Most people have the router at home or in the office that is provided by the internet operating company itself. It is the simplest and most common, although not always the best. Sometimes we only ask you this question when we start experiencing problems. That is when we need someone to reveal to us the best tips when buying a router. What is the most important?
This is what we are going to address in this article, a reading that we hope can be useful to you when it comes to clarifying some concepts and clearing up doubts.
What to take into account when buying a router?
Basically, all anyone wants is to have a fast and reliable internet access. All the advice for buying a new router should go there.
The equipment we receive when we contract Wi-Fi with an Internet Service Provider (ISP) consists of two elements: a modem and a router (or router) which can sometimes come integrated into a single device. The modem connects your home to the broader Internet, while the router connects to the modem. Finally, we connect all our devices to the router, either by cable or wirelessly.
The supplier usually charges a rental fee for this equipment, although in most cases This router is usually a very basic model in terms of performance and functions. However, this can be solved, since the operator cannot force us to use their equipment or charge us anything for using our own hardware.
In very summary, these are the Advantages of using your own router:
- Wi-Fi with more speed and better coverage. Especially when you can add a portable router.
- Access to Additional functions, such as parental controls and guest Wi-Fi networks.
- Last but not least, it represents a saving money in the long term, since you only have to invest in the purchase and not pay the monthly rent to the supply company for the router that they have installed for us.
How do I know what type of router I need?
Perhaps this is the most important question we must resolve before purchasing a new router. The appropriate response will depend, logically, on each person's needs and preferences. In any case, perhaps the first thing to do is calculate the square meters of the house. From there, we can consider what type of router is best for us:
Single router
It is the simplest solution. Keep in mind that this device must be connected to your existing socket or modem using an Ethernet cable, which may slightly limit the options when placing it in our home.
The most advisable is install it in a central location, always taking into account that its range will be smaller in the rooms or corners of the house that are furthest from it.
Mesh system (Wi-Fi Mesh)
It is the most recommended for large houses and for those who want to have solid coverage in their garden. Mesh systems consist of a central router that signals a series of additional nodes that can be distributed throughout the different spaces of the house. Important: Each node or extender requires a power outlet.
Mesh systems are usually more expensive. The nodes or amplifiers usually have a smaller size and a design designed to adapt to home decoration.
What makes one router better than another?
When we started searching on the internet for router models to install at home we found an overwhelming number and variety of models and pricess. The choice becomes complicated. Tips for buying a router are more necessary than ever.
In general, there are a series of elements that can help us make the most appropriate decision in each case: the ports and connections offered by each model, the Wi-Fi bands and channels it supports, the maximum data transfer speed that it supports. can provide, security standards, etc. We analyze everything in the next section.
Things I need to know before buying a new router
To make the right choice when buying a new router for our home or workplace, these are the aspects we should look at:
How many ports and connections do I need?
The first thing we have to be clear about is how many ports to connect our devices by cable we are going to need. While it is true that WiFi is more convenient, wired connections offer more speed. For example, to connect a Smart TV, the Ethernet cable option is always the most recommended. The cheapest routers usually include at least four connections of this type. This is enough, for example, to connect two routers to the same line.
Important: if the router we want to buy is intended to replace the supplier's, it must have some additional connections, such as a coaxial connector or a fiber optic connector.
What type of WiFi do I need (maximum transfer speed)
Although most devices use 2,4 GHz band WiFi, more and more routers compatible with 5 GHz WiFi, whose performance is clearly superior, both in terms of speed and latency.
To understand the difference between one band and the other, it is enough to say that the 2,4 GHz band includes 11 channels of 20 MHz width each. On the other hand, the 5 GHz band has 45 channels, although they are not limited to 20 MHz, since they can incorporate 40 MHz or 80 MHz channels. That is, they have Greater data transfer capacity.
The home automation that we have and hope to have at home
More and more homes incorporate home automation devices that can be managed and programmed via Wi-Fi: automatic blinds, lighting, appliances, security alarms... If we want to use this technology at home, it is essential to have good coverage and a strong WiFi signal.
Although each case is different, in this particular case one of the best tips for buying a router is to decide to install a Mesh Wi-Fi system at home. This will guarantee the correct functioning of all our home automation systems.
Safety standard
Finally, we must talk about a fundamental aspect: the security of the connections. Protecting our router is vital. The minimum accepted standard today is WPA2. This offers reasonably strong encryption, although it is not free of vulnerabilities. Even better is the standard WPA3, developed in 2018 to correct some weaknesses of the previous standard.