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THE WIRECUTTER BEST ROUTER DOWNLOAD

Not all manufacturers disclose the CPU and memory inside of their routers, but when we find outstanding specs, we do consider them when deciding what to test. The slow processors found in most cheap routers can still drag things down, no matter how good the radios that broadcast the Wi-Fi are.

A fast processor and RAM: A router with a speedy multi-core processor and extra RAM can handle more connected devices and provide improved performance.

Expandability: You should be able to add more nodes later to extend and improve coverage even farther, if you discover dead spots or move into a larger house.

Ethernet ports on the satellites or nodes also let you extend the network with wires, using wired backhaul. Multiple Ethernet ports: Ethernet ports on a mesh kit’s satellites let you connect devices such as TVs, streaming boxes, and gaming consoles away from the base unit, giving them the benefit of unfettered access to the internet bandwidth you’re paying for.A great mesh kit minimizes that wait even if the network is busy serving other devices. Latency-or lag-is the time spent waiting for the next thing to happen. Low latency test results: Slow internet sucks.We tested each kit to see its maximum potential when close to the base unit, as well as in trouble spots in the home, to see how well the mesh signals could be successfully routed around obstacles like appliances and walls. Good range test results: You should be able to connect to a well-placed mesh kit from anywhere in your house.

THE WIRECUTTER BEST ROUTER DOWNLOAD

In our tests, network speed -or throughput-varies from “This YouTube video will never finish loading” to “You can download a video game in an instant.” Generally, we looked for the mesh kits that performed above average, and we dismissed the slower routers.

Good speed test results: Speed claims on the box don’t mean much in the real world.

You should be able to get your home on the internet in less than half an hour with a mesh network.

Ease of setup and administration: Setting up a new network is often hard, but it doesn’t need to be.

Wi-Fi 5 (and some Wi-Fi 4) laptops, phones, and other devices will continue to dominate your home for the next few years, and the premium that Wi-Fi 6 demands just isn’t worth it yet. While many recent reviews tout either of this year’s new standards, Wi-Fi 6 or 6E, as the solution to all your wireless problems, based on our tests and research, we continue to recommend a Wi-Fi 5 (aka 802.11ac) mesh kit as our pick and budget alternative. Most people, however, don’t need mesh Wi-Fi, and if you live in an average home or apartment, a regular router is just fine.

After spending hundreds of hours evaluating and testing 60 Wi-Fi mesh-networking kits in home and lab environments over the past two years, we’re confident that the Asus ZenWiFi AC (CT8) set is the best mesh router for most people who need one. Mesh-networking kits take the weight off just one router, instead spreading multiple access points around your house to improve the range and performance of your Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi that sucks can be more frustrating than no Wi-Fi at all, and the culprit in many cases is one router trying to cover too much house.