Wireless router buying guide

Posted on 20 Mar 2010 at 04:41

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Find out all you need to know about choosing the right wireless router.

Recommended minimum specifications

Standard: 802.11n (300Mbit/s)

Ethernet Ports: Four 10/100Mbit/s

Broadband connection: Ethernet WAN port

Follow the steps to choose your ideal specs

A basic wireless router with the specifications above will cost around £30. Even budget routers offer 802.11n technology now, although they don't have as many features as their more expensive counterparts. It doesn't have a built-in modem, so you'll have to use it with a broadband modem that has an Ethernet port. Also available at this price are 150Mbit/s 'N-technology' routers. These have fewer antennas, but are often as fast as 802.11n devices. You can expect a transfer speed of around 30Mbit/s at 10m from any modern 802.11n router.

If you have ADSL, you should get a wireless router with a built-in ADSL modem. It will cost more than the equivalent cable router, but it lets you connect your router directly to your broadband connection without a separate modem. ADSL2+ modems support broadband connections up to 24Mbit/s with an appropriate ISP.

Most 802.11n wireless routers use the 2.4GHz frequency. This has good range but can be prone to interference if it's near a lot of other 2.4GHz devices, such as other routers and baby monitors. If you have trouble getting a consistent wireless signal or you want faster transfer speeds for wireless video streaming, it's worth buying a dual-band router, which can use both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. Alternatively, a hi-gain antenna can boost signals and improve ranges and throughputs to the whole house. You can also add a hi-gain antenna to a PC's network adaptor. If wired network speeds are a priority, look for a router with Gigabit Ethernet.

Many routers have built-in USB ports that allow you to connect a USB drive and use the router as a basic network storage device. If you want to share a USB printer on your network, look for a wireless router with a built-in USB print server. Alternatively, you can add a dedicated wireless print server later. Finally, if you're interested in making voice calls over the internet, look for a router with built-in VoIP support (and phone sockets) as this can save you money.

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