5 mistakes to avoid when buying a WiFi router

0
4
5 mistakes to avoid when buying a wifi router
5 mistakes to avoid when buying a wifi router

buy a Wi-Fi routerAs with any other device purchase, it’s much easier if you know what to look for and what to avoid. Here are some common mistakes you don’t want to make when shopping for a new wireless router.

The needs of each one at the time of buy a new wireless router They can vary, so it is better to find a more universal answer if we focus on the mistakes that should not be made in the process of choosing one model or another and its subsequent purchase.

Buy a combo unit

We are familiar with the Wi-Fi router/modem combo units of the Internet because they are virtually ubiquitous pieces of hardware supplied by Internet Service Providers (ISPs). You may not know that you can also buy ready-made combo units for personal use; you don’t have to get one from your carrier.

Combination units serve the needs of many people, but they are certainly not without their problems. In particular, you rarely get the best modem or router for the money you spend. Router/modem combo units may be suitable for some people in specific circumstances, but we recommend that most people avoid them.

In addition, it is not the most indicated for future compatibility. If you have a combo cable modem and wireless router, the cable modem part has no value if you switch to a fiber company or move to a place where cable Internet is not available. The same problem is encountered if your cable company upgrades to a new DOCSIS standard and your combo drive doesn’t support it. By concentrating your funds on a better standalone router, you will get a much better experience.

SEE ALSO  The curious invention that allows you to have wireless AirPlay or Android Auto and Apple CarPlay in your car

Buying an outdated WiFi router

Think of routers like car models. If you want all the newest car technology, you buy a new car model. You don’t buy a 2010 model no matter how perfect and new it is.

old router

If you buy a new router that’s actually a model that came out five years ago, you’re not getting today’s Wi-Fi technology and advancements. You must acUpdate your wireless router every 3 to 5 yearsso if you’re buying a popular model first released five years ago, it’s already a generation of outdated Wi-Fi.

Not considering the size of your house

Most people don’t need to tie their fiber network into a single connection, but rather enjoy it wirelessly anywhere on their property with a strong and stable connection.

The biggest complaint we hear from friends, family, and neighbors is that their WiFi signal is weak in some places where they want to use their devices and would like to fix that. You will not be satisfied with the purchase of your new router if you do not have enough power and you end up having to share the mobile data of your phone.

It’s much better to have an inexpensive Mesh WiFi system that can cover every inch of your home (and any outdoor areas you use, too) than to have a more expensive standalone router, for example, that works great in one part of your home, but leave the rest in the dark.

Ignore smart home demands

When planning to buy a new WiFi router, don’t just think about high-profile network devices like your smart TV or smartphone. Also think about all the other devices on your home network. Even if you feel like you don’t have one next generation smart home of the future, you might be surprised at how many devices there are.

SEE ALSO  This is the real reason why Telegram has been blocked

router ports

Once you start connecting your video doorbell, smart cameras, smart plugs, smart thermostat, smart speakers, etc., you may be surprised to find that your list of smart home devices is actually longer than the number you thought. .

Most WiFi smart devices don’t consume a lot of bandwidth (aside from smart TVs and security cameras), but they still need a stable connection.

Choosing one that is too simple or too technical

There is a trend in router design that is generally better for consumers. For years, router manufacturers, especially those that make mesh network platforms, have optimized and simplified user experience.

Historically, router interfaces were quite archaic (and on some models, still are), which led to many people never managing to configure them correctly, missing out on features that would have been useful, etc.

If you’re not too keen on networking and tinkering with your router, there’s nothing wrong with choosing one with a simple user interface. Most people don’t need or want to set up custom virtual LANs, run startup scripts or software on their routers, or SSH tunnels into them.

But if you’re interested in those things or the like, buying a very closed system and simple interface setup like an Eero will leave you frustrated, like your hardware has training wheels and won’t let you ride a bike without them.