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What is a wifi router for home. Rating of routers for a house or apartment. Protective functions of the router

Today, without the Internet, nowhere, everywhere you already have 3G or 4G in your mobile, but it is not yet fast enough to download games or watch movies in good quality. Home Internet comes to the rescue with a Wi-Fi router that distributes the Internet to the entire house or apartment. That's just the choice of routers has become huge from inexpensive to powerful and expensive, so we decided to make a rating of the best Wi-Fi routers in 2019.

The best Wi-Fi routers for an apartment

At home, the dynamic range of the receiver is not so important. For a small one or two-room apartment, a 2.4 GHz router will be enough. Such devices are much cheaper than 5 GHz models, and their power is more than enough to cover the area of a small apartment.

Budget router with data transfer speed up to 300 Mb / s. Despite the apparent simplicity, the device perfectly manifests itself at home. Its power is quite enough for everyday tasks. The model has a button responsible for quickly setting up network protection, and it is possible to change the channel width. The router works stably, the Internet connection is almost never interrupted. It operates using the 802.1Q TAG VLAN protocol. Only non-removable antennas can upset.

Pros:

Modest dimensions;
Price.

Minuses:

Antennas are non-separable.

The presented model can also be called inexpensive and affordable. This router has almost no drawbacks, because it has an attractive appearance and is easy to use. It has a high antenna gain, which positively affects the connection speed. Wi-Fi is transmitted according to the 802.11N standard, and a powerful processor, coupled with 64 MB of RAM, allows you to enjoy high data download speeds even in a large apartment. In addition, the router is well protected from hacking, and its disadvantage is the lack of a standard plug.

Pros:

Stylish design;
Easy setup;
Low cost;

Minuses:

There is no European plug.

A model that can simultaneously operate both at a frequency of 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. There is support for 802.11 a / b / g / n / ac standards, and the data transfer rate reaches 430 Mb / s. All thanks to a fast processor coupled with 64 MB of RAM. This compact router, among other things, has five LAN ports (unfortunately, none of the gigabit) and one USB output. That is, you can connect even a wired way a large number of devices. Plus, the operating system of the router allows you to forcibly limit the speed and block access to certain sites, which will certainly come in handy for parents.

Pros:

Beautiful design in a compact body;
Fast connection;
High build quality;

Minuses:

There are no gigabit ports.

This small router is capable of overclocking the Internet in the house up to 867 Mb / s. It supports two frequency ranges at once, and setting up the device will not take much time. The router is easy to manage, so anyone can handle it. Plus, you can connect an external drive to it, thanks to which the device plays the role of an FTP server. With all the indicated advantages, the lack of a power button is surprising, but over time you can get used to it.

Pros:

1 GB ports;
Easy to handle;
Works in two ranges;
High connection speed;

Minuses:

The power button is missing.

Xiaomi Mi WiFi Router 4

Here is the best Wi-Fi router for an apartment in 2019. Yes, it costs about a little more than 2,500 rubles, but it offers wide customization options and high connection speeds. You can connect several devices to the router at the same time that need an Internet connection. You won’t have to configure the router for a long time, since any action with it takes place instantly, thanks to an advanced operating system. So the power and almost unlimited connection speed in the apartment will be guaranteed.

Pros:

Interesting design;
Easy to set up;
Powerful processor;
Convenient operating system;

Minuses:

Higher cost compared to competitors.

The best Wi-Fi routers for home

Apartments are usually small. In turn, a private house has a much more impressive space. Therefore, for such premises, a really powerful Wi-Fi router is needed for high-speed Internet connection. Below are the best router models for 2019 that are ideal for this task.

An extremely futuristic router in terms of design supports work with different protocols. It operates on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. In the second case, the connection speed reaches 867 Mb / s. The transmit and receive amplifier ensures the high performance of the router, thanks to which it works flawlessly. The router also has a good security system. With its help, all personal data will remain safe. The only thing that can disappoint is the lack of a connection indicator.

Pros:

Unique design;
Easy setup;
Good connection speed;

Minuses:

There is no network connection indicator.

You can not get around a good router from Xiaomi. The presented router is used both in private homes and in offices. It has 4 antennas that direct the signal over long distances. The cores of the built-in processor operate at a frequency of up to 880 MHz, so the stability of operation does not raise any questions. In addition, the connection speed with this router reaches 1700 Mbps when using the 5 GHz band. So the cost of the device is fully justified, although you will have to try hard to set it up, since the instructions are presented only in Chinese.

Pros:

Stable work;
Powerful processor;
Incredible data transfer speed;
Decent signal reception range;

Minuses:

The instruction is in Chinese only.

Another router from D-link with an attractive design. The router, as expected, provides a good data transfer rate. It runs on a 2-core processor and has a large number of USB 3.0 and SFP ports. High connection speed is provided by four communication amplifiers and antennas directed in different directions. The router can be controlled directly from the smartphone screen, and parental control is provided for a large family. True, this router model is very massive, so you have to carefully find a place for it.

Pros:

A large number of ports and connectors;
Excellent connection speed;
Convenient control with a smartphone;
Parental control function;

Minuses:

Impressive dimensions.

An incredibly stylish device that does not look like a router in the usual sense. The router has a laconic design that can complement any interior. The connection speed is at a low level, but the connection status can be assessed by referring to the indicators on the front panel. The router simultaneously works with dozens of devices within a radius of 15 meters. Its important feature is the presence of a slot for microSD cards, as well as a reliable housing design that guarantees a long service life.

Pros:

Stylish body design;
Good build;
Convenient management;
MicroSD card slot;

Minuses:

Not the highest speed.

Picking up a router from Asus, you can be sure of the use of advanced technologies and unique design. What about speed? It develops up to 1267 Mbps, which allows you to comfortably surf the web on a large number of devices at the same time. The router runs on a 2-core MediaTek chip clocked at up to 880MHz. This guarantees high performance as well as stable operation. The router is equipped with various ports and connectors, and the main disadvantage is the high cost.

Pros:

Cool design;
Powerful processor;
Stable work;
High connection speed;

Minuses:

Price.

What to look for when buying?

There are a wide variety of different Wi-Fi routers on store shelves today, and it is important to pay attention to some points when choosing a device, which will be discussed below.

Questions to the provider. If the provider did not provide you with his device, you need to find out the type of LAN connector that he uses to distribute the Internet, as well as the connection protocol, and in the future look for a Wi-Fi router with the same parameters.
Transfer rate. If the provider's service package includes a data transfer rate of more than 100 Mbps, it is necessary to select a router with Gigabit Ethernet LAN connectors that support 1 Gbps. For Internet speeds less than this, you can get by with a device with Fast Ethernet ports operating at speeds up to 100 Mbps.
Frequency range- if you intend to use several wireless gadgets, download large amounts of information, play online games and watch high-definition streaming video - you need to choose a Wi-Fi router with two frequency bands and multiple antennas, operating on the IEEE 802.11 ac wireless LAN standard - and for working with documents, Internet surfing and communication in social. networks, a model with a single antenna supporting an 802.11 n class LAN is sufficient.
Wi-Fi range in the instructions does not match the real one, since it is prescribed for ideal conditions. There are a lot of walls in any room, and the signal level drops significantly because of this, so the 100 meters of Wi-Fi coverage diameter indicated in the specifications may actually be no more than 20 meters. Do not buy a router with an antenna hidden inside the case - such devices distribute Wi-Fi weaker.
Number of antennas directly affects the speed of the local network devices. If the router has only one antenna, it is forced to divide its power between receiving and transmitting data, and two antennas already distribute information flows among themselves: one antenna works for transmission, and the second for reception. The maximum number of antennas in a Wi-Fi router is 6, respectively, the quality of Wi-Fi distribution in this model is very high. And yet, if the antennas of the router are removable, you can install more powerful or directional antennas instead.
USB ports in a Wi-Fi router, they make it possible to connect a flash drive, a hard drive, a printer and a 3G / 4G modem to it to secure the Internet - if this is provided for by the functionality of the model.
WEB interface in the router will allow you to quickly configure it thanks to a program that looks like a website.
Upgradability of WEB-firmware allows in each new version of the operating system of the Wi-Fi router to correct shortcomings, improving its performance, and it is good if these updates occur regularly.

Which router is better to choose?

Before buying a router, you should carefully assess the situation and understand how much money you are willing to spend. Therefore, we decided to help you and simplify the choice to several models that, in our expert opinion, are the best.

What are the routers and which one to choose so that it provides a good signal? This is the first thing to think about if you are seriously thinking about setting up a wireless network in your home and having WiFi work stably throughout the house. In this article, we will 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 in order to ensure a good signal and great coverage.

What are the routers - choosing the best

We have already dealt with the issue in another article. However, many are faced with difficulties that 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 pick up a good router at an affordable price to create a high-quality Wi-Fi network at home.

You ask me what is the best router to choose in 2020? Whether you want to build a large, busy WLAN in your home or not, I'll tell you this - for versatile tasks with a reserve for the future.

First, it must be dual-band and support operation at 2.4 and 5 GHz. Band 2.4 today is already very overloaded, which can cause frequent network breaks and dips in connection speed

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 today it is not necessary, then tomorrow you will buy yourself a TV and want to watch movies stored in network storage without wires. Or you will need to organize Wi-Fi outside the city, where the Internet can only be accessed using a mobile modem.

Finally, it should have at least three, and preferably four external WiFi antennas - believe me, you should not save on stability and speed if you want to save your nerves.

Buying the first available model is highly discouraged. 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 the most and only then make the final decision. I think it makes no sense to recommend 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 providing a good signal. Based on this knowledge, you will already be able to choose what is more suitable for the price, appearance and reviews of other users.

Which router company is better to choose for a house or apartment in order to have a good signal?

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

Although I myself have been using TP-Link as my main one for a long time. This manufacturer is the most massively represented in our country, but the model range is very different in performance and quality. It is better for poets to look towards more expensive ones.

Asus and Trendnet are clearly overpriced, while the quality of the latter is mediocre.

If you choose a router for yourself 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.

I will allow myself one, reliable, like a tank, advice

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

At the same time, remember also that the price is often cheated for 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 too popular brand, which in the end will cost less than with the same characteristics, but more popular.

Choosing a router by type of Internet connection

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 to connect more devices to the Internet than one computer, to which the provider's cable goes according to the standard, but also so 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 wireless adapters for all stationary PCs in advance.

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

What else to look for when choosing a router for a large coverage?

But back 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 the following characteristics:

Filling. Decide what exactly you need to use, and depending on this, select a model according to what functionality it has. The main ones are:
- various operating modes you may need (access point, bridge, repeater, client)
- availability with support for printers, cameras and 3g modems
- support for ADSL connections via telephone wire
The presence of an external antenna. Its power is measured in decibels (dBi). The larger the number and the more of these antennas, the stronger the signal and coverage radius. In addition, if the antenna is removable, then you can later purchase a more powerful one.
IPv6. Support for the modern TCP IPv6 data transfer protocol will also be a plus. Today, IPv4 is the most used, but it is limited to 32 bits of IP addresses, while the new one already supports up to 128 bits. That is, this is already if you choose a model with a backlog for the future development of network technologies.
Network security protocol. When choosing a router, pay attention that the model supports modern reliable data transfers - WPA and WPA2. The vast majority of routers on the market today support them.
Specifications. For stable and fast work, the router must have at least 32 mb of RAM, and it is advisable to take the processor with a frequency of at least 240MHz, and preferably more than 580 megahertz. 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 them on the Internet - by the way, lately nested user manuals are much more concise than those distributed via the Internet.
router class. If you have a modern computer or laptop, then you should choose a router that works in or "N" and supports a maximum data transfer rate of up to 700 / 300 Mbps, respectively. The previous generation "G" only worked at speeds up to 54 Mbps. In principle, this will be enough for most of today's tariff plans, but technology is developing very quickly, so again, if you think about the future, it is more reasonable to take it to the maximum, especially since a price difference of several hundred rubles will not save.
Operating frequency. Most inexpensive models operate at a frequency of 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. For maximum performance, choose a dual-band router with support as well - now such devices are not yet very common, so you will get a “non-cluttered” radio air and, as a result, a more stable signal.
Connection protocol. To connect to the Internet, modern providers use various data transfer protocols that differ from each other. Look at your connection agreement, which indicates the type of protocol, and make sure the router supports it.
Price. Since we are talking about the price, we must keep in mind that when thinking about which wifi router to choose for the home in 2019, we 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 may be unreasonably high purely because of the brand's fame.
Manufacturer. Of course, it is better to take a device of a well-known brand. Companies such as Asus, Netgear, TP-Link, D-Link, Cisco, Zyxel, Belkin have been on the market for a long time and have proven themselves well. This set is enough to choose something worthwhile.
The presence of the Russian interface. When buying, be sure to check if the software and the admin panel have Russian. This will help to avoid a lot of problems when setting up the router yourself.
Availability of firmware on the official website and when the last one was released. Also, before you finally choose a wifi router, make sure that the manufacturer's website has a description of this model and you can download the official firmware. The same model can radically differ from each other in support of various devices and functions, depending on the firmware version installed on it. Therefore, pay attention to when the last update was made. If the software for the router is released regularly, then you will not have problems updating and keeping it up to date.

If you are 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 Internet connection throughout the house or apartment.

So, which one is preferable to choose a WiFi router for your house or apartment, mobile or stationary? When choosing a good quality Wi-Fi router for our home, we inevitably face 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 not recommended to choose a Wi-Fi router at random without consulting a specialist. If this is not possible, then it is better to take a few minutes of your time to get acquainted with the available devices. It is important to study the full characteristics of the models you liked for the 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 occurring 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 functionality. The access point is actually a cable extension that emits a radio signal. The signal is simply transmitted from the cable to the connected device, i.e. the computer. This is how you provide a wireless connection to the Internet. The use of a dot implies certain settings for the tcp/ip protocol. The parameters are provided by the provider. The difficulty lies in the fact that it will not be easy to connect even two computers. In particular, you will need to obtain an additional IP address.

As for the home Wi-Fi router, it is better because the access point is already in its design. It allows you to create a complete 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 disadvantage that is worth noting with a separate access point is problems with protection against 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 against network attacks and other threats.

Another point is the range of Wi-Fi. The range 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 has only one Ethernet port, while 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 give a signal about the operation of a particular port. LAN ports are designed to distribute the signal between clients of the created local network. For this, twisted pair is used.

Access point manufacturers set the factory settings so that the DHCP server is disabled. That is why a static IP address is required. During the initial settings, it is necessary to clarify the connection protocol that the provider sets. At access points, the possibilities of using various protocols are 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. With this feature, you can connect multiple clients at once.

To better choose a router, it is important to understand exactly how it can work. In total there are several modes of operation:

access point;
bridge;
repeater;
client.

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

Differences between modes

Which mode works?

Work in client mode is available only 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 over a radio channel. Using a cable, desktop computers can be connected to the radio network.

Bridge mode allows you to connect two segments of a standard Ethernet network that are far from each other to 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, much more secure from outside connections. It should also be noted that the network performance is excellent.

Quite often there is a need to expand the coverage area of the router. Therefore, the functions of the router include the ability to work 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 correctly position the routers.

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

The main parameters of the router that affect its functionality

The main thing you need to pay attention to when buying a device for your home is the following factors:

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

The filling provides the functionality of the device. If you need the router to work in different modes (as we wrote about above), then the filling and configuration will be of paramount importance. Pay attention to the presence of a USB port, which will determine the ability to support 3G modems, cameras, 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 the highest dBi value.

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

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

The most important characteristics that you need to pay attention to include: RAM, processor frequency, amount of flash memory.

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

The router class is of paramount importance. Modern routers must operate in both 802.11ac and 802.11n modes. Only devices that support these modes are able to operate at maximum speed.

A complete wireless network is capable of operating at a frequency of 2.4 GHz. But the best option is the frequency of the 5 GHz router. It is worth choosing a dual-band router that provides much better performance.

Modern providers use different data transfer protocols. It is very important to make sure 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. Also, the price depends on the chosen brand. A well-known brand will cost more, but the price will work out.

But, despite the cost, the best option would be to purchase a popular brand router. Manufacturers provide reliable guarantees, and the reputation of the brand 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 make sure that the latest firmware version is installed on the router. You can verify this by looking at the date of the last update, which will indicate how often the manufacturer releases software.

Studying reviews

Many of us are faced with the problem of choosing a router for the first time. One way to make the right choice is to look at user reviews on thematic forums. Quite a significant part of the posted information, unfortunately, is not reliable. But you will definitely get a general idea of \u200b\u200bthe problem and you will be able to make a better and more correct choice.

What can modern man not live without? Without water, food and ... the Internet. Having access to the World Wide Web, we search for the necessary information in it, work, relax, communicate, study, and open up new opportunities. And in order not to be tied to a specific place in the house or office where there is an Internet connection cable, you need to use a Wi-Fi router.

Manufacturers offer different models, including with design. But the router must be reliable! This is the only way to ensure uninterrupted and constant access to the Internet. Therefore, in order to simplify your life in the future, you need to choose the best Wi-Fi router available in stores today. And we will help you with this.

Top 10 Routers of 2018

Name	WiFi frequency	WAN speed	LAN Port Speed	LAN ports	USB ports	Price
	802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4/5 GHz)	1167 Mbps	100 Mbps	2	1	Check Price
T	802.11n (2.4GHz)	300 Mbps	—	—	—	Check Price
	802.11n (2.4/5 GHz)	300 Mbps	1000 Mbps	4	2	Check Price
Budget models
	802.11n (2.4GHz)	300 Mbps	100 Mbps	4	—	Check Price
	802.11n	150 Mbps	100 Mbps	4	—	Check Price
	802.11n (2.4GHz)	300 Mbps	100 Mbps	4	—	Check Price
	802.11n (2.4GHz)	300 Mbps	100 Mbps	3	—	Check Price
	802.11n (2.4 GHz)	150 Mbps	100 Mbps	4	—	Check Price

When choosing these models, we relied on various criteria:

recommendations of users in online stores, on review sites;
prices;
options;
functionality;
common sense (so that the purchase is really useful).

Why are there no expensive models on our list?

We do not consider this to be a luxury, since such routers have a wide range of functions. But the average user will not overpay for the appearance or options that they do not use.

How to choose?

To advise, you need to understand how an ordinary person answers the question: “How to choose a router?”. To do this, it is enough to read user reviews on the device that is installed in their home. That is exactly what we did.

Most of the users named the stability of the device as the main criterion. Regardless of the requirements or operating conditions, this characteristic was the main one. An equally important parameter is the data transfer rate. This is another criterion that was emphasized in the reviews.

We also believe that ease of equipment setup is also important. Especially for the fair sex, who often have to choose and operate equipment on their own. In the end, sometimes it turns out something like this 🙂

To confirm the results obtained, we conducted a small survey. It was attended by users of social networks and visitors to our site. In total, about 150 people were interviewed. They were asked one question: “The most important parameters of a Wi-Fi router” and several answers:

data transfer rate (36.6%);
stability (41.6%);
safety (9.2%);
transmitted frequency range (1.8%);
ease of setup (2.5%);
price (3.3%);
I do not pay attention to the criteria (5%).

As a result, as we expected, stability and data transfer speed are the main criteria when choosing a Wi-Fi router.

Characteristics

At the same time, there are a few more important characteristics that you need to pay attention to when choosing a Wi-Fi router.

Transfer rate

Not the most important parameter, because theoretically even budget options have a data transfer rate of up to 150 Mbps over a Wi-Fi channel. It all depends on what speed your provider provides. With an Internet of 20-50 Mbps, buying a router with information transfer rates at a speed of 300-1300 Mbps does not make sense.

The most common standard today is 2.4 GHz. But due to the fact that it is heavily overloaded, this negatively affects the quality of the Wi-Fi signal. The 5 GHz frequency standard is less popular, but not all models support it. Devices of the middle and high price segment simultaneously operate at frequencies of 2.4 and 5 GHz.

Number of antennas

There are models with internal and external antennas. The number of antennas does not increase the range of the Wi-Fi signal, but affects its stability. The best option today is routers with two external antennas.

Work stability

This indicator is affected by the software of the router and the number of antennas. The firmware of the device must be constantly updated, so it is better to buy devices from well-known and trusted manufacturers that provide technical support for the released equipment even after several years.

Wi-Fi network protection

Most models use the following safety standards:

WEP (minimum security);
WPA (encryption key length up to 128 bits - TKIP technology);
WPA2 (up to 256-bit encryption keys - AES technology) is the most secure standard.

The best models for the home

Important! Choosing a router for a house and an apartment is no different, because modern buildings have the same structural characteristics and are made from the same materials. Therefore, all the models presented in this list are perfect for use in the house and apartment.

The choice of a Wi-Fi router for the home is different in each case, because the user proceeds from his preferences, considerations and requirements. The devices that are presented below, in our opinion, are the best choice in terms of quality / stability / price.

Xiaomi Mi WiFi Mini

The best choice!

The best solution in terms of price / quality / performance ratio. A model that supports the 802.11a/b/g/n/ac data transfer standard at speeds up to 1167 Mbps, which is a nice addition. The manufacturer offers two firmware options: standard and for developers (it has a larger set of functions and access to the router console via ssh). But in both cases, it is presented in Chinese.

The USB port is used to connect an external hard drive. To manage it, a minimal set of options is intended. But the user, using the built-in utilities for the router, can autonomously download files to an external drive by clicking on the links to them.

If you have problems accessing the Internet, you can use the standard connection diagnostic utility.

Advantages

design;
affordable cost;
WAN speed 1167 Mbps;
the ability to connect an external drive;
a large set of settings and features in the firmware.

Flaws

instructions and interface in Chinese;
two LAN ports;
speed of LAN ports is 100 Mbps.

TP-LINK TL-WA901ND

No less good acquisition will be the Tp-Link TL-WA901ND model. Its main feature is support for the PoE standard, with which the router can be powered via an Ethernet cable. To do this, a special adapter is supplied with the device.

The advantages of the device include three removable antennas, which increase the stability of the device with a signal propagation range in open areas - up to 270 meters.

The main disadvantage of the TP-LINK TL-WA901ND model is the lack of LAN ports for connecting computers and laptops. In addition, as users note, it periodically freezes, which is why the router has to be rebooted.

Advantages

design;
three detachable antennas;
ease of setup;
the range of the Wi-Fi network;
PoE technology.

Flaws

lack of LAN ports;
hangups.

ASUS RT-N56U

At first glance, the model catches the eye, because it is made in the original case. At the same time, support for two frequency bands (2.4 and 5 GHz) allows it to work stably even in homes with a lot of interference in the absence of external antennas. The data transfer rate via LAN ports is up to 1 Gbps, which is very convenient in modern conditions.

The presence of two USB ports increases the functionality of the model, as they allow you to connect an external drive. But the data transfer rate on the HDD is at the level of 14-16 and 10-12 MB / s when reading and writing, so it will be problematic to use it to work with large files.

The lack of PoE technology limits the mobility of the device, but with such a large functionality, the router needs an uninterrupted and powerful power supply.

Advantages

design;
LAN speed 1000 Mbps;
WAN speed 300 Mbps;
two USB ports;
ease of setup;
great functionality.

Flaws

USB port speed 10-16 MB/s;
It is not recommended to use external drives with a capacity of more than 1 TB.

Top 5 Budget Routers

In this list, we presented budget segment routers, the cost of which will please any buyer, but they proved to be good in use, working stably, reliably and without any complaints from users.

TP-LINK TL-WR841N

Budget models of routers are devoid of any frills, so it is difficult to talk about their advantages and disadvantages. The main difference between the TP-LINK TL-WR841N model and other low-cost devices is the configuration interface. It is almost the same as the top models and has a clear structure. Therefore, setting up the gadget will not be difficult even for an inexperienced user.

But the limited speed of LAN ports (100 Mbps) and the low data transfer rate over the Wi-Fi network will not allow you to use it to the maximum under heavy loads. And, therefore, it is not suitable for installation in the office.

Advantages

low cost;
simple setup;
clear interface;
compact dimensions.

Flaws

low data transfer rate;
work instability;

D-link DIR-300/A/D1

What immediately catches your eye when examining this router is the speed of data transfer over a wireless network. This should alert any buyer, since today some users have access to the Internet at a speed of 1 Gb / s, for which this model is completely unsuitable. In addition, it has a small range.

But its main advantage is a stylish, modern, interesting design and a WPS button placed on the side, thanks to which it will be convenient and easy to connect any gadget. Therefore, the optimal place of use for this model is the house.

Advantages

low cost;
stylish design

Flaws

low data transfer rate;
limited scope.

Netis WF2419E

The best choice!

Despite the fact that the device is made in China and belongs to the budget price segment, its build quality is very good. In addition, the factory firmware provides a wide functionality of the device, which is not standard for low-cost models. Therefore, it is perfect for use both at home and in the office.

The router provides high-speed data transfer over a wired and wireless network. Given its low cost, this is a huge advantage. In general, the model has proven itself well, as evidenced by a huge number of positive reviews.

Advantages

low cost;
high data transfer rate;
simple setup;
stable work;
functionality.

Flaws

the speed of LAN ports is 100 Mbps (although it is difficult to call this a disadvantage).

Tenda N301

The compact body of the Tenda N301 makes it easy to install almost anywhere in your home or office. If we add to this the ease of network setup, then the device is great for use at home even by inexperienced users.

The inability to wall-mount the model can become an obstacle to use in some cases. But this is not a critical issue. Otherwise, the router is no different from other representatives of the budget segment, operating at a frequency of 2.4 GHz and having a Wi-Fi data transfer rate of up to 300 Mbps.

Advantages

low cost;
ease of setup;
compact body.

Flaws

unstable work;
lack of wall mounting;
weak signal.

ZyXEL Keenetic Start

This model is the younger “brother” of the ZyXEL Keenetic and differs from it in a smaller set of available options. In addition, it is difficult for it to cope with a large number of connected devices, so it is not suitable for use in an office or home where there are a huge number of devices with a Wi-Fi adapter. This is affected by the weak processor used on the model.

Ease of setup will please any user. And the lack of heating and the fact that the router does not “cut” the speed distinguish it from many competitors in its segment. In addition, the affordable price makes ZyXEL Keenetic Start an excellent choice for a small house or one-room apartment.

Advantages

low cost;
ease of setup;
does not overheat.

Flaws

weak processor;
weak signal;
freezes when connecting a large number of devices.

Mobile routers

If you do not have access to wired Internet, you can use mobile Wi-Fi routers that have a slot for connecting a SIM card. It connects to the wireless Internet through a mobile connection, after which it is “distributed” to other devices. Check Price

It should be noted right away that the router only works in 2G / 3G networks, therefore it is limited in data transfer speed. In addition, there is no charger in the kit, but only a USB cable. But, on the other hand, this made it possible to reduce the cost of the model and make it more accessible to the user. In addition, sometimes the lack of an LCD display, which is equipped with the "older" model M5350, adds inconvenience.

The disadvantages also include the lack of a “modem” function when connected to a computer. But this is a router, so it should not work in this mode. Otherwise, the router has good technical characteristics, does not hang, and receives the network well. And if we take into account the compact size, high-quality and not easily soiled body, we can safely say that the device can be carried anywhere in your pocket.

Advantages

compact dimensions;
stable work;
adapter for SIM-cards is supplied.

Flaws

no power adapter;
works in 2G/3G networks;
no LCD display.

conclusions

As a result, we will try to answer the most frequently asked questions. They will help you finally decide which router to choose.

Why buy a router?

For a modern person, a Wi-Fi router is an ordinary device that helps you access the Internet without being tied to a specific place. Given the fact that the mobile device market is growing, while the desktop PC market is shrinking, it will be difficult to do without this device at work or at home in the future.

Should I buy a cheap model?

Some users may say that buying a mid-range or high-end Wi-Fi router is a waste of money. But, having faced on my own experience with cheap models, I made two conclusions.

Firstly, when using them, spend a lot of effort and nerves to achieve stable work.

Secondly, after a while you may need to buy a new router, because the old one will simply stop working for no apparent reason.

Why should I buy exactly those routers that are described in the article?

We do not force you to buy them, but we recommend doing so, because all the models described have proven themselves well. And we repeat once again: each person chooses a Wi-Fi router based on their needs and capabilities.

We tried to take into account all the wishes, preferences and main points that buyers pay attention to. And already on this basis, they presented a list of models that best meet all the requirements.

When you need to connect several devices to the Internet, the question arises: which WiFi router to choose for a house or apartment. There are models from different manufacturers on the market. Sometimes it is very difficult to make the right choice. This article talks about the important characteristics of WiFi routers, and also discusses several of their models.

When choosing a WIFI router, you do not need to rely only on the opinion of sellers. Only a few consultants can know all the necessary parameters of your Internet provider. Sellers, by and large, need to sell at least something. Therefore, they will first offer you what they are interested in.

In support of the above, I will cite a case from life. Some time ago, I needed a WIFI router to connect to the Internet using ADSL technology, i.e. through a telephone line.

To this end, I visited one of the local electronics supermarkets. After going to the right department of goods, a sales assistant approached me and asked if he could help with something. To which I replied: I need a Wi-Fi router and I have such and such a provider that provides access to the Internet via a telephone line.

The seller didn't offer what I needed. He wanted me to buy a router with an RJ-45 WAN port to connect a twisted pair network cable. But I needed a router with an RJ-11 WAN port for an ADSL line. If I agreed to buy what was offered to me in the store, I would throw money away.

Don't want to be in a similar situation? Then read this article carefully. In it, I will try to explain which parameters of the router should be paid attention to and which ones can be ignored. Of course, I will not make a choice for you, which wifi router is better to buy for your home, everyone decides for himself, based on his own criteria.

WiFi router specifications

WIFI router or router is a special device that combines PCs, tablets, smartphones and other gadgets into one wireless network with Internet access.

The following are important criteria for choosing a Wi-Fi router. If you are not careful about the characteristics of the future device, you may have to carry it back to the store and buy another - a suitable router.

Price and brand

Don't buy the cheapest routers. High-quality assembly, good components and reliability in operation have their price. Cheap models are equipped with the appropriate spare parts, which is why they break more often, they have worse reception and less Wi-Fi coverage. However, the rule “the more expensive the better” does not always work. If you can afford it, go for a more expensive router.

Choose Wi-Fi routers of well-known brands that have proven themselves in the market. Do not see nameless firms, no matter how tempting their price is. Today, products are in good demand: Asus, D-Link, TP-Link, Zyxel and Linksys. But even among these manufacturers, individual models have proven themselves in different ways. Therefore, before making a final choice, read reviews about a future purchase, for example, in Yandex Market.

Be wary of the latest updates, they may have bugs associated with underdeveloped software. If any are found, they will be fixed in the next firmware versions. In one of the previous articles, it was said.

WAN port type

The first technical characteristic that you should pay attention to when choosing a WIFI router is the type of WAN port. Today, the following types of connections are widespread:

ADSL - Internet connection via a telephone line, the connector on the router is RJ-11.
Ethernet - network cable or "twisted pair", connector - RJ-45.
USB 3G - 3G modem connection, this type of wireless Internet is offered by mobile operators.
SFP - connects to an optical fiber (fiber) used as a network cable.

The following figure shows what different WAN ports look like.

Be sure to check with your ISP for the required WAN port type. Don't want to depend on one of the technologies? Then buy routers with multiple WAN ports - the second part of the article provides examples of such models.

Protocol support

The second, no less important parameter is protocol support. Be sure to check with your ISP which protocol they use to access . Most often it is:

IPsec
PPPoE

After learning about the supported protocol, find it in the specifications of the selected router. There is none - choose another Wi-Fi router for your home.

Speed and number of LAN ports

Inexpensive routers are usually equipped with 1 or 4 Fast-Ethernet LAN ports operating at 100 Mbps. More expensive routers can be equipped with Gigabit-Ethernet LAN ports - 1 Gbps = 1000 Mbps.

A 4-port LAN Fast-Ethernet switch is sufficient for a typical user. If you are going to transfer hundreds of gigabytes of data between devices over a wire, then look towards Gigabit-Ethernet.

The presence of fast LAN ports will not be superfluous, but this will affect the price of the device. Decide for yourself if you need Gigabit-Ethernet.

Wi-Fi speed and frequency range

Another important point is Wi-Fi support and wireless network speed.

Most new routers have a built-in WiFi module. However, routers without this technology can still be found on the market. No need to buy outdated models without WiFi - this is impractical. Let them go to someone else, but rather be disposed of.

Be sure to check at what speed the router's WiFi network operates. The routers available on the market support the following standards:

802.11g - up to 54 Mbps
802.11n - up to 450 Mbps
802.11ac - up to 1.3Gbps

Buy routers with WiFi 802.11n - up to 450 Mbps - it's better than 802.11g limited to 54 Mbps.

Let's say your Internet speed is 100 Mbps, but you buy a WiFi router with a speed limited by the 802.11g standard - 54 Mbps. In this case, the wireless Internet will be at least twice as slow as it could be.

In a previous article, it was said.

Of course, you can purchase the next 802.11ac standard with wireless data transfer rates up to 1.3 Gb / s - but this will not have the best effect on the price of the device. For many ordinary users, 802.11n (up to 450 Mbps) is enough, and 802.11g (up to 54 Mbps) is not enough.

Pay attention to frequency ranges. Some modern WiFi routers can operate in two frequency bands: 2.4 and 5 GHz. It's good if your wi-fi router can support 2.4 and 5 GHz, and not some particular frequency.

The fundamental difference between frequencies lies in their congestion. At 2 GHz, 3 separate data channels are used, and at 5 GHz, 19.

By the presence of interference, 2.4 GHz loses to 5 GHz. Many devices work in the first range, including neighboring wireless networks (relevant for apartment buildings), and the second is less common.

Why is it desirable to support two frequencies at once? Not all devices will be able to work at a frequency of 5 GHz (in fact, they should, but in practice not all devices see them), then everyone will have to use the usual 2.4 GHz.

Antenna design

Antennas are built-in and external (removable and non-removable). The more external antennas, the better the wireless network signal. Although, if you need a WiFi router for an apartment, 1 external antenna may be enough. For example, my old Wi-Fi router has only one external antenna, but the wireless network signal penetrates through the concrete floor and load-bearing walls.

If you choose a Wi-Fi router for your home, pay attention to models with multiple antennas. They will allow you to receive a signal in every room and near the house.

USB port for printer or modem

Routers with USB ports have additional features: they can be used as an FTP server, connect a network or USB modem. But often only one of the functions is available - printer connection, and support 3G / 4G modem may not be - keep that in mind.

Read the specifications of the WiFi router carefully so as not to miss any detail.

VPN tunnel support

The VPN tunnels feature may be needed by an advanced user. The average user doesn't need it.

VPN (Virtual Private Network) - virtual private network. It combines several local networks into one. One router can be a VPN server, and the second is a client - they connect through a VPN tunnel.

Regardless of whether the router is a server or a client, it continues to be a router and distribute a WiFi network. The local network within one router becomes visible to another and vice versa.

By the way, if you don't have a router yet, you can.

IPTV support

IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) - interactive television operating in data networks. The client equipment can be a computer, a TV set-top box and a TV with a function.

The main advantage of IPTV over analog TV is better quality and interactivity, for example, you can watch help or leave a review about a movie.

Perhaps these are all the main characteristics of WiFi routers for the home. Find out the technical parameters from your provider and decide which additional features you need and which ones you should not overpay for.

Open the website of any online computer equipment store and write out several suitable device models for yourself. Why several? Because some Wi-Fi router may not be on sale. Having made a list, feel free to go to the store.