What is the best wifi router, how to choose, features, parameters. The most powerful and high-quality WiFi router for a large house

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;
  • customer.

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.

One of the most popular devices for home Internet users today is a Wi-Fi router. There is a wide range of routers from different manufacturers on the market, so it can be difficult for an ordinary user to understand such a variety of models. We will help you choose the Wi-Fi router that is right for your home, as well as tell you about the selection factors that you need to pay special attention to. In addition, we present you with a rating of the top 5 best routers on the Russian market.

Basic rules for choosing a router for home

A router or router is a device with which PCs, laptops, smartphones, tablets, etc. connect to a wireless network and connect to the Internet. Choosing an inexpensive, but high-quality router can be difficult, you need to take into account the whole a number of device selection criteria. After all, buying a "pig in a poke", you will not win anything. So, the main criteria:

  • price- on Internet forums, many advise choosing from the cheapest routers, arguing that all devices are the same, support the same functions, etc., etc. So why, they say, pay more?! In reality, this is not the case - high-quality assembly, high performance, good components and high reliability are present only in relatively expensive models. And cheap ones put correspondingly cheap spare parts, they have much worse reception, and the Wi-Fi coverage area is small. In addition, budget routers often break down more often than expensive ones, although this rule does not always work. If you can afford a more expensive router, then give preference to it;
  • brand- There is a whole line of brands of routers, but their products have proven themselves in different ways. So, for example, D-Link is considered one of the main manufacturers of budget routers, but at the same time, its products are not very reliable. Specialists and ordinary users name several manufacturers whose products are the best on the market: Linksys (quite expensive routers, but high-quality and reliable), Asus (according to reviews, it occupies a leading position among manufacturers of many devices, including routers), Zyxel (produces at least several models of excellent routers), TP-Link (produces budget, but high-quality and reliable models of routers);
  • specifications . First of all, choose routers with normal "stuffing" - RAM (at least 64 MB), processor (300 MHz or more), FLASH memory (from 16 MB). Also pay attention to the power of the device, the presence and number of antennas;
  • Internet access protocols . Pay attention to the most important detail - protocol support. The fact is that different providers use different protocols to provide Internet access: PPTP, L2TP, PPPoE. It is necessary that the purchased router must support the protocol that your provider uses. To do this, ask the Internet provider for the necessary data, and then check that the same protocol is indicated in the technical specifications of the router;
  • WAN Port and Internet Connection Technology . Routers also differ in what port (WAN port) is used to connect to the Network: Ethernet, ADSL, USB 3G. This is a very important choice factor, because if you cannot connect the Internet cable to the router, then the money will be thrown away;
  • standards– Today, the latest Wi-Fi standard is predominantly used: 802.11n. It is already fully operational and the corresponding devices are being released, so it makes no sense to buy outdated routers that support 802.11b or 802.11g.


Router with ADSL port


Router with Ethernet port


Router with USB 3G port


What is fraught with the wrong choice of router

Why is it important to choose the right router for me? Isn't it possible to take the first one that suits the price? What happens if I buy a router without really delving into its technical characteristics?

Let's deal with these issues, because the average buyer does not understand network devices, but simply comes to the store and asks the seller for advice. In fact, this is fraught with the fact that money will be thrown to the wind. If you buy a router that has the wrong connector and doesn't work with your ISP, then you'll have to return it to the store at best. And if the product is not returnable, then you will generally lose the money spent. But there are other situations when the router is not suitable, and the user does not even notice it or simply resigned himself, thinking that there is no better option.

For example, many devices have insufficient power, they are designed to distribute the Internet within the boundaries of one room, and the signal no longer passes through the wall. Thus, be sure to pay attention to the power of the router and the number of antennas, external or built-in. Saving on power is not worth it, even if at the moment you do not need a coverage area of ​​​​100 meters.

An inappropriate router may also cut internet speed. That is, the provider offers you access to the Network at a speed of 10 Mbps in both directions. You check your speed, and it turns out that it barely reaches 8 Mbps for download and 4 Mbps for upload. The first thing the user will do is accuse the operator of cheating. But it is likely that the matter is completely different - in your router, which simply does not support higher speeds. That's why you should find out what the maximum download and upload speed is available for this router model.

In addition, a low-quality or low-power router can regularly freeze, reboot, or just drop the connection. This makes it extremely difficult to use the Internet, and it seriously gets on your nerves. Therefore, it is better to overpay a little, but get a high quality device.

Another problem with a number of routers is small Wi-Fi coverage area. In this case, it happens that the signal no longer passes through the wall, or the router covers only a space of several square meters. Of course, such a device is not suitable for owners of a large apartment or private house. After all, one of the delights of living in a private house or country house is to go out into the yard and use the Internet away from cables and routers. Therefore, a router for such needs should be chosen more powerful, with a good Wi-Fi transmitter.

Even if you do not understand the technical issues of the router or there is no one to consult with, you can always go on the Internet and scroll through forums, reviews in online stores and specialized sites. There you will find all the information about the operation of different routers in a simple user form. On these resources, among other things, you can learn about the advantages and disadvantages of different models, about methods for solving problems that arise, etc.

Zyxel Keenetic

Specifications

WAN port: Ethernet, USB 3G.

Interfaces: 5 RJ-45 connectors (10BASE-T/100BASE-T) with auto cable type detection; 1 USB 2.0 Type A; 2 RP-SMA sockets for connecting external Wi-Fi antennas.

IPTV support: Yes.

Number of antennas: 2.

Antenna design: Removable.

Security features: Firewall (SPI) with protection against DoS and DDoS attacks. Internet access blocking based on MAC address, IP address, URL, TCP/UDP ports.

Other features: TVport Technology - Transit Multicast streams automatically and without spending CPU time when assigning a LAN connector. Link Duo - simultaneous access to the Internet (L2TP/PPTP/PPPoE) and local network resources of the DHCP provider (client/server). Working with a static IP address. IP protocol routing. IP address translation NAT (Restricted Cone). Route Table (DHCP/Manual)

Dimensions and weight: 162 x 114 x 33 mm, 280 g.

Average price: 2 thousand rubles.

Linksys E3200

Specifications

WAN port: Ethernet.

Interfaces: 1 x WAN / 4 x Gigbit Ethernet / 1 x USB 2.0.

Wireless capabilities: IEEE 802.11n.

Number of antennas: 6.

VPN features: VPN pass through.

Security features: Data encryption: WEP, WPA, WPA2.

Firewall functions: Built-in firewall, NAT.

Other features: Ability to connect a 3G modem. Guest network.

Dimensions and weight: 190 x 170 x 25 mm, 215 g.

Average price: 4.5 thousand rubles.

Asus RT-N56U

Specifications

WAN port: Ethernet, USB 3G.

Interfaces: 4 x RJ-45 10/100/1000 Mbps, 2 x USB 2.0

Wireless Features: IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11n.

Protocol support: PPTP, L2TP, PPPoE.

IPTV support: Yes.

Number of antennas: 2 x for 2.4 GHz, 3 x for 5 GHz.

Antenna design: Built-in.

Security features: Filtering: port, IP packets, URL keywords, MAC address. Support for 64/128-bit WEP, WPA-PSK, WPA2-PSK, WPA-Enterprise, WPA2-Enterprise

Firewall features: NAT and SPI.

Other features: 3G Internet sharing by multiple users.

Dimensions and weight: 172 x 145 x 60 mm, 330 g.

Average price: 4.4 thousand rubles.

TP Link TL-WR841ND

Specifications

WAN port: Ethernet.

Interfaces: 4 10/100M LAN ports (RJ45 type), 1 10/100M WAN port (RJ45 type).

Wireless Features: IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11n.

Protocol support: PPPoE.

Number of antennas: 2.

Antenna design: Removable.

Support for VPN tunnels: Yes.

Other features: Maximum range - 270 m.

Dimensions and weight: 200 x 140 x 28 mm.

Average price: 1 thousand rubles.

TP-LINK TL-WR340GD

Specifications

WAN port: Ethernet.

Interfaces: 4 x RJ-45 10/100 Ethernet LAN ports.

Wireless Features: IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g.

Protocol support: L2TP, PPPoE.

Number of antennas: 1 (5 dBi).

Antenna design: Removable.

VPN Features: VPN Pass Through.

Security features: WEP 64/128/152-bit, WPA/WPA2, WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK (TKIP/AES).

Other features: Virtual Server. DMZ hosting. UPnP. Remote web management.

Dimensions and weight: 160 x 102 x 28 mm.

Average price: 1 thousand rubles.

When choosing the best router for your home, you should pay attention to its characteristics, the requirements for which largely depend on the tasks performed by the router. So, for players in online games, the main parameter is the speed and stability of the connection.

For those who are engaged exclusively in Internet surfing, a budget model is more suitable - especially since any modern router meets the requirements of the average user.

For a large family, it is desirable to ensure the maximum number of connections and high speed access to information. And, if the wired Internet in this region is unstable (especially when the router is installed in the private sector or outside the city), an equally important parameter is the ability to connect a 3G modem.

Main selection criteria

The parameters that you should pay attention to when buying a home router are:

  • the number of LAN ports to which a computer, laptop or switch can be connected using a cable;
  • data transfer rate using a wired connection;
  • the presence of a USB port for connecting a flash drive.

Rice. 1. Router with a connected 3G modem.

The speed of data transfer over wireless channels also matters. However, for modern routers, it is at least 300 Mbps. This figure is higher than that of most domestic providers offering access at speeds up to 100–200 Mbps.

Wired

Most modern routers have several LAN ports - usually at least 4. Their task is to distribute information at a speed of 100 or 1000 Mbps using a wired connection. The advantage of this method of data transfer is stability, the disadvantage is the lower speed and relatively small distance at which the router and the connected device can be located from each other.

A device called a switch is used to increase the number of wired connections to a single router. At the same time, the maximum number of computers connected to the router at the same time is practically unlimited. Just with an increase in their number, the connection speed will fall in proportion to this value.

Need to know: The maximum distance that can be provided with a cable is 100 m. But most cords are no more than 10 m long. And their use is limited by the configuration of the rooms.

Wireless connection

For wireless communication, an important factor is the Wi-Fi standard, the frequency at which information is transmitted, and the number of bands. It is most convenient to use dual-band routers that support 802.11ac technology. While models that transmit a signal only using the 802.11n protocol are cheaper, although they provide a lower quality connection.

The speed of information transmission and the distance over which it is transmitted are related to the number of antennas. Budget router models have only one such amplifier. More expensive devices are equipped with two, three or more antennas.

The advantage of this option is the high speed, exceeding even the performance of the cable, and a large number of connections provided simultaneously. The disadvantage is the need to configure and protect the wireless network with a password.

Rice. 2. A router with a large number of antennas.

USB ports

Some router models are equipped with not only standard ports, but also USB connectors. These ports allow you to:

  • connect the printer to the network;
  • ensure the connection of the router with an external drive (for example, a USB flash drive);
  • install a 3G / 4G modem that allows you to get a backup channel for Internet access.

If you need a normal network connection for browsing websites and working with mail, the presence of a USB port on the router does not matter. Therefore, in budget models there is no such option. And in expensive ones - there can even be two connectors.

The most budget of high-speed models: Xiaomi Mi Wi-Fi mini

Stylish-looking Xiaomi brand router with the ability to transfer data using the 802.11a/b/g/n/ac protocol provides an overall connection speed of 1167 Mbps. In addition, the manufacturer completes this model with two types of firmware - regular and designed for developers, that is, with extended functionality. The router has the following advantages:

  • USB input for connecting drives;
  • available for the model supporting the 802.11a/b/g/n/ac protocol (2200 rubles);
  • high speed network access;
  • a wide range of options for configuring the router.

The disadvantages of the equipment include the presence of instructions only in Chinese. A slight inconvenience can cause the presence of only two LAN ports. And if you need to connect already 3 computers, you will have to buy a switch.

Rice. 3. The Xiaomi Mi Wi-Fi mini model is an affordable price for its capabilities.

Fastest: TP-Link Archer C7

The main advantages of the TP-Link Archer C7 model are the impressive speed of Internet access. The maximum value of its bandwidth reaches 1.75 Gb / s - 1300 Mb / s for the 5 Hz band and 450 Mb / s for 2.4 GHz. The device has a wide coverage and provides a wireless network for both a large apartment and a private house. By the way, in order to choose the right Internet for you, read our material Which Internet is better to connect for home. An overview of all possible options.

The router is equipped with 2 USB ports through which a scanner or printer is connected to it. And when you connect an external drive (portable hard drive or flash drive) to the Archer C7, information from it can be available to all users of the wireless network.

For the convenience of working with the router, special software is installed on it, which allows you to check the number of connections and configure for them individual access to the network as a whole or to individual pages. Thus, the router can be used to prevent children from accessing unwanted information.

Rice. 4. Model Archer C7 with the highest speed - almost 2Gbps.

Netgear N750 Smartphone Configuration Model

Among the capabilities of the N750 model from Netgear, it is worth noting the high speed of network access using wireless (at the level of 750 Mbps for dual bands) and wired (1000 Mbps for LAN) connections. This speed is more than enough for every member of the family to watch FullHD video without degrading the signal quality.

An external drive can be connected to the router, with the help of which the device turns into a mini-server. And thanks to the Time Machine function, the drive allows you to back up Apple computers. At the same time, a user with an Android or iOS phone can manage the network directly from a mobile device. The same application allows you to exercise parental control of children using mobile devices.

Rice. 5. Router N750 with configuration from a smartphone.

Router TP-LINK TL-WA901ND: maximum range

The advantages that a user receives when choosing a Tp-Link TL-WA901ND router model include:

  • three amplifier antennas, thanks to which the signal is amplified by several dBi and reaches even remote premises. The maximum range is about 270m.
  • support for the PoE standard, thanks to which the device can be powered not only with a special cord, but also through a wired connection (using an adapter);
  • ease of setup.

In addition to the advantages, the router has a small drawback - the lack of wired connections. In order to provide Internet to a stationary PC, you will need to purchase a Wi-Fi adapter. At the same time, the equipment is quite affordable and is great for installation in a house or apartment, where only mobile devices, such as laptops, tablets or smartphones, need to be connected to the network.

Rice. 6. The Tp-Link TL-WA901ND router is a model with a high signal amplification level.

ASUS RT-N56U: high speed and functionality

The ASUS RT-N56U model received an original and immediately eye-catching design and is capable of dual-band operation and a 300 Mbps wireless connection speed that is quite decent for most tasks. Two USB ports provide connection to the router for external hard drives and flash drives, as well as 3G/4G modems. Other rather important characteristics of the device include:

  • high data transfer rate over cable: up to 1000 Mbps;
  • data transfer to the connected HDD at the level of 10–12 Mbps for recording and 14–16 Mbps for reading;
  • price, which is about 5000 rubles, depending on the place of purchase.

The hard drive can be up to 1 TB in size. However, it is not recommended to leave such a connection permanently. The router gets relatively hot even in normal mode. And when working together with the drive, it can even overheat.

Rice. 7. Router ASUS RT-N56U is a good option for both home and office.

TL-WR841N6 budget analogue of expensive TP-LINK models

At its budget cost, the TP-LINK TL-WR841N router has a convenient and understandable equipment configuration interface that matches the menu of more expensive models of the same brand. The advantages of the device include low cost, which suits most users.

Among the shortcomings - the presence of only 100-megabit wired connection and 300-megabit wireless. This would hardly be enough for an office, but in an apartment or a private house, a router will allow you to simultaneously connect up to 4 computers and more than ten mobile gadgets at a speed of 20–30 Mbps.

Rice. 8.TP-LINK TL-WR841N

D-link DIR-300 / A / D1 - regular price and parameters for a home

Among the few advantages of the D-link DIR-300/A/D1 router is the low price and support for the WPS option, which provides the creation of a wireless network in a semi-automatic mode. At the same time, the technical characteristics of the model are not impressive - although not too upsetting. 150 Mbps is enough for 3-4 simultaneous high-speed connections at home. It does not matter much for an apartment or house and a relatively small range, within 10-20 meters.

Rice. 9. D-link DIR-300/A/D1

Netis WF2419E - budget Chinese router

The Chinese router Netis WF2419E can be attributed to the budget segment. And its price is the lowest among all models available on the market. The build quality of the device corresponds to an even more expensive segment. And the data transfer rate is quite suitable for home use - up to 300 Mbps wirelessly and up to 100 Mbps wired.

The advantages of the gadget include simple setup and good functionality. There are practically no disadvantages, taking into account such a low cost. The only noticeable minus is the reduction in the information transmission range to 20 meters or less if there are concrete walls or reinforced interior partitions in the apartment or house. In the absence of serious obstacles, the equipment provides high-quality reception at a distance of up to 30 meters.

Rice. 10. Netis WF2419E is one of the most budget routers on the market.

Tenda N301

The advantages of the Tenda N301 model are its compact dimensions and low price. These advantages are complemented by the ease of setting up the operation of the equipment, which makes it easy to put the router into operation even for not very experienced users. By the way, on our website you can read detailed instructions for setting up this router: Tenda n301: setting up and working with the router

The setup menu interface is in Russian, a clear instruction is included with the router. When the device is in operation, a good network connection speed is provided - up to 300 Mbps wirelessly and up to 100 Mbps wired network.

The disadvantages of the Tenda N301 model include the presence of only 3 LAN ports instead of the standard four and not a very strong signal. In fact, after 10 meters it may not be enough for full-fledged work on the Internet. Although for the conditions of an ordinary apartment and such characteristics are usually sufficient - it is desirable to install equipment closer to the center of housing.

Rice. 11. Tenda N301 - a router for undemanding users.

ZyXEL Keenetic Start - not too fast, but stable connection

The ZyXEL Keenetic Start model is a simplified version of the Kinetic router from the same manufacturer. The functionality of the device is limited compared to a more expensive router. However, for a small house and a two-three-room apartment, its capabilities are enough.

At the same time, the device has a favorable price, does not overheat during operation and provides real 150 Mbit / s speeds - while some models from other manufacturers (especially budget ones) do not always correspond to the declared parameters.

Rice. 12. ZyXEL Keenetic Start is a simplified version of an expensive router.

Results

The routers presented in the list are among the most popular and most often purchased models. There are many reasons for this - affordable cost, high speed, easy setup. Buying one for your apartment, private house and even summer cottage (if you have a USB connector and a 3G modem) will provide a high-quality signal at a considerable distance around the router. And it will give you the ability to access the Internet using a wired or wireless connection.

Video:

Good day, dear friends. Today, as you understood from the title, we will talk about how to choose a router correctly and with taste (benefit).

The fact is that lately, connected with the fact that a person bought himself (a router), set up and connected the Internet, and after that he sits and suffers with connection breaks, the low speed of this very connection (below the declared tariff), packet losses and other not very pleasant crap.

When I answer that the problems are most likely related to the fact that it is the most (or almost the cheapest) representative of the family of router subspecies of the switch, then a person, as a rule, is very surprised. But in vain.

This article will focus on just how to choose a router , or rather, what to rely on when choosing and buying it, that is, what characteristics are worth looking at, what price ranges to choose, which companies have proven themselves in the market, and all that other stuff that is necessary for the right purchase.

What is a router (router) and why is it needed

Of course, in this article I proceed from what you imagine, what is in general and you have it at home. For those who have no idea, here is an excerpt from Wikipedia:

Router or router, router, router (from English router /ˈɹu:tə(ɹ)/ or /ˈɹaʊtɚ/, /ˈɹaʊtəɹ/) is a network device that, based on information about the network topology and certain rules, makes decisions about forwarding network layer packets ( layer 3 of the OSI model) between different network segments. (c) Wikipedia

In simple words, this is such an electronic box in which one hole ( WAN-port) the Internet is stuck, and in others ( LAN-ports) all computers are stuck. (all these WAN, LAN, DHCP and so on, we live here here).

Thus, the Internet appears on all connected computers, and a local network is also "formed" between the computers. Sometimes, by the way, this box also has antennas (sometimes, however, built-in), which make it possible to connect without wires, that is, via WiFi.

A small preface-verbiage from the author

At one time, like many, I was very mistaken when buying cheap routers. I was mistaken because all of them are now lying on my shelf in one state or another, and in total cost they took with them an amount equivalent to one normal device, which, by the way, is now standing in the room and distributing the Internet, crunching and happily spreading antennas WiFi in different directions.

When buying at that time, I relied mainly on the opinion of people who are not very knowledgeable in network equipment (and this is a percentage * of the inhabitants of the Internet), screaming on the forum in response to the question " Recommend a good quality router?"something in the spirit" Get the cheapest one, they're all the same, don't waste tons of $ on gigabit super mega cisco routers".

So .. they were wrong and wrong.

Do you want to know and be able to do more yourself?

We offer you training in the following areas: computers, programs, administration, servers, networks, site building, SEO and more. Find out the details now!

The law of the market sometimes says that a good thing is expensive. This is not always true, but in most cases it is. With routers, this law is most effective, and therefore one of the determining criteria when buying a device for you, oddly enough, should be exactly the price.

The fact is that many advisers (which I mentioned above) probably happily believe that the router is a magical device like a keyboard, put it in, stuck it in and rejoice, they say, all the business and functions are there - one, two and counted . In fact, this is not so.

Many people forget (or do not know) that this same box is, relatively speaking, almost a full-fledged computer, with its own processor, RAM and operating system, and that all this together determines the final quality (performance, stability, functions), because each of the elements of the filling of the router has its own characteristics.

In this regard, by the way, it also knows how to heat up, hang, reboot and suffer from other typical computer diseases caused by poor-quality filling and cheap performance.

You do not buy yourself the cheapest computer for games, do you? It is obvious that, as a rule, if you do not assemble it yourself, then it will be weak to pull the toys, and they will slow down on it, or even not start at all. It is similar with routers, that is, how to choose a router must be understood and done wisely.

Someone might say that, they say, to compare full-fledged 3D-applications and distribution of the Internet - this is strange and inappropriate. In fact, it is a little more than completely appropriate, because it does not just perform the "mythical" distribution of the Internet between computers, but operates with a very solid amount of data using encrypted protocols, sending, analyzing a bunch of packets and connections, protecting you from attacks due to the built-in firewall, distributing WiFi on encrypted connections (and any encryption takes the power of the device) and doing other important things.

In short, a device with a weak filling will easily create thousands of problems for you, the most unpleasant of which are:

  • Low speed (as they say - "the router cuts the speed"), i.e. instead of, say, declared at the rate of 10 0/100 Mbit/s in both directions (download / upload), it gives out 70 /34 Mbit/s. And the fault in this is not the provider, but the hardware of the device;
  • Constant freezes, reboots, disconnection. This is especially true when working with
  • Low speed WiFi and a small coverage area (there have been cases in my practice when people simply could not use WiFi, i.e. the signal strength was not enough to cover anything more than one room);
  • Weak protection against viruses, intrusions and other things, because cheap routers rarely have a good one;
  • The absence of any interesting and useful functions, such as connecting a flash drive, a network printer, support DDNS and other joys of life.

And so on and so forth. In general, my verbiage aside, let's move on to recommendations on how to choose a router so that it does not bother you.

Let's go through the points according to the main criteria when choosing.

How to choose a router - step one - device reviews

The most important and most important criterion, after the characteristics, are reviews and only they. That is, you choose the router model that is interesting for you, follow the link, enter the name of the device, and then read the reviews for a long time and hard. They, as a rule, clearly indicate any disadvantages and advantages of the device.

  • The first thing you should pay attention to is the mention that it "cuts" the speed. As a rule, they don’t say such words about high-quality routers, or if they do, it’s rare (often, not very experienced users do it), but they write a lot about really weak devices right away;
  • The second thing you should pay attention to is the stability of work, i.e. if they write that the router freezes, reboots or cuts off the speed, then it is obvious that its filling simply cannot cope with the load, which means that the device is far from ideal and, rather in total, you will have a lot of problems with it;
  • The third thing you should pay attention to is working with torrents. In fact, this point follows from the first two, and if people write that the router hangs when launching torrents, then, in general, everything is clear with it - weak stuffing, etc.;
  • The fourth thing to pay attention to is the work WiFi-connections. As a rule, they write about the speed and coverage area with a certain number of devices. It is important to understand here that the power of the signal given by the router and received by the device is various, i.e. the router can give full speed to 100Mb/s, but the device does not receive it for more than 20Mb/s.

Well, of course, see how many reviews for one side or another, as well as how many times the buttons are pressed " Yes" or " Not" under this review (the example below is clickable). This is the first criterion for how to choose a router.

The easiest way is to take a piece of paper, write out the pros and cons in two columns, and then, looking at the reviews, place marks with a pencil, how many times that is mentioned, how many times the other is mentioned.

BUT! Always keep in mind that reviews can be bought, paid for, etc. There were also such cases when you buy a device, and inside there is a piece of paper, they say leave a positive review with 5+++ on the Yandex.Market and get 100 rudder on the phone. It's sad, but many are being followed and, yes, getting their "silver pieces", but .. It hurts those who buy (ie the rest), relying only on reviews. Therefore, let's move on and talk about a much more important Thing - characteristics.

Second, technical specifications

As I said, a router, in a sense, is a small computer that also has RAM, a processor, and other things. This is the FIRST thing you need to pay attention to. But since cunning marketers hide this information, you need to be able to search for it:

  • In search engines, it is best to search for the query [" model name" + the word "specifications"], i.e., for example, " " (without quotes);
  • And then look at English-language sites (best of all, device manufacturers), since, as a rule, often correct the filling is indicated exactly there;
  • There are also amateur tables for several manufacturers, but you should avoid them. As a last resort, look for it, because the reviewers are responsible for what they write, and not only to you, but also to the advertiser, manufacturer, etc.

With regard to specific characteristics, we are primarily interested in three characteristics, namely RAM, CPU and FLASH. They look something like this:

This is what is called the filling (more on the rest below), where ROM is the so-called FLASH memory, which also plays an important role, along with the processor and random access memory (RAM). Of course, the more the better, but...

However, in order not to tell painful details, I will note that in the modern world and with modern technologies, I would not recommended to choose devices with the amount of random access memory (RAM) not less 64MB(better from 128 and more), the processor is not weaker 300MHz(better, again, more powerful, for example 500 and more) and FLASH-memory from 16 (ideally from 32MB).

Among other characteristics, that is, what concerns not only the filling itself, but also the "periphery":

  • If you critical coverage area WiFi, then pay attention to the number of antennas, - as minimum(!!!) there should be two of them (better 3 and more);
  • If speed is important to you WiFi and the quality (stability) of the connection, as well as the signal "piercing" the walls, then the antennas must be only and exclusively external (not internal), i.e. stick out of the case;
  • If it's important to you all the above and the number of wireless devices that the router can support simultaneously at full speed, then the power of its (router) transmitter and / or antennas (usually indicated in units dbm) must be at least (in total) 15dBM and the larger this value, the better, faster and more (if I may say so) wireless connection you will receive.

The information below should also be attributed to the characteristics that are important for selection, but let's break it down a bit into subsections, for clarity. Moreover, from the point of view of the ideology of how to choose a router, these are still different things.

How to choose a router, step three - protocol support

If we talk about wired communication (namely, this is how the Internet comes to your apartment), then providers now use a variety of protocols to provide Internet services, and therefore it is sometimes worth paying attention to whether the device you have chosen supports these. First of all, you should ask your operator what he uses.

Generally speaking, those providers that are larger and more powerful, as a rule, give the Internet through PPTP or L2TP. Who is smaller - PPPoE. Of course, somewhere else ADSL A protocol that represents the Internet over the telephone network. Well, for those to whom any provider has not yet dragged their web networks, support by a router may be important 2G/3G/4G/5G modems (yes, it happens), especially if you want to make the Internet with WiFi somewhere in the country.

Special attention should be paid to L2TP, because This standard is not supported by every router. By the way, routers supporting this protocol are, as a rule, more or less the most powerful/adequate (but not always, see the section with characteristics).

So, it is important for you that either your protocol is supported (call, write or search on the site of your Internet users), or as many of them as possible. The bare minimum is:

  • PPT2P;
  • L2TP;
  • PPoE.

The rest - according to the circumstances and needs, to whom what and why. This is about, I repeat, wired communication, which, one way or another, as a rule, is provided by your operator (although to G/3G/4G/5G this is also relevant).

Fourth, - Wi-Fi Encryption and Standards

As for the standard WiFi, then there is no binding to the provider itself, because the wireless connection is distributed by the device itself, which you choose. Now there are, conditionally, two gradations in network frequency WiFi created by the router is:

  • 2.4 GHz;
  • 5 GHz.

The first option is the oldest networks and they are (are used) now literally everywhere. But the transition to a new frequency range is in full swing (the second, i.e. 5 GHz), which, firstly, is less cluttered with a large number of devices (receiving and distributing), and secondly, it is faster in itself and supports more channels. When thinking about how to choose a router, I would recommend, at a minimum, choosing one that supports both these ranges.

Buy devices only with 5 GHz so far (at the time of updating the article) not it makes sense, more precisely, before buying, you should make sure that the "receiver" (consumer) of the signal, i.e. laptop-phone-tablet, etc., supports this range and is equipped, in fact, with a module that can work on it. 2.4 GHz if support is declared WiFi now everyone has it. But the five - no.

In more detail about clutter, channels, and so on, I, therefore, I think you will understand how to choose a router based on the channel. Well, or how to check your choice after the fact (or before it)

Regarding speed characteristics, there is a gradation according to the standard IEEE 802.11. In short, then IEEE 802.11- a set of communication standards for communication in a wireless local area network area of ​​frequency bands. It (the standard) determines the speed, frequency range, etc., and has a gradation by letter, depending on the novelty.

Ideally, today, the router should support:

  • 802.11a;
  • 802.11b;
  • 802.11g;
  • 802.11n;
  • 802.11ac.

You can read more about IEEE, as well as these and other letters.

Further. In addition to frequency bands WiFi, there is another concept encryption and it is not always the case that the router and the receiving device support the same encryption protocols, so there may be connection and, more importantly, security problems. Therefore, when choosing, try to take the maximum support for encryption protocols, namely, from general categories:

  • WEP
  • WPA and WPA2;
  • WPS/QSS.

Briefly, with WiFi figured it out. I repeat that about the coverage range, etc., I wrote in the characteristics - this is the number of antennas, the power of the antennas, etc.

How to choose a router, step five - firmware

Each router (and in general, relatively speaking, a device) has a so-called firmware, i.e. special software that controls it. Speed, security, ease of use, customization options, support for languages, punctures, and many other characteristics depend on this firmware itself.

Here you can write a lot and for a long time, but, in short, firmwares come with or without errors, successful, unsuccessful, buggy, fast, slow, official, alternative, and so on.

You can generally write about how to choose a router based on firmware and their differences for years, but now we are interested in specific facts that will help us make a choice. So what should you do:

  • When you have already more or less decided on the model, you should go to the manufacturer's website ( ASUS, Zyxel, DLink, Cisco, Xiaomi, Trendnet or who else you chose there) and see, firstly, the presence of a section with firmware;
  • Secondly, in fact, how long have these firmware been updated () and are they updated at all;
  • Search the Internet for " alternative firmware + model name" or " custom firmware + model name", For example: " custom firmware" (without quotes).

How to take off with it? If there are several firmwares and the last one was not so long ago (at least a year ago), it means that the model is supported and developed by the manufacturer. If there are alternative firmware, it means that the model is at least not bad, since one of the enthusiasts writes their firmware for it (router model), which, by the way, are usually faster, more convenient, etc.

Well, the last, not the most important and yet.

Sixth, - appearance and body

The last but not least factor is the execution of the case. The appearance can be very different, as simply unpretentious, so everyone can understand for himself how to choose a router and which one he (visually) needs more:

So cute:

Paphos:

Intimidating:

And so on and so forth. There’s someone who’s good at it, and, in this regard (since the taste and color, all felt-tip pens are different), I won’t advise you anything, except, perhaps, for two things, namely:

  • Be sure to pay attention to the number of slots for the heat sink (some models tend to overheat, which is why they slow down, turn off, reboot, etc.);
  • For wall mounts (if this is important to you).

Here is a simple example of good heat dissipation but no mounts:

Well, in general, of course, the choice should always be made based on needs, because if you just need to distribute the Internet of any speed to other computers, then in general the simplest stable and inexpensive model will suffice.

The selection criterion is useless, - manufacturer

Whatever anyone says, but most stupid The criterion is the choice based on the manufacturer. Even the worst of them still had worthy models that live for centuries and work quickly, like the best of them, there are frankly unsuccessful or just marketing decisions (just to line their pockets). Therefore, when trying to understand how to choose a router, you should not look at the name.

Arguing about a brand is nonsense. The most important thing is the quality characteristics, whether technical, firmware and / or others, that is, read above (and below in the text) and choose wisely, and not by the name of some brand that someone is successfully trying to sell you. And yes, don't forget that Each frog praises his swamp"(c) - so use your brain. Yours.

And so .. Thousands of them, - ASUS, Xiaomi, TP-LINK, D-Link, Ubiquiti, MikroTik, NetGear, Zyxel, Upvel, EnGenius, Huawei, Netis, TRENDnet, HP, Edimax, LevelOne, Tenda, Apple, LigoWave, LinkSys, Cisco, ZTE and other others. Now only the lazy does not produce.

Where is the best place to buy a router?

  • , - for those who are not afraid to buy abroad and save money;
  • , - perhaps the best choice in terms of price-quality ratio. Quite intelligible prices, although the range is not always ideal in terms of variety. The key advantage is the guarantee that really allows during 14 days to change the product without any questions, and in case of warranty problems, the store will take your side and help solve any problems. The author of the site has been using it for years 10 minimum (since the time when they were part of Ultra Electronics), which he advises you. If you don’t know what to choose, then (with at least 3 antennas, if you didn’t understand anything from the text above;));
  • , - one of the oldest stores on the market, as the company exists somewhere in the order 20 years. Decent selection, average prices and one of the most user friendly sites. In general, a pleasure to work with.

The choice is traditionally yours. Of course, there are all Yandex Market"no one has canceled, but from good stores, I would recommend these, and not any there M Video and other large networks (which are often not just expensive, but flawed in terms of quality of service, warranty work, etc.).

Afterword

Something like that. I hope that now you understand how to choose a router, what to look for when choosing, and so on. By the way, if you don’t know which model to choose, then we recommend that you look at our reviews of router models (simpler), and (more expensive, but for centuries), and there are many more,.

It goes without saying that the idea of ​​additional functionality and bells and whistles has not yet been mentioned here, such as built-in support for torrents, remote access and a bunch of other things, but this is not quite what can be attributed to the main nuances and topic of the material.

I suppose that there will be many questions, comments, debaters and all that, so write in the comments, and I will be glad to read about your experience, answer your questions and just talk about this topic. Write;)

A Wi-Fi router provides an opportunity for several devices that support data exchange using Wi-Fi technology to access the Internet at once. In other words, a router is a network device that connects to the Internet and distributes a similar capability to other devices using either Wi-Fi or LAN.

Which Wi-Fi router is better: choosing a router

The main role in choosing a router, of course, is played by its characteristics. However, an equally important indicator of its quality and reliability is the manufacturer. Based on this, you should purchase a device manufactured by companies such as: TP-LINK, ASUS, D-link, HP. These companies produce some of the best router models.

Today there are several types of network standards.

  1. 802.11a - speed up to 54 Mb/s
  2. 802.11 b - speed up to 11 Mb/s
  3. 802.11g - speed up to 54 Mb/s
  4. 802.11n - speed up to 600 Mb/s
  5. 802.11ac - speeds over 1Gb/s

When choosing a Wi-Fi router, you should focus on models of the 802.11 n standard and higher.

Our Top Wi-Fi Routers:

1. Wi-Fi router Zyxel Keenetic 4G III

Used in conjunction with more than 70 USB modem options, which are among the most popular 3 and 4G formats for working with mobile Internet. The router is capable of operating in 4G LTE using CDC-Ethernet and NDIS mode.

There is no need to install special firmware and additionally adapt the device. You just need to connect the device to the USB port by selecting the mobile network. This will give Internet access to all computers and devices that are connected to the router: via Ethernet and Wi-Fi.

If a failure occurs or the modem freezes, the device automatically restarts the connection: for this, we can reboot in the power plan.

Thanks to the Mediatek MT7620N 580 MHz processor, which has a hardware network accelerator and the new NDMS 2 operating system, the router can operate in mobile networks at speeds below 100 megabits per second.

2. Wi-Fi router TP-LINK TL-WR841N

The device is designed to work in small offices and at home. 2T2R MIMO technology makes it possible to form a network with an ultra-high information transfer rate. This allows you to continuously broadcast video online: the quality remains high. You can run online games. In addition, IP-telephony works at a high level.

The device supports the IEEE 802.11n standard, thanks to which you can establish wireless connections with a signal speed and range that are fifteen and five times greater than conventional 11g devices.

With the help of a router, the information transfer speed reaches 300 megabits per second. Thanks to the CCA technology, the likelihood of conflicts in the process of information transfer is leveled. This gives an increase in connection performance. The use of WPA/WPA2 encryption technologies makes it possible to increase the degree of information security.

The device is capable of supporting Wi-Fi Protected Setup. The device has a button with which you can quickly configure the protection - QSS. Protection on a wireless network is put with just one click. WPA2 security is then automatically installed. This is an added convenience: you don't have to remember your password.

Thanks to the IP QoS function, the network has the best bandwidth, traffic is rationalized depending on the user's tasks. This restricts applications that currently have lesser value - so that they do not overload the network.
Installing the device and setting up the network is available even in the absence of relevant experience: the router package includes a disk that contains detailed clear instructions on how to do these manipulations.

3. Wi-Fi router Asus RT-N12 VP

The purpose of the Asus RT-N11P multifunctional wireless router is to work in home networks and in small office spaces.

With its help, it is possible to provide a high speed of information transfer through a wireless connection. This speed allows you to comfortably play games online, broadcast streaming video, use Internet telephony.

The device is easy to set up, even if the user does not have the appropriate experience.

4. Wi-Fi router TP-LINK TL-WR941ND

The task of the Zyxel Keenetic III router is to provide a reliable and convenient connection of home appliances to the Internet, IP television, the services of which are provided by providers through leased lines with any type of connection: IPoE, PPPoE, PPTP, L2TP, 802.1X, VLAN 802.1Q , IPv4/IPv6.

The device provides full speed mode within tariffs below 100 Mbps, the type of connection and the nature of the loads do not matter.

Thanks to the use of proprietary Link Duo and TV Port technologies, it is possible to simultaneously access the Internet and local services.

The device is able to connect to the network through dozens of types of 3G/4G USB modems. A DSL modem, a provider's PON terminal with an Ethernet port, a provider's Wi-Fi hotspot, or a personal one can be used.

5. Wi-Fi router Apple AirPort Express (MC414RU/A)

This device is able to get rid of the issues associated with the formation of wireless networks for home or small office space.

The router works best with Wi-Fi. This possibility is provided by the support of modern Wi-Fi standards: 802.11 n in two frequencies at once - 2.4 and 5 GHz. You can use both ranges at the same time. The device allows you to create a separate guest network: the password of the main network will be known only to the owner.

Organization of sharing and network printer is possible. You just need to connect the desired device to the built-in connector.

Sharing is possible, combining desktop computers, network drives and digital media.

What to look for when choosing a Wi-Fi router

2. Router and DHCP server. The router provides access to all connected devices to the Internet. At the same time, for each of them, the DHCP server determines its own internal ip-address. This allows several connected devices to access the Internet at once using one external ip-address.

3. Range. When choosing a router, special attention must be paid to its range. It depends on this at what distance devices can access the Internet from it. However, it should be borne in mind that the data regarding the range of the device, indicated by the manufacturer, are far from accurate and may differ from its actual capabilities by several times. This is due to the fact that manufacturers indicate the capabilities of the router, focusing on ideal external conditions, which in reality are almost impossible to achieve. There are many factors that affect the range of a router, ranging from partitions and walls in an apartment to home furniture. It is necessary to consider them all for the most successful location of the device.

4. Antennas. The efficiency of the router directly depends on the number of antennas installed on it. The more antennas, the higher the speed of the Internet. So, a router that has only one antenna uses it to receive and transmit data. At the same time, when third-party devices are connected, the transmission speed will inevitably drop in order to ensure the normal operation of the router. The presence of two antennas allows the device to use one of them for receiving and the other for transmitting data. At the same time, the speed of the Internet connection remains consistently high. If the device has three antennas, then two of them are aimed at transmitting data, and one for receiving. The maximum number of antennas in the device can reach 6. It is desirable that the selected router has the ability to replace antennas with more powerful ones. Thus, you can make your Internet connection better by purchasing more powerful types of antennas.

5. Data encryption. Data encryption is an essential part of maintaining the security of an Internet connection. Unauthorized connection to the network can significantly reduce the speed of the Internet. Almost all modern routers use 2 methods of data encryption: WPA and WEP. WPA is considered more reliable of them.

6. Slot for USB. This feature is not mandatory. It can be used to connect various devices to the router, such as a printer, flash drive, hard drive. Thanks to this, it becomes possible to share the files available on these devices with other users connected to Wi-Fi.

7. Connecting a 3G modem to a Wi-Fi router. The USB interface does not yet guarantee the ability to connect to the router, the ability to connect the G-modem to the router. Not all routers have this feature. The need for its presence lies in the inability of some users to connect a stationary provider. In addition, 3G is a safety option in case of problems with the standard connection.

8. ADSL connection. If you have an ADSL Internet connection, you should choose a router that supports this type of connection. In this case, there is no need to use an ADSL modem to get additional functionality.

9. The number of ports in the router. The largest number of access points include 4 Ethernet ports. This makes it possible to connect several devices to the Internet via a wired network. Such devices can be a receiver, a desktop computer, a TV. At the same time, it remains possible to use a wireless connection. However, it must be remembered that connecting via a cable is more reliable and faster. Therefore, for stationary devices it is better to use just this kind of it.

10. Port speed. Providers generally provide Internet speeds up to 100 Mb/s. However, the times when this figure will be several hundred Mb/s are not far off. That is why it is better to purchase a device that will support gigabit networks. So, you should choose a router whose port speed is 1000 Mb / s. This will allow him to remain in demand and relevant for a long time. This recommendation applies only to those users who use the Internet to the maximum. The rest can be content with quite good 100 Mb/s. Web-interface With its help, it will be possible to configure the device using the browser. This means that the settings menu will look like a website.

11. Router firmware. The possibility of firmware is available in almost all models of routers. This feature allows you to eliminate existing errors in the work, as well as improve the efficiency and usability of the device. Therefore, when asked which router to choose, you should pay attention to how easy it can be reflashed and how often new firmware is released for it. When choosing any router, you must strictly adhere to the selection criteria listed above. Even the router models included in the top may simply not be suitable for the specific environment in which they will work. It must also be remembered that it is better to buy an inexpensive router, no matter what speed it has (as a rule, it is enough for normal work on the Internet), but on the other hand, it provides stable and reliable operation. The best router should certainly have quality and security criteria from unauthorized connection to the network.

Video on how to choose the right Wi-Fi router: