With a perfect router, we can experience a whole new world of internet. Our present title of the article is for Spectrum Internet connection as most web search with the brand name of the connection to bypass their limitation of technical knowledge. Spectrum provides cable internet service. The router setup for the cable internet connections follows the basic methodologies described in our article on Joining Fiber Optic Cables. This article will work fine with any cable internet connection which uses the basic component like that of Spectrum.
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Most purchase routers instead of getting one on rent to avoid the recurring cost of the modem and control on the physical device. It saves money for sure, but if we choose a wrong router, then we will surely end up having a lot of problems. Of course, the easy way out is to buy the same model of the router the provider offers. But the downside is that most of those models do not give the best results or has some other limitation. While providers encourage you to rent their device, you’re better off getting your own. For those of us who aren’t as tech-savvy, it can become a chore. Given how much it costs, you don’t want to be stuck with the wrong router. Another thing to bear in mind is that a router suitable for one ISP may not prove to be the best for another. If you have a Spectrum connection, you will need certain routers to experience the best performance.
Checklist for Purchasing a Router
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To help you out, we have made a list of things you should check for before making the purchase followed by a few of the top router choices for Spectrum. This complete guide will certainly make your task easier:
What to check for?
When buying a router, you must keep in mind these important device specifications:
- Wi-Fi standard
- Real-life speed
- Whether the router is dual-band or tri-band
- The range of a router
If you found these jargons confusing, worry not just read on.
Wi-Fi Standard
When looking at a router, you should look at those that offer 802.11ac Wi-Fi standard. Why? Simple, theoretically speaking this configuration will get the fastest speeds a wireless router can give. Then again your set up may not reach this speed, but it will offer the fastest speed you can get out of the system.
Real-Life Speed
The actual speed you get out of the 802.11ac router depends on its antennae and how much interference there is between a router and the device connected to it. If you have cable internet, then the number of neighbours sharing your connection will have an impact on the speed you get. Also, the port speed can be a limitation. Phrases such as gigabyte router often erroneously used. Selection of router model depends on the plan (which puts a cap on maximum speed) you will use. A router’s port supporting up to 1 Gbps speed will cost more than a router intended for 100 Mbps speed. Buying a costlier model may be a bad investment for your usage.
Dual-Band or Tri-Band
If your router offers a dual-band connection, it means you can connect to 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz band and use multiple devices at the same time. Tri-band allows for an extra 5GHz band. When it comes to Wi-Fi you’d want as many devices as possible. Even if you live alone, you might get guests that want to use the internet and you wouldn’t want to appear inhospitable, would you? We’d recommend that you opt for at least dual-band router, if not a tri-band.
Router Range
Wi-Fi routers that operate on the 2.4 GHz band can cover around 150 feet indoors. For outdoors the range is 300 feet. Routers operating on the 5 GHz band typically offer a lower range by 10 to 15 feet. To decide about which router would is more suitable for your house, you might want to check how much area you home covers, in what directions and also ascertain that once bought where will you place it. These routers are great for small houses. For bigger houses, you might want to consider getting one or multiple signal boosters.
Top Routers for Spectrum
Linksys EA7500
Our top choice will be Linksys EA7500. It ticks-off all boxes, giving you all-around great service.
When it comes to a dual-band, you’ll be happy to learn that you can connect multiple devices to and it doesn’t whether it’s an old or new device, it handles them with ease. The 1.4 GHz dual-core processor it’s equipped with ensures that fast speed is not compromised. In fact, in close range, you could get speeds of 95 Mbps on the 2.4GHz band. With the 5 GHz band, you can expect speed of up to 500 Mbps. Since most of us are not tech experts, the best part about it is that setting it up easy. What more could you want? Priced at $128.98, it is the best option in the price range out there.
Netgear Nighthawk R6700 Dual-Band
For those who want the best without spending a ton of money, Netgear Nighthawk R6700 Dual-Band is the best option out there. It costs only $72.87 and it is dual-band. It offers speeds of up to 450 to 1300 Mbps. It allows you to connect 25 devices, which is great if you have a big household. Even if you don’t use as many devices, it just means that speed will not be compromised. You can even connect up to four devices to it by wire using its 1 Gigabit Ethernet ports. For gamers who are looking for reliable and fast internet router that doesn’t dent their pockets, Nighthawk AC1750 version is the router to buy.
Netgear Nighthawk Pro XR700 Router
If you are a gamer, then the Netgear Nighthawk Pro XR700 is the router for you. It is specifically designed for gaming, which ensures you have everything you need. It has four high-gain antennas, which means you can extend the range of your router.
If speed is your main concern, and it probably is, this router won’t disappoint you. Using its 1.7 GHz core processor, it can reach speeds as high as 7.2Gbps. However, chances are your package doesn’t support it. You might want to call up Charter Spectrum and confirm with them on this. Its geo-filtering feature connects you to the closest servers and players, so no second is wasted and you emerge victorious in the battlefield. Its advanced Quality of Service (QoS) gives you greater control over your internet connection and lets you prioritize your console ensuring your speed is never compromised. The only downside we found with this was its size. It takes up a lot of space, so you’ll have to dedicate a place for it, but considering you’re a gamer, we’re sure committing to this won’t be hard given its results.
Key Takeways
Of course, there are other standard brands of routers. Avoid the models which lack some support by the local technicians. Routers have a great impact on the quality of the internet we get. We have suggested some models in this article. The router from any standard brand should work fine as long as you are remembering our checklist. You can always ask questions on Spectrum Community to make sure that a particular model of a router does the job nicely.
