7 must-have features on a WiFi router

So, if you're shopping for a brand new router today, look for these 7 features.

1. Must support at least WiFi 6E

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Chances are you already have a router that supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz channels. But if you're buying a new router, you should get one that supports at least WiFi 6E. There are WiFi 7 routers on the market, but they're quite expensive, so WiFi 6E is a more practical choice if you're on a budget.

There are also plenty of affordable WiFi 6E routers on the market. If you need help finding one, check out TipsMake's recommendations for the best WiFi routers.

2. At least 3 to 4 Ethernet ports

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Ethernet may seem outdated, given the speed and stability of the connection that most good WiFi routers can provide wirelessly. However, it is still the best way to ensure you get every bit of bandwidth from your Internet connection and the best possible latency. If you are a PC gamer or play online games, an Ethernet connection will give you the best ping speeds.

If you only have a TV or a game console, you can get away with a router with fewer Ethernet ports, but always make sure you have more than one. They're a lifesaver, because if your router's WiFi stops working, a wired connection is the only way you can access the router and troubleshoot it or access the internet.

3. WPA3 support

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Introduced in 2004, the WPA2 protocol is now quite outdated. It has many vulnerabilities and security issues, especially if you're using public WiFi. Its successor, WPA3 (released in 2018), is a better choice for both home and commercial use in the future.

However, the protocol is not fully backwards compatible with WPA2, meaning that using a network that only supports WPA3 means you won't be able to connect older devices. However, you don't need to worry because most modern routers that support WPA3 allow you to run your network in mixed mode, meaning you'll get the benefits of WPA3 on compatible devices without having to remove WPA2 devices from your network.

4. Parental Controls

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If you have small children in the house, setting up parental controls on your router is a must. The internet can be dangerous and there's no better defense than your router.

Parental controls let you block or allow which websites and services can be accessed through your router, so if you need to block a specific website or limit the bandwidth allowed by a service to make sure your child doesn't play Fortnite all night, they can come in handy.

5. Prioritize devices

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The Device Prioritization setting allows you to control how much bandwidth, and therefore how much Internet speed, your router assigns to each device on your network. There are many reasons why you should enable QoS on your router.

Generally, wired connections have the most bandwidth, followed by wireless. If your console, phone, and PC are all connected to your router using WiFi and Ethernet, your PC will have the most bandwidth regardless of what it's doing. However, between your console and phone, your console will likely consume more data, since you're playing or streaming on it on a larger screen.

6. Support USB or NAS port

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Many routers come with a USB port that allows you to plug in a USB stick and share access to it on your network. This means you can quickly get a local NAS up and running without spending extra money and with less effort.

Note that this feature is not a complete replacement for NAS. Dedicated network storage devices will always be faster and more stable. NAS support on routers works best with smaller drives that can be used to share files like movies and music over a WiFi network.

7. Mobile application for configuration

A mobile app for configuring your router might seem like a trivial feature, but given the way most routers' web interfaces are designed, it can be useful for quickly changing settings or just monitoring your network.

Most routers, especially cheap ones, have a web interface that you can access by entering a preset IP address like 192.168.0.1. These interfaces are quite functional and will do everything your router supports, but they can be frustrating to use on a mobile device screen.

With a little thought and research, you can find a router that comes with a specific set of features that are useful to you. It won't be the most prominent gadget in your home unless you splurge on a fancy device like the MSI Radix AXE6600, but it's essential to making sure you get the most out of your internet connection.

Jessica Tanner

Update 29 October 2024