHz, but there are devices with an operating frequency of 5 GHz. If both types of devices are available, you will have to choose a router that operates at two frequencies, which, of course, is somewhat more expensive, but it removes the restriction when purchasing new devices.

The next point to consider is the number and type of antennas. They can be built-in or removable. If you are going to use wireless Internet only in your apartment, then models with built-in antennas will be enough, but if you want to "climb" in the global network, sitting on a bench near the house, then external ones are required.

In essence, a router is a small computer with limited functionality, and, like any computer, it has a certain amount of memory and a processor. The larger the first and the more productive the second, the better and faster your local network will work. Therefore, choose the “coolest” in these parameters from the options available to you.

This is probably all you need to pay attention to. We hope it became clear to you what characteristics you should pay attention to in the first place. There is also a secondary point: the presence of USB ports. This is sometimes very convenient: you can connect a printer or an external drive, other devices that have such an input.

Every day the number of new users of the World Wide Web is growing, and the technologies of mobile devices and television do not stand still. More and more I want to have constant access to high-speed wireless Internet at home and at work. In this case, the so-called WI-FI routers or routers will come to the rescue, allowing you to distribute both wired (LAN) and wireless (Wi-Fi) Internet signal from the provider to computers, smartphones, printers and other equipment.

But how to make the right choice? How not to make a mistake in choosing among the number of various routers on the market that differ both externally and internally? We will help you understand and understand what kind of device it is and how to use it correctly. And, of course, how not to fall for the bait of cunning sellers who from time to time try to sell unprofitable, sometimes simply stale goods from the shelves of their stores.

Purpose of the router

It is rather problematic for a beginner to make a choice, because you can easily confuse a Wi-Fi router and an access point, which on the one hand are very similar, but on the other, they are completely different in type of device.

A Wireless Access Point is a base station that provides wireless access to an existing network. There is no possibility to connect and create a wired network. Wireless data transmission, like routers, is carried out by radio waves, which are defined by the standard IEEE 802.11. Routers operate on exactly the same wireless connection standard, but at the same time with all of the above, they have the ability to connect to a network of devices using the wired Ethernet standard, so that the Internet appears on other stationary computers where there is no Wi-Fi connection. So, we figured out what is the difference between a router and an access point. Now you need to understand how the routers themselves differ from each other. After all, their number on the global market is not even tens, but hundreds, if not thousands!

You will understand the main difference after you decide which network you need a router to serve. You may need a device either under the connector RJ-45- the most common Internet connection in Russia, or under ADSL- Internet connection via telephone cable, often offered by providers simultaneously with TV and telephony. There are also routers that allow you to use the modem of mobile operators to connect to the Internet via 3G4G. And some are even equipped with a slot for a SIM card, which eliminates the need to purchase and connect a separate modem - it is actually built into such a model.

If things are quite simple in the case of the RJ-45 connector, then when choosing a router for ADSL, you need to make sure that it has a telephone line connector - it is smaller than the traditional WAN connector. If there is no such port on the case, then such a router cannot be used to connect to ADSL. To connect a USB modem, you need, as you might guess, a USB 2.0 port or its faster counterpart - USB 3.0. However, there is one important condition! The router must support exactly your USB modem model, of which there are a great many now. Some routers have USB on their board, but they are not equipped with modem support - this also happens. In this case, the connector is used only for connecting external drives (then their contents become available to any other device in the created Wi-Fi network).

We can say that we have decided on the destination. Further attention will be focused on the cost of the device. The price range now varies from 500 rubles (for entry-level models) to 20,000 rubles (for top models). Accordingly, the functionality between them will be very different.


Photo: otvety-znayki.ru

Main selection criteria

Speed ​​characteristics

The first thing you need to pay attention to is which Wi-Fi standard the router supports. It is designated as IEEE 802.11n- be sure to look at the letter at the end of the numbers. In the above example, this is "n" - this letter indicates involvement in one of the most common standards today. Next, your attention should be attracted by such a parameter as the speed of wireless data transfer. It is desirable that it be equal to 300 (Mbps) or even reach higher values. The speed directly depends on the Wi-Fi standard. And you need to understand that the real throughput will always be lower. To translate the value specified in the specifications into the usual megabytes, you need to divide the megabits by 8. In the case of Wi-Fi 802.11n, the speed is more than enough for you to complete household tasks. A higher speed standard may be required only if you have a huge number of gadgets that constantly require a large amount of Internet traffic.

The characteristics of the router must indicate the number and speed of ports. If you want to connect as many devices as possible using them, then their number should be four, and the standard speed should be 10100 (Mbps). One important point, you must understand that you can get the real Internet speed that the provider provides you with only using a wired connection. Through the air, some crumbs of the signal are sure to be lost. If the speed provided to you is 100 Mbps, but it will be displayed as 90-95 Mbps, then you should not worry. It's the best you can expect when using a home router. The data transfer rate also depends on the skillful configuration of the connection itself, and the compatibility of your router with the provider.

Well, if the provider provides you with Internet access at a speed of more than 100 Mbps, then you should approach the choice a little more carefully. In this case, it does not hurt you to think about a router that has the following characteristics:

  • WI-FI Standard IEEE 802.11ac- in this case, the device operates at a frequency of 5 GHz, the throughput of this standard starts from 433 Mbps and ends at 6.77 Gbps (so far only experimentally achieved by some manufacturers) . Backward compatible with the slower 802.11n standard.
  • LAN 1000 Mbps- the so-called "gigabit". Such high-speed ports are necessary in cases where the information that you are going to transfer over the cable is calculated in gigabytes.

Number of external antennas

Next, pay attention to how many antennas the device has. Ideally, there should be two of them, so that each of them is engaged in receiving and transmitting data. Then you will not wait for the speed drop, as is the case with a single antenna. Well, if your choice falls on a router with three antennas, then one of them will receive and the others will transmit data. Or vice versa, if the load on one of them increases too much. As you understand, the more antennas, the better. Also look at the strength of the return and reception of the signal, which the manufacturer indicates in the characteristics. Detachable antennas with a gain of 5 dBi are ideal.

Ask how many bands the Wi-fi router works on. Of course, if it's just a home router, then you'll be choosing a single frequency device that operates on the standard 2.4 GHz frequency band (2400 MHz - 2483.5 MHz). If you have flagship smartphones and tablets, then you can think about a dual-band router that can operate at frequencies of 2.4 and 5 GHz. Switching between them is carried out, as a rule, in automatic mode. And if there are many antennas on the device, both ranges work simultaneously.

Encryption

Also take care of the security system of your router, and more specifically, what encryption method it supports. This is necessary to protect the network from third-party connections to it. Pay attention to the fact that in addition to the popular WEP and WPA there was also an encryption method WPA2, because client adapters have long supported this algorithm.


Photo: static.pleer.ru

Protocol and software

Pay attention to which protocol your provider provides Internet services on, and whether the device you choose supports it. In most cases, preference PPPoE and PPTP. But if you found out in the provider's support service that the Internet is provided on the protocol L2TP, then you should know that it is not supported by every router, unlike the ones listed above.

An important factor is the availability of service support - you will contact it in case of a device breakdown. It is also desirable to have constantly updated software (firmware). Ask on the company's website how long ago the software update was released and how many firmwares were in total. You can also find out if the device supports alternative firmware from other manufacturers. And finally, you should know if the software is Russified.

Memory and processor

A router, like a PC, consists of RAM, a processor, and permanent working memory. Manufacturers very rarely indicate this information, so it is the most difficult to find it. In any case, you should have an idea of ​​what to build on.

  • Amount of random access memory (RAM) should be considered from 64 MB. It depends on it the speed of the router.
  • CPU, which is inside, is very different from those chipsets that we are used to seeing in a personal computer. But the main parameter is the clock frequency of the processor. The higher it is, the greater the bandwidth of the chipset. Ideally, this parameter should be at least 300 MHz.
  • Persistent memory, its size must be at least 8 MB. This is where all the software is stored. And the larger the volume, the more the functionality of the device can be expanded with future firmware updates.


Photo: www.ixbt.com

The most popular router manufacturers

As for the manufacturers of routers, today their number is in the dozens. Their products differ in price, functionality, appearance, performance, etc. The most popular models are presented by manufacturers such as TP-LINK, Xiaomi, NETGEAR, Tenda, D- link, ZyXEL, ASUS. Keep in mind that price will always be decisive in terms of quality and stability. 95-98% of all devices supplied to our market are assembled in China, you should not pay attention to this.

Common Buyer Mistakes

  • If you are buying a low-power router for a room with a large area, then get ready for the fact that there will be practically no signal in the far part of it.
  • Pay attention to budget models of routers. They may have the IEEE 802.11g communication standard, which is far from the maximum speed.
  • If you have purchased a router with an outdated encryption method, then the security of the connection will be at a great risk. This is especially true for those cases when the device is used in the offices of large companies that are afraid of leakage of important information.

Which choose a router so that it provides a good signal? This is the first thing to think about if you are seriously thinking about setting up a wireless network in your home and having WiFi work stably throughout the house. In this article, we will take a closer look at the different varieties and find out what you need to pay special attention to when choosing the best router. for a house or apartment to ensure good signal and great coverage.

Criteria for choosing the best router for home use

At the same time, many face difficulties, which are caused, first of all, by the huge number of models of this type of equipment. Nowadays, manufacturers offer such a wide range that, without sufficient experience, you can get confused. But everyone wants to pick up a good router at an affordable price to create a high-quality Wi-Fi network at home.

If you ask me which router is best to choose in 2019, then regardless of whether you want to build a large loaded wireless local area network at home or not, I will tell you this - to perform universal tasks with a reserve for the future

  1. First, it must be dual-band and support operation at 2.4 and 5 GHz. Band 2.4 today is already very overloaded, which can cause frequent network breaks and dips in connection speed
  2. Secondly, the router must have a USB port that works both with flash drives, from which you can make a local media server, and with modern LTE (4G) modems of various mobile operators. If today it is not necessary, then tomorrow you will buy yourself a TV and want to watch movies stored in network storage without wires. Or you will need to organize Wi-Fi outside the city, where the Internet can only be accessed using a mobile modem.
  3. Finally, it should have at least three, and preferably four external WiFi antennas - believe me, you should not save on stability and speed if you want to save your nerves.

Buying the first available model is highly discouraged. Spend just 5-10 minutes of your time, familiarize yourself with the range of products offered to you, carefully study the characteristics of the devices you like the most and only then make the final decision. I think it makes no sense to recommend which router is better - today our goal is to understand how to generally classify them according to their main characteristic features and choose the type of router that is suitable for solving specific problems in your apartment and providing a good signal. Based on this knowledge, you will already be able to choose what is more suitable for the price, appearance and reviews of other users.

Which router company is better to choose for a house or apartment in order to have a good signal?

I will express my personal opinion - I like Keenetic routers in terms of price and quality - they recently separated from Zyxel and became a separate brand. Cisco and Mikrotik are also out of competition, but this is more of a choice for office solutions.

Although I myself have been using TP-Link as my main one for a long time. This manufacturer is the most massively represented in our country, but the model range is very different in performance and quality. It is better for poets to look towards more expensive ones.

Asus and Trendnet are clearly overpriced, while the quality of the latter is mediocre.

If you choose a router for yourself on Aliexpress, then more often than others you will come across companies such as Comfast, TotoLink, Tenda and Netis - good budget devices that have recently appeared on our market and therefore lack stars from the sky.


I will allow myself one, reliable, like a tank, advice

If the budget allows, then take a model more expensive!

At the same time, remember also that the price is often cheated for the brand - each manufacturer has its own price scale from simple to fancy models. Therefore, sometimes it makes sense to take the most expensive model of a not too popular brand, which in the end will cost less than with the same characteristics, but more popular.

Choosing a router by type of Internet connection

WiFi routers come in several types, so before answering the main question, let's ask ourselves another one - what type of Internet connection do we have?

Let's go through the three main ones.

I think that most people buy a router not only to connect more devices to the Internet than one computer, to which the provider's cable goes according to the standard, but also so that the connection is wireless everywhere in order to avoid pulling a web of wires through the entire apartment. Therefore, you need to take care of purchasing wireless adapters for all stationary PCs in advance.

You also need to think about the location of the router in advance. Often, when designing a renovation of a room, it is placed in a switchboard, but it is optimal when it is located in the center of the apartment so that the signal spreads evenly throughout all rooms. If you still put it in a shield near the front door, then the presence of a powerful transmitter and external antennas will be a plus.

What else to look for when choosing a router for a large coverage?

But back to the main question - in order to choose the best router to perform the tasks assigned to it in an apartment or office, you need to pay attention to the following characteristics:

  1. Filling. Decide what exactly you need to use, and depending on this, select a model according to what functionality it has. The main ones are:
    • various modes jobs you may need (access point, bridge, repeater, client)
    • availability with support for printers, cameras and 3g modems
    • support for ADSL connections via telephone wire
  2. Availability external antenna. Its power is measured in decibels (dBi). The larger the number and the more of these antennas, the stronger the signal and coverage radius. In addition, if the antenna is removable, then you can later purchase a more powerful one.
  3. IPv6. Support for the modern TCP IPv6 data transfer protocol will also be a plus. Today, IPv4 is the most used, but it is limited to 32 bits of IP addresses, while the new one already supports up to 128 bits. That is, this is already if you choose a model with a backlog for the future development of network technologies.
  4. Security protocol networks. When choosing a router, pay attention that the model supports modern reliable data transfers - WPA and WPA2. The vast majority of routers on the market today support them.
  5. Specifications. For stable and fast work, the router must have at least 32 mb of RAM, and it is advisable to take the processor with a frequency of at least 240MHz, and preferably more than 580 megahertz. Also make sure that the flash memory is at least 8 mb. If these characteristics are not on the box, and most likely they are, then you can look at the attached instructions or download them on the Internet - by the way, lately nested user manuals are much more concise than those distributed via the Internet.
  6. Router class. If you have a modern computer or laptop, then you should choose a router that works in or "N" and supports a maximum data transfer rate of up to 700 / 300 Mbps, respectively. The previous generation "G" only worked at speeds up to 54 Mbps. In principle, this will be enough for most of today's tariff plans, but technology is developing very quickly, so again, if you think about the future, it is more reasonable to take it to the maximum, especially since a price difference of several hundred rubles will not save.
  7. Operating frequency. Most inexpensive models operate at a frequency of 2.4 GHz. However, today there is a router in almost every apartment, which is why all channels are heavily clogged and this affects the speed and stability of work. For maximum performance, choose a dual-band router with support as well - now such devices are not yet very common, so you will get a “non-cluttered” radio air and, as a result, a more stable signal.
  8. Connection protocol. To connect to the Internet, modern providers use various data transfer protocols that differ from each other. Look at your connection agreement, which indicates the type of protocol, and make sure the router supports it.
  9. Price. Since we are talking about the price, we must keep in mind that when thinking about which wifi router to choose for the home in 2019, we must keep in mind that models that meet all of the above characteristics cannot cost less than a thousand rubles. Although the price also depends on the manufacturer and may be unreasonably high purely because of the brand's fame.
  10. Manufacturer. Of course, it is better to take a device of a well-known brand. Companies such as Asus, Netgear, TP-Link, D-Link, Cisco, Zyxel, Belkin have been on the market for a long time and have proven themselves well. This set is enough to choose something worthwhile.
  11. Availability Russian interface. When buying, be sure to check if the software and the admin panel have Russian. This will help to avoid a lot of problems when setting up the router yourself.
  12. Availability firmware on the official website and when the last one was released. Also, before you finally choose a wifi router, make sure that the manufacturer's website has a description of this model and you can download the official firmware. The same model can radically differ from each other in support of various devices and functions, depending on the firmware version installed on it. Therefore, pay attention to when the last update was made. If the software for the router is released regularly, then you will not have problems updating and keeping it up to date.