While at first, you might be tempted to believe that all routers are created equally, in fact, choosing the router for your new business or home is a very important decision. A router is a device that connects computers, cell phones, smart TVs, and other devices to the internet. A router acts somewhat like a dispatcher station. It chooses the best route for your information to travel, then connects your business or home to the world. In addition to connecting your devices to the internet, it protects your information from security threats and can even make decisions on which computers and devices get priority over others. So, yes, choosing the right router to play this role in your network is extremely important. There are a lot of things you need to consider before making the choice. Here are a few things to think about to get you started:
1. Consider How Much You Want to Spend
As with any other product out there, some routers are more expensive than others. Make sure that you are staying within your allocated budget for WiFi services. There are a ton of different router brands out there, from Mobile Mark to Cradlepoint routers, so you have a lot of options at a wide range of price points to choose from. For residential purposes, most people only need a standard router. However, if you are managing a large network of computers, smart TVs, and other devices, you might need something with a little more horsepower behind it. If perhaps you need a router for your network in an industrial setting, such as a factory or manufacturing facility, then you will need a router that is durable enough to withstand the less than optimal conditions. Many routers are made with rugged cases that protect the inner workings of the device from shock, vibration, water, dust, and extreme temperatures. These routers that are up to the industrial-grade standard are going to be a bit more expensive than others. However, at the end of the day, your network is only ever as good as it is reliable so if your network’s routers are not up to the challenge of an industrial setting then you are going to have problems from the beginning. So, finding the right router for your specific needs and operation environment is critical to ensuring your router is able to function as needed.
2. Make Sure It Can Support the Internet Speeds You Are Looking For
If you have a power-hungry network of devices, the standard fare of routers is probably not going to get the job done. Instead, make sure to buy a router that can handle the level of traffic in your network at the speeds you need. For example, if you run a network for a school or large organization, there are bound to be a lot of devices in that network at any given time. To ensure that there are no lags in service or productivity, you need to ensure that the routers and gateways in your network are capable of supporting the internet speeds you require.
3. Read the Reviews from Past and Existing Users
Lastly, make sure that the router you are choosing is a proven good choice. There are countless review sites, discussion forums, and product reviews out there that can give you a pretty clear picture of what using the product looks like, what type of problems might arise with it, and most importantly, if it is worth the money.
Overall, choosing a router can be a hard choice. However, with a little research and knowledge of your own networking needs, you can find the right router with confidence.