Besides the actual computers and a few game consoles are now all other devices in the home network wireless online

Besides the actual computers and a few game consoles are now all other devices in the home network wireless online. Tablet, smartphone, TV, and even the first coffee makers, they all now support wireless. But what router you choose that?

Tip 01: The basics
The choice of brands and models of a new router is overwhelming. Before you even having to delve into what to offer all the routers, it is important to know what you need for your device. A router with Wi-Fi , a router without WiFi, only one access point or one in which a modem is? And if you want a model with a built-in modem, is it for cable Internet or DSL or perhaps even fiberglass? Read also: 5 essential tools for your Wi-Fi network.

A quick way to find out, by brand and model of the router to record and look at the vendor's website which features the device all. Is it just a router? There is also wifi on? Have you connected an external hard drive that you like via USB NAS used? There is also a modem? Determine if the functions which must also have the new router. Consider also whether you features that are in a separate device, for example, want to have a modem or access point, including the new router. Fewer devices means less cables and often less power consumption.

Tip 01 A simple shopping list with necessary functionality helps make the first selection in the wide range.
Tip 02: True freedom of choice?
Is the shopping list ready, it is still necessary to make sure that you really have the freedom to buy the router that you want, because that's not always the case. There are beautiful modem routers for wired internet brand Fritz! Box, but refuses cable monopolist UPC / Ziggo that activate on its network. You will never have a working Internet connection.

If you buy a modem router and thus to replace the modem from your ISP, please always contact the helpdesk of the ISP. Whether it is allowed to replace their modem or you are with the own modem router will be offered the same quality and speed as a modem provider. It is recommended to call a second time a few hours later, so you can check if you get the same answer. Especially with difficult questions call centers are sometimes wrong. This applies both to replace cable modems and ADSL and fiber.

Tip 02 Because UPC / Ziggo refuses to activate itself purchased modem routers on the network, the Fritz! Box 6490 is not even sold in the Netherlands.
If the ISP does not cooperate
Are you required modem or even use the router from your ISP when connecting to the Internet, even then you can still take its own new router. Only you have to put your own router behind the copy of the ISP. A modem-router is then not necessary. You can do with a normal router. Connect the WAN port of the own router to a LAN port on the router, the ISP and select DHCP . Make sure to use a different IP range for home network than the network between the two routers.

You can also try to put the router from your ISP in Bridge mode. You switch it the router function of the router from your ISP. Which is still only modem. You do than in the further configuration of the own router to take into account the network between the two routers. The routers Ziggo / UPC can not put into bridge mode itself. For this you must call the Ziggo helpdesk. Turns out that holding the router function, you lose the hotspot feature. You can no longer use the route Ziggo hotspots. Do you want to continue using it, leave the router ISP intact and keep the configuration of the home network into account the intermediate network by choosing a different IP range.

Tip 03: Why replace?
Apart from the desired functionality, it is also important to know what the reason is that replacing the current router. Do not miss a certain function, write it down on the list of required new features. Would you for example that with the new router is possible to disable the WiFi automatically at night, add this wish to the list of old and new features. Buy your router just because the network is too slow, it is sufficient that you especially note that the new router supports the latest standards with a minimum of three data streams. Most router manufacturers offer on their websites spec sheets for all their products.

Very useful is also the interactive price comparison . Click on price comparison / Routers . Then put check marks in the relevant options and see which routers meet these requirements. Below you can see immediately what does the router where it is for sale.

Tip 03 The interactive price comparison helps you find the right router for the lowest price.
Tip 04: The LAN ports
When a router goes very quickly on the speed of the internet, but there is more than that. Even though very few devices via a network connected to the home network , the major devices are often concerned by the. TV, game console, a PC, while you do not want to be dependent on a sometimes spotty wifi. But you also do not want to lag behind in speed.

And also the speed of the wired network in recent years risen. And even significantly, from 100 Mbps to 1000 Mbps Gigabit ie. Note that the LAN ports on the router has Gigabit speed, so 1000 Mbit, and not the obsolete 100 Mbit. The difference between Fast Ethernet (100 Mbps) and Gigabit Ethernet (1000 Mbit) is so great that you should not buy more of a router with 100 Mbps LAN ports. Certainly not because the LAN port always works, even if you connect a device that itself supports only 100 Mbit. And unlike the wifi does not affect the overall performance to a wired network. So always buy a router with LAN ports with Gigabit speed.

Most routers have four LAN ports. More convenient, but it does not, you can always connect a switch to connect more devices over a network.

Tip 04 correspondence will be no debate: the LAN ports must have Gigabit speed and nothing less.
Tip 05: Wifi protocol
An upgrade of the wireless network will be in most cases, the main reason to buy a new router. Developments at wifi still going very fast. A few years ago it was the usual 802.11g standard, but you'll no longer stop. The current standards are 802.11n and 802.11ac. Both help bring both the 2.4 GHz and the 5 GHz band and can thus higher speeds.

The fastest routers are currently the 802.11ac routers with two, three or four data streams, respectively, for a maximum of 867, 1300 and 1733 Mbps throughput. This is the theoretical speed, really get you that never. Or take an 802.11ac router with two data streams are generally faster than the fastest 802.11n router and a 802.ac router with four data streams back faster than a three.

There are hardly any routers for sale without wifi and the price difference between a router without WiFi is also too small to buy a router without WiFi. Did you really do not need the wifi switch via the web interface both wireless networks.