A Complete Guide to the Best Wi-Fi Routers for Home & Business
With all the information and new technology out there, it can be difficult to find the best product for your home or business. There are many different routers on the market with a slew of features and specs that make it difficult to determine which is right for your needs. The 3 major categories you should consider are size, cost, and what type of network you will need.
A router is an essential tool for any modern home or business. It can be hard to know what router would be the best for your needs, but with the helpful tips and ideas provided in the article, you can choose the best router for your home or business.
What is a router and what are the different types of routers?
A router is a device that connects multiple devices to a network and share the internet connection. A wireless router is a type of router used to connect computers, smartphones, tablets and other devices wirelessly to the internet via WiFi.
Unlike a modem which is used to connect your computer or laptop to the internet, a router simply connects computers, laptops and WiFi devices (like phones) wireless.
The most important difference between wired and wireless routers are the cables connected to them. The wired models have cables connected to them while wireless routers have antennas that transmit WiFi signals. Since they do not need any cables, they are more portable and easier to use than their wired counterparts.
There are three different types of routers – wireless, Wi-Fi, and wired.
How to Choose a Good Router?
A business router is a device that connects to your company’s network. Often these devices are used in small businesses where the number of employees is limited.
Choosing the right business can be a confusing process. But there are some general guidelines you can follow to make sure you get the best device for your company’s needs.
First, consider what type of internet users are going to have access to the wireless router. Will it just be employees using it or will guests and visitors also need to use it? Additionally, if you’ll use this wireless device for voice services, such as Skype, make sure that supports VOIP technology.
How to Determine Your Wireless Needs Before Buying a Router?
Before you buy a router, it is important to determine your wireless needs. This will help you figure out the type of router that gives you the best experience.
- Set your budget
Set a budget for the price range you are willing to spend on the router. If you have a limited budget, you’ll want to be sure to stick with a brand that’s within your price range. You don’t have to spend big bucks on a higher-end product just because it has more features. There are plenty of inexpensive routers that will still do the job for you.
- Select your needs
Determine what wireless technologies and frequencies will work best with your devices.
Wireless technology has become a staple in our daily lives. It is not just for the Internet though. Many other devices integrate wireless technology.
One of the most popular wireless technologies is Wi-Fi, which uses radio signals to transmit and receive data wirelessly. This type of wireless technology has been integrated into almost every household and business throughout the world.
- Compatibility
Make sure that your devices are compatible with this router’s speed and bandwidth capabilities.
You’re about to install a new router and need to know if your devices are compatible. Your laptop is equipped with 802.11ac and your Xbox One works on 802.11n, but you’re not sure if they’ll both work well with the new router.
In order to enjoy the fastest speed, you must ensure your devices are compatible with this its speed and bandwidth capabilities.
- Research reviews online
Before buying a new device, go online and do some research on different brands in this price range.
With the explosion of technology, it can be hard to decide what kind of equipment to buy. Today, many people make purchases online.
What are the Advantages of Using a Wireless Router for Your Business or Home?
Nowadays, wireless devices are becoming more and more popular due to the increasing use of wireless technology. However, many people still need to rely on wired connections for various reasons such as stability or security.
The main advantage of using a router is that it allows multiple devices to connect wirelessly using the same network. This means that you can have a stable internet connection while also having access to your business or home network.
Advantages of Using Wireless Routers:
- Better Internet Connection
They provide a stable and consistent speed, which is why they are often used in homes and small businesses.
- Simplified Networking
With one device, you’ll have access to your business or home network without worrying about configuring multiple Ethernet cables throughout your home or office.
- Cost savings
With the rise of data and internet usage, people are spending more and more time online. Oftentimes, they would rather use Wi-Fi than wired connections, which increases the cost to a business. Businesses can save money by using data plans that are cheaper for longer periods or investing in a Wi-Fi system that allows for multiple devices to connect to the internet.
We have compiled the best routers according to their overall performance and popularity.
Cisco 1941 w/2 GE router
The Cisco 1941 is a fully equipped router that offers a reliable, secure, and cost-effective way to connect to the Internet. The unit supports up to 2 GE ports, 256MB CF card, 512MB DRAM card, and has IP Base.
Cisco 1941 W offers a great deal of features that users would truly benefit from. It is an affordable wireless solution for small businesses and enterprises.
The unit is more efficient and provides more speed than other similarly priced routers in the market. Cisco 1941 is a compact and space-saving unit that provides the flexibility of using internet connectivity.
Cisco 2921/K9 Router
Reduce the total cost of ownership by deploying this high-performance, highly secure device. The Cisco 2921/K9 offers a variety of advanced features that make it an ideal solution for small and medium businesses.
The Cisco 2921/K9 is a high-performance, low-power platform that enables modern enterprise networks to be more agile and responsive than ever before.
This device can make networking easier by handling IPv6 traffic with MPLS support. It also supports multiple VLANs, class-based weighted fair queueing (CBWFQ), Syslog, NetFlow, VPN support and firewall protection.
The Cisco 2921/K9 is the answer to increasing security threats from the Internet of Things (IoT) and making sure your organisation is safe from cyber threats.
Make your network more reliable and secure with this high-performance router.
Linksys Max-Stream EA8100 Dual Band WiFi 5 Fast Router
Get faster Wi-Fi speeds and performance throughout your home with Linksys Max-Stream EA8100 Dual Band WiFi 5 Router. Experience faster internet speeds for gaming, streaming and more.
Linksys Max-Stream is a DFS Band certified router that offers users with more than 30+ devices support and enhanced speed up to 2.6 Gbps and better coverage up to 1,500 sq ft. With parental controls, this product can provide parents with the security they need to monitor their children’s online activity.
Experience faster streaming, high-quality entertainment, and lag-free gaming with Linksys Dual-Band Wi-Fi 5 router. This device is the ultimate product for online gaming and 4K streaming, giving give you up to 2.6 Gbps of Wi-Fi speed and a stronger, faster connection.
Upgrade your home network to support the latest Wi-Fi devices and enjoy a better-connected home. This is a recommended product for anyone who needs an uninterrupted Wi-Fi connection during their busy workday.
Netgear Nighthawk XR500 Pro, AC2600 Dual Band WiFi Router
The Netgear Nighthawk XR500 Pro is a high-end gaming router offering 4K streaming, 1.7 GHz Dual-core Processor and 2x USB 3.0 Ports.
This Dual Band WiFi device is able to prioritise gaming devices by bandwidth allocation in order to eliminate lag time. If you are having a lag time during playing games on your device, you can use the QoS feature so that only the devices that are close to you would be able to get more bandwidth and play fast without any interruptions.
The Nighthawk XR500 WiFi Router is the best WiFi router for gaming, streaming and surfing online. This is the fastest WiFi device on the market with speeds up to 2.6Gbps
When creating a blacklist on your router, you can create an IP address list that prevents certain servers from getting access to your network as well as prevents them from using your internet connection if they are not on the list.
Experience ultra-fast Wi-Fi speeds and minimise sudden lag spikes while gaming!
Tenda AC10 AC1200 Wireless Smart Dual-Band Gigabit WiFi Router
Tenda AC10 is a revolutionary Wireless Smart Router that makes your life easier. Enjoy the freedom of doing everything you want online without worrying about the security of your network.
The Tenda AC10 is a smart dual-band, designed with full Gigabit WAN and LAN ports. It supports innovative MU-MIMO technology to provide fast speeds in both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands.
The Tenda AC10 is a small and compact device that can provide up to 300Mbps in the 2.4 GHz band, up to 867Mbps in the 5 GHz band, easy setup with a user-friendly interface, high-performance WiFi Router for home use or business use with one wired ethernet port for connection to your modem. Highly recommended for streaming 4K videos from Netflix and other services without buffering issues.
TP-Link 5 Port Gigabit Ethernet Network Switch Hub
Do you have a home network with more than one computer?
Do you have a lot of devices that need to be connected to the Internet at the same time?
The TP-Link 5-Port Gigabit Ethernet Switch Hub is a device that provides the best of both worlds. With this switch hub, you can share your internet connection with multiple devices at the same time without having to worry about your internet speed.
This device is ideal for anyone who needs to share their internet connection with multiple devices at the same time. It also supports auto MDI / MDIX, which allows you to connect more than one cable without any problems. The green Ethernet technology saves power and this product has a plastic case that prevents it from being damaged by heat.
This 5-port Ethernet switch is the perfect solution for expanding your network. The switch is designed to connect multiple Ethernet-enabled devices, such as computers, printers, and servers using standard CAT 5 cable or higher.
Cisco 1921-SEC/K9 Router
This Cisco router is extremely versatile, as it offers a lot of different options for users to choose from. It can be used for both home and small office networks and has the hardware and software to handle high-bandwidth applications. The device has an integrated services router platform with performance and security features to meet the needs of small businesses.
The Cisco 1921-SEC/K9 Router is a powerful piece of equipment that combines the high-speed capabilities of Ethernet with the power distribution capabilities. This router is a great investment because it will have you covered for many years to come.
The Cisco 1921 integrated router provides a full range of IP routing and security features, including support for multiple WAN links and robust security services such as firewall, VPNs and IPSec.
TP-Link AC750 Wifi Range Extender
Extend your existing WiFi network to a further part of your home. Get better WiFi coverage in every corner of your home. No more dead spots, dropouts or slow speeds.
TP-Link AC750 Wi-Fi Range Extender is the ultimate solution for extending Wi-Fi coverage in your home. It can reach up to 750Mbps speed and it’s easy and quick to set up.
TP-Link AC750 Wifi Range Extender is an all-in-one device that extends wireless connectivity of any devices in your home or office and stream content from your smartphone or laptop wirelessly. It supports 2.4GHz & 5GHz Wi-Fi networks and can be used as a repeater, booster or range extender.
Get the speed you need for gaming, video streaming and high-speed Internet. Get fast, reliable and secure connections for all your devices – smartphones, tablets, laptops, smart TVs or game consoles.
In conclusion, business owners should invest in a router that can handle a large number of devices. If your business has a lot of employees or you need for personal use, all of these are great routers with high ratings.
Disclosure: Note that some of the links above are affiliate links. We only recommend products & brands we love and that we think you would love too!