It also downloaded 16 128 KB files simultaneously, and on this laptop we looked for the same quick load times. The third laptop sat in the living room across the house, simulating a second browsing session.Once every 20 seconds or so, it downloaded 16 files of 128 KB each simultaneously to simulate loading a modern web page ideally pages should load in less than 750 milliseconds. The second sat in the garage and simulated a web-browsing session.It tried to download data at up to 30 Mbps, but we were satisfied if it could average 25 Mbps or better, which is what Disney+ recommends for 4K UHD. One sat in the downstairs master bedroom and simulated a 4K video streaming session.Spending twice as much would buy only small improvements, and spending only half as much would mean giving up a lot. When considering both features and our test results, we look for “ the best for the most for the least.” Right now, paying around $110 for a router buys you excellent performance and features that offer real benefits. But we don’t consider the cheapest or the fastest to be the best. Price: You can buy a router for $20, and you can buy one for $500.The things we like to see that justify spending more include built-in security utilities, extra Ethernet and USB ports, and parental filtering. Nice-to-have extras: Fast, reliable Wi-Fi is what matters the most, but more expensive routers add features that bring other benefits.The slow processors found in cheap routers can drag things down. Fast processor and RAM: A router with a speedy multicore processor and extra RAM can handle more connected devices and offer improved performance.Multiple Ethernet ports: Ethernet ports give you unfettered access to the internet bandwidth you’re paying for.A great router minimizes that wait even if the network is busy. Low latency-test results: Slow internet sucks, and latency-or lag-is the time you have to spend waiting for the next thing to happen.We test each router to confirm whether it can stream high-quality videos on the far side of a living space. Good range-test results: You should be able to connect to a well-placed router from anywhere in an apartment or a small house.Good speed-test results: In our tests, network speed, or throughput, varies from “this YouTube video will never finish loading” to “you can download a video game update in an instant.”.Any phone or laptop that you can buy today or may have bought in the past few years relies on one of these standards. Current-generation technology: Since we’re looking for routers that can improve your Wi-Fi, we consider only routers that support the Wi-Fi 5, Wi-Fi 6, and Wi-Fi 6E standards.While many of the routers in our ratings do quite well in our labs, the ones here stand out with strong Overall Scores, offering solid performance at a range of distances as well as decent privacy and security protections. You can read more about WiFi standards a little later in this article. The current WiFi standard is known as WiFi 6, which is sometimes referred to by its technical name 802.11ax. While shopping, you’ll come across information about what WiFi standard your router supports. The satellite units of a mesh router can be moved around to maximize coverage, steering the WiFi signal around obstacles such as doors, walls, and appliances. The units then “talk” to one another, creating what’s known as a mesh network.Ī single router is generally fine for apartments and smaller houses, but if you live in a house larger than 2,000 square feet, a mesh router may be a better pick. Mesh routers, in contrast, feature one unit that plugs into the modem, plus one or two additional units, sometimes referred to as “satellites” or “beacons,” that can be stationed in other parts of your home. There are some 130 wireless routers in our ratings, split across two categories: multi-unit mesh routers and single-unit wireless routers.Ī single-unit router plugs directly into your modem.
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