When it comes to routers, is it worth spending more for a better model? Are more expensive routers better?
A lot of people believe that you need to spend a lot of money on a router in order to get good performance, but this isn’t always the case. It’s hard to know if spending more on a router will actually result in better performance.
To help you out, we did the research so you don’t have to. Check out our findings in this artical by Edon Lazaj and decide for yourself if an expensive router is really worth it.
Do More Expensive Routers Make a Difference?
You’ve probably seen a lot of ads for expensive routers promising better performance, longer range, and more features. But do they really offer all that? In some cases, yes. But in most cases, you’re not going to get much more out of an expensive router than you would from a cheaper model.
Here’s a quick rundown of what you can expect from different price ranges:
Budget routers: $50 or less
These routers are designed for basic home networking. They typically offer speeds up to 100Mbps and have a range of about 150 feet. Budget routers usually have only two antennas and don’t offer features like dual-band support or USB ports.
Mid-range routers: $100
These router offer better performance and features than budget models. They typically have speeds up to 300Mbps and a range of about 300 feet. Mid-range routers usually have four antennas and often offer features like dual-band support, USB ports, and guest networking.
High-end routers: $200 or more
These routers offer the best performance and features. They typically have speeds up to 600Mbps and a range of about 400 feet. High-end routers usually have six or more antennas and offer features like dual-band support, USB ports, guest networking, and advanced security features.
So, what does that all mean for you? If you have a small home or apartment, a budget router will probably be all you need. If you have a larger home or want to take advantage of features like dual-band support or USB ports, you’ll need to spend more. And if you have a very large home or need the absolute best performance, you’ll need to spend even more.
Are Cheap Routers OK?
If you’re on a tight budget, you might be tempted to buy a cheap router. But beware – these routers often have poor performance and limited features. They also tend to be less reliable than more expensive models.
So, if you can afford it, we recommend spending at least $50 on a router. You’ll get better performance and features for your money.
Are Expensive Routers Worth It? 11 reasons to buy
You have a large home
If you have a large home or office, you’ll need a router with better range. Expensive routers typically have a range of about 400 feet, while cheaper models only have a range of about 150 feet.
You need better performance
If you want the best possible performance for gaming or video streaming, you’ll need an expensive router. Cheaper models simply can’t provide the same level of performance.
You need to connect more devices
If you have a lot of devices that need to be connected to your network, an expensive router will give you the best results. Cheaper models often have fewer Ethernet ports and can’t handle as many devices at once.
You need advanced features
If you want features like guest networking, advanced security features or parenting control, you’ll need to spend more. These features are simply not available on cheaper models.
You have a lot of data to transfer
If you need to transfer large amounts of data, an expensive router will be worth the investment. Cheaper models often have slower speeds and can’t handle as much data at once.
You need to connect to a VPN
If you need to connect to a virtual private network (VPN), you’ll need an expensive router that supports this feature. Cheaper models typically don’t offer VPN support.
You want to use MU-MIMO
If you want to take advantage of the latest wireless technology, you’ll need an expensive router that supports MU-MIMO. Cheaper models typically don’t offer this feature.
You have a lot of devices that need wireless
If you have a lot of devices that need a wireless connection, an expensive router will be worth the investment. Cheaper models typically have fewer wireless channels and can’t handle as many devices at once.
You want to use beamforming
If you want to improve your wireless signal, you’ll need an expensive router that supports beamforming. Cheaper models typically don’t offer this feature.
You want the best possible security
If you’re concerned about security, an expensive router will give you the best results. Cheaper models often have weaker security features and can’t provide the same level of protection.
You want to use VoIP
If you want to use voice over IP (VoIP), you’ll need an expensive router that supports this feature. Cheaper models typically don’t offer VoIP support.
So, there you have it – eleven reasons why an expensive router might be worth the investment. Of course, whether or not an expensive router is right for you depends on your individual needs and circumstances. But if you need the best performance, features, and security, an expensive router is probably your best bet.
Expensive routers have some significant advantages but you should also keep in mind that both expensive and cheaper routers degrade over time. Here are common reasons why routers wear down over time.
Reasons why Wi-Fi Routers Wear Down over time
- Heat – All electronics produce heat when they are used. The router produces heat when sending and receiving data packets wirelessly. Over time, this heat will cause the internal components to degrade and fail.
- Power surges – Power surges can damage the internal components of the router.
- Physical wear and tear – The physical act of turning on and off the router can cause wear and tear on the internal components. Additionally, moving the router around can also cause physical damage.
- Software updates – As new security threats are discovered, manufacturers release software updates to patch these vulnerabilities. However, installing these updates can introduce new bugs that can cause the router to become unstable.
- Dust – Dust can clog the vents on the router and cause it to overheat. Additionally, dust can also short-circuit the internal components of the router.
- Old age – Like all electronics, routers have a limited lifespan. Over time, the internal components will degrade and fail.
Do An Expensive Router boost Internet Speed?
No, an expensive router cannot increase internet speed. The speed of your internet connection is determined by your internet service provider (ISP). However, an expensive router can provide better performance and features than a cheaper model. Additionally, an expensive router can improve the range and quality of your wireless signal.
How Much Should You Spend On A Router?
How much money you should spend on a router depends on your needs and budget. If you need the best possible performance, features, and security, you should spend as much money as you can afford. However, if you don’t need the latest and greatest features, you can save money by choosing a cheaper model.
Expensive Router in comparison with Cheap Router
Dual-Band or Tri-Band
One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a router is the number of bands it supports. Dual-band routers operate on the 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies, while tri-band routers add a second 5GHz frequency.
Dual-band routers are more common and typically cost less than tri-band routers. However, tri-band routers offer several advantages over dual-band models. First, they can provide more wireless channels, which can improve performance. Second, they can support more devices simultaneously. And third, they offer better range and coverage.
So, if you need the best possible performance, features, and security, an expensive router is probably your best bet. But if you don’t need the latest and greatest features, you can save money by choosing a cheaper model.
Security
When it comes to security, more expensive routers typically offer better features and protection. For example, many high-end routers come with built-in VPNs (virtual private networks), which can encrypt your data and improve your privacy. Additionally, many expensive routers come with built-in firewalls, which can block malicious traffic and protect your network from attacks.
Antennas
The number of antennas on a router also impacts performance. More antennas can provide better range and coverage. Additionally, they can improve the quality of your wireless signal by reducing interference from other devices.
Ethernet Ports
Ethernet ports are used to connect devices to your network using a wired connection. The more Ethernet ports a router has, the more devices you can connect. If you have a lot of devices that need a wired connection, an expensive router with lots of Ethernet ports is probably a good choice.
F.A.Q are more expensive routers better
Does a more expensive router work better?
More expensive routers offer better performance and features than cheaper models. Additionally, they can provide better range and quality of your wireless signal. However, an expensive router cannot increase internet speed. The speed of your internet connection is determined by your internet service provider (ISP).
Does a more expensive router make my internet faster?
No, an expensive router cannot make your internet faster. The speed of your internet connection is determined by your internet service provider (ISP). However, an expensive router can offer better performance and features than a cheaper model. Additionally, an expensive router can improve the range and quality of your wireless signal.
How much difference does an expensive router make?
The performance of an expensive router can be significantly better than a cheaper model. Additionally, an expensive router can offer more features and provide better range and quality of your wireless signal. However, an expensive router cannot make your internet faster. The speed of your internet connection is determined by your internet service provider (ISP).
Why is an expensive router better?
There are several reasons why an expensive router can be better than a cheaper model. First, more expensive routers offer better performance and features. Additionally, they can provide better range and quality of your wireless signal. Finally, an expensive router can offer more protection from security threats.
Conclusion
Are more expensive routers better? In general, yes. But there are a lot of factors to consider when purchasing a router and the best answer for your specific needs may be different than what we’ve found in our research. Do your own homework and make sure you buy the right device for your home or office network. Thanks for reading!