Top 5 Wireless Routers to Boost your Internet Connections
Upgrading your router is important in order to improve your Wi-Fi so you get a stronger signal and faster speeds on your laptops, phones, tablets and all your other wireless devices. Here are the top 5 routers of 2017.
1) Google Wifi
There’s no web-based interface and the new Wi-Fi system can only be set up and controlled via the new Google Wifi mobile application. Once set up, the Google Wifi will stay connected to Google at all times. It will also log into your Google account each time you want to manage it. You just need two things: An Internet-connected iOS or Android mobile device, like a phone or a tablet, a Google account, which you can get for free. Google claims the system is constantly analyzing the air space to figure out the cleanest channel and the best Wi-Fi band (5GHz or 2.4GHz) for a client to connect to. At just $129 for a single unit or $299 for a set of three, the Google Wifi is cheaper than other Wi-Fi systems.
2) Synology RT2600AC
Synology comes with a Linux-based software interface that presents a Windows-like environment, with icons, folders and so on with all the settings to configure your hardware. Synology is using the same software design with the Synology Router Manager on the RT1900ac, its first wireless router. Hardware-wise it offers the same sort of thing as other routers, with 1300 Mbps 802.11ac and 600 Mbps 802.11n. There’s also great support for shared storage, with well-designed iOS and Android apps to access files. Uniquely, there’s also an SD card slot joining the single USB 3 port for shared external storage.
3) Netgear Orbi
Setting up the Orbi system is fairly easy. First, you connect the main Orbi router to an internet source like a broadband modem and turn it on. After that, place the add-on satellite unit at a distance from the main router and then turn it on. Both the devices are preconfigured to work together, and the satellite will automatically replicate the Wi-Fi settings of the main router. The Orbi achieves about the same range as the Eero which includes three units. Most importantly, there was no signal loss in the extension Wi-Fi network. The Orbi Wi-Fi system easily delivers large Wi-Fi coverage without compromising on speed. The system doesn’t require an account with Netgear to work. The Orbi also has multiple hardware units and it’s expensive as well, costing $400 for a set of two and an additional unit will cost another $250.
4) Linksys WRT1900ACS
The Linksys WRT1900ACS comes with three wireless streams and is a less expensive proposition than the above quad-stream 802.11ac routers. While it doesn’t offer the same intense performance, it still packs performance and great software. Its internals is very powerful. A dual-core 1.6 GHz processor and 512MB of the memory drive a great-looking software interface that makes it very easy to set up and customize a home network, with a built-in VPN, great wireless range as well as fast external connectivity via USB. Linksys WRT1900ACS is a slick, comprehensive software with great range and performance with fast USB shared storage. Though it lacks the nifty 4×4 antenna speeds of some routers and is also relatively pricey.
5) TP-Link Archer C7
If you’re looking for a cable router you won’t go far wrong with the TP-Link Archer C9. Not only does it have an attractive design with great wireless transfer speeds, it is also not very expensive. Its performance outdoes many routers costing twice as much for sheer speed, which is no mean feat. It’s a dual-band router and performance across both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands left us impressed. There are also USB ports for sharing storage or a wireless printer. That makes the TP-Link Archer C9 a great router all round.
Conclusion
There is such a wide variety of routers out there, and new WiFi client devices are constantly appearing so finding the best router for your network is a bit difficult. But this list should give you an idea about the best ones in the market.
Dhruvil is a Writer & Marketeer for Nimblechapps, joined in December 2014, based out of Sydney, Australia. He has worked briefly as a Branding and Digital Marketing Manager before moving to Australia. At Nimblechapps, he worked on Social Media Marketing, Branding, Email Marketing and Blogging. Dhruvil studies Business at University of Western Sydney, and also handles Operations for the company in Australia.