Best Wi-Fi routers for apartments and houses in 2019

A Wi-Fi wireless connection is incredibly important in today's world. But few people know that the terms "router", "router", "repeater" and "Wi-Fi range extender" are not synonymous. Lack of the necessary basic knowledge significantly reduces the chances of choosing a truly worthwhile home router and increasing its performance to the maximum level.

Attention! A more up-to-date rating of the best routers for a strong signal for 2024 can be found here.

How to choose a Wi-Fi router for home and apartment - instructions

You can make the right choice of a router for your home if you follow the following 10 steps.

Step I - decide on a provider

You should familiarize yourself with the tariff plans and terms of service from local Internet providers. There are many alternatives, even if the contract with the Internet service provider has already been concluded. In addition, some providers offer a profitable option for those who have not yet set up a wireless connection at home. They rent a router and modem for a small fee. This is an excellent solution for those who are not ready to regularly update their Internet equipment for several thousand rubles.

Step II - decide on a modem

If the wireless connection in the apartment has not yet been configured, you should pay attention to the modem. It can work in parallel with a router. The modem communicates with a physical internet cable, and the router provides the living space with a wireless network. If the modem was purchased earlier, you should definitely contact your Internet provider and find out if it will correctly interact with the Wi-Fi router. It is possible to buy a combination of a router and a modem for a lower price, but in the end the cost of their maintenance will be more than it could be.

III step - budget planning

It is very easy to spend a lot more than necessary when buying equipment for a wireless connection, falling for the tricks of marketers or not knowing how much an average router or good quality modem costs. You need to plan how much you can spend. The average price of a combination of a modem and a router varies from 5 to 6 thousand rubles. At the same time, the buyer gets uninterrupted operation of the equipment, intuitive settings and great functionality of the devices.In addition, the budget should be flexible, since a model may be a little more expensive, but with a much wider range of functions and pleasant technical characteristics.

IV step - decide on the Wi-Fi coverage area

In order for the wireless connection to be uniform throughout the entire space, it is necessary to determine its coverage area. The easiest way is to measure the distance from the intended location of the router to all places in the apartment or house. Walls and floors obstruct the Wi-Fi signal, so a multi-storey building requires more power than a home router. If you need a wireless connection for a shopping mall or multi-storey building, you need to purchase several routers and place them on the same working network.

V step - decide on the list of connected devices

The power of the router and the amount of wireless coverage are determined by the list of devices that need an Internet connection. It is necessary to record all the equipment that is planned to be connected to the Wi-Fi network. These can be phones and computers, laptops and game consoles, printers and scanners.

A standard router is capable of providing an Internet connection to a group of home computers performing low-bandwidth activities. For devices with high bandwidth, such as printers, you will need a more powerful router. You should also decide how the Internet will be used. Web browsing and standard video watching require much less bandwidth than playing games and downloading or uploading files.

Step VI - Understand Router Speed

Many people rely on the maximum internet speed numbers on the packaging before purchasing wireless equipment. However, few people know that by purchasing a router with the maximum Internet connection speed at face value, the buyer only provides himself with the Internet speed that his provider supports, for example, 100 megabits per second.

There are several types of values ​​for the speed of the Internet connection from a router, which are indicated on the package:

• advertised speed is the sum of all internet connection speeds provided by the router; this value is often indicated in advertisements for equipment; many devices cannot connect to several network bands at the same time, so this parameter is a technical error;
• Maximum speed is the fastest speed at which devices can use the Internet connection. however, a router with 800 megabits per second will not help a device with the highest internet connection speed of 400 megabits per second reach this maximum;
• router coverage range - this value determines how far you can be from the router in order to use a wireless Internet connection; for large areas, powerful equipment or several routers connected to a single network are used at once.

VII step - determining the category of the router

Modern types of wireless equipment include categories N and AC. On the packaging of the router, you can find a sequence of numbers 802.11 - this is an international Wi-Fi standard. However, one or two letters in front of the router model number indicate its version and, as a result, the value of the maximum Internet speed. The best performance and the broadest compatibility are AC routers. Categories A, B and G have been considered obsolete for several years.

VIII step - support for WPA2 encryption

There are three main types of wireless encryption: WEP, WPA, and WPA2.The first two since 2006 are considered obsolete, and WPA2 appeared relatively recently and can rightfully be considered the most secure. Category AC routers generally adhere to WPA2 encryption principles. If the type of encryption used is not indicated on the equipment packaging or instructions for use, please contact Customer Support to find out.

Step IX - a complete study of the selected router

If the technical characteristics of a particular model are completely satisfactory to a potential buyer, other aspects of purchasing wireless equipment should be investigated. So, the manufacturer must necessarily provide a warranty card for the product and provide customer support services. Repairs under warranty must be carried out at least one year from the date of purchase. You can also inform the Internet provider about your intention to purchase a certain model of Wi-Fi router, so that he gives his recommendations and checks whether the permissible network speed and its encryption will be acceptable in the conditions of his Internet services.

Step X - study customer reviews

When the model is finally selected, you should carefully study the reviews about it on the Internet. Consumer opinion should be assessed according to several criteria, for example, wireless speed, ergonomics, and customer service availability. It does not interfere with contacting buyers directly to find out exactly all the advantages and disadvantages of the device. You should also check with them whether customer support was available to them and whether they contacted the manufacturer for repair services. Researching customer reviews will help form a holistic view of the Wi-Fi router.

Infographics of the market share of popular manufacturers of Wi-Fi routers

Based on the results of 2016 and 2017, we can conclude which manufacturers hold leading positions in the market for the sale of equipment for wireless connection. According to the study, there are 6 companies that are in demand among consumers:

• Netgear - 51%;
• Linksys Group - 26%;
• ASUS - 13%;
• TP-Link - 7%;
• D-Link - 1%;
• Belkin - 1%.

Synology Inc and Amped Wireless have very small sales (0%), while Netgear accounts for almost half of the market segment. And it deserves it: it makes a significant contribution to the development of wireless Internet technologies.

Netgear launches several new products at once: Wi-Fi router with Arlo cameras and router for home use Nighthawk. Despite strong competition from Google Wi-Fi and constant sales from this manufacturer, Netgear is the leader in the production of routers and routers. The strong economic growth of this company is due to its high profitability and competent production policy.

Also competing with Netgear are Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO), HP (NYSE: HP) and, to a lesser extent, D-Link (OTC: DLINF). Their global market caps outshine Netgear. But Netgear (NTGR), with an estimated operating capital of just under $ 2 billion, has taken over half the wireless niche with its high-performance routers, IP cameras and core switches. Netgear recently developed technology that includes the patented Arlo Wi-Fi camera and the Nighthawk home router. It's no wonder that Netgear hasn't lowered the bar in 2018 and is still the best manufacturer of wireless devices.

Forefront of Industry conducted research and found that Netgear offers its customers innovative technologies that are harmoniously coupled with an affordable price. In recent years, Netgear has focused more on revenue streams from the retail consumer market, and new device development is driving revenue growth. Since 2014, the demand for this company has grown by 27%, as it pays a lot of attention to useful technical developments and focuses on customer needs. The introduction of the Arlo Wi-Fi camera and the further development and growth of the Nighthawk router have propelled Netgear to the top spot in this market segment.

In the chart below, you can see that Netgear has experienced systematic leaps in capitalization since 2014.The difference reached an average of $ 25-35 million. But as a result, the minimum capitalization level in 2016 increased by $ 10 million, the maximum - by $ 77 million. This is a great metric for Netgear, especially in a highly competitive industry.

The most practical Wi-Fi routers for home and apartment in 2018

Xiaomi Mi Wi-Fi Router 4A Gigabit Edition

The router operates in 2 frequency ranges:

1. 4 GHz.
2. 5 GHz.

The signals are not mixed, which does not cause interference. The information transfer rate reaches the 1167 Mbps mark. The 2.4 GHz frequency range stands out from the competition with its extensive coverage and improved wall bandwidth.

802.11ac technology operates exclusively in the 5 GHz band. Devices in the 5 GHz range suffer less distortion, and the speed at this frequency is much higher. The router supports one name for both 2.4 and 5 GHz frequency spectra. Thanks to this, there will be no more confusion about connecting to the Internet.

The 2.4 GHz frequency band has better throughput through walls, while the 5 GHz band stands out from the competition with its increased information transfer rate.

Specifications:

RAM - 128 MB;

built-in memory - 16 MB;

maximum speed - 1167 Mbps;

antennas - 4 x 4 dBi (non-removable);

weight - 228 g.

• performance;
• will be a good choice for integration into the Smart Home system;
• four external antennas;
• data transfer rate - 300 Mbit / s;
• a passive cooling system is provided;
• gigabit LAN / WAN ports.

• there is no WPS in the parameters (available exclusively in the smartphone application);
• the program instantly finds the router if the owner has a smartphone from Xiaomi corporation, and sometimes difficulties arise with devices from other manufacturers;
• you need an adapter for a euro socket.

The average price is 2,000 rubles.

Xiaomi Mi Router 3

The Chinese company Xiaomi is famous for its inexpensive, but high-quality goods; already the third generation of their routers is very popular. Mi Wi-Fi Router 3 has 4 non-detachable antennas, with which you can direct the wireless network in a certain direction. The router is made of white matte plastic, very minimalistic, definitely, it will look beautiful on any table or system unit.

The router is very light and thin. On the front panel there is an LED indicator that notifies about the correct operation or errors. On the back panel there is a WAN port, into which an Ethernet cable is inserted, 2 LAN ports, from which you can connect another 2 devices to the Internet and USB 2.0 for connecting storage devices. The range of operation of the router is very good, the maximum Internet speed is sufficient for playing live broadcasts in 4K resolution. This model is a great choice for almost any user.

Specifications:

• RAM - 128 megabytes;
• built-in memory - 128 megabytes;
• maximum speed - 802.11ac: 867 megabits per second, 802.11n: 300 megabits per second, 802.11g: 54 megabits per second;
• antennas - 4 external;
• weight - 220 grams.

• premium minimalist design;
• high data transfer rate;
• easy customization.

• Chinese version of the customizer;
• the need for an adapter.

Average price: 2000 rubles.

ASUS RT-N56U

ASUS is not only a manufacturer of components and computers, the company has long been producing very high quality Wi-Fi routers. The router looks like a beveled rectangle. For this type of product, the design is unusual, it is surprising that there are no antennas. On the front side there are 6 indicators that indicate the status of the device. The router has a large number of ports: one WAN and four LAN, 2 USB 2.0 ports. It is worth noting the presence of a WPS button for quickly connecting devices.

Due to the vertical installation of the router, the grilles very efficiently remove heat, which reduces the possibility of overheating, which is quite possible for such a compact device.The router is configured through the Web interface, which is familiar for this type of technology. Reference information is provided for each router option. The setting is intuitive and does not require any special knowledge. The router supports high-speed networks, while it works very stably. The device firmware is adapted for all Internet connection options.

Specifications:

• RAM - 128 MB;
• built-in memory - 8 MB;
• maximum speed -, 802.11n: 300 megabits per second;
• antennas - no external;
• weight - 330 grams.

• unusual design for this type of device;
• high data transfer rate;
• convenient Web interface.

• the beauty of the design is lost if all ports are used;
• overheating is possible in confined spaces.

Average price: 5000 rubles.

TP-Link Acher C20

Nowadays, there are more and more devices that support fifth generation Wi-Fi. For this reason, there are a huge number of inexpensive Wi-Fi routers capable of transmitting data at speeds close to 800 megabits per second. One of these routers is TP-Link Archer C20. For its price, the router looks great, the embossed cover made of glossy plastic shines very beautifully in the light. On the table, it will look good in any interior. On the back of the router there are 4 LAN ports, one WAN port, USB 2.0 and a WPS button. The antennas are not removable, but they move well enough in different directions.

The router is configured using the Web interface, and it is also possible to control it from the TP-Link Tether mobile application, available for download on Google Play and the Apple Store. Inside is a MediaTek MT7620A processor that supports speeds up to 433 megabits per second Wi-Fi 5 gigahertz. TP-Link themselves are positioning the Archer C20 router as a budget model for use in small homes. It is the perfect solution for undemanding users without frustration or hassle.

Specifications:

• RAM - 64 megabytes;
• built-in memory - 8 megabytes;
• maximum speed - 733 megabits per second;
• antennas - 2 pieces, non-removable.

• high functionality;
• balanced technical characteristics.

• lack of gigabit speed Ethernet ports.

Average price: 2100 rubles.

D-Link DIR-300S

Models of the DIR-300 series have been known since 2007, they gained their popularity due to their low cost and the presence of all the basic functions that are required by any average user. Router DIR-300s is a black glossy box with one antenna. On the front side there are 8 LEDs and 8 function displays. The lower part is made of matte plastic, it does not scratch and does not collect much dust. To prevent the router from slipping, there are four rubberized feet on the underside, as well as holes for wall mounting.

On the back, like many routers, there is one WAN port and four LAN ports, a WPS button, and there is no USB port on this router. The maximum connection speed is 150 megabits per second. The web interface supports English and Russian, although the menus are not fully localized. There is a special page with monitoring, which shows all connected interfaces and services, schematically shows the network of connected devices. For its price, the router has enough features that are intuitively configured.

Specifications:

• RAM - 32 MB;
• built-in memory - 4 MB;
• maximum speed - 150 megabits per second;
• antennas - yes, 1 non-removable.
• weight - 249 grams.

• everything an ordinary user needs at a low cost.

• if you need more advanced functions, then this router is not suitable.

Average price: 1100 rubles.

Netgear R6220

A special feature of this device is the presence of AC Wi-Fi technology, which guarantees an excellent Internet connection for several devices connected to a wireless network. The design of the router is made in a minimalist style: a large number of back symmetrical triangles on a gray background are combined with a plastic surface with nine indicator lights. The router supports 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi connection and is dual band.The maximum internet connection speed is 300 megabits per second. It has one WAN and USB 2.0 ports, as well as 4 LANs and two external non-removable antennas. The router is configured using a web-based interface that is intuitive. This router is ideal for high-bandwidth online gaming and activities.

Specifications:

• RAM - 128 megabytes;
• built-in memory - 128 megabytes;
• maximum speed - 300 megabits per second;
• antennas - available, 2 external non-removable.
• weight - 385 grams.

• innovative wireless technology;
• availability of modern ports;
• high speed internet.

• sometimes the connection is interrupted and the router has to be manually configured.

Average price: 4000 rubles.

Wi-Fi router is a counterparty for a wireless connection!

Without a properly selected Wi-Fi router, it is impossible to establish a high-speed Internet connection. Several parameters should be taken into account when buying: coverage range, encryption type, equipment category. Do not forget about the purposes for which the router is purchased. Three companies remain the absolute leaders in the Russian market: Netgear, D-Link, TP-Link. But you can give preference to other companies as well. It is enough to make sure that they provide really high quality equipment.