The router is the equipment that allows you to connect the equipment in your network to the rest of the world via the Internet. To do this, it can use an Ethernet cable or work in Wifi. The advantages of wireless are easy setup and small footprint. We have written this buying guide to help you choose the best wireless router.
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Our selection
"The Linksys EA6900-EJ dual-band router fits right in with large families. Its mouthwatering performance of up to 1,900 Mbps makes it a great solution for…"
"With a speed of 300 Mbps, this Wifi router is intended for classic uses: downloading, music and film streaming, Internet browsing. This model uses reliable…"
"This Asus gamer Wifi router covers an area of 200 m². There are no performance problems to be deplored in this context thanks to the…"
"In addition to its broad compatibility and its 3,000 Mbps speed, the Honor Router 3 stands out from other Wifi 6 routers with its discreet…"
The Linksys EA6900-EJ dual-band router fits right in with large families. Its mouthwatering performance of up to 1,900 Mbps makes it a great solution for gamers and streamers.
See priceThe Linksys EA6900-EJ delivers the throughput you expect for downloading, gaming and streaming. All users will benefit from a good connection quality when using simultaneously. The removable antennas improve the signal distribution while optimizing its range. In addition to connecting to PCs, smartphones, tablets and TV devices, this Wifi router connects without interference to other devices like printers through its USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports. In addition, there are 4 other Gigabit ports, providing a quality connection.
The home network created with the Linksys EA6900-EJ is remotely controllable via a mobile device. The parental control mode is also accessible this way. The same goes for the monitoring of the activities carried out on the network as well as the various statistics. It is possible to prioritize certain devices in the sense that they are granted the most bandwidth.
With a speed of 300 Mbps, this Wifi router is intended for classic uses: downloading, music and film streaming, Internet browsing. This model uses reliable security protocols.
See priceSeveral security mechanisms come into play via this Wifi router to provide a better user experience. In addition to its high level of security, the Tenda F3 N300 benefits from a classy and unique design. It can be placed in any room of the house and provides a fast connection for the whole family. With support for WISP mode, wireless sharing is enhanced.
Parents will be able to restrict the use of the router for their children. They can also block certain sites that are not age-appropriate. Moreover, it is possible to set a time for the device to turn on and off, a very practical feature to reduce electricity consumption.
This Asus gamer Wifi router covers an area of 200 m². There are no performance problems to be deplored in this context thanks to the many innovative systems included in this router, including the AirMesh system.
233 £ on RakutenThis 802.11ax Wifi router, this router can provide a speed of 5,700 Mbps at a frequency of 160 MHz. Asus has sought to spoil gamers, especially with the Gaming Mobile mode to reduce latency on mobile devices such as smartphone or tablet. In addition, the gaming port offers some privilege in speed and stability to the PC or console that connects to it.
In addition to the above mentioned technologies, the Asus RT-AX86U AX5700 has an Adaptive QoS feature that can prioritize gaming traffic. Still, other activities can be brought to the forefront depending on your habits. With the AirMesh system, multiple users access a mesh network that provides a smooth connection across all devices.
In addition to its broad compatibility and its 3,000 Mbps speed, the Honor Router 3 stands out from other Wifi 6 routers with its discreet and compact design. Offering 4 Ethernet ports, it has no USB port.
See priceThe Honor Router 3 is a dual bandwidth Wifi router of 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. It is a Wifi 6 router, capable of broadcasting multiple signals. For data sharing, it has a remarkable secret weapon: it accepts up to 4 devices at the same time on the first frequency and up to 16 devices on the other!
Its self-developed chip offers better signal quality and considerable speed. Its range is just incredible, with an ability to connect more than 128 devices at an acceptable distance: the connection speed remains unchanged at 15 m from this Wifi router! Finally, the Honor router 3 has a very efficient power saving system. It goes to sleep when no device is connected.
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The best entry-level Wifi router
A Wifi router compatible with all boxes on the market
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| TOP OF THE TOP | CHEAP | HIGH END | COMPATIBILITY | |
In accordance with our commitment, this buying guide does not contain any sponsored products. |
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| OUR SELECTION |
Linksys EA6900-EJ
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Tenda F3 N300
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Asus RT-AX86U AX5700
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Honor Router 3
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The Linksys EA6900-EJ dual-band router fits right in with large families. Its mouthwatering performance of up to 1,900 Mbps makes it a great solution for gamers and streamers.
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With a speed of 300 Mbps, this Wifi router is intended for classic uses: downloading, music and film streaming, Internet browsing. This model uses reliable security protocols.
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This Asus gamer Wifi router covers an area of 200 m². There are no performance problems to be deplored in this context thanks to the many innovative systems included in this router, including the AirMesh system.
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In addition to its broad compatibility and its 3,000 Mbps speed, the Honor Router 3 stands out from other Wifi 6 routers with its discreet and compact design. Offering 4 Ethernet ports, it has no USB port.
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Range
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Baud rates
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600 Mbps and 1300 Mbps
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300 Mbps
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5,700 Mbps
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3,000 Mbps
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Wifi standards
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802.11n, 802.11b, 802.11a, 802.11g
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802.11b, 802.11g
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802.11n, 802.11ax, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11ac
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802.11ax, 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac
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Compatibility
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Parental control
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Yes
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Yes
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Yes
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Yes
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The quality of the connection differs from one router to another. The following parameters influence this performance.
When buying a Wifi router, it is first necessary to determine whether it is intended for domestic or professional use. In the case of a domestic use, it is enough to opt for a device that can manage about ten incoming connections.
If, however, the equipment is to meet the needs of a company, the ideal is to turn to a model that can handle a hundred computers and a number of connected objects. Admittedly, professional routers are relatively expensive, but they provide significantly higher performance than products dedicated to individuals.
A
router
's
role is to redistribute the flow of an Internet connection fairly. Nevertheless, distribution problems are not uncommon and they are usually due to a higher internet speed than the hardware supports.
In other words, you need to choose a model that offers a higher connection speed than that offered by your Internet service provider. For a maximum speed of 100 Mbps, it's best to opt for a router that supports up to 200 Mbps for optimal stability.
The
level of security is an element not to be neglected when buying a Wifi router. It is not advisable to rely mainly on the performance of its antivirus software, as many hackers manage to bypass the protection devices of this type of software.
Moreover, an antivirus program cannot prevent a third party with good hacking skills from illegally using your Internet connection. In most cases, the security of a router is achieved through WEP or WPA key encryption.
Although both types of encryption provide a reasonable level of protection, it is best to look for a model that offers IP-based bandwidth control. This records the IP addresses of all devices that are allowed to connect and effectively prevents intrusion from unknown devices.
The
installation can be more or less complex depending on the router. In case you are making your first acquisition, it is strongly recommended to avoid models that require long sessions of configuration. The best is to opt for a device requiring only a connection to an electrical outlet, the internet box and the installation of a driver.
The
performance of the router depends on the Wifi standard supported. Today, the majority of devices using Wifi display the 802.11n standard, as it is compatible with all older technologies. On a router, it allows to reach a speed up to 600 Mbps. However, it is not the best for all that. It remains within the limits of acceptability. To have higher performance, bet on routers with a capacity corresponding to the standard 802.11ac or 802.11ax (Wifi 6).
Here are the 3 types of Wifi routers presented on the market.
The single-band WiFi router uses the 2.4 GHz frequency and is based on a single radio band. It has the advantage of being more accessible. But you should not expect a very advanced capacity with this option. However, it is still recommendable for simple Internet browsing. The fact is that it easily interferes with other devices like microwave and even smartphones.
The
dual-band Wifi router is what you need for more advanced use. It is suitable for fans of streaming content and online video games. With a connection on 2 frequencies, this device ensures smooth operation. The dual-band router therefore supports the 5GHz frequency giving it a high throughput. The price starts to climb with this type of router.
The
triple-band Wifi router uses the 2.4 GHz frequency and 2 others of 5 GHz in parallel. This is the most suitable alternative when there are many users with various devices. With such use, it is better to ensure good traffic. This is possible with tri-band. Everyone gets a better connection despite several intensive uses. It should be noted, however, that these models are quite difficult to access.
The role of a router is to share the connection between several wireless devices. It draws it from a modem with Ethernet and then uses a transmitter to operate the connection. In some cases, the use of a modem is not necessary, since the Wifi router can perfectly assume this role.
All-in-one hardware, the box supports all tasks that can be used on a network. It therefore has several functionalities apart from browsing the Internet. It provides access to TV content on a TV set and can also power your landline phone or act as an intermediary for data sharing. The box is available wired and wireless.
Although very versatile, the box can not be efficient everywhere. To benefit from a good internet connection, you still need a router to support it. The latter improves the bandwidth significantly. More than one person even prefers to replace their box with the router to gain in performance with a higher Wifi standard and a greater range. This device also has several systems that improve, but especially secure the use of Internet.
Quickly share a connection and create a network
A Wi-Fi router makes it easy for family members or colleagues to access the Internet. This device also offers the possibility to quickly create a wireless network between different devices.
Unlike a wired network, a network set up with a router does not require a "master" PC. In other words, any device belonging to the network can directly access the Internet and communicate with other powered-up terminals without the intermediary of a master computer.
Improve the Internet connection for each device
Sharing is just one of the many tasks of a Wi-Fi router. It ensures the redistribution of the connection in an equitable manner and considerably improves its stability and regularity.
Note that some equipment can, to some extent, offer a significant boost to the speed of the connection. To benefit from a boost, however, it is necessary to choose your router carefully according to a few criteria, such as the maximum speed it can support.
Whether it is to improve redistribution or to speed up the connection, it is strongly advised to choose products that can support a relatively high speed.
Protecting your network effectively
The intrusion of an unknown device in a network can represent a great danger for the data of computers and other devices connected to it. It can be carried out by a hacker planning to steal personal information or, in the best case, by someone who wants to benefit from a free and illegal Internet connection. In any case, it is essential to offer an optimal level of protection to one's network and the Wi-Fi router is the essential solution.
The security system differs depending on the product. Some offer WEP or WPA key encryption, while others protect the network by detecting unknown IP addresses and preventing them from connecting without administrator authorization.
Prevent access to certain sites
If you have children, a Wi-Fi router can help you block adult sites without having to buy and install any software. The parental control systems offered by routers are reliable and easy to implement. They usually take only a few minutes to set up, and they offer security features that are particularly difficult to circumvent.
The location of the router
Many people forget that wireless signals can be tricky. Router placement is important: in one location, it will provide a good signal to some rooms in the house, but a poor signal to your bedroom, while in another location it will be the opposite. So moving your router may be all you need to fix your connection problem. Distance is important: the further away you are from the router, the worse your connection will be. However, there may be other aspects of positioning to consider.
USB antennas
What if your router doesn't have its own antenna? Or if your signal remains poor after you've already changed the internal antenna? You might consider buying a USB antenna for your computer. It works exactly the same as a built-in antenna, but can be positioned as needed for optimal performance. Be sure to buy one that comes with a cable, this will allow you to place the receiver in the most optimal position without having to physically move your machine.
Wireless Range Amplifiers
They are inexpensive and are compatible with almost all modern routers and modems. They can be useful if you have a large property and new antennas cannot cover certain areas. Because of their low price, they are also an effective way to get your signal through a dense wall or other physical structure that may reduce the quality.
Routing channels
Wifi congestion can be a real problem if you live in a densely populated area. In an apartment building, for example, there are so many people using wireless devices that the waves are thick and the signals bounce around. Like walkie-talkies and baby monitors, routers can operate on several frequencies, the most common being 2.4 GHz. Within this frequency, there are 13 channels, and each channel is separated by 20 MHz from the two surrounding channels. Given this spacing, each of the 13 channels overlaps with at least two others. Most people never change their router's default channel, so changing yours can help alleviate some of these potential congestion problems.
Firmware Updates
A router's firmware is like a brain for that device: it's the underlying software that allows the rest of the device to function. As with almost all modern technology, new changes and updates are constantly being developed by router manufacturers. This allows them to improve the speed and performance of their products, for example, as well as to fix security flaws.
The best Wifi router depends on your needs and your budget. Read our buying guide to find out which products are the best.
Not all internet dealers are reliable. That's why it's better to see specialist dealers who can advise you if you need help. But to save you the hassle of going back and forth to the seller, we have selected the best products for you.
The installation of a Wifi router is very easy. Just follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Some Wifi routers have multiple Ethernet ports to allow multiple users to enjoy a good connection speed.
No, they are two different and complementary systems. The modem creates a standard network signal and turns it into a data packet. The router takes care of sharing it with all the devices.
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