Replacing your aging Internet router could be the secret to unlocking faster wi-fi
When emails don’t send, websites won’t load, or videos stutter, people are first to point their finger at their Internet provider. If a lengthy call to tech support doesn’t fix things, their poor computer catches the blame next. But in many cases, their wireless router may have been the offending device all along.
The best way to fix your ailing wi-fi is to learn the basics of how wireless Internet works, then apply those lessons to your personal setup. But if you’re using an older router, it might be time for an upgrade.
If that’s the case, begin by asking yourself why you need to improve your home’s wireless data speed to begin with. Here are five common scenarios facing Internet users today, and the best router to use in those situations:
1. You Want To Get The Most Out Of Your Data
With Internet speeds being as important as they are, it’s surprising that most wi-fi routers are just dumb antennae. The ASUS RT-AC68U is not most Wi-Fi routers.
The $249 device throws 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz signals through four antennae—enough to cover 5,000 square feet. The 5GHz stream is buttressed by an internal 1.0Ghz dual-core processor that can pump up the output an additional 50%. It’s also able to tell good data from bad, with malware-blocking features, infected device detection, and keyword and URL filters to keep naughty sites off the kids’ computer.
2. You Need Streaming Video To Flow Faster
Touting itself as the fastest home router with speeds up to 5.3Gbps, the Netgear Nighthawk X8 is a tri-band router (which means it has a 2.4Ghz signal and two separate 5Ghz bands) coming off four antennas to throw an amazing amount of data around. And those streams are in addition to the 6 gigabit ethernet LAN ports off the backside.