The role of routers in the home has evolved over time. Once used to simply connect home computers, routers now take on more responsibilities. From watching videos on our devices to enabling VoIP calls from our smartphones, choosing the right router will help your network run smoothly.

Type
Choosing between a wired or wireless router is likely one of your first decisions. These days, there seems to be a high demand for everything wireless and most routers support Wi-Fi connectivity. However, if you’re not ready to commit to wireless completely, most routers on the market have ports on the back to support older gadgets without built-in Wi-Fi.

Support
If you want your devices to browse the internet at the fastest speeds possible, choose routers that support “802.11n” or “802.11ac” broadcasting protocols. These connections are also great for streaming as you will need a high speed connection to get high definition video from the internet.

Broadband Range
If you’re concerned about connecting all your devices, 2.4 GHz for a single-band is fine, however, your speed will be compromised. Because most wireless routers use the same band, you will likely catch interference in areas where numerous wireless networks are present. To decrease the likelihood of interference, you may want to go with 5 GHz. Most of these routers support 801.11b/g/n broadcasting protocols, which allows compatibility with older devices.

Dual-band Vs. Single-band
Dual-band routers are great for things like a wireless home entertainment system. With dual-band routers, you can dictate which devices go on which band, depending on how they will be used. While dual-band routers help to combat broadcast problems associated with single-band routers, and offer better features and functions, dual-band routers tend to cost a bit more.

Router Range
Knowing the router range can help you decide if the router suits your needs. You can test it yourself or you can go online and check out reviews. If your router has a replaceable antenna, you can increase the range for swapping out the old antenna for a new, higher range antenna.

Software & Security Features
While technology is improving, hackers are getting smarter. Protect your network by choosing a router with advanced firmware that includes a decent firewall plus additional features and support to match your needs.

Choosing the right router for your home can make a significant difference in the way your home devices work and stay connected. Hopefully these tips help make your decisions easier.

For a comprehensive selection of affordable routers, shop our selection online at Startechtel.com. You may speak with us directly by calling 1-800-564-8045 between 7:00am-5:00pm Monday through Friday. Or connect with us on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, or Pinterest.

Tags: Network Routers