What is a WiFi Router? How to Select the Best Wifi Router?
Don’t know what is a wifi Router. A wifi router or a Wireless Router is a small electronic device that allows you to connect multiple devices to the internet without wire.
A wireless router is designed to connect to a modem to a cable. Internet comes in your houses with the help of modem, and connecting it to the wifi router helps you to connect multiple devices on your home network without using any cable.
How does a Wifi Router work?
Firstly, you need to connect it to your modem using an ethernet cable, After that power on your wifi router. The wireless router converts the data stream delivered by your Internet connection into radio signals. It acts as a wireless access point from which it shares data through the use of radio signals.
Using its built-in antenna your wifi router links with your wifi network to distribute the internet signal to all the wifi-enabled devices. You can connect as many devices as you want also you can protect your wifi network using a password to make is secure.
Difference Between Wifi router and Modem
If you have any confusion between the wifi router and modem, don’t worry we will help you to understand how they are different?
The modem connects you to the internet service provider (ISP) via a coaxial cable. The modem is the device that connects us to the internet, which means the internet comes in your house threw modem. You need an Ethernet cable to connect your device with it and start the internet surfing on the device, also there are limited ports on it so you cannot attach more devices with it.
On the other hand, the Wifi router is a small portable device that we use with the modem. We connect modem and Wifi router with cable so that the internet can pass to wifi router then wifi router connects with in house wireless devices. Wifi router used to connect multiple devices on the wireless network. You can connect more than one device on the same network at the same time without using any cable. You do not need to sit near the device to access the internet.
Readers Also Like:
- How to change passcode on iPhone and iPad? Easy 7 Steps Guide
How to Select the Best Wifi Router?
While buying any wifi router you need to make sure it fulfills are your requirement. We are pointing some important bullet points which will help in selecting the best wifi router for you.
- Speed: As we all know that every wifi router comes with a predefined speed parameter like 150Mbps or 250 Mbps or 300Mbps. So, for your knowledge, if any wifi router is calming it can work 150Mbps it doesn’t mean that it will download or upload data at 150Mbps speed.
- Security: Most routers support standard WEP securities as well as WPA and WPA2. In this feature, you can protect your network through a password. If you want to set additional security protocols, some routers offer access controls, such as settings that limit internet use based on time of day, the number of users can connect, etc.
- Rang: How much square foot does your router can cover? Every device provides different ranges, like 200 Meters, 300 Meters. But remember that the rage of the wifi router can be limit due to the type of building or house you are in a living, as well as the router’s placement. Heavy Concrete walls, HVAC equipment, and metal objects block wireless signals and due to which you can face low-speed internet. So, what you can do is place the wifi router in an open area where nothing is blocking it.
- Band Frequency: Wifi routers are available in Single Band and Dual Band, both work to transmit your wireless signal across your home or business. However, all wireless devices operate on the 2.4GHz frequency band. But the dual-band can transmit on both 2GHz and 5GHz frequency mode. This could provide better performance and coverage, especially in a large home or office space.
- WiFi router channels: Almost all wifi routers offer the possibility to switch among different channels in their interface. But it is good to keep in mind that different WiFi networks are operating on each channel, so switching from channel to channel may not improve the connection it can slow it down
- 5 GHz band has more non-overlapping channels compare to the 2GHz band, providing more options without interference and greater speed. The available non-overlapping channels on this band include 36, 40, 44, 48, 149, 153, 157, 161, and 165, and the majority of AC and high-end N routers support them well.
- Multiple Antenna: Router with external antennas will increase your overall range of internet access. It is ideal for you if there is any barrier like a concrete wall, mirror wall, or something like this.
- USB Port: Wifi router with multiple USB ports allows you to connect multiple devices like a flash drive, printer.
What is a WiFi booster or WiFi Extender?
A WiFi booster or WiFi extender is a small extension for your WiFi router, it boosts the signal of your home or business WiFi router. It is a small device that you plug into an electrical outlet, and sync it with your WiFi router. What is do is, it pulls in an existing WiFi signal, amplifies it, and then broadcasts the stronger signal. This is an efficient and affordable way to increase the range of your WiFi router without the cables or using multiple WiFi routers with separate passwords.
Should I buy a Wifi extender?
If you are struggling to get Wifi signals in some areas, then a booster could be an ideal solution. This is especially common for houses on multiple floors. For example:
If You have a very large house or office in which you are not able to enjoy the internet or you are getting very poor signals in different areas of the house or office, then you can use Wifi extender and solve this issue. To understand better let’s take an example if your Wifi router is in the kitchen on the ground floor, you may find you get a poor signal on the third floor, especially for older houses with thick concrete walls throughout. Simply plug in your Wifi booster upstairs to help the devices in your bedrooms connect to the router all the way downstairs.
However, there’s a big difference between a weak Wifi signal and slow broadband speeds. If your broadband is slow even when your devices have a full Wifi signal, then the problem lies with your broadband service, not your router.