The router is a fundamental piece for our day to day when we talk about Internet connections. It is a basic device that allows us to navigate the network both wired and wirelessly. Now, if we take into account how current connections are, most are via Wi-Fi. We have at our disposal a wide range of possibilities with multiple mobile devices. In this sense, it is important to keep the router in good condition, that the components work correctly and not have problems that affect speed or quality. In this article we are going to talk about the differences between the external and internal antennas of a router .
External and internal antennas on a router
As we say, wireless networks are much more important today than a few years ago. If we look back, before the normal thing was to surf the Internet with a computer connected by cable to the router. Now the common thing is to connect from the mobile, use tablets, laptops and a wide variety of devices of what we know as the Internet of Things.
Now, for all this to work properly, for the wireless coverage to be adequate, it is important to have a good router. At the end of the day, it is what will make the difference when browsing, since it can have a greater or lesser reach without cable, offer greater or lesser stability, quality …
Router antennas are very important in this regard. However, it is necessary to differentiate between external and internal antennas. Some routers may have only internal antennas, others may have both. Let’s see how they differ and when it is better to have one option or the other.
Internal antennas on a router
First of all we are going to begin to explain the advantages and aspects to be highlighted of the internal antennas of a router . As we can imagine, they are the ones that are inside the device and are not physically visible.
This fact will not mean that the quality of the connection is worse. In fact, there are many routers that have internal antennas, like today most devices (computers, tablets, mobiles …). The normal thing is that these equipments that we mentioned have antennas that are not visible.
Beyond what we discussed, if the antennas are not visible, one of the main advantages is that the signal flows in a spherical way , so to speak. That is, the router will distribute the signal everywhere equally. We will not have to worry about orienting the antenna so that the signal reaches a better place.
We can say that the internal antennas offer a more complete coverage , more oriented to a home or premises where we are going to connect from anywhere. They will be more suitable for interiors.
External antennas on a router
On the other side we have the option of external antennas on a router . As we have indicated some may even have both options. External antennas are better for sending the signal further away from the router. It will therefore have greater capacity in this regard.
The external antennas can also be oriented. We can move them as we are interested and to be able to connect from a better specific place. It allows to gain quality in the direction that is emitting.
Of course, it must be taken into account that this improvement that we mentioned will be present in the area where the antenna points and that in the rest we will have a lower quality. We do not have that “sphere” that we mentioned with the internal antennas.
On the other hand, it should be mentioned that there are no differences in terms of the transmission power before internal or external. In this sense, both will work the same.
In short, as we have seen there are some important differences between the external and internal antennas of a router. Each type may be better in certain circumstances, although for normal use, in a home, the differences would be little appreciable.