Buying Guide

Here are some technical specs you need to look out in various routers to figure out the fastest Wi-Fi router suitable for you. Wireless-b, Wireless-g, Wireless-n and Wireless-ac - what the heck is it? '802.11' is a standard which applies to all wireless gadgets. The first generation of wireless routers were referred as - wireless-b or 802.11b, then came wireless-g or 802.11g, then wireless-n or 802.11n, now 802.11ac is the latest. 802.11ac is also known as 5G Wi-Fi. It is basically a faster version of 802.11n. If you have wireless-b router than you should think of upgrading to wireless-n or ac featuring router. Single Band Vs. Dual Band - which is better? Obviously, dual-band is better. But, how? Single-band routers work only on 2.4GHz frequency spectrum. However, dual-band routers can work on 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies at the same time. This enables the dual-band routers to perform faster and better. MIMO Technology - the fastest way to transfer data Another important thing you need to look out for is multiple antennas. The MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) technology uses multiple transmitters and receivers to transfer data simultaneously. Wireless-n routers come with this technology. This helps to reach higher transmission speed. Basically, the source and destination will have not single but, multiple antennas which help to transfer the data faster. Data Transmission Speed - going for the best Since, you want to buy the fastest possible router you need to check the transmission speed offered by the particular model. Wireless-n or 802.11n have been able to achieve data transmission speed up to 600Mb/sec. Hence, you need to choose among wireless-n routers which offer the highest transmission speed. Home/Office Router - which one do you really need? The number of wireless connections which can be accommodated by a Wi-Fi router are 225. However, to get a good performance one should connect only 10 to 30 devices. The more the devices connected to the router the lesser the transmission speed is going to be. Hence, check out various router models to see how many devices it can connect to, without having to compromise on the performance. For business/office-related purpose you will need a more powerful router which can connect to many devices and still perform well. But, for home use you don't need such a powerful router. Extra Features - a little extra never hurts If your computer and router are placed near each other, then you can always connect them with a wire. This will make it faster than a wireless connection. Make sure the router comes with at least two or more Ethernet sockets to connect the devices. Also, make sure your router comes with WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access). This allows devices to connect to wireless network using a password.

Product Reviews

Here are reviews of the best models of Wi-Fi routers which deliver great performance. Asus RT- AC66U This is one of the best performing router and comes with advanced features which meets small business needs. This router is priced around $199. It's an 802.11ac and dual band router. It comes with 2 USB ports. Another excellent choice among Asus routers is the RTN66U. It is a bit cheaper than the RTAC66U but still delivers good performance. Linksys EA6500 This is an easy-to-use, dual band router. It is also an 802.11ac router which makes it one of the fastest Wi-Fi router. It comes with 2 USB ports and offers many other great features. It is compatible with most devices and is priced at $199. Netgear R6300 This is a great performing 802.11ac router, and is easy-to-use. It is not great looking, but it is robust and great for home use. Even though, this router and its power adapter is a bit bulky, it is high on performance and available at $190. Buffalo's AirStation AC1300 Both, N600 and AC1300 routers by Buffalo Air Station are powerful performing dual band wireless routers. They have an elegant design and come loaded with advanced features. You can buy them at $180. You can go to their website to compare these two models. Securifi Almond Touchscreen Router There are a couple of things that sets this router apart from others. The first one is that, this is a touchscreen router, and so you don't have to set it up using a PC. It looks cool and its interface resembles that of Windows 8. It also comes at a competitive price of $80. It is good on performance, however it is single band only and comes with no USB ports, but only two LAN ports.

Tips to Boost Your Router

Use this tips to improve the performance of your wireless router to achieve better connectivity and speed. » Keep your router in the central area of your home/office to improve the connection. Ensure, the router antennas are vertical. » Reduce interference by other devices like microwave ovens, cordless phones, or wireless devices. Dual band routers can help resolve this problem. » Consider setting up an auto reboot for once in a day. » Go for Quality of Service. It will help to give priority on important applications over the less important ones. » Try to use the router and network adapter of the same manufacturer. » Invest in a wireless repeater. They will extend the network range and boost the signal strength.