Your router serves as the binding agent for your home automation system. Your devices’ wireless internet connectivity is managed by a Wi-Fi router. The best option is without a doubt to have an internet connection with optimized online streams. But you’ll need a router that matches your pace and has everything you need if you want to connect all of your devices to the internet. Without a doubt, picking the ideal router will enable you to connect to the Internet, stream films, and uninterruptedly browse the web.
Top 5 things you need to know before buying the best Wi-Fi router for your home
Need to install Wi-Fi in your home, which also doubles up as an office space, but unsure of what to consider before buying? Do not worry, as we have listed the top 5 features to look for in a Wi-Fi router for your home.
1. Wi-Fi Band
Wireless routers operate on the 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency bands. Your home has several devices using the 2.4GHz band, which makes it more prone to congestion and interference. The quicker connection is often found in the more recent 5GHz spectrum, which is less congested. Both 2.4GHz and 5GHz are available on a dual-band router, which frequently uses both bands at once.
It’s really easy to decide between a single-band and dual-band router. A dual-band router is preferable if you reside in a crowded neighborhood or a densely populated area. A single-band router will work if you don’t need better wireless speeds and don’t have any neighbors close by whose wireless network can clash with yours.
2. Range
Your router’s placement must be extremely important. It should be in the center, far from other devices and obstacles, and ideally up high on a shelf. Despite this, you may encounter dead zones in your house where the wireless signal simply cannot penetrate despite an excellent Wi-Fi router setup. Although purchasing a more expensive router may increase your wireless range and help you maximize your coverage, neither of these actions guarantees that the signal will reach your basement or the farthest corner of your home.
Most of the time, purchasing a cheaper router and a few power-line adapters will work better than just about anything. The electrical wiring in your walls can be extended by using power-line adapters. They’re reasonably priced and fantastic for extending your network to inaccessible areas of your home. Just keep in mind that not all power-line adapters are created equal, so be aware of their speed restrictions.
3. Speed
You should choose a router that gives a prominent speed than those promised by your internet subscription. With more people and devices connecting simultaneously, you have the best chance of getting the fastest Wi-Fi connections possible. Additionally, it makes sure the high-speed router you paid for won’t be wasted. However, keep in mind that the majority of routers promise a combination of 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz speeds. This combined speed is a little misleading because the majority of devices don’t use both Wi-Fi bands simultaneously. Therefore, make sure to check the highest speed that your router’s 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies can support.
Additionally, keep in mind that because wireless signals must pass through solid objects like walls, floors, and furniture as well as the air, they are prone to slowing down. So, if you want to play games at the fastest possible speeds, connect to your router using an Ethernet cable.
4. Security
If you have kids, you should look for a router with a cloud-based firewall, antivirus, and parental controls. They provide protection against hacking and malware using cloud-based databases. Additionally, all you need to do is activate their security features. Turn the router on, select the fundamental rules you want to use, and then leave it to run automatically without further input from you. Due to the lack of crucial features like parental controls, firewall protection, and antivirus software, you might not want an entry-level router.
5. USB port & VPN
The majority of users merely want a straightforward setup procedure, decent hardware, and firmware in their routers; they don’t need advanced functionality. Meanwhile, some users expect more from their Wi-Fi routers. They might want to use their router to connect an external hard drive to create a NAS (Network Attached Storage) where they can store various internet-downloaded files or a media streaming service for their home network. Avoid purchasing a router with a USB 2.0 port if you wish to accomplish the same thing because it is too slow. Choose the USB 3.0 ports, which are available on routers from mid-range to premium models.
Some people wish to use their router as a VPN server so they can access their home network when they are away. Unfortunately, even though most routers support VPN servers, this capability consumes a lot of hardware resources. Buy a router with strong hardware if you require more advanced functionality.
For the modern digital life, we are all living, a Wi-Fi router for the home is a need. And while it used to be unimportant what router we have at home, that is no longer the case. So long as you remember these 5 points, you’ll have one of the greatest Wi-Fi routers in 2023 and you won’t have to worry about it for a long time.
