How to Choose the Best Wifi Router for Your Home

Different generations of WiFi routers have different speeds. The oldest are G routers with speeds up to 54 Mbps. Next came wireless N routers that can transfer data up to 900 Mbps while the later wireless AC router has speeds up to 5300 Mbps.

• Wireless G routers will work for homes with limited to minimal WiFi use such as one or two devices, limited data downloads and minimum online video viewing.
• Wireless N routers will work for homes with medium to heavy WiFi use such as three or more devices accessing online videos, online gaming and downloading files.
• Wireless AC routers work well for homes with heavy WiFi use such as downloading large files or several devices simultaneously accessing gaming or video sites. Plus, its wider 5 GHz frequency bandwidth makes it ideal for apartments or other dense living areas.

Tip: Your router’s speed should match or exceed your top internet speed. Contact your internet provider and ask which routers are most compatible with your internet service.

All routers transmit WiFi signals using a range of frequencies within a bandwidth or band. Whether you need a single-, dual or triple-band WiFi router depends on whether you perform more low-bandwidth functions (browsing emails) or high-bandwidth functions (video streaming). The band of a WiFi router also helps determine the quality and speed of your signal.

• Single band routers are budget-friendly and work with most devices. They have a lower frequency which goes through walls and other blockers easier, but they also have lower speeds and weaker signals.
• Dual-band routers have twice the bandwidth, so they work well with functions that require a higher bandwidth, such as next gen smart phones and gaming consoles. They can perform slower with multiple devices and have a shorter range.
• Tri-band routers have three times or more bandwidth and a higher upfront investment. They maintain high speeds with multiple devices, provide crisper WiFi signals and fast downloads.

Tip: As a rule of thumb, the more devices you have and the more you use those devices, the larger and more powerful your router band needs to be.

All WiFi routers have a maximum range. The farther a signal goes, the weaker it gets. Some rooms or areas can have spotty coverage or none at all. The easiest way to determine if your router is powerful enough is to see how far away from your router you can go and still have a signal strong enough to use. If reliability is an issue, consider adding a WiFi signal booster device to your home. If there are still problems with your WiFi signal or there are "dead" spots in your home, look into a Mesh WiFi network.

Factors such as thick walls and multiple rooms can shorten your router’s range. If you have a multi-story home or one over 3000 square feet, a Mesh WiFi System may be the best WiFi router choice for you. A mesh WiFi system is made up of a router that’s connected to your modem, plus a series of smaller routers. Placed throughout your home, these WiFi range extenders produce faster speeds and a more reliable signal.