Are you thinking of subscribing to an internet offer for your work needs or just for entertainment? A simple 4G or 4G+ (and soon 5G) internet box will give you access to the network wherever you are. As the multiplicity of these devices may complicate your decision making, we've put together this buying guide of the best internet boxes of this year.
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Our selection
"There is no need for your internet service provider to come to your home to carry out installations. Indeed, this internet box is compatible with…"
"This internet box has been designed so that people who live in remote areas such as rural and suburban areas can access the network with…"
"Ultra-fast is the expression that best describes this internet box proposed by Netgear. Thanks to it, you will have access to a powerful Wifi connection…"
"The TP-Link Archer MR600 is the perfect internet box to enjoy 4G+ wherever you are. With this router, data speeds can reach 300 Mbps."
There is no need for your internet service provider to come to your home to carry out installations. Indeed, this internet box is compatible with the SIMs of all operators and ensures high-speed internet access.
112 £ on Amazon
This internet box has been designed so that people who live in remote areas such as rural and suburban areas can access the network with the best performance.
69,58 £ on AmazonAt first glance, this internet box looks like its little sister the 4G06, except for its performance which is much better. Indeed, this Tenda router will allow you to expect speeds of 15 Mbps with peaks of 25 Mbps, which is more than enough for streaming medium quality videos. For gaming, however, you'd be better off with another box.
This Tenda 4G09 is equipped with two 4G antennas which you can replace with better models, which is recommended if you live in an area with really poor reception. Caution! The SIM card is inserted into a slot on the bottom of this internet box. The native application will allow you to configure the system according to your preferences.
Ultra-fast is the expression that best describes this internet box proposed by Netgear. Thanks to it, you will have access to a powerful Wifi connection up to 2.2 Gbit/s for an effective coverage up to 125 m².
268 £ on AmazonRegardless of the operator you have signed up with, the SIM card you were given is compatible with this internet box with integrated 4G. You just have to insert the chip in its slot to access the network. This solution is ideal if your address is not yet eligible for fiber optics. As mentioned in the description, this 4G internet box covers an area of 125 m² without any problems, which makes it the perfect alternative for SMEs.
Netgear aficionados will be pleased to know that the Orbi LBR20 is compatible with Orbi satellites. In other words, it can be used to create a Wifi Mesh system that supports 4K video-on-demand and smooth network or online gaming.
The TP-Link Archer MR600 is the perfect internet box to enjoy 4G+ wherever you are. With this router, data speeds can reach 300 Mbps.
87,20 £ on AmazonThis internet box is recommended for people who are eager for performance. After inserting your SIM card into this router, you will enjoy your multimedia content in HD without any interruption, play games smoothly and download heavy files in just a few minutes. With its 3 Gigabit Ethernet ports, you'll have a high-speed wired connection.
Note that this TP-Link Archer MR600 router is equipped with Dual Band Wifi. Thanks to these 2 powerful antennas, you won't have to walk around the house to get a better signal. Very easy to use, this internet box does not require any configuration. It is compatible with SIM cards from over a hundred countries.
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The best entry-level internet box
The best high-end internet box
The best internet box for personal use
Your guide :
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| THE BEST | CHEAPEST | TOP OF THE LINE | EXCELLENT | |
In accordance with our commitment, this buying guide does not contain any sponsored products. |
9/10 |
8/10 |
9/10 |
8/10 |
| OUR SELECTION |
Huawei B535-235
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Tenda 4G09
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Netgear Orbi LBR20
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TP-Link Archer - MR600
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There is no need for your internet service provider to come to your home to carry out installations. Indeed, this internet box is compatible with the SIMs of all operators and ensures high-speed internet access.
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This internet box has been designed so that people who live in remote areas such as rural and suburban areas can access the network with the best performance.
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Ultra-fast is the expression that best describes this internet box proposed by Netgear. Thanks to it, you will have access to a powerful Wifi connection up to 2.2 Gbit/s for an effective coverage up to 125 m².
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The TP-Link Archer MR600 is the perfect internet box to enjoy 4G+ wherever you are. With this router, data speeds can reach 300 Mbps.
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Transfer rate
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1167 Mbps
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1200 Mbps
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2200 Mbps
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300 Mbps
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Number of ports
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4
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None
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1 LAN, 3 Ethernet
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4
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Frequency band class
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Dual band
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Dual band
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Triple band
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Dual Band
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Item dimensions
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21.9 x 13.8 x 2.5 cm
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12.5 x 11.8 x 6 cm
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17 x 7.8 x 22.6 cm
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33.9 x 16 x 3.7 cm
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Warranty
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2 years manufacturer
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3 years manufacturer
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2 years manufacturer
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3 years manufacturer
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The choice of an internet box should be made primarily according to your needs. If you are a big consumer of video on demand, network games, or other forms of entertainment that require an online presence, you will need a box that guarantees you a high-speed internet connection. That way, you'll save yourself from frustrating sessions and unwanted defeats.
If you plan to download heavy multimedia content, look for a box that provides high upload and download speeds. Standard connection boxes offer speeds between 1 and 15 Mbps. As for the most powerful ones, they ensure transfer rates that reach 2000 Mbps. These boxes will allow you to download or upload files very quickly.
If you plan to install an internet box at home soon, it would be interesting to find out about the available frequencies. In fact, you will have to choose between the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency. If the first is the historical frequency (used by most of the connected objects), the second is more recent and less saturated. To benefit from a maximum speed, consider establishing an access point in 5 GHz with your box.
The box's mission is to bring internet to users who struggle to have ADSL or fiber. Before purchasing, look at the device's connectivity. Does it still offer an Ethernet network socket in addition to WiFi? Is the administration interface intuitive and easy to use? Is it possible to track data consumption? Very important, you should look for the format of the SIM card compatible with the box, knowing that recent models require a nano-SIM.
We mean by power, the capacity of the internet box to cover a surface. It is more precisely the WiFi coverage authorized by the equipment. If the signal of the internet box is strong enough, you can do without the PLC plug. You just have to plug the box to have access to the internet, it's as simple as that.
Even though the internet has been a part of our lives for a long time, it still remains a mystery to some users. This is mainly due to the rapid evolution of this technology, but also to the complexity of the terminology used.
Also known as a home gateway, an internet box is a medium whose main mission is to serve as an interface between the subscriber and his internet service provider.
As you can see, the internet box is the accessory that connects you to the internet. As for the connection of the box to a computer, it is done via a classic Ethernet cable, an Ethernet 3 cable, a PLC adapter or WiFi. As the internet box is independent of the computer, the connection remains established when it is switched on to allow the reception of television and telephony.
If possible, connect your devices directly to the box via the Ethernet cable. This way, you will have a quality connection, but it also reduces the use of Wi-Fi. If you do not like to see cables snaking everywhere, the best would be to use a PLC socket which allows the connection to pass through the electrical network. To be precise, the electrical installation must be recent for the plug to work properly.
This category of box fits perfectly with the profile of the average user who does not need to be permanently connected to the Internet, but who uses the telephone regularly. So to speak, the double play internet box gives access to the internet network and telephony only.
It is the most common internet box on the market. Unlike the double play model, the triple play internet box gives access to three functionalities, namely: the internet network, telephony and TV channels. Depending on the offer you have subscribed to, you will benefit from about sixty television channels by opting for this internet box.
As its name indicates, this box gives access only to the internet network. It is a basic device intended for people who do not wish to invest a lot of money in an internet box. So to speak, the fixed telephony features and the TV channel package are not taken into account by the device.
The internet box is an equipment that meets both nomadic and sedentary uses. Hyper versatile, the 3G/4G and 5G box can act as a router and even a modem. Generally, this fixed device is used to connect a house to the Internet network. But if needed, it can be unplugged to be used elsewhere than at home, but provided that the place is supplied with electricity.
Generally, the 4G modem comes in the form of a USB key or a small box powered by a built-in battery. This equipment is mainly intended for people who need to use the Internet at any time and in any place. In fact, the 4G modem works exactly the same way as an internet box, except for its very compact form.
The choice of an internet box or a 4G modem must be made according to your user profile and your consumption habits. If you only use the Internet at home, it is preferable to opt for an Internet box. Otherwise, it is better to use a modem.
The internet box allows you to connect to the internet
Thanks to the internet box, you can receive an internet signal at home. This equipment converts the data so that your computers, tablets and smartphones can easily connect to the network. This equipment is mainly intended for people whose addresses are not eligible for ADSL and even less for fiber optics.
The internet box allows access to TV packages
Thanks to the triple play offers, users have access to the Internet network, but also to telephony and television. It is important to note that the internet box does not directly provide the TV signal. However, it is essential to supply the TV box with an internet connection.
The internet box allows you to make phone calls
Until a few years ago, fixed telephony was a subscription service that users had to pay for monthly. Today, it has become a service that is integrated in the offer subscribed by the internet service provider and can therefore work thanks to the internet box.
The internet box is easy to use
The internet box is as easy to use as a router. You have to insert the SIM card in its slot, plug it into a power outlet and turn it on. Whether you use an Ethernet cable or WiFi, the internet box will help you surf at very high speed.
The internet box can be used anywhere
If you are not yet eligible for fiber, but your area is served by the network, the box will allow you to access the Internet. In principle, this equipment should be able to connect you to the 4G network. Like the 4G modem, the internet box can be used on the move. Some models are even equipped with a battery that makes the device even more convenient.
In our opinion, the best brands of internet box in 2022 are :
Founded in 1987 by a former civil servant, Huawei is now one of the giants of cell phones and digital solutions. A true jack-of-all-trades, the Chinese company is a true reference in the internet box sector.
In business since 1996, TP-Link specializes mainly in computer equipment and digital wireless solutions. Its credo: always provide users with the best value for money devices.
The Netgear company is a pioneer in computer hardware. Let's remember that in 2003, this group received a Golden Awards for showcasing Wi-Fi from its site, which says a lot about the quality of its creations.
Launched in 1999, Tenda is among the leading providers of network devices, ranging from IP cameras, to PLC and through routers and internet boxes. Today, Tenda products are distributed in all countries around the world.
Asus is a brand that we don't need to introduce anymore, so well known is it. Although it specializes in computers, its range of internet boxes does not demerit.
The diagram below will help you to get an idea of the typical prices for each price range (entry-level, mid-range and high-end).
However, more expensive does not necessarily mean better.
We therefore advise you to always consult our ranking before deciding, rather than blindly relying on price ranges.
Use the Ethernet cable
If your computer is located near the Internet box, it is preferable to ensure the connection with the Ethernet cable. This way, the flow will be more stable. Reserve the Wifi for nomadic devices such as digital tablet, smartphone and laptop.
Use a PLC socket
On the other hand, if the computer is far enough from the internet box, don't hesitate to install a PLC socket. This way, you can pass the signal through the electrical network. Thanks to this device barely as big as a plug but very efficient, all the members of the family will be able to access the internet.
Install your internet box in the right place
To get the best reception of the network, never put your internet box under a TV or near a similar equipment. Preferably, install it in an open area of your home, away from household appliances and 1.50 m from the floor. Note that the slightest obstacle may impair the performance of the internet box.
Subscribe to a fiber offer
If your region is covered by optical fiber, do not hesitate to subscribe to this offer especially if you are a consumer of video on demand, online games or downloads of all kinds. Note that this technology gives access to a higher internet speed than ADSL.
Secure the access to your WiFi
WiFi is visible to all other devices within a radius of several kilometers. If you don't secure your personal network, others will use it and your connection will slow down. Worse, you will quickly blow your package and you will expose yourself to penalties from your ISP.
An internet box works exactly the same way as a router, in that it allows many devices to be networked to the internet. As it manages the connection to the Internet, the box acts as a firewall. To ensure the connection, you just have to choose between Ethernet cable or Wifi.
To use the internet while you are far from the box, the ideal would be to use a PLC socket which broadcasts the connection via the electrical network. . This solution is practical, as it allows all the occupants of a house to connect to the internet network. Otherwise, you can use a repeater that boosts the WiFi signal.
The only way to have internet without a box is to share a 4G connection via a smartphone. But it goes without saying that this solution is only possible between two users. If you are eligible for optical fiber and especially if you are numerous, the use of an internet box ensures a more stable network connection.
Yes, this is quite possible. Note that internet boxes come in different variations. If you want, you can buy a box that only gives access to the Internet. You will be tempted to use a 4G modem which is not a bad choice in itself, but an internet box remains better in terms of performance.
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