That’s why you may ask: what are the best wireless routers which are affordable?
While selecting a new router, you have to consider the size of the place that will be covered. Of course, not everyone requires the sort of performance that you get with the latest models – that’s why there is no need to pay for features that you will never use. However, there are some conditions when a new router can make the difference. That’s why we are here to help those who ask “what are the best wireless routers.”
We will guide you through selecting a router that will deal with your wireless networking needs, and provide you with our top picks to get you started so that you will be able to Google all the needed requests – from best college applications, nearest coffee houses to rare “pay for essays” and “how to my math homework.”
Single and Duel Band
Not all routers are made equal and have the same IT security systems. Some models of routers can only communicate over one radio band, and others can use two. Routers with a single band operate on a 2.4GHz frequency band and they are less expensive, but they also compete with other devices that are on the same radio band, like Bluetooth devices, wireless phones, and so on. They are adequate for Web surfing and connecting to social media services like Twitter and Facebook.
If your device will be streaming videos from Netflix, for example, or connecting to Xbox Live, you need a dual-band router with proper IT security systems. It has two radios. One radio connects to a 2.4GHz band, and the other connects to a 5GHz band. The second band is typically less crowded than the first band and provides more throughput with small signal interference, making it perfect for gaming and video streaming. Routers with a dual band allow you to assign a band to particular applications and clients, easing the load on the bands.
Also, there are tri-band routers. They have three radios. One radio operates at 2.4GHz and others operate at 5GHz. Such models are perfect for households with many devices that have heavy network traffic through video streaming, downloading, and gaming.
Wireless Protocols
Wireless networks use 802.11 protocols to receive and send data. Devices that use older standards like 802.11b and 802.11g are limited to rates of 11Mbps and 54Mbps, and they just operate on a 2.4GHz band.
The most popular protocol is 802.11n that allows for high data rates of up to 600Mbps and operates on 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. It uses MIMO technology that utilizes a few antennas to receive and send up to four spatial streams.
Nowadays, most smartphones, laptops, and home devices use 802.11n Wi-Fi – that’s why a 802.11n router is perfect for households that have a lot of devices with Internet access. But if you use a network for several gaming consoles, smart TVs, and mobile devices, you need a more powerful router that provides the latest Wi-Fi technology.
The latest class of Wi-Fi routers use 802.11ac technology. It offers some improvements over previous protocols – wider channel bandwidth, more MIMO spatial streams, and a technology that sends Wi-Fi signals right to a client.
Also, the 802.11ac protocol provides downstream MU-MIMO technology, which is made for offering bandwidth to several devices simultaneously. Up to four clients can have their data stream rather than waiting in turn to get data from the router. For MU-MIMO working, the router and devices must include MU-MIMO Wi-Fi circuitry. MU-MIMO clients are limited to several laptop models. More MU-MIMO devices will begin hitting the market in the next year.
