We always have a router at home if we have contracted an Internet connection with any operator, either fiber or ADSL. But not always the ones installed by the telephone companies are the best routers and that is why it is advisable to change them, bet on others that allow us to have a higher speed or better coverage so that the signal arrives correctly to any corner of the house.
If you are satisfied with connecting to the Internet and that it goes well, without more, you will not have to bet on one of the best routers of 2020. Instead, it is recommended if you want to improve your security, have more features available, improve coverage, make the most of the contracted speed … There are many options, from different brands and we review everything you need to know about them.
What is a router?
A router is a device capable of transferring the signal to all the devices that you have at home and that you want to connect to the Internet. The router has no connection to the telephone line or interprets the line as such (that is done by a modem) but what it does is to expand the signal to send it to all the devices you have at home: the computer, the television, the telephone mobile, wireless speaker …
What happens is that although the routers originally did not have the possibility of translating the signal, modular and demodular, nowadays the most common thing is that we call router to devices that work as modem and router at the same time. That is, they have a built-in modem that allows us to connect them to the telephone line and are capable of transmitting the signal to all devices, whether we do it by cable or if we use a Wi-Fi network for it. These options are the best as it will save us from having two devices at home and cover all needs.
Differences between modem and router
There are differences between a modem and a router, they do not fulfill the same function. As we explained in previous paragraphs, a modem is a device responsible for modulating and demodulating the Internet signal. It connects to the telephone line and converts the analog signal into a digital signal that will go to the device to which it is connected, be it the computer or another device. The problem with the modem is that it is only able to carry the signal to one device but not more. Usually, to a router that is the one that expands it. That is why we need a router that is capable of expanding the translated signal so that it reaches all the devices we have at home and that are connected to Wi-Fi and are increasingly. Although, as we say, this modem is currently rare to see it as an independent device and is usually already incorporated into the routers so you will not have to worry.
Other devices: mesh networks, repeaters, PLC …
Beyond the router, you will have heard that there are other devices such as Wi-Fi repeaters or network extenders . Is it enough to buy them instead of changing the router? In most cases, these repeaters or network extenders allow us to have better coverage throughout the house but they are not substitutes for the functions that a good quality router does. As the name implies, what network extenders or repeaters do is that the signal reaches places or areas of the house where it usually does not arrive.
The repeaters keep the Wi-Fi signal expanding thanks to the built-in antennas and easily connect to a plug. For their part, network extenders fulfill the same function but they do so through home installation: they create a WiFi network to which you can connect thanks to its configuration through wiring and as long as they are in the same electrical panel the plugs to which you are going to connect these network or PLC extenders.
For its part, Mesh WiFi networks or mesh networks require a specific and compatible router so betting on them will first go to find a new one. What the mesh network achieves is that we install nodes throughout the house or room and these nodes communicate with each other so that coverage reaches everywhere
Why buy a new one?
Do you need a router? Not to connect to the Internet, if it is the only thing you need, because the companies and operators include their own but they are not always of great quality, they do not always have a good reach or they are not always compatible with some functions that we will find in the best routers 2020 or, in general, the best in the market. Having a quality router will allow us to take full advantage of the connection if you tend to despair because the speed is low or the signal does not reach certain points in the house.
In addition, they also usually include technologies such as Beamforming that will make you have fewer failures and get more precise connections. Another reason why it is worth changing the device and betting on some of the best routers of 2020 is because they will have more security options and usually have a greater number of updates in order to protect us from possible failures. They also have options and customization such as the possibility of creating Wi-Fi networks for guests, parental control or can even be used or controlled from an app.
Usually, summarizing the reasons why buying a router would be:
- Faster connection speed
- Better coverage in all areas of the house
- More security options
- Functions and customization options
- Technologies that make the most of the connection
What should we look at?
When choosing a router, you should look at a number of things to make sure it is a good option. Aspects that will make it one of the best routers.
- Wi-Fi version . There are many versions of Wi-Fi and it is important that your new router is compatible with some of the current or more modern ones. At least, it is recommended that it be compatible with Wi-Fi 5 although its performance will be even better if it is also certified for Wi-Fi 6.
- Ethernet ports that will allow us to access more devices through cable. The current routers have several Gigabit Ethernet ports for LAN that offers us higher speeds and improves bandwidth.
- USB 3.0 ports that will allow us to have high transfer rates on the local network.
- The firmware will be the one that allows us the functions that we can configure in the router so that it is as complete as possible and we can take full advantage of them. Most of the best routers on the market belong to brands with very complete firmwares that will give us many options.
- Processor and RAM . Of course, what we ask of any other device we ask the best router: a fast processor that ensures good performance and quality RAM are essential when choosing the best device to install at home.
- WPS button It is not essential but it is interesting if you want to connect to the router without entering the access password.
Best routers of 2020
We collect some of the best routers of 2020 if you are looking to change yours.
ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX11000
If you are looking for one of the best routers for gaming, the ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 is one of the best options. It is essential to have a powerful router if you want your games to work smoothly and you will get it with this model. A top-of-the-range device that is compatible with 3-band Wi-Fi 6 with a speed of up to 1,148 Mbps in the 2.4 GHz band and with a speed of up to 4,804 Mbps in the two 5 GHz bands. It works with the Asuswrt firmware with everything type of customization and configuration options, compatible with Wi-Fi Aimesh and incorporates four Gigabit Ethernet ports for LAN and a Gigabit Ethernet port for Internet WAN, among other functions.
Linkys EA9500-EU
The Lynksys router is another of the best options in the high range if you have a high budget to spend. Not only is it of great quality but it also has support for Mesh WiFi networks that will allow us to increase coverage everywhere. It has eight Gigabit ports for LAN and with USB 3.0 connectivity and with USB 2.0 connectivity for whatever you need. Another of the best options of the high range that you will find for about 280 euros approximately.
NETGEAR Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR700
Another of the best 2020 routers for gaming is the NETGear Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR700 at the top of the manufacturer’s range and it has simultaneous triple band with AD7200 Wi-Fi. With NETGEAR we can achieve a speed of up to 800 Mbps in the 2.4 GHz band and a speed of up to 1733 Mbps in the 5 GHz band thanks to the built-in WI-Fi 5 technology or to the four antennas of the router in MIMO4T4R configuration . The Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR700 has a Gigabit Ethernet port for WAN and 6 Gigabit Ethernet ports for LAN.
ASUS RT-AX88U AX6000
If you want one of the best routers of 2020 and the market, the ASUS is one of the best options in the high range at a good price that does not exceed 300 euros. It is a simultaneous dual band router with Wi-Fi 6 that allows us a speed of up to 1,148 Mbps in the 2.4 GHz band and speed in the 5 GHz band of up to 4804 Mbps with four MU-MIMO 4T4R configuration antennas . It has the latest technology with MU-MIMO or ODFMA that will optimize the wireless network and the radio spectrum respectively. This router also has the WPS button to connect quickly, with 8 Gigabit Ethernet ports for LAN and a Gigabit Ethernet port for WAN. Another of the main reasons to bet on this router is its firmware, one of the most complete with ASUSWRT with all kinds of functions and options such as Wi-Fi for guests, bandwidth limiter, parental control, AiProtection Pro, adaptive QoS …
Synology RT2600ac
The Synology RT2600ac router is one of the best options if you are looking for something complete and with great performance both in the wireless and cable section. In addition, it will allow you to create a Wi-Fi Mesh network with nodes throughout the house and improve the coverage you have with your operator’s usual device. Another feature is that it has 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports for LAN and a Gigabit Ethernet port for WAN. It is a device with simultaneous dual band that allows us to reach a speed of up to 800 Mbps in 2.4 GHz and a speed of up to 1,733 Mbps in the 5 GHz band. One of the advantages of this router is that it is committed to modern technologies and current ones that allow the best coverage and speed as Wi-Fi roaming, as Band Steering, as MU-MIMO technology or as Beamforming. Beyond this, it has buttons to turn on or off wireless coverage or with WPS button so that we connect quickly.
D-LINK DIR-842 AC1200
If you are looking for one of the best routers on the market for less than 70 euros , this D-Link is one of the best options you can buy, easy to use and very affordable. It is an input range device but perfect if you want something basic, quality and want to change the router of the operator you have at home. It is a simultaneous dual band device that allows us up to 300 Mbps speed in the 2.4 GHz band and we will achieve a speed of up to 867 Mbps in the 5 GHz band. It has a Gigabit Ethernet port for WAN and 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports for LAN although we will have neither USB 3.0 ports nor USB 2.0 ports but it is a great cheap option.
TP-LINK M7200
This router is a portable device to take anywhere, a 4G router that allows 4G or 3G coverage with 50 Mbps upload speeds and up to 150 Mbps downloads and is compatible with up to 10 devices simultaneously. It is not a conventional router to use but it is a 4G router with integrated modem that is perfect for traveling or on vacation and has a battery of about eight hours of operation. In addition, another advantage is that we can configure it through an iOS or Android application.
NETGEAR Nighthawk MR MR2100
Another recommended 4G router is the Nighthawk MR MR2100, one of the best in its category, a MiFi 4G device that will allow us to have coverage with 3G networks and 4G networks and allows download speeds of 2 Gbps or upload speeds of up to 150 Mbps. With this MiFi router we can connect up to 20 devices simultaneously and also has a Gigabit Ethernet port, a USB Type-C port with QuickCharge 2.0 to charge your battery and a USB 2.0 port to use as an external battery or connect a hard disk or a pendrive Another advantage of the NETGEAR Nighthawk MR MR2100 is that we can incorporate external antennas to make the coverage even better and reach everywhere. The only drawback is that it is not exactly cheap and is around 450 euros on Amazon.
ASUS Blue Cave AC2600
If you are looking for one of the best routers in the market, taking into account a careful design that does not look “bad” in your living room or in your office, the ASUS Blue Cave AC2600 is perfect for you and combines design and quality. It is a device with simultaneous dual band with WiFi AC capable of reaching up to 800 Mbps speed in the 2.4 GHz band and a speed of up to 1,734 Mbps in the 5 GHz band. It also has Beamforming technology or a button WPS to connect easily from any computer. It is equipped with 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports for LAN and a Gigabit Ethernet port for WAN, as well as a USB 3.0 port for whatever you need. But beyond top-of-the-line technical features, it is an elegant router with a totally different design than what you are used to. Small, modern and that fits anywhere.
