6 Things to Look for When Picking A Wi-Fi Router For Your Home

Most of us think so much about the Wi-Fi plan, data speed, data limit, etc. before getting a connection but not enough about the Wi-Fi router. It’s easy to forget that the small device in the corner of the room plays an important role in how good or bad your internet experience is. But with increasing demand for smart home technology, super-fast internet, and online gaming, the importance of Wi-Fi routers are coming to the surface. So, if you too are planning on getting a new Wi-Fi router for home, here are 7 things you should check.

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What kind of router do you need?

The Wi-Fi signal your router emits can be in different frequencies, and how many frequencies a router can host defines whether it’s a single-band router or multi-band. Older routers only work at 2.4 GHz frequency which means all devices are connected through a single channel. This easily gets congested which means when multiple devices are connected to it, you start noticing disconnections and slower Wi-Fi speeds.

On the other hand, dual-band routers support both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz and tri-band routers host 2.4 GHz and two separate 5 GHz networks. This allows different devices to connect to different networks and clear the line. So, if you’ll be connecting multiple devices at the same time, it’s best to go for a dual or tri-band router.

What kind of Wi-fi Range do you need?

This is extremely important because the farther away you are from your Wi-Fi router, the slower and weaker your connection will be. In larger homes, you might need to keep it in a central location so that you don’t have any Wi-Fi “dead zones”. External antennas help increase the overall range of Wi-Fi routers for the home, helping you extend the range beyond glass doors and walls.

Pro Tip: If you live in a large or a multi-story house, you don’t need to get multiple Wi-fi connections to cover the whole area. Airtel has introduced mesh routers, which can easily cover up to 3500 sq feet of area with a single connection.

What kind of speed do you need?

One of the most important factors in choosing a Wi-Fi router for the home is how much bandwidth or speed it can deliver. For example, if you have a 1Gbps plan from Airtel but your router can only deliver up to 300Mbps, then you won’t be able to utilize the full bandwidth of the connection.

Most of the best wireless routers for 2021 provide fast speeds, but it’s best to do your due diligence before purchasing one.

But if you are an Airtel Xstream Fiber customer or plan on getting a new connection, you don’t need to worry because the plan comes with a router at no extra cost. In fact, the 1Gbps plan comes with an industry-first Wi-Fi router that can deliver the whole bandwidth wirelessly.

What kind of Security do you need?

Wireless devices can be convenient, but security is always a problem. To ensure that you are protected digitally, you must have advanced firmware, a firewall, and additional security features. Of the three Wi-Fi protected access protocols, it is best to get one with WPA2, as it is the most secure, followed by WEP and WPA. Make sure you check your modem to understand what level of security you will get.

Airtel customers can also opt for their latest service Secure Internet, a plan that not only protects your network but also your devices from viruses and malware. With this service, you can block out certain content you don’t want to see or use one of the four pre-built profiles that do it for you.

Availability of a USB port

While this might seem like it’s not as necessary, having a USB port (especially a USB 3.0 port) will enable you to connect flash drives and printers. Doing this will help you connect over the wireless network without using up the bandwidth and can help you set up your home office and expand your shareable storage.

Smart home integration

With most of us having smart devices in our homes, why not choose a wi-fi router that can work with the same? Doing this can ensure that your apps and devices are perfectly synchronized. For example, you can send commands through your virtual assistant to control the speed of your wi-fi, lock/unlock parental controls, or even control the guest’s wi-fi access.

A wi-fi router for home is a must-have for the new digital life we are all living. And while it didn’t matter much in the past what router we have at home, that’s not the case anymore. So, keep these 6 things in mind and you’ll have one of the best Wi-Fi routers of 2021 and you won’t have to worry about it for years. Or, if you have an Airtel Xstream Fiber connection, you’ll anyway get the ideal router for it at no additional cost.

Things to consider when choosing a router

There are several factors to consider when choosing a router for your home. Knowing these, you can determine what is in your need as you choose WiFi routers. Here are some of the main things to look into when choosing the right router:

Internet speed compatibility

Once you have decided on the best route to choosing a WiFi router, ensure that it supports the speed provided by your internet service. If your plan offers 500 Mbps, you should ensure the router you choose can handle at least that speed.

Coverage Area

The size of your space determines how you pick a WiFi router for your home. Large houses require a mesh WiFi system, while single-house types need just one router.

Router Bands

In choosing the best WiFi router for your home, you must understand how to choose between single, dual, or tri-band routers. The dual-band will be ideal for households with several devices as they perform better than the single and triple-band types.

Number of Connected Devices

To find a home router, consider how many devices you will be using the router with. A router with MU-MIMO technology can handle more than one device efficiently.

Security Features

Security is something that matters when choosing the perfect router for your home. A router that includes WPA3 encryption and parental controls will help secure your network.

Future-Proofing

To future-proof your network, choose one with the WiFi 6 standard for the latest routing. This ensures long-term usability for learning to pick a WiFi router that will last years.

With this in mind, you will know the right steps to choose a home router that will fit your needs perfectly.

FAQ’s

1. What are the factors for selecting the right WiFi router for my home?

If you are selecting a WiFi router, several parameters are worth considering. These are the area for service, internet speed, and the number of devices you will want to connect to the router. Various criteria define the frequency bands- 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz- of your router, which are the kind of router single-band or dual-band, along with security measures. Whatever WiFi router you choose will depend on the size of your house, your internet plan, and the number of smart home gadgets you have. It would help if you got a router that satisfies such needs.

2. What Is the Best Wi-Fi Router for a Big House?

If you have a big house, consider how to pick the best WiFi router for your home, which ensures powerful coverage. Routers with mesh networking can cover a huge area with seamless connections. Which one among those Wi-Fi is better suited for homes for range? Dual-band and triple-band routers are excellent and ideal for use in very large homes since they reduce congestion and improve the actual range. Always choose a router with at least two nodes or extenders, especially when dealing with dead zones in homes.

3. How Do I Choose a Router for a Small Apartment?

Figuring out how to choose a router for home is much easier when you have a small space, like an apartment. A few devices or less interference could make a single-band router sufficient. When it comes to better performance, most often, the answer to picking the best router for your home involves a dual-band router, even in small spaces. This will end up giving you faster speeds on the 5 GHz band for things like gaming consoles or smart TVs.

4. Which Router Specification Should I Pay More Attention To?

The router’s technical specifications should be understood to choose the right one. Firstly, pay attention to a router with an appropriate speed, counted in Mbps, enough Ethernet ports in case you need wired connections, and the most recent WiFi standard (WiFi 6 is now the fastest and most energy-efficient). Besides that, you should know how many devices you need to connect to ensure your router supports the required number of simultaneous connections.

5. Do I Need a Dual-Band Router at Home?

Now, if you decide how to choose a home router, you have to ask yourself whether you need a dual-band router. A dual-band router works on both 2.4 and 5 GHz frequencies, offering flexibility in network management. If you have several devices streaming, gaming, or downloading simultaneously, pick a WiFi router with dual-band, which should be done for smoother performance.

6. How Important is Security when Considering a WiFi Router?

When you learn to select a router for home WiFi, remember security. A strong encryption router like WPA3 will protect your information against hacking. How choose a WiFi router for your home should also include selecting one with more features that would consist of guest networks, parental controls, and automatic updates for security patches.

7. Do I Need a Mesh Wi-Fi Router System?

If you are asking how to choose a router for home WiFi, especially for a large or multi-story home, consider mesh systems. Mesh systems provide seamless coverage by using multiple units spread across the house. How to pick the best router for your home may depend on eliminating dead zones, thus making mesh systems ideal. Which router should I buy for my home in a large setup? Mesh routers often deliver the best results.

8. What should I look for in a router based on the internet speed?

The first step you need to make before choosing a Wi-Fi router is to align your selection to the internet speed you acquire. Take a case where you can access up to 500 Mbps from your internet provider, then make sure that the picked router can sustain that. If you understand how to select a router based on its speed, you will pay for a router that is faster than your ISP can deliver or too slow.

9. What’s MU-MIMO, what is beamforming, and do I need either?

Modern routers boast advanced features, such as MU-MIMO (Multi-User, Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output) and beamforming. These features would be useful if you have multiple devices that would upload and download huge files. With MU-MIMO, more devices can access the router at the same time. Beamforming strengthens the connection by focusing the WiFi signal toward the device.

10. How Do I Choose Between a Wired and Wireless Router?

How to choose a router depends on whether your devices require wired connections. Wireless routers are versatile and allow people to move freely with their devices. Still, if you need stable and fast connections for your gaming stations or workstations, choose a router with several Ethernet ports. How to pick the best router for your home will require a balance between wireless freedom and the reliability of wired connections.

11. Should I buy a modem-router combo or separate devices?

Some people ask how to choose a WiFi router for home if they also need a modem. You can buy a router and a modem as separate units or one combo device. Combination devices offer convenience, but often, for long-term use, choosing a home router prefers separate devices. With individual devices, if one of them fails or is outdated, you can replace that part, saving money long-term.

12. How do I future-proof my WiFi router?

For a future-proofed router, look for the latest WiFi standards, currently WiFi 6. Furthermore, in this case, consider checking whether your router is supporting more speed in addition to connections for multiple devices. How to pick a router for a home means looking ahead since technology is in a very progressive state. How to pick a WiFi router that will last involves advanced security features and support for such coming smart home devices.