Which wifi router is better. Which router to choose for home? Choosing the best WiFi router

A router or router is a device with the function of forwarding network layer packets between network segments. In other words, the router allows several devices to access the network at the same time via one Internet channel with the ability to connect via a wireless connection (Wi-Fi). It must be borne in mind that the channel bandwidth is divided equally among all devices connected using the router. To the WAN port of the router, and to the LAN ports - home computers. If the connected devices have a Wi-Fi adapter, you can make a wireless connection. To protect the local network from hacker attacks, all modern routers are equipped with a built-in firewall. A good router is a router that does not cause any problems to the owner. In order not to regret the money and nerves spent, take the choice seriously. You need to understand that today this complex network device is represented by an abundance of models from various manufacturers, differing not only in cost, but also in functional features. There are generally accepted criteria that should be followed when buying a router:

Price

The router processes and sends a large amount of information, protects the computer from network attacks using the built-in firewall, distributes wi-fi over encrypted connections, and performs many other tasks. For the normal performance of these and other functions, decent power is required. Therefore, the filling of the router - processor, controller, RAM, etc. - must be of high quality. And, as you know, quality and price are interconnected things. A cheap router with the appropriate stuffing can create the following problems for you:

• - Connection drops, frequent reboots, freezes at the most inopportune moment - especially when working with torrents
• - Short Wi-Fi range
• — The speed is lower than declared by the Internet provider
• - short life span

Specifications

— Router RAM

Routers with a small amount of RAM are not recommended for purchase. It directly affects the speed of the router itself - executing commands, saving settings, reboot duration, etc. Choose devices with RAM from 64 MB or more.

— Router software

Pay attention to how often the router manufacturer releases software updates and whether this device has the ability to update (flashing). Keep in mind that new software versions not only expand the functionality of the router, but also include bug fixes for the device.

— Maximum connection speed

A reasonable decision would be to choose a router with high bandwidth. Otherwise, it will significantly reduce the connection speed.

— Wireless range

Wi-Fi coverage area is a characteristic calculated from ideal conditions: the absence of walls, partitions, a working TV or radio, etc. Therefore, keep in mind that if the technical characteristics of the router indicate a radius of 100 m, then in the conditions of your apartment it will be about 20 m. For this reason, it is recommended to purchase a device with a wide range.

— Antennas

Choose a router with the number of antennas from 2 or more - the data transfer rate depends on this.

If the router includes only one antenna, then it will perform a dual function: both receiving and transmitting data. In this regard, in order to ensure the correct operation of all devices connected via Wi-Fi, the router will be forced to significantly reduce the speed.

The two antennas of the router evenly distribute the reception and transmission functions among themselves, which allows you to work without loss of speed.

If the router is equipped with three antennas, then one of them receives data, and the other two transmit, which ensures a stable and high data exchange rate.

The more antennas in the router, the better the wireless network. The maximum number of antennas in the router reaches 6 pieces.

— Port speed

The choice of speed depends on the characteristics of your activity on the Internet.

A router with a speed of 100 Mbps is quite suitable for visiting sites and checking mail. To watch the video you need at least 150 Mbps, for online games and work with trackers - 300 Mbps.

Keep in mind that Internet technologies are developing rapidly and you may soon need a router that supports gigabit networks. That is why active users are recommended to purchase routers with a port speed of 1000 Mbps.

—Data Encryption Method

Data encryption is used to protect the wireless network from third-party connections. Most routers are equipped with two data encryption methods: WEP and WPA. WPA is considered the most reliable of them.

— Availability of USB interface

Connectors allow connecting other devices to the router - for example, an external hard drive, flash drive, network printer, and even a 3G modem, if the router supports this function.

— Number of switch ports

Most routers include 4 LAN ports to which you can connect a desktop computer, TV or receiver. As a rule, the speed of data exchange through a wired connection is better than through Wi-Fi, therefore, even if you have an appropriate wireless adapter, it is recommended to connect stationary PCs to LAN ports.

— Ability to work with IPTV

Even if you do not yet use digital television - IPTV, just in case, it is recommended to give preference to a router that can distribute IPTV over the internal subnet, including support for data encryption.

— Protocol support

Before purchasing a router, find out which data transfer protocol your Internet service provider uses. Major ISPs favor PPTP, L2TP, and PPPoE. Please note that L2TP is not supported by every router.

Company manufacturer

ASUS routers are considered one of the most reliable and affordable.

Below are models that are definitely worth a closer look in terms of their functionality:

• — WL500g Premium
• — WL500g Premium v2
• — WL500W
• -RT-N65U
• - RT-N66U

ASUS RT-N65U has the following features:

• CPU frequency: 500 MHz
• RAM: 128 MB
• flash drive: 16 MB
• 802.11 a/b/g/n wireless network
• two USB ports

Despite some simplicity, this model does an excellent job with all the functions of a home router.

ASUS RT-N66U has improved performance and is rightly considered the best home router model from ASUS today.

• cpu frequency: 600MHz
• RAM: 256 MB
• flash drive: 32 MB
• wireless network 802.11 b/g/n
• total data rate: up to 900 Mbps
• data rate: 1Gbps
• two USB ports

More expensive, but working flawlessly, are Linksys and Zyxel routers.

Let us consider in more detail some models of these manufacturers.

ZyXEL Keenetic Ultra is an excellent choice for the home from the company. It has the following characteristics:

• processor frequency: 700 MHz
• RAM: 256 MB
• flash memory: 16 MB
• two USB ports
• Gigabit LAN support
• total data rate: up to 750 Mbps

This model has two simplified versions - the ZyXEL Keenetic II and Keenetic Giga II models. They are slightly less functional, but more tempting for the price.

The Linksys EA6700 is an excellent home router model from Linksys. Its characteristics:

• CPU frequency: 600-800 MHz
• RAM: 256 MB
• support wireless network 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
• total data rate: up to 1300 Mbps
• Gigabit LAN support
• two USB ports

Pretty good routers are made by TP-LINK. Let's pay attention to two models - TL-WR743ND and TL-WR743ND.

TP-LINK TL-WR743ND has a low price and decent technical characteristics. Unfortunately, it does not have a high data transfer rate, but for those users for whom this parameter is not so important, it is quite suitable.

Its characteristics:

• detachable antenna
• equipped with DoS protection and WPA encryption system
• wireless connection speed: 150 Mbps

TP-LINK TL-WR1043ND is a great option for the home, combining high data transfer speed and good wireless signal.

• 4 gigabit LAN ports and one gigabit WAN port
• USB port
• 802.11n wireless
• 3 detachable antennas
• wireless connection speed: 300 Mbps
• IPTV support

When choosing a router, try to avoid the main mistakes:

- If you believe that the seller in the store will correctly tell you which router to purchase, then you are greatly mistaken. He does not know what exactly and for what purposes you need, so he will most likely offer the most popular product or model that is urgently to be sold.

- Even if your friends have been working without any complaints for a long time, this does not mean that all devices of this company are just as good. Every manufacturer has bad models, so before making a purchase, check out the reviews of the routers you are interested in. This will not be difficult, since today the Internet is replete with many thematic forums.

- It is not at all necessary to purchase the most expensive router of all the proposed models. The high price is often due to the wide functionality of the device. If your router requirements are modest enough, then why overpay for features you don't need? Choose a model based on your actual needs and requirements.

Routing Fundamentals" by D-Link

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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. So, for players in online games, the main parameter is the speed and stability of the connection.

For those who are engaged exclusively in Internet surfing, a budget model is more suitable - especially since any modern router meets the requirements of the average user.

For a large family, it is desirable to ensure the maximum number of connections and high speed access to information. And, if the wired Internet in this region is unstable (especially when the router is installed in the private sector or outside the city), an equally important parameter is the ability to connect a 3G modem.

Main selection criteria

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

• the number of LAN ports to which a computer, laptop or switch can be connected using a cable;
• data transfer rate using a wired connection;
• the presence of a USB port for connecting a flash drive.

Rice. 1. Router with a connected 3G modem.

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 the number of wired connections to a single router. 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 the high speed, exceeding even the performance of the cable, and a large number of connections provided simultaneously. The disadvantage is the need to configure and protect the wireless network with a password.

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 you need to connect already 3 computers, you will have to buy a switch.

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. By the way, in order to choose the right Internet for you, read our material Which Internet is better to connect for home. An overview of all possible options.

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, special software 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 Apple computers. At the same time, a user with an Android or iOS phone 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 a Wi-Fi adapter. At the same time, the equipment is quite affordable and is great for installation in a house or apartment, where only mobile devices, such as laptops, tablets or smartphones, need to be connected to the network.

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 for external hard drives 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 a private house, a router will allow you to simultaneously connect up to 4 computers and more than ten mobile gadgets at 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 is the low price and support for the WPS option, which provides 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.

Tenda N301

The advantages of the Tenda N301 model are its compact dimensions and low price. These advantages are complemented by the ease of setting up the operation of the equipment, which makes it easy to put the router into operation even for not very experienced users. By the way, on our website you can read detailed instructions for setting up this router: Tenda n301: setting up and working with the router

The setup menu interface is in Russian, a clear instruction is included with the router. When the device is in operation, a good network connection speed is provided - up to 300 Mbps wirelessly and up to 100 Mbps wired network.

The disadvantages of the Tenda N301 model include the presence of only 3 LAN ports instead of the standard four and not a very strong signal. In fact, after 10 meters it may not be enough for full-fledged work on the Internet. Although for the conditions of an ordinary apartment and such characteristics are usually sufficient - it is desirable to install equipment closer to the center of housing.

Rice. 11. Tenda N301 - a router for undemanding users.

ZyXEL Keenetic Start - not too fast, but stable connection

The ZyXEL Keenetic Start model is a simplified version of the Kinetic router from the same manufacturer. The functionality of the device is limited compared to a more expensive router. However, for a small house and a two-three-room apartment, its capabilities are enough.

At the same time, the device has a favorable price, does not overheat during operation and provides real 150 Mbit / s speeds - while some models from other manufacturers (especially budget ones) do not always correspond to the declared parameters.

Rice. 12. ZyXEL Keenetic Start is a simplified version of an expensive router.

Results

The routers presented in the list are among the most popular and most often purchased models. There are many reasons for this - affordable cost, high speed, easy setup. Buying one for your apartment, private house and even summer cottage (if you have a USB connector and a 3G modem) will provide a high-quality signal at a considerable distance around the router. And it will give you the ability to access the Internet using a wired or wireless connection.

Video:

We live in the age of the Internet, which has successfully replaced going to the movies and reading books. Today, communication with many people can take place without mail and long-distance calls, and social networks have revolutionized the way people communicate. Every owner of a modern gadget has access to the Internet, whether it be a smartphone, laptop, tablet or computer; you just need to simply connect your device to the network, and you can connect to the Internet via a telephone line - or via a special cable channel of the provider. But so that several devices can be connected from one Internet input, there are Wi-Fi routers that distribute it over the air. It is about how to choose a Wi-Fi router with the best price-quality ratio in 2018 that will be discussed in our article.

Choosing a router

In order for the chosen Wi-Fi router to be ideal, you need to clearly imagine how you will use the Internet in the future. If visiting the network will be limited to browsing sites and communicating on social networks, then a budget router model with a minimum set of functions and low parameters will be enough, and if regular downloading of large files, playing online 3D games or watching high-definition streaming video is expected, you you will need a completely different device with significantly higher performance, and therefore a price.

Varieties of Wi-Fi routers

All Wi-Fi routers sold today are divided into five groups according to the type of ports.

• ADSL Wi-Fi router is a device with an RJ11 telephone jack input.
• Ethernet (FTTB) WiFi router - with Ethernet twisted-pair (FTTB) input for RJ45 connector.
• CPON/CEPON/PON WiFi-router - a router with an input in the form of an SC connector for fiber optic cables.
• 3G/4G/LTE WiFi router is a device with radio frequency input from a telephone operator for distributing Internet from cellular providers.
• Universal Wi-Fi router - combines several types of connection.

Some aspects of choice

There are a wide variety of different Wi-Fi routers on the shelves of electronics stores today, and it is important to pay attention to some points when choosing a device, which will be discussed below.

1. If the provider did not provide you with his device, you need to find out the type of WAN connector that he uses to distribute the Internet, as well as the connection protocol, and in the future look for a Wi-Fi router with the same parameters.
2. If the provider's service package includes a data transfer rate of more than 100 Mbps, it is necessary to select a router with Gigabit Ethernet LAN connectors that support 1 Gbps. For Internet speeds less than this, you can get by with a device with Fast Ethernet ports operating at speeds up to 100 Mbps.
3. If you intend to use multiple wireless gadgets, download large amounts of information, play online games and watch high-definition video streaming, you must choose a Wi-Fi router with two frequency bands and multiple antennas, operating on the IEEE 802.11 ac wireless LAN standard - and for working with documents, Internet surfing and communication in social networks. networks, a model with a single antenna supporting an 802.11 n class LAN is sufficient.

What else to pay attention to

• Wi-Fi range in the instructions does not match the real one, since it is prescribed for ideal conditions. There are a lot of walls in any room, and the signal level drops significantly because of this, so the 100 meters of Wi-Fi coverage diameter indicated in the specifications may actually be no more than 20 meters. Do not buy a router with an antenna hidden inside the case - such devices distribute Wi-Fi weaker.
• Number of antennas directly affects the speed of the local network devices. If the router has only one antenna, it is forced to divide its power between receiving and transmitting data, and two antennas already distribute information flows among themselves: one antenna works for transmission, and the second for reception. The maximum number of antennas in a Wi-Fi router is 6, respectively, the quality of Wi-Fi distribution in this model is very high. And yet, if the antennas of the router are removable, you can install more powerful or directional antennas instead.
• USB ports in a Wi-Fi router, they make it possible to connect a flash drive, a hard drive, a printer and a 3G / 4G modem to it to secure the Internet - if this is provided for by the functionality of the model.
• WEB interface in the router will allow you to quickly configure it thanks to a program that looks like a website.
• Upgradability of WEB-firmware allows in each new version of the operating system of the Wi-Fi router to correct shortcomings, improving its performance, and it is good if these updates occur regularly.

Price

The price of good Wi-Fi routers ranges from 1000 to 6000 rubles or more, for this money you can buy a model that matches the type of Internet use. The price of 1000-1500 rubles is enough to buy simple, but at the same time very good routers like: Xiaomi Mi Wi-Fi Router 3, ASUS RT-AC53 or D-link DIR-615/T4 for those who spend most of their time in social networks. -networks, browsing the Internet and riding tanks in the WoT game. For 2000 rubles, you can already buy a 2-band gigabit router like TP-LINK Archer C1200 with full apartment coverage, but the cost is above 2000 rubles for models with multiple antennas and wider functionality.

Before deciding to buy a router, you should consult your provider about the compatibility of models. Having information about the technical requirements of the provider that apply to them, you can make a more informed choice and avoid unpleasant situations in the future.

Rating of the best Wi-Fi routers of 2018

Well, I think we figured out the main nuances, now it’s worth moving on to choosing the Wi-Fi router itself, only before that you need to decide where it will stand in an apartment or a large private house. Therefore, we have collected only the best models of routers in 2017-2018, both powerful for the home and inexpensive for a one-room apartment.

The best Wi-Fi routers 2018 price-quality ratio

• Xiaomi Mi Wi-Fi Router 3 is the best buy
• ASUS RT-AC53 is a great option for a small apartment
• TP-LINK TL-WR841N
• Xiaomi Mi Wi-Fi Router 4 - New in 2018
• D-link DIR-815/AC
• ASUS RT-AC51U
• ZYXEL Keenetic Air

Top 5 Asus Wi-Fi Routers

• ASUS RT-AC53 - (perfect for both a large apartment and a house)
• ASUS RT-AC51U - (just like the previous model, just a little weaker)
• ASUS RT-AC66U - (worthy and stylish model for a 3-room apartment) I recommend
• ASUS RT-AC58U - (good option for a small private house or 2-room apartment)
• ASUS RT-AC1200G Plus - (the most powerful of the popular routers that incorporates all the best)

Best TP-Link Routers - Top 5

• TP-LINK Archer C50(RU) - (one of the coolest Wi-Fi routers of 2018, it has collected all the best powerful signal and reasonable price)
• TP-LINK Archer C59 - (a good choice for a one-room apartment, but it is advisable to immediately change the firmware to the latest one)
• TP-LINK Archer C1200 - (a good choice for kopeck piece, but it is advisable to immediately change the firmware to the latest one)
• TP-LINK Archer C7 - (new in 2018 recommend)
• TP-LINK Archer C3200 - (one of the top models of this company, includes only the latest technology, but the price bites)

Best D-Link Wi-Fi Routers - Top 5

Good day, dear friends. Today, as you understood from the title, we will talk about how to choose a router correctly and with taste (benefit).

The fact is that lately, connected with the fact that a person bought himself (a router), set up and connected the Internet, and after that he sits and suffers with connection breaks, the low speed of this very connection (below the declared tariff), packet losses and other not very pleasant crap.

When I answer that the problems are most likely related to the fact that it is the most (or almost the cheapest) representative of the family of router subspecies of the switch, then a person, as a rule, is very surprised. But in vain.

This article will focus on just how to choose a router , or rather, what to rely on when choosing and buying it, that is, what characteristics are worth looking at, what price ranges to choose, which companies have proven themselves in the market, and all that other stuff that is necessary for the right purchase.

What is a router (router) and why is it needed

Of course, in this article I proceed from what you imagine, what is in general and you have it at home. For those who have no idea, here is an excerpt from Wikipedia:

Router or router, router, router (from English router /ˈɹu:tə(ɹ)/ or /ˈɹaʊtɚ/, /ˈɹaʊtəɹ/) is a network device that, based on information about the network topology and certain rules, makes decisions about forwarding network layer packets ( layer 3 of the OSI model) between different network segments. (c) Wikipedia

In simple words, this is such an electronic box in which one hole ( WAN-port) the Internet is stuck, and in others ( LAN-ports) all computers are stuck. (all these WAN, LAN, DHCP and so on, we live here here).

Thus, the Internet appears on all connected computers, and a local network is also "formed" between the computers. Sometimes, by the way, this box also has antennas (sometimes, however, built-in), which make it possible to connect without wires, that is, via WiFi.

A small preface-verbiage from the author

At one time, like many, I was very mistaken when buying cheap routers. I was mistaken because all of them are now lying on my shelf in one state or another, and in total cost they took with them an amount equivalent to one normal device, which, by the way, is now standing in the room and distributing the Internet, crunching and happily spreading antennas WiFi in different directions.

When buying at that time, I relied mainly on the opinion of people who are not very knowledgeable in network equipment (and this is a percentage * of the inhabitants of the Internet), screaming on the forum in response to the question " Recommend a good quality router?"something in the spirit" Get the cheapest one, they're all the same, don't waste tons of $ on gigabit super mega cisco routers".

So .. they were wrong and wrong.

The law of the market sometimes says that a good thing is expensive. This is not always true, but in most cases it is. With routers, this law is most effective, and therefore one of the determining criteria when buying a device for you, oddly enough, should be exactly the price.

The fact is that many advisers (which I mentioned above) probably happily believe that the router is a magical device like a keyboard, put it in, stuck it in and rejoice, they say, all the business and functions are there - one, two and counted . In fact, this is not so.

Many people forget (or do not know) that this same box is, relatively speaking, almost a full-fledged computer, with its own processor, RAM and operating system, and that all this together determines the final quality (performance, stability, functions), because each of the elements of the filling of the router has its own characteristics.

In this regard, by the way, it also knows how to heat up, hang, reboot and suffer from other typical computer diseases caused by poor-quality filling and cheap performance.

You do not buy yourself the cheapest computer for games, do you? It is obvious that, as a rule, if you do not assemble it yourself, then it will be weak to pull the toys, and they will slow down on it, or even not start at all. It is similar with routers, that is, how to choose a router must be understood and done wisely.

Someone might say that, they say, to compare full-fledged 3D-applications and distribution of the Internet - this is strange and inappropriate. In fact, it is a little more than completely appropriate, because it does not just perform the "mythical" distribution of the Internet between computers, but operates with a very solid amount of data using encrypted protocols, sending, analyzing a bunch of packets and connections, protecting you from attacks due to the built-in firewall, distributing WiFi on encrypted connections (and any encryption takes the power of the device) and doing other important things.

In short, a device with a weak filling will easily create thousands of problems for you, the most unpleasant of which are:

• Low speed (as they say - "the router cuts the speed"), i.e. instead of, say, declared at the rate of 10 0/100 Mbit/s in both directions (download / upload), it gives out 70 /34 Mbit/s. And the fault in this is not the provider, but the hardware of the device;
• Constant freezes, reboots, disconnection. This is especially true when working with
• Low speed WiFi and a small coverage area (there have been cases in my practice when people simply could not use WiFi, i.e. the signal strength was not enough to cover anything more than one room);
• Weak protection against viruses, intrusions and other things, because cheap routers rarely have a good one;
• The absence of any interesting and useful functions, such as connecting a flash drive, a network printer, support DDNS and other joys of life.

And so on and so forth. In general, my verbiage aside, let's move on to recommendations on how to choose a router so that it does not bother you.

Let's go through the points according to the main criteria when choosing.

How to choose a router - step one - device reviews

The most important and most important criterion, after the characteristics, are reviews and only they. That is, you choose the router model that is interesting for you, follow the link, enter the name of the device, and then read the reviews for a long time and hard. They, as a rule, clearly indicate any disadvantages and advantages of the device.

• The first thing you should pay attention to is the mention that it "cuts" the speed. As a rule, they don’t say such words about high-quality routers, or if they do, it’s rare (often, not very experienced users do it), but they write a lot about really weak devices right away;
• The second thing you should pay attention to is the stability of work, i.e. if they write that the router freezes, reboots or cuts off the speed, then it is obvious that its filling simply cannot cope with the load, which means that the device is far from ideal and, rather in total, you will have a lot of problems with it;
• The third thing you should pay attention to is working with torrents. In fact, this point follows from the first two, and if people write that the router hangs when launching torrents, then, in general, everything is clear with it - weak stuffing, etc.;
• The fourth thing to pay attention to is the work WiFi-connections. As a rule, they write about the speed and coverage area with a certain number of devices. It is important to understand here that the power of the signal given by the router and received by the device is various, i.e. the router can give full speed to 100Mb/s, but the device does not receive it for more than 20Mb/s.

Well, of course, see how many reviews for one side or another, as well as how many times the buttons are pressed " Yes" or " Not" under this review (the example below is clickable). This is the first criterion for how to choose a router.

The easiest way is to take a piece of paper, write out the pros and cons in two columns, and then, looking at the reviews, place marks with a pencil, how many times that is mentioned, how many times the other is mentioned.

BUT! Always keep in mind that reviews can be bought, paid for, etc. There were also such cases when you buy a device, and inside there is a piece of paper, they say leave a positive review with 5+++ on the Yandex.Market and get 100 rudder on the phone. It's sad, but many are being followed and, yes, getting their "silver pieces", but .. It hurts those who buy (ie the rest), relying only on reviews. Therefore, let's move on and talk about a much more important Thing - characteristics.

Second, technical specifications

As I said, a router, in a sense, is a small computer that also has RAM, a processor, and other things. This is the FIRST thing you need to pay attention to. But since cunning marketers hide this information, you need to be able to search for it:

• In search engines, it is best to search for the query [" model name" + the word "specifications"], i.e., for example, " " (without quotes);
• And then look at English-language sites (best of all, device manufacturers), since, as a rule, often correct the filling is indicated exactly there;
• There are also amateur tables for several manufacturers, but you should avoid them. As a last resort, look for it, because the reviewers are responsible for what they write, and not only to you, but also to the advertiser, manufacturer, etc.

With regard to specific characteristics, we are primarily interested in three characteristics, namely RAM, CPU and FLASH. They look something like this:

This is what is called the filling (more on the rest below), where ROM is the so-called FLASH memory, which also plays an important role, along with the processor and random access memory (RAM). Of course, the more the better, but...

However, in order not to tell painful details, I will note that in the modern world and with modern technologies, I would not recommended to choose devices with the amount of random access memory (RAM) not less 64MB(better from 128 and more), the processor is not weaker 300MHz(better, again, more powerful, for example 500 and more) and FLASH-memory from 16 (ideally from 32MB).

Among other characteristics, that is, what concerns not only the filling itself, but also the "periphery":

• If you critical coverage area WiFi, then pay attention to the number of antennas, - as minimum(!!!) there should be two of them (better 3 and more);
• If speed is important to you WiFi and the quality (stability) of the connection, as well as the signal "piercing" the walls, then the antennas must be only and exclusively external (not internal), i.e. stick out of the case;
• If it's important to you all the above and the number of wireless devices that the router can support simultaneously at full speed, then the power of its (router) transmitter and / or antennas (usually indicated in units dbm) must be at least (in total) 15dBM and the larger this value, the better, faster and more (if I may say so) wireless connection you will receive.

The information below should also be attributed to the characteristics that are important for selection, but let's break it down a bit into subsections, for clarity. Moreover, from the point of view of the ideology of how to choose a router, these are still different things.

How to choose a router, step three - protocol support

If we talk about wired communication (namely, this is how the Internet comes to your apartment), then providers now use a variety of protocols to provide Internet services, and therefore it is sometimes worth paying attention to whether the device you have chosen supports these. First of all, you should ask your operator what he uses.

Generally speaking, those providers that are larger and more powerful, as a rule, give the Internet through PPTP or L2TP. Who is smaller - PPPoE. Of course, somewhere else ADSL A protocol that represents the Internet over the telephone network. Well, for those to whom any provider has not yet dragged their web networks, support by a router may be important 2G/3G/4G/5G modems (yes, it happens), especially if you want to make the Internet with WiFi somewhere in the country.

Special attention should be paid to L2TP, because This standard is not supported by every router. By the way, routers supporting this protocol are, as a rule, more or less the most powerful/adequate (but not always, see the section with characteristics).

So, it is important for you that either your protocol is supported (call, write or search on the site of your Internet users), or as many of them as possible. The bare minimum is:

• PPT2P;
• L2TP;
• PPoE.

The rest - according to the circumstances and needs, to whom what and why. This is about, I repeat, wired communication, which, one way or another, as a rule, is provided by your operator (although to G/3G/4G/5G this is also relevant).

Fourth, - Wi-Fi Encryption and Standards

As for the standard WiFi, then there is no binding to the provider itself, because the wireless connection is distributed by the device itself, which you choose. Now there are, conditionally, two gradations in network frequency WiFi created by the router is:

• 2.4 GHz;
• 5 GHz.

The first option is the oldest networks and they are (are used) now literally everywhere. But the transition to a new frequency range is in full swing (the second, i.e. 5 GHz), which, firstly, is less cluttered with a large number of devices (receiving and distributing), and secondly, it is faster in itself and supports more channels. When thinking about how to choose a router, I would recommend, at a minimum, choosing one that supports both these ranges.

Buy devices only with 5 GHz so far (at the time of updating the article) not it makes sense, more precisely, before buying, you should make sure that the "receiver" (consumer) of the signal, i.e. laptop-phone-tablet, etc., supports this range and is equipped, in fact, with a module that can work on it. 2.4 GHz if support is declared WiFi now everyone has it. But the five - no.

In more detail about clutter, channels, and so on, I, therefore, I think you will understand how to choose a router based on the channel. Well, or how to check your choice after the fact (or before it)

Regarding speed characteristics, there is a gradation according to the standard IEEE 802.11. In short, then IEEE 802.11- a set of communication standards for communication in a wireless local area network area of ​​frequency bands. It (the standard) determines the speed, frequency range, etc., and has a gradation by letter, depending on the novelty.

Ideally, today, the router should support:

• 802.11a;
• 802.11b;
• 802.11g;
• 802.11n;
• 802.11ac.

You can read more about IEEE, as well as these and other letters.

Further. In addition to frequency bands WiFi, there is another concept encryption and it is not always the case that the router and the receiving device support the same encryption protocols, so there may be connection and, more importantly, security problems. Therefore, when choosing, try to take the maximum support for encryption protocols, namely, from general categories:

• WEP
• WPA and WPA2;
• WPS/QSS.

Briefly, with WiFi figured it out. I repeat that about the coverage range, etc., I wrote in the characteristics - this is the number of antennas, the power of the antennas, etc.

How to choose a router, step five - firmware

Each router (and in general, relatively speaking, a device) has a so-called firmware, i.e. special software that controls it. Speed, security, ease of use, customization options, support for languages, punctures, and many other characteristics depend on this firmware itself.

Here you can write a lot and for a long time, but, in short, there are firmwares with or without errors, successful, unsuccessful, buggy, fast, slow, official, alternative, and so on.

You can generally write about how to choose a router based on firmware and their differences for years, but now we are interested in specific facts that will help us make a choice. So what should you do:

• When you have already more or less decided on the model, you should go to the manufacturer's website ( ASUS, Zyxel, DLink, Cisco, Xiaomi, Trendnet or who else you chose there) and see, firstly, the presence of a section with firmware;
• Secondly, in fact, how long have these firmware been updated () and are they updated at all;
• Search the Internet for " alternative firmware + model name" or " custom firmware + model name", For example: " custom firmware" (without quotes).

How to take off with it? If there are several firmwares and the last one was not so long ago (at least a year ago), it means that the model is supported and developed by the manufacturer. If there are alternative firmware, it means that the model is at least not bad, since one of the enthusiasts writes their firmware for it (router model), which, by the way, are usually faster, more convenient, etc.

Well, the last, not the most important and yet.

Sixth, - appearance and body

The last but not least factor is the execution of the case. The appearance can be very different, as simply unpretentious, so everyone can understand for himself how to choose a router and which one he (visually) needs more:

So cute:

Paphos:

Intimidating:

And so on and so forth. There’s someone who’s good at it, and, in this regard (since the taste and color, all felt-tip pens are different), I won’t advise you anything, except, perhaps, for two things, namely:

• Be sure to pay attention to the number of slots for the heat sink (some models tend to overheat, which is why they slow down, turn off, reboot, etc.);
• For wall mounts (if this is important to you).

Here is a simple example of good heat dissipation but no mounts:

Well, in general, of course, the choice should always be made based on needs, because if you just need to distribute the Internet of any speed to other computers, then in general the simplest stable and inexpensive model will suffice.

The selection criterion is useless, - manufacturer

Whatever anyone says, but most stupid The criterion is the choice based on the manufacturer. Even the worst of them still had worthy models that live for centuries and work quickly, like the best of them, there are frankly unsuccessful or just marketing decisions (just to line their pockets). Therefore, when trying to understand how to choose a router, you should not look at the name.

Arguing about a brand is nonsense. The most important thing is the quality characteristics, whether technical, firmware and / or others, that is, read above (and below in the text) and choose wisely, and not by the name of some brand that someone is successfully trying to sell you. And yes, don't forget that Each frog praises his swamp"(c) - so use your brain. Yours.

And so .. Thousands of them, - ASUS, Xiaomi, TP-LINK, D-Link, Ubiquiti, MikroTik, NetGear, Zyxel, Upvel, EnGenius, Huawei, Netis, TRENDnet, HP, Edimax, LevelOne, Tenda, Apple, LigoWave, LinkSys, Cisco, ZTE and other others. Now only the lazy does not produce.

Where is the best place to buy a router?

• , - for those who are not afraid to buy abroad and save money;
• , - perhaps the best choice in terms of price-quality ratio. Quite intelligible prices, although the range is not always ideal in terms of variety. The key advantage is the guarantee that really allows during 14 days to change the product without any questions, and in case of warranty problems, the store will take your side and help solve any problems. The author of the site has been using it for years 10 minimum (since the time when they were part of Ultra Electronics), which he advises you. If you don’t know what to choose, then (with at least 3 antennas, if you didn’t understand anything from the text above;));
• , - one of the oldest stores on the market, as the company exists somewhere in the order 20 years. Decent selection, average prices and one of the most user friendly sites. In general, a pleasure to work with.

The choice is traditionally yours. Of course, there are all Yandex Market"no one has canceled, but from good stores, I would recommend these, and not any there M Video and other large networks (which are often not just expensive, but flawed in terms of quality of service, warranty work, etc.).

Afterword

Something like that. I hope that now you understand how to choose a router, what to look for when choosing, and so on. By the way, if you don’t know which model to choose, then we recommend that you look at our reviews of router models (simpler), and (more expensive, but for centuries), and there are many more,.

It goes without saying that the idea of ​​additional functionality and bells and whistles has not yet been mentioned here, such as built-in support for torrents, remote access and a bunch of other things, but this is not quite what can be attributed to the main nuances and topic of the material.

I expect that there will be many questions, comments, debaters and all that, so write in the comments, and I will be glad to read about your experience, answer your questions and just talk about this topic. Write;)

Time flies very fast and if earlier it was "cool" to have a desktop computer connected to the Internet, now it is already a "ordinary" thing. Most of the house already has a lot of modern electronic devices, such as laptops (netbooks), TVs with a network interface, tablets, smartphones, network printers. Based on this, sooner or later the question arises "How to connect all these devices to the Internet?", And the continuation of this question "How to choose and what to buy a Wi-fi router for home?"

Many people go to the store and buy the cheapest devices, but immediately face a lot of troubles that they didn’t even think about, for example, the router cuts speed, constantly freezes, gets very hot, the connection constantly breaks, or in general, the provider refuses to connect this device.

We will try to help you with the right choice of a router for your home, we will tell you what characteristics you need to pay attention to.

What is a "router" anyway?

Router (English router, transliterated into Russian - "router") - an electronic device that is used to combine two or more networks and controls the routing process, i.e. Based on information about the network topology and established rules, it makes a decision about forwarding network-level packets between different network segments. In our case, the router must combine 2 networks - the global Internet and our local home network.

It should be noted that the name "router" in search queries and, accordingly, in everyday speech is much more common than "router".

What you need to know about Wi-Fi when choosing a router for your home?

Most home devices (smartphones, tablets, etc.) can only be connected to the network via a Wi-Fi interface, so in the future we will talk about Wi-Fi routers.

Consider the basic Wi-Fi standards.

Reception and transmission of data according to the Wi-Fi standard can be in several ranges. The main ranges are shown below:

• 2.4 GHz (the most popular, therefore it is heavily overloaded in most places, which can negatively affect the data transfer rate. At the same time, most modern gadgets support work in this range. "2" is used when marking the device);
• 5 GHz (less popular. Many providers use this range to supply the Internet if this is not possible via a wired interface. Some modern devices support both ranges. "5" is used when marking the device).

There are also devices for other bands (for example, 3 GHz or 900 MHz). But 99% of home devices do not support such frequencies.

Data transmission over Wi-Fi is carried out according to certain standards. The table shows the main characteristics that you need to understand when choosing a Wi-Fi router:

The latest standard only (802.11ac) began to be implemented in 2014. Primarily used to connect to an ISP. But despite this, some top models of phones and tablets already support it. Most phones, tablets that support the 802.11n standard have only one WiFi antenna, so their maximum real speed is 55 Mbps.

The table lists the standards in the order in which they appear. The new standards are backward compatible, i.e. if your laptop works in the 802.11b standard, it will normally connect to the 802.11n Wi-Fi router, but the data exchange rate will be no more than 11 Mbps. It should be noted that at this point in time the entire access point switches to this mode, i.e. all subscriber devices will work according to the 802.11b standard.

The WiFi speed should not be less than the Internet speed, otherwise the router will "cut" the speed. But it should be noted that if the WiFi speed of your laptop (tablet) is lower than the WiFi router and Internet speed, then the speed reduction problem will be in your device. Wired speed (through Lan-port) is usually higher than WiFi.

Do I need an external antenna for my Wi-Fi router?

Each WiFi router has one or more antennas, but they can be external (with a gain of 1.5-5 dBi, more often 2 dBi) or internal (with a gain of 1-1.5 dBi). But it should be noted that when a device is connected to a router via WiFi, 2 transmission channels are conditionally created - from the router to the device (Rx) and from the device to the router (Tx). Most often, the problem occurs in the second channel, since usually the transmitter power of the device is much less, and the signal, for example, from a smartphone simply does not reach the router.

The WiFi signal is greatly weakened when passing through thick walls, and there may be such a situation that the smartphone "sees" the router, but cannot connect (the second channel is not created). This should be taken into account when choosing an installation location for a WiFi router - with proper installation, the WiFi zone will be throughout the apartment.

Based on the above, when choosing a WiFi router for a home with an external antenna or an internal Internet speed difference, you will not see it, only with an internal antenna it will fit better into your home interior. The main thing is to choose the right place for the router.

Routers can also support MIMO technology, this is when multiple streams are created to increase the throughput of a wireless network. In practice, there are devices with MIMO 2x2, less often with 3x3 and 4x4. You should be aware that the entire bandwidth (if rough, then the speed) is divided between all subscribers who are connected at that time. MIMO technology is useful and significantly increases the speed with a large number of subscriber devices.

In the simplest, the total Wi-Fi power (Y) of the device is determined by the formula:

Y dB = P dBm +G dBi,

where P dBm is the transmitter power in dBm (conversion from mW in the table below).
G dBi - antenna gain in dBi.

For example: TP-LINK TL-WR841ND has external antennas with 5dBi gain and 100mW transmitter, the total power is 25dB. MikroTik RB951G-2HnD has internal antennas with a gain of 2.5dBi and a transmitter of 1000mW, the total power is 32.5dB.

In the above examples, a router with an internal antenna will have a greater range than with an external one. Please note that most Wi-Fi routers have a connector for connecting an external antenna.

Wi-Fi Network Security

The range of the network is not limited to your apartment, which allows other people to access your network. To protect the network from intruders, you need to configure your router accordingly.

Most routers use the following data encryption standards:

• WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy), but this standard is vulnerable. There are a lot of Wi-Fi hacking programs on the network that are protected by this standard;
• WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) - uses keys for encryption up to 128 bits long (TKIP technology);
• WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access version 2) - uses keys for encryption up to 256 bits long (AES technology).

For more security, you can use MAC address filtering or hidden SSID mode. These methods are available in most routers.

In some models, the WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) function can be used (in TP-Link devices it is called QSS (Quick Security Setup)) - setting up a wireless network using this technology takes minimal time and is useful for those who do not want to delve into router settings.

There are 2 connection types when using this function:

• hardware - the WPS button is pressed for a few seconds on the router and on the connected equipment, and after a while (up to 2 minutes) these devices will connect themselves. In the future, the connection will be made automatically;
• software - when connecting on the connected device, you need to enter the PIN code that is on the label of the router, then the network connection wizard will do all the necessary settings by itself. At the end, you will need to remember (or set your own) WPA2 key. You will use this key when connecting other devices to your access point.

Previously, in the first versions of this function, the security of its use was very low. Now it has been finalized and, as its creators assure, it takes about a year to hack. Be careful when using this feature and only show your PIN to people you trust. If somehow this PIN code becomes known to outsiders, then disable this function in the settings and configure the wireless network manually, if necessary.

Green Wi-Fi

To date, the influence of Wi-Fi on the human body has not been studied, but there are a lot of rumors about its harm. To reduce its influence, there is a function to reduce the transmitter power. Most routers set the transmitter power level to high, medium, low. In Mikrotik routers, you can most accurately adjust the transmitter power, which allows you to provide the lowest radiation power and at the same time have a stable Internet.

What should be considered when connecting the router to the global network?

Depending on the interface for connecting to the global network (WAN port), routers can be divided into:

• xDSL Wi-Fi routers (connection to the provider's network is carried out using one of the technologies of the xDSL family, for example, the operator Ukrtelecom uses ADSL technology. The maximum transmission rate according to the ADSL2+ standard is 24 Mbps)
• 3G/4G Wi-Fi routers (wireless connection is used. The maximum connection speed to Intertelecom using EVDO-B technology is 14 Mbps).
• Ethernet Wi-Fi Routers
• SFP Wi-Fi routers (connection is via fiber optic cable and the speed can reach 1 Gbps)
• EPON / GEPON / GPON Wi-Fi routers (connection is carried out to the PON network. Now the most developing technology for connecting the private sector, villages and cottages. The speed when using EPON technology (GEPON / GPON) is up to 1 Gbps, 10GEPON - up to 10 Gbps /with)
• DOCSIS Wi-Fi routers (connection is via a TV cable. Maximum speed when using EuroDOCSIS 2.0 technology: data reception 50 Mbps, transmission - 27 Mbps)
• Wi-Fi routers (connections to the provider are carried out via a wireless interface).
• universal Wi-Fi routers (which allow you to connect using several technologies).

In the future, we will consider only Ethernet Wi-Fi routers. This is due to the fact that when using other technologies, the provider provides its devices, and the subscriber chooses from specific models. But most often, and this is more reliable, the subscriber is provided with a subscriber device without Wi-Fi with 1 Ethernet output (for example, XDK E8010U-B or ZTE F401 is used for the GEPON network) and the subscriber connects an Ethernet Wi-Fi router to this device.

It should be noted that the "twisted pair", if the cable runs along the street, is very much affected by atmospheric factors (thunderstorm, static) and very often the WAN port burns out during a thunderstorm. Most routers have only 1 such port, so the router is sent for repair or in the trash. To protect the port, we recommend using a twisted-pair lightning protector.

It should also be noted that in Mikrotik Wi-Fi routers for home, you can use any port or several ports at once as a WAN port, which allows you to simultaneously connect to several providers to increase connection speed and Internet stability.

Router hardware.

The router is the same minicomputer. The main characteristics that you should pay attention to are the frequency of the processor and the amount of RAM. As with choosing a computer, the more these characteristics, the better, but also the higher the price.

If you need Internet at speeds up to 50 Mbps, you are not very fond of torrents, you do not spend much time in powerful online games, then a 300 MHz processor frequency and 32 MB of RAM will suffice. Otherwise, you need a more powerful router.

Most routers have multiple LAN ports for connecting wired home devices. If you have high-speed (more than 80 Mbps) Internet or you like to play games on a local network or just want a gigabit network, then you need a router with Gigabit Ethernet ports (for example, MikroTik RB951G-2HnD). Otherwise, Fast Ethernet ports (up to 100 Mbit/s) will suffice.

Router software.

Each router comes with special software, often referred to as "firmware".

There are 2 approaches to router software:

• for each model, its own software is created (used in most routers);
• software is created for a whole line (series) of devices.

Each approach has its own advantages and disadvantages.

The advantage of the first approach is that the resources of the device are used most rationally. But it should be taken into account that new protocols, opportunities are constantly appearing, there are errors in the software, so it must be updated periodically. The same providers eventually switch to new protocols. But very often it happens that the manufacturer has new promising models and the development (improvement, improvement) of software for old models stops, and then the subscriber needs to buy a new router. Alternative firmware comes to the rescue, which most often has more features, but it should be noted that when using alternative firmware, the warranty on the router is lost, and problems may also arise in the operation of the device (carefully read the reviews about the firmware). By the way, by the availability of alternative firmware and the frequency of updating the original firmware, one can judge the popularity of the model. Versions of the original firmware can be viewed on the manufacturer's website in the "Technical support" section. To see if alternative firmware is available, search for "alternative firmware [model name]". A large number of alternative firmware speaks of the problems and lost features of the original software.

The advantage of the second approach is that the software is updated constantly and they are more functional. So, for example, MikroTik routers use the proprietary RouterOS operating system, which allows even entry-level routers (for the home, and these are MikroTik hAP lite, Mikrotik mAP 2n, MikroTik RB951 series) to use the capabilities of professional equipment.

Almost every modern router supports all popular protocols and can work in the network of any provider. But we recommend that you check with your ISP for hardware requirements before purchasing, because they do not work with some models.

Additional features and capabilities of WiFi routers.

Additional features and capabilities of WiFi routers include:

Don't go after multiple features in your router because you may never use them and the price of a multifunctional device is much higher. Moreover, each of the functions creates an additional load on the router, which reduces its performance as a router.

What else you need to pay attention to when choosing a WiFi router for your home?

The router should fit well into the home interior. For example, the Mikrotik mAP 2n WiFi router has an elegant look and compact size (smaller than a lighter). This is a great idea for an apartment.

P.S. Mikrotik is a Latvian company (headquartered in Riga) that was founded in 1995 to develop wireless routers and ISP systems. Mikrotik equipment is of high quality and is used by ISPs, companies and individuals around the world.

Copying of material is welcome if there is an active link to the site.