What to look for when buying a wireless router

Technology

21. 5. 2020

Anyone who goes to a hardware shop or buys online will face a confusing array of technical terms and specifications when looking for a suitable wireless (Wi-Fi) router or access point. One of the first steps is to choose between a single-band and a dual-band device. You also need to pick the type of network (protocol) supported for wireless data transfer, such as 802.11a, 802.11b/g/n or 802.11ac.

To make matters worse, you should understand terms such as compatibility and transfer speed, and be able to estimate how high the speed should be to cover your usual home or office needs. Learning these things can be a frustrating experience, especially for non-experts. That is why this guide will help you explain the basics, so that you can say goodbye to the classic network cable for good and switch to fully wireless communication.

Range of wireless routers

One of the key features of a wireless router is the range of its signal. The difference between a single-band and a dual-band router is quite significant in this respect. The following table describes the differences between individual technologies for home use.

Type of router	Information about signal range and technology of a home Wi-Fi router.
Single-band wireless router, 2.4 GHz band	The 2.4 GHz band has a major advantage: very good performance when passing through obstacles. The lower the frequency, the better it passes through obstacles in a space. However, first-generation Wi-Fi was meant to transfer 2, later 11 Mbps. And releasing frequency bands for a new technology is a complicated process. The original band was therefore left with no more than 83.5 MHz of the total frequency allocation. Over time the standard started to use a 20 MHz channel as its basic channel. That would not matter much if a large number of routers operating in the same band were located relatively close to each other, because their signals can interfere with each other. For example, in large panel buildings the 2.4 GHz band is desperately crowded and the signals of so many routers simply interfere. The Wi-Fi logic reduces the amount of data transferred in a fit of pique. This will inevitably reduce your comfort when using the internet and lead to complaints to your provider. Here, only replacing the modem with a multi-band one will help. The modern and very widespread 802.11ac Wi-Fi protocol can efficiently transfer almost 90 Mbps in the 2.4 GHz band when downloading data from servers on the internet. Manufacturers quote modulation rates, which is a nicer number and great marketing. Unfortunately, this confuses home users. For data transfer, the actual speed is roughly half that and is limited by the speed of the ports.
Dual-band wireless router	A dual-band router works in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands. The newly added Wi-Fi band can use up to 455 MHz, so individual households do not interfere with each other even when a wider transmission channel is used. In AUTO mode, the devices easily find a free channel. The disadvantage is that it is harder to get through building obstacles. On the other hand, there is no such crosstalk between households in the same building. Modern dual-band modems of the 802.11ac standard transfer almost 900 Mbps of data in the 5 GHz band. They are suitable even for heavy traffic. Thanks to a faster processor in more expensive models, the device handles dozens of connected devices more quickly. The number of connected clients also plays a role in the quality of a home network. Higher-end routers can serve clients according to signal strength, and switch bands depending on the client's distance and signal strength.
Tri-band wireless router	You won't believe it, but development has gone so far that there are even routers for the 60 GHz band. Such a high frequency in the 802.11ad protocol will cover only one room, and it cannot pass through walls at all. That is a big advantage: the transfer capacity can easily reach several gigabits per second. What is it good for? Large offices with hundreds of devices, development centres, or communication between machines in production halls. In the near future we will use the 60 GHz band to connect virtual reality devices. As mass production has grown, the price of such a device has fallen below CZK 5,000. Soon this standard will also make its way into devices below the top category.

If you are not keen on playing demanding online games or streaming high-definition content, a single-band router is a cheaper and perfectly sensible choice. On the other hand, buying a dual-band router for your home or office keeps open the option of future HD streaming through online services such as Netflix, Hulu, Amazon and many others.

Router speed matters

Another important aspect of a wireless router is speed. Nobody wants to waste time waiting for web pages to load, not to mention that the speed of a wireless router can easily affect employee productivity at work. In general, the vast majority of wireless devices still work on the 2.4 GHz signal band today. These include, for example, cheap and mainstream mobile phones, tablets, older laptops and other electronic devices. Users who have several computers, Macs, phones or electronic devices running on this band may notice signal overload and slowdowns, or even a poor signal caused by interference from other devices. More expensive and higher-quality electronics, such as smart TVs, powerful laptops or high-end smartphones, are now commonly equipped with Wi-Fi receivers that support both frequencies. Nevertheless, if you can choose a wireless router with two bands, that choice is certainly more sensible from the speed point of view, provided it matches your needs and budget.

Other aspects when choosing a wireless router

Apart from the initial considerations of signal range and Wi-Fi speed, there are several other reasons that a buyer should consider when deciding which type of router to buy. The following table summarises the most common categories of use and the requirements usually associated with them.

Router use	Description
Internet use	The way a home or office uses its internet has a major effect on the type of Wi-Fi router you will need. For example, those who use lots of online multimedia streaming applications involving audio and/or video, or who play data-hungry online games, will undoubtedly make full use of a dual-band router. On the other hand, people who use their computer just for simple web browsing and email can comfortably manage with a cheap wireless router that supports only one band.
Addition to new hardware	New computers, Macs and consumer devices such as digital video recorders (DVR) or cable boxes usually include more powerful Wi-Fi adapters. In such cases it is quite sensible to buy a dual-band router, which will not unnecessarily limit the performance potential of these modern devices.
Future-proofing	Buyers should think about the future when choosing a router. Those who plan an upgrade, a growing family, or adding new online devices to their homes can confidently invest in a dual-band router, which will better meet the higher demands on internet use that come with changing lifestyles.
Wired connection	Some wireless routers have Ethernet ports that let users connect an Ethernet cable from their laptops or desktop computers to the router. This can give them a faster connection to the internet via cable. When choosing between single-band and dual-band routers, this is a feature worth considering. Such a speed boost and the option of connecting a landline to the router can have their advantages.
Security	While security may not be a major priority for most buyers, it is worth considering, especially if you will use the router at work. Both single-band and dual-band versions may include built-in encryption and security software for setting your own passwords. The software may also include the option to change the channels on which the wireless router transmits its signal. This is particularly useful in homes where the signal may be disturbed by mobile phones or Bluetooth devices.

How much does a router cost today?

Once a buyer has carefully considered their needs and the technical aspects of each variant of wireless router, it is high time to think about how much they are willing to spend on a new product. Put simply, a dual-band router is considerably more expensive than single-band variants. A decent single-band router can be bought without any problems for CZK 500 to 1,000, while on average you will pay at least twice to three times that amount for a dual-band product, though top models cost much more.

Combo routers operating in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands certainly add a lot of extra features, but as mentioned, they can also significantly increase the purchase cost. Some routers even contain a larger number of transmitters and antennas that serve as range extenders. The good news is that many manufacturers now state the recommended potential uses for each specific model right on the product box.

TIP: For example, take a look at the average prices of the Archer C6 device on Heureka (a Czech price comparison website) and keep up to date.

I have a router. But where do I put it?

Although it may seem trivial, the placement of a router can have a huge impact on the overall quality and speed of the wireless signal through which you connect to the network. For the strongest signal, the best speed and the widest coverage area, it is obviously best to place the router in the centre of your home or office, as far as possible from any walls or other obstacles. Avoid installing the router in a cupboard or in a small separate room, such as a storeroom, a server room or, heaven forbid, a garage or cellar.

As already indicated, a 2.4 GHz signal will pass with difficulty through one or two walls, but for the 5 GHz band you unfortunately need a clear space between the transmitter and receiver, otherwise you will not connect. This is because passing a signal through practically any obstacle causes some data segments to be lost, so they have to be sent again, which leads to slowdowns or even a loss of connection. Of course, a lot depends on the thickness of the walls and the material used. If you only connect one home computer to the internet, it is best to place the router as close to it as possible.

Conclusion

Buying Wi-Fi for your home is quite a simple process once you know what you will use it for and which features you would like to have. Consider how heavily you will use your internet connection, whether all users will be in the same room and how big that room is, whether there are any physical obstacles between the router and the receiver, and what transfer speed matches your needs. Fast Wi-Fi protocols can also be found in the 2.4 GHz band, but with a poorly chosen router of low performance, the difference between the two bands can look like a race between a hare and a tortoise, especially under heavy load.

You should also consider how much you are willing to spend on your router. Think also about the age of the hardware you already own. New televisions, games consoles and digital video recorders now commonly include wireless adapters that allow you to connect easily to a router. Wireless Wi-Fi routers operating in the 5 GHz band are generally recommended for these devices, as well as for future upgrades from a single-band model that for some reason is no longer sufficient.

It is also a good idea to assess how old the devices in your home network are. Some devices do not use the 5 GHz wireless standard. And a router cannot speed up insufficient communication speed on an old laptop with Wi-Fi from the era of text-based internet either.

Author: Lukáš Beňa, expert adviser Jakub Moník

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