Wireless Router
A wireless router is now an essential element for most homes. Routers allow us to connect to the internet, without the need for cumbersome cables or wires cluttering our space. Once connected, you can enjoy streaming your favorite shows, playing games online, or simply getting the weather from your smart home hub device.
How to Pick the Right Wireless Router
There are a number of factors to consider when choosing a wireless router. You might want to take into account how many devices the router will be supporting, whether you game online or stream in 4k, how big your living space is and of course, your budget. These factors will help you determine which wireless router is right for you.
Single, Dual, and Tri-Band Wireless Routers
Single-band wireless routers operate exclusively on the 2.4 GHz band frequency. They are the most prone to network interference, especially if you live in a larger city or apartment building. Single-band wireless routers will generally provide speeds up to 150 Mbps. However, their advantage is they are very affordable, meaning you won’t have to break the bank to have your own wireless router.
Dual-band wireless routers have both a 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency band. Because fewer homes have routers with 5 GHz bands, you are less likely to experience network interference or timeouts. You can expect speeds up to 530 Mbps on 2.4 Ghz and 13000 Mbps on 5 GHz with dual-band wireless routers.
Tri-band wireless routers are great for living spaces with multiple gamers or streamers or lots of devices that need to be connected. They have not one but two, dedicated 5 GHz bands that share the demand. This ensures that heavy online streaming or gameplay on multiple devices will not overload the 5 GHz band, as there is an addition to be split amongst.
Wireless Router Network Security
Wireless routers now come loaded with encryption technology, which makes it harder for hackers to find your personal data. WEP was the very first security protocol for wireless routers, though most routers today have WPA or WPA2 encryption.
Protocol of Wireless Router
Wireless routers can come with different Wi-Fi protocols. The most current Wi-Fi protocol is 802.11ac. It can support higher gigabit speeds, beyond 600 Mbps. Purchasing a router with the most up-to-date protocol ensures that you’ll be able to future-proof your router for tech upgrades.
Ethernet Ports on Wireless Routers
When considering a wireless router, you may want to consider how many Ethernet ports you will need for hard drives, printers, or other office equipment.
Wireless Routers with App-Based Management
Many wireless routers on our site now have app support! Apps make it easier for you to monitor, control the setting on your router, and update. That’s because we partner with top wireless router brands like TP-link, Netgear, ASUS, and more.
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