Without a modem, there is no internet signal for a router to latch onto, and they are useless.Īlthough routers depend on the modem to work, they are a more sophisticated piece of hardware. Modems connect directly with the internet cable from outside, and are responsible for bringing internet into the home. You see, there are two types of hardware that bring internet connectivity to your home: modems and routers. But if you need to connect more than one system to your internet connection, such as a television, tablet or laptop, or if you want to access WiFi capabilities, you need a router. Especially for those who enjoy online gaming, you will find superior internet performance by connecting your modem directly to your computer or console. There are definitely some situations where the modem is more important than the internet. If you want to get the most out of your internet, you need an awesome router. ![]() However, it’s not enough for most people simply to have a fast cable service or a great modem. While a majority of the routers in our ratings do quite well in our labs, the ones here stand out with strong Overall Scores, offering solid performance at a range of distances and decent privacy and security protections.Good internet access is important for a lot of people these days. Our goal remains the same: to provide accurate, scientifically rigorous data so you can make informed buying decisions. Given the big role WiFi now plays in our lives, we recently refined our testing methodology to reflect real-world conditions better. They’re just less equipped to deal with the heavy traffic of a home or apartment building filled with internet-connected devices. While those are generally a few years old, they still perform quite well-and are often cheaper than their WiFi 6 counterparts. You may notice that we still have a handful of WiFi 5 wireless routers in those ratings, including prominent models made by companies like Google and Netgear. The current WiFi standard is known as WiFi 6, which is sometimes (including in our ratings) referred to by its technical name 802.11ax. These can cost as little as $20 and generally do a good job of, yes, extending your WiFi network to a hard-to-reach part of your home. On the other hand, if you’re merely trying to improve WiFi in a single room, an inexpensive WiFi extender may be a better alternative. ![]() ![]() The satellite units of a mesh router can be moved around to maximize coverage, steering the WiFi signal around obstacles such as doors, walls, and appliances. That’s especially true if you work from home, even just a few days per week nobody likes dealing with dropped video calls. The units then “talk” to one another, creating what’s known as a mesh network.Ī single router is generally fine for apartments and smaller houses, but if you live in a house larger than 2,000 square feet, a mesh router may be a better pick. Mesh routers feature one unit that plugs into the modem, plus one or two additional units, sometimes referred to as “satellites” or “beacons,” that can be stationed in other parts of your home. There are more than 100 models in our ratings, split across two categories: multi-unit mesh routers and single-unit wireless routers.Ī single-unit router plugs directly into your modem. But if you experience problems with dead spots or slow connections, Fisco says, it could be time to go shopping. A good router can help you make sure the answer is yes.
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