The key to a connected house is the linked part. A smart system without the wireless communication features is just an everyday old device! Some smart devices communicate by means of Bluetooth, but the huge majority join by means of Wi-Fi. Due to this fact, the Wi-Fi router is likely one of the most vital parts of a smart home!

Typically your internet service provider provides to have you lease a router. This is often a bad deal. You possibly can typically lower your expenses by buying your own router. Read on to search out the precise router for your home.

Router Speed

There are a number of totally different classifications of router speeds, denoted as 802.11 followed by a letter. The Wi-Fi speed ranks go like this: a -> b -> g -> n -> ac, with «a» being the slowest, and «ac» being the fastest.

In case you’re within the market for a new router, beware 802.11a, 802.11b, or 802.11g routers. These routers are a number of years outdated, and unless you’re getting them for rock backside greenback, they don’t seem to be well worth the money.

802.11n routers tout speeds as much as 300 megabits per second, and 802.11ac routers can reach speeds round 1300+ megabits per second. Now keep in mind, the maximum speed you will get depends on the internet service you pay for. Most modern homes shouldn’t have access to speeds faster than 300 megabits, so you’d likely be okay with buying an 802.11n router. However, if you wish to be future-proof, buying an 802.11ac router should have you set for the subsequent a number of years.

Dual Band vs. Single Band

Many routers supply dual band functionality, resembling 2.four ghz signals and 5 ghz signals. Single band routers only provide 2.four ghz signals. You probably have a number of units or really need the additional speed, go for the twin band router. If your router use will be modest, you can save some money and stick with the only band.

Extenders and Mesh Networks

If you have a large home, you might have to purchase Wi-Fi extenders. These gadgets can boost the signal and reach additional rooms within the house. I like to recommend setting up your new router first to see if extenders are necessary.

If money is not any object, you could possibly buy routers with mesh networking technology. These routers automatically work collectively to create a powerful Wi-Fi network. The technology is generally used in commercial buildings, however is now becoming more accessible for the consumer. That being said, mesh routers will be very costly!