Best Routers for Fiber Optic : There’s no question about it fiber optic internet provides the most efficient, fastest connectivity available currently. But you’ll not be able to benefit from its features if you’re using an old router.
If you’ve decided to abandon the traditional cable internet for better fiber optic speeds is it time to think about buying the router of your choice. Internet service providers often provide customers with routers, however they aren’t always so robust or feature-rich like the routers that you can buy yourself.
What you’re looking for is a router designed to provide top-quality speeds throughout your entire home. And more importantly, it will be able to handle your ever-growing collection of devices connected for many years to in the future.
There are routers priced less than $100 that can provide reliable connectivity from far further away, provided there aren’t a lot of data-intensive activities taking place simultaneously within the network. There are routers which cost more than $300 that have robust options that could be adjusted to give you the best internet speeds possible regardless of the number of devices connected to your network.
Modem and Router , the differences?
Modems and routers aren’t the identical. The modem is the device which connects you direct to the web. It recognizes internet signals and then transmits them to the router. The router transfers wirelessly to your phone, laptop and other devices that are connected with your internet.
In the case of broadband internet using fiber optics, the device actually referred to as the optical network terminal (ONT). Since fiber cables aren’t able to connect directly to routers An ONT converts optical signals which can be sent to routers using the Ethernet cable.
If you’re using fiber optic internet access it is usually provided by your service provider. It is not easily accessible for users. It is possible to buy your own router and connect it with an Ethernet cable that can support high-speed fiber optics (like the Cat 6a cable). A router that you own could help you save money, as some providers charge an ongoing fee for providing the routers on lease to customers.
fiber optic service
An internet with a fiber optic service when paired with the right router will make a huge difference. It will offer faster download speeds when you’re a few rooms from your router and also in the event that multiple people are using the internet simultaneously. For instance you can stream 4K films in one area when someone else is engaged in an intense online video game. And nobody’s connection will slow down.
Be aware that your connection can only be as quick as the plan which you’re paying. Therefore, if you’re paying for a plan that has up to 500 megabits (Mbps) or speed (the maximal amount of information that is transferable at any particular moment) it isn’t going to be reaching Gbps or gigabit (Gbps) speeds regardless of the speed of your router.
It’s important to be aware the fact that wireless signal are prone to the interference of other devices and are affected by the size and density of walls that exist between you and your router. The majority of the time the only method to obtain speeds similar to what your ISP claims is to connect devices directly to router Ethernet ports.
The speed of your computer is also impacted by old Wi-Fi tech. Also If you have an old laptop model from 2012 don’t be expecting to be able to operate at top speed even with the most modern routers on the market.
Router buying guide
Wireless protocol (Wi-Fi 5 vs. Wi-Fi 6). One of the primary things to take into consideration when purchasing one is what technology it utilizes.
The most popular routers today use either Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) or Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax). If a router is marked with”AC” or “AC” anywhere in its name, it’s likely that it is using wi-fi 5 tech. Wi-Fi 6 routers will include the designation “AX.”
The Wi-Fi 5 models are strong. When coupled with a gigabit fibre optical connection, some models can attain speeds of more than 500Mbps when used in a home environment. But Wi-Fi 6 routers have some upgrades and are able to provide even faster speeds as well as reducing latency (how how long the data takes to get to your devices) regardless of the addition of more devices connected in your house network.
Tri-band or dual-band router. Most routers use two frequencies -that is, 2.4GHz and 5GHz to disperse the signal to your devices, and to prevent congestion on the network. Although the 5GHz band is capable of sending data at greater speeds, it is slowed in walls and doesn’t move as far. Its 2.4GHz band 2.4GHz frequency has greater range, however because it’s a frequency which is influenced through microwaves it’s slower than 5GHz.
Mesh networks. With a mesh network, instead of one router that handles the entire wireless network you’ll have a central unit that’s wired to a modem, and at least one or two wireless nodes that are placed within your home to distribute the signals to provide greater coverage. They can be used to cover homes that are five thousand square feet or more.
Best fiber optic routers
Asus RT-AX88U Wi-Fi 6 Gaming Router
The Asus RT-AX88U is able to make the most of fiber optic connections wirelessly as well as via wired connectivity. Dual-band routers use MU-MIMO (multi-user multi-user, multiple inputs multiple output) to transfer information to up to 4 devices and then receive data from all of them simultaneously. It can reach speeds of 1,148Mbps in the 2.4GHz band and 4,804Mbps in the 5GHz band, if connected to Wi-Fi-capable devices.
The TP-Link Archer AX6000 WiFi 6 router
Archer AX6000 is just as robust as the Asus RTAX88U and is often available at a cost of around $50 less.
Similar to the Asus RT AX88U The Archer AX6000 features dual-band and MU-MIMO technology 8 gigabit ports beamforming and beamforming, a “Smart Connect” feature, an integrated security system as well as parental controls and QoS control.
TP-Link AX3000 archer AX50 Wi-Fi 6 Smart Router
Archer AX50 is about $100 less over our Top Overall runners-up choices but still delivers excellent speeds and features that are typically included on top-of-the-line wireless routers.
AC1900 Archer A9 TP-Link Smart Wi-Fi Router
Its Archer A9 has dual-band, beamforming and MU-MIMO technology to offer speeds of about 600Mbps on 2.4GHz and 1,300Mbps with five GHz. Customers with internet plans of 400Mbps have reported receiving close to perfect speeds when they are in the same space as the router, and up to 100Mbps in rooms just one higher.