More and more equipment is appearing in our homes that requires access to the network. Just plug in the cable
Content:
- What you should pay attention to
- TP-Link Archer C3150
- TP-Link Deco M5
- Asus RT-AC66U B1
- Huawei B315s-22
- TP-Link Archer C5 V4
- TP-Link Archer C20
- TP-Link TD-W8961N
- Tenda f3
- Mercusys MW301R
TP-Link Archer C3150
Productive router for home and office
TP-Link Archer C3150 offers goodequipment, high-quality Wi-Fi coverage and high speed connection. It will not “choke” in the home or office network of dozens of Internet-connected devices, and the built-in antivirus provides additional protection against cyber threats.
Buy at Yulmart
Buy in Eldorado
For high loads
TP-Link Deco M5
Seamless Wi-Fi in a big house
If the router does not "finish off" to the far rooms,Mesh-system TP-Link Deco M5 will help solve the problem. It consists of modules that create a seamless Wi-Fi network. Setup is as simple as possible; to expand coverage, it is enough to add a new node. True, with the additional features of the current generation of devices sparsely.
Buy from M.Video (2 pcs)
Buy at Yulmart (3 pcs)
Beautiful and comfortable
Asus RT-AC66U B1
Home router for geeks
Asus RT-AC66U B1 supports two ranges,can be used as a media server and even act as an alternative to Wi-Fi Mesh. And support for 4G / 3G modems allows you to organize a backup channel in case of problems with the main provider. The model is interesting for enthusiasts the possibility of flexible configuration of the home network.
Buy at Yulmart
Buy in Svyaznoy
For lovers of settings
Huawei B315s-22
Router for summer cottage or country house
With the Huawei B315s-22 you can be online there,where wire providers have not reached yet. Since the router already has a mobile modem, a user just needs to insert a SIM card. Other features of the model include support for external GSM antennas for signal amplification in case of poor communication, as well as the ability to make calls over the mobile network when a conventional handset is connected.
Buy at M.Video
With 4G modem
TP-Link Archer C5 V4
Simple gigabit router
Nice appearance, dual wifi bands,USB-port for working with external drives, gigabit ports - and all this at an adequate price. TP-Link Archer C5 V4 will be the best choice for those who are looking for a router with the support of current technologies, but do not want to overpay for unnecessary functions. Convenient and easy to set up model.
Buy at Yulmart
For high speed internet
TP-Link Archer C20
Inexpensive dual-band Wi-Fi router
In this TP-Link model there are no USB ports and otherchips expensive routers, but the average user is primarily interested in a stable connection to the Internet on home devices. Archer C20 successfully copes with this task, and also allows you to use a more free range of 5 GHz. Suitable for Internet tariffs up to 100 Mbps.
Buy in Svyaznoy
Buy at M.Video
Buy at Yulmart
Buy in Eldorado
Moving to 5 GHz
TP-LINK TD-W8961N
ADSL router for home
The choice of routers with a built-in ADSL modem is nottoo rich. Everything that providers usually offer is only suitable for a small apartment, but TP-LINK TD-W8961N is capable of providing a wider Wi-Fi coverage area. This is a good workhorse with single band support.
Buy at M.Video
Buy in Svyaznoy
Buy at Yulmart
No optics yet
Tenda F3
Affordable and long-range router
Simple to configure a router with a large enoughWi-Fi radius and nice design. If you do not plan to transfer your home network to 5 GHz in the near future, the single-band model Tenda F3 will be a reasonable purchase.
Buy in Eldorado
Nothing extra
Mercusys MW301R
Cheap router, which is not ashamed
One of the most affordable devices on the market. Compact, fast enough and functional for undemanding users. Can serve as a Wi-Fi repeater to expand the existing network.
Buy at Yulmart
On a modest budget
</ p>What you should pay attention to
To begin with, a few words aboutWhat is a router?It is similar in many ways to a regular computer:it also has a processor, RAM, storage and an operating system. The router establishes a connection with the provider and distributes Internet traffic between connected devices. When many gadgets come online at the same time, it becomes difficult to manage all data flows, and interruptions and freezes occur. A powerful router can withstand higher loads and last as long as possible. Now that we've sorted that out, let's move on to practical advice.
Find out the type of connection that the provider uses
If we are talking about the telephone line, it is worth watchingtowards routers with an ADSL modem and an RJ-11 connector as a WAN port (input). The most common option is Ethernet with an RJ-45 network connector. An important point: connecting via L2TP, PPPoE or PPTP creates an additional load on the processor, so the simplest router can noticeably “cut” the speed. When there is no wired capability, look for a router with an integrated LTE modem. Or with a USB port into which you can insert an external modem. In the latter case, you need to check in advance which 3G / 4G modems the particular model is compatible with. Important: the mere presence of a USB connector does not guarantee that such a function is generally supported.
Calculate how many devices will be connected via cable.
Home PC, game console and smart TVthey are always in the same place, and if possible, it is better for them to use a wired connection - it is safer and often faster than Wi-Fi. Often, routers are equipped with four LAN ports to which such fixed devices can be connected, but in some models there are only two or three. Consider this moment. And it is not only the quantity that matters.
There are two types of network ports. Fast Ethernet has a maximum data transfer rate of 100 Mbps, and in the case of Gigabit Ethernet, it is ten times as fast - 1 Gbps. If the internet from the provider is higher than 100 Mbps, choose among devices with gigabit LAN and WAN. This is also a good option “for growth”, so that later you don’t buy a new router when switching to a faster rate plan.
Pay attention to Wi-Fi standards
Wireless routers create around themWi-Fi network for internet distribution without cable. The simplest models work according to the standard 802.11n in the 2.4 GHz frequency band. It is quite densely occupied - other access points nearby and home appliances (microwaves and baby monitors, for example) can cause serious interference. A more stable connection will provide a router that supports the standard 802.11ac with a frequency of 5 GHz. This range also has a higher data rate limit. The range of "Wi-Fi" will be slightly less, however, 802.11ac devices are backward compatible with 802.11n and allow you to connect gadgets that work only on 2.4 GHz (old laptops, budget smartphones, and so on).
Often, near the name indicates the class of the router,for example, N300 or AC1200. “N” means that the device is clocked at 2.4 GHz, and “AC” indicates support for the 802.11ac standard. The number after the letters is the theoretical maximum throughput for all ranges. On the 802.11n router, you can get up to 600 Mbps (class N600), with two working frequencies - more than 3000 Mbps, if we are talking about top models. Some dual-band routers use two 2.4 GHz channels, but now there are mainly 2.4 / 5 GHz solutions. There are also three-band routers, they create three networks at once: 2.4 GHz and two at 5 GHz.
What you need to know about antennas
Antennas can be external or embedded,when nothing sticks out of the device. Sometimes both types are combined in a router. The more antennas, the more stable the coverage and the higher the maximum (theoretical) data transfer rate in a Wi-Fi network. It is recommended to choose a model with two or more antennas, the gain of which is 5 dBi and higher - usually this parameter is indicated in the characteristics. If the antennas are removable, if necessary, you can install more powerful ones and slightly improve the reception of Wi-Fi. The normal position of external antennas is vertical, although no one forbids experimenting with tilt angles.
How to install a router?
There is no universal answer to this question. For uniform coverage of all rooms, it is desirable to place it closer to the center of the house. To keep the signal path as small as possible, find a high place (on the table, for example, or better on the cabinet or fasten directly on the wall). Remember that metal surfaces reflect the Wi-Fi signal.
When one router is not enough, expand the zoneCoverage is possible using Wi-Fi repeaters. In most cases, on each repeater, the access speed drops at least twice. Mesh-systems, which consist of several modules and create one large Wi-Fi network, are deprived of this disadvantage. They appeared relatively recently and are still quite expensive. The user also has the option of installing additional routers. To connect them, it is often necessary to lay a power cable or use Powerline adapters for communication through a socket (not always suitable because of the increased requirements for wiring quality).
If the router works with errorstry installing the most current versionfirmware. Some models support automatic updates, for others you will have to download the update on the manufacturer’s website. There is also worth a look to clarify the characteristics - in the descriptions of online stores are often inaccurate.
</ p>1. TP-Link Archer C3150: for home and office
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TP-Link Archer C3150 - dual band routerpremium, although not the most expensive in the line of TP-Link. Equipped with a powerful dual-core processor, two more coprocessors are responsible for operating the wireless network at each frequency (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz). MIMO 4 × 4 technology allows you to simultaneously transfer data to four devices, providing a higher speed. For convenience, you can enable Smart Connect when only one network is visible, and the router automatically selects the appropriate range. Four external antennas are removable, the “archer” is able to provide good coverage in a large apartment or house, and is also suitable for small offices.
Throughput in the range of 2.4 GHz is 1000 Mbit / s (4 channels of 250 Mbit / s), at a frequency of 5 GHz - 2167 Mbit / s (4 × 541 Mbit / s). Behind is a gigabit WAN and four LAN ports, also gigabit. In the updated model (ver.2), channel aggregation appeared - using two cables you can connect NAS storage and get the maximum speed of 2 Gb / s. The router is equipped with USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports, it is easy to configure a network printer or media server. It is not clear why the company removed the support of 3G / 4G-modems for the Ukrainian market. In other regions, this feature is available. Users can also start the VPN server and enable Trend Micro's built-in antivirus with parental controls.
The TP-Link Archer C3150 itself is quite large.“You pick it up, you wave the thing.” If there is no space on the table or a suitable shelf, holes are made on the bottom wall for wall mounting. At the top are status indicators and a button to turn off the LEDs when the illumination is in the way. All settings are done through the usual web interface or from a smartphone in the Tether mobile application. Cost of the router6000 hryvnia.
See also: TP-Link Archer C3150 review
4 reasons to buy:
2 reasons not to buy:
- high performance and speed
- stable operation with a large number of devices
- provides good coverage
- suitable for office space
- you don't need such a powerful router
- does not work with 3G / 4G modems in Ukraine
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2. TP-Link Deco M5: Seamless Wi-Fi in a large home
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In an apartment with a complex layout or a largeIn a home, one router may not be enough for stable Wi-Fi reception throughout the entire area. The most elegant solution in this case would be Mesh systems of several routers working as one. They are easy to configure and allow you to expand your Wi-Fi network over time with new nodes. We have already gotten acquainted with several models of the Deco TP-Link line - from the simpler Deco M4 to the almost flagship Deco P7 with support for Powerline technology. “medium” model Deco M5.
TP-Link Deco M5 module looks like a round white onea box with a “wave” on the top panel and a single LED in the center. There are two Gigabit Ethernet ports, the provider cable can be connected to any of them. The remaining nodes are connected wirelessly (or via wire for less speed loss, but then some of the Mesh magic is lost). Setup will take just a couple of minutes: place the new Deco M5 in an area with reliable Wi-Fi reception, plug it into the network and wait until the working module recognizes its brother. All operations are performed in the proprietary TP-Link Deco application for Android and iOS. It offers a fast roaming option so that switching between mesh nodes occurs as seamlessly as possible for the user (client devices must support the 802.11r standard). The manufacturer did not forget about the built-in antivirus with a parental control option. At the same time, some will miss flexible range management, VPN and some other functions of modern routers.
Bandwidth reaches 400 Mbps for 2.4 GHz and 867 Mbps in the 5 GHz band. Since the nodes communicate with each other, the maximum access speed will be lower on a connected laptop or smartphone. Each Deco M5 contains four antennas. Wall mounting is not possible. With wired connections you won’t get much speed - only two network ports per module (one will be occupied on the main one) and a power connector. USB for working with printers or external drives was not delivered.
TP-Link Deco M5s are available individually and in kits of two or three nodes, designed to cover areas up to 350 m² or 510 m² respectively. The price of one module is3000 hryvnia, it’s a little more profitable to buy in sets. This is not a cheap thing, but it is the simplest and most convenient way to create a “seamless” Wi-Fi network without dead zones.
Read also: TP-Link Deco M5 review
3 reasons to buy:
3 reasons not to buy:
- interesting design
- quick and easy to set up
- Wi-Fi in the whole house without cable laying
- high price
- limited functionality
- no web interface
3. Asus RT-AC66U B1: home router for geeks
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Asus RT-AC66U B1 - quite powerful and“breakthrough” dual-band router with support for AiMesh technology. This is Asus's own development, which allows you to expand your existing Wi-Fi network by installing additional routers. Together they work as a mesh system. And if “mesh nodes” have only a basic set of functions, then there are no such restrictions here. True, some users note that AiMesh is not the most stable.
Asus RT-AC66U B1 is equipped with gigabit ports,In addition to the existing WAN, one of the four LANs can be configured as an input for a backup channel. There is a USB 2.0 port on the back and a USB 3.0 port on the front. It supports connecting printers, 3G/4G modems or storage devices to which you can download files without a computer. Setting up a media server is also not a problem. The router definitely falls into the enthusiast/geek category. MU-MIMO technology allows simultaneous data transmission to several devices (3 at 2.4 GHz and 3 at 5 GHz). The total throughput is 1750 Mbit/s. In addition to the web interface, the ASUS Router mobile application with a lot of settings is available.
The current hardware version only assumeshorizontal installation, no holes for wall mounting. As the owners note, the case of the Asus RT-AC66U B1 can become noticeably hot. To prevent overheating, it is important to provide free air flow and avoid direct sunlight. Issue price -2830 hryvnia.
3 reasons to buy:
2 reasons not to buy:
- not bad "breaks through" the wall
- works with flash drives and 3G / 4G modems
- and generally very functional
- heated (in a closed space is better not to put)
- long reboot
4. Huawei B315s-22: router for summer cottage or country house
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Behind the city, where speed is not availableInternet, it remains to rely on mobile operators. And if you need to distribute Wi-Fi to several devices, the easiest way is to buy a router with a built-in 3G / 4G modem. Such as the Huawei B315s-22 with a slot for SIM-cards - "inserted and running." The model is not suitable for CDMA connection, only GSM / LTE / UMTS standards are supported. The benefit of modern 3G and 4G-networks cover all large areas.
The manufacturer promises a Wi-Fi coverage area of up to 250m². This is in ideal conditions, but for a country house (if it is not a three-story mansion) the transmitter power is enough. Only the 802.11n standard is declared at a frequency of 2.4 GHz, bandwidth - 300 Mbit/s. 4G Internet speeds can reach 150 Mbit/s for download and 50 Mbit/s for upload, in 3G networks up to 42/5.76 Mbit/s. At the back, under the cover, there are two mounts for antennas that enhance the mobile network signal. Regular Wi-Fi antennas are suitable for these purposes. On Chinese online sites you can find simpler and more expensive external GSM antennas (you need versions for an SMA connector). But if the reception is good without them, you won’t feel a big increase in speed.
With wired connections, Huawei B315 has everything in orderok. There are three LAN ports and a combined LAN/WAN, so you can use the “stationary” Internet. There is also a USB connector for working with drives or network printers. Another feature of the router is the RJ-11 port, to which a regular home phone is connected for calls on the cellular operator’s network. The router will cost2400 hryvnia.
4 reasons to buy:
2 reasons not to buy:
- built-in 3G / 4G modem
- interesting design
- does not distribute Wi-Fi at 5 GHz
- you need a router for cdma internet
5. TP-Link Archer C5 V4: simple gigabit router
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When an ISP offers Internet access onspeeds of more than 100 Mbit/s or you have NAS storage at home, choose a router with gigabit Ethernet ports. “I have them,” the TP-Link Archer C5 might say. This is another nice model in a light body with a textured top panel and four non-removable antennas. In the fourth hardware version, the manufacturer has updated the web interface, now the control panel looks modern and allows you to easily configure basic parameters. Even a beginner can figure it out.
The router operates in two bands.The data transfer speed over the wireless channel reaches 300 Mbit/s at a frequency of 2.4 GHz and 867 Mbit/s at 5 GHz. Next to four LAN ports and one WAN is a USB 2.0 connector. In addition to the power button, there is a WPS key with which you can turn Wi-Fi on/off. There is no built-in antivirus, as in top models, but parental control functions remain. As well as the ability to create a guest access point, isolated from home network devices.
The router is suitable for viewingInternet television (IPTV). In Ukraine, the USB port is used exclusively for working with flash drives and external drives. In other regions, 3G/4G modems are supported. TP-Link Archer C5 V4 can be hung on the wall. Issue price -1400 hryvnia.
3 reasons to buy:
2 reasons not to buy:
- the router looks beautiful
- dual band and gigabit ports
- USB port
- no USB modem support for Ukraine
- you need a VPN or print server feature
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6. TP-Link Archer C20: inexpensive dual-band Wi-Fi router
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The design of the TP-Link Archer C20 is similar to itsolder brothers. The top of the case is dark, the current version has three external antennas and no USB port. This is one of the most affordable dual-band routers. The AC750 class means a maximum throughput of 433 Mbps at 5 GHz and 300 Mbps at 2.4 GHz. But only within the network. Since the ports (1 WAN and 4 LAN) are not gigabit, the speed of wired connections is limited to 100 Mbps.
TP-Link Archer C20 uses the simplestversion of the web interface, but it supports all major languages. There are few additional functions. The only thing that can be noted is parental controls, but the settings are not as intuitive as in higher-end models. Overall, this is a good solution for those who choose an inexpensive router that supports current wireless standards. If the Internet access speed according to the tariff is less than 100 Mbit/s, and you are satisfied with everything, there is no need to spend money on a model with Gigabit Ethernet ports. The junior “archer” is designed for installation only in a horizontal position. It will cost800 hryvnia.
2 reasons to buy:
2 reasons not to buy:
- two frequency bands
- all the necessary buttons on the case
- you need gigabit ethernet ports
- you plan to hang the router on the wall
7. TP-Link TD-W8961N: Home ADSL router
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Providers are gradually abandoning outdatedADSL technologies are expanding coverage with optical networks, but a faster connection is not yet available everywhere. With a DSL connection, a subscriber can be offered a simple Wi-Fi router with a relatively small reception area. Things are better with TP-Link TD-W8961N, equipped with two antennas. With it, the data transfer rate over the wireless channel can reach 300 Mbps. Four hundred megabit LAN ports are available.
Figure on the top panel of the routerplays not only an aesthetic, but also a practical role - small holes promote natural air circulation. There are power, WPS and Wi-Fi shutdown buttons. Unfortunately, if over time the user decides to change the provider and connection type, it will not be possible to assign the LAN as a WAN. TP-Link TD-W8961N costs800 hryvnia.
Main reason to buy
2 reasons not to buy:
- you need an ADSL router with good Wi-Fi coverage
- only works in one range
- router for DSL connection only
8. Tenda F3: Affordable and Long Range Router
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You can do only one thing, but do it well. Tenda F3 is a single-band model that creates a wireless network at 2.4 GHz with data transfer rates of up to 300 Mbps. The router is equipped with three external antennas and is able to provide Wi-Fi coverage over an area of up to 200 m², the manufacturer says. In practice, everything will depend on the layout, wall thickness and other factors, but the owners of F3 also note a good communication range. Located behind the WAN-port and three LANs, speeds up to 100 Mbps.
The router is very easy to configureweb interface (in Russian or Ukrainian). Here you can also limit the bandwidth for individual devices on your home network. Tenda F3 supports IPTV and bridge mode to expand your Wi-Fi network. There is a wall mount - it seems like a small thing, but in budget models this is often forgotten. The router will cost450 hryvnia.
3 reasons to buy:
1 reason not to buy
- large Wi-Fi coverage
- easy to configure
- IPTV and other useful features
- no buttons to turn off the power and Wi-Fi
9. Mercusys MW301R: a shameful cheap router
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One of the most affordable models on the market.The Mercusys MW301R performed well in our review, but with one caveat - we didn't ask too much of it. If you have a computer, laptop and a couple of smartphones/tablets at home, even such a budget router will be enough. And for more serious loads there are solutions higher on the list. The device is equipped with two antennas operating in the 2.4 GHz band. The maximum theoretical speed on a Wi-Fi network is 300 Mbps. At the rear there are three Ethernet ports (WAN and 2xLAN) with a throughput of 100 Mbps.
Mercusys MW301R is clear and convenientweb configuration interface. Despite the low cost, all basic features are supported, including parental controls, guest networking and bridge mode. Using a router, you can expand your existing Wi-Fi coverage or connect your home PC to the Internet without laying a cable. Issue price -300 hryvnia.
3 reasons to buy:
2 reasons not to buy:
- not expensive
- just customizable
- there is a bridge mode
- may not be enough LAN-ports
- not designed for heavy loads
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