home Health technologies Which Wi-Fi router is better to buy for a home or apartment? Select a router. Choosing a router for your home

Which Wi-Fi router is better to buy for a home or apartment? Select a router. Choosing a router for your home

Today, the Internet is available in almost every second apartment in our country. The Internet is developing at a tremendous pace, just as its transmission technologies are developing. If at the end of the nineties and until the mid-2000s, Internet speed was measured in kilobytes, at the end of the 2000s - in megabits, now there is a transition in calculating Internet speeds into gigabytes! If previously access to the Internet was carried out only via wires, now data transfer can also occur wirelessly.
Next we will consider the following questions:

Why do you need a Wi-Fi router?

A Wi-Fi router is needed to provide Internet access to several devices at the same time. That is, if you have several devices on which you want to configure Internet access, then you need a router. If some of these devices support data exchange using Wi-Fi technology, then you no longer need a simple router, but a Wi-Fi router.
A Wi-Fi router is a network device to which the Internet is connected in order to distribute it to several devices. Internet distribution is carried out both via LAN and Wi-Fi. Thus, if you have a computer, laptop, tablet, smartphone at home and with the ability to access the Internet, then a Wi-Fi router will help you. In those devices that do not have a Wi-Fi module, they connect to the router via LAN.

How to choose a Wi-Fi router

ManufacturerWi-Router Fi
In principle, the choice of router, first of all, must be made based on its technical characteristics, but the company also plays an important role. Therefore, we advise you to select router parameters, initially narrowing their choice to such companies as: ASUS, D-link, HP, TP-LINK.
Wi-Fi standard
The Wi-Fi network standard has 4 types:

802.11 a – transmits data at speeds up to 54 Mbit/s;

802.11 b – transmits data at speeds up to 11 Mbit/s;

802.11 g – transmits data at speeds up to 54 Mbit/s;

802.11 n – transmits data at speeds up to 600 Mbit/s;

802.11 ac – data transfer reaches speeds of over 1 Gbit/sec.

We recommend purchasing a Wi-Fi router with a network standard no lower than 802.11 n.
Maximum speed connections
Pay attention to such a parameter as the maximum connection speed so that the router does not limit your Internet speed. That is, if your tariff plan is, say, 60 Megabits, and the router’s bandwidth is only 30, then the channel will be cut by half by the router. Try to choose a Wi-Fi router whose actual connection speed will exceed the speed of yours. tariff plan. In addition to the official data on the speed of the router, there are real ones, which you can find out from user reviews on the Internet.
Router and DHCP server
Router (Router) - provides simultaneous access to all devices connected to it. The DHCP server assigns an internal IP address to each device connected to the router, this allows you to connect several devices using one external IP address.
The router sets up work with the provider, or as they say “raises the connection”, and is a buffer between it and your home network devices.
Wi-Fi range
Radius of action Wi-Fi networks– a parameter that defines the boundaries of the Wi-Fi network coverage area. This indicator is abstract, since it is calculated from ideal conditions(absence of walls and partitions, absence of radio and magnetic interference, etc.). Therefore, if the manufacturer indicates the range of the router to be 100 m, then in real conditions (in an apartment) the range will be approximately 20 m. To ensure stable operation of the Wi-Fi channel, give preference to a router with a wide range. Please note that better quality Wi-Fi networks, the higher the data exchange speed.

Antennas
The data transfer speed depends on the number of antennas in a Wi-Fi router. If the device has one antenna, then it works both for receiving and transmitting data, and when connecting other devices to Wi-Fi, the router will need to reduce the speed to ensure correct operation of data transmission.
Two antennas in the router work as follows - one for transmission, the other for reception, which allows you to separate streams and at the same time maintain maximum speed.
A Wi-Fi router with three antennas works in this way: one antenna for reception, the other two for transmission, and due to this, a stable and high data exchange speed is ensured.
The maximum possible number of antennas in a Wi-Fi router is 6 pieces. Accordingly, the more antennas in the device, the better the Wi-Fi network will work.
At choosing Wi-Fi When installing a router, make sure that the antennas in it are removable, as this will allow you to install more powerful separate antennas instead to increase the coverage area of the Wi-Fi network.
Data encryption method
To ensure that no one can connect to your Wi-Fi network, data encryption is used. Today there are 2 data encryption methods: WEP and WPA. As a rule, the vast majority of routers include both of these encryption methods, but the WPA encryption method is considered the best - it is more reliable.
Availability of USB interface
The USB connector in the Wi-Fi router allows you to connect other devices to it. For example, you can connect an external hard drive or flash drive in order to open access to the files on it for all devices on the network. You can also connect a printer to the USB connector to provide access to other network devices. You can also connect a 3G modem to the USB connector, but for this the router must support this function.
Possibility of connecting a 3G modem
The presence of a USB interface in a Wi-Fi router does not mean that it will work with a 3G modem; a special feature must be implemented for this. If you have this feature, you can share access to 3G Internet across several devices. This is necessary for those who do not have the opportunity to connect to a landline provider, or 3G Internet is a substitute option in case of problems with a landline one.
ADSL support
If you are connected to ADSL Internet, we recommend purchasing a Wi-Fi router with ADSL support. Thanks to this, in addition to routing, your router will also perform the functions of an ADSL modem, and you will not need to use 2 devices: an ADSL modem and a Wi-Fi router - both of these devices will be in one.
Number of switch ports
Another important parameter is the number of switch ports. As a rule, most access points include 4 Ethernet ports, thanks to which you can also build a wired network. For example: you can connect desktop computers, a TV, a receiver to Ethernet ports, and a smartphone, tablet and laptop to Wi-Fi, and all these devices will be on the same network, just connected in different ways.
Remember that the data exchange speed via Ethernet is better and higher than via Wi-Fi, which is why landline computer equipment It's better to connect via Ethernet.

Port speed
As we said above, today the data exchange speed is calculated in gigabits. Most providers provide a maximum Internet access speed of up to 100 Mbit/s, but technologies are developing and therefore, very soon, Internet access speeds will be in the hundreds of megabits, and for this you need a Wi-Fi router that will support gigabit networks.
If you are an active Internet user, we recommend choosing a router whose port speed (WAN and LAN) is 1000 Mbit/s; this will allow the router to remain relevant for as long as possible. If you are going to watch HD quality movies on your TV that are on your computer, then your local network connection should also be gigabit. But keep in mind that such routers are much more expensive.
If you do not need high speed, then give preference to a router with a speed of 100 Mbps.
Web interface
Thanks to the presence of a Web interface, you can configure the router through a browser, that is, the settings menu will be in the form of a Web site.
Possibility of flashing
As a rule, all routers have the ability to update software (firmware). In essence, firmware is the operating system of a device that organizes its operation. New firmware versions include corrections of any errors in the operation of the device and expand its functionality. Therefore, choose a router that can be easily reflashed and for which new firmware versions are created.

Which Wi-Fi router to choose

Which budget router to choose?

TP-LINK TL-WR743ND
This Wi-Fi model The router has a low price and at the same time includes good technical characteristics. The router is suitable for those who do not need high data transfer speeds, but whose main task is to organize access for home devices to the network.
TP-LINK TL-WR743ND includes: 4 LAN ports with a speed of 100 Mbps for connecting devices via network cable and 1 WAN port with a speed of 100 Mbit/s for connecting the provider. Supports the 802.11n wireless standard and has 1 removable antenna. Security features include protection against DoS attacks and the WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK encryption system. The maximum Wi-Fi connection speed is 150 Mbit/s.
Device price: 1000 rubles.

How to choose a Wi-Fi router for your home

TP-LINKTL-WR1043ND
If you don’t know which router to choose for your home, then this is the best option. TL-WR1043ND combines high data transfer speeds and a high-quality Wi-Fi network signal.
The router is equipped with 4 gigabit LAN ports and one gigabit WAN port, and also has 1 USB port. Wireless standard - 802.11n, WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK encryption. It is worth noting the presence of 3 removable antennas. Maximum Wi-Fi speed is 300 Mbit/s. IPTV support has been implemented.
Device price: 2000 rubles.

Which router is the best?

ASUSRT-AC66U
The best router today is the ASUS RT-AC66U router; its advantage is that it has high throughput and a low price compared to its analogues.
The router has 4 LAN ports with a speed of 1 Gigabit/s, 1 Gigabit WAN port and 2 USB ports. Works according to the 802.11ac wireless standard, providing Wi-Fi speeds of up to 1300 Mbps. The router has 3 dual-band antennas. Data encryption type - WPA2-PSK and lower. In addition, the router has: DoS protection, network filter, address filter and port filter. IPTV support has been implemented.
Router price: 6000 rubles.

I don’t know about you, but for me, choosing a piece of equipment, including a router, means a lot of wasted time searching for the right model, hundreds of reviews read, and constant doubts: “should I take this one or that one.” I've been using some old wired mouse for over a month now, only because I can't find a new one. And this despite the fact that I basically know what I need, some technical aspects, etc.

Router and router are the same thing. I wrote about this. In this article I will use both names.

In this article we will try to understand the choice of Wi-Fi router for a home or apartment. This is the category of devices in which I can give some advice, talk about all the nuances, and even recommend specific models. As for advice on buying specific models, I really don’t like giving such advice. If only because I haven’t been to your house, I don’t know for what purpose you are choosing a router, what kind of Internet you have, how many and what devices you will connect to the Internet, whether there is interference in your house, and most importantly, how much money you are planning spend on buying a router. This point applies not only to routers, but also to other equipment.

But, if you want specific recommendations, then at the end of this article, I will give as an example several models of routers that I would recommend for purchase. But, if anything, it’s not my fault :) Let’s consider choosing a router for a private house or apartment. Although, this probably also includes small offices.

And immediately an important piece of advice. If you have an unlimited budget and don’t mind spending a decent amount, then buy one of the most expensive routers that you can find in some popular online store. Take the one you like externally. It will cost approximately $300 (if you don’t take Apple routers into account). But, it will definitely work stably, and it will have everything you need.

And one more piece of advice. If you want to save as much as possible and buy the most budget router, then this will come in handy.

First, we'll look at the technical aspects that you should pay attention to when choosing a router. For what purposes is this or that model suitable, and whether there will be any problems during use. Then, I will write my opinion about which Wi-Fi router is better to buy in 2016 and 2017, so that your purchase does not quickly become outdated, and you do not have to buy a new model in a year. Well, as promised, I will recommend a couple of specific routers that should be suitable for an apartment (private house).

Choosing a router for your home: technical aspects

First of all, we need to figure out what kind of router we need. In terms of technical characteristics: the type of WAN port, the number of LAN ports and their speed, the frequency of the Wi-Fi network and its speed, the presence of USB connectors, and various additional functions.

You should already have a rough idea of what you will be using the router for. It is clear that you are most likely buying it to distribute the Internet to your devices via a Wi-Fi network, and possibly via a network cable.

Advice. If you have desktop computers (without Wi-Fi), then after installing the router you can buy them immediately so that you don’t have to lay cables to them, but connect them via a wireless network.

The main thing you need to focus on when choosing a router for your home is the area that should be covered by the Wi-Fi network signal, the number of devices that will connect to the router, and the tasks that you will perform on these devices.

Everything is simple here: the router may simply not cover all the rooms of your house with a signal. For example, due to a weak transmitter or antennas (and their quantities). And if you buy a cheap router, it simply will not be able to work stably when connecting a large number of devices. Or, when watching online videos in high quality, playing online games, etc. There will be constant freezes, reboots, and the like. As you already understand, everything is very individual. As a rule, the more expensive the router, the more load it can withstand, the more stable it will work, and the further it will be able to “break through” the Wi-Fi signal.

We select a router for the provider (type of WAN port)

The first thing you should pay attention to is the type of WAN connector. This is a way to connect the router to the Internet provider. This information is always indicated in the specifications. It all depends on what kind of Internet you have.

Ethernet– the most popular connection type. This is a regular RJ-45 network connector. Almost all Wi-Fi routers on the market have an Ethernet WAN port. And the provider lays a regular network cable into your home, which we connect directly to the router.
ADSL modems with Wi-Fi- in fact, these are ordinary routers, only as a WAN port, they have an RJ-11 connector for connecting a telephone cable. And if you already have a regular ADSL modem, then you need to buy a simple router with a regular Ethernet port (and connect it to the modem).
3G/4G Wi-Fi routers– if you have Internet via a USB modem, and you want to set up Internet distribution via Wi-Fi, then you will need a special router with support for 3G/4G modems. I wrote about choosing a router for working with a USB modem in an article. Typically, the characteristics of such routers say: WAN port – USB 3G. Update: new article with tips on choosing a router for working with USB modems:

There are routers that can be called universal. Because, for example, they may have a regular Ethernet port for connecting to the Internet, and a USB port for working with 3G modems. But, the presence of a USB port does not mean that there is support for modems. You need to look at the specifications.

Protocol support: Another point that I think can be ignored. There are protocols for connecting to the Internet provider: L2TP, PPPoE, PPTP. On modern routers, this should not be a problem. Unless you have some special provider.

Wi-Fi network: frequency, speed, range

Wi-Fi network operating frequency (5 GHz and 2.4 GHz)– at the time of writing this article (May 2016), most routers (mostly not expensive), which are on sale, distribute a Wi-Fi network at the usual 2.4 GHz frequency, which is already heavily loaded. However, models that support Wi-Fi at 5 GHz are actively appearing on the market. This is a new technology, and it is a router with support for the 5 GHz frequency that I would recommend buying in 2016 - 2017. Learn more about dual-band routers (dual band because it supports 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz), advantages and compatibility, I already wrote in the article: . You can already find dual-band models at a very good price.

Wi-Fi speed– the cheapest router models distribute Wi-Fi at speeds of up to 150 Mbit/s. I would advise not to buy such models. Unless you take a router to connect one or three devices and surf the Internet or watch videos in low quality. It’s better to spend 5-10 dollars and buy a model that distributes a wireless network at speeds of up to 300 Mbit/s.

As for wireless network standards, there must be support for 802.11n. And if you choose a router from the middle price category and above, then it is advisable to take a model that supports the new, high-speed .

Speed depends on many factors: the number of connected devices, the power of the router, the provider, interference, etc. Read the reviews, as a rule, they immediately write whether the router significantly reduces the Wi-Fi speed or not. Regarding the connection speed over a wireless network, you can read more.

Wi-Fi network range– many people ask: “how to choose a router with the maximum range of a wireless network.” The question is good and understandable, but it is very difficult to give a specific answer to it. Because the range of action is greatly influenced by walls (their quantity and materials), interference (mainly from neighboring Wi-Fi networks), the location of the router in the house, and the power of the router itself. The signal passes very poorly through concrete mills that contain metal.

If you have a large apartment, say more than 100 square meters, or a house with several floors, then most likely one router will not be enough, even the most powerful one. In this case, the most correct option is.

And if you choose a router for a one-room apartment, then in your case even the cheapest model will be enough in terms of network range. For medium-sized homes, I would advise buying routers starting at $50. Well, it is advisable to buy models with at least two antennas (5dBi power). But, there are good models with internal antennas that are practically in no way inferior to external ones. As a rule, the presence of, for example, three or more antennas does not affect the range of the Wi-Fi network, but the connection speed. It is also worth paying attention to whether the antennas are removable or not. In case you want to replace them, install more powerful ones.

According to my observations, the range does not depend much on the price of the router itself. Most likely because the maximum power of the router is simply limited by the manufacturer (subject to the laws of the country in which they are supplied).

Availability of ports: LAN and USB

There will definitely be at least 1 LAN port. Typically, routers have 4 LAN ports. There are more. A LAN port is needed to connect devices to the Internet via a network cable (PCs, TVs, game consoles, etc.).

As for USB ports, cheap models do not currently have them. But it seems to me that soon there will be no routers without USB. Therefore, I advise you to choose a router with at least one USB port. It is needed to connect USB drives, printers, or USB 3G modems (if modems are supported). By connecting a flash drive or external HDD to the router, you can share files or run a DLNA server. And by connecting the printer, you can set up a print server.

Here everything depends on the specific model and manufacturer. For example, models from ASUS can also independently download files to the drive. I already wrote, . You can look at this as an example.

Wi-Fi router power and performance

The hardware of the router is also very important. The more powerful the processor and more RAM, the more stable the router will work. It will hold more connected devices, easily withstand torrent downloads, online games, DLNA server operation, etc. And most importantly, there will be no drop in speed, ping, or packet loss.

I don’t think you need to directly study all the nuances associated with the hardware on which this or that router runs, unless you are interested. Everything is very simple here, the more expensive the model, the more powerful it is. If you buy a router for 15-20 dollars, connect several devices to it, start downloading a torrent, start an online game, and open an online video, then most likely it will just freeze. Or, the speed will drop very much. And it will work only after a reboot. This is quite normal for its price category.

This is precisely why I do not recommend saving on a router. Because you will connect all your computers, tablets, phones, TVs to it, and they will all suffer from a weak router that will always cut speed and simply “fall” from the load. This brings a lot of inconvenience, and most likely, you will soon think about buying a new router, more powerful and therefore expensive.

Price and manufacturer

At the moment, the cheapest router can be purchased for about $15. I already wrote above that buy such routers only if you do not need a lot of performance and speed.

It’s better, of course, to take routers that cost $30 or more. This is solely my opinion. These devices are suitable for home use, but without fanaticism. Here you need to understand that we get exactly what we pay. Well, it all depends on the tasks that the router must cope with specifically in your case.

As for the manufacturer, the most popular are, of course, TP-LINK, ASUS, D-LINK, ZyXEL, Linksys, Tenda, Netis. If you're interested, I currently have ASUS. I love routers from TP-LINK, which I also often use and recommend to others. For relatives, the inexpensive TP-LINK TL-WR841N has been working for more than five years without any problems. Not long ago I became acquainted with routers from ZyXEL. I really liked it too. Tenda makes inexpensive models.

I think there is no need to get hung up on the manufacturer. Look at the models, characteristics, price, and finally, appearance. I am familiar with the routers of all the manufacturers that I listed above, and I can’t say that some are bad and some are good. Each manufacturer has certain points that I personally liked or didn’t like (control panel, equipment, instructions, packaging, setup process, reliability, etc.). But this has virtually no effect on the operation of the router.

I often see questions like: “which router is better, ASUS or TP-LINK.” You can endlessly argue which brand is better and which is worse. I think that in this case, it would be more correct to consider specific models that are close in price.

We figured out the price and brand: the more expensive the better, but the brand is not for everyone.

Which router to choose in 2016 - 2017

In my opinion, in 2017 you need to buy a dual-band router (which supports Wi-Fi 5 GHz, and 802.11ac). And so that there is at least one USB port. Even if you don't need it right now.

These two points: support for Wi-Fi at a frequency of 5 GHz, and the presence of a USB port, make the router modern, and it will not become outdated in half a year. Most likely, it will be relevant in 2017, and you will not have to change it.

I'm telling an example from own experience. This winter (around December 2015), I bought a new router for my parents' house. It works there with a 3G USB modem. I didn't get it cheap. Good, powerful router with two USB ports (a modem is connected to one, and a storage device is connected to the second). But, it does not support 5 GHz wireless networking. And some time after the purchase, I realized that I had made a mistake with my choice. Having bought an expensive router without support for the new standard.

Sooner or later, you will want to connect your devices to a 5 GHz Wi-Fi network (more speed and less interference, especially important for apartments). Or, you might want to share files on a storage device connected to the router. Therefore, it is better to spend a lot of money right away than to buy a new router in a year. In addition, now you can already find a completely affordable dual-band router with USB port, for about $30.

This is solely my opinion, and of course you may not agree with it.

Everything is very complicated, what kind of router should you buy for your home?

I wrote at the beginning of the article that the router needs to be selected specifically for your tasks. And he needs to be guided by the premises where he will work, and by finances. And also, I wrote that I really don’t like giving advice on specific models. Besides, I don't know anything about you, your home, or the tasks the router is supposed to perform. But, if you are already asking for it :), then I will recommend several models of routers that should be suitable for a small house or apartment. And for connecting a small number of devices. I will only recommend those models with which I have worked. Let's divide them into three categories.

Inexpensive, modern router

First of all, I will of course recommend a router, or TP-LINK Archer C20. This is not the cheapest model for home use, but it is dual-band (Wi-Fi 5 GHz), has 1 USB port, and looks very nice.

It is easily suitable for home, and will easily cope with watching online videos, downloading torrents, and online games. If you look at other manufacturers, not many have similar models. In terms of characteristics and price, the only similarities are: Asus RT-AC51U and Xiaomi WiFi MiRouter 3. Perhaps some other options have already appeared.

The most budget option for a small apartment

If you want to save a lot of money, you have a small house and few devices, then you can consider the following options:

New models appear very often, and I’m not familiar with all the options that can be considered for purchase. Therefore, look at suitable routers, read reviews, focus on price and take the model that you like best. Now there are no problems with this, we go to any online store and choose until we get tired of it.

We did not consider expensive models. I think this makes no sense. If possible, buy it. They will definitely cope with the assigned tasks. Especially if you have a Smart TV, which requires a stable connection at a good speed.

Afterword

I hope that my advice somehow helped you decide on the choice of router, and you were able to purchase the best option that will delight you with stable operation.

It is important to understand that no one can choose the right router option for you. At least until the port receives the necessary information about the house in which it will be installed (area, walls), about the devices for which Internet access needs to be provided, and about the tasks that will be performed on these devices.

To summarize, I repeat that it is better not to skimp on a router. Buy the most expensive one possible in your case. And if you are already considering cheaper options, then you can focus on the models that I wrote about above. Well, it is advisable to buy a dual-band router with at least one USB port.

Time flies very quickly and if previously it was “cool” to have a desktop computer connected to the Internet, now it is already an “ordinary” thing. Most homes already have many modern electronic devices, such as laptops (netbooks), TVs with a network interface, tablets, smartphones, and 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 which Wi-Fi router to buy for your home?”

Many people go to the store and buy the cheapest devices, but immediately encounter a lot of troubles that they didn’t even think about, for example, the router slows down the 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 making the right choice router for the home, we’ll tell you what characteristics you need to pay attention to.

What kind of “router” device is this?

A router (English router, transliterated into Russian - “router”) is an electronic device that is used to connect two or more networks and controls the routing process, i.e. based on information about the network topology and established rules makes decisions about forwarding network layer 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" search queries and, accordingly, in everyday speech it appears much more often than “router”.

What do 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.

Let's look at the basic Wi-Fi standards.

Data reception and transmission using the Wi-Fi standard can be in several bands. The main ranges are presented below:

2.4 GHz (the most popular, therefore in most places it is heavily overloaded, which can negatively affect the data transfer speed. At the same time, most modern gadgets support operation in this range. When marking the device, “2” is used);
5 GHz (less popular. Many providers use this band to provide Internet access if this is not possible via a wired interface. Some modern devices support both bands. When marking the device, “5” is used).

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

Data transmission via 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:

Standard	Range	Maximum transfer speed, Mbit/sec		Peculiarities
Standard	Range	channel	real	Peculiarities
802.11a	5 GHz	108	40	sensitive to obstacles
802.11b	2.4 GHz	11	5	old devices work
802.11g	2.4 GHz	54	24
802.11n	2.4 GHz, 5 GHz	150	55	with 1 antenna
		300	110	with 2 antennas
		450	165	with 3 antennas
		600	220	with 4 antennas
802.11ac	5 GHz	433-6770	more than 200	depends on the number of antennas.

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

The table presents the standards in the order they appear. The new standards are backward compatible, i.e. If your laptop operates in the 802.11b standard, it will connect normally to an 802.11n Wi-Fi router, but the data exchange speed will be no more than 11 Mbit/sec. Please note that at this point in time the entire access point switches to this mode, i.e. all subscriber devices will operate 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 please note that if the WiFi speed of your laptop (tablet) is lower WiFi speed router and the Internet, then the problem of reduced speed will be in your device. The speed over wires (via Lan ports) is usually higher than over WiFi.

Does a Wi-Fi router need an external antenna?

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 taken into account that when connecting a device to a router via WiFi, conditionally 2 transmission channels are 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 a situation where 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 the WiFi router - when correct installation The WiFi zone will be throughout the apartment.

Based on the above, when choosing a WiFi router for your home with an external antenna or internal Internet speed, you will not see any difference, 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, which is where multiple streams are created to increase wireless network throughput. In practice, there are devices with MIMO 2x2, less often with 3x3 and 4x4. You should know that the entire bandwidth (roughly, the speed) is divided between all subscribers who are connected at that time. MIMO technology is useful and significantly increases speed when there are a large number of subscriber devices.

In its simplest form, the total Wi-Fi power (Y) of a 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.

mW	10	20	30	40	50	60	70	80	90	100	200	300	500	750	1000	1500
dBm	10	13	14.8	16	17	17.8	18.5	19	19.5	20	23	24.8	27	28.8	30	31.8

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

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

Wi-Fi network protection

The network's range is not limited to your apartment, which allows other people to access your network. To protect your 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 Internet that are protected by this standard;
WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) - uses encryption keys up to 128 bits long (TKIP technology);
WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access version 2) - uses encryption keys up to 256 bits long (AES technology).

For greater security, you can use MAC address filtering or hidden SSID mode. Most routers have these methods.

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

There are 2 connection types when using this function:

hardware - press the WPS button 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 to the connected device, you need to enter the PIN code that is on the router label, then the network connection wizard will do all the necessary settings 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 will take about a year to crack it. When using this feature, be careful and only show your PIN to people you trust. If somehow this PIN code becomes known to strangers, then disable this function in the settings and, if necessary, configure the wireless network manually.

Eco-friendly Wi-Fi

To date, the effects of Wi-Fi on the human body have 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: high, medium, low. In Mikrotik routers, you can most accurately adjust the transmitter power, which allows you to ensure the lowest radiation power and at the same time have a stable Internet.

What should you consider when connecting your 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 xDSL family technologies, for example, the Ukrtelecom operator uses ADSL technology. The maximum transmission speed according to the ADSL2+ standard is 24 Mbit/s)
3G/4G Wi-Fi routers (a wireless connection is used. The maximum connection speed to Intertelecom using EVDO-B technology is 14 Mbit/s).
Ethernet Wi-Fi routers (when connecting to the Internet, twisted pair is used. The maximum speed when connecting using the Fast Ethernet standard is 100 Mbit/s, Gigabit Ethernet - 1 Gbit/s)
SFP Wi-Fi routers (connection is made via fiber optic cable and speed can reach 1 Gbit/s)
EPON/GEPON/GPON Wi-Fi routers (connection is made to a PON network. Now the most developing technology for connecting the private sector, villages and cottages. Speed when using EPON technology (GEPON/GPON) is up to 1 Gbit/s, 10GEPON - up to 10 Gbit /With)
DOCSIS Wi-Fi routers (connection is made via a television cable. Maximum speed when using EuroDOCSIS 2.0 technology: data reception 50 Mbit/s, transmission - 27 Mbit/s)
Wi-Fi routers (connection to the provider is 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, for a GEPON network, XDK E8010U-B or ZTE F401 is used) and the subscriber connects an Ethernet Wi-Fi router to this device.

It should be noted that "twisted pair", if the cable runs along the street, is very susceptible to the influence of 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 twisted pair lightning protection.

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.

A router is the same minicomputer. The main characteristics that you should pay attention to are the processor frequency 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 speeds up to 50 Mbit/s, you are not very fond of torrents, do not spend a lot of time in powerful network games, then a processor frequency of 300 MHz and 32 MB of RAM will be enough. 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 Mbit/s) Internet or you like to play games over 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 be sufficient.

Router software.

Each router has a special software, which is often called "firmware".

There are 2 approaches to router software:

Each model has its own software (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 device resources are used most efficiently. But it should be taken into account that new protocols and capabilities are constantly appearing, and errors are found in the software, so it must be updated periodically. The same providers eventually switch to new protocols. But it very often happens that the manufacturer comes up with new promising models and stops developing (refining, improving) the software of old models, and the subscriber then needs to buy a new router. Alternative firmware comes to the rescue, which often has more features, but please note that when using alternative firmware, the warranty on the router is lost, and problems with the operation of the device may also arise (carefully read reviews about the firmware). By the way, the popularity of the model can be judged by the availability of alternative firmware and the frequency of updating the original firmware. Versions of original firmware can be viewed on the manufacturer’s website in the “Technical Support” section. To find out the availability of alternative firmware, enter “alternative firmware [model name]” in the search. A large number of alternative firmware indicates problems and lost capabilities of the original software.

The advantage of the second approach is that the software is constantly updated and is more functional. For example, MikroTik routers use proprietary operating system RouterOS, which allows even in routers entry level(for home, and this is MikroTik hAP lite, Mikrotik mAP 2n, MikroTik RB951 series) 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 provider about hardware requirements before purchasing, because they may not work with some models.

Additional functions and capabilities of WiFi routers.

Additional functions and capabilities of WiFi routers include:

Don't chase many functions 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 additional load on the router, which reduces its performance as a router.

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

The router should fit well into your home interior. For example, the Mikrotik mAP 2n WiFi router has an elegant appearance and compact dimensions (smaller than a lighter). This is an excellent solution for an apartment.

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

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

D-link - Almost any router from this company does not work out of the box in 99 percent of cases. It starts working either after dancing with a tambourine, or after updating the firmware to the latest version of the software (if there is one, but if this is a new product, then you will have to wait for the firmware) You constantly come across models in which the password for Wi-Fi and the router disappears after two or three days All the neighbors start clinging... And this means Internet slowdowns, calls to technical support, calling a technician who will re-set the password. Naturally, call a specialist for money. A good technician will reflash the router (this bug can only be cured by flashing it to the latest version of the software) No good master He’ll just enter the password and leave. And after two days, all your neighbors will connect to your router again... They also get very hot and freeze 3-4 times a day, a power reset helps. This began after 2012, when dlink began to be produced in Russia. Until 2012, long lengths were an ideal budget option.

Tp-link - price-quality ratio. If you don’t want to bother with firmware and dancing with a tambourine, but you don’t have enough money, then it’s better to take a tplink. Again, models 740 and 741 are very weak, they often freeze (but much less often than D-links, you have to overload the power supply 3-4 times a week). It is advisable to update to the latest firmware after purchase. The 840 model reduces the speed of both cable and Wi-Fi. It helps to update the firmware to the latest version of the software. No problems were noticed with 9xx models, but they are not bad. It’s much easier to buy for that amount....-->

Asus is a workhorse for the money, the price is about the same as tp-link. The RTN-12 model is generally the best. Set it and forget it. But this is with hardware versions D1 and B1... All new Asus are configured with a tambourine (especially rtn-11, 30-40 minutes), they often glitch, although very often there are models that work without jambs. Reboot your diet - 3-4 times a month, and sometimes not even once.

Zyxel - Beast machine. Set it up, forget it, get covered in dust, get lost. The speed does not cut, practically does not freeze, it works like a clock. The cost is one and a half to two times higher than Asus and Tp-link. Models that are on par with Asus and Tp-link (in price) can be buggy, but much less than Asus and especially Tp-link. No dancing with a tambourine. If possible, take Zuhel, the price and quality matches.

Mikrotik is a Latvian manufacturer of network equipment... Terminator of all routers. However, it is also configured through the winbox program like a terminator...system administrator skills are required. Understanding Nat, Firewall, DHCP, Default Route. This is for normal setup only. You can set up a speed limit both for an IP address (for example, your sister’s computer, which constantly pumps and clogs the channel), and you can set up a speed limit on the port. At least up to 32 Kilobits. But again, who knows? An indispensable thing when setting up several Internet channels is their differentiation. In general, a complete stuffing of functions. The price of a good Mikrotik starts from about 6 thousand rubles. Everything that is cheaper is quite weak and will not even support 6-8 computers. Model 2011UAS-2HnD easily pulls 32 computers. In general, I would take such a model for myself... you can make a real server out of it.

All other routers such as Upwell, Huawei, Tenda and the like are also quite good. There are definitely good models among them. But they are put on very few, very rarely. There are also failures with them, most likely they are at the price-quality level somewhere with TP-links and Asus.

All data is based on personal 8 years of experience working with the provider as a system administrator.

Wi-Fi routers are one of the most common devices used to connect multiple devices to a network. The main advantage that Wi-Fi networks have in comparison with analogues is the ease of setup, as well as the absence of the need to use large number cables

The stability of the connection, as well as the list of available functions, is directly affected by the model of the router used. In view of this, it is necessary to think in advance which options will be in demand when using wi-fi every day, and which ones will be frankly unnecessary. In addition, it will be useful to study reviews to know some of the hidden features of the devices.

What is a Wi-Fi router?

Under the term router, refers to a special device used to route a wireless network and provide devices connected to it with Internet access at home or in the office. Among manufactured gadgets, such as laptops, smartphones, and other types of electronics, the vast majority already have a wifi signal receiving module in their design, which allows you to access the created network.

However, a powerful Wi-Fi router can also serve to organize a home network without access to the Internet, which allows computers to communicate with each other. This feature allows you to share some peripheral devices, such as printers, and also play games. computer games.

Since when connecting in this format there is no need to connect all devices using a cable, it is noticeably more convenient to use. Besides, to one access point An impressive number of devices can be connected, which significantly expands the user's capabilities.

In order for the wi-fi router to work correctly and have the necessary functions, when choosing it, you should focus attention to technical parameters of the purchased product.

What to look for when choosing a router?

To choose good Wi-Fi routers for your home or office, it is recommended to study the maximum data transfer speeds of a particular model. The most budget-friendly solutions require a channel bandwidth of 8 to 35 Mb/s, which allows you to access the Internet relatively comfortably from several devices. Expensive analogues allow you to transfer data at speeds of up to 1 Gb/s, however, such values for the home are only needed if the terms of the Internet provider's tariff plan require such a high actual connection speed.

As a rule, the access speed of most providers is relatively low, which is why purchasing expensive models sometimes makes no sense. In addition to speed, you should take a closer look to the following parameters:

Connection standard used;
Device memory capacity;
Built-in processor speed.

The connection standard directly determines the speed of access and its support from connected devices. Standards such as IEEE 802.11b seem outdated and allow data transfer at speeds of no more than 11 Mb/s. Later variations, such as 802.11g and 802.11n, have much higher channel capacity, but are only in demand in cases where when is the internet speed from the provider side corresponds to these values.

The power of the processor determines how quickly the router will respond to commands and interact with the hardware. In view of this, you should not purchase products with a clock speed of less than 240 MHz. If we consider RAM, then 64 MB seems to be a sufficient value, which is enough for comfortable use of the router.

An important parameter The number of antennas is presented, as well as the signal strength. After all, if such indicators are small, devices will not be able to detect the connection or it will be unstable when moving away from the router. The brand of the device is not decisive, but the highest quality products are produced by well-known corporations such as TP-Link, Zuxel, Asus and others. The price of budget devices is $10-15, which makes them affordable for consumers.

Portable varieties

If there is a need to place a Wi-Fi network in any non-standard place, such as a car or while traveling, it is recommended to use special portable routers. Similar view routers, allows you to deploy your network anywhere, as it supports leading mobile data standards such as 3G and 4G, which is also reflected in the price.

Among the obvious advantages of this category of devices are: it is advisable to highlight:

In addition, this type of router is autonomous, which allows them to work for a certain time, powered by a battery. At the same time, mobile routers also have a number of significant disadvantages. These, first of all, include a relatively weak signal, which does not allow access to the network over a long distance, as well as a short battery life.

Similar disadvantages are somewhat leveled out if you give preference to more expensive models from well-known brands. As a rule, they are somewhat larger than their budget counterparts, but have more advanced characteristics.

Although this characteristic is not one of the main ones, it also does not deserve neglect from users. After all, some of the device’s capabilities directly depend on their varieties and number. As a rule, any device for the home that costs $10 has at least 1 LAN port, through which Internet access is provided.

However, to use 3g Wi-Fi, USB ports will be required, which are not found in the most budget models. When connected to a flash drive like this, users will be able to share files on a hosted network, which is very convenient in a number of situations.

As part of an office network, it will be useful to connect the printer using a USB cable to the router, which will allow you to organize a kind of print server that can be accessed by all network participants. This will significantly simplify the printing process and increase overall productivity.

Popular budget models

Considering the devices presented on the market, we can highlight a unique rating of the most preferable options for different conditions use. If the room in which you plan to use the router is small, and the speed of Internet access leaves much to be desired, Netis WF2411 or Tenda N3 may be a good solution. They can boast relatively good performance and low cost, however, their functionality is minimal.

From the budget lines of well-known manufacturers, you can take a closer look at the leaders in the rating: TP-Link TL-WR740N (ND), TP-LINK or TL-WR720N. They are somewhat more expensive than their analogues, which is explained by the high popularity of the manufacturer, as well as high stability of operation. In addition, these devices are relatively easy to operate, and there are many manuals on the Internet that will allow you to quickly become familiar with the most basic parameters.

Models of the middle and expensive segment

If planned use a router in a large apartment e or office, it is recommended to study models of a more expensive segment. After all, they usually have a long signal range and also boast impressive throughput. In addition, they usually have a much larger number of ports, which allows for more opportunities to be realized in comparison with budget analogues.

The Asus RT-N line from models 10 to 12 seems to be a rational choice for medium-intensity Internet use. Such a router can cope with downloading large amounts of data, but with simultaneous intensive load from several devices, it may exhibit stability problems. This, of course, does not apply to surfing the Internet and everyday tasks.

There are a number good routers , which are able to cope with fairly heavy loads:

TP-LINK TL-WR841N (ND) and 842 model;
ZyXEL Keenetic Start
Linksys E1200;
D-link DIR-615.

Such powerful wifi routers, being kind of leaders in the rating, are suitable for everyday provision of Internet to several PCs, as well as mobile gadgets, which seems to be the best option for home or small office. When choosing a specific model, it is recommended to study reviews, which will allow you to choose the most suitable model for the buyer's needs.

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