For all of their work, wireless routers don't get the recognition they deserve. Despite the fact that pretty much all of us take them for granted, these humble little gadgets have a very important job: to take a wired internet connection and turn it into a Wi-Fi signal that laptops, printers, mobile devices, smart TVs, streaming players, and game consoles can connect for use on a wireless network.
If you're like most people you're probably using a relatively simple router provided by your ISP (and you'll likely pay monthly rental fees for it, too), but buying your own router has a few advantages aside from the potential reduction in that ISP Charges: This gives you closer control over your local network and allows you a clearer, congestion-free wireless connection. To help you, we've rounded up the best cheap WiFi router deals you can find online right now - from cheap routers to high-performance, high-bandwidth models that offer the latest and greatest in networking features.
Today's Best WiFi Router Deals
- Belkin AC1200 dual band WiFi router - - $ 27, was $ 90
- TP-Link Archer A7 AC1750 dual-band WiFi router - - $ 63. was $ 80
- Linksys Max-Stream AC3000 tri-band WiFi router - - $ 150, was $ 250
- Asus Blue Cave AC2600 dual-band WiFi router - - $ 136. was $ 180
- TP-Link Deco AC2200 Tri-Band Mesh WiFi System (Pack of 2) - - $ 180, was $ 300
- Gryphon Guardian dual-band mesh radio system with built-in security and child safety (3 units) - - $ 215 with code 10DIGITRENDS, was $ 239
A beginner's guide to wireless routers
If you have the internet, you almost certainly have a WiFi router somewhere in your house. There's also a good chance it was the one provided by your ISP, which means you'll likely pay a monthly fee to rent it. These ISP-provided routers are generally not the best, as you'd expect - they're often the same cheap routers you can buy for yourself for $ 20 to $ 40 - but that doesn't stop service providers from paying anywhere from $ 5 to $ 15 - Calculate dollars per month in "Equipment Rental Fees" for the privilege of using one.
That alone is a big reason why finding a good deal on WiFi router and buying your own is a good idea, as even a solid mid-range device can easily pay for itself in a few months. Another reason is that a good WiFi router can improve your home or office WiFi network by allowing you to take advantage of the internet speeds you pay for. This is especially important if you have multiple users connected to the internet at the same time, and even more so if you regularly stream or play online. Routers are relatively complicated, and some of the specifications and terms can be a bit confusing to the uninitiated. So here is what you should know before you buy.
What does "dual band" mean?
Most of the Wi-Fi routers you'll see today (even cheap routers) are dual-band routers, which means that they transmit data over two separate streams or "bands". The 2.4 GHz band is used for tasks with moderate bandwidth requirements such as surfing the Internet, while the 5 GHz band is reserved for high-bandwidth jobs such as HD video streaming and online gaming that involve a lot of data being transferred at the same time become. Splitting your wireless connection across two "highways" in this way will help prevent congestion, especially if several people are using the Internet at the same time, which can slow down your connection. Many newer routers also have a feature called MU-MIMO (multi-user, multi-input / multi-output) that divides the bands into separate channels to further reduce congestion when the network is heavily loaded.
What does "bandwidth" mean?
When a "tape" is a stream of data, "bandwidth" refers to how much data can be simultaneously transmitted over that stream. Think of something like an oil pipeline - the wider the pipe, the more it can pass at one time. The bandwidth of the router is very different. How much you need depends on your network environment. On a wireless router, the bandwidth speed is usually represented by a number (N450, AC1900, AC5300, etc.) that shows at a glance how many megabytes per second (Mbps) of data can be transmitted over all bands at the same time.
The routers, which are usually rented from ISPs, are on the lower end of the bandwidth spectrum (which is why, as we said, we can find a good deal on WiFi routers so you can buy your own), but 600 to 2,400 Mbps is good Range for regular users and small families. Larger networks and more demanding users such as gamers are better served by a router in the range from 3,200 to 6,700 Mbit / s, while routers in the range from 7,200 to 9,600 Mbit / s are deeply in the "professional" range - think of large offices and other bandwidths . severe network environments. Note that this total bandwidth is divided between the bands. For example, a dual band AC1600 router with a total bandwidth of 1,600 Mbit / s can specify 300 Mbit / s for the 2.4 GHz band and 1,300 Mbit / s for the 5 GHz band.
Can wireless routers provide cable connections?
Almost all WLAN routers (this also applies to cheap routers) have Ethernet LAN connections on the back, which allow multiple cable connections at the desired points. Depending on where your wireless router is installed, it may be worthwhile to use a wired Ethernet connection, as this is almost always faster than a wireless connection. For example, if your router is near your PC or smart TV, it is not a bad idea to take advantage of this wired connectivity. This also frees up some wireless bandwidth that your other devices use for their WiFi, which prevents wireless traffic from becoming overloaded, although your overall bandwidth is still determined by your Internet service.
Can a faster WiFi router give me faster internet?
Your basic internet speeds are limited by your service provider and depend on the internet plan you are paying for. A faster wireless router cannot increase the bandwidth limits set by your ISP. However, with a faster router, you can make better use of the speed you pay for if a slow device - like the cheap routers usually provided by ISPs - bottlenecks your connection. If you're paying for faster internet, make sure you get a router that doesn't create a "choke point" slowing down your WiFi to ensure you're getting all of the bandwidth you are already paying for. For example, you need a gigabit-enabled router (that is, at least 1,000 Mbps in the 5 GHz band) if, for example, you have gigabit Internet service.
What are mesh routers?
If you have a large home or are looking for a router that can adequately cover a similarly sized space (like a multi-story office), consider investing in a mesh router system. In contrast to standard WLAN routers with one unit, mesh router systems have several "hubs" that you can place in your entire network zone. These hubs amplify your internet's wireless signal and essentially cover your home or office with Wi-Fi connectivity, reducing or eliminating dead zones on the network. This prevents you from losing your connection when moving.
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