In this respect, home WiFi routers are the same as a home computer – the more powerful the processor and the larger the amount of RAM, the greater the load the device will pull. For example, if you have a data plan with the speed up to 100 Mbit / s, then you can't really squeeze this speed through PPPoE or L2TP routers in the price category of up to 1000 rubles. Well, with a very rare exception. Therefore, if your goal is to download as much as possible and as fast as possible – buy a device with more powerful hardware.
How to Choose the Right WiFi Router
Choosing a WiFi router for your home is a process that many broadband users tend to approach quite rashly for some reason. Often, the main selection criterion is the price: the cheaper, the better – the most important is that it works. But the fact – how WiFi router will then work and how many kind words (or not) then have to say in the direction of its manufacturers – unfortunately not everyone thinks. And in vain. I will help you to make the right conclusions and choose the best-performing WiFi router for the best money.
In advance, I want to warn you that all my tips are based on many years of experience with network equipment. Of course, by reading various forums, blogs and reviews, you may come across facts that are somewhat opposite to those given in the article. But I don't claim to be right – I just want to share my experience with you and hope it will be useful.
Let's start with a little theoretical digression. Let's take a closer look at what a WiFi router is and what it's good for.
An ordinary home wireless router, or, as it is commonly called, a WiFi router, is a device whose function is, in a nutshell, to connect to the provider's network and "distribute" the Internet to the devices connected to it. Inside, in a compact case there is a whole minicomputer, equal in power to the personal computers of about 8-10 years ago. It also has a processor and memory – RAM and permanent FLASH. The WiFi router must have at least 1 WAN-port, which will be connected to the cable provider. Depending on the technology, the WAN port can be a telephone cable, Ethernet twisted-pair or optical cable (PON, GPON, etc.). An example is the ASUS WL-330N WiFi router:
But it's kind of a mini-variant. In the usual layout, the WiFi router has 1 WAN port (to connect the ISP cable) and 4 LAN ports (to connect computers, set-top boxes, SMART TVs, etc. at home).
Before you choose a WiFi router
Before you start choosing a WiFi router for your home – determine for yourself its goals and objectives, that is, what you want the device to get. This will directly affect how much you have to pay for it. It is one thing when you choose a budget economy-class device just to browse the Internet and social networks from your computer or phone. It's quite another thing when you need a productive and reliable home network and the main goal is to get the most out of your router. Here you will have constant downloads from file exchange and torrents, organization of home media server or network storage, connection of digital TV IPTV and other interactive services. In the first case you are well within the 1000 rubles, in the second – may not be enough and 5000 rubles.
Let's look at the basic criteria for choosing a wireless router. I have as many as 7.
1. Price of the router
The price range of home Wi-Fi devices is very large, prices start from 600 rubles. Most of them are Chinese devices like Netis, Mercusys and Tenda. In my opinion, it is not worth looking at these devices – weak components, weak functionality and weak WiFi.
Next, from 1000 to 1500 rubles are routers of the "cheap and easy" level. Their functionality corresponds to their price. Among them are best sellers D-Link DIR-300A, TP-Link TL-WR841N, ASUS RT-N11P. They are suitable for the unpretentious user who likes to sit in classmates, play tanks and chat with the phone on Viber'u.
Normal in functionality and features router model can be purchased at a price of 2000 rubles. In this category, you can choose a dual-band device, which will cover most of the apartment or private house with a wireless network and will work with any major Russian provider without any problems. Here you can also choose a good gigabit router for your home.
I would not recommend buying a WiFi router for more than 8,000 rubles, either, because I think it is a waste of money. You should buy such a WiFi router for your home only if you are either a fan of digital technology, living by the principle of "faster, higher, stronger", or you really want to stand out among your friends in such an exotic way, or if you simply have nowhere to spend your money. Other motives I do not see.
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