Even if you have some knowledge about computers and technology in general, wireless routers can still be a mystery. OK, we all know what Wi-Fi means, but in most cases, other terms like Parental controls, Guest networks, UPnP, and similar are unknown for most of us. Well, we are here to help and make some things clearer for those buying a new wireless router.
This article will guide you through the necessary things you need to pay attention to when buying a new wireless router. In the end, you should be able to choose the best one, which will provide an excellent Internet experience.
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Wireless Range
When it comes to wireless routers, we can say that they have different signal ranges. When the signal is strong and you are in the covered area, you will be able to enjoy the best browsing speeds. On the other hand, if the signal is weak because you are not in the optimal range, you can expect slow speeds, problems when connecting to the wireless network, and so on.
This can be pretty annoying. Having problems with the signal strength because of short-range can be prevented if you do some measuring first. In order to determine the preferred signal range, it is best to position yourself at the center of the place you are going to use the router in and measure the distance to the furthest position you are going to need a signal.
Generally speaking, this is the required signal range, but the signal range mentioned on the router is not always correct. For that reason, it is always better to get a router with a higher signal range. 20-40% more is usually enough.
Internet Usage
Depending on the internet activity, your router will be more or less stressed. To be more precise, it is not the same whether you are playing Fortnite online or just reading through some recipes or checking your Facebook account. During your research for the best router, one of the terms you will hear quite often is “band”.
There are single and dual-band routers, and since we are looking for the best router, we should opt for the dual one. Of course, this doesn’t mean that the single band router won’t work well; it’s just that dual-band routers are better when it comes to online gaming, streaming movies, listening to your favorite songs using Spotify, and so on.
Additional Features
Just like with smartphones, the price of the router increases with some additional features. The thing is that maybe you will easily find a way to use a specific feature in a more affordable wireless router. Still, on the other hand, if you pay for a high-priced router and you don’t really need that feature, you are practically wasting money. This is why you need to think about what you really need from your wireless router.
Do you need to set up a guest network or control the time your kids spend online? If yes, then it is good to pay for these features since they are easily accessible when you log in to the wireless router. However, if you are just interested in Netflix and Facebook, you will be more than satisfied with a cheaper router without these features.
Budget
It would be nice to get all the features we need, but in most cases, our budget is the biggest obstacle here. A pretty good wireless router can cost around $150, and in most cases, even more. Since we know how many devices depend on our internet connection, we can say that the router is a pretty important device in any household. However, you shouldn’t think that a more expensive router will make your Internet speed faster. Therefore, just stay with the features you need the most and don’t go crazy.
Quick Summary – How To Choose The Best Wireless Router
- Measure the distance for the best signal range and increase it by 20 to 40%
- Depending on your internet usage, choose a single band or dual-band router.
- Find the router that has all the features you really need
- Choose a router that fits your budget but doesn’t be afraid to spend some extra cash for something you are going to use for a long time in the future.
As you can see, it is not that difficult to find the best wireless router for you. However, before purchase, we strongly recommend you check some customer reviews. By doing this, you can easily see whether there are some specific problems with the router you are planning to buy. Good luck!
If you are interested in even more technology-related articles and information from us here at Bit Rebels, then we have a lot to choose from.
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