Having a good router is essential to achieve an optimal Internet connection and not have problems. Although it is a device that can last for many years, without problems, sometimes it is advisable to purchase a new one. We are going to tell you what features should not be missing, today, if you plan to buy one that improves the one you already have. It may happen that it is malfunctioning or that you simply want to get the most out of your fiber optics.
Normally we use the router that the Internet operator gives us. However, this does not mean that we should limit ourselves to that device. In fact, you could have an old model and it could be good to use a newer one, with superior features, allowing you to achieve higher speeds or improve wireless coverage.
What to look for when buying a router
In recent years, routers have improved a lot in some aspects. There are protocols that allow you to improve the wireless network, for example, as well as security. If you simply connect to browse, use email and social networks, you really won’t notice anything. On the other hand, if you are a more demanding user, for example if you play or watch streaming content in high quality, yes.
Minimum Wi-Fi 6, preferable Wi-Fi 7
Something essential today is having the latest Wi-Fi protocols. If possible, the ideal is to have Wi-Fi 7, which is the most recent and the one that equates speed with the network cable. It is the best to connect devices to the network, wirelessly, and have a perfect connection, without interruptions and with great speed.
If you do not have devices compatible with Wi-Fi 7 at the moment, and if you do not plan to have the router very long term, the minimum would be to buy one that has Wi-Fi 6. It also achieves a significant improvement over the previous version, such as is to have greater speed and improved coverage.
Enough Gigabit Ethernet ports
Of course, we consider that having a router with enough Gigabit Ethernet ports is essential. Although today it is true that we connect many devices via Wi-Fi, it does not mean that there are not also wired ones. At a minimum, make sure you have four Gigabit ports on your router. There are models that have less.
Beyond Gigabit Ethernet, it’s a good idea to at least have one Multigigabit port. Reaching even 10 Gbps by cable is a good option to take advantage of the maximum fiber optic speed that we can already achieve with some operator, but that will be basic in a few years.
WPA3 encryption
In terms of security, having the latest encryption standard for your Wi-Fi key is a good idea. There are obsolete encryptions that do not protect a wireless network today, such as WEP or WPA. There is also WPA2, which is secure, but there are vulnerabilities that, in certain cases, may not be enough.
To have maximum protection, something that currently makes it impossible to steal a Wi-Fi network, having WPA3 is key. Therefore, if you are going to buy a router, it is a good idea to buy a model that has this compatibility.
USB ports
Not all routers have USB ports, but it is one more feature that can be useful. This allows you to connect devices, such as a storage drive, to the device. You could quickly create a NAS server, in a simple way and without the need for a large investment.
There are models that have several USB ports available, but having one or two may be more than enough. It can also be useful for exchanging files between devices.
In short, these are some features that you should take into account if you are going to buy a router. It is important to ensure you have a guarantee team that allows you to achieve optimal performance, but also preserve security.
