How to Choose the Perfect Wi-Fi Router

The key to a connected home is the connected room. A smart device without the wireless communication features is just a normal old device! Some smart devices communicate over Bluetooth, more than Wi-Fi connectivity. Therefore, the wireless router is one of the most important components of a smart home!

Sometimes your ISP will offer you to rent a router. It's usually a bad deal. You can often save money by buying your own router. Keep reading to find the right router for your home.

router speed

There are several classifications of the speeds of the router, called 802.11 followed by a letter. The WLAN speed levels are as follows: a -> b -> g -> n -> ac, where "to" is the most and slow and "ac" is the fastest.

If you are looking for a new router, look for 802.11a, 802.11b or 802.11g routers. These routers are out of date for a few years, and if you do not get them for the lowest dollar, they are not worth the money.

802.11n routers can reach speeds of up to 300 megabits per second, and 802.11ac routers can reach speeds of around 1300 megabits per second. Remember that the maximum speed you receive depends on the Internet service you pay. Most modern homes cannot access speeds above 300 megabits, so you're likely to agree to buy an 802.11n router. However, if you want to be future-proof, you should choose to purchase an 802.11ac router for years to come.

Dual Band vs. Single band

Many routers offer dual functionality such as 2.4 GHz signals and 5 GHz signals. Single-band routers only provide 2.4 GHz signals. If you have a lot of peripherals or really need the extra speed, choose the dual-band router. If your router is modest, you can save money and stay with the single band.

Extenders and mesh networks

If you have a big house, you may need to buy Wi-Fi extenders. These devices can amplify the signal and reach more rooms in the house. I recommend that you first configure your new router to see if the extension is needed.