High-speed wifi router. Choosing a wifi router for your home: Don’t overpay! Wireless access points

How to choose a wifi router for your home to ensure a good signal? Yes, it’s not an easy task for a beginner, but we will help you figure it out! Wi-Fi routers today are actively used to create wireless network at home, when the user has a large number of devices that need to be connected to world wide web. Compared with local connection, a wireless connection is much easier to organize and, in addition, you do not need to lay a lot of cables to connect each device to the Internet.

Today, on the computer device market there is a huge selection of a wide variety of wi-fi routers. Which technical specifications when choosing it, you need to take into account which Wi-Fi router is best to buy for your home and what you should pay attention to when buying this device - this is discussed in our article.

A Wi-Fi router (from English route) is a small device that provides wireless data transfer between the Internet and various devices (Wi-Fi).
Today, most computer communication devices already have built-in Wi-Fi receivers, which gives them greater mobility and ease of use.

At home, using a home router, you can connect to the global wireless network with various devices(laptop, smartphone, tablet, etc.), and organize internal wireless communication between home devices (for example, you can connect home computer or a laptop to a wireless printer or play an exciting “shooter game” with the whole family).
Using wi-fi router for the home, you can forget about “cable tethering”, place certain devices anywhere in the apartment and connect a large number of gadgets to one access point.
Before choosing a wireless access point for your home, you should understand its technical characteristics.

The most important characteristics of routers

When choosing a wireless router, you should pay attention to its characteristics. Any Wi-Fi router is designed to combine certain computer devices connections into a single network, as well as provide shared access of devices to the internet channel.
One of the most important characteristics of wireless access points is the speed of data transmission over the network (from 8 – 35 Mbit/s for cheap models, up to 1 Gbit/s for expensive devices).
When choosing a Wi-Fi router, you should also understand the standards wireless connection. So, today there are several such standards that affect maximum speed device data transfer. For example, the IEEE 802.11b standard is already outdated and provides data transfer at a maximum speed of up to 11 Mb/sec. New computer devices also have new standards - 802.11g with an Internet connection speed of 54 Mb/sec and 802.11n with a maximum speed of up to 300 Mb/sec. High data transfer speed allows you to transmit and receive information from the Internet much faster.

When choosing a wifi router for your home, pay attention to the quantity random access memory. It is recommended to buy wireless access points with at least 64 MB of RAM and a processor power of at least 240 MHz. Flash memory in the device should not be less than 16 MB.
If you have a large apartment, it is advisable to purchase a router with 2 or 3 antennas and high power. Most powerful router allows you to “pierce” a building by 50 – 70 meters.
Well, of course, it is advisable to buy products only from well-known brands. So, among the most the best manufacturers wireless access points can be distinguished: Linksys, TP – Link, Asus, ZyXEL.

The main criteria for choosing a router for your home

When choosing a router for your home, you should pay attention to the following important characteristics: maximum data transfer speed, stability of operation, radiation power of the data transmitter, availability of additional connectors
The maximum data transfer rate is measured in Mbit/s. So, for example, when purchasing a device with a speed of 150 Mbps, you should take into account that this is approximately 10 Mb/s. This speed is quite enough to comfortably work on the network from several devices. It is not necessary to take into account the speed of LAN ports (cable connectors). Typically, on cheap models the speed does not exceed 100 Mbit/s, and on expensive ones 1000 Mbit/s. Such characteristics are important if you connect several devices via cable and “drive” gigabytes of data between them.

When choosing a router, pay attention to how many meters it can transmit the signal. If you have a large apartment or house, take a look at powerful routers with multiple antennas.

As for the stability of the device, it depends on the firmware of the device, as well as on the reliability of the chip. In this case, again, it is best to pay attention to well-known brands and purchase a device in a specialized store rather than buying a Chinese-assembled device “hand-made”. And, of course, require a warranty for all purchased products.

In the event that, in addition to wireless access, you need to connect additional devices to Wi-Fi (printer, local computer IPTV receiver), purchase a device with additional connectors (USB, connectors for connecting local cables, etc.).

Portable and mobile wifi routers

For travelers or businessmen who need to be constantly connected and have access to the Internet, it is best to purchase a portable router. The advantages of such gadgets include: small size, battery operation, support for all standards cellular communications And automatic installation connections. Such routers have a built-in router and are quite reliably protected from network attacks. They can be used when connecting several users and for organizing network storage with medical content, as well as to create wireless communication in a car, on a boat, on a yacht.

The disadvantages of mobile routers include the low power of the Wi-Fi transmitter, as well as the short operating time of the device. When choosing a portable router, you should pay attention to what is more valuable to you: the dimensions of the device or its autonomy. For short tourist trips, you can purchase a compact mobile router. For long journeys, it is worth choosing a larger router, with a capacious battery and the ability to organize local network. Among the portable routers we can highlight: AsusWL-3300NUL, ASUSWL-330N3G, LexandLBP - 52C and LBP - 78W.

Scam by sellers or which routers are better not to buy

When choosing a router, you should not chase the most sophisticated and expensive device, especially if you live in a small apartment. Never buy routers or other devices second-hand, but only in specialized stores. Ask the seller to show you a license from the manufacturer, as well as a warranty for the device.

Attention: The most common scam from sellers is an additional guarantee. You will be offered to purchase an additional warranty in addition to the standard one. Don’t buy an additional guarantee, it’s often just a money grab. Routers rarely break down, and those that have worked normally for a whole year will work for a second and third year.

When choosing a router, try to get as much information as possible about it, watch video reviews, read text reviews about it on the Internet.
Which router is better to buy for your home? So, we present to your attention the top 3 Wi-Fi routers for the home!

Top 3 best home wifi routers (their advantages and disadvantages)

In third place in our hit parade of routers is a beautiful and stylish wireless router from NETGEAR - NETGEARWNDR4500.
Its big advantage is the data transfer speed – up to 900 Mbit/s! Indeed, with such a device you can freely download gigabytes of information from the Internet or play online computer games. The device has 6 internal antennas with separate transceivers that provide excellent signal reception.

LED indicators on the front of the device indicate port status, device activation, and operation. The big advantage of this router is also the Wi-Fi on/off button. It allows you to save energy or turn off the device if there is a threat of computer hacking.
The router is powered by a BroadcomBCM4706 processor at 600 MHz, it has 128 MB of RAM and 128 MB of flash memory. The NETGEARWNDR4500 router is a great purchase. Beautiful appearance, excellent data transfer speed and convenient control buttons - all this allows us to include this company’s router in the top three for the home user.
Among the disadvantages, it should be noted: the lack of wall mounting, the inability to adjust the transmitter power and the high cost of the router.

In second place is the device of the Chinese company “TP-Link” - TP-Link TL-WR2543ND.
A distinctive feature of this device is the ability to operate in 2 frequency ranges (up to 450 Mbit/s) in each. The device has smooth body lines. Three external antennas, which can be rotated 360 degrees, ensure reliable reception of the device anywhere in the apartment or house.
The router has indicators for operating modes, wireless network, power, Ethernet ports, as well as USB port. There are also holes for wall mounting the device. The router has an “AtherosAR7242” processor on board, which operates at a frequency of 400 MHz, as well as 64 MB of RAM and 8 MB of flash memory.
The advantages of the device include: the ability to operate in 2 ranges, low cost, low energy consumption. The downsides are the small amount of flash memory and a not very user-friendly interface.

Well, and finally, the first place is deservedly occupied by the products of the famous brand “ZyXEL” - “ZyXEL KeeneticGiga 2”!
This device has an updated software platform and excellent specifications as well as an elegant appearance. Externally, “ZyXEL” looks very stylish - a black lacquered body with rounded edges and matte sides.

Two external antennas provide stable signal reception at speeds up to 300 Mbit/s. There is also a universal button that allows you to reprogram various functions of the device.
The “motor” of the router is the MediatekRT6586 processor, which operates at a frequency of 700 MHz and provides a stable and stable connection signal in any room of the house. 256 MB of RAM allows the user not to think about the performance of the device, but only enjoy reliable and stable work on the network. The Russified interface of the device is very convenient. The hardware of the device works flawlessly, as does the software. Among the advantages of “ZyXELKeeneticGiga 2” we can note the excellent quality of communication, reliable, stable signal reception even in conditions of interference, a beautiful case, a Russified interface and a high data transfer speed - a well-deserved first place!

Good Wifi routers with a long range

If you have a large house or apartment or you need access to the Internet over a considerable distance, you need to think about purchasing powerful equipment. Moreover, if a computer or laptop has a low receiver power, then you should buy a more powerful adapter.

When choosing a powerful router, you should consider purchasing a good device with high Wi-Fi data transfer speeds (11g - up to 54 Mbit/s or even 11n - 600 Mbit/s) - this will ensure a fast connection and the ability to quickly download a large amount of information from the network.

A powerful router also requires a large number of antennas for stable communication, so you should opt for gadgets with the maximum number of antennas.

It is advisable to buy a wireless access point with two bands. In this case, it increases throughput. As for the company, there is only one answer - the undisputed leader among powerful and super-powerful Wi-Fi routers with a long range is and remains the ZyXEL company.

Important! The best place to locate a wireless access point is as close to the center of the house as possible on a shelf or wall above furniture level. If you live in a large private house, then the ideal option is the first floor in the center of the house. To ensure the best signal, the router antenna should be pointed straight up. You should not place the Wi-Fi router next to steel beams, reinforcement, or various electronic devices. These factors can affect signal strength or make it intermittent.

Well, and finally, a few tips to ensure that your router can transmit a signal over a long distance:

• Install powerful external antennas in the device;
• Place the router in the place in the building where the signal will be most stable;
• Buy another router, or buy special amplifiers.

It has now become normal for a house to have several computers and devices, as well as smartphones and TVs that need to be connected to the World Wide Web. To provide all devices with a high-quality Internet connection, it is advisable to use a powerful WiFi router. But not all routers advertised by numerous manufacturers are able to fully satisfy the user's needs. This article outlines all the criteria the right choice a powerful and high-quality WiFi router for a large house or apartment.

How to make the best choice?

Most people purchasing WiFi routers focus all their attention only on the number of antennas on the supposedly best and most powerful WiFi router and on its cost.

And in some ways they are right, because a powerful router usually has several antennas that serve to ensure a stable connection, but the power of the device is influenced not only by the number of antennas. First, you should understand the differences between routers of different price segments. In addition to ensuring a good wireless signal at home, it is also advisable not to overpay for unnecessary functionality of the device.

Wi-Fi routers with a long range

Obviously, when living in a large cottage or house, you have to pay attention to powerful devices with the maximum possible range. At the same time, you should think about purchasing a more powerful adapter for your PC or laptop. It is necessary to immediately draw the attention of such people to one unpleasant fact: already on the box of the router it is usually indicated that the device operates in full compliance with the international requirements of “ISO IEEE 802.11”. This means that the vast majority of routers have a maximum range of 0.15 km, and this is in the absence of any obstacles in the path of the wireless signal, and in a home or apartment this figure drops to fifty meters.

Main criteria when purchasing a router

We list the following main criteria that you need to focus on when purchasing a device:

1. Antennas and broadcast area. The first ones are produced in 2 types of execution: 1) built into the device and 2) external. Of course, outdoor ones have a better signal;
2. Wireless signal standards and data transfer rates. It is recommended to purchase a device of the 802.11n standard, and in order to work comfortably on the Internet, you must choose a router with a speed no less than that supplied to the user by the Internet provider;
3. \*Brand of equipment. Despite the banal sound of the criterion, the brand plays an important role in the quality of the purchased router, since during subsequent operation, as a rule, problems occur with them less often and, most importantly, devices from famous brands of manufacturers are easier to handle software update.*\ Current firmware ensures stable functionality of the device and allows you to avoid many failures.

List of the best equipment

Many people are not able to purchase the most expensive router with a huge number of different features, but even in the not the most expensive lines of routers there are high-quality models with an optimal set of functions and the strength of the transmitted wireless signal.

Inexpensive devices with optimal quality

Below is the main list of currently optimal devices in terms of price, functionality, data transfer speed and quality of the filling.

Despite its simplicity, the device has good power and wide capabilities. Provides speeds of up to 150 Mbit/s, which is enough for active use at home or in an apartment.

The device operates in the most common data transfer protocols and supports dynamic and static IP. It has a firewall that protects against infection of the user’s devices with malicious software. The device is equipped with an external antenna with a significant range.

It is also a representative of the Link brand, but is equipped with 2 antennas, which provides a Wi-Fi coverage area with a radius of at least 150 meters with direct visibility.

Speed ​​- up to 300 Mbit/s. The available four LAN connectors will allow you to organize a network of several PCs at home.

This router has the ability to use 3G Mobile Internet, and is also equipped with 1 additional USB connector.

Comes with two antennas. Supports interactive television IPTV.

Powerful, mid-priced devices

For this router you will have to pay at least 4,000 rubles, but it is already equipped with 1 Gbit Internet ports and powerful processor. Speed ​​up to 300 Mbit/s.

It has two antennas and a Wi-Fi coverage area with a radius of at least 150 meters with direct visibility.

Despite the built-in antennas, the device has good signal. It operates in two bands (2.4 and 5 Gh) and works in all popular protocols. But the cost is already slightly higher and amounts to at least 4,500 rubles.

If the user is interested not only in functionality, but also in the appearance of the device, then the manufacturer offers this device in different colors. Like the previous one, the router works successfully in 2 bands. The speed can reach 1167 Mbit/s. Cost about 3300 rub.

The most powerful

When purchasing a router from this category, you will have to pay at least 6,000 rubles.

Price from 7000 rub. It has 3 antennas, which is guaranteed to cover the owner’s large home with a high-quality signal. Can operate in 2 frequency ranges. Speed ​​up to 0.9 Gbit/s. Equipped with a huge number of different features, for example, it can organize a separate guest network, it is possible to control consumed traffic, parental controls, etc.

Among home router models, this brand is rightly called “top-end”, but its price starts from 15,000 rubles. Of all those present in our description, this is the most powerful home router. Equipped with 4 antennas.

The manufacturer claims a Wi-Fi coverage area of ​​465 square meters. Speed ​​- up to 2.3 Gbit/s. Has a dual-core processor. And absolutely all the features indicated for the routers described above.

A little trick for the router user

You can increase the signal strength, even on a device of a low price category, through the control panel, where you need to specify the country “USA” in the router settings in the “Location” section. In this country, there are slightly different laws and requirements for Wi-Fi power, which already corresponds to a range of 0.25 km in the absence of any obstacles in the path of the wireless signal, and in a home or apartment this figure drops only to seventy-five meters. By adjusting the settings in the control panel and restarting the device, the user immediately notices a significant increase in Wi-Fi coverage and power.

Note: A router that is too powerful and extends its range beyond legal requirements may interfere with other networks. Therefore, government officials have the right to confiscate such a device.

Updated: 09/16/2018 15:35:10

Expert: Victor Derzhavin

*Review of the best sites according to the editors. About the selection criteria. This material is subjective in nature, does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before purchasing, consultation with a specialist is required.

Wireless Wi-Fi has not been a novelty for anyone for a long time. Internet via Wi-Fi works in many urban public places and in almost every home where the Internet is connected. This availability of wireless technology is provided by special devices - Wi-Fi routers (routers). The current market is replete with various models with a variety of capabilities. The Expertology editors decided to help you understand all this diversity and, with the help of our experts, prepared a rating of the best Wi-Fi routers that are optimally suited for certain conditions.

How to choose a Wi-Fi router

The purpose of any router is to connect two or more networks. In our case, we are considering the most common and popular option, when you need to distribute external incoming Internet to a local home or office network.

Incoming connection type

The first and most obvious sign by which you should choose a router is the type of incoming connection. There may be several options here - a cable television network, a wired Ethernet network over a twisted pair cable, an operator network mobile communications etc. In most cases, the provider itself leases or donates a router of the required type as part of the contract. But such a router does not always satisfy the needs of the consumer, and it often makes sense to buy your own router, which is optimally suited in terms of power, ease of settings, reliability and other parameters.

Wi-Fi standard

Many consumers are unaware that Wi-Fi comes in different forms. This refers to the different Wi-Fi standards that emerged as technology developed. The difference between them is mainly that they operate in different ranges and have different data transfer speed limits. There are many technical nuances in this issue, and it deserves a separate topic. In any case, all standards are backward compatible, that is, older generations will somehow interact with newer ones. The only question is whether such a combination can provide maximum speed. Our experts recommend asking directly at the point of sale about the optimal compatibility of the router you choose with your devices.

Hardware

From a technical point of view, a Wi-Fi router is actually a highly specialized mini-computer. That is, its operation is controlled by the central processor, and it has a certain amount of RAM. Accordingly, if your Internet channel is no more than 50 Mbit/sec and you do not load it “to the full” (continuous downloading of torrents, high-resolution streaming, resource-intensive online games), a router with a 300 MHz processor and RAM may be enough for you 32 MB. Otherwise, a more powerful device will be needed.

Software

Almost any modern Wi-Fi router has built-in software - the so-called firmware. It contains a web interface with a set of tools for configuring the router. The flexibility of settings can vary greatly from model to model. But many settings automatically mean increased complexity of working with the device and the need for a certain level of knowledge. Therefore, if you want to independently understand the parameters and services, but are not an expert in this field, it is better to choose a “simpler” model. This point can also be clarified at the point of sale.

Environmental friendliness

Due to the fact that Wi-Fi networks became widespread relatively recently, there are still no clear and convincing results of scientific research on the impact of Wi-Fi radiation on human health, there is a common opinion about their harm. Many manufacturers have met the sentiments of some customers halfway and equipped certain router models with special hardware switches that can be used to regulate the radiation power. Therefore, if this moment is important to you, you should keep in mind that such a possibility exists.

Rating of the best Wi-Fi routers

Nomination	place	Name of product	price
The best inexpensive Wi-Fi routers for home (price up to 2000 rubles)	1		RUB 2,190
	2		2,050 ₽
	3		1 800 ₽
	4		1,530 ₽
The best Wi-Fi routers in terms of price-quality ratio	1		6,990 ₽
	2		7,400 RUR
	3		7,800 RUR
	4		7,260 RUR
	5		6,990 ₽
	6		7,148 RUR
	7		6,850 RUR
	8		2,540 ₽
The best top-level Wi-Fi routers	1		RUB 27,110
	2		11,290 RUR
	3		RUB 14,754
	4		RUB 20,490
The best mobile (pocket) Wi-Fi routers	1		RUB 3,650
	2		1,470 RUR
	3		2 500 ₽

The best inexpensive Wi-Fi routers for home (price up to 2000 rubles)

The first number we will consider is a router produced by the famous Chinese company Xiaomi, known for its high-quality, stylish and, for the most part, inexpensive smartphones.

This model covers all current Wi-Fi standards - 802.11a/b/g/n/ac and can operate on both frequencies used in this technology - 2.4 and 5 GHz. The highest possible connection speed is 867 Mbps. There is support for MIMO technology, in which the channel capacity is expanded due to the action of several antennas.

The hardware features of the router are as follows. In addition to 128 MB of RAM, there is also flash memory of the same capacity. Due to this, the router can simultaneously perform the functions of a compact file server. Transmission and reception power is provided by four non-removable 6 dBi antennas. Two 100 Mbit/s LAN ports are used for switching. There is also a USB 2.0 Type A socket. The device dimensions are 195x24x131 mm, weight is 220 g.

In terms of software, the router has the following built-in functions: firewall, data encryption using WEP, WPA and WPA2 algorithms, DHCP server, NAT, Web interface. The downside is that right out of the box the interface will only be on Chinese, and to install at least English you will need to install a plugin.

Advantages

• simplicity and accessibility of settings;
• connectivity hard drive;
• elegant design;
• speed of work;

Flaws

• no means of mounting on the wall;
• web interface in Chinese.

Standards coverage wireless communication This model has exactly the same as the previous one, that is, it is as wide as possible. But the maximum connection speed is two times lower - 433 Mbit/s. The transmitter power is 20 dBM. Supported WDS technology, which allows you to combine several access points wirelessly, thereby expanding your Wi-Fi coverage area wirelessly.

The wired switching capabilities of this router are wider than those of the previous model - 4 LAN ports of 100 Mbit/s. Three non-removable external antennas are installed. The overall dimensions of the device are 230x35x144 mm.

The router can operate in bridge mode, establish a guest network, and perform static routing. It also contains the following functional software tools: firewall, NAT, SPI, DHCP server, demilitarized zone, VPN. Dynamic DNS, PPTP, L2TP, IPSec are supported. Data encryption is carried out using WEP, WPA or WPA2 algorithms.

Access to the entire software part is provided through a fairly convenient web interface. There is also a separate application for wearable gadgets to remotely configure the router from a wearable gadget.

Advantages

• transmitter power;
• pleasant appearance;
• WDS technology;
• ease of settings;

Flaws

• hesitantly shoots through the walls.

In terms of the coverage of wireless communication standards, this router has a serious limitation - it only works using the 802.11n standard with a frequency of 2.4 GHz, and this is noticeably inferior to the two previous models. The upper limit of connection speed is 300 Mbit/s, there is support for MIMO.

This model contains 64 MB of RAM memory and in addition 8 MB of flash memory. There are four 100 Mbit/s LAN ports, similar to the previous model. Two fixed external 5 dBi antennas are installed. There is a physical switch on the back of the case that switches the device into router, adapter, amplifier, or access point mode. Dimensions of the router case - 140x30x103 mm, total weight - 180 g.

The software part contains a firewall, NAT, SPI, DHCP server, demilitarized zone function, VPN with pass through support, PPTP, L2TP, IPSec, dynamic routing. Implemented support for Dynamic DNS, Telnet, SkyDNS, Yandex.DNS. Data encryption protocols - WEP, WPA, WPA2 and 802.1x. Link Duo and TVport technologies are built-in.

In addition to the built-in web interface, a mobile application has also been released for this model for configuration in Android environment and iOS.

Advantages

• hardware mode switch;
• reliability;
• application for wearable gadgets;
• value for money;
• compact;

Flaws

• Works only on one Wi-Fi standard.

Coverage Wi-Fi standards, connection speed limit, information security protocols, amounts of RAM and flash memory - all these characteristics are completely similar to the previous model reviewed.

The switch consists of three LAN ports of 100 Mbit/s. Two powerful non-removable antennas are installed, which are actually printed circuit boards along the entire plane inside the cases. The dimensions of the device are 107x26x91 mm, weight - 132 g.

The router can operate in repeater mode, set up a guest network, and connect to several providers at once using the Multi-WAN function. In terms of the availability of functional tools, there is practically the same set as the previous model: firewall, NAT, SPI, DHCP server, VPN with pass through support and 10 tunnels, Dynamic DNS, PPTP, IPSec, Telnet support, SkyDNS and Yandex .DNS.

A separate mobile application has also been released for this model, with which the router can be configured directly from a smartphone without the need to connect to a computer.

Advantages

• spectacular appearance;
• mobile application for direct configuration;
• regular and convenient firmware updates;
• Multi-WAN function (connection of several providers);
• powerful antennas;

Flaws

• works within the same Wi-Fi standard.

The best Wi-Fi routers in terms of price-quality ratio

Now we move on to the largest group of the rating, where we will consider as many as eight models, which Expertology experts considered optimal both in terms of functionality and quality, and in terms of cost.

Let's start with an interesting model from the well-known and reputable Taiwanese manufacturer ASUS.

The router covers all current wireless communication standards and both used bands - 2.4 and 5 GHz. Moreover, it can operate in two ranges simultaneously. Support for MIMO technology has been implemented. Wireless connection speed is up to 1750 Mbit/s.

Equipped with 256 MB of RAM, there is also 128 MB of flash memory. The switch includes four high-speed LAN ports of 1000 Mbit/s. There are two USB 2.0 Type A connectors for connecting peripherals or direct connection to a computer. Three external antennas (removable) are installed. In addition to wired Internet, you can connect a 3G modem or LTE modem to the router. The device body dimensions are 207x36x149 mm, total weight is 450 g.

The router can also operate in bridge or repeater mode and establish a guest network. The standard set of functions and tools includes FireWall, NAT, SPI, DHCP server, DMZ, VPN, PPTP, L2TP, IPSec. Dynamic DNS and WDS technology are supported. Data encryption using WEP, WPA and WPA2 protocols. Advanced features include file server, UPnP AV server and FTP server.

Advantages

• simultaneous operation in two ranges;
• convenient admin panel;
• advanced features;
• ability to connect a 3G or LTE modem;
• high-speed LAN ports;

Flaws

• instances of freezing are noticeable.

The first thing we draw your attention to is that this model does not have external antennas, only two internal ones. Accordingly, the router does not have strongly protruding elements and is convenient to place. Covers all existing Wi-Fi standards and both bands. Has built-in support for 3G, LTE, MIMO technology. Can connect at speeds up to 1300 Mbps.

The switch consists of four high-speed LAN ports of 1000 Mbit/s. There is a USB 2.0 Type A connector, which serves as an interface for the built-in print server. Communication capabilities The router is expanded with two SMA sockets for connecting external antennas for 3G and LTE standards, as well as an RJ-11 connector for an analog phone. Device dimensions - 226x163x52 mm, weight - 370 g.

The software tools for this model are as follows: FireWall, NAT, DHCP server, IPv6 support and Dynamic DNS. Encryption using three main protocols. Extended additional function – file server.

Advantages

• many interfaces;
• ease of placement due to the absence of non-removable external antennas;
• according to user reviews - incredible capabilities for receiving LTE in hard-to-reach places;
• quality and stability of communication;
• ease of setup;

Flaws

• with connected external antennas it becomes very large

The third number in this rating group is a router produced by the Latvian company MikroTik. Devices from this manufacturer are known for their reliability, high efficiency and almost unprecedented flexibility of settings. Even externally, this model looks solid and “grown-up”, reminiscent of the network equipment of modern data centers. Its dimensions are 214x44.45x86 mm, and its weight is 230 g.

The router operates according to the 802.11n standard at a frequency of 2.4 GHz with a maximum connection speed over the air of 300 Mbit/s. There is built-in MIMO support. Transmitter power - 30 dBM. The router can also operate in bridge mode.

This model is characterized by a rather bright hardware and electronic part. All calculations are controlled by the Atheros AR9344 central processor at 600 MHz. 128 MB of NAND RAM memory and built-in memory of the same volume are installed. For CPU temperature and printed circuit board monitored by special sensors. The switching part consists of five 10/100 Ethernet LAN ports and another five high-speed 10/100/1000 Ethernet ports. On port 10, the router can supply PoE power. There are also an SFP port and a microUSB socket. The wireless signal goes through two non-removable 4 dBi antennas. To display important information The device is equipped with an LCD display on the top panel.

The software part also has quite wide functionality. There is a full set of the most popular functions and tools: FireWall, NAT, DHCP server, VPN with tunnel support, SNMP support, etc. Information is protected by encryption using four common protocols. Two RIP protocols v1 and v2 for dynamic routing.

The web interface gives access to the finest settings, which, with certain qualifications, allow you to “squeeze” maximum performance from the router. Our experts consciously identified this circumstance as both an advantage and a disadvantage, since this is exactly how the opinions of real users were polarized.

Advantages

• flexible detailed settings;
• “professional” appearance;
• wireless communication range;
• stability of work;
• rich functionality;
• many ports;

Flaws

• complex detailed settings.

Next, in the rating of the best routers from Expertology, we will look at a model from a manufacturer that is well known to the vast majority of users. Routers of this trademark have received wide recognition precisely for their affordability with high-quality technical characteristics.

This model covers all Wi-Fi standards and both frequencies. It can distribute the Internet in two bands simultaneously. The peculiarity of this model is the high maximum connection speed over the air - 2532 Mbit/s. MIMO supported. Transmitter power - 15 dBM. The router can also be switched to repeater or bridge mode.

The amount of RAM memory in this model is exactly the same as the previous one - 128 MB, but the built-in memory is much less - 16 MB. The switch includes four high-speed gigabit LAN ports. There is one USB Type A 2.0 and 3.0 interface. Four 5 dBi non-removable antennas are installed. Overall dimensions of the device - 259x46x184 mm, weight - 565 g.

The software and functional part of the device includes the following tools and functions: encryption using four common protocols; guest network; firewall; NAT; additional checking of SPI packets; DHCP server; DMZ; static routing; dynamic routing over four protocols (IGMP and RIP, two versions); VPN with advanced features; support for IPSec, IPv6, Dynamic DNS and Telnet. Additional advanced features include: FTP server, file server, UPnP AV server, print server, SafeDNS and Yandex.DNS content filtering services.

Advantages

• wide functionality;
• spectacular design;
• a fairly powerful transmitter;
• connection speed;
• synchronous operation at both frequencies;

Flaws

• Occasionally there are freezes when logging into the admin area.

Now, as part of the Expertology rating, we’ll look at another router that has impressed many users with its wide capabilities and other positive qualities. The manufacturer of the model is the well-known and reputable company ZYXEL.

Like the previous model, this router works according to all Wi-Fi standards, including the ability to function synchronously in both bands. Can connect over the air at speeds up to 1267 Mbps. Supports operation in bridge and repeater modes, MIMO technology.

The router has 256MB of RAM and 128MB of built-in flash memory. The switch consists of four high-speed gigabit ports. There are two USB sockets – standards 2.0 and 3.0. Four non-removable 5 dBi antennas are installed. You can connect a 3G or LTE cellular modem to the router as an Internet source. An important advantage of this model is the presence of a combined SFP\RJ-45 port, through which you can connect a fiber optic cable. There are two hardware buttons on the case, for which you can assign any function. Device dimensions - 214x33x154 mm, weight - 488 g.

In terms of software and functionality, the capabilities of this model are as wide as the previous one. There is a built-in print server, data encryption for all common protocols, a protective firewall, comprehensive VPN support with ten tunnels, direct access via Telnet protocol for fine adjustments and much more. An important additional feature is the ability to connect external modules that expand functionality, for example Keenetic Plus DSL.

Advantages

• simple settings;
• futuristic design;
• hardware customizable buttons;
• fiber optic port;
• possibility of connecting additional modules;
• wide functionality;

Flaws

• no significant deficiencies were identified.

The device operates on all Wi-Fi standards and on both frequencies; it can operate in parallel in two bands. The maximum connection speed “over the air” is 1167 Mbit/s.

The switch consists of four high-speed gigabit ports. There is also a USB 3.0 Type A connector. Signal transmission and coverage are provided by two powerful non-removable antennas. In addition to operational memory, the device also contains built-in flash memory. Router case dimensions - 256x40x184 mm, weight - 501 g.

The software part of the router contains a wide range of functions and capabilities. This is data encryption using the three most common protocols with a 64- or 128-bit key; protective firewall; DHCP server; NAT; SPI and so on. There are useful additional functions, such as the ability to work as a file server, as well as FTP and UPnP AV servers, setting up a guest network, parental controls, Beamforming technology (using wave interference to amplify and stabilize the signal).

On this model An extended warranty from the manufacturer is provided for a period of 36 months.

Advantages

• transmitter power;
• attractive design;
• speed of work with external storage;
• connection quality;
• Beamforming technology;

Flaws

• The firmware is faulty, it is impossible to install an alternative one.

Like a number of previous models, this router works on all standards and on all bands, including synchronously on two frequencies. The Wi-Fi connection speed limit is 1750 Mbit/s.

The RAM memory capacity in this model is 256MB, and there is additionally 128MB of built-in memory. Switching capabilities are similar to the previous model - four high-speed gigabit ports. Additional interfaces – two USB sockets of standards 2.0 and 3.0 (Type A). The signal is transmitted through three external antennas. Dimensions of the device without antennas - 285x62x183mm, total weight - 709 g.

The software functionality of this model is largely similar to the previous version. There is a set of mandatory functions and tools - FireWall, conversion service network addresses(NAT), support for “long” IP addresses, additional inspection of SPI packets, encryption using three protocols, guest network, DHCP server, DMZ, static and dynamic routing, VPN with all capabilities. There are also additional functions - file server, print server, UPnP AV server.

Advantages

• flexible settings;
• convenient mobile application;
• easily holds more than ten connections over the air;
• communication speed;
• stability;

Flaws

• Slow interaction with external hard drive.

And at the end of the group of rating the optimal Wi-Fi routers, we will look at a model from the famous Chinese manufacturer Xiaomi. This is one of the most striking solutions in this review group from Expertology, since functionality, quality and a number of other positive qualities significantly outweigh the already affordable cost.

Similarly to a number of previous models, the router works on all Wi-Fi standards and on both frequencies, and can simultaneously distribute the Internet in two bands. Due to this coverage, there is no speed reduction effect when interacting with devices containing Wi-Fi modules different generations. Connects over the air at speeds up to 1167 Mbit/s. Built-in support for MIMO technology.

In terms of electronics performance, this is perhaps the most powerful model in Group. The computing center is a dual-core (MIPS) microprocessor platform MediaTek MT7621, operating in four threads at a frequency of 880 MHz. RAM memory - 256MB, built-in permanent memory - 128MB.

The switch consists of two high-speed gigabit ports for the local network. To connect peripherals, use the USB Type A 3.0 interface. The signal goes through four non-removable antennas. The device is extremely compact and lightweight, suitable for such capabilities: dimensions - 195x24x131mm, weight - 216 g.

In terms of software, this model is not inferior to most previous ones. It has all the necessary functions and tools: FireWall, NAT packet redirection, encryption using three main protocols, DHCP server, etc. There are also additional functions - FTP server and file server. Separately, it is worth emphasizing an important advantage - the signal strength can be adjusted for each channel separately. In addition to the device itself, a multifunctional mobile application for configuration and management has been released.

The only noticeable (but solvable) disadvantage of this model is that out of the box you get a web interface only in Chinese. But the problem can be quite easily solved by installing alternative firmware, especially since the router was initially adapted to expand the software functionality.

Advantages

• transmitter power;
• Exquisite slim design;
• extremely affordable price taking into account functionality;
• you can adjust the signal strength for each channel;
• availability of flashing;
• connection quality;
• processor performance;

Flaws

• Chinese firmware.

The best top-level Wi-Fi routers

Now let's move on to no less interesting group our rating - top-level Wi-Fi routers, characterized highest performance, expanded functionality, the presence of useful additional functions and, in general, more high quality and job stability. Our experts identified four models from different brands - NETGEAR, ASUS, TP-LINK and Apple.

Let's start right away with the most powerful, productive and multifunctional model produced by the American company NETGEAR. This is the most expensive router among the top devices selected by our experts, but even a quick glance at its characteristics is enough to realize that this machine is definitely worth the money.

When planning the installation of a router, you should take into account its very impressive physical parameters: dimensions - 316x74x264 mm, weight - 1967. In addition to four internal antennas, the device also contains four rather massive non-removable external antennas. The antennas are active, that is, they are capable of independently amplifying their own signal and eliminating interference from the motherboard.

The router covers all Wi-Fi communication standards existing today and both frequencies used by this technology. It can simultaneously distribute the Internet in both bands. Supports advanced MU-MIMO technology, which reduces latency and allows simultaneous streaming to multiple devices.

This model is characterized by an almost unprecedented maximum connection speed over the air - 5332 Mbit/s. This speed is achieved through a combination of coverage of three bands (Tri-Band) and broadcasting in four streams simultaneously. Patented Smart Connect technology allows you to automatic mode make intelligent selection of the optimal range for each over-the-air device.

The center of all the electronics of the router is a powerful 2-core processor with a frequency of 1.4 GHz. Another important factor for exceptional operating speed is the increased amount of RAM memory - 512 MB. There is also a built-in 128 MB permanent memory. The switch consists of six high-speed gigabit ports. There is a built-in ability to aggregate two ports to further increase the speed of wired broadcasting. To connect additional devices There are two USB Type A ports of generations 2.0 and 3.0. The incoming connection can be digital telephony - the router supports ADSL and ADSL2+ technologies. Built-in print server function.

In terms of software, the router provides the user with a wide selection of tools and functions, which are repeatedly listed above in the descriptions of other models. Some functions may vary depending on modifications, and this point will need to be clarified at the point of sale.

Advantages

• connection stability;
• design;
• active antennas;
• expanded RAM;
• powerful processor;
• intelligent selection of the optimal range for each device;
• coverage area;
• connection speed;

Flaws

• high price.

The second item in the top routers rating group is a high-performance model from ASUS. This device is significantly inferior in its characteristics to the “monster” from NETGEAR described above, but by definition, few can compete with it, so this is not a disadvantage. The model is noticeably smaller and lighter than the previous one: dimensions - 290x48x168 mm, weight - 747 g.

The router operates on all existing standards and frequencies, can broadcast synchronously in two bands, and supports MIMO. It can connect over the air at speeds up to 2334 Mbit/s. Equipped with RAM memory of 256 MB. Broadcasting occurs through four removable antennas. The switch includes four high-speed gigabit LAN ports. Incoming connections – wired WAN port and support for 3G or LTE modem (connection via USB). There are two USB Type A interfaces, generations 2.0 and 3.0. There is a built-in print server function with USB connection.

The software and functionality of the router is as follows. In addition to the router function, the device can also operate in bridge mode. It is possible to provide guest access with a time limit and parental controls. VPN function with comprehensive support for features (tunnels, OpenVPN client, PPTP VPN server, etc.). Data protection is provided by 64- and 128-bit encryption using any of the three most common protocols. There is a set of other important functions - FireWall, NAT, etc.

In this model, the manufacturer places a serious emphasis on security and protection against unauthorized access - intrusion detection, repelling DoS attacks, etc.

Advantages

• information security and protection from attacks;
• design;
• connection speed and stability;
• intuitive interface;

Flaws

• often reaches extreme temperatures.

The next position in this rating group is a powerful multifunctional tri-band router from the world-famous Chinese brand TP-LINK. The device is made in a spectacular futuristic design, body dimensions - 200x39x200mm.

Similar to previous models, this router covers all communication standards and both frequencies used in Wi-Fi technology. Capable of broadcasting synchronously in three bands and connecting with devices over the air at speeds up to 3200 Mbit/s. Strong signal is ensured powerful transmitter 20 dBM and six high-performance non-removable external antennas.

The router electronics are controlled by a powerful central processor at a frequency of 1 GHz and three additional coprocessors. This combination ensures stable operation of many connections without interruptions or delays. The switch includes four high-speed gigabit ports. Additional interfaces – USB Type A standards 2.0 and 3.0.

The software part of the router includes all the most popular functions, tools and services: data encryption using three common protocols, guest connection with a time limit, FireWall, NAT packet redirection, intrusion tracking, DHCP server, demilitarized zone, static and dynamic routing, support for “long” IP addresses, VPN service with ten tunnels and pass through support, L2TP and IPSec support. Advanced features include FTP service, file server and UPnP AV server.

The device uses innovative Smart Connect technology, which intelligently selects the optimal channel and mode for each device, depending on the characteristics of the third-party Wi-Fi module, thereby optimally distributing the load on the network and ensuring stable, uninterrupted communication.

Advantages

• connection speed;
• design;
• wide coverage;
• communication power and stability;

Flaws

• not noted.

And at the end of the rating-review of top routers from Expertology, we will look at something unusual. This is a router manufactured by the legendary company Apple. It is made in an original design in the form of a “capsule” with dimensions of 98x168x98 mm and a weight of 1480 g. But appearance is not the main quality of the device, since the router is characterized by outstanding performance, power and other properties, which we will consider in more detail.

The router works, as expected, on all standards and frequencies, and can operate in two bands in parallel. It can connect to devices over the air at speeds of up to 1300 Mbit/s. A high-power transmitter is used - 32 dBM, which provides a wide coverage area.

The switch includes three high-speed gigabit ports, there is additional interface USB 2.0 Type A. Stationary installed inside HDD with a capacity of 2048 GB, which is used for a file server and home cloud storage.

In terms of software, this model is in no way inferior to others in the group. There is a built-in print server function, the ability for guest connections with appropriate restrictions, FireWall, NAT packet redirection, full VPN support, data encryption using four protocols,

To configure the router, you can use the proprietary AirPort Utility.

Advantages

• original design;
• renowned brand;
• coverage area;
• home cloud storage;
• speed and stability of communication;
• built-in hard drive;

Flaws

• no pronounced deficiencies were noted.

The best mobile (pocket) Wi-Fi routers

And now we move on to the final group of devices in our rating - these are miniature routers that are convenient to use when moving frequently or even while on the go.

Let's first consider an interesting mobile router produced by the Chinese company Huawei, well known for its high-quality and inexpensive telecommunications equipment. Device dimensions - 97x17x58 mm, weight - 110 g.

The router is optimized for receiving and distributing the Internet via a SIM card mobile operator using 4G technology, but also has 3G support. Wireless communication (distribution) is carried out using the Wi-Fi 802.11n standard at two frequencies used in the technology. Connection to local devices over the air can be made at speeds of up to 300 Mbit/s.

The actual reception/transmission speeds are as follows. The reception speed limit for 3G is 42.2 Mbit/s, for 4G - up to 150 Mbit/s. The upload speed limit for 3G is 5.76 Mbit/s, for 4G - 50 Mbit/s.

The hardware of the router is characterized by very impressive characteristics, which in some places are in no way inferior to stationary models. So, RAM memory is installed here as much as 128 MB and the same amount of internal memory. You can add memory by microSD cards– the router can perform the functions of a file server. The built-in 1500 mAh battery provides battery life for up to six hours. The case has two TS-9 sockets for connecting external antennas.

The router can also operate in repeater mode, has a built-in DHCP server function, and provides encryption using three main protocols.

The manufacturer's warranty for this model is 36 months.

Advantages

• compactness;
• can be configured to receive only 3G;
• mains power during operation;
• convenient web interface;
• autonomy;

Flaws

• discrepancy between the declared connection speed and the actual one.

Next in the group of mobile Wi-Fi routers ratings is an interesting model from D-LINK. Despite all the “pocketability” of the device, the router is equipped with a number of hardware interfaces that significantly expand its capabilities. Router dimensions - 103x22x80 mm, weight - 125 g.

The device operates within the Wi-Fi 802.11n standard at a frequency of 2.4 GHz. Can connect to local devices over the air at speeds up to 150 Mbps. The router is capable of functioning as an access point, wireless repeater and network file storage.

This model, like the previous one, supports two high-speed mobile communication technologies - 3G and LTE. Unlike the Huawei router described above, here we have a hardware internal LAN port of 100 Mbit/s. There is also a USB 2.0 Type A interface.

The software and functional capabilities of this pocket model are quite comparable with good stationary options. So, here we have encryption using three protocols, NAT packet redirection, intrusion tracking, the ability to set up a guest connection with restrictions, UPnP AV server, FireWall, dynamic routing, comprehensive VPN support, DHCP server.

This model is also characterized by decent autonomy thanks to a capacious Pentax D-L17 battery with a significant resource.

Advantages

• autonomy;
• connection stability;
• ease of settings;
• hardware LAN port;

Flaws

• there is no support for alternative firmware.

The model is optimized for Internet reception in mobile networks LTE, but also supports 3G, EDGE, GPRS, GSM and HSPA+ networks. Actually this device is a modem with a built-in function for distributing the Internet via Wi-Fi.

Connects to a computer via a USB interface, power is also supplied via USB. There is a connector for connecting an external antenna. The capabilities of the modem-router allow you to connect up to ten devices to it over the air at the same time. Has a card slot microSD memory up to 32 GB.

The actual speed characteristics are as follows. Reception speed limit is 42.7 Mb/s for 3g, 150 Mb/s for LTE, 236.8 Kb/s for 2g. The upload speed limit is 5.72 Mb/s for 3g and 50 Mb/s for LTE.

Advantages

• microscopic dimensions;
• wide support for networks from 2g to LTE;
• ease of use;

Flaws

• limited functionality.

Attention! This rating is subjective in nature, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before purchasing, consultation with a specialist is required.

• 10 - Keenetic Start
• 9 - Tenda AC6
• 8 - Mikrotik HAP ac2
• 7 - ZyXEL Keenetic Extra II
• 6 - Xiaomi Mi Wi-Fi 4
• 5 - Huawei B525
• 4 - Keenetic Giga KN1010
• 3 - LinkSys EA8500
• 2 - ASUS RT-AC86U
• 1 - TP-LINK Archer C3200

The extreme degree of equipment of apartments and offices with intelligent systems designed to make our existence easier, life as comfortable as possible, and work productive, requires the indispensable organization of a high-speed communication center inside the premises.

This device must aggregate a maximum of digital streams, process the information coming to it quickly and without mutual detrimental influence - the quality of communication should not degrade due to an increase in the number of hosts. In this case, the number of wire connections should be minimal. Wireless routers for broadband access to Network resources cope with this task, each with its own advantages and disadvantages, and “sores”.

We present to your attention the best routers for the home of the 2019 model year. Go!

8.2 Evaluation

• Non-marking body
• Convenient application
• Easy initial setup
• High frequency antennas
• Ability to connect multiple providers

• Supports frequencies only in the 2.4 GHz range

The last line of our router hit parade is occupied by a very high-quality development from Keenetic, which is part of the triad of routers released this year - this Start model– the cheapest and smallest router for rapid deployment Wi-Fi networks.

You won’t be able to make any significant claims regarding build quality, performance or reliability on this “baby”:

• The design is well thought out;
• Antenna 5 dBi devices of the latest generation;
• Safety on high level(there is even support for IPSec and 802.1x encryption).

Its main problem is that the communication standards on which the consumer is asked to work are slowly “sinking into oblivion” - this is 2-channel communication exclusively in the 2.4 GHz range at the maximum achievable speed of 300 Mbit/s - indicators 5-7- years ago. And the switch offers only 100-megabit ports - there is no reason to bring “optics” into the apartment.

This is indeed a high-quality product, but among its target audience, most likely, there will be only university students - cheaply and in 5 minutes, distributing Wi-Fi in a dorm room - that’s the destiny of the Start KN1110.

7.4 Evaluation

• Interesting design
• Possibility to place both on the table and on the wall
• Clear installation wizard
• Parental controls via app
• Signal support in the 2.5 and 5 GHz bands
• Low price

• Small range

It’s not entirely clear how this happens, but... the developments of little-known Chinese companies over the past couple of years have literally burst into the wireless router market and taken leading positions there. The same “dark horse” continues in our 2019 rating of Wi-Fi routers for an apartment or office - Tenda AC6 is in 9th place.

Everything here is already grown-up: simultaneous support for two frequency ranges 2.4 and 5 GHz, on-air bandwidth up to 1200 Mbit/s and good quality coverage - this is facilitated by a powerful RF transmitter of 30 dBm.

Four removable antennas along the perimeter of the case, coupled with active Beamforming algorithms, form radiation in the direction of the consumers furthest from the router - these are “premium habits”.

The cool Russified configuration interface adds advantages to this device - thanks to the developers.

If everything is so wonderful, why only 9th position? Yes, because no one is interested in the maximum speed of the radio channel if the provider’s service is limited to a 100-megabit WAN port - they somehow forgot about it... But for that the price is simply super.

6.2 Evaluation

• Powerful modern processor
• Wide range of options
• Trouble-free dual-band operation
• PoE power supply capability
• Small size and wall mounting

• Marky, not informative corpus

At the very beginning of the summer of this year, the Mikrotik company began selling its new product under the “hAp” policy - routers for home use. They had been waiting for it for a very long time, since the previous model of the family had already set the majority of workgroup administrators of small offices and branch networks on edge - and bad luck - the new gigabit Mikrotik hAp ac2 could not meet all expectations - therefore only 8th place.

There are many original technical and design solutions - the efforts of the developers should not be underestimated:

• Protective coating of the housing;
• New dual-band antennas;
• 4-core processor from Qualcomm coupled with 128-256 MB of RAM;
• Separate radio control chipset supporting MIMO up to 4x4 modes.

And the traditionally sophisticated RouterOS software offers a crazy range of options for interacting with backbone networks.

But this is where the dog “buries itself”, due to shortcomings software the speed “over the air” is unlikely to exceed 500 Mbit/s even at a frequency of 5 GHz, and for a market price of more than $50, no microcircuits will cover such an oversight.

7.8 Evaluation

• Stylish design
• Possibility to mount the device on the wall
• Dual range operation
• Convenient KeenDNS service

• Small signal transmission radius

On the seventh line of the TOP is a very attractive router - Zyxel Keenetic Extra 2. Potentially, it shouldn’t be here at all – after all, routers with ports supporting a gigabit connection should be closer to the middle of the rating (here only 4xLAN 100Base-TX).

But rave reviews from ordinary buyers and a great price left us no choice - this is indeed almost the most powerful Wi-Fi router for the home in 2019 with the widest functionality.

Using it to organize a home Internet center is the most correct decision. The router is capable of providing uninterrupted Wi-Fi coverage thanks to 4 5 dBi antennas and a competent approach to the use of MIMO diversity of data streams.

When both proposed frequency ranges are loaded, a bandwidth of up to 1160 Mbit/s can be achieved.

The router is “sharpened” and has little traffic capacity telephone network DECT or even ADSL formats, that is, it is also suitable for small offices.

For starters, Extra 2 offers the most complete set of options for building a VPN and FTP servers, configuration via a mobile application and dynamic restructuring of route tables. What else do you need for 4000r?

8.2 Evaluation

• Pleasant harmonious design
• Gigabit Ethernet ports
• MIMO Channel Separation
• Remote access from a smartphone
• The lowest price

• No USB port
• No mountings for vertical position

Functionality similar to the previous representative, but for less money and already with two Ethernet ports capable of operating at a speed of 1 Gbit/s, is being brought to the masses by the Chinese giant Xiaomi. This time this is a continuation of the line of high-performance Mi WiFi Router 4th generation routers.

Xiaomi engineers did a great job on the appearance of the router: 4 non-removable antennas, a flat body and a single LED look quite harmonious.

There is also a “Mi” button for quick pairing with the manufacturer’s gadgets.

Performance is at a good level - after all, 128 MB of RAM, support for all known 802.11 bgn/ac standards and a fast processor do their job - the air speed reaches 1167 Mbit/s. The only disappointment is the missing USB port - earlier versions had it.

The more than modest price of this “hard worker” makes Mi WiFi Router 4 one of the most popular developments in the field of building reliable and fast wireless networks. At home or in the office, you will probably completely forget where it is - fortunately, the dust on the white case will be almost invisible.

8.4 Evaluation

• Stylish design
• Connect up to 32 devices
• 4G+ support
• Works with both built-in and external antennas
• Long range

• Can't be hung on the wall

The TOP routers for home 2019 continues with the monster from Huawei, the B525 router, in fifth position. The development is designed to satisfy a wide range of requests from both ordinary consumers and corporate groups and even communication service providers. For these purposes, there are two SMA connectors on board the B525 for connecting external 4G antennas.

The maximum data transfer rate available to the user via wireless protocols is 1300 Mbit/s - this is a completely different class of devices. It goes without saying that this requires high noise immunity at working together in two frequency ranges at once - 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. Encryption is carried out using WEP and WPA(2) algorithms.

Among the interesting “bells and whistles” is the presence of an RJ-11 port for connecting an analog phone – a strange anachronism.

One way or another, its main function is to support combined computer networks at high speeds - the B525 performs better than many others, while its cost ranges around $100.

8.2 Evaluation

• Improved radio characteristics
• SFP module slot
• Work with MU-MIMO technology
• New user-friendly interface
• Low price among "classmates"

• Average (as of today) bandwidth
• Design from previous generations of Keenetic

In addition to supporting simultaneous two frequency bands and a switch group on 4 gigabit LAN ports, which is relevant for routers with a claim to leadership, this router offers a direct fiber connection.

Of course, you will need an SFP module for this.

The work of Keenetic engineers in constructing antenna-feeder paths deserves special praise. Their slogan, obviously, was “Fewer joints - less losses” - it is true, although the antennas are not removable, but the quality of the coverage is simply excellent.

Beamforming algorithms help to target the resource use of wireless networks.

Cool Internet center for more than reasonable money. In addition to the listed GIGAbit capabilities, users will receive an updated web interface for quickly setting up the router, as well as 3 hardware control keys that can be reassigned at your discretion.

8.0 Rating

• Cool build quality and design
• Easy to set up and operate
• Brilliant performance
• Four-channel traffic diversity
• Full and remote control from a smartphone

• High cost of the device
• Lack of indication of ports and modes

The podium is opened (or rather, “kicks down the door”) by the powerful and uncompromising LinkSys EA8500 router. Possessing a typical appearance for the manufacturer and amazing functionality, seasoned with high reliability, for some reason this router failed to reach the top step of the rating - we’ll figure it out.

Inside the strict and very well-ventilated (for cooling) case hides a powerful processor from Qualcomm with 2 cores of 1400 MHz clock, as well as as much as 512 MB of RAM - you can’t find it anymore.

In addition to the built-in gigabit switch, there are two USB ports, one of which is combined with SATA, and the second is necessary for connecting 3G/4G modems.

Full support for MU-MIMO all possible types encryption and two independent coprocessors for RF signal conditioning - it's all here! The device complies with speed class AC1300.

So why answer the question “Which Wi-Fi router is best for home?” you won’t even think to answer: “LinkSys.” Yes, because few people will allow you to invite a router to their home for $700! The price doesn’t just bite, it devours you whole, but you have to pay for pleasure.

7.8 Evaluation

• Cool design
• All necessary interfaces on board
• Ease of use
• High-quality fast hardware
• Modern AIR technologies
• Quick control from a smartphone

• High price
• Impossibility of wall mounting

Every administrator knows - the most best router This is the one that stands unknown where. This trick will not work with the Asus RT-AC86U - it should be given the most prominent place in your home. The design of the router is simply gorgeous! The combination of scarlet inserts and black gloss looks just like the picture. But, of course, an attractive appearance is not all that helps it gain a foothold in second place in our rating.

RT-AC86U is one of the fastest existing routers for home use - it is assigned the AC2900 class. Three powerful antennas form a dense Wi-Fi coverage around the router, which can be intelligently shared between dozens of gadgets.

No one will experience “air hunger” - the load will be distributed between subscribers in an optimal way, based on the range, frequency of access to the router and the frequency range in which the consumer operates.

It is possible to connect in the 2.4 or 5 GHz bands and use WEP or WPA(2) encryption.

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 article we will talk about what characteristics the of this type equipment, 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 via Ethernet technologies- 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 only exceptions are, perhaps, mobile models with 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 storage and powerful desktop computers, working at 1 Gbit/s will be significantly 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 laying. 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. At the same time, other things being equal, 802.11ac provides more high speed connections. 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 give useful information city ​​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 most commonly used services with them include connecting storage devices (for organizing file sharing), printers or MFPs (for network printing), as well as cellular modems (for backup or main Internet connection).

In most cases, you can use USB hubs (preferably active, with additional external power supply) 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 work intensively with large files on drives - USB 2.0 is sufficient for other services.

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 you should usually pay attention to them only from the point of view of installation on the router alternative versions firmware

And even in this case, you need to focus specifically on the availability of these firmwares for specific model router, and not on installed chips. 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 characteristics such as dimensions, the presence of wall mounting, the number and location of LED indicators, the presence of power off 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). Most Responsible Developers certain time After the announcement, devices offer firmware updates that fix bugs in previous versions or add new functionality. But we, perhaps, have not encountered a situation where new firmware at some point it 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 simplest and quick way solving 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 the operator’s 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. In case of working via a dedicated port for the set-top box, you will need a direct network cable from a router to a 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 hard disk or flash drive for organization public access to files via SMB protocols ( Windows network) and FTP. 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 backup copies, organizing a media library and solving other problems.

Most models with USB ports implemented and 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 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 products as an alternative to launching a router and monitoring its operation. mobile applications. This may 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. Can be created without using source code versions. 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 very simple (for example, downloading a file downloaded from the Internet regular means), and complex, including disassembling the device and connecting the 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 a guarantee.

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.