Should you be worried about how to buy a router? Although there are many lucky customers that make a random pick and it serves them well, you need to be aware of your choice since the router act as a central point for a smart home setup.
If you went through a long list of all the options available and currently feel overwhelmed by so many choices, stay here! We have rounded up 5 easy tips on how to buy a router that will ensure you are making the right choice.
1. Speed Isn’t Really Something You Should be Worried About
Many manufacturers use figures like AX6000 as a selling point for their routers. Where this does actually represent the throughput that the device is capable of, it is not guaranteed that you will ever get full performance.
Regardless of the number of bands present, a device will only connect to one at a time and therefore the mentioned speed will not be the same as you experience.
2. Coverage is Important!
The same can not be said about coverage though. The area that the router promises to cover is important and must be taken into consideration especially if you are living in a large home. But if you have a small range router. Then you should check from Ring Chime Pro vs WiFi Extender.
If coverage is a priority, you can also think about upgrading to a mesh system. This consists of multiple devices that spread signals throughout the house.
3. Next Stop… Security
After speed and coverage, the next major thing that you should worry about is how safe the router can keep your network. Security is of utmost importance and you would want to choose a router that protects you against cyber threats, data breach, virus, and malware.
There are many new routers that now contain up-to-date wireless encryption, VPN, and Firewall protection. It does not necessarily mean that all these are high-end, expensive choices. In fact, some are quite affordable.
4. App Control is a Plus
Not all routers offer mobile app integration. Where it is not a must-have feature, an app can make internet access and network quite easy.
You can use it to set up the router, manage general settings, or make changes remotely when you are not at home. With a greater sense of control, it is likely that you would love the router you just invested in.
Another advantage of the application is that they notify you when a device connects and keep you updated about bandwidth use. Otherwise, you would have to manually check on these details.
5. Additional Perks Should Match Your Needs
There is no point in being fascinated about MU-MIMO technology if you don’t plan on using the router with multiple devices. Similarly, range extender abilities should only be scrutinized if you wish to plant the router for a large area. Compatibility is another important factor. Like if you have Verizon FiOS internet then u should buy the best router for Verizon FiOS.
Different routers offer different additional perks. You need to decide which ones would suit you so you pay for the right features only.
What to Avoid When Buying a Router
Being aware of the features you should be interested in is equally important to understand what the points that you can choose to ignore are. This helps narrow down your choice when you are selecting a single device from a pool of many.
In this regard, here are 4 things that you should avoid when you buy a router next time.
1. PlainQoS
Quality of Service is important. It improves the degree of control you have on the router. However, the plain QoS would do you no good. In fact, there are solid chances that manufacturers would merely use it as a selling point when there is no additional benefit involved.
If you want a router with QoS, go for the one that clearly labels Dynamic or Adaptive QoS. These are the ones that possess smart algorithms to make your configuration process easy and quick.
2. Mere Focus on Wireless Connectivity
Although wireless internet routers have the primary task if ensuring that your network is cord-free, it does not necessarily mean that you would not need to put in any wired devices.
Therefore, the presence of at least one, if not multiple, USB ports is important. In fact, it is better to aim for a USB 3.0 connection instead of 2.0 technology as it ensures faster speed and more reliable file transfer.
3. There is Not Much About Name of The Router
The conventional method of naming the router is still intact. As we mentioned above, the names of the router often show their maximum speed, for example, AC1200 when in reality it would not be delivering that much throughput.
So it can be safely said that you can choose to ignore the name as long as the router meets other requirements.
4. Researching at Wrong Places
We encourage readers to do some online research before they decide on the router to buy. It is a great way to find out what kind of issues previous users are having with this device.
However, not all platforms are reliable when it comes to online research. You need to make sure you are reading authenticated reviews that are free from any personal bias. Amazon’s customer review portal is a good place to start.
Wrap Up
I hope this article would give you some sense of direction when choosing the router next time. I tried my best to include all the things you should be considering when spending money on buying a wireless router.
If you think I have missed out on something important, feel free to point it out in the comment section below. Looking forward to the remarks from all my respected readers. Good Luck!
