The best powerful wifi router for an apartment. Rating of wifi routers according to Business Telecom. Convenient wi-fi router - NETGEAR N750 Dual Band Wi-Fi Gigabit

We think that finding a user who does not use and has never heard of wireless routers (another name for this class of equipment is a router) will be quite difficult today. This device, if we talk about the main function, allows you to create a local network at home or in the office, uniting several clients and providing them with Internet access through one connection. Clients can be computers, laptops, smartphones, tablets, video cameras, network drives, printers, receivers, TVs and other equipment. Recently, more exotic options have appeared, such as lamps, sockets and kettles. For direct connection, wires or wireless Wi-Fi networks can be used.

There are many models of wireless routers on the market today, the cost of which differs tenfold, so the question of choosing the best option comes up often. In this material we will talk about what characteristics this type of equipment has, what you should pay attention to when choosing, and how to correctly draw up your own requirements.

First of all, we note that today almost any equipment is a combination of a hardware platform and software. From the user's point of view, both elements are essential, and only their effective interaction allows one to obtain a good result.

Also note that in this article we will talk about the most widespread segment of devices connected to the Internet using Ethernet technology - a standard network cable (twisted pair). But some of the information will also be useful for those who use various DSL and optical options.

Specifications

Let's start with the first group, which is relatively easy to evaluate, since these parameters are most often given in the product description.

Wired ports

The overwhelming number of routers have ports for connecting a wired network - both for the operator’s cable and for their own clients. The exception may be, perhaps, only mobile models that support only cellular networks and Wi-Fi. This is one of the simplest characteristics - you only need to know the number of ports and their speed. The scheme that has become a standard is designated 1×WAN+4×LAN, that is, one port for connecting to the provider (WAN) and four ports for your devices (LAN). Some routers have 1×WAN+2×LAN or 1×WAN+8×LAN schemes, which accordingly changes the number of clients connected without additional equipment.

If you do not have enough LAN ports, then network switches will help increase their number. This relatively simple and inexpensive device allows, roughly speaking, to make four or seven or more ports out of one. Let us only remind you that the rule for wires is: each client has its own port. At the same time, the length of a standard cable from the router to the client cannot exceed 100 meters.

With speed, everything is also simple: the options relevant for the mass market are 100 Mbit/s or 1000 Mbit/s (1 Gbit/s). Accordingly, this figure determines how quickly devices connected by cables can exchange data. Most provider offers on the market today are limited to 100 Mbit/s, and if your clients only plan to have a couple of laptops and smartphones, it may not be necessary to have gigabit ports on the router. However, if you plan to use network-attached storage and powerful desktop computers, working at 1 Gbps will be much more comfortable. It is also important to match the speed of wireless connections.

A wired connection has one significant advantage over a wireless one: its speed is constant and maximum. It does not depend on the activity of neighbors, distances and other unpredictable factors. But, of course, this option is not suitable for mobile devices, and also requires cable installation. There are no restrictions on the maximum number of wired clients for the vast majority of home configurations. You just have to pay attention to the overall speed of the Internet channel for everyone. For example, if you want to simultaneously view two high-definition online broadcasts of 15-20 Mbit/s each, then it is advisable to have a tariff plan of at least 50 Mbit/s.

Wireless access points

The second, perhaps even more important today, characteristic of a wireless router is the parameters of the access point installed in it. The main characteristics here are the number of bands, supported standards and maximum connection speeds.

There are two Wi-Fi bands in use today: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. In urban environments on 2.4 GHz, you can observe dozens of neighboring networks, which affects both the speed and stability of your connection. So we recommend looking at dual-band devices (2.4 + 5 GHz), since 5 GHz is still relatively free today. Of course, this only makes sense if your clients have 5GHz support. From a technical point of view, a dual-band router has two independent radio units and creates two independent access points. Clients can connect to any of them, but only to one at a time.

There are two main Wi-Fi standards on the market today: the most widespread 802.11n and the increasingly popular 802.11ac. The first one operates in the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands, but 802.11ac can only use 5 GHz. However, all other things being equal, 802.11ac provides higher connection speeds. As with range, customers must maintain these standards.

As for speed, we note that the characteristics of the router indicate the so-called connection speed. Real performance in data exchange tasks is usually about two times lower. In addition, the wireless access point shares all its speed among all connected clients, so the more of them communicating simultaneously, the slower each client's speed. In addition, there is a dependence of speed on distance and the presence of obstacles.

The easiest way to estimate connection speeds is by the number of antennas. For 802.11n, a single antenna can provide a maximum of 150 Mbps (both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz). The presence of two antennas allows us to talk about 300 Mbit/s. And if there are three of them, then you can connect at 450 Mbit/s. Again, consistency with the client's characteristics must be kept in mind here. For example, most smartphones have only one antenna, so a 450 Mbps router can only be useful for them in terms of improved coverage, but not in terms of formal connection speed.

It is also worth noting that some models of clients and routers have restrictions in the 2.4 GHz band. The above 150 Mbit/s are provided only when operating on a “wide channel” (can be designated as “40 MHz” or “HT40”; in fact, equipment in this mode uses two channels at once, and not one with an increased bandwidth). But some devices, in the presence of neighboring networks, are only capable of providing a 20 MHz channel, which leads to connection speeds of up to 72 or 65 Mbit/s per antenna.

The use of 802.11ac is also interesting because current implementations of this standard support four channels simultaneously (“80 MHz”, “HT80”). This allows for 433 Mbps per antenna (867 Mbps for two antennas, 1300 Mbps for three antennas). So on smartphones it is quite possible to get figures of the order of 200 Mbit/s for real data exchange speed.

Let us note two more points here. Do not forget about the consistency of characteristics with wired ports. If you have 100 Mbps on the WAN and LAN ports, then no 802.11ac will be able to fully “open up” on a mobile device when accessing the Internet or local network computers. In addition, in the upper segment today there are devices that are not very correctly called “tri-band”. In this case, we are talking about the fact that the router has one access point at 2.4 GHz and two at 5 GHz. At the same time, the latter operate on different sets of channels and do not interfere with each other, which formally can provide an increase in overall performance with the correct distribution of clients across different access points.

Another characteristic associated with wireless communications is the design of antennas. Most router models have external antennas, and only a small number use internal ones. In our testing in a city apartment, we did not notice any clear advantage in the former, and we should rather focus on the design of the case in this matter. The second point is related to the possibility of replacing antennas. In some situations, this may be useful for installing better ones or for moving away from the router case. However, the real effect will have to be assessed independently. Considering that the developers agree on all the parameters of the radio part, no one can guarantee that things will get better.

An essential characteristic of a wireless connection for many users is the quality of coverage. Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to adequately evaluate it in testing, since all apartments and broadcast conditions are different, and testing in open space will not provide useful information to urban users. So here you will have to rely on the characteristics specified by the manufacturer and user reviews. As for solving the issue of insufficient coverage, the most effective and correct option (after choosing the location of the main router) is to install additional access points or repeaters.

In general, you should evaluate a router based on its “range” solely at the site of its installation and with specific clients, since the quality of wireless communication significantly depends on their capabilities and characteristics. At the same time, today mobile devices, especially if we are talking about smartphones and tablets from not the most well-known brands, can rarely boast of a high-quality implementation of the radio module and an effective antenna.

Home models usually have no formal restrictions on the maximum number of clients served. In practice, in many cases they “pull” a dozen or two devices. But much in this case will depend on the clients used and their requirements for speed and traffic volumes. It’s one thing to connect five smartphones to view websites, and quite another to connect five IP cameras with high resolution and bitrate.

USB ports

Some models of mid-range routers and most representatives of the upper segment have USB ports. This can be either one port of version 2.0, or two, with versions 2.0 and 3.0. The services most commonly used with them include connecting storage devices (for organizing file sharing), printers or MFPs (for network printing), and cellular modems (for backup or primary Internet connection).

In most cases, you can use USB hubs (preferably active, with additional external power) to increase the number of simultaneously connected devices.

The capabilities of working with USB devices are directly determined by the router firmware, and we will talk about them later in the article. Here we only note that USB 3.0 is required only if you plan to intensively work with large files on drives - for other services, USB 2.0 is sufficient.

Platform

These characteristics (in particular, the SoC/processor model and the amount of RAM and flash memory) are difficult to directly “translate” into the user experience of working with the device, and to evaluate them it is better to focus on the results shown by the device in performance tests. So it’s usually worth paying attention to them only from the point of view of installing alternative firmware versions on the router.

And even in this case, you need to focus specifically on the availability of these firmwares for a specific router model, and not on the installed microcircuits. The most well-known brands in this market segment are Broadcom, Mediatek, Qualcomm and Realtek. Some of them focus on mass models, others on high-end devices. For the end consumer, in most cases there is no difference between them, since he is evaluating a finished finished product, and not one or two microcircuits.

Other options

In some cases, it is also worth paying attention to such characteristics as overall dimensions, the presence of wall mounting, the number and location of LED indicators, the presence of power and Wi-Fi buttons, the location of ventilation holes, the design and power of the power supply.

Software characteristics

The software (firmware) built into the router affects the operation of the device no less than the processor or radio unit. Typically, each manufacturer has a certain basic unified set for all models and expands it depending on their hardware features (for example, the presence of USB ports). The most responsible developers, for a certain time after the announcement of the device, offer firmware updates that correct shortcomings of previous versions or add new functionality. But we, perhaps, have not encountered a situation where new firmware at some point significantly changed the impression of the router. So in this matter, for most users, we would recommend that if questions arise with the software, they immediately return or change the device. This will be the easiest and fastest way to solve the problem.

Let's see what firmware features you should pay attention to when choosing a router today.

Internet connection

There are hundreds, if not thousands of providers operating in the vastness of our country, not to mention their differences in different regions, so the issue of correct operation of operator equipment is the most frequently discussed on thematic forums. Fortunately, in many cases we can talk about implementing standard connection types - IPoE, PPPoE, PPTP or L2TP. If in doubt, it is better to contact your provider for a list of compatible models or ask users in your region.

IPoE is the simplest and fastest method when the WAN port of your router simply receives an IP address from the provider’s equipment. PPPoE is a little more complicated and requires specifying a username and password in the router, which are issued by the operator. These two connection types are the least resource-intensive for the router and provide maximum speed. Almost any modern router model can be said to provide maximum operating speeds for the installed wired ports.

PPTP and L2TP are, fortunately, becoming less common today. For them, in addition to the name and password, you must also specify the address of the provider's access server. These modes place a greater load on router processors and may also have certain compatibility issues.

Some manufacturers implement special assistants in routers to simplify configuration for specific providers.

Note that some models additionally implement a scheme for connecting to the Internet via Wi-Fi, when the router acts as a client of the operator’s wireless network. At the same time, it simultaneously works as an access point, in addition to servicing wired ports.

IPTV

Providing services for watching TV channels through Internet operators is widely in demand in our market. Unfortunately, at the moment there is no single standard or even a limited set of them, since each operator chooses the most convenient and profitable option for itself. Common configurations include connecting an IPTV set-top box to a dedicated router port (including using VLAN technology to separate traffic), broadcasting TV channels using multicast technology, installing a set-top box behind a router without a dedicated port, using a program for a computer, and others.

You can check the compatibility of a particular router with an operator’s service only when you are on its network, so we cannot technically ensure this in our testing.

If working with an IPTV provider is important to you, you must first clarify the details of this service and the recommended connection scheme. If you work via a dedicated port for a set-top box, you will need a direct network cable from the router to the TV, which will work exclusively for the set-top box. Also note that wireless communications are not very well suited for this type of traffic, but in some situations they can still be used.

The simplest guaranteed solution to the problem is the use of operator equipment. However, judging by our experience, in many cases it is possible to configure other equipment to work with this service.

USB ports

The presence of USB ports can take your home router to the next level, allowing you to implement many additional functions. True, this requires the appropriate firmware.

The most commonly used options are connecting a hard drive or flash drive to organize file sharing using the SMB (Windows network) and FTP protocols. The second protocol also makes it possible to provide files to remote users over the Internet. Depending on the USB version, wired port speed and platform performance, this service can be used to store work files, create backups, organize a media library and solve other tasks.

Most models with USB ports also include a DLNA server, which allows you to stream multimedia to SmartTV and other receivers. True, there may be subtleties of compatibility with devices and formats. On some fast devices, you can implement a system for offline downloading files from the Internet using various protocols, which does not require a constantly turned on computer.

The second most popular task for a USB port is servicing a 3G/4G modem to provide Internet access. This can be either the main channel, for example for a summer residence, or a backup channel, which is used in case of failure of the main wire connection. Here it is worth paying attention to the support of specific cellular modem models. The compatibility list is usually provided on the router manufacturer's website.

The USB port on the router can also be used to turn your printer into a network model. In this case, the firmware at least implements the printing function, but working with a scanner in an MFP is not always possible.

additional services

In general, the software functions described above are sufficient to organize Internet access for home devices. But, of course, the capabilities of firmware are usually much wider.

Features such as a built-in DDNS client, IPv6 support, and bandwidth control (QoS) may be useful for connecting to the Internet. True, the QoS service in many routers does not work very efficiently. Some router models have solutions for creating multiple connections to the Internet, which allows for redundant communication channels.

An IPTV scenario may require support for the IGMP protocol and/or the udpxy service, which is especially useful for wireless clients.

The router's wireless access points can be used to organize guest networks, whose clients will only have access to the Internet, but not to the local network segment. Some users are interested in access lists and programming Wi-Fi schedules.

Considering that access to the Internet through the router is carried out using NAT technology, this can be considered a certain protection against intrusions, since direct access to the local network client from the outside is impossible in this case. Additionally, routers may have a firewall, install additional filters, and create port translation rules to allow external access to services (for example, for a network storage device).

There is also a module for setting a schedule for client access to the Internet (it is often called “Parental Control”). With the proliferation of mobile devices, it is useful to implement filters for accessing sites by category, for example SkyDNS and Yandex.DNS.

In high-performance models, we often find a VPN server, which is useful for organizing secure remote access to a local network via the Internet.

Additionally, there may be network diagnostic functions, extended event logs, and display of other service information.

Web interface

In most cases, routers are configured through the web interface - opening a page with the device address (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) in the browser. Sometimes it happens that you are automatically redirected to this page when you try to access the Internet through a router. Also in this case, the setup wizard may start on a new device or after a factory reset. The minimum required parameters to get started are options for connecting to the provider and a name/password for the wireless network. We also recommend changing the factory administrator password.

When using the device, you usually do not need to look at the web interface. The exception is additional services, such as downloading files, as well as checking the status and diagnosing the connection. So usually the interface design and ease of use have little influence on the choice of model.

Mobile applications

Today, several companies offer branded mobile applications as an alternative to launching a router and monitoring its operation. This can be useful for initial setup from a tablet or smartphone, which are not always convenient for a “full” web interface. In addition, through these programs you can quickly change some settings - for example, enable a guest network or allow certain clients access to the Internet.

Typically, these utilities only work “from the inside” - when the smartphone is connected to the router’s wireless network. But sometimes there are cloud options that do not require this. This option is interesting if you need to control the operation of the router remotely (for example, from work or while on the road).

Alternative firmware

Most users, after purchasing a router, use it with factory firmware. Sometimes, for example, on the recommendation of the technical support of the provider or manufacturer, it is updated to a new version published on the developer’s website. However, we cannot fail to mention in this material such an opportunity as installing alternative firmware versions on the router.

In general, they mean all options not developed directly by the device manufacturer. But in terms of the level of “alternativeness” there can be significant differences. In particular, there may be versions in which enthusiasts have corrected some shortcomings of the original version or expanded the range of its capabilities. There may also be versions created without using the source code. Another compromise option is to work with the original firmware and add new features to it through installing a package manager.

Depending on the specific router model, installing alternative firmware can be either very simple (for example, downloading a file downloaded from the Internet using standard means) or complex, including disassembling the device and connecting a console cable. Sometimes you may also need to build the firmware yourself from source code. Any such option usually violates the router warranty terms established by the manufacturer. On the other hand, in most cases, if the router is physically functional, you can return the original version to it.

The reason for using alternative firmware may be incompatibility with operator parameters, the need for additional functions, increased speed, and others. So with this question everything is purely individual and depends on the device, the operator, the user, as well as his requirements, experience and skills.

Other options

In addition to the characteristics of the router described above in terms of hardware and software, when choosing, you should pay attention to other parameters. Among which, after cost and availability in stores, it is worth paying attention to brand awareness. In particular, this determines the presence and activity of the user community, technical support, service centers and warranty.

It is also worth noting that operators have lists of recommended router models. Focusing on them will allow you to minimize problems when connecting, especially to additional services. However, usually the models on the list are not very interesting from a technical point of view.

Conclusion

As you can see, despite the formally simple set of basic tasks solved by a router, many factors that are significant for the real experience of working with it can be hidden in small details. At the same time, there are several hundred models for the home segment on the market, and their cost varies from approximately 1 to 30 thousand rubles.

Therefore, when choosing a device, you should first determine your requirements and objectives as accurately as possible. The main ones include the number of wired and wireless clients, the required connection speeds, the type and speed of connection to the provider, the need to implement additional network services (in particular, IPTV or VPN servers), and the ability to work with USB devices. After this, it will be possible to make an approximate list of applicants and study them in more detail on the manufacturers’ websites and in reviews on thematic resources.

In the next article we will look at the most popular, in our opinion, profiles for using home wireless routers and offer several current model options for them.

The Internet is everywhere. We can’t do without it at work, on the subway, and at home, how could we live without it. The Internet allows you not only to have fun, learn something new, communicate, but also to work without leaving home. Technologies do not stand still - a device appears that can provide several computers with Internet access at once. The wireless router added comfort to use, eliminating wires and constant disputes between those who want to access the Internet. For many, choosing a router comes down to simply going to an electronics store and buying a cheap model - the main thing is that it works. Soon, for various reasons, a cheap router is sent to a service center or collects dust on a shelf. How to choose a good router that will last for years? This is exactly what we will talk about today.

Well, before we start, here's a little theory for you. What is a router? A router (or router) is a special device, based on certain rules and network topology, that forwards network layer packets between network segments. Don't understand anything? No problem. In simpler terms, a router is a small device to which the cable of the provider (who provides you with the Internet), computers, and other devices that need access are connected.

Its hardware is very similar to old computers. It also has a processor, RAM and so on. Today, routers with a Wi-Fi module are common, but we will talk about the varieties below. I think there is no need to explain the main purpose of routers. Based on their purpose, they can be divided into two categories:

• Amateur. Inexpensive routers that are perfect for home use.
• Professional. Expensive models with enormous functionality and capabilities that provide entire enterprises with the Internet. I do not recommend choosing such routers for home use.

So what should we take away from this point? A router today is useful to any person who can, throughWi-Fi access the Internet from anywhere in your home.

Price

Now let's move on to a more important parameter of any thing - cost. Many experts on various forums will advise you to choose a Wi-Fi router whose price is as low as possible, they say, like the difference between an expensive box and a cheap one. There is only one goal – distribution of the Internet. That's right. But there is one big problem.

A router, in fact, is a small computer with all the inherent features: processor, memory, operating system. As you might have guessed, these devices are no strangers to computer “diseases”: overheating, freezes, virus attacks, and so on. Therefore, the cheaper the hardware, the greater the chance of getting a slow thing that will constantly hang. The result is a dusty shelf and the purchase of a more expensive model. As they say, the miser pays twice.

No, don’t think so, I don’t want to slander models from the budget segment. With the right approach, here too you can choose a good router that will have a good signal and become an excellent friend. However, as practice shows, it is better to overpay a little than to suffer later with, albeit minor, problems.

Well, now we can give several price categories into which models on the market are divided.

• Up to 2000 rubles. This is the so-called lower or primary class. It is presented in budget models, usually with a minimum set of functions. It is in great demand, despite the many shortcomings of the product. With the right approach, you can choose a good model, but you will have to try.
• 2000-5000 rubles. The middle segment, which is represented by more expensive and high-quality solutions. The devices are equipped with more modern hardware and have a number of additional “goodies”. If you want to get a decent router, then direct your attention to this segment.
• More than 5000 rubles. The more expensive the better. However, there is a limit. You shouldn’t go to great lengths and start overpaying for functions that are absolutely not needed for your home router. This segment contains solutions for professional tasks, but for an ordinary user who just needs to distribute the Internet, it’s better not to meddle here.

What's the final price? I advise you to choose a router for your home in 2018 in the middle segment. There is no money or desire to part with it - carefully look through the lower class. It’s stupid to go into the higher segment unless you want to get the most out of the device.

I think many users will be interested in who rules the roost among routers. But it’s difficult to single out an absolute leader. Every manufacturer has bad as well as good models. Each brand has both admirers and opponents, who organize virtual battles on thematic forums. There is no ideal option - some routers have problems with hardware, others with firmware, others with signal quality, and so on.

Wi-Fi routers from D-Link, which is very popular in the market, often encounter software and wireless errors. There are quite a few simply defective batches with a whole bunch of problems. TP-Link and Netgear are better in this regard, but that doesn't mean their products are without flaws. Zyxel, Linksys and Asus offer the most reliable devices today. However, again it all depends on the specific model.

In general, returning to the topic of price, it’s worth saying that if you buy a low-end router from any manufacturer, then be prepared for various problems. In case of a very limited budget, it is better to give preference to the flagships of lesser-known companies. For example, Tenda and Upvel are Chinese routers with good functionality and affordable prices.

Criterias of choice

Well, now let’s move on directly to the features of choosing a good router in 2018. There are a lot of recommendations on this difficult issue, so please be patient.

In 2018, store shelves are filled with routers with a variety of characteristics, shapes and additional features. However, just select the wrong type of WAN port through which the cable connects to the Internet, and you will have to buy a new router. Therefore, before going to an electronics store, you should find out what type of connection is used in your case. To make it easier, here are the most popular:

• ADSL. This type gives access to the Internet via a telephone cable. It was especially widespread in the era of the birth of the Internet. Today it is used less and less, and electronics manufacturers do not install it often.
• FTTB. The most popular type today. Access requires a twisted pair fiber optic cable. You can find it in almost every home, and it is also common in modern routers.
• Docsis. Not the most common type, which is based on coaxial cable. It does not have high throughput, and therefore is not particularly popular.

Before choosing a router for your home, you should check the typeWAN port, which will be required for work in the future.

Necessary to connect computers to the router via cable. There are no varieties, so you won’t get confused. You just need to decide on the speed of work. For home use, as a rule, so-called FastEthernet ports (100 Mbps) are sufficient. There are also faster options, but there is no particular need for them.

WiFi

Today, a Wi-Fi module is installed in almost any model. The wireless interface provides convenient and high-speed access to the Internet from various devices. Special attention should be paid to the implementation of Wi-Fi in the router. There are several points that we will now quickly go through.

Antennas

Wi-Fi routers have antennas in their design. They can be divided into two types: internal and external. The first, despite its attractive appearance, suffers from a number of problems. The main one is a weak signal. As a rule, internal antennas have a gain of no more than 2 dBi. This may be enough for a small room, but hardly for a whole apartment. The disadvantages include the impossibility of replacing antennas with more powerful ones. Therefore, external antennas on routers that provide a good signal are more preferable. In addition, they can often be replaced.

Standards

Wi-Fi standards determine the speed of data transfer. There are 5 of them in total, but today only 2 are actively used: 802.11n and 802.11ac. Home routers are most often equipped with the first standard, which is capable of operating at speeds of up to 600 Mbit/s. There is only a caveat - this speed is available when using 4 antennas (that is, 150 Mbit/s for each). Manufacturers trying to save money on everything often install only one labeled Wireless 150 (up to 150 Mbit/s). However, one can often only dream about this figure. Therefore, I advise you to choose Wi-Fi routers with two antennas (up to 300 Mbit/s). You will have to overpay a little, but the speed is significantly higher.

Many users worry that their old laptop (or phone) that runs 802.11b and 802.11g won't work with 802.11n. There is no need to be afraid. The new standards support backward compatibility, which ensures normal operation.

Recently, routers with support for the new standard – 802.11ac – have gone on sale. It supports operation at speeds up to 7 Gbps. So far, these models are very expensive, and the average user does not have any particular need for them. In a year or two they will become cheaper, and then there will be relevance in purchasing them.

Radius of action

An important parameter that many manufacturers like to brag about. Typically, modern routers promise to work within a radius of 100 meters. In fact, this value is reduced several times. The manufacturer does not take into account walls in the apartment and other obstacles to the signal. In fact, many budget routers work fine within a radius of 20-30 meters.

As already mentioned, a Wi-Fi router is a small computer. Even in home solutions, both a processor and memory are installed. However, many manufacturers, trying to save money, often install outdated filling. Therefore, when choosing a router for your home, you should pay attention to the characteristics. The power of the components determines how much load the device can pull.

It is desirable that the router model has 64 MB of RAM, or better yet 128 MB. The processor is preferably 240 MHz (again, around 500 MHz is better). Flash memory requires about 32 MB for normal operation. You can find out about the router specifications in the documentation or on the manufacturer’s website.

Here I will tell you about the software. The basic software in almost every router is the same. The differences only represent additional features that are most often found in expensive models. You should go deeper into this issue if you want to get a certain set of capabilities.

Providers today work with a variety of protocols, but router manufacturers also take this into account. Modern models usually support the most common ones: PPTP, L2TP and PPPoE. The exception is older routers. In this case, you should check with your provider what protocol they use to provide you with services.

Please note that the Wi-Fi standard is not provider specific. He carries out the distribution independently. It is better that Wi-Fi supports as many encryption protocols as possible (WEP, WPA, WPA2, and so on). It would be a good idea to check whether the devices that will connect to the router work with these protocols.

I decided to make this point separately. Some router models have one or more USB ports. What are they for in this device? And they will be useful for those who want to make a small file server from their home router by connecting a hard drive or other storage device. In general, the possibilities are seriously expanding. However, not every factory version will be able to satisfy user requests. Often you have to do a flashing (we'll talk about it below) by a specialist.

IPTV

Another interesting feature of modern routers is digital television. It is provided by your ISP. Its distribution is growing every year, so you should think about choosing a router with IPTV support. The fact is that not every model has enough power and capabilities to fully work with digital television.

Firmware

A very important point that you should definitely pay attention to. You can find out about firmware, updates and other information about a specific router model on the manufacturer’s website. The more and more often updates are released, the better. This means that the company is still working on a specific model, and you will not be left without the latest versions.

I recommend checking the Internet for alternative firmware developed by third-party manufacturers. Very often they can correct the errors of the original ones, increase the speed of operation and significantly expand the functionality of the router. However, before installing, read reviews about them and detailed descriptions in order to avoid errors during the firmware.

These seem to be all the criteria by which you should choose a Wi-Fi router for your home in 2018. I tried to include everything about modern models, but you may still have questions, given the rapid growth of the market. In this case, I advise you to visit our forums. While writing the article, I highlighted a couple more tips that will protect you from choosing a bad router.