Wireless internet has pushed innovation to new bounds. Nowadays, about all new smart appliances come with Wi-Fi connectivity, giving you the ability to control them remotely. Though this little network of your smart appliances needs a hub to work, a router. Be it your home or workplace, wi-fi routers are a necessary requirement today.
So, you might be looking to get one for home or office, too. But wait, don’t just pick whichever router you may come across. Let’s go through some of the most important things you should keep note of when buying a Wi-fi router to find out the best one.
1. The Wi-fi Band
A wi-fi router can operate on 2.4Hz, 5Hz or 6Hz frequency band. The higher the frequency, the lower is the interference. Less interference means less network congestion, and therefore more transmission speed. Most commonly used 2.4Hz band has high interference and low speed, while 5Hz/6Hz bands have much lower interference and very high speeds.
Some Wi-fi routers only use a single band, while some utilize both the higher and lower bands. Using both bands together makes the signal strength stronger as well. It’s actually really easy to choose one over the other, as a dual band wi-fi router is always more preferable.
2. The Network Range
A very essential factor to consider when getting a wi-fi router is the range of connectivity. Though it’s true that the placement of the router can be important in getting a wider range, some routers don’t have a far reach to begin with. Test the range beforehand to find out what’s more suitable for you, a shorter range for a small room or a larger one to cover the whole house or office.
Power-line adapters can increase the range of the wi-fi network to some length and can easily be connected to most routers. It’s recommended to get a good router in a reasonable price range and use power-line adapters with it for improved coverage.
3. Internet Speed
If you want a strong, stable internet connection, remember to get a router that is compatible with the bandwidth of your internet subscription. The greater the bandwidth, the higher the speed. A wi-fi router cannot use both the lower and higher bands for transmission at the same time, so do not believe the ones claiming to offer double the speed with combined bands.
4. VPN, Proxy, and USB Support
Now, not everyone always needs a VPN or uses a USB connection on a wireless network router. But for those who do or think they might be necessary one day, it’s better to check it out whether the wi-fi router offers such features. These come especially handy when setting up a NAS or hybrid LAN network.
5. Security Locks and Protocols
The wi-fi setup connects to all sorts of smart devices in your home or office, so naturally, you’d want to keep it as safe and secure as possible. To avoid a malware infection, IP leak, or someone hacking into your entire network, get a router with robust security locking protocols like WEP, WPA, WPA2, etc., and antivirus protection available. If there are kids at your home, you’d also want to look for parental controls and timed connectivity.
Choosing the Best Wi-fi Router
These were the five key points to take note of before you decide on any router. Check and compare with your requirements to find out the ideal Wi-fi router for your home and office. You can go through our amazing collection of some great wi-fi routers at Tech Prime Deals to choose the best one.
