Today it is difficult to imagine your life without wireless Internet, or, as it is called in colloquial slang, “Wi-Fi” (Wi-Fi). Special routers are responsible for the possibility of its functioning. When choosing them, you should pay attention to the following parameters:
- RAM and processor. It is optimal if the model has at least 32 MB of RAM and a computer frequency of 240 MHz or more. This will allow the router to work without slowdowns and always provide sufficient access speed.
- Operating modes and connected interfaces. These characteristics determine the purpose of the router. Most devices provide for installing an access point, creating a bridge, repeater or client - these modes allow you to connect a router and make it a source of Wi-Fi signal.
- Signal frequency. In most cases, this is 2.4 GHz, but due to the widespread use of these devices in homes, almost all subchannels are occupied, which negatively affects the stability and speed. It is better to choose a dual-band model, where the second channel emits a signal at a frequency of 5 GHz.
- A security protocol that encrypts data and prevents to third parties connect to Wi-Fi. Most devices support WPA and WPA2 - these are the most reliable protocols.
- Antenna power, which is measured in dBi. The higher this parameter, the greater the range of action the device has. For your home, it is advisable to choose routers with a strong signal.
- Supported protocols. The most common is IPv4, which has an IP address length of 32 bits. But some models are already equipped with TCP IPv6 - the most advanced data transfer protocol.
- Availability of up-to-date software on the official website. It is not a fact that when sold, the router will have the most installed latest firmware, while the existing software may contain errors that prevent the normal operation of the device.
Our rating presents some of the best Wi-Fi routers that can be bought in online stores. All models were selected taking into account the above characteristics and parameters. In addition, the selection of devices was carried out taking into account:
- Customer reviews
- Cost of the device (price-quality ratio)
- Expert opinions
The best inexpensive Wi-Fi routers for home: budget up to 1,500 rubles.
4 Tenda N301
Best price
Country: China
Average price: 878 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.6
Let's start with the most budget Wi-Fi router. The average price tag for this miniature miracle is only 890 rubles. For this money, the user receives a nice, high-quality snow-white case with two antennas with a power of 5 dBi each. It doesn’t take up much space – the case dimensions are 127x90x26 mm. But there are no slots for wall mounting - this is a minus.
The insides are not amazing. The cable speed reaches 100 Mbit/s. Connect viaLAN can be up to three devices. Wireless Internet meets the standard WiFi 802.11 n with theoretical speeds up to 300 Mbit/s. In reality, judging by the reviews, the speed reaches 70-75 Mbit/s.
Let us separately note the software part. First of all, I am pleased with the ease of setup - as they say, even a housewife can handle it. Interesting: there is a possibility remote administration, Reserve copy settings, access restrictions by MAC and URL, speed limits.Of course, small problems occur, but they can be easily solved by installing more recent firmware from the official website - the process will not cause difficulties even for beginners.
3 TP-LINK TL-MR3020
Budget router with 3G/4G LTE support
Country: China
Average price: RUB 1,412.
Rating (2019): 4.7
At first glance, the TL-MR3020 is an extremely simple device. Just one LAN port, USB 2.0, miniUSB for power, a couple of switches and indicators. The characteristics are also missing from the stars: the Wi-Fi 802.11n standard, which will be enough for tariff plans at a speed of 100 Mbit/s, but no more. But the ability to install third-party firmware and provide distribution mobile internet make this router very versatile. See what use cases users shared in their reviews:
1) A regular router for a home or apartment
2) Backup Internet source (mobile) in case the main provider is disconnected
3) Access point while hiking - the device can be powered by a simple power bank!
4) Internet in the car: connect it to the cigarette lighter, hide the router in the glove compartment, and you can share the Internet with all passengers
And this is just a small list. Installation of OpenWRT firmware, a USB hub and user curiosity allow you to use the router in a huge number of situations.
2 MikroTik hAP lite
Large software capabilities. Router OS
Country: Latvia
Average price: 1,360 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.6
The second line of the rating is occupied by a model from a little-known company called MikroTik. First of all, hAP lite stands out for its unusual appearance. This is a compact blue and white box with stylish ventilation slots. But what attracts more attention is the absence external antennas– here they are internal, in the amount of two pieces. The power is low - only 1.5 dBi, but it will be enough for a small apartment. On the other hand, this allows you to place the device almost anywhere. It is also worth considering that the silver medalist in the rating is capable of delivering speeds of only about 150 Mbit/s.
There are also several unique features. First, use Router OS. This system has simply incredible capabilities that even much more expensive devices cannot provide to the user. Seamless transition between several access points, bridge mode, VPN, tunnels - all this and much more can be found in the router settings. Secondly, hAP lite supports connection to several providers at once. The WAN port can be any of the four located on the case.
1 TP-LINK TL-WR841N
Optimal balance of cost, functionality and simplicity
Country: China
Average price: 1,290 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.8
First place in the ranking of the best budget Wi-Fi routers for the home is occupied by TP-LINK TL-WR841N. The device can be used as an access point and simultaneously distribute a signal to 6 receivers. Among all inexpensive routers, it has the highest potential operating speed - 300 Mbit/s. The router is equipped modern system WPA2 data encryption, which ensures high reliability of transmitted data. Model supports tunnel protocols PPTP, L2TP and IPSec, which are the most common with most providers.
The advantages of this router in user reviews include low cost, ease of setup and a good stable signal. The latter is achieved thanks to two antennas operating in the 2.4 GHz frequency range. The transmitter power is 20 dBM, which allows the signal to “pierce” even the thick walls of an apartment. The weaknesses include poor case material and a low-quality power adapter that emits unnecessary sounds at work.
The best Wi-Fi routers in the mid-price segment: budget up to 7,000 rubles.
3 ASUS RT-N66U
Popular Wi-Fi router. Speed up to 900 Mbps
Country: Taiwan (China)
Average price: 6,105 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.7
High speed ASUS model RT-N66U is in third place in the ranking of the best Wi-Fi routers for the average home price segment. This model is more expensive than its TOP neighbors, but its functionality fully justifies the cost. The device has as many as 3 antennas, and emits a signal in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, which can significantly improve the quality of communication and use it over large areas. The router includes 4 switch ports, so you can connect 3 devices to it and organize their operation using wired Internet.
In numerous positive reviews buyers talk about fast work, ease of setup and excellent synchronization with USB modems. Moreover, this model provides data transfer of up to 900 Mbit/s simultaneously, which allows it to be used to “distribute” Wi-Fi to several devices at once. If necessary, this router is capable of downloading files without using a computer. Among the disadvantages are strong heating during operation and problems with some firmware versions.
2 TP-LINK Archer C7
Best wireless speed
Country: China
Average price: 6,650 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.7
The second line of the rating is occupied by the already respected Archer C7. Externally, the model is distinguished by the presence of three antennas with a power of 5 dBi each and an impractical glossy surface. It looks good - there’s no shame in leaving the router in a visible place. The set of ports is standard for this class: power supply, a pair of USB for connecting a printer or external drive, and five Ethernet ports.
The router is dual-band – 2.4/5 GHz. The maximum speed “over the air”, as stated by the manufacturer, is 1750 Mbit/s. The indicator is rather theoretical, because the providers present on our market are unlikely to be able to provide such speed. This will only be useful when creating a home local network. From nice features It is worth noting the ability to work in two bands at once, support for LTE modems, file server, guest service, firewall and much more.
1 MikroTik RB951G-2HnD
The most reliable Wi-Fi router
Country: Latvia
Average price: 4,650 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.8
In first place in the ranking of the best Wi-Fi routers of the average price category The MikroTik RB951G-2HnD model is located. This device is a strong average in terms of reliability, performance and cost. It is used as an access point and can simultaneously “distribute” wireless Internet to 5 devices. Provides a maximum speed of up to 300 Mbps. As a nice addition, the router has MIMO support, which allows it to transmit data over several independent channels at once. A bridge mode is provided to connect wired networks to wireless ones.
In reviews, buyers talk about high-quality assembly, smooth operation and wide customization options, like strengths ah models. At the same time, the router boasts 128 MB of RAM. Thanks to Telnet support it is possible remote control device and its settings. The transmitter power is 30 dBM, and the internal antenna amplifies 2.5 dBi, which has a positive effect on the range. The disadvantages of this model are the difficulty of playing 4G networks and incompatibility with some USB hubs.
The best Wi-Fi routers in the premium segment: budget from 8,000 rubles.
3 HUAWEI B525
LTE support
Country: China
Average price: 8650 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.7
The third line is occupied by a router with a somewhat non-standard design. B525 is designed for vertical installation. The front panel is made in black and gold colors, Wi-Fi antennas built-in The set of connectors is standard, with the exception of two SMA ports for connecting external 3G/4G LTE antennas. There is also a slot for a SIM card. Signal reception is more than reliable. In reviews, users claim that the router “sees 3 bars” where the smartphone does not find the network at all. The speeds are accordingly excellent.
You can distribute mobile or cable Internet through three gigabit LAN ports or dual-band Wi-Fi. Unfortunately, simultaneous operation at frequencies of 2.4 and 5 GHz is not announced. The theoretical speed of the wireless network can reach 1300 Mbps.
Also B525 can be used as a home file server: connected external HDD and you can do backups or send movies to your TV.
2 Keenetic Giga (KN-1010)
Wide range of customization and modification options
Country: Taiwan
Average price: 8,190 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.8
Keenetic network equipment is little known to the general public, but is popular among enthusiasts. The Giga model is not the top one, but its capabilities are enough for even the most demanding users. The case is not only cute, but also functional. On the rear edge there are 4 Gigabit LAN ports, one WAN and SFP for connecting via fiber optic cable. Very few competitors can offer the latter. On the side there are USB 2.0 and USB 3.0. The distance between them is large, which allows you to freely use even bulky mobile Internet modems. There are also two physical buttons, each of which can be configured with up to three functions.
The router supports the 802.11ac standard and can operate simultaneously in two bands. The maximum theoretical speed reaches 1267 Mbit/s. Real tests showed results of about 600 Mbit/s, which is sufficient for the vast majority of users.
Thanks to the range of ports and excellent software The router can be used in a wide variety of scenarios.
1 ASUS RT-AC88U
3167 Mbit/s
Country: Taiwan (China)
Average price: RUB 18,568.
Rating (2019): 4.8
The leader in the rating of the best Wi-Fi routers in the premium segment is the ASUS RT-AC88U model. main feature This device is able to ensure the simultaneous operation of several dozen devices, thanks to a maximum data transfer rate of up to 3167 Mbit/s. Wide coverage and good signal level are provided by four antennas operating in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency ranges.
The strengths of the device in reviews from buyers note its fast operation, pleasant appearance and intuitive Web interface. In addition, the model has 512 MB of RAM, which allows it to quickly process data from different receivers. The router is equipped with one USB port version 2.0 and one version 3.0, which allows you to connect third-party devices to it. The disadvantages include insufficiently developed software and an average signal level at a frequency of 5 GHz.
The best mobile (pocket) Wi-Fi routers
3 Huawei E8372
Connection via USB port. Most compact wifi router
Country: China
Average price: RUB 2,843.
Rating (2019): 4.4
The portable model Huawei E8372 takes third place in the ranking of the best mobile Wi-Fi routers. This device, with its fairly small dimensions, can provide full Internet access to any smartphone or computer. The device is powered from any USB port. With the help of Huawei E8372 you can organize effective LTE Internet in your car, apartment or house. The router operates in the 2.4 GHz band, which allows you to use its wireless network over an area of up to 50 square meters. The device has built-in support for 3G and LTE, meaning access can be achieved using a SIM card.
Among the strengths of the device in reviews, users note operation without connecting to a computer (via a USB cable), reliable connection retention and lack of lag. The device has a slot for microSD memory cards and two connectors for external antennas, which can potentially significantly increase the range of the router. Among the weaknesses of this model are uninformative instructions and poor case materials.
Video review
2 Alcatel Link Zone
The most budget standalone router
Country: USA-France
Average price: RUB 3,291
Rating (2019): 4.7
The next device is more versatile and autonomous than the previous one. Inside the compact and pleasant-to-touch case there is an 1800 mAh battery, which provides 7 hours of active Internet distribution and about 35 hours of standby time. The battery compartment also contains slots for SIM and SD (up to 32 GB) cards and a pair of connectors for connecting external antennas. I'm glad that a dead battery won't be a reason to stop surfing the Internet - just connect the included charger to the MicroUSB connector and continue using the device.
Wireless Internet standards are not the most modern - only 802.11n. In practice, users experience speeds of up to 70-80 Mbit/s. Not all providers can boast of such results even over cable! The signal level is also good: it will even penetrate a couple of solid walls. The only drawback is the ill-conceived mobile app. But the problem is solved by software, which means there is hope for a quick correction of the shortcomings.
1 TP-LINK M7350
Best functionality
Country: China
Average price: 4745 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.8
The leader of the rating is the most expensive and functional device in the category. The appearance is simple: a parallelepiped with rounded corners and a combination of matte and glossy plastic. The only detail that catches the eye is the 1.4’ TFT display, which displays information about the operator, signal level, transmission speed, etc. The screen also allows for basic setup. For more advanced settings you will have to go to the web interface. In most cases, you only need to change the name of the wireless network - the router will do the rest itself, you just need to install a SIM card.
Like the previous participant, the M7350 has a removable battery. The capacity is noticeably higher – 2550 mAh. There is a slot for a Micro SDHC card up to 32 GB. Thanks to the support SMB protocols and FTP, any connected device can use files from a flash drive. This solution can be useful, for example, when traveling with the whole family - everyone can take photos and videos and upload them for public access.
The best Wi-Fi routers with built-in file storage
1 Xiaomi Mi Wi-Fi Router HD
Router with built-in hard drive for 1 TB
Country: China
Average price: RUB 14,440.
Rating (2019): 4.8
The only representative of the final category is the device of the popular Chinese Xiaomi company. Of course, the Mi Router HD has competitors, but they are sold in single copies at exorbitant prices, and therefore we cannot recommend them for purchase.
The design of the router is consistent with other Xiaomi products - a minimalist metal body with four antennas looks harmonious in almost any interior. This is important, because such a large “box” (195x146x96mm) is difficult to hide from view. Quite powerful inside Qualcomm processor, 512 MB of RAM and, most importantly, a 1 TB hard drive. On back cover 3 LAN and 1 WAN port, as well as USB. Wireless Internet complies with the 802.11ac standard and can operate in two bands at once: 2.4 and 5 GHz, there is support for MIMO. Maximum speed “over the air” is up to 2533 Mbit/s.
Thanks to the built-in HDD, the router can be used not only for its intended purpose, but also as a file storage for convenient backup from all home devices, storing movies for later playback on a TV, downloading torrents without a PC, and much more. The only drawback is that you will have to be patient and time to set everything up correctly.
I don’t know about you, but for me, choosing a piece of equipment, including a router, means a lot of wasted time searching for the right model, hundreds of reviews read, and constant doubts: “should I take this one or that one.” I've been using some old wired mouse for over a month now, only because I can't find a new one. And this despite the fact that I basically know what I need, some technical aspects, etc.
Router and router are the same thing. I wrote about this. In this article I will use both names.
In this article we will try to understand the choice of Wi-Fi router for a home or apartment. This is the category of devices in which I can give some advice, talk about all the nuances, and even recommend specific models. As for advice on buying specific models, I really don’t like giving such advice. If only because I haven’t been to your house, I don’t know for what purpose you are choosing a router, what kind of Internet you have, how many and what devices you will connect to the Internet, whether there is interference in your house, and most importantly, how much money you are planning spend on buying a router. This point applies not only to routers, but also to other equipment.
But, if you want specific recommendations, then at the end of this article, I will give as an example several models of routers that I would recommend for purchase. But, if anything, it’s not my fault :) Let’s consider choosing a router for a private house or apartment. Although, this probably also includes small offices.
And immediately an important piece of advice. If you have an unlimited budget and don’t mind spending a decent amount, then buy one of the most expensive routers that you can find in some popular online store. Take the one you like externally. It will cost approximately $300 (if you don’t take Apple routers into account). But, it will definitely work stably, and it will have everything you need.
And one more piece of advice. If you want to save as much as possible and buy the most budget router, then this will come in handy.
First, we'll look at the technical aspects that you should pay attention to when choosing a router. For what purposes is this or that model suitable, and whether there will be any problems during use. Then, I will write my opinion about which Wi-Fi router is better to buy in 2016 and 2017, so that your purchase does not quickly become outdated, and you do not have to buy it in a year new model. Well, as promised, I will recommend a couple of specific routers that should be suitable for an apartment (private house).
Choosing a router for your home: technical aspects
First of all, we need to figure out what kind of router we need. In terms of technical characteristics: type of WAN port, number of LAN ports and their speed, operating frequency Wi-Fi networks and its speed, the presence of USB connectors, and various additional functions.
You should already have a rough idea of what you will be using the router for. It is clear that you are most likely buying it to distribute the Internet to your devices via a Wi-Fi network, and possibly via network cable.
Advice. If you have desktop computers (without Wi-Fi), then after installing the router you can buy them immediately so that you don’t have to lay cables to them, but connect them via a wireless network.
The main thing you need to focus on when choosing a router for your home is the area that should be covered by the Wi-Fi network signal, the number of devices that will connect to the router, and the tasks that you will perform on these devices.
Everything is simple here: the router may simply not cover all the rooms of your house with a signal. For example, due to a weak transmitter or antennas (and their quantities). And if you buy a cheap router, it simply will not be able to work stably when connecting a large number of devices. Or, when watching online videos in high quality, in online games, etc. There will be constant freezes, reboots, and the like. As you already understand, everything is very individual. As a rule, the more expensive the router, the more load it can withstand, the more stable it will work, and the further it will be able to “break through” the Wi-Fi signal.
We select a router for the provider (type of WAN port)
The first thing you should pay attention to is the type of WAN connector. This is a way to connect the router to the Internet provider. This information is always indicated in the specifications. It all depends on what kind of Internet you have.
- Ethernet– the most popular connection type. This is a regular RJ-45 network connector. Almost everything Wi-Fi routers, which are on the market, have an Ethernet WAN port. And the provider lays a regular network cable into your home, which we connect directly to the router.
- ADSL modems with Wi-Fi- in fact, these are ordinary routers, only as a WAN port, they have an RJ-11 connector for connecting a telephone cable. And if you already have a regular ADSL modem, then you need to buy a simple router with a regular Ethernet port (and connect it to the modem).
- 3G/4G Wi-Fi routers– if you have Internet via a USB modem, and you want to set up Internet distribution via Wi-Fi, then you will need a special router with support for 3G/4G modems. I wrote about choosing a router for working with a USB modem in an article. Typically, the characteristics of such routers say: WAN port – USB 3G. Update: new article with tips on choosing a router for working with USB modems:
There are routers that can be called universal. Because, for example, they may have a regular Ethernet port for connecting to the Internet, and a USB port for working with 3G modems. But, the presence of a USB port does not mean that there is support for modems. You need to look at the specifications.
Protocol support: Another point that I think can be ignored. There are protocols for connecting to the Internet provider: L2TP, PPPoE, PPTP. On modern routers, this should not be a problem. Unless you have some special provider.
Wi-Fi network: frequency, speed, range
Wi-Fi network operating frequency (5 GHz and 2.4 GHz)– at the time of writing this article (May 2016), most routers (mostly not expensive), which are on sale, distribute a Wi-Fi network at the usual 2.4 GHz frequency, which is already heavily loaded. But models that support Wi-Fi work at a frequency of 5 GHz. This new technology, and it is a router with support for the 5 GHz frequency that I would recommend buying in 2016 - 2017. Learn more about dual-band routers (dual band because it supports 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz), advantages and compatibility, I already wrote in the article: . You can already find dual-band models at a very good price.
Wi-Fi speed– the cheapest router models distribute Wi-Fi at speeds of up to 150 Mbit/s. I would advise not to buy such models. Unless you take a router to connect one or three devices and surf the Internet or watch videos in low quality. It’s better to spend 5-10 dollars and buy a model that distributes wireless network at speeds up to 300 Mbit/s.
As for wireless network standards, there must be support for 802.11n. And if you choose a router from the middle price category and above, then it is advisable to take a model that supports the new, high-speed .
Speed depends on many factors: the number of connected devices, the power of the router, the provider, interference, etc. Read the reviews, as a rule, they immediately write whether the router significantly reduces the Wi-Fi speed or not. Regarding the connection speed over a wireless network, you can read more.
Wi-Fi network range– many people ask: “how to choose a router with the maximum range of a wireless network.” The question is good and understandable, but it is very difficult to give a specific answer to it. Because the range of action is greatly influenced by walls (their quantity and materials), interference (mainly from neighboring Wi-Fi networks), the location of the router in the house, and the power of the router itself. The signal passes very poorly through concrete mills that contain metal.
If you have a large apartment, say more than 100 square meters, or a house with several floors, then most likely one router will not be enough, even the most powerful one. In this case, the most correct option is.
And if you choose a router for a one-room apartment, then in your case even the cheapest model will be enough in terms of network range. For medium-sized homes, I would advise buying routers starting at $50. Well, it is advisable to buy models with at least two antennas (5dBi power). But there is good models with internal antennas that are practically in no way inferior to external ones. As a rule, the presence of, for example, three or more antennas does not affect the range of the Wi-Fi network, but the connection speed. It is also worth paying attention to whether the antennas are removable or not. In case you want to replace them, install more powerful ones.
According to my observations, the range does not depend much on the price of the router itself. Most likely because the maximum power of the router is simply limited by the manufacturer (subject to the laws of the country in which they are supplied).
Availability of ports: LAN and USB
There will definitely be at least 1 LAN port. Typically, routers have 4 LAN ports. There are more. A LAN port is needed to connect devices to the Internet via a network cable (PCs, TVs, game consoles, etc.).
As for USB ports, cheap models do not currently have them. But it seems to me that soon there will be no routers without USB. Therefore, I advise you to choose a router with at least one USB port. It is needed to connect USB drives, printers, or USB 3G modems (if modems are supported). By connecting a flash drive, or external HDD to the router, you can organize general access to files, or start a DLNA server. And by connecting the printer, you can set up a print server.
Here everything depends on the specific model and manufacturer. For example, models from ASUS can also independently download files to the drive. I already wrote, . You can look at this as an example.
Wi-Fi router power and performance
The hardware of the router is also very important. How more powerful processor, and the more RAM, the more stable the router will work. It will hold more connected devices, easily withstand torrent downloads, online games, DLNA server operation, etc. And most importantly, there will be no drop in speed, ping, or packet loss.
I don’t think you need to directly study all the nuances associated with the hardware on which this or that router runs, unless you are interested. Everything is very simple here, the more expensive the model, the more powerful it is. If you buy a router for 15-20 dollars, connect several devices to it, start downloading a torrent, start an online game, and open an online video, then most likely it will just freeze. Or, the speed will drop very much. And it will work only after a reboot. This is quite normal for its price category.
This is precisely why I do not recommend saving on a router. Because you will connect all your computers, tablets, phones, TVs to it, and they will all suffer from a weak router that will always cut speed and simply “fall” from the load. This brings a lot of inconvenience, and most likely, you will soon think about buying a new router, more powerful and therefore expensive.
Price and manufacturer
On this moment, the cheapest router can be purchased for about $15. I already wrote above that buy such routers only if you do not need a lot of performance and speed.
It’s better, of course, to take routers that cost $30 or more. This is solely my opinion. These devices are suitable for home use, but without fanaticism. Here you need to understand that we get exactly what we pay. Well, it all depends on the tasks that the router must cope with specifically in your case.
As for the manufacturer, the most popular are, of course, TP-LINK, ASUS, D-LINK, ZyXEL, Linksys, Tenda, Netis. If you're interested, I currently have ASUS. I love routers from TP-LINK, which I also often use and recommend to others. For relatives, the inexpensive TP-LINK TL-WR841N has been working for more than five years without any problems. Not long ago I became acquainted with routers from ZyXEL. I really liked it too. Tenda makes inexpensive models.
I think there is no need to get hung up on the manufacturer. Look by models, by characteristics, by price, by appearance finally. I am familiar with the routers of all the manufacturers that I listed above, and I can’t say that some are bad and some are good. Each manufacturer has certain moments which I personally liked or didn’t like (control panel, equipment, instructions, packaging, setup process, reliability, etc.). But this has virtually no effect on the operation of the router.
I often see questions like: “which router is better, ASUS or TP-LINK.” You can endlessly argue which brand is better and which is worse. I think that in this case, it would be more correct to consider specific models that are close in price.
We figured out the price and brand: the more expensive the better, but the brand is not for everyone.
Which router to choose in 2016 - 2017
In my opinion, in 2017 you need to buy a dual-band router (which supports Wi-Fi 5 GHz, and 802.11ac). And so that there is at least one USB port. Even if you don't need it right now.
These two points: support for Wi-Fi at a frequency of 5 GHz, and the presence of a USB port, make the router modern, and it will not become outdated in half a year. Most likely, it will be relevant in 2017, and you will not have to change it.
I'm telling an example from own experience. This winter (around December 2015), I bought a new router for my parents' house. It works there with a 3G USB modem. I didn't get it cheap. Good, powerful router, with two USB ports (a modem is connected to one, and a storage device is connected to the second). But, it does not support 5 GHz wireless networking. And some time after the purchase, I realized that I had made a mistake with my choice. Having bought an expensive router without support for the new standard.
Sooner or later, you will want to connect your devices to a 5 GHz Wi-Fi network (more speed and less interference, especially important for apartments). Or, you might want to share files on a storage device connected to the router. Therefore, it is better to spend a lot of money right away than to buy a new router in a year. In addition, now you can already find a completely affordable dual-band router with a USB port for about $30.
This is solely my opinion, and of course you may not agree with it.
Everything is very complicated, what kind of router should you buy for your home?
I wrote at the beginning of the article that the router needs to be selected specifically for your tasks. And he needs to be guided by the premises where he will work, and by finances. And also, I wrote that I really don’t like giving advice on specific models. Besides, I don't know anything about you, your home, or the tasks the router is supposed to perform. But, if you are already asking for it :), then I will recommend several models of routers that should be suitable for a small house or apartment. And for connecting a small number of devices. I will only recommend those models with which I have worked. Let's divide them into three categories.
Inexpensive, modern router
First of all, I will of course recommend a router, or TP-LINK Archer C20. This is not the cheapest model for home use, but it is dual-band (Wi-Fi 5 GHz), has 1 USB port, and looks very nice. 
It is easily suitable for home, and will easily cope with watching online videos, downloading torrents, and online games. If you look at other manufacturers, not many have similar models. In terms of characteristics and price, the only similarities are: Asus RT-AC51U and Xiaomi WiFi MiRouter 3. Perhaps some other options have already appeared.
The most budget option for a small apartment
If you want to save a lot of money, you have a small house and few devices, then you can consider the following options:
New models appear very often, and I’m not familiar with all the options that can be considered for purchase. Therefore, look at suitable routers, read reviews, focus on price and take the model that you like best. Now there are no problems with this, we go to any online store and choose until we get tired of it.
We did not consider expensive models. I think this makes no sense. If possible, buy it. They will definitely cope with the assigned tasks. Especially if you have a Smart TV, which requires a stable connection at a good speed.
Afterword
I hope that my advice somehow helped you decide on the choice of router, and you were able to purchase the best option that will delight you with stable operation.
It is important to understand that no one can choose for you suitable option router. At least until the ports receive necessary information about the house in which it will be installed (area, walls), about the devices for which you need to provide access to the Internet, and about the tasks that will be performed on these devices.
To summarize, I repeat that it is better not to skimp on a router. Buy the most expensive one possible in your case. And if you are already considering cheaper options, then you can focus on the models that I wrote about above. Well, it is advisable to buy a dual-band router with at least one USB port.
If any Wi-Fi router has positive reviews, it means you can buy it. And vice versa, when there are a lot of negative reviews, it is better not to buy this model.
This is what many users think when trying to decide on a router. But any review, including a negative one, can be based on subjective impressions: one thing was expected, but something else turned out to be available, and now another “minus” has appeared in the rating. When we talk about ratings, we do not mean something abstract, but a very real rating of equipment generated by users. The information in question is published on one of the sites, and we consider here why the rating looks this way and not something else.
User ratings of routers
The list that you now see is published on the website whatsbetter.ru. It’s quite strange that ASUS routers are even a little ahead network hardware ZyXEL. In fact, now it only makes sense to buy such devices: WL500g Deluxe, WL500g Premium, WL500W or WL520gC/gU, if we talk about ASUS. The RT-N family cannot yet boast of firmware that would not cause any complaints and would be manufactured by ASUS. This applies to an even greater extent to D-Link and TP-Link devices. Almost any router from these two companies is a “designer for adults”, intended for uploading third-party software, although hardware There are no complaints here.
Subtleties of choosing a ZyXEL router
We say ZyXEL, meaning models called Keenetic, but these devices are different. There are the first and second families, and they differ not only in speed, but also in their capabilities. No one strives to buy the cheapest version (Lite), but even after purchasing the “regular” Keenetic, the user may be disappointed. There is an option like DLNA server, which encodes video for broadcast over Wi-Fi. So, in firmware “V1.X” there is no DLNA server, but you can start it after dancing with a tambourine for a certain number of hours. And for users of the “second Kinetics” the company has provided this opportunity: by connecting a USB drive with files, you can watch videos via DLNA (but not TV!). Why not a source for negative reviews?
Screenshot of the official ZyXEL website
Sometimes people try to use a router as a torrent downloader. It seems that the ZyXEL Keenetic has a USB port, and the appropriate software is selected. Only the exchange of files via torrent is quite slow - the speed is 5 MB/s, and for uploading and downloading in total. Here we indicate the characteristics of the ZyXEL Keenetic II, a router that costs about 2000 rubles. If you want something better, welcome to the segment of premium models such as ASUS RT-N56U/RT-N65U. In general, the price/speed ratio for routers will be lower than for PCs, and there is nothing you can do about it. Most likely, the ZyXEL brand could be lower than ASUS in the ranking for a very simple reason: due to disappointed expectations.
“More expensive” always means “better”?
It seems that if everything is as stated above, it is enough to buy a more expensive router to set it and forget it. Models such as RT-N56U/RT-N65U from ASUS have already been mentioned. But according to reviews, these devices should not be considered as a torrent client - the native torrent software is still buggy. But if you install third-party firmware, that is, not released by ASUS, maybe everything will work. Then, in order not to lose the warranty, install software from DD-WRT. ASUS, having suffered with writing firmware, allowed the installation of DD-WRT programs.
Screenshot of the official ASUS website
We immediately warn readers about the following: DD-WRT firmware is free, but only if we talk about the basic set of functions. For an access point using the N300 protocol, you will have to pay an extra $10, and so on (the N150 protocol is available for free). In general, in reality everything may be more complicated than it looks at first glance. The list of devices that work perfectly out of the box will not be too voluminous:
- ZyXEL (any “Kinetics” generation I/II, Lite is not recommended)
- Acorp (WR-150N, WR-300N)
- ASUS (which is from the 5XX line above and possibly the RT-N14U)
- That’s probably all (add this list in the comments).
RT-N + DD-WRT = optimal solution?
For any ASUS router, belonging to the RT-N family, you can install DD-WRT software without fear of losing the warranty. The question arises how optimal such a solution will be (RT-N + DD-WRT). According to reviews, the operation of DD-WRT firmware does not cause any complaints among ordinary users who use a standard set of options. The reviews mentioned here are for a model called RT-N16 (not the most affordable option). It’s difficult to say now what the situation is with cheaper devices - ASUS published its resolution not so long ago, in 2012.
DD-WRT interface, Wi-Fi setup
In general, if you compare all alternative firmwares, in terms of reliability OpenWRT is the leader, not DD-WRT. Although, this can be completely neglected, especially if the router is not used for professional purposes. The firmware offered under the DD-WRT brand is based on Linksys software. According to reviews, the quality of Linksys software is only in third place, and the first two are occupied by ZyXEL and ASUS. So decide what is better. The equipment manufactured by Linksys has nothing in common with Cisco products, although the second of these companies bought the first.
Please note that you cannot install alternative firmware using the standard web interface.
Any firmware update is risky, and installing alternative firmware is also difficult. Suffice it to say that the utility ASUS recovery Firmware Restoration, even downloaded from the ASUS website, does not work as it should for everyone. Make a choice.
Failed installation of DD-WRT, RT-AC66U
Every home has a computer - this is no longer a luxury, and if you add in smartphones, tablets, game consoles and other gadgets, all this needs to be connected to the Internet, and you only have one cable at home for connection. This issue can be easily resolved using a router.
In this article we will look at 4 similar routers with a speed of 300 megabits. In the same price category is TL-WR841N, Asus RT-N12, D-Link DIR-615 And ZyXel Keenetic Lite II.
All models are equipped with 2 antennas, except for D-Link DIR-615 - it has a built-in antenna. On TP-Link TL-WR841N and Asus RT-N12 - antenna gain is 5 dBi. On the ZyXel Keenetic Lite II it is slightly less - 3 dBi, and on the D-Link DIR-615 there is no gain.
But this is quite enough for both home and small office. Using 2T2 technology and support for the N standard, devices allow you to create a network with high data transfer speeds, which makes it possible for uninterrupted and high-quality operation of such applications, such as online viewing of high-definition video, IP telephony and games over the network.
On Asus and Tp-link you can unscrew the antennas, on other models this is impossible, but if you decide to let a neighbor use the router, the non-removable antennas fold compactly for easy carrying.
The LED indicators and symbols on all routers are similar.
They are all located on the front end of Asus and Tp-link on the top panel. All models have 4 LAN ports for connecting computers and set-top boxes. And 1 WAN port for Internet connection up to 100 Mbit. The on/off button, as well as the reset button, is located on the rear end.
For those who have forgotten their Wi-Fi connection password and don’t have time to reconfigure it, there is a very useful one that allows you to connect a new device to a wireless network with one click.
On Asus RT-N12 and TP-Link TL-WR841N the button is located on the rear end. The ZyXel Keenetic Lite II has it on the top panel, and if you hold this button for a few seconds, it will turn off Wi-Fi. Button turning off wifi TP-Link TL-WR841N is located on the rear end, while Asus does not have such a button.
Now let's look at the features of these routers:
TP-Link TL-WR841N is equipped with a function that will help you use it as a network repeater, thus buying several of these routers, you can expand your network coverage. The Asus RT-N12 also has the same function. When buying an Asus RT-N12, you can say you are purchasing a “4 in 1” device: it can distribute 4 wireless networks at once, both locally and on the Internet. For example, one Wi-Fi is distributed at a high speed for you, and another, with a lower speed, for guests. ZyXel can only distribute 2 Wi-Fi networks: the main and the guest. But its advantage lies in the built-in processor, with a frequency of 580 megahertz and 64 megabytes of RAM. He can also connect to several Internet providers at once. If one Internet connection is disconnected due to debt, it automatically switches to another.
Of the 4 proposed routers, ZyXel is recommended for TVs that support the SMART TV function. And all 4 routers are suitable for IPTV.
ZyXel protects against malicious sites " Yandex DNS ". It also allows you to realize all the most
bold projects: give friends access to files on your computer, install a network camera for remote video surveillance, or even open your own Internet radio station.
It’s very convenient that all 4 routers have a Russian web interface, so you don’t have to look up known words in the dictionary.
For those who want to limit their children from nightly gatherings on the Internet, these routers are equipped with the “ parental control", you can select the tablet, phone or laptop your child is using and make it so that after 21:00 the Internet on the laptop turns off.
Data transfer speed test
- Via torrent, all 4 routers, when downloading at a distance of 3 meters, showed speeds of up to 10 Mb/s.
- Through the wall the speed dropped to 8 megabytes, but through 2 walls the routers showed 6 MB, although ZyXel was 4.5 MB.
- The speed of Wi-Fi distribution to a smartphone at a distance of 3 meters, all devices show a speed of 34-35 megabits. Having gone outside at a distance of approximately 50 meters, the speed reading was 14-15 megabits. At a distance of 100 meters - 8-10 Mb, but at a distance of more than 150-200 the speed dropped to 1 Mb or less.
Such indicators are quite suitable for normal use of the Internet both at home and nearby. By purchasing a device such as a router, you solve several issues at once: you combine several computers into local network and provides Internet access for each of them, and gets rid of a lot of wires.
One of the most popular devices for users today home Internet- This is a Wi-Fi router. There is a wide range of routers from different manufacturers on the market, so it can be difficult for the average user to understand such a variety of models. We will help you choose a Wi-Fi router that is suitable for your home, and also tell you about the selection factors that you need to pay special attention to. In addition, we present to you a rating of the top 5 best routers presented on the Russian market.
Basic rules for choosing a router for your 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 a whole a number of device selection criteria. After all, by buying a “pig in a poke”, you won’t 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 so - high-quality assembly, high performance, good components and high reliability are present only in relatively expensive models. And the cheap ones are equipped with 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 it preference;
- brand– There is a whole line of router brands, but their products have proven themselves in different ways. For example, D-Link is considered one of the main manufacturers of budget routers, but its products are not particularly reliable. Experts 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 router models);
- 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 router you purchase must support the protocol that your provider uses. To do this, check with your Internet provider for the required data, and then check that technical specifications the router had the same protocol specified;
- WAN port and Internet connection technology . Routers also differ in the port (WAN port) through which the connection to the Network is made: Ethernet, ADSL, USB 3G. This is a very important selection factor, because if you cannot connect an Internet cable to the router, then your money will be wasted;
- standards– today, the latest Wi-Fi standard is mainly used: 802.11n. It is already fully operational and the corresponding devices are being released, so there is no point in buying outdated routers that support 802.11b or 802.11g.
Router with ADSL port
Router with Ethernet port
Router with USB 3G port
What are the consequences of choosing the wrong router?
Why is it so important to choose the right router that suits me? Isn’t it possible to take the first one that comes along that is suitable for the price? What happens if I buy a router without really delving into its technical characteristics?
Let's look at these questions, because the average buyer does not understand network devices, but simply comes to the store and asks the seller for advice. In fact, this risks throwing money down the drain. If you purchase a router that has the wrong connector and doesn't work with your ISP, then at best you'll have to return it to the store. And if the product cannot be returned, then you will generally lose the money you 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 best option No.
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, you definitely need to pay attention to the power of the router and the number of antennas, external or built-in. It’s not worth saving on power, even if you don’t currently need a coverage area of 100 meters.
An unsuitable router may also cut off internet speed. That is, the provider offers you Internet access at a speed of 10 Mbit/s in both directions. You check your speed, and it turns out that it barely reaches 8 Mbps for downloading and 4 Mbps for uploading. The first thing the user will do is accuse the operator of deception. But it is likely that the issue is completely different - in your router, which simply does not support more high speed work. That's why you should find out what maximum download and upload speeds are available for a given router model.
In addition, a low-quality or low-power router can regularly freeze, reboot or simply drop the connection. This makes using the Internet extremely difficult and 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 only covers 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, for such needs you should choose a more powerful router with a good Wi-Fi transmitter.
Even if you don’t understand the technical issues of how a router works or don’t have anyone to consult with, you can always go to the Internet and look 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 custom form. On these resources, you can, among other things, learn about the advantages and disadvantages 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 automatic 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 DoS protection and DDoS attacks. Blocking Internet access based on MAC addresses, IP addresses, URLs, TCP/UDP ports.
Other functions: TVport technology - transit of Multicast streams to automatic mode and without wasting CPU time when assigning a LAN connector. Link Duo - simultaneous access to the Internet (L2TP/PPTP/PPPoE) and to local resources of the DHCP provider network (client/server). Working with a static IP address. IP protocol routing. NAT (Restricted Cone) IP address translation. 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 functions: VPN pass through.
Security features: Data encryption: WEP, WPA, WPA2.
Firewall features: Built-in firewall, NAT.
Other features: Possibility of connecting 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 Mbit/s, 2 x USB 2.0
Wireless capabilities: 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. Supports 64/128-bit WEP, WPA-PSK, WPA2-PSK, WPA-Enterprise, WPA2-Enterprise
Firewall features: NAT and SPI.
Other features: Sharing 3G Internet by several 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 capabilities: 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 functions: 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 capabilities: 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 control.
Dimensions and weight: 160 x 102 x 28 mm.
Average price: 1 thousand rubles.
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