Without the Internet, the rest and work of most people is no longer possible. To connect the computer to the World Wide Web using wi-fi or wired connection through the port RJ45. The link in these cases is the router: in the first situation it takes the Internet from the provider and creates routes or channels to distribute it via a wireless network, and in the second, it allows you to split the line into several branches to connect simultaneously from 2 to 8 devices. Ranking of the best routers introduces popular models for connecting laptops, desktops, tablets, smart TVs and phones that are used at home, in small offices and at large sites.
Content:
The best routers for the apartment and house
Due to the relatively small area of houses and apartments, to provide their owners with Internet they use simple routers with several RJ45 connectors, for wired PC connection, and a wi-fi network up to 100-300 Mb / s to connect smartphones and tablets.
TP-LINK TL-WR841N - the best for TV
The router has a low cost of 1000 rubles and is suitable for providing Internet for the whole house due to the throughput speed of 300 Mb / s.
The back panel has 4 LAN and 1 WAN connectors, as well as a cable included, which can be used to connect a smart TV and view content on a large screen.
In addition, this router supports IPTV technology, so you can not burden yourself with searching for movies, but get ready-made channels for every taste from the provider.
Pros:
- compact model with a rounded design will look attractive in any interior;
- wall fixing on the mount located on the back side of the case is possible (for this, the antennas are folded up);
- light indication of power, internet availability, wi-fi signal, and connection to each port;
- The reset button on the rear panel is convenient for re-powering, in order not to get the plug from the outlet every time;
- Integrated CCA technology protects against the collision of two intersecting channels;
- Suitable for all devices with 802.11 g and b protocol, as well as IP telephony;
- encryption security setting;
- There is a built-in parental control;
- allows you to create a local network and a virtual server;
- router management via syslog;
- built-in setup assistant;
- 2 antennas;
- the signal is felt at a distance of 30 meters from the house, despite several concrete walls;
- IPTV function.
Minuses:
- does not support n / a / protocols;
- the frequency of operation is the same as the frequency of the microwaves, so the speed may fall when turning on such an instrument;
- may reset settings due to voltage drop in the network;
- just three non-overlapping channels.
Asus RT-AC51U - for uninterrupted games and high quality content
This is the best router for those who need a stable network connection, which is required when watching 4K movies or a game process with large RAM.
The router is able to provide this by switching the frequency operation from 2.4 to 5 GHz, which significantly protects the flow from interference and creates up to 23 independent channels.
The system is equipped with a speed increase of up to 433 Mb / s, which will not allow you to lose precious seconds in the game or create problems when downloading a large file.
Pros:
- interesting design with a cellular pattern;
- the ability to create an internal network with a binding of 3g modems, printers and scanners through the USB port;
- built-in file upload wizard directly to the drive, bypassing the computer;
- VPN channel support with predefined server settings;
- parental control function;
- availability of access to AiCloud cloud storage;
- quick reset button;
- 4 LAN ports;
- antennas are rotated in any direction;
- through the USB port, you can charge your phone and other gadgets;
- suitable for large houses and apartments in several tiers;
- bandwidth at 2.4 GHz is 300 Mb / s, and at 5 GHz 433 Mb / s;
- interaction with b / g / ac / a / n protocols;
- allows you to read the IPTV signal from the provider.
Minuses:
- cost 2000 rubles;
- There may be incompatibility with the VPN server when connecting.
Xiaomi Mini Wi-fi - in a robotic style
This router will be the best for the location in the children's room of the child. Outwardly, it looks like a transformer robot head. The antennas are attached on a common circular base and fold along the body when the connected devices are in close proximity when there is no need for a powerful signal.
Bottom cover permeated with a large number of perforations, which contributes to cooling. To prevent sliding on the surface, rubber feet are provided.
Pros:
- wi-fi connection speed is 300 Mb / s;
- the ability to switch the transmission frequency from 2.4 GHz to 5 GHz;
- there is a USB connector for connecting a printer and creating an internal network so that each family member can remotely send documents or photos to print;
- antennas, albeit fixed, fully fold along the body;
- the device operates in standards b / ac / g / n;
- A connection to the VPN server has been implemented, so you don’t have to search for and configure this function separately using third-party programs;
- support of PPPoE and Ipsec protocols;
- high-quality assembly and very small sizes;
- connects to external storage to create cloud storage at home.
Minuses:
- LAN port speed 100 Mb / s;
- just two RJ45 connectors, which allows you to connect only 2 PCs over the wire;
- no wall mount;
- standard firmware in chinese.
Best Office Routers
In small companies it is necessary to provide computers with a stable Internet connection and to create an internal network for fast data exchange. It helps the best routers with 4-6 LAN ports and support for the frequency of 5 GHz to improve the quality of communication with remote devices. An important parameter is the bandwidth of 1 Gb / s.
Netis WF2880 - for 10 computers and network printer
The router will be the best option for arranging an office with 10 laptops or a PC, 4 of which may have a stable connection via LAN ports, and the other 6 via a wireless wi-fi network.
The USB connector allows you to connect a network printer or copier to a router and manage tasks remotely from any device. The device can be hung on the wall or kept on the table due to the angle of antenna rotation by 90 degrees.
Pros:
- thanks to four antennas, it is possible to distinguish between the transmission through channels, where laptops with frequent sending of large files can work at a speed of 800 Mb / s, and document technology from 300 Mb / s;
- ventilation holes on the bottom and on the front cover for natural cooling;
- supports IP telephony;
- interacts with all modern protocols that providers can use;
- 5dBi high sensitivity antennas;
- easy setup of channel protection by pressing a button;
- MAC filtering;
- multi-language interface;
- throughput of wired ports up to 1 Gb / s.
Minuses:
- low write speed information on a USB flash drive through a 4 Mb / s router;
- the settings do not change the name of the local port;
- There is no firmware update on the manufacturer's website.
TP-LINK Archer C1200 - for office work on several offices
The compact router is convenient for laying the Internet to computers located in different parts of an office building (rent of several offices).
To do this, the router supports simultaneous two-frequency data transfer: for laptops nearby, 5 GHz with short waves is installed, and for a PC, channels with a frequency of 2.4 GHz and long waves are opened.
Pros:
- three antennas with a 180-degree rotation around the axis and a 90-degree opening relative to the body;
- wall mount or desktop installation;
- USB input for flash drives or network equipment;
- fast connection via a secure channel with one click of a button (no need to enter the password to the network when connecting a new computer);
- light indication signals the status of each port, power and network power;
- access FTP files from anywhere;
- gigabit bandwidth wired ports;
- the possibility of dividing the wi-fi network into zones so that customers who are open to the Internet do not see the work network;
- A separate application has been developed to simplify customization through Android and iOS.
Minuses:
- high price 4000 rubles;
- no repeater function;
- slow work of the administration program.
Best routers for large rooms
Routers designed for signal coverage of large spaces are distinguished by numerous antennas, gigabit incoming and outgoing channels, as well as the ability to connect multiple subscribers.
They are used in hotels, sanatoriums or large companies. Due to the power limitations of frequency home appliances, it may be necessary to install repeaters to amplify the signal over a very large area.
Asus BRT-AC828 - with two independent internet connections
This is the best router for large companies due to the presence of two WAN ports, which allows you to connect two Internet cables at once and get the output speed twice as high as standard.
The router is designed for simultaneous connection of up to 250 users, and has 8 RJ45 connectors for servicing the company's computers, where stable contact with the network is important (administrator's PC, accounting, supply).
Pros:
- 4 rotating antennas;
- A front panel USB connector makes it easy to access and connect external devices;
- tabletop layout or wall mount;
- stylish case with a tetrahedral visual pyramid;
- 8 ports for wired PC connection;
- USB port supports 3G and 4G modem installation to create a backup connection channel in case of failure;
- throughput of incoming and outgoing RJ45 is 1000 Mb / s;
- ac / a / n / h / b wireless capabilities;
- NAT and L2TP protocols;
- connect a hard disk via SATA3;
- when a signal is dropped in one of the networks (at the WAN input), it automatically switches to the second one;
- the ability to open a VPN channel, for which there is a separate encryption protocol.
Minuses:
- high cost of 35,000 rubles;
- the processor gets very hot (up to 85 degrees).
Linksys EA9500 - with eight antennas
This is the best router for buildings with numerous partitions and thick walls, where the router can provide more than 200 users with Internet at the same time.
Embedded MU-MIMO technology provides bandwidth up to 5 Gb / s, which allows you to download large files in a short period of time (compared to 1 Gb / s models). The router is served by a dual-core processor with a frequency of 1.4 GHz.
Pros:
- 8 antennas for the widest possible coverage by wi-fi network, despite the numerous partitions in the building;
- the network does not crash even when simultaneously playing online or downloading heavy files by many users;
- WPA2’s built-in cryptographer and SPI firewall reliably protect the network, so customers will be able to perform banking operations without worrying about privacy;
- 8 ports for wired connection to PC;
- IPTV support to increase visitor entertainment opportunities (in a hotel or sanatorium);
- several USB ports with speed 3.0 and 2.0;
- work on two frequencies, where the far zones are served on long waves with a frequency of 2.4 GHz.
Minuses:
- no built-in channel and VPN protocol;
- high cost of 25,000 rubles.
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