If you are in the lookout for the best router for comcast high speed internet, then you are in the right place.
In this article we will highlight the best routers to give your Comcast connection a boost, saving you a lot of time and money, moreover, saving you all the hassle from tending to a slow connection.
Comcast is one of the most prominent and longest running ISPs in America. When people sign up for Internet Service Providers such as Comcast, they usually stick to the equipment that comes with the package.
But did you know that you don’t always have to use the equipment that Comcast provides?
Best Router and Modem For Comcast High Speed Internet | Complete Guide
1. Netgear Nighthawk R6700 Router
Key Features
Many people balk at the thought of buying an expensive router after purchasing a modem. This leads many individuals to search for affordably priced routers. The Nighthawk router is one of the more affordable routers on this list.
While this router is budget-friendly, it is not substandard and it can be a great purchase for some Comcast Xfinity users. The Netgear router has a 1 GHz dual processor, dual bands and can deliver a speed of up to 1750 Mbps. Some features of the Netgear router include three external antennas, four gigabit ethernet ports, one 3.0 USB port.
The Netgear router can be connected to 25 devices at a time. It also has a broad coverage of 1500 square feet while maintaining speed and stability. This is an ideal router for a small-medium sized home.
This router is housed in black plastic, has two antennas and can be kept horizontally on its rubber feet. The Netgear Nighthawk R6700 router also has a wall mount space which you can use to mount the router on the wall.
2. Netgear C6300-100NAS
Key Features
The Netgear C6300-100NAS is a high-speed modem-router combo that is ideal for heavy internet users.
This device operates using dual bands. The 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies provide a speed of up to 680 Mbps. The modem router also uses 16 downstream bonded channels and 4 upstream bonded channels to increase the speed of the wireless connection. Netgear C6300-100NAS uses DOCSIS 3.0 technology which is 16 times faster DOCSIS 2.0.
The Netgear C6300-100NAS has WiFi security measures and firewall protection to guard your wireless connection and all the devices connected to your network. Using the Netgear genie app, you can also alter your privacy and parental control settings. You can download the app from the Google play store or Apple store.
Netgear C6300-100NAS Cable Modem Router Combo has a 1-year warranty. After you purchase this modem router, you will get free technical support for 90 days. After your warranty expires, you will still be able to contact customer support for help but it may not always be free. Importantly, this warranty does not apply if you purchase this modem router from an unauthorized seller or as a used device.
3. TP-Link Archer C5400 Tri-Band Router
Key Features
The Archer C5400 is on this list not just because it is compatible with Comcast Xfinity. This wireless router is one of our top picks for its amazing features and specifications.
This tri-band router operates with a 2.4 GHz, and two 5 GHz frequencies simultaneously.
The 2.4 GHz frequency can operate at 1000 Mbps and the 5 GHz frequency operates at 2167 Mbps. This means that while operating simultaneously, this router can achieve a speed of 5400 Mbps. Therefore, you can stream 4k movies, play games, download multiple files on different devices without experiencing any lagging.
This router also uses MU MIMO technology to ensure that all the devices connected to the router are receiving a fast network connection.
The TP-Link Archer C5400 also has a few extra features that you may not get with other routers. One of these features is an antivirus which protects not only your connection but also the devices that are connected to your wireless network. This antivirus can protect your wireless network from information leechers, hackers, and viruses.
You can customize your security settings on this router, add guest networks and even add parental control settings. Significantly, you can control your router using Alexa voice service.
4. MOTOROLA MG7550 16x4 Cable Modem Plus
Key Features
If you’ve rented equipment from your cable company in the past decade or so, there’s a good chance Motorola has made an appearance in your household. The company also produces modem/router combos directly for consumers, and the MG7550 is one of the better alternatives in the AC1900 range.
This wireless gateway is set to the 16×4 channel configuration and supports speeds up to 686Mbps with downloads. The upstream speed is 123Mpbs which is par the course. What’s different are four Gigabyte Ethernet ports and its outstanding Wi-Fi capabilities.
As long as you don’t live in a mansion, you should have no problem getting a signal throughout your home. Flagship features for the Motorola MG7550 include dual-band AC1900 Wi-Fi, DoS protection, and a power boost function which extends the range.
It’s one of the slimmer combos as well, and easy to use with color-coded options that are clearly labeled on the back. This model is available in Black or White and comes with a 2-year warranty out of the box.
5. MOTOROLA MT7711 24X8 CABLE MODEM/ROUTER
Key Features
The Motorola MT7711 makes for a 24×8 DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem, with an AC1900 Dual-Band WiFi Gigabit Router as the cherry on top, plus 2 phone ports.
It’s worth mentioning that the Motorola MT7711 modem is built to work with Comcast only, while the phone-ports support XFINITY Voice telephone service. Basically, you’ll get three devices for the price of one, i.e. this is the art of the deal, if it ever was one.
On top of that, the Motorola MT7711 boasts a Broadcom cable modem chipset, which is supposed to render DDOS attacks obsolete.
6. Netgear Nighthawk CM1200
Key Features
If you’re into 4K video, gaming, or transferring large amounts of data, the Netgear Nighthawk CM1200 modem achieves a whopping 2Gbps download speed.This means it’s one of the few modems officially recommended by Comcast that can fully utilize its Gigabit Pro plan, which has a download speed of 2Gbps. The CM1200 is overkill in that it can hit transfer speeds up to 6Gbps.
It’s pricey compared to Comcast’s other modems, like the Motorola MB8600 or Arris SB8200. However, none of these come close to the performance of the Netgear CM1200. With 32 downstream channels and eight upstream channels, it’s the best modem you can buy for Comcast.
Unfortunately, the CM1200 lacks a dedicated RJ11 phone jack, which means it cannot be used with Comcast’s Digital Voice service. However, the CM1200 Voice includes RJ11 phone jacks for telephone service. The CM1200’s two Ethernet ports are for Link Aggregation, which allows two Ethernet sources to boost a single computer’s internet speeds. These ports cannot be used independently of one another.
7. Asus ROG Rapture AX11000 Wi-Fi 6 Router
Key Features
The Asus ROG Rapture AX11000 comes in two forms: Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6. Consumers with fast internet speeds will want to buy a Wi-Fi 6 router as it can hit extremely fast speeds. Wi-Fi 6 routers are today’s fastest wireless standard and can max out the fastest of Comcast Xfinity’s service plans.
On the downside, almost no wireless consumer devices fully support the standard as yet. So if you buy a Wi-Fi 6 router, you won’t be able to use its blistering speed without a Wi-Fi 6-compatible wireless card. It also allows for the use of Mesh Network devices, which function as Wi-Fi extenders. The Rapture also costs more than most routers on the market, and its antennas aren’t upgradable.
All Wi-Fi 6 routers lack Tomato or DD-WRT custom firmware compatibility. However, even with its shortcomings (which all Wi-Fi 6 routers suffer from), if you subscribe to one of Comcast Xfinity’s premium plans and need a fast wireless router, the Rapture may be for you.
8. ARRIS SURFBOARD SBG7600AC2
Key Features
The ARRIS SURFboard is an impressive piece of equipment, making for a state of the art Cable Modem & Wi-Fi Router combo, which is built and designed to deliver the ultimate web surfing experience.
Considering the company’s 60+ years legacy, and also the fact that we’re talking about the guys who basically invented digital TV and brought Wi-Fi internet into people’s homes courtesy of their first cable modem gateway, if you go for the Arris Surfboard you’ll benefit from incredible speed, faster downloading and streaming, increased network capability and also more safety online, as this bad boy comes with free of charge McAfee Secure Home Internet suite.
9. TP-Link CR700
Key Features
The TP-Link CR700 is a device that gives you the benefit of a high-quality modem and router without an exorbitant price tag. The CR700 uses dual-band technology to increase the speed of the internet connection. The 2.4 GHz frequency can reach a speed of up to 450 Mbps while the 5 GHz frequency can reach up to 1300 Mbps in theory.
Hence, this modem router should be able to reach a speed of 1750 Mbps. To achieve these speeds, the modem uses 16 downstream bonded channels and 4 upstream bonded channels to improve the speed and stability of internet connections. The CR700 also uses DOCSIS 3.0 technology which is 16 times faster than the 2.0 version.
To set up this modem router, you need to plug in the CR700 and contact your internet service provider. The easy set up makes this device suitable for people who are not knowledgeable of how modem routers work.
Using the web management page, you can alter the security settings of your network; change who sees it and what devices can connect to it. You can also customize your parental control settings and set up a website filter.
The TP-Link CR700 Wireless Modem Router Combo is perfect for casual internet users or home use.
5 Things to Consider When Buying a Wireless Router
Much like buying any other gadget, there are some things to take into consideration. You should bear this in mind so that you won’t fall victim to routers with poor quality and subpar performance.
Compatibility
The first thing you need to consider when buying a wireless router is its compatibility to your Internet Service Provider, in our case, Comcast. Most wireless routers you see in the market would normally just work fine with Comcast. All the wireless routers featured in this list are all compatible to Comcast. In fact, most ISPs give their consumers a list of wireless routers that are compatible with their hardware.
So, how do they know if a router is compatible? Well, you just need to check if the router in question also includes a modem.
If you are not familiar with the difference between a router and a modem, let us educate you. A modem is the part of the network that allows a connection towards the lines from your ISP. The modem also translated these signals into something that can be used by your devices. This is
why it is important if the router comes with a modem.
The router, on the other hand, receives the signal from the modem and then allows access to your devices. The routers are responsible for broadcasting the internal signal through radio waves so that devices can pick them up without having the need to plug them on the router.
Speed
Another important aspect of routers is the speed. It is in fact, one of the greatest improvements that set the third party routers above the ISP bundled ones. Most modern routers can support more bandwidth than most ISPs provide. But this alone does not mean that this capability is going to be useless.
The extra bandwidth means that the router can perform better despite multiple devices being connected at the same time.
However, the speed on routers is not as simple as it may seem. This is because the speed being advertised by manufacturing companies don’t always live up to the real-life speed provided by the router. As expected, since Wi-Fi is transmitted through the air, there will always be interference and other factors at play.
In fact, in some cases, the actual speeds of routers can go as low as a third of the advertised speed. But since manufacturers advertise them at ultra-high speeds, then a third of this is not that head scratch inducing.
Wireless Connectivity
When scouring through various routers, you’ll see a set of numbers and letter usually beginning with 802.11. Common examples include 802.11g, 802.11n, and 802.11ac.
Before you go haywire thinking it’s rocket science, relax, these series of numbers just represent the wireless standard or more commonly termed, the protocol being utilized by the router. These numbers dictate the speed and range capability of a certain router. These three are the most common protocols which you can see on routers:
11ac is probably the most common protocol you will find on new routers. Other refer to it as gigabit WI-fi as well. This standard can support speeds up to 1.3 Gbps.
Another standard is 11n, which is common in older and low-end routers. It can support speeds up to 450 Mbps.
The newest addition to this list is the 11ad which can be found in higher-end routers. It can support speeds up to a whopping 4.6 Gbps which is four times the supported speed of the 11ac. However, there are only a few ISPs that can make use of this protocol since its still fairly new.
Range
Another factor you must consider when buying a router is the degree of range it can support and whether it matches the size of your home or location. Most routers today’s should be able to cover an average sized house without any worry.
However, if you have a bigger home, then it might be better for you to invest in an extender. These devices allow certain spots in a house to gain access to the connection.
Other Advanced Features
Aside from the above-mentioned components or features, there are also some other useful additions to router features.
First of is Quality of Service or QoS. QoS helps dictate the amount of traffic your devices receive. It helps ensure a stronger signal for more important tasks despite the network being used by several devices.
MU MIMO is another feature you should look for in a router. MU MIMO stands for multiple users, multiple inputs multiple outputs. This feature allows a better communication among devices when using the routers signal. This feature is very useful if you have several people using the router simultaneously.
Beamforming is a feature that allows your router to prioritize a stronger connection to a specific device rather than just sending the same amount of speed to all devices.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Buying Your Own Router
When deciding on buying a certain equipment or gadget, you need to weigh in on the pros and cons to know if you really get the most value of your hard earned cash. This also applies to routers. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of buying your own router.
Advantages
The first advantage of buying your own router is that you get to enjoy a few more features. While the router Comcast provides gets the job done, features like beamforming and MU-MIMO simply are lacking. These features can be found consequently in other, third-party routers.
Other third-party routers also provide better range and performance. If you may have noticed, when using your connection, you find some dead spots inside your house, even in areas close to the router. In most cases, this is not due to a slow connection but because of a router that has a shorter range.
Another advantage is the faster connection. Comcast provides excellent speeds but if you want to juice out more bandwidths for tasks like streaming or gaming, then you might be better off buying your own router.
Another good thing about buying your own router is that you basically own the equipment. When you are done with your Comcast subscription and then switch to another ISP, then you’ll have to return the router back to them. However, since you own the router, you don’t have to do such, allowing you to get more flexibility when bouncing from one ISP to another.
Disadvantages
One of the main caveats of buying your own router is that it costs more. While the price depends on what kind of router you choose, comparing it to an ISP bundled router will cost you a few more bucks.
However, if you think about it in the long run, buying your own router will be more cost-effective. Why? Simply because you can bounce from one ISP to another without having to pay for the initial charge of having a new ISP bundled router again and again.
Another disadvantage is the lack of customer support. While newly purchased routers usually come with their own warranty, it only lasts for a year or two. However, if you use the ISP bundled router, you get constant customer support as long as you have an active subscription.
Buying a gadget always has its disadvantages, however, the cons pale in comparison to the amount of boosted speed and performance you get when buying a third party router. This is considering you bought one that is of good quality.
With that being said, how do we tell the difference between a good and a bad wireless router? The next section will let you know how.
In this article we will highlight the best routers to give your Comcast connection a boost, saving you a lot of time and money, moreover, saving you all the hassle from tending to a slow connection.
Comcast is one of the most prominent and longest running ISPs in America. When people sign up for Internet Service Providers such as Comcast, they usually stick to the equipment that comes with the package.
But did you know that you don’t always have to use the equipment that Comcast provides?
Best Router and Modem For Comcast High Speed Internet | Complete Guide
1. Netgear Nighthawk R6700 Router
Key Features
- Frequency - 2.4 GHz
- WiFi speeds - 1750 Mbps
- Coverage - 1500 sq ft
- Device - 25
- Mobile App - Yes
Many people balk at the thought of buying an expensive router after purchasing a modem. This leads many individuals to search for affordably priced routers. The Nighthawk router is one of the more affordable routers on this list.
While this router is budget-friendly, it is not substandard and it can be a great purchase for some Comcast Xfinity users. The Netgear router has a 1 GHz dual processor, dual bands and can deliver a speed of up to 1750 Mbps. Some features of the Netgear router include three external antennas, four gigabit ethernet ports, one 3.0 USB port.
The Netgear router can be connected to 25 devices at a time. It also has a broad coverage of 1500 square feet while maintaining speed and stability. This is an ideal router for a small-medium sized home.
This router is housed in black plastic, has two antennas and can be kept horizontally on its rubber feet. The Netgear Nighthawk R6700 router also has a wall mount space which you can use to mount the router on the wall.
2. Netgear C6300-100NAS
Key Features
- Frequency - 2.4 GHz
- WiFi speeds - 1000 Mbps
- Coverage - 1500 sq ft
- Device - 20
- Mobile App - Yes
This device operates using dual bands. The 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies provide a speed of up to 680 Mbps. The modem router also uses 16 downstream bonded channels and 4 upstream bonded channels to increase the speed of the wireless connection. Netgear C6300-100NAS uses DOCSIS 3.0 technology which is 16 times faster DOCSIS 2.0.
The Netgear C6300-100NAS has WiFi security measures and firewall protection to guard your wireless connection and all the devices connected to your network. Using the Netgear genie app, you can also alter your privacy and parental control settings. You can download the app from the Google play store or Apple store.
Netgear C6300-100NAS Cable Modem Router Combo has a 1-year warranty. After you purchase this modem router, you will get free technical support for 90 days. After your warranty expires, you will still be able to contact customer support for help but it may not always be free. Importantly, this warranty does not apply if you purchase this modem router from an unauthorized seller or as a used device.
3. TP-Link Archer C5400 Tri-Band Router
Key Features
- Frequency - 1.4 GHz
- WiFi speeds - 1000 Mbps
- Coverage - 1500 sq ft
- Device - 20
- Mobile App - Yes
The Archer C5400 is on this list not just because it is compatible with Comcast Xfinity. This wireless router is one of our top picks for its amazing features and specifications.
This tri-band router operates with a 2.4 GHz, and two 5 GHz frequencies simultaneously.
The 2.4 GHz frequency can operate at 1000 Mbps and the 5 GHz frequency operates at 2167 Mbps. This means that while operating simultaneously, this router can achieve a speed of 5400 Mbps. Therefore, you can stream 4k movies, play games, download multiple files on different devices without experiencing any lagging.
This router also uses MU MIMO technology to ensure that all the devices connected to the router are receiving a fast network connection.
The TP-Link Archer C5400 also has a few extra features that you may not get with other routers. One of these features is an antivirus which protects not only your connection but also the devices that are connected to your wireless network. This antivirus can protect your wireless network from information leechers, hackers, and viruses.
You can customize your security settings on this router, add guest networks and even add parental control settings. Significantly, you can control your router using Alexa voice service.
4. MOTOROLA MG7550 16x4 Cable Modem Plus
Key Features
- Frequency - 2.4 GHz
- WiFi speeds - 1900 Mbps
- Coverage - 1000 sq ft
- Mobile App - Yes
If you’ve rented equipment from your cable company in the past decade or so, there’s a good chance Motorola has made an appearance in your household. The company also produces modem/router combos directly for consumers, and the MG7550 is one of the better alternatives in the AC1900 range.
This wireless gateway is set to the 16×4 channel configuration and supports speeds up to 686Mbps with downloads. The upstream speed is 123Mpbs which is par the course. What’s different are four Gigabyte Ethernet ports and its outstanding Wi-Fi capabilities.
As long as you don’t live in a mansion, you should have no problem getting a signal throughout your home. Flagship features for the Motorola MG7550 include dual-band AC1900 Wi-Fi, DoS protection, and a power boost function which extends the range.
It’s one of the slimmer combos as well, and easy to use with color-coded options that are clearly labeled on the back. This model is available in Black or White and comes with a 2-year warranty out of the box.
5. MOTOROLA MT7711 24X8 CABLE MODEM/ROUTER
Key Features
- Frequency - 2.4 GHz
- WiFi speeds - 1000 Mbps
- Coverage - 1500 sq ft
- Mobile App - Yes
The Motorola MT7711 makes for a 24×8 DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem, with an AC1900 Dual-Band WiFi Gigabit Router as the cherry on top, plus 2 phone ports.
It’s worth mentioning that the Motorola MT7711 modem is built to work with Comcast only, while the phone-ports support XFINITY Voice telephone service. Basically, you’ll get three devices for the price of one, i.e. this is the art of the deal, if it ever was one.
On top of that, the Motorola MT7711 boasts a Broadcom cable modem chipset, which is supposed to render DDOS attacks obsolete.
6. Netgear Nighthawk CM1200
Key Features
- Frequency - 2.4 GHz
- WiFi speeds - 2 Gbps
- Coverage - 1500 sq ft
- Mobile App - Yes
If you’re into 4K video, gaming, or transferring large amounts of data, the Netgear Nighthawk CM1200 modem achieves a whopping 2Gbps download speed.This means it’s one of the few modems officially recommended by Comcast that can fully utilize its Gigabit Pro plan, which has a download speed of 2Gbps. The CM1200 is overkill in that it can hit transfer speeds up to 6Gbps.
It’s pricey compared to Comcast’s other modems, like the Motorola MB8600 or Arris SB8200. However, none of these come close to the performance of the Netgear CM1200. With 32 downstream channels and eight upstream channels, it’s the best modem you can buy for Comcast.
Unfortunately, the CM1200 lacks a dedicated RJ11 phone jack, which means it cannot be used with Comcast’s Digital Voice service. However, the CM1200 Voice includes RJ11 phone jacks for telephone service. The CM1200’s two Ethernet ports are for Link Aggregation, which allows two Ethernet sources to boost a single computer’s internet speeds. These ports cannot be used independently of one another.
7. Asus ROG Rapture AX11000 Wi-Fi 6 Router
Key Features
- Frequency - 2.4 GHz
- WiFi speeds - 1.5 Gbps
- Coverage - 1500 sq ft
- Mobile App - Yes
The Asus ROG Rapture AX11000 comes in two forms: Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6. Consumers with fast internet speeds will want to buy a Wi-Fi 6 router as it can hit extremely fast speeds. Wi-Fi 6 routers are today’s fastest wireless standard and can max out the fastest of Comcast Xfinity’s service plans.
On the downside, almost no wireless consumer devices fully support the standard as yet. So if you buy a Wi-Fi 6 router, you won’t be able to use its blistering speed without a Wi-Fi 6-compatible wireless card. It also allows for the use of Mesh Network devices, which function as Wi-Fi extenders. The Rapture also costs more than most routers on the market, and its antennas aren’t upgradable.
All Wi-Fi 6 routers lack Tomato or DD-WRT custom firmware compatibility. However, even with its shortcomings (which all Wi-Fi 6 routers suffer from), if you subscribe to one of Comcast Xfinity’s premium plans and need a fast wireless router, the Rapture may be for you.
8. ARRIS SURFBOARD SBG7600AC2
Key Features
- Frequency - 2.4 GHz
- WiFi speeds - 1.5 Gbps
- Mobile App - Yes
The ARRIS SURFboard is an impressive piece of equipment, making for a state of the art Cable Modem & Wi-Fi Router combo, which is built and designed to deliver the ultimate web surfing experience.
Considering the company’s 60+ years legacy, and also the fact that we’re talking about the guys who basically invented digital TV and brought Wi-Fi internet into people’s homes courtesy of their first cable modem gateway, if you go for the Arris Surfboard you’ll benefit from incredible speed, faster downloading and streaming, increased network capability and also more safety online, as this bad boy comes with free of charge McAfee Secure Home Internet suite.
9. TP-Link CR700
Key Features
- Frequency - 2.4 GHz
- WiFi speeds - 1750 Mbps
- Coverage - 1500 sq ft
- Mobile App - No
The TP-Link CR700 is a device that gives you the benefit of a high-quality modem and router without an exorbitant price tag. The CR700 uses dual-band technology to increase the speed of the internet connection. The 2.4 GHz frequency can reach a speed of up to 450 Mbps while the 5 GHz frequency can reach up to 1300 Mbps in theory.
Hence, this modem router should be able to reach a speed of 1750 Mbps. To achieve these speeds, the modem uses 16 downstream bonded channels and 4 upstream bonded channels to improve the speed and stability of internet connections. The CR700 also uses DOCSIS 3.0 technology which is 16 times faster than the 2.0 version.
To set up this modem router, you need to plug in the CR700 and contact your internet service provider. The easy set up makes this device suitable for people who are not knowledgeable of how modem routers work.
Using the web management page, you can alter the security settings of your network; change who sees it and what devices can connect to it. You can also customize your parental control settings and set up a website filter.
The TP-Link CR700 Wireless Modem Router Combo is perfect for casual internet users or home use.
5 Things to Consider When Buying a Wireless Router
Much like buying any other gadget, there are some things to take into consideration. You should bear this in mind so that you won’t fall victim to routers with poor quality and subpar performance.
Compatibility
The first thing you need to consider when buying a wireless router is its compatibility to your Internet Service Provider, in our case, Comcast. Most wireless routers you see in the market would normally just work fine with Comcast. All the wireless routers featured in this list are all compatible to Comcast. In fact, most ISPs give their consumers a list of wireless routers that are compatible with their hardware.
So, how do they know if a router is compatible? Well, you just need to check if the router in question also includes a modem.
If you are not familiar with the difference between a router and a modem, let us educate you. A modem is the part of the network that allows a connection towards the lines from your ISP. The modem also translated these signals into something that can be used by your devices. This is
why it is important if the router comes with a modem.
The router, on the other hand, receives the signal from the modem and then allows access to your devices. The routers are responsible for broadcasting the internal signal through radio waves so that devices can pick them up without having the need to plug them on the router.
Speed
Another important aspect of routers is the speed. It is in fact, one of the greatest improvements that set the third party routers above the ISP bundled ones. Most modern routers can support more bandwidth than most ISPs provide. But this alone does not mean that this capability is going to be useless.
The extra bandwidth means that the router can perform better despite multiple devices being connected at the same time.
However, the speed on routers is not as simple as it may seem. This is because the speed being advertised by manufacturing companies don’t always live up to the real-life speed provided by the router. As expected, since Wi-Fi is transmitted through the air, there will always be interference and other factors at play.
In fact, in some cases, the actual speeds of routers can go as low as a third of the advertised speed. But since manufacturers advertise them at ultra-high speeds, then a third of this is not that head scratch inducing.
Wireless Connectivity
When scouring through various routers, you’ll see a set of numbers and letter usually beginning with 802.11. Common examples include 802.11g, 802.11n, and 802.11ac.
Before you go haywire thinking it’s rocket science, relax, these series of numbers just represent the wireless standard or more commonly termed, the protocol being utilized by the router. These numbers dictate the speed and range capability of a certain router. These three are the most common protocols which you can see on routers:
11ac is probably the most common protocol you will find on new routers. Other refer to it as gigabit WI-fi as well. This standard can support speeds up to 1.3 Gbps.
Another standard is 11n, which is common in older and low-end routers. It can support speeds up to 450 Mbps.
The newest addition to this list is the 11ad which can be found in higher-end routers. It can support speeds up to a whopping 4.6 Gbps which is four times the supported speed of the 11ac. However, there are only a few ISPs that can make use of this protocol since its still fairly new.
Range
Another factor you must consider when buying a router is the degree of range it can support and whether it matches the size of your home or location. Most routers today’s should be able to cover an average sized house without any worry.
However, if you have a bigger home, then it might be better for you to invest in an extender. These devices allow certain spots in a house to gain access to the connection.
Other Advanced Features
Aside from the above-mentioned components or features, there are also some other useful additions to router features.
First of is Quality of Service or QoS. QoS helps dictate the amount of traffic your devices receive. It helps ensure a stronger signal for more important tasks despite the network being used by several devices.
MU MIMO is another feature you should look for in a router. MU MIMO stands for multiple users, multiple inputs multiple outputs. This feature allows a better communication among devices when using the routers signal. This feature is very useful if you have several people using the router simultaneously.
Beamforming is a feature that allows your router to prioritize a stronger connection to a specific device rather than just sending the same amount of speed to all devices.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Buying Your Own Router
When deciding on buying a certain equipment or gadget, you need to weigh in on the pros and cons to know if you really get the most value of your hard earned cash. This also applies to routers. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of buying your own router.
Advantages
The first advantage of buying your own router is that you get to enjoy a few more features. While the router Comcast provides gets the job done, features like beamforming and MU-MIMO simply are lacking. These features can be found consequently in other, third-party routers.
Other third-party routers also provide better range and performance. If you may have noticed, when using your connection, you find some dead spots inside your house, even in areas close to the router. In most cases, this is not due to a slow connection but because of a router that has a shorter range.
Another advantage is the faster connection. Comcast provides excellent speeds but if you want to juice out more bandwidths for tasks like streaming or gaming, then you might be better off buying your own router.
Another good thing about buying your own router is that you basically own the equipment. When you are done with your Comcast subscription and then switch to another ISP, then you’ll have to return the router back to them. However, since you own the router, you don’t have to do such, allowing you to get more flexibility when bouncing from one ISP to another.
Disadvantages
One of the main caveats of buying your own router is that it costs more. While the price depends on what kind of router you choose, comparing it to an ISP bundled router will cost you a few more bucks.
However, if you think about it in the long run, buying your own router will be more cost-effective. Why? Simply because you can bounce from one ISP to another without having to pay for the initial charge of having a new ISP bundled router again and again.
Another disadvantage is the lack of customer support. While newly purchased routers usually come with their own warranty, it only lasts for a year or two. However, if you use the ISP bundled router, you get constant customer support as long as you have an active subscription.
Buying a gadget always has its disadvantages, however, the cons pale in comparison to the amount of boosted speed and performance you get when buying a third party router. This is considering you bought one that is of good quality.
With that being said, how do we tell the difference between a good and a bad wireless router? The next section will let you know how.
0 Comments