6 reasons why you shouldn't pay too much for your WiFi router

If you're using your own wireless router instead of one from your ISP, you can get a basic model or go for a more expensive model. The decision is yours. You may be wondering if you're choosing the right router. But buying a more expensive router is usually not worth the extra money. They may look cool or have more features, but in reality, you probably won't need all that. Here's why you can get what you need even if you choose a cheaper router.



6 You probably won't need advanced features

You probably just want to go online

Router manufacturers like to tout the advanced features of newer routers, but how many of them will you actually use?

You can get a router that will split everything up and do your math homework too, but most people just want to connect their computers, tablets and smartphones to the Internet, so a less expensive router will do the job just fine.

Most of the cost of these routers comes from their extra features and support for the latest networking standards. If you find that you need certain advanced features once you're online with a basic router, you can always install open source firmware, which I'll discuss later. This is something to keep in mind when you're looking to upgrade your router, so you can choose from a router what you need now, but no longer.


5 Your internet connection is a bottleneck

There is no point in buying a faster router if you have a lower-end internet plan

Screenshot of a Speedtest.net test result on a wired Internet connection

Although connection speed is one of the features that router manufacturers charge more for on premium models, unless you have a really fast internet connection, you probably won't be able to reap the benefits of a faster router. Your router is only as good as your internet speed, so if your ISP only provides 100 Mbps, even the best router in the world won't make your connection any faster.

If you're upgrading your internet connection, it might be a good idea to check your router, especially if you haven't bought a new one in a while. I recently got a new, faster router with Gigabit Ethernet after my old cable modem died. I replaced the dinosaur and chose a router that could support the speed I was paying for. In this case, my old, slow router was actually slowing down my internet speed.


4 You can install open source firmware to unlock features on more expensive routers

Instead, unlock new features on your own

Screenshot of the official DD-WRT website

Many of the features offered by more expensive routers also seem to be unlocked on cheaper models. These additional features can be found elsewhere, too, and often use the same design and similar-looking firmware programs. So if you're a DIYer, you can still find and use advanced router features, especially on older routers, that doesn't prevent you from doing so.

You can download open source firmware like DD-WRT and flash your router to add features you'd pay hundreds of dollars more for on a router. Just make sure you download the right one for your router model.

Installing custom firmware that is not provided by the manufacturer may void your router's warranty.


3 You don’t need the latest Wi-Fi standards yet

Wait until other people start using them

Netgear Orbi RBE973S Wi-Fi 7 router

You could immediately upgrade to newer Wi-Fi standards such as Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7, but the benefits would be minimal.

The main reason for this is Metcalfe's Law, named after the co-inventor of good old Ethernet, Robert Metcalfe. The value of the network increases with the square of the number of connections. That is, the network is only as useful as the number of devices and therefore the number of users using it. If there aren't many people using newer standards yet, there is less reason to buy them. It's better to save the money and wait until more people move to newer standards.


2 More expensive routers do not solve coverage problems

Adding extenders is a better solution

An iPhone connected to a travel router.

One reason you might consider a more expensive router is that you may struggle in areas with weak Wi-Fi coverage. Routers rely on transmitters, which can only have a limited size in such a small package. To improve signal strength, you should ideally place your router where you have the best coverage, such as in your room or office.

However, many people like to place their router in a central location in the house, so if you're having coverage issues and you put your new router in the same spot, you may still have the same issues in remote areas with low transmission, even if it uses Wi-Fi 6 or 7.


A more cost-effective solution is to add a WiFi extenderto your existing network to increase the range. This is also cheaper than buying a completely new router. You only need to place this extender near your problem area, but a little closer to the router.

1 Newer routers can also become outdated more quickly

Don’t get stuck with an expensive paperweight

gl-inet-slat-ax1800-router-openwrt

Another problem with the newer Wi-Fi standards is that they are still being worked out. If the standards change and your manufacturer discontinues your router, you're stuck with an expensive, outdated device. This is a microcosm of the problems with many of the more expensive routers on the market.

Router manufacturers often take advantage of early adopters by releasing more expensive routers with more features to make them attractive to them. However, the networking market changes and then certain models are taken off the market to make room for better ones.


Save money on a new router

Unless you've just upgraded to a faster internet connection, there's little point in buying an expensive router. You might have the latest features, but you probably won't use most of them. Plus, your router will probably become outdated faster. If you want to experiment with networking, custom firmware for network hobbyists might be a better option.

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