Which router to choose for a country house. The best high-quality and powerful Wi-Fi routers for the home. Let's look at the basic Wi-Fi standards

A router is a very complex device with many technical characteristics. We will focus on those that play an important role for the buyer.

WAN port type and connection protocols

The WAN (or Internet) connector is used to connect an Internet cable to the router. This is the first detail you should pay attention to when purchasing a device. It depends on it whether the router will work with the provider.

A typical router has a WAN port in one of two formats:

  1. DSL(ADSL, VDSL and other subtypes) - to connect to the Internet via telephone line.
  2. Ethernet- to connect through a special provider channel.

There are also universal devices that support several formats, including DSL and Ethernet. But they are much less common.

In the now quite popular fiber optic networks, access to the Internet is provided through a GPON terminal, to which the router is connected. Some routers have a corresponding connector for connecting the provider's fiber optic cable directly. This allows you to get rid of the terminal, which often suffers from power surges and remove an extra link in the chain.

Provider Compatibility

Internet providers use various technologies to connect subscribers. Some of them are widespread and are supported by default in all routers, others are less common and are not available everywhere.

For example, many service providers use L2TP, which does not work in every router. Therefore, before purchasing, it is advisable to check with the provider’s support service whether their networks support the router you are interested in.

If, instead of DSL and Ethernet, the provider uses specific connection technologies, which rarely happens, then it is better to trust the choice of equipment to specialists.

Number and type of LAN ports

Computers, consoles, TVs and other stationary equipment that need stable wired access to the Web. This connection always guarantees maximum speed, which does not depend on distance or interference.

And the more such connectors in the router, the more devices You can connect to it via a wire. Routers are usually equipped with four LAN ports. But if this is not enough for you, choose a model with additional connectors.

Depends on the type of LAN ports top speed exchange of data between the router and other devices connected to it via a wire.

There are two such types:

  1. Fast Ethernet provides speeds up to 100 Mbit/s.
  2. Gigabit Ethernet- up to 1 Gbit/s.

If your provider offers Internet access at speeds greater than 100 Mbps, choose a router model with Gigabit Ethernet ports. This way you will use your channel to its fullest.

Wi-Fi standards

The maximum possible speed of data exchange between the router and a fleet of devices connected to it wirelessly depends on the Wi-Fi standard. There are currently two standards in use:

  1. 802.11n- a widespread, but already outdated version, which is supported by the vast majority of gadgets. Possible speed is up to 600 Mbit/s.
  2. 802.11ac- current standard, provides the most high speed- up to 6.77 Gbit/s.

But don’t let the characteristics confuse you: the values ​​indicated are only theoretically possible within the technology. Real speed figures are much lower.

The speed indicated by the manufacturer is also most often unattainable in practice. This is only a possible value without taking into account distance and interference.

Thanks to backward compatibility You can connect any gadgets to a router with the 802.11ac standard via Wi-Fi. Even if they only support 802.11n and older versions. But to unlock the full potential of 802.11ac, both your router and all other devices on your wireless network must support this standard.

Number of Wi-Fi bands

Some routers can work simultaneously in different frequency ranges. In this mode, the router is able to support not one, but several independent Wi-Fi networks.


Many popular models can distribute data transmission between two ranges. Thus, they create two networks at 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz respectively.

  1. Frequency 2.4 GHz ideal for connecting smartphones and office equipment.
  2. Frequency 5 GHz provides a more stable and faster connection, and is therefore better suited for multimedia devices that work with video and other heavy content. So, if you don’t want to connect a TV or set-top box via wires, you can use Wi-Fi at a frequency of 5 GHz.

These networks can operate in parallel without limiting each other. But again, their total speed will not exceed the limit set by the Internet provider.

In addition, not all gadgets support a 5 GHz network.

Number and type of antennas

In addition to the Wi-Fi standard and frequency, the speed of the wireless network depends on the number of antennas in the router. The more there are, the faster exchange data between connected devices and the router.

Limit Wi-Fi speed in the 802.11n standard for a model with one antenna is 150 Mbit/s. With two - 300 Mbit/s, with three - 450 Mbit/s. That is, with each antenna the maximum possible speed increases by 150 Mbit/s. And in the 802.11ac standard - at 433 Mbit/s.

Let us remember that we are talking about theoretically possible speeds under ideal conditions. In reality, these figures are much lower. In addition, do not forget that the final speed of Internet access via Wi-Fi cannot exceed the provider’s limit.

Antennas can be built-in or external. As practice shows, in a typical city apartment, the type of antennas is not so important. Contrary to popular myth, the difference is barely noticeable.

But for large rooms it is still worth choosing a router with external antennas to not have. In addition, if the external antennas are removable, if necessary, they can be replaced with more powerful ones.


Availability of USB port

By choosing a router with one or two USB connectors, you can connect to it additional devices. For example, a USB drive will provide remote access to shared file storage via any device in Wi-Fi networks. And a wireless USB modem will become your backup way to access the Internet if cable internet will stop working.

Brief selection instructions

Let's go over the key points of the article again. This checklist will help you choose a good router.

  1. Find out the provider's requirements for the router: type of WAN connector and connection protocols. Only then choose a model.
  2. If the Internet speed is above 100 Mbit/s, buy a device with Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports (1 Gbit/s). If the speed is lower, Fast Ethernet connectors (100 Mbit/s) will suffice.
  3. If access to the Internet is needed only for browsing websites and working with documents, you can limit yourself to a router with one antenna and support wireless standard 802.11n.
  4. But if you look streaming video If you play online games, use a lot of wireless devices, often download large files and are not used to denying yourself, then choose a dual-band router with multiple antennas and support for 802.11ac.
  5. If you wish, you can buy a model with a USB port to connect a storage device or wireless modem to it.

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 via 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 network standard not lower than 802.11 n standard.
Maximum connection speed
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 your 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
Wi-Fi network range – a parameter that determines the boundaries of the Wi-Fi network coverage area. This indicator is abstract, since it is calculated from ideal conditions (no walls and partitions, no radio or magnetic interference, etc.). Therefore, if the manufacturer indicates the range of the router as 100 m, then in real conditions (in an apartment) the range will be approximately 20 m. To ensure stable operation Wi-Fi channel, give preference to a router with a wide range. Please note that the better the quality of the Wi-Fi network, 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.
When choosing a Wi-Fi 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 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 HDD or a flash drive, in order to open access to the files located on it for all devices on the network. You can also connect a printer to the USB connector to provide access to others. 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– 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: desktop computers You can connect your TV, receiver to Ethernet ports, and your 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). Essentially, the firmware is operating system 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 router model has 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 Mbit/s for connecting devices via a network cable and 1 WAN port with a speed of 100 Mbit/s for connecting a provider. Supports standard wireless communication 802.11n, has 1 removable antenna. Security features include protection against DoS attacks and the WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK encryption system. Maximum speed Wi-Fi connections- 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. The TL-WR1043ND combines high data transfer speeds as well as high-quality wifi signal networks.
The router is equipped with 4 gigabit LAN ports and one gigabit WAN port, there is also 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.

If you are very seriously thinking about creating a full-fledged wireless network at home, then the first thing is to buy the “right” router. The right router in this case is a device that provides a stable connection to the Internet throughout the house or apartment.

So, which is preferable to choose a WiFi router for your home or apartment, mobile or stationary? When choosing a Wi-Fi router good quality For our home, we inevitably encounter certain difficulties. These difficulties are largely due to the large selection of devices on the market today. A wide range of products and lack of experience in this matter can play a bad joke on users.

It is highly recommended not to choose a Wi-Fi router at random without consulting a specialist. If this is not possible, then it is better to devote a few minutes of your time to familiarize yourself with the available devices. It's important to study full specifications models that you like based on price, and then make your choice which one is better.

Which is preferable – a full-fledged router or access point?

One of the most frequently encountered problems is deciding whether to buy a Wi-Fi router or access point.

Which option is preferable? Two Wi-Fi devices differ from each other not only in appearance, but also in terms of functionality. The access point is actually a cable extender that emits a radio signal. The signal is simply transmitted from the cable to the connected device, that is, the computer. This is how you provide wireless connection with the Internet. Using a point implies certain settings for the tcp/ip protocol. The parameters are provided by the provider. The difficulty is that connecting even two computers will not be easy. In particular, you will need to obtain an additional IP address.

As for a home Wi-Fi router, it is better because it already has an access point in its design. It allows you to create a full-fledged wireless network at home. The network will allow you to connect several devices at once - laptops, mobile phones, tablets. To do this, you will only need to enter the access password without making any configuration changes.

Another drawback that is worth noting about a separate access point is problems with protection from network intrusions from the outside. Therefore, you will need to fine-tune the Firewall on your computer. The router, in turn, has a built-in protection function against network attacks and other threats.

Another point is the Wi-Fi range. The operating radius of the access point is quite limited. It is only 200-250 meters, provided that there are no obstacles in the signal path. Also, the access point only has one Ethernet port, whereas routers have five ports. Four of them are LAN ports, one is a WAN port. Cables provided by providers are connected to WAN ports. Light indicators located on the front panel, signal the operation of a particular port. LAN ports are designed to distribute the signal between clients of the created local network. Twisted pair cable is used for this.

Access point manufacturers set the factory settings to disable the DHCP server. This is why it is required static IP address. At initial settings It is necessary to clarify the connection protocol that is installed by the provider. In access points, the ability to use various protocols is limited, while Wi-Fi routers are much more functional in this regard.

What to pay attention to first

The job of routers is to provide you with a gateway to directly access the Internet. Very often the device itself is called a gateway, since it is located at the junction of several networks. This makes it possible, using the NAT protocol, to convert the IP address provided by the provider into several local addresses. Thanks to this function, you can connect several clients at once.

To better choose a router, it is important to understand exactly how it can work. There are several operating modes:

  • access point;
  • bridge;
  • repeater;
  • client.

If you use only one computer, then an access point (the role of which is played by a router) will be enough for you. We talked about this in the previous paragraph of our article. In this operating mode, the router creates a coverage area of ​​a certain radius around itself. You can connect several other points, such as Wi-Fi adapters and separate access points. To provide these functions, you will need to use the AP protocol.

Differences between modes

Which mode works?

Working in client mode is available exclusively for Wi-Fi routers. It allows you to connect surrounding devices to a wireless Wi-Fi network. This is very convenient if, for example, you receive Internet distribution via a radio channel. Using a cable, you can connect desktop computers to the radio network.

Bridge mode makes it possible to connect two segments of a standard Ethernet networks, distant from each other. This mode of operation of the router allows you to avoid a wired connection if laying a separate cable is impossible or impractical. The final network is invisible and, therefore, significantly more protected from outside connections. It is also impossible not to note the excellent network performance.

Quite often there is a need to expand the coverage area of ​​a router. Therefore, the router’s functions include the ability to operate in repeater mode. Here the device is used as a signal amplifier coming from the main router. In this case, it is very important to position the routers correctly.

You see that Wi-Fi routers can be used in different ways. The choice of equipment will depend solely on your needs. But we still have one important question: what exactly do you need to pay attention to in the process of selecting a device for your home or apartment.

Basic parameters of the router that affect its functionality

The main things you need to pay attention to when purchasing a device for your home are the following factors:

  • filling;
  • presence of an external antenna;
  • ability to support the most modern data transfer protocol;
  • availability of a network security protocol;
  • technical specifications;
  • a specific router class;
  • operating frequency;
  • connection protocol;
  • what will the price be;
  • what manufacturer it was produced by;
  • availability of Russian-language interface;
  • Availability of official firmware.

The filling ensures the functionality of the device. If you need the router to operate in various modes (as we wrote about above), then the hardware and configuration will be of paramount importance. Please note the presence of a USB port, which will determine the ability to support 3G modems, cameras, and printers. Some routers allow you to use an ADSL connection.

Before you buy a router for your home, you need to make sure that it has a high-quality and powerful antenna. To do this, look at the technical specifications. The power indicator will be measured in decibels. Which is better, obviously - you need to choose a device with highest value dBi.

It is very important that the router supports a data transfer protocol such as TCPIPv6. Nowadays IPv4 is most commonly used, but it is limited by the length of the IP address.

We remind you once again that in no case should we forget about the availability of modern network security protocols - WPA and WPA2.

The most important characteristics to pay attention to include: RAM, processor frequency, flash memory size.

If you intend to play online games and download large files, then choose a router with a WiFi data transfer speed of at least 300 Mbps.

The class of the router is of paramount importance. Modern routers must operate in 802.11ac and 802.11n modes. Only devices that support such modes are capable of operating at maximum speed.

A full-fledged wireless network is capable of operating at a frequency of 2.4 GHz. But the best option– this is the frequency of the router 5 GHz. It is worth choosing a dual-band router, which provides much better performance.

Modern providers use different data transfer protocols. It is very important to ensure that the router supports the protocol provided by your ISP.

Keep in mind that the number of features is directly proportional to the cost of the device. The price also depends on the brand chosen. A well-known brand will cost more, but the price will work out.

But despite the cost, the best option will be purchasing a router from a popular brand. Manufacturers provide reliable guarantees, and the brand's reputation will speak for itself.

Russian language

The presence of a Russian-language interface solves a lot of problems with self-installation. It is also very important to ensure that your router has the latest latest version firmware. You can verify this by looking at the date of the last update, which will indicate how often the manufacturer releases the software.

Studying reviews

Many of us are faced with the problem of choosing a router for the first time. One way to do right choice is viewing user reviews on thematic forums. Quite a significant part of the information posted, unfortunately, is not reliable. But you will definitely get a general idea of ​​the problem and be able to make a better and more correct choice.

What types of routers are there and which one to choose so that it provides good signal? This is the first thing you need to think about if you are seriously thinking about creating a wireless network and ensuring that WiFi works reliably throughout your home. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the different varieties and find out what you need to pay special attention to when choosing the best router for your home or apartment to ensure a good signal and great coverage.

What types of routers are there - choosing the best one

We have already dealt with this issue in another article. However, many encounter difficulties, which are primarily due to the huge number of models of this type of equipment. Nowadays, manufacturers offer such a wide range that, without sufficient experience, you can get confused. But everyone wants to choose a good router at an affordable price to create a high-quality Wi-Fi network at home.

You ask me, which is the best router to choose in 2020? Regardless of whether you want to build a large, loaded wireless local network or not, I’ll tell you this - to perform universal tasks with a reserve for the future.

  1. Firstly, it must be dual-band and support operation at frequencies of 2.4 and 5 GHz. Band 2.4 today is already very overloaded, which can lead to frequent network breaks and dips in connection speed
  2. Secondly, the router must have a USB port that works both with flash drives, from which you can make a local media server, and with modern LTE (4G) modems of various mobile operators. If you don’t need this today, tomorrow you will buy yourself a TV and want to watch movies stored in network storage wirelessly. Or you will need to organize Wi-Fi outside the city, where access to the Internet is only possible using mobile modem.
  3. Finally, he must have at least three, and preferably four, external WiFi antennas— believe me, you shouldn’t skimp on stability and speed if you want to save your nerves.

It is highly not recommended to purchase the first model you come across. Spend just 5-10 minutes of your time, familiarize yourself with the range of products offered to you, carefully study the characteristics of the devices you like most, and only then make your final decision. I think there is no point in recommending which router is better - today our goal is to understand how to generally classify them according to their main characteristic features and choose the type of router that is suitable for solving specific problems in your apartment and ensuring a good signal. Based on this knowledge, you can already choose what suits you best based on price, appearance and reviews of other users.

Which router brand is better to choose for a house or apartment to have a good signal?

I will express my personal opinion - in terms of price and quality ratio, I like routers from Keenetic - they recently separated from Zyxel and became a separate brand. Also out of competition with Cisco and Mikrotik, but this choice is more for office solutions.

Although I myself have been using TP-Link as my main one for a long time. This is the most widely represented manufacturer in our country, but the lineup varies greatly in performance and quality. Poetos it is better to look towards more expensive ones.

Asus and Trendnet have clearly overpriced prices, while the latter's quality is very mediocre.

If you are choosing a router on AliExpress, then more often than others you will come across companies such as Comfast, TotoLink, Tenda and Netis - good budget devices that have recently appeared on our market and therefore lack stars from the sky.

Let me give you one piece of advice, reliable as a tank.

If your budget allows, then take a more expensive model!

At the same time, also remember that the price is often increased based on the brand - each manufacturer has its own price scale from simple to sophisticated models. Therefore, sometimes it makes sense to take the most expensive model of a not very popular brand, which in the end will cost less than with the same characteristics, but a more popular one.

Selecting a router based on Internet connection type

WiFi routers come in several types, so before answering the main question, let's ask ourselves another one - what type of Internet connection do we have?

Let's go through the three main ones.

I think that most people buy a router not only in order to connect more devices to the Internet than one computer, which is supplied with a provider cable according to the standard, but also to ensure that the connection is wireless everywhere in order to avoid pulling a web of wires through the entire apartment. Therefore, you need to take care of purchasing for all stationary PCs in advance wireless adapters.

You also need to think about the location of the router in advance. Often, when designing a room renovation, it is placed in switchboard, however, it is optimal when it is located in the center of the apartment so that the signal is distributed evenly throughout all rooms. If you still install it in a shield near the front door, then the presence of a powerful transmitter and external antennas will be a plus.

What else should you pay attention to when choosing a router for large coverage?

But let’s return to the main question - in order to choose the best router to perform the tasks assigned to it in an apartment or office, you need to pay attention to its following characteristics:

  1. Filling. Decide what exactly you need to use, and depending on this, select a model based on what functionality it has. The main ones are:
    • different operating modes that you may need (access point, bridge, repeater, client)
    • availability with support for printers, cameras and 3g modems
    • support for ADSL connections via telephone wire
  2. External antenna available. Its power is determined in decibels (dBi). The higher the number and the more of these antennas, the stronger the signal and coverage radius. In addition, if the antenna is removable, you can later purchase a more powerful one.
  3. IPv6. Support for the modern TCP IPv6 data transfer protocol will also be a plus. Today, the most used is IPv4, but it is limited to the length of the IP address at 32 bits, while the new one already supports up to 128 bits. That is, this is already if you choose a model with a reserve for the future development network technologies.
  4. Network security protocol. When choosing a router, make sure that the model supports modern reliable data transfers - WPA and WPA2. The vast majority of routers that you can choose on the market today support them.
  5. Specifications. For stable and fast work The router must have at least 32 MB of RAM, and it is advisable to use a processor with a frequency of at least 240 MHz, and preferably more than 580 MHz. Also make sure that the flash memory is at least 8 MB. If these characteristics are not on the box, and most likely they are, then you can look at the attached instructions or download it on the Internet - by the way, in Lately The included user manuals are much more concise than those distributed over the Internet.
  6. Router class. If you have modern computer or a laptop, then you should choose a router that operates in or “N” and supports a maximum data transfer speed of up to 700/300 Mbit/s, respectively. The previous generation "G" only operated at speeds up to 54 Mbit/s. In principle, for most today tariff plans this will be enough, but technology is developing very quickly, so again, if you think about the future, it is more reasonable to take the maximum, especially since a price difference of several hundred rubles will not save you.
  7. Operating frequency. Most inexpensive models operate at 2.4 GHz. However, today there is a router in almost every apartment, which is why all channels are heavily clogged and this affects the speed and stability of work. To ensure maximum performance, choose a dual-band router with support - now such devices are not yet very common, so you will get “uncluttered” radio air and, as a result, a more stable signal.
  8. Connection protocol. To connect to the Internet, modern providers use various protocols data transmissions that differ from each other. Look at your connection contract, which specifies the protocol type, and make sure that the router supports it.
  9. Price. Since we are talking about price, we must keep in mind that when thinking about which wifi router to choose for your home in 2019, you must keep in mind that models that meet all of the above characteristics cannot cost less than a thousand rubles. Although the price also depends on the manufacturer and can be unjustifiably inflated purely because of the popularity of the brand.
  10. Manufacturer. Of course, it is better to take a device from a well-known brand. Companies such as Asus, Netgear, TP-Link, D-Link, Cisco, Zyxel, Belkin have been present on the market for a long time and have proven themselves well. This set is quite enough to choose something worthwhile for yourself.
  11. Availability of Russian interface. When purchasing, be sure to check whether the software and admin panel have Russian language. This will help avoid a lot of problems when self-configuration router.
  12. Availability of firmware on the official website and when the latest one was released. Also, before you finally choose wifi router, make sure that there is a description of this model on the manufacturer’s website and you can download official firmware. The same model can differ radically in support various devices and functions depending on the firmware version installed on it. Therefore, pay attention to when it was produced Last update. If software for the router comes out regularly, then you will not have problems updating it and keeping it up to date.

Consultants in hardware stores can rarely give sensible advice, and often simply sell the most expensive models, which do not always cope with their tasks.

In order not to overpay for a brand and unnecessary characteristics, you need to have at least a minimal understanding of what the operation of the device depends on. Therefore, today we’ll talk about which router is better to buy depending on your needs.

What do you need to ask your provider?

Some characteristics strictly depend on your Internet service provider and the features of your tariff.

First of all, call your provider and find out what type of WAN port they use. WAN is a connector to which the cable routed into the apartment is directly connected. There are only 3 types of connection:

  • via a telephone line (for this you need a router with a port or VDSL);
  • special Internet channel (Ethernet/FTTB);
  • over a modern fiber optic network (CPON, CEPON, PON).

There are also 3G routers on the market - they are specially adapted to work with mobile internet. If your budget allows, you can take a universal router that supports several formats (for example, Ethernet+DSL or Ethernet+3G).

The second point is speed. Which one should I buy to make the Internet work faster? First, check what tariffs the provider itself offers and figure out what suits you. Based on this, we will choose a model with suitable characteristics.

IN technical specifications Routers always indicate the maximum data transfer speed. Remember: this number shows only the theoretical capabilities of the device, without taking into account interference and distance. In reality, the Internet will work 2.5-3 times slower.

The signal speed depends on the standard that the WiFi router supports:

  • 802.11ac is the most modern option, theoretically capable of delivering up to 1.3 Gbit/s;
  • 802.11n - most common, provides speeds up to 600 Mbit/s;
  • 802.11g is a legacy standard that limits connections to 54 Mbps.

However, don't rush to buy the latest fancy router. After all, the capabilities of your technology also matter. The vast majority of gadgets now work with 802.11n, and therefore simply will not be able to process a faster signal.

Main characteristics

Let's move on to the parameters that no longer depend on the provider, but on your personal preferences and needs. It is impossible to say which Wi-Fi router is best to buy if you do not take into account how and for what the device will be used. What should you pay attention to?

Number of LAN ports

Typically, stationary equipment that needs a stable Internet connection (computers, TVs, consoles, etc.) is connected to the router via a cable. This ensures maximum speed that is unaffected by interference and distance.

Most standard routers have 4 LAN connectors. But if you have a lot of equipment, it makes sense to choose a model with additional ports. For example, ASUS RT-AC88U and TP-LINK TL-R860 allow you to connect up to 8 devices, and the new MikroTik RB2011UiAS-IN - up to 10.

Pay attention to the type of LAN ports. Fast Ethernet connectors are rated at 100 Mbps, and Gigabit Ethernet provides data transfer at speeds up to 1 Gbps.

frequency range

Another important characteristic. WiFi routers can operate at a frequency of 2.4 or 5 GHz. More modern models support both channels, and can distribute data between bands.

What to consider? First, what equipment will be connected to the router:

  • 2.4 GHz is optimal for smartphones, tablets and office equipment;
  • 5 GHz provides a faster and more stable connection, so it is recommended for devices that work with heavier content - TVs, set-top boxes, etc.

Please note that not all gadgets can receive a signal at a frequency of 5 GHz. But if there are many routers around your apartment that can interrupt the signal, this channel is preferable. Switching to a higher frequency will increase data transfer speeds, but will slightly reduce the wireless network coverage range.

Transmitter power

Buyers rarely pay attention to this parameter, but it is much more important than the theoretical maximum speed.

In budget models, the power rarely exceeds 17 dBm. This means that the device’s signal can “break through” a maximum of two walls. But not everything is so simple: in almost all countries there are legal restrictions on the maximum permissible power. The upper threshold for the 2.4 GHz frequency is considered to be 20 dBm - these are the models you should choose from if you have a spacious apartment.

Radius of action

Often the distance covered by the network is written on the box and in the technical documentation. The radius indoors and outdoors is indicated separately. But if we talk about which WiFi router is better to buy, then this indicator is very relative. A couple of thick reinforced concrete walls “kill” the signal of even the most powerful routers. 70% of everything depends not on the device itself, but on the room.

Type and number of antennas

A common mistake buyers make is to think that the energy from multiple antennas will add up. But if there are three of them, this does not mean that the network will operate 3 times further or “break through” more walls. This can only make the connection more stable and the coverage even.

But what should you pay attention to? First of all, antennas - built-in or external. As practice has shown, in a city apartment the difference between them is almost invisible. But if we are talking about a large room, it is advisable to choose a model with external antennas. This will provide a more stable coating, and if necessary, you can replace them with more powerful ones.

In many ways, the quality of an antenna's performance depends on what chip it uses. Therefore, another parameter that is worth looking at is the gain. To increase the range and quality of the signal, several types of antennas can be used:

  • standard - gain up to 2 dBi;
  • omnidirectional (9 dBi);
  • panel (19 dBi);
  • parabolic (24 dBi).

Which router is better to buy? There are models on sale with the number of antennas from 1 to 4. For a one-story house or city apartment, a router with 2-3 antennas with a gain of about 5 dBi is optimal. It is advisable to place the antennas vertically or at a slight angle to each other.

Availability of USB

Models with one or more USB ports are more expensive, but open up a lot for the user additional features. By connecting a storage device to your WiFi router, you can create a shared data storage to which all devices on the network can connect. In addition, if the cable Internet stops working, you can access the network using

Additional "chips"

Many manufacturers produce routers that, in addition to their main function - “distributing” the Internet - have other useful functions.

This is very important if you often work in different places, including outside the city. The built-in 3G modem allows you to connect to the Internet through the networks of cellular operators.

You can also find specialized routers on sale. Let's briefly talk about which mobile router is best to buy.

The most practical option is multi-standard models that can work with any operator. To select a different network, just change the SIM card or switch through the device’s web interface.

Pay attention to which standards the router supports. EVDO Rev.B can deliver up to 14.7 Mbps, while UMTS/HSDPA are considered faster and are capable of speeds up to 42 Mbps.

If the router will be used in places with weak signal levels (for example, in rural areas), it is recommended to choose a device with the ability to connect its own antenna.

Among the popular models are the routers Pantech MHS291L, Novatei MiFi 6620L Rev.B, ZTE AC30.

Which router is better to buy? In 2014, there was a real “boom” - people began to switch en masse from regular cable to IPTV. Digital television provides much more high quality sound and image. At the same time, you can watch any channels from all over the world, as well as use additional functions such as rewinding and recording a program.

Multiple access points

A useful feature is the ability to use one router to create not one, but several wireless networks. This is primarily relevant for offices and retail premises, when there is a need to divide traffic between employees and visitors. For example, you can restrict clients' access to various network equipment(computers, servers, etc.).

Torrent client

If you often download movies from high quality, games and other content, it makes sense to choose a WiFi router with a built-in torrent client. In this case, the router will be able to background download the necessary files to the connected drive instead of loading the computer or laptop itself.