Which Wi-Fi router is better to buy for a house or apartment? Choose a router. Which router to choose for home? Choosing the best WiFi router

Basic options for choosing a Wi-Fi router

Long gone are the days when at best one computer was at home for the whole family. In the modern world, we are surrounded by a variety of devices with which you can access the Internet. To organize general access to the World Wide Web for all this equipment, you can use one of your home computers - however, access to the Web will be as long as it is turned on. You can also install a server, but this requires certain knowledge to configure it, and the price is not always justified. Fortunately, there is another device that can solve this problem - a router, sometimes called a router.

So, the two main functions of the router are the integration of various equipment into a local network and the provision of general access to the Internet channel. Routers are sometimes confused with switches (switches) and Wi-Fi access points, this is due to the fact that they perform fairly similar tasks. But, unlike routers, these devices only allow you to create a local network, a switch - a wired one, an access point - a wireless one.

Routers can also be both wired and wireless, the difference in price between them is small, and the functions performed are almost the same. Wireless models will be discussed, although much of what has been said applies to wired counterparts.

Network organization scheme using a router

A fairly large number of manufacturers are engaged in the release of routers, but still there are not so many major players, you probably already heard about most of them. ASUS is one of the world's largest suppliers of not only network equipment, but also various computer components and finished products. Routers under this brand are distinguished by reliability and good equipment. D-Link once became popular thanks to inexpensive models of ADSL modems, at the moment it is one of the leaders in the production of routers, modems and network cards. But the TP-LINK company offers models of routers that, at a low price, have good equipment. Zyxel is one of the veterans in the field of network building components and has always been renowned for its reliability and quality. Linksys is a trademark of Cisco, one of the leaders in the production of industrial network equipment, whose advanced achievements are embodied in these models. offers a variety of devices that are distinguished primarily by their unusual design, thanks to which these models can become a noticeable part of the interior. At the same time, the equipment of these models remains at the proper level.

Some Belkin models: N750 DB, Double N+, N1 Vision

The router, as a rule, has one port for external connection, called the WAN port, and several for connecting computers inside the network - LAN ports. Wireless models may have one or more antennas, but in some cases they are hidden inside the case. Routers are fairly compact. For example, the common D-Link DIR-300 / NRU has dimensions of 14.7x11.32x3.15 cm - quite a bit for stationary use; if you often have to use the router while traveling and on business trips, you should take a closer look at compact devices, for example ASUS WL-530g, which has dimensions of only 12.9x4.4x2.9 cm.

Compact model ASUS WL-530g

Main characteristics

Let's take a look at what you need to pay attention to first of all when choosing a router, and start with the key characteristics. One of the important parameters is the type of WAN port used in the device - the most common today are ADSL and Ethernet. If you are not sure which one to choose, check with your ISP. In addition, there are routers that use the mobile Internet channel as an external connection or have a USB port for connecting a 3G modem, such as the D-Link DIR-412 model.

The second important characteristic is the supported external connection protocols. The most common are "static IP", "dynamic IP", PPPoE, L2TP and PPTP. We will not go into the details of each technology: you just need to check which one your provider uses and select a device that supports it. Fortunately, most well-known router manufacturers have provided good support for these protocols and adapted them to the specifics of the application in Russia. Also, some providers use the binding of the MAC address of the network card to the IP address of the computer. In such cases, simply connecting a router instead of a computer and setting it up right away will not work - you need to contact the provider's technical support service. But you can do it easier and use the function of copying the MAC address from the computer to the router, which is found in almost all modern models.

The third important characteristic when choosing a router is the number of ports and the speed of wired and wireless data transmission channels within the local network. All modern routers, except for some compact models, as a rule, have 4 wired Ethernet ports (LAN ports) with support for 100 Mbps or 1 Gbps. To date, the most common are 100-megabit networks, their speed in most cases is sufficient for data transfer. But gigabit equipment is becoming more and more popular, and in the near future its use will become standard in computer technology. Therefore, it is worth giving preference to models with support for a gigabit connection, and buying a 100-megabit device only if necessary will save a little on the cost.

If you are building a wireless network at home, there are some important nuances to consider. So, in real conditions, the connection speed will always be lower than stated in the standard and on the box with the device. This is due to the fact that part of the channel is used to encrypt the transmitted data, as well as maintaining the quality of the connection, which is very dependent on the barriers between the network equipment. Walls, other Wi-Fi networks, or, for example, a nearby microwave oven can create significant interference, forcing you to use part of the channel to restore information, thereby reducing the useful flow. In addition, the entire wireless network will operate at the speed of the slowest element connected to it. This leads to the fact that if at least one 802.11g device is connected to the 802.11n network, the transfer rate will be no more than 54 Mbps.

To build a home network, you should choose a router that supports the 802.11n standard with speeds up to 300 Mbps. You should be especially careful when choosing equipment if you are going to transmit video over a Wi-Fi network. In this case, it is worth, among other things, to choose a model with support for two frequency bands - 2.4 and 5 GHz. Due to the fact that the second range is used much less frequently than the first and has more free channels for transmission, the speed can be higher, and most importantly, more stable. It is only important that other devices on the network support this mode. In addition, some models can create two networks at the same time, one of which can be used to transmit speed-demanding traffic, and the second to connect all other equipment. Buying a model with support for 450 Mbps speed will be more of a reserve for the future, since there are still few devices that support this speed today. Unfortunately, high-speed routers are more expensive, sometimes significantly, than their slower counterparts. Therefore, in some cases it will be reasonable to look at 802.11n devices with support for 150 Mbps.

Additional features

In addition to their main purpose, some routers can perform a number of useful functions. Support for the print server option allows you to connect a printer to the router using a USB port and provide access to it from any computer on the network. Some models support connecting an external USB storage device, such as a hard drive or flash drive. After that, it becomes possible to access files on the disk, such as music or movies, from any device on the network - these are the functions of a network drive (NAS). And some routers support working as a torrent client, so you can download various files from the Internet using this popular protocol without using a computer.

If you need to organize Wi-Fi coverage in a fairly large area, such as in an educational institution, you should look at models that support WDS wireless distribution system technology. It allows you to combine multiple routers and access points into a common wireless network, thereby expanding the overall coverage area. Sometimes routers have to be installed in places without access to a power outlet. One solution to this problem can be to choose a device that supports Power over Ethernet (PoE), in this case, the router is powered directly via an Ethernet cable, as in the TP-Link TL-WR743 ND model.

Securing Your Wireless Network

If it is not so easy to intercept information in wired networks, then you can connect to an unsecured wireless network from any laptop, being a few tens of meters away. To prevent interception of data, various Wi-Fi traffic encryption standards are used, the most common of which are WEP, WPA and WPA2, which are supported by most wireless devices. The first of them does not provide a sufficient level of protection and can be easily hacked by intruders, so it is better not to use it. For protection, you should choose the more secure WPA or WPA2 protocols, these encryption methods provide a high level of protection, making it almost impossible to hack into the network and intercept data.

Also, among the additional features of any modern router, there are tools that allow you to configure security when computers are working on the network. Most often, this is a firewall, which is necessary to control passing traffic, as well as a DMZ - a "demilitarized zone", which allows you to configure a restriction on access to local network resources from the outside. In addition, in routers you can find the "parental control" function, with which you can configure the rules for users to access the Internet at different hours and days of the week, as well as restrict the ability to visit certain sites.

Radiation

When using modern technology, including Wi-Fi equipment, many of us are concerned about the issue of electromagnetic radiation and its impact on health. It should be noted that the radiation power of home routers is limited to 100 mW, which is up to ten times less than that of mobile phones - today this level is considered completely safe for the human body. But even this power, many models can be reduced in the settings. In addition, you should choose a device with a button to turn off the wireless module or the entire router when it is not in use.

Of course, there are more than enough subtleties when choosing a router for home use, and it will not be possible to describe all of them within the framework of this article. When choosing a device, focus primarily on the functions that you expect from the router. If you just need general Internet access, choose an inexpensive model with a minimum set of features. If you need a device to perform specific tasks, pay attention to the availability of certain options.

BUSINESS TELECOM presents the top 10 best Wi-Fi routers of 2019. We use all routers in our work, which means that we have experienced their pros and cons from our own experience.

Choosing a good WiFi router is not easy. The main criteria for the formation of the TOP-10 were the stability of the devices, the provided Internet speed and the coverage area.

10. D-Link DIR-825/AC

On the 10th place in our rating is the D-Link DIR-825/AC Wi-Fi router - a rational solution for organizing high-speed wireless in a small office, cafe or retail outlet. The router provides a stable connection from any computer or mobile gadget.

The router acts as a base station for organizing access to the Internet from devices operating according to the 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n and 802.11ac standards.

✔ Benefits:

• Speed ​​up to 300 Mbps at 2.4 GHz, up to 867 Mbps at 5 GHz.
• Wireless connection speed - up to 1167 Mbps.
• Multifunctional USB port.
• Supports WEP and WPA/WPA2 security standards.
• Weeds out connection requests by MAC address.
• Provides access to WPS and WMM technologies.

✘ Disadvantages:

• Fixed antennas
• Not suitable for large offices and companies, because has a small coverage area.
• Gets hot
• Not a particularly user-friendly web interface.

The router of this model is popular among users due to its extensive functionality. This device will protect your network from hacker attacks and block access to unwanted sites for local network users.

9.Asus RT-AC51U

Powerful 802.11ac Wi-Fi router offering wireless data rates up to 733Mbps. The presence of a USB connector makes it possible to connect printers, external drives and 3G / 4G modems, which greatly expand the functionality of the equipment. It can also be used to charge smartphones, tablets and other gadgets if there is no spare power supply at hand. The developers have created the ASUSWRT interface, which is as convenient and intuitive as possible.

✔ Benefits:

• Speeds up to 300 Mbps in 2.4 GHz mode and up to 433 Mbps in 5 GHz mode.
• Allows you to monitor the consumption of Internet traffic and limit the speed of the Internet channel for individual applications.
• The coverage area is larger than many models. Asus RT-AC51U is equipped with powerful antennas that increase the wireless coverage area by 150% compared to conventional devices.
• The ability to configure for various applications the priority of using the bandwidth of the Internet channel.
• Ability to connect to a VPN server.

✘ Disadvantages:

• The wireless data transfer rate is slower than other routers.
• Small coverage area: Thick walls can be a significant barrier.

Powered by 5th generation wireless communications technology, users have access to all the modern features. This is one of the best solutions for offices with a small number of employees.

8.TP Link Archer C60

The TP-Link Archer C60 device continues the rating of Wi-Fi routers, the speed of which reaches 450 Mbps at a frequency of 2.4 GHz. This is absolutely sufficient for sending emails, downloading various web pages and working with audio files.

✔ Benefits:

• The 5 GHz channel with speeds up to 867 Mbps provides a comfortable viewing of HD video streaming.
• Support for the new 802.11ac standard, which is 3 times faster than 802.11n.
• 5 antennas (three for 2.4 GHz and two for 5 GHz) staggered to optimize simultaneous dual band operation.
• The network remains as stable as possible and practically immune to various interferences.
• Ability to create a separate guest network for your company's clients.

✘ Disadvantages:

• Not suitable for large offices and companies due to the relatively low data transfer rate.
• Cannot be attached to the wall due to the location of the antennas.

7. Wi-Fi Zyxel Keenetic Ultra II

The seventh place in the list of the best Wi-Fi routers is occupied by Zyxel Keenetic Ultra II. With this router, the connection is made via a dedicated Ethernet line. The provider can use any connection, in particular PPTP, PPPoE, IPv4/IPv6, etc.

Regardless of the chosen type and nature of the load, users receive speeds up to 1000 Mbps or up to 1800 Mbps for IPoE/PPPoE. The presence of special ports allows you to organize a wireless network using a 3G, 4G, DSL modem, PON terminal with an Ethernet port or a Wi-Fi hotspot (private, from a provider).

✔ Benefits:

• The device is equipped with NDMS 2 OS and a managed switch, so any connection can be combined.
• Dual-band Wi-Fi hotspot with signal boosters and swiveling antennas.
• A user-friendly interface allows you to set up automatic switching to a backup channel in case of a failure of the main network.
• The dual-band network has WPA2 security for all used devices (laptops, PCs, tablets, smartphones, etc.).
• Ability to create a guest network separate from the main network.
• The ability to distribute the load on the channel depending on the applications.

✘ Disadvantages:

• Insufficiently high throughput of the wireless network, which makes the model unsuitable for large offices.
• The model may become very hot.

Keenetic Ultra II is a router with a large Wi-Fi coverage that is ideal for medium-sized offices.

6. Asus RT-AC87U

ASUS RT-AC87U is a router with a long Wi-Fi range and high data transfer speed. In the frequency range of 5 GHz, it reaches 1734 Mbps, and at 2.4 GHz - 600 Mbps. In total, the network bandwidth is 2334 Mbps, which is much faster than using standard 3-link routers.

The router is equipped with 4 antennas providing increased signal gain.

✔ Benefits:

• The device can work effectively in Multi-user MIMO 4x4 mode.
• Connected computers and gadgets get the maximum connection speed.
• Powered by a powerful 2-core processor and provides a high level of performance.
• An additional 2-core processor is used to implement 4x4 Wi-Fi mode, and the total throughput is increased by 50%.
• Two USB ports - standard 2.0 and high-speed 3.0.
• Coverage area - up to 465 m2.
• Excellent value for money.

✘ Disadvantages:

• Fairly large dimensions
• Models can get very hot, so it is recommended to install them in a well-ventilated room.

The user will be able to appreciate the long warranty period and the possibility of using it with a wide range of devices. The router is great for large rooms and buildings up to 465 m2.

5. D-Link DIR-890L

In fifth place is the powerful D-Link DIR-890L router - a bright representative of 2-band gigabit routers. It provides a high-quality connection of computers and other devices into a single network that provides access to broadband Internet. A feature of this router is support for SmartConnect1 technology, thanks to which the wireless connection speed increases to 3200 Mbps.

This equipment will be an excellent choice for multi-user operation in two independent wireless networks at once, operating in accordance with the 802.11ac standard. The parameters of each network will be up to 600 Mbps in 2.4 GHz and up to 1300 Mbps in 5 GHz.

✔ Benefits:

• Wireless connection speed - up to 3200 Mbps.
• The developers also took care of expanding the network coverage area by introducing the AC SmartBeam system into the device.
• The router operates stably in two bands at once: 2.4 and 5 GHz.
• Connecting to an Internet channel requires minimal user intervention.
• Smart Connect technology selects the least congested frequency band and connects a new device automatically.

✘ Disadvantages:

• High price. In terms of price-quality ratio, there are more interesting models.
• The dual-core processor runs at only 1 GHz, while most modern routers have a 1.4 GHz main processor.

DIR-890L is the impeccable quality of the wireless network, the stability of the Wi-Fi connection and the maximum comfort of accessing the Internet through mobile devices.

4.Asus RT-AC88U

✔ Benefits:

• Wi-Fi speed - up to 3167 Mbps.
• 4 antennas in a 4T4R configuration (4 transmit and 4 receive) provide a large coverage area.
• Asus AiRadar beamforming technology for expanding Wi-Fi coverage.
• Dual-core 1.4 GHz processor for high speed data transfer with USB connected devices.
• USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports.
• Transfer rate for wired network up to 2Gbps.

✘ Disadvantages:

• Covers an area of ​​no more than 180 square meters.
• High price.

Ideal for offices and companies that need high-speed Internet that can withstand heavy loads.

3.TP Link Archer C5400

In third place in the top Wi-Fi routers is the innovative Archer C5400 router with Tri-Band technology. The latter is a real find for the organization of three-channel user networks. This router model boasts a 25% increase in data transfer speed thanks to NitroQAM support.

This is not just a router, but a real network center with great power, which allows you to perform various tasks without any problems: watch HD video, launch online games from several devices at once, etc.

✔ Benefits:

• Speed ​​up to 1000Mbps in 2.4GHz mode, 2167Mbps in 5GHz mode.
• High speeds provide the fastest response even the most resource-intensive applications.
• Archer C5400 works with embedded MU-MIMO technology, thanks to which 4 data streams function simultaneously.
• 8 antennas with Beamforming accurately locate gadgets and send them a powerful Wi-Fi signal.

• 1.4 GHz main processor and 3 co-processors allow you to work in multitasking mode.
• Equipped with USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports.

✘ Disadvantages:

• There are no shortcomings in terms of speed and performance level.
• One of the shortcomings of the model can be called a rather voluminous case.

This is the best option for a router for offices, cafes, Internet centers, etc., providing connection to a large number of computers and other devices without sacrificing performance.

2. Asus BRT-AC828

Asus BRT-AC828 is rightfully considered one of the best WiFi routers for large offices, IT companies and TV companies. This is a powerful router with a long range, capable of withstanding very heavy loads.

✔ Benefits:

• 2 wired Gigabit Ethernet ports with bandwidth up to 2 Gbps.
• Bandwidth of 4 wired ports in the local network - up to 4 Gbps.
• High level of network protection equipped with a content filtering system.
• Ability to work with 250 client devices at high speed simultaneously.
• 8 antennas in 4x4 configuration.
• Wide WiFi coverage area.

✘ Disadvantages:

• High price

The Asus BRT-AC828 model is perfect if you have a large company and many devices that need to be connected to a WiFi network.

1. Asus RT-AC 5300

ASUS RT-AC 5300 was recognized as the best Wi-Fi router according to BUSINESS-TELECOM in 2017. Equipped with NitroQAM technology, the router provides an unprecedented wireless data transfer speed - up to 5334 Mbps! This is one of the most powerful routers you can find on the market today.

✔ Benefits:

• An adaptive QoS feature that allows you to prioritize the use of a network connection.
• Able to serve multiple client devices without lag. For example, its bandwidth allows you to transfer several streams of video in Full-HD format at once.
• 8 antennas provide a large coverage area.
• Data transfer rate in 2.4 GHz mode - up to 1000 Mbps, in 5 GHz mode - up to 2167 Mbps.
• Network load balancing technology between 3 channels.
• Dual-core 1.4 GHz processor withstands high network load.
• USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports
• Ability to combine 2 wired network ports into one with high speed up to 2 Gbps.

The Asus RT-AC5300 Wi-Fi router has no significant drawbacks. It is ideal for providing a wide and stable WiFi area in buildings, large offices, large TV and IT companies. We give it the first place in the ranking of the best WiFi routers for business.

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When choosing the best router for your home, you should pay attention to its characteristics, the requirements for which largely depend on the tasks performed by the router.

Main selection criteria

The parameters that you should pay attention to when buying a home router are:

The speed of data transfer over wireless channels also matters. However, for modern routers, it is at least 300 Mbps.

This figure is higher than that of most domestic providers offering access at speeds up to 100–200 Mbps.

Wired

Most modern routers have several LAN ports - usually at least 4.

Their task is to distribute information at a speed of 100 or 1000 Mbps using a wired connection.

The advantage of this method of data transfer is stability, the disadvantage is the lower speed and relatively small distance at which the router and the connected device can be located from each other.

A device called a switch is used to increase .

At the same time, the maximum number of computers connected to the router at the same time is practically unlimited.

Just with an increase in their number, the connection speed will fall in proportion to this value.

Need to know: The maximum distance that can be provided with a cable is 100 m. But most cords are no more than 10 m long. And their use is limited by the configuration of the premises.

Wireless connection

For wireless communication, an important factor is the Wi-Fi standard, the frequency at which information is transmitted, and the number of bands.

It is most convenient to use dual-band routers that support 802.11ac technology.

While models that transmit a signal only using the 802.11n protocol are cheaper, although they provide a lower quality connection.

The speed of information transmission and the distance over which it is transmitted are related to the number of antennas. Budget router models have only one such amplifier.

More expensive devices are equipped with two, three or more antennas.

The advantage of this option is high speed, exceeding even cable performance, and a large number of connections provided simultaneously.

Rice. 2. A router with a large number of antennas.

USB ports

Some router models are equipped with not only standard ports, but also USB connectors. These ports allow you to:

• connect the printer to the network;
• ensure the connection of the router with an external drive (for example, a USB flash drive);
• install a 3G / 4G modem that allows you to get a backup channel for Internet access.

If you need a normal network connection for browsing websites and working with mail, the presence of a USB port on the router does not matter.

Therefore, in budget models there is no such option. And in expensive ones - there can even be two connectors.

The most budget of high-speed models: Xiaomi Mi Wi-Fi mini

Stylish-looking Xiaomi brand router with the ability to transfer data using the 802.11a/b/g/n/ac protocol provides an overall connection speed of 1167 Mbps.

In addition, the manufacturer completes this model with two types of firmware - regular and designed for developers, that is, with extended functionality.

The router has the following advantages:

• USB input for connecting drives;
• available for the model supporting the 802.11a/b/g/n/ac protocol (2200 rubles);
• high speed network access;
• a wide range of options for configuring the router.

The disadvantages of the equipment include the presence of instructions only in Chinese. A slight inconvenience can cause the presence of only two LAN ports.

And if necessary, you will have to buy 3 computers already.

Rice. 3. The Xiaomi Mi Wi-Fi mini model is an affordable price for its capabilities.

Fastest: TP-Link Archer C7

The main advantages of the TP-Link Archer C7 model are the impressive speed of Internet access.

The maximum value of its bandwidth reaches 1.75 Gb / s - 1300 Mb / s for the 5 Hz band and 450 Mb / s for 2.4 GHz.

The device has a wide coverage and provides a wireless network for both a large apartment and a private house.

The router is equipped with 2 USB ports through which a scanner or printer is connected to it.

And when you connect an external drive (portable hard drive or flash drive) to the Archer C7, information from it can be available to all users of the wireless network.

For the convenience of working with the router, a special one is installed on it, which allows you to check the number of connections and configure for them individual access to the network as a whole or to individual pages.

Thus, the router can be used to prevent children from accessing unwanted information.

Rice. 4. Model Archer C7 with the highest speed - almost 2Gbps.

Netgear N750 Smartphone Configuration Model

Among the capabilities of the N750 model from Netgear, it is worth noting the high speed of network access using wireless (at the level of 750 Mbps for dual bands) and wired (1000 Mbps for LAN) connections.

This speed is more than enough for every member of the family to watch FullHD video without degrading the signal quality.

An external drive can be connected to the router, with the help of which the device turns into a mini-server.

And thanks to the Time Machine function, the drive allows you to back up computers.

At the same time, a user with a phone on or iOS can manage the network directly from a mobile device.

The same application allows you to exercise parental control of children using mobile devices.

Rice. 5. Router N750 with configuration from a smartphone.

Router TP-LINK TL-WA901ND: maximum range

The advantages that a user receives when choosing a Tp-Link TL-WA901ND router model include:

• three amplifier antennas, thanks to which the signal is amplified by several dBi and reaches even remote premises. The maximum range is about 270m.
• support for the PoE standard, thanks to which the device can be powered not only with a special cord, but also through a wired connection (using an adapter);
• ease of setup.

In addition to the advantages, the router has a small drawback - the lack of wired connections. In order to provide Internet to a stationary PC, you will need to purchase an adapter.

At the same time, the equipment is quite affordable and is great for installation in a house or apartment, where only mobile devices need to be connected to the network -, or.

Rice. 6. The Tp-Link TL-WA901ND router is a model with a high signal amplification level.

ASUS RT-N56U: high speed and functionality

The ASUS RT-N56U model received an original and immediately eye-catching design and is capable of dual-band operation and a 300 Mbps wireless connection speed that is quite decent for most tasks.

Two USB ports provide connection to the router and flash drives, as well as 3G / 4G modems. Other rather important characteristics of the device include:

• high data transfer rate over cable: up to 1000 Mbps;
• data transfer to the connected HDD at the level of 10-12 Mbps for recording and 14-16 Mbps for reading;
• price, which is about 5000 rubles, depending on the place of purchase.

The hard drive can be up to 1 TB in size. However, it is not recommended to leave such a connection permanently. The router gets relatively hot even in normal mode.

And when working together with the drive, it can even overheat.

Rice. 7. Router ASUS RT-N56U is a good option for both home and office.

TL-WR841N6 budget analogue of expensive TP-LINK models

At its budget cost, the TP-LINK TL-WR841N router has a convenient and understandable equipment configuration interface that matches the menu of more expensive models of the same brand.

The advantages of the device include low cost, which suits most users.

Among the shortcomings - the presence of only 100-megabit wired connection and 300-megabit wireless.

This would hardly be enough for an office, but in an apartment or private house there is a router and more than ten mobile gadgets with a speed of 20–30 Mbps.

Rice. 8.TP-LINK TL-WR841N

D-link DIR-300 / A / D1 - regular price and parameters for a home

Among the few advantages of the D-link DIR-300/A/D1 router are the low price and support that ensures the creation of a wireless network in a semi-automatic mode.

At the same time, the technical characteristics of the model are not impressive - although not too upsetting. 150 Mbps is enough for 3-4 simultaneous high-speed connections at home.

It does not matter much for an apartment or house and a relatively small range, within 10-20 meters.

Rice. 9. D-link DIR-300/A/D1

Netis WF2419E - budget Chinese router

The Chinese router Netis WF2419E can be attributed to the budget segment. And its price is the lowest among all models available on the market.

The build quality of the device corresponds to an even more expensive segment.

And the data transfer rate is quite suitable for home use - up to 300 Mbps wirelessly and up to 100 Mbps wired.

The advantages of the gadget include simple setup and good functionality. There are practically no disadvantages, taking into account such a low cost.

The only noticeable minus is the reduction in the information transmission range to 20 meters or less if there are concrete walls or reinforced interior partitions in the apartment or house.

In the absence of serious obstacles, the equipment provides high-quality reception at a distance of up to 30 meters.

Rice. 10. Netis WF2419E is one of the most budget routers on the market.

A router (also known as a router) is a device that receives the Internet and distributes it to other devices at home - computers, laptops, tablets, phones, etc. It can distribute it via cable and via Wi-Fi wireless connection.

The presence of a large number of manufacturers and models of routers on the market, plus the personal preferences of sellers, can turn a purchase into serious market research. But I do not advise you to do this, because. it is very easy to get confused, to fill your head and buy an expensive toy stuffed, in fact, with functions you do not need. This article will help you figure out what's what.

Let's highlight the main criteria by which you can compare routers with each other:

• Maximum data transfer rate
• Stability in work
• Real range of Wi-Fi signal coverage
• Availability of required ports
• Support for the required network standards and protocols (for example, IPTV)
• Convenient control interface and competent manufacturer support

And, of course, the price, because it is from it that we will build on. In addition, there are a number of specific requirements already in terms of the direction of use - high-speed work with torrents, the ability to install additional antennas, and so on.

Router speed

The speed of the router usually means the maximum theoretical speed of the Wi-Fi interface. It is indicated, for example, as follows: 150 Mbps. This means that in reality it will be able to give somewhere around 100 Mbps over the wireless interface. In megabytes, this is about 12 MB / s. This speed is enough for the router for almost all household tasks. Provided that the manufacturer does not lie And, of course, must be able to work at such a speed.

The characteristics indicate the speed of the LAN ports, i.e. cable connectors. The standard figure is 100 Mbps. On expensive models, this can be 1000 Mbps (gigabit). As a rule, at home this is completely useless, especially if you do not transfer hundreds of gigabytes between your devices via cable.

There is another very important characteristic that you will not recognize from the product card - this. The problem is that many routers cut the speed. That is, if your provider provides a 100 Mbps channel and you are at a speed of 100 Mbps (or even higher), then you still won’t see your honestly paid 100 Mbps on the Internet. There will be, at best, 95 Mbps and this is normal. You can get the maximum only by connecting the Internet directly to your computer without a router.

You can find out how much the router cuts speed from reviews and forums. But I would not advise you to read forums, because. reviews are often very contradictory: from not cutting at all to cutting speed by 10 times! On forums or in reviews, it is enough to catch the general “background” from real owners. The main thing is that there should be twice as much good as bad

The difference in “readings” can be explained by incorrect device settings (crooked hands) or some kind of incompatibility with the provider (more on that below). And in general, this makes sense if you have a channel of 100 Mbps or more, and not everyone has this.

Work stability

You will also not learn about the stability of work in the characteristics, but this is a very important factor. Almost all routers freeze periodically, as you can read thousands of posts on the forums. It looks like this: everything works, maybe for days / weeks, but at one fine moment the router freezes, and the Internet disappears. To turn it off from the outlet and turn it back on (reboot the router).

To a greater extent, such a glitch depends on the stability of the firmware and overheating of the chips. Therefore, it is important that the manufacturer updates their firmware more often. Therefore, it is better that the manufacturer is not "noname", i.e. no name, unknown. Especially if you constantly keep the torrent client turned on, you need to look at devices at least in the middle price range.

There are various alternative firmwares like DD-WRT on the network, which can improve stability, speed, and in addition, new functions will appear, but I would not recommend installing them yourself, because. there is a high probability of getting a dead piece of plastic, silicon, and what else is there in routers. The fact is that even the same models can differ greatly in internal stuffing: processor, memory, wifi module, flash, etc. Therefore, the fact that the firmware is on one the router - does not say anything at all!

When choosing a router for an apartment, first of all, you need to decide on the type of Internet connection. The device must be selected based on the technology used by your Internet provider. Consider the most common technologies:

ADSL

An outdated technology that uses a telephone cable that runs into an apartment for data transmission. Maximum incoming data transfer rate: 24 Mbps, outgoing: 4.5 Mbps. In fact, the numbers can be much smaller, as they depend on the parameters of the client line. ADSL routers use a built-in modem - a device that allows you to convert an analog telephone line signal into a digital one.

If you already have an ADSL modem installed in your apartment, it is advisable to choose not an ADSL, but a regular Ethernet router. To connect it, it will be enough to insert a telephone cable into the modem, and connect the LAN port of the modem to the Internet port of the router. Such a choice of device will help in the future to carry out an easy change of provider (you do not need to buy a new router to switch to cable Internet).

ethernet

The most common choice when connecting in an apartment or a small room. To establish a connection, a standard network cable is used, which is carried by the provider to the apartment. The cable connects to the user's router and provides access to the Internet via Wi-Fi and similar wires connected to laptops, computers, and modern TVs.

3G/4G

This technology is rarely used indoors, as 3G/4G connection provides lower speed at a higher cost than a cable signal. Routers of this type have a slot for connecting a SIM card or are produced with the firmware of a specific 3G / 4G operator. The main advantage is high mobility. Data transmission is carried out wirelessly, so Internet access can be obtained even in remote areas. In addition, the 3G / 4G router can be used on the road, without being tied to a cable network. For this, USB-powered models are available.

GPON

A promising technology that in the future may replace conventional cable Internet. When connecting using GPON, a fiber optic cable is brought into the client's premises. It provides the highest connection speed among all modern standards, since data is transmitted not through ordinary wires with metal cores, but through transparent flexible glass and plastic threads. Light is used to transmit data. Among the minuses, it can be noted that compared to Ethernet, fiber optic equipment has a higher cost.

Choosing a router for an apartment depending on Wi-Fi parameters

There are two frequencies on which Wi-Fi routers for apartments and premises operate: 2.4 and 5 GHz. The most common is the first, it is supported by all Wi-Fi devices. Radio waves at 2.4 GHz have better penetrating power and travel farther. The 5 GHz frequency is less prone to interference and allows you to transfer data at a higher speed. This is due to the fact that it has an expanded selection of channels.

As a rule, routers operating at a frequency of 5 GHz are backward compatible with 2.4. Two separate Wi-Fi networks are created to connect old (not supporting the 5 GHz standard) and new devices. Each of the networks is configured separately, with its own authorization parameters.

An important parameter when choosing a wireless router is the supported wireless network standards. There are about three dozen different Wi-Fi standards, but only five main ones are used for client equipment: 802.11a, b, g, n, ac.

• 802.11a - real speed up to 40 Mbps, wireless network operates at a frequency of 5 GHz.
• 802.11b - speed up to 5 Mbps, frequency 2.4 GHz. It is used in older wireless devices, and in modern routers this standard is retained only for backward compatibility.
• 802.11g - provides real speed up to 24 Mbps, at a frequency of 2.4 GHz.
• 802.11n - works on both frequencies: 2.4 and 5 GHz. Depending on the number of antennas, the data rate can range from 55 to 220 Mbps. The most advanced standard for the 2.4 GHz frequency.
• 802.11ac - 5 GHz frequency only, connection speed depends on the number of antennas and is more than 200 Mbps.

Important! Modern routers support several Wi-Fi standards at once, for example, 802.11b/g/n.

Type and number of antennas for routers for an apartment

When choosing a Wi-Fi router in an apartment, you should also consider the number of antennas and their type. These settings affect the coverage area of ​​a Wi-Fi network. The more antennas and the higher their power, the farther the signal will propagate, and the greater part of it will pass through obstacles - walls, partitions, pieces of furniture. In addition, the number of antennas affects the maximum data transfer rate that the device can provide.

For use in a small apartment, you can limit yourself to a router with a built-in antenna. As a rule, its gain does not exceed 1.5 dBi. Thick reinforced concrete walls will absorb such Wi-Fi radio waves almost completely.

For a large apartment, it is recommended to use a router with external antennas. Each of them provides signal amplification (from 1.5 to 5 dBi), so you can use the Internet even if the router is located in the back room of the apartment. The most common router models have from 1 to 3 antennas. However, there are also extreme options on sale, for example, Asus RT-AC5300, which has 8 antennas.

Note! In most cases, it is more practical and cheaper to opt for a router with 2-3 antennas. You can expand the coverage of the network using a separate device - a repeater.

Choosing a router with additional features for an apartment

A useful addition, which is increasingly found on modern routers, is the presence of a USB port. With it, you can connect a number of additional devices to the device: 3G / 4G modems, printers and scanners, flash drives and external hard drives. When you connect a wireless modem, you can use 3G or 4G Internet on all devices in your home network.