Fast and reliable internet is a requirement for every household. A good Wi-Fi router can help provide an unbeatable browsing experience for everyone. Whether you are setting up a new system for the office or upgrading a router, understanding the complexity and high-tech features can be challenging. Some Wi-Fi routers consistently give trouble and we blame internet service providers for providing poor services. It’s crucial to get your hands on a dependable routing device.
In this blog, we will discuss some tips to keep in mind before routing switches. So, let’s dive in.
Ask Your Internet Service Provider
If you want a high-speed Wi-Fi service, then you should hire the best internet service provider. ISPs will be responsible for connecting your home Wi-Fi to the internet. Some providers offer customers a router and a modem on a rental basis. Both these devices work parallel to connect your gadgets to the internet. However, the choice is always yours whether you want to rent the devices from ISPs or use your own. Before purchasing one by yourself, you would need to do a lot of research. To avoid the hassle, you can simply opt for the rental equipment from the ISP and save your time, money, and effort.
Most ISP offers basic routers that might sometimes give poor performance in terms of functionalities. The good news is there is no hard rule to buying routers or modems from internet providers. If you want to save money you can purchase a router from Amazon or Walmart. This can be a good long-term investment for better connectivity, smooth configuration, and potential control.
Remember Your Needs
Purchasing a router is not a cup of tea for everyone. Before going to market it’s essential to estimate the approximate square footage of your house. Following are some routers according to the size of your home.
Single Routers
For basic households, the simple solution to their internet needs is a single router. The technician, or you yourself, will position this device in a particular location so it can be connected to an Ethernet cable and is situated in the central location. Single routers are the ideal choice for small homes and limited users.
Mesh Systems
If you are tired of poor internet signal coverage then a mesh system is the best answer for you. Especially if you have a big house and want to use the internet in several rooms spread out around the house. Mesh routing systems can be the ultimate solution to signal blockages caused by electronic appliances and thick walls. Usually, mesh routing systems are more expensive than single routers. But, they have better signal transmission efficiency and flaunt high-end features and control options.
Wi-Fi Repeaters
Can’t afford mesh routing for dead zones? Then Wi-Fi repeaters would be the most suitable alternative for you. You can use Wi-Fi repeaters to extend the range of a single Wi-Fi router. It will improve the signal strength in the dead zones.
Power Line Adapters
Power line adapters are a good solution if your Wi-Fi is in the living room but the Smart TV console is in your bedroom. These adapters transmit signals through your home’s electric wiring. A power line adopter also uses an Ethernet cable in a more restrained and limited capacity.
Analyze Your Speed Needs
It’s important to understand what speed you require. Different routers are compatible with different speed tiers. Don’t end up with a router that supports 500 Mbps, and your internet subscription provides 1000 Mbps. You will not be able to utilize the complete service that the ISP has to offer. Make sure you have thoroughly checked the speed specifications and compatibility measures stated by the router’s manufacturer. Also, a high-speed internet plan alone is not enough. You must understand how much speed your household requires, buy a router that meets your speed needs, and only pay for what you actually use.
Examine Security Standards
Because every device connects to your Wi-Fi network and it processes all traffic entering and leaving your home, it is essential to keep it safe. WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) and WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) are outdated early security technologies. The Wi-Fi Alliance created WPA2 in 2004, and it is now the minimal feature to look for in a router. It provides reasonably robust encryption but has flaws, which is why WPA3 was released in 2018 to replace it.
Conclusion
While wrapping up, it is important to choose the suitable router for optimum internet performance. You can follow the above-mentioned tips. Always consider the security, compatibility, reliability, speed, and user-friendliness of the router before purchasing it.
