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We are living in a smart era where our devices are getting more intelligent and more capable of keeping us connected. In the past, we only worried about connectivity outside the house, but today everyone in the family wants a little bit of the Internet for their daily activities. From watching smart TVs and controlling smart LEDs to making video calls on smartphone and updating status on Facebook, we need connectivity for everything. So, what’s the best bet? Get a wireless router so that all your family members can get their share of Internet.
In many cases when you take Internet connection from your ISP provider, they will give you a router for a fee or it may be even free of cost depending on the country you live in. These routers are more or less usable and who doesn’t like the things we get for free. However, if you want better connectivity and better speed then you may consider getting a new and powerful router.
However buying a wireless router is not as easy as it seems. In fact, it is one of the most intimidating tasks because you have to choose the best one from a plethora of different products available. Which one to trust – TP-Link, Asus, Google, Netgear, D-Link or Belkin?
If you don’t have a background in networking, then this decision can be harder for you. Hence, we have listed below some of the most important things you need to consider before buying a router.
You way wonder they are all routers after all? Aren’t they all just the same? Well, no! As we discuss the points below, you will realize that these routers differ so much in capacity and capability.
Dynamic standards
The wireless standards have changed and updated dynamically. Today the new age smartphones, laptops and tablets are capable of using the 802.11ac. This means your devices are capable of high speed so getting a new and advanced router will unleash the true potential of your smart devices. So, if your inter service provider can give you AC connection, we would recommend that you upgrade to a faster Internet connection.
Price
The price factor can be a deciding factor when it comes to buying a new wireless router. You can find routers that cost as less as $15 to high-end routers that cost more than $400. When buying a router, make sure you define your budget and needs beforehand. If you need a wireless router to meet your average day to day Internet needs, we would not recommend the high-end routers.
Unless you are a hardworking specialist and you absolutely need a top-tier router, we would recommend that you look for a router that falls under the range of $100 or $200. To fulfill your home Internet needs, 20Mbps to 30Mbps may just be enough.
Life span
The routers are not built to last forever and they degrade over time. If your router has been catering to the needs of the gaming console, tablet, computer, smartphone, and streaming devices for several years at a stretch, it might be the time to consider a change and get a new one. If you continue using the old router, you can find a significant decrease in speed.
Should you consider Gigabit?
The fiber connection is becoming more popular around the world and the Gigabit speed is still a rare phenomenon. Today, most of the reasonably priced routers come with Gigabit capabilities however they are not commonplace as of yet. The TP-LINK Archer C7, for example, is capable of 1,300Mbps speed using the 5GHz wireless connection.
Single or dual band
This is an important factor to consider when buying a wireless router. Do you need a single or double band? Well, most of the dual band wireless routers these days come with dual band connectivity – 2.4GHz and 5GHz. If you live in a crowded neighborhood then getting a dual band would be your best bet. However, if you live in sparsely populated area and there are not many neighbors around then a single band would suffice.
Range
Another most important feature worth considering is the range of the router. It should be placed in a central location, away from the other obstructions. Sometimes even when you have a great positioning, you might end up with some dead spots within the house. We recommend that you use heat map software to maximize the wireless coverage.
The smart routers are all the rage these days and they look so appealing to the eye too. So, if you are thinking about getting a new router how about getting one that looks beautiful aesthetically and keeps your desk clutter free. The Linksys Smart Wi-Fi Routers and Google’s OnHub routers are the best examples in this regard, and they can help you control your home network with much comfort.
We hope the point above help you choose the best wireless router that suits your requirements well.
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