5 things to consider when buying a Wi-Fi router

Selecting a Wi-Fi router is tricky because it acts as the central hub for your devices. A Wi-Fi router supports your entertainment, working from home, and virtual school needs. Selecting the right Wi-Fi router ensures safe and secure connectivity and uninterrupted web browsing. While it can be tricky, here are our top 5 considerations for selecting the Wi-Fi router that will fit your needs.

Discover the top 5 considerations before purchasing the best Wi-Fi router for your home.

Wi-Fi Band:

First, wireless routers operate on the 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency bands. The 2.4GHz band can get congested with numerous devices and is slower at a longer range. However, the 5GHz band offers a faster, less crowded connection but with the drawback of a shorter range. Dual-band routers, utilizing both bands simultaneously, are ideal for large residential communities.

Range:

Dead zones exist in virtually every home or office. So, ideally, your Wi-Fi router should be centrally located away from obstacles and positioned higher on a shelf.  Power-line adapters may improve the range and extend network coverage by utilizing your electrical wiring. Be aware of their speed limitations, as they usually only provide physical ethernet connections.

Speed:

Also recommend opting for a Wi-Fi router that exceeds the speeds promised by your internet subscription with multiple devices connected simultaneously. Make sure the router supports the highest speeds for both 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies. Fun fact: Linking your Wi-Fi router via an Ethernet cable should deliver the fastest gaming speeds.

Security:

The Internet offer a gateway to entertainment, work, and learning. It is also an enabler of scams and cyber-attacks. Look for Wi-Fi routers with cloud-based firewalls, antivirus, and parental controls. These essential features protect against hacking and malware and support a secure network. Skip routers that lack these crucial features and protections.

USB Port & VPN:

Next, look for Wi-Fi routers with USB 3.0 ports. These routers offer advanced functionality, such as connecting to external hard drives for network-attached storage (NAS) and being easy to use when setting up a media streaming service. Consider routers with robust hardware if you plan to use them as a VPN server for remote access to your home network.

In the modern digital era, a Wi-Fi router is essential. Keeping these 5 considerations in mind will help you pick the Wi-Fi router that will fit your needs now and in the future.