Not all manufacturers publish these details, but we do consider the standout hardware when deciding what to test. No matter how good the radios that broadcast the Wi-Fi are, the slow single-core processors found in most cheap routers can still drag things down. A fast processor and RAM: A router with a speedy multi-core processor and extra RAM can handle more connected devices and offer improved performance.We looked for routers with at least four ports, an arrangement that also lets you connect to any Ethernet or powerline extenders you have in your home.
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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 routers that performed above average, and we dismissed the slower routers.
The cheapest routers-which cost as little as $20 or $30-use a single band, or frequency, of the Wi-Fi standard that came out in 2009 (802.11n, rarely referred to as Wi-Fi 4). Current-generation technology: Since we’re looking to improve your Wi-Fi, we considered only dual- or tri-band routers that support the more recent Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6 standards.