Wi-Fi Router select for home. Connection protocol

TOP-23 best Wi-Fi routers

The principle of operation of any router is reduced to the unification of the global network (Internet) with local in a certain room. Thanks to this, you can go out into the world network from several devices at the same time.

In order for the device to work without failures, and the data transfer speed is high, when choosing it, several technical parameters should be taken into account.

Types of the port of WAN

First of all, it is necessary to take into account the type of Wan port. This is an integration integration to the network, on which the data transfer speed will depend.

According to this criterion, there are several types of routers:

• Adsl. Equipped with the RJ-11 connector. Devices have low throughput and do not give high speed. Usually they are installed in remote cities and villages, where there is no way to conduct fiber.
• Ethernet. The most popular type of router with connecting through the RJ-45 connector.
• GPON. A new type of router, which allows you to get a maximum speed of up to 1 Gbit/. The SC connector with APC polishes is used to connect.
• Routers 3G/4G. Work from a mobile network and do not require wired connection. In order for the router to start working, just connect it to the USB port and make the necessary settings.

There are also universal routers that use a wireless connection and several technologies at once for stable and fast data transfer.

Network parameters

In addition to the technical parameters of the router itself, you should take into account the features of the network in the apartment. It is necessary to take into account several parameters on which the successful operation of the equipment depends.

Supported frequency

Typically, the frequency of the Wi-Fi network is 2.4 or 5 GHz. The first is supported by inexpensive routers, but it is quite enough for home use. But if the network is overloaded with a large number of devices operating at the same time, then failures may appear. 5 GHz routers are more modern. Users usually choose two.band models that give high speed and allow you to connect a large number of devices. But they have an important drawback: the signal passes poorly through concrete walls, so their radius of their actions is limited.

Data transmission speed

It largely depends on the cost of the equipment. Inexpensive models usually give out a speed of 50-150 Mbps. This is enough for home use. In addition, providers rarely offer tariffs at a speed above this indicator.

Experts advise choosing a router at a speed of 10% more than the maximum indicator in the provider network. This will help to avoid connection failures. Such devices are marked by support for the standard 802.11n or 802.11AS.

Stability of work

This characteristic is extremely important if you need a router with a stable data transfer. In this case, it is better not to rush and save, since cheap models often freeze or delay data transfer.

According to user reviews, devices are the most reliable: TP-Link, D-Link, ASUS and Keenetic. Such equipment is easy to install, and manufacturers provide warranty service in case of breakdown.

The network of the network

The choice of a router according to this criterion is directly determined by the needs of the owner. The radius of action depends on many factors: the installation site, the need to pass the signal through the walls and resonation with the neighboring wireless network.

For an ordinary city apartment, there is enough router of the middle price category with two antennas. It is important that the unit has an increase in the 5DBI signal. Then the wireless network will be stable throughout the apartment, regardless of wall material.

TP-Link Archer C80

Opens the best routers for the home TP-Link Archer C80. Even relatively inexpensive representatives of modern routers are ready to delight their owners with decent speed, the question of choosing the optimal MU-MIMO configuration under existing conditions. In particular, you need to take into account the number of client devices operating exclusively by 2.4 GHz, as well as the “settlement” of this range.

The considered Archer C80 is interesting in that during its development it was shifted in favor of the throughput of the low-frequency Wi-Fi. In other words, such a router will be especially useful both to owners of predominantly budgetary equipment, and in the conditions of a “smart home”. Please note that in the reviews of the first buyers Archer C80 there are complaints about various problems with the firmware of this router. After several updates, the router works stably, and its main disadvantage can be considered the absence of a USB port.

Huawei WS7100

Further, in our ranking of the best routers of 2022, an until recently little.known Chinese company, which is now one of the largest players in the global communications market, including network equipment. And “purely in Chinese” they offer a really attractive thing at first glance: a completely budget router on one of their four antennas flaunts the Wi-Fi 6 Plus logo, which means the presence of the most modern protocol 802.11AX. The router provides full work MU-MIMO.

Please note that two versions of the router are available, outwardly identical. In the cheaper one is a dual-core Gigahome processor (its own development of a subsidiary of Hisilicon) at a frequency of 1.2 GHz and there is no NFC module for a quick connection of smartphones to the network, but more expensive has a 1.4-GHz quadrous processor and supports NFC. The amount of RAM is also doubled: 128 and 256 MB, respectively. With a standard “home” load (a couple of smartphones, laptop), a “younger” option is quite sufficient, if there is a NAS, a network printer and many other devices in the home network, then you should not save.

Wended Inte Weights (1 Wan, 3 LAN). gigabit. The joint work of several Huawei routers in the MesH network is supported, both with wired and wireless. And quite unexpectedly for the budget model, the router has a certificate of protection of the level of EAL5. namely, from this class of the device are tested not only formally in their work, but also with the assessment of the development process itself in terms of safety.

And yes, let’s add in a whisper: in the “gray” intra-Chinese version there are signal amplifiers, with which the “range of the router” increases decently (though, in terms of signal power, the router does not fit into the requirements for certification, which is why the “white” version has lost them). Unfortunately, with a direct connection of the antennas to SOC on the Russian version, the signal is frankly frankly. so this is more option for small rooms. Or, armed with instructions with 4PDA (otherwise, in the Chinese integration of the “gray” version, try to figure it out), we take the “Chinese”.

• Support Wi-Fi 6 Plus
• A powerful processor allows you to steadily work pi high load from multiple customers
• All ports are gigabit

I took it precisely for connecting to a gigabit network and for the sake of Wi-Fi 6 Plus. With modern gadgets, the speed is really excellent.

ASUS RT-AC51

What not to take away from ASUS is popularity due to affordable with good possibilities. After all, last year the company received the “bronze” IXBT Brand 2021, losing to readers only Keenetic and TP-Link. Another thing is that there are surprises behind low (for example, a banal drawback of the memory and processor resources in the cheapest models that purely physically cannot distribute traffic if some application exceeds 40-50 megabits per second of data transfer speed).

As for the RT-51, then its labeling unequivocally refers to the old man RT-51U, which was released back in 2019. However, the lack of “U” means not just the absence of a USB port and related capabilities: there are many differences in the routers.

The router received not only four physical antennas, but also MIMO support (2.4 GHz 2×2, 5 GHz 2×2). Under the new firmware, the volume of the flash memory of the device had to be doubled (and the firmware is absolutely incompatible-with any firmware from RT-AC51U we get a “brick” at the output!), the RAM has not changed. The processor is also different. no longer the MediaTek MT7620A, but MT7628. Filmed capabilities for inexpensive routers: 4 100-megaby ports.

Settings are carried out through a long.familiar “asum” shell or through the ASUS Router mobile application. Here there are already its subtleties, since in the option “just drive the settings indicated by the provider” far from all the providers, this comes out. over, I must say, the problem here is often more from the provider (for example, the author personally after the provider has brought the network to mind, the aircraft of the router is already approaching a three-digit number of days, and then only because of the power outage at the beginning of summer-a Before that, it was necessary to reboot regularly, since the external network stubbornly “lost” the router).

Keenetic Hopper (KN-3810)

Among the best routers for a home or a small office, Keenetic Hopper (KN-3810) must be attributed. This middle-class router, presented in 2022, is positioned as a “gigabit Internet center with Mesh Wi-Fi 6 AX1800”, so it can be considered a “younger brother” of a more “sophisticated” GIGA KN-1011 router. The router is assembled by a dual.core MediaTek EN7561DU processor with 256 MB of RAM, provides up to 1201 Mbit/s at 5 GHz and up to 574 Mbit/s 2.4 GHz. Reading with USB-disks (here, we note, used the USB 3 port.0). up to 90 MB/s.

The wireless capabilities of the router are more than modern: seamless roaming, mu-mimo, signal focus in the direction of the device, ofdma are supported. Lan wired ports. three, all at a gigabit speed. And, of course, it can be used in mesh networks. If the home network also includes audio equipment with support for network playback, then you will definitely like the stability of the DLNA, provided by this router.

As for the management, then at least through the web-intake, at least through the Keenetic mobile application there is Keenetic. For “dummies”, everything is simple and understandable, and an advanced user will appreciate the flexibility of subtle settings, the possibility of configuration of connections, a well.thought.out politician and so on on the list. That’s what these routers are worth love for, so for the thoughtfulness of the software.

TP-Link Archer Ax73

The rating of the best routers for the home must include TP-Link Archer Ax73. Poster with antennas, like porcupine needles, this AX5400 Roter supports 4T4R and HE160 on a range of 5 GHz at a speed of up to 4.8 Gb/s (naturally, if the client is capable of it), has a full-fledged implementation of 4×4 Mu-Mimo, and due to Just six antennas clearly demonstrates the principle of directed radiation, knowing how to focus on a wireless device connected, without “spraying” the power in space in vain.

The “scaly” upper panel provides the router with effective ventilation of the 3-core 1.5-GHC processor and other filling. All five wired ports (1 WAN, 4XLAN) are gigabit, for two ports, static channel aggregation (LAG) is available. USB 3 port.0 allows you to use 4G modems, connect drives, and so on.

But the fact that the security system (tp-homeshield) is available only in the cut version, and in full of it from it is not corny to pay for it today-this is an occasion to slap in the rating minus. Seriously, you can offhand at least one manufacturer of routers of this price segment that would demand to pay money for the safety of your own buyers?

Keenetic Speedster (KN-3010)

Keenetic brand products are famous for almost perfect stock software, but is distinguished by excessive conservatism in relation to technical innovation. In particular, at the time of writing these lines, there is not a single proposal with the support of Wi-Fi 6 (IEEE 802.11AX), and its middle-class routers do not know how to fully unite in the MESH systems. In this sense, the new Keenetic Speedster (KN-3010)-unicum, insofar as a seamless wireless repeater mode is one of the main talents of the recommended router. We consider the very high speed of the re-“capture” KN-3010 with sudden “capture cliffs (the best indicator among direct competitors). With autonomous use, the router is already interesting at least the ability to create a network with a single SSID. In addition, in contrast to the implementation of Xiaomi, the router from Keenetic is quite allowed to create subnets with different names.

• can serve as a seamless Wi-Fi repeater;
• it is possible to create subnets under a single SSID;
• The best software in its class.

Great work of hands and mind of competent programmers. One side. Everything is clear and structured, on the other hand. Highly setting opportunities.

best powerful Wi-Fi routers with a large coating range | 2022

Often, when buying a router, the main criterion is the radius of action Wi-Fi. But how to get a stable signal through several walls? This question is asked by owners of private houses and large apartments. The answer is not so clear and depends on a number of factors.

We will help you understand the main parameters of the routers, as well as with frequent problems when building a network. It is likely that the best solution would be to acquire not one, but several routers at once, united in one seamless Mesh network.

How to choose the right powerful router?

Powerful routers are able to cover a large area without obstacles, for example, a trading floor. The radius of action can be 200 meters. But where did you see residential buildings without walls? Each obstacle reduces this indicator in 1.5-4 times. Thus, three capital walls can become an insurmountable barrier for Wi-Fi signal. over, fast and modern Wi-Fi 5-6 at a frequency of 5-6 GHz will end much faster. Because the higher the frequency, the more losses when overcoming obstacles. Part of the signal is reflected from the walls, which affects the quality of the connection.

It is not worth it to fully rely on the promised speed indicators. For example, smartphones and laptops are equipped with modules with 1-2 antennas, and manufacturers of routers promise high speeds for configurations with 3-4 antennas. Given the fact that part of the strip goes to encoding and encryption of the signal, as a result you will have about 70-150 Mbit/s for 2.4 GHz and 200-300 Mbit for 5 GHz. over, 1 gigabit will be available only in 6th generation networks using two antennas.

If you need to choose a more powerful router, so that it takes out to all corners of the apartment, giving out the maximum speed, we hasten to disappoint you: far from the router, the speed will fall in any case. And most importantly. gadgets have much weaker receivers. There are frequent cases when the router’s signal is able to pass through several walls, and the smartphone signal will be lost halfway. Therefore, in some cases, you will have to use the MESH system.

How to choose a powerful Wi-Fi router for an apartment?

For the apartment, it is important to observe the balance between the signal force and the number of obstacles. If you put a very powerful router (27-30 DBM) in a room with concrete walls, then the signal reflected from the walls will interfere with data transfer to the router. This can be compared with a loud speaker system that drowses all other sounds.

Also, you should not focus on very sensitive antennas. In places with dense buildings, dozens of routers will be surrounded. If your router will adjust its work, communicating with a large number of networks around, this will suffer its own speed.

The optimal solution for the apartment will be routers with a signal power 15-22 DBM and antennas with an amplification factor of 3-5 DBI. It is necessary to place a more powerful transmitter wisely, as it will interfere with the work of weak Wi-Fi modules in your gadgets. For example, a corridor is suitable, which will take on all the consequences of a too strong signal.

Cost and manufacturer

Today you can buy a router for literally five dollars on AliExpress and other trading floors. But relatively reliable start from 1000. For this money you get a minimum set of functions, acceptable speed and performance.

You can already choose a little extra.paying routers of famous brands. The most popular and reliable are Keenetic, TP-Link, D-Link, Asus. For home use, you can safely choose routers of such brands even with a small budget. When choosing, the rule works. the more expensive, the more equipped. Regardless of the brand. But it is better for ordinary users to adhere to the “golden mean”.

Which router to choose for an apartment?

For home use, we recommend a two-band Wi-Fi router with at least one USB port (advanced users can raise a home server to access their files at any time from anywhere in the world). 5 GHz frequency support allows the modem to give a high speed in a Wi-Fi network with a minimum of interference. You can connect a lot of devices to it without risk to drop the network to it. To make it easier for you to find suitable equipment, we present a rating of Wi-Fi routers 2019 for an apartment that can be found almost everywhere.

Budget Wi-Fi router for a small apartment

For example, if you have a small apartment and you are not going to overload the network, you can take a relatively inexpensive router.

TP-Link TL-WR740N/ND is a “folk” Wi-Fi router, which is offered in almost every computers store. If you want to get a high.quality router that you can easily configure for yourself and at the same time save (it). then you can take this particular model.

Wi-Fi routers with detailed manual setting

ASUS RT-N10/11/12-these are immediately 3 models that are suitable for most users. The routers give out stable speed, have functional firmware, the signal spreads perfectly in a small apartment.

TP-Link TL-WR841N (ND) and TP-Link TL-WR842ND-this model will perfectly cope with the distribution of a stable Wi-Fi signal in a large three-room apartment. This is one of the most popular models and it has been updated several times several times. If you are interested in manual settings of routers, then numerous custom firmware are available for these models.

Zyxel Keenetic Start. this router is working out all the money spent on his purchase. The router works excellently in an apartment with two or three rooms, several operating modes are immediately available, easily tunes in. Of the minuses, only frequency support is only in the range 2.4 GHz.

D-Link DIR-615-if you have a large apartment or even a small house, then this is just an interesting option in front of you. The updated version of the router with a pretty design was recently released.

Wi-Fi broadband access routers

This rating presents several options for modern apartments, which provide an intellectual system. For such housing Wi-Fi, the router must support the maximum of connected devices with a high speed of stable connection.

Mikrotik HAP AC2 is easy to set up and at the same time powerful, stands out for an unusual protected body and compact design. There is a support of an unrealistic number of options thanks to Routeros, but there is a minus. low speed even in the range of 5 GHz.

Keenetic Extra (KN-1710)-the latest model of the Keenetic brand with a very rich set of functions, including support for a gigabit compound and frequency of 5 GHz. This model has become one of the most popular last year. Judging by the reviews and ratings, Keenetic Extra is the most sophisticated and powerful Wi-Fi router with 4 antennas.

Xiaomi Mi Wi-Fi 4-What is the rating without Xiaomi? This is one of the most affordable routers of the Chinese brand that supports the work of gigabit Internet with remote access from the smartphone. Low) allowed this model also to receive the title of “people’s” even despite the lack of USB port.

Huawei B525. stylish, powerful, functional, with 4G support and the ability to connect up to 32 devices. The list of advantages is very impressive and it is not surprising that, despite the decent cost, this router also achieved popularity. This is a real monster that is suitable for an apartment with the most sophisticated intellectual system. But you can’t fix it on the wall.

TP-Link Archer C3200 is the most interesting option in our ranking. If you want to buy the most top, the most functional Wi-Fi router controlled from a smartphone, then Archer C3200 is just what you need. Buy this router and forget about the need to replace it in the next few years. There is a modem on a powerful dual-core processor, it has as much as 6 antennas, support for MIMO 3 × 3-as a result, you get a Wi-Fi network at a speed of up to 3200 Mbit/s. Just do not be surprised at his price tag. about 17,000.

The area of ​​the coverage area. apartments 50, 80, 100 kV.m

Also an important factor when choosing a router is the total area of ​​the apartment. It’s one thing, a small studio, another is apartments that require a large Wi-Fi network coverage area.

If your housing has a size up to 50 kV. meters, then for a good coverage of all rooms there will be a sufficiently modern two.band router with 4 antennas of 5 dbi when it comes to 80 kV. m., then one router is no longer enough for a stable signal reception. It will be necessary to install an additional Wi-Fi repeater or a second router in a repiter mode if you have an apartment or a whole house from 100 kV. m. and above, this is an occasion to think about choosing in favor of a full.fledged MESH system consisting of several modules. They will need to be placed evenly in rooms for full coverage of the entire area

After you weigh all these points and make a list of the necessary characteristics, you can safely go to the store with a firm awareness of what exactly you need to purchase and what kind of router will be the best for you to use a house in an apartment. I wish you a successful purchase!

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Steam and the use of Poyes

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Wi-Fi obstacle-why Wi-Fi is slowly working at home or office

Errors of installing routers at home, how the Wi-Fi interference arises and how to deal with them. We talk about what can be done for good Wi-Fi at home.

We calculate the load of the router. the number of connected devices

I briefly touched this topic in the previous text, but you feel a certain underfire, many demanded a specific answer. how many devices can be connected to the router, tell me the exact number. It is difficult to do this in most cases, since there are theoretical values ​​and what we get in practice.

In theory, the DHCP server on a router can give out several hundred addresses, in practice it is never an achievable value. For example, in TP-Link limit their routers of almost a hundred devices (more precisely, 99 addresses). Other manufacturers focus on existing standards, without encryption, up to 127 devices are available, with WEP-shifting-exactly the same amount with the WPA algorithm (it is outdated)-up to 57 customers, with WPA2/3-up to 122 customers. This is the number of devices that can be connected to the router, but do not transmit data!

Disconnection of encryption allows you to achieve the maximum number of connections in practice, but the idea is very bad, anyone in theory can see everything that you do on the network. The better the encryption, the better you are protected, and you should definitely not refuse to defend.

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A solid option for every day, reliable materials and accessories, ease of wearing and invigorating cost.

Now let’s watch what is happening in practice. The most expensive home routers pull about twenty simultaneous connections, inexpensive models can work with 6-8 connections by force. But the number of connections does not tell us anything about the quality of the router and the speed that it can give out on a specific device. Typically, people evaluate the quality of the Internet at home in speed that their smartphone or computer gives out, and the speed test passes in perfect conditions. you check the speed on one device.

Let’s look at a regular router provided by a house operator, a speed of 100 Mbps. This is what speed it gives out during the test on one smartphone.

Add the second smartphone and try to check the speed at the same time on two devices, it falls.

Our Internet channel is separated between two simultaneously working devices, depending on the priority of each device, signal level (read-quality antennas, remoteness from the router) and speed depends. By increasing the number of devices transmitting data, we will achieve that the router will lose speed and performance. And here you need to think about how many devices you use at home, and most importantly, how you use them.

Let’s look at different scenarios to make it easier to understand which router may need.

Apartment building, one at home

You live alone, occasionally come to you guests who are most likely not claiming your Internet. We consider the number of devices that you may have: a smartphone (even let it be two!), a computer, a game console and a smart TV, add some household appliances here-a vacuum cleaner, a security system, a smart house. Even if you constantly use all equipment, you will have 2-4 devices at the same time. For example, you watch a TV (streaming), at the same time leaf through the mail or smartphone, web pages, you have a vacuum cleaner (when it does not work, there is no data transfer). You simply cannot create some kind of tangible load, it is invisible in most cases, and any router will arrange you, including the one that is offered by the spector operator.

But if you know the sin of downloading large files to dozens of GB, you may be considered something else and at the same time increase the speed of the provider to maximum. The reason is that on a slow channel a router can zoopet, and if there is no docking files, you will have to start all over again.

The budget option, in which the savings are maximum and you will arrange any router that is.

Apartment building, a family of two or three people

There is a temptation to take the previous calculation and simply multiply all devices by two, but it will not work out, here the coefficient is more likely 1.5 for two people and 2 for three, and then with a reservation that the third is not a child of preschool age. The number of TVs may vary, but you are unlikely to at the same time watch different films in different rooms. The load is higher, but it does not differ in fundamental. Any router will also be enough in theory, but its resource will be chosen much more, local problems are possible.

If you have a two-room apartment, then you should think about something more interesting than a budget router, with a larger area it is worth thinking about it exactly, the quality of the signal in any corners will be better, plus a margin of strength, the router will withstand any load. On average, the simultaneous number of connections in a family of three people, when all houses, are about five devices. And an ordinary router pulls so much, although at the limit.

Apartment building, a family of four to five people

Probably, there are three rooms or more in such a family, that is, we rest on the need to cover a larger area, plus another number of devices, on average, as experience shows, is ten connected and transmitting these devices. For example, there may be a couple of TVs, a smart house, up to five smartphones and a computer, plus someone will listen to music on a smart column. A completely real scenario that requires a good connection (starting from 100 Mbps and above, and 100 Mbps no longer have a margin of strength with such consumption). Someone will begin to download a large file near the router, and other users will feel that they cannot quickly open the pages on the network, the Internet begins to slow down.

Not only a good router is important here, but also the presence of repiter (as an option, MESH systems) plus a sufficient bandwidth that users can separate. You can focus on medium and high price systems.

Country house, two floors-200-300 square meters

Regardless of the number of living, you will need to provide communication on different floors, so you need to either choose an expensive router with a good coating, or expand the network due to repiter. It is definitely not worth focusing on budget decisions, it is important to properly plan.

Each story is unique, each person (family) differs from another. I am sure that you already have a Wi-Fi Roter, so the simplest thing you can do is to see what amount of data you use monthly, which devices consume the most data (most likely, it will be a game console or a smart TV, where do you watch films).

Here we go from the opposite, we consider your consumption in fact, and not by the number of people and devices. And understanding the volume of traffic, you can decide which channel you need, and choose a router of the correct price category.

Under the “hood

frequency range

Models operating at a frequency of 2.4 GHz are now completely outdated, and the point is not even in limited speed. Due to the widespread distribution of the Wi-Fi 802 standard.11n the entire corresponding range was clogged with interference. At the same time, working routers of house or office neighbors interfere with each other, violating the stability of the connection.

This is how Wi-Fi 802 frequencies look like.11n in an apartment building

The situation is partly saved by the use of various channels, but even such an algorithm does not solve the problem completely. When automatically choosing a frequency, the router will periodically switch between values, cutting the speed at the most inopportune moment. And the choice of the least loaded channel manually helps only for a while. There is only one way out of the situation-go to a modern model with support for Wi-Fi 802.11ac.

Actual network equipment operates in the 5 GHz range. Although it was adopted by “service” back in 2014, most users use old frequencies compatible with almost any equipment. So, when switching from an old router to a modern Keenetic Air, the ether will be free from extraneous signals: no more freezes and cliffs of the connection. In addition, Wi-Fi at 5 GHz is even faster-not only the width of the channels, but also the throughput increased in comparison with the predecessor.

The algorithm for working with a large number of simultaneously connected customers has also improved. The technology of multi-user simultaneous data transfer (MUMO) allows you to enter the network to many gadgets at once without delay and gaps. At the same time, devices of past generations without the Internet will not be left, because the new standard is compatible with Wi-Fi 802.11n.

The only thing that should be taken into account when buying a modern router is a signal at a frequency of 5 GHz is more sensitive to obstacles in its path. Its attenuation as it is removed from the router is “treated” in several ways. Having posted your Xiaomi Mi Wi-Fi Router 3 in the center of the apartment, you can achieve the most uniform coating. If one of the long.range rooms remains problematic, the Mercusys MW300re repiter will pick up the connection and pass it further. Finally, you can create an additional Wi-Fi network at a frequency of 2.4 GHz. Her speed will be less, but the range of action will increase markedly.

LAN ports

It would seem who needs wires if almost any device can connect with the Internet through the air today? But it is worth it several times to encounter the outfits of the ping in online dresses or “stuttering” of the stream 4K video, as the hand itself will reach the patch corda. Game console, system unit, TV setting-this is the minimum set of candidates for wire connection. So that when buying a new gadget, not to excommunicate one of the “old men” from a stable connection, it is better to choose a model with at least four Ethernet connectors-for example, ASUS RT-N18U.

The speed of built.in ports is also important. Even if the current tariff does not exceed 100 Mbps, only the connection of the problem of the router is not exhausted. To organize a home network where file exchange and striming video are possible, the throughput of the superfluous will not be. The gigabit D-Link Dir-853 will help out in the foreseeable future if the provider offers better conditions.

Quantity and type of antennas

The antennas of the router perform not only a decorative function. their number directly affects the quality of the wireless network coating. In two.band models, different antennas are responsible for different frequencies. TP-Link Archer C60-not a whim of marketers sticking out in all directions, but a guarantee of a stable connection within the radius of the device.

In general, you can navigate by the method “the more, the better”, especially for a spacious apartment.

There are models with internal transmitters. On the one hand, such a layer makes a router compact, and on the other, the effectiveness of external antennas increases. But you should choose such devices only for a single room, if you need to save space as much as possible. In other cases, it is better to give preference to the usual “hedgehogs”, preferably with removable antennas. This will replace them in the case of a breakdown (for example, when falling from a shelf) and will cost the cheaper device assembly.

USB port

This standard connector is useful not only for a 4G modem. With it, you can connect a common printer, flash drive or external hard drive to the home network. The advantage of the method is that to distribute files or printing of documents, you do not need to include the “main” computer. The price of Keenetic Extra with a USB port is practically no different from analogues that are devoid of this useful intensity. Even if at the moment such functionality is not in demand, in the future you will not have to advance on a rake.

Dimensions and fasteners

Despite the relatively compact dimensions, entering the router into the home interior is not always simple. Then there is not enough space on the shelf, then the box with the antennas spoils the view. Sometimes the best option would be the wall mount Totolink A3002ru AC1200. If, out of ignorance, choose a device without mounting holes, you have to either do them yourself, or return to the store for exchange. A few minutes for measurements before buying will save a lot of time and nerve cells in the future.

Additional opportunities

Having decided on the iron part, it is important not to forget about the software. Whatever the filling of the router, it will not work to implement all its possibilities without suitable soft support.

Digital television is an excellent replacement for the retirement signal. Providers offer combined tariffs “Internet plus TV”, with which you can forget about a separate antenna. But there is a nuance: the IPTV function must maintain the router itself. Most modern models, including the ASUS RT-AC58U, are equipped with it from the box, but there is a chance to run into an inappropriate option. It is worth clarifying the specification in advance so as not to be left without your favorite Discovery on weekends.

The protocol of the secure installation (Wi-Fi Protected Setup, abbreviated WPS) allows you to connect any gadget to the network by pressing the button on the router case. This function is useful not only for masters for repairing smartphones, but also useful for temporary distribution of traffic to guests without communicating a password.

It is more convenient to use a model that has a WPS power button on the front of the case.

Mobile app

Connecting a wire to a home PC to configure the connection for a long time is not necessary. To manage many relevant models of routers, there are special mobile applications that duplicate the web-intake in the browser. Therefore, from two devices similar in terms of technical characteristics, it is better to choose what you can configure from a smartphone. Just because it is convenient.

Linksys EA8300

Already out of the Linksys EA8300 box is already a high-quality and reliable three-band router, but it also has a full settings, with which a knowledgeable person can squeeze everything out of it-and even a little more.

A small black device can quickly transmit a huge amount of data, although the coverage area is still designed for apartments and small houses. He has a very convenient setup program, with which you can set priorities to individual channels (for example, if you play or watch streaming television), and many functions can be translated into automatic mode.

If desired, you can literally “on the fly” manually make corrections. both from a computer or laptop, and using an application for a smartphone.

Pros: excellent performance, good software, relatively inexpensive.

Cons: not a very large coating area.

TP-Link Archer C2300

If the ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX11000, which opened the rating of the best Wi-Fi routers of 2021, was a very sophisticated device, then TP-Link Archer C2300, which heads our TOP-10, belongs to a completely different category.

This is a modest budget device, which, for all its external simplicity and unpresentability, represents one of the best models in terms of price/quality/functionality on the market. Among its price category, this is just Champion in performance. as experts tested model say, it is easily capable of passing almost 1 GB/s through itself and without any problems “pierces” concrete walls and ceilings.

In addition to ordinary settings, Archer C2300 has additional options, like a built.in antivirus, QOS and parental control. And if you add many more ports here, a convenient admin program, a high transfer speed via FTP, we will get one of the most optimal solutions in the route market for home use.

Pros: high performance, price, built.in antivirus, two.year warranty, there is 5 GHz range.