Which router to choose for your home reviews. Rating of wifi routers according to business telecom

Is there a gridlock in your home, with all those network-connected devices—from smartphones and tablets to laptops and media streamers—fighting to share your wireless network? A marketing study conducted by IDC found that, on average, there are more than eight network-connected devices in a single home. Routers that support the latest wireless standard, called 802.11ac, help solve these problems by giving you more than four times the throughput of an 802.11n device. Plus, by using a more efficient data processing process, the latest routers can help you conserve the battery life of your mobile devices. But not all 802.11ac routers are created equal.

Comparison of the throughput of Wi-Fi routers from a distance of 1.5 meters

Based on our in-depth research and reviews of more than 15 routers, we've found the Asus RT-AC68U ($171) to be a better choice overall (and also a better choice if you want to download large volume of music and films). And all this thanks to its pace-setting throughput. But if you're on a budget, you should also consider Netgear's R6220 ($60), which offers nice features like parental controls along with reliable performance at a reasonable price.

Comparison of the throughput of Wi-Fi routers from a distance of 40 meters

Our list of favorites includes recommendations for those who play games and those who need maximum range for a large home. If there is a router you would like us to review, or if you have any questions about which router to buy, just leave us a message in the comments.

How we assessed it.
We tested all routers in our own office using the IxChariot tool to measure throughput over distances ranging from 1.5 to 42.5 meters. We then evaluated their performance in a real-life environment, in an older home with thick walls, to test both the range and how the routers handled the simultaneous flow of information from multiple devices. Other factors we used in our evaluation include ease of installation and use, software features, and available connection ports.

Here are our favorites among the best Wi-Fi routers, which we've divided into several categories.

Asus RT-AC68U

$200.00

Best router overall.

Our favorite 802.11ac router, the Asus RT-AC68U, gave the best performance, whether from 1.5 or 42.5 meters. This router's checkered textured front panel makes it more attractive than your standard black router, and it comes in two color options - black or white. There's a USB 3.0 port and a USB 2.0 port, and the latter can be used with a 3G/4G dongle. In addition, Asus's AiCloud cloud technology makes remote access to network drives possible. Overall, this is a great investment to supercharge your home's network.
What the owners say: 46% of user reviews about the RT-AC68U router on the Yandex-Market website have a five-star rating. At the same time, users praise its ease of installation, stable connections and impressive range.

Netgear R6220

$80.00

The best router under $100.

You get a surprising amount of features from Netgear's R6220 router without a corresponding jump in price. This budget router comes with a USB 2.0 port for peripherals, a switch to turn off wireless sharing when you go on vacation, and parental controls to filter out inappropriate websites. You also get good performance for the money, with the R6220 pushing more data than many comparably priced devices we've tested.

Amped Wireless RTA2600 Athena

$230.00

The best router for gaming.

This router looks like an object from some space shooter, but that’s not why we recommend the Amped Wireless RTA2600 Athena to gamers. We chose it because this router is extremely customizable, allowing you to customize it to maximize your online gaming experience. Athena's proprietary beamforming technology adapts network distribution to please each of its customers, and our testing showed that the router was able to cope with video and music streaming on many devices simultaneously, while other computers were quietly exchanging data with each other . Even in a crowded Wi-Fi environment, this router will work without a hitch and won't freeze just when you're just about to take that deadly shot.

What the owners say: Half of the user reviews on Amazon have a five-star rating. That being said, the RTA2600 is praised for its performance and range.

Google Onhub

$200.00

The best router for a large home.

This wireless router will fit right into any home thanks to its very unrouter-like tower design topped with an LED ring. But the most important role is played by what is inside it, namely, 13 antennas arranged in an array in a circle. This will help you stay connected throughout your entire home—even those with many walls that could potentially block the signal. Add to that the potential of an unused speaker and a USB port, and you have a solid router that has room to grow, if only Google can show the ability to use every aspect of this device.

What the owners say: Users who have left reviews on Amazon's website have raved about the router's range and ease of installation, even if some think the price tag is a little high.

Linksys WRT1900AC

$180.00

The best router for experienced users.

The simply amazing WRT1900 router makes installing open source firmware like DD-WRT a real pleasure for the experienced user. In addition, it also offers powerful bandwidth over distance. This router, under the hood of which hides an ARM processor with a frequency of 1.2 GHz, 128 megabytes of flash memory and 256 gigabytes of DDR3 RAM, is also one of the most powerful routers on the market.

Note: Linksys just recently introduced the WRT1900 ACS, and we can't wait to see how its faster processor makes a difference.

What users say: More than half of the user reviews left on the Yandex-Market website have a five-star rating. Users rave about its performance, although some find its fan to be a bit noisy - a flaw that the WRT1900 ACS, which comes without a fan, may well rectify.

What do you think is the best Wi-Fi router for home in 2016? Leave your comments below, it will be very interesting to hear your point of view!

One of the most popular devices for home Internet users today is a Wi-Fi router. There is a wide range of routers from different manufacturers on the market, so it can be difficult for the average user to understand such a variety of models. We will help you choose a Wi-Fi router that is suitable for your home, and also tell you about the selection factors that you need to pay special attention to. In addition, we present to you a rating of the top 5 best routers presented on the Russian market.

Basic rules for choosing a router for your home

A router or router is a device with which PCs, laptops, smartphones, tablets, etc. connect to a wireless network and connect to the Internet. Choosing an inexpensive but high-quality router can be difficult; you need to take into account a whole a number of device selection criteria. After all, by buying a “pig in a poke”, you won’t win anything. So, the main criteria:

• price– on Internet forums, many advise choosing from the cheapest routers, arguing that all devices are the same, support the same functions, etc., etc. So why, they say, pay more?! In reality, this is not so - high-quality assembly, high performance, good components and high reliability are present only in relatively expensive models. And the cheap ones are equipped with correspondingly cheap spare parts, they have much worse reception, and the Wi-Fi coverage area is small. In addition, budget routers often break down more often than expensive ones, although this rule does not always work. If you can afford a more expensive router, then give it preference;
• brand– There is a whole line of router brands, but their products have proven themselves in different ways. For example, D-Link is considered one of the main manufacturers of budget routers, but its products are not particularly reliable. Experts and ordinary users name several manufacturers whose products are the best on the market: Linksys (quite expensive routers, but high-quality and reliable), Asus (according to reviews, it occupies a leading position among manufacturers of many devices, including routers), Zyxel (produces at least several models of excellent routers), TP-Link (produces budget, but high-quality and reliable router models);
• specifications . First of all, choose routers with normal “stuffing” - RAM (at least 64 MB), processor (300 MHz or more), FLASH memory (from 16 MB). Also pay attention to the power of the device, the presence and number of antennas;
• Internet access protocols . Pay attention to the most important detail - protocol support. The fact is that different providers use different protocols to provide Internet access: PPTP, L2TP, PPPoE. It is necessary that the router you purchase must support the protocol that your provider uses. To do this, ask your Internet provider for the required information, and then check that the router's technical specifications indicate the same protocol;
• WAN port and Internet connection technology . Routers also differ in the port (WAN port) through which the connection to the Network is made: Ethernet, ADSL, USB 3G. This is a very important selection factor, because if you cannot connect an Internet cable to the router, then your money will be wasted;
• standards– today, the latest Wi-Fi standard is mainly used: 802.11n. It is already fully operational and the corresponding devices are being released, so there is no point in buying outdated routers that support 802.11b or 802.11g.

Router with ADSL port

Router with Ethernet port

Router with USB 3G port

What are the consequences of choosing the wrong router?

Why is it so important to choose the right router that suits me? Isn’t it possible to take the first one that comes along that is suitable for the price? What happens if I buy a router without really delving into its technical characteristics?

Let's look at these questions, because the average buyer does not understand network devices, but simply comes to the store and asks the seller for advice. In fact, this risks throwing money down the drain. If you purchase a router that has the wrong connector and doesn't work with your ISP, then at best you'll have to return it to the store. And if the product cannot be returned, then you will generally lose the money you spent. But there are other situations when the router is not suitable, and the user does not even notice it or simply resigned himself, thinking that there is no better option.

For example, many devices have insufficient power, they are designed to distribute the Internet within the boundaries of one room, and the signal no longer passes through the wall. Thus, you definitely need to pay attention to the power of the router and the number of antennas, external or built-in. It’s not worth saving on power, even if you don’t currently need a coverage area of ​​100 meters.

An unsuitable router may also cut off internet speed. That is, the provider offers you Internet access at a speed of 10 Mbit/s in both directions. You check your speed, and it turns out that it barely reaches 8 Mbps for downloading and 4 Mbps for uploading. The first thing the user will do is accuse the operator of deception. But it is likely that the problem is something completely different - your router, which simply does not support higher speeds. That's why you should find out what maximum download and upload speeds are available for a given router model.

In addition, a low-quality or low-power router can regularly freeze, reboot or simply drop the connection. This makes using the Internet extremely difficult and seriously gets on your nerves. Therefore, it is better to overpay a little, but get a high quality device.

Another problem with a number of routers is small Wi-Fi coverage area. In this case, it happens that the signal no longer passes through the wall or the router only covers a space of several square meters. Of course, such a device is not suitable for owners of a large apartment or private house. After all, one of the delights of living in a private house or country house is to go out into the yard and use the Internet away from cables and routers. Therefore, for such needs you should choose a more powerful router with a good Wi-Fi transmitter.

Even if you don’t understand the technical issues of how a router works or don’t have anyone to consult with, you can always go to the Internet and look through forums, reviews in online stores and specialized sites. There you will find all the information about the operation of different routers in a simple user form. On these resources, among other things, you can learn about the advantages and disadvantages of different models, methods for solving problems that arise, etc.

Zyxel Keenetic

Specifications

WAN port: Ethernet, USB 3G.

Interfaces: 5 RJ-45 connectors (10BASE-T/100BASE-T) with automatic cable type detection; 1 USB 2.0 type A; 2 RP-SMA sockets for connecting external Wi-Fi antennas.

IPTV support: Yes.

Number of antennas: 2.

Antenna design: Removable.

Security features: Firewall (SPI) with protection against DoS and DDoS attacks. Blocking Internet access based on MAC address, IP address, URL, TCP/UDP ports.

Other functions: TVport technology - transit of Multicast streams automatically and without spending CPU time when assigning a LAN connector. Link Duo - simultaneous access to the Internet (L2TP/PPTP/PPPoE) and to local resources of the DHCP provider network (client/server). Working with a static IP address. IP protocol routing. NAT (Restricted Cone) IP address translation. Route Table (DHCP/Manual)

Dimensions and weight: 162 x 114 x 33 mm, 280 g.

Average price: 2 thousand rubles.

Linksys E3200

Specifications

WAN port: Ethernet.

Interfaces: 1 x WAN / 4 x Gigbit Ethernet / 1 x USB 2.0.

Wireless capabilities: IEEE 802.11n.

Number of antennas: 6.

VPN functions: VPN pass through.

Security features: Data encryption: WEP, WPA, WPA2.

Firewall features: Built-in firewall, NAT.

Other features: Possibility of connecting a 3G modem. Guest network.

Dimensions and weight: 190 x 170 x 25 mm, 215 g.

Average price: 4.5 thousand rubles.

Asus RT-N56U

Specifications

WAN port: Ethernet, USB 3G.

Interfaces: 4 x RJ-45 10/100/1000 Mbit/s, 2 x USB 2.0

Wireless capabilities: IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11n.

Protocol support: PPTP, L2TP, PPPoE.

IPTV support: Yes.

Number of antennas: 2 x for 2.4 GHz, 3 x for 5 GHz.

Antenna design: Built-in.

Security Features: Filtering: Port, IP Packets, Keyword URL, MAC Address. Supports 64/128-bit WEP, WPA-PSK, WPA2-PSK, WPA-Enterprise, WPA2-Enterprise

Firewall features: NAT and SPI.

Other features: Sharing 3G Internet among multiple users.

Dimensions and weight: 172 x 145 x 60 mm, 330 g.

Average price: 4.4 thousand rubles.

TP-Link TL-WR841ND

Specifications

WAN port: Ethernet.

Interfaces: 4 10/100M LAN ports (RJ45 type), 1 10/100M WAN port (RJ45 type).

Wireless capabilities: IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11n.

Protocol support: PPPoE.

Number of antennas: 2.

Antenna design: Removable.

Support for VPN tunnels: Yes.

Other functions: Maximum range - 270 m.

Dimensions and weight: 200 x 140 x 28 mm.

Average price: 1 thousand rubles.

TP-LINK TL-WR340GD

Specifications

WAN port: Ethernet.

Interfaces: 4 x RJ-45 10/100 Ethernet LAN ports.

Wireless capabilities: IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g.

Protocol support: L2TP, PPPoE.

Number of antennas: 1 (5 dBi).

Antenna design: Removable.

VPN features: VPN Pass Through.

Security features: WEP 64/128/152-bit, WPA/WPA2, WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK (TKIP/AES).

Other features: Virtual Server. DMZ hosting. UPnP. Remote web control.

Dimensions and weight: 160 x 102 x 28 mm.

Average price: 1 thousand rubles.

I think that even the reader who is far from technology has ever heard of wireless routers or, as they are called differently, routers. This device allows you to organize a local wireless network in your home or office, which unites several devices on the network and provides Internet access. Such devices on a home network can be desktop computers, laptops, smartphones, tablets, NAS, smart TVs and other equipment with wireless connectivity, even a multicooker. It is worth considering the fact that by implying a wireless connection, I do not rule out the possibility of using wires when operating the router.

Choosing the necessary model of wireless router is quite difficult, because there are many models of routers, and their cost can differ by several orders of magnitude. In this article I will talk about what characteristics you should pay attention to in this type of equipment so that the model has a minimum cost and meets your requirements.

It's no secret that equipment is a combination of a hardware platform and a software shell, and the most effective interaction between them can make a particular router an ideal purchase. The article will mostly focus on devices connected to the Internet using Ethernet technology, that is, using a standard network cable (twisted pair), but most of the information will be useful for DSL and optical connection users.

Specifications

Choosing a router: wired connection

Almost every router has LAN ports on board for connecting both wired devices and the operator’s Internet cable, with the exception of mobile routers that support cellular networks (3G or 4G) and Wi-Fi. For example, if you see the designation 1 × WAN + 4 × LAN, then this inscription indicates the presence of one LAN port for connecting to the provider (WAN) and four ports for connecting devices that will be used in your home network.

If you are faced with a lack of LAN ports when using a wired connection of devices to the router, then you can use network switches. They will expand the capabilities of your router: one router port will be able to accept two, four or more devices. The only thing that needs to be taken into account is that each wired client on the network requires its own port, and the cable length from the router to the network client is limited to 100 m.

As for such an important parameter as the data transfer speed when connecting devices wired to the router, everything is quite transparent here: 100 Mbit/s or 1000 Mbit/s (1 Gbit/s). When using a NAS server and powerful PCs in your home network, priority will be given to a wired connection with a speed of 1 Gbit/s.

A wired connection has an important advantage over a wireless one - it is a constant and maximum data transfer speed that does not depend on the activity of wireless equipment of neighboring networks and does not react so sharply over long distances, as well as other nuances of operation. The obvious disadvantage is the cable routing.

Choosing a router: wireless connection

The most important characteristics of a wireless router are the parameters of the access point installed in it:

• number of bands: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz;
• supported standards (802.11n and 802.11ac are relevant today);
• maximum connection speed.

Router ranges

There are currently two Wi-Fi bands in use: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. In a city environment in the 2.4 GHz band, you will encounter dozens of neighboring networks, which affects both the speed and stability of your connection, so I recommend dual-band devices (with support for two bands at once - 2.4 + 5 GHz), since The 5 GHz band is still relatively free. Please note that purchasing a dual-band router only makes sense if your clients have 5 GHz support on their home network. To put it simply, a dual-band router carries two independent radio modules on board, creating two independent access points. Clients, in turn, are able to connect to any of them, but only to one at a time.

Wi-Fi standards

Today we have two Wi-Fi standards:

• 802.11n, which is in mass demand and is capable of operating in two bands – 2.4 and 5 GHz;
• 802.11ac, which is gaining popularity and is supported by flagship devices, but only uses the 5 GHz band.

The 802.11ac standard boasts faster connection speeds. Please note that, as with band, clients on your home network must support these standards.

If you pay attention to the router’s connection speed in the technical specifications, you will see numbers that in practice are approximately two times lower. Don’t also forget that a wireless router shares all its speed between all connected clients on the home network. Thus, the more clients exchange data at the same time, the more each one's speed drops. Plus, there is a direct dependence of connection speed on distance and the presence of obstacles.

It is possible to estimate the connection speed when using the 802.11n standard by the number of antennas:

• 1 antenna – maximum speed 150 Mbit/s (both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz);
• 2 antennas – 300 Mbit/s;
• 3 antennas - 450 Mbit/s.

And as always, we should not forget about consistency with the characteristics of the client - the receiving device. Considering the fact that most smartphones have only one antenna, a 450 Mbps router can only be useful for them in terms of improved coverage, and not in terms of formal connection speed.

There is one more small nuance - some models of clients and routers have restrictions in the 2.4 GHz band. As a result, 150 Mbit/s is provided only when operating on a “wide channel” (designated “40 MHz” or “HT40”, the equipment uses two channels at once, and not one with increased bandwidth), but some devices, in the presence of neighboring networks, are capable provide only a 20 MHz channel, resulting in a connection speed of 65-72 Mbit/s per antenna.

Using the 802.11ac standard in a home network provides an advantage due to the ability to work simultaneously with four channels (“80 MHz”, “HT80”), thereby allowing 433 Mbit/s per antenna (867 Mbit/s for two antennas, 1300 Mbit /s to three antennas). As a result, on smartphones you can easily get 200 Mbit/s real speed for data exchange.

To fully cover the topic of wi-fi ranges and wireless standards, it is worth mentioning the consistency of the router’s characteristics with wired ports. If there is 100 Mbps on the WAN and LAN ports, using 802.11ac is not advisable, since it will not be able to fully “open up” on a mobile device when accessing the Internet or local network computers. It is no less curious that among the top routers there are devices with a not very correct name - . In fact, the router has one access point with a 2.4 GHz band and a pair at 5 GHz, in turn, the latter two operate on different sets of channels and do not interfere with each other, which theoretically can provide an increase in overall performance with the correct distribution of clients across different access points.

Choosing a router: antennas

An important characteristic that affects the quality of a wireless connection is the design of the antennas. Most router models have external antennas, and only some devices are distinguished by the use of internal antennas in their design. In a city apartment or private house, you will not notice any clear advantage in routers with external antennas, so you can freely choose a router based on the design of the case. A design using external antennas can be useful if it is necessary to replace antennas with better ones or to move them away from the router body, but no one can guarantee an improvement in the situation.

If we talk about restrictions on the maximum number of simultaneously served clients, home router models usually do not have them. In practice, it is realistic to use up to 20 devices, but a lot will depend on the clients used and their requirements for speed and traffic volumes. Feel the difference between connecting five smartphones to view websites, and five IP cameras with high resolution and bitrate.

USB ports

As you probably already know, mid-range router models and most representatives of the upper segment have USB ports with versions 2.0 and/or 3.0.

USB ports in routers are needed for:

• connecting USB drives (for sharing files);
• printers or MFPs (for printing over a network from a PC and mobile devices);
• cellular modems with 3G or 4G (for backup or main Internet connection).

You can also use USB hubs (preferably active, with additional external power) to increase the number of simultaneously connected devices.
Possible expansions of the range of connected USB devices are determined by the router firmware. The presence of USB 3.0 is necessary only for working with large files on the corresponding version of USB drives - for other devices, USB 2.0 is sufficient.

Hardware platform

Hardware characteristics include the processor model and the amount of RAM and flash memory, and to evaluate them, it is better to focus on the performance test results demonstrated by the device. So it’s usually worth paying attention to them only from the point of view of installing alternative firmware versions on the router. And even in this case, you need to focus specifically on the availability of these firmwares for a specific router model, and not on the installed microcircuits. The most well-known hardware brands are Broadcom, Mediatek, Qualcomm and Realtek.

Other options

In some cases, it will be useful to pay attention to the overall dimensions, the presence of wall mounting, the presence of power and Wi-Fi buttons, the location of the ventilation holes, the design and power of the power supply.

Choosing a router: firmware

The firmware built into the router affects the operation of the device no less than the processor or radio module. As a rule, each manufacturer has a certain basic set for all models and expands it depending on their hardware features and the seniority of the router in the line (for example, the presence of USB ports). In practice, it is quite rare for a situation to arise when new firmware from the manufacturer at some point significantly expanded the functionality of the router, so only alternative firmware can come to your aid.

What new can new firmware bring to your router? For example, support for new ways to connect to the Internet. Especially considering the number of providers in Russia, the correct operation of the router with the operator’s equipment is a frequent stumbling block. Standard connection types such as IPoE, PPPoE, PPTP or L2TP are supported by most models, and for clarification, you can contact your Internet provider.

IPoE is the easiest and fastest way to connect to the Internet, 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 Internet provider. These two connection types are the least resource-intensive for the router and provide maximum speed.

PPTP and L2TP are becoming less common these days. 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 heavy load on router processors and may also have certain compatibility issues. Some manufacturers implement special assistants in routers to simplify setting up Internet connections for specific providers.

IPTV

The provision of television viewing services through Internet operators is widely in demand in the Russian market. Configurations encountered include connecting an IPTV set-top box to a dedicated port of the router (including using VLAN technology to separate traffic), broadcasting TV channels using technology, installing a set-top box behind a router without a dedicated port, using a program for a computer (without a set-top box), and others.

If you want to use the IPTV service of your Internet provider, you must first clarify the details of this service and the recommended connection scheme. If you work via a dedicated port for a set-top box, you will need a direct network cable from the router to the TV, which will work exclusively for the set-top box. I also note that wireless communications are not very well suited for this type of traffic, but in some situations they can still be used. Some providers provide, for an additional fee, wireless bridges for connecting IPTV set-top boxes without running cables throughout the apartment, or you can use.

The simplest and most guaranteed option for connecting IPTV is to use the operator’s equipment, but you can use other equipment to work with this service.

USB ports for expanded functionality

The presence of USB ports allows you to implement many additional functions in the router, but this also requires the appropriate firmware.
Their most common use is connecting a hard drive or flash drive to organize file sharing via the SMB (Windows network) and FTP protocols. The second protocol also makes it possible to provide files to remote users over the Internet. Depending on the USB version, wired port speed and platform performance, this service can be used to store work files, create backups, organize a media library and solve other tasks.

Most models of routers with USB ports implement and, which allows you to stream multimedia to SmartTV and other devices on a wireless home network. 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.

Another great way to use the USB port is to connect 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 connect your printer to your home network. In this case, the firmware at least implements the printing function, but working with a scanner in an MFP is not always possible.

Additional router features

• built-in DDNS client;
• IPv6 protocol support;
• bandwidth control (QoS);
• the ability to create multiple connections to the Internet;
• support for the IGMP protocol and/or udpxy service for IPTV operation
• the ability to organize guest networks without access to local wireless network resources;
• restricting access and organizing Wi-Fi operation according to a schedule;
• firewall, installation of additional filters, creation of port translation rules to allow external access to services (for example, for a home server);
• parental control;
• filters for access to sites by category (SkyDNS and Yandex.DNS);
• VPN server for organizing secure remote access to a local network via the Internet;
• network diagnostic functions and advanced event logs.

Router web interface

The web interface is used to configure the router by (192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) in the browser. Often, you are automatically redirected to this page when you try to access the Internet through a router or when setting up a device after purchase, or after resetting the settings. Read recommendations for setting up your router. While using the device, you will not need access to the web interface, unless you want to use the additional services that I wrote about above.

Asus router mobile application interface

Mobile applications

Today, several companies, in addition to the web interface (controlling the router from the browser), offer branded mobile applications as an alternative to launching the router and controlling its operation. This can be useful for initial setup from a tablet or smartphone, which are not always convenient for a “full” web interface. In addition, through these programs you can quickly change some settings - for example, enable a guest network or allow certain clients access to the Internet. Typically, these utilities only work “from the inside” - when the smartphone is connected to the router’s wireless network. But sometimes there are cloud options that do not require this. This option is interesting if you need to control the operation of the router remotely (for example, from work or while on the road).

Alternative firmware

Most users, after purchasing a router, use it with the factory firmware, but I recommend installing alternative versions of firmware on the router if there is a need for new functionality or malfunctions, because the custom firmware of the router can correct some shortcomings of the original version or expand the range of its capabilities.
Depending on the router model, installing alternative firmware can be either simple (for example, downloading a file downloaded from the Internet using standard means) or complex, including disassembling the device and connecting a console cable. Any of the options violates the terms of warranty service for the router established by the manufacturer, but if the router is physically functional, then you can always return the original firmware version to it.

Other options

By the way, it is worth special attention to have lists of recommended router models from Internet providers, since focusing on them will minimize connection problems, especially for additional services, but it is worth considering that the models from this list are not very functional.

Conclusion

As you can see, a wireless router solves a rather meager set of basic tasks, but when choosing a router you need to take into account many factors, because you can buy a router for either 1,000 or 20,000 rubles.
When choosing a router, clearly define the requirements for the device and the range of tasks it can solve, and then you can make an approximate list of candidates for purchase and study them in more detail on the manufacturers’ websites and on the website.

Top 10 best routers of 2016

For dessert, I have prepared a selection of the best wireless routers in terms of price and quality. In addition to high performance, easy setup and operation, equipment and functionality are no less important in a router. You may well need the ability to connect external drives or “smart” distribution of data transfer speeds between all clients in .

The title of the best router can rightfully be ASUS RT-AC88U(you can read the review of the previous model ASUS RT-AC87U). This model demonstrates excellent throughput - up to 700 Mbit/s and equipment: 6 Gigabit LAN ports and 2 USB (versions 3.0 and 2.0). The only drawback is the lack of a DSL modem.

The best WLAN router with DSL modem – ASUS DSL-AC68U. This wireless router offers excellent performance and has four Gigabit LAN ports with USB 3.0 for connecting a printer or external hard drive.

D-Link DIR-850L – the best router in terms of price and quality ratio

Router model with the best price/quality ratio – D-Link DIR-850L, which is able to offer everything that is needed from a modern wireless router, supporting the 802.11ac standard and carrying 4 Gigabit LAN ports on board.

TOP 10 WLAN routers

1. Asus RT-AC88U
2. Asus RT-AC5300
3. Asus RT-AC87U
4. Netgear R7800
5. Synology RT1900AC
6. Netgear R6400
7. Asus DSL-AC68U
8. Zyxel NBG6816
9. Asus RT-AC3200
10. D-Link DIR-890L

Which will provide a good signal, and not overpay for unnecessary features? We are interested in whether there is a difference between devices that differ significantly in price.

The power of a router depends not only on the number of antennas

Let's find out how to choose a device for an apartment or cottage, which of the routers on the market are the most powerful. In addition, it is advisable to consider several price categories so that you can choose a modem at the optimal price and appropriate quality.

• The antenna and coverage radius are perhaps the most important parameters for any device that provides wireless communication with the World Wide Web.

Antennas come in two types - built-in and external. In most cases, external antennas provide a better signal and therefore greater coverage within the home. A significant advantage will be the ability to change the antenna or add a few additional parts to increase the signal coverage area - this is especially true for apartments with a large number of rooms and country houses.

• Wi-Fi standards and router speed - it is advisable that the modem supports the 802.11n standard, and for high Internet speeds you need to choose a device with a similar or higher speed than what your provider provides.

• Brand - priority will be to choose a router from a well-known developer. Why shouldn't you buy a “no-name” router? Its operation is more likely to have problems, it may freeze, or the connection will be unstable. Another important point is that it is easier to update the firmware on devices from popular brands, which is regularly improved and released for each individual model. The new firmware makes the router’s operation high-quality and uninterrupted, and protects against malfunctions.

Rating of the most powerful Wi-Fi routers

Not everyone can afford the most expensive Wi-Fi modem with many functions and powerful hardware, but in different price categories there are remarkable models that differ from other routers in quality, fast operation and fully justify their cost.

Affordable, good quality routers

• TP-LINK TL-WR740N is a simple but powerful model with excellent functionality: speeds of up to 150 Mbit/s are quite enough for active home Internet use, the device supports the most popular data transfer protocols - PPPoE, dynamic and static IP. It has a built-in network filter to protect against viruses and attacks; an external antenna is provided for signal distribution, which will provide a large coverage area.

• TP-Link TL-WR841ND- another excellent router of this brand, it has two removable antennas, the range of which is 270 m. The device supports Internet speeds of up to 300 Mbit/s, there are 4 LAN ports for connecting other computers and creating a local home network.

• Zyxel Keenetic- 3G Internet function is provided, the device has an additional USB connector. It has 2 removable antennas. Using the router you can use interactive IPTV television.

Powerful mid-price routers

• Zyxel Keenetic Giga 2- costs about 3.5-4 thousand rubles, supports speeds of up to 300 Mbit/s, has gigabit Ethernet ports and 2 USB ports. It has a powerful processor and 2 removable antennas that can easily provide good Wi-Fi signal coverage in your home.

• Asus RT-N56U- although this router has built-in antennas, this is not reflected in the signal quality. The router operates in 2 frequency bands - the standard 2.4 and the more powerful 5 GHz. It supports all current communication protocols, has an IPTV function, and several users can use high-speed 3G Internet at the same time. The average price of the device is about 4.5 thousand rubles.

• Xiaomi Mi Wi-Fi mini- this model is attractive not only internally, but also externally - there is a large selection of color options for the router, which will appeal to those who love bright colors. The internal content is represented by two frequency ranges 2.4 and 5 GHz, each of which has a separate external antenna. Thanks to the 802.11n protocol, the router can operate at very high speeds - up to 1167 Mbps. The price fluctuates around 3.3 thousand rubles.

The most powerful routers costing from 5 thousand rubles

• Asus RT-N66U- the model will cost you about 7 thousand rubles, but will fully justify its cost. It has three removable powerful antennas that will provide good coverage of the entire area of ​​the house. As is customary in impeccable devices, it has two frequency ranges and reaches connection speeds of up to 900 Mbit/sec. It has a rich filling, many functions, including the ability to create a separate guest network, parental controls, traffic manager and others. This is a truly powerful router, and also attractive and practical in appearance; Unlike many devices, this router has a matte finish.

• Asus RT-AC87U- the top router for the home among all products of this brand and similar devices from other developers, it costs about 15 thousand rubles, but it can be confidently called the most powerful Wi-Fi router for the home. Judge for yourself - four removable antennas are capable of creating a coverage area of ​​up to 465 square meters. m. Moreover, it has a record maximum Internet connection transmission speed - up to 2334 Mbit/s. Inside the stylish case, which will not leave anyone indifferent, there is a 2-core processor - it will ensure stable and fast operation of the device. It’s not even worth mentioning several frequency ranges, protocol support and the presence of a USB port - the router has everything to rightfully be considered the best among other existing models.

Depending on the price and your needs, thanks to this rating you can choose a router that will provide a high-quality Internet connection via Wi-Fi wireless technology. All of the above models will allow you to create a large signal coverage area that will cover the entire area of ​​your apartment, house or cottage.

Good fast Internet at home starts with a router. It is without this device that it is difficult to imagine a modern apartment or private house with access to the World Wide Web. Before purchasing such equipment, we recommend that you look at the ratings of routers to be absolutely sure that you will be satisfied with the purchase.

The variety of assortment makes one's eyes wide open

The niche of the modern market occupied by routers and routers is truly crowded. It is very difficult for an unprepared buyer to understand which router is worthy of his attention and will quickly recoup the funds invested in it. Therefore, before you part with your money and finally buy a good, modern router for yourself, it is worth studying the main characteristics by which you can determine whether this product is suitable for you or not, and, of course, evaluate the rating of WiFi routers, which describe best models.

Learning to choose a router

First, let's figure out what a router or router is. In simple terms, this is a special device that provides you with access to the Internet from a computer, tablet or laptop, or even from a phone that has a WiFi function.

A good router does not have to be expensive; often the rating of routers suitable for use at home includes exactly those devices that suit the majority of consumers both in price and quality. It will be much easier for you to choose a router if you are familiar with their characteristics:

• Technical characteristics: a good router for home should have enough RAM (at least 64 MB), at least 16 MB of FLASH memory and a modern processor from 300 MHz. If you want to install one unit of such equipment in a large apartment or house, choose a model that has more than one antenna, because the quality of access in rooms remote from the location of the router depends on the power.
• Price is an equally important indicator. Don’t think that there is no difference between the cheapest and more expensive routers. Cheap models not only have low-quality components, but also the created WiFi coverage area is quite miniature. But you shouldn’t try to purchase the most expensive model if, for example, you have a small apartment and the maximum speed from the provider is low.
• Manufacturer's name: Well-established brands produce routers in different price categories to meet the needs of customers with different ability to pay. But there are also brands, for example, D-Link, which offer only budget routers, the reliability of which is not as high as, for example, models from Linksys. Their price is comparatively higher than that of the above brand. The ranking of best-selling routers in our country also includes such manufacturers as TP-Link (offers budget but high-quality routers), Asus (one of the world leaders in sales, including products such as routers) and Zyxel (produces many models of different prices, some of which are superior in parameters to analogues in their price categories).
• Standards: There is such a thing as the WiFi standard. The newest standard is 802.11n. If you are offered a router with the 802.11g or even 802.11b standard, you should not buy such a model, because it is already considered outdated.
• Access protocols: A brand new router just brought from the store may not work with the Internet access protocol offered by your provider. Therefore, you need to clarify the access protocol with the provider in advance and use it to select a model that will support it.
• Technology for connecting to the World Wide Web: each router has a WAN port; it is to this that the cable that supplies the Internet to the house or apartment is connected. Compare the Internet cable and the input in the router before purchasing.

Different ratings with different criteria

• Rating of multifunctional WiFi routers, which are considered ideal for home use.
• Rating of the best routers depending on price:

a) the best budget models;

b) the best models at an average price.

• Rating of the best mobile routers.
• Rating of the best routers of 2016 from the most popular manufacturers:

b) decent routers from D-link;

c) the best TP-link routers.

“Multifunctional” rating of routers in 2016 that are worth purchasing for home use

Since modern houses and apartments have approximately the same characteristics (characteristics of structures used for construction materials), the models presented below that are included in the rating are suitable for both a private house and an apartment in a high-rise building.

WiFi mini

Modern, stylish, high-quality - this model deserves all these epithets. It was included in the 2016 router rating due to the fact that it supports the most modern transmission standards, can operate at speeds of almost 1200 Mbit/s, and you can even “rebuild” it to more functional firmware if desired. An external drive can be easily connected to it via a USB port, so even the download function to this external drive will be available to you. There are also disadvantages to this miracle of technology. So, according to reviews, the most inconvenient thing is the interface and instructions, which are offered to us only in Chinese. This model only has a couple of LAN ports, and the speed on them is limited to a hundred Mbit/s.

ASUS RT-N56U amazes not only with its original design

The model does not have external antennas, but this does not prevent it from transmitting data at speeds of up to 1 Gbit/s via LAN ports and 300 Mbit/s via WAN. Here we see a couple of USB ports at once, which attracts many advanced users. Setting up the device is so simple that most actions are performed intuitively. There are also disadvantages, although they do not prevent the model from being included in the rating of WiFi routers for an apartment or house, because they are not noticed by most users. So, the router begins to slow down and overheat if an external storage device with a capacity of a terabyte or more is connected.

So stylish TP-LINK TL-WA901ND

This modern “three-horned monster of the Internet” can even be powered via (the adapter is included). The antennas are removable, if you connect them all together, you can actually provide Internet to all gadgets at a distance of 270 m. But a gadget without a built-in adapter will not work with this model, because it has no LAN ports at all. But given the fact that today a negligible amount of equipment does not have a built-in WiFi adapter, this model has the right to be included in the 2016 WiFi routers for the home rating.

Best Budget Routers

It is not always possible to purchase even a mid-priced router. This is not a reason to be sad, but an excellent reason to study the rating of routers for the home, which will be affordable for everyone. The list below includes only those models whose work quality is quite high, that is, they can provide normal access to the Internet in your home or apartment.

Model TL-WR841N from TP-Link

A budget router that has nice features like parental controls or the ability to limit traffic. The TL-WR841N handles modern connection protocols.

The design of the model can be called classic for this manufacturer. In their reviews, many customers thank the brand for the fact that each of their routers can not only be installed on a table (or any other horizontal surface), but also mounted on a wall. The model practically does not overheat, because the manufacturer has equipped it with many holes for ventilation.

The router is budget, so actual data transfer speeds vary within hundreds of megabits, although the manufacturer has set a limit of 300 megabits. It also does not provide USB ports, like expensive analogues of the same brand.

D-link DIR-300S is also worthy of a place in this rating

It was not by chance that this model was included in the rating of Wi-Fi routers, because it supports all types of connections and even has parental control functions and the Yandex service content filtering function, which is so relevant today. A pleasant addition is the modern glossy design and small dimensions of this router, although some buyers complain about the glossy case, because the dust that has settled on it is immediately visible.

The rating of routers in the mid-price segment should start with MikroTik RB951G-2HnD

Routers of this brand are popular not because of their advertised name, but because the manufacturer provides them with luxurious “filling”, so the number of supported functions is truly amazing. The model will appeal to advanced users who are well versed in personal settings, but for users who want to “press a button and go straight to the Internet”, it will seem too difficult to understand. The small RB951G-2HnD can be used not only in a house or apartment, but even in the office of a small or medium-sized enterprise, because the coverage area is large, and it is provided by a powerful transmitter.

Next on the list will be ZyXEL Keenetic 4G III

You can connect a USB modem to this router via a USB port and provide nearby devices with high-quality 3G or 4G Internet. The latest 802.11n standard is supported. The device has two powerful antennas, so the Internet can freely “fly” at speeds of up to 300 megabits. We are also pleased with the stylish design and as many as 4 LAN ports on the rear panel. But the wireless coverage area is small - this is a minus. Although, if you take such a router for a small apartment, there will be no complaints about its performance.

And inexpensive TP-LINK supports the latest 802.11ac protocol

A dual-band router that supports over-the-air speeds of up to 1.167 Gbit per second and is capable of independently providing high-quality coverage to even a large three-room apartment. The Russian-language interface, ease of setup, signal resistance to any interference, plus a stylish design made this model one of the most popular on our market. But it also has disadvantages, and significant ones: a wired connection is only possible at speeds within a hundred megabits, and the built-in USB port is too slow.

Rating of decent mobile routers

Not all houses or apartments have the opportunity to connect to wired Internet, so we bring to your attention a rating of 2016 home routers that have a SIM card slot. These models are most often purchased for use in small towns and villages, where access to the Internet is possible only through mobile communications. Such devices form a fairly high-quality Internet coverage area.

"The smallest router" Huawei E5330

A tiny mobile router from Huawei can provide you with a pretty good WiFi signal in an apartment or house. For ease of use, the manufacturer has provided a liquid crystal display (all the most important data will be constantly in front of your eyes). Consumers do not mention interruptions in operation, freezing and braking of the model in their reviews, so we can say that the little one works stably. Why did this particular model top the rating of WiFi routers 2016 for an apartment or house where there is no cable Internet? It’s just capable of providing Internet access to a dozen devices at once! Of course, there are disadvantages: the E5330 does not work on a 4G network, and the battery is quite weak, so be prepared for the fact that you will have to regularly recharge the “little Chinese”.

And again TP-LINK! Model M5250

And this router only works in 2G/3G networks, unfortunately, but it works stably! The manufacturer cares about the buyer, so he provided an adapter for SIM cards and a USB cable (the router is charged through it). The case is non-marking and oversized, so you can easily take the M5250 with you anywhere! About the disadvantages: most often buyers complain about the lack of a display. The model is truly reliable and worthy of attention, which is why it was included in this rating of WiFi routers for 2016.

Ratings of the best routers from the most popular manufacturers

The best-selling router manufacturers are Asus, D-link and TP-link. Unfortunately, it is impossible to single out the best router in their line of models; a rating specifying the main advantages will be more informative for you.

Best of Asus:

• model EA-AC87 - the most powerful modern equipment with high-quality filling;

• the RT-AC66U model can simultaneously provide high-quality Internet to up to a dozen devices;
• model RT-N56U creates coverage that can cover a large apartment.

The best from D-link:

• model DIR-300A is the undisputed sales leader;
• the DIR-880L model amazes with its power;
• The DIR-850L model pleases with its high-quality filling.

The best from TP-link:

• the TL-WA901ND model is considered the best new product of 2016;
• the Arcer C2 model is top-end, that is, it corresponds to the latest technology;
• model TL-WR740N is an ideal budget option for a small one-room apartment.

How do you understand that you have a bad router and it’s time to change it?

Often, problems with Internet access are not the fault of the provider, but of a weak router that simply cannot provide all the capabilities offered by the provider.

So, the main reasons for purchasing new similar equipment are as follows:

1. The WiFi coverage area does not cover the entire apartment or house: modern, not very expensive routers, which have proven themselves well, according to customer reviews, can cover an area of ​​up to 100 square meters. If the signal from your router cannot even pass through the wall into the next room, it’s time to change it.
2. The router can “cut down” the Internet speed: it happens that the provider provides speeds, for example, 100 Mbit/s for downloading and uploading, and after checking the state of the Internet in your home, you get only 60 Mbit/s for downloading and even less for return. You shouldn’t slander your provider, it’s better to read the instructions for your router; perhaps such indicators are its maximum limit, and it simply does not support higher speeds. If this is the case, it’s worth being generous to buy a new router.
3. The router freezes or reboots regularly: such symptoms can be seen in the operation of cheap models that cannot cope with their responsibilities. Save your nerves and your time - buy a new router.

And finally

Your router will work much better if you do not allow it to be regularly overloaded, get dust or other dirt under the case, and if it is not placed in a damp room. Follow the updates, install the latest firmware, make custom settings that will maximize the comfort of your work on the World Wide Web. And may your home or apartment always have high-quality coverage and stable WiFi!