Wireless router buyers guide – Deciding which wireless router can be a minefield, there are so many around, so many different technologies, and prices.
To begin with there are actually only two types of home wireless router.
One is used for cable type internet connections; this is purely just a router, the other type is for phone line based connections and this is a router/modem.
With cable connections the router connects to the small cable internet box that your cable provider installs for you.
Phone line connection types will connect directly to your phone socket, you will also have to fit line filters between each phone socket and phone in your house to reduce interference to the router/modem.
Apart from the above types everything else between the two is the same.
Make / Brand
When deciding which wireless router a well know brand pays dividends in the long term, not only is it likely to last longer but will be more resilient, have more support from the manufacturer and should give you a faster more secure browsing experience.
I have used many makes of router over the years, but the two that have never given me problems are Linksys and Netgear
A good wireless router should have
Built in firewall – A firewall prevents any anyone from connecting to your computer from your internet connection.
Ethernet ports – We all have some type of wired device, plus having Ethernet connections makes troubleshooting your router much easier if you ever encounter problems.
Support the latest and oldest wireless technologies – There are a number of wireless connection types such as 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n (from slowest to fastest) a good router should support all of these.
Provide easy setup – Setting up a router used to be a nightmare, but today many have auto setup features which mean you only need to enter your ISP details to connect to the internet, press a button on the router which then allows computers to connect wirelessly, and then invokes its security.
Easy port opening – If your into internet gaming then port forwarding is a big thing, you could just turn off the routers firewall but the risks are too great, so it needs to be easy.
Wireless Security – Just about every router today supports wireless security, the older type of security is WEP (this can be hacked very easily and quickly) Any router today must support WPA security which is much more secure.
Another note on wireless security it can be a pain the you know where to setup, newer generations of wireless routers should have an easy setup button, to you use its just a case of pressing the security button, it flashes for about a minute and during this time any computer can connect to the wireless connection, but after the minute it invokes its security and does not allow any new connections, neat stuff.
Checkout our other wireless router buyers guide
Personally i would only ever by choice use Linksys, Netgear or Vigor routers, i’ve used pretty much all makes, but these three seem to have been the most reliable for me, makes such as Belkin work well for a while then start giving problems.
One big issue with many routers provided by an ISP is there own firmware thats installed and cannot be updated like many routers, in my oppinion this really can retard the router, companies such as VIrgin Media are guilty of this.
thx
Wakim
In your which router guide each to their own, I’ve used Begin from my first router, never had a problem with them, got a problem with their current prices though, used to offer such good value, now they are just as expensive as every other expensive make.
I must admit it does seem as though some of the most reliable makes such as Belkin have gone through a sticky patch in terms of reliability, aside from this when my Belkin did fail they did really try to help me, in the end by sending another router, which was fantastic.