4 Things to Consider When Choosing the Best Home Router
The wireless router you choose can have a big impact on your experience using the internet. But finding the best router for your needs can be challenging. Most manufacturers use highly technical terms that will confuse an ordinary consumer. Also, if you have little knowledge about the technicalities of how a router works, these marketing terms aren’t going to help. As such, you’ll need a simple guide so that you know what to pay attention to when there’s plenty of options available.
What type of processor and RAM capacity is best for home use?
When you think of home use, it can be anything from casual browsing activity to full-on gaming and streaming. According to Rush Router, you can begin selecting a router by identifying its intended use. A home Wi-Fi router transfers volumes of data – which means it needs to have the corresponding processing power to handle the traffic.
Now when it comes to processors, you’ll come across quad-core, dual-core, or single-core processors. A good choice would be dual-core or anything higher. This same principle applies when you choose gadgets such as smartphones and laptops. Together with the processing power, you also need to check the operating frequency. Of course, the higher it is, the faster the router operates.
For random access memory or RAM, look for a router with at least 128 MB capacity. Anything lower could potentially cause your connection to lag.
Is a dual-band router better?
All the latest routers feature dual-band frequencies. What this means is that the router will broadcast a Wi-Fi signal using two frequencies. What’s good about this is that the router will still broadcast using the old 2.4 GHz frequency compatible with older devices. Since its dual-band, it is will also broadcast using 5 GHz, which is faster and reduces network congestion.
Another advantage is that you can assign a network name and password for each band, which gives more control over network use.
Verify the router’s real speed online
Relying on the specifications alone will not tell you the real-life speed of a router. These numbers are only theoretical and are observed under ideal situations. That’s why you should always take the time to read online reviews. Many tech blogs share unbiased information about router performance. In reading reviews, look for a source that replicates real-life situations. You may also want to look for comparison sites to determine how one router performs against another from a different brand, for example.
A corresponding app is a value-add feature
Most modern routers today are manageable using a smartphone app. This is a convenient option, especially when you want remote access. But, not all apps are created equal. Some only offer basic features, while others have more premium access and capabilities. Apart from being able to change passwords, it also helps if the app allows you to configure other features such as parental controls, etc.
Lastly, you may want to look for a router that enables AI integration. If you have smart devices at home, it would be best if the Wi-Fi router is also compatible with these devices.