How to choose a Wi-Fi router for a home by parameters

Not trusting the assurances of sellers and advertising, it is better to understand the types of Wi-Fi routers independently. There are no special difficulties here, and the reliability and functionality of modern devices allows you to quickly understand the main parameters of choice and with technical characteristics. To choose the right router( router), you just need to understand 2-3 standards of wireless networks, find out your method of connecting to the Internet( network cable, ADSL, 3 / 4G) and think about the need for additional functions( like USB ports for printer and flash drive).The article tells about all the subtleties and even how to not get caught at the tricky advertising techniques of manufacturers.

The best manufacturers of Wi-Fi routers - which company to choose

"The following companies are deservedly considered to be flagship:

1. TP-Link

2. ASUS

3. Zyxel

The models of these brands are reliable, fast and designer-like. The interface is qualitatively translated into Russian, and the manufacturer has long maintained its products with updates.

Some are inferior to them in price, but they are of the same quality as the following manufacturers:

4. D-Link

5. Tenda

6. Xiaomi

Not always these models have a completely translated interface, but they can be recommended for everyday usewith the prospect of several years of use.

• See also: rating of the best Wi-Fi routers

Principle of operation of the Wi-Fi router

The router is a device designed for the operation of computer networks. In practice, the router connects computers, laptops, smartphones and other gadgets. As a rule, an Internet channel is connected to the router, and then this device distributes the connection inside the home / office network. The physical size of the router is less than a small book.

In fact, the router( this is a complete synonym for the word "router") is a real mini-computer: with its own processor, memory, network connectors, "operating system" - down to USB ports.

Routers are wired and wireless. The first few are found less often in the home segment: it's easier and more convenient to use the network wirelessly than pulling long network cables. Most often the household router has the ability to work simultaneously as a wireless network segment, and a wired connection of 1-4 PCs.

Devices in the router:

1. 1-2 USB ports for connecting a flash drive, external HDD, network printer, sometimes - 3G / 4G modem. USB ports are not present on all routers.

2. Additional antennas: provide higher speed of intranetwork connection. The optimal number of antennas for home use is 2-4.

3. LAN ports: 1 to 4. Required for wired connection to PCs and laptops. Present in most models.

Parameters of router selection

Choosing a Wi-Fi router by the type of connection to the provider

Convenient router models with a communication module, with an Internet provider: the so-called "2 in 1" devices. This type of router allows you to connect to it a telephone ADSL-cable( or insert a SIM-card 3G / 4G) - and then "distributes" the Internet to devices inside the local network. Additional equipment( modems) is not required. The vast majority of household routers are able to receive and transmit signal providers through Ethernet connection( LAN, "fiber-optic networks").

If your Internet connection is based on ADSL technology, it is advisable to purchase routers with an appropriate modem.

If the connection is via mobile networks( 3 / 4G modems), you should think about the device with a SIM card slot( or with a USB port that allows you to connect the modem).

When the router is used both for the house and for the country cottage( where practically the only option of access to the Internet is mobile networks), the router will immediately help out with two modems: cellular and ADSL.

Standards and Generations Wi-Fi: g, n, ac and other

Models of routers with outdated Wi-Fi standard b and g are no longer available. Gadgets of this generation are still quite common, but they are quite workable in more modern wireless networks: 802.11n and 802.11ac. By the way, the mysterious numerical combination "802.11" stands for any Wi-Fi network: these are technical synonyms.

Generation 802.11n - the most common and inexpensive routers with a theoretical network bandwidth of up to 450 Mbit / s. More recent models have support for high-speed standard Wi-Fi ac( "hey-si"), with an even wider channel. These are somewhat more expensive routers. In addition, gadgets that also support the ac-standard are not as common as ubiquitous smartphones, laptops and tablets of the 802.11n generation.

Nevertheless, whenever possible, we recommend that you purchase routers with the support of the most modern and fast ac standard. Firstly, routers usually buy for 4-6 years, and during this time in the home or office network environment will necessarily appear high-speed ac-devices. Secondly, the difference in price is not so significant.

Devices with different generations of Wi-Fi are compatible with each other. An old laptop with g-link support will work in conjunction with an ultra-modern ac-router. But the g-generation will not allow it to transfer data faster than this standard allows: up to 54 Mbit / s, and in practice even less. The same speed will be in both n generation networks and in "gigabit" wireless networks. The flagship smartphone with the Wi-Fi module of the ac generation will connect to both the ancient g-router and the modern n-generation of routers: but in this case its network speed will be limited, respectively, to g- and n-standards.

It is undesirable( and even harmful) to "hunt" for luring marketing promises about gigabit speeds of a wireless network. Such standards do exist: Wi-Gig( aka - 801.11ad) theoretically supports speeds of up to 7 gigabits per second. In practice, this is achievable only at a distance of no more than 3-4 meters, with powerful antennas and always in direct line of sight without the slightest obstacles or radio interference. Such standards, in addition to "civil" g /n/ ac, are used only in narrow, specialized areas - but not in the mass segment.

Results for selecting a router according to its Wi-Fi standard:

• n: less expensive, less promising;
• ac: more quickly, the cost is slightly more expensive, "margin of technological strength" - for many years to come;
• g: a hopelessly obsolete standard that is rarely found on sale
• high-speed ad, Gigabit Wi-Fi, etc.not suitable for everyday use: at best, their speed will be at the level of more widespread and affordable models.

What parameters should NOT be taken into account when choosing a Wi-Fi router

Many characteristics of routers that marketers are so proud of are important only for very advanced PC users. For those who know what additional functions are needed for, the possibility of reflashing, etc. Home or office users should not take into account such parameters:

1. Distance

The amount at which the wireless network is supposed to work. Producers assure about 50( or even 100 meters) - but this is an advertising trick and no more. In conditions of multi-storey building with numerous walls, furniture and third-party radio interference, you can confidently expect a radius of action of not more than 20 meters with no more than 2-3 partitions or walls.

2. Antenna power( measured in dbi units)

It is believed that the more powerful the router, the greater the distance can be to the devices. This is not true: no matter how redundantly powerful the router is, the Wi-Fi communication modules of smartphones, laptops and other gadgets are always less powerful. They are able to "catch" the signal of a remote router - but the power of their own device will not allow them to transmit their own signal. The result is a disconnection or inability to connect. If you want to increase the wireless range, you should buy a second router and set it to repeater mode( "signal repeater").Communication will be stable and fast with a higher range of action, but it will not require serious investments.

3. Declared speed indicators

Even with direct line of sight between the router and network devices, in the absence of interference, the actual connection speed will be several times lower than the declared speed.

Which Wi-Fi router to choose

1. Buyer 1: home user who wants to create a wireless network and connect it to the Internet to work together 1-3 PCs and laptops + 3-4 mobile devices - without a printer or increased attachment to torrents.

In this case it's better to buy a less expensive router with support for n. As for the connection, it all depends on the type of connection with the provider. For ADSL lines( telephone wire), you should pay attention to the presence of an ADSL modem in the router. If you use cellular communication as an Internet source, you need a slightly more expensive( within + 10-15 dollars) router with the ability to connect a USB modem or a SIM card. The most common case is a LAN connection to the provider( over a network cable / fiber) does not require a modem: such a router is ready for use.

We advise you to pay attention to the least expensive devices from the line of TP-Link, ASUS, D-Link, there must be a Russian-language interface. Adjustment is best done by yourself. As a rule, this is required once in six months.

2. Buyer 2: selects a model with a vision for the future, wishing to thoroughly understand the intricacies of network configuration.

Regarding the choice of the standard Wi-Fi, it is definitely ac. From the point of view of connection, follow the same principles as in the example above.

But the choice of the model should be stopped on cheap devices from manufacturers of the "second echelon", especially without the translation of the interface into Russian. This will necessarily force you to thoroughly study all the possibilities of modern network technologies in practice. Remember that these models require regular reconfiguration. This is really an interesting activity - but only for those who want to understand the technology themselves. When you have experience and knowledge, you should buy a new, more expensive and functional router. By this time, such a user will know exactly what he needs.

3. Buyer 3: requires an office router for a large number of connections, with high requirements for reliability and stability to the possible expansion of the network.

It's better to choose rather expensive models of the best manufacturers, without regard to tempting offers from Xiaomi, Tenda and other companies that do not always provide business-class stability. At the same time, the most expensive and multifunctional models are designed for IT enthusiasts, so it is quite possible for a business buyer to pay about $ 80-120.

How much are

routers 1. Basic models are not the most famous, but rather high-quality manufacturers: 25-40 dollars. You can count on 1-2 antennas and a wireless standard of class n.

2. Simple models of access points with additional features + 10-12 dollars to the cost of the base device for each of the additional functions like 1 USB port, ADSL modem or additional antenna.

3. More expensive models from famous manufacturers: 60-100 dollars for simple enough devices, and 100-200 dollars for devices with advanced features for advanced users.