Home-Internet-How to choose a powerful wifi router for your home. Router protective functions

How to choose a powerful wifi router for your home. Router protective functions

We live in the age of the Internet, which has successfully replaced going to the cinema and reading books. Today, communication with many people can take place without mail and long-distance calls, and social networks have made a real revolution in people's communication. Every owner of a modern gadget has access to the Internet, be it a smartphone, laptop, tablet or computer; All you need to do is simply connect your device to the network, and you can connect to the Internet via a telephone line - or through a special cable channel provider. But in order to connect several devices from one Internet input, there are Wi-Fi routers that distribute it over a radio channel. Our article will discuss exactly how to choose a Wi-Fi router with the optimal price-quality ratio in 2018.

Choosing a router

In order for the chosen Wi-Fi router to be ideal, you need to clearly imagine how you will use the Internet in the future. If visiting the network is limited to browsing websites and communicating on social networks– then a budget router model with minimum set functions and low parameters, and if you plan to regularly download large files, play online 3D games or watch streaming video in high resolution - you will need a completely different device with significantly higher performance, and therefore higher price.

Types of Wi-Fi routers

All Wi-Fi routers sold today are divided into five groups based on the type of port.

  • ADSL Wi-Fi router is a device with an input for an RJ11 telephone connector.
  • Ethernet (FTTB) WiFi router – with a twisted pair Ethernet (FTTB) input for an RJ45 connector.
  • CPON/CEPON/PON WiFi router – a router with an input in the form of an SC connector for fiber optic cables.
  • 3G/4G/LTE WiFi router – a device with operator radio frequency input telephone communication, for distributing the Internet from cellular providers.
  • A universal Wi-Fi router combines several types of connections.

Some aspects of choice

There are a wide variety of different Wi-Fi routers on the shelves of electronics stores today, and it is important when choosing a device to pay attention to some points, which will be discussed below.

  1. If the provider has not provided you with its device, you need to find out the type of WAN connector it uses to distribute the Internet, as well as the connection protocol, and then look for a Wi-Fi router with the same parameters.
  2. If the provider's service package includes a data transfer speed of more than 100 Mbit/s, you must select a router with Gigabit Ethernet LAN connectors supporting a speed of 1 Gbit/s. If the Internet speed is less than this, you can get by with a device with Fast Ethernet ports operating at speeds of up to 100 Mbit/s.
  3. If you plan to use several wireless gadgets, download large volumes information, playing online games and watching streaming video in high definition - you need to choose a Wi-Fi router with two frequency bands and multiple antennas, operating on the IEEE 802.11 ac wireless local network standard - and for working with documents, Internet surfing and communication on social media networks, a model with one antenna supporting an 802.11 n class local network is sufficient.

What else to pay attention to

  • Radius Wi-Fi actions in the instructions does not coincide with the real one, since it is prescribed for ideal conditions. There are many walls in any room, and the signal level drops significantly because of this, so the 100 meters of Wi-Fi coverage diameter indicated in the specifications may in fact turn out to be no more than 20 meters. Do not buy a router with an antenna hidden inside the case - such devices distribute Wi-Fi weaker.
  • Number of antennas directly affects the speed of local network devices. If a router has only one antenna, it is forced to divide its power between receiving and transmitting data, and two antennas already distribute information flows among themselves: one antenna works for transmission, and the second for reception. Maximum quantity antennas in the Wi-Fi router - 6, respectively, quality Wi-Fi distribution this model has a very high. And also, if the router’s antennas are removable, you can install more powerful or directional antennas instead.
  • USB ports the Wi-Fi router allows you to connect a flash drive to it, hard drive, a printer and a 3G/4G modem to secure the Internet - if this is provided for by the functionality of the model.
  • WEB interface in the router will allow you to quickly configure it thanks to a program that looks like a website.
  • WEB firmware updateability allows each new version of the Wi-Fi router operating system to correct shortcomings, improving its performance, and it’s good if these updates occur regularly.

Price

The price of good Wi-Fi routers ranges from 1000 - 6000 rubles or more; for this money you can buy a model that matches the type of Internet use. The price of 1000-1500 rubles is enough to buy simple, but at the same time very good routers such as: Xiaomi Mi Wi-Fi Router 3, ASUS RT-AC53 or D-link DIR-615/T4 for those who spend most of their time on social media -networks, browsing the Internet and riding tanks in the WoT game. For 2000 rubles you can already buy a 2-band gigabit router type TP-LINK Archer C1200 with full coverage of the apartment, but the cost is higher than 2000 rubles for models with several antennas and wider functionality.

Before deciding to purchase a router, you should consult your provider about model compatibility. Possessing information about technical requirements provider, which are presented to them, you will be able to make a more intelligent choice and avoid unpleasant situations in the future.

Rating of the best Wi-Fi routers of 2018

Well, I think we’ve sorted out the main nuances, now it’s time to move on to choosing the Wi-Fi router itself, but before that you need to decide where it will be located in an apartment or a large private house. Therefore, we have collected only the most best models routers of 2017-2018, both powerful for the home and inexpensive for a one-room apartment.

The best Wi-Fi routers 2018 price-quality

  • Xiaomi Mi Wi-Fi Router 3 - best buy
  • ASUS RT-AC53 is an excellent option for non- large apartment
  • TP-LINK TL-WR841N
  • Xiaomi Mi Wi-Fi Router 4 - new 2018
  • D-link DIR-815/AC
  • ASUS RT-AC51U
  • ZYXEL Keenetic Air

Top 5 Wi-Fi routers from Asus

  • ASUS RT-AC53 - (perfect for both a large apartment and a house)
  • ASUS RT-AC51U - (same as the previous model, just a little weaker)
  • ASUS RT-AC66U - (decent and stylish model for a 3-room apartment) I recommend
  • ASUS RT-AC58U - (a good option for a small private house or 2-room apartment)
  • ASUS RT-AC1200G Plus - (the most powerful of the popular routers that incorporates all the best)

The best TP-Link routers- Top 5

  • TP-LINK Archer C50(RU) - (one of the coolest Wi-Fi routers of 2018, it combines all the best, powerful signal and reasonable price)
  • TP-LINK Archer C59 - (a good choice for a one-room apartment, but it is advisable to immediately change the firmware to the latest)
  • TP-LINK Archer C1200 - (a good choice for a two-room apartment, but it is advisable to immediately change the firmware to the latest one)
  • TP-LINK Archer C7 - (new product for 2018, I recommend)
  • TP-LINK Archer C3200 - (one of the top models of this company, includes only the latest technologies, but the price is steep)

Best Wi-Fi D-Link routers- Top 5

New technologies are increasingly becoming part of our lives, and few people are able to live without a computer and the Internet for even one day. Devices with access to World Wide Web, in each house there are more and more, and there is usually only one access point. This problem is solved by organizing a local (partly wired, partly wireless) home network to which all available equipment will be connected. For these tasks, routers are used, which are also called “routers”.

All establishments selling computer hardware have a fairly large number of various models of this device, so selection problems often arise. All routers of the latest models include the ability to organize WI-FI connections, but differ in price several times, have different capabilities and functionality. So the question of how to choose is very tough. There are many subtleties and nuances that need to be taken into account.

How to choose a WI-FI router

The most important thing is to know. You can find out from your provider. The connection can be:

  • ADSL - using a telephone line;
  • Ethernet - via local networks;
  • 3G, 4G - wireless connection via mobile networks last generations.

When choosing specific model router, make sure that there is an input port that supports your connection type. There are models that have multiple inputs, and you can connect to the Internet from two providers. This is convenient when you need to organize a stable connection, regardless of whether one of them has problems.

When answering the question of how to choose a WI-FI router, we further advise you to pay attention to the standard with which the device works. The transmissions with which your local network will work depend on it:

  • 802.11b - provides speeds of no more than 11 Mbit/s.
  • 802.11g - provides speeds of no more than 54 Mbit/s.
  • 802.11n - theoretically provides speeds of up to 600 Mbps.

for home

Most modern devices with Internet access support

802.11n standard. So it’s logical to choose a router with these characteristics. If one of your devices has a lower standard, then it will work with a higher-ranking router, but at the speed that is available to it. If your router has a lower speed, then, naturally, all devices will operate at the speed that it can provide. One more thing: you shouldn’t overpay for the 802.11n standard if the maximum speed of your connection is not higher than 50 Mbit/s.

When wondering which router to choose for your home, find out at what frequency all devices in the house that have Internet access operate. For most computers and other equipment, this figure is 2.4 GHz, but there are devices with operating frequency at 5 GHz. If both types of devices are available, you will have to choose a router that operates at two frequencies, which, of course, is somewhat more expensive, but it removes the limitation when purchasing new devices.

The next point worth considering is the number and type of antennas. They can be built-in or removable. If you are going to use wireless Internet only in your apartment, then models with built-in antennas will be enough, but if you want to “climb” in global network, sitting on a bench near the house, then external ones are required.

Essentially, the router is small computer with limited functionality, and, like any computer, it has a certain amount of memory and processor. The larger the first and more productive the second, the better and faster your local network will work. Therefore, choose the “coolest” option based on these parameters from the options available to you.

That's probably all you need to pay attention to. We hope it has become clear to you what characteristics you should pay attention to first. There is also a secondary point: availability of USB-ports. This is sometimes very convenient: you can connect a printer or external drive, or other devices that have such an input.


We think that finding a user who does not use and has never heard of wireless routers (another name for this class of equipment is a router) will be quite difficult today. This device, if we talk about the main function, allows you to create a local network at home or in the office, uniting several clients and providing them with Internet access through one connection. Clients can be computers, laptops, smartphones, tablets, video cameras, network drives, printers, receivers, TVs and other equipment. Lately More exotic options also appear, such as lamps, sockets and kettles. For direct connection, wires or wireless Wi-Fi networks can be used.

There are many models on the market today wireless routers, the cost of which differs tenfold, so the question of choosing the optimal option comes up often. In this material we will talk about what characteristics this type of equipment has, what you should pay attention to when choosing, and how to correctly draw up your own requirements.

First of all, we note that today almost any equipment is a combination of a hardware platform and software. From the user's point of view, both elements are essential, and only their effective interaction allows one to obtain a good result.

Also note that in this article we will talk about the most widespread segment of devices connected to the Internet using Ethernet technology - a standard network cable (twisted pair). But some of the information will also be useful for those who use various DSL and optical options.

Specifications

Let's start with the first group, which is relatively easy to evaluate, since these parameters are most often given in the product description.

Wired ports

The overwhelming number of routers have ports for connecting a wired network - both for the operator cable and for own clients. The only exceptions are, perhaps, mobile models with support only for cellular networks and Wi-Fi. This is one of the most simple characteristics- you only need to know the number of ports and their speed. The scheme that has become a standard is designated 1×WAN+4×LAN, that is, one port for connecting to the provider (WAN) and four ports for your devices (LAN). Some routers have 1×WAN+2×LAN or 1×WAN+8×LAN schemes, which accordingly changes the number of clients connected without additional equipment.

If you do not have enough LAN ports, then increasing their number will help network switches. This relatively simple and inexpensive device allows, roughly speaking, to make four or seven or more ports out of one. Let us only remind you that the rule for wires is: each client has its own port. In this case, the length standard cable from the router to the client cannot exceed 100 meters.

With speed, everything is also simple: the options relevant for the mass market are 100 Mbit/s or 1000 Mbit/s (1 Gbit/s). Accordingly, this figure determines how quickly devices connected by cables can exchange data. Most provider offers on the market today are limited to 100 Mbit/s, and if your clients only plan to have a couple of laptops and smartphones, it may not be necessary to have gigabit ports on the router. However, if you plan to use network storage and powerful desktop computers, working at 1 Gbit/s will be significantly more comfortable. It is also important to match the speed of wireless connections.

A wired connection has one significant advantage over a wireless one: its speed is constant and maximum. It does not depend on the activity of neighbors, distances and other unpredictable factors. But, of course, this option is not suitable for mobile devices, and also requires cable laying. There are no restrictions on the maximum number of wired clients for the vast majority of home configurations. You just have to pay attention to the overall speed of the Internet channel for everyone. For example, if you want to simultaneously view two high-definition online broadcasts of 15-20 Mbit/s each, then it is advisable to have tariff plan at least 50 Mbit/s.

Wireless access points

The second, perhaps even more important today, characteristic of a wireless router is the parameters of the access point installed in it. The main characteristics here are the number of bands, supported standards and maximum connection speeds.

There are two Wi-Fi bands in use today: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. In urban environments at 2.4 GHz you can observe dozens neighboring networks, which affects both the speed and stability of your connection. So we recommend looking at dual-band devices (2.4 + 5 GHz), since 5 GHz is still relatively free today. Of course, this only makes sense if your clients have 5GHz support. From a technical point of view, a dual-band router has two independent radio units and creates two independent access points. Clients can connect to any of them, but only to one at a time.

There are two main Wi-Fi standards on the market today: the most widespread 802.11n and the increasingly popular 802.11ac. The first one operates in the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands, but 802.11ac can only use 5 GHz. However, all other things being equal, 802.11ac provides higher connection speeds. As with range, customers must maintain these standards.

As for speed, we note that the characteristics of the router indicate the so-called connection speed. Real performance in data exchange tasks is usually about two times lower. In addition, the wireless access point shares all its speed among all connected clients, so the more of them communicating simultaneously, the slower each client's speed. In addition, there is a dependence of speed on distance and the presence of obstacles.

The easiest way to estimate connection speeds is by the number of antennas. For 802.11n, a single antenna can provide a maximum of 150 Mbps (both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz). The presence of two antennas allows us to talk about 300 Mbit/s. And if there are three of them, then you can connect at 450 Mbit/s. Again, consistency with the client's characteristics must be kept in mind here. For example, most smartphones have only one antenna, so a 450 Mbps router for them can only be useful in terms of improved coverage, but not in terms of formal connection speed.

It is also worth noting that some models of clients and routers have restrictions in the 2.4 GHz band. The above 150 Mbit/s are provided only when operating on a “wide channel” (can be designated as “40 MHz” or “HT40”; in fact, equipment in this mode uses two channels at once, and not one with an increased bandwidth). But some devices, in the presence of neighboring networks, are only capable of providing a 20 MHz channel, which leads to connection speeds of up to 72 or 65 Mbit/s per antenna.

The use of 802.11ac is also interesting because current implementations of this standard support four channels simultaneously (“80 MHz”, “HT80”). This allows for 433 Mbps per antenna (867 Mbps for two antennas, 1300 Mbps for three antennas). So on smartphones it is quite possible to get figures of the order of 200 Mbit/s for real data exchange speed.

Let us note two more points here. Do not forget about the consistency of characteristics with wired ports. If you have 100 Mbps on WAN ports and LAN, then no 802.11ac will be able to fully “open up” on a mobile device when accessing the Internet or local network computers. In addition, in the upper segment today there are devices that are not very correctly called “tri-band”. In this case, we are talking about the fact that the router has one access point at 2.4 GHz and two at 5 GHz. At the same time, the latter operate on different sets of channels and do not interfere with each other, which formally can provide an increase in overall performance with the correct distribution of clients across different access points.

Another characteristic associated with wireless communications is the design of antennas. Most router models have external antennas, and only a small number use internal ones. In our testing in a city apartment, we did not notice any clear advantage in the former, and it is rather worth focusing on the design of the case in this matter. The second point is related to the possibility of replacing antennas. In some situations, this may be useful for installing better ones or for moving away from the router case. However, the real effect will have to be assessed independently. Considering that the developers agree on all the parameters of the radio part, no one can guarantee that things will get better.

An essential characteristic of a wireless connection for many users is the quality of coverage. Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to adequately evaluate it in testing, since all apartments and broadcast conditions are different, and testing in open space will not give useful information city ​​users. So here you will have to rely on the characteristics specified by the manufacturer and user reviews. As for solving the issue of insufficient coverage, the most effective and correct option (after choosing the location of the main router) is to install additional access points or repeaters.

IN general case It’s worth evaluating a router based on “range” exclusively independently at the place of its installation and with specific clients, since the quality wireless communication significantly depends on their capabilities and characteristics. At the same time, today mobile devices, especially if we are talking about smartphones and tablets from not the most well-known brands, can rarely boast of a high-quality implementation of the radio module and an effective antenna.

Home models usually have no formal restrictions on the maximum number of clients served. In practice, in many cases they “pull” a dozen or two devices. But much in this case will depend on the clients used and their requirements for speed and traffic volumes. It's one thing to connect five smartphones to view websites, and quite another to connect five IP cameras with high resolution and bitrate.

USB ports

Some mid-range router models and most high-end routers have USB ports. This can be either one port of version 2.0, or two, with versions 2.0 and 3.0. The most commonly used services with them include connecting storage devices (for organizing sharing to files), printers or MFPs (for network printing), as well as cellular modems(for backup or main Internet connection channel).

In most cases, you can use USB hubs (preferably active, with additional external power supply) to increase the number of simultaneously connected devices.

The capabilities of working with USB devices are directly determined by the router’s firmware, and we will talk about them later in the article. Here we only note that USB 3.0 is required only if you plan to intensively work with large files on drives - for other services, USB 2.0 is sufficient.

Platform

These characteristics (in particular, the SoC/processor model and the amount of RAM and flash memory) are difficult to directly “translate” into the user experience of working with the device, and to evaluate them it is better to focus on the results shown by the device in performance tests. So you should usually pay attention to them only from the point of view of installation on the router alternative versions firmware

And even in this case, you need to focus specifically on the availability of these firmwares for a specific router model, and not on the installed microcircuits. Most famous brands V this segment market companies are Broadcom, Mediatek, Qualcomm and Realtek. Some of them focus on mass models, others on high-end devices. For the end consumer, in most cases there is no difference between them, since he is evaluating a finished finished product, and not one or two microcircuits.

Other options

In some cases, it is also worth paying attention to characteristics such as overall dimensions, availability of wall mounting, number and location LED indicators, the presence of power off and Wi-Fi buttons, the location of the ventilation holes, the design and power of the power supply.

Software characteristics

The software (firmware) built into the router is not less processor or radio unit affects the operation of the device. Typically, each manufacturer has a certain basic unified set for all models and expands it depending on their hardware features (for example, the presence of USB ports). Most Responsible Developers certain time After the announcement, devices offer firmware updates that fix bugs in previous versions or add new functionality. But we, perhaps, have not encountered a situation where new firmware at some point it significantly changed the impression of the router. So in this matter, for most users, we would recommend that if questions arise with the software, they immediately return or change the device. This will be the simplest and quick way solving the problem.

Let's see what firmware features you should pay attention to when choosing a router today.

Internet connection

There are hundreds, if not thousands of providers operating in the vastness of our country, not to mention their differences in different regions, so the question correct operation with operator equipment is the most frequently discussed on thematic forums. Fortunately, in many cases we can still talk about implementation standard types connections - IPoE, PPPoE, PPTP or L2TP. If in doubt, it is better to contact your provider for a list of compatible models or ask questions to users in your region.

IPoE is the simplest and fastest method when the WAN port of your router simply receives an IP address from the provider’s equipment. PPPoE is a little more complicated and requires specifying a username and password in the router, which are issued by the operator. These two connection types are the least resource-intensive for the router and provide maximum speed. Almost any modern router model can be said to provide maximum operating speeds for the installed wired ports.

PPTP and L2TP are, fortunately, becoming less common today. For them, in addition to the name and password, you must also specify the address of the provider's access server. These modes create a greater load on router processors and may also have certain problems compatibility.

Some manufacturers implement special assistants in routers to simplify configuration for specific providers.

Note that some models additionally implement a scheme for connecting to the Internet via Wi-Fi, when the router acts as a client of the operator’s wireless network. At the same time, it simultaneously works as an access point, in addition to servicing wired ports.

IPTV

Providing services for watching TV channels through Internet operators is widely in demand in our market. Unfortunately, in present moment there is no single standard or even a limited set of them, since each operator chooses the most convenient and profitable option for itself. Configurations encountered include connecting an IPTV set-top box to a dedicated router port (including using VLAN technologies to separate traffic), broadcast TV channels using multicast technology, install a set-top box behind a router without a dedicated port, use a program for a computer, and others.

You can check the compatibility of a particular router with an operator’s service only when you are on its network, so we cannot technically ensure this in our testing.

If working with IPTV provider, you must first clarify the details of the provision of this service and the recommended connection diagram. In case of working via a dedicated port for the set-top box, you will need a direct network cable from a router to a TV, which will work exclusively for the set-top box. Also note that wireless communications are not very well suited for this type of traffic, but in some situations they can still be used.

The simplest guaranteed solution to the problem is the use of operator equipment. However, judging by our experience, in many cases it is possible to configure other equipment to work with this service.

USB ports

The presence of USB ports can take your home router to the next level, allowing you to implement many additional functions. True, this requires the appropriate firmware.

The most commonly used options are connecting a hard drive or flash drive for organization public access to files via SMB (Windows network) and FTP protocols. The second protocol also allows you to provide files for remote users via the Internet. Depending on USB versions, speed of wired ports and platform performance, this service can be used to store work files, create backups, organize a media library and solve other problems.

Most models with USB ports also include DLNA server, which allows you to stream multimedia to SmartTV and other receivers. True, there may be subtleties of compatibility with devices and formats. On some fast devices You can implement a system for offline downloading files from the Internet using various protocols, which does not require a constantly turned on computer.

The second most popular task for a USB port is servicing a 3G/4G modem to provide Internet access. This can be either the main channel, for example for a summer residence, or a backup channel, which is used in case of failure of the main wire connection. Here it is worth paying attention to the support of specific cellular modem models. The compatibility list is usually provided on the router manufacturer's website.

The USB port on the router can also be used to turn your printer into a network model. In this case, the firmware at least implements the printing function, but working with a scanner in an MFP is not always possible.

Additional services

In general, the software functions described above are sufficient to organize Internet access for home devices. But, of course, the capabilities of firmware are usually much wider.

Features such as a built-in DDNS client, IPv6 support, and bandwidth control (QoS) may be useful for connecting to the Internet. True, the QoS service in many routers does not work very efficiently. Some router models have solutions for creating multiple connections to the Internet, which allows for redundant communication channels.

An IPTV scenario may require support for the IGMP protocol and/or the udpxy service, which is especially useful for wireless clients.

The router's wireless access points can be used to organize guest networks, whose clients will only have access to the Internet, but not to the local network segment. Some users are interested in access lists and programming Wi-Fi schedules.

Considering that access to the Internet through the router is carried out using NAT technology, this can be considered certain protection from intrusions, since direct access to the local network client from the outside is impossible in this case. Additionally, routers may contain firewall, installing additional filters, creating port translation rules to allow external access to services (for example, for a network storage device).

There is also a module for setting a schedule for client access to the Internet (it is often called “Parental Control”). With the proliferation of mobile devices, it is useful to implement filters for accessing sites by category, for example SkyDNS and Yandex.DNS.

In high-performance models, we often find a VPN server, which is useful for organizing secure remote access to a local network via the Internet.

Additionally, there may be network diagnostic functions, extended event logs, and display of other service information.

Web interface

In most cases, routers are configured through the web interface - opening a page with the device address (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) in the browser. Sometimes it happens that you are automatically redirected to this page when you try to access the Internet through a router. Also in this case, the setup wizard may start on a new device or after a factory reset. The minimum required parameters to get started are options for connecting to your provider and a name/password for the wireless network. We also recommend changing the factory administrator password.

When using the device, you usually do not need to look at the web interface. The exception is additional services, such as downloading files, as well as checking the status and diagnosing the connection. So usually the interface design and ease of use have little influence on the choice of model.

Mobile applications

Today, several companies offer branded mobile applications as an alternative to launching a router and monitoring its operation. This may be useful for initial setup from a tablet or smartphone, which are not always convenient for a “full” web interface. In addition, through these programs you can quickly change some settings - for example, enable guest network or allow certain clients to access the Internet.

Typically, these utilities only work “from the inside” - when the smartphone is connected to the router’s wireless network. But sometimes there are cloud options that do not require this. This option is interesting if you need to control the operation of the router remotely (for example, from work or while on the road).

Alternative firmware

Most users, after purchasing a router, use it with factory firmware. Sometimes, for example, on the recommendation of the technical support of the provider or manufacturer, it is updated to a new version published on the developer’s website. However, we cannot fail to mention in this material such an opportunity as installing alternative firmware versions on the router.

In general, they mean all options not developed directly by the device manufacturer. But in terms of the level of “alternativeness” there can be significant differences. In particular, there may be versions in which enthusiasts have corrected some shortcomings of the original version or expanded the range of its capabilities. Can be created without using source code versions. Another compromise option is to work with the original firmware and add new features to it through installing a package manager.

Depending on the specific router model, installing alternative firmware can be very simple (for example, downloading a file downloaded from the Internet regular means), and complex, including disassembling the device and connecting the console cable. Sometimes it may also be necessary self-assembly firmware from source codes. Any such option usually violates the terms warranty service routers installed by the manufacturer. On the other hand, in most cases, if the router is physically functional, you can return the original version to it.

The reason for using alternative firmware may be incompatibility with operator parameters, the need for additional functions, increased speed, and others. So with this question everything is purely individual and depends on the device, the operator, the user, as well as his requirements, experience and skills.

Other options

In addition to the characteristics of the router described above in terms of hardware and software, when choosing, you should pay attention to other parameters. Among which, after cost and availability in stores, it is worth paying attention to brand recognition. In particular, this determines the presence and activity of the user community, technical support, service centers and warranty.

It is also worth noting that operators have lists of recommended router models. Focusing on them will help minimize connection problems, especially additional services. However, usually the models on the list are not very interesting from a technical point of view.

Conclusion

As you can see, despite the formally simple set of basic tasks solved by a router, many factors that are significant for the real experience of working with it can be hidden in small details. At the same time, there are several hundred models for the home segment on the market, and their cost varies from approximately 1 to 30 thousand rubles.

Therefore, when choosing a device, you should first determine your requirements and objectives as accurately as possible. The main ones include the number of wired and wireless clients, the required connection speeds, the type and speed of connection to the provider, the need to implement additional network services(in particular IPTV or VPN servers), ability to work with USB devices. After this it will be possible to compose sample list applicants and study them in more detail on the manufacturers’ websites and in reviews on thematic resources.

In the next article we will look at the most popular, in our opinion, profiles for using home wireless routers and offer several current model options for them.

Due to modern technological improvements, nowadays no one will be surprised by broadband internet. The activities of many citizens directly depend on it, not to mention the ability to find any information on the Internet. An important thing in this direction is the invention of a device that will allow you to share access to the Internet simultaneously among several computers in the room. It is called a wireless router or router. This device will provide significant comfort in this regard. By installing it, you will get rid of endless wires in the room, and the debate about who will be the first to use the Internet will subside. However, many citizens are wondering which router to choose for their home. This will be discussed further below.

What is a Wi-Fi router?

This device is small with a regular device. It is connected to the Internet of the provider you choose. This is quite easy to do. After this, this device distributes the Internet to devices that are predisposed to a Wi-Fi connection. Inside the router there is a small computer that monitors signal conversion and synchronization with other users. This device is equipped with its own processor, RAM and permanent memory. These parameters are important when deciding which router to choose for your home. The memory of this device stores its firmware settings with Internet provider data, as well as the password and login for connecting to the network.

When deciding which router to choose for your home, you should also pay attention to the presence of various interfaces in the device. This is important fact. There must be at least one DSL or Ethernet interface. This is necessary to connect the Internet provider cable. In addition, there are these devices that connect to the Internet using 3G technology.

At what speed is data transferred?

This is also an important criterion when determining which router to buy for an apartment. All Wi-Fi routers are designated by the IEEE 802.11 standard. It is divided into 4 types of speeds. Namely:

  • 802.11a is the very first standard, introduced in 1999. In this case, data is transferred at speeds of up to 54 Mbit/s. Such routers are almost no longer sold on radio-electronic markets. But modern devices do not support it. Therefore, it is better not to choose this standard to avoid connection issues.
  • 802.11b. This standard was developed in 1999. But they started producing devices with it in 2003. In this case, data is transmitted at low speed - up to 11 Mbit/s. Therefore, you should not purchase devices with a similar standard. Another of its disadvantages is low security against hacking.
  • 802.11g is the most common standard demon wired internet to date. In this case, data transfer is carried out at speeds of up to 54 Mbit/s. This type of router is capable of supporting the b standard, and its marking is designated: 802.11b/g. It makes sense to purchase such a device if your provider has a connection speed of up to 50 Mbit/s.
  • 802.11n is a modern and relevant wireless Internet standard. It was created back in 2009. It is capable of supporting speeds up to 600 Mbit/s. In today's market, home models are limited to 300 Mbit/s. A similar standard is available on all computers and laptops released after 2010. This is the most suitable option.

Fixture Data Styles

An ordinary Wi-Fi router has standard view. It is a box with one or more antennas. The signal strength of the specified device depends on their number. Therefore, the number of such elements is quite significant. A significant increase in the Wi-Fi signal can be achieved by using a router with 3 or 4 antennas. However, with such a number of these elements, these devices will cost more. There are also beautiful and non-standard models of routers that can fit into any interior design of your home. These devices exist without antennas, but in this case, questions will arise with the level of the Wi-Fi signal.

Which router should I choose for my home to avoid problems?

Of course, you first need to think about the purpose for which the specified device is being purchased. For example, some users want to have a Wi-Fi router just to move their laptop to any room in an apartment or house, so that they don’t have to drag the wired Internet cord behind them. Others are limited to connecting their child or wife's computer to their provider. In such cases, you do not need to waste time deciding which is the best router, but buy it at your own expense, but nevertheless it is not cheap.

It’s a different matter if this device is needed for serious matters. Here you need to think about buying an expensive, high-quality router. This device, just like a computer, can freeze, overheat, reboot and have other shortcomings. The router not only distributes the Internet between devices, but also deals with a considerable amount of data. It uses encrypted protocols, analyzes and forwards many information packets, detects connections, protects connected devices from virus attacks and intrusions, encrypts Wi-Fi connections, and also performs other important functions.

Possible problems

If the router has low-quality hardware, serious problems may occur. Namely:

  • The speed may be less than that specified in the instructions.
  • Overloads and connection failure.
  • Working Wi-Fi zone much less than indicated.
  • A bad firewall does not properly protect against intrusions and viruses.
  • Lack of connectivity network printer or flash drives.

When deciding which router to buy for your apartment, you should also pay attention to the size of the RAM. It should preferably be from 128 MV. This is important to know. The processor power must be at least 240 MHz. Another important indicator of a router is FLASH memory. It’s good if it is from 32 MV. It is advisable to view all this data on the manufacturer’s website.

Support of necessary protocols and network standards

This is also important to know when determining which is the best router. This device may not support all protocols for providing Internet services. This is a reliable fact. Therefore, when deciding which router to choose for your home, you need to know the operating protocol of your provider. In this case, pay attention to IPTV support. You may not use this feature, but you can start using it over time. Then you won't have to buy a new router. This device must have the ability to work with traffic tagging.

Generally Wi-Fi standard does not require protocol selection. This is important to know when deciding which router to choose for your home. However, you need to look at the compliance of the standards of devices that will work via Wi-Fi.

For good wireless performance Wi-Fi connection It is advisable to buy a router with at least one removable external antenna. This is an important condition. The antenna, which is located inside the device, has a slight gain. This is only enough for one room. The good thing about the removable antenna is that, if necessary, it can be replaced by installing, for example, a more powerful or directional one. Routers that have two 5 dBi antennas in MIMO mode provide excellent Wi-Fi performance. The cost of these devices is slightly more expensive, and the high-speed Internet transmission is very good and the distribution area is large.

Which router should I choose for my home to save money on my purchase?

For home use You don’t have to look for this device with additional functions. These include the presence of built-in print servers, USB ports, FTR, DLNA or Samba servers, as well as a torrent client.

If we take into account the manufacturers of routers for home use, then they cannot be divided only into very good and bad. Each manufacturer's original models have flaws. Therefore, it is advisable to purchase models of subsequent modern modifications.

The Chinese advanced variations Tenda and Upvel are fairly inexpensive routers with good hardware. Their price is around 800 rubles. They are equipped with a fast Broadcom chip and two MIMO antennas, providing good Wi-Fi work.

If you choose an expensive router, there is a good chance of purchasing a device with good hardware. However, you will have to fork out some money for this. With all this, no one guarantees that an expensive device will work better than cheap router.

Device safety

This is one of the main questions. It is important when determining which router to choose for your home. Wi-Fi is generally available in public places. In this case, any users can use it. Therefore, when deciding which router to choose for your home, of course, you need to purchase a device with closed type networks. In this case, you can connect to Wi-Fi after entering the password. Similar routers are also purchased for distributing the Internet in offices.

There are 2 types of data encryption: WPA2 and WPA. They allow you to protect your password from hacking. Modern Wi-Fi routers are equipped with a combined WPA/WPA2 security mode.

Additional functions

When deciding which router to choose for your home, these functions are also important to study. They do more comfortable work user. Thanks to the USB port, you can connect external storage devices to the router. Namely: a printer, 3G modem or MFP. A torrent client is also connected via the USB port, allowing you to download files when the computer is turned off.

Wi-Fi routers that support IPTV allow you to watch digital television. The cost of such a service is lower compared to competitors.

You may also need to distribute Internet traffic between several specific users. This can be done with a specific function. In this case, the traffic shaper will allow you to set priorities. This question will be relevant for fans of online games who need stable Internet access.

Any buyer decides for himself which WiFi router is best for him. When choosing this device, it is necessary to take into account the user's needs. There are amateur home and professional industrial devices on the Wi-Fi router market. They are capable of completing the tasks assigned to them. The cost of home models is significantly lower than professional ones. This should be taken into account when deciding which better router for home. Therefore, there is no need to overpay for the specified device industrial type, if necessary to create home network. That is, you shouldn’t spend money on such additional parameters and functions that you won’t have to use.

Popular devices 2013-2014

What is the best router for home in 2014? The answer in this case is quite simple. Which router to take - everyone chooses according to their individual desires and their own capabilities. Next, we will present a rating of the best routers costing from $20 to $130, which won the hearts of many users in 2013 and 2014. They're all just with positive reviews and the impressions of real users.

The best Asus routers

Devices of this brand are popular. The following are considered the most popular:

  • Asus RT-N66U. This device costs $130. It is perfect for both big house, and for an apartment. With its help, you can create a network of 10 or more devices simultaneously.
  • Asus RT-N65U. This device costs $100. This router is similar to previous model. Only he is a little weaker.
  • Asus RT-N53. This device costs $50. Stylish and decent model for a three-room apartment.
  • Asus RT-N12 D1. Cost $30. This is a great option for a small private house or two-room apartment.
  • Asus RT-N10P. This model costs $20. It is similar to the above variation, only with a lower signal.

The best routers of the TP-Link brand

In this case, it is worth considering the following models:

  • TP-LINK TL-WR842ND. This is a device that costs $35. This is one of the popular routers of 2013. He collected all the best in himself. Namely, an affordable price and a powerful signal.
  • TP-LINK TL-WR740N. This device costs $20. Good choice for a one-room apartment. It’s just advisable to immediately change the firmware to a more modern one.
  • TP-LINK TL-WR841ND. This router costs $30. A good choice for a two-room apartment. It is only advisable to immediately change the firmware to a more modern one.
  • TP-LINK TL-MR3220. Cost - $30. This is the newest variation for 2014. It replaced WR841. But in principle, it remained the same. Suitable option when deciding which router is best for Beeline.
  • TP-LINK TL-WDR4300. This device costs $95. This is also a 2014 variation. It is suitable for large apartments.
  • TP-LINK TL-WR1043ND. This device costs $60. Top model 2013 of the said company. It included only the latest technologies.
  • TP-LINK TL-WR941ND. This model costing $45. This is a good old classic. It is capable of breaking through thick-walled barriers. It is advisable to immediately change the firmware to the most modern one.

The best D-Link routers

  • D-Link DIR-300/A/D1. This device costs $20. This is an improved 2013 model. It has become a classic of the genre for small rooms.
  • D-Link DIR-632. This is a device that costs $40. This is an improved 2014 model. It will be enough for a house with an area of ​​up to 70 square meters. This is a good option when deciding which router to choose for Rostelecom.
  • D-Link DIR-615. This model costs $30. It has excellent parameters. Many people recommend purchasing.
  • D-Link DIR-850. This router costs $100. This is a 2014 innovation. She has all the best for today.

Bottom line

We hope that after reading this information, everyone will be able to decide which is the best WiFi router. It all depends on your needs and capabilities. Happy shopping!

Many people who decided to create wireless network in their apartment, they are faced with the problem of choosing a router. Nowadays there is a huge selection of different routers (aka routers) on the market. And if an ordinary PC user could set up a router on his own, then choosing one confuses a person. Often people rely on the opinion of the seller, not realizing that basically, selling a router is not his main activity and he relies on the opinion of the masses. Therefore, after purchasing and setting up a router, problems arise with loss of speed, frequent interruptions in the Internet connection, and you have to periodically turn off and on the router. As you probably already understood, the whole point is that the router was chosen incorrectly. Therefore, I, as a master engaged in repairs and tuning digital equipment, I decided in this article to help you with choosing a router. We'll look at what to look out for and what to watch out for. Let me make a reservation right away that the information is relevant for the period of the end of 2013 and I think that at least until mid-2014 everything will remain unchanged.
Content:

Router cost

First, let's talk about the most interesting things: What should the cost of a wifi router be? On many forums, people write that you need to take the cheapest router possible, citing the fact that all the functions are the same and the cheapest router will be enough for private use. I don't agree with this. As a router installation and repair specialist, I most often go to repair cheap routers. The main problems are trivial: the torrent does not work well, the connection drops out, very low speed. This does not mean that cheap models are made poorly, they were simply created for other purposes than those that the advanced user is currently pursuing. If we always had instructions, we would immediately understand this. Having analyzed the market offers, I advise you to choose the most expensive of the budget models. The price range of a normal router for an apartment is $25-50. By purchasing a router in a normal store for this price, you can save yourself from minor problems.

What parameters should you pay attention to?

  1. Price— as I said above, the cost of a normal router should be at least $25. This will immediately eliminate a number of problems.
  2. Manufacturer company (Brand)— there are quite a lot of companies producing routers, but there are also the most popular manufacturers of budget routers, such as D-Link, Asus, TP-Link. Each of these companies is popular in its own way, each has its own advantages. But there are also disadvantages. The company Dlink (which is considered the most popular in the CIS) contains in some models frequent breaks communications. Also, one of the new firmwares had a problem with Wifi, but they fixed it as soon as possible (but there was a problem). We draw our own conclusions). ASUS still has not solved the problem with iptv (IP television), Wi-Fi does not work. Tp link had problems connecting to the Internet, but now everything seems to have been fixed. The conclusion is that the choice of brand is not so important. Everyone has both positive and negative sides. It’s also not worth choosing some little-known company; in the event of a defect or breakdown, you will be tortured to look for a service center.
  3. Desired technical specifications — Choosing a router with high-quality hardware will also help us use it without problems. random problems. So, what parameters are worth paying attention to? RAM (must be at least 32 MB, preferably 64 MB, but ideally 128 MB) - RAM affects the speed of the router and, indirectly, the number of devices connected to it. The processor must be at least 300 MHz. Flash memory 16 MB or more. For good signal One antenna is enough, but I advise you to choose a router with two antennas, this will increase the radius of not only the transmitted signal, but also the receiving power of the router.
  4. Supports various types of Internet connections– there’s not much to say about this, because modern routers support all types of connections currently used by providers (the most popular connection types are PPTP, L2TP, PPPoE, VPN). For a 3g connection you need to use special routers, their distinguishing feature— availability USB port(but this is a topic for a separate article).
  5. Wi-Fi standard– the most popular wireless connection standard is 802.11n. It should be in any router model.

That's basically all you should pay attention to when choosing Wi-Fi router.

The best Wi Fi routers

I will present to your attention those router models that I consider most suitable for an apartment.

TP-Link TL-WR841ND

An excellent model, over the years of work there have never been any problems with the setup and operation of this model.

General characteristics

  • Type Wi-Fi hotspot access
  • MIMO support available
  • Information security WEP, WPA, WPA2, 802.1x
  • Transmitter power 20 dBM
  • 4xLAN switch
  • Port speed 100 Mbit/s
  • There is a router
  • NAT yes
  • SPI yes
  • There is a DHCP server
  • Dynamic DNS support available
  • Number of external antennas 2
  • External antenna type is not removable
  • There is a web interface
  • Dimensions (WxHxD) 192x33x130 mm

ASUS RT-N12

Excellent model, no malfunctions. But there is one significant drawback: the ASUS company will not solve the problem of working iptv over WiFi. It is possible in the settings to select one of the LAN ports for IP television and that’s it. If you are not interested in this type of television, this model will suit you.

General characteristics

  • Type Wi-Fi access point
  • Wireless standard 802.11n, frequency 2.4 GHz
  • MIMO support available
  • Max. wireless connection speed 300 Mbps
  • Information security WEP, WPA, WPA2
  • Transmitter power 19.5 dBM
  • There is a router
  • Firewall (FireWall) yes
  • NAT yes
  • SPI yes
  • There is a DHCP server
  • Dynamic DNS support available
  • There is a Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)
  • Static routing is available
  • Number of external antennas 2
  • External antenna type: removable
  • There is a web interface
  • Dimensions (WxHxD) 179x37x119 mm
  • Weight 300 g

For now, that's all I can say about choosing a router. I hope the information helps you and you make the right choice.

I recommend watching the video: What is the difference between a router and a WiFi access point?
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