The range of Wi-Fi routers is gradually expanding. If at the first time of their existence the number of models was calculated in units, now there are about a hundred routers. The simplest ones do not even have antennas in their composition - they provide communication in only one or two rooms. Well, the most powerful ones look as if they are preparing to invoke Satan - they have so many antennas. Different routers and supported data transfer standards, as well as encryption methods. Be that as it may, in this article you will read about the best Wi-Fi routers. All the devices listed below can be found in Russian stores. We warn you in advance that we will not talk about access points - they should be mentioned in a separate article.
Content:
Wi-Fi router which company to buy
ASUS
Taiwanese company ASUSTeK has been mentioned many times on the pages of our site. She began her story with the production of components for the PC, she did not abandon this occupation now. Its management noticed in time the beginning of the popularization of wireless data transmission technologies, in connection with which the company was one of the first to start creating Wi-Fi routers. Now its range includes more than 75 models - and all of these are actual devices (but this list includes access points)! Experts believe that ASUS routers behave the most stable. Although they confirm that this does not apply to all models - in particular, budget routers have certain problems.
Apple
Not all consumers are suspected of this, but Apple produces not only all-in-one computers, monitors, tablets and smartphones. In its assortment there are also Wi-Fi routers. As usual, they have a unique design that distinguishes them from many competitors. But most of all they are striking in their, of course, high cost.
D-link
It may seem to some that the Taiwanese company D-link was formed immediately after the popularization of the Wi-Fi standard. But in fact, its foundation occurred in 1986. Then the manufacturer of the network equipment had a different name, it moved to its current name only eight years later. Now the company produces a huge number of various devices and adapters. All products are somehow connected with network technologies - in other segments of the electronics market, the company does not yet try itself.
Huawei
One of the most profitable Chinese companies. It was founded in 1987 and immediately established itself as a manufacturer of high-quality telecommunications equipment. Many cell towers located in your city are created by Huawei. Also, the Chinese are actively developing the standard Wi-Fi. They produce a large amount of equipment with its support. Huawei Wi-Fi routers constantly break records in data transfer speed and coverage area width.
TP-LINK
The Chinese company TP-LINK is very young - its foundation happened in 1996. However, now many of its employees are working for its benefit. The company is engaged in the production of telecommunications equipment. The TP-LINK brand is familiar to the average consumer only by access points and Wi-Fi routers. Most often, TP-LINK products are significantly cheaper than competitors' devices. That is why many buyers make their choice in favor of such routers. However, it must be remembered that this company is not at the forefront of technology, and therefore even its new products are not able to impress your imagination.
ZyXEL
Another company from Taiwan. Its creation occurred in 1989. It is noticeably smaller than many competitors, also belonging to the telecommunications market. Now ZyXEL specializes only in the production of network equipment. These can be either simple adapter adapters or quite advanced Wi-Fi routers.ZyXEL products are characterized by a long service life - a rare buyer writes that his router broke down for reasons unknown to him.
Ranking of the best Wi-Fi routers
In this rating, which is based on customer reviews, are taken into account:
- Appearance;
- The number of antennas;
- Maximum speed of receiving and transmitting data;
- Supports 3G or 4G networks;
- Number of connectors
- Approximate cost in the territory of the Russian Federation;
- Information security standards;
- Additional functionality;
- Supported wireless standard;
- Complaints of damage.
Best Wi-Fi routers
D-link DIR-506L
The simplest router that does not even have an external antenna. In this regard, you should not expect him to spread the Wi-Fi signal over a huge area, especially if you live in a panel house. Why is he so popular then? But the fact is that for D-link DIR-506L they ask for little money - this is one of the few cheap routers that still works stably.
Advantages:
- File function and UPnP AV server;
- Very low price;
- Stable support for Wi-Fi 802.11n;
- VPN support;
- Almost not heated at all;
- Minimum size;
- You can connect a 3G or 4G modem;
- Ability to work on battery.
Disadvantages:
- The USB port belongs to the 2.0 standard;
- Included is no power supply.
The manufacturer positions its device as a portable Wi-Fi router. This is evidenced by the lack of a network power supply. But the reviews on the D-link DIR-506L show that some buyers take the device and in order for the wireless Internet to be in their apartment. In short, the manufacturer has turned out a universal router. But we still recommend its purchase to those who want to get access to the world wide web from several devices at a time away from home. However, it should be remembered that there is no slot for a SIM card here, therefore you will additionally need to purchase a 4G modem.
Netis WF2710
This is one of the cheapest Wi-Fi routers with 802.11ac support. If your tablet or smartphone has the appropriate support, then you will get a huge data transfer rate!
Advantages:
- You can use the standard 802.11ac;
- Not very high cost;
- The maximum speed reaches 733 Mbit / s;
- Very powerful transmitter with three antennas;
- Four LAN ports;
- High reliability.
Disadvantages:
- Antennas are fixed;
- Lack of USB-port and support for 3G-modem.
Reviews for Netis WF2710 show that this is ideal for its price. Cheaper you will not get the opportunity to use the most high-speed Wi-Fi standard. Also, the device has a simplified setting - even a novice user can figure it out. Not some will be superfluous and support for IPTV. But it is difficult to call this the advantage of this model, since this technology is supported by almost all modern Wi-Fi routers.
Xiaomi Mi Wi-Fi mini
Another cheap router that has Wi-Fi 802.11ac support available. It differs from a competitor not only by a more well-known brand, but also by its miniature size. Also here there is an opportunity to use a 4G-modem, if you have one.
Advantages:
- The maximum speed reaches 1167 Mbit / s;
- Stable Wi-Fi 802.11ac;
- The presence of the file server function;
- The ability to use 4G or 3G modem;
- Relatively low cost;
- Decent for such a price, the stock of RAM (128 MB).
Disadvantages:
- Fixed antennas;
- Only two LAN ports;
- Not every customer can handle the setting.
Find reviews on Xiaomi Mi Wi-Fi mini is not difficult. The device is in high demand - every day only in Russia it finds dozens of its customers. Now everyone understands that the 802.11ac standard is the future. But at the same time, almost no one wants to pay very big money for top-end routers endowed with it, preferring to buy Xiaomi Mi Wi-Fi mini instead.It remains to be regretted that the device has only two LAN ports. If you want to connect more computers or some peripherals to the router using cables, then you will have to consider some other model.
ZyXEL Keenetic III
Many users still have the first generation ZyXEL Keenetic, without causing any complaints. There is no doubt that the third generation will satisfy all the appetites of the owner regarding wireless communications.
Advantages:
- You can use a 4G modem;
- Stably pierces many walls;
- There are no questions to reliability;
- Four LAN ports;
- File, FTP and UPnP AV server functions;
- Existence of the built-in VoIP adapter;
- 128 MB of RAM.
Disadvantages:
- The lack of support for Wi-Fi 802.11ac;
- USB connector slow standard.
If you do not need a very high connection speed, then there is a certain sense to consider this model. If you buy it, you will get a device that can work continuously for a year, two, and three years. However, it has two antennas that cover a very large area with a signal. In general, reviews on ZyXEL Keenetic III tell exactly about the above-mentioned advantages. A rare ordinary buyer writes some bad words. The disadvantages impose only technically advanced users. But everyone understands that such people should not choose a Wi-Fi router with a low price tag.
NETGEAR R7000
One of those monsters for which they are asked to pay a very decent amount. Three antennas can be screwed to it at once. Each of them sends a signal in its own direction, with the result that it covers a huge area. Everything is in order here and at the data transfer rate.
Advantages:
- Theoretically, a speed of 1900 Mbit / s is achieved;
- Four LAN ports;
- Supports 802.11ac standard;
- Functions file, UPnP AV-and FTP-server;
- LAN ports have a bandwidth of 1000 Mbps;
- Supports VPN tunnels;
- Three removable antennas;
- 256 MB of RAM;
- USB 3.0 connector.
Disadvantages:
- The price tag is able to scare away;
- Someone seems big.
Numerous reviews on the NETGEAR R7000 converge in one. The router turned out to be very large - it is about one and a half to two times larger than the average Wi-Fi router. But on the other hand, he consistently distributes a high-speed signal, without overheating at all. If you need to wirelessly cover a large area, then for such money it is the best option! The creators did not even stint on the 1000-megabit LAN-ports, which should appeal to owners of gaming PCs and ultra-high-speed access to the world wide web.
Which Wi-Fi router to choose
The number of existing Wi-Fi routers crosses beyond all reasonable limits. We have tried to select for you the top five of the best devices that practically none of the buyers are disappointed. But outside of our gaze there were still at least a dozen very good routers. If you want to forget about them, focusing only on our list, then we will give you just one piece of advice. When choosing a Wi-Fi router, consider how many and which devices you are going to connect to it.
1. If you have several modern gadgets that support the standard 802.11ac, then do not spare money to buy NETGEAR R7000. He will provide the Internet at the same time the whole family. And not only by the Internet - on the case of the device there is a high-speed USB-port to which you can connect an external hard drive. So you can by air access to its contents.
2. The rest of the routers reviewed today also deserve words of praise. The creators of Netis WF2710 ask for very little money for their creation. At the same time, the router consistently copes with its task - including the support of the 802.11ac standard as well. But the speeds here are not the same, for which there are several reasons. Xiaomi Mi Wi-Fi mini has similar characteristics, but more people will like its design.
3. ZyXEL Keenetic III is a kind of workhorse. The most reliable router on our list today.But it only supports 802.11n and slower standards. Even less speedy is the D-link DIR-506L - its purchase is recommended only if you need a router not only for your home, but also for travel. Although for these purposes it is better to consider a mobile access point. Or even limit yourself to a smartphone - he also knows how to distribute the Internet to other devices.
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