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As the central unit that links everything on your network together, your router is essential. Choosing the one that will meet your performance needs is key.
When picking your router, you’ll want to consider the following factors: |
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| | | Technical Spec | Why It's Important |  | | Wired, Wireless or Both | It determines if your router connects strictly via Ethernet (wired) or also supports wireless networking. Most wireless routers also include several ports for wired connections, so it’s a good idea to go with a wireless router for greatest flexibility. | | Speed | Surprisingly, speed might not be quite as important as you think. You’ll find router speeds listed in Mbps, but remember, these transmission rates are under optimal, laboratory conditions. You can expect daily performance to be much lower. | Wi-Fi Standard
(for Wireless Routers) | Wi-Fi standard is a means to tell if your router will support your network applications. Gamers, those hoping to stream media and those who need extra range will probably want 802.11n, but for everyone else, 802.11g can often be sufficient.
| | Firewall Protection | It determines how well your router blocks out security threats. Most routers come with firewalls installed. | | Number of Ports | It determines how many endpoints can plug into your router. Make sure you get a router that will handle current needs plus the foreseeable future. Gigabit ports are recommended for greater bandwidth and optimal performance. Double-check the type of cable included with your router. To get optimal performance from your Gigabit ports, make sure to use CAT-5e or CAT-6 cables. | | Manufacturer | If several of your devices already have wired or wireless network adapters from a particular manufacturer, it might be beneficial to choose a router from the same place. Manufacturers sometimes optimize performance among their own devices. | | QoS (Quality of Service) | Some routers advertise QoS, which stands for Quality of Service and allows users to prioritize their network traffic. This can help with gaming or VoIP — usages where such prioritization is important to your experience. | | | | | | | |  |  | |
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A wireless access point, or WAP, is basically a wireless router without the router function. It’s used to add wireless capabilities to an existing wired network. If you already have a wired network and you want to add wireless, a WAP might be the best way to go.
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